Category Archives: Over a Cup of Coffee
Impeachment As A Rite Of Passage
by jun asuncion Cleaning government institutions of corrupt officials through legal measure such as impeachment is like cremating old habits in our political culture that hinder the progress of the Philippines. Impeachment is only possible in a democracy since it is an … Continue reading
Filed under Over a Cup of Coffee
The Devil is in the Details
by jun asuncion The MILF’s walloping of the AFP last October that killed 19 marines and wounded many has sent a shockwave to global Filipinos. It was such a lamentable loss should not really happen in modern warfare. This carnage showed us again the loopholes in our armed forces … Continue reading
Filed under Commentary, Over a Cup of Coffee
Playing With Our Values : On Zubiri’s Resignation
by jun asuncion On its face value, the resignation is a good example for others to follow who have served the Arroyo machinery of deceit for the last nine years. As there are still many of them in the … Continue reading
Filed under Commentary, Over a Cup of Coffee
To Correct History?
by jun asuncion Brain drain is a fact. That we still have brilliant brains in the Philippines is also a fact. Among such brains I have considered are Senator Escudero and Senator Legarda. But it seems that intelligence is something and motivation … Continue reading
Filed under Commentary, Over a Cup of Coffee
THE SECRETS OF POLITICIANS’ STAYING POWER
JGL Eye By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA CHICAGO (jGLi) – When I was covering the mayor’s offices of Rizal province in the Philippines in the seventies, I was pleasantly surprised to see a mayor of Antipolo in near tears when I … Continue reading
In Not So Recent Memory
by Oliver Geronilla Taking a stroll down memory lane always makes me smile. I smile for all the things I did in the past—both good and bad. March and April are special months. They are the months when graduations are … Continue reading
An Asuncion at Mensa- Switzerland
A personal note, written primarily for my relatives and for those interested in child psychology. Way back in the 1980′s, during my college years in Manila, my favorite psychology subjects were psychological testing (psychometrics), projective techniques, psychopathology, mental hygiene, theories of personality, experimental … Continue reading
If You Would Ask Me
by jun asuncion Or let me say, if I may ask you. By chance, I read yesterday that the 18-year-old, fresh high-school graduate Alexandra Mills of Lousville, USA, won the Miss World beauty pageant. This reminded me of our … Continue reading
Filed under Over a Cup of Coffee
From Code Of Kalantiyaw To Mt. Sinai
by jun asuncion This post is not intended as an academic work but just my personal thoughts on this Independence Day and as my reply to a comment on my earlier post Strengths And Weaknesses Of The Filipino … Continue reading
Filed under History, Over a Cup of Coffee, Views and Concern
Change or Keep The Change?
by jun asuncion Part I: Notes of a silent traveller. It seems that I was not alone who went home to capture the election “fever” in the Philippines. I was in Bulan for actually just two full days (May 4-5) … Continue reading
Filed under Over a Cup of Coffee, Politics, Views and Concern
He Laughs Best Who Laughs Last
by jun asuncion Post-Easter Reflections Accused, convicted and resurrected- three events in the life of Jesus at the end of his earthly existence. But before disappearing, He made a new covenant with men, a covenant of peace and love, of moral uprightness … Continue reading
Filed under Over a Cup of Coffee
Reflections On The Realities Of Social Change
by jun asuncion Part I I. Bulan Observers and Social Change Social change comes in different ways, from different directions, tools- and even distances. The “mighty pen” is one of the most economical tools for social change but its … Continue reading
Filed under Over a Cup of Coffee
Doing Things Right and Doing the Right Thing
By Oliver Geronilla Most of the columns that I write for dailies and the articles that I turn in here at BO dwell on empirical matters that reflect our current state of affairs including, of course, my … Continue reading
Filed under Commentary, Oliver Geronilla's Column, Over a Cup of Coffee
From Everything To Nothing
by jun asuncion Transparency and accountability are two things that are so earthly. You don’t blame the universe if it’s hard for people on Earth in responsible governmental positions to cultivate these two qualities while in office and having access … Continue reading
Filed under Over a Cup of Coffee
From Nothing To Everything
by jun asuncion Today’s condensed thoughts while reading the write-ups of Mr. Guim, Mr. Geronilla and Mayor Helen De Castro. On Chess and Politics. Up to a certain point, chess and politics do fit together because they both are concerned … Continue reading
Filed under Over a Cup of Coffee
This Or These: The Tyranny Of Words And The Agony Of Choice
by jun asuncion To Bulan Observers We always enjoy constructive discussion or criticism for it leads us to improvement or stimulate our thinking- as opposed to discussion or criticism that is closed, no substance, undifferentiated, egoistic and even … Continue reading
Filed under Commentary, Over a Cup of Coffee
Have A Way With Words
by Oliver Geronilla The power to communicate effectively and wisely sets us apart from our primitive roots, but it’s the ability to understand and respond pragmatically and strategically that clearly makes us truly civilized. Last year, BO readers … Continue reading
Filed under Commentary, Oliver Geronilla's Column, Over a Cup of Coffee
Choose Freedom First
by jun asuncion The year 2010 is finally here- and lucky are those who survived because 2009 was a year of calamities and human tragedies for the Filipinos. Still, the tired Filipinos have the right to wish for a better … Continue reading
Filed under Over a Cup of Coffee, Uncategorized, Views and Concern
The Logic Of Christmas
by jun asuncion I have always considered the teachings of Jesus Christ not only as a philosophy of morals but also of transcendentalism, Jesus being the first transcendentalist, way back earlier than the German philosopher Immanuel Kant who had maintained … Continue reading
Filed under Over a Cup of Coffee
Does A Politician Or A Political Clan Need To Cheat Or Kill In Order To Serve The People?
by jun asuncion We are greatly thankful to the Press Information Office Of Bulan for providing Bulan Observer with the COMELEC”s (Commission On Election) List of Local Candidates For The 2010 Election. The Month Of May: A Long List May … Continue reading
Filed under Over a Cup of Coffee, Politics
When A Mayor Butchers His Opponents
by jun asuncion The Ampatuan massacre was unequaled in recent history and which has placed the southern Philippines one of the top places to be avoided at the moment. It is just the tip of an iceberg when one would consider how … Continue reading
Filed under Over a Cup of Coffee, Views and Concern
Cultured Corruption, Not Culture Of Corruption
by jun asuncion It’s impressive this Culture Of Honesty among ordinary Bulaneños and interesting how it supports the findings of the Reader’s Digest Global Honesty Test conducted last 2007 wherein Manila placed 5th among other world cities tested (see report … Continue reading
Filed under Over a Cup of Coffee
The Anatomy Of Destruction
by jun asuncion The two super typhoons that went through and above the Philippines have reminded us again of our human vulnerability, but this time with such an intensity that hundreds of thousands of our countrymen were displaced from … Continue reading
Filed under Over a Cup of Coffee
Of Green Vegetables And Green-Eyed Monster in Bulan
jun asuncion “There is a family that live adjacent to the property. When my nephew planted the vegetables and were almost a foot tall, these people had their little children (ages 8-12) went over the fence and trampled on … Continue reading
Filed under Over a Cup of Coffee
Obstruction Of Justice – In Good Times And Bad Times
by jun asuncion It was like a chess championship match with the brave sacrificing act of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima leading to the checkmate of GMA. The thrill reached its peak as GMA attempted to flee from her impending checkmate - using her ailment … Continue reading →
Leave a Comment
Filed under Commentary, Graft and Corruption, Over a Cup of Coffee