Preserving Taal’s mystic

Manila Standard
12/4/2007

Best viewed at the top of the Tagaytay Mountains, the serenity and mystical repose beckons the weary of soul and body. Its sleepy façade and laidback atmosphere conceals its hidden fury that wiped the towns around it for 33 times within the history, the last of which happens on Oct. 3, 1977. Located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and being one of the deadliest of the active volcanoes in the country, the island of Taal has been declared as a permanent danger zone by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The volcanic eruptions have gifted the island with fertile soil ideal for farming. The “volcano within a lake and a lake within a volcano” is also the source of livelihood, fishing and tourism of the three municipalities within the island—Talisay, Balete and San Nicolas—and the 11 towns and cities that surround it—Malvar, Laurel, Agoncillo, Sta. Teresita, Cuenca, Alitagtag, Mataas na Kahoy, Taal, Lemery, Lipa and Tanauan.

In the recent months, Taal has been clouded by controversies due to some plans to build tourism facilities near the crater of the volcano which threatens to destroy its natural wonders and may effect some volcanic movements and even eruption. Despite the project being shelved because of rising protests, there are still some man-made problems around Taal Volcano that are not as controversial but as threatening and is left behind public scrutiny. Among these are unregulated number of fish pens that crowd the lake and pollution due to sand quarrying, erosion and sewage discharge. These problems lead to the decrease in the number of fishes endemic to the lake most important of which is a kind of sardine called tawilis, which can only be found in Taal.

“It’s the people who will be greatly affected by the neglect of God’s gifts,” said Lipa Bishop Ramon Arguelles, pertaining to the activities that endanger the natural habitat of the tawilis. “It is our duty to protect it, and we should not forget our Godly responsibilities.”

To push for the protection of the Taal Lake and preservation of the volcano, Arguelles, along with Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza, Batangas Vice Gov. Mark Leviste, members of Taal Volcano Protected Landscape Area Management Board, employees of the DENR and the provincial government of Batangas, hiked through Taal Volcano to lead the tree-planting activity of appropriate tree species in the area. More than 200 participants braved the chilly morning, rugged trail and the long hike up to show their support of the program. One of the priority areas of the tree planting was the part near the crater which was turned into a rough road by the Korean firm who was supposed to build spa facilities in Taal.

Meanwhile, Secretary Atienza was overwhelmed by the concerted efforts of the local government units, the Church and the people of Batangas in the initiative to protect Taal. He also remained firm in his stand against the illegal fish pens which count to almost 4,000 around the town of Talisay. “We must have zero fish pens and fish cages in all lakes and rivers throughout the country. Taal Lake is a declared protected landscape and therefore, we must protect it by all means from human activities that would cause its degradation.” Apart from the ill effects of the fish cages, Atienza also said that the lake should be available for everyone to fish, not just for limited group who were able to put up their fish pens.

Present in the press conference is Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto who appealed to her constituents for proper garbage management. Sharing the same sentiment with her is Vice Gov. Leviste who reminds everyone that the best way to curb the garbage problem in Taal is through discipline. Leviste credited a big part of Batangas’ progress to Taal Volcano, it being the heart of the province. He also revealed plans and programs of the local government to create unified rules and regulations for the operation of the fish pens in Taal.

“We will not allow irresponsible people to take away the beauty of Taal Lake. We will talk to stakeholders and to the concerned groups for the most effective way to protect the lake and the volcano,” added Leviste.

Formerly called the Taal Volcano Natural Park but was later declared Taal Volcano Protected Landscape through Presidential Proclamation 906, TPVL measures 65,292,1369 hectares and considered as the biggest protected area in Calabarzon. The Taal Lake used to be of salt water while it was still connected to the Balayan Bay, but through constant weathering and rains turned into fresh water and linked to the sea only through the Pansipit River.

The essence of fulfillment

MST, May 14, 2008, travel

How would you like to live in a country where you have to schedule one month ahead to have dinner or coffee with a friend, where you couldn’t build your dream house without first being approved by the government’s architect, employees are charged up to 52-percent income tax, almost all stores closes at 6 p.m. and on Sundays and everything is expensive save for the bread and milk? Not the best place to live in right and not inviting at all! Ironically, The Netherlands, where I am currently residing, is the third happiest place to live in the world.

