2016 Dream Team: Aquino and Aquino

Posted by JoeAm on January 31, 2014 · 39 Comments 

We need a new approach. One of the things I wrestle with in my cross-cultural discovery trek is the apparent fact that an American style government overlaid on the Filipino hierarchical culture creates a lot of odd results. Like local mayors become dynastic warlords and the Congress gets packed with dynastic power-mongers, boxers, crybabies, plagiarists … Continue reading →

Category China, Entertainment, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Humor/Satire, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

Who Funds Bayan Muna?

Posted by JoeAm on October 23, 2013 · 30 Comments 

When I think of political extremists in the Philippines I think of the left, NPA, Bayan Muna and the Communist Party of the Philippines. I don’t know if there is a right wing extremist group, per se. Readers may be able to enlighten me on that. Or perhaps the right presently occupies the seats of … Continue reading →

Category Philippine Politics

Wolves, Hyenas and Jackals at the Door: UNA’s Possible Strategies in the Run Up to 2016

Posted by JoeAm on October 14, 2013 · 21 Comments 

Guest Article by Andrew Lim The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA)  is a political party that aims to gain power in 2016 and beyond. Just like most parties in the Philippine landscape, the partnership is based on political opportunism: join forces with those who have the resources, the crowd pull and the organization to obtain power.  … Continue reading →

Category Philippine Politics, Religion

In Whom Do You Trust?

Posted by JoeAm on September 20, 2013 · 27 Comments 

Do you have a copy of The Elements of Style by Strunk & White? Almost every professional writer who writes in American English has a copy of this gem, calling it by the authors’ names, as in “grab the old Strunk and White, eh?“.  It is the bible of writing rules, laying waste to old stuffy … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Philippine Politics

Out of Order: Binay and Rappler

Posted by JoeAm on September 14, 2013 · 54 Comments 

Let me drop this blog in while the issues are burning. The Philippines is dealing with a troublesome uprising of Muslim rebels in Zamboanga to the southwest of Mindanao. It started with a confrontation at sea then moved onto land as the large force of rebels captured a substantial number of hostages. People have been … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Politics