By Alex P. Vidal “The fear of death is the most unjustified of all fears, for there’s no risk of accident for someone who’s dead.” — Albert Einstein JUDGING from the way colleagues in public service, constituents in Duenas, Iloilo and prominent Iloilo leaders described her as a public servant and friend, we can conclude
January 6, 2026
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” –Charles M. Schulz I HAVE stopped eating chocolates three years ago, the year my doctor in Queens warned me I could end up among over 25 million people in the United States who have type 2 diabetes.
December 31, 2025
“Ask not what your OFW relative can do for you; ask what you can do for yourself.” —Anonymous THIRTY-six-year-old Cindy (not her real name) decided to deactivate her social media accounts (both Meta and Instagram) hours after receiving a cryptic private message from “Sampaguita” on December 18 while working the night
December 30, 2025
By Alex P. Vidal “A promise made is a debt unpaid.” – Robert W. Service WE are not Einsteins, Mozarts or Newtons but we are good at remembering historical events, especially promises—including broken promises—made by famous characters in government. We have been constantly reminded not to make promises if can’t keep them. It’s always risky
December 29, 2025
“Silent night! Holy night! Guiding star, lend thy light!” – J. Moier MANY Christian believers still believe there is a miracle if we pray hard for gifts and for Santa Claus and his reindeer to knock on our doors this Yuletide season. Prayer, after all, is actually very simple. It is
December 27, 2025
“Failures, repeated failures, are finger posts on the road to achievement. One fails forward toward success.” —C. S. Lewis WE reiterate that a sixth-place finish in a field of 10 countries is a dismal failure, not an accomplishment. We beg to disagree with our sports officials, especially Philippine Olympic Committee (POC)
December 24, 2025
“I’m not a saint.” – General Angelo Reyes IT is rare for a high-ranking Filipino public official to commit suicide after being caught in a web of corruption scandal. Except for Angelo Reyes and Maria Catalina Cabral, no other known public official of national stature in the Philippines has chosen the
December 23, 2025
“But I have my life, I’m living it. It’s twisted, exhausting, uncertain, and full of guilt, but nonetheless, there’s something there.” – Banana Yoshimoto, The Lake WITHOUT a second thought, let me be among those who will dismiss any conspiracy theory surrounding the mysterious death on December 18, 2025 of 63-year-old
December 22, 2025
“Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.” – Rumi CAN we win the war if we lose the battle? Or is winning the battle more important or okay than winning the war vice versa? Although war, a prolonged, large-scale conflict between nations or groups, encompassing many smaller battles,
December 20, 2025
“No matter how corrupt, greedy, and heartless our government, our corporations, our media, and our religious & charitable institutions may become, the music will still be wonderful.”― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country ONLY the small frogs—at least two of them as of this writing—have returned the loot they funneled
December 19, 2025
“People always want welfare, development, and good governance. As long as you are delivering, people are with you.”—N. Chandrababu Naidu WE are proud to brag that aside from one of the top 10 wealthiest cities in the Philippines, Iloilo City, with assets amounting to P39.5 billion based on the 2024 Annual
December 18, 2025
“The score never interested me, only the game.” – Mae West “HAVE some shame” or “be ashamed of yourself” is the English translation of “mahiya naman kayo.” The line became famous when President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. directed it at corrupt Philippine officials involved in substandard and “ghost” flood control projects
December 17, 2025