{"title":"JC Punongbayan","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJC Punongbayan\u003c\/strong\u003e offers insightful explorations at the intersection of natural phenomena and human experience, particularly through the lens of arts and culture. Readers can expect thoughtful narratives that illuminate the impact of environmental challenges on society and creativity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith works such as \u003cem\u003eTwin Plagues\u003c\/em\u003e, Punongbayan delves into compelling stories that blend scientific observation with cultural reflection, inviting readers to consider the delicate balance between nature and human resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"twin-plagues-by-jc-punongbayan-9789815362145","title":"Twin Plagues","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA gripping account of how authoritarian leadership and a global pandemic devastated one nation's economy—told by an economist who lived through the crisis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat happens when a deadly virus meets a deadly strongman?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTwin Plagues\u003c\/em\u003e tells the story of the Philippines under Rodrigo Duterte and Covid-19—two forces that ravaged the country in tandem. Economist and columnist JC Punongbayan likens Duterte himself to a virus that hijacked the state and eroded its democracy's immune system. His rule hollowed out institutions, deepened inequality, and killed thousands even before the pandemic hit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSo when Covid-19 arrived, the impact was predictably catastrophic. The Philippines endured one of the world's longest lockdowns, its worst recession since the 1980s, and ASEAN's sharpest pandemic slump—pushing the economy on a permanently lower path.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBlending data with personal insight, \u003cem\u003eTwin Plagues\u003c\/em\u003e exposes the real and lasting costs of Duterte's misgovernance from 2016 to 2022, while dismantling the myths and misconceptions that sanitize his legacy and paint him as the 'best president ever'. Above all, the book offers a stern warning: Despots don't just kill—they derail nations, set them back decades, and condemn future generations to live with the wreckage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47781839995116,"sku":"9789815362145","price":30.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9789815362145-twin-plagues.jpg?v=1782291581"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/jc-punongbayan.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}