Author Archives: admin

The meaning of Egypt in Southeast Asia

By admin | February 20, 2011

Unless you’re a hermit living in the boondocks, you’ll have heard something about the massive anti-government protests in Egypt that started late last month. The protesters have become global celebrities as they’ve taken a brave stand against the three-decades-old regime of President Hosni Mubarak. The ‘million-man march’ has also made Tahrir Square in Cairo a […]

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Indonesia’s threat to BlackBerry

By admin | February 10, 2011

Last month, Indonesian Communication and Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring announced on Twitter his disappointment over the failure of Research In Motion (RIM), the company that owns BlackBerry, to filter pornographic content in Indonesia. He warned that Indonesia would block BlackBerry’s browser if RIM wouldn’t censor access to porn within two weeks. It’s unfortunate that Tifatul’s […]

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Reclaim Edsa, the people’s highway

By admin | February 5, 2011

A specter is haunting Edsa today: the specter of street crimes. Car thieves and bus bombers are causing panic in the metropolis. Traffic and pollution are getting worse everyday. Giant billboards are displayed on every building along the highway. The old folks are asking: where are the trees in Edsa? The government assures us that […]

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Philippine employment statistics 2010

By admin | February 3, 2011

I was compelled to gather some employment statistics when I was invited to discuss the youth situation in a university job fair last week. I got a copy of the Department of Labor and Employment’s Project Jobsfit August 2010 study on employment prospects in the Philippines. Here are some of the interesting and relevant findings […]

Posted in economy | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

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 […]

Posted in nation | Tagged , | 3 Comments

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 […]

Posted in youth | Tagged | 6 Comments