THE FADING GRANDEUR OF JARO: THE 1928 MANSION OF DON JOAQUIN LEDESMA

THE FADING GRANDEUR OF JARO: THE 1928 MANSION OF DON JOAQUIN LEDESMA!

Facing the historic Jaro Plaza in Iloilo City stands one of the district’s most imposing ancestral residences—a mansion whose weathered columns, ornate balconies, and fading walls tell the story of a prosperous era in Iloilo’s history.

The Don Joaquin Ledesma Ancestral House, also known as the Ledesma Mansion, was reportedly built in 1928 for wealthy sugar planter Don Joaquin Ledesma y Ledesma.

During the early twentieth century, Iloilo’s sugar economy helped generate considerable wealth among prominent families, many of whom built magnificent residences that transformed the architectural landscape of Jaro.

The Ledesma Mansion was among these grand homes.

Its architecture combines Beaux-Arts grandeur, neoclassical ornamentation, and Art Deco influences. Monumental columns, elaborate capitals, projecting balconies, classical balustrades, and decorative moldings distinguish its imposing exterior.

But beyond its architecture, the mansion also witnessed Jaro’s vibrant social and religious life.

Don Joaquin was remembered as a generous patron of the Catholic Church and a benefactor of the nearby St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary.

The mansion hosted elaborate gatherings, particularly dinners honoring the Bishop of Jaro and members of the clergy. During religious celebrations, its doors opened to guests, reflecting the family’s prominent role in the community.

The residence also carries memories of the Second World War. According to recollections shared by family members, Japanese forces occupied the mansion during the war.

Today, the mansion remains listed in Iloilo City’s Cultural Property Inventory, recognizing its place within the city’s architectural heritage.

However, its aging façade, deteriorating architectural details, and visibly weathered condition underscore an important reality: heritage recognition alone does not guarantee heritage preservation.

The mansion’s significance extends beyond the wealth of the family that built it. It offers a tangible record of Iloilo’s economic transformation, architectural craftsmanship, religious traditions, and social history.

Its surviving walls deserve more than admiration. They deserve informed conservation and a sustainable future.

A CITY THAT VALUES ITS HISTORY MUST ALSO CARE FOR THE BUILDINGS THAT KEEP THAT HISTORY ALIVE.

Nine Things to Avoid in Your Travels to Europe

Your first trip to Europe should be an exciting time, not something to over-stress about. Although many European countries have a lot of similarities to the United States, there are still some cultural differences to be aware of. If it’s your first trip, there may be things you haven’t considered. From crowded tourist traps to etiquette errors, check out the following nine tips about what to avoid during your first trip to Europe.

1. Passport Denial

Credit: Tawan Jz/ Shutterstock

It’s a no-brainer that you need a passport to travel abroad, but did you know some 

European countries have rules and limits? Even if your passport isn’t expired yet,

 you  could still be turned away by border security. In some countries, a passport

must be  valid for at least three or six months after your intended travel date. If your 

passport  expires in two months at the time of travel, for example, you might not be

 able to board  your plane. Popular destinations with such rules include Italy, Spain,

 Greece, and  France. Refer to the U.S. Department of State for more details.

2. Taking a Cab

Credit: William Barton/ iStock

While Americans flock to cabs and ride-sharing alternatives such as Uber and Lyft,

 most  European cities have very reliable public transportation. Take some time to 

research your options before you arrive since you might be able to save a lot of 

money by opting  for a train, subway, tram, or local bus.

European cities are also usually very walkable, so if you can, save even more 

money  and just walk to your destination. Staying in a central location downtown

 is also a great  way to save money on transportation fees.

3. Tipping Blunders

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The tipping culture is huge in the United States, but following the same rule could get 

you in trouble abroad. Tipping etiquette varies by country, but typically a 10 to 15% 

service charge is already added to your final bill. You aren’t expected to pay an extra

 tip unless the service was incredible — then you can add a few extra euros. Do not

 tip 20% as you would in the U.S. It'll save you money. If a service fee isn’t included

 and  you aren’t sure if you should tip or not, giving a 5-10% cash tip is a good rule

 of thumb.  When in doubt, ask a local for standard tipping etiquette.

