Typhoons and Shootings

The Philippines in the News

Posted by Gill on Sep 1, 2010 in Blog | 0 comments

Last week was a rare occasion for the Philippines, as the country saw massive exposure in news media that would be widely read or watched around the world. Unfortunately, this exposure came as a result of the tragic deaths of 8 foreign nationals at the hands of gunman Rolando Mendoza, whose bus hi-jack and subsequent hostage stand-off was broadcast live to millions of viewers as it unfolded....

Town Mouse, Country Mouse

The differing challenges of urban and rural poverty

Posted by Gill on Aug 22, 2010 in Blog | 1 comment

It is estimated that 44% of the population of the Philippines live on less than $2 a day, and that 80% of the poor live in rural areas of the country. Every year, thousands of these rural poor move to the cities in search of employment, improved living conditions and a better life for themselves and their families. Bing Bing, a subsistence farmer I met in Zambales province recited to me...

Wesewrimo

An experiment in web fiction

Posted by Gill on Aug 2, 2010 in Blog | 0 comments

Now, as I’m sure you’re all well aware, this month is Wesewrimo – Web Series Writing Month! No? Well then, go have a look here to enlighten yourself. Yes, its yet another slightly twisted Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month for the uninitiated) clone (albeit slightly less ridiculously demanding as you get to set your own goal as long as it’s vaguely web series...

Micro-mythbusting

Deconstructing some common assumptions about microfinance

Posted by Gill on Jul 31, 2010 in Blog | 1 comment

Travelling to Iloilo at the beginning of the month in order to conduct an assessment of a microfinance programme that targets people with disabilities as clients, I was required to undertake a bit of a crash course in microfinance theory. Microfinance – the provision of small loans (and other financial services) to the poor to enable them to avoid using traditional moneylenders who...

Where is your companion?

Posted by Gill on Jul 11, 2010 in Blog | 3 comments

It is Independence Day in the Philippines and having heard that there will be a parade in Rizal Park I make my way into Central Manila from my current home in Quezon City (slightly out of town) and follow the slowly gathering crowd of people towards the grandstand. Almost immediately as I join the throng, someone approaches me and asks me who I am and where I’m from. I’m used...

Hey Joe!

An acute case of visibility

Posted by Gill on Jun 16, 2010 in Blog | 1 comment

The trick to good street photography, explained the photojournalist leading the workshop, is in blending in to the point where you aren’t noticed by the people you’re photographing. For you, she said turning to address me directly, this might be quite hard. (more…)