Stories about Philippines from August, 2008
Southeast Asia’s Olympic performance
Southeast Asian countries garnered 12 medals in the recently concluded 2008 Beijing Olympics. Indonesia leads the pack with 5 medals: 1 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals.
Strong storm in north Philippines
Classes are suspended in north Philippines because of a strong storm, as twitted by amazingpig.
Philippines: Rebels invade remote towns
A Filipino doctor-blogger reports that two municipalities in a southern Philippine province were invaded by rebels: “School has been torched, houses are burning. People there are racing to the coasts for protection. A steady stream of refugees is being observed from the checkpoint. This is war.”
Philippines as a Federal State
Iloilo City Boy dissects the proposal to amend the constitution which will make the Philippines a federal republic. Carlo Ople believes it is part of a ploy to extend the term of the incumbent president.
Philippines: Humanitarian crisis
Filipino blogger On the 8 Spot insists the more important issue that media should tackle is not the charter change proposal of the national government but the humanitarian crisis in a southern province in the Philippines
Jose Ramos-Horta visits the Philippines
East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta recently gave a lecture in the Philippines. He told a university crowd: “If in the process of struggle for independence you use the same tactics as your opponents you are no better than them.”
Philippines: Technology and city development
Filipino blogger Our Awesome Planet is an admirer of a city mayor who vows to transform a small city into a world class city by leveraging on technology to solve social issues. The mayor also plans to build the first 100% WIMAX city in the Philippines.
Philippines: Charcoal factory
Filipino jounalist and blogger Iris Cecilia Gonzales posts an article and several pictures about a make-shift charcoal factory in Manila.
Southeast Asia and Beijing Olympics
Close to 200 athletes from the Southeast Asian region are participating in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The big news (as far as the region is concerned) during the opening ceremonies are the exclusion of Brunei during the event and the “improper” waving of the Singaporean flag by the country’s flagbearer.
Southeast-Asia: Tallest waterfalls
Bisean lists Southeast Asia's tallest waterfalls.
Philippines: Catholic Bishops on You Tube
The Philippine Catholic Church has launched a channel in You Tube to spread the gospel via the internet
Philippines: Tobacco promotion through concerts
Fans of a popular disbanded local rock band in the Philippines have set-up a protest blog to dissuade tobacco companies from sponsoring a reunion concert.
