In a span of a year, my family flew abroad three times, once in Hong Kong and Macau in December 2024 and twice in Japan just this May 2025 and July 2024. Most likely the experiences have instilled cultural, ethical and economic realizations for me because we don’t just normally visit historic places, we also observe the folk’s way of life and oh, shop a lot.

Japan is always our favorite to go country not only because my siblings and their families still live there, or I used to be a resident of the country, but because everything Japanese is just admirable, deep and almost perfect.

Currently, we stayed for seven days at Tokyo district in Katsushika, which is quiet and away from the hustles and bustles of the capital. In the corner of our accommodation, my husband was fond of this bar which he visited every night with our friend, after our day activities with the kids. He called it, “Happy hour.” aside from loving their tasty pork grills, he had fun sharing common topics with “tired” Japanese, as he described. Despite the language barrier, I knew they understood each other through his amusing stories.

I remember arriving in Japan late night and exited Ueno Station for a bowl of ramen, but it was hard to find a place to eat, because my daughter is a minor and she is strictly not allowed to get in all restaurants serving alcohol from 10PM, as obviously, men and women still in their work clothes occupy most of the tables.

I could also recall walking around main streets in Shibuya with my husband around 10PM because he wanted to capture the most crowded, “scramble crossing” in the world, but we were surprised that the night is on a hype — not just co-incidental to when we visited but every single day. You can see adults, identifiably, youth circling with friends in city parks or just anywhere, holding a can of beer, very engaging, dancing, laughing, or even joking around strangers like they are not the typical shy or introvert Japanese the world knows! People litter and smoke everywhere, literally throwing their junks on the street without any care, you would easily judge and hate them, as if you’d burst, “What the heck, I don’t know who these people are.”

However, I am glad this is happening! Because a few hours prior to midnight, they spend all their energy and time at work, standing for more than eight hours at factories, carrying heavy machines and industrial parts, or drowning their time and brain in science and technology advancement, or in my personal experience, teaching at school and at a language center from 8AM until 8PM way back. Japanese deserve an hour or two relaxing the way they please for as long as they cause no harm to others, for damn sake of their mental health, because every day of their life they are expected to be consistently “yasashi” (kind) and “majime” (diligent) as if there is no room for waiting or sitting, and minutes of delay at work isn’t even permissible, no matter how shattered they feel inside. So yes, they’re totally allowed to be drunk, to forget the bad and remember the good, with or without reasons at all. Drinking and merry-making aren’t just like occasional festivities in the land of the rising sun. They’re a huge part of Japanese’ way of survival, getting ready for another battlefield.

Did you know that after all the mixture of fun and chaos, before the sun says hello, while everyone is deeply asleep, Nippon’s crowded and lively districts – as such Shibuya, becomes mess-free leaving no traces of the night , more than ready to smitten aliens like us again, with its green and modernity balance, which is something distinct and extraordinary about Japanese discipline.

The post How about Japanese littering in main districts? first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Wow! Social media indeed is a “chismis” powerhouse gone too far. As they say, “Paladesisyon” and “Pakialamero.” However, Andi as a famous influencer, who openly shares her family life on Facebook and Instagram, automatically encourages commentaries and opinion and she is used to being praised or scrutinized, unless she keeps her Island life away from critiques by choosing to live privately. Thus, she surely knows what she’s dealing with.

As for me, there is nothing wrong about deciding to be with the person you love and leave the life you were born in or used to because having a family or to be single is a choice. In case of Andi, being an actress and in showbiz like her parents, the late Jacklyn Jose and Mark Gil who left vital footprints in the history of entertainment industry, it’s also normal that she has chosen to leave show business to follow the love her life, because at the end of the day humans innately enjoy making decisions out of our infinite choices. So, does Andi, standing by it as long as she could, where she feels needed and loved.

But, isn’t it also as important to love ourselves first and know our worth, that way we will have enough love to give? According to April Eldemire, a psychotherapist who specializes in marriage and couples’ issues, new-parenthood transitions and blended family dynamics, “With self-love, you’ll show up in relationships as a strong, confident, and secure person. You’ll feel whole, which will end the need for external validation. You’ll love from a place of feeling fulfilled, rather than a place of feeling empty, and you’ll understand your needs, which will help you communicate effectively with your partner. When you truly love yourself, you’ll know what boundaries you need to set, what you’ll put up with, and when to walk away. You’ll show up as an empowered person and healthy partner when you embody self-love.”

