MANILA The irony of Christmas is that while it’s the happiest time of the year, it can be the loneliest for many people. The suicide rate in some countries rises during the holiday season. Filipinos love Christmas. After New Year’s, Filipinos can’t wait until its Christmas again. The countdown to December 25 begins immediately on January 2. This… Read More »
People never learn. They’re so willing to defy common sense in the hopes of making a quick buck. The latest calamity to hit many Filipinos is a pyramid scheme that has cost them billions of pesos. In Pagadian City in southern Philippines, a Ponzi-style scam has hit all kinds of people. Ordinary market vendors, tricycle drivers, teachers, government… Read More »
MANILA The principal architect and administrator of Ferdinand Marcos’s martial rule in the Philippines is out to revise history. And he might succeed in doing so. Juan Ponce Enrile, currently the Senate President here, has just written his memoirs. In it, reports say, he washes his hands of all liability for the evils that martial rule wrought on… Read More »
MANILA The Muslim region on the large island of Mindanao in southern Philippines has been a troubled land. For centuries the Muslims have wanted to secede from the nation, claiming a distinct race and culture that is incompatible with the predominantly Catholic country. Animosity and distrust have characterized the uneasy relationship between the Muslims and the Christians. Armed… Read More »
MANILA The seasonal madness that engulfs the Philippines is upon us again, its election time once more. Unfortunately, the list of candidates isn’t inspiring. Actually it’s depressing. On the first week of October, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) here opened its doors to would-be candidates, filing their certificates of candidacy for the positions of senators, congressmen, governors, mayors,… Read More »
MANILA Believe it or not some Philippine communities in the areas ravaged by the monsoon rains in the first week of August are still flooded. And even when the water goes away, there will be a lot of cleaning up to do and picking up of the lives of the flood’s victims. In the aftermath of typhoon Ondoy… Read More »
Philippine President Benigno Aquino’s term doesn’t end until 2016. And yet, the vice president, Jojo Binay, has already been campaigning for the top office. Binay was a surprise winner in the 2010 elections, He came from nowhere to beat Mr. Aquino’s running mate, former senator Mar Roxas, scion of an elite family. Today, Binay and his people are… Read More »
MANILA It rained non-stop on the first week of August here, resulting in 60 deaths and 2.5 million people affected by flooding. This capital city and 16 provinces took the brunt of destruction. Rains from the southwest monsoon, made more savage by tropical storm Haikui (local name: Gener), came down without let-up and within 22 hours the heavens… Read More »
President Benigno Aquino III spoke in Pilipino, his country’s national language, and told his “bosses” that the speech he just delivered wasn’t his, but the people. “This is your SONA,” he declared, referring to his State of the Nation address on Monday, July 23. Aquino calls the people his “bosses.” “Kayo ang boss ko,” he likes to tell… Read More »
Last July 1, 2010, Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, assumed the presidency of the Philippines. What has he done in his first two years in office? Aquino has kept his campaign promise to go after former government officials who stole the people’s money and abused their power. He has sicced the powers and forces of government on past… Read More »