Mamasapano: who was at fault, and why

Posted by JoeAm on February 15, 2015 · 290 Comments 

We have seen a frenzied hunt for culprits for the death of 44 SAF troops at the Battle of Mamasapano being carried out in the Senate, the House, and the Philippine tabloid media. As if finding someone to paste the guilt on would somehow make the pain go away. Some of the hunting has taken a … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics, USA/Americans

The Pope and the Philippines

Posted by JoeAm on January 19, 2015 · 64 Comments 

A few reflections on Pope Francis and the Philippines. Summation: A triumph! The big question: Will it have legs? That is, was it a showtime event, or an event with lasting significance? The Pope is controversial in Rome on theological grounds (“Italian writer stirs a hornet’s nest . . .“). Theology means little in the Philippines. … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Family/Parenting/Children, Philippine Politics, Religion

Vice President Binay and the rage of the Middle Class

Posted by JoeAm on January 8, 2015 · 203 Comments 

The Philippines is a democracy in transition and it is moving faster than some people think. The transition is from economic poverty to economic wealth, and from a feudal democracy that favors the few to a forthright democracy that works for common good. The catalyst may be President Aquino, but the transition is out of … Continue reading →

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

A little change of plans

Posted by JoeAm on January 5, 2015 · 63 Comments 

You know, I probably write smack better than most in the Philippines. “Smack: a disrespectful comment made to or about someone.” (One of 42 definitions cited in the Urban Dictionary. Don’t check out the others unless you have great tolerance for American street language.) But I have become increasingly uncomfortable doing smack. I’ve reached the … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Economy, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

The Korina stone

Posted by JoeAm on December 20, 2014 · 232 Comments 

ABS-CBN news anchor Korina Sanchez is regularly mocked or criticized on social media. I’ve mocked the shallow, sensationalist “talking head” method of news reporting employed by ABS-CBN. She is one of three news anchors there. Her husband, prospective presidential candidate Mar Roxas, gets criticized for being married to her. They were married in 2009. The … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Citizenship/Patriotism, Philippine Politics