"Presidents and Pests, Cosmopolitans and Communists bears the hallmarks of Abinales's lifelong critique of Philippine history 'defined by the metropolis' and reflection on the necessity and productivity of seeing, thinking, and acting from the margins." -- Caroline S. Hau, Professor, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University

"Abinales is at the height of his sagacity, but his irreverence and humor undiminished. Enjoy the barbs in this book, but let it also reframe the way you remain think of our country's past and future." -Lisandro E. Claudio, Associate Professor, Department of South and Southeast Asian Studies, University of California, Berkeley

This book brings together a set of essays that place marginal events, pests, politicians, and the cOuntry's backwater at the center of national politics. It does so through methodologies learned from idiosyncratic mentors who valued the analytical power of negative comparisons, jocose asides, and wry academic humor.

About the Author

Patricio N. Abinales grew up in Ozamiz City, northern Mindanao. He is professor of the Department of Asian Studies, University of Hawai'i-Manoa.