Archive for
August 7th, 2006
Stories
Cambodia: Defining Modesty
After its absence for a decade, in this new millennium Cambodia sets to organize its first Miss Beauty competition. The nominated contestant will participate in next year’s Miss Universe contest. However, in an effort to preserve Cambodian culture, as suggested by the Ministry of Culture, swimsuit is not allowed, at least in domestic pageant.
It was in 1993 and 1995 that the country organized the Miss Beauty competitions. And the skimpy attire was also banned from the earlier contests. Socially conservative, largest population of the country is predominantly Buddhist.
The Culture Ministry said contestants cannot take to the stage in swimsuits.
Contestants must be properly attired at all times “to preserve Cambodian culture,” said Sim Sarak, a director-general of Cambodia's Culture Ministry. “There will be no section for a swimsuit parade in the event because our country has not yet advanced to that level.”
Knowing that the presence of Miss Cambodia in the upcoming contest will make the Cambodians proud, a Cambodian native writes:
Her present in the contest will map our country to the world. If she could make it to the top ten she could possibly use the situation to increase the world's awareness to Cambodia's present situation, highlight the need for better health care and the much needed help for the deprived children back home. But whether she can make it into the top ten or not we are already a winner.
Sexism gone corporate
I do think there is an ‘unofficial’ glass ceiling for female officers. The whole upper echelon of Brunei society is dominated by males. Could it be that since it is these same people who determine who gets the top jobs, the disparity exists?
MedLeo
Has sexism in the country gone corporate? Such are the comments arising from this post at The Daily Brunei Resources seem to be more interesting than the post itself. Do a “glass ceiling” really exist in the Brunei workforce amongst women despite the fact that women perform better than males? Hear the stories from the common folk.
Bishop bloggers of the Philippines
The Philippines is the only Catholic-dominated nation in Asia. The Church maintains a considerable influence in the lives of Filipinos. Aside from delivering sermons from the pulpit or issuing pastoral letters, the clergy reaches out to its faithful through the cyberspace. Allow me to introduce the Bishop bloggers of the Philippines.
Archbishop Oscar Cruz of Northern Philippines, through his blog, Viewpoints, is a crusader against gambling and corruption in society. As a consistent critic of the present regime, he has become a credible voice of the Opposition. In his latest blog entry, he denounced the bogus anti-poverty campaign of the government.
“Promise them much but keep them poor. Picture to them their abundant future but keep them hungry. Meantime, assiduously observe the noodle economy—plus some rice and medicine grants. Every now and then. And they sing the praises of their leader. The only disturbing question is how long and how far could such a cruel gimmick work?”
Reflections is the blog of Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, the head of the very powerful Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. In his recent blog article, he defended the decision of some priests who gave assistance to rebel soldiers.
Archbishop Fernando Capalla of southern Philippines blogs through Dialogues. Bishop Antonio Ledesma’s blog is Pastoral Companion. Archbishop Orlando Quevedo is also a blogger through Perspectives.
Working for the First Wi-Fi City in Chile
Salamanca (ES) is a city with a population of around 25,000. It is located in the fourth region, Coquimbo. The project is called “Salamanca: The first municipal XXI Century town”. As Atina Chile (ES) explains, this is a project that involves the municipality of Salmanca (ES) , the Pelambres Copper Foundation, D-link, and organized by the Mercator Foundation (ES). The project starts in May and, according to their site, will focus on:
- Free Wi Fi for the entire Municipal town
- Massive digital alphabetization for the community
- Give low cost access to technologic infrastructure
- Create a digital Municipality
- Develop a participative digital media
- Campaign 1 blog per citizen
- Volunteer net from all over the country to alphabetize the community
Paula Rojo (ES), from the Mercator Foundation writes:
The 60 volunteers have understood that the children and senior citizens will look at photos while connected in the main park of Salamanca; the 300 students of digital literacy; the 200 students that are going to write on a blog, and the fact that all the authorities are working to revolutionize the city are evidence that confirm that is possible to decrease the gap that on paper cannot be removed.
Links for Mon, 2006-08
Asia media forum puts up an interview with Kwon Tae-Sun, managing editor of Hankyoreh. Kwon reflects on the challenge of marketization and internet on the traditional media.
Nicolette Bethel is normally a bit skeptical about calls for reparations for slavery, but if Miami Cubans can demand them — so can she.
The plot thickens as Guyana-Gyal learns more about a local drug addict.
On the anniversary of Jamaica's independence, Gela writes her native land a Happy Birthday letter: “Can't believe you're now 44! Wow! For a tiny island, you've made some serious strides boy (or are you a girl? hmm, I wonder).”
Jim Shultz notes the myriad ways in which Bolivia is celebrating its 181st year of independence. Miguel Buitrago has a thorough summary of stories on the inauguration of the 255 member Constituent Assembly in the official capital city of Sucre. And Eduardo Avila publishes some entertaining pictures of President Evo Morales playing an exhibition football match to celebrate the opening of the Constituent Assembly.
Having just returned to Mexico City from South America, Ricardo Carreon observed last week that much of the “protest” in support of Lopez Obrador consisted of empty tents along Reforma Blvd. Carreon also links to a video tour of the Reforma area in the midst of the protests. Ana Maria Salazar comments on Lopez Obradar's speech yesterday after the Elecotral Tribunal announced there would not be a nation-wide recount of votes.
Erwin Cifuentes has a broad collection of valuable links from around Latin America reviewing the week of July 31 to August 6.
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