end of the independence march

Taipeh, Taiwan, April 2016.

Che Guevara in Indian politics

Tamil Nadu, India, December 2015.

Ready for the May 1st protests?

Potosí, Bolivia, March 2015.

Japanese and Dog No Nearing

This is soooo sick and even the language is self-explanatory.

Beijing, May 2014.

Nostalgia, neo Maoists, and a great performance

The 50th anniversary of the Red Detachment of Women 红色娘子军 was celebrated yesterday (18 January 2014) at the outstanding National Centre for the Performing Arts 国家大剧院 in Beijing.

1964, shortly after the man-made disaster of the Great Leap Forward this ballet became the tune of the years to come. The performance was sold out and the tunes of the Red Detachment of Women were still heard after the curtain fell.

Beijing, Janaury 2014.

Fighting for justice or don't get too close to the powerful

Beijing, March 2013.

The Obama Shell Connection: Yes, We Can!

Jinka, Ethiopia, January 2012.

Road to 평양 (Pyongyang)

DMZ, May 2011.

Another break in the wall

798, Beijing, May 2011.

Obamao 2011

Mutianyu, China, May 2011.

Protests against Sri Mulyani and Boediono

Demonstrations against Vice President Boediono and Finance Minster Sri Mulyani Indrawati and how they handled the Century Bank bailout.

Demonstrations are colorful, have a bit of carnival in it and often involve Rp 15,000 - 25,000 (± $2) for each paid protester.

Funny or just outright stupid?

It seems that there is quite some money behind such demonstrations. Maybe the Indonesian way of panem et circenses.

No idea how U.S. President Barak Obama got involved in the Century Bank bailout...

Protests in front of Indonesia's Finance Ministry, 17 February 2010.

Search for SBY

SBY?

Jakarta, December 2009.

Reconstructing Jakarta?

May the focus shift to the 50 per cent living from less than $2 a day and to the 70 per cent working in the highly insecure informal sector in Indonesia.

Jakarta, November 2009.

The purest of all female presidential candidates

According to Jakarta Post from 2 May 2009, the Indonesian Doctors’ Association announced health standards for presidential candidates including that female candidates should avert sexual relations at least 10 days prior medical check-up and that they should not have taken medicine prescribed for female reproduction purposes in order to get ‘maximum results’ compared to men. Further, all candidates will be ordered to fast one day before undergoing the check-up. Drinking water, however, will be allowed.

Good to know that according to the article every candidate must show strong mental skills, good observation capacities, analytic thinking and communication skills.

A sceptical voter

Malang, March 2009.

Myanmar's desire?

Is the above really 'people's desire' (click on the picture to read)? Or will cyclone Nargis redefine the desire of Myanmar's people? People badly hit by natural and man-made disaster.

Photo from Yangon, Myanmar, October 2000.

Woman in Balochistan

Only talking about Eve will not do. Talking about women would be better.

I wonder how many female ministers Balochistan will get this term?

Photo from Quetta, March 2008.

EDSA shrine beautification

The ideas of People Power need more than dedusting and regilding. Mere beautification won't do. Nearly 22 years after the toppling of Marcos, where is the power of the people?

Photo from EDSA shrine, Quezon City, February 2008.

Two days in the Philippines

First, we had a typhoon which was expected to hit Manila on Wednesday, 28 November 2007. Signal one for Wednesday: all schools closed. Weather on Wednesday: bright sunshine.

Second, no more signal for Thursday. Typhoon out of range. Weather on Thursday: unstoppable rain.

The storm was political! On Thursday morning, a couple of officers–the usual suspects already convicted for a coup attempt three years ago–just marched out of court (sic!) and stormed a five-star hotel (and wedding party), demanding for the President to resign. A couple of hours and a bit of machine-gun fire later, business as usual. The coup attempt was over, the Peninsula will require 'beautification', armoured vehicles had stormed the lobby.

Then (same Thursday at 19:50 PM) a caring message sent out by my employer: 'Curfew imposed for Metro Manila from midnight to 5AM (but with exeptions).' ... and one more at 20:47 PM: 'If traveling in Metro Manila (...) ensure you have personal/official/vehicle ID and under no circumstances carry firearms'.

What a start into a long weekend.

15th President of the Philippines Ms Kris Aquino?

Will Kris Aquino, the 29th most beautiful Filipina and youngest child of former president Corazon Aquino and Benigno Aquino, Jr. will win the race to become the 15th President of the Philippines in 2010?

Since the world is ruled by showbiz and dynasties as exemplified by the U.S.A., we can be assured that the Philippines will continue to follow big brother. Congrats, Kris! What a good move to start the campaign now by bringing total care to the country.

Photo from Ortigas, Metro Manila, November 2007.