We beg to differ.
Over the weekend, Filipino Netizens have been abuzz over the plight of Ateneo de Naga student Pio Emmanuel “Em” Mijares who had ‘heroically’ heckled Philippine President Benigno Simeon ‘BS’ Aquino III as he delivered his ‘Independence’ Day Speech in Naga City last week. Mijares was arrested by the police on the spot and charged with…
Read More “Should President Noynoy Aquino drop the charges against Em Mijares?” »
It’s 2014 and as of this writing, guess what: tomorrow is “Independence Day”. Again. According to the latest Philippine History books, the 12th June is the day the Philippines became “independent” — the outcome of the Philippine Revolution which began August 1896. On the 12th June 1898, Aguinaldo led the declaration of Philippine independence from…
Read More “Is June 12, 1898 REALLY the Philippines’ Independence Day?” »
The following are the five key pillars that form the foundation of what could make Filipinos’ aspirations to build not just a better Philippines but a great Philippines a reality. No amount of nebulous campaign slogans and promises delivered in flowery speeches will replace the need for solid foundations for development and progress. Here is…
Read More “Five things the Philippines needs to develop to become a great nation” »
It wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to predict the response the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will get if it extends the proposed expansion of the ‘number coding scheme’ to the city’s privately-operated public utility vehicles (PUVs). Under Metro Manila’s current Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), vehicles ending in any one of two license…
To understand the fundamental flaw in the idea of the Philippines’ relying on a strategy of counting on “foreign investment” to rescue its people from their own self-created wretchedness, it is important to understand the equally fundamental definition of poverty. Quite simply: Poverty is a habitual entering into commitments one is inherently unable to honour….
Read More “Loser mentality: Filipinos’ 500-year dependence on foreign investment” »
As expected, Philippine Media is breaking out all the colours to mark the day: lots of red white and blue, the yellow sun and three stars, poetry waxed about Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio — the works. Fiesta Independence Day! Check it out: this extravaganza of nationalist sentiment candy is emanating from an institution —…
Read More “The key to true Philippine Independence does not lie in Philippine Media products” »
So once again we are celebrating “Independence” Day — or rather the date we would like to think the Philippines won its independence. I do wonder though why we continue to propagate the notion that we emerged from the year 1898 the winners. Last I heard, winners get to rule. Last I heard, we did…
Read More “The Philippines in 2013 remains dependent even on ‘Independence’ Day!” »
Filipinos follow American showbiz, American sport, American fashion, parrot American accents, ape American attitudes and, yes, act out American politics. Indeed, Filipinos were all but carried away by US election fever trooping to “mock US elections” organised by the US Embassy in Manila and whooping it up after the victory at the polls of re-electionist…
Read More “What the victory of US President Barack Obama means to Filipinos” »