Monthly Archives: July 2023

Culture, Media

Cultural Misappropriation: Adobo Chronicles Responds To ADMU History Professor Ambeth Ocampo

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MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – In his column, “Looking Back,” published the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Ambeth Ocampo, history professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, described Senator Imee Marcos’ Cordilleran attire at the last SONA as “cultural (mis)appropriation.”

He says Marcos’ attire constitutes “inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.”

We wish to inform Mr. Ocampo that Marcos’ attire was a gift from a Cordilleran. She proudly wore it at the SONA and we see no cultural appropriation in that.

But let’s give it to the honorable historian with the caveat that he should also say the same about Leni Robredo who appropriated other cultures and other persona — including Sadouken, Karate Masters, Miss Universe and even a Japanese Samurai.

Or did Mr. Ocampo just blur recent history?

International, Law Enforcement

ICC Impressed With Philippine Justice System!

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THE HAGUE, Netherlands (The Adobo Chronicles, Berlin Bureau) – The International Criminal Court (ICC) may have jumped the gun when it denied the Philippine government’s appeal to stop the investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

Now, the ICC is praising the decision of a Manila Regional Trial Court affirming the acquittal of former Senator Leila de Lima in one of her three criminal cases.

“This shows that the Philippine Justice system is working,” the ICC said, “and maybe we should leave the Philippines alone.”

That would be a good move, ICC!

Education

University of the Philippines: Scholar Factory

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QUEZON CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Quezon City) – Students and graduates of the University of the Philippines are called “Iskolar ng Bayan” (Nation’s Scholar) for a reason, or two.

The first reason is obvious. Their education at the state-funded institution is paid for by Filipino taxpayers.

The second is less obvious, but equally concerning. U.P. is turning out to be a factory of Latin honors!

For the year 2023 alone, 2,243 out of 3,359 graduates have been bestowed with cum, magna and summa cum laude honors — that’s a whopping 67%!

This concerns Professor Clarity Carlos, herself a graduate of U.P. She says, “When most everyone graduates with LAUDES, the word “distinguished” loses potency.”

Many are asking how distinguished the Iskolar ng Bayan are. Let’s look at U.P.’s world and Asian rankings:

So let’s state the obvious: U.P. may be a factory of scholars, but is it a factory that is producing substandard goods?

We rest our case.