Category: Society

Is the solution to a socio-cultural problem a political one?

January 10, 2014January 11, 2014 FallenAngel 51 Comments

The socio-cultural problem, Filipinos need to be reminded, is comprised of the dysfunctions in Filipino culture that have kept them chained to a perpetual state of impoverishment. The political solution, Filipinos would like to think, is to merely focus on changing our leaders into those “different” from the corrupt bunch that currently infest government. Is…

Civics, Culture, Politics, Society

Setting New Standards in Abject Failure: PNP Hires a Security Firm to Protect its Headquarters

January 10, 2014 BenK 43 Comments

In a stunning move that even the Administration-friendly Inquirer couldn’t help itself from calling an “irony of ironies”, the Philippine National Police announced it had earmarked P21 million to contract a private security firm (still unnamed) to provide security services at Camp Crame, the PNP’s national headquarters. PNP Director Alan Purisima explained the move as…

Crime, Society

Is ‘love of country’ a concept that is still relevant in the Philippines?

January 9, 2014January 10, 2014 benign0 53 Comments

It’s a common mistake to liken the way one feels for or regards a country to the way we feel for or regard an actual person. So when we say we “love” our country, poets will wax lyric about how this “love” is like the love we feel, say, for a parent. In reality, that’s…

Civics, Government, Society

Why I think Lourd de Veyra’s ‘open letter’ to Vic Sotto is pointless

January 8, 2014January 8, 2014 Kate Natividad 77 Comments

Indeed, Lourd de Veyra “has a few things to say” to Vic Sotto. And he laid them all out in his open letter addressed to the star which was published on Spot.ph. My first impression about Lourd’s open letter was that it was a very thoughtful lament on the wasted opportunity in the huge influence…

Culture, Education, Glitz and Glamour, Government, Media, Society

People ‘most important resource’ in the Philippines says government as population seen to breach 100m in late 2014

January 6, 2014 benign0 35 Comments

The population of the Philippines is expected to breach the 100 million mark by the third or fourth quarter of 2014. This assessment was reportedly issued by Philippine Populations Commission (Popcom) executive director Dr Juan Antonio Perez to which Malacanang has provided a positive spin… “It is both a challenge and an opportunity because people…

Development, Economy, Environment, Lifestyle, Religion, Society

Indignation over Filipino ‘dog eater’ slur in Will Ferrel film ‘Anchorman 2’

January 5, 2014 benign0 29 Comments

Filipinos are apparently up in arms over yet another racial slur against them included in the movie Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (directed by Adam McKay, produced by Judd Apatow). In an Inquirer.net piece, Filipino-American journalist Emil Guillermo described his experience sitting through the film an coming across the line “Only Olympic sport Filipinos are…

Crime, Culture, Glitz and Glamour, Lifestyle, Media, Society

2013’s Strong Words

January 4, 2014 Despair 46 Comments

The year 2013 was the year where disasters and scandals decided to, well, troll the country. The damages went almost irreversible, and forever changed the lives of many. But even though that the past year was unpleasant to the optimistic Pinoys, here I am sitting on a chair marveling at the wonders of life. But…

Read More “2013’s Strong Words” »

Lifestyle, Politics, Society

Will the year 2014 be a good year for the Philippines?

January 2, 2014 benign0 20 Comments

Are we ready for the new year ahead? On the bases of the Facebook shout outs and Twitter tweets I have seen today it seems we are. We are ready with our New Year’s “resolutions”, our 12-month weight loss plans, our commitments to spend less and save more, spend more time with the kids, and…

Development, Government, Politics, Society