Navigating the minefield of President Duterte’s pivot to China

Posted by JoeAm on March 20, 2017 · 121 Comments 

By Yvonne The episode in the popular TV show ‘Madam Secretary’ aired on CBS network on March 12, 2017, depicted a fictional Philippine president whose pivot to China alarmed U.S. leaders to the point that the ‘Secretary of State’ made a visit to the ‘President’ to dissuade him with an offer of more military aid … Continue reading →

Category China, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, USA/Americans

Defend Benham Rise!

Posted by JoeAm on March 16, 2017 · 185 Comments 

By Joe America Most Filipinos do not know of Benham Rise. It is time to end this little shard of ignorance. The well-being of every Filipino born and yet to be born depends on it. Benham Rise is one of those grand historical moments, a flash point like the Alamo or the fictional “Bridge on the River … Continue reading →

Category China, Economy, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government

The inimitable Jeepneys of the Philippines

Posted by chemrock on March 15, 2017 · 126 Comments 

By Chemrock The mainstay of public transport in the Philippines is the iconic jeepney. With their loud colors, individualistic facade decorations, and unique vehicular bodywork, they make good advertisements in tourist brochures. Apart from beauty queens and sandy beaches, the jeepneys embody the 7,107 islands. It’s more fun in the Jeepneys There was the thrill … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Economy, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

The character of your associates

Posted by JoeAm on March 13, 2017 · 98 Comments 

By Joe America Associates Group A: Leni Robredo, Risa Hontiveros, Edcel Lagman, Waldon Bello, Solita Collas-Monsod, Abigail Valte, and Leila De Lima. Associates Group B: Alan Cayetano, Manny Pacquiao, Salvador Panelo, Bebot Alvarez, Dick Gordon, Mocha Uson, and Vit Aguirre. Do you see the commonality of character within the two groups, and the differences between them? Hint, … Continue reading →

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

The Rainbow Rebellion, a crowd-sourced opposition

Posted by JoeAm on March 9, 2017 · 106 Comments 

By Joe America Let us suppose that the Philippines is engaged in a to-the-death battle between two very different value systems. One is the old ‘me-first’, tribal system of favor and power. The other is democracy with its attempt to engage everyone equally and fairly. Tribal values have the edge in the Philippines today because … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government