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 July, 2013
Slim Majority for Ruling Party in Cambodian Polls
Cambodia's Opposition party may have gained more seats in this year's National Assembly elections but the ruling party, which has been in power in almost three decades, continued to dominate the overall results. Election fever is over, the results are out and nothing changes afterall, despite massive gains by the...
Brunei Bans Daytime Dining in Muslim Restaurants
The new directive which surprised many people applies to foreigners and tourists as well during the holy month of Ramadan
INFOGRAPHIC: Singapore Waste Statistics
According to Singapore's National Environment Agency, every person in Singapore generated 1,370 kg of waste in 2012. About 60 percent of the waste were recycled and 40 percent were disposed in incinerators and landfills
Hazreen Shaik Daud: Malaysia’s First Transgender in Politics
Some netizens described Hazreen's appointment as a "surprisingly courageous, righteous and respectable initiative."
Petition to Amend Vietnam Laws that Restrict Media Freedom
More than 60 Vietnamese bloggers signed a unity statement urging the Vietnam government to improve its human rights record and commitment as it vies for membership in the UN Human Rights Council: The Vietnamese government also needs to review the human rights situation in their own country and the Vietnamese...
Vincent Wijeysingha: Singapore’s First Gay Politician
On his Facebook he wrote: I am going to Pink Dot tomorrow. And yes, I am gay.
State of Islam in Southeast Asia
Murray Hunter of the University Malaysia Perlis discusses the situation of Muslim-majority societies in Southeast Asia as well as the issues associated with the rise of Islam in the region. Poverty, literacy, education, displacement, feudalism, unemployment, suppression, and control is dispossessing Muslims within ASEAN. Government and Ulama are trying to...
PHOTO: Fishing in the Polluted Waters of Manila Bay
A fisherman at work on the polluted waters of Manila Bay against the backdrop of the Manila skyline. According to government statistics, fisherfolk comprise the poorest sector in the Philippines
How Vietnam Controls the Press
Asia Sentinel publishes an article written by Pham Doan Trang about the situation of journalists in Vietnam: The press card system is a sophisticated method of controlling reporters. No card, no access. Without a press card, reporters can't hope to meet high-ranking officials, visit contacts at public offices or cover...
Residents Oppose Coal Project in Southern Philippine City
Coal plant could also undermine Davao City’s reputation as Southeast Asia’s first smoke-free city.
Thailand ‘Hitler’ Chicken Story Exposed as Inaccurate
What does the Daily Mail, The Sun, Bangkok Post, Time, Gawker, MSN Money, Huffington Post have in common? They all published a story about the existence of ‘Hitler’ Fried Chicken Store in Bangkok which was recently exposed by Thailand-based blogger Matt of The Lost Boy as inaccurate. Some of these...
PHOTO: “Go Bald for a Cause” in Brunei
“Go Bald for a Cause”, a charity event to benefit the Brunei Breast Cancer Support Group. “The act of shaving their heads will also aid in creating public awareness on breast cancer, demonstrating that hair loss is just a temporary setback on the road to recovery for patients.”
Riau, Indonesia: ‘Ground Zero’ of Southeast Asia Haze
The deadly haze which swept Singapore and some parts of Malaysia this year was caused by the forest fires in Riau, Indonesia. Naturally, it attracted significant mainstream media attention but there was scant reporting on the situation of Riau citizens who have tremendously suffered and are still suffering from the impact of both the haze and forest fires.
Garment Factory Map in Cambodia
The Cambodian Center for Human Rights has launched a map of garment factories in Cambodia. The map provides details of each factory including location, nationality of the owner, and number of employees. There are at least 558 garment factories in Cambodia which produce and supply garments to major international brands...
Should Foreign Reporters Learn Bahasa?
DC Guy observes that most foreign correspondents in Indonesia have little knowledge of the local situation: They can't understand the TV. They can't understand the radio. They can't read local blogs, websites, or newspapers. All they have is the English language sources. It's why the Western wires were obsessed with...
50 Million Kids Without Birth Certificates
Michelle Unwin highlights the need to provide birth certificates to Indonesia's street kids. She cited a report which says that only nine to 22 percent of street children have birth certificates. Further, an estimated 50 million children in Indonesia do not have birth certificates which deprive them of the right...
Mafia Hukum, the Law Mafia in Indonesia
Indonesia Law Online tackles Mafia Hukum or Law Mafia in Indonesia and the campaign to end corruption in the judiciary : Mafia Hukum, the Indonesian term for the blocks of lawyers, judges, police, and other law professionals who lock up practical access to law in many jurisdictions.
Online Resources to Monitor Cambodian Elections
On July 28, Cambodian voters will decide whether to end or extend the 28-year rule of the Cambodian People’s Party as the nation prepares for its fifth National Assembly elections since 1993. The ruling party is led by Prime Minister Hun Sen who is already the longest serving head of state in Southeast Asia.
‘Gangnam Style’ Parody Features Urban Poor Kids in Cambodia
‘Gangnam Style’ continues to be an Internet sensation but this time it is performed by 160 children from an urban poor village in Cambodia. The parody of the music video originally popularized by South Korean superstar Psy got more than 200,000 hits on YouTube a few days after it was uploaded.