When I got married, the first stages were the hardest especially the first five years as I have to adjust everything for my husband. I left home in the city and lived with him in the countryside. I have made decisions focused on family and kids just like Andi did and in the middle of it, I got tired because it seemed like “I’m beginning to feel drained and that I have less love to give.” There was really a point when I have asked, where am I or how am I doing or do I still recognize myself because I just got lost and felt like I was left behind by my husband. I became suspicious, insecure and hated my reflection in the mirror. Perhaps, these were just my assumptions or post-natal worries while raising our child, but then, it was also an awakening that I had to go back to things I naturally love to do. Things I don’t just do because I share it with him. Or things that give me growth as a woman and as a person. I just decided to start loving myself, my imperfections and strength, until little by little, I have regained my confidence and recognized my self-worth, because I knew that was the kind of person my husband has loved in me and that based on where we are now, it has helped me become better either in my career, wellness, and life goals, which, eventually, in our twenty-two years of marriage, has nurtured our relationship to be strong despite the daily demands from our work. Most importantly, I could say, that one day, should I leave Earth, I will have NO regrets, because I have chosen to forgive myself, work on where I lack, and  take the path I wanted to be, personally, socially, and morally.

Seeing the state of life Andi had, may it be in career, the exposed relationships, her wealth, and even considering the unknown prior to Philmar, I cannot lay the right words, or I am in no position to bring out a suitable advice for her. I am also uncertain that what I did could be what she needed because we are in a very different situation. I just hope that the fountain of love which she selflessly shares, will remain substantial, sufficient and won’t run dry.

So goes for all women out there.

The post Self-love is a Game Changer first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Most of my nieces and nephews study in Japan as my siblings have decided to settle there permanently. As for my kids, they have been enrolled in public and private schools here in Iloilo and for us, parents, the schools they go to actually don’t matter, academics per say, but we are more concerned about the character formation of our children, as we are all aware that based on the nature of growth, or cycle of life, humans enter adolescence stage, and today’s generation-Z, are totally hooked to phone applications for entertainment, games, social interactions or making friends internationally.

I am aware that my kids have to live life offered today by scientists, inventors and programmers and it is inevitable not to use gadgets. However, there are parents like me, who would wish to let their children pause from using their phones for a while, especially when influences are kind of difficult to take care because despite our guidance, kind or strict advice, peer influence and trends are too strong! We all have been through this stage of defying our parents and guardians before and so do they, given!

But what if, the only way families could cut internet connections or keep their kids away from gadgets isn’t possible? Ever! Why? Because public schools seemed to be too dependent on group chats, and that instructions, homework and tasks are laid down inside the GC, or that even learning materials are attached through the GC! How hilarious, when parents try to ban their kids from using their phones, to help them stay away from dating sites, take for example, is quite difficult to do because kids would reason out that they’re using their phones for school! Tendency is, it’s definitely a valid, strong alibi, leaving the parents with no other choice but just trust, hope and pray that their kids will never lie or do anything serious! Then we can only keep on engaging in conversations or guidance that, we pray harder, might work!

In Japan, as the board of education, invests on their children as the future leaders of the nation, the foundational education is quite sacred that they are too keen and strict on implementing school policies in elementary and high school, and that one of which is to keep students’ mobile phones in their lockers before entering the classrooms, which they can only hold again after aall the school classes and activities dismissal. Within school hours, should they have emergencies, advisers have lunch with them inside the classrooms, thus, they can speak with their teachers about their family concerns or that they may use the coin pay phone to call their parents.

But alas! Where does the Philippines Department of Education stand or how do they help keep the kids away from the internet’s threat when parents are moving towards that direction for the safety of their children or when dangers arise? Oh, teach us how?! If it’s necessary in school and we can’t monitor our children 24/7 because they spend most of their time in school?!