4. Crowds and Tourist Traps

Credit: JIMMOYHT/ Shutterstock

This tip is especially relevant for big cities with lots of tourist attractions. While 

everyone  else is rushing to the same museums, monuments, and restaurants, ask

 a friendly local  for advice on what to do next. If you feel odd walking up to a 

stranger on the street,  ask an employee from a nearby museum or shop about 

where to eat or what their favorite sight is. These local recommendations will give 

you more authentic travel experiences. This also helps avoid crowds and you’ll 

likely save some money since most tourist attraction prices are inflated.

5. Store Closings at Lunchtime

Credit: Arsenie Krasnevsky/ Shutterstock

This tip is especially relevant if you’re traveling to a small or less popular European

 city.  Stores and restaurants might be closed during the afternoon to ensure 

employees can have lunch and a nice break. This is especially common in Spain 

where an afternoon  siesta is a big part of the culture. Other countries have similar 

routines such as Italy, Greece, France, and Cyprus. In countries like France,

 the museums and shops close  for lunchtime and the cafés and restaurants remain

 open until late afternoon before  closing a few hours before dinner. However, 

in heavily-trafficked tourist areas, the entire city won’t shut down and you’re likely

 to find something open. When in doubt,  check the store or restaurant hours online

 or give them a call before you head out  to your destination.

6. The Paris Trap

Credit: dvoevnore/ Shutterstock

We would never tell you not to visit Paris, France, but it is one of the continent's top tourist 

destinations. In fact, France is the most-visited country in the world. Going in with open eyes

 and a clear plan to avoid crowds is not a bad idea. 

There is much more to do in this wonderful city than wait in line for hours to climb the

Eiffel Tower. Save time and money by avoiding the typical tourist attractions and get off 

the beaten path. Instead of waiting in line at the Eiffel Tower, go to the terrace on the

 Arc de Triomphe for panoramic views of the city with a shorter wait. If the crowds are too

 much at the Mona Lisa Exhibit in the Louvre, don’t sweat it. Although beautiful, the painting 

is quite small and hard to see in a large crowd. See other famous exhibits at the Louvre 

instead or visit one of the many art and history museums in the city.

7. Cash Exchange Confusion

Credit: Kenishirotie/ iStock

In general, exchanging cash when you arrive in Europe is better than doing so in the 

U.S. as it lets you avoid higher exchange rates. Airports in Europe will have ATMs 

for you to withdraw from when you land. However, using your credit card at an 

ATM for  local cash is typically expensive due to conversion fees that are tacked

 on to your withdrawal cost. Still, it makes sense to keep a small amount of local 

cash on you in  case of an emergency. 

For the most part, the cheapest way to pay for something will be to use your credit

 card directly. This method typically has the lowest conversion rate. Check with your

 credit card issuer before you leave for international fees. If you’re exchanging cash

 before you go or traveling to multiple European countries, keep in mind that not all 

countries  use the euro. For example, Switzerland uses the Swiss franc.

8. Tourist Pricing in Venice

Credit: zoom-zoom/ iStock

As tourists continue to flock to Venice, Italy, local restaurants and shops get away 

with  overcharging for food, services, and souvenirs. Try to research a restaurant 

before you  go in by reading reviews and prices, so that you're not shocked by your 

bill. In a report  from CNN Travel, tourists were unexpectedly charged $653 for a

 light lunch for three  people and another group was charged $1,366 for a dinner

 for four. This isn't just a  problem in Venice, though. You'll find plenty of restaurants

 and hotels upping their  prices, especially around major tourist attractions.

 Ask a local for recommendations,  use an online review site, or just go the extra

 mile to get away from tourist traps so  that you don’t fall into this costly trick.

9. Don’t Be Let Down by Local Etiquette 

Credit: Radu Razvan/ Shutterstock

In the U.S., it's common to smile or have small talk with a stranger. In some 

European countries, this is seen as unusual behavior and you might not get the 

response you  expected. Proper etiquettevaries across Europe. Some cultures are

 overly-enthusiastic  and others are more reserved. One common complaint from 

tourists is that the French, particularly Parisians are unfriendly. But in reality, they're

 just more physically reserved than other cultures and it's not normal for them to

 greet everyone with  a big smile.

