Tayo ang Nagpaparusa sa Ating Mga Sarili

Isang Paalala sa Pagsimula ng 2018…

 

Tayo ang Nagpaparusa sa Ating Mga Sarili

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

 

Kung malalim na ang inabot ng ugat ng isang tanim, mahirap na itong bunutin. Ang magagawa na lamang ay bawasan ang kayabungan ng mga sanga at dahon sa pamamagitan ng pagputol o pagtabas (trim). Ang siste nga lang, nabawasan man ang mga sanga nito, hindi naman ito mamamatay at napipigilan lamang pansamantala ang lalong paglaki nito. Dapat talaga ay bunutin ang ugat kung ang layunin ay patayin ang tanim.

 

Ganyan din ang masamang tradisyon o kaugalian ng tao. Kung hindi sasawatain sa simula pa lang ang isang maling kaugalian o tradisyon, sa katagalan, makakasanayan na at aakalain, lalo na ng mga bata na ito ay tama. Maaaring may simpleng pagsaway subali’t hanggang doon lang, kaya ang kaugalian ay nagpapatuloy. Sa pagkawala ng mga magulang, maiiwan ang mga anak na siyang magpapatuloy ng nakalakhang gawi na akala nila ay tama. Maipapasa nila ito sa mga susunod pang mga henerasyon. Sa ganitong paraan, lalong nadadagdagan ang kamalian sa mga kaugalian.

 

Kung Mahal na Araw, ang biglang papasok sa isip ng karamihan ay magbakasyon sa halip na mangilin at magnilay-nilay dahil sa mga kasalanang ginawa. Bakasyon ang gusto nila dahil tag-init, pupunta sa tabing dagat at magpiknik. Nawala ang kahulugan ng paggunita na dapat sana ay pagkakataong magsakrispisyo upang maski papaano ay mabawasan man lang ang mga nagawang kasalanan. Siguro kung may malunod sa nagpipiknik, pwede nang sabihing may isinakripisyo sila….at, magsasakripisyo pa dahil sa gagastusin sa lamay at pagpapalibing.

 

Kaakibat ng kaugalian ang pangangailangan. Noong unang panahon, ang pangangailangan lamang ng tao ay pagkain, saplot sa katawan at bubong na masisilungan. Ngayon dumami na ang mga pangangailangan upang ang tao ay masiyahan. Dahil sa mga pangangailangan, ang mga payak na ugali ay naging marahas, mapusok at makasarili. Upang makamit ang mga pangangailangan, umaabot ang iba sa sukdulang paggawa ng hindi mabuti sa kapwa gaya ng pagpatay at pagnakaw.

 

Noong unang panahon, pumunta lang sa gubat ang tao ay may mahuhuli nang hayop upang makain, di kaya ay pumunta lang sa dagat o ilog ay may mahuhuli nang isda, di kaya ay pumunta lang sa mga bukirin ay may mapipitas nang mga prutas at makakaing dahon at talbos.

 

Ibang-iba ang panahon ngayon dahil kung walang trabaho, walang pera, walang pagkain; upang malamnan ang sikmura ng iba, kailangang mangalkal sa basura upang may madampot man lang na tira-tirang pagkain; at ang matindi, kailangang magnakaw na siyang pinakamadali subali’t maselang paraan upang kumita.

 

Noong unang panahon, dahon, prutas o talbos lang ng tanim, balat ng kahoy o mga ugat ng mga damo, nakakagamot na ng mga sakit ng tao. Sa panahon ngayon, kailangang may perang pambili ng mga gamot sa botika; kailangang pumunta sa isang doktor o ospital upang makapagpagamot na nangangailangan pa rin ng pera. Subali’t kung wawariin, ang mga gamot ngayon ay galing din sa mga tanim na dinagdagan lamang ng kung anu-anong kemikal upang tumagal sa pagkakatabi (storage) habang hindi pa ginagamit. Alam na ito ng marami subali’t dahil sa katamaran ay ayaw maglaga ng dahon o ugat upang magamit na gamot. Ang masaklap, may mga gamot ngang itinuturing na nakakapagpagaling subali’t kailangan pa ang reseta upang maging maayos ang paggamit at hindi maging lason sa katawan.

 

Noong unang panahon, walang sine, telebisyon, radyo, cellphone, bisikleta, kotse, barko, eroplano at kung anu-ano pa. Sa pag-usad ng panahon, naging malikhain ang tao at nagkaroon ng mga nabanggit na bagay. Nadagdagan sa mga nilikha ng tao ang bomba, granada, matataas na de-kalibreng baril, mga nakakapinsalang kemikal, sasakyang panghimpapawid na nakakarating na rin sa iba pang planeta…marami pang iba. Natuklasan ang panggatong na galing sa matagal nang nabulok na halaman at mga organismo – ang langis at natural gas. Natuklasan din ang ilang klaseng panggatong na mas nakakapinsala sa halip na makatulong, tulad ng plutonium, hyrdrogen, etc.

