April 2013
2 posts
The Usual Suspects
And the countdown begins- less than a month remains before we see a new pool (or the same pool) of senators take their seat of power. We see the mudslinging increase as well as skeletons in the closet being dug up deeper as the finish line looms closer. All the excitement is abuzz, and it ought to be true that the Philippines probably has the most interesting line of senatoriables every time,...
ELECTION TIME
Makamasa – Forever the theme
Elections are just around the corner, and we see the same campaign style done repeatedly. There are commercials with catchy tunes with candidates dancing and performing whatever shenanigans, or candidates shown to be toiling to help out our less fortunate Filipino brothers and sisters. Slogans are slapped across every sticker and poster promoting the candidate’s...
March 2013
1 post
Destined For Greatness
A short editorial this Holy Week
There are different attributes we admire in the people we look up to or aspire to be, depending on our background, set of values, or what we personally hold of high importance. To some, their idea of a role model or great leader is one with an iron fist, able to achieve goals quickly and competently in a no-nonsensical manner. People around him, even his colleagues...
November 2012
1 post
If Walls Could Talk, If Paintings Could Speak
It was to my great privilege that I was able to visit the National Art Gallery of the Philippines, as a good friend, VV brought a number of us there for her birthday. The breath-taking, yet eerily haunting Spoliarium greets visitors at the entrance. The gallery also contains a vast number of other artworks which includes paintings by Fernando Amorsolo, Juan Luna, Joya, and pieces, sculptures dated...
August 2012
1 post
A Few Good Men
Saludo
It is said that the ultimate mark of a true hero or leader lies in the impact of the legacy left behind, and truly this has been what the late DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo has shown – a sterling lifetime example of competent and honest governance. In our country where decent government officials are scarce in a sea of corruption, it is a sad to see his passing, much more so in the tragic...
June 2012
1 post
Ousted
The end to the “Coronavela”
It seemed as though the whole country was tuned in on the final hearing of the Corona trial last Tuesday, May 29, 2012. Beyond just politics, the Impeachment Trial contained elements of a telenovela: the high and mighty chief justice’s fall from grace and his desperate tactics, the emotional family feud between Cristina Corona and the Basas, the...
May 2012
2 posts
The bigger they are, the harder they fall
A WITNESS, A JUDGE Not only was Corona’s infamous cowardly walkout, a desperate attempt to delay impeachment proceedings, but it was a horrible display of his arrogance. He showed that he thought himself above the law. He assumed he could easily come and leave the premise as he pleased, without any official permission, as though he was the presiding judge and not the one taking the stand....
Philippine Territory: The Panatag Shoal or Bajo de...
Internationally known as the Scarborough shoal, “named after a tea-trade ship Scarborough which was wrecked on the rock with everyone perishing on board in the late 18th century”
GET OUT
It is not a question of sovereignty alone, but a question of abiding by the most basic of international laws which clearly China has violated time and time again. They have shown us that they have no respect for...
March 2012
1 post
WOMEN IN TODAY’S HEADLINES
Celebrate and Berate
In light of International Women’s day, it is unavoidable to not celebrate the remarkable women of this modern day and age who have contributed to the betterment of society. As there are many different facets to a woman - we each have our own idea of women role models, those whose actions we perceive to be aligned with our visions of transformation through concrete action. On...
December 2010
3 posts
Opening Pandora's Box-- when convicts or the...
Of course I believe that everyone deserves a second chance, but at the same time, those who have committed great atrocities must still face the consequences of their actions. We must not let our Christian values of forgiveness get in the way of letting justice take its course. Putting aside corruption in the government as a reason why criminals are pardoned despite extreme circumstances, it is...
ACQUITTED
Likened to the OJ Simpson Case
The acquittal of Webb et al, accused of one of the most notorious crimes in recent Philippine history left the country stunned. Some stood stunned in relief that an innocent man has finally been set free, while others remarked bitterly at the poor judgment of our very own Supreme Court.
When former policeman Gerardo Biong, convicted accessory to the Vizconde...
Let a Guilty Man Walk or Put an Innocent Man in...
The Fascination over the Vizconde-Webb Case
The recent resurrection of the Vizconde-Webb case due to the Supreme Court’s approval of DNA testing which was then denied Webb, has caused an uproar from both sides. What is it about the Vizconde-Webb case that has gotten the whole country to revisit the details of the gruesome massacre even if it has been 19 years? In no disrespect or to downplay a...
November 2010
3 posts
PERSONAL LIVES OF PUBLIC PEOPLE-- Is it any of our...
A New Breed
It has been all the buzz lately about stylist Liz Uy and President Noynoy. There are those who are excited that finally, our bachelor President has found a young, vivacious woman to be the future first lady. Liz Uy is admired by many young women because she seems to embody the modern Filipina. She is independent, smart, outgoing, fashion-forward, attractive, and if you compare her to...
THE CURIOUS CASE OF THESE 3 HEADS OF STATE:...
Bill Clinton in Manila
I thought that the title of Bill Clinton’s forum, Embracing our Common Humanity sounded vague, broad, downright cheezy actually, and something that can easily be spoken about in general terms. Yet I still attended because I have always looked upon Bill Clinton in high esteem, and from what I’ve known of him is that he has the uncanny ability to transform a dull topic into a...
MODERN DAY HEROINES
Women in Politics
With the release of “The Lady”, her excellency Aung San Suu Kyi, all of Burma has been in a commotion of excitement and hope, yet there remains that underlying suspicion that this tactic is only a ploy by the junta to ease international pressure for the meantime. Definitely a political chess game of sorts—we have yet to see what and from which party the next move shall be,...