According to the latest survey conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development based in Paris, Northern European countries like Belgium (10th), Norway (9th), Switzerland (7th), Ireland (5th), Sweden (4th), Finland (2nd), Denmark (1st), along with countries like New Zealand (8th) and Canada (6th), are top places where residents find fulfillment in their every day life. The survey quantified the overall satisfaction of citizens 15 years old and above from 140 countries in terms of six different forms of positive or negative feelings within a day. Included are questions that relate to earning respect, feeling of accomplishment and productivity and enjoyment of every day activities on a scale of 1-100. The median was 62.4. The organization concluded that economic health, as these countries score higher Gross Domestic Product and less unemployment rate than the rest, plays a key role in the happiness of the people but that’s not all to it.

The Dutch hardly look like they are the most satisfied people nor are they happy folk. In fact, they are often typecast as a close, cold, and stingy race. They are perennially complaining about the weather, the government and its rules and taxes and how prices are so expensive. But generally, they, as well as other Europeans, live in a balanced work-life attitude. Work is treated not just as a moneymaking venture but with utmost respect and genuine concern for the growth of the company hence the high productivity of Dutch/European workers. It’s unlikely that you would find them answering messages or calls which are not work-related. In return, companies do their best to make sure workers are happy, giving as many benefits as they can afford.

The 40-hour work week is strictly dedicated to performing their jobs. The rest of the time is devoted to rest, having an early dinner, watching the 6 p.m. news, and retiring to reading or drinking a glass of wine afterwards. Weekends are devoted to gardening or attending family or friend’s affairs. Travel is part of the yearly itinerary, at least twice a year, in summer break and winter for the average citizens—more often for the moneyed. They don’t worry about getting sick because health insurance covers everything or being jobless, sick or invalid because the government gives enough subsidies. The environment and security are top priorities of the government, employing enough personnel to keep The Netherlands a safe and healthy country to live.

But is satisfaction measured by such a boring routine or well-structured system? Don’t we always need to have friends around, reachable anytime of the day? What about the liberty to build a pink or orange house, have access to the malls, cinemas, and coffee shops 24 hours a day or at least till bedtime?

Probably not but those were some of the things I had to learn to live without in order to survive the Dutch way of life. Coming from a very democratic country, it was quite depressing at first to have so many rules to live with and not having as many fun activities as I was used to. Coping with the system (rules included) taught me how to value more essential things in life rather than settling for most of the time senseless things that only offer temporary happiness.

In The Netherlands, schedules are strictly observed because people want to have their own privacy to do the things that they love to do alone or with loved ones, like spending a quiet night drinking wine and talking about how the day went, a sunny (rare thing) afternoon sipping tea or coffee in the garden, enough time to enrich the mind with books or the daily walk or jog in the park to keep body and mind fit. These are the things that Filipinos generally enjoy in the company of friends but as I’ve found out, more enjoyable doing alone or with the closest person in your life (husbands, wives or children) as it gives more opportunity for family bonding. The Dutch value their immediate family, giving as much time as they can because these are the people that will truly stick with them through thick and thin.

It’s hard to make friends with the Dutch as it is with the French, if you don’t talk their language, and with the English, if you don’t get their droll wit, because they don’t forge superficial friendships. It takes long years and lots of trust to have one true Dutch friend, but he or she is also the one who will protect you at your lowest point.

In terms of money, the Dutch are very frugal to the point of being stingy. And it’s not only practiced by the people but by the monarchy themselves. Having an apartment with the basic amenities, money to travel and buy the basic needs, and a car to ferry oneself or family to office or school is usually enough to be considered a comfortable living. They don’t aspire for luxury cars, branded clothes, shoes or bags, the latest gadgets or expensive pieces of jewelry (in fact, they seldom wear one) as a means of happiness. But they put very high regard on education, as many of them pursue a double master or doctoral degree while working. I’ve learned to prioritize what I actually need over what I desire and persevere to learn as much as I can about the culture and the language.

