To those who fear him, Duterte is “the punisher,” as Time magazine described him three years ago. To those who respect him, he is the man who keeps the peace. To his political adversaries, he plays dirty. To others whose lives he touched through his generosity, he has a heart of gold. To keen political…
Bulatlat Contributors
Angry, Wary and Defiant : Luisita workers resume talks with management
A week after their murdered union leader was buried, striking farm workers in Hacienda Luisita resumed negotiations with management—still angry, wary and defiant. They want the strike to be resolved but at the same time they do not want to compromise their rights. By Abner Bolos Bulatlat.com In the afternoon of Nov. 10, hundreds of…
Police Ask Military To Leave Hacienda Luisitaa
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has joined residents in calling for the military to leave Hacienda Luisita. By Abner Bolos Bulatlat.com The Task Force Ramos of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has called for the withdrawal of soldiers of the Northern Luzon Command from the barangays (villages) in Hacienda Luisita in the wake of the…
Solace amid troubled times
The 16-year-old boy, his arms outstretched as if to celebrate victory, may remind one of Jack Dawson, the character portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the 1997 film Titanic who shouted “I am the king of the world!” on the ship’s deck. Photographed last Nov. 1 in Currimao, Ilocos Norte (464 kms. north of Manila), the…
Solace amid troubled times
Photo by Ace Alegre / Bulatlat The 16-year-old boy, his arms outstretched as if to celebrate victory, may remind one of Jack Dawson, the character portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the 1997 film Titanic who shouted “I am the king of the world!” on the ship’s deck. Photographed last Nov. 1 in Currimao, Ilocos Norte…
Hadlangan! VFA!
This poem was written by Gelacio Guillermo in 1998 in the heat of the debates on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Written in Filipino, this creates scenarios if the VFA were approved, a decision that the Philippine Senate eventually did in 1999. The recent case of the alleged rape of a young woman by six…
Injustice Amid Subservience
The chances that justice will come for the 22-year-old Filipina who has accused six US soldiers of raping her last November 1 inside the former US base in Subic, Olongapo City is no better than previous cases of rape and even homicide that were lodged against members of the US military during the heyday of…
Filipinos in Canada Deprofessionalized, Deskilled
Canada, like New Zealand, is a destination of choice among Filipinos who dream of working and living abroad. But not only are they sent to remote areas, Filipinos who are lucky enough to get accepted end up in low-paying jobs. By EDWIN C. MERCURIO Bulatlat.com Toronto, Canada – Despite having a high level of education,…
Hacienda Serafica Farm Workers Hold Picket
While most people rared to go back to work last Nov. 6 after a long vacation, farm workers of Hacienda Serafica who have long been suffering from unjust working conditions have decided to stop working and hold a picket. According to them, they intend to stay until their demands are met. By Johann Hein B.…
Why the Media Love ‘Digong’
He is comfortable around journalists, who are, in turn, easily fascinated by him. By Germelina Lacorte Davaotoday.com Posted by Bulatlat.com DAVAO CITY — Just by looking at how media people swarm City Hall every time he is around, he is probably the city’s most covered mayor. He attracts journalists without even trying, says Jon Joaquin,…
Filipinos in Canada Deprofessionalized, Deskilled
Canada, like New Zealand, is a destination of choice among Filipinos who dream of working and living abroad. But not only are they sent to remote areas, Filipinos who are lucky enough to get accepted end up in low-paying jobs. By EDWIN C. MERCURIO Toronto, Canada – Despite having a high level of education, majority…