A Business Graduate's Reviewing History Blog

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 I have withdrawn support from former president Atty.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...

Benigno Simeon "Ninoy" A. Aquino Jr. can be a divisive figure. Was he a hero or not a hero? People say that Ninoy just "talked and talked". However, as a constitutional reformist, my stance doesn't rise and sink with groups like the  CoRRECT Movement, Robin Padilla, etc. Instead, my stance is now based on factual observation . I agree with CoRRECT or Robin where they are right,  while criticizing them where they are wrong . Right now, I want to say that Ninoy did his research,  unlike most people who idolize him then conclude, "The parliamentary form of government doesn't fit the Philippines; look at the Marcos Years!" We need to take the speech into context because context is king. I remember laughing while getting enlightened at Ninoy's speech. The big issue was that people should've taken the context of this " parliamentary system " without realizing what Ninoy really said. In fact, these words from the speech rang true and pro...

Let me be honest that his post isn't to bring down   Mayor Vico Sotto. Instead, this is constructive advice for him and many others. Many of the words he said make sense but they can still be improved. As I was reading through ABS-CBN News.  Analyzing Mayor Sotto's statements and where they make sense Here's an excerpt of Mayor Sotto's words, which we should all take into context with translations in parentheses for non-Tagalog speakers : “You know many times as a government official, who has been trying his best to fight against the old norms, yung mga lumang kalakaran (fighting the old ways),” Sotto said.  “As someone who has been trying to fight for positive reforms and changes in our government, I have to admit to you that many times, I feel frustrated almost every day… I feel a lack of hope. Parang ang hirap namang sabihin hopeless (as if it's difficult to sy that it's hopeless), but standing here… looking at your glowing faces, looking at the Class of 2026...

Who can remember the tragedy that happened on July 16, 1997? It was a night when the Chiong sisters, the late Jacqueline Jimenea Chiong and the late Marijoy Chiong, disappeared and were never seen again. It's 2026, and there's the right to doubt the narrative of Davidson V. Rusia . Solita "Winnie" Collas-Monsod even mentioned in Give Up Tomorrow that if the body wasn't the girl then the whole story collapses . Now, it's time to focus on whom the filmmakers Marty Syjuco and Michael Collins called as the first and foremost victim. We have none other than Thelma Jimenea-Chiong. Sadly, her husband Dionisio Chiong died during the pandemic in his sleep without even knowing who really murdered their two daughters. It's a tragedy that exploded on several sides. There were no questions asked that the Chiong parents worried about their daughters not returning home. The daughters weren't known to go home late. The last known information was that they were at Aya...

A diagram found on Facebook, apparently owned by the late Miguel "Juan" Del Gallego y Ripoll Back in 1997 to 1998, some people may remember what was called the "trial of the decade". It was because on June 16, 1997, two sisters, Jacqueline Jimenea Chiong ( whose body was never found ) and Marijoy Jimenea Chiong , went missing. They were last seen at Ayala Center Cebu. I watched both Case Unclosed   and Give Up Tomorrow . I personally felt that Case Unclosed gave a better view in 30 minutes since it featured other people, like the Uy brothers' mother, Mrs. Marlyn Uy, and other insights from the Chiong mother, Mrs. Thelma Jimenea-Chiong. Give Up Tomorrow showed the angle that the late Dionisio Chiong supposedly lost his job, and on the day he was supposed to testify against a certain drug lord (whose name was beeped out, hence he would be called Mr. Beep), the two daughters disappeared. Until now, I believe that the body in Carcar is Marijoy since nobody else,  bu...