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Saturday, January 22, 2022

What is life like in Transnistria, the last Soviet stronghold in Europe?


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Transnistria is an unrecognised, separatist state on the territory of Moldova. Its independence is recognised only by Abkhazia, the Republic of Artsakh and South Ossetia, so regions that have limited recognition themselves.

In Transnistria, the majority of people speak Russian as opposed to Moldovan and the region has its own currency, the Transnistrian ruble. The republic also issues its own Transnistrian passports to its citizens but as Vlad, a man who was born and raised there, told me, people who live have dual citizenship of Transnistria and Moldova.

To reach Transnistria, it is necessary to go through a border crossing where foreigners are issued short-term visas. The validity of the visa depends on how much time one wants to spend there.

What makes Transnistria unique is the fact that, to this day, the republic is a Soviet stronghold and it seems like not much has changed there since the USSR fell. For example, hammer and sickle symbols can be observed everywhere, including on the republic’s official flag. Similarly, Lenin statues can be found at every corner.



Statue of Lenin in front of the building of the Transnistria Parliament


Statue of Lenin and the Transnistria Parliament in Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria


The emblem of the USSR at the main square in Tiraspol


Streets of Tiraspol, Transnistria’s biggest city



The outskirts of Tiraspol



Rural Transnistria



Soviet stars on a gate to someone’s property



An abandoned Soviet school


Broken windows in the abandoned school



Soviet military training posters



Flag of Transnistria with hammer and sickle symbol


Transnistria is like no other place in Europe and when walking around Tiraspol and smaller cities one is under the impression that they went back in time to Soviet times.

Living in this state stuck in frozen-conflict, not recognised by any UN member is not easy as there are few jobs available and university degrees received in Transnistria are not recognised anywhere else.

That is why most young people go to the capital of Moldova or to Russia to study and then build their lives elsewhere. In turn, Transnistria, already abandoned by the international community, is also being left behind by its own people.



About the author:

Katarzyna Rybarczyk is a Political Correspondent for Immigration Advice Service, an immigration law firm operating globally and providing legal aid to forcibly displaced persons. Through her articles, she aims to raise awareness about security threats worldwide and the challenges facing communities living in low and middle-income countries.

Bongbong Marcos favors ABS-CBN's Boy Abunda over GMA's Jessica Soho?


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Boy Abunda makes his TV comeback and goes face-to-face with five of the country's presidential aspirants to pick their minds in "The 2022 Presidential One-On-One Interviews with Boy Abunda," from January 24 to 28 on The Boy Abunda Talk Channel and Kapamilya Channel. 

After making waves because of BBM's refusal to join the interview by GMA's Jessica Soho, he now agrees to be interviewed by Boy Abunda from ABS-CBN!

Duterte Playbook is at PLAY!


Bongbong Marcos is preferring softball interviewers like Toni Gonzaga and Boy Abunda over experienced journalists like Jessica Soho. 

At this rate, maybe Lolit Solis and Cristy Fermin should invite him next. Pagkatapos kay Vice Ganda naman. Lol!

I can't help thinking about how the anti-ABS-CBN would take this? Their candidate decided to partake in a meeting with an organization that they hate in view of being "biased". 

Jessica Soho must be so offended that BBM declined her interview on the grounds of being biased while he granted one with Boy Abunda.

GMA is taking the hit for this, ratings-wise. I wonder what they’ll do now WITHOUT the presidential frontrunner participating in their programs?

I have nothing against Boy Abunda but he is a Talk Show host especially for celebrities. 

Jessica Soho already put her name in the world of journalism. Journalism is distribution of reports of facts

Filipinos should know what should they really look into for factual details.

Jessica Soho is a Peabody award-winning Journalist and the country’s Most Awarded News Presenter. Marcos Jr, the questions are tough because the job of the presidency is tough. This is not Toni Talks or Tonight with Boy Abunda interviews.

But definitely,  if I am a politician who is afraid of tough questions that will digged controversies, I will just go with the talk show host rather than a journalist who made me stutter.

However, Boy Abunda used to have a late Saturday night tv program where he used to interview different personalities including politicians on a wide range of issues. He's not just a showbiz talk show host after all.

Boy Abunda will also make a good job interviewing the presidentiables. He does his research, he is critical and he is bold even in digging unchartered truths. There I said it. Not comparing, but he has his own laurels. 

And there is nothing wrong if the journalist will ask questions about politicians controversies because it is also a way for you to explain your side based on your own facts. 

If BBM has issues then he should not be afraid to answer it to clear his name.

Though Jessica Soho is one of the country's most awarded journalist oozing with much credibility. It could have been an avenue for him to elaborate and clear his platforms and issues hounding his campaign. The weird thing is that Narcos Jr instead accepted to be interviewed by Boy Abunda.


Boy Abunda: BBM, my question to you is: when is it okay not to be okay and when is it not okay to be not okay?

Not dismissing Abunda's interviewing skills but Soho is far more superior than him. Plus the Abunda Interview will be shown on Boy's Youtube Channel and Kapamilya Channel which have limited audience. 

They agreed on being interviewed by Boy Abunda for ABS-CBN because obviously they have limited reach since they shutdown the network. It minimizes any fact checking that the public can consume since GMA has now the largest coverage especially those who doesn’t have internet.

Some may say, "Aattend naman siya sa interview ni Boy Abunda".

