Latest posts by Mong Palatino from March, 2014
Underpaid Indonesian Workers Producing Global Cosmetic Products
Michael Eko Hardianto writes about the poor conditions of Indonesian workers in factories that produce false eyelashes, hair extensions and other beauty products: …behind every eyelash flutter in the fashion industry and beyond lie the untold stories of invisible low-paid workers. Their financial remuneration for such monotonous work is about...
Roots of Conflict in Southern Thailand
Patrick Jory traces the history of the conflict in southern Thailand and probes the causes and impact of naming it as an Islamic insurgency: The answer can be found in the suppression of official references to the distinct ethnic Malay identity of the population of the border provinces, in favour...
Why Filipinos Became Early Adopters of Western Music
Le Minh Khai refers to the book of D. R. M. Irving in explaining the long history of Filipino musicians playing Western music: …there was a rich experience of musical contact and exchange between Spaniards and Filipinos that began not long after the Spaniards established their control over the Philippines...
Laos Landmine Victims Appeal for Help
Landmines planted during the Vietnam War era continue to hurt and kill Lao residents today HI's Phongsavath Manithong is challenging the int'l community to support UXO/mine victims in #Laos #Commit2Complete pic.twitter.com/hXI659LRfu — ICBL (@minefreeworld) March 11, 2014
Asylum Seekers Face Uncertainty in East Timor
Sharna Jade Bremner probes the situation of asylum seekers in East Timor: Asylum seekers have been arriving in Timor since the early 2000s, however the exact number that are still in the tiny half-island nation remains unclear. Fear and anxiety are rife in the asylum seeker community, and many people...
Heartbreaking News: Missing Malaysian Flight MH370 Crashed into Indian Ocean
The Malaysian Prime Minister confirmed Monday evening that missing Malaysian airliner MH370 crashed into the Indian Ocean. The plane with 239 passengers lost contact two weeks ago.
Malaysia's Water Shortage is a Natural and Man-Made Disaster
Water shortage has been reported in Selangor, Johor, Negri Sembilan, and Kedah in Malaysia. The Sin Chew Daily explains the cause of the problem: …the drought and water shortage in the Peninsula are both natural and human-induced disasters. The government as well as the people have an inescapable responsibility. Over-emphasising...
State of Literature in Post-Dictatorship Myanmar
Writing for The Dissident Blog, James Byrne reviews the status of Burmese literature in the post-dictatorship era in Myanmar: When I was in the country last year there were poems being read about the Arab Spring. There were others about the harsh treatment of Burmese farmers. There were satires about...
Cambodia Government Accused of Suppressing Public Protests
Human rights group Licadho reported that the Cambodian government organized several counter-protests to undermine peaceful protests last year: If 2012 was the most violent year ever documented in terms of authorities using lethal force against individual human rights defenders, 2013 saw the Cambodian authorities turn that force towards public protests....
Global Solidarity for Missing Malaysian Plane MH370
Netizens around the world are expressing support to relatives and friends of passengers of the missing Malaysian Airlines plane MH370 which lost contact last March 8
Riau Forest Fire Triggers Worst Indonesia Haze Pollution
Forest fires have intensified this month in western Indonesia which caused the worst haze pollution in the country. The haze also affected Singapore and Malaysia.
How Cafe Culture is Destroying Indonesia's Street Food Culture
An Ismanto from Yogyakarta in Indonesia observes how new western-style cafes are edging out ‘plastic tent-covered food carts’ known as ‘angkringan': …the angkringan is in decline. Students don’t frequent them anymore, preferring to pay at least twice as much to eat, drink and socialise in the stylish surrounds of the...
Two Historic Saigon Buildings to be Demolished in Vietnam
Tim Doling, writing for the Saigoneer, gives a brief history of the Ho Chí Minh City People’s Committee building and an art deco office block which are both scheduled for demolition in Vietnam. A Date with the Wrecking Ball: 2 Historic Saigon Buildings Slated for Demolition http://t.co/M6e9ACY5DB #Vietnam pic.twitter.com/PPjEBJzl7e —...
PHOTOS: Birdwatching in Southern Philippines
Birdwatching is more fun than Tweeting. Check out some of the wild birds from the southern island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Keep on birding!
Ultraman Comic Book Banned in Malaysia for Using the Word ‘Allah’
Ultraman may be a comic book hero but the translation of the word God into Allah is considered by Malaysia’s Home Affairs Ministry as a threat to public order.
“Come Home Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370”
Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 went missing on March 8 and authorities are still unable to locate the plane. Netizens are showing their support to relatives of missing passengers
Barbie Dolls in Thai Traditional Clothes
Barbie dolls dressed in traditional Thai clothes pic.twitter.com/8izclnezSS — Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) March 8, 2014 Richard Barrow posted a Twitter photo of Barbie dolls dressed in Thailand's traditional clothes
Philippines’ Makati City is Selfie Capital of the World
Makati City, the financial district of the Philippines, was tagged by TIME Magazine as the ‘selfie capital’ of the world. Curiously, it was listed alongside Pasig, an eastern suburb of Manila.
Drone Footage Shows Beautiful Cambodian Landscape
Filmmaker Roberto Serrini used a drone to capture the unique beauty of Cambodia's rural and urban landscapes
Keep Calm. Singapore is the Most Expensive City in the World…For Expats
Singapore is reported to be the most expensive city in the world. But some residents and government officials described the survey as inaccurate.
Higher Medical Fees, Another Burden for Malaysian Consumers
The Malaysian government has raised medical fees by 14 percent which many believe would hurt the poor who are still reeling from rising food and petrol prices.
