The Book of Allegory

Posted by JoeAm on December 30, 2014 · 34 Comments 

This blog has the echo of a prior writing, but we have a lot of new followers, so I’ll tread that ground once more. It may explain a few things. Let me first note how I came to the topic this time around. It is amusing, I think. Mariano Renato Pacifico did it, essentially, by leveling a blast … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Culture and Arts, Education, Humor/Satire, Literature

Mar Roxas and weaknesses in Filipino character

Posted by JoeAm on December 11, 2014 · 164 Comments 

Let’s get ready to RUMBLE! The recent incident of Mar Roxas being captured in a photograph slipping on a motorcycle while not wearing a helmet is to me representative of bad character. Not for Mar Roxas. But for his critics. Ridicule is a common feature of Philippine character. It is an element of “amoral interdependence”, … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Philippine Politics

The continuing occupation of the oligarchs

Posted by josephivo on December 5, 2014 · 227 Comments 

  by josephivo (1) Wayang kulit and the Philippine political reality A wayang kulit (= Indonesian shadow theater play) is the political reality we are looking at in the Philippines. Wayang kulit is special because of its double abstraction. First you only see shadows not the live actors. Second, the shadows come from leather puppets … Continue reading →

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

Binay does not have to be declared guilty to get thrown from the presidential race

Posted by JoeAm on November 30, 2014 · 70 Comments 

One of the great differences between America and the Philippines is the existence in America of what I will call the “community’s force of conscience”. It is a very important difference. Before getting to that, however, let’s start by observing  a similarity: both America and the Philippines have well evolved laws. These are the rules the community … Continue reading →

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

The connected Filipino; running naked in the forest

Posted by JoeAm on November 25, 2014 · 64 Comments 

I wonder what it is like to be born into the world of computers and instant communication around the globe where dramatic photos can be uploaded to the world in the middle of a disaster or insults registered around the globe in 141 characters. Where relentless tapping of text messages is very likely evolving the shape … Continue reading →

Category Culture and Arts, Education, Family/Parenting/Children, Technology/Internet