Category: Culture

What’s next for the Philippines following the visit of Pope Francis?

January 19, 2015January 19, 2015 benign0 17 Comments

In my experience attending corporate training programs — specially those involving team dynamics and motivation approaches — I have always been impressed with the way the really good trainors are able to create a euphoric pumped-up vibe in the participants over the course of the session. The courses that are conducted away from the office…

Culture, Development, Religion, Society

The Blame Game: The Philippines’ Favorite Sport

January 18, 2015 Grimwald 39 Comments

They say that the national sport of the Philippines is basketball. I disagree, I believe that the Philippines’ favorite sport (and one it’s actually good at) is the blame game. Its had plenty of practice over the years and it has certainly improved its craft today. Of course, to be fair, the Philippines is not…

Culture, Lifestyle, Society

Homages, Fanfics, Parodies and Ripoffs: Defining Plagiarism

January 17, 2015 Grimwald 14 Comments

This is not meant to be a critical article but one that begs the question of just what is originality and why so much media in the Philippines is often branded “unoriginal”. I mean, just what does it mean to be “original” in this day and age and why does it have to be an…

Culture, Glitz and Glamour, Media, Society

A Talk Between Mothers

January 17, 2015 Grimwald 8 Comments

I have only recently read Mike Portes’ Minsan May Isang Puta and its sequel article Ang Putak Ng Anak Ng Puta and was thoroughly moved by their realistic takes on Filipino life and mentality. Mike Portes is certainly a master at what he does and I was quite impressed with the fact that his work was immediately…

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Culture, Government, Lifestyle, Politics, Society

Grow Up Philippines

January 16, 2015 Grimwald 66 Comments

We’ve all read about how anti-intellectual Philippine society is and how Filipinos are often too emotional for their own good. Yes, I even wrote an article about how my idea of Hell fits in with the Filipino mindset. But now comes an important question for all Filipinos: Is it so difficult to be professional? Is…

The call of Pope Francis turned to cash.

January 16, 2015January 19, 2015 Ms. Mike Portes 20 Comments

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Argentine Jesuit of Italian bloodline, assumed the Papacy as Pope Francis on March 13, 2013 and it has never been the same for the Catholic faith as the refreshing messages on unity, humility and respect transcends religious boundaries. The large crowd which the Pope drew from predominantly Buddhist Sri Lanka (nbcnews.com) is evidence of…

Culture, Economy, Politics, Religion

Grimwald’s Inferno: My Take on Hell

January 15, 2015 Grimwald 24 Comments

Just before the year ended, my friends and I had a week of nothing but fun and tequila. During one of our sessions, I was asked about my take on religion. Being intoxicated at the time, I gave them my answer. For those who are curious, yes, I do hold religious beliefs. I am Roman…

Culture, Lifestyle, Politics, Religion, Society

Pope Francis’s over-the-top reception in the #Philippines

January 15, 2015 benign0 27 Comments

Building a cult of personality. That is the last thing Pope Francis is likely to have wanted included in his agenda for his visit to the Philippines. The Pope said that his visit to the Philippines is about the poor and the victims of the two recent calamities that devastated the Philippines. To further punctuate…

Civics, Culture, Lifestyle, Media, Politics, Religion, Society