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#PapalVisitPH: Full texts, highlights and videos of Pope Francis’ speeches
In his Jan. 15-19 state and pastoral visit to the Philippines. Pope Francis spoke to Filipinos on his thoughts about issues and concerns that confront the country and the world. He called for an end to corruption and for fair treatment for the poor, and personally consoled with the survivors of supertyphoon Haiyan. This post gathers the full transcripts, highlights and videos […]
MorePrimer on pork barrel: PDAF, DAP and presidential pork
More and more people want to unite and act against the plunder, misuse and abuse of public funds through the controversial pork barrel. Citizens are outraged by the PDAF scandal involving lawmakers, Janet Napoles and fake NGOs. President BS Aquino himself has been put on the defensive for his own pork barrel, its misuse for […]
MoreSenate remarks: Time for gov’t to ‘like’ FOI, ‘share’ information
The Senate public information and mass media committee, chaired by Senator Grace Poe, today held a public hearing on the Freedom of Information bills. The Senate FOI bills are authored by: Senators Angara, A. Cayetano, Ejercito, Escudero, Guingona, Honasan, Legarda, Osmena, and Trillanes. I made and delivered the following remarks: Honorable Senator Grace Poe, other honorable Members of […]
MoreChallenge is to solve poverty, not just to hide it
Few days ago, as debates raged on the question of the urban poor and how we should solve the issue, I wrote a Note on Facebook. Here it is, improved and extended a little bit. When I was growing up, my family moved from one apartment to another because the parents could only earn so […]
More#eDemokrasya: ‘Digital in politics, politics in digital’
Here are my prepared remarks for the eDemokrasya Conference on the Use of Social Media and Technology for Democracy Promotion” on Feb. 21 at Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Manila, held with support from the USAID, the US Embassy’s Public Affairs Section and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems: Filipinos want and long for a […]
MoreNielsen presents first Southeast Asia Digital Consumer Report
Information and measurement company Nielsen today released in Singapore the first Southeast Asia Digital Consumer Report, declaring that widening internet usage is “revolutionizing digital media usage” in the region. According to Nielsen: Rapid technological developments, including high-speed internet access and WiFi, and increasing ownership of connected devices such as smartphones and tablets are revolutionizing digital […]
MoreHow is social media changing ASEAN?
Together with colleague Delwin Keasberry, a.k.a. @BruneiTweet and the man behind Projek Brunei, we led a master class with the same title at the ASEAN100 Leadership Forum on Sept. 29, 2011 at the Shangrila Hotel in Makati City, Philippines. Here is the presentation I shared at the master class:
MoreMonique Wilson’s call to fellow artists in the Philippines
Willie Revillame’s treatment of Janjan who was made to dance like a gigolo on his primetime game show beamed on national television last March 12 has attracted a whole array of opposition and strident criticism, and, of course, defense from his diehard fans and defenders of his new home network. Monique Wilson, a respected stage […]
MoreThe people’s impeachment case vs. Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez
Merceditas Gutierrez, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s choice of ombudsman, now faces two impeachment complaints now being heard in a single proceeding by the House justice committee. Previous impeachment proceedings against Gutierrez failed when the House of Representatives was still controlled by a pro-Arroyo majority. The new proceeding should have a different outcome. It is only […]
MoreFacebook usage in the Philippines [Infographic]
How is the Philippines ranking in social networking on a global scale? Well, we Filipinos are way up in terms of number of users and how we use Facebook. What better way to illustrate this than through an infographic,
MoreNew consular fees at US Embassy in Manila starting July 13, 2010
The United States Embassy in Manila today announced a new consular fee schedule which will be effective starting July 13, 2010. The new fee schedule includes substantial increases in certain visa application fees and consular services to US and non-US citizens. The embassy said the new fee schedule is based on an order from the […]
MoreCebu Blog Camp: Lecture on citizen journalism and new media
Scores of bloggers and netizens packed the CAP hall on May 22 in Cebu City for the First Cebu Blog Camp.
MoreThe Philippines’ social media, internet and mobile statistics
More and more Filipinos are going online and forming their social networks and here are the numbers that show this reality.
More2009 Bar Examination Results
Culled from the Supreme Court website, here is the list of those who passed the 2009 bar examinations. Only 1,451 out of 5,903 examinees passed the examinations. Congratulations to the following new lawyers:
MoreBiggest US labor union tells US State Dept.: Morong 43 should be freed
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the 2.2-million strong union of American workers in health care and in public and property services, has written the US State Department to express concern over the illegal detention and degrading treatment of the Morong 43 and to demand for their immediate release.
MoreThe fastest mobile broadband
Smart and Globe are fighting over the title of having the “fastest mobile broadband service”. As they fight themselves in the media, I thought that perhaps its better to make my own study of the three competing mobile broadband products. To do the tests, I made use of a Compaq Presario notebook computer running on […]
MoreFull Text: Climate Change Act of 2009 (Republic Act 9729)
Here is the full text of Republic Act 9729 or the Climate Change Act of 2009 which became a law last Oct. 23, 2009, courtesy of the Committee on Climate Change:
MoreRelief aid urgently needed in typhoon-ravaged Cordilleras
The people of the Cordilleras are sending the rest of the country and the world a call for help, a plea for support, in the middle of horrible tragedies in Northern Luzon caused by typhoon Pepeng (Parma). More than 200 deaths have been recorded in the Cordillera areas alone. The stench of rotting corpses has […]
MoreMMA president Mike Wehrs on trends in mobile and internet marketing
Mike Wehrs, president and chief executive officer of the global Mobile Marketing Association, today shared with members of the press and bloggers today a presentation on the trends in mobile and internet marketing. The MMA has over 700 members worldwide, including the world’s top companies. Here is Wehrs’ presentation:
MoreWanted: One million new, young voters for 2010
The deadline for new voter registration is fast approaching. But many have yet to get listed to ensure that they can vote in next year’s elections. Enter Kabataan Partylist and the National Union of Students of the Philippines with their “Isang milyong kabataan, isang milyong panata” new voter registration drive to be launched on August […]
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