Why Southeast Asia is Drifting Away from Washington

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The geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia is undergoing a tectonic shift. For decades, the United States was viewed as the indispensable powerthe security guarantor that allowed the region’s tiger economies to flourish. However, recent events, culminating in the devastating economic fallout of the Iran war, have accelerated a trend that many in Washington failed to see coming: Southeast Asia is increasingly looking toward Beijing, not out of ideological love, but out of pragmatic necessity. This shift is not merely a preference for one superpower over another; it is a profound vote of no confidence in the predictability and reliability of Western leadership. The Credibility Gap: From Trade Wars to Kinetic Wars The erosion of trust didn't happen overnight. It began with a series of inconsistent trade policies and sudden tariffs that left regional exportersfrom Malaysia to Vietnamreeling. When global leadership feels like a moving target, Southeast Asian nations, which prioritize...
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“Call Me Mother” Emerges as MMFF 2025’s Undisputed Box-Office Champion

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The Metro Manila Film Festival 2025 has officially crowned its top-performing film, with Call Me Mother claiming the title as the season’s highest-grossing movie. Released amid strong competition from star-driven and genre-specific entries, the film quickly captured audience attention across Metro Manila cinemas.

Driven by an emotional narrative and compelling performances, Call Me Mother resonated with both critics and regular moviegoers. Within days of its release, ticket sales surged, prompting industry analysts to confirm that the film had set new MMFF box-office records. Its success highlights the continued strength of character-driven storytelling in Philippine cinema.

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