All posts by Pol Pinoy

Beauty, Diversity, International, Politics, Race Relations

PHILIPPINES DROPS OUT OF MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT

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Reigning Miss Philippines-Universe Pia Wurtzbach
Reigning Miss Philippines-Universe Pia Wurtzbach

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles®) – The Philippines became the first Asian country to drop out of the Miss Universe pageant in protest over Donald Trump’s comments about Mexican immigrants. It is joining several Latin American countries in boycotting the most popular international beauty competition owned by Trump.

Earlier, Mexico dropped out of the pageant, followed by Panama. More Latin American countries are expected to follow suit.

The Philippines has close historical ties with Mexico, dating back to the days of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade which began in the 16th century.  The country was also colonized by Spain for more than three centuries.

Mexico (1991, 2010) and the Philippines (1969, 1973)  each have two Miss Universe title holders, while Panama has one (2002 runner-up Miss Panama took over as Miss Universe after the winner, Miss Russia, was dethroned four months into her reign). All three countries have previously hosted the Miss Universe pageant.

So what happens with reigning Miss Philippines-Universe Pia Wurtzbach (who has been romantically linked to President NoyNoy Aquino)? Perhaps, she can become the queen of Malacañang, the presidential palace. But that remains to be just a rumor.

Actually, the Philippines has decided to send two representatives to this year’s Miss World Pageant, one of them being Wurtzbach.

Double the chances for the crown,  eh?

Government, International, Politics, Science and Environment

PHILIPPINES NOW HEADS UNITED NATIONS BODY ON DISASTER REDUCTION

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Binay, left. and Aquino, in a rare display of unity and solidarity
Binay, left. and Aquino, in a rare display of unity and solidarity

GENEVA, Switzerland (The Adobo Chronicles®) – The Philippines has taken over the chairmanship of the Geneva-based International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) Support Group.

Alexandre Fasel, permanent representative of Switzerland to the United Nations, officially handed over last June 22 the chairmanship of the ISDR Support Group to Ambassador Cecilia Rebong, Philippine permanent representative to the UN. The Philippines formally assumes the role this month.

The chairmanship was in recognition of the Philippines’ extensive and long-standing experience in political disaster, particularly in the handling of major man-made events such as graft, curruption, plunder, unexplained wealth of Filipino politicians, among others.

Reacting to the news, President NoyNoy Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay — in a rare display of unity and solidarity — issued a joint statement saying that this international honor is a testament to  the Filipino people’s resiliency in dealing with devastating fallouts from the incompetency as well as corrupt and criminal ways of their elected officials.

“There is so much the world can learn from the Philippines in as far as disasters are concerned,” the statement said.

Government, International, Politics

U.S. CONGRESS DIVIDED BETWEEN PHILIPPINES AND PUERTO RICO TO BE THE 51ST STATE OF THE U.S.

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imageWASHINGTON, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles®) – The fourth of July would have been a perfect day to welcome the 51st state of the United States, but it seems that may have to wait for yet another year.

A U.S. territory, Puerto Rico, and a former U.S. colony, the Philippines, are the top contenders to become the latest addition to the union .

Puerto Rico has already held several referenda to determine the people’s desire to continue to be independent or to become a U.S. state. By virtue of their country’s status as territory, Puerto Ricans are already considered U.S. citizens. In the last referendum held in November of 2012, majority of Puerto Ricans – 61% – have chosen statehood for the first time.

The Philippines has not held a referendum on statehood although a U.S. statehood movement has been in existence for decades.  The Southeast Asian country has become very strategic for the United States, especially in light of recent developments involving China and its territorial claims on islands in the South China Sea —  claims contested by the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries.

In anticipation of statehood, the Philippines has already designed its proposed state flag. image

Only the U.S. Congress can decide to add a new state to the union, as clearly stated in the U.S. Constitution.

The Adobo Chronicles®  recently conducted an informal poll among members of the current U.S. Congress and the results show an amazing statistical dead heat. Our poll showed 267.5 legislators in favor of Puerto Riceo and 267.5 in favor of the Philippines.

So the question remains: which will become the 51st state of the United States? Puerto Rico or the Philippines?

Suffice it to say that whichever becomes the 51st state will be listed in the same order, alphabetically, when mentioning the 51 U.S. states, since both start with the letter ‘P.’