The Philippine Constitution: is it set in cement or is it a living, growing document?

Posted by JoeAm on July 2, 2015 · 44 Comments 

The Supreme Court of the United States last week ruled on two ground-breaking cases, one preserving President Obama’s national health care program, the other permitting same-sex marriages. The rulings were groundbreaking because they were “liberal” findings among a court stacked by former presidents to be conservative. What happened? Why? What does it mean to the … Continue reading →

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

Missing in action: Philippine youth against Binay

Posted by JoeAm on June 23, 2015 · 156 Comments 

We often find that democratic nations see their university students providing a kind of forward looking idealism that drives change toward better values. Universities teach good values. Students understand that their own futures are being defined by what the “olds” are doing with their nation. Student organizations are already in place, making communication and rallies easy. And so they protest for change or against wrongs. … Continue reading →

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

On being smart and capable, but no character

Posted by JoeAm on June 17, 2015 · 71 Comments 

by Andrew Lim Browsing online through the day’s news, two seemingly unconnected articles caught my eye: Greece , already on serious economic lifeline five years ago seems headed for default on its massive loans from the EU and IMF (“Greece debt talks collapse; default dangerously closer“)  and the other one is a  column by Rigoberto … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Economy, Laws and Ethics

The Philippines: New thinkers wanted

Posted by josephivo on June 7, 2015 · 211 Comments 

by josephivo Introduction Imagine the year 500,000 CE. What a nice world, plenty of natural wonders. But no more humans left to admire it. Am I too optimistic? Is 5,000 CE more realistic for this scenario? Or after all, maybe we’ll find the number pi is no longer irrational? The speed of light no more the maximum speed? Will … Continue reading →

Category Culture and Arts, Education, Laws and Ethics, Religion

The “big bang” theory of Philippine social dynamics

Posted by JoeAm on June 2, 2015 · 139 Comments 

When we look at events and see two trains collide or economic growth slip or a Senate investigation, we see the tangibles. In astronomical terms, they are like the planets and stars. And that is what we mostly argue about. But in between, surrounding and a part of the tangibles are some hidden forces and mysterious … Continue reading →

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