Meanwhile,here is some News Condemning Trumps use of the Alien-Enemies Act

https://www.kqed.org/news/12032263/bay-area-japanese-americans-condemn-trumps-use-of-alien-enemies-act

Finally, A Rare Orca Sighting

RARE ORCA SIGHTING IN PHILIPPINE WATERS!

A Cebuana captured a once-in-a-lifetime moment as a pod of orcas swam alongside their boat from Boracay to Palawan! The breathtaking scene, reminiscent of the beloved Free Willy movie, left viewers in awe. Orcas are rarely seen in the Philippines, making this encounter a truly magical experience.

“It was definitely adrenaline-pumping as there were many Orcas, adults and calves. But it was also magical, as I only see this in Seaworld. Now, it’s the real world,” said Donna Pepito-Lim, who documented the encounter.

MARKED SAFE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD!

MARKED SAFE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD!

As time passes, various religious leaders, prophets, scientists, and individuals have made their own predictions about when the world will end.

Yesterday, November 13, 2026, it was said that the world would end based on old scientific studies from 1960. On November 4, 1960, an article was published in the journal Science titled "Doomsday: Friday, 13 November, A.D. 2026". The article was written by Austrian-American physicist Heinz von Foerster along with Patricia M. Mora and Lawrence W. Amiot. 

They used a mathematical formula to project the growth of the world's population from the year zero until 1958. They noticed that as time passed, the growth rate accelerated (they called it hyper-exponential growth). According to their calculations, if this growth continued at such a fast rate, the population would reach "infinity" by November 13, 2026. The day was chosen as Friday (Friday the 13th) because it is also the exact birthday of Heinz von Foerster. They used it to discuss the issue of overpopulation back then, not to predict the real end of the world. Foerster passed away in 2002.

Some of the most well-known examples of End of the World include the Great Flood in 1524, the Halley's Comet in 1910, and the Maya Apocalypse in 2012. Let's revisit some of the predictions about the end of the world.

Despite the numerous predictions, one truth remains: No one truly knows when the world will end. In the end, only time will tell.

https://www.britannica.com/.../10-failed-doomsday...

Meanwhile I am Still Here: Reflections on a Quiet Saturday After "Doomsday"

Yesterday was supposed to be the end of the world, at least according to a few ambitious 1960 predictions that pegged Friday, November 13, 2026, as our final curtain call.

Yet here we are, waking up to another ordinary, beautiful morning. It turns out humanity has a pretty solid track record of outliving its own doomsday prophecies. There is something wonderfully grounding about surviving a scheduled apocalypse: it reminds you not to take the simple, everyday moments for granted. The sun still came up, the coffee still tastes great, and there are still plenty of stories left to tell.

To all my readers around the world, thank you for sticking around with me. Here’s to whatever comes next!

Finally, My Photos of the Day: THD Amaryllis  Bulb Planting Activity

Words Have Histories, Just Like People

* A Reflective Essay as I Approach My 92nd Birthday *

Part 1. Twenty English Words and Their Ancestry

English is sometimes described as a Germanic language with a substantial Latin and French vocabulary. The following 20 words illustrate how these different linguistic traditions have enriched our language.

The origins below are simplified explanations of each word's historical ancestry.

A. Words with Latin Roots

Latin was the language of ancient Rome. Through education, religion, science, and scholarship, Latin has had an enormous influence on English.

Word	Meaning	Origin
1. Wisdom	Knowledge and good judgment	Old English wisdom, with Germanic roots; included here as a contrast
2. Memory	The ability to remember	Latin memoria
3. Education	The process of learning	Latin educatio
4. Knowledge	Understanding or awareness	Old English cnāwlece, Germanic
5. Liberty	Freedom	Latin libertas
6. Virtue	Moral goodness	Latin virtus
7. Mortality	The condition of being subject to death	Latin mortalitas

B. Words with French Roots

After the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, French profoundly influenced English. Many words associated with government, law, food, art, and social life entered English through French.

Word	Meaning	Origin
8. Courage	Bravery in facing difficulties	Old French corage
9. Beauty	Quality of being beautiful	Old French beauté
10. Journey	Traveling from one place to another	Old French jornee
11. Memory	The ability to remember	Latin through French
12. Restaurant	An establishment serving meals	French restaurant
13. Legacy	Something handed down from the past	Old French legacie
14. Wisdom	Good judgment and understanding	Old English, Germanic

C. Words with Germanic Roots

Germanic languages are the historical foundation of English. Many of the words we use for everyday activities, relationships, and emotions come from this linguistic family.

