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Post by TheRomanSlayer on Apr 22, 2021 1:59:17 GMT
Will there be a Jeepney ban? Not when you have your hands full with other things already; and besides, much of the people would still have lived in Yolanda-style housing for the better part of the decade after the bombing, since rebuilding, let alone reforming Namayan would not happen in a day, no matter how much experienced they are in being a bureaucrat in their warrior-bureaucrat role they styled themselves in. You can't even improve the resulting slums like how they did in OTL Capetown since 1) they don't have the funds to do so and 2) there's not much products being sold anyways. One scenario I could think of is that Sarao, along with other local manufacturers, will be retooled rather forcibly so that it can contribute for expansion and higher quotas. They are neither the most innovative nor dymamic of the bunch out there, but hey at least there's the Japanese to help, right? If (or once) its owners proved to be too pigheaded for Tadiar's liking though, then they can forcibly close the whole firm altogether and force its workers to work for the Japanese firms, which for me is likelier to happen. Either way, they could still find a niche in rural logistics in both passenger and light freight, as long as they could prove to be cheaper and more reliable than their competitors, especially from the Japanese who would eventually set up shop in the country. True on all counts, but the economic revival wouldn't start right away. Yet, there is one crucial different between OTL and TTL: the 60-40 joint venture that discourages foreign direct investment in the Philippines doesn't exist as part of the constitution, because the Tadiar regime before 1998 is operating on the 1973 constitution. After TTL's 1998, there would still be foreign direct investment, only there might be a form of mixed public-private ownership. I would think that Sarao, and many other local manufacturers, would be compelled to retool themselves into different companies. For instance, ITTL, we might see the Delta Motors Corporation either bought out, or still in operation, since its previous owner fell out of political favor with former President Marcos. If there were business owners who fell out of favor with Marcos that wanted to revive their fortunes, they might side with Tadiar over Corazon Aquino. It is also true that the more stubborn ones would have their firms forcibly closed altogether, and sold off to their Japanese competitors, although Spain could also be another contender for the economic penetration scheme in the Philippines. Of course, we might also see a saner, or smarter Spanish government that wouldn't cook up their books so to speak, that led to the economic crisis that they had IOTL. Turkey is also another possible contender for becoming a major economic investor in the Philippines, and as hinted in one of the previous updates, it is a Turkish company that becomes the first foreign firm to establish a direct working connection with the Tadiar regime (plus Turkey is set to become a stronger economic, diplomatic, and political force in SE Asia ITTL) It is also possible that either the Japanese, or the local manufacturers, might become a dominant force in manufacturing farm equipment, including those rice harvesters that you would see in the countryside. Those small trucks that you see with the bags of rice in it, that might become more common ITTL as well, and the AFP would become a major customer for those firms seeking to revive their fortunes, so I could easily see Sarao Motors getting into the heavy logistics industry. Australia could become a major source of technical expertise for shipbuilding ITTL, as well as Japan. Another thing that I have to address in the upcoming update, or a future update, is the state of Philippine agriculture. While I may have already addressed the new kinds of cuisines in previous updates, it's the reformation of Philippine agriculture that I will have to address in a future update, mostly because with Hiroo Onoda possibly becoming the father of Philippine cross-breeding animal husbandry in the country, you could see more local agricultural firms establishing themselves. Once again, this is where I think Australia would exercise a major source of influence for the Philippines on par with Japan and Turkey, plus even Mexico and to a lesser extent, Chile. Abaca and rubber cultivation could revive ITTL, and given that IOTL, the Japanese settlers in the Philippines were experts in abaca processing, they might once again take up that old role ITTL. Fruit cultivation will definitely make a comeback, but I could also see more sweet potatoes being cultivated ITTL as well, more so than IOTL. The Tadiar regime has to get creative with their food issues, after all. One more thing: I will definitely address the Balangiga Bells issue ITTL, although we might likely see it returned during the Legarda administration, since giving it to the Tadiar regime would only electrify the anti-American sentiment in the Philippines and Latin America as well. |
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Post by TheRomanSlayer on Apr 24, 2021 7:17:12 GMT
Chapter Fifty-Six: Of Decadence and AusterityYUGOSLAV PRESIDENT BATIC TRAVELS TO RUSSIA FOR MEETING WITH RUSSIAN COUNTERPART, MILITARY ALLIANCE, STATUS OF FILIPINO REFUGEES, AND TRADE AGREEMENT ON THE AGENDA
Moscow Times
May 30, 1997(Moscow) - In what appears to be a new norm, Yugoslavia's President Vladan Batic had traveled to the Russian capital for a meeting with Russian President Gennady Burbulis. The main topics that both presidents will discuss at a top level meeting are the renewal of the military alliance between the two nations, plus an economic trade agreement that will be signed between them. In addition, Romanian President Corneliu Vadim Tudor and Bulgarian President Todor Kavaldzhiev have also agreed to travel to Moscow for the same top level meeting with President Burbulis. In addition, the President of the Union State of Ukraine and Belarus, Mykola Azarov, has elected to send Prime Minister Vyacheslav Kebich to attend the top level meeting in his place. The meeting comes at a time when the newly established European Continental Association is organizing itself, though applications for memberships are not being taken in, as to make sure that the ECA itself was stable and organized, before admitting any new member state.
