A history lesson missed by Poe, Gordon, Angara, Lacson, and a whole lot of other smart people

By Joe America Apolinario Mabini, the architect of the hatchling Philippine Republic’s ways and means, wrote over a century ago: The Revolution failed because it was badly led; because its leader won his post by reprehensible rather than meritorious acts; because instead of supporting the men most useful to the people, he made them useless … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Education, Philippine Government

Can you be a Catholic and support Donald Trump?

By Andrew Lim This essay follows on the heels of Joe’s previous piece “The  Philippines is not really a Catholic nation”. But instead of dwelling on the local situation where there is much consensus on the “split-level”, cognitive-dissonant, hypocritical, shallow, superstitious appreciation and application of Catholicism in the country, we talk of the United States, … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Religion

Knowledge and church doctrine, a kindly debate

By Joe America I made a remark in a recent discussion thread taking the Philippine Catholic Church to task for failing to speak out against extra judicial killings (EJKs). It was one of those ‘off the top of my head’ remarks that lacked context, and therefore was considered cavalier (showing arrogant or offhand disregard; dismissive) by … Continue reading →

Filed under Culture and Arts, Laws and Ethics, Religion

Things are pointing to love as the Filipino philosophy, the only way out

  by Wilfredo G. Villanueva Such a saccharine term, love. But back against the wall, the Philippines seems at a standstill, or on the verge of civil war, generally nowhere to go, and we have to be our loving selves. See, if ever President Rodrigo Duterte finally gets called to hell as he fervently wishes, … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Education, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

The Philippines is not really a Catholic nation

By Joe America Occasionally, I write an article that is intended mainly to provoke discussion. Why? Usually because I am confused and the discussion that follows the article helps me sort out my ideas. This is one of those articles. About 86% of the Philippine population belongs to the Catholic Church (Center for Global Education). … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Philippine Government, Religion