When I go to the Philippines later this month to cover the visit of President Obama, I am going to prepare a few questions just in case I am given an opportunity to pop a question. Mr. President, Secretary of State John Kerry, your global diplomat, in the 2013 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in the Philippines,… Read More »
Now I can understand why Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma has become Malacanang’s preferred spokesperson. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda is too confrontational and his biases and prejudices are just too obvious for a person speaking on behalf of the President. In contrast, Coloma is cool, cautious and diplomatic. Take the case of the allegations of Czech Ambassador Josef… Read More »
With its access to Philippine military bases a foregone conclusion, the United States has recently been very aggressive in its stance against China’s aggression in Asia and the Pacific. News reports have been coming out the past few days from Washington of State Department, Defense Department and Congress officials, saying in explicit terms that the United States… Read More »
Balita has been receiving complaints from victims of Ms. Rowena, a.k.a. Winnie Lyn Santiago, who allegedly scammed them with a proposed travel agency investment. Ms. Santiago presented herself as co-owner of Smart Choice Travel and encouraged her victims to invest in her travel company and in return they would get a generous interest monthly. To entice investors… Read More »
Now Filipino women have access to reproductive health services from the government. The Supreme Court has finally declared the Reproductive Health Law “not unconstitutional.” Although the high court struck down some provisions of the law, it has finally cleared the law for implementation. Opponents have been given a couple of weeks to move for a reconsideration… Read More »
The signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front expectedly drew mixed reactions from various sectors. While foreign governments and local business leaders welcomed the peace agreement, in the words of Vice President Jojo Binay, as “the first step in the long journey to peace and… Read More »
by Cress Vasquez On a sunny September day, I find myself flying to Siargao Island on invitation of a friend who, two days earlier, meets me in Cebu city to persuade me to visit the surfing capital of the Philippines before returning to Toronto. I’m reluctant of course being halfway through my plan of resort-hopping around Cebu. But… Read More »
Canada is considered as one of the most multicultural countries in the world. People from different nations immigrate to Canada for a better life and for safety and refuge. They also hope to live in the country where freedom not only from want but also of speech, the press, religion and equality among the races, sexes and age… Read More »
Since the noon time TV show Eat Bulaga launched the contest for foreigners called You’re my Foreignoys and Foreignays it goes international. The tilt for 100% male, female foreigners who care for Pinoys and Phil culture trends worldwide. Families, relatives, friends of the contestants in various countries have eagerly watched Eat Bulaga, either in you tube or in… Read More »
CHICAGO (JGL) – One of the “exports” America brought to the Philippines whose rules of the game have found popular acceptance among Filipinos is basketball, which is a Canadian invention. The other sport, of course, is baseball, which is yet to take root. That is why I want to explain some of the foreign policies of the United… Read More »