Wilfredo G. Villanueva
Cha Coronel Datu
Juana Pilipinas
Karl Garcia
giancarloangulo
Irineo B. R. Salazar
JPilipinas
karlgarcia
JoeAmWhy does the Philippines not seem to learn?
Been wondering about this for a while, and it just occurred to me how the President there is seen as personally responsible for so much. That was the way it was in times of datus, and Joey Nguyen just commented on how it was in Spain with the King. Such a mindset leads to more … Continue reading
Forget Anti-Dynasty Laws
Once again, JoeAm will swim upriver. From the Humpty Dumpty New World Dictionary: scion (noun), a son or daughter, generally of a family that is well-off. All you anti-dynasty mavens have it wrong. Y’all want to dump skilled people because they have the wrong name. You’re are on a beeline to chaos and mediocrity. Well, … Continue reading
Face and Power as Currency in the Philippines
You don’t find much psychotherapy in the Philippines. Seeing a shrink is an admission of emotional weakness, a no-no in a society that prizes power. After all, that’s what shame is, isn’t it? The opposite of power? The undermining of esteem. So if we view “face” as a self-defense mechanism against shame, we are basically … Continue reading
Fire in the Belly: "Filipinos for Filipinos"
Let us assume that most Filipinos accept that people in power have advantages. The powerful can appoint sons, daughters, wives and nephews to important government jobs, whether qualified or not. They can squeeze out a little cash from awards to favored contractors for the building of roads and bridges. Their position gets them cars, staff, … Continue reading
Waving the White Flag of Subservience on Independence Day
It struck me today that the Philippines is not a bold nation in the sense that it flies majestically high on grand ideals. Oh, yes, I know Filipinos are bold, but more inclined toward a reckless kind of bold, like staging coups or shooting people or marching in the street. It is the kind of … Continue reading
The Society of Honor by Joe America 