Pulubi

Kapag ba nakakita kayo ng pulubi, ano ang nararamdaman ninyo?

Dito sa Pilipinas, nagkalat ang mga pulubi lalo na dito sa Metro Manila. Bata, matanda, may kapansanan o wala, makikita mo sila kung saan saan. Nariyan iyong kumkalabit sa likuran mo habang nakasakay sa jeep at andyan din iyong nagbibigay ng envelope pagkatapos ay tutugtugin iyong daladalang lata. Sa Recto na malapit sa Divisoria, may mga nanay pang kalong kalong ang anak at nanghihingi ng barya. Hayyyy third world country nga ang Pinas!

Kung minsan nagbibigay ako ng barya pero kadalasan ayoko kong magbigay. Ang alam ko may batas na nagbabawal magbigay sa mga pulubi lalo pag bata. Sa tingin ko may katwiran ang batas na ito. Kasi nga naman nakakabawas dignidad sa isang tao ang pagiging pulubi. Isama mo pa iyong mga sabi-sabi na miembro sila ng sindikato. Kung bata naman ayaw kong masanay siya doon.

Subalit nakakaawa tingnan iyong mga pulubi. Sabi ng isang kaibigan, paano kung ikaw ang ganyan? Tapos hindi ka bibigyan at mumurahin ka pa?

Ang turo ng simbahan ay dapat ibahagi ang mga blessings sa nangangailangan. Pero sa tingin ko may tamang paraan para magbahagi. Tulad ng pagbibigay donasyon sa mga foundation na kumukupkop sa mga batang lansangan.

Pero hindi ba nasa kultura nating Pinoy ang paghihingi. Isa rin itong klase ng pagiging pulubi. Nandyan ang mga kapitbahay o kaupisina na hingi ng hingi.
Hingi ng pagkain. Hingi ng tissue. Hingi ng kung anu-ano. Di ba pulubi din sila? Nariyan din ang mga citizens o local officials na hingi ng hingi ng tulong sa mga politiko kung kayat naghahanap ng makokorap ang politicians natin. Pero ibang usapan na ito.

Nandyan din iyong tuwing nagdadasal ay hingi ng hingi ng pabor kay Lord. O di ba lahat tayo ay pulubi?

Kanina lamang ay dumaan ako sa EDSA. Malayo pa ay may naririnig akong malakas na kumakanta. Noong malapit na ako ay kumanta siya ng "Give Love on Christmas Day". Napakaganda ng kanyang boses kung kaya't hindi na ako nagdalawang isip pang maghulog ng ilang barya sa kahon niya. Ito siya...

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The Heart

What is the color of your heart? The photo below was taken at the War Memorial Park in Kiangan, Ifugao.

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Masaya Pero Malungkot

Kahahatid ko lamang ang aking pamangkin sa airport. Masaya ako kasi pagkatapos ng isang taong paghihintay ay nakalipad na rin siya patungo sa ibang bansa. Ay sa wakas kako, may katuwang na ang kanyang nanay sa pagpapaaral ng kanyang mga kapatid, well hopefully. Subalit nang pauwi na ako ay biglang nawala ang aking kasiyahan at ako'y nanlamig at nalungkot. Isang malaking katanungan ang summaglit sa aking isipan: Bakit kailangan niyang umalis?

Tulad ng napakaraming Pilipino, hangad ng aking pamangkin ang mangibang bansa upang doon makapagtrabaho. Kailangan daw sabi ng aking pamangkin dahil kakaramput ang kanyang kikitain kung dito sya magtratrabaho. Di baleng domestic helper sya doon. Di baleng tagapaglinis sya ng puwet ng isang matandang banyaga. Di baleng malayo sya sa kanyang mga mahal sa buhay.

Hindi ito ang first time na pagpunta ni Icel sa abroad. Noong first time ay may apat na taon na ang nakaraan. Limang buwan lang siya doon sa abroad ay bumalik siya dahil hindi niya nakayanan ang pagmamalupit ng kanyang amo. Sounds familiar ba? Pero hindi pa rin siya nawalan ng pag-asa. Ito, bumalik ulit. Hanga talaga ako sa determinasyon niya.