According to studies, the youngest age involved in dating sites is 13, and it is illegal, holding the parents liable for misguidance. But how about the schools for minors as accomplices, indirectly? Should we just let our kids fail in academics, if we stand firm on NO PHONES? That way our children can experience nature, or ride on bicycles, and hang out with their cousins, rather than stuck on screen with their online chatmates or dates?

As much as I would like to promote international friendship, the case is not the same for dating applications, which even our 12 year old student, know about and admitted to have used to make friends. Sigh and sigh again.

Paging, rather, hash tagging #DepartmentofEducation #Philippines

The post Hands off Mobile Phones! first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

I am an entrepreneur by heart and I love venturing into different small-medium scale businesses where I have passion in. From education, to travel, to accommodation, to food services, etc. The first thing that I consider in putting up something is that, “Do I have a heart for it?” Because, If I would just be doing it solely for money, and with less purpose, I don’t think I will win in a bigger perspective.

When I decided to reopen my defunct restaurant, I had bigger plans. I wanted to hire a capable chef, to renovate and redesign the place, to shop for necessary equipment, and it wouldn’t really matter even until my purse go drain. I will go all out, because I have a heart for food, every kind of it, from citruses, to carbs, dairies, meat, condiments, etc. And when I travel abroad with family, it will always be the quality of food a locality offers that makes me remember how wonderful the place is and the people are.

The second opening has been successful as the restaurant is serene and that’s what I really wanted it to be. Serene. Calm. Organized. It was a place where I can sit all day and just sip tea, face my laptop and become productive. A place where people like me, can eventually enjoy.

But then, over a month of operation, and situations seem to be out of hand because of certain factors like purchasing, compensation, human resource management. It has been so much loved by the people that I began to lose grasp in the operations, professionally, entirely depending on what the future holds from whether food will come out or not of the kitchen and I am fully aware that that’s not just how a restaurant should be to thrive long term. It doesn’t just start and end at food preparation, because it isn’t a one -man team but should be played by the right people with equal or different skill-sets who are willing to become assets of the company in the next three years and counting.

When I decided to close a very busy, crowded restaurant at a premature stage, of course, I thought of the money that should be coming in but wouldn’t. However, over it, I was looking into deeper matters that only my brain and heart could decipher, having the same Intelligent Quotient of Einstein and with above average Emotional Quotient, it’s really quite chaotic to understand, why I had to do stuff I did, like taking out the perspective that my business can only become successful at the mercy of one person, which  totally I could say, is in a very bad taste if… it’s what others only believe in. Truly, how pitiful blind mindset.

When I plan something, it will always be for the greater good. Will I be helping people and their families?  Will the business matter in the community? Because, truly these make me even happier! But then, when I consider these factors, I also ask, “Do the people I hire to work for me deserve the goodness that I put on their plate should they stay longer in my company?” By means, “Do they have a bigger heart in their craft and for the company aside from personal gains?” For I require loyalty to the company over loyalty to what one can gain from temporary success. Because if that is so, I would also be willing to offer that rare person a dessert cup.

Thus, these past days, when I was weighing things, I realized that I just did what I had to, in the direction I plan to head, because business success is uncertain after all and that I can always stop betting when I’m in the middle of losing the value and purpose of what I am doing.

They say, business is a gamble and that you should always be willing to lose anytime. Then bet again, when you feel like it and the resources can. Who knows, you might win next time.

And that I mean, win with your people in.

The post Win, with your people! first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Carlo Yulo’s triumph taking home two gold medals in the field of gymnastics, specifically on floor exercises and vault, which placed him to the pedestal of success in the specialization of sports, has brought a lifetime fame and pride to the Philippines since 1896, as the first person in history to have achieved two championships in the Olympics.

The Olympic Games are widely regarded as the grandest and most prestigious sports celebration in the world as these events foster global and historical significance, with a wide variety of sports covered by different media with global coverage in both broadcast and print, or even in social platforms. Thus, with one, winning a medal in that grandiose competition, entails becoming an instant national or global icon, just like Caloy. Every set of eyes in the world has become suddenly so focused on him, interested about his life, his story, his hardship, and of course, his roots.