Even if we disregard the fact that Boy Abunda will likely be less aggressive, we need to acknowledge that his interview will only be shown online and on the Pay TV Kapamilya Channel (According to the YouTube description).

Remember how ABS-CBN's free-to-air license was not renewed?

Hindi lahat ng Pilipino may pang internet, let alone pangbayad para sa Kapamilya Channel (Again, hindi ito free-to-air). Paano sila?

But if Boy Abunda does not bring up the issue on ABS-CBN's franchise in this case, we're not buying it.

Interesting times here. BBM favors ABS CBN's Boy Abunda over GMA's Jessica Soho for the interview.   

People are rushing judgments already based on what they can see on the surface.

Boy Abunda and Jessica Soho…both are good interviewers. but for national agenda/topic, mas ok si Jessica. Sana yung kay Boy Abunda eh straight to the point questioning and avoid rhetoricals and “fast talks” questions.

This will make or break Boy Abunda's image.


I hope the Presidential interview with Boy Abunda will be fair. Kung gisahan ang style, gisahin lahat ng nakasalang. Also, please include Ka Leody as one of the interviewee. I hope it will be aired LIVE and not a prerecorded one.

I just can’t get the idea of Boy Abunda asking Marcos “sex or chocolates”  



Is Toni Gonzaga better, or friendlier, than Jessica Soho?


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“Hypocrite - a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess.” That’s to Toni Gonzaga, and Lucy Torres, and their kind.

It's really quite ironic and disappointing for the two to give life tips and lessons, but actively promotes a fraudulent political candidate at the same time. 

They teach about goodness one second and enables liars the next.

Wala naman kasing Toni Gonzaga or Lucy Torres Gomez ang magbibigay ng bible verse if issues on ill-gotten wealth and tax evasion are brought up by Jessica Soho.

In a teaser, Jessica Soho said they invited the five of the highest ranking candidates based on the latest surveys for the "Presidential Interviews." But Bongbong Marcos declined to participate. Only four others, Leni Robredo, Isko Moreno, Manny Pacquiao and Ping Lacson joined.

Marcos' spokesperson Vic Rodriguez says they declined invite because they believe veteran and Peabody-award winning journalist Jessica Soho "is biased against the Marcoses...we believe her questions will just focus on negativity about BBM which the UniTeam dislike." 


Bongbong Marcos would talk to Toni Gonzaga, but not Jessica Soho. That says a lot. This is already red flag! I wonder if BBM would've attended if it was Toni Gonzaga who conducted the interview. 

Bongbong Marcos' interview with Toni Gonzaga has been a big misinformation tool for Marcos to use. If only BBM had the guts to sit and talk with credible journalist who knows to differentiate facts and lies and provide trustworthy news.

Gonzaga’s controversial interview with BBM drew backlash but at the same time it also became instrumental to the growth of Marcos’ YouTube channel.

However, the engagement could simply be just online. The same way that none of Toni Gonzaga’s 12M views translated to sales for her corny ass movie Exorsis. Narcotics swore they would watch the movie? Toni threw away whatever integrity she has left for nothing.

it's a matter of who people should trust regarding news, updates, concrete plans, now tell me who is more credible between those two? in times that misinformation is widespread, people should know who to trust, and obviously it's not Toni.



Kay Toni Gonzaga lang daw siya magpapa-interview. Mas legit naman si Jessica Soho, Hindi nga lang as attractive as Toni. But it's not a beauty pageant.

Before these unending caravans muddle your memory, remember that everything started with this seemingly casual Toni Gonzaga interview that triggered so many making Toni Gonzaga's interview with BBM viral. It was probably one of the first miscalculations of the opposition and their supporters. Had they ignored it, it wouldn't have gained much traction.  By highlighting it like they did, it is now the MOST popular video on Toni's channel by far, and made many aware of BBM's own YouTube channel.  

However, this Cancel Culture could power BBM to the Presidency. But I hate to become president just because of infamy, like what happened to Duterte.

They say that the Pinklawans greatest power is cancel culture. The irony is, it's the same cancel culture that engulfed the (then simply) smoldering desire of BBM supporters to a now burning desire.

On a more serious note, this interview with Jessica Soho could've also been BBM's chance to share his platform (assuming na meron). But like his followers, Marcos Jr. is afraid of debates because it will expose his lack of intelligence.

Remember 2016 when BBM was also the leader in VP survey at onset until he wasn't during campaign period.. and the rest as you say could say is political history.

Also, if a presidential candidate cannot face Jessica Soho and still tries to avoid TV debates — choosing to sit down with personalities who are “friendly” like Toni Gonzaga who do not really ask the right and important questions — then BBM is probably NOT ready to be the next commander-in-chief.


If BBM can attend an interview with Toni Gonzaga, why can't he join the interview with Jessica Soho? He is aspiring for the highest position and yet afraid to attend? Nagmamalaki pang hindi daw duwag sa family nila pero puros iwas naman. Yan ba ang gustong maging presidente? 

Toni Gonzaga and her sister, Alex Gonzaga, are Christians who live by the word of God, or so they say, but at the same time, supporters of the family who killed thousands and looted millions. 

Nakakatawa rin na tumiklop si Bongbong sa dalawang babae - una kay COMELEC Commissioner Rowena Guanzon and now kay Jessica Soho...This speaks too much of his false image.
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