 

Ang tao ay natutong kumilala ng mga pagkakaiba ng iba’t ibang komunidad kaya nagkaroon ng iba’t ibang bansa. Natanim sa isip ng tao na upang mabuhay, kailangang matatag ang kabuhayan, kailangang maraming nakaimbak na kayamanan, kailangang napoproteksyunan ng mga sandata, etc.. Nagtakda ang tao ng mga hangganan ng nasasakupan sa kalupaan, karagatan, at sa kalawakan. Ang lumampas na unauthorized ay pinsala ang aabutin dahil sa ginawang “trespassing”.

 

Nalango ang tao sa kaalaman. Naging sakim. Naging makasarili. Nakalimutan niyang siya ay inilagay sa mundo ng isang MAKAPANGYARIHAN upang mangasiwa lamang sa mga likas na yaman. Nakalimutan ng tao na ang lahat ng bagay sa mundo ay hindi niya pag-aari. Akala niya, habang buhay siyang masaya kung nakalubog siya sa yaman at ligtas kung napapaligiran ng may matataas na kalibreng mga sandata. Akala niya, sa paglisan niya sa mundo ang kayamanan ay kanyang madadala.

 

Nakakaalala lamang ang taong tumawag sa KANYA sa panahon ng pangangailangan. Nakalimutan niyang magpasalamat man lamang sa mga biyayang ibinigay NIYA, at kadalasan ay hindi pa siya kuntento! Ang tao ay naging mapagkunwaring maka-Diyos at nagkunwaring siya ay hindi NIYA nakikita habang gumagawa ng mga katiwalian.

 

Pati ang babaeng may timbangan na tinawag ng tao na “Hustisya” ay may piring sa mata, kaya hindi niya nakikita ang mga katiwaliang ginagawa ng mga abogado at huwes na natatapalan ng pera. Mali ang sinasabing “pantay-pantay ang lahat sa harap (hindi mata, dahil may mga piring nga) ng Hustisya”. Bakit ipapantay ang mali sa tama? Kaya tuloy sa kawalan ng perang pambayad sa isang “magaling” na abogado, marami ang nabubulok sa kulungan na walang kasalanan. May katumbas na pera ang pagpapatunay ng kawalan ng kasalanan ng tao. Sino kayang hangal  ang nakaisip na gawing bulag sa katotohanan ang Hustisya? Bakit hindi siya bigyan ng mabalasik na mga mata upang ang may kasalanan na tumingin sa kanyang mukha ay makonsiyensiya?

 

Tao at hindi Diyos ang nagtatakda ng kanyang pagbagsak at pagkawala sa mundo. Patunay dito ang mga giyera na nangyayari sa ating kapaligiran na ginagamitan ng iba’t ibang sandata upang magpatayan, mga makabagong gamit na sumasabog at nakamamatay, mga nakalalasong kemikal na pumapasok sa katawan sa pamamagitan ng pagkaing nabibili sa mga grocery at palengke,  mga sasakyang bumubuga ng lason sa kahanginan, o pumapalya na nagreresulta sa disgrasya. At ang pinakamatindi ay ang pagsira ng tao ng kalikasan na nagdudulot ng iba’t ibang trahedya gaya  ng baha at bagyo.

 

Ngayon, may karapatan ba tayong magtanong sa Diyos kung bakit tayo ay para NIYANG pinarurusahan? Sino ang may kagagawan ng lahat ng mga ito? Di ba tayo?

 

 

 

Prison Situation in the Philippines

Prison Situation in the Philippines

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

THE GOVERNMENT NEED NOT LOOK FAR TO KNOW WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS THAT BESET ALL PRISONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, INCUDING THE RAPID INCREASE IN NUMBER OF INMATES, ESPECIALLY WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ANTI-DRUG “OPERATION TOKHANG” WHICH WOEFULLY RESULTED TO “JAMPACKING” OF INMATES.

 

SINCE “TIME IMMEMORIAL”, THE SLOW HANDLING OF CASES IS ONE REASON, DUE TO SIMPLY INDOLENT JUDGES AND THE SLOW SYSTEM OF THE PNP’S OWN INVESTIGATION. SCHEDULED HEARINGS ARE ALWAYS “RESET”. ANOTHER REASON IS THE LACK OF JUDGES AND GOVERNMENT LAWYERS. AND STILL, ANOTHER REASON FOR  THE CONGESTION IS THE LACK OF LAND ON WHICH PRISON FACILITIES COULD BE BUILT DESPITE THE AVAILABILITY OF FUND KUNO, IF THAT IS TRUE….OR COULD IT BE THAT PROJECTS ARE NOT EXTENSIVELY JUSTIFIED?

