@mongster is a Manila-based activist, former Philippine legislator, and blogger/analyst of Asia-Pacific affairs.
Last month a Saudi national was accused of marrying a Filipina wife so that he could get a kidney donation in the Philippines. A news item like this has lost the power to shock readers in the Philippines because by now almost everybody is familiar with the story of desperate foreigners arriving in the country […]
Maikling talumpating binigkas sa Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila. Nilunsad namin kanina ang kampanyang Isang Milyon, Isang Panata para sa nalalapit na halalang 2010. Mahiwaga ang isang milyon bilang numero sa ating kultura. May sikolohikal itong epekto sa mga indibidwal. May kapangyarihan itong umantig ng damdamin. Ang isang daan ay marami, ang isang libo ay malaki, […]
Eighty-percent of trips in Metro Manila are provided by the public transport system. To avoid vehicle overcrowding in the streets, the government has expanded the rail network in the metropolis. There are four existing railway lines: – Baclaran-Monumento LRT-1 which became operational in 1984. – North Avenue-Taft MRT-3 which started operation in 2000. – Recto-Santolan […]
“Funeral power” is a potent political phenomenon in the Philippines. Filipinos have long been expressing their political sentiments by attending the funeral marches of celebrated political icons. In 1983 the funeral march for murdered opposition leader Ninoy Aquino was attended by more than 1 million people. His death was blamed on former Philippine strongman Ferdinand […]
Before: If you’re hot, you’re popular. Today: If you’re hot, you’re quarantined. Because of the swine flu scare, thermal scanners were installed in airports, government buildings, schools, and malls. These scanners measure the body temperature of passengers, students, and workers. If the machine screens a hot body, the unfortunate individual is immediately quarantined since he/she […]
Talumpating binigkas sa University of Makati…. Ayon sa mga ulat, umabot sa 300,000 ang mga dumagsa sa lansangan para makiramay sa yumaong Pangulong Cory. Kung ako ang tatanungin, maliit ang bilang na ito. Ang inaasahan ko ay isang milyong katao. Nasaan ang mga tao? Tiyak ako na karamihan ay nanonood ng mga TV, nakikinig sa […]
Talumpating binigkas sa CM Recto Hall, UP Diliman…. Ano ang mga aral na pwedeng makuha natin sa buhay ni President Cory na may kinalaman sa 2010 elections? Una, boluntaryo siyang bumaba sa puwesto noong 1992. Pwede naman niyang tangkain o planuhin kung paano pahahabain pa ang termino niya bilang pangulo ng bansa. Hindi niya ito […]
The Internet is increasingly being used by many Southeast Asians for various nationalist campaigns. Even government leaders are maximizing cyberspace to promote unity and patriotism in their countries. This trend is encouraging since it gives ordinary citizens the chance to express a sense of belonging to their larger communities. However, there are also ultra-nationalist online […]
