By Herbert Vego WE used to look down on the typical Aeta (Ati) – a nomadic black ancestor from the mountain, homeless, begging for survival in the urban center. The good news is that there are Aetas today who are no longer that primitive. By the grace of the Iloilo City government, for example,
March 5, 2021
By Herbert Vego IS it possible to know whether God exists or not? To say it is not is to be an agnostic or one who thinks it is unknowable. He could not appreciate the wisdom behind the Bible verse that says, “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). Learned atheists, on
March 3, 2021
By Herbert Vego BARRING unforeseen circumstances, some 600,000 vials of China’s anti-Covid-19 Sinovac vaccines might have already arrived in Manila, complete with airport fanfare and welcome speech by President Rodrigo Duterte. While this was being written yesterday, however, not even the news that this initial batch is a donation would excite the intended recipients.
March 1, 2021
By Herbert Vego TO Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, riding a bicycle is not just an enjoyable hobby. It fulfills individual needs, including the need to stay healthy. Cycling burns calories, hence a great way for the obese to lose weight while building strong muscles. In the long run, it boosts the immune
February 26, 2021
By Herbert Vego AS a friend of Mayor Jerry P. Treñas since his pre-politics years, I hate to displease him. But on matters of conscience, it is everybody’s right to disagree without being disagreeable. And so when I heard the news that he would impose “no vaccination, no work” in Iloilo City, I cringed,
February 24, 2021
By Herbert Vego EXACTLY one week from now, we will be transitioning from the month of February to the month of March, which used to be the first month of the year. True or false? Like me, you must have wondered: Why do the months of September and October occupy the 9th and 10th positions in
February 22, 2021
By Herbert Vego Many times, Vice-President Leni Robredo has said, “In the end, the truth will prevail.” It reminds me of a more famous quotation, “In the end, China will win.” Will she allow that? Hey, what’s the connection? There is, but meanwhile… Robredo believes that truth has indeed prevailed with the decision of
February 19, 2021
By Herbert Vego IT has not yet spread like wildfire, but political kibitzers in Iloilo City have been whispering about the likelihood of Mayor Jerry Treñas and his predecessor, Jose “Joe III” Espinosa, reconciling in election 2022. If they had not fought tooth and nail against each other for the city mayorship in 2019, that rumor
February 17, 2021
By Herbert Vego WE did not hear them say “fish” instead of “peace”. But those were the words printed on the backdrop of an event at the base of Freedom Grandstand Saturday morning, where MORE Power President Roel Zabala Castro turned over to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas plastic bags containing 731 Lapu Lapu fingerlings.
February 15, 2021
By Herbert Vego “KUNG hei fat choy!” “Kiong hee huat tsai!” You will hear both Chinese New Year greetings today – the first in Cantonese (mainly spoken in Guandong, Hong Kong and Macau), the second in Fukien (from Fukien, China and its neighboring provinces). The Chinese Lunar Year begins at sunset on the day
February 12, 2021
By Herbert Vego IN a recent column, I echoed the unverified rumor that Congresswoman Loren Legarda wants to go back to the Senate without “abandoning” her Antique turf. Oh, oh, could somebody else legally run for congressman on her behalf? To say that her brother Antonio – if I heard his name right –
February 10, 2021
By Herbert Vego WITH due respect to contrary opinion, I believe panic over the Covid-19 pandemic has done more harm than the pandemic itself. Obviously, its consequential “flight” response cancels the “fight” out. Have our physicians abided by the “do no harm” principle behind their Hippocratic Oath? No, sad to say. With high officials
February 8, 2021