I am posting to advise that I have included reference to your website in my book that has been published 'The Unlucky Country. The Republic of the Philippines in the 21st Century.'
The reference relates to discussion on your excellent website on the use of the English language, specifically regarding the use of the 'the Philippines' as a singular or plural entity. As you rightly say it should be used in the singular and your reference to US Secretary of State Clinton using the Philippines as a plural entity I found fascinating. It is included in the Introduction and reference to your website as the source is given in the notes/bibliography section at the end of the book.
My book, by the way, discusses the issue of languages in the Philippines and also provides an in-depth analysis of the culture, the economy, the crime and the politics here. If you are interested it is published by Lulu press and is available online at
www.lulu.com Just search under the title The Unlucky Country. Should you wish to provide any reference to it on your site or in your writings I would be most happy and grateful. It is about the Philippines as a nation and its future, a subject which I am passionate about.
I have also published a novel 'Pedro Mendoza's Violin' which is about a young boy who is born into poverty in the Philippines and while scavanging on a garbage tip finds a violin which leads to very interesting things happening. It's a nice little book which also analyses the culture of the Philippines but by a different method, i.e. by the use of fiction. It is also available on
www.lulu.com Before closing I must say that your English language skills are superb and put many of us native English speakers to shame!
With very best wishes and regards from Duncan Alexander McKenzie R.N.
