When the Philippines Plays, the Nation Burns

Posted by JoeAm on February 5, 2014 · 15 Comments 

Nero fiddled as Rome burned. Filipinos are dancing and singing – and arguing – as the nation muddles forward . . . divided and wasting $billions. It struck me as a lightning bolt the other day how superficiality leads to the argument and divisiveness that we see everywhere in the Philippines, from the barangay election … Continue reading →

Filed under Blogging/Journalism, Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Entertainment

Of Hong Kong and Dignity

Posted by JoeAm on February 3, 2014 · 34 Comments 

Hong Kong is starting a program of sanctions to punish the Philippines for declining to apologize, state-to-state, for the botched bus massacre in 2010. The Philippines has expressed its regrets and condolences to the family members, which is a step short of admitting state culpability in the massacre. Hong Kong wants the Philippines to accept … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

BAKIT MAY RESPETO AKO KAY PANGULONG AQUINO?

Posted by JoeAm on February 2, 2014 · 23 Comments 

Translation of Joe’s Jan 20 blog by Dee. Further editorial suggestions are welcome. Walang perpektong presidente. Kailanman ay walang isa, magpakailanman wala kahit isa. Maaari nating banggitin ang mga Pangulo na sa pangkalahatan ay nagkamit ng mataas na alang-alang ng mga tao, at ang mga iba pa na tumanggap ng mababang pagsasa-alang-alang ng sambayanan. Paano … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Philippine Government

2016 Dream Team: Aquino and Aquino

Posted by JoeAm on January 31, 2014 · 39 Comments 

We need a new approach. One of the things I wrestle with in my cross-cultural discovery trek is the apparent fact that an American style government overlaid on the Filipino hierarchical culture creates a lot of odd results. Like local mayors become dynastic warlords and the Congress gets packed with dynastic power-mongers, boxers, crybabies, plagiarists … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Entertainment, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Humor/Satire, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

How the Rule of Law Limits Freedom in the Philippines

Posted by JoeAm on January 29, 2014 · 31 Comments 

Freedom House undertakes to survey 185 nations around the world once a year to see how they are doing in terms of freedom, where freedom is broken into two categories, Political Rights and Civil Liberties. Advocacy groups and businessmen use the information, the former to raise a voice of complaint to instigate social change, the latter … Continue reading →

Filed under Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government