Observations on a Philippine Election

The 2013 bout of nationalistic censorship is done and foreigner JoeAm can speak once more about candidates. Let me offer some observations: Congratulations to the Philippines for conducting a rigorous and well-organized election, one where people may be inclined to complain about the hiccups, but that cannot change one thing: this was a huge logistical … Continue reading →

Filed under Philippine Politics

The Remarkable Photogenic Philippines

For the past few months, I have featured photographs on this site volunteered by Attila, New York based student of Philippine affairs, and a sharp, handsome European married to a beautiful and intelligent Filipina. Attila has been a member of this elite Society for some time now, regularly popping in to share a perspective on … Continue reading →

Filed under Culture and Arts

Success Breeds Failure

Wake Up Call for Philippine Business Managers! Lets do some painting, say a conceptual landscape dealing with the Philippine economy. This aforesaid economy is growing nicely on a canvas of good governance and honorable intentions, pasted in a fragile way atop an unattractive mass of dark history featuring power-mongering, shady dealings and favor trading. The manufacturing … Continue reading →

Filed under Economy, Philippine Government

The Chinese Puzzle

Hong Kong is different than it used to be. It is Chinese, not British. By my observation, the share of English-speaking workers has diminished markedly since the colony was handed back to China in 1997. It would have to be corroborated by others, but on my recent visit, my fourth, it also seems that Chinese … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Foreign Affairs and Defense

The Receipt as a Symbol of Philippine Authoritarianism

This topic is a bounce off my family’s recent trip to Hong Kong. Sometimes the smallest of acts reveals the largest of attributes. I’m tempted to call the attributes of which I speak “deficiencies” but will let you decide on that point. Indeed, I was originally going to entitle this article “The Receipt as a … Continue reading →

Filed under Culture and Arts, Philippine Government