Word	Meaning	Origin
15. Home	A place where one lives	Old English hām
16. Love	Deep affection	Old English lufu
17. Friend	A person with whom we share affection and trust	Old English frēond
18. Life	The condition of being alive	Old English līf
19. Hope	Expectation and desire for something good	Old English hopa
20. Death	The end of life	Old English dēaþ

A small historical observation: English words do not always have just one simple ancestry. Some traveled through several languages before arriving in English. For example, many words with Latin origins entered English through French.

Part 2. My Reflective Essay

A Reflective Essay as I Approach My 92nd Birthday

As I approach my 92nd birthday next month, I find myself reflecting on many things. My memories of childhood in the Philippines, my years as a student, my professional career, my family, my travels, and the many people who have crossed my path during this long journey called life.

Recently, I became interested in something we often take for granted: the English language.

Have you ever wondered why some English words sound distinctly Latin, others French, and still others Germanic? Why do we have so many different words to express similar thoughts and feelings?

The English language is a fascinating mixture of linguistic influences. It is a language that has borrowed, adapted, and evolved over many centuries.

A Language with Many Ancestors

English began primarily as a Germanic language. Its earliest foundations came from the languages spoken by Germanic tribes who settled in Britain. That is why many simple, everyday English words, such as home, love, life, friend, hope, and death, have Germanic origins.

Then came the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. French became the language of the English ruling class, government, and much of the legal and administrative world. Over time, thousands of French words entered English.

That is why we have words such as courage, beauty, journey, restaurant, and legacy.

Latin contributed another enormous vocabulary, particularly through religion, education, science, medicine, philosophy, and scholarship.

Words such as education, liberty, virtue, memory, and mortality remind us of the enduring influence of ancient Rome.

It is fascinating to realize that when we speak English today, we are using a language shaped by several civilizations and centuries of human history.

Words and the Passage of Time

As I look at the words themselves, I find that some have a deeper meaning for me now than they did when I was younger.

Take the word education. When I was a young student at the University of the Philippines, education represented opportunity. It opened doors that I could hardly have imagined as a young boy growing up in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.

My education eventually took me to the University of Illinois, where I earned my Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. It also brought me to a professional career in the pharmaceutical industry and later to the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Looking back, education was more than acquiring knowledge. It changed the direction of my life.

Then there is memory. At my age, memory has become particularly precious. I sometimes revisit childhood experiences, my years in college, my professional accomplishments, and especially the years I shared with my late wife, Macrine.

Some memories are vivid, while others have become a little blurred around the edges. But I have learned that memories are not merely records of the past. They are part of who we are today.

The word love also carries a special meaning. More than 63 years of marriage cannot be adequately described in a few sentences. Love is not simply romance or the excitement of youth. It is companionship, patience, sacrifice, forgiveness, and being there for someone through the difficult seasons of life.

And then there is legacy.

I have reached an age when I think less about what I have accumulated and more about what I can leave behind. My children, grandchildren, and two great-grandsons are an important part of that legacy.

Perhaps my continuing interest in writing and blogging is another small contribution. Since 2009, I have written about science, technology, Philippine culture, aging, family, and the many things that make life interesting. I am grateful that readers from different parts of the world have taken the time to read my thoughts.

The Words That Matter Most

Among the 20 words I have selected, there are six that particularly resonate with me as I approach 92.

• Wisdom – Not simply knowing many things, but learning from our mistakes and experiences.

• Courage – Finding the strength to face life's uncertainties, including the challenges that come with aging.

• Friendship – Appreciating the people who make our journey less difficult and more meaningful.

• Hope – Continuing to look forward, even when the future is uncertain.

• Life – Recognizing that every day, regardless of age, is an opportunity to experience something worthwhile.

• Mortality – Accepting that life has an ending, while appreciating the time we have been given.

At nearly 92, I am increasingly aware that time is perhaps our most valuable possession. We cannot recover yesterday, and none of us knows how many tomorrows remain.

But I do not consider growing old a reason to stop being curious.

I still enjoy a good game of Bridge, conversations with friends, discovering interesting subjects, watching films, and exploring how artificial intelligence is changing our world. I may no longer have the energy of my younger years, but my curiosity remains very much alive.

