We beg to differ.
The battle for Marawi City is degrading into a protracted stalemate between Philippine government troops and Maute terrorists holed up in buildings in the city centre. Though clearly enjoying superior firepower and logistical support, the Philippine military’s progress in retaking Marawi has tapered off. Despite sustaining heavy aerial bombardment, the enemy has proven difficult to…
That date Filipinos mistakenly regard as “Independence Day” is approaching. Mistaken, because it is a reality from Filipinos’ perspectives but not everyone else’s. The Philippines’ real independence day was, of course, on the 4th of July 1946, when it was granted by the United States. The Philippines ceased being a colony of the United States…
Recent events have once again proven how important information is. Now an overused cliché, it is still worth reminding, in this age of the Internet and social media, how fast information can spread. While the human mind is wired to respond quickly to stories, it is not particularly well-equipped to evaluate data outside of an…
Read More “Philippine society cannot change unless Filipinos change the way they think” »
It’s time indeed. Filipino “activists” have worn the old Martial Law scarecrow to tatters. The idea that vigilance involves raising a screeching fit whenever even just a hint of the dreaded two words M-A-R-T-I-A-L L-A-W are detected in a verbal or written message is now a mere quaint relic of a peiod when “freedom fighters”…
Read More “Time for Filipinos to junk the old Martial Law narrative!” »
I think it is unfortunate that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte cannot help himself and the people who support him win over his critics. In fact, he seems to be intentionally needling or provoking his detractors to react with more outrage. In a speech in front of the soldiers of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry (Magbalantay) Brigade…
Read More “Duterte should stop making ‘rape jokes’ for the sake of the Filipino people” »
Chi-chi Manilenos have made waxing liberal poetic about being in “solidarity” with their “Muslim brothers” in Mindanao the current fashion trend. Social media timelines are filled with flowery euphemisms and platitudes on the subject fit for Hallmark greeting cards all punctuated by hashtags such as the multi-day trending hit #PrayForMarawi. All nice and peachy, of…
Read More “#PrayForMarawi? The folly in Manilenos’ calls for solidarity with Mindanao Muslims” »
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte finally found a reason to declare Martial Law in Mindanao, the Philippines’ second biggest island and host to the country’s most troubled flashpoints. This follows an eruption of violence in the Mindanao city of Marawi, Lanao del Sur in which pro-Islamic State insurgents based there known as the Maute clashed with…
Read More “Can Marawi City’s reputation as a no-go-zone for Filipino Christians be changed?” »
There has been an overwhelming and varied response to the late Alex Tizon’s moving piece on how his family enslaved Eudocia Tomas “Lola” Pulido for decades — even after moving to and settling in the United States. Most interesting of these responses is how some Filipino social media “influencers” are incensed with the way Americans…
Read More “Why the West holds license to comment on slavery in the Philippines” »