 

WHAT IS THE DOJ DOING ABOUT THE “LACK OF JUDGES”?….WHAT IS THE DILG DOING ABOUT THE “LACK OF LAND”?…WHAT IS THE PNP CHIEF DE LA ROSA DOING ABOUT THE SLOWFOOTEDNESS OF THE PNP INVESTIGATORS?…WHY CAN’T THE POPULATION OF ALL PRISONS BE “STRAINED” AND CASES PROPERLY REVIEWED SO THAT PARDON CAN BE GRANTED TO THE DESERVING RATHER THAN WAIT FOR REQUESTS FROM THE INFLUENTIAL AND APPEAL FROM THE LAWYERS OF FAMILIES OF THOSE UNJUSTLY DETAINED?

 

ANG NAKAKATAWA PA, NAGKAUGAT NA ANG PUWET NG MGA NAKAUPONG MGA OPISYAL SA KANILANG PUWESTO LALO NA ANG MGA IMBESTIGADOR NG PNP, PERO DENY TO DEATH PA RIN SILA SA PAGKAKAROON NG “SECRET DETENTION CELLS” SA MGA ISTASYON NA ITINUTURING NA “STAGING POINT” NG MGA MAY KASO LALO NA SA DROGA UPANG MAKOTONGAN PARA HINDI MAI-BLOTTER “OFFICIALY” KAY PWEDENG ILABAS KAPAG NAKAPAGBIGAY NG “RANSOM” ANG PAMIYA.

 

ANG MGA SECRET DETENTION FACILITIES AY HINDI LANG SA MGA ISTASYON NG MGA PULIS MAKIKITA, KUNDI PATI SA MGA PRIVIATE FACILITIES O BAHAY O “SAFE HOUSES”….AT ALAM YAN NG MGA PNP OFFICIALS….KAYA HUWAG NILANG GAGUHIN ANG MGA PILIPINO.

 

THAT IS THE REAL SITUATION OF THE COUNTRY DUE TO THE SHITTY AND ABUSED PHILIPPINE-STYLE DEMOCRACY!

 

TODAY, THE CONCERNED AUTHORITIES ARE BLAMING EACH OTHER…AS EXPECTED!

 

IF DE LA ROSA WON’T BE CAREFUL IN HIS STATEMENTS….THE PNP PROBLEMS NA OPEN SECRET NAMAN SHALL DEFINITELY CAUSE HIS DOWNFALL!

 

The Drug-Crazed Personalities and their Alleged “Killing” by Arresting Officers

THE DRUG-CRAZED PERSONALITIES AND THEIR

ALLEGED “KILLING” BY ARRESTING OFFICERS

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

IF THE INVESTIGATION THAT DE LIMA WANTS IS “IN AID OF LEGISLATION”, WHAT SHE SHOULD DO IS VISIT THE DETENTION PRECINCTS AND CENTERS AND TALK TO THOSE WHO SURRENDERED AND GOT APPREHENDED. THERE SHE WILL SURELY BE OVERWHELMED WITH STORIES OF FILIPINOS WHO WANT TO GET RICH INSTANTLY AND WHO THOUGHT THAT THE ILLEGAL DRUG IS THE ANSWER TO PROBLEMS THAT BESET THEIR FAMILIES, ETC.

 

THE OBJECT OF HER INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE ON HOW TO BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH PROGRAMS THAT WOULD HOPEFULLY PUT AN END TO THIS CANCER OF SOCIETY. OVER THE RADIO, NEWS CAN BE HEARD ABOUT POLICE OFFICERS SURRENDERING AND ADMITTING THEIR BEING PUSHERS….ABOUT THOUSANDS WHO SURRENDER BECAUSE THEY WANT TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THEIR LIFE. SO WHAT ELSE DOES SHE WANT TO KNOW? WHY DISTURB THE MOMENTUM OF OPERATIONS BY WASTING THE TIME OF THE POLICE IN THE HALLS OF THE SENATE WHERE THEY SHALL BE ASKED WITH REDUNDANT QUESTIONS? WHY NOT JUST ASK FOR THEIR WRITTEN REPORTS AND HAVE THESE CHECKED AGAINST HER OWN COVERT INVESTIGATION?

