The only way for the Philippines is forward

Posted by Irineo B. R. Salazar on July 17, 2025 · 138 Comments 

The Dalian trains are finally being put to use on the MRT-3 after ten years, having been kept from being used by pettiness. After two rants, I have something nicer to say about the Philippines. There are people there now who understand building on what is already there. Marcos Jr. following the 1987 Constitution, or … Continue reading →

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Creating Opportunities in the Philippines

Posted by Irineo B. R. Salazar on October 3, 2024 · 158 Comments 

Joe wrote an article almost a decade ago describing opportunity as an energy untapped in the Philippines. Ambition is indeed a bad word for many Filipinos, somehow equating opportunity with opportunism. Some see OFWs who go abroad as modern “bayani,” somehow similar to warriors of precolonial Philippines who raided and traded, bringing home the bacon. … Continue reading →

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Zen and the Art of Filipino Character Maintenance

Posted by JoeAm on January 18, 2013 · 36 Comments 

It has been observed that Filipinos seem to live in the now, a wholly admirably quality of you have read “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle or are into Zen Buddhism. But it does make for a rather chaotic and reactive style. Face it, planning ahead is not  commonly or skillfully done here. In … Continue reading →

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The Strength Within

Posted by JoeAm on January 15, 2013 · 23 Comments 

Stick with me if you can. This one’s a ride. Ideas grow where you plant them and propagate in an organized random way.Doing this blogging bit is a little like stuffing a plant into the fine red Philippine soil. You plant one idea and before you know it, you’ve got another plant poking up over … Continue reading →

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Democracy: Grace, Wisdom and Confidence

Posted by JoeAm on November 6, 2012 · 41 Comments 

Two prior blogs on Philippine governance and culture dealt with: (1) subservience as an ethical value in the Philippines which makes speaking out risky, and (2) an apparent lack of patriotic humility among most leaders in the Philippines; this results in the failure of dynastic leaders to respect that opposing views help keep democracy centered. … Continue reading →

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