South Korea and the countries of ASEAN are important strategic partners with shared political, economic, and cultural interests. Relations between South Korea and ASEAN have seen significant growth and expansion, since the relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership at…
Who is she? Janet Lim-Napoles is the president, CEO, and founder of JLN Corporation, a diversified Philippine company with interests in real estate development, hotels, restaurants, information technology, and agriculture. Established in 2009, the company has grown significantly in the…
Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a major driver of economic growth in many countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN’s six largest economies – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam – have become increasingly attractive…
By Phoebe De Padua Philippine president Benigno Aquino III will deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, marking the halfway point of his presidency. The speech will answer questions about what he intends do…
Who is she? Mary Grace Sonora Poe-Llamanzares, more commonly known as Grace Poe, is a Filipino politician who previously served as chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. Her father, Fernando Poe Jr., popularly referred to as…
By Phoebe De Padua Southeast Asia, where violent conflicts and natural disasters often drive people from their homes, is home to around two million internally displaced persons (IDPs). Measures that protect IDPs remain lacking in most of the region. However,…
Who is he? Lt. Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista served as Commanding General of the Philippine Army since 2011 and has a long and distinguished career in the Philippine Armed Forces; he is a recipient of several military awards, including five…
By Ernie Bower There are important changes underway in Manila. The government is thinking geostrategically and President Aquino is using his considerable political capital to take on issues that had been untouchable in the past. Economic confidence is palpable in…
Who is she? Ambassador Erlinda Basilio is a career Philippines diplomat. Her posts have included Switzerland, Cuba, and Japan, and she served as ambassador to Sweden from 1997 to 2003. She was permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva…
Super typhoon Bopha made landfall December 3 on the Philippines’ southern island of Mindanao. The Category 5 storm, known as Pablo in the Philippines, wrought widespread devastation throughout the island, but hit Mindanao’s two eastern provinces Compostela Valley and Davao…
