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Ateneo students in provocative ‘selfie’ poses with former First Lady Imelda Marcos

July 6, 2014May 3, 2022 benign0 24 Comments

A photo of what looks like several Ateneans posing beside former First Lady Imelda Marcos has been making the rounds. The photo clearly shows the seal of the Ateneo in the background and students assuming various provocative poses while flashing the “V” (‘victory’) hand gesture. That hand gesture came to be associated with loyalty to…

Education, Lifestyle, Politics

Recall: President BS Aquino was crowned ‘Filipino of the Year’ by the Inquirer in 2010

July 6, 2014 benign0 5 Comments

For old times’ sake, let us revisit how the Inquirer back in 2010 crowned President Benigno Simeon ‘BS’ Aquino III “our Filipino of the Year” after just six months in power. This honour was bestowed on the incumbent Philippine president supposedly for being “the living Filipino who made the most positive impact in 2010”. And,…

Crime, Government, Media, Politics

Philippine employment dilemma: Dumb down the jobs? Or smarten up the workforce?

July 6, 2014 benign0 11 Comments

The Philippines is imprisoned by a deep systemic inability in its people to extricate themselves from poverty. It is a problem that is an outcome of (1) the sheer number of Filipinos that inhabit the planet, (2) the average productive output of each warm Filipino body earning (or seeking to earn) a living, and (3)…

Development, Economy, Education, Money Talks

4 memes that illustrate all the wrong arguments about the #DAP

July 5, 2014 benign0 7 Comments

The Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) is a fund created by the administration of Philippine President Benigno Simeon ‘BS’ Aquino III that serves as a vehicle for transferring unused appropriations from one project to another. It has since been deemed unconstitutional by the Philippine Supreme Court because it was ruled that the President does not have…

Crime, Politics

The persistent myth of economic growth

July 4, 2014August 4, 2022 benign0 5 Comments

Development in understanding in recent years is making real limits on growth a lot more palpable since it is becoming quite evident that our approach to measuring economic value and the costs of acquiring said “value” (i.e. our monetary system) is woefully incomplete. Yet economic growth remains the be-all-end-all that pervades every aspect of human…

Development, Economy, Environment, Lifestyle, Money Talks

The 4th of July Captain America and Junk Food

July 4, 2014July 4, 2014 Gogs 9 Comments

I have lots to do today but some mysterious force compels me to spend a few minutes recognizing the 4th of July celebration in the US. I have no problem admitting I was alive when the US turned 200. To this day I was traumatized by how cheesy I found this Twinkie ad. Check out…

Culture, Glitz and Glamour, Lifestyle

Common, irritating ways Filipinos react to criticism

July 4, 2014July 4, 2014 FallenAngel 49 Comments

It is no secret that Filipinos are collectively extremely sensitive to criticism. In fact, a term exists in the vernacular to describe just how bad Filipinos are at taking it: balat-sibuyas, literally, onion-skinned. The explanation is that, just as onion skin peels rather easily, the Filipino “skin” easily gets hurt. Fact is, there is a…

Culture

Ph President BS Aquino doesn’t care if he broke the law while handling taxpayers’ money

July 4, 2014July 4, 2014 Ilda 33 Comments

According to Philippine Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr., President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino won’t apologize for the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program or DAP after it was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. He insists that “the executive branch ‘exercised good faith and due diligence’ in accordance with existing laws and relevant auditing…

Crime, Development, Economy, Government, Politics