Rules are a big part of the society. Although they are liberal in most matters like with sex, soft drugs, and religion, rules make sure that everything is kept in moderation. I have been questioned many times about my age when buying cigarettes because 16 years old and below are strictly not allowed nicotine or alcohol. You can’t buy them anywhere unlike in the Philippines and smoking in restaurants is prohibited to protect the lungs of non-smokers. The rules on garbage, cars, houses, and buildings makes the Dutch landscape organized and avoid unnecessary chaos including congestion and pollution.

While they complain about the taxes, they diligently and honestly pay it nonetheless because as a country operating in a socialist system, they know that taxes benefit the country and themselves in the long run. They have strong opinions about other religions (like Islam and Purists) and immigrants flocking to the country but keep it among themselves so as not to offend anyone. Most of the Dutch have either one or two international organizations they regularly help like World Wide Fund, Amnesty International or Children’s of War as their way of giving back to their otherwise comfortable life.

In conclusion, living in a wealthy country really does its part in keeping someone satisfied but generally, respecting other people, living a productive life and following the rules, is the key to finding satisfaction, in a well to do society.

Understanding Psoriasis

Manila Bulletin, November 23, 2008

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that is characterized by thick, red, and scaly patches on the skin, inflammation, and excessive skin production with a silvery white appearance. Depending on its severity, psoriasis can cover the whole body or just a particular area, frequently the skin of elbows and knees, scalp, and even the genitals.

The condition is non-contagious but recurring, and it can also affect the fingernails and toenails (psoriatic nail dystrophy) and the joints (psoriatic arthritis). Psoriatic arthritis can be disabling, deforming, and devastating to the patient, especially when the effect becomes permanent.
Although considered as one of the longest known skin illnesses, the cause of psoriasis is unknown, though it is significantly linked -- but not exclusively -- to genetics. Other factors that can aggravate psoriasis are stress, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking.

Psoriasis can affect any age group, but it commonly manifests between the ages of 15 and 25. Treatments for the disease are expensive and only offer control. While ointments and other products can help relieve itchiness and pain, and reduce dryness and redness, these treatments cannot end psoriasis.

"It is poorly understood how [psoriasis] came about, so treatment is also [elusive]," explains Dr. Lorna Frez, dermatologist and convenor of the Psoriasis Support Group of St. Luke’s Medical Center. "And because the skin is an external organ and...society judges [us] by external appearance, that is the biggest problem of a patient with psoriasis. They go [into] self pity; they confine themselves at home; they isolate themselves; and they don’t socialize. Some people don’t marry, not only because they might (pass it on) to their [offspring] but also...they don’t have (the) confidence to be with a partner."

Edmund Carino, 29, discovered his condition in 2005. He had himself checked after he developed rashes on his body that didn’t disappear after treatment with anti-fungal. After a biopsy and thorough examination, he learned he had psoriasis. He used to work in a water company, but because of his condition, he was forced to quit his job. After several months, it developed into psoriatic arthritis, and he could not even stand anymore. He was bedridden and confused about his illness.

"At first, when I (encountered) people who (didn’t) know me and my illness and they (looked) at (me) from head to foot, I really got pissed off. But after a while, I got used to it. My friends and family already know about my condition, so it doesn’t matter anymore," he shares.

Today, Edmund needs expensive medication which costs P18,000 per week. It has allowed him to walk again and ease the itchiness and pain of his psoriatic arthritis. His deformed fingernails and toenails are slowly going back to normal. He says he has already accepted his condition and chooses to be happy in life despite it.

Psoriasis affects millions of people worldwide. In the Philippines, an estimated 170,000 Filipinos have reported cases of psoriasis, while there are more who don’t seek medical care.
Most patients lose their jobs and become bed-ridden when afflicted with severe psoriasis, and their quality of life is significantly reduced.

This prompted a group of dermatologists at the St. Luke’s Medical Center to organize a support group for psoriasis patients. Their aim is to improve patients’ lives by conducting patients-to-patients interaction for support and sharing experiences, nutrition and exercise information, sessions with psychologists, and spirituals guidance.

"We want more people to understand and care about psoriasis because this should not stop patients from living normal lives, becoming gainfully employed, and becoming useful in the society," explains Dr. Frez.

"We already have existing patients who managed (to) overcome their situations (through the) proper and thorough information given by their doctors. Now, they are the ones inspiring other patients with the same condition to do the same. They are also very instrumental in (informing) the public what psoriasis is all about," ends Dr. Frez.

