Of all the possible ways, it was through twittervision that I found out that Kurt Vonnegut has passed away. I never really read his fiction, but I very much admired his essays.

Which incidentally, provides the excuse to point to this article in Slate on the joys of twitter (I twitter, too). What’s interesting to me, about twittervision is how much of the world remains mute, twitter-wise. The Philippines, which twitters from time to time, isn’t even named on the map!

Anyway the papers continue to headline the condition of the President’s husband, from the relatively cheery coverage of the Inquirer, to pretty grim reports in the Philippine Star, in Malaya, and in The Manila Times. The President herself briefly managed to return to the Palace (but has resumed her vigil by her husband’s bedside).

Thanks to a plea-bargain agreement, Magdalo officers have received lighter sentences; apparently the AFP chief of staff is in a position to grant them a kind of clemency, too. Speaking of the military, Newbsreak reports on more former military men running for office than ever before.

Davao Today reports on findings concerning public health in Mindanao.

Apparently Generalissimo Francisco Franco may have had a half-brother who was part Filipino.

In the punditocracy, my column for today is Red Cross at 60. Please visit the Philippine National Red Cross website to see how you can help.

John Mangun says he thinks the stock market will be going from strength to strength very soon.
A scathing look at political dynasties courtesy of Juan Mercado, with this zinger of a closing line, courtesy of the late Fr. de la Costa:

“Thus, for all the trappings of a national government, we are not far from the era of the barangay,” he added. “And we conduct our affairs pretty much in the manner of Lapu-Lapu and Humabon.”

Rene Q. Bas points out the benefits of Singaporeans paying their officials high salaries; Suthichai Yoon has a very interesting commentary on an ongoing debate in South Korea: how to keep the country competitive while making for a more compassionate society.

The blogosphere has Howie Severino interrogating Senator Recto on schools named after himself. On the topic of how money is spent on education, A Nagueño in the Blogosphere lists what he’d buy if he had access to the budget. While Philippine Commentary (who hopes Manny Pacquiao gets a whoopin’) shares his thoughts on education myths (including budgetary priorities on education). In that entry, there’s an interesting theory proposed by ricelander: are Filipinos right brain dominant?

The Unlawyer tackles a proposal by the Bureau of Internal Revenue to tax at least some OFW income.On a related note, see Red Herring‘s views on investments.

another hundred years hence on how a little more sensible urban planning can save the earth. I wish more people could work from home.

Nagsusulat Lamang muses on privacy issues (and has a story to tell about an aunt). baratillo@cubao has a thought-provoking post on his views on blogging and free expression. fish in a bowl muses on why is it, exactly, people decide to write things down.

Blog Them Out of the Stone Age points to Part 1 and Part 2 of students’ coverage of a symposium on military history.

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