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
PEYTON CROSS WRITES – With its attractive cityscapes and strong economy, Saudi Arabia can give the impression of being an advanced desert nation. Then it announces plans to crucify and behead a young political dissident, and the world goes, Hmmmm. Priya Joshi of the International Business Times reports that on September 7,…
Full Article SAUDI ARABIA: The Passion of al-NimrE.J. DE LARA WRITES – Looks like “The Rocket” didn’t take off, at least not in Laos. Authorities have banned the distribution and showing of the internationally acclaimed film, which exposes ongoing problems in Laos caused by residual effects of the Vietnam War and government exploitation of the poor. According to the…
Full Article POVERTY PROJECT: Laos Film ‘Rocket’ Soars Everywhere But HomeSometimes in Vietnam it pays to keep your mouth (or blog) shut. Last month, a Vietnamese court sentenced three bloggers to between 4 and 12 years in prison for allegedly troubling citizens and trying to overthrow the Communist government. You’d think with debt scandals, a slowing economy and inflation expected…
Full Article VIETNAM: If You’re Gonna Blog, Blog Something Nice, Ok?Raising money for charity is a Samaritan thing to do, but male pop singer Dam Vinh Hung may have gone too far in his pursuit for monetary justice. Recently, Hung kissed two monks on the lips and hands at a charity auction in Ho Chi Minh City. In order to…
Full Article VIETNAM: Kissing for Charity Was Almost the Kiss of DeathOn the night of November 6th, 2012, the cheers of O-ba-ma echoed through the air in the United States. Although bittersweet to supporters of the Republican Party, reelected President Barack Obama is perceived positively by the Vietnamese community. President Obama is in the spotlight as he is expected to focus…
Full Article VIETNAM: Welcome Back, But What Now?