Horrific tragedy averted

“I like to complain and do nothing to make things better.”

— Kurt Cobain

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

ILOILO residents and motorists should be “thankful” they have been alerted by the sinking flyovers in Ungka and Aganan in Pavia when they were first opened in September.

If the impairment was not detected on time, it could have endangered the lives of both the residents in that area and the motorists. 

Since it is a gigantic infrastructure project, the damage on the lives and property would have been catastrophic.

We’ve seen the horrors of some flyovers and bridges in other countries that collapsed due to structural aberrations where motorists were badly maimed and mangled. Ilonggos are still luckier.

Since it would reportedly take a year or beyond to overhaul or repair the newly built P680-million flyover project initiated by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the traffic woes of the Ilonggos will be far from over. Indeed, it’s back to square one.

We are interested to hear the explanation of the contractors and other agencies involved in this embarrassing project. There must be accountability and thorough investigation from the House of Representatives. 

What a waste of time and the taxpayers’ money.

 

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STRENGTH IN A BOTTLE? A stomach enzyme could make as stronger. Protease, a digestive enzyme that helps our body break down proteins, appears to lessen muscle inflammation that occurs after resistance training, says Baylor University researchers.

BRAIN FOOD. We could cut the risk of Alzheimer's disease by a whopping 42 percent Columbia University researchers found when they analyzed the diets of 2,136 adults over 65 that meal plans with highest intake of lefty greens, tomatoes, and cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower plus fish, nuts, and vinaigrette-type salad dressing, with only small amounts of full-fat dairy products, cut their odds of Alzheimer's.

TWILIGHT INSIGHT AND OUR YOUNGSTERS. Why are teens fascinated by these fanged creatures? "Vampires are alluring. They're neither completely human nor dead; they don't belong in either world. Teenagers identify with them because they often feel like outsiders, too, as they transition from childhood into adulthood," says Dr. Kathy Ramsland, author of The Science of Vampires.

 

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SHE'S NOT IMPRESSED. Tough guys don't wow women. A study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology shows that women find a man more appealing if he walks away from a jerk instead of responding aggressively.

‘OPTIMAL SEXUALITY. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality has defined 8 major components of "optimal sexuality." Based on interviews with 44 individuals who reported having great sex, plus 20 sex therapists, a team of researchers identified 8 key factors--being present, connection, deep sexual and erotic intimacy, extraordinary communication, interpersonal risk taking and exploration, authenticity, vulnerability and transcendence.

ARTIC BLAST. CNN has reported that more than 25 million people across much of the central and northwestern US are under wind chill alerts. Heavy snow is expected today in several states including Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and most of Minnesota—where the high temperatures will remain below zero, according to the National Weather Service. 

This week, more than 80 percent of the Lower 48 will experience temperatures below freezing, with cities as far south as Atlanta, Houston and Orlando currently included on that list. Forecasters are also predicting some in the Midwest could experience their coldest Christmas Day in nearly 40 years, with air travelers likely facing cancellations and delays.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

For record purposes

“The sidekick business has been good to me.”

— Sean Astin

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

DESPITE the opposition of the majority of their constituents, these are the members of the House of Representatives, including the Ilonggos, who co-authored the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund otherwise known as House Bill No. 6608.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (Leyte, 1st District), Manuel Jose "Mannix" Dalipe (Zamboanga City, 2nd District), Stella Luz Quimbo (Marikina City, 2nd District), Ferdinand Alexander Marcos (Ilocos Norte, 1st District), Yedda Marie Romualdez (Tingog party-list), Jude Acidre (Tingog party-list), Irwin Tieng (Manila, 5th District), Joey Sarte Salceda (Albay, 2nd District), Teodorico Haresco Jr. (Aklan, 2nd District), Allan Ty (LPGMA party-list), Midy Cua (Quirino), Ricardo Kho (Masbate, 1st District), Michael John Duavit (Rizal, 1st District), Kristine Singson-Meehan (Ilocos Sur, 2nd District), Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Romblon), Camille Villar (Las Piñas City), Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr. (Pampanga, 3rd District), Julienne "Jam'' Baronda (Iloilo City), Albert Garcia (Bataan, 2nd District), Angelica Natasha Co (BHW party-list), Roberto Puno (Antipolo City, 1st District), Johnny Ty Pimentel (Surigao del Sur, 2nd District), Florida 'Rida" Robes (San Jose Del Monte City), Antonio "Tonypet" Albano (Isabela, 1st District), Alfred Delos Santos (Ang Probinsyano party-list), Franz Pumaren (Quezon City, 3rd District), Wilter Palma (Zamboanga Sibugay, 1st District), Jose "Bong" Teves Jr. (TGP party-list), David "Jayjay" C. (Quezon, 2nd District), Janette Garin (Iloilo, 1st District), Josephine Veronique "Jaye" Lacson-Noel (Malabon City, Lone District), Lianda Bolilia (Batangas, 4th District), Lorenz Defensor (Iloilo, 3rd District), Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (Pangasinan, 6th District), Neptali Gonzales II (Mandaluyong City, Lone District), Ramon Nolasco Jr. (Cagayan, 1st District), Carlo Lisandro Gonzalez (Marino party-list), Lex Anthony Cris Colada (AAMBIS-OWA party-list), Arnan Panaligan (Oriental Mindoro, 1st District), Ernesto Dionisio Jr. (Manila, 1st District), Faustino "Inno" Dy V (Isabela, 6th District), Jefferson Khonghun (Zambales, 1st District), Raul Angelo "Jil" Bongalon (Ako Bicol party-list), Juan Carlos "Arjo" Atayde (Quezon City, 1st District), Laarni Lavin Roque (Bukidnon, 4th District), Leody "Odie" Tarriela (Occidental Mindoro), Marvin Rillo (Quezon City, 4th District), Mikaela Angela Suansing (Nueva Ecija, 1st District), Felimon Espares (COOP NATCCO party-list), Francisco Paolo Ortega V (La Union, 1st District), Robert Raymund Estrella (Abono party-list), Loreto Acharon (General Santos City), Ysabel Maria Zamora (San Juan City), Zaldy Villa (Siquijor), Olga "Ara" Kho (Masbate, 2nd District), Bernadette “BH” Herrera (BH party-list), Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco (Cebu, 5th District), Antonio Legarda Jr. (Antique).

Christopherson "Coco" Yap (Southern Leyte, 2nd District), Eric Go (Benguet), Rep. Eulogio Rodriguez (Catanduanes), Ivan Howard Guintu (Pinuno party-list), Jeffrey Soriano (ACT-CIS party-list), Rosanna "Ria" Vergara (Nueva Ecija, 3rd District), Daphne Lagon (Cebu, 6th District), Sonny "SL" Lagon (Ako Bisaya party-list), Nicanor Briones (Agap party-list), Reynante Arrogancia (Quezon, 3rd District), Jonathan Keith Flores (Bukidnon, 2nd District), Ray Florence Reyes (Anakalusugan party-list), Rex Gatchalian (Valenzuela City, 1st District), Jose Alvarez (Palawan, 2nd District), Maria Rachel Arenas (Pangasinan, 3rd District), Sergio Dagooc (APEC party-list), Marissa "Del Mar" Magsino (OFW party-list), Peter John Calderon (Cebu, 7th District), Mark Go (Baguio City), Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Pampanga, 2nd District), Anthony Rolando Golez Jr. (Malasakit@Bayanihan party-list), Francisco Jose "Bingo" Matugas (Surigao del Norte, 1st District), Claude Bautista (Davao Occidental), Margarita Ignacia Nograles (PBA party-list), Joseph Gilbert Violago (Nueva Ecija, 2nd District), John Tracy Cagas (Davao del Sur), Noel "Bong" Rivera (Tarlac, 3rd District), Wilfrido Mark Enverga (Quezon, 1st District), Faustino Michael Dy III (Isabela, 5th District), Arnie Fuentebella (Camarines Sur, 4th District), Janice Salimbangon (Cebu, 4th District), Rep. Carl Nicolas Cari (Leyte, 5th District), Jose Gay Padiernos (GP Party party-list), Danny Domingo (Bulacan, 1st District), Eric Martinez (Valenzuela City, 2nd District), Gerardo "Gerryboy" Espina Jr. (Biliran), Antonieta Eudela (Zamboanga Sibugay, 2nd District), Robert Ace Barbers (Surigao del Norte, 2nd District), Eric Buhain (Batangas, 1st District), Rolando Valeriano (Manila, 2nd District), Dimszar Sali (Tawi-Tawi), Rep. Yevgeny Vicente Emano (Misamis Oriental, 2^nd District), Jane Castro (Capiz, 2nd District), James "Jojo" Ang Jr. (Uswag Ilonggo party-list).

Rodolfo "Ompong" Ordanes (Senior Citizens party-list), Ma. Theresa Collantes (Batangas, 3rd District), Ciriaco Gato Jr. (Batanes), Tobias "Toby" Tiangco (Navotas City), Gerardo Valmayor Jr. (Negros Occidental, 1st District), Ma. Rene Ann Lourdes Matibag (Laguna, 1st District), Emigdio Tanjuatco III (Rizal, 2nd District), Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. (Rizal, 3rd District), Dean Asistio (Caloocan City, 3rd District), Edwin Olivarez (Parañaque City, 1st District), Eleanor Bulut-Begtang (Apayao), Edward Vera Perez Maceda (Manila, 4th District), Gerville “Jinky Bitrics" Luistro (Batangas, 2nd District), Romeo Momo (Surigao del Sur, 1st District), Jocelyn Tulfo (ACT-CIS party-list), Emmarie "Lolypop" Ouano-Dizon (Mandaue City), Manuel Sagarbarria (Negros Oriental, 2nd District), Wowo Fortes (Sorsogon, 2nd District), Claudine Diana Bautista-Lim (DUMPER-PTDA party-list), Ron Salo (Kabayan party-list), Bienvenido Abante Jr. (Manila, 6th District), Joseph "Jojo" Lara (Cagayan, 3rd District), JC Abalos (4PS party-list), Angelo Marcos Barba (Ilocos Norte, 2nd District), Richelle Singson (Ako Ilocano Ako party-list), Raul 'Boboy" Tupas (Iloilo, 5th District), Maria Angela Garcia (Bataan, 3rd District), Ma. Cynthia Chan (Lapu-Lapu City), Alfelito "Alfel" Bascug (Agusan del Sur, 1st District), Michael Gorriceta (Iloilo, 2nd District), Emilio Bernardino Yulo (Negros Occidental, 5th District), Harris Christopher Ongchuan (Northern Samar, 2nd District), Jernie Jett Nisay (Pusong Pinoy party-list), Edwin Gardiola (CWS party-list), Maria Carmen Zamora (Davao de Oro, 1st District), Joel Chua (Manila, 3rd District), Loreto Amante (Laguna, 3rd District), Luis Campos Jr. (Makati City, 2nd District), Lord Allan Jay Velasco (Marinduque), Romulo "Kid" Peña Jr. (Makati City, 1st District), Lorna Silverio (Bulacan, 3rd District), Sancho Fernando "Ando" Oaminal (Misamis Occidental, 2nd District), Luisa Lloren Cuaresma (Nueva Vizcaya), Lani Mercado-Revilla (Cavite, 2nd District), Nelson Dayanghirang (Davao Oriental, 1st District), Drixie Mae Cardema (Duterte Youth party-list), Munir Arbison Jr. (Sulu, 2nd District), Rufus Rodriguez (Cagayan de Oro City, 2nd District), Divina Grace Yu (Zamboanga del Sur, 1st District), Alan 1 Ecleo (Dinagat Islands), Jeyzel Victoria Yu (Zamboanga del Sur, 2nd District), Jose Francisco "Kiko" Benitez (Negros Occidental, 3rd District), Ramon Jolo Revilla III (Cavite, 1st District), Josefina Tallado (Camarines Norte, 1st District), Mercedes Alvarez (Negros Occidental, 6th District), Fernando Cabredo (Albay, 3rd District), Emerson Pascual (Nueva Ecija, 4th District), Carmelo "Jon" Lazatin II (Pampanga, 1st District), Elizaldy Co (Ako Bicol party-list), Linabelle Ruth Villarica (Bulacan, 4th District), Amparo Maria Zamora (Taguig, 2nd District), Ed Christopher Go (Isabela, 2nd District), Virgilio Lacson (Manila Teachers party-list), Ma. Lucille Nava (Guimaras), Rudy Caoagdan (North Cotabato, 2nd District), Anna Marie Villaraza-Suarez (Alona party-list), Ambrosio Cruz Jr. (Bulacan, 5th District), Bryan Revilla (Agimat party-list), Patrick Michael Vargas (Quezon City, 5th District), Adrian Jay Advincula (Cavite, 3rd District), Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay (United Senior Citizens party-list), Ching Bernos (Abra), Augustina Dominique "Ditse Tina" Pancho (Bulacan, 2^nd District), Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy (Caloocan City, 2nd District), Horacio Suansing Jr. (Sultan Kudarat, 2nd District), Steve Chiongbian Solon (Sarangani), Eduardo Rama (Cebu City, 2nd District), Anna York Bondoc (Pampanga, 4th District), Edgardo Salvame (Palawan, 1st District), Dale Corvera (Agusan del Norte, 2nd District), Aniela Bianca Tolentino (Cavite, 8th District), Joseph Tan (Isabela, 4th District), Carlito Marquez (Aklan, 1st District), Greg Gasataya (Bacolod City), Jorge "Patrol" Bustos (Patrol party-list), Peter Miguel (South Cotabato, 2nd District), Rommel Rico Angara (Aurora), Rachel Marguerite Del Mar (Cebu City, 1st District), Irene Gay Saulog (Kalinga party-list), Salvador Pleyto (Bulacan, 6th District), Princess Rihan Sakaluran (Sultan Kudarat, 1st District), Baby Aline Vargas-Alfonso (Cagayan, 2nd District), Wilton "Tonton" Kho (Masbate, 3rd District), Alfredo Marañon III (Negros Occidental, 2nd District), Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong (Negros Oriental, 1st District), Reynolds Michael Tan (Samar, 2nd District), Anna Victoria Veloso-Tuazon (Leyte, 3rd District), Luz Mercado (Southern Leyte, 1st District), Christian Unabia (Misamis Oriental, 1st District), Jurdin Jesus Romualdo (Camiguin), Christian Tell Yap (Tarlac, 2nd District), Miguel Luis Villafuerte (Camarines Sur, 5th District), Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata (Camarines Sur, 1st District), Maria Jamina Katherine Agarao (Laguna, 4th District), Khymer Adan Olaso (Zamboanga City, 1st District), Glona Labadlabad (Zamboanga del Norte, 2nd District), Ruth Mariano-Hernandez (Laguna, 2nd District), Marlyn "Len" Alonte (Biñan City), Richard Gomez (Leyte, 4th District), Roy Loyola (Cavite, 5th District), Ruwel Peter Gonzaga (Davao de Oro, 2nd District), Dan Fernandez (Santa Rosa City), Michael Morden (API party-list), Jose "Joboy" Aquino II (Agusan del Norte, 1st District), Elpidio Barzaga (Cavite, 4th District), Marie Bernadette Escudero (Sorsogon, 1st District), Joselito "Joel" Sacdalan (North Cotabato, 1st District), Joseph Stephen "Caraps" Paduano (Abang Lingkod party-list), Wilbert Lee (AGRI party-list), Edvic Yap (ACT-CIS party-list), Reynaldo Tamayo (Angat party-list), Presley de Jesus (PHILRECA party-list), Nicolas Enciso VIII (Bicol Saro party-list), Vincent Garcia (Davao City, 2nd District), Keith Micah "Atty. Mike" Tan (Quezon, 4th District), Zia Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur, 1st District), Marjorie Ann Teodoro (Marikina City, 1st District), Ma. Alana Samantha Santos (North Cotabato, 3rd District), Rhea Mae Gullas (Cebu, 1st District), Jaime Cojuangco (Tarlac, 1st District), Edsel Galeos (Cebu, 2nd District), Doris Maniquiz (Zambales, 2nd District), Antonino Calixto (Pasay City), Ralph Tulfo (Quezon City, 2nd District), Stephen James Tan (Samar, 1st District), Lordan Suan (Cagayan de Oro City, 1st District), Paul Daza (Northern Samar, 1st District), Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte (Camarines Sur, 2nd District), Christopher De Venecia (Pangasinan, 4th District), Edgar Chatto (Bohol, 1st District), Maria Vanessa Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District), Kristine Alexie Tutor (Bohol, 3rd District), Allen Jesse Mangaoang (Kalinga), Maria Fe Abunda (Eastern Samar), Dante Garcia (La Union, 2nd District), Raymond Democrito Mendoza (TUCP party-list), Jason Almonte (Misamis Occidental, 1st District), Maximo Dalog Jr. (Mountain Province), Bai Dimple Mastura (Maguindanao and Cotabato City, 1st District).

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

If there is smoke, there is fire

“A man who has never gone to school may steal a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad.” 

―Theodore Roosevelt

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IF a congressional investigation will be held in connection with the P680-million sinking flyovers in Ungka and Aganan, Pavia, Iloilo, taxpayers must not forget Pavia Sangguniang Bayan member Pyt Trimañez.

According to a recent Daily Guardian report, it was Trimañez who authored a resolution requesting Iloilo lawmakers to conduct a legislative inquiry “in aid of legislation” on the two controversial projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The normally loquacious Iloilo City aldermen had been beaten to the draw by a brave and alert municipal councilor in as far as bringing the matter to the higher level of scrutiny is concerned.

Sometimes a concrete action from the watchdog groups and concerned public officials like what Trimañez did was better and necessary than mere press statements expressing “concern” about the delayed opening of the flyovers.

When it comes to implementation of gargantuan projects involving hundreds of millions of public funds, the taxpayers have all the right to show impatience, suspicion and outrage if they smell something fishy.

“Sinking” means going down the surface of something.  

If there is smoke, there is fire.

 

-o0o-

 

The resolution, according to the Daily Guardian, was addressed to the following solons: Julienne Baronda (Iloilo City), Janette Garin (Iloilo, 1st district), Michael Gorriceta (Iloilo, 2nd district), Lorenz Defensor (Iloilo, 3rd district), Ferjenel Biron (Iloilo, 4th district), Raul Tupas (Iloilo, 5th district), James Ang (Uswag Ilonggo), Lex Anthony Colada (Aambis Owa), and Raoul Manuel (Kabataan).

What Trimañez did was commendable: he went straight to the jugular and didn’t beat around the bush.

He believes only a congressional inquiry can prod the DPWH and other stakeholders to explain why there seems to be something wrong with the Iloilo flyovers’ structural designs.

A P680-million worth of infrastructure project in danger of going to waste isn’t a joke.

It’s not P6 million; not P80 million; not P100 million. It’s a heart-thumping P680 million worth of project paid by the taxpayers’ money.

It goes beyond logic and imagination why the flyovers could sink when it was properly (and astronomically?) budgeted.

If money illegally changed pockets which resulted in the building of a substandard project, heads must definitely roll.

 

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(PG 13) Sexsomnia is the term US scientists use for people who perform sexual activities unconsciously during sleep. The spectrum ranges from masturbation to sexual intercourse—in the event that that the sexsomnia patient comes across a partner. (Source: Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine).

Congratulations to Morocco for finishing fourth place in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Coming from Africa and the first Arab-speaking country to breach the seminal, it’s a big leap for the previously unknown Moroccan players. Losing to Croatia, 1-2, in the battle for third place on December 17 was not a defeat but a victory for Morocco and the Moroccan soccer. 

IF WE'RE LOW ON SILVER POLISH, LET'S USE TOOTHPASTE: Plain, non-gel toothpaste (without additives like whiteners) can rid small silver pieces of light tarnish without damaging the surface. Moisten the silver piece; apply a bit of toothpaste to our finger. Rub gentlyand rinse, then buff with a soft cloth. (Source: goodhousekeeping)

NO DISHWASHING LIQUID? Let's grab the laundry detergent. A teaspoonful of liquid laundry detergent in a basin of hot water will cut grease on dirty dishes equally well (though we may want to wear gloves, as detergent can be drying to hands).

NOT GUILTY. That's the verdict on fertility drugs and the possibility that they increase woman's chances of developing ovarian cancer. Doctors had long worried that there might be such a link. But now Danish researchers have analyzed records of 54,362 women and found, over an average 16-yr follow up, that those who took fertility drugs faced no greater risk of cancer.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Lopez-Jaena and the FIFA final

“When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.”

— Tecumseh

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IT is with great delight that as we commemorated Graciano Lopez Jaena’s birth anniversary on December 18, 2022, the attention of most people around the world would be on the crowning of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 champion.

Argentina and France would be disputing the most coveted title in soccer in Doha this year on the great Ilonggo journalist’s 166^th birth anniversary. 

We have always been proud to mention that Lopez Jaena, born on December 18, 1856 and died on January 20, 1896, was pure Ilonggo, or someone who spoke Hiligaynon and once lived in Jaro district.

In his generation, Lopez Jaena was not only an outstanding journalist, but was also an orator at par with the country’s and even the Asia’s best.

As the first ilustrado to arrive in Spain where he started the Propaganda Movement against our Spanish colonizers, Lopez Jaena became revolutionary when he formed a triumvirate with Dr. Jose Rizal and Marcel H. del Pilar.

But he became well known for his newspaper, La Solidarid.

Thus it’s not a coincidence that contemporary journalists flood the Western Visayas community with newspapers.

It runs in the Ilonggo blood: almost every freedom-loving and lovers of letters and literature want to dabble in community journalism or to own and manage their own newspaper in the Ilonggo-speaking populace.

 

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Before he became famous, Lopez Jaena was first sent by his parents to study at St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary in Jaro which had been opened under the administration of Governor General Carlos María de la Torre y Nava Cerrada.

In the seminary, he served as a secretary to Claudio Lopez, his uncle who was the honorary vice consul of Portugal in Iloilo.

But he had ambition to become a physician. Lopez Jaena convinced his parents that he needed to enroll in a university in Manila.

He was denied admission at the University of Santo Tomas because he did not have a Bachelor of Arts degree when he was at the seminary in Jaro.

Lopez Jaena was appointed to the San Juan de Dios Hospital as an apprentice.

He eventually dropped out due to financial difficulties and returned to Iloilo.

His assimilation with the poor ignited his feelings about the injustices common in that era.

Lopez Jaena’s potentials as a reformer and writer became apparent at the age of 18 when he wrote the satirical story “Fray Botod” which depicted a fat and lecherous priest.

Lopez Jaena ribbed Fray Botod’s false piety which “always had the Virgin and God on his lips no matter how unjust and underhanded his acts are.”

The story was not published, but a copy circulated widely in Iloilo. The infuriated friars could not prove that Lopez Jaena was the author, thus he became off the hook, so to speak, temporarily.

The son of Jaro refused to testify that certain prisoners died of natural causes when it was obvious that they had died at the hands of the mayor of Pototan town, thus he was pilloried.

 

-o0o-

 

The Ilonggo hero continued to agitate for justice. When he received threats on his life, he sailed to Spain in 1879, where he pursued the Propaganda Movement.

In the land of our colonizers, Lopez Janea became a leading writer, propagandist, and speaker for reform of the homeland.

He finally pursued his medical studies at the University of Valencia but did not finish, thus incurring the ire of Rizal.

Lopez Jaena defended why he did not finish his medical studies by saying, “On the shoulders of slaves should not rest a doctor’s cape.”

“The shoulders do not honor the doctor’s cape, but the doctor’s cape honors the shoulders,” Rizal intoned.

The national hero died of tuberculosis in poverty on January 20, 1896, 11 months short of his 40th birthday.

He was buried in an unmarked grave at the Cementerio del Sub-Oeste of Barcelona the following day.

Marcelo H. del Pilar’s death followed on July 4. Rizal was killed on December 30 by firing squad in Bagumbayan.

Their deaths ended the great triumvirate of Filipino propagandists, but their works contributed in the liberation of their compatriots from the Spanish colony.

Lopez Jaena’s remains were never brought back to the Philippines, according to historians.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

Free kick, free throw, lucky punch

 

“Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser.”

— Vince Lombardi

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IT’S always hard to predict the outcome of any sports match especially if the rivalry is intense and both sides aren’t pushovers.

So many factors and circumstances can interfere and instantly change the entire picture in a dramatic fashion. 

What we normally expect doesn’t occur; sometimes it’s the total opposite of what everyone expects that happens.

A basketball match can be decided by a free throw or three-point shot in the dying seconds. A brawl in the ring can be won by a lucky punch.

A come-from-behind rally happens all the time and even the best team or individual athlete will always experience a Waterloo in the most painful moment.

In soccer, free kicks or penalty shootouts almost always abruptly end all doubts and arguments even if one team was losing during the entire match.

The France versus Argentina FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 championship duel at Lusail Stadium on December 18 won’t be an exemption. 

For sure there will be plenty of surprises, shockers, and heartaches.

France is looking to become the first back-to-back winner since Brazil accomplished the feat in 1958 and 1962 and reached the final despite injuries to some of their top players, including Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante.

 

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Argentina star and one of those admired by Pinoy fans, Lionel Messi, is one of the greatest players in soccer history and has won just about every award and trophy in the world–except for the World Cup. 

This will be Messi's fifth appearance in the tournament—likely his last —and helped his country reach the final in 2014, losing to Germany in extra time.

Argentina is a two-time champion, winning in 1978 as the host nation and 1986 in Mexico. This is the country's sixth overall appearance in the final, previously reaching the championship game in 1930, 1978, 1986, 1990 and 2014.

France, the defending champion, also won the World Cup as the host in 1998. This is the fourth appearance in the final for France, which lost to Italy in penalty kicks in 2006.

Again, we don’t pretend to be good in predictions; it will be anybody’s ballgame since both teams are really among those fancied to rule and reach the last four after the grueling elimination rounds.

Good luck to all the fans.

 

-o0o-

 

LET'S EAT FISH: In a recent Swedish study of nearly 5,000 boys ages 15 to 18, those who ate fish frequently scored higher on intelligence tests. How much higher? Eating fish once a week was enough to boost scores by an average of 6 percent. Eating fish more than that resulted in nearly an 11 percent increase. Dr. Maria Aberg recommends fatty fish, like salmon, 2 to 3 times weekly.

HOW TO FIGHT TOO MUCH TEXTING: 1. Establish text-free zone. Kids often open up at the dinner table and in the car, so be sure to protect those precious places. Agree that texting is not allowed during mealtime or on drives to and from school and activities. 2. Let phones rest at night. 3. Be a role model.

HER NOSE AND HIS NOSE: Men may hope their cologne will mask underarm odor, but women aren't fooled, research from the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia found. While 6 of 32 scents tested disguised the smell of male BO from other men, none of the fragrances worked for women. To the showers, guys! (And don't forget the deodorant.)

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Tripledemic’ rages

“Winter is a season of recovery and preparation.”

— Paul Theroux

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

INSIDE the downtown-bound subway 6 train early morning on December 12, I noticed 16 out of the 20 passengers were wearing masks. 

Standing inside the car, I was aghast to realize I was one of the remaining four who didn’t have a mask.

When I transferred from the Grand Central Station to Queens-bound 7 train, almost everyone in the car I was in had worn a mask. This was when I began to realize I needed to wear a mask in my next trip back to Manhattan.

A rewind of what we were doing during the pandemic? 

During the holiday, not only was outdoor masking being revisited as the topic in the Big Apple today, but also indoor masking, as three highly contagious respiratory viruses reportedly take hold.

In the news, a triple threat called “tripledemic” by some health experts has caused a sudden surge in cases of COVID, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that has been reportedly sickening millions of Americans over the past few weeks, overwhelming emergency rooms and even causing a cold medicine shortage. 

Not only that, but nearly a tenth of counties in the U.S. have been advised by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to wear masks indoors.

 

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Juliana Kim of NPR News Now said CDC's latest COVID-19 community level map indicates that over none percent of counties in the country were considered to have a high risk of infection. 

The federal agency recommends that people living in those areas practice indoor masking. Generally, children under the age of 2 are not recommended to wear face coverings.

Nearly every state on the map released December 9 included at least one county where the COVID-19 community level was high or medium.

Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire and the District of Columbia were reportedly the only U.S. jurisdictions where all of its counties have low community levels.

The Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) has confirmed that a surge of respiratory viruses continues to sweep across the country, amid a holiday season in full swing, few to no pandemic measures in place, and the start of winter still days away.

This “tripledemic” of influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections has completely overwhelmed many pediatric and adult hospitals, disrupted attendance at school, daycare, and work, and left families feeling weary and anxious about how to keep their loved ones safe from repeated sickness, particularly as the colder months drive more people indoors and create ideal conditions for viruses to spread, confirmed the BUSPH.

It further warned the surge of illnesses was not only occurring at higher rates this year, but also well ahead of the typical seasonal spike. 

RSV cases are reportedly as much as 60 percent higher than the virus’ peak in 2021, and flu hospitalizations are the highest they’ve been in a decade. 

