Creating Opportunities in the Philippines

Joe wrote an article almost a decade ago describing opportunity as an energy untapped in the Philippines. Ambition is indeed a bad word for many Filipinos, somehow equating opportunity with opportunism. Some see OFWs who go abroad as modern “bayani,” somehow similar to warriors of precolonial Philippines who raided and traded, bringing home the bacon. … Continue reading

I wish the Catholic Church would focus on accountability rather than forgiveness

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America The Catholic Church is a great humanitarian institution. It gives the Philippines conscience, and comfort. But it needs to help more, socially, and politically. The Church is forgiving. Great. But forgiveness undermines accountability if it is exercised as the dominant moral foundation. It is the opposite of accountability, which … Continue reading

Women in the Philippines

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America I was surprised to read a report on gender equality recently that cited the Philippine global ranking on the 2024 SDG Gender Index at 70th among 139 nations. This is essentially a ranking on opportunity for women. The Philippines scored right smack in the middle. This low position surprised … Continue reading

Are Pinks a personality cult?

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America I don’t think pinks are a personality cult. But it’s not up to me to decide. It’s up to pinks to decide and they can go either direction, personality or principle. Or they can dissolve and waste the tremendous amount of effort put into the “brand” by Leni and … Continue reading

The Philippines and the world

My mixed perspective when it comes to the Philippines and the world does show me that the relationship between the two can be strange. This is also visible in Philippine politics. Marcos Sr. was very eager to show a positive image of the Philippines to the world. Some Filipinos loved Duterte for thumbing his nose … Continue reading