The Current Political Climate in the Philippines, Marcos vs Marcos

Allegations by Senator Imee Marcos that her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., is a cocaine user and is presiding over deepening corruption have exploded into a very public family feud and a political crisis for the Philippines. For a country still wrestling with the legacies of martial law, the Duterte drug war, and chronic graft, this moment lays bare how fragile institutions remain and how personal power struggles shape national destiny.​

What Imee Marcos Alleged

At a large anti-corruption rally in Manila in mid-November 2025, Senator Imee Marcos told tens of thousands of protesters that her brother has long been involved with cocaine, dating back to the Marcos Sr. years, and that this alleged addiction explains what she called a “flood of corruption” and poor decision-making under his administration. She went further, claiming that the First Lady and the couple’s children, including Congressman Sandro Marcos, are also involved with illegal drugs, though she presented no public evidence to support these claims.​

Her speech did not come in a vacuum; it coincided with a major graft scandal centered on public works and flood-control projects, where critics say billions may have been misused or siphoned off through political networks. Opposition groups seized on Imee’s remarks, arguing that the presidency has lost moral authority and calling for the president’s resignation, while allies of the administration cast her accusations as a political maneuver tied to upcoming midterm elections.​

How Malacañang Responded

President Marcos Jr. has flatly denied the cocaine allegations, publicly referring to the woman making them as “not my sister,” a line that underscores the depth of the personal rupture as much as the political one. His allies in the Palace have characterized Imee’s accusations as “desperate,” suggesting that she is trying to divert attention from corruption investigations that could involve some of her own political allies.​​

The administration has pointed to prior negative drug-test results from past campaigns and medical documents as proof that the president is not a drug user, insisting that the real issue is a “pandemic of lies” and disinformation eroding trust. Still, the Palace has struggled to fully contain the fallout: every new denial and counterattack keeps the feud alive in the public eye and strengthens the impression of a ruling family at war with itself while the country faces economic and governance challenges.​

The Wider Political Climate

The scandal unfolds against a backdrop of rising public anger over corruption, high living costs, and persistent inequality, issues that many Filipinos feel were never resolved after the fall of Marcos Sr., only recycled under new coalitions. Marcos Jr. came to power in 2022 in a landslide, presenting himself as the polished, technocratic face of a restored dynasty, but protesters now link his administration to the same patterns of patronage, lack of accountability, and revisionism that defined his father’s regime.​

At the same time, the country is still haunted by Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal “war on drugs,” which normalized state violence in the name of moral cleansing, even as Duterte himself openly admitted to strong painkiller use and was accused of tolerating cronies’ corruption. The spectacle of a sitting senator using drug allegations as a political weapon against the president, while thousands of poorer Filipinos were killed over much smaller accusations reveals a painful double standard: in the Philippines, drugs can be a pretext for both extrajudicial killings and elite infighting, depending on one’s class and connections.​

Cracks in Dynastic Politics

The Marcos–Duterte alliance that powered the “UniTeam” ticket has steadily frayed since 2023, and Imee’s latest attacks deepen the fractures inside the broader ruling bloc. Her public sympathy for Vice President Sara Duterte and her hints about a “leadership vacuum” at the top effectively float the idea of an alternative center of power, even while she herself remains part of the political elite that benefits from the current system.​

For many Filipinos, especially those who remember martial law or grew up with stories of exile and plunder, watching the Marcos siblings trade accusations of drugs and corruption feels like a dark déjà vu: the same clan names, the same charges, but now playing out in real time on social media and 24-hour news. It highlights how deeply entrenched political dynasties remain from barangay to Malacañang and how even family quarrels at the top can trigger instability in markets, governance, and public trust.​

A Personal Reflection From the Diaspora

For someone like me, a Filipino by birth now watching from abroad, this saga stirs a mix of grief, anger, and weary familiarity: the country that nurtured childhood memories is again defined by headlines of scandal rather than stories of shared progress. The names in the news are unchanged, but the cost is borne by new generations workers dealing with inflation, students navigating underfunded schools, communities slammed by climate disasters while public funds allegedly leak away through kickbacks.​

Yet there is also another Philippines visible beneath the dynasty drama: citizens who still march, journalists who fact-check viral claims about the feud, faith communities and youth organizations that demand drug tests, audits, and reforms, not out of loyalty to one Marcos sibling over another, but out of loyalty to the idea that public office is a public trust. 

Writing about this moment in my blog as someone shaped by the country’s history but also by life elsewhere becomes an act of witness: a way of saying that the Philippines deserves leaders who do not treat the state as family property, and that the world is watching how this latest chapter in Marcos politics will either deepen the old wounds or finally push the country toward more accountable, less dynastic rule.​

 The Philippines, I would hope is a country in the future that will be better than my current home, the United States of America under the dictatorship of King Donald Trump.   

My Food For Thought For Today:

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Playing A Musical Instrument Is Good For Your Brain

This morning I posted on the power of vocal music. This afternoon's blog #2 of the day is about the power of playing a musical instrument to the neural growth in your brain.