"While we are negotiating with various independent European nations on the future of European security and prosperity, we are also open to the idea of giving them a choice between joining the ECA in the future, or forming a closer partnership with us," comments President Burbulis in front of local reporters during a general briefing in the Duma. "In fact, we encourage every European nation to develop ties with both the ECA and our government, so they can have several options on where to go."
The issue of NATO was also going to be raised at the meeting, as President Burbulis had pointed out the increasing obsolete role of the military alliance, and has supported an ECA-backed initiative for a purely Europe-centric military alliance that would be in charge of Europe's security. US President Jack Kemp, likewise, has also supported the ECA's initiative of taking charge of their own defenses, although fears of a possible Russian military adventurism in Eastern Europe are still high in former Warsaw Pact member states. Despite the close camaraderie displayed during the Second Russian Civil War, Poland remains at odds with Russia over historical grievances, despite Alexander Lebed's admittance of the Soviet role in the Katyn Massacre. Finally, President Burbulis has proposed a meeting with the ECA on the issue of the Filipino political refugees who are currently residing within the territories of continental Europe, Great Britain, and Ireland.
"We will do everything in our power to help the Filipino refugees get back on their feet, but at the present moment, we can only do so much. If the refugees wish to do so, they can apply for a permanent residency in the countries where they reside, or to go to the embassies of any nation that they wish to immigrate to," Burbulis suggests when asked about the fate of the Filipino refugees. "Although in the short term, we really need a lot of help rebuilding our country, as a result of the civil war."--- AN UNHOLY SCANDAL ERUPTS! FORMER JUNTA LEADER UNDER INTENSE CRITICISM FOR PRO-TADIAR COMMENTS
The Sun
June 16, 1997(Athens, GREECE) - The former junta leader who was the last military president of Greece, Phaedon Gizikis, has come under intense criticism when he made comments praising the notorious military dictatorship of Artemio Tadiar, as a sign of an 'orderly regime emphasizing on social stability', during a political rally in Athens. Many Greek opponents of the former junta had came out in opposition to what they saw as the open support for a junta that behaved a lot worse than their own junta, combined with the disturbing reports of massive human rights violations being committed by the Tadiar regime. In addition, the few thousand Filipino refugees who arrived in Greece from their overseas job in the Middle East also criticized Gizikis's comments.
"It is beyond reprehensible to hear a random Greek general praise the very same man who drove us into exile!" shouts Filipino refugee Clarence Liangco, who was a rarity, as he used to fight in the Filipino Civil War on the side of former President Ferdinand Marcos. "Moreover, Artemio Tadiar is nothing but a cowardly opportunist who only got where he is at today, because of Ferdinand Marcos!"
Although Greece has only taken in around 2,000 Filipino refugees who had to flee from the Middle East, as they could not go back to the Philippines because of the Tadiar regime, their mere presence has provoked far-right riots from among the ultranationalists within Greek society. Golden Dawn, the neo-fascist organization that was the most prominent in Greek politics, had not forgotten that it was the same Tadiar regime that backed the Azerbaijani side in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, albeit as part of the infamous UNAACP peacekeeping force now known for the litany of scandals that broke out. In addition, the religious differences between the Filipino refugees and the Greek locals was evident, by the increased pressure by the Greek Orthodox Church to help convert the Filipino refugees into the Orthodox faith, and to turn them away from their Roman Catholic faith. In response, the Italian government has offered to take in any Filipino refugee who do not wish to live in Greece.