 

HER DISTRUST OF THE NAPOLCOM AND THE DOJ WHICH WAS ONCE HER TURF IS AN INDICATION OF HER DESIRE NOT TO COOPERATE, ALTHOUGH, IN INTERVIEWS SHE TRIES HARD TO COVER THIS UP.  SHE SHOULD BE ALARMED ON THE EXTENT OF THE DISASTROUS EFFECT OF DRUGS BASED ON THE THOUSANDS WHO SURRENDERED…INSTEAD OF GETTING WARY ABOUT THOSE KILLED AND WHOSE INVOLVEMENT IN ILLEGAL DRUG IS CONFIRMED BY THEIR FAMILIES AND ACQUAINTANCES.

 

SHE CAN ELICIT FAVORABLE REACTION FROM HER DETRACTORS BY ALLOWING THE NEW PRESIDENT DO HIS THING WITHIN THE PROMISED PERIOD TO RID THE COUNTRY OF THE DRUG MENACE. AFTER THAT, SHE CAN HAVE A GRAND TIME IN CRITICIZING THE ADMINISTRATION. THE NEW PRESIDENTE HAS BARELY WARMED HIS DERRIER IN HIS OFFICE, SO WHY IS SHE SO EAGER TO LASH AT HIM?

 

On the other hand, Solicitor Generator, Jose Calida should be commended for coming out in the open to defend the police in their effort to arrest drug pushers and drug lords, at the same time, eliminating their fear of being questioned. He is right in mentioning to the press that Senator de Lima had her chance of helping the government in ridding the Philippines of drug lords and drug pushers, when she was yet the Secretary of Justice, but she let it pass, as instead, the operation of the drug lords inside the Bilibid Prison became more vigorous. She keeps on saying that she already has in her mind the kind of law as a result of the investigation that she wants, so why can’t she just file it, instead of conducting an investigation which shall definitely be a waste of time and money? Also, several senators are saying that many laws on anti-drug are already in place, and all they need are proper implementation which the present administration is trying to do.

 

The Solicitor General is also right in saying that a drug-crazed person is not acting normally if he is under the influence of drugs due to evident transformation that takes place in his person. In that stage, he is not in control of his mind that he can even afford to rape his own mother or sister. He even imagines that he is pursued by killers making him barge inside homes and hold in hostage their occupants. Are these drug-crazed citizens what de Lima and the rest of human rights advocates want to defend?

 

On the other hand, while in the process of arresting a suspect the police put his life on the line of fire, so that he has no choice but defend himself if the subject of his action will react violently. Between the two lives, which then, is the most worthy of saving?

Masarap Sana, Subali’t Nakakalito ang Buhay sa Mundo

Masarap Sana,  Subali’t Nakakalito ang Buhay sa Mundo

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Masarap sana ang mabuhay sa mundo, kung hindi magulo at walang mga kalituhan. Dahil ito sa likas na ugali ng taong mapanlamang, mapag-imbot, at maramot na kadalasang  tumatalo sa mga mabubuting ugali na mapagpakumbaba, mapagbigay, at bukas-palad. Kung mapagpakumbaba ka, siguradong yayapakan ang iyong mga karapatan. Kung mapagbigay ka, siguradong itutulak ka lang sa tabi ng mga mapag-imbot. Kung bukas-palad ka kaya maluwag sa loob ang pagtulong sa kapwa, aabusuhin ka naman.

 

Dahil sa nabanggit na mga kalituhan, yong isa kong kaibigan, ay halos ayaw nang lumabas ng bahay upang makaiwas sa mga hindi magandang mangyayari sa kanya. Dahil sa ginawa niya, itinuring siya ng mga ungas niyang kapitbahay na “makasarili”. Sabi niya minsan sa akin, kung magpapaputok siya ng baril sa kalye siguradong sasabihin ng mga kapitbahay niyang “siga” siya. Sinabihan ko na lang na madaling araw pa lang ay umalis na siya at umatend ng misa sa Baclaran o Quiapo, pagkatapos ay mamigay ng tulong sa squatter’s area at kapag padilim na ay saka na lang siya umuwi – walang mga ungas na kapitbahay ang makakakita sa kanya. Sabi ko nga sa kanya ay maswerte siya at ungas lang ang mga kapitbahay niya…hindi mapagkunwari at mainggitin.

