activist and two-term member of the philippine house of representatives. blogging since 2004 at mongster's nest.
Latest posts by Mong Palatino
18 January 2017
Thai Junta Didn’t See the Irony of Installing Dinosaurs in Front of the Government House
"So many dinosaurs are at government house...a few are even seen outside."
15 January 2017
Thai Army Invites Children to Play with Real Guns, Tanks and Assault Helicopters
"[We're] familiarizing them with soldiers and weaponry. By familiarizing them, they learn to love soldiers and even become soldiers."
12 January 2017
Nickelodeon Won’t Get Its Underwater Theme Park in the Philippines, If Environmentalists Have Their Say
"For a channel that targets children, Nickelodeon is setting a terrible example to the younger generation by taking away their right to enjoy our natural resources," says one critic.
8 January 2017
Singapore's Prime Minister Leads Netizens in Expressing Gratitude for Foreign Workers
Local observers argue that real policies to protect migrant workers' rights are still absent in the wealthy Asian city state, however.
31 December 2016
Malaysians Can Have Their Cake and Eat It Too Inside McDonald's — But Only If It's Halal
"Has halal political correctness gone overboard? Will we one day see moral police invading houses to ensure that we are eating only halal food? When will common sense prevail?"
21 December 2016
Thailand’s New Computer Crimes Law Threatens Free Speech and Encryption
"The law's most serious shortcoming is in its giving too much power for authorities to make their own judgement whether certain actions may be deemed in violation of the law."
12 December 2016
These Short Films by Young Cambodian Men Aim to Stop Sexual Harassment
Why stop sexual harassment? Young amateur filmmakers from Cambodia explored this question to encourage the public -- especially men -- to understand the impact of sexual harassment.
8 December 2016
Activist Arrested on Royal Insult Charges for Sharing BBC Article About Thailand's New King
Almost 2,500 Facebook users shared the post, but the police singled out an activist calling for the restoration of democracy in Thailand.
5 December 2016
Filipino Activists Hold Solidarity Fast in Support of Political Prisoners
"They are persons caring for the marginalized sectors of the society but they were jailed for trumped up charges."
27 November 2016
White Ribbon Campaign Enjoins Singaporean Men to Reject Gender Violence
"We need a culture of equality, not disrespect. As an athlete, I want everyone to know that strength does not mean dominance and aggression."
23 November 2016
Leader of Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Movement ‘Bersih’ Arrested Under Anti-Terror Law
"Is this the type of country that we Malaysians want to live in, where corruption runs amok, elections are rigged and innocents are placed behind bars?"
14 November 2016
Four Animated Videos That Advocate Religious Tolerance and Protection of Child Refugees in Myanmar
There have been intermittent clashes between Buddhist nationalists and Muslim minority groups in several communities, especially in the western part of Myanmar.
10 November 2016
After Three Years, Thousands of Haiyan Survivors in the Philippines Are Still Homeless
"Instead of lightning fast assistance to the survivors, they were made to wait, even to beg for their survival."
6 November 2016
Singapore’s Iconic Buildings Turn Purple in Support of Persons With Special Needs
"Purple symbolizes solidarity for people with special needs. The square logo of the Purple Parade symbolizes equality (equal length on all sides), inclusiveness and strong building blocks."
1 November 2016
Singaporeans Urged to ‘Embrace the Ugly’ to Reduce Food Waste
"If we throw away ugly food just because it doesn’t look nice, then I think we are wasting these resources," a participant in Singapore's new food conservation movement said.
10 October 2016
Activists, Students, and Survivors Commemorate Thailand’s Forgotten Massacre
"We can never forget – 40 years on, and still no one has been found responsible. They were violent, and unbelieavably cruel."
4 October 2016
Feast Your Eyes on Brunei's Capital, the Day It Broke Free From Cars
Brunei's car-free day “aims to promote a healthy lifestyle and reduce the city's carbon footprint.”
2 October 2016
Tourist Video Featuring Ancient King Tests the Boundaries of Artistic Expression in Thailand
"If (the cultural ministry) monopolises any form of art, drains it of involvement by the common man, that art is likely to go extinct."
30 September 2016
Thais in a Crowded Community Are Playing in the ‘World’s First’ Non-Rectangular Football Field
"This unusual football field has proven that designing outside boundaries can help foster creativity used to develop these useful spaces."
27 September 2016
Artist Draws Attention to the Plight of Child Laborers and Young Women in Myanmar
"Art becomes more important for the people to see and feel the reality, and motivate them to make changes in society."
