The United States (US) should be held accountable for the bloody Mamasapano offensive. It has now been revealed that they sacrificed the lives of Filipinos in the altar of their “war on terror.” More than 70 Filipinos, 44 SAF, 18 Moro fighters and at least 7 civilians died in an operation funded, masterminded and directed by the US and implemented no less than President Aquino.
The year 2014 was a year of many new things (new place, work, the baby, etc.). Because of greater responsibilities this past few months, it has become impossible for me to post here regularly. I foresee this situation persisting into the immediate future. Does this mean goodbye then? Not at all. There will be fewer lengthy posts. But I will make up for this by keeping the blog updated with more concise commentaries, embedded films, poems, and quotations at least twice a month. So without further ado a happy New Year, comrades!
Sheila Pagurayan reflects on how Butch Nolasco’s Mindanao: Healing The Past, Building The Future, a 1999 video-documentary on the the continuing armed conflict in Southern Philippines, approaches the idea of peace perpetrated by NGOs and the Philippine Government (GPH). Pagurayan notes how the cosmetic concept of peace conceals the underlying political and socio-economic interests upheld by all parties involved in the conflict.
The Hinilawod, the Hiligaynon epic of Central Panay, tells the story of the adventures of the three brothers Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon, and Dumalapdap, sons of the Goddess Alunsina and the mortal Datu Paubari. They would cross plains, mountains, rivers and valleys to seek the hand of virgins, fight monsters in duels, be enchanted by sorceresses,…
Freire’s ideas remain significant for the present era. But it is not just his ideas on grassroots organizing and community education that must be taken into consideration but the totality of Freire’s project. This totality refers to an educational project that is part of the wider radical or say revolutionary movement to fundamentally change the system.
In the Chinese agitation play Millet for the Eighth, farmers smuggle millet to Mao Zedong’s revolutionary Eighth Army. After the play had been adapted, the young director explained some of the details of his basic scenic design to Brecht. The play takes place in a town hall’s main room and the room adjoining it. When…
February is the month of love. Here are 5 classic must-read novels that you can read this month, whether you have a beau or not. If you have one, then perhaps a few pages can help put you in the mood. If not, then maybe reading can in-itself be a great activity in lieu of…
I wrote this roundup for the Philippine Online Chronicles. A testimonial video of Philippine state security forces held as Prisoners of Wars (POWs) by the Communist Party-led New People’s Army (NPA) has turned viral online with over 271,113 views, 7,498 likes, 5,928 shares, and 1,399 comments on Facebook. The video was uploaded by citizen journalist…
I wrote this article for the Philippine Online Chronicles. After asking “where is the president” in the wake of President Noynoy Aquino’s skipping of the arrival honors for elite policemen killed in the special operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 29, many Filipinos are now joining the clamor for the president’s resignation. The January 18 botched-up…
I wrote this article for the Philippine Online Chronicles. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Dinky Soliman’s admission that the Aquino government brought homeless families to a posh resort during the visit of Pope Francis only confirmed what everybody already knew. Hiding the poor from foreign leaders and dignitaries visiting the Philippines is…
I wrote this for the Philippine Online Chronicles. Malalaking kilos-protesta at demonstrasyon sa pangunguna ng Kabataang Makabayan (KM) at ibang mga pambansa-demokratikong organisasyon ng kabataan at estudyante ang sumalubong sa unang tatlong buwan ng taong 1970. Umalingawngaw ang mga sigaw ng “Makibaka, Huwag Matakot” at “Marcos Hitler Diktador Tuta.” Napuno ang mga lansangan ng mga…
