Randy David | PUBLIC LIVES No one can say for sure whether Jolo Bishop Benjamin de Jesus was killed to avenge a personal injury, or to relieve the fever of religious animosity. It could be both, with either motive serving as the occasion, or condition, for the other. But in a place like Sulu, where tradition keeps the modern State … Read more
What can it possibly mean for someone to visit an accused person in jail? Like Sen. Gloria Arroyo , the Makati school teachers, who recently brought their pupils on a tour of the city jail where they unwittingly found themselves in a photo session with detained Rep. Romeo Jalosjos, have been chided by Pres. Ramos … Read more
In a week dominated by the continuing saga of Rep. Romeo Jalosjos, it was difficult not to take up his case once more, or to ignore the sudden appearance of a woman claiming to be his rape victim and of her 27-year-old son claiming to be the product of that crime. My staff on Public … Read more
“I am in a state of confusion this morning; I don’t know what is happening to me. Too much, too harsh. I think there’s only one victim in this case – me.” That was Congressman Romeo Jalosjos, handcuffed, head slightly bowed, soulful eyes seeking human contact, emitting great soundbites for the early evening news. Is … Read more
The theme of Ligaya ang itawag mo sa akin, Carlos Siguion-Reyna’s controversial film, is an old familiar one – society’s refusal to support the marginalized person’s attempt at self-renewal. Rosanna Roces, the equally controversial bold star of many trashy films, plays the role of Ligaya, a prostitute who seeks passage to the ordinary life of … Read more
What makes a person think he or she should be president of the Philippines? This question fascinates me because the way it is answered tells a lot about that person’s political values, or ideas of what is acceptable in politics. Three probable candidates cite the surveys. They say they will run because “the people” want … Read more
One of the books I got over the holidays, which I have opened ahead of all the others, is Karen McCosker and Nicholas Albery’s “A Poem a Day”. As promised, there is an entry for every day of the year. The selections have a randomness that I appreciate; there is no attempt to match the … Read more
I distinctly remember being horrified sometime in 1979 by a European sex magazine which featured nude children in suggestive positions on its cover. It was the first time I had seen pedophilia presented as other than a form of sickness. Today this sexual predisposition seems to be taken merely as an expression of a taste, … Read more
Next to his family, the only other possessions that Eddie Tiongson could think of saving from the rampaging lahar that buried his house and restaurant in 1995 were the family photos. Not the cars, not their clothes, nor the jewelry – but only the albums. “You can always buy the other things,” he said, “but … Read more
The phrase “taxing the Church”, by which Senator Gregorio Honasan’s recent proposal has entered public discourse, is so emotionally-laden that I doubt very much whether – under its auspices — we can get any real discussion going on this issue. Most people will argue that the Church is doing a good job; why penalize it? … Read more