Born To CLimb

Manila Bulletin, November 23, 2008

If some people were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, Chris Lindner, renowned rock climber, was born with a harness tied around his waist and ropes in his hands.

As early as two months old, baby Chris bundled in a crib would be taken to rock climbing areas by his parents, and by the time he turned three, he was practicing his leg work on rocks instead of on matted floors. At four years old, he was on the cover of a rock climbing catalogue. He got his first sponsor at six, and at nineteen, he quit his full-time job as a software developer to pursue rock climbing.

Chris did part of his schooling on breaks from climbing, travelling the world as a rock climbing ambassador, and spending half of his life living in a sleeping bag under the stars. He has climbed in different parts of the United States, as well as in Canada, Mexico, Argentina, England, Germany, Greece, and Korea. He counts Spain, France, and Vietnam as his favorites.

Every climb, a challenge

But in his 21 years of climbing the world’s boulders, Chris says he still finds every new climb a challenge.

"Every rock (climb) is different, so every single time you go (rock climbing), it is a challenge. One of the challenges is to look for rocks that nobody has done before and set up a new route," narrates the very fit 24-year-old climber. According to him, setting up a route sometimes takes him one year, starting from finding locations, hiking there with his heavy gear to clean the boulders, which sometimes takes a couple of days, and trying out the route.

"Every new rock climb is very challenging, but it is very rewarding especially when you put up a nice route. They are there forever, and the future rock climbers will remember that Chris Lindner put it together. People around the world will talk about that route that you put (up) forever," he said. He recalled a rock that he found on the beach of California which had a nice overhang. He put up a route on that particular location, but it is only during particular hours a climb can be made there, depending on the tides.

Lindner recently visited Manila and Cebu as Sanuk’s brand ambassador and shared his experiences and expertise with Filipino rock climbing enthusiasts. He conducted clinics at ROX at the Fort and flew to Toledo, Cebu, to test the local rock climbing sports there as part of the Department of Tourism’s "Adventure Philippines" campaign. Chris also counts Palawan as one of his favorite rock climbing spots.

Considered as an extreme sport where mishaps can happen anytime, Chris said that he has never broken a single bone in a lifetime of climbing. He attributes this to several factors, like having the best-quality gear, learning the techniques very well, and keeping a well-maintained body.

Unique technique

The young climber, who bagged the 2006 Western US Bouldering Championship, avoids fastfood, soda, and smoking, drinks moderately, and takes multivitamins. According to him, he tries to eat smart, but he is not a ‘freak’ about what he eats.

"Rock climbing is a very challenging sport; it’s not like swimming where once you learn, (the only thing that will matter is) how far you can go. Everything in rock climbing is different; you have to be mentally smart and apply all your techniques at the right time. It takes years and years to master (rock climbing), but it’s a very safe and calculated sport," he advises people who want to take up rock climbing as a sport.

Chris recently discovered a climbing technique called "deep water soloing." The term soloing refers to climbing without using a rope, and the possibility of death is very high. In deep water soloing, climbers take a maximum 20-meter-high climb on a cliff above water without a rope so when they fall, the water will catch them. Apart from this, Chris still wants to increase his maximum climb and put up more rock climbing routes.

According to him, to start with the sport, one must get a good pair of climbing shoes which fit well, aren’t snug, and don’t roll up on your feet. Bouldering or climbing without ropes in gyms is the first step, where you can practice your foot and leg work and your waist. He said that rock climbing is all about the strength of your lower body rather than of your upper body.

"The idea in rock climbing is to climb from beginning to end without falling; it’s called red pointing a route. You climb to the maximum of your ability and try the same climb over and over again to learn your route, (the) easier ways to do the moves, make it efficient, and perfect it to finish the route," he shares.

"Once you are on top of a cliff, the feeling never gets old. If you want to be active, go outside, and enjoy the great outdoors, rock climbing is the way to do it."

Discover Barely Visible Peeling

Manila Bulletin, August 28, 2008

OTC vs Chemical Peels So what’s the difference between peeling products found in beauty stores and chemical peels like PCA?

According to Dr. Oblepias, OTC or home peels are designed to be milder than the ones performed by dermatologists. It also uses either retinol or salicylic acidor alpha hydroxyl acids which have the ability to exfoliate the skin superficially to give a "peeling" look.