However, despite the perfection of his stunts and balance, his family rift, especially with his mother tied to a dispute with his girlfriend, has become a world issue, too, and it’s like everyone in social media has something to say or call on who is more righteous between the two women, which if I were to read the comments in different postings, proofs show that Filipinos are equally divided or torn to Team Caloy with the girlfriend and Team Yulo Family. Well, humans as we are, it is but an instinct to possess curiosity, to be opinionated on interesting topics or that to form our own judgements based on our discernment. Discerning however, or our thoughts is formed by a variety of factors. Rationalists like René Descartes argue that our opinions are shaped by our ability to think logically and deduce conclusions from premises. Through reason, we can form opinions based on abstract principles and ideas, independent of sensory experience. Further he added that our opinions can be influenced by the intellectual frameworks.  According to social constructivist views moreover, opinions are often shaped by the cultural and social norms we are exposed to. What is considered right, wrong, or acceptable in a given society influences how we form opinions and paradigms we subscribe to, such as scientific reasoning, moral philosophies, or political ideologies.

I was never tempted to engage myself in the comment sections of Facebook or Instagram. Not even once, because I believe it wouldn’t make any sense or that my view wouldn’t matter at all. However, I am entitled to my own conception as an opinion writer, based on my personal experiences and education in philosophy and logic. Given the history of videos posted about Yulo, he has been trained since early childhood and the only support system who went all throughout, may it be hell or success, is his family, prior to him being scouted by financers. The past videos have shown how happy he was going back home to his Mom, excited to eat the mother’s home-cooked kare-kare after an international tournament, which I presume is that sharing a table together in a home expresses love and affection of a mother to her children , as a woman nature and most importantly, as a choice. The love has always been there, and the rift was just sensationalized and interpreted by millions of spectators with totally opposing points.

Let us begin with the most important factor that having a very strong encouragement and support from parents, is beyond reasons to be thankful for. For if not of the parents, then both his younger siblings, wouldn’t  be in the same interest or direction as his.

As to the issue of theft, and dishonesty, which was clarified by the mother in an interview, to have been saved in a bank, labeled as seemed a mortal sin for Caloy, on my viewpoint given the same situation, can be forgiven, not too easily but in the right timing, for these are just material prizes that I would happily share with the people I love and owe from, with or without my knowledge, as long as I am looking into a brighter perspective, that I could gain more, that I am more than this amount, which Caloy has proven now. Look at him! Look at what he has become since Day 0, the Yulo family decided to support Caloy’s dream of becoming a gymnast, despite the scarcity of resources?

Sometimes, children go psychologically or emotionally astray, when they are far from the parents, and with the distance, inserts the emotional gap. How much more with Caloy being miles away from the family due to trainings? Values change. The environment is different. The influences come from everywhere. Pressures happen. And these factors, affect and test relationships no matter how strong or long it has stood.

I am not against Caloy or his mother as their emotions are valid. But I am too hopeful, that this most controversial family rift in 2024 will pass. Time will heal all wounds and looking at the hearts of his parents, he is more than blessed, compared to others, who have none.IMT

The post Caloy is blessed with Yulo family first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

It’s been like two months since I wasn’t able to write because of business responsibilities. There were just so many topics I would like to write about because of experiences, as such the graduations and kids getting honors whom others think are not that valuable, but for me, these kids I believe are very much deserving of the awards they have received and should be congratulated for a job well done. Who are we to say they made it the easy way?

Then there’s Boracay where I went to twice within a month. It seemed like the number of foreign tourists were lesser compared to prior to the pandemic and establishments  have just flocked everywhere, which is good for economy but compromises the natural balance of the island.

These are just two of the many I had in mind but in this issue, I would like to focus on online loan sharks which are still prevalent and are on rampant operation despite the scare and threats the cause left and right, to their so-called clients.

Just within my network, more than five persons I am related with like friends, acquaintances, colleagues and relatives have fallen into the bait of different online loan companies because of emergency reasons. Majority of them needed money for hospitalization bill or to address their health problems. I believe that all debtors can cite valid reasons as to why they trapped themselves into this unimaginable situation.

And the common post effect? Depression and anxiety. Imagine being threatened through constant calls from different numbers informing you that they know your home or work locations or that they have access to your contacts pinpointing them as co-guarantor, since you agreed  to give them your details as part of a loan agreement.

