Tag: Elections

Noynoy, Jojo, Bongbong: Presidents with Clown-like Names are Getting Trendy

March 8, 2016 zaxx 17 Comments

For the first time in Philippine history, we have the strong likelihood of having three presidents in a row (Noynoy Aquino, Jojo Binay, and Bongbong Marcos) that bear something similar. They all have repetitive nicknames that sound more like those of clowns than the stuff of legendary statesmen. Many foreign visitors are actually surprised to…

Culture, Politics, Society

Who Among the 2016 Candidates will Prioritize Climate Issues?

December 3, 2015 MidwayHaven 15 Comments

Clearly my most recent article hit a delicate nerve (or to put it colloquially, “aimed for the butthurt”), as revealed by the numerous replies left by visitors who took the time to skim through it. Most of the comments have only proven my point: instead of rebutting the various other points which I offered in…

Environment, Government, Science

Lessons from Greece: Can Third World nations really afford ‘democratic’ governments?

July 15, 2015 benign0 7 Comments

You can almost hear Robin Leach snootily addressing his audience in the popular 1980s TV show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous when you read this: See that demoractic government? You can’t afford it. By hook and, literally, by crook a while back, Greece joined the European Union and replaced the drachma with the euro…

Development, Economy, Government, Politics

Rubbish at the Manila International Airport: Nakakahiya sa mga Kano!

October 27, 2014 benign0 28 Comments

When I posted that photo tweeted by former Bureau of Customs chief Ruffy Biazon of the rubbish mess left by passengers in a lounge at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, I didn’t realise what a big wave it was going to make. Indeed it was interesting to note how deeply-revolted many Filipinos…

Civics, Crime, Culture, Education, Lifestyle, Society

How can Metro Manila ever improve if Filipino politicians do not take public transport?

August 19, 2014February 1, 2022 benign0 59 Comments

Metro Manila is a dump. And it is getting worse, not better. The city is being crushed under the weight of its own success as a magnet for domestic migrants looking for jobs the Philippines’ barren hinterlands cannot provide. But why is Metro Manila, the Philippines’ premiere economic and cultural centre, not improving? Not only…

Development, Government, Lifestyle, Politics, Society

PNoy’s supporters are preventing the Philippines from moving forward

August 9, 2014August 10, 2014 Ilda 25 Comments

Sometimes talking to some people is like talking to a brick wall. Wait…I take that statement back. Sometimes talking to a brick wall is better than talking to some people. At least you don’t expect anything from a brick wall. Take the case of some staunch Aquino supporters. They are calling for an extension on…

Development, Government, Politics

Why a Bongbong Marcos presidency in 2016 is unlikely

August 7, 2014August 7, 2014 benign0 76 Comments

Many Filipinos will not vote for Bongbong Marcos for the same reason they voted for President BS Aquino back in 2010 — because of who their parents are. Whatever people of any camp say, that sort of thinking pretty much makes most Filipinos of the same ilk as far as thinking faculties go. That pretty…

Culture, Politics, Society

Business 101: Stop wasting your breath BEGGING the ‘best and brightest’ to stay

July 9, 2014 benign0 12 Comments

Take stock of the current political landscape today and one stark reality jumps out of the picture: There is no one great leader who stands out as one who possesses a coherent enough strategic vision for the Philippines. Instead of true leaders and statesmen all we have is more of the usual bozos: politicians. Filipino…

Culture, Development, Government, Money Talks, Politics, Society