Electricity, Part 3: Epira is a lame duck with a non-performing WESM

By Chemrock The continuing high cost of electricity fuels clamor for repealing EPIRA (Electric Power Industry Reform Act 2001) and revert the power sector to a public run service.  Has Epira delivered on its mandate to bring about affordable electricity in a more efficient and competitive market? This is a 3-part series on electricity. The first … Continue reading

Christmas is Us

By Wilfredo G. Villanueva Sharing with you two stories of Christmas. My Facebook public’s warm response to them is evidence that the country is awake, strong and caring. Touched Last night, on our way out of Ma Mon Luk restaurant on Quezon boulevard in Quezon city, Baby saw a boy about ten years old who … Continue reading

The Philippines needs a moral revolution

By JoeAm I must leave it to Philippine citizens to talk about and undertake specific political acts like whom to elect. The current government is not inclined to look favorably on foreigners intruding into their electoral affairs, especially if they have contrary ideas. I also avoid discussions of overthrow or revolution and cringe every time … Continue reading

The Balangiga Bells: Philippine Liberty Bells

By JoeAm I’ve started liking those bells, those Balangiga Bells, for what they represent. For a long time, they were an embarrassment for me, attaching my heritage to a symbol of American brutality and the racism that was prevalent at the time. I wished they would just go away and for sure wished President Duterte … Continue reading

Vantage points

By JoeAm Vantage points are the problem, and they are the opportunity. This arose the other day during a debate here in the blog discussion forum. I argued that: “One’s vantage point defines what one sees. It may not be ignorance.” I made this top-of-mind remark in response to a reader’s observation that some view … Continue reading