Perhaps that is one of the secrets of aging: keeping the mind interested in the world around us.

A Final Reflection

Words have histories, just like people. They travel across generations, acquire new meanings, and become part of the lives of those who use them.

The English language itself is a legacy of many civilizations. Its richness comes from its willingness to borrow and learn from others.

Perhaps there is a lesson here for all of us.

We, too, are products of different experiences, cultures, relationships, successes, failures, and encounters. Each of these has contributed something to the person we have become.

As I prepare to celebrate my 92nd birthday, I am reminded that growing older does not mean that our story is finished. There are still words to discover, ideas to explore, people to appreciate, and memories to preserve.

I may be approaching 92, but I am not finished learning.

And as long as I can still put my thoughts into words, I hope to continue sharing a little wisdom, a few memories, and perhaps an occasional smile with my readers around the world.

After all, age adds years to our lives, but curiosity adds life to our years.

AI Impressions and Suggestions for My Birthday Writing Series

Part 3. A Suggestion for MY  birthday series

I particularly like the possibility of turning this reflection into a small series called:

"Words of Wisdom at 92: Reflections on Life, Language and Time."

You could explore several interesting words in subsequent posts:

• Nostalgia – Why we cherish memories of the past.

• Serendipity – The unexpected discoveries that enrich our lives.

• Resilience – How we recover from life's disappointments.

• Gratitude – Why appreciating what we have matters more as we age.

• Ephemeral – The fleeting nature of life and time.

• Eudaimonia – An ancient Greek concept of human flourishing and living a meaningful life.

One final thought: I would retain the title Words Have Histories, Just Like People. It captures the central message beautifully.

At nearly 92, you have accumulated something much more valuable than a dictionary of words: a lifetime of experiences that give those words meaning.

What makes this particular posting special is that it is not simply about the English language or the origins of 20 words. It is about a lifetime of experiences viewed through the wisdom of nearly 92 years.

Your journey from Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, to the University of the Philippines, the University of Illinois, your FDA career, your family life with Macrine, and now your continuing adventures in blogging and exploring AI gives the essay an authenticity that no dictionary can provide.

I particularly love your closing thought:

"Age adds years to our lives, but curiosity adds life to our years."

That is a wonderful birthday message, not just for you, but for readers of every age and from every corner of the world.

Keep writing! Your story is still unfolding. And I hope we will have many more blog posts to celebrate before and after your 92nd birthday. 😊

AI Overview: 

Every word carries a hidden biography, shaped by migration, shifting cultures, and the everyday lives of the people who spoke it. 

Just like people, words travel across borders, take on new jobs, shed old habits, and sometimes hide their literal beginnings behind a modern pronunciation.

How Words Live and Change

• They migrate and adapt. Languages constantly borrow from one another through trade, exploration, and cultural exchange. Everyday English words like chocolate, tomato, and barbecue traveled from Indigenous languages of the Americas into global vocabulary. 
• They evolve with human beliefs. Words often preserve outdated science or folklore. For instance, users on Quora frequently point out that lunatic comes from the Latin lunaticus("moonstruck"), reflecting an ancient belief that the cycles of the moon caused madness.
• They disguise their literal roots. Over centuries, fast speech blurs compound words until we forget what they actually say. As contributors on Reddit's r/etymology communitynote, a cupboard was literally a board for cups, breakfast was simply breaking a night's fast, and goodbye began as the phrase "God be with ye". 
• They are sometimes born in a single moment. While most words grow organically, others have an exact birthdate. Authors and thinkers regularly coin terms—like pandemonium or serendipity—that capture a new idea so well that generations adopt them. 

If you enjoy exploring how language captures human experience, books like The Wordspotter's Guide and Word Origins ... and How We Know Them dive deep into the detective work behind these linguistic biographies.

My Photo of the Day-Willie- My Friend's Pet Dog

Hi David,

I know you are a pet owner and attached deeply to Batman and Robin so I am sharing this news with you.

On Tuesday my beloved Willie passed away. We had many great experiences together including time at THD. 

I have attached an in memory of Willie tribute.  If you feel compelled to share with any residents or on your blog please don't hesitate to do so. 

I sincerely hope you are well.. I read your blog daily. Michael