Category: Development

A Bangsamoro state is only possible in a fully-federalised Philippine republic

June 3, 2015 benign0 16 Comments

The trouble with all notions of an autonomous Muslim state is that it implies that Muslims are “special” Filipinos deserving of special treatment. The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and, now, the proposed Bangsamoro “state” by their very nature are both tainted by that ill-conceived specialness. Worse, both entities were created under threat of…

Development, Government, Politics

Dinner At McDonalds With Jarheads: What Filipinos need to understand about respect

June 3, 2015June 3, 2015 Grimwald 18 Comments

This article is written in tribute to Fallen Angel’s latest article as well as this old article by Benign0… “U.S. Marine” or “U.S. Military”, what do those words mean to most of us? For the typical Pinoy at least, those words either refer to a group of soldiers or military men who are probably some…

Culture, Development, Government, Politics, Society

A skewed sense of ‘unity’

June 1, 2015June 1, 2015 FallenAngel 15 Comments

Has anybody noticed that Filipinos are quick to “unite” when one of them is praised or recognized for a good performance overseas, even if the rest of them have nothing to do with the success of said performance? “Proud to be Pinoy, woohoo!” On the flipside, has anybody noticed that Filipinos are also quick to…

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Civics, Culture, Development, Society

Misrepresented Filipino character: A Look at Historical Figures

June 1, 2015 Grimwald 13 Comments

A lot of people reacted quite negatively to Fallen Angel’s latest article as well as Marcial Bonifacio’s first article. Their critics claim that they have written things that are overwhelmingly negative and are putting the spirits of Filipinos down. People who only briefly looked through the articles without ever understanding the spirit of them have…

Culture, Development, Economy, Education, Environment, Government, Lifestyle, Media, Politics, Religion, Society

Filipinos should understand that kindness and compassion should begin at home

June 1, 2015June 1, 2015 Ilda 18 Comments

Apparently, Filipinos are kind and compassionate to the poor and downtrodden. At least that is what some Filipinos tell themselves. Who would have thought, right? Considering there are so many naked street children begging or sleeping on the streets of Manila and many parts of the country and considering pagpag (leftover food from fast-food restaurants…

Culture, Development, Government, Lifestyle, Media, Society

Being Humanitarian vs. Being Hypocritical

May 31, 2015May 31, 2015 Grimwald 7 Comments

Actually, to be honest, I would prefer not to do GRP articles on weekends. Besides, I’m working on the 7th chapter of Deep and, not to worry folks, the voyage is almost over. However, after catching wind of some of the latest news, I cannot help but react to the way so many people are going nuts…

Culture, Development, Economy, Government, Media, Politics, Religion, Society

Rodrigo Duterte: The Dark Knight of Davao?

May 30, 2015 Grimwald 55 Comments

“Because he’s the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So, we’ll hunt him, because he can take it. Because he’s not our hero: He’s a silent guardian, a watchful protector… a Dark Knight.” ~Commissioner Gordon, The Dark Knight I’ve already thought about the idea of having Rodrigo Duterte as a president…

Crime, Culture, Development, Economy, Education, Environment, Government, Lifestyle, Media, Politics, Society

Does the United States need to become more Scandinavian to be more egalitarian?

May 28, 2015May 28, 2015 benign0 51 Comments

I don’t necessarily subscribe to liberal views and populist rhetoric, but there is some truth in what United States Senator Bernie Sanders (Independent, Vermont) is pointing out — that America’s middle class is progressively being eroded, presumably by (1) advances in technology that progressively and intelligently automate work done by white collar workers, and (2)…

Development, Economy, Government, Lifestyle, Politics, Society, Technology