Stories about Philippines
Tropical storm Megi causes deadly landslides and floods on Leyte Island in the Philippines
Aside from the landslide in Leyte, the tropical storm also caused floods in other parts of the Visayas Islands in the central Philippines.
Philippines’s SIM Card Registration Act undermines privacy, online expression
The law puts vulnerable groups “at risk of tracking and targeting, increasing the chances of their private information being misused."
How is Southeast Asia reacting to the invasion of Ukraine?
While the ASEAN block referenced the “conflict in the West” and called for de-escalation, many Southeast Asian leaders are choosing to stay silent and sidestep any direct references to Russia.
In Hong Kong, foreign domestic workers face an ’emerging crisis’ as COVID-19 limits housing, travel options
A 35-year-old Filipina foreign domestic worker who had her visa application denied was forced to live on the streets of Hong Kong for two nights after testing positive for COVID-19.
Philippines’s new vaccine mandate decried as punitive and anti-poor
"This measure is punitive. The low vaccination rate should not be blamed on the people especially if supplies are not always available."
An overview of Indonesia’s coal export ban and Asia’s energy crisis
All coal mining companies in Indonesia are required to reserve 25 percent of their coal supply for domestic sale, which they have been shirking since coal prices skyrocketed internationally in 2021.
Typhoon Rai aftermath highlights Duterte’s sluggish disaster response
Duterte and his officials have failed to respond to the crisis, deflecting blame with excuses such as depleted governmental funds, media underreporting, and impassable roads.
Typhoon Rai overwhelms the Philippines’ Queen City of the South
A month after Typhoon Rai rampaged through the Philippines, residents of Metro Cebu continue to struggle to overcome the devastation brought by the storm on December 16, 2021.
Portraits of a pandemic: Films on the unequal impact of COVID-19 in the Asia-Pacific
“Portraits of a Pandemic” holds space for stories that portray with care and nuance the effects of the COVID-19 crisis in the Asia-Pacific.
Political dynasties and billionaires hijack ‘democratic’ party-list system in the Philippines
"The most urgent need of the hour is for legislation to be passed to revise the party-list act and install permanent safeguards to prevent abuses and misuses of the system."
#HandsOffOurLibraries: Scholars protest removal of ‘subversive’ books from Philippine universities
"An attack on the library is an attack on the very heart of the University itself."
Community care during the pandemic in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines
From community pantries in the Philippines to the White Flag movement in Malaysia, this pandemic has spurred communities to mobilize and provide aid during this public health emergency.
Philippines will allow casinos on world-famous Boracay Island, despite local opposition
“I appeal to our leaders in the province not to allow gambling casino that will destroy our cherished land.”
China-funded Kaliwa dam in the Philippines flagged for irregularities
"Indigenous Peoples should not be sacrificed on the altar of development aggression, which would just benefit big businesses and Chinese investors."
Netflix animation “Trese” brings Filipino supernatural beings to our screens
"It’s so inspiring and hopeful to think about how Trese is going to open so many doors for other local artists who are dreaming to get their works published."
Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz makes history for winning the Philippines’ first ever Olympic gold medal
"A woman unfairly included in the drug matrix wins the first Olympic gold medal for the Philippines. Coincidence or a foretelling? The last man standing is a woman."
Abuse of Hong Kong domestic workers by employers increased dramatically during pandemic lockdown
A survey by one rights group found that about 40,000 foreign domestic workers were given no rest days during the pandemic, and 20,000 were given only one day off per month.
Green playlist: Asian short films on protecting the environment
These films feature the struggles of various communities across the Asia-Pacific region as they defend their lands, environment and cultural heritage.
Remembering Asia’s first Pride march in Manila
Two organizers of the historic 1994 Manila Pride shared their reflections about the legacy of the protest and the continuing struggle to fight for LGBT+ rights
Community pantries inspire hope amid pandemic and economic crisis in the Philippines
In a span of less than three weeks, around 800 community pantries have been set up nationwide to help those in need amidst worsening COVID-hit economy, sparking government backlash.
For this Filipina journalist, every day is a battle with fear
Rampant impunity means that accountability for attacks against activists and journalists is virtually non-existent.