What the #@!, Tiger?

As the clock ticks toward the 2016 national elections in the Philippines, controversies hound the Aquino administration even as the economy is roaring its way to Asian tigerhood. Marites D. Vitug offers an incisive analysis on this irony in "Aquino Conundrum at the Heart of Messy Politics," which we picked up from Nikkei Asian Review.

We also feature this week two artist friends who are unrelenting in their pursuit of their artistic passions:

First, Sonny Alforque who, for 25 years now, has produced and directed a community theater in every sense of the word in Sacramento, California. The Sinag-tala theatrical revue which happens every first weekend of December is always worth driving two hours for just to enjoy the energy, the enthusiasm and the varied talents of Filipino American children and adults who have come under the tutelage of Sonny. Regular contributor Anthony Maddela profiles this theater dynamo in "Sonny Alforque Shines the Light on Sinag-tala."

Second, Filipina artist France Viana explores the various shades of Filipino skin color in an innovative installation ongoing at Mills College in Oakland, California. In "Fifty Shades of Kayumanggi," Manzel Delacruz explains the complex concept and the hard work that France put into this exhibit of her extraordinary talent.

Meanwhile, for entrepreneurs and companies wanting to do business in the Philippines, Marla D. Rausch, CEO of Animation Vertigo, draws on her extensive experience in taming the bureaucratic beast in our homeland. Be sure to read "10 Things You Should Know About Starting a Business in the Philippines" before you take the plunge. 

The Happy Home Cook recipe for the week features Ampalaya with Beef or Shrimp, from the kitchen of Jojo Sabalvaro-Tan. 

And for our Video of the Week, a couple weds under the best and the worst of circumstances. Be prepared to shed tears.