Playing a musical instrument is not just a creative hobby, it’s one of the most powerful full-brain workouts known to science. Research shows that musicians engage more areas of the brain simultaneously than almost any other activity. When you play, multiple brain regions involved in hearing, movement, coordination, memory, emotion, and pattern recognition are activated and forced to communicate rapidly.

This intense neural activation leads to the creation of stronger and denser connections across both the left (logical) and right (creative) hemispheres of the brain. Over time, this enhances cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, emotional regulation, focus, and long-term memory. Studies have even found that consistent instrument practice increases the size of the corpus callosum, the bridge that connects the two brain hemispheres, improving communication speed across the brain.

Moreover, learning and performing music strengthens neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire and adapt, making it easier to learn new skills even outside of music. This is why musicians often excel in language learning, pattern identification, and multitasking.

Playing an instrument can also protect the brain from age-related decline, improve mental health by reducing stress, and boost dopamine levels, which enhance motivation and joy.

In simple terms, making music doesn’t just sound good, it builds a smarter, stronger, and more resilient brain.

Meanwhile, 

Your Thoughts Are Rewiring Your Brain Right Now

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that self-talk, the way we speak to ourselves, can physically change the structure of the brain, for better or worse. This discovery proves that our inner dialogue isn’t just mental noise; it’s a powerful force shaping how we think, feel, and even heal.

Scientists found that positive self-talk can strengthen neural connections linked to confidence, focus, and emotional stability. When you encourage yourself, your brain responds by releasing chemicals that enhance learning, memory, and motivation. Over time, these repeated thoughts literally rewire your neural pathways, reinforcing optimism and resilience.

But there’s a darker side too. Negative self-talk, filled with criticism or fear, can activate stress circuits in the brain, increasing levels of cortisol and shrinking areas linked to emotional control. In other words, how you speak to yourself can either build your mind, or slowly break it down.

This research highlights a powerful truth: the brain listens. Every word you think or say becomes a signal your brain takes seriously, shaping your reality at the cellular level. It’s like sculpting your own mind with the chisel of thought.

The implications are profound. With mindful awareness and intentional positivity, we can literally train our brains to become calmer, stronger, and more compassionate. It’s not magic, it’s neuroscience.

So the next time you talk to yourself, remember: your brain is listening. Choose words that heal, not harm. Because the story you tell yourself today becomes the person you live as tomorrow.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/856713667341799

Meanwhile, Put this in Your Calendar:

The Three are My Favorite Music Performers of All Time...

Domingo, HAUSER & Dimash – World Premiere in Budapest, 18 April 2026 _ TICKET SALES FROM 10AM (CET), SATURDAY, 13 DECEMBER! https://broadway.hu/.../domingo-hauser-dimash-koncert.../

On 18 April 2026, Budapest will host an extraordinary musical event as Placido Domingo, HAUSER, and Dimash Qudaibergen share the stage for the first time. This one-night-only world premiere brings together three exceptional artists whose combined artistry represents a rare moment in contemporary music.

The evening will present exclusive new arrangements and special joint performances created specifically for this project. An international creative team is preparing a production built on innovative visual design and state-of-the-art acoustic technology to deliver an immersive concert experience.

We proudly present Eugene Kohn as a guest conductor for this event. With over 50 years of experience as a correpetitor and conductor, he has worked with legends such as Maria Callas, Plácido Domingo, and Andrea Bocelli.

Musical direction is led by Péter Pejtsik, Liszt Award–winning composer and conductor, known for his work across classical, crossover, and symphonic rock. A full symphonic orchestra, supported by a rhythm section, will provide a rich foundation for the three artists’ unique musical identities.

Domingo brings unmatched operatic legacy, HAUSER his signature crossover style and electrifying presence, and Dimash Qudaibergen his extraordinary vocal range and global following. Their collaboration marks a meeting of distinctive artistic worlds, creating a performance of exceptional significance.

MVM Dome Budapest – 18 April 2026

A concert that will become part of musical history.

My Food For Thought For Today:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/892659356622287

The Healing Power of Song and Music

The Healing Power of Song: How Singing Has Enriched My Life from College to THD

There is something magical about singing, something deeper than melody, harmony, or pitch. Long before I ever read studies about antibodies, immune boosts, or stress reduction, I felt what singing could do. And looking back now, singing has been a quiet but constant thread woven through every stage of my life.

College Years: My First Stage

My love affair with singing truly began in my college years, when I joined the choir. I was young, eager, curious, and full of energy. Singing with a group felt electrifying, there is nothing like the vibration of dozens of voices coming together with one purpose. The camaraderie, the discipline of rehearsals, and the joy of performing opened a part of my heart I didn’t know existed.

Married Life: Harmony in Faith and Love

Years later, singing took on a new meaning. During my married life, I sang in our church choir alongside Macrine (RIP), my late spouse for over 63 years. Our Sundays were sacred. It wasn’t just music.  it was worship, community, and partnership.

