The Pope and the Philippines

Posted by JoeAm on January 19, 2015 · 64 Comments 

A few reflections on Pope Francis and the Philippines. Summation: A triumph! The big question: Will it have legs? That is, was it a showtime event, or an event with lasting significance? The Pope is controversial in Rome on theological grounds (“Italian writer stirs a hornet’s nest . . .“). Theology means little in the Philippines. … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Family/Parenting/Children, Philippine Politics, Religion

Does mercy and compassion extend to the corrupt?

Posted by JoeAm on January 11, 2015 · 154 Comments 

by Andrew Lim The 2015 Philippine Papal visit is themed “mercy and compassion.” On its official website the rationale is very explicit: “Pope Francis will visit the Philippines primarily to comfort Filipinos devastated by the typhoon and the earthquake that hit the Visayas.” “In his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis proclaims that the Church … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Religion

A little change of plans

Posted by JoeAm on January 5, 2015 · 63 Comments 

You know, I probably write smack better than most in the Philippines. “Smack: a disrespectful comment made to or about someone.” (One of 42 definitions cited in the Urban Dictionary. Don’t check out the others unless you have great tolerance for American street language.) But I have become increasingly uncomfortable doing smack. I’ve reached the … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Economy, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

American military culture, or why Pemberton is in US custody

Posted by JoeAm on January 1, 2015 · 124 Comments 

The following blog is my personal view, not the official position of the United States. JoeAm * * * * * This blog will turn the tables. Normally it is I, the American, who is trying to grasp Filipino customs that I don’t understand, like fighting chickens and a major religion that does not study … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Foreign Affairs and Defense, USA/Americans

“Flipping Manila”: exposing the rot in the walls

Posted by JoeAm on December 16, 2014 · 51 Comments 

Every once in a while when the kid is in school and the wife is downtown buying her way through the wet market, I grab the television remote and check out my favorite shows: (1) various senate hearings, (2) “Flipping Vegas”, and (3) some Discovery Channel survival show with two goofs trying to make their … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Philippine Government