When UP Diliman made headlines for having more than fifty percent of this year’s graduating class finish with Latin honors, it raised a lot of eyebrows from both members of the UP community and outsiders. Author Butch Dalisay who teaches at UP has weighed in on the peculiar issue, attributing the seeming generosity of the prestigious state university with Latin honors to the relaxation of academic policies brought about by the COVID pandemic. Citing a few studies critiquing the Latin honors system, he’s on point in saying that the time has come to find a better way of recognizing and rewarding academic achievements. In general, the problem also exists at other education levels.
Tag Archives: Philippines
PLDT’s Shady Speed Boost Promo
Last Sept 2, I was one of the ‘chosen’ subscribers to get the Free 30-day trial of a speed boost that bumped my connection to up to 600 Mbps with an average speed of 480 Mbps, minimum of 180 Mbps with 80% reliability.
After the 30-day trial period, I would be charged an additional P100 every month to keep using the new subscription speed.
At first, it sounded like a fair deal except for two things:
- Don’t we have the right to be informed first and consent to have any changes to our subscription? Instead, PLDT unilaterally decided on its own to modify my subscription and then charge me an additional fee.
- My internet connection is still nowhere near the supposed average speed of 480 Mbps since I got notified.
I’m not 100% sure, but somehow something wrong has happened and government regulators should look into this scrupulous action taken by PLDT.
Other subscribers have also raised their concerns on social media. To date, there has been no response from PLDT or government regulators about this.
I’ve already raised these concerns to PLDT’s Customer Support team and let’s see how this will pan out.
#NeverAgain Bundle by Adarna House
Back in May, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Director General Alex Paul Monteagudo red-tagged Filipino book publisher Adarna House when it offered to sell book bundles about the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr’s dictatorship, describing it in a Facebook post as part of a plan to “subtly radicalize” Filipino children to rise up against the government.
The outrageous and dangerous insinuation that Adarna House, a respected book publisher founded by no less than National Artist Virgilio Almario, has ties to the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing the New People’s Army.
Even acclaimed English author Neil Gaiman weighed in:
It cannot be stressed enough that red-tagging is dangerous and there have been activists that were murdered after being red-tagged.
More to the point, publishing books about important historical events especially in a format aimed at younger readers is not only noble work, it is essentially public service.
So to support Adarna House, I bought their #NeverAgain Bundle which consists of the following books:
- “Ito ang Diktadura” (2017) by Equipo Plantel
- “Edsa” (2013) by Russell Molina
- “Isang Harding Papel” (2014) and “Si Jhun-Jhun, Noong Bago Ideklara ang Batas Militar” (2001) by Augie Rivera
- “The Magic Arrow” (2021) by Bolet Banal
After a little over a month, the books finally arrived yesterday and the wait was worth it. My daughter finished reading all the books in one sitting and said she really enjoyed each one.
The #NeverAgain bundle and many other good titles are available over at Adarna House’s website so grab a copy if you can. I promise you will not regret it.
Disclaimer: This is not a paid post nor am I connected to Adarna House, Inc in any way.
We need a new and better Senate
The May 9 elections are clearly the most important election in a generation or even perhaps my lifetime. Next to the choice for President, my line up for the Senate is a big and strong rejection of traditional politicians and celebrities that have dominated the chamber for so long.
It is a call for new perspectives, ideas, and brands of public service that we desperately need.
- (4) Teddy Baguilat Jr., would represent national minorities to be their voice for their lands, identities and lives | https://www.teddybaguilat.com/advocacies/
- (18) Leila de Lima, reelectionist senator and former Chair of the Commission on Human Rights | https://leiladelima.ph/bills/
- (21) Chel Diokno, human rights lawyer | https://diokno.ph/platform
- (16) Neri Colmenares, human rights lawyer and former Bayan Muna representative | https://www.facebook.com/ColmenaresPH
- (45) Sonny G Matula, labor leader | https://attysonnymatula.com/about.html
- (37) Elmer Labog, labor leader | https://www.facebook.com/KaBongLabog
- (17) David D’angelo, environmentalist | https://dangelodavid.com/our-platforms/
- (34) Risa Hontiveros, reelectionist senator and women’s rights advocate | https://senrisahontiveros.com/about/
- (63) Carmen Zubiaga, advocate for persons with disabilities | https://votepilipinas.com/candidate/zubiaga-carmen.html
- (48) Dr. Minguita Padilla, health reform advocate | http://minguitapadilla.com/my-cv/
- (38) Alex Lacson, advocate for government and agricultural reforms | https://votepilipinas.com/candidate/lacson-alex.html
- (32) Samira Gutoc, would represent the Bangsamoro state | https://samira-gutoc.com/#WhoIsSamira
These men and women of diverse backgrounds, experience, expertise, and advocacies will breathe new life into an institution that plays a vital role in our democracy.
Netizens reject Harry Roque’s nomination to ILC
Together with other bloggers and social media influencers – Concerned Online Citizens collectively, we sent a letter to the members of the UN General Assembly urging them to reject the nomination of Harry Roque to the International Law Commission.
Below is the full text of the letter:
We’ve also put up an online petition so that other concerned citizens can join and express their opposition to this mockery of international law, human rights and an embarrassment to the Philippines.
We hope that you will join and sign up as well. It may be a simple gesture but it sends a powerful message across, that we Filipinos will stand not stand for this abhorrent idea of having a disgraced lawyer and enabler of Duterte.
Instead of being elevated to such an honorable position, Roque and Duterte should be made accountable.