The Philippines: fighting a virus with police

Posted by JoeAm on April 6, 2020 · 95 Comments 

By Joe America The Philippines is a tribal “power and privilege” society pretending to be democratic. Or maybe more accurately, it is a democratic republic, by rule book . . . the Constitution . . . but the tribes just don’t get the concept. When a crisis comes to town and the Mayor is tribal, … Continue reading →

Category Culture and Arts, Philippine Government

Why the Philippines makes bad decisions

Posted by JoeAm on March 6, 2020 · 100 Comments 

By Joe America Social media have been filled with complaints from citizens about lack of transparency from the Department of Health (DOH) regarding the coronavirus. The complaints have returned defensive remarks from DOH officials about the hard work being done. This exchange is instructional because it reminds us that we are in Asia, but trying … Continue reading →

Category China, Culture and Arts, Education, Philippine Government

The Philippine nation is dying

Posted by JoeAm on February 23, 2020 · 177 Comments 

By Joe America What is a nation? It’s the people, industries and culture. It’s the history. The traditions. It’s the laws and the language. It’s the land, the borders. Where can we find the best description of that nation? In its Constitution. In the structure, the rules, the values, and the inspirations contained in that … Continue reading →

Category China, Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Jose Rizal meets the Governor General; we learn Ibarra is a Yellow

Posted by JoeAm on January 31, 2020 · 63 Comments 

By Joe America Jose Rizal covered many of the topics we discus today because the Philippines hasn’t changed much in 125 years. I am reading Noli Me Tangere as translated by Leon Ma. Guerrero who, according to Manuel L. Quezon III, does the best job of highlighting the satirical qualities of Rizal’s writing while other … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Education

Making sense out of the nonsense that surrounds us

Posted by JoeAm on January 17, 2020 · 192 Comments 

by Joe America There is a lot of nonsense in the Philippines. From an ignorant Senate President weighing in on the science of seeding clouds above volcanic ash to thieves at sea being warmly welcomed by the Philippine Coast Guard, which is supposed to protect the nation from thieves at sea . . . there … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government