GRANDMOTHERS are great walking buddies, and I have two of the best: Eufrocina “Inday” Cepe and Pressie Faraon. Like me, they have whales of tales about the grandchildren—the dreams of little ones and their needs that only a grandmother’s sought-for special tender, loving care could provide.
Florvel Phase II in Oton is a laid-back subdivision with […]

THE history of the struggle against foreign domination in Panay and Negros showed that, after being victorious against the Spaniards, two Ilonggo groups across the Guimaras Strait manifested opposing reactions to the coming of the Americans. Whereas those in Panay resisted with utmost determination against the new invaders, the elite of Negros decided to organize […]

THE Chinese has long been a part of Iloilo’s history. Historical and archaeological studies indicate that the Ilonggos already had trade relations with the Chinese beginning with about the 10th century and onwards to more recent times. By the time of the Spanish contact, a good number of them had already settled in the town […]

WHEN the snow gets to be knee-high at winter in the U.S. of A., the mind—my mind—simply refuses to be overwhelmed; instead, I focus on the onset of lovely spring, even think of my country’s sunny isles and its tempting cuisine to stave off winter chill.
When Frank got me stuck for a week—wind, rain, and […]

IN THE early years of the Spanish occupation of the Philippines, Negros Island was put under the jurisdiction of the colonial administration in Cebu. Later, in 1590, the governance of the island was transferred to Iloilo and the first recorded Spanish official assigned to administer the few settlements in it was Gonzalo Ronquillo. It must […]

I’M on reverse mode writing this column—as if the closing remarks became the opening remarks. My task was to give the closing remarks to the joint meeting of both the Oton and the Brgy. San Antonio chapters of the Senior Citizens Federated Association of Iloilo, Inc. (SCFAII) last Monday, Aug. 25, at the San Antonio […]

“AT THE age of 8 I refuse to feel extreme happiness because I feel there will be extreme sadness afterwards, even death . . .”
At the age of 35 I still feel the same, and between those years I was never conscious about how that absurd idea ruled over me until my life came into […]

CONTEMPORARY Filipino historians are often handicapped by the lack or absence of written materials that could counterbalance the misconceptions, misrepresentations, biases and prejudices of Spanish and American colonial writers. This predicament is true of the history of every group of people in the Philippine archipelago, including that of the Bisayans.
It must be pointed out that […]

LAND Transportation Office (LTO) may have all the good intentions in implementing Administrative Order (AO) 2008-015 prescribing the rules and regulations for the use and operation of motorcycles on highways. It could be high time to strictly regulate the use and operation of motorcycles since almost everyday, the media is full of reports of accidents […]

One of the surprising things about Dr. Jose Rizal that should be recognized by every Filipino is the relevance of his political thoughts in every step of our political development. This is particularly of great importance in the light of the many political issues and concerns that confront the nation today.
A famous author and editor […]