activist and two-term member of the philippine house of representatives. blogging since 2004 at mongster's nest.
Latest posts by Mong Palatino
23 September 2016
Drone Video Exposes Illegal Burning of Land on Palm Oil Plantations in Indonesia
A drone video has captured the extent of land clearing in western Indonesia, which has caused a cloud of haze to descend in the region and in nearby countries.
18 September 2016
Singapore Debates Whether Paralympic and Olympic Gold Medalists Should Receive the Same Rewards
"We cannot measure (or reward) human endeavour by money alone but withholding it sends a wrong message to society too."
17 September 2016
Malaysian Animal Lovers Launch Online Petition Against Malacca State Law Banning Dogs at Terrace Houses
"Take action only [against] dog owners who do not comply through fines or means other than forcing them to give up the dogs."
12 September 2016
Filipinos Find Ingenious Ways to Build Their Own Basketball Hoops
"It still amazes me to see these makeshift courts everywhere and anywhere and people of all ages playing – sometimes in only flip flops."
4 September 2016
Singapore’s Foreign Domestic Workers Find Their Voices Online
"I was traumatized, frightened, and extremely sad. It was good intentions that brought me to work in Singapore and I cannot understand why I was treated so horribly."
25 August 2016
Earthquake Destroys More Than 200 Ancient Temples in Myanmar
The ancient temples of Bagan are as important as the Angkor Wat of Cambodia and Borobudur of Indonesia.
24 August 2016
These Videos Expose the Dirty and Destructive Impact of Large-Scale Mining in the Philippines
Residents and investigative journalists have been using mobile phones and even drones to expose how mining is destroying the country’s watersheds and rivers.
23 August 2016
Philippine Sugar Farmers Facing Another ’Dead Season’ Turn to Government for Help
Tiempo Muerto, or “The Dead Season,” can be so brutal on farmers that more than a quarter of a million people—a whopping 385,000 sugar workers—are affected on Negros Island alone.
22 August 2016
Say Hello to Thailand’s New Constitution. And Say Hello Again to Thailand’s Military Rule.
By all accounts, Thailand’s new constitution boosts the dominance of the military, threatening to institutionalize even further a culture of censorship and state control over the media.
13 August 2016
Aside From the Singaporean Swimmer Who Beat Michael Phelps, Meet the Other Southeast Asian Olympic Gold Medalists
Singapore and Vietnam have bagged their first ever Olympic golds in Rio, Thailand has topped the podium twice and the Philippines has ended a two-decade medal drought.
7 August 2016
Southeast Asia’s Iconic Mosques, Temples, Pagodas, and Cathedrals
Where can you find the largest Catholic cathedral in Asia, the world's largest religious monument, and the only mosque without a dome? Only in Southeast Asia.
5 August 2016
Justice as Usual, or Attack on Free Speech? Debunking Singapore’s Contempt-of-Court Bill
"Leaving people confused over what can or can’t be said will have a chilling effect, whatever the intention of the law, further entrenching a culture of self-censorship and passive citizenship."
26 July 2016
Is Malaysia's Prime Minister at the Centre of a Billion Dollar Corruption Lawsuit in America?
"I'm angry that the money is used like a personal bank account. More angry at the fact that Malaysian Official #1 is an untouchable here."
22 July 2016
It's Personal for a Singapore Property Entrepreneur Who's Taking a Stand Against Racial Discrimination
"Sorry your wife is Indian, landlord won’t rent to you. Next time please indicate earlier, so we both don’t waste time."
21 July 2016
As Constitutional Referendum Nears, Thailand Intensifies Censorship
"If Thailand's military junta wants its referendum to be seen as credible, it must stop harassing journalists covering the campaign and let information flow freely to the public."
10 July 2016
Hundreds Join March in Cambodia a Few Hours After Government Critic Was Shot Dead
"When regime wanted to kill, labels them [conspirators] not loyal to the regime. Then they kill them."
7 July 2016
Why Did Facebook Remove a Post Criticizing Singapore Police?
After police searched political activist and civil rights lawyer Teo Soh Lung's home and computer without a warrant, she posted about it on Facebook. Then her post was taken down.
2 July 2016
Thai Activists Use Toys, Balloons and Dolls to Campaign for Democracy
Protests are still banned in Thailand where the army remains in power, but will authorities arrest the 'protesting' toys and dolls?
26 June 2016
Manila's Pride March Advocates to “End the Hate and Let Love In”
"This year, we need everyone to come together and advance the campaign for love. We call on all Filipinos to let love into their homes, communities, and the whole country."
24 June 2016
Take a Virtual Reality Tour of West Papua’s Coral Reefs
Through a virtual reality film, we can now see the underwater treasures of Birds’ Head and feel like we are “scuba diving in a healthy reef.”
