During President Rodrigo Duterte’s last State of the Union Address (SONA) on July 27, 2020, he told Congress that he had no power to enforce the Philippines’ ownership of territories claimed by China in the South China Sea. That was just two weeks after his foreign and defense secretaries backed the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s position… Read More »
Recently, I read an article by my good friend Peter Jamero who was featured in the Positively Filipino magazine under his byline. Peter’s column was titled, “Racism: Reflections of a bridge generation Filipino-American.” I was touched by Peter’s article. Being born in 1930 during the Great Depression speaks volumes of how his family managed to survive the discrimination… Read More »
Kabesang Betong: Bakit mayroon pa ring boto sa mahabang lockdown? Impong Tasyo: Dahil sila’y out of reach ng mga naniningil ng utang? ***** Tatang Kulas: Overstaying na ang COVID-19, ah! Impong Tasyo: Lalayas din ang diyaskeng ‘yan. Basta, always be positive. Tatang Kulas: Pasitib? Mag-isa ka! ***** Although it may be quite awkward to say so these days,… Read More »
Strategically located between Taiwan and the northern Philippines, Fuga Island in the Babuyan archipelago in the Luzon Strait provides an important role in preventing China from entering the gateway to Western Pacific and beyond. It’s a known fact that whoever is in control of the Luzon Strait could easily establish military superiority over the vast Pacific Ocean. Last… Read More »
“Is this the town of San Isidro?” tanong ng misyonaryong Amerikano sa mga kalalakihang nag-uusap sa harap ng maliit at kaisa-isang sari-sari store sa puso ng bayan. “Wen,” sabi ng Ilokano. “Wai,” tugon ng Magindanaw. “Haw,” ingon ng Ilonggo. “Ho?” sambit ng Tagalog. Umalis na iiling-iling, wari’y kausap ng Kano ang sarili: “Seriously? When, why, how, who?” Madalas… Read More »
It was the afternoon of July 12. Amid dark heavy clouds looming above, King Sun took every chance to peek through a shady curtain and spread his radiant summer rays. It was welcome weather, a respite from a prior nine-day heat wave and humid blast that hit Toronto. Braving the outdoors was most tempting. However, being on the… Read More »
“President Trump likely suffers from a range of mental disorders developed over the course of a turbulent childhood, cheated his way into a top college, subjected his own brother to severe emotional abuse and turned himself into a scruples-free bully who could now bring about an ‘end to American democracy,’ “ says Mary Trump in her tell-all book… Read More »
On May 5, 2020, the Philippines’ premier broadcast network shut down under the orders of the government. The shutdown of the free TV and radio network sent shudders throughout the country, as it was the country’s number one source of news. In an announcement, the network management said, “This is in compliance with the cease and desist order… Read More »
Last June 15, in the latest blow to press freedom, Maria Ressa, the founder of an award-winning Philippines-based news site was convicted of cyber libel in a Manila court. The court found Ressa, editor and chief executive of online news site Rappler, and former researcher-writer Rey Santos Jr. guilty of libeling a businessman. The case is about a… Read More »
The pandemic is absolutely far from over. COVID-19 is still up, about and around. A breathe of permanent relief will only happen when the deadly virus is gone and aground. ***** Momentarily, all hands are regularly and persistently urged to go back to the basics. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds more often. Help prevent a viral… Read More »