"The persecution of our fellow Catholics from the Far East at the hands of the heretical Orthodox extremists is something we cannot tolerate! Even if the relations between the Vatican and the Greek Orthodox Church have been a bit warmer, this religious persecution must stop," comments Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, during a briefing inside the Italian Parliament. "While I condemn the comments made by Phaedon Gizikis, it is also important that the Greek people remain vigilant in their fight against the resurgence of the junta that made them international outcasts. The last thing we need is a Southern European Artemio Tadiar to emerge, especially when we had a Balkan Tadiar in Veljko Kadijevic."--- JORGE ARANETA PURCHASES FAILING SARAO MOTORS FROM ORIGINAL FOUNDER, PROMISES MASSIVE RETOOLING AS PART OF "REBUILD!" CAMPAIGN
Manila Times
June 19, 1997(Manila) - Prominent Filipino businessman Jorge L. Araneta has announced that he has purchased the failing Sarao Motors from its original founder, Leonardo Sarao. The sale of Sarao Motors, which was tagged at almost 500 million pesos, is described as one of the biggest firesales in modern Philippine history, and that the purchase of Sarao Motors is one of the many possible series of acquisitions of known local automaking companies that will take place within the Tadiar regime. The purchase of Sarao Motors has occured, in conjunction with Roberto Benedicto's purchase of Almazora Motors, has also raised alarms that the former Marcos cronies would stand to profit from the lack of competition within the Philippine automotive industry, which is in a dire need of a complete rebuild after the Spratlys conflict that led to the Chinese bombing of the Philippines. The Tadiar regime's economic policy of "Rebuild! Rebuild! Rebuild!", has become a top priority for a nation struggling to recover from the war with China, as well as rebuilding its agricultural capabilities.
"I loved the jeepneys when I was younger, but seeing as they are extremely noisy, and the fumes that come out of the jeeps will not make anyone else breathe freely," comments Artemio Tadiar while asked about the reformation of the Philippine automotive industry. "Unfortunately, because of the UN sanctions, we cannot import any vehicles. However, we are open to any ideas on how to redesign the jeepney, or to ask our Japanese friends with proposals for their take on the modernization of the jeepney, or to give us the license to produce our first midibus."
Among other things, "Rebuild! Rebuild! Rebuild!" focuses heavily on infrastructure repairs, often accompanied by improvements made on certain areas. For instance, the notorious electrical lines that dotted most of the Philippine streets, have been declared a hazard by the Tadiar regime, and in fact, Lieutenant Colonel Edgardo Doromal suggested that the new power lines should be placed underground, covered and protected by pipes that are tough to break. In addition, Lieutenant Colonel Saulito Aromin addresses the issue of potable water, as one of the most vital issues facing the Philippines today, along with the presence of stray animals wandering around the streets. The issue of the stray animals is of great concern to the Tadiar regime, mainly because the bombing had resulted in a lack of food for the stray animals, which led to the military taking charge of the stray animals. Tadiar himself had ordered the construction of a new network of animal shelters in the site of the former Philippine Refugee Processing Center, while the dogs that are under the care of the military will eventually be drafted into the AFP, to be used by military police and other security camp guards.
"The need for clean, drinking water, is the main issue we face today. While we are open to the idea of building a desalination plant to help increase our water supply, it is also important that we rebuild the entire sewage system in the Philippines. For this reason, we have approached Japan's Kurita Water Industries for help with tackling our water problem," says Aromin. "Perhaps in addition to our water issues, we need to introduce initiatives, like recycling depots and better waste management."
The Tadiar regime's ambitious plans include the construction of several incineration plants, often called waste-to-energy plants, throughout the entire nation, as well as multiple recycling depots where plastic and glass containers would be deposited, in exchange for monetary compensation. Although critics pointed out the impracticality of such projects, due to a lack of funds, the Tadiar regime has stressed the necessity of these projects as something that could help revive the nation. Moreover, the easing of UN sanctions has covered mainly essential goods, products, and services, meaning that various companies could invest in mainly the Philippine agricultural, electrical, and logistical sectors. However, any violation of the UN sanctions, and those companies would not only be blacklisted, but the Philippines would be reimposed with full sanctions once again.
