More Surprising News

Just learned this morning that some people in the compound caught COVID and were brought to NEUGH. Unfortunately, they were asked to return home since tents in the hospitals are full. No available rooms for COVID admissions. Sadder part is, kids have also been infected. But speaking of positivity, we are positive that hey will get well quickly.  

Recently, the Philippines have been adding more than 10,000 new cases of COVID daily. The WHO also declared the other day that there is already community transmission of the Delta variant.  Let us all take precaution, always maintain and observe the minimum health protocols whenever we are out of our homes. Get vaccinated. Most of all, pray that this pandemic ends sooner.

Here are five things we need to know about the Delta variant: source: gavi.org.

Stay safe, everyone!

Thank you, 2017!

I'm just glad and thankful that before this year ends, better things started pouring in.  Frankly, I can say that I had a not-so-good 2017 start and until the 3rd quarter of this year, some things were still difficult to understand.  But my hope kept its fire burning--- that good things will come to those who patiently wait.  And indeed! God never fails to amaze me with His bountiful blessings in His right timing!  All glory and praises to HIS Name!

One of the best things that happened this year is the birth of our second child, a bouncing baby boy!  This cheerful baby resembles her mom a lot.  Always smiling, always happy.  He's truly a blessing to my family!  And I couldn't thank God more for this gift!

DJ's offering day, Feb. 25, 2017.  Photo with Bro. Benefrido Santiago
& Taytay resident minister, Bro. Jericko De Jesus

I had the chance to go back up to Baguio again this year, through the company of my best church buddies.  We really are supposed to stay in Pangasinan and Baguio was just a side trip.  One of the most memorable times of my 2017--- vacation with good friends!

Baguio boys: MJ, Khel, Mayor Carford, Xian, Narvin
(not in photo: Czyrus & Czarwin)

Mountain of houses has never pleased my sight :(

had a good faith matter discussion with MJ's tito, with Razel

bed sharing

early morning view from your place

...and the smell of the green rice field

never forget the worship services wherever you go!

batis na malinis... there is still hope to preserve nature's beauty!

career-wise, i get to visit Iloilo again for a very touching CSR project / experience.  A community we nurture, together with Gawad Kalinga, gave me a different perspective about "less fortunate" families--- families who live in a community where there is no electricity, and school travel for kids becomes a reason for their frequent class absences.  i, together with two good men, were assigned to document this "reality" but was instructed to avoid producing a pitiful story angle.  seems difficult but that "reality" made our assignment naturally easy to accomplish.  Kids greet you with smiles on their faces whenever they come across you, elders do likewise and acknowledge your presence cheerfully.  NO TRACES OF POVERTY, even if they have lesser than the standard households here in Metro Manila.  Children knows their responsibilities at their young age--- domestic responsibilities even.  Children are eager for education, and the community as a whole has been supportive of this.  Youth organizations established weekly tutorials for the younger ones, and "bayanihan" community services are regular on weekends.  Time well spent each day.  This is how they live without television, computers, laptops, and other gadgets--- simple but fruitful life.  More social interaction and community awareness.  One could wish to live in the community and forget all the complexity that modern living has to offer.

documenting their story w/ Joaquin, Raymond & Issa

Early morning pose with the neighborhood

community service FTW!

the regular Zumba session on weekends led by the Youth organiztion

Another blessing before this year ends, I finally got my long-awaited "movement." It has been three years and many thoughts of giving-up when this has been finally realized. although, the official paper confirming this "movement" hasn't been distributed yet.

For the many, many times I've traveled by plane, this is the first time I got really upset over a local flight.  Yes, i've had numerous and countless delayed flights before but this one topped them all!  I was scheduled for the earliest flight last October 16 to discuss an upcoming company activity in our offices in Iloilo.  I got the earliest possible flight so I can start my rounds early and have ample time to stay there in case needed, before the scheduled flight back to Manila.  Then this happened:  arrived in NAIA Terminal 3 at around 3am.  My boarding time reads 0350.  I checked in and waited for the boarding time.  It was a little past 4am when people began inquiring at the Cebu Pacific desk which at that time was manned by a couple of the airline staff. We were supposed to depart at 0420 and no advisory was yet to be announced.  A few minutes after numerous desk inquiries, announcement said that the flight will be delayed (as we expected) and that we should wait for  the next flight announcement at 7:00AM! Like, huh??? 7:00AM and WAIT for further announcement??  So do we have much choice?  After waiting for another three hours, we approached the airline desk to inquire.  We were told that an announcement will be made in a few minutes.. then the much-awaited information was announced: "...please be informed that your flight will further be delayed.  Please wait for the next flight announcement at 10:00AM"  Another 3 hours???  I've called my boss already to inform this unacceptable situation, but told her i'd be waiting until the next (and hopefully the last) flight status announcement.  I began inquiring on the updates about the situation at Iloilo International Airport, since I began hearing comments  from other passengers that the flight will be cancelled and that they are opting to reroute to Roxas then travel by land to Iloilo instead.  A few days earlier, a Cebu Pacific aircraft overshoot the runway of Iloilo International Airport and was stranded there for days.  Perhaps it would be possible to clear the situation from there rather than waiting for the delayed announcement from the airline?  And besides, I've checked PAL website earlier and they already announced cancelled flights to all of their scheduled Iloilo-bound trips.  Why not do the same, Cebu Pacific?? Whyyy??? So even before 9AM, the airline desk was already being swarmed up by irate passengers.  I've decided to wait and wait until they finally announced, minutes before 10AM, that the flight will be cancelled already.  7 hours of waiting in vain is just... WOW.

