Thinking Outside the Bucket

By DeeMeyer The irrational act of pulling down someone perceived to be successful is a universal syndrome.  This human behavior is often ascribed to human nature and called jealousy or envy.  I heard the analogy of crabs in a bucket in many conversations among Filipinos. They use the term “crab mentality” to describe the behavior … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Education, Family/Parenting/Children

A Philippine Hero: Benigno Aquino III

It seems to me that it is time to stop referring to the President casually, as if he were our pal, an ordinary guy we demanded be our president because he was of good parentage and decent character. For me, it is now Mr. President, or the President, or Benigno Aquino III, or minimally Noynoy … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Economy, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

The Middle Class Megaphone

We read often about the promise a more robust economic middle class brings to the Philippines. As the economy expands and more professional and managerial jobs come on-stream, we are seeing the emergence of a different style of worker, more traditional in the western sense, relying upon skills and productivity to command a decent salary. … Continue reading →

Filed under Blogging/Journalism, Citizenship/Patriotism, Economy, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

A Corporate Model of Governance

This blog is strictly an intellectual exercise. I would not want anyone to think JoeAm is preaching revolution, thus inviting reactionaries to ship him back to the States for violating the terms of his visa. Let’s just think about things, eh? We watch senators engaging one another as if each member had it in for … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Economy, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Empathy in the Philippines

Empathy (noun) the intellectual identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another. Empathy exists in the Philippines. When a grandmother decides to turn state’s evidence because she does not want a stigma of shame attached to her grandkids, you know she has a heart for those grandkids. Empathy does not … Continue reading →

Filed under Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Philippine Government