--- "I became estranged from my family when I decided to enroll in the Philippine Military Academy, mainly because of my newly discovered patriotic fervor. Although I was too young to get involved in the resistance to the former Marcos dictatorship, I was old enough to join the military. By then, the rest of my family had thrown their lot with former President Aquino, while I made the unpopular decision of siding with Brigadier General Tadiar. I was impressed by the display of the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne)'s performance that I asked BGen. Tadiar how I can learn to become a paratrooper, and he recommended for me to attend certain courses in how to jump from a parachute, as well as learning the skills needed to become a special forces officer. Eventually, in the beginning of 2006, after the travel ban was lifted, I was sent by the Tadiar government to Russia, where I learned advanced paratrooper skills from the famous Russian Paratrooper Regiment, or the VDV, and after spending three years studying in the Russian military academy, I was sent to America, where I also learned certain skills that can only be learned by the US Marine Corps. General Paul Van Riper himself took an interest in me, and had started to coach me on the essentials of leadership. Many foreign military officers had even started to compare me to General Van Riper, and even Leonid Khabarov, whom I had the honor to meet while I was at the Kutuzov Military Academy, and Alexander Lebed. I personally knew Nicanor Faeldon, mainly because he and I were also given political education by both Tadiar and the Spanish Falange de JONS. While my political and military value went up, my family disowned me for sticking by Tadiar, but I wanted to ask my family, where were they, when I made the decision to go to the PMA? Where were they, when the Filipino Civil War erupted? Most important of all, what were they doing, while I helped defend my country against Red China's military aggression against us? Suddenly, I understood why Tadiar made those anti-political dynasty propaganda films. He taught us the dangers of nepotism, but the only thing we have exchanged for nepotism is a country that is becoming a haven for deposed foreign military leaders. I have met Chilean officers who worked in the Pinochet regime, as well as exiled Burmese officers who lost to a pro-Chinese movement in their civil war, and now, former South African military officers who fled to the Philippines because they refused to serve in the post-apartheid South African government. Have we created a new political dynasty, consisting of military officers instead of political families?" Captain Gary Estregan, officer in the newly formed Special Strategic Forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, addressing the paradox of political dynasties.--- FORMER GREEK COMMANDO WHO HELPED DEFEND CYPRUS FROM TURKISH INVASION VISITS SYRIA, MEETS MEMBERS OF ASSAD GOVERNMENT
Athens News
October 31, 1997(Damascus, SYRIA) - A former Greek soldier who was known for his contribution to the defense of Cyprus, Manolis Bikakis, has been spotted in the Syrian capital of Damascus, where he paid a visit to members of the Hafez al-Assad government. Bikakis's main motive for such a controversial visit was to seek an audience with both al-Assad and the leadership of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party. However, many political experts are perplexed at such a sudden move, at a time when Greece itself is starting to recover from the junta period. Moreover, various far-right movements within Greece are starting to compete with their ideological opponents for influence in Greek society, and the presence of the mainly Catholic Filipino refugee population has electrified the more fundamentalist Orthodox segments of the Greek nationalist movement. The presence of Bikakis has however, created a confusion.
"Is Mr. Bikakis trying to divide our movement or what? His presence, though beneficial for his future political career, will only distract us from our main objective," comments Golden Dawn party General Secretary Nikolaos Michaloliakos when asked about Manolis Bikakis's visit to Syria. "We cannot afford a division within our movement, because the communists and the liberals will then unite against us, and we would be finished."
Although journalists on behalf of Athens News were unable to schedule an interview with Mr. Bikakis, there were some friends of his who also participated in the defense of Cyprus, but like him, the other veterans were not honored for their sacrifice, for political reasons. However, the growing recession in the Greek economy, along with the current administration's acceptance of Filipino political refugees, has created a powder keg that ultranationalists are eager to set alight. Still, the current (albeit minor) Filipino refugee issue facing most of the Western nations have been a sore point within various right-wing organizations, who feared that the refugees would not stop coming to Europe. At the same time, left-wing organizations have also viewed the Filipino refugees with a degree of suspicion, mainly because some of the refugees had been veterans of the Filipino Civil War who fought for the former Marcos dictatorship, and would be more hostile to their movement. Still, the ECA is negotiating with the head of the Filipino Refugee Association, Napoleon Rama.
