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 October, 2013
Everyone Suffers in Manila Traffic
Filipino journalist Iris Cecilia Gonzales writes about how people suffer from Manila's notorious street traffic: When one is stuck in traffic in Manila's streets, there's no escape. Everyone suffers — whether you're driving a sleek Rolls Royce or a moving piece of junk; whether it's with a red plate or...
Is Cambodia a One-Party State?
Anirudh Bhati rejects the position by some analysts that Cambodia has become a one-party state after the main opposition party boycotted the inaugural session of the National Assembly: …it would be erroneous to assume that Cambodia has relapsed into a one-party state simply based on the premise that the current...
Singapore Rejects Proposal to Define Poverty Line
Singapore "is known for defining everything" including "the exact number of people that constitutes an unlawful assembly." But surprisingly, the richest country in the world has not yet defined poverty
Malaysia Revives ‘Detention Without Trial’ Law
The government insists a tough law is needed to defeat gangs and criminal syndicates. But critics are worried that the law would lead to grave human rights abuses.
Malaysian Court Rules Catholic Paper Can’t Use ‘Allah’ to Refer to God
The court ruled that the Catholic paper would create confusion and disrupt public order if it is allowed to use the word Allah
Remembering and Reviving Vietnam's Ca Tru Singing
Đoan Trang interviews Pho Kim Duc, a famous ca tru (sung poetry) vocalist in Vietnam in the 1940s. Kim Duc said ca tru is a very noble form of art. “It’s is not just singing but also poetry. Whoever with a taste for poetry will love ca tru to find...
Thailand Shark Conservation Project
The Thailand eShark Project was launched in light of the reported 95 percent drop in shark sightings in Thailand. The Thailand eShark Project results will be used to bring awareness to declining shark populations in Thailand. Additionally to help improve protected marine park enforcement and reinforce the importance of no...
Across Rivers, Atop Mountains: A Constituency Unreachable via Internet
As a youth party representative in the Philippine Congress, Mong Palatino visited remote and impoverished communities in need of far more than an internet connection.
Saving Mothers and Babies in Laos
The group CleanBirth.org is committed to improving the maternal health care situation in several Laos rural villages by providing birth kits, training of new nurses and mobilizing village volunteers. In a recent update, the group highlighted why many rural Laotians are choosing homebirths over delivery at health centers. Among the...
Brunei Launches Digital Learning Hub
The government of Brunei has launched a digital learning hub called Media and In-Service Centre “to innovate interactive fresh learning media and empower teacher capacity development. It will usher in a new era of digital learning based on OUR digital values! Brunei Darussalam aspires to build a strong community that...
Vietnam Bids Farewell to Legendary War Hero
The 'Red Napoleon' and great military tactician of the 20th century who led the Vietnamese army in defeating the military forces of France and the United States.
Too Many Universities in Singapore?
Limpeh noted the proliferation of higher education institutions in Singapore. Is this good or bad for Singapore? …has this expansion in choices been at the wrong end of the market? So whilst this expansion may have generation jobs for some people (which is a good thing), how many parents want...
‘World Habitat Day’ Celebration in Cambodia
More than 500 Cambodians joined a protest march during the World Habitat Day celebration in Phnom Penh to highlight forced evictions and land disputes in the country.
Singapore’s Tuition Craze
Private tuition or tutoring centers are proliferating in Singapore as parents continue to spend more money to improve the education of their children. Is this good or bad?
Sticky Rice is Bad for Babies, Lao Mothers Told
@LaotianMama reminds Lao mothers not to give sticky rice, a traditional Lao food, to hungry babies: Sticky rice for infants is the Laotian equivalent to what we know as rice cereal in Western culture. The idea is the same as well where the introduction of solid foods will fill out...
Five Issues Brunei Citizens Need to Discuss
Teah Abdullah lists 5 issues Brunei citizens need to discuss: Upholding a realistic language, incest, overindulgence, excessive number of burger joints, and overdependence on the government. She elaborates on the last issue: …our government is such a strong part in our everyday lives, but our dependency on them is problematic...
Should Brunei Punish its ‘Runaway’ Scholars?
The Brunei government is running after scholars who have failed to return home after completing their studies abroad. The issue has sparked a debate about the country's scholarship system.
Malaysian Communist Leader Chin Peng: Hero or Terrorist?
Malaysian independence fighter and communist leader Chin Peng died in Bangkok last month but his wish for his ashes to be returned home was rejected by the Malaysian government
PHOTOS: Life Inside Myanmar
Photographer Geoffrey Hiller has documented life inside Myanmar from 1987 up to the recent historic transition
What Singapore Can Learn from Myanmar
Democracy icon Suu Kyi says rich Singapore can learn from Myanmar's 'relaxed way of life' and 'warmer and closer relationships'.
