“O’ Rise Ye Land of Happy Fools”

Posted by JoeAm on July 15, 2024 · 85 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America This blog has always been for the Philippines. The basic distinction between here and elsewhere is a choice between building or whining. We choose to build. To build ideas. To build understandings. To build solutions to problems. As the principal writer here, I’m starting to focus on the 2028 … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Citizenship/Patriotism, Education, Philippine Politics

Filipino kids get cheated by the school system

Posted by JoeAm on July 8, 2024 · 99 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America Senator Sonny Angara was appointed Secretary of Education last week. It’s a big job. It’s a huge opportunity. It’s an opportunity to recast education IN FAVOR of kids rather than against them. I don’t know if Secretary Angara is bold enough. Not many are I think. But I hope … Continue reading →

Category Education, Family/Parenting/Children, Philippine Government, Technology/Internet

Cults, gangs, LGUs, dynasties, political parties, tribes, echo chambers, nations, and faiths

Posted by JoeAm on May 30, 2024 · 275 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By JoeAm Humans form collectives around common passions, common dedications. Cults, gangs, LGUs, dynasties, political parties, tribes, echo chambers, nations, faiths. These are examples. Wolves form packs, whales pods, and buffalo herds. We humans have more diversity than animals in how we gang together because we are able to develop concepts that … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Education, Family/Parenting/Children, Laws and Ethics, Religion

Reflections After Shogun

Posted by Irineo B. R. Salazar on April 29, 2024 · 137 Comments 

by Irineo B. R. Salazar Rudyard Kipling once said that East and West would never meet. They do meet in Shogun(2024) and the real-life equivalent of John Blackthorne was William Adams (not AFAM) and though he probably wasn’t as important to Ieyasu Tokugawa aka Toranaga as in the series, he had a significant role with … Continue reading →

Category China, Culture and Arts, Economy, Education, Entertainment, Foreign Affairs and Defense

Ranking the greatest Philippine Presidents: What criteria to use?

Posted by JoeAm on February 29, 2024 · 185 Comments 

Analysis and Opinion By Joe America A new ranking of American presidents is out based on a survey led by two US political science professors. Here’s an article about it: NEW SURVEY OF SCHOLARS FINDS LINCOLN REMAINS AMERICA’S GREATEST PRESIDENT This excerpt considers recent presidents: “The survey shows that while presidential scholars continue to consider … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Education, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics