Guanzon’s Iloilo City visit

“You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry, don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.”

—Walter Hagen

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

MARIA Rowena Amelia “Bing” Guanzon, 69, the feisty former Comelec commissioner, has been going around the country ostensibly to woo potential voters in the 2028 election.

Her recent visit in Iloilo City where she met Mayor Raisa Maria Lourdes Sarabia Treñas-Chu, 40, was more than meets the eye especially after emphasizing that the Guanzons are originally from Molo.

She stressed her family's deeper genealogical origins in this bustling Iloilo City district, widely known as "The Athens of the Philippines" due to its rich history of producing prominent patriots, lawyers, judges, and political leaders even before the World War II.

Guanzon, a lawyer, is actually from Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, though her paternal roots trace back to the Panay-Negros region.

The mercurial former mayor of Cadiz City was born and raised in Negros Occidental, where her family has a long history of public service with her mother, Elvira, serving as a long-time vice mayor.

 

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During the 19th-century sugar boom, many prominent Negros families originally migrated from the district of Molo.

Guanzon highlighted her family's deep-seated heritage in the historic, elite Ilonggo class by asserting that she has roots in the district that has produced the following illustrious leaders:

Franklin Drilon, long-serving Philippine senator and former senate president; Rodolfo Ganzon, former senator, congressperson, and mayor of Iloilo City; Francisco Villanueva, prominent early senator and patriot; Esteban de la Rama, senator and revolutionary general.

Esperidion Guanco, former senator; Jose Ma. Arroyo, former senator whose family roots connect to the Arroyo political lineage; Francisco Zulueta and Jose C. Zulueta, former national legislators and local leaders; and Potenciano Treñas, former senator and representative.

Guanzon is reportedly eyeing a senate seat and has been openly lashing at the Marcos Jr. administration and supporting Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

If the Duterte camp will accommodate her in the opposite slate, she has a big chance to win in the senate race.

If not, she will end up empty-handed like other candidates in the past who did not have a big political party to support their candidacies.

 

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Is this a portent of things to come? Bad weather condition has been disrupting the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte Carpio since last month.

The Senate canceled the entire trial session due to heavy rains and flooding across Metro Manila brought by the southwest monsoon or habagat on August 10, 2026.

Inclement weather also forced the court to cut proceedings short, leading to an early adjournment by 2 ‘o’clock in the afternoon on August 17, 2026.

The impeachment trial scheduled for Tuesday was canceled due to continuing heavy rainfall warnings on August 18, 2026; and on August 19, 2026, the trial scheduled for Wednesday was called off for a third suspended day as severe weather persisted.

As a result of the series of cancellations and postponements, some of the people who have been following the trial in the past 20 sessions have lost interest.

This could be the reason why many Filipinos are still unable to decide whether to reject the vice president as a presidential wanna-be in 2028 despite mounting evidence that she allegedly misused her confidential intelligence fund worth P612.5 million in the active corruption and impeachment cases.

Whether the senator-judges will vote to convict her is another story.

 

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"Happy is the man who can make a living by his hobby!"--Higgins, Act I

Another interesting book on sale (only at $5) at the Barnes and Noble in New York is Pygmalion, a king of Cyprus who could find nothing good in women.

As a result, he resolved to live out his life unmarried.

He fell in love with his own creation when he carved a statue out of ivory that was so beautiful and so perfect that no living being could possibly be its equal.

At a festival, he consequently prayed to the goddess of love, Aphrodite, that he might have the statue come to life.

To his amazement, he found that his wish had been fulfilled when he reached home, and he proceeded to marry the statue he named Galatea.

Author George Bernard Shaw used several aspects of the legend and most prominently one of the names in the title, viewers, writers, critics, and audiences have consistently insisted upon there being some truth attached to every analogy in the myth.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

Substance abuse among adults a ‘fast-growing health problem’

“There are far too many silent sufferers. Not because they don't yearn to reach out, but because they've tried and found no one who cares.”

―Richelle E. Goodrich

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

AS the number of older adults suffering from substance abuse climbs in the United States, the situation remains underestimated, under-identified, under-diagnosed and under-treated.

This was emphasized in a fact sheet handed to participants in a two-session In-Person Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training at the PSS Home Care in Whitestone, New York City scheduled August 24 and 31, 2026.

Jeanne Cacciatore, program director of Family and Children’s Association (FCA) Senior MH Awareness Training Program, Elder Abuse EMDT and Safe Observant Senior Program (SOS), exhorted participants, who are healthcare workers, to closely monitor and help identify the problem among adults they take care.

Cacciatore also emphasized the importance of mental health first aid action plan called ALGEE or Assess for risk of suicide or harm, Listen non judgmentally, Give reassurance and information, Encourage appropriate professional help, and Encourage self-help and other support strategies.

She suggested to dial 988, a toll-free help line, if needed, for those with suicidal cases. The three numbers are connections to free, confidential crisis counseling, mental health and substance use support, information and referrals.

It can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone, text and online chat. Behavioral health professionals there can link the caller to the services needed.

 

ABUSE

 

Substance abuse particularly in the form of alcohol and prescription drugs among adults 60 and older “is one of the fastest-growing health problems facing the country,” revealed the MHFA fact sheet.

