Category: Politics

The degeneration of Internet activism in the Philippines under the Aquino government

November 8, 2011 benign0 23 Comments

It’s time we recall with some bemusement the words of “columnist” Jose Ma. Montelibano in a 28th October 2011 article on the Inquirer.net… That is why Noynoy Aquino is now president. What he is simply by character, a son of two heroes who were not stained by corruption or swallowed by power, and himself eager…

Government, Politics, Tech Talk

President Noynoy Aquino and the rest of his clan: YouTube Stars!

November 8, 2011November 8, 2011 Ilda 66 Comments

There are times when I think that President Noynoy Aquino (PNoy) says something that seems like it makes sense. It makes sense up until he moves on to his next sentence in which he takes a jab at his predecessor, a habit that we have come to expect of him when he is being interviewed…

Media, Politics, Society

Facts Filipinos never wanted to know about the Aquinos and Cojuangcos

November 7, 2011July 11, 2013 benign0 79 Comments

Those who went out and did point-by-point “rebuttals” of the now famous gone-viral YouTube video AQUINO COJUANGCO: FACTS THEY DONT WANT YOU TO KNOW HD miss the point. The point, in my opinion, is that there is a whole swath of information and history that is not routinely highlighted by mainstream media. Yet, blogger Marck…

Media, Politics, Society

It’s amazing how many of the Revillas of Cavite are named ‘Ramon’

November 2, 2011November 3, 2011 benign0 23 Comments

Killed over a Php 1 million (USD20,000+) monthly allowance. That was what seemed to have been the motive for the killing of showbiz personality Ramgen “Ram Revilla” Bautista who was murdered apparently in cold blood on the 28th October in his home. The two prime suspects are his younger siblings Ramon Joseph â€œRJâ€ Bautista and…

Crime, Glitz and Glamour, Lifestyle, Politics

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

The 11th September 2001 terrorist attack – ten years hence: What have we learned?

September 10, 2011 benign0 4 Comments

History’s worst terrorist act against Americans within and outside of their borders will be remembered on Sunday, the 11th September this year. Exactly ten years ago on that date (now known simply as â€œ9/11â€), more than three thousand people died in separate suicide attacks against high-profile targets within the United States, culminating in the total…

Crime, Politics, Religion

Reflecting on the Constitutional Reform Movement

September 9, 2011June 28, 2013 BenK 16 Comments

It seems I started a bit of a firestorm with a recent article among the advocates of constitutional reform, whom I did not actually identify as the CoRRECT movement — because to be quite honest, I’m not at all certain they are necessarily the only reform advocates in the country — but who were quick…

Charter Change, Politics

Recalling Senator Tito Sotto’s Pepsi Paloma connection

September 5, 2011March 5, 2016 benign0 67 Comments

Pepsi Paloma was best known as one of the “softdrink” beauties along with starlets Coca Nicolas and Sarsi Emmanuel in Philippine Cinema of the early eighties. Her career and life were tragically cut short after an unfortunate alleged crossing of paths with comedy stars and noontime variety show personalities Joey de Leon, Richie d’Horsey, and…

Crime, Glitz and Glamour, Media, Politics