Monthly Archives: August 2009

The parallelisms we presume to make

Posted on August 31, 2009 by benign0

Consider the sort of psychology that sells celebrity magazines and tabloids. The paparazzi make their lucrative living highlighting the miseries and imperfections of famous people — writing up blow-by-blow accounts of failing relationships, personal tragedies and failures, and public spectacles. … Continue reading →

Posted in Development, Elections | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Non-Platform of Noynoy Aquino

Posted on August 30, 2009 by bkritz

Benigno S. “Noynoy” Aquino III is running for President. The current news stream of his “weighing the decision” and “seeking the support of the people” should not fool anyone, nor should the “discussions” within the Liberal Party about his candidacy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 53 Comments

Presidential Elections are all about choosing ONE

Posted on August 27, 2009 by benign0

I recently revisited the seminal piece written back in 2003 that describes the real challenge that faces a society so pyramidal in structure that it makes the target of an effort to reform so obvious: Key to social change: Enlightenment … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Education Standards in the Philippines: The Mar Roxas Solution (Part Two)

Posted on August 26, 2009 by bkritz

Since his reaction to the embarrassingly-low NAT scores was the catalyst for Part One of this discussion, Senator and presidential aspirant Mar Roxas has the perhaps dubious distinction to be the first candidate who will have part of his platform … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Education Standards in the Philippines: A Bar So Low You Can Trip Over It (Part One)

Posted on August 26, 2009 by bkritz

In an August 24 Senate hearing reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Senator and presumptive presidential candidate Mar Roxas expressed incredulity at a report by the Department of Education that set the passing grade for the National Achievement Test at … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 26 Comments

The self-described Filipino "patriot"

Posted on August 25, 2009 by benign0

Unfortunately, benny, any and all Filipinos are entitled to their own opinion, and groups of Filipinos of their own opinion should not be seen to demonstrate the dysfunctions of the whole. You’re getting to the point of using anything and … Continue reading →

Posted in Development | Tagged , | 20 Comments

We Wrote It, So It Must Be Right: The Arguments Against Charter Change

Posted on August 22, 2009 by bkritz

For all the histrionic dissent against the idea of charter change, it is not easy to find a clear explanation of exactly why so many people are against it. A recently-launched Facebook group, however, provides a link to a manifesto … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments

A Primer on Charter Change

Posted on August 21, 2009 by bkritz

 In a new complaint posted to Filipino Voices yesterday, Primer C. Pagunuran laments that “the future of a forthcoming charter change is bright not bleak” in describing – surprisingly, quite accurately – the output of the Technical Working Group of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Mapping our future: Are we up to the REAL challenge?

Posted on August 18, 2009 by benign0

What does the Philippine “Opposition” offer us other than a position that involves merely replacing the incumbent? Is replacing the incumbent an end in itslf? Or is mapping out WHAT HAPPENS NEXT the whole point of an “opposition”? Until we … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Roadmapping 101 for Presidential Candidates

Posted on August 17, 2009 by benign0

How hard could it be, considering that one would at the very least expect a bit of executive management chops in the various characters who are vying for the highest executive position in the land? If we are to expect … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 18 Comments