u/Sonnybass96

In the Philippines today, many people feel that politics......especially in the Senate and Congress.....has become more focused on personalities, publicity, and political drama rather than serious policymaking.

Basically, a circus or a clown show.

There are common criticisms about opportunism, political turncoatism, celebrity influence, and elected officials lacking strong public service or professional backgrounds.

And some want to stay in power and continue their personal goals.

At the same time, some people believe that earlier generations of politicians were generally more respected, experienced, and policy-oriented and actual genuine public servants wanting to help and solve problems.

I’m curious if other countries have experienced something similar......

Was there a period in your country’s history when they were viewed as more professional, respected, or intellectually competitive or genuine compared to today?

If so, what changed over time?

Would love to know your thoughts and insights on this.

So the CIDG is summoning the Pebbles on May 14 to answer some questions.

What could possibly happen if he doesn't attend?

This video feels incredibly bittersweet to me because it captures what may have been the last glimpse of pre-war Manila in its full glory—still intact and alive.

From Intramuros, to Quiapo, to San Sebastian Church, the city looked vibrant, elegant, and full of life.

What makes it even more haunting is that the people seen in the footage had no idea what awaited them in 1945......the horrors of the Battle of Manila and the atrocities that would devastate the city.

I truly wish Manila never had to endure such a tragedy.

Sometimes I can’t help but wonder how different the city would look today if that destruction had never happened.

Perhaps Manila’s urban planning would not have become so chaotic, and the city itself might have evolved into something far more preserved and beautiful than what we see today.

For those who have visited both Rizal Boulevard in Dumaguete and Roxas Boulevard in Manila, which one do you personally prefer?

What do you think are the pros and cons of each place in terms of atmosphere, scenery, walkability, and overall experience?

And aesthetically, which boulevard stands out more to you?

Personally, Rizal Boulevard gives me a vibe similar to what Roxas Boulevard may have looked and felt like during the pre-war years.

Would love to know your insights and perspectives on this.

This is something that has made me curious since..... about whether the religious cults and movements or sects in the Philippines may have connections or influences from older pre-colonial belief systems.

Or maybe those things had survived but evolved into them?

For example, movements such as the one led by Hermano Pule combined Catholic practices with local traditions like amulets, folk rituals, and spiritual beliefs that some people associate with earlier indigenous practices.

And the Spanish Colonial government cracked down on them because they were a dangerous cult.

There's also the Church of Jose Rizal and the Church of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Both established after their deaths....

Even today, there are various groups across the country that incorporate rituals, symbolic objects, robes, statues, offerings, or devotion centered around historical figures and spiritual leaders

And to the modern eyes, they are viewed as "Cults" or one of those crazy sects.

Because of this, I wonder if some elements of pre-colonial religions, practices, and spirituality may have survived or evolved over time under new religious forms?

Do you think this was also a case?

Do you think there is a possibility that the Pre colonial religious system, practices and traditions have somehow evolved into these "Cults" and "Sects"

Like I noticed that there is this tendency of native Filipinos, making a "God" out of something just to worship it and start a religion on it.

Did that kind of thing come from the pre colonial times?

Would love to know your insights and perspectives on this.

I've been curious about something related to the Katok urban legend, also known in folklore as the Kumakatok...which are the three hooded figures said to knock on doors at night as a death omen.

I once came across an article that mentioned that during the early years of World War II, there was supposedly a kind of "craze" in Manila surrounding this legend.

The story was that three hooded figures were said to go around knocking on houses, at night mostly and people believed that opening the door would bring death or misfortune to the household.

They would visit hospitals, churches, commercial buildings and offices.

Like they would visit not just residential houses but also government buildings, hospitals and commercial buildings.

Some interpretations even suggest that this omen was later seen as a foreshadowing of what happened to Manila in 1945 during the Battle of Manila, when the city was devastated. According to tradition, the sightings reportedly stopped after the war.

And that made me wonder....

Do you think there's a basis for this? Like a possible explanation of some sort?

Would love to know your insights on this.

After the first major fire that struck Tondo during the 1930s, another large fire hit the district again around May 1941 during the summer season.

Reports say that around 20,000 people were left homeless.

The Commonwealth government reportedly began relief efforts and even planned to reorganize parts of the district and improve the layout and provide housing for the victims.

However, those plans were likely interrupted only months later when World War II reached the Philippines in December 1941.

From there, Manila experienced repeated aerial bombings, destruction during the occupation, and eventually the Battle of Manila itself.

Looking back at it, I sometimes wonder if this period played a major role in the long-term housing and environmental issues of the district.

Many vacant or destroyed areas may have later been occupied by displaced families, migrants, and informal settlers trying to rebuild their lives after the war.

And from there, Tondo became what Tondo is today.

I also came across stories that businessman Ma Mon Luk helped fire victims by providing food and assistance during the disaster.

And considering that young Asiong Salonga must have witnessed this event again......

I can only imagine how traumatic these events must have been for many young residents living there at the time and the fact that War was also coming towards the country in a few months.

Overall, it feels like 1941 was one of the harshest turning points in Tondo’s history.....

Personally, do you think this was the case and the event that made Tondo that way it is?

Curious to know your insights and perspectives on this.

I recently came across this saying that Philippine exports have reached some of their highest levels since the 1990s.

The focus was not mainly on the usual products that the country is known for ever since.

Some also pointed to the weaker peso as a big factor which led to these results.

