Tag Archives: Philippines

International, Music

Philippine Commission Called For Madonna’s Deportation

Leave a comment

imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – The Philippines’ National Historical Commission (NHCP), upset over Madonna’s use of the Filipino flag during her ‘Rebel Heart” concert in Manila, had called for the deportation of the Queen of Pop.

Teodoro Atienza, chief of the Heraldry Section of NHCP, complained during a radio interview that Madonna wore the flag inappropriately and let it touch the stage floor. (Republic Act No. 8491 prohibits wearing the flag as costume or uniform.)

Atienza sought to contact the Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration to ask the agency to deport Madonna and her crew for violating Philippine law. Alas, it was too late.  The diva had already departed for her next concert in Singapore.

Just days earlier, a Filipino Catholic archbishop called for a boycott of Madonna’s concert, calling the singer’s act as a “subtle attack of evil.”

The Philippines seems to have a love-hate relationship with international celebrities.

The issues surrounding Madonna’s concerts in Manila are remiscent of the Beatles’ visit to the Philippines during the Marcos years.

 

Government

Philippines’ Special Holidays Rob Workers Of Their Wages

Leave a comment
Siopao
Siopao

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – When one buys siopao (steamed pork buns) in the Philippines, one can choose between ‘regular’ and ‘special.’ The regular is stuffed with plain bola-bola (meatballs) or asado (sweetened pork), but the larger special comes with egg, sausage and other additional ingredients, depending on where you buy them.

The Philippines’ penchant for regular and special is ingrained in its psyche, even when it comes to public holidays. Holidays can be regular, or special (nonworking).

But unlike siopao, Filipino workers are shortchanged during special, nonworking holidays like Thursday, February 25, which commemorates the 30th anniversary of the People’s Power Revolution that ousted the late dictator, Ferdinand E. Marcos.

For millions of hard-working Filipinos, they get the day off, but so do their pay. Special, nonworking holidays mean ‘no work, no pay.’

But for many, they have really no choice but to take the day off since their workplace is closed, and not get paid.

It’s more fun in the Philippines, where lawmakers think of the most brilliant of ideas.

Happy People’s Power, y’al!

 

Politics, The Media

Who Won And Who Lost In The First Philippine Presidential Debate In 24 Years

Leave a comment

imageCAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – It’s been 24 years since Filipinos saw a televised presidential debate so many were looking forward to this historic media event held last night in Cagayan de Oro City.

The five so-called presidentiables (those who COULD become president), all showed the stuff they were made of: Vice President Jejomar Binay, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Senators Grace Poe and Miriam Defensor-Santiago, and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

As always in a high-profile debate such as this, pundits, critics and viewers alike have their own opinions on who won in this oral encounter.

Here’s ours:

Best one-liner responses: Miriam Defensor-Santiago.  She also gets the award for best bi-lingual debater, often aswering Tagalog questions in English.

Best pa-porma to impress: Mar Roxas. He was trained well by PNoy on the Daang Matuwid strategy.

Best x-rated performance: Rodrigo Duterte.  He answered questions the way he always does — in prime time or during bedtime.

Barbie-doll Award goes to Grace Poe.  She was cute and nice and smiley all night; who would ever think she was the most inexperienced among the bunch?

Was there a fifth debater? Oh, about Jejomar Binay…