Opinion: “Porn block” was biggest piece of fake news I’ve ever come across
It has now been a month or so since the Duterte administration announced a plan block access to video porn sites. The sites targeted included Pornhub and Xvideos, both of …
Opinion
How to find that taste of home, even in the provinces…
One thing about life as an expat in the Philippines is that one can often find oneself craving things from abroad. Things that can be extremely difficult to come by …
Enterprising girls take on the villainous “vultures” of Cambodia’s tuk-tuk trade
Despairing of having to deal with inept and crooked Cambodian tuk-tuk drivers, Benjamin Johnson was delighted to hear of a new transport firm founded by some enterprising — and strictly …
Anna Simms: My visit to a school that makes a world of difference
The first thing I see walking into Agoo East Central School is its motto emblazoned across its front wall: “discovering, transforming from good to great!” The more I saw of …
Operation Timbang Plus: On the frontline of efforts to protect young lives
Anna Simms joined her daughter-in-law and grand-daughter at a local health-check for young children, part of a national campaign to prevent malnutrition. Here she recounts her experience of the grassroots …
Showbiz for ugly people? How Philippine politics is one big soap opera
Ever wondered why politics in the Philippines is so melodramatic? Or how any Filipino who gets even remotely famous ends up in public office? Here Anna Cristina Pertierra of Western Sydney …
Having a child in the Philippines. Part 1, the birth
As so often happens when two people of the opposite sex get together, the missus ended up pregnant. Suddenly, I was on a journey of discovery about what it means …
Bramovich: In a game of tug of war, nobody cares about the rope
As yet another Asian neighbour steps into the Philippines infrastructure ring, there are some questions that the people of the republic really need to be asking themselves. With both Japan …
Bramovich: Round up the Indian loan sharks, and send them home!
I was pleased to read that the government has announced that Indian nationals operating exorbitant “5-6” lending schemes can now be arrested without warrants for running illegal businesses. All around …
The unwanted guest: A true tale of demonic possession
After a career managing hotels and resorts across southeast Asia, Howard Stanton says that nothing has ever matched the strange and terrifying events that unfolded when he took on his first job. Many …
Russia, Manila and “Maskirovka” – the art of military deception
Ever since President Duterte announced his intention to pivot towards China and Russia, the Kremlin has started to take a close interest in the Philippines. At the moment, two Russian …
Bramovich: Mind your language (a cautionary tale)
I was reminded this week of an incident from my past by a very amusing story that I came across about a caucasian girl working in a retail store. This particular …
Hey, American conservatives: Why do you love this socialist, who hates your guts?
Whenever we publish a news article that mentions President Duterte (in good faith, without any attempt at bias) we expect to be attacked. (For clarity: This is an “opinion” column, …
Bramovich: Is the 50 Cent Army shooting the messenger?
I received a very telling comment on one of my opinion columns this week, that I thought I should share. I’m not doing this out of spite or vengeance, only because it seems …
Bramovich: “Only” 350 firework-related injuries this New Year’s Eve
The Philippine Department of Health has announced this morning (at 6am on New Year’s Day) that firework-related injuries are down by 60% on last year. While this is obviously good news, …
Bramovich: Mr Duterte, please stop threatening people with horrible deaths
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines took aim at President Rodrigo Duterte for saying that he likes “joking” and “playing around” with members of the Press Corps. (As …
How the Philippines would be better now as an ex-British colony…
In 1762, Britain invaded the Philippines, which it then ruled as a colony via the East India Company for two years. After the British left in 1764 (voluntarily, as part …
Bramovich: What on earth is going on at the palace? Is anyone talking to anyone?
PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON Ernesto Abella quoted Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo as saying that 10 people were reported dead and 20 wounded after an IED ripped through a crowd in Hilongos, …
Bramovich: Merry Christmas Mr Duterte, you bloody hypocrite
In a very brief Christmas message to his country, “The Punisher” president shared his hopes for peace and progress as the Philippines moves into 2017. The entire “greeting” – delivered in …
Bramovich: Oy, Bono… be like James Taylor and boycott the Philippines!
Let’s talk about James Taylor’s recent decision to cancel his Philippine concert (as we recently reported here). The American singer-songwriter said the reason for his decision was the bloody and pointless war on …
Bramovich: Excuse me, Teddyboy? What did you just say?
In a backflip worthy of the nation’s president, the incoming ambassador to the United Nations has condemned both the death penalty and the war on drugs. Step forward Teddy “Teddyboy” …
Bramovich: What is Duterte’s problem with the USA? Or is he just high?
President Duterte has expressed shock and horror at the USA’s Millennium Challenge Corp’s decision to withhold aid funding, due to concerns over his bloody war on drugs. (See my recent article on …
Foreign aid: Be careful what you wish for
The Millennium Challenge Corp, a US-led agency that has previously awarded substantial grants for infrastructure projects to the Philippines has deferred a vote on giving more money to the country, …
Boom! Fireworks or firearms? Why I’m staying indoors this New Year’s Eve
Traditionally, officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have had the muzzles on their guns taped over for New Year’s Eve to discourage the indiscriminate discharge of their firearms. This year, …
Duterte and Trump: The beginning of a beautiful friendship?
THE prevailing view among many political commentators is that Trump’s foreign policy is a disaster waiting to happen. They like to portray him as a rampaging orange toddler throwing some …
Free thinking: Nine low-cost ways to boost the Philippines
A recent article by Dave Bramovich (here) suggested some infrastructure investments that could vastly improve life in the Philippines. Among the generally costly proposals, was one suggestion that wouldn’t cost a penny. Discussing …