A Business Graduate's Reviewing History Blog

ABS-CBN News I noticed that some stubborn boomers on Facebook are citing Article VII, Section 5, of the "sacred" 1987 Constitution of the Philippines. This is what it says: SECTION 5. Before they enter on the execution of their office, the President, the Vice-President, or the Acting President shall take the following oath or affirmation: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President (or Vice-President or Acting President) of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God.” (In case of affirmation, last sentence will be omitted.) Does this mean that the 1987 Constitution must be upheld at all costs? The reality is absolutely not . In fact, preserving and defending a constitution doesn't mean that no changes can be made whatsoever. This is the mindset that people like Atty. Hilario Davide Jr. (who...

Kamote Driver Reviews Right now, it's near Christmas, and Christmas driving drives me crazy. Honestly, I hate how people are always in a  rush during Christmas. I often dread Christmas trips. Christmas isn't the most wonderful time of the year as the popular song wants us to think. Now, I'd like to visit this meme from the Facebook page, Kamote Driver Reviews . The owner of this page certainly has a dark sense of humor, because there's nothing funny about this one.  The reality can't be any clearer. By default, we have the problem that the bigger vehicle tends to be presumed guilty until proven innocent. The democratic process is to presume innocence until proven guilty. However, the public may assume that the person with the bigger vehicle is automatically guilty. The proposed anti-kamote driver (a term used for bad drivers ) bill has this one said, and I believe we really need that bill passed into legislation: The bill’s authors cited an incident last March 11, ...

Henry Rose Lee I wrote a blog post discussing Filipino baby boomers using mobile devices , to type anti-FDI rants . Consider this a "part 2" post of my earlier post, even if this blog handles random history rants . It's a strange but true phenomenon that we have Filipino baby boomers writing comments that reflect their fear of constitutional reform. It should be ironic that they have the smartphone and WiFi at hand, presumably gifted by their children. These Filipino baby boomers may be using the devices to stay connected as a co-parenting grandparent (that is, communicating with the grandchildren).  However, if one started reading their comments on Facebook, I would like to point out these things in common, though it's not a monolith: There's still the irritating phrase that I often hear, such as, "When I was your age... I already did this and that...". This is where baby boomers often compare their children (mostly Millennials and Zoomers) to them, ign...

RedStone I had my thoughts on my current molar crack  and the possibility of extraction (if things get worse) or a  root canal (which is less invasive, something people are telling me to get). It made me discuss the reactive model of healthcare. Sure, we heard that health is wealth plus prevention is better than cure . However, healthcare was reactive.  Who can remember the slogan back in school, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away!"? Sadly, that has caused people to think the medical field of any sort is reactive . In short, I must admit that "We've all been" is a common sentiment . I thought about I didn't go to the dentist in years. My recent trip had a severe prophylaxis that lasted for more than an hour—descaling had to be done along with fluoride treatment. The dentist refused to fix the chip immediately and chose fluoride treatment (which I must admit tasted nearly like candy, so I was told not to swallow), and told me to get a specific type of fast...

PhilStar Life September 2026 is almost over. Robin Padilla's decision not to run for politics anymore had me thinking, "Just because I'm not qualified or don't have the time for politics doesn't mean I can't speak up!"  I'm not a political analyst, a lawyer, or an economist. However, it doesn't mean that I couldn't start citing them to defend my stance. Citing a Filipino economist like Andrew James Masigan (who's very pro-reform) is one. I also did research with sources like From Third World to First  by the late Lee Kuan Yew.  However, when it comes to the anti-constitutional reform people in the Philippines, one must wonder what their source is. I have even tried asking pages about who their source is, while purposely using the word "sauce" instead of "source." I usually get insults, and when I do start posting sources, I get the "mercy" of the block button,  when the insults only make me reply nearly non-sto...

Yes, it's true, and Senator Robin Padilla announced that he no longer plans to run for office . Please take note that I'm for constitutional reform, but I didn't vote for him. My reason for not voting for him was that I'm sick and tired of actors and athletes occupying the legislature. Honestly, I was already upset about how the current 1987 Constitution of the Philippines has allowed actors and athletes to become lawmakers, and then most of them don't have any idea about the job of a legislator. I ask, "If you think the problem isn't systemic, you better ask yourself what enabled Robin Padilla to become a senator, when the guy has no idea how to legislate?"  My stance on constitutional reform doesn't rise or fall with a person. I have withdrawn support from former president Atty. Rodrigo R. Duterte. If Mayor Maria Leonor "Leni" Gerona-Robredo supports it, I'm willing to support her and withdraw if she doesn't. I felt Robin was a ...

It's National Heroes' Day, and I'm afraid many Filipinos tend to take those heroes for granted. Honestly, I often asked myself that question growing up in the Philippines. I had an identity crisis as a Chinoy, because Chinoy history often had this clannish, insular mindset. Sure, there's no Binondo in Cebu City, and the Chinoy population is often better integrated   these days. I thought about how I felt the Philippines wasn't "worth it" or "worth fighting for" because of things like: I remember being in elementary school with poor discipline, driven by how students who landed the punch were singled out, while the student who triggered it with an insult didn't even get a scolding. I mean, sure, the student who landed the punch deserves suspension, but letting the student who triggered the fight go without a scolding and parental counseling is uncalled for. Also, that school was guilty of not respecting people's time by starting programs a...