Mixed Blessing

The book, published in 2002 by Greenwood Press, has been extensively modified for this second edition, published under the auspices of the most prestigious university in the Philippines. Several of the essays in the first edition have been replaced with new essays more directly relevant to the main theme of the complex Philippines-US interaction—characterized during the twentieth century by a mix of acute resentment and affectionate imitation. A new introduction also summarizes developments during the past decade, noting that ambivalence vis-à-vis the US has been somewhat attenuated, in part by the redress of a historical wrong when President Obama created in 2009 the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund. Domestically, however, while some economic reforms have been implemented and poverty has been reduced somewhat (albeit far less than expected), the challenge of improving governance and reducing corruption in the Philippines remains largely unmet.

This updated and completely revised edition covers recent events since the election of President Corazon Aquino, and presents new information on the continuing legacy of corruption at the highest levels of politics.