Standing next to her, lifting our voices in the same hymns, remains one of my most treasured memories. Choir practice became our mid-week bonding, a reminder that even amidst work, parenting, and responsibilities, we still had a shared song to carry us through.

Learning the Craft: Six Months of Voice Lessons

Top Photo: Macrine and My Voice Recital :  Bottom Photo: Sunset and the Landscaping of our House Backyard with the Pinole Hills at the background

At one point, I even took six months of formal voice lessons. As a beginner, I learned breathing techniques, vocal placement, posture, and confidence. And yes, the nerves and excitement of singing at my teacher’s recital! I wasn’t aiming to become a professional; I simply wanted to grow. Those lessons gave me courage, structure, and appreciation for the vocal instrument we all carry. In this recital, I was first to sing because I was the most inexperience student. I asked my vocal teacher, why I was first in the program.  She told me because, I was the best. The statement immediate erased my stage bright, and I sang my two songs with Gusto and Bravado.  I will never forget the memories of my first public singing experience.    

Today at THD: Karaoke, Community, and Pure Joy

Now here in THD, singing continues to be one of my greatest joys. Whether it’s a karaoke night, a sing-along gathering, or simply humming a familiar tune in my room, music keeps me energized and connected.

There’s something beautiful about a group of seniors grabbing a microphone and belting out old favorites. We may laugh at missed notes or forgotten lyrics, but the joy is real and shared.

The Science Is Catching Up to What We Already Know

Interestingly, modern research shows what many lifelong singers feel intuitively: music is medicine.

Studies suggest that singing can:

• Boost immune function, including increasing levels of certain protective antibodies like SIgA

• Reduce cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone

• Improve lung function and breath control

• Strengthen memory and mental sharpness

• Enhance social connection, combating loneliness and isolation

• Lift mood through endorphins and dopamine release

In other words, singing doesn’t just feel good, it is good for you and your immune system.

Why Singing Matters at Every Age

Singing is a gift you can enjoy whether you’re 9 or 91. You don’t need perfect pitch or formal training. You don’t even need a microphone, just the willingness to let your voice rise.

For me, singing has been:

• A source of friendships

• A form of worship

• A stress reliever

• A memory-keeper

• A way to stay connected to Macrine

• A joyful part of my daily life here at THD

Every time I sing a song from my past, I am transported, to college halls, to church pews, to a recital stage, to evenings at home.

A Life Lived in Song

As I reflect on my musical journey, I am grateful. Singing has carried me through decades. It has comforted me in loss, uplifted me in celebration, and kept my spirit young.

So if you ever wonder whether singing is worth doing, whether you're in a choir, a church, or a karaoke room, my answer is simple:

Yes. Sing. Sing loudly. Sing often. Let your heart lead the melody.

Because singing doesn’t just fill the room, it fills the soul and the heart.

Meanwhile, here's the AI Overview on Singing: 

Music heals by positively impacting the brain and body through neurological and biochemical processes, affecting physical, emotional, and cognitive health. It can lower stress by reducing cortisol and releasing dopamine, improve pain perception, and stimulate memory and motor skills. Music therapy is used in clinical settings to address conditions like stroke, Parkinson's, and anxiety by harnessing these effects. 

Emotional and cognitive healing

• Reduces stress and anxiety: 

  Upbeat music can release dopamine, while relaxing music lowers cortisol (the stress hormone), which in turn lowers heart rate and blood pressure. 
• Processes emotions: 

  Music provides an outlet for expression and can help individuals process difficult emotions, with even sad music having a cathartic effect. 
• Boosts memory and cognitive function: 

  Songs connected to memories can activate the brain's pleasure center, and learning to play music can enhance cognitive skills, learning, and motor control. 
• Improves mood: 

  Music can increase dopamine, the "feel-good" chemical, and is used to improve mood and provide a sense of empowerment. 

Physical healing

• Aids pain relief: 

  Music therapy can decrease pain perception, reduce the need for pain medication, and improve quality of life for those with chronic or acute pain. 
• Supports recovery: 

  It can aid in post-stroke recovery, help with symptoms in neurological disorders like Parkinson's, and has been shown to reduce seizures in some children with epilepsy. 
• Calms the body: 

  Music can lower heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. 
• Reduces side effects of medical treatment: 

  Listening to music can reduce anxiety and nausea associated with treatments like chemotherapy. 

How music therapy works

• Receptive therapy: Listening to carefully selected music to guide mood or promote relaxation. 
• Active therapy: Creating music through singing, drumming, or playing instruments to engage with and heal the brain. 
• Neurologic music therapy: Specialized techniques used in hospitals and rehabilitation centers to help patients recover from brain injuries and neurological disorders by building new neural pathways

Lastly, I enjoyed very much the concert presented by our local singing group

"Stay at Tone Moms", Thursday Afternoon at 2:30PM

Their Silent Night Sing-Along Repertoire was the hit of the Afternoon Performance. They were here last year, but their repertoire this year was more beautiful and unforgettable.   Kudos to Vanessa, Our New Activity Manager. Photos of the group after their performance taken by Vanessa will be posted as soon as I receive it .