Consuming pagpag leads to stunted growth in children and increases risks of hepatitis A, cholera and typhoid — but eating it is a fact of life in Philippine slums.
Jessarie Dumaguing has set her sights on winning a crown at Binibining Pilipinas, the country’s biggest beauty pageant, which would propel her onto the international stage.
A shallow, exploitative spectacle in an image-obsessed society? Or a valuable opportunity for young women to get ahead? The beauty pageant has deep roots in the Philippines, combining regional pride with glitzy spectacle.
Analysing the recent Thai election result, assessing the players and politics driving the Indonesian election, and a look at the Southeast Asian factors behind the recent measles outbreak
We discuss what comes next after the failure of the Trump-Kim summit in Hanoi, look at Vietnam’s economic windfall from the US-China trade war, and analyse the huge South Korean tourism trade and its push to become the Silicon Valley of South East Asia
Analysis of the upcoming Thai elections after a week of tumultuous headlines; revelations of another side of the notorious district of Pattaya as Russian migrants move in.
The arrest of two ‘sex trainers’ – one of them claiming to have inside info on Trump’s election – has shone an unwanted spotlight on the Thai city’s Russian community. What are they really like?
Once known for decadence, the Thai city of Pattaya attracts a new generation of Chinese tourist: Free, Independent Travellers, unlikely to head to a factory to buy souvenirs they don’t need.
Be careful complaining about mosque loudspeakers in Indonesia – or dodging national service in Singapore. Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan might be able to tell you why.
A French tourist is found dead in India after an altercation over sex with male student; South Korea struggles with rising rate of spycam porn offences
Facebook goes down like lead balloon in Indonesia after Lombok earthquake; Ikea in uncharted waters in India.
Meanwhile, the heat is on for tea-sipping police in India and a Palme d’Or winning film director
Meanwhile, Thai soccer boys get star treatment; Japan’s Princess Kako not so much
Australia in basket-brawl with Philippines; Indian family dead in apparent mass suicide; Japanese women’s university to allow transgender students.
Australian winemakers fear sour grapes from China, Duterte puckers up with a (married) overseas worker.
Japanese politicians under fire for parental advice; home-sharing takes on a spiritual new level; Papua New Guinea shuts Facebook
A ‘secret’ shot at Starbucks in South Korea and a long shot for Japanese nationalists wanting the US to acknowledge nuclear ‘war crimes’
Kim Jong-un’s insight into Trump comes from ‘The Art of the Deal’ says former basketball star Dennis Rodman.
Bangkok cafe offers coffee to go – to the ‘other side’; South Korean farmer kills neighbour’s dog, feeds it to him; boycotters insist university stop making ‘killer robots’.
Meanwhile, AirAsia staff are being told to kiss passengers’ bags ...
Olympic stress-test for Japan’s finest condoms, North Korea diplomatic test for K-pop girls.
But for red pandas taken to Laos from China, things are less black and white
Malaysia sticks with ‘appalling’ tourism logo; Japan raids cryptocurrency exchange.