Monthly Archives: January 2011

A Korean ‘War’ in Cambodia?

By admin | January 27, 2011

It seems like a mini Korean War is brewing in Cambodia. But unlike the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula, which could end up involving a military clash, the ‘war’ in Cambodia is a kind of culinary conflict. In 2002, the North Korean government opened a restaurant in Siem Reap near the world famous Angkor […]

Posted in east asia | Tagged | 1 Comment

Si JV at ang marahas na demolisyon sa San Juan

By admin | January 26, 2011

1. Eto ang sinulat ni JV Ejercito sa kanyang Facebook hinggil sa naganap na demolisyon sa Barangay Corazon de Jesus sa siyudad ng San Juan: “Ang may kasalanan sa kaguluhan kanina sa Corazon ay ang mga militanteng grupo na angbintensyon talaga ay manggulo. Nang simula ay nang udyok, nanggatong at ginalit ang mga maralita sa […]

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Burma: Where Old Is New, Again

By admin | January 20, 2011

Burma’s junta leaders delivered what could probably be the political masterstroke of 2010 in the South-east Asia region: Obscure the continuing military dictatorship in the country by releasing from detention a global democracy icon and conducting nationwide polls. Despite its new name (Republic of the Union of Burma) and the inauguration of a new republic […]

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Politics of Communications: Carandang/Coloma

By admin | January 13, 2011

Part 1: Here come the commies Sec. Ramon Carandang is the head of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning while Sec. Herminio Coloma leads the Presidential Communications Operations. They both belong to President Noynoy Aquino’s communications team: Carandang is in charge of ‘messaging’ while Coloma’s focus is ‘dissemination’. Carandang’s group drafts the daily statements/speeches […]

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Laos, Philippines: The politics of currency notes

By admin | January 9, 2011

Last month, Laos introduced a new 100,000 kip (US$12.45) banknote and released memorial gold and silver coins to commemorate the 450th anniversary of its capital, Vientiane, and the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Meanwhile, the Philippines which elected a new president last May unveiled the new designs of its […]

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State of Philippine Sports

By admin | January 4, 2011

I attended the 2010 Sports Summit last month organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). Hon. Ricardo R. Garcia of the PSC presented the state of Philippine sports while Hon. Jose Cojuangco Jr. of the POC delivered the national sports development plan in the next three years. Garcia was candid […]

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Too Many Doctors in Malaysia

By admin | January 3, 2011

Concerned about the oversupply of doctors and housemen (junior doctors) in the country, the Malaysian government has recently imposed a five-year moratorium on medical courses. According to the Malaysian Medical Council, Malaysia has 27,709 doctors (including 3,651 house officers). Malaysia is producing about 3,500-5000 medical graduates annually, a big figure for a country with a […]

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