"At the present time, we are negotiating for a safe passage, either into the United States, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. While we prefer to move into the Anglophone countries, we are also open to the idea of settling in other Catholic countries, or in Asia," comments Rama, after he gave a speech on the issues facing the Filipino refugees in Europe in front of the refugees themselves in the Greek town of Thessaloniki. "We have to rule out Latin America, because we do not know if the governments there are sympathetic to Tadiar or not. We heard of disturbing reports coming from Mexico of the Chaparro dictatorship's plan to deport the former refugees who were on the side of the Aquino government during the Filipino Civil War, back to the Philippines, where the Tadiar regime is most likely going to send them to labor camps."
 Golden Dawn leader Nikolaos Michaloliakos addresses his supporters during a Party meeting in Athens, on the issue of Manolis Bikakis's visit to Syria, where he met with the Assad government and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party.--- TADIAR REGIME PASSES DOMESTIC ANIMAL WELFARE ACT, PROMISES BRUTAL RESPONSE TO ANIMAL ABUSERS
Manila Times
November 9, 1997 Brigadier General Tadiar has a smoke break while overseeing the construction of the first animal shelter in the province of Bataan.(Manila) - In an unprecedented, unusual act of rare compassion, the Council for National Sovereignty under Artemio Tadiar's leadership, had passed the Domestic Animal Welfare Act, which governs the welfare of not only domestic animals kept as pets, but animals used by farmers for security, and stray animals without any owners at all. The act comes at a time when a large population of stray cats and dogs are wandering around the streets of Metro Manila, and other towns and cities within the Philippines. The passing of the Act was praised by animal rights activists who have sided with the Tadiar regime on the need for taking charge of the welfare of the stray animals. At the same time, Tadiar himself promised harsh punishments for any pet owner who abuses their animals.
"There is no tolerance for those who abuse their pets, either because of personal issues, or for cruelty's sakes. This also includes the imposition of a ban on cockfighting, as to not only stop the cruel torture of our roosters, which are needed to help repopulate our supply of chickens, but to save the lives of rooster owners, who might contract any disease from contact with any infected animal," Tadiar announces in front of the press. "This Act also extends to governing the types of food that domestic pets are allowed to eat."
The Domestic Animal Welfare Act also bans the practice of feeding dogs human leftovers, seeing it as a form of cruelty, due to the possibility of the dogs swallowing a bone that could choke them. However, while there is also a shortage of animal food for the domestic animals, the Tadiar regime has embarked on a joint research and development with several Japanese animal researchers on the recommendations for which foods should they eat, while staying under budget. Moreover, the Japanese humanitarian workers present in the Philippines are facing intense pressure, with reports of depression and burnouts being common. As a result, Tadiar himself approved of the use of stray cats as temporary companions for the humanitarian workers, until they are fit to return to work, or until he decides on the fate of the stray cats. Although there is no treaty on overseas adoption of pets, there would be a potential opposition from within both the Filipino and Japanese public on such a thing.