 

Hind lang sa pakikipagkapwa-tao ang may kalituhan, kundi kahit na rin sa mga bagay na kailangan upang mabuhay tulad ng pagkain. Kailangan daw ay kumain ng gulay at isda dahil masustansiya ang mga ito. Subali’t sa palengke, hindi lang isda ang nilulublob sa “formalin”,  ang kemikal na ginagamit sa pag-embalsamo, kundi pati na rin mga gulay upang hindi malanta agad. Ang karagatan at mga ilog na tinitirhan ng mga isda ay marumi na rin. Ang mga nahiwang gulay ay nilulublob sa tawas upang hindi mangitim tulad ng hiniwang langkang nakagawiang iluto sa gata at talong na tinanggalan ng bulok na bahagi, pati binalatang gabi, kamote, at patatas. Ang mga gulay sa pataniman ay alaga din sa mga chemical na pamatay-peste habang lumalago. Yong sinasabing mga “organic” daw ay hindi rin sigurado dahil maraming mga nagtitindang mahilig magsinungaling, makabenta lang. Kung totoo man, ay nakakakuha naman ang mga ito ng lason mula sa hangin.

 

Ang mga karne ay may mga anti-biotic, kaya ang akala ng isang kumpanyang nagdede-lata ng produktong karne ay bobo lahat ng mamimili dahil sinasabi ng ads nila na walang sakit ang mga baboy at manok nila – siyempre, dahil alaga sa antibiotic!…talaga din namang kumita lang, lahat ay gagawin upang makapanlinlang. At, yong mga batang lumaki sa gatas at karne ng hayop, ngayon ay may ugaling hayop na rin…dahil kung hindi man bastos ay lapastangan at suwail pa!

 

Ang mga softdrink lalo na ang “Cokes” (tawag yan ng Bisaya sa Coke”), na pampagana sa pagkain kahit bagoong, toyo, o patis lang ulam ay nakakasira ng kidney at atay. Kung mag-ulam naman palagi ng instant noodles na pinakamura at pinakamadaling iluto, subalit ginamitan ng kemikal upand hindi magdikit-dikit, ay lalo namang sisira ng kidney. Mismong bigas na sinasaing ay may mga chemical din upang hindi kainin ng uod at kuto habang nakaimbak sa bodega, kung saan ay iniispreyhan pa sila upang hindi upakan ng mga daga at ipis.

 

Ang instant na kape ay dumaan din daw sa mga paraan o process na nangailangan ng mga kemikal na hindi maganda sa katawan kahit pa sabihing nakakatulong ang inuming ito sa paglusaw ng cholesterol at bara sa daluyan ng dugo patungo sa puso. Ang asukal na puti ay mayroong bleaching chemical na nagpaputi sa dating manilaw-nilaw na katas na ito ng tubo. Naka-imbento ng artipisyal na asukal upang makaiwas sa diabetes, subalit nakakasira naman din daw ng kidney.

 

Pati mga bitamina na ginagawa sa mga laboratoryo ay pinagdududahan na rin. Kahit maliit lang ang sumobra sa naimon ay magsasanhi na ng overdose na maaari pang maging sanhi ng sakit. Sa puntong ito, ang mga gamot na akala natin ay nakakapandugtong ng buhay ay hindi rin pala magandang basta na lang iinumin, kaya mismong anti-biotic ay hindi na rin ligtas.

 

Ano pa nga ba at, animo ay nag-uunahan ang mga bahagi ng katawan natin kung alin sa kanila ang unang manghihina hanggang bumigay  dahil sa mga pagkaing akala natin ay pampahaba ng buhay, yon pala ay may mga lasong unti-unting nakakamatay. Kaya siguro, madalas na payo ng doctor sa pamilya ng pasyente na may taning na ang buhay, ay pagbigyan na lang ito sa lahat ng hihilingin niyang pagkain dahil wala na rin namang mangyayari bunsod ng lasong nagkakaiba lang ang dami sa bawat pagkain.  Ang maratay dahil sa sukdulang epekto ng lason na nakukuha natin sa mga pagkain at hangin ang ultimate na sitwasyon kung saan ay talagang angkop ang kasabihang, “no choice” at “…no turning back”.  Ang kalagayan ring ito ang nagpapakita na ang tao ay nagsi-self destruct!

 

 

 

 

More on Herbal Remedies and Philippine Vegetables…that I personally tried

More on Herbal Remedies and Philippine Vegetables

…that I personally tried

By Apolinario Villalobos

I would just like to emphasize that discipline is very necessary if one shall try herbal remedies which require consistently patient preparation. On the other, conviction resulting from “conversion” to the nutritional benefits of Philippine indigenous vegetables is necessary before one can make the edible leaves and roots part of his or her diet – for consistency’s sake. The following are enhancements to what I have already written on this subject:

