We beg to differ.
People are now lamenting the sad social divide supposedly laid bare as the COVID-19 pandemic ravages Philippine society. This comes across as mere quaint virtue signalling within the current context — one that provides fertile environment for that sort of behaviour. The fact is, the social divide has always been there for all to behold…
In the aftermath of yet another devastating “natural” disaster — this time an earthquake hitting southern Mindanao — Filipinos are again exhibiting the lack of decisive and deliberate fast action required to deliver timely relief to its victims. Much of the action being instigated by local governments are the usual appeal for aid from the…
So some residents of Metro Manila now know how big or how little a risk they face in the event of a strong earthquake hitting sometime in the future. A certainty, we are told. But information is only useful when it is actionable. The information so far being circulated by the Philippine government comes primarily…
Shortly after the Loma Prieta Earthquake hit California in 1989, I remember the Philippine Daily Inquirer running a lower-right column headline about a stronger earthquake that would hit the Philippines in the near future. True enough, the great Luzon Earthquake of 16 July 1990 struck with a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter Scale. Indeed this was…
Read More “The Great Manila Earthquake is Coming, and Prayer Won’t Stop It” »
It has been becoming increasingly apparent that “natural” disasters are now a routine occurrence all over the Philippines. The idea that Filipinos ought to be more “prepared” for such calamities — whilst something one would think ought to have been an obvious national priority — is only now resonating across the broader public. To the…
Read More “‘Disaster preparedness’ has become an oxymoron in the #Philippines” »
Super-typhoon Haiyan (Philippine code-named “Yolanda”) continues to barrel towards the Philippines threatening to wreak havoc across southern Luzon, the Visayas, and northern Mindanao as it plows through the Philippines… Haiyan is expected to reach central Philippines as a super typhoon by Friday noon local time, packing winds of 233-249 kilometres per hour, according to Michael…
Read More “Super-typhoon Haiyan (code name Yolanda) set to plow through central Philippines” »
I think it’s time to call things as they really are, again. Things have been going downhill lately for President Benigno Simeon (BS) Aquino’s term. His credibility both abroad and at home is virtually non-existent. Calls have been mounting for him either to be impeached or to resign. The popularity that is the primary foundation…
Read More “Noynoy Aquino’s presidency has been nothing but one big lose-lose situation” »
It’s been 8 hours or so since an earthquake struck Bohol, Cebu, and some other parts of the Visayas region in the Philippines. Netizens were quick to post pictures of the aftermath in social media, and news reports keep coming in regarding the extent of the damage wrought, and the number of lives lost in…
Read More “Faster than a speeding bullet – Noynoy Aquino to the rescue?” »