June 12, 2012 Edition

Michelle Fernandez

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

  1. Philippine numbers looking good

    The Philippines’ economic managers are on a roadshow in the US to trumpet the country’s economic gains, spotlighting its achievements – among them –  a higher than expected 6.4% growth in the first quarter, capping 53 consecutive quarters of growth and an 11.4% increase in revenue collections in the first four months of 2012 because of tax administration efforts. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas also says that foreign direct investments (FDI) shot up 72.4% in the first 3 months of the year, despite dropping 91% in March alone.  FDI is a measure of investor sentiment.  The question now is will these numbers translate to a better life for Filipinos?  Government officials say the country is on its way and its measures aim to bring a more equitable distribution of wealth through programs like the conditional cash transfer or CCT and others.  Despite these numbers, President Aquino’s most recent approval ratings show economic gains have yet to trickle down.

    Read more about FDIs here, the roadshow here and President Aquino’s approval ratings here – all on Rappler.

  2. Judicial reforms and the search for a new chief justice
    DISMAL STATE. Retired chief justice Reynato Puno said Corona's impeachment has put the judiciary in a 'disarray.'
    Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno says the Philippine justice system is “at a low point” following the impeachment and conviction of Renato Corona.  “The judiciary is now in disarray.  Some are disappointed.  Some are confused.  Some appear to be in a spiritual slump for they perceive a severely wounded judiciary.”  He adds, “it will recover with God’s help.”  Meantime, the search for the next chief justice is in full swing.  The most senior justices of the Supreme Court are automatically nominated to the Judicial & Bar Council. 5 others, including 3 cabinet members, have also been nominated.  Rappler begins a series that takes a closer look at that search.

    Read more on Rappler and watch the 1st part of the series on the Rappler newscast.  
  3. #PinoyAko: What does being Filipino mean today?
    Change is in the air giving this year’s Independence Day celebrations new meaning.  It’s a time of soul-searching as Filipinos around the world try to define exactly what it means to be Filipino.  Rappler began a series looking at this by anthropologist Erin Sinogba followed by several pieces on the controversy around the Bayo ad, and the latest by physicist Reina Reyes, who gives third culture kids a new twist.  What do they all have in common?  They’re helping define exactly what #PinoyAko means in an increasingly interconnected, global world.

    Read the piece by Sinogbathe debate on the Bayo ad and the latest blog by Reina Reyes here – all on Rappler.
  4. Tracing the Philippine National Anthem
    Is the meaning of the Philippine national anthem lost in translation?  Rappler takes a look at the roots of “Lupang Hinirang” to find the original written in Spanish, translated to English, morphing through the years before becoming what Filipinos now sing today.  Not surprisingly, the song reflects the Philippine’s colonial past.  The question now is does it have meaning for this generation? 

    Read more and listen to the original Spanish version on Rappler.  
  5. Mahathir: Democracy must have limits
    UST LECTURE. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad delivers a lecture at the University of Santo Tomas, which conferred on him the title honorary professor.
    Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad warns the Philippines that democracy must have limits.  “When people think only of the freedoms of democracy and know nothing about the implied responsibilities, democracy will not bring the goodness that it promises,” Mahathir said at a lecture at the University of Santo Tomas.  “Instead, it will result only in instability, and instability will not permit development to take place for the people to enjoy benefits of freedom and the rights that democracy promises.”  Mahathir was Malaysia’s longest-serving leader and has often been criticized as a strong-man ruler.  This is the second time the Philippines has heard words like this from a Southeast Asian leader.  The first was in the early 90’s from Singapore’s architect, Lee Kuan Yew.  Both men led their countries to impressive growth, defining a more centralized form of democracy than the Philippines’ free-wheeling system.

    Read more on Rappler.  
  6. Dow snaps winning streak, Europe markets down
    Over the weekend, Spain received approval for 100 billion euros in loans from the European Union for its ailing banks.  Asian markets gained Monday buoyed by relief over the weekend news as well as numbers from China that exceeded expectations.  Overnight though, European markets dropped and in the United States, skepticism over Madrid’s weekend agreement snapped a four-day winning streak, pushing the Down Jones Industrial Average and Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index down.  This followed a morning rise and literally showed how optimism faded. Also on Monday, the Federal Reserve released a study that showed the financial crisis in the US has left the American family in 2010 with no more wealth than in the early 1990’s, erasing almost two decades of accumulated wealth.

    Read more about the markets on the Wall Street Journal  and about the Federal Reserve announcement on the New York Times.  
  7. Syria’s Assad & his wife: PR polish & gloss
    There are two images of Syria – the brutal regime which is leading massacres against its own people, and the polish of its English speaking first couple, burnished, it turns out by western PR agencies hired precisely to do that.  The New York Times takes a look at what happens when highly paid image machines help dictators create an image worthy of Camelot.  Among those caught in the web: Vogue and ABC’s Barbara Walters.

    Read more on the New York Times
  8. Next Gen Macbooks, Apple vs Google
    Overnight in Manila (Monday in the US), Apple unveiled new technology tthat will dazzle Mac lovers.  It’s also the latest salvo in Apple’s ongoing race with Google for the technology throne.  Take a look at what’s in store for you with the next generation macbook pro and the iOS 6.

    Read more about the Macbook pro here and the iOS6 here – all on Rappler.
  9. Nadal wins French Open
    VICTORY. Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates with his trophy after winning against Serbia's Novak Djokovic their Men's Singles final tennis match during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, on June 11, 2012 in Paris. Photo by AFP
    Rafael Nadal clinched a record 7th French Open title on Monday, June 11, defeating world number one Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 and shattering the Serb’s dream of Grand Slam history.  The match was delayed Sunday because of rain – only the second time.  Nadal,playing in his 16th GrandSlam final, took his Paris record to a staggering 52 wins against just one loss.

    Read more on Rappler.  
  10. Lady Gaga hit on the head
    While doing her concert in New Zealand, Lady Gaga gets hit on the head with a pole.  She goes offstage for a short while to recover and comes back to finish the show.  Aides say it took effort and stamina to do this because the hit caused a concussion!  Watch the video here:

     
     
     

    Read more here.

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