Activist and former two-term member of the Philippine House of Representatives. Blogging since 2004 at mongster's nest. Joined Global Voices in 2006.
Latest posts by Mong Palatino from December, 2008
Thailand: Revenge of the reds
Forget the yellow protesters who occupied Thailand’s airports last month. Today’s anti-government protests in Bangkok are organized by supporters of the ousted government. They have vowed to launch bigger street actions “to restore democracy.” Do not confuse them with the Left. They just like the color red.
Thailand: Text messages from the Prime Minister
On his first day in office, Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva sent SMS to his constituents. A sample of the text message: “I am your new PM. I would like to invite you to help pull our country pull of the crisis. If you are interested in receiving my messages, please...
Fiji: Offensive ads
Oceanic writes about the debate over the culturally inappropriate ads in Fiji.
Fiji: Dispute over local jobs
A government infrastructure project in Fiji was delayed after local residents demanded that workers in the project should come from the local community.
Myanmar: Pictures of fishing villages
dawn_109 went to the delta region of Myanmar, and posted pictures of fishing villages which were destroyed by a deadly cyclone last May.
Myanmar: Political prisoner commits suicide
A 35-year old political prisoner in Myanmar committed suicide after authorities refused to give him proper medical treatment.
Myanmar: Nine activists arrested during peaceful march
It’s not a happy new year for nine members of the National League for Democracy who were arrested near the Parliament building in Rangoon, Myanmar on Tuesday while demanding for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Southeast Asia: Controversies and tragedies of 2008
In the previous post (Southeast Asia: Newsmakers of 2008), I wrote about the major events that took place in Southeast Asia. In this article, I will highlight other stories which became controversial as well.
Rare Brunei stamp
Rozan Yunos writes about a rare 6c Brunei stamp issued during the Japanese Occupation.
Brunei: Stricter regulation in car purchases
Local Freakonomics from Brunei is happy over the more stringent enforcement of down-payment for car purchases since this will prevent consumers from spending what they could not afford.
Malaysia: Former king dies
Malaysia's former king, Tuanku Jaafar Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, is dead. He was Malaysia's king from 1994-1999.
Saigon Beer vs Angkor Beer
Vuthasuf compares beer products of Vietnam and Cambodia.
Southeast Asia: Newsmakers of 2008
For Southeast Asia, 2008 was a year of terrible disasters, both natural and man-made. Rice consumption was reduced, milk products were contaminated with melamine, jobs were lost, bloggers were arrested, and homes were destroyed. But the situation is not hopeless.
Singapore: Quotable (un)quotes of the year
Singapore Dino compiles the year's “stupid remarks” from Singapore's “Bungling Ministers.”
Singapore Flyer, a white elephant already?
Because of the recession, fewer people are visiting the Singapore Flyer (the world’s largest observation wheel). According to Empty Vessel, “if no drastic measures are taken to restore people’s confidence in stepping into the capsules, the Flyer risks becoming Singapore’s biggest white elephant.”
Singapore: Unnecessary study on Tsunami impact
DK is surprised that the government commissioned a S$1.3 million two-year study which only confirmed a well-known fact that Singapore is protected from tsunamis.
Thailand: Blocked websites
The Freedom Against Censorship Thailand has just received a secret list of blocked websites leaked from Thailand’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology. The report mentioned 1,303 websites which were censored by the government.
Vietnam: Blogging to be regulated
Vietnam has introduced some new restrictions on blogging. Blog posts which undermine national security, incite violence or crime, and disclose state secrets are banned. Internet companies are also ordered to issue reports to the government every six months.
Myanmar: Shoes, politics and colonialism
Shoes had been a symbol of politics in Myanmar. Aung Zaw of The Irrawaddy writes about a “shoe incident” involving British colonizers who didn't remove their shoes when they met the Burmese king a century ago. This became a national issue.
Vietnam: Extreme street cables
oobject posts pictures of extreme street wiring in Vietnam cities.
Philippines: Fisherman saved by dolphins and whales
According to a Filipino fisherman, he was saved by dolphins and whales when his boat was turned upside down last week in Palawan, Philippines. It is a remarkable story, but is it true?
