IMMANUEL PORTUS WRITES — On May 2 the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival opened its first night with a film that took home the Grand Jury Prize soon after: “Yellow Rose,” helmed by director Diane Paragas and starring Tony winner Lea Salonga and Tony nominee Eva Noblezada— all prominent…
Full Article MOVIE REVIEW: ‘YELLOW ROSE’ BLOSSOMS BEYOND THE PHILIPPINES
NICOLE ALAVERDIAN WRITES – It is no secret that humans are amid a most severe environmental problem — global climate change. Ecological reports and scientific evidence point to the possibility of the “sixth great mass extinction” taking place. Countries have suggested climate change guidelines: The Paris Climate Agreement, of course.…
Full Article Asia Round-Up: As Election Season Looms in the Region, Why is the Environment a missing topic of concern?
MUHAMAD Al-OTHMAN WRITES– Online dating has taken the Asian region by storm, although not without consequence. Currently, online scams– where perpetrators convince their online ‘partner’ to send them money or give them access to their data– has swept over the Philippines. With the advent of the internet came the woes…
Full Article PHILIPPINES: Online Dating Scams, The Cost of Virtual Dating
CHELSEA SALAC WRITES– On December 17 last year, Catriona Gray won the Title of Miss Universe 2018. “It’s our Superbowl. The level of support that Filipinos give the arena of pageantry is phenomenal,” 25-year-old beauty queen Catriona Gray explains. The Philippines, a country that dominates International Beauty Pageants, has produced…
Full Article Philippines: Powerhouse of Beauty Pageants
“To have another language is to possess a second soul.” – Charlemagne ANAS ALZAHRANI WRITES — When non-native English speakers decide to learn English in a different country, the first locations that come to mind are the U.S and England, where English is the first language. Command over the English…
Full Article You Might Want to Head to Asia to Learn English
JABER AL SABAH WRITES — Facebook was intended to connect the world and bring people closer to each other. But the current political climate both in the US and abroad is proving to have the opposite effect—the power of connectivity is being used to harness hate and segregation. Facebook has…
Full Article FACEBOOK: A TOOL FOR VIOLENCE AND OPPRESSION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
MATTHEW RODRIGUEZ WRITES- Ever since the end of World War II, the jeepney has been the primary mode of public transportation for many Filipinos. It can trace its history back to the surplus Willy jeeps left behind by American soldiers. The surplus jeeps were then converted into transport vehicles. Drivers…
Full Article PHILIPPINES: ‘JEEPNEY IS TO MANILA AS THE YELLOW CAB IS TO NEW YORK’
MATTHEW RODRIGUEZ WRITES – The Philippines’ House of Representatives found probable cause for impeachment of the first female Chief Justice, Maria Lourdes Sereno. Justice Sereno has been accused of corruption and under-reporting income, among other allegations. This historic figure denies them all. But in a resounding result, the justice committee…
Full Article PHILIPPINES: JURY STILL OUT ON THE LATEST THRILLER IN MANILA
MATTHEW RODRIGUEZ WRITES – After more than 12,000 deaths, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced it will investigate human rights violations from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs.” In July 2016, Duterte made headlines after introducing his anti-drugs initiative, which advocated the killing of anyone associated with the drug…
Full Article PHILIPPINES: ICC INITIATES INVESTIGATION ON DUTERTE’S WAR ON DRUGS
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR WILLIAM OVERHOLT, OF THE HARVARD ASIA CENTER, TELLS US – A deep look at the Philippines situation challenges fundamental elements of U.S. foreign policy. The seeming immense success of the recent Aquino presidency – with very high growth rates and a decisive move closer to the U.S. because of Chinese…
Full Article PHILIPPINES: TRACKING THE THUG PRESIDENCY
MARY GRACE COSTA WRITES – The Philippines and the United States have enjoyed a decades-long marriage, but there’s trouble brewing in paradise. Many people didn’t take Philippine President Rodrigo “Rody” Roa Duterte seriously when he said he was considering cutting ties with America and cozying up to Russia and China.…
Full Article PHILIPPINES: DEAR AMERICA, IT’S OVER, SINCERELY DUTERTE
MARY GRACE COSTA WRITES – Strong-armed President Rodrigo Duterte might be fresh from victory after the Philippine Senate voted to demote a vocal critic, but on her way out the door Sen. Leila De Lima warned Duterte to not rest on his laurels. On September 19, the Philippine Senate voted…
Full Article PHILIPPINES: STRONGMAN VS. STRONG WOMAN
MARY GRACES COSTA WRITES – No, Manny, gay people aren’t “worse than animals,” but you might be. “People’s Champion” Manny Pacquiao has boxed himself into a corner with homophobic comments made to Filipino television network TV5. And the Eight Division world boxing champ’s loose lips may have cost him a lucrative Nike contract and…
Full Article PHILIPPINES: Pacquiao K.O’d for Homophobic Comments
MARY GRACE COSTA WRITES – Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach may have won the 2015 Miss Universe crown, along with the hearts of her fellow countrymen and women, but she won’t be charming her way out of her taxes. Upon her homecoming on January 23, Pia received a warm welcome and friendly…
Full Article PHILIPPINES: She’s Beauty, She’s Grace, She’s Got Taxes To Pay
MARY GRACE COSTA WRITES – In the mood to binge-watch a Filipino TV drama for a long afternoon of frustration, confusion, and catharsis? Look no further than the #DuterteSerye hashtag on Twitter. Rodrigo Duterte left his supporters on a cliffhanger the week before October 16 as they waited for the…
Full Article PHILIPPINES: Duterte Drama Reaches Anticlimactic Conclusion