no sun has risen yet, i was already waiting near the boarding gate

Cebu Pacific desk getting busy attending to irate passengers
and at the same time inquiring about the flight

1-pc chicken joy-rice, and a bottle of water to ease our disappointment
plus one-way trip voucher to any local flight of destination

my boarding pass stamped with "claimed meals" isa lang naman yung meal na ibinigay :P

I've struggled to find a perfect business to 'supplement' my monthly income.  Things have been uneasy, financially speaking, this year and the blessing that came toward the end of this year should change my financial storyline--- for the better.  But I still need to plan for a long-term (savings) goal.  The numerous buy and sell products have somewhat helped me go through the year.. some of them are the following:

ladies shorts... managed to sell a few pieces  with a very
generous supplier willing to settle on a consignment basis

had one buyer but i had to recall since product wasn't original

good products, but not really the business product i was hoping for.
we still use these at home. really very good products.

the most successful among the products i sold. pagkain pa rin
talaga ang love ng mga Pinoy customers!

in one of the most 'sensationalized' crime stories that happened this year, one story (un)fortunately happened in one of our projects.  so when media reporters have to come and cover the story, I needed to be there.  Other than the bad story that the news covered, it was a pleasant reunion with one former colleague, Chino Gaston, and meeting a new face from the other network, Jasmin Romero.  The latter had the juicier detail of the drama though as it was their network who had the first exclusive coverage of the developing story.

friends by profession: ABS CBN's Jasmin Romero (leftmost)
and GMA's Chino Gaston (middle)

Health-wise, I haven't been a hundred percent healthy this year.  Found out that my triglyceride, uric acid, and bad fats have sky-rocketed after I submitted myself to a doctor's check-up when I felt once that my blood pressure also shoot up.  I was given numerous medicine prescriptions which I had to consume for a month.  Then I have to undergo a series of blood chemistry to monitor its improvement.  In the end (or after three blood chem results) I decided to just restrict myself to a strict diet (and veer away from the daily meds) as the doctor advised anyway:  LESS rice, NO softdrinks, LESS coffee... and some other things i love, i have to give-up--- or at least LIMIT, LIMIT, LIMIT:  peanuts, sweets, PORK (bye, sinigang), BEEF (or any red meat for that matter).  Then FORCE myself to physical activities.  Since I am not a very sporty guy, I decided to take the stairs always when going down, and walk the stretch of Shaw Boulevard after work--- from our office (Puregold Shaw area) to Kalentong, or sometimes up to Starmall.  Yep, it's traffic anyway. I also got a second-hand bicycle courtesy of my ever-reliable dad, and got used to take the stairs of the LRT station going up. Yes, going up!  I also forced myself to drink a lot of water not caring if I go to the restroom more often, and take my daily dosage of buco juice.  After a few weeks of keeping this routine, results are quite pleasant--- I even lost my frequent heartburn!  Now all I have to do is to maintain this discipline unto the coming year.

February 3, 2017

December 19, 2017. pwede na ulet lumamon!

In a few hours, it's going to be a new year.  A couple of things to look forward to for the 1st month of the year:  DJ's 1st birthday; mom's homecoming.  Then, let's take it one at a time.  God is good always, all the time!  As for me and my family, we will serve Him faithfully.

A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Heartburn

can you imagine having NO COFFEE for a day? how about for a week? a month? forever?? NOOOOO!!!! :(

i think it's what i am missing the most since i disciplined myself into not drinking coffee and my favorite carbonated drink. i often feel having heartburn. heartburn really has nothing to do with one's heart. it is actually an abnormal feeling affecting one's esophagus. "Your esophagus, the food tube that carries what you swallow down to your stomach, can literally be burned by the acids released by your stomach.

Unfortunately, we can experience something called reflux, or acid reflux. That's when some of the stomach contents, including the acid, slip back up through the esophageal sphincter, the valve that's supposed to prevent the stomach's contents from reversing course. Reflux causes an uncomfortable, burning sensation between the stomach and the neck. Most people feel the discomfort beneath the breastbone.
Occasionally the acid keeps on coming until you have a mouthful of something bitter and acidy. You may have some pain in your gut, too, or in your chest. Along with that acid may come a belch, one that may bring even more of that stomach acid with it."*

to avoid having heartburn, here are some tips from **altmedicine dot about dot com:

Natural Remedies for Heartburn

If you are experiencing heartburn, it’s important to see your doctor to be evaluated. If it’s not treated properly, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) may result in serious problems, including esophagitis, strictures, esophageal bleeding and ulcers, Barrett’s esophagus, and an increased risk of esophageal cancer. Here are seven natural remedies for heartburn.

