(This article was written a few days after the ‘death-defying’ experience of the author and his mentor during the Typhoon Frank tragedy in Iloilo in June 2008) As I entered the house, I realized the gravity of the damage only then. Everything floated—TVs, refs, computers, tables, cabinets, vases, books, and whatnot. The
June 21, 2024
(This article was written a few days after the ‘death-defying’ experience of the author and his mentor during the Typhoon Frank tragedy in Iloilo in 2008) It was an experience of life, death, and loads of Toblerone. That weekend, I thought it was just the typical brownout-causing Typhoon. With the backdrop of
June 20, 2024
This is a step backward. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian’s Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act, while aiming to reduce distractions and improve academic performance, may inadvertently undermine the potential of using valuable technological tools in education. Instead of a ban addressing cell phones’ disruptive potential, why not embrace technology with appropriate regulations? This approach
June 19, 2024
As we gathered quietly to mourn and remember Tita Pilar Parreno last Sunday night, I found myself jotting down notes on my phone, deeply reflecting on the intricate weave of our existence. The somber atmosphere of Tita Pilar’s wake in a funeral home in Tanza, Iloilo City, brought about 50 of
June 17, 2024
Father’s Day is upon us again, a time to reflect on the dads who shaped us, taught us, and sometimes baffled us. For me, it is a moment to remember my father, the late Rosalio Fuentes Lagon—a short story Sumakwelan poet, multiple-term barangay captain, labor union leader, and accounting executive at the defunct
June 15, 2024
“Inside Out 2” is one of the best sequels of all ages. It is so because of its profound journey through the human psyche that promises—and delivers—a return on investment far exceeding the price of admission. Having watched this spectacular animation in its inaugural screening with my daughters Parvane and Psyche
June 14, 2024
This June 12, we celebrate our 126th year of independence. But what precisely are we commemorating? Can we honestly claim to be free when poverty, corruption, injustice, and a host of other problems remain pervasive? Despite its complexity, my answer is a qualified yes. The Philippine Independence Day is nevertheless a
June 12, 2024
Amidst the tumultuous passage from this life to the next, the subject of euthanasia arises as a moving discourse, intertwining intricate webs of moral, intellectual, and individual stories. Thinking about a peaceful death through euthanasia questions our core beliefs and forces us to face the limits of human rights and dignity
June 10, 2024
At the recent graduation at West Visayas State University (WVSU), Dr. Nordy D. Siason, Jr. shared a message that reached beyond the usual graduation excitement. He stressed that the duties of scholars go beyond personal achievements to include giving back to society. His talk focused on the ideas of “alkansiya” and
June 8, 2024
Epigrams are living testimony to the impact of brevity, humor, and insight on language and expression. In only a few carefully selected words, these brief assertions capture intricate thoughts or observations; they are frequently hilarious or contradictory. From the classics to the social webs, epigrams have penetrated the every day to
June 5, 2024
Primos and Agatha, two spirits entangled in the complex dance of a paradoxical courtship, lived before us in a constant state of “static journey,” inching closer to one another without ever actually touching. Their love story was full of paradoxes, and like a “known mystery,” it was visible to everyone, yet
June 3, 2024
The recent screening of the award-winning documentary “11,103” in our school, the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST), deeply impacted its Gen Z and Alpha audience. Held recently as part of the two-day “Hilway: Human Rights, Peace Education, and 11,103 Film Screening” event, this powerful documentary delved into
June 1, 2024