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, 2013
Human Trafficking in Southeast Asia
The Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development has published a policy briefer that tackled the extent of human trafficking in Southeast Asia. Many Southeast Asian countries are at the bottom of a lot of the world's supply chains, including for food, garments, and technology. Yet few countries in...
Beer Looting Ignited Internet Meme in Vietnam
The public looting of an overturned beer truck in Vietnam early this month generated an Internet meme. Many criticized the looters for stealing beer instead of helping the truck driver.
PHOTOS: Humans of Southeast Asia
Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York Facebook page has inspired many photographers in Southeast Asia to share photos and stories of ordinary people in the streets in their respective countries
Cambodia’s Garment Workers Hold Nationwide Strike for Pay Hike
Thousands of Cambodian garment workers have joined a nationwide strike to press for a pay hike. Many workers also joined a protest rally organized by the opposition
IMF Silent on Corruption in Cambodia?
Jessica Evans of the Human Rights Watch criticized International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde for being silent about Cambodian's corruption problem when the IMF leader visited the country early this month: Lagarde missed a major opportunity in Cambodia to highlight governance problems, but she can right this by speaking out...
Haze and Haiyan: Southeast Asia’s Deadly Disasters of 2013
Global Voices coverage of the transboundary haze pollution in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia; and the deadly impact of super typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013
7 Rallies that Rocked Southeast Asia in 2013
Several Southeast Asian governments were confronted with big street protests in 2013. In Thailand, street protesters are still actively pushing for the ouster of the incumbent government
10 Global Haiyan Relief Efforts That Touched Filipino Hearts
Small and big acts of kindness around the world have inspired typhoon survivors in the Philippines
Popularizing the Hmong Qeej Musical Instrument through YouTube
Catherine Falk studied how Chinese and Laotian Hmong diaspora groups maximized the YouTube to preserve and popularize their culture, in particular the playing of qeej, an iconic Hmong reed mouth organ.
Bangkok has the Most-Instagrammed Location of 2013
The Siam Paragon, a popular shopping complex in Bangkok, Thailand is the ‘most-Instagrammed’ location of 2013. Suvarnabhumi International Airport, also in Bangkok, was ranked ninth in the list. Not surprisingly, Bangkok is second ‘most-Instagrammed city’ in the world this year.
Abducted a Year Ago, Sombath Somphone Case Highlights Human Rights Abuses in Laos
Sombath Somphone, an NGO leader and educator, remains missing a year after he was abducted in Laos. His case puts a spotlight on other enforced disappearances in Laos
Jakarta Hotline for Victims of Sexual Violence
Jakarta has launched an emergency hotline to help women victims of sexual violence. The initiative is linked to the website developed by the National Commission on Violence Against Women to “make it easier for authorities to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice.” Last year, there were more than 200,000...
Citizens Complain Against Bad Roads in Brunei
Teah criticized the slow action of the Brunei government in fixing bad roads and how road repairs are usually done when foreign dignitaries are visiting the country To fix an area to impress foreigners is crucial, I think, but what's even more important is the fact that citizens who have...
‘Australia Spied on Timor Leste to Gain Commercial Advantage’
Australia it seems likes to spy on its friends and neighbors. After Indonesia, it is East Timor's turn in criticizing Australia for allegedly spying on its leaders.
VIDEOS: Singapore’s First Riot in 40 Years
Singapore's first riot in four decades also highlighted the growing tension between the local population and the rising number of foreign workers.
Mandela: Friend of Timor Leste and Indonesian Batik Fashion Icon
Nelson Mandela played an important role in the independence struggle of Timor Leste; and he is recognized as the most popular endorser of batik, a traditional Indonesian shirt.
Monitoring Indonesia's 2014 Election Campaign
Ayo Vote is a useful website to monitor the 2014 election campaign in Indonesia. Sidarta Danang Kristianto hopes for better information about election parties and candidates: … the government has created a website where voters can access information on each of the candidates, including a full biography. While the site...
Review of University Websites in Southeast Asia
Le Minh Khai reviewed the websites of the leading universities in Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and was disappointed with the design and content of these online platforms.
Causes of Bangkok Road Accidents
Interestingly, the Bangkok police in Thailand claims that 30 percent of road accidents is caused by ‘unroadworthy cars’ while speeding only accounts for 5 percent of accidents. Writer Thitipol Panyalimpanun notes that in most countries, traffic accidents are blamed on driver error and not on vehicles.
4 Stories from Volunteers in Typhoon-Hit Philippines That Will Move You To Tears
Uncollected dead bodies, survivors waiting for aid, streets full of debris. These are some of the scenes witnessed by relief volunteers in typhoon-hit provinces in the Philippines
10 Bangkok Rallies That Almost Toppled the Government
A review of the massive and daring street protests in 2008 and 2010 in Bangkok can help us understand the current political crisis in Thailand.