Imagine also the fear one feels to be forced to borrow again from others just so he could gather payment for the interest alone that aggregates to triple the principal amount, for instance, from 60,000 which increases to 300,000 in months. Definitely a cross on one’s shoulder!

But then again, because of financial challenges, situations happen, especially when we assume we have nowhere to run to. I’m not saying that I am 100% sympathetic to the debtors because all our actions entail responsibilities, so are our choices. We were once taught to not accept candies from strangers no matter how tempting they are because we might get kidnapped or drugged. Thus, before taking the bait of crazy loan offers, we have to look at the darkness of people we know who have been into this dilemma. Let’s ponder on how are they doing now.

There’s this one person I know who used to be very active in every circle event, smart, strong, has financial stability as with high salary grade, and independent, who supposedly, should be thinking of enjoying her retirement. However, because of orthopedic case due to an accident, she consumed to borrowing money instead of being honest about her current financial situation to her family. She kept the burden within her thinking that she could solve the problem alone, until she unconsciously found herself begging to lend money from relatives, bargaining her car & now selling her property, just so she could pay the never ending interest. Fear has gotten into her, could we even blame her? She too, was a victim because of one decision she now regretted, until she finally opened up when left hopeless.

According to Col. Fidel Fortaleza Jr., Regional Chief of Anti-Cybercrime Group, should we get scammed, we have to immediately report to the nearest PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group or PNP office, take screen shots of all the conversation and do not pay to other people or numbers.

Although it is true that not all online loan applications are illegal because there are also those that are registered in DTI, SEC and BIR, police authorities advise that we should not get involved in any loan activities as much as possible, or should we do, we need to make sure the companies we applied in, are legal and we should be cautious enough to read the contract because it is where scamming or permissions happen, thus we have to intricately understand the details of the contract despite the excitement of taking out money. Is the contract giving you easy ways to pay with fair interest? Or maybe you have agreed for double of triple interest by signing to agree to it?

Life is not easy for everyone but we always have choices. Choices to always pick the right ones. Should we make mistakes, it is most important to recognize them & learn from them. We hope that those who are currently suffering in online loan application scams will have the voice to share their stories to their trusted family, and would have the courage to report to the authorities rather than suffer alone. Help is always around.

The post End online loan apps post trauma first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

As a parent and school directress who has observed how children aged 2-4 have discovered and developed their potentials in one school year, I would say that the evolvement is truly remarkable. I remember that regardless of their age of entry, most of the learners have now gained the social engagement confidence from assuming or looking at people, situations and environment as “strange” because of unfamiliarity or something new to them. They have learned to identify which is safe and risky or good and bad. Further, they have acquired the social skills to take turns and be responsible on things they can manage, in order to thrive in different scenarios and challenges at their age.

Not only that they do good at test scores which prepare them to succeed in classroom academic setting, likewise, they have unearthed their skills to transform curiosity into a learning process and enhance their emotional strength through making friends and interacting with their classmates. Above all, they have been exposed to a much bigger world aside from the four walls of home.

In our community, as a Japanese-Filipino school, we prioritize inculcating discipline and good vales to our children while they advance in numeracy, literacy, body control art, science and technology through training them good habits with cleaning time after playing, praying before and after meals, singing and dancing their hearts out and playing under the sun, while having fun in science experiments, participating in public music performances, going out in a wider environment as part of experiential education, being gradually familiar with the functions of new technology as they are now living in the world of artificial intelligence, and engaging in sport activities through school festivals associated in aforementioned learning areas.

With the rise of private pre-kinder schools which answers the lack of classroom facilities in the country, the question though is, how will our government address the needs of those who cannot afford to send their children to these institution with professional early childhood development teachers, while low-income parents can only avail day care services with undergraduates unequipped with literacy transfer of knowledge strategies because truth is, it’s only what the government education fund can afford! By the time day care learners enter a regular kindergarten environment, chances are will they be ready to catch up in the curriculum teaching pace set by the department of education or that worst, what would be the emotional impact to children who haven’t even had a year of pre-kinder exposure should they belong to parents who assume that only kindergarten is the first education stage necessary?

