Two-Cow Thinking

During a recent trip through the mountains of Northern Leyte, I drove past some cows along the side of the road. My son got excited because seeing cows and horses is rather like big game hunting to him. Normally all that is there are dogs or kids or an occasional adult slogging along under this … Continue reading

Philippine Physics: Inertia Rules

The Philippines is a land deep and rich with history, custom, style and life. It renders the typical American suburb rather barren by comparison, shaded mundane by good order, wealth and mindless consumption. The Philippines is also conflicted, a stew of peoples who often do not see eye to eye. The rich and the disenfranchised, … Continue reading

Estop’s Fables: The Creatures and the Dinner Bell

Once upon a time, two bands of creatures arrived on an island. One band was known by scientists as Americano Erectus Whitus, the other Filipino Cheatus Amalgamatus. In modern terms, the first word of the scientific designation indicates the origin of the species by country, that is, America or Philippines. The second word is what … Continue reading

The Philippine Luddite Mentality

I was roaming the Rappler conversation threads the other day and another visitor whipped a “pfft” on some people who are protesting the Philippine research work into genetically modified rice. He referred to them as “Luddites”. That sent me scurrying to my search button on the term “Luddite”, and this is what I got from … Continue reading

When Leaders Run into Each Other

Now this blog is not just another foreigner whining. If you will bear with me, you will see it is quite the opposite. It is just that I start where others leave off. So get through the early part and we’ll be fine. You will hear many foreigners complain about how inconsiderate Filipinos are. Maybe … Continue reading