Why incompetence is the norm in the Philippines

Posted by JoeAm on April 13, 2019 · 202 Comments 

  By JoeAm The Philippines does not lack money as much as it lacks skill in how to deploy the wealth that is generated. Incompetence is the norm at both public agencies and private businesses. Why is that? Not wanting to waste your time, for efficiency is important, I’ll get right to the point: Skill … Continue reading →

Category Culture and Arts, Economy, Philippine Government

Why Filipinos fight Filipinos instead of building a great nation

Posted by JoeAm on April 8, 2019 · 155 Comments 

By JoeAm Have you noticed? Filipinos are always making other Filipinos the enemy. This struck me as I was reading DFA Secretary Locsin ripping on prior administrations for the mess in the West Philippine Sea . . . as if China had nothing to do with the mess. A few days later, House Budget Committee … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Education, Philippine Government

We are “Plac’d on this isthmus of a middle state” . . .

Posted by JoeAm on March 20, 2019 · 56 Comments 

By JoeAm One of my sources, those spread across the globe like a spider’s web, each node a listening post, today entrusted me with the wisdom of Alexander Pope, which I shall reproduce in a moment. Do you read poetry? Not many do, I think. Anyone who reads poetry has undoubtedly tried, and maybe succeeded, … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Education, Laws and Ethics

Philippine national character: obedient or responsible?

Posted by JoeAm on March 13, 2019 · 67 Comments 

JoeAm My son is old enough now to do some healthy introspection, so we have been having a dialogue about how one becomes a healthy, happy, ‘successful’ human being. We’ve started by defining three planks of healthy development: Character Competence Knowledge Our exercise this morning erupted in a riot of laughter. He and I share … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Education, Family/Parenting/Children, Philippine Politics

A very simple idea to take care of one another better

Posted by JoeAm on March 1, 2019 · 41 Comments 

By JoeAm Filipinos are very self-contained. Haha, that’s my polite way of putting it. More direct would be to say most Filipinos are “totally self absorbed”. There is not a lot of other-awareness here. Not a lot of courtesy, kindness, or giving. There is a whole lot of taking. Ach. What’s going on here? It … Continue reading →

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