We beg to differ.
A good story need not sacrifice the truth, but there are times it does. This is the case in movies. That’s a given, though. Even if done as a “historically accurate” piece, many movies sacrifice accuracy to fit ideal story elements. A completely accurate movie is almost non existent. Perhaps in movies, we could let…
It’s clear that the so-called “opposition” is in favor of ousting President Rodrigo Duterte more than anything else. They want this based on the long-cherished but flawed belief that ousting people will lead to improvement in the country’s situation. The problem is, ousting people is anything but a solution, and it reflects lack of understanding…
Read More “Bringing Down or Ousting People never Solved Anything” »
With the revoking of Rappler’s license to operate as a business, “opposition” were hopping mad about it being a dictatorship move and suppression of freedom of speech. But those are not what happened. What happened is that one of the real threats to press freedom and freedom of expression was brought to account. I’m not…
Read More “The Real Threats to Press Freedom in the Philippines” »
We Filipinos take for granted the 13th month pay. We probably would go on a witch hunt if we found our company does not give it (let me note that 13th month pay is separate from Christmas bonuses). This pay scheme was mandated by a law introduced by Ferdinand Marcos in 1965, and it continues…
Read More “Is 13th Month Pay Symbolic of Filipino Wastefulness?” »
Again, the 1972 Martial Law anniversary is here and we likely have people attacking the so-called Marcos Myth. The late dictator Ferdinand Marcos is no war hero, there’s no secret gold that made him rich, etc. However, there’s still another part of the Marcos Myth that needs busting. One that would usually escape the Filipino’s…
So called social media “activists” these days seem all about putting someone down. For example, when Cynthia Villar called out the problem of eating so much rice, people just started ranting angrily against her, instead of bringing up more intellectual objections and pertinent suggestions. Another is peppering people who supported Rodrigo Duterte or Donald Trump…
Read More ““Fashion” Mentality Damaged the World of Causes” »
One of the weirdest things from Filipinos is their transfixation on emotion, as I mentioned in my article about the raucous pursuit of highs. I remember when eating at a fast-food restaurant one time, I saw students doing a school project. One girl held up a paper-plate clock she made, and said “ang lungkot tingnan…
Read More “Filipinos Being “Emotion Junkies” Keeps Filipino Society Backward” »
The 1960s was a fascinating decade. It’s where all the most lasting modern fixtures in both popular and underground culture were set. This is where we got the free-spirited, free-wheeling, rowdy, casual, “hang-loose” attitude associated with American culture that is commonplace today. I like that attitude too, and it’s a stark contrast to the stiff…