1) Diet

Avoid heartburn triggers. Keeping a food diary may help you identify problem foods. Foods and drinks that commonly trigger heartburn include:

Citrus fruits
Chocolate
Peppermint
Spearmint
Tomatoes
Raw onions
Garlic
Black pepper
Vinegar
Fatty foods
Spicy foods
Coffee :(
Citrus juice
Carbonated beverages
Alcoholic beverages
Don’t go to bed after eating. - uh-oh...
Eat your last meal at least two to three hours before lying down.

Eat smaller portion sizes.

Take time to eat.
Try practicing mindfulness while eating. Eliminate all distractions and savor, rather than inhale, your food. Pay full attention to what the food looks like on your plate, how it smells, how it tastes. Chew slowly.

2) Stress Reduction - *uh-hurm*

A survey by the National Heartburn Alliance revealed that 58 percent of frequent heartburn sufferers identify a hectic lifestyle as a factor that contributes to their heartburn and 52 percent say work-related stress makes their symptoms worse.

Although some people report that stress makes their heartburn symptoms worse, scientists haven’t yet established a direct link between heartburn and stress. We do know that stress can disrupt our normal routines and make us do things, like eat the wrong foods, smoke, drink coffee or alcohol, that may trigger heartburn. Stress also slows down the emptying of the stomach, which may increase the likelihood of heartburn.

Here are some natural methods that may help to manage stress:
Mindfulness Meditation
Relaxation Response
Natural Remedies for Anxiety

3) Quit Smoking - good. i don't have to worry about this

Nicotine, an ingredient in cigarettes, can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, a band of muscle at the end of the esophagus, that closes off the esophagus and prevents the acidic stomach contents from entering the esophagus. Learn about Natural Remedies to Quit Smoking.

4) Chewable DGL

DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) is a folk remedy used for heartburn. It is a form of the herb licorice that has had the glycyrrhizin component removed to reduce the risk of glycyrrhizin-related side effects such as high blood pressure and water retention.

Although some research suggests licorice may decrease inflammation, inhibit the growth of potentially harmful stomach bacteria, and help with ulcers, there haven’t been any clinical trials on the use of licorice for heartburn or GERD.

5) Aloe Vera Juice

The juice from the aloe vera plant is another natural home remedy that is used to soothe an irritated esophagus. Although there isn’t any scientific evidence that it might help, aloe vera juice has a long history of use in Europe as a natural home remedy to relive heartburn.

Typically, approximately 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice is taken (by adults) approximately 20 minutes before a meal.

The aloe vera should not contain any aloe latex, aloin, or aloe-emoin compounds, substances in the aloe plant that are very powerful laxatives. Aloe gel should not be taken directly from the plant as a home remedy, as the gel can be contaminated with the latex. Only gel or juice preparations specifically for internal use should be used. For more information about aloe vera, read the Aloe Vera Fact Sheet.

6) Slippery Elm

Slippery elm was once a popular drugstore remedy for sore throats in North America. The herb was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia, a compendium of drug standards, until 1960.

A member of the elm family, the slippery elm tree (Ulmus rubra muhl) grows primarily in the eastern region of North America.

Slippery elm is a folk remedy that hasn’t yet been studied for heartburn. The inner bark contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that swells when it is mixed with water. The mucilage is thought to coat the esophagus and reduce irritation.

Slippery elm is often the primary ingredient in herbal sore throat lozenges found in health food stores or in the natural food section of some grocery stores and drug stores. A popular brand of slippery elm lozenges is Thayer's.

The safety of slippery elm in pregnant or nursing women has not been established.

7) Marshmallow

Like slippery elm, the herb marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) contains mucilage, which is thought to coat and soothe the lining of the esophagus. It is another folk remedy that is used for heartburn.

Herbalists often recommend marshmallow root tea. It is usually made by adding one tablespoon of the dried root to a cup (8 oz.) of boiling water, steeping it covered for at least 10 minutes, and then straining. Herbalists usually suggest drinking up to three cups a day.

Consult a doctor before taking marshmallow if you have diabetes, as it may make your blood sugar too low especially when combined with diabetes medication. Marshmallow may also slow the absorption of other drugs taken at the same time. Marshmallow should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women.**

so there. i hope this helps me eliminate heartburn so i can smell the aroma of coffee again and enjoy cups of it everyday. i'm even hesitant to drink decaf. "for the meantime, let me get used to the absence of coffee in my daily life (and pepsi, too). i'll try it for a month or who knows, longer? let's see...

*from Discovery Fit & Health