MALUNGGAY (MORINGA) – this plant is a “must” in every Filipino’s yard;  for those living in the city, it can be planted in plastic containers that saw good old days as “water bottles” on dispensers; the juice of the mashed leaves can stop bleeding even of open wounds in seconds; the dried seeds can lower the level of bad cholesterol; one of the discoveries of archaeologists in Africa were several thousand year-old water jars with dry malunggay seeds at the bottom, proof that the seeds were used as anti-bacterial; it is considered as among the “miracle” plants, infused by nature with plenty of nutrients, that is why, it is being used as enhancer for instant noodles and rice porridge to make them healthy, and fed to the children in feeding programs; it is not bitter as many people believe; the leaves can be air-dried, crumpled or powdered and stored; a teaspoon in powder form can be added to a mug of coffee, while the crushed  dried leaves can be added in pasta sauce, as well as, vegetable dishes, especially, monggo, or in fried rice.

SOFT, YOUNG GUAVA LEAVES – in my earlier blog, I forgot to mention that the guava leaves tea can alleviate the diabetes; the finely chopped young leaves can be added to salads, to lessen the tangy taste and odor of onion; it is suggested that the tea be always ready on hand as an after-meal deodorizer of the mouth; the fruit, I still maintain, to be more laden with vitamin c than citrus; my day is not complete until I drink at least two mugs of this tea.

LEMON GRASS (TANGLAD) – this herb can be frozen even for one month (I have tried it), but first, each root with stem must be cleaned thoroughly and entwined or interlaced before being kept in a plastic bag, to save on space in the freezer; the tea can alleviate colds aside from purportedly weakening cancer cells; before the “guyabano craze” hit the herb market, lemon grass was already very popular in Europe; an Israeli travel agent enhances his Holy Land package tours for Europeans by offering a side trip to a “desert  garden” for unlimited cups of lemon grass tea;

PAPAYA – the green fruit is full of vitamin C and has anti-cancer properties; the leaf has similar use as “tawa-tawa” grass, as the tea from the boiled leaf can increase the red blood cell count of the dengue victim; the ripe fruit can give one comfort in moving his or her bowel; the seeds can be dried, peeled and eaten as they are also full of nutrients; the dried seeds can also be added to guyabano and other leave to be boiled into tea.

LUPỘ – this is a wild indigenous vegetable more known among the Ilonggos, and lately, found to have anti-cancer properties, as just like the turmeric, it also blocks the passage of food to the cancer cells, thereby, starving them; it grows in rice fields and swamps; the vegetable can combine well with mongo or any fish dish, especially, milk fish or bangus.

CHILI – strengthens the immune system; its ‘hotness’, however, poses a problem to those who are suffering from hemorrhoid; if it cannot be avoided by people with the mentioned problem, suggested is drinking plenty of water to dilute the “hot substance” of the fruit, after meal; in my case, I add plenty of pounded fresh chili to the jar of salt, bottles of olive oil, canola oil, and palm oil to make them really hot; I add at least two spoons of dry chili flakes in any dish, or sprinkle them on fried rice, and instant noodles; I also add chili flakes to tomato sauce for my pasta;

PERIWINKLE (PAGATPAT) – the tea from boiled leaves can cure cancer as supported by testimonies of patients who got cured of breast cancer after religiously drinking tea from boiled leaves; it is really bitter, but if only for its medicinal value, one should endure the taste which I am doing, as the bitterness also neutralizes the sugar level in the blood; the tea cleanses the kidney; suggested intake is every other day of the week.

AMPALAYA (BITTER GOURD) – the sliced vegetable must not be mashed in salt and squeezed of its bitter juice as it becomes useless; the best way to lessen or remove the bitter taste is just to soak the sliced gourd in cold or iced water for about ten minutes – do not squeeze, just put the slices in a colander and allow them to drain; the fruit and leaves of this vegetable can prevent diabetes.

The Philippines is so blessed by Nature with plenty of plants with edible fruits, shoots, leaves and even flowers. Unfortunately, because of the “colonial mentality” that developed with the arrival of the Spanish and American colonizers, many of the Filipinos forgot about them or worse, refuse to eat them, in favor of the “western” vegetables such as cabbage potato, and many others, although, considered as nutritious, too, but comparably expensive. This mentality sort of, got worsened lately, with the influx of imported vegetables and fruits from other countries, especially, China and the United States. There is no question about the nutrients found in the imported vegetables and fruits. What I am driving at here, is that indigenous vegetables and fruit trees can be planted in our yard or any vacant lot! Can the same be done to the imported “food stuff” that may have been sprayed with insecticide to preserve them while in transit?

