Author Archives: admin

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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Southeast Asia: Politics, Gangnam Style

By admin | March 9, 2013

Written for The Diplomat Judging from a recent outbreak of “Gangnam Style” politics in Southeast Asia, the K-Pop tune seemingly has no bounds. On February 11 Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak hosted a Chinese New Year concert that included a performance by Korean pop superstar Psy. Just next door, former Philippine President Joseph Estrada, who […]

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Kabataan Partylist: Legislative Advocacies

By admin | March 3, 2013

In the past four years, Kabataan Partylist has consistently advocated an education reform agenda in Congress. We pushed for better tuition regulation, higher budget for public schools especially tertiary schools, and protection of student rights. Through our intervention, the Commission on Higher Education revised its tuition guidelines. It also formulated new standards to regulate nursing […]

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Collective Over Personal Privilege

By admin | February 19, 2013

Thirteen speeches in three years covering a broad range of topics such as education reform, labor rights, student welfare, environment protection, internet freedom, and nationalism. Salamat Carl, JM, Sarah, Bugsy, Rubelh, Marjo, Lean at sa lahat ng bumubuo sa @kabataanpl 1. The Tragedy of Philippine Education, May 18, 2009. First speech tackled the core legislative […]

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