A digital media publisher and professional blogger. He is active in volunteer work, socio-political advocacies & politics. Drop by the Four Eyed Journal where I blog about tech, the web & politics.
Latest posts by Julius Rocas
Surprise victories in the 2019 midterm Philippine elections offer hope to the opposition
Despite being fiercely attacked by state-supported elements during the election season, the opposition succeeded in disrupting local political dynasties in some key cities.
What's the Value of Human Rights? According to the Philippines House of Representatives, $20.
The lower house voted to slash the Commission on Human Rights' budget to just 1,000 pesos, accusing the body of protecting "criminals" over victims in the country's war on drugs.
Philippines: ‘Pork Barrel Queen’ Senate Appearance a Dud
The 'pork barrel queen' is accused of siphoning billions of public funds into ghost non-government organizations through the projects of senators, congressmen and local governments
Deadly Storm in the Philippines: “Everything was flying. It was surreal.”
Father Joel Tabora summarizes the extent of damage left by Typhoon Pablo in Southern Philippines: "Entering the Municipality of Compostela was like entering a warzone, its hectares and hectares of banana and fruit trees flattened. People there have no food. No potable water. No signal. Electricity is expected to return after at least two months."
Philippines: Filipinos Abuzz With Miss Universe Results
And third runner up goes to…Miss Philippines! Shamcey Supsup's success has been the cause for much celebration and cheering in the Philippines at the conclusion of the 2011 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant held at Sao Paolo, Brazil. Filipinos both online and offline are talking about the result.
Filipinos Commemorate Jose Rizal's 150th birthday
Jose Rizal is the Philippines' national hero and one of the first Asian leaders and intellectuals who advocated freedom from colonial rule through peaceful means in late 19th century. His 150th birth anniversary this month was a huge celebration in the country. Netizens actively discussed his rich legacy and continuing relevance.
Philippines: Debate on Divorce Bill
With Malta's approval of divorce, the Philippines is now the only country in the world that prohibits it. There is now a raging debate on whether it is time to pass a divorce law which is being fiercely opposed by the powerful Philippine Catholic Church.
Philippines: ‘Goodbye Friendster’
Social network site Friendster will become a 'social entertainment' site soon and it will delete the profile content of its users at the end of the month. Many Filipinos react with a hint of sadness considering that the Philippines was Friendster's biggest market for many years
Philippines: TV Host Accused of Child Exploitation
Netizens from the Philippines want authorities to address what they believe was a case of child exploitation on prime time TV when a child was encouraged by a program host to present a sexy dance performance.
Philippines: World Boxing Champ Knocked-out on Twitter
Philippine Congressman Manny Pacquiao is the world's best ‘pound-for-pound' fighter but he was 'knocked-out' on twitter when netizens criticized him for being absent in an important session of Congress and for sending 'strange' tweets online. Pacquiao has since then deleted his twitter account.
Philippines: Bloggers Dispel Japan Nuclear Scare Hoax
Hoax messages that sow unfounded fear and panic in the public about Japan's nuclear problems like avoiding acid rain and radiation exposure are circulating in the Philippines. Bloggers are quick in coming out to prove that the messages are false
Philippines: Reactions to Proposed National Bloggers’ Association
There is an ongoing debate among Filipino bloggers regarding the proposed formation of a ‘National Bloggers' Association'. Bloggers on both sides of the fence - those in favor and against the proposal have expressed their respective positions
Philippines: Village Ordinance Requires Prescriptions for Condoms
Ayala Alabang briefly became a global twitter trending topic this week. It is one of the richest villages in the Philippines which recently made headline news for passing an ordinance requiring medical prescriptions for the buying of condoms.
Philippines: Netizens react to suicide of former Army chief
Filipinos were shocked to learn that Angelo Reyes, the country's former military chief and Cabinet Secretary of National Defense, Energy and Local Government has died in an apparent suicide. Reyes was being investigated by the Senate about the alleged corruption in the military. Here are blog reactions.
Philippines: SIM cards – to register or not to register?
The mandatory cell phone SIM card registration proposal continues to generate an intense online debate in the Philippines as bloggers share their views whether the measure will be an effective anti-terror tool. Here are more voices from the Philippine blogosphere.
Philippines: The ‘Big Bad Blogger’ controversy
A story about a 'big bad blogger' in the Philippines who is allegedly in cahoots with a public relations firm in an extortion racket targeting an unnamed restaurant owner has caused a great stir among Filipino bloggers. Here are some reactions
Filipino Netizens Debate Proposed Broadband Caps
The provision in a draft memorandum by the Philippine National Telecommunications Commission allowing Internet Service Providers to set a maximum volume of data a subscriber can consume in a day has sparked debate and on-line movements among Filipino internet users.
Philippines: Filipinos welcome new year with new banknotes
The Philippine Central Bank has issued a new set of generation bank notes which features not only improved security measures, but more so it heralds a new design highlighting historical events, figures in history and tourist spots in the country. But experts instantly detected errors in the new banknotes. Bloggers react
Philippines: Court Decision on Vizconde Massacre Shocks Public
Early this week #Vizconde and #HubertWebb became Twitter trending topics. They refer to the Vizconde Massacre which took place 19 years ago in the Philippines and the acquittal of Hubert Webb, the main suspect in the case. Find out why Filipinos reacted strongly to the decision of the court to acquit the suspects.
Philippines: Netizens react to inaugural address of new president
Filipino bloggers react to the inaugural address of the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines, Benigno Simeon Aquino III. Aquino is the first bachelor president of the Philippines and the first winner in the country's first ever automated elections
Philippines: Social Media puts spotlight on the Maguindanao Massacre
More than 60 people, including journalists and lawyers, were brutally murdered in Maguindanao Province in the Philippines. Bloggers and netizens were quick to express their reactions through the various social networking sites.