"Chemical peels done as office procedures not only make use of the ingredients mentioned above but they usually either have it in greater concentrations--for example, with glycolic peels, take home concentrations will range from 5%-15% but peels will range from 20% to 70%--or [they] make use of trichloroacetic peel, pyruvate, or other ingredients [mixed] together to produce a more potent peel," explained Dr. Oblepias.

Meanwhile Marcelo advises clients to seek only licensed dermatologists to perform chemical peels. "Filipino skin is very prone to hyperpigmentation because of the melanin in our skin. It is not good to experiment [with] chemical peels. If we are thinking of doing one, it is best to go consult a certified dermatologist. Don’t have it done in parlors where you don’t know the ingredients of the peel they will use," said Dr. Oblepias.

"The strength of the peeling solution should also be compatible [with] the patient’s skin type to avoid irritation," she said.

PCA Professional Products and PCA Skin Clinical Care Products are the first of its kind as a non-prescription and clinically researched professional and home care products, available only through a dermatologist. PCA peels are exclusively administered by professionals who complete PCA Skin Training. It has no color additives, synthetic fragrances, harsh alcohols, comodegenic oils, and other known sensitizers, so it’s safe and mild for the skin. Specific PCA products are designed to effectively treat skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, and fine lines and wrinkles, while at the same time rejuvenating and nourishing the skin.

She also suggested that PCA peels be repeated every after two weeks to achieve the desired look, while for hyperpigmentation, peeling can be done after 3 weeks and maintenance should be every month. For body peels, there is a limit as to the number of areas you peel at a time because it can cause toxicity in the body

"For beauty regimens, it is always best to seek the advice of an expert and not use it because your celebrity idol is endorsing it, because what can be good for her may not be good for you," advises Dr. Oblepias ends.

Dancing to a slender figure

Manila Bulletin

August 6, 2008

Dancing has been proven to be an effective, fun exercise and weight loss strategy for people on the go, especially those who don’t have time at all for regular visits to fitness centers. Different genres of dance have inspired exercise videos which became bestsellers around the world including Hip Hop Abs, Strip Dance, and Belly Dancing.

The makers of Slenda weight loss supplement recently joined the craze for dance exercises by coming up with a 30-minute work-out DVD called Slendance, featuring endorser Valerie Concepcion. The instructional DVD uses three major dance genres – Hip Hop, Latina, and Club – for a combined aerobic exercise, coordination, endurance, and mental workout.

"I love it. Dancing has always been (a) part of my life, so I see to it that I dance everyday, and if I have time, I also do it at home," says the TV host.

Concepcion was launched this year as the official endorser of Slenda, an all-natural herbal dietary supplement made from resveratrol, ECGC, banana, and turmeric. Resveratrol has been proven to help reduce fats by blocking the accumulation of fats in the tissue. It can be found in the skin of grapes and is a component of red wine. From 116 pounds, the 20-year-old mom is now down to 108 and close to achieving her dream figure of a 24-inch waistline. She religiously takes Slenda, twice daily, before each meal.

According to her, the video is especially meant for busy people who can’t devote so much time to go out for exercise. Since people can watch the video in the convenience of their own homes, spending on gym outfits, membership fees, and transportation will also be avoided. Complicated, hard-to-follow steps were simplified so as not to bore people who want to become slender.

Hip Hop Slendance is designed for a full body workout, while Latin Slendance works to tone the waist area. Club Slendance combines the steps of the first two dances and aims at honing dancing skills for social gatherings and club visits. At the end of each exercise, Concepcion is shown strutting the full work-out, dressed in a hiphop outfit, a sizzling sexy dress, and a glittering black dress, following the motif of each dance.

"I did [the video] for the people drinking Slenda who want to be even slimmer," explains Concepcion. "We decided to make the video easier and fun so people won’t (notice the) time or become bored."

Makers of Slendance were quick to add that to optimize the effect of the pill, a lifestyle component is necessary. Good diet, a healthy lifestyle, and regular exercise or Slendance will definitely yield desired results.

Slendance DVD is available at any record bar and the ABS-CBN online store for only P 200. Log on to www.gonatural.com for more information on how to get the free Slendance DVD.