My Kitchen, Backyard, and Neighbors’ Yard are my Pharmacies

My Kitchen, Backyard, and Neighbors’ Yard are My Pharmacies

By Apolinario Villalobos

Today, it is back to basics for ailment remedies, a practice that the modern medical community is beginning to tolerate and respect. Preventive medicine is now being promoted instead of the reactive medications that are given to patients upon the inception of diseases. By “basics” and “prevention”, I mean herbal medications, clean and free from synthetic elements that are used to preserve extracted medicinal substances from plants.

One story I love to share among friends who are willing to listen is about the lowly “saluyot”, an indigenous vegetable in the Philippines that healed the open wounds of my former landlady, due to diabetes. She was not healed by many notoriously-priced and prescribed drugs that practically depleted her bank account. She was at the verge of despair as the latest doctor that she consulted prescribed amputation, when her former laundrywoman paid her a visit and upon seeing her sorry situation, immediately suggested “saluyot”. For several months, she forced herself to eat the said vegetable with her meals, three times a day, until the wound finally dried up and healed.

Anybody can have a pharmacy of sort in their home, particularly, in the kitchen. Shelves can be stacked with vitamins that can be eaten, and “drugs” that can flavor foods. The following are some of the few and their use that I am sharing, as I have proved them to be effective in my case:

TURMERIC – this spice can be purchased in powder form from groceries; known among Filipinos as “luyang dilaw”; a teaspoon can be diluted in mug of coffee in the morning and another at noon; the powder can enhance the taste of fish cooked in vinegar or vegetables cooked in coconut milk; it practically eliminated the cyst in my colon after five months.

STAR ANISE – I boil several of these with guyabano, mango leaves, and tanglad (lemon grass), and the concocted tea I use for my coffee with turmeric; it eliminated my sinusitis.

OLIVE OIL – a spoonful of this oil is mixed with practically everything that I cook even boiled rice, as it is good for the heart; it made my bowel movement comfortable.

VIRGIN COCONUT OIL – I take one spoonful of this oil with raw honey everyday; it reduced the level of my bad cholesterol; I add one spoon to a glass of water that I gurgle and drink the gurgled water to remove bad breath, especially in the morning.

GARLIC – I steam one whole clove or several on top of the simmering boiled rice; pungent smell is eliminated; I eat them with my meals; it normalized my blood pressure.

ONION – a very important ingredient for dishes as well as curing colds, especially, if eaten raw in salad or cooked as soup.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR OR PURE COCO VINEGAR – aside from its use as preservative of cooked foods and raw vegetables prepared as “achara”, it can also be concocted as a home-made refreshing drink, by adding two spoons to a glass of water sweetened with honey; the vinegar neutralizes acidity of the stomach. As information, during the Biblical time, vinegar which perhaps could have been derived from grapes, mixed with water, was considered as a refreshing drink; mixed with myrrh, it was used as a pain killer, reason why Jesus while suffering on the cross was made to drink such mixture…it was not part of his punishment, but to somehow to relieve some pain.

GINGER – the root can give a spicy flavor to fish dishes, and can add a piquant taste to salads and dips; as a medication, it can eliminate flatulence.

CHILI – it can make foods “hot” but can also strengthen the immune system; I eat not less than six pieces every meal.

BANANA – nobody can dispute the fact that it is a good source of potassium, and can relieve one of “loose bowel movement” or LBM.

GUAVA LEAVES – the tea made from boiling them removes bad breath aside from strengthening the gums; it has been accepted as an effective antiseptic and anti-bacterial. I prepare the tea in another kettle and drink at least 3 mugs every day, aside from the tea prepared from the boiled leaves of guyabano, mango and lemon grass.

GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES – I need not elaborate their importance; they are the manifestations of the vitamins that can be eaten; their fiber makes my bowel movement easy and comfortable.

If I want guyabano leaves, I just take a few steps to my backyard and pick a few from a drooping branch of my tree, and for the mango and guava leaves, I just ask from my neighbors for them. But the coffee, I buy from the grocery…

I invest on local fruits in season, as for the imported ones such as apples and pears I buy the blemished and old that come cheap and cook them in brown sugar and cinnamon powder into “apple sauce”.  I also buy green leafy vegetables in bulk to be half-cooked and apportioned in small containers, and keep in the freezer for scheduled use. Tomatoes that are cheap when in season, I douse with boiling water for easy peeling and stored in ref to be used when I cook pasta. The peeled tomatoes also go well with poor man’s salad that consist of onions, radish, raw pechay, shredded green papaya, chili and sprinkled with fish sauce (bagoong) or toasted dried anchovies (dilis) and vinegar. Those are my multi-vitamins served in plate and coffee mug…not in capsule or tablet, the non-soluble residues of which can get stuck and accumulated in the kidney and liver.