I wish to speak to the hearts of parents, that no matter how hard up life is, at least send kids to day cares at 3 and 4 years old, rather than miss the chance to experience the aid of learning and multiple development growth for children their age. Also, there’s still hope, when the government education heads do not deprive children of free services private institutions can offer, with decisions lying at their hands, especially for the sake of children. In the world early childhood education, being selfless can open definitely doors for youngs whose unpredictable future awaits. Let us choose to provide their rights to be armed fully in life’s transitions when they couldn’t decide for what’s best for them, yet. How about change the mindset of “My child is too early for school” to “I’m excited to what my child would become equipped with early childhood education!” No children are too young to learn.

The post Early Childhood Education Matters, Big Time! first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Imagine a university anniversary / sports week or a district fiesta without a beauty pageant associated in the calendar of activities? Just think of the possibility? Zero probably, right? Because as much as I could recall, a cultural celebration will never be complete without a king and queen coronation and that even kindergartens now have cute little majesties.

Just last month I sat as a judge in a barangay beauty pageant as part of its religious fiesta. As we all know, fame or success always starts from the simplest orientations. And for those who are dreaming to take their feet on the national stage, local pageants are a great venue to boost their confidence or give them the experience to better themselves undergoing rigid practices in ramps with 5 inch high heeled shoes, or in their talent that needed to be multifaceted, with singing, acting and dancing or even include gymnastics or karate, and in the most intense Q&A where you have to express yourself clearly and fluently without stammering or showing an anxious expression. So, when I was sitting there, meticulously examining who most deserved the crown, all these I have considered in my standard as to how one has been prepared. I have been through sleepless nights myself when I was convinced to join in a high school pageant and I could simply identify who did which and who didn’t during trainings. Thus, by just the production, you can easily tell who has the highest chances, until the most thrilling speaking engagement which is the interview.

I guess, that night, I shattered the confidence and discipline of the top three beauties when I was tasked to write the final question, which was, “Why do you think women are important in a society or community?” And boala, all of them answered, “Because women give birth” in their own version, which definitely kept me mum and broken hearted for God’s sake. I mean really? I wasn’t certainly sure if the reason their answer was the same and limited to the concept of creation was that they were nervous with the idea of testing their intelligence, thus, who am I to criticize them either, personally? Truly, I cannot condemn these ladies and rate them low, for by just standing there they have already bravely taken the challenge to be strong since zero minute of the competition. However, let it simply be for mothers of these very promising ladies, to please show them their strength, their values, their powers as women which make families, as foundation of a society – null and paralyzed – without their selfless choices and unparalleled sacrifice! So, women aren’t just here to give birth but to dedicate themselves as moms- heroes, balancing work at home or in offices, which are all forms of their noble service to the community.

My thoughts didn’t just focus on the contestants that night but also journeyed to millions of them who by their age should be knowledgeable first and foremost of their assets as women, before trying to obtain this era’s standard of walking physical beauty limited to modernly enhanced face features, white skin, curvy body, or a steward’s height. As much as we aim to improve God’s natural gifts, we should not leave behind our inner strength- our worth- whoever, wherever and however we encounter into and aspire to be. We don’t just exist for creation. We are valuable because we are definitely more.

The post Why Women are Valuable first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Last Monday, I crossed Guimaras for an important purpose. I looked at the right and  thought of immediately diving into the fresh sea. Then gazed on the left side of the terminal and saw sakto bottles, stryofoam, snacks packaging floating on the corner, “Waste is waste and it gives a “dirty, unattended” taste for such nationally promoted and frequented by tourists island. Heck, where can I find a net? I could’ve just knit catch them, hence they’re too easy peasy to clear anyways, it wouldn’t take 5 minutes to put everything back to normal. So why not even one among those assigned in the coast or the terminal care to stand up and take that simple kiddie challenge?

