Category Archives: media

Southeast Asia: Social Media and Human Rights

By admin | November 6, 2011

Delivered during the Amnesty International Western USA Conference in Los Angeles, November 5, 2011. Thanks @KalaMendoza for the invitation We already know that social media is a powerful information and communication tool. It has wonderful uses: Monitor, share, and create news; build networks, enhance communications; reach a broader audience while at the same time engage […]

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Southeast Asia: Internet freedoms and unfreedoms

By admin | August 6, 2011

I was inspired to write this piece after speaking in the 6th International Vietnamese Youth Conference held in Manila, Philippines. I’ve been reading Southeast Asian blogs since 2008. My other sources of alternative information include twitter, facebook, and other social media sites. They provide not only interesting news stories but also incisive commentaries on various […]

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On being a blogger-politician

By admin | July 13, 2011

The complete title of this post is On Being A Blogger-Politician Or Musings Of A Blogger Who Became A Politician. This is a continuation of my earlier piece about how I balance my work in Batasan and my online activities. When Rep. Edcel Lagman confessed in a televised plenary debate that he isn’t a Catholic […]

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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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Here come the commies*

By admin | August 29, 2010

They are the propagandists of the new government but they will deny it not because they are ashamed of their jobs but it has more to do with their rejection of the term propagandist. Propaganda is a taboo word for them since it is associated with overzealous militants. PNoy communicators (com men or commies for […]

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Seeing and politics

By admin | June 30, 2010

Part 1: postblogism To see is no longer to believe. There was a time when people had to look up into the sky to search for answers about the mysteries of life. We raise our eyes to the heavens looking for clues about our existence. Astronomers and astrologers gaze at the stars and planets to […]

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eGovernance

By admin | September 22, 2009

The Philippine government subscribes to the UN-ASPA Four Stages of E-Governance: Stage 1 – Emerging Web Presence (website that contains basic information and contact details about the government agency). Stage 2 – Enhanced Web Presence (websites that are regularly updated and have a working search function). Stage 3 – Interactive Web Presence (websites that have […]

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Online nationalism stirs Southeast Asia

By admin | August 4, 2009

The Internet is increasingly being used by many Southeast Asians for various nationalist campaigns. Even government leaders are maximizing cyberspace to promote unity and patriotism in their countries. This trend is encouraging since it gives ordinary citizens the chance to express a sense of belonging to their larger communities. However, there are also ultra-nationalist online […]

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a very lonely grandmother

By admin | July 6, 2009

The lola in the Bayantel DSL ad is a very lonely person. Instead of being surrounded by her grandchildren, the lola is alone at her home. Like other lola, the Bayantel lola is craving attention from her family. But unlike most lola, the Bayantel lola is tech-savvy. She stages her dramatic appeal for affection by […]

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