Author Archives: admin

The Kingdoms of Southeast Asia

By admin | May 5, 2013

Written for The Diplomat Southeast Asia has four monarchies, each with its own unique traits. Brunei is an absolute monarchy, while Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia have the constitutional form. The history of these monarchies, including their future prospects, is discussed in the March 2013 issue of the Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia. The essays in […]

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Somchai, Jonas, Sombath

By admin | May 2, 2013

Written for The Diplomat Thai human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit went missing on March 12, 2004. Filipino activist Jonas Burgos was last seen on April 28, 2007. Lao development economist and educator Sombath Somphone disappeared on December 15, 2012. The search for these missing activists has become a campaign for human rights promotion, not only […]

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New Politics

By admin | April 24, 2013

Politics is about man’s infinite search for the most effective way of organizing societies. It mirrors the imperfections of man and thus it remains an unfinished project, an incomplete thesis. But it stands for a greater ideal. Through politics, man can conquer nature and become the god master of the world. The political man is […]

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Deadly Nationalisms

By admin | April 23, 2013

Nationalism was the powerful and revolutionary idea which inspired and mobilized the people of colonized countries in Southeast Asia to fight for their political independence after World War II. Then, post-colonial governments invoked it to unify their nations against real or imagined foreign aggressors. In the era of globalization, nationalism became appealing once more for […]

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Graduation Speeches

By admin | April 13, 2013

As legislator in the past three years, I delivered 12 graduation speeches in three elementary schools, four high schools, four colleges, and one Tesda institution. They include five public schools and 7 private schools. Graduation and Recognition Day ceremonies are long, formal, but always fun. They are school events which unite students, teachers, administrators, parents, […]

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Sabah and the War of Meanings

By admin | April 11, 2013

Two weeks ago Malaysian armed forces dispersed a group of armed Filipinos who arrived in Lahad Datu on February 9 to assert the ancestral claim of the self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III. According to Malaysian authorities, the clashes have claimed the lives of 63 Sulu rebels. But Abraham Idjirani, spokesman for the Sulu […]

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Makabayan Legislators

By admin | April 2, 2013

Teddy Casino, Bayan Muna. Forceful during interpellations but never offensive. Witty without being disrespectful and condescending. Uncompromising, critical, always ready to engage in intelligent discourse. His progressive ideas are brilliantly packaged in a language that can be easily understood by everybody. He re-introduced the fighting agenda of the Left to the new generation. As legislator […]

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UP Multisectoral Alliance

By admin | March 29, 2013

Talumpating binigkas sa pagtitipon ng UP Multisectoral Alliance, College of Engineering, Marso23. Ilang segundong katahimikan po ang ialay natin para kay Kristel, isang Iskolar ng Bayan na pinagkaitan ng karapatang makatapos sa pamantasan ng bayan….. Binabati ko ang lahat ng kalahok sa makasaysayang pagbubuo ng Multisectoral Alliance ngayong hapon. Alam kong marami sa ating mga […]

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Singapore’s 2013 “Robin Hood” Budget

By admin | March 27, 2013

With its 2013 budget, the Singaporean government has devised a series of programs and incentives to promote quality growth and build a more inclusive society, especially for its children, low-income workers and the elderly. Presented to the public on February 25, the budget aims to tighten policies on foreign workers, provide a three-year transition support […]

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Are Filipinos Malays?

By admin | March 10, 2013

Written for The Diplomat If asked about their race, most Filipinos would identify as being Malay. Filipinos are taught in schools to be proud of their Malay heritage and encouraged to strengthen their ties with other Malays in Southeast Asia. But Filipinos wishing to migrate in Singapore have to deny this fundamental identification because the […]

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