--- Excerpts from the Chinese Propaganda Film, "The Japanese-European Roots of Modern SE Asian Sinophobia"
China Central Television
Released on December 9, 1997"Before the advent of European colonialism, the entire Asian continent was in harmony with the Middle Kingdom. Vassals of various Chinese dynasties would often pay tribute to the Emperor in Luoyang, from the Han Dynasty, through the various other dynasties, until the middle of the Ming Dynasty when Spanish and Portuguese explorers and conquistadors have dreamt of conquering our great nation, with the intention of spreading their Roman Catholic faith. While a reactionary empire, the Great Ming had managed to keep the Europeans at bay, even defeating the Portuguese in a war over the Malacca Sultanate. However, the Ming had failed to secure the Kingdom of Ma-i, and the lands of Lu-sung from the warring statelets that make up the modern Philippines. So, while China has a historical relationship with the statelets situated in the modern Philippines, the Spanish colonists have successfully deprived the Great Ming of such strategic islands. Moreover, the various revolts launched by the subjects of the Great Ming have been suppressed by the evil Spanish imperialists, who used their indigenous collaborators for their dirty work. It has reached the point where the Spaniards even used Japanese Wokou pirates to carry out the massacres. Not only that, but later imperialists like the Dutch have enacted anti-Chinese measures that justified the massacres against them. However, despite the racist Europeans' anti-Chinese policy in the Asian colonies under their control, more of our countrymen have been forced to immigrate to SE Asia, and even into the more, white-dominated settler colonies of Canada, Australia, and the United States. The immigration wave happened because of the economic malaise of the late Qing Dynasty, and as the reactionaries continued to hold on to power, demands for political reform grew. As SE Asia's Huaqiao population grew, they eventually became an asset, a source of foreign investment and overseas knowledge. However, minor imperial powers like Portugal had tricked the Ming into giving up the port of Macau to their control, while the First and Second Opium Wars instigated by British greed for Chinese tea, had resulted in the British imperialists' acquisition of Hong Kong. While Portugal was kind enough to allow the handover of Macau to us, the British had sabotaged the peaceful handover of Hong Kong to China, to the point where many Hong Kong residents would prefer to join the Huaqiao in Singapore, or the Kuomintang counter-revolutionaries in the renegade province of Taiwan.
However, it was the Japanese occupation period that truly cultivated the modern SE Asian Sinophobia. The Japanese military played a role in forming the modern SE Asian armies of Burma, Malaya, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. In addition, several former Imperial Japanese Army soldiers played a role in the Indonesian and Indochinese Wars of Independence from their colonial masters, the only good thing that the eastern dogs ever did, though they did not atone for the sins committed against the Chinese people. Indonesia's anti-Chinese sentiment has been shaped by Dutch colonialism and Japanese militarism, while Filipino anti-Chinese sentiment has been shaped by not only Spanish colonialism, but American colonialism as well, for their infamous Chinese Exclusion Act had also been extended to the Philippines when they ruled it. Anti-Chinese genocides committed in SE Asia have been tied to the ultranationalist factions of independence movements, like the Mergosono Massacre committed by Indonesian revolutionaries. Even the so-called fraternal state of Singapore had harbored anti-Chinese sentiment, although it was more of a intra-class antipathy, as the Singaporean Chinese have looked down on their Mainland compatriots by comparing them to peasants, forgetting that these very same Singaporean Chinese have been peasants themselves when they fled from China. Out of all the SE Asian nations that harbored the biggest amount of Sinophobia, only three nations stand out: Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Two of them acquired their Sinophobia through Japanese militarism (Vietnam and Indonesia), while European colonialism played a part in destroying the old Sinocentric tributary system (Indonesia and Philippines) and historic resentment towards China on part of their predecessors (Vietnam and Philippines). As the bearer of the socialist revolution and the only powerful socialist state left, China must heal the wounds created by Sinophobia by approaching SE Asia with love and care, and to increase their efforts in combating Western colonial mentality, through de-programming and re-education. The Philippines is the lynchpin of modern SE Asian Sinophobia, encouraged and enflamed by both Japan and the West."
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gillan1220
Fleet admiral
I've been depressed recently. Slow replies coming in the next few days.
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Post by gillan1220 on Apr 24, 2021 9:12:24 GMT
Surprisingly, Tadiar ran the Bataan Technology Park IOTL. Here, instead of the Tech Park, he builds a series of animal shelters. Plus those dogs would be useful for military police and labor camp guards, tragically speaking. Plus the whole animal shelter thing is a huge change from OTL, where stray cats and dogs are common on the streets of Metro Manila. The last time I was in the Philippines, I saw from a car, the carcass of a dog that was run over, and no one cared. Plus my own relatives once fed the farm dogs human leftover meals, so ITTL, animal welfare would be huge. Another deconstruction of Filipino habits for the taking. Due to the sanctions and the aftermath of the Chinese bombing, I would not be surprised if Filipinos started eating rats, cats, and dogs just like in World War II. That is what gave the urban legend or myth that siomai/siopao is made out of stray cats. Also, what becomes of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant? |
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