Category: Development

President Noynoy Aquino and the instability he created is really bad for the economy

November 24, 2011July 27, 2013 Ilda 42 Comments

I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. Philippine President Noynoy Aquino (PNoy) is bad for the economy. The incumbent president is not at all focused on building a solid financial system for the country despite predictions that the economic instability in Europe and the struggling economy of the United States of America could…

Development, Economy, Government, Politics

It is not Noynoy Aquino’s fault that the Philippines is the worst place to do business in

November 15, 2011 benign0 20 Comments

The “shocking” news that the Philippines is actually one of the worst countries in Asia to do business in continues to reverberate among the chattering classes. Yes, personally I’m still getting over the “shock” of such a revelation. It made me re-think investing my personal fortune in a country where the only thing that I’d…

Culture, Development, Economy

Seven billion human beings living on our little planet: Is that a good thing?

November 3, 2011 benign0 35 Comments

Last year on the 18th October 2010, the Australian Department of Sustainability and Environment issued a 12-month permit to the Northern Metropolitan Institute of TAFE (a government adult education facility) to cull up to 300 kangaroos living within its 320 hectare horse farm on Eden Park. The permit to kill these iconic animals was approved…

Development, Lifestyle

To those calling for war or peace in Mindanao: You’re not asking the right questions

November 1, 2011November 1, 2011 benign0 43 Comments

Despite having been to Mindanao more times than the average Manila resident when I was younger, I can’t really say I know the place as well as some of those who are quick to offer “solutions” to the “situation” over there. To begin with, it was mainly its major cities that I’ve been to —…

Development, Politics, Religion, The South

Five Reasons to be Optimistic About the Philippines

October 22, 2011October 22, 2011 Carlos C Tapang 91 Comments

The most successful investors are those that invest when everybody else is bailing out. I have heard so many bad things about Pinas, and after having lived there for two years I can now understand how bad things really are. Nevertheless, I continue to invest not only money but time and effort as well to…

Development, Economy

Philippines Scores Another First: NAIA Now Officially the Worst Airport in the World

October 20, 2011October 20, 2011 BenK 134 Comments

Hard on the heels of a thoroughly uncomplimentary review of Manila (interesting fact: itâ€™s a dump) by regular visitor Geoffrey James on Travelblog.org, Filipinos have a new reason to feel persecuted with the announcement that NAIA was rated the Worst Airport in the World by the Guide to Sleeping in Airports website. The rating is…

Development, Media

Manila: a ‘dump’ according to travel blogger

October 15, 2011June 22, 2013 Ilda 265 Comments

A certain Geoffrey James wrote a scathing review of the Philippines or rather, as he quickly pointed out, a scathing review of it’s capital, Manila on Travelblog.org. I’m glad he decided to be specific because the country as a whole is not ugly. Nonetheless, I am pretty sure Manila was once as beautiful as the…

Development, Economy

Metro Manila’s EDSA: laboratory of Filipino dysfunction

October 3, 2011 benign0 54 Comments

The other day, I got pulled over for turning into a U-turn slot on Metro Manila’s Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) at a time when I shouldn’t have. Unlike Chris Lao, however, I was in no position to go around stomping my feet claiming that I was not informed. There were signs leading to…

Civics, Culture, Development