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Power versus Rules
is the present Filipino conflict that I observe. Two recent examples are what the Mayor-elect of Cebu City and the Mayor of Tanauan, Batangas are doing. Let us have a look:...
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Uncluttering a System
should be the main priority of whatever reforms are implemented – Federalism or not. It just takes a short look at House Bills of the Philippine Congress (link) to see they are wasting a lot of time:...
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A common denominator
is what Filipinos must find now. The people that voted both Duterte and Robredo into power. There are deep divisions in Philippine society. Duterte has gone against the bishops, while church bells in...
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Changing the Countryside
could be a job for incoming VP Robredo. Never mind that Duterte does not want her in the Cabinet. She is planning to save money by not using the Coconut Palace, set up Branch Offices and use the Vice...
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Dealing with Duterte
means dealing with ourselves also. Many things Filipinos and those shaped by Filipino culture do not like about him or like about him is what they are themselves – openly or secretly. Author Jessica...
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Those with Feelings
are never slaves – said Heneral Luna who died 117 years ago today at the hands of Aguinaldo’s Kawit Brigade. Now Heneral Luna was an optimist unlike Jose Rizal, who in El Filibusterismo had Simoun say...
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Alam ng Pilipino ang Tama!
Kakilala ko dati, sabi niya may pamilyang aswang sa kanila, iniiwasan ng lahat. Nabasa ko kay Fedor Jagor na meron talagang pamilyang sinasabing ganyan sa mga baryo. 19th century bumisita itong Aleman...
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Power and Dignity
must go together. Not only in the leaders, but also in the way each person in society is treated. Could it be that is what the Philippines lost at some point, including the mother of Aguinaldo...
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Walang Taong Diyos
kahit gaanong kataas. Kahit na Presidente. Karapat-dapat itong galangin, pero hindi kawalaan ng paggalang ang pagpuna, kaya hindi ako sang-ayon sa ipinost sa OFW Tambayan (link): We, many of Filipinos...
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Trust and Predictability
are two important factors in all human interactions. Both seem to be wanting in the Philippines. People are so often unpredictable – my head spins at times when I look at Philippine politics. Trust is...
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True Discipline
is self-discipline and good habits. Japanese schools usually have no janitors. School children clean the school themselves. NO señoritos there. German chancellor Merkel (link) does her own grocery...
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The national team
of Austria has Nigerian-Filipino David Alaba in it. He is also a star player for Bayern München – my favorite team. Commenter Mariano Renato Pacifico might say, he will never be an Azkal. Only white...
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The original sin
of the Philippines was its datus swearing allegiance to King Felipe II, in exchange for privileges and helping enslave their own people. Power became entitlement without responsibility. These...
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Finding Common Ground and Sense
is hard in the Philippines. Was Aquino’s rule too elitist (link) or is Duterte’s anti-crime drive too Bang! (link)? Common Filipino principles, do they exist? In the Constitution, in theory. But I...
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What is destroyed?
says Simoun to Basilio in Rizal’s El Filibusterismo – “Evil, suffering, miserable weeds that will be replaced by healthy grain. I would call it creation, production, giving life” to justify killing...
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Rizal at kalabaw
puwede raw ipalit ang puwesto sa Luneta, sabi ni Freddie Aguilar. Disappointed ako kay dating idol. Bakit hindi rin ipagpalit si Bonifacio sa isang kambing, doon sa Monumento? Sa bagay, sabi ng mga...
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Marami ring napatay
sa gyera ng dating Yugoslavia na nagsimula noong 1991. 25 years na ang simula ng pagkawatak-watak nitong dating federation (link). Mas sentralista ang gusto ng mga Serb dahil marami sila sa iba’t-ibang...
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Vengeance is mine
thought a driver and shot a cyclist in Quiapo (link). I witnessed an incident in Munich years ago which started similarly. Driver and cyclist disagree on who cut whom. It happened in the...
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Stayin’ Alive
is a song by the Bee Gees. It could also be about our crazy world today. But there are indeed different ways to stay alive. There are communities like Munich where I live. Which protect the lives and...
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Out of Whack
is what the Philippines obviously is now – especially in the big cities and strongest in Metro Manila. How long the drug problem has been festering is unclear, but its root cause, urban poverty, has...
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