RSV is common—most people have had it at some point in their lives—and it typically causes mild symptoms at most, but young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised people are most at risk for severe complications.

Indeed, there is a need for me to start wearing a mask until after the “tripledemic” has subsided.

I believe it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

 

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By the time this article comes out, we may have known the complete finalists—and which teams will dispute the third place—in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

As of this writing, only Argentina has advanced to the final on December 18 with a masterful 3-0 blasting of Croatia on December 13.

Lionel Messi and his team will face either Morocco or defending champion France to be known on December 14 in another remaining semifinal match.

It’s hard to pick which team will face Argentina in the final as no one can underestimate the Moroccans, the first African nation in FIFA history to reach this far, although France was the heavy favorite.

In soccer, it’s always anybody’s game especially in the homestretch.

Fans, however, have been wishing for the “new faces” in the final even if Croatia has been toppled; meaning, many of them were rooting for a Morocco vs Argentina showdown “for a change.”

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Sinking’ Iloilo flyover

“When you don't take a stand against corruption you tacitly support it.”

-Kamal Haasan

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WE hope taxpayers money wasn’t wasted or stolen in the controversial P680-million flyover project in Ungka, Iloilo, which was ordered closed 12 days after it was opened on September 6, 2022 after three piers or foundations were reported to be “sinking.”

If the infrastructure project, funded during the time of former Senator Franklin Drilon, was properly built, there was no way it would incur any problem on its foundations.

Should there be a probe, first it must be determined if the project conformed to standards set by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPHW). 

Was the amount or quantity of cement bags used in the project sufficient? 

Did the materials used conform to DPWH specifications? And so on and so forth. Let’s hope the materials were not overpriced and of poor quality.

In any infra project, a Program of Work lists details of a DPWH project, including the cost of the project and a breakdown of expenditures. There should have been no deviations from the programs of work.

Probers should tap experts who can best spot the difference. 

We are confident they can help give justice to the “sinking” taxpayers money.

The flyover was abruptly closed to motorists on Sept 18 after complaints mounted on the vertical movement, as well as reports of flooding at the top of the structure, the Daily Guardian has reported.

 

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The propaganda perpetrated by Christian parents many years ago 

looks so effortless until today.

An innocent child would swallow the propaganda, “a fantasy peddled by generations of Christmas cards to divert attention away from what is, undoubtedly, the most spectacular research and development outfit this planet has ever seen,” Roger Highfield asserted in the Physics of Christmas.

Highfield differed on the view that, apart from the occasional slip up with drunken reindeer, narrow chimneys, and blizzards, Santa Clause manages to deliver millions of gifts on Christmas Eve, maintaining his smile and composure all the while.

Santa’s support team: a few reindeer and a handful of diligent elves.

“I have good reason to believe that Santa has drawn on the benefits of centuries of inventions and insights generated by a scientific effort that would make the likes of Albert Einstein weep with admiration,” writes Highfield. 

Somewhere in the North Pole, or perhaps buried in a vast complex under Gemiler Island, original home of Saint Nicholas, there must be an army of scientists experimenting with the latest in high-temperature materials, genetic computing technologies, and warped space-time geometries, all united by a single purpose: making millions of children happy each and every Christmas.

 

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“Put yourself in Santa’s boots,” Highfield suggests: “How does he know where children live and what gifts they want? How can he fly in any weather, circle the globe overnight, carry millions of pounds of cargo, and make silent rooftop landings with pinpoint accuracy?”

Some years ago Spy magazine examined these issues in an article that has since proliferated across the Internet.

The piece concluded that Santa required 214,200 reindeer and, with his huge mass of presents, encountered “enormous air resistance, heating

the reindeer up in the same fashion as a spacecraft re-entering the earth’s atmosphere.”

In short, the article concluded, the reindeer “will burst into flame almost instantaneously, creating deafening sonic booms in their wake.”

The article continued: “The entire reindeer team will be vaporized within 4.26 thousandths of a second. Santa, meanwhile, will be subjected to forces 17,500.06 times greater than gravity…If Santa ever did deliver presents on Christmas Eve, he’s dead now.”

The point is that Santa is now dead.

The books says Santa delivers presents every Christmas Eve, as reliably as Rudolf’s nose is red.

And he overcomes the kinds of problems outlined above with the aid of out-of-this-world technology.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)