Ajay Junaid

Aerial view of a Southeast Asian city showing high-rise luxury condominiums beside densely packed low-income housing

Rent Crisis in Southeast Asia: Why Locals Are Getting Priced Out

From Manila’s rising condo prices to Bangkok’s vanishing affordable housing, Southeast Asia’s renters are being squeezed out of their own cities. Foreign demand, stagnant wages, and weak protections are fuelling a rent crisis—leaving locals struggling to stay in the places they call home.

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Dense smoke from illegal forest fires in Indonesia drifting over palm oil plantations and nearby villages

Fire Nation: How Illegal Burning in Indonesia Affects All of Southeast Asia

Each year, illegal burning in Indonesia ignites a transboundary haze crisis that affects millions across Southeast Asia. Driven by palm oil profits, weak enforcement, and political complicity, these fires threaten regional health, the environment, and diplomacy. This article explores the causes, consequences, and urgent need for regional accountability.

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Street-level view of upscale restaurants in Makati, Philippines, with warm lighting and evening diners

🍽️ Where to Eat Now: 6 Must-Try Spots for Food-Loving Filipinos This Season

Discover six must-try restaurants across the Philippines—from cozy cafés in Cebu to fine dining in Tagaytay. Whether you’re dining out with friends or exploring hidden gems, find out how the UnionBank Rewards Card can turn every meal into points. Eat well, earn more, and dine smarter this season.

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Flags of the United States, Japan, and India rise over a Southeast Asian cityscape, symbolizing strategic influence and geopolitical competition in the region.

Beyond China: How the U.S., Japan, and India Compete for Southeast Asia

While China dominates headlines, Southeast Asia is a hotbed for influence from other global powers. From American military deals to Japan’s infrastructure diplomacy and India’s cultural ties, ASEAN is at the heart of a strategic tug-of-war. This article explores how the U.S., Japan, and India are shaping the region’s future.

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Southeast Asian soldiers standing guard near a government building symbolizing civil-military tension

The Coup-Proof Nations: Why Some Southeast Asian States Fear Their Own Armies

In Southeast Asia, the greatest threat to power often comes from within. From Myanmar’s military regime to Thailand’s cycle of coups, this article explores how governments across the region have “coup-proofed” themselves through fear, loyalty tactics, and political compromise—often at the cost of democracy.

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Cebu Pacific Airbus A320 flying at sunset with Mount Fuji in the background

✈️ Top Cebu Pacific Destinations You Can Book With UB Miles — And How to Get 30,000 Fast

Discover how Filipinos are unlocking free flights to destinations like Bali, Tokyo, and Seoul just by using their credit card. Learn how 30,000 bonus miles from UnionBank’s Miles+ Card can turn your everyday spending into unforgettable getaways with Cebu Pacific.

✈️ Top Cebu Pacific Destinations You Can Book With UB Miles — And How to Get 30,000 Fast Read More »

A young Rohingya refugee walks through a crowded camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, under a cloudy sky.

The Rohingya Crisis Isn’t Over—It’s Just Forgotten

The Rohingya crisis has faded from headlines, but the suffering continues. Stateless, silenced, and stuck in limbo, over a million Rohingya remain displaced across Southeast Asia. As the world looks away, systemic injustice persists. This article uncovers the human cost of forgotten genocide and failed international accountability.

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Traditional Southeast Asian temples partially submerged in floodwaters, with a modern city skyline looming under dark storm clouds in the background.

Faith and Fear: How Religious Extremism is Quietly Rising Across Southeast Asia

Religious extremism is quietly rising in Southeast Asia—from hardline ideologies in Malaysia and Indonesia to violent insurgencies in Mindanao. This article explores the factors fueling radicalization and the quiet battle between faith and freedom across one of the world’s most religiously diverse regions.

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Illustration of a young Southeast Asian protester holding a phone displaying the TikTok logo, under surveillance by a security camera, with an urban backdrop.

The TikTok Generation vs. The State: How Southeast Asia’s Gen Z Is Resisting Regimes—One Post at a Time

Southeast Asia’s Gen Z is rising—not on the streets, but through screens. From TikTok protests in Thailand to digital resistance in Myanmar, young activists are using social media to challenge authoritarianism, demand reform, and shape political discourse. This is the story of how viral videos became powerful acts of defiance.

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