The United Forum of the Faiths

One of the enduring frictions of our time is the one between the Church and Caesar, or whatever authoritative body or person is ruling any particular nation. For sure it exists in the Philippines as the Goliath of all faiths, the Catholic Church, spars with secular leadership over matters such as HR law, divorce, and … Continue reading →

Filed under Religion

Hypocrisy and What It Is Not

Sometimes it is exhausting trying to defend America against disparaging words easily tossed about, with no relation to fact. Of late, the term “hypocrisy” has been occupying the disparagement limelight. I’d like to discuss that word and arrive at an understanding of when the U.S. is hypocritical, and when she is not. I’ll also use … Continue reading →

Filed under Culture and Arts, Education

What We Have Here Is a Failure to Legislate

It is refreshing to come across articles that are candid without carping, critical yet constructive. Carl Javier, Assistant Professor at UP Diliman, composed just such an article for Rappler the other day, entitled “After Napoles“. His takeaway mirrors what JoeAm wrote a couple of blogs ago about President Aquino not being in the lead on the … Continue reading →

Filed under Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

WANTED: A New Breed of Corporate Owner

Reader’s lead me to a lot of good discussion topics. In this case, David Webb did the favor. In response to my suggestion that the Philippines could start its own military ship-building industry, he wondered if new manufacturing enterprises in the Philippines would fall into the hands of the trapos.  I whipped out this top-of-mind … Continue reading →

Filed under Economy

America: Thug or Conscience in a World Gone Mad?

One of the more jarring transitions that an American makes in coming to the Philippines is understanding the deep-seated resentment that some Filipinos carry toward America. The foundations for a lot of the angers and distrust are understandable: a racist America brutalizing its way across the Philippines in the Philippine American War, a brutal American … Continue reading →

Filed under Foreign Affairs and Defense, USA/Americans