The negative consequences of improper or over-use of alcohol, drugs, prescription medications and over-the-counter medications are reportedly intensified in older bodies.

“While we can see the physical changes of aging on the outside, through skin and hair for example,” explains the MHFA fact sheet, “we do not see significant internal changes that also come with age. These are precisely the changes that make us more vulnerable to substance use problems as we grow older.”

MHFA has identified the following age-related changes that intensify the impact substance use in older bodies: slowing metabolism, changes in absorption and excretion, changes in ratio of muscle and fatty tissue.

Also, it reduced water in cells and tissues of the body, changes in vision, balance and coordination; presence of illness or chronic conditions, and use of medications (prescription, over the counter, herbal remedies and supplements).

“These changes and the consequences they present with the use of alcohol, medications and other substances must be discussed with older adults and their care partners to prevent unintended and unnecessary problems,” suggests the MHFA fact sheet.

“Substance misuse and abuse among older adults is associated with a high rate of falls, delirium, emergency hospitalizations and mortality. The problems are most often unintentional and preventable.”

 

MENTAL ILLNESS

 

Meanwhile, data shows that about one in five U.S. adults (nearly 59.3 million people) experience mental illness each year, while about 23 percent of U.S. adults experience mental illness annually.

Young adults aged 18 to 25 reportedly have the highest reported rates of mental illness (36.2 percent) and serious mental illness (11.6 percent). Roughly one in seven youth ages six to 17 reportedly experience a mental health disorder each year.

Over 42 million adults live with anxiety disorders, and 22.5 million experience major depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

NIMH said mental illnesses include many different conditions that vary in degree of severity, ranging from mild to moderate to severe. Two broad categories can be used to describe these conditions: Any Mental Illness (AMI) and Serious Mental Illness (SMI).

 AMI encompasses all recognized mental illnesses. SMI is a smaller and more severe subset of AMI.

 

VARY

 

The severity of a mental illness can vary from person to person. Some individuals can perform daily tasks, including work, with mental illness, and some people may qualify for disability due to their mental illness, according to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS)

Understanding mental health statistics in the United States helps raise awareness and can inform efforts to better support those in need, it added.

“Here, we discuss how many people struggle with mental health challenges and how prevalent they are across different populations,” USAHS explains.

“It’s helpful to note the difference between mental health and mental illness. Mental health is how a person functions in daily activities, and mental illness is the collective term for all diagnosable mental disorders.”

USAHS says Mental illness can affect anyone, including young people. For those struggling with mental illness, about 50 percent of individuals started to have symptoms by the age of 14, and 75 percent experienced symptoms by age 24.16 Signs can include mood changes, problems thinking, apathy and other unusual symptoms. ###

 

 

We share the blame

“A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.”

—John Burroughs

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

INSTEAD of bellyaching and finger-pointing, let’s analyze and first face the mirror.

While public officials who stole billions of pesos of taxpayer's money in flood control projects deserve to die by musketry, we can’t entirely fault them each time our streets are flooded during monsoon rains and enhanced weather disturbances.

Except in many inundated areas where a sizable percentage of funds in flood control projects were pocketed in “ghost” and substandard projects, some areas in the Philippines are problematic since time immemorial and prone to flooding during typhoons.

If the waterways are clogged, it’s because some of us are irresponsible and don’t observe the proper ways of garbage disposal. Floods will really cascade if plastic trash and debris block vital drainage channels, canals, and natural waterways or esteros.

The mushrooming of concrete roads and buildings owing to rapid urbanization will prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground, drastically increasing surface runoff.

Clearing forests in upland and watershed areas in deforestation also removes natural barriers that slow down rainwater, leading to fast-moving flash floods.

 

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We are actually partly to blame for the flash floods, not just the good-for-nothing government officials now facing plunder and malversation of public funds raps in the Sandiganbayan.

Heavy flooding did not actually occur first when corrupt DPHW officials started to bilk the public coffers in nefarious transactions.

Even during both the 1950s and the 1960s, there were significant and deadly floods in the Philippines, often triggered by severe tropical storms, monsoons, and typhoons.

To name a few, torrential rains and flooding overflowed regional rivers in Northern Luzon in July 1957, leaving nearly 1,000 dead after Typhoon Wendy battered the area in one of the worst rural disasters of the decade.

There were heavy downpours from Tropical Storm Lucille causing catastrophic deluges and flash floods, and left hundreds dead (estimates range up to 500) and tens of thousands homeless in Manila and its surrounding suburbs in May 1960.

There were blinding rain squalls that brought intense flash floods to low-lying districts of Manila, paralyzing traffic and severely inundating areas like Sampaloc and Santa Cruz.

 

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The deadliest type of flash floods reportedly develops within hours, move rapidly, and carry debris with powerful currents. In the Philippines, intense typhoon or monsoon rainfall can trigger flash floods with little warning, especially in mountainous areas, river valleys, and low-lying communities, according to Ecoflow.

The causes of floods in the Philippines extend beyond heavy rainfall, concludes the Ecoflow.

“Water may accumulate because drainage systems are overwhelmed, flow rapidly from upland areas, spill from rivers, or move inland from the coast,” it explains.

“In many cases, several of these processes occur together. Knowing how flooding usually develops in a particular community helps households follow the right warnings and act before water levels rise.”

“Monitoring official updates, protecting essential items, and leaving early when instructed remain the most important steps during a flood emergency.”

 

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The United States and ally Philippines celebrated the 75th anniversary of the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, the foundation of their ironclad Alliance August 29.

The Treaty remains an enduring testament to the two nations’ unwavering commitment to each other’s defense and security. This year also marked the 80th anniversary of United States-Philippines diplomatic relations – eight decades defined by shared history, shared sacrifices, and a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, of which the Treaty has played an integral part.

“As we look ahead to the next eight decades of U.S.-Philippines relations, the United States reaffirms our commitment to deepening our relationship with the Philippines, to honoring our obligations in the Treaty, and to advancing our vibrant economic relationship through initiatives like the Luzon Economic Corridor,” the US Department of State announced in a statement.

“The rock-solid ties between our peoples underpin everything we do together as Allies.”

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

Battles we fight on all fronts

“No one is perfect in this world, and we all have our battles, but it's the way we get back on our feet and turn it around that really counts.”

—Tiffany Thornton

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WITH the myriad of problems we face nowadays, can the Filipino people survive?

We assume that most of us are aware the Philippine peso has further dropped to a record closing low against the U.S. dollar on August 27, 2026.

It fell 23.8 centavos to settle at P61.888 per U.S. dollar, beating the previous record closing low of P61.847 set on July 24, 2026. And it’s only in the third quarter of 2026.

Also, our outstanding external (foreign) debt stood at $147.35 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2026, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

It is equivalent to approximately P9,126,490,625,000.00 or P9.13 trillion.

In a population of 117.8 million Filipinos, even those who aren’t born yet are already “indebted.” 

Being buried in foreign debt will force the Philippines to spend a massive share of its money on loan payments instead of local needs.

This means our excessive external debt creates a "debt overhang" that slows down long-term economic growth and discourages stable investment.

 

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In terms of corruption, the Philippines is now reportedly ranked 120th out of 182 countries globally in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).

As a leading global indicator published annually by Transparency International, CPI measures the perceived level of public sector corruption based on data from expert assessments and business executive surveys.

We received a score of 32 out of 100 (where 0 means highly corrupt and 100 means very clean).

We may not be the most corrupt country in the world, but being in the top 120 is not something Filipinos all over the world should be proud of; the score falls well below the global average of 42.

To compound the matter, the Philippines performs near the lower end, ranking ahead of only Cambodia and Myanmar in the regional breakdown in Southeast Asia.

Due to entrenched political dynasties, weak public institutions, and high poverty rates that drive patronage politics, the Philippines is perceived as corrupt.

After the country gained independence in 1946, systems of graft and elite control took root dating back during the Spanish and American colonial eras and persisted.

 

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Also, even if we are not at risk of the specific type of glacial-collapse or glacial-lake outburst flash flood that struck Nepal and Tibet recently, the Philippines faces a very high and frequent threat from severe, monsoon—and typhoon-driven flash floods and debris flows.

The difference is the catastrophic disaster along the Nepal-Tibet border was reportedly caused by a high-altitude "hazard cascade"—a collapsing Himalayan glacier and ice avalanche that created massive, sudden walls of mud and water without initial heavy rainfall.

We have a tropical maritime climate with high mountain ranges (such as the Cordillera Central) in the Philippines, but geological experts say it does not feature permanent alpine glaciers or glacial lakes capable of a glacial outburst.

Philippine flash floods are driven by intense tropical downpours from typhoons and the southwest monsoon (Habagat), while the Nepal event happened during clear skies from an ice/rock collapse.

Local geological experts add that the Philippines experiences its own version of violent "debris flows"—mixtures of wet concrete-like mud, rocks, and sand rushing down steep mountain slopes—such as those triggered by past severe storms and heavy rains.

Due to its geographical fragmentation and heavy exposure to extreme weather, the Philippines faces recurrent flooding emergencies in low-lying floodplains, mining regions, and rapidly urbanized river basins.

 

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WE are still currently in the Age of Pieces but in a transition period and moving slowly toward the Age of Aquarius.

The Age of Pieces is associated with the last 2,000 years, marked by traditional authority, spiritual sacrifice, and collective religious structures.

The Age of Aquarius, on the other hand, is associated with future innovation, global connectivity, technology, and group consciousness.

This multi-century crossover is viewed by most experts as a twilight phase where Piscean traits fade and Aquarian traits emerge.

The Age of Aquarius is an astrological era linked to the slow shift of Earth’s axis known as the precession of the equinoxes. It marks a transition from Pisces to Aquarius and is associated with innovation, collective thinking, and global connectivity, according to Almanac.

It explains that something that most people don’t know is that the position of the planets in the zodiac signs is different astrologically than they are astronomically.

If one were to look through a telescope at the celestial bodies, they would not be traversing the actual constellations the way that astrologers say they are, adds the Almanac.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)