TELLTALE SIGNS

by Rodel Rodis
January 1, 2013
In a press conference held after she returned to Manila on December 22, Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon told embittered supporters who believe she was robbed of the Miss Universe crown by a hometown decision to get over it. “Miss USA deserved to win and I’m fortunate to place second among 89 contestants,” she said. Continue reading →

by Rodel Rodis
December 1, 2011
While China’s brazen occupation of the Philippines’ Scarborough Shoal, located just 125 nautical miles from Masinloc, Zambales, has captured all the national and international attention, little has been mentioned about China’s occupation of the Philippine mining industry which is an entirely different issue from the Filipino Chinese (“Chinoys”) domination of the Philippine economy. Continue reading →

by Rodel Rodis
December 1, 2011
Other than Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, of whom there are US streets, parks and even a bridge in Seattle named after him, there are none to honor local Filipino American labor leaders like Pablo Manlapit, Larry Itliong or Philip Vera Cruz, writers like Carlos Bulosan or publishers like Alex Esclamado. Continue reading →

by Rodel Rodis
November 1, 2011
The last time I saw Alex Esclamado was in August of 2011 just before he left for the Philippines. I had given him a US Pinoys for Good Governance t-shirt (“Our Soil, Our Oil”) which he proudly wore. Just before I snapped his photo, Alex gestured for me to lean forward towards him as he whispered in my ear “Yes, let’s keep the oil in the Spratlys for the Philippines,” he said in slow, halting tones, showing the deleterious effect of almost a decade of Parkinson’s disease, which had damaged his body’s motor functions but not his mind which remained sound. Continue reading →

by Rodel Rodis
November 1, 2011
Filipino American supporters of Pres. Barack Obama, all dressed in blue, and backers of Gov. Mitt Romney, decked in red, met at the battlefield of the Redwood Shores studios of ABS-CBN on October 18 to participate in the 2012 Balitang America town hall presidential debate. Continue reading →

by Rodel Rodis
September 16, 2011
The dysfunctionality of the American and Philippine political systems is most revealed in their contrasting acceptance of the need for political compromise. In one system, it’s a sin; in the other, a virtue. Continue reading →

by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
October 16, 2012
Some 13 years ago, I was on the other side of “the table.” I was the patient, having my routine Stress-Echo, blood count and chemistries (blood sugar, lipid profile, liver tests, PSA for prostate, etc.). Prevention and early detection (for any possible “surprises,” even without symptoms) are very important strategies in a healthy lifestyle program. Continue reading →

by Rodel Rodis
September 16, 2011
The notes taken by Philippine Ambassador to China Sonia Brady of her meeting with Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in Beijing last June included his boast that he was able to “make 40 Chinese ships leave Panatag Shoal”. Continue reading →

by Rodel Rodis
September 16, 2011
Pres. Benigno Aquino III heads for Vladivostok, Russia this week to attend the 20th summit of leaders of the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to discuss “regional economic integration and cooperation to foster innovative growth.” At this summit, China’s President Hu Jintao has asked to meet Pres. Aquino in their first meeting since the maritime standoff at Scarborough Shoal began five months ago. Continue reading →

by Rodel Rodis
September 1, 2011
Just today, I received a long-distance phone call from Naga City from Felix Antero, a long-time friend who had worked in my San Francisco office as a rookie lawyer and who was now legal counsel to a multi-national corporation in Denmark. When he learned of the August 18n death of Jesse Robredo Continue reading →