Category: Civics

Questions that must be asked before any talk of federalism in the Philippines starts

December 29, 2016December 29, 2016 FallenAngel 15 Comments

One of the main campaign promises of then-presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte was to push for federalism in the Philippines. He claims that it will make the delivery of basic services faster, and it is the only solution to the secessionist problem in the southern Philippines. The word “federalism” traces its root to the Latin foedus,…

Charter Change, Civics, Culture, Government, Society

What do basketball, karaoke, and democracy, all have in common in the Philippines?

December 23, 2016 FallenAngel 30 Comments

Basketball, karaoke, and democracy, are favorite pastimes in the Philippines. All three are things Filipinos like to associate with being Filipino. We like to think of ourselves – and are proud of it – as the most basketball-crazy country in the region. When it comes to social gatherings, and Filipinos are involved, everyone is expected…

Civics, Culture, Lifestyle, Society

The unresolved issues with the Marcoses are strong indictments of Filipino cultural dysfunction

November 30, 2016December 1, 2016 FallenAngel 8 Comments

It is tempting to think of the unresolved issues with the Marcos family – their alleged ill-gotten wealth, the lack of compensation for all those who supposedly suffered during the Martial Law era, and now the purportedly “undeserved” burial of the late strongman Ferdinand Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) – as political…

Civics, Culture, Politics, Society

Ferdinand Marcos laid to rest with the quiet dignity a former President and soldier deserves

November 19, 2016 benign0 53 Comments

Former President Ferdinand Marcos was finally laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) yesterday, the 18th November 2016. The “secret” funeral rites caught everyone by surprise and sent the usual anti-Marcos mobs on an eleventh-hour protest frenzy. The funeral itself was a dignified affair involving full military honours. The dignity with which…

Civics, Society

Leila de Lima should resign to show respect for Filipinos and the Senate

November 17, 2016November 17, 2016 benign0 23 Comments

In other countries, the normal and the right thing a disgraced politician would do is resign. This is a noble gesture to demonstrate personal accountability for damage a politician may have caused the public office he or she occupies. It is a show of respect for one’s country and government. These virtues cannot be used…

Civics, Politics

On The Left and Going Forward: Making sense of the Donald Trump win

November 13, 2016 Frank 12 Comments

I have been paying attention to GRP since before the BSA3 administration. It was here that I began to truly understand what drove Filipino culture – as well as how it derived from the showbiz culture inherited from the Americans. It was highly understandable to me why Filipinos would swarm to Duterte in droves. Like…

Civics, Culture, Government, Politics, The South

A response to the question “What have you done for the country?”

October 29, 2016October 29, 2016 Ilda 16 Comments

“What have you done for the country?” That was the last question a former friend and colleague asked me before he blocked me on social networking site Facebook. I didn’t even get the chance to answer because he already muted me. I thought it was such a lame question anyway. I was shocked he would…

Civics, Government, Society

What happens to Filipinos when they can no longer “make sumbong”?

October 25, 2016October 25, 2016 FallenAngel 2 Comments

There is something to be said about Filipinos and their ability to engage opponents fairly. In a fair engagement, you recognize the situation and the position you’re currently in, and assess them. You discuss possible options. You recall your strengths and weaknesses, and how to use the former for leverage, and how to best minimize…

Civics, Culture, Politics, Society