Category: Culture

Do the Philippines and the ASEAN community have what it takes to deal with China?

August 7, 2013 benign0 39 Comments

For all the feel-good news snippets we are receiving about the arrival of the Philippines’ newest warship, the 3,200-tonne BRP Ramon Alcaraz which joins the 3,400-tonne frigate BRP Gregorio del Pilar also acquired from the United States last year in patrolling disputed waters off Palawan, one cannot help ask a simple question: Can anyone really…

Culture, Development, Government, Society

Pinoys Just Want Tongue and Finger Action

August 4, 2013August 4, 2013 P. Farol 41 Comments

As far as the P10 Billion Pork Barrel Scam is concerned, it seems certain sectors of the Filipino Cyberspace are more interested in tongue and finger action than the rather unexciting ideas of fairness, decency, truth, and justice. By tongue and finger action, I refer to all the tongue wagging and keyboard crunching of the…

Culture, Lifestyle, Media

Miss Malaysia Fatwa: The Question of Beauty, Discretion and Self-Determination

July 30, 2013 Jose Mario de Vega 18 Comments

I know that the topic that I am going to write today will not be greeted by approval and mass agreement. I am also fully aware that perhaps a couple of my friends and colleagues will condemn me and my thoughts. I also expect that some will try to mock my thoughts and paint my…

Culture, Lifestyle, Religion, Society

Rule of Law cannot be implemented in the Philippines until Filipinos learn to follow simple guidelines

July 29, 2013 benign0 44 Comments

Upholding ‘rule of law’ in the Philippines is a complicated, labour-intensive exercise. Take the tony enclave of Rockwell in Makati City. It’s got expensive zebra-striped pedestrian lanes painted across most of where its nicely-paved streets intersect. These markings give the impression to someone who does not know of the way things are in the Philippines…

Civics, Crime, Culture, Politics, Society

I The Jury

July 21, 2013 Gogs 11 Comments

A man charged of murder in Florida was acquitted by a jury of 12. Many people wanted conviction. What’s the point of having a jury for? — Cesar M de los Reyes (@Tito_Ces) July 15, 2013 No, I am not credit grabbing with that title like some never achieving politician. The whole idea of…

A mockery of justice: The Trayvon Martin case (An Open Letter to President Obama)

July 16, 2013 Jose Mario de Vega 158 Comments

Below is the statement issued by President Obama: “The death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy. Not just for his family, or for any one community, but for America. I know this case has elicited strong passions. And in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher. But we…

Civics, Crime, Culture, Society

Bishops oppose opening in Manila of ‘Corpus Christi’, a play depicting Jesus Christ as gay

July 14, 2013 benign0 14 Comments

The latest outrage fad in the Philippines currently being stirred up by self-described champions of freedom and secularism is a campaign being mounted by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) against the showing of the American stage play Corpus Christi in the Philippines. Corpus Christi is a passion play by Terrence McNally dramatizing…

Culture, Religion, Society

Expanded Manila vehicle reduction scheme continues to penalize law-abiding private motorists

July 10, 2013 benign0 24 Comments

It wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to predict the response the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will get if it extends the proposed expansion of the ‘number coding scheme’ to the city’s privately-operated public utility vehicles (PUVs). Under Metro Manila’s current Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), vehicles ending in any one of two license…

Culture, Government, Lifestyle, Society