Last month, we had an overnight stay at Balay Kugon Resort in Sicogon where we charted a private boat. Oh, the resort was truly a paradise because it has been well maintained by the Ayala Corporation. But, before you are able to reach that gem, you have to just try to cover your eyes as if no mess exists. I could say among the municipalities I named , Estancia has the worst port I wouldn’t wish to remember. Not that the port smells dried fish everywhere because we all are aware it’s their primary source of living and I admire their noble livelihood. Rather, the trash floating were just uncontainable and gruesome to imagine!  They were mostly non biodegradable and piling all over the docking area. I wonder if their local government unit has even bothered to check on their situation?  I could assume that the trash has been there for weeks or months because of the sticky presence of mud or whatever that is that has turned the materials dark.  The solutions are plainly logical and basic. Clean and penalize the culprits!  Have somebody in the waste and management do job. Do they have DOLE contractual workers or does the port as a market area have maintenance staff the least? How about the coast guard with their reserves initiating clean up drive? But of course, the main people responsible in maintaining the portal to the nation’s tourist attractions Isla Gigantes as such is the provincial and local government units’ heads working together with the Department of Tourism. Not only that we are promoting the natural resources but also we tell our covey our market value by showing how we take care of our environment because the process is so easy if you make it as a habitual function. Too many resolutions and ordinances have been passed I believe but the implementation will always have loopholes without religious supervision. And as for humans? Let the careless animals pay the price of littering either through imprisonment or monetary sanction so that they would learn from their acts and realize not to do the same wherever they land on. Ilonggos, where’s civilization taking place in the era of technology and advancement?

I  hope that by the time I visit Panay’s best attractions, the locals as the forefront of tourism have taken a deeper grasp of their vital roles in maintaining the wonders of their welling place, their home. The same as the visitors, would put it in their conscience to be reminded to just leave footprints and bring with them memories when they are given the privilege to visit places they have no rights to harm.

The post Cleaning is so elementary, Ilonggos first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

The Philippines as a tropical country with the sun as a dominant weather denominator is appreciated by other nationalities because it’s one of their top getaway destinations in the months of December until March during winter season. For the past five weeks, my family travelled to Sicogon, Gigantes Island, Boracay and Sipalay and during our stay at Sulu Sunset Beach Resort, I overheard a conversation between German nationals who expressed their admiration in the Philippine climate describing it as “crisp.” Further, for us, who frequent going on vacation in summer, we understand where they are coming from because indeed summer is the best time not be worried about unpredictable wind blows while enjoying the pristine of beaches by island hopping and not be bothered by rain showers during road trips.

Although, our country is loved by others because of it’s consistent fair weather, summer on the other hand, is quite a disadvantage for Filipinos, especially for students who must report to school every day because the heat is intolerable which may cause them exhaustion while commuting or if the classrooms are not well ventilated, since electric fans are not enough to sustain coolness and comfort. In fact, based on the Department of Health, 118 students have been recorded suffering from heat exhaustion in March. Moreover, as per Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas’ Executive Order suspending face to face classes for over a week now and converting learning to alternative mode as protection for students, and with the recent announcement of the Department of Education to hold asynchronous classes for a week, we cannot deny that with these necessary adjustments implemented for the safety of the children, it is best for the Department of Education to realign the school year back to it’s normal academic schedule which opens in June and ends in March.

Public schools are not the only affected institutions, even private schools are, because classroom set ups are not mainly the concern but likewise when and how the students reach school and return home. Take for example, our pre-kinder school where all rooms are air-conditioned. Despite being comfortable inside the rooms, we also consider the travel time and situation of students because there are still who take public transportation, thus adjusting our schedule to morning only.

During a conversation class with my student, Dr. Lee, Vice President for Academic Affairs of English Department in Nazarene University in Korea, we discussed about why countries like Japan, Korea, China and those with four seasons are economically doing better than in the Philippines. His explanation was simple, “Because of the tropical weather which makes Filipinos sweat a lot and when it’s hot, it feels heavy to move.” Well, I definitely side with his opinion about this one. How much more in summer when continuous direct heat exposure can lead to several health conditions like dehydration, stroke, skin cancer, cramps, etc.?

Let 2024 summer be a reminder and a lesson this time that concrete solutions must be considered by the national government agencies, for families to have quality time on health and wellness instead of temporary resolutions on how we avoid killing ourselves from the scorching heat of the sun while classes are on going. Summer should be fun for children as it used to be and should not make them feel like a punishment. School break by April, please.

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