And This made me wonder.....

Is the country on the path of fully embracing this kind of economic playbook?

And trying to improve other sectors like what Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea are currently doing ever since?

If so, when did this shift begin to become more noticeable?

And do you think this is a positive direction for the country’s economy in the long term?

Curious to know your insights and thoughts on this.

There have been recent proposals to convert Manila’s historic golf course near Intramuros into a large forest park filled with trees, green spaces, and nature-focused attractions.

Supporters say the project could help promote eco-tourism, provide more public green spaces, raise awareness about pollution and environmental issues, and create a more educational and family-friendly environment in the city.

At the same time, others argue that the golf course itself has historical value and should be preserved because of its long history and connection to old Manila.

What do you think about the proposal?

Do you think a forest park could genuinely benefit Manila in terms of environment and public space?

Would a large nature park beside the historic walled city of Intramuros be a good addition, or should the golf course remain as it is for historical preservation purposes?

Would love to know your insights and perspectives on this.

I often see discussions claiming that the Philippines during the mid-1960s was one of the more advanced countries in Southeast Asia before the Marcos era.

For the economy, there are claims that Philippine exports were performing strongly, (Like in a level of Vietnam, South Korea, and Taiwan) (I do wonder what kind of exports are those)

And that the peso remained relatively robust at the ₱3.80 range.

Which claims that many Filipinos had better purchasing power (Some are comparing it to the purchasing power of Singapore or Malaysia of today)

Do you think this was the case during that time. (Besides post-war rehabilitation and American support)

What were the industries or sectors that helped spearhead the Philippine Economy during that time?

I’m also curious about education as well.

There are stories that foreign students came to the Philippines for university studies and professional training, especially in medicine, engineering, and other professional fields.

Was the country’s education system really well-regarded in Asia during that period?

And if there is a modern comparison, which present-day Southeast Asian or Asian or any country would be the closest equivalent in terms of economy and education?

Would love to know your insights and perspectives on this.

I recently watched footage of the band’s return to the music scene during the 2000 NU Rock Awards, and honestly, the performance was epic.

They truly brought their A-game by assembling members from different eras of the band.

From legendary guitarists Atsushi Matsuura and Francis Reyes, to Carlos, Jett, and JB—plus the addition of a DJ mixer and a keyboardist—the lineup felt massive and celebratory.

The only ones missing, in my opinion, were Zorro and the great Teddy Diaz.

Just imagine if everyone had been there, and Teddy had not passed away so early. It could have been the ultimate reunion lineup for the band.

Aside from that, I really loved this version of Salamat—the millennium version they still perform today.

The crowd was energetic, the atmosphere was electric, and you could tell everyone on stage was genuinely having fun.

For me, this remains one of the greatest performances by the band.

So these photos of the band got me thinking about this for some reason.....and this is the time where they let out their bearded looks fully.

At the same time, I’ve been watching historical shows and films set in ancient times and that got me wondering since...

Do you think their beard styles could blend into those kinds of settings? (For example during the time of Jesus , the crusades, or maybe the Roman Empire etc..)

For example, could any of these bearded styles by the boys pass as merchants, high priests, rabbis, Kings, knights, prophets or other figures from those times?

Like maybe Dennis' beard look would fit better as a Knight during the crusades?

Or maybe Mike's look could fit as a merchant during 33AD?

Or maybe, Carl's look could pass as a Rabbi or maybe an important historical figure?

Curious to hear your thoughts on this.

There have been discussions about converting Manila’s historic golf course near Intramuros into a public forest park.

Supporters say it could provide more green space, help reduce pollution, improve urban biodiversity, and give people a more accessible recreational and educational area.

On the other hand, some argue that the golf course itself is historically significant and should be preserved instead of being redeveloped.

At the moment, the area has limited public access on certain days, but I’m curious about the bigger picture.

If the forest park plan fully pushes through and becomes a reality, what effects do you think it would have on Intramuros and Manila as a whole?

Would it be a positive long-term change, or could it create new issues and challenges?

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Intramuros is often considered one of the most haunted places in Manila due to its long history, including wars, executions, destruction, and centuries of occupation since the Spanish colonial period.

For those who have visited the area before, have you ever experienced anything unusual or paranormal there?

Which part of Intramuros did it happen in, and what was your experience like?

Would love to hear your insights and stories on this.

“Cebuya” is a local nickname for the busy intersection area in Cebu’s old downtown district, mainly because some people think it resembles the atmosphere of Japan’s Shibuya Crossing....with heavy pedestrian traffic, busy streets, bright signs, and lively energy, especially at night.

For those who have visited the area, do you think the comparison is exaggerated, or does the place genuinely have that kind of vibe?

What improvements do you think could help the area become more appealing or recognizable to both local and international visitors?

Would love to know your insights and stories on this.

Edilberto Evangelista is often regarded as one of the most capable leaders of the Philippine Revolution,.

Some accounts even suggest that Emilio Aguinaldo held him in high regard and might have supported him in a larger leadership role if he had lived.

This makes me wonder......what if Evangelista had not died in battle? If he had taken on the top leading role in the revolutionary government, could the direction of the revolution have been different?

Do you think he could have mediated and help the different major factions in the revolution during that time?

Do you think his leadership and expertise might have strengthened the Filipino side, especially during the Philippine-American War?

Do you think he would make things better for the Filipino side at least, compared to what happened in the original timeline?

Would love to know your insights and perspectives on this.