We Can Minimize, Delay, or Prevent the Devastating Effect of Diseases…discipline and patience are the keys

We Can Minimize, Delay, or Prevent the Devastating Effect of Diseases

…discipline and patience are the keys

By Apolinario Villalobos

Caring for our physical make up is our responsibility in the first place, and not somebody else’s. We can prevent diseases from pestering our body by espousing discipline and patience. We must be disciplined as regards our diet and vices. And, we must be disciplined in being consistent with the preparation of remedies not prescribed by doctors. We must not wait until a disease has set in before we toe the line in clinics for a costly diagnosis. Unfortunately for others, before they know that what they “feel” is a disease, and not just a fatigue or temporary pain, it is already beyond cure, so that the last resort for the doctor is to prescribe pain killing drugs, and loads of antibiotics and other strange sounding-named tablets and capsules.

Drugs are basically sourced from plants and enhanced with chemicals to preserve them as capsules, tables, suspensions, and injectibles. Curative properties of plants are “cloned” in laboratories to come up with their synthetic equivalent. But not all curative properties of plants can be cloned as in the case of guyabano (soursop), the information about which has been suppressed by drug laboratories for so many years. Due to their failure in cloning its curative properties, they finally let go of the information to confirm what have already been circulating anyway, about its anti-cancer substance.

Man since birth is already doomed with diseases that can manifest at certain points of his life. Fortunately, there is now a medical technique of predetermining the diseases that may befall infants by “reading” their genes at the time of birth with the use of their blood. At certain points of their life, diseases are already detected, thus, medications are already prescribed to prevent the onset. This is possible for those who will be born in hospitals and clinics, but for those in villages, this medical effort is not heard of, as in third-world countries like the Philippines. These children then grow without knowing that at a certain point of their life, they are bound to develop diabetes, rheumatism, heart failure, cancer, etc.

There’s again the problem with poor parents in urban areas who are told about the diseases that may befall their newly-born infants, because they cannot afford the prescribed drugs. Consequently, their children, though born in hospitals, grow just like those in the villages, without taking the preventive drugs for the detected diseases that may manifest at a certain age. Prescriptions are just set aside to be thrown later on.

The Philippines and the rest of countries in Asia and South America are profuse in herbal “medicines”.  Long before the western colonizers came, the natives were already thriving on these. The folk medicine men who are unfairly called “quack doctors” have been prescribing leaves, barks and roots of trees, vines and shrubs to dispel diseases. For instance, guyabano or soursop was first used by the South American Indians, particularly, those living in the jungles of the Amazon, while the use of tanglad or lemon grass was first used in Asia. In every country of these regions, there are always nooks and corners occupied by herbal vendors. In Manila, these can be found in Quiapo, while in the provinces, one can find them in public markets. But most of all, these curative plants are found in neighborhoods, or if not, can be planted just anywhere, even in pots.

Discipline is needed if one is really interested in preventing the onset of a disease. A ritual is involved, because every morning, all the necessary leaves, seeds or barks have to be boiled in a kettle dedicated for this purpose, followed by the preparation of the concoction to be drunk with coffee or as is. Most often, this simple effort is abhorred by most, as they would rather take synthetic drugs in capsule or tablet form which is a very convenient way. But then, the danger with such “convenience” is the latest finding that not all components of these drugs are dissolved, thus, turning into sediments that get deposited in the liver and kidney, eventually resulting to a disease that destroy the said organs.

Those without discipline in their diet are also easy victims of diseases. They are not satisfied with having tasted certain unhealthy foods and should have told themselves “enough”. Unfortunately, they want these to be part of their daily fare on the dining table. Parents who have this kind of attitude pass it on to their children, who will later on pass it on to their own, and so forth. And, when members of the family develop and die of diseases, they blame their ancestor!

What Excesses can Breed

What Excesses can Breed

By Apolinario Villalobos

Anything that is beneficial but taken in excess can be lethal, and anything that is done with good intention, though, in excess can be vicious.

Drugs are supposed to prevent or cure diseases, but when taken in excess can result to unexpected death of a patient, that is why some of these cannot just be bought over the counter of pharmacies, as they need proper prescription from authorized medical practitioners. On the other hand, an overdose of food can cause obesity which can lead to diseases. Drinking water in excess may affect the proper functioning of the heart that is why one of the worst thing that can happen to anyone, is the unchecked water retention of the body.

Too much love can mean pampering that could result to the “spoiling” of the person being loved. It can also drive one to commit a crime of passion because of the fatal attraction that developed. And, worst, it can lead the weak of emotion to the verge of insanity. The same is true with kindness which can result to the abuse of the kind-hearted. Along this line, too much familiarity among friends could develop abuse, too, on the