We beg to differ.
Most of us have a unique experience associated with Sept 11, 2001. Here in the Philippines it was already Tuesday evening when the events were unfolding. That morning I had finished The Clancy novel The Bear and the Dragon. China fires an ICBM missile aimed at Washington. Later on that night I watched CNN and…
Read More “Tom Clancy Predicted Noynoy’s Current Quagmire” »
What is “social news network” Rappler up to? Out of nowhere it seems to have suddenly mounted what some observers have described as a “demolition campaign” against Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr who, interestingly enough, happens to be heading the Senate committee reviewing the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). The BBL is a project long…
The 1986 EDSA “People Power” revolution has been credited with bringing democracy back to the Philippines. However, three decades after the historic event, it seems majority of Filipinos still do not understand what democracy is about. The system of government is there in principle but Filipinos do not know how to use it properly. Worse,…
Read More “Why democracy does not work in the Philippines” »
Another EDSA “people power” anniversary, another traffic jam. These commemorations of that now-debatable “revolution” have become bigger and bigger national cringes with each passing year. But this year’s “celebration” was particularly noteworthy as it features a government that is now on the run from its own “bosses”. Police in anti-riot armour were out in full…
Read More “The sad 29th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA people power ‘revolution’” »
The following is an article I wrote way back in 2001 following the ouster of former President Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada via a multi-million-strong street revolution that would go on to be known as “EDSA 2” (or EDSA Dos). The ouster of Estrada paved the way for the ascent to power of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who would…
Contrary to popular belief, I don’t believe Marian Rivera fantards are “doing anything wrong”. They’re just being themselves. And we have to respect that. They’re sort of like scorpions. They sting because that is what scorpions do. There’s really nothing wrong with stinging if you have the brain of a scorpion. Fantardism is an interesting…
Read More “Why Filipinos’ obssession with Marian Rivera mirrors Philippine politics” »
There used to be an old 1970s-1980s term often used to describe the “politically passionate”. Cause-oriented groups or COGs as they were once called was the collective term used for activists and rabble-rousers alike. They had real “causes” at the time — many of which were focused on achieving “freedom”, because Filipinos were supposedly not…
Read More “The Philippine ‘Opposition’: A movement in search of a credible cause” »
I have never really been a big fan of boxing and, while I support Pacquiao during his fights, I’m not really all that crazy about him. After all, it’s supposed to be a game. Victory or defeat is never certain and it can only be decided once the fight is over. Anyway, while I might not…
