Category: Development

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

Posted on By benign0 35 Comments on Seven billion human beings living on our little planet: Is that a good thing?
Seven billion human beings living on our little planet: Is that a good thing?

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…

Read More “Seven billion human beings living on our little planet: Is that a good thing?” »

Development, Lifestyle

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

Posted on By benign0 43 Comments on To those calling for war or peace in Mindanao: You’re not asking the right questions
To those calling for war or peace in Mindanao: You’re not asking the right questions

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 —…

Read More “To those calling for war or peace in Mindanao: You’re not asking the right questions” »

Development, Politics, Religion, The South

Five Reasons to be Optimistic About the Philippines

Posted on By Carlos C Tapang 91 Comments on Five Reasons to be Optimistic About the Philippines
Five Reasons to be Optimistic About the Philippines

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…

Read More “Five Reasons to be Optimistic About the Philippines” »

Development, Economy

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

Posted on By BenK 134 Comments on Philippines Scores Another First: NAIA Now Officially the Worst Airport in the World
Philippines Scores Another First: NAIA Now Officially the Worst Airport in the World

Hard on the heels of a thoroughly uncomplimentary review of Manila (interesting fact: it’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…

Read More “Philippines Scores Another First: NAIA Now Officially the Worst Airport in the World” »

Development, Media

Manila: a ‘dump’ according to travel blogger

Posted on By Ilda 265 Comments on Manila: a ‘dump’ according to travel blogger
Manila: a ‘dump’ according to travel blogger

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…

Read More “Manila: a ‘dump’ according to travel blogger” »

Development, Economy

Metro Manila’s EDSA: laboratory of Filipino dysfunction

Posted on By benign0 54 Comments on Metro Manila’s EDSA: laboratory of Filipino dysfunction

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…

Read More “Metro Manila’s EDSA: laboratory of Filipino dysfunction” »

Civics, Culture, Development

Is prosperity with ‘no one left behind’ really possible?

Posted on By benign0 5 Comments on Is prosperity with ‘no one left behind’ really possible?
Is prosperity with ‘no one left behind’ really possible?

I enjoyed reading a a blog post recently published in ProPinoy.net authored by a certain “bill” (quoted as it appears on the site — not capitalised). In his article, “reThinking Soriano“, “bill” makes an intriguing statement that got me thinking… So the question is not, “English or Filipino?” The question is how to live and…

Read More “Is prosperity with ‘no one left behind’ really possible?” »

Development, Economy, Money Talks

The truth about Tagalog that James Soriano failed to explain

Posted on By Ilda 42 Comments on The truth about Tagalog that James Soriano failed to explain
The truth about Tagalog that James Soriano failed to explain

William “The Chair Wrecker” Esposo of Philstar.com has joined in the debate about the Philippine national language (or lack of it) in his recent column. This was in response to the controversial and now removed article written by James Soriano from Manila Bulletin. While Esposo rabidly defended our constitutionally mandated national language, Tagalog, he wrote…

Read More “The truth about Tagalog that James Soriano failed to explain” »

Culture, Development, Education, Society