Author Archives: admin

It’s More Fun If Clean And Green

By admin | April 22, 2012

Talumpating binigkas sa Earth Day celebration, Quezon Memorial Circle. May mga ginawang dagdag-bawas sa teksto Binabati po natin lahat ng mga naging bahagi ng ating isang linggong selebrasyon para sa Earth Day. Mula sa ating exhibit, forum, muzikalikasan, mga aksiyon sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa, at ngayon sa ginagawa nating kapit-bisig sa Quezon Memorial […]

Posted in greens | Tagged | 2 Comments

Brainwashed and Greenwashed?

By admin | April 16, 2012

Statement after my appearance in the Baguio City Council Session Through the initiative of Baguio City Councilors Karminn Yangot (Sangguniang Kabataan) and Isabelo Cosalan, I was allowed to speak before the regular session of the city council this afternoon. I was asked to give an update on the efforts of Kabataan Partylist and other concerned […]

Posted in greens | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Luzon and Island Mentality

By admin | April 14, 2012

There’s a need to highlight the islandness of Luzon. It may be the biggest island in the Philippines but it’s still an island. Its unique ecosystem must be studied in its organic wholeness. Dividing it into five regions and dozens of small provinces had served the parochial objectives of pragmatic politics but it prevented the […]

Posted in places | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Magmahal na parang walang bukas

By admin | April 11, 2012

Ilang piling bahagi ng aking talumpati sa dalawang graduation na aking pinuntahan ngayong linggo Tuwing graduation ay nasusubok muli ang katatagan ng ating mga guro. They are among the bravest people in the world. Marahil nalulungkot kayo ngayon dahil iiwanan ninyo na ang hayskul kung saan nakilala ninyo ang inyong mga kaibigan at BFF. Pero […]

Posted in speeches | Tagged , | 7 Comments

My Marian Education

By admin | April 9, 2012

Delivered on March 27, 2012 at the St. Mary’s College–Quezon City Auditorium I’m delighted and extremely honored to speak before the graduating class of 2012. Twenty years ago, I was also seated there, proud and happy that I’m about to get my elementary diploma. But I remember that I also felt sad because I will […]

Posted in speeches | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Singapore’s Populist Budget

By admin | April 8, 2012

Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party, which has been in power since the 1950s, has been accused of populism by its critics following the presentation of the 2012 state budget. According to the opposition, the budget contains several expenditure items that reflect the desperation of the PAP to regain the trust of voters and party supporters […]

Posted in east asia | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Change the ASEAN Model

By admin | April 2, 2012

A smartphone app called ASEAN One, which translates popular business phrases into 11 languages of the Southeast Asian region, was launched last week in Bangkok. Private sector initiatives like this, which promote the concept of a Southeast Asian community, should be encouraged. Aside from ASEAN One, there are bigger projects that seek to foster unity […]

Posted in east asia | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Power of Imagination. The Gift of Time

By admin | March 31, 2012

I was speaker in four graduations this year. Excerpts of my speech…. If there is more powerful achievement than education, it is imagination. You are college diploma holders and you are officially recognized by the community as educated individuals. But it doesn’t mean your mind is only reserved for strictly academic and technical matters. It’s […]

Posted in speeches | Tagged | 1 Comment

Perverse Transparency

By admin | March 22, 2012

Promoting transparency is the preferred technique of politicians and their apologists today. If an official wants to be politically-correct, he must be optically-correct as well. Behold the rise of politico-techies! Before, a politician must learn how to hold a smiling baby while posing before the cameras. Today, he must instantly tweet the incident. Governance requires […]

Posted in media | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Southeast Asia’s Forgotten Wars

By admin | March 19, 2012

Written for The Diplomat For tourists, Southeast Asia conjures visions of exotic islands in places like Phuket, Bali, and Boracay. For investors, it’s a relatively safe destination, where their capital can flourish in global cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok. Its ancient history is preserved at Angkor Wat, its rich biodiversity is visible in […]

Posted in east asia | Tagged , , | Leave a comment