Okay, okay...kailangan niyang umalis dahil sa kanyang sariling bansa ay walang disenteng trabahong para sa kanya period, period, period. Iyon lang naman eh. Kahit pa ilang ulit ko nang narinig na maganda at mayaman ang Pilipinas; Na napakaraming ginto at kung anu-ano pang kayamanan ang nakabaon sa lupa ng bansang ito. Ang lungkot isipin ang bagay na ito.

Mga ilan na rin ang nasaksihan kong nag-abroad. Mga kamag-anak, kababayan, kaibigan. Iyong iba, habang nag-aaply o nagtraitraining ay sa aking flat tumira. At siyempre hatid ko rin sila pag flight na nila. Iyong iba nangungutang pa. Ipapadala na lang daw ang bayad. Pagbalik nila magpapasundo sa airport at siyempre sa akin din titira pansamantala. Masaya ako kung may pasalubong. Pero okay na rin kung wala kasi nga biglaan daw ang uwi, o kaya hindi raw ibinigay ng amo ang huling suweldo, etc, etc.
May iba din na bigla ko lang narinig na nakauwi na pala sa probinsya. Okay na rin iyon. Ang importante ay nakatulong ako noong kailangan nila.

Nakailang beses ko na ring narinig ang katanungang - ikaw, wala ka bang planong mag-abroad? Ang madalas kong sagot ay saka na. Pero sa totoo lang, ayoko ko. Kahit noong bata pa ako ay wala akong balak magabroad para magtrabaho dahil kailangan. Gusto ko sana, (read it several times SANA) ay pupunta ako abroad as a tourist or businessman. Pero sa ngayon, nakakalungkot man sabihin ay napipilitan din akong gawin ang hindi ko gusto.

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Bignay Tea Vs. Viagra

Ever heard of agaricus, charantia, ganoderma, goji, or taheebo? I bet you do because these are some of the most advertised exotic ingredients of some health drinks or coffee. But what about bignay tea?

Well, from the resort town of Nasugbu in the province of Batangas, 43 year-old Clarito A. Caisip has discovered what could save some men from embarrassment due to "junior's refusal to rise to the ocassion". This farmer was able to produce a herbal tea from the barks, leaves, and stems of the bignay tree which grows in the nearby mountains.

In an article which purportedly appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and written by Mel Magsino and which was reproduced in a brochure, some testimonials, including that of Carlito's wife, attested to the efficacy of the bignay tea in renewing sexual vitality and in curing arthritis. Not only that, the same brochure claims that the tea can:

1. stregnthen immune system
2. prevent camcer and premature aging
3. stimulate natural weight loss without exercising
4. and normalizes blood pressure.

The tea is now registered with BFAD and DTI. Its preparation is also patented. It comes in pack of 50 and 100 grams. The product is available in some selected distributors in Metro Manila and in the discoverer's home in Batangas.

Like other herbal teas, this bignay tea is stamped with "No Approved Therapeutic Claims" (NATC). Yet the producer claims it to be a powerful health drink that can cure many ailments. It may not be popular nowadays but if it is true that it can cure erectile dysfunction, it will soon, oh my Lord, become a big money maker. Then it will give the producer of the Viagra a run for their dollar.

Oh ano mga readers gusto nyo bang itry? But I would hasten to advice you that "if symptom persists, consult your doctor" and of course, to be always responsible with your decision. Lalo na ngayon nagkalat ang iba-ibang produkto with inflated miraculous claims.

P.S. Googling Bignay tea as of today yields 6,830 results.

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Award-winning Filipino Inventions

At the recently concluded Inventors week and Exhibition held at the Taguig City University, several world class inventions by Filipinos were displayed. It is really amazing to know that Filipinos can come up with gadgets, technologies, or products that can make an impact on the development not only of the country but also other countries that may employ such inventions. Take for example a device that can tranform ocean waves into electricity. It is said that the Philippines can achieve energy sufficiency by just tapping the power of the ocean. With this invention together with the advent of electrical vehicles, we can no longer be dependent on imported oil. Here is a photo of the device which is an invention of Engr. Macario Tagum from Laguna Province.




