Why do Filipinos find amusement in the humiliation of others? In today’s world, where almost anything can be turned into a joke, a meme, or viral content, a painful and unpleasant truth emerges about us Filipinos: we often turn the shame, suffering, and misfortune of others into a source of
July 18, 2025
In the digital age where information flows ceaselessly and literacy is supposed to be more accessible than ever, one cannot help but question: what are public libraries for if they cannot even fulfill their most basic role, to cultivate the habit of reading, especially among children? This question becomes glaringly
July 17, 2025
Can we genuinely speak of an “Ilonggo Komiks” today, not as a nostalgic artifact from a bygone era, but as a living, breathing cultural phenomenon? This question is not posed merely out of idle curiosity. It is a question that strikes at the heart of cultural production in the regions, in a country
July 15, 2025
There’s a charming little corner in Barangay Fajardo, Jaro, Iloilo City, where Fajardo and Libertad Streets meet. It’s not flashy or loud. Blink and you might miss it. But perched on the second floor of a modest building is a cozy café that quietly demands your attention: ÑuwaveCoffee. I discovered this gem after surviving what
July 14, 2025
If Iloilo Business Park, more popularly recognized by its commercial name Megaworld, had been guided by a sincere and sustained understanding of cultural responsibility, it might have chosen to reflect more critically on the honor extended to it by Executive Order No. 021. This executive issuance, which officially designates the private commercial district
July 11, 2025
The debate surrounding the three ballerina sculptures at Jaro Plaza has recently stirred public attention and revealed a deeper cultural dissonance in our collective consciousness. While the comment sections of platforms like Daily Guardian have become echo chambers of unexamined opinions and impulsive reactions, many of them dismissive, cynical, or
July 10, 2025
Two months ago, the University of the Philippines Visayas released a slim, yet powerful publication titled Food Safety Para sa Komunidad. It is a timely manual, deeply relevant to Iloilo City, a place designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. This designation was more than ceremonial; it was a
July 8, 2025
The expected removal of the three ballerina statues from Jaro Plaza has caused confusion and concern among the public. People are now asking: Where were they taken? Will they be brought back? Or are they gone for good? The last update I heard is that the base structure of the
July 7, 2025
In the heart of Jaro Plaza, an old civic square steeped in religious tradition and colonial memory, three ballerina sculptures now rise amidst the splendor of a newly installed light-and-sound fountain. Beneath the imposing gaze of Jaro Cathedral and its iconic belfry, these figures stand in permanent pirouette, draped in LED-lit grace, animated by choreographed jets
June 30, 2025
Do we still need more libraries in Iloilo? The answer is a resounding yes. But this seemingly simple question deserves a deeper and more thoughtful examination. It’s not just a matter of quantity, we don’t simply need more libraries. What we need are better libraries. We need spaces that respond meaningfully to the
June 26, 2025
A gym isn’t just a place to lift heavy stuff and flex in front of mirrors, okay, maybe a little. But really, it should be a community. It should be a safe, inclusive space for everyone, no matter your body type, gender, religion, or race. That’s what I’ve come to
June 24, 2025
