Author Archives: admin

Frustrating Philippines Rice Crisis

By admin | April 26, 2011

Written for The Diplomat Rice is the staple food in Southeast Asia and in many parts of the world. But it’s not just a food that fulfills hunger. Rice has enriched the cultures of many Asian societies. In Thailand, asking, ‘Have you eaten rice today?’ is a way of saying, ‘How are you?’ In Vietnam […]

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Giants in a small island

By admin | April 20, 2011

Delivered in Boac, Marinduque. April 16, 2011. Marinduque State College Maraming bago sa araw na ito: Bagong linis ang inyong mga sapatos, bagong plantsa ang inyong mga damit. Lahat naligo sa araw na ito (Hopefully). Makapal ang make-up ng mga kababaihan, yung iba may kulay ang mata, inubos ang spraynet at gel sa buhok, abot […]

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Secrets of the empire

By admin | April 18, 2011

1. One of our fighting tasks today is to resist and defeat US imperialism. Philosopher Alain Badiou reminds us that the “basic freedom of states and individuals consists in doing everything and thinking everything in order to escape from the commandments, interventions and interference of that imperial power.” This oppressive power, of course, is not […]

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Singapore’s Yale Conquest

By admin | April 17, 2011

Last week, the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Yale announced their plan to establish Singapore’s first liberal arts college, which will be known as the Yale-NUS College. The new college will initially accept 150 students whose education will be supervised by Yale faculty members. But students shouldn’t expect to receive a Yale diploma because […]

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Philippine politics 1969-2009

By admin | April 6, 2011

The year 1969 – Gloria Diaz was crowned Miss Universe and Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. During the same year, Ferdinand Marcos was reelected as president of the republic and the communist New People’s Army was founded in Tarlac. How did Philippine politics evolve in the past 40 years? […]

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Carry the flame of the Cordilleras

By admin | April 3, 2011

*Mountain Province State Polytechnic College graduation speech. The drafting of the speech was a collective effort. Thanks @kabataanpl. Maimbag nga aldaw. A pleasant day to all of you. I was told several times this morning that the MPSPC is grateful for my participation in today’s graduation ceremonies. No. It is I who should thank MPSPC […]

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Myanmar’s Parliament Revelations

By admin | April 2, 2011

Burma’s Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House) and Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) have been holding sessions since January 31, but it wasn’t until two weeks ago that members were allowed to question government ministers. The transcript of the meetings published by the state-owned paper New Light of Myanmar provides a peek inside the parliament. So what have […]

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Explanation of vote: Impeachment and ARMM

By admin | March 23, 2011

Delivered on March 22, 2011 in the plenary of the House of Representatives Bakit po pabor ang Kabataan Partylist sa impeachment? – Ito po ay para sa mga magsasakang ginamit ang kanilang pangalan para sa malawakang pagnanakaw ng pera noong 2004 elections; – Ito po ay para sa mga kababayan nating araw-araw pinoproblema ang panggastos […]

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Internet freedom under threat

By admin | March 22, 2011

Written for The Diplomat Internet freedom is under attack in many countries in Southeast Asia. In Thailand, for example, a webmaster is facing prosecution for comments written by other people in an online forum. In Cambodia, anti-government websites have been inaccessible on numerous occasions since January. In Malaysia, meanwhile, a proposed new law would empower […]

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Edsa and inequality

By admin | March 13, 2011

Inequality in Philippine society is reflected in the whole stretch of Edsa. Despite its People Power past with its egalitarian promise, the site Edsa is still very much a territory dominated by the elite. In fact, the relics of the feudal past are visible along Edsa. Several prime properties which dot the 54 kilometer highway […]

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