Another interesting invention is the Magichanic Oil by inventor Johnny Nonog Sy.

This is an engine oil additive that gives several benefits to vehicle owners. These benefits include increase power and protection to the engine as well as better performance and savings. This has been tested by the Department of Science and Technology as well as by the Department of Transportation and Communication.

Still another great invention that is good for the environment is the rain harvester by Engr. Antonio F. Mateo who is an alumnus of Mapua Institute of technology. As the name implies, the device would catch rainfall, disinfect it and store it in tanks for ready use. The rain harvester can be installed in buildings, homes and even in vacant lots. Just think of what it will do if all buildings and homes will have it. There will be enough potable water and it lessens flooding! Here a photo of the device.


Another inventor who participated in the exhibit is Arquilio Y. Melano, Sr. whose products include gas safety regulator with adjustable flow control and adaptor unit
and Super Turbo Atomizer with Anti-Pollution Device. These products were exhibited even in Switzerland!




Other notable inventions in the exhibit are:
1. Aeronox electro-Nitrous converter a fuel savings and anti-pollution device;
2. Carmenbees synchrotherapy apparatus - detects and corrects electrical imbalances in the human body thus boosting human immune system by Engr. Leonardo Orijuela;
3. Cratage - a 8 in 1 portable cradle bed with self built cottage and hand carry pack bag.
4. MCGrill - a griller
5. U-Wash - a do-it-yourself coin-operated car and motor washer
6. ATM or Automatic Tubig Machine -a cold water dispenser
7. Ironmate - a device to save electricity while ironing clothes

Of course there were also the usual food and wellnes products on display. The point is there are many talented and skilled Filipinos who are capable of producing world-class inventions. If these talents are nurtured and supported, there will be more competitive businesses that we can be proud of.

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Cactus Garden

The photos above were taken from a garden show held recently in Quezon City.

Which of the two cactus gardens do you like? Or perhaps the question is "do you like to have cactus in your garden?

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November Events And Christmas Anticipation

It's December 1 here in the Philippines and in the Western Pacific countries. It is the merriest month for Christians because it is Christmas time. As one song says - tis the season to be jolly. But before we talk about christmas any further, let us first look back to the month of November which has just passed.

On November 1 and 2, we celebrated All Saints Day and All Souls Day respectively. We Filipinos idolize so much our santos and santas and we reserve our fondest memories for our loved ones who have gone before us. We try to be good like our favorite saints and some of us may have promised to be good before the passing of a dear parent or grandparent. Yet do we really behave like a living saint? What happened to those promises to our dearly beloved?

Then on November 15, we witnessed with great pride how Manny Pacquiao won his fight against Cotto to become the first boxer ever to win 7 titles. A week later, Efren Penaflorida won the CNN Hero of the Year Award. On November 29, we remembered the birth of Ninoy Aquino, a National Hero. Of Course, the next day (November 30) was a holiday because it is the birth of one of the greatest Filipinos - Andres Bonifacio.
But then the Maguindanao Massacre happened which catapulted the Philippines to become the world's most dangerous place for journalist. Oh my, whoever said that we Filipinos always shoot ourselves in the foot?

This month is supposedly the birth of the Messiah - Jesus Christ. Christians believed that He is the only Son of the Most High who became man in order to free us from the bondage of sin. It has been told and retold that Jesus came to teach about LOVE and PEACE. Who would not want love? Who would not want peace?

We Filipinos are known to be loving and peaceful people. Are we really? I believe so but I have to be honest that there are many times when I am in doubt. I am told not to be judgmental but when I see a "santong kabayo, natatawa talaga ako" I could only shake my head and accept my friend's observation that "karma nating mga Pilipino kung bakit may Maguindanao Massacre!." What about the corrupt politicians? Are they also our Karma?

With regards to the last question, my friend would only say, "Look at yourself!".

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