Robert T. Wagner

Duterte’s arrest at The Hague ignites a national political crisis, threatening Sara Duterte’s career, stirring Mindanaoan secessionist talk, and courting China into the mix.

A look at how tech-savvy Filipino youth are challenging pro-Duterte disinformation and reshaping the fight for truth online.

A searing reflection on Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency as a raw, postmodern rupture in Filipino politics, exposing the nation’s contradictions through the aesthetics of violence and unapologetic power.

Lack of artificial sweeteners in the Philippine food supply linked to lower rates of mental illness compared to 1st world countries.

A discussion on how climate change is exacerbated by rising population numbers and the influence of social media in shaping public perception.

An analysis of China’s influence on the Philippines and what it means for the country’s future.

An exploration of how tribalism and corruption shape Philippine politics and business dealings. Except for around eight million Tagalogs in Manila, none of the other native-born inhabitants of the archipelago have a sense of “being… 

A controversial take on the systemic and cultural issues that contribute to the Philippines’ slow progress compared to its neighbors.

A critical analysis of the popular Korean show Squid Game and its social, economic, and political messages.

Investigating the possible link between increased sun exposure among lower-income Filipinos and lower Covid-19 infection rates. My employees were terrified. Their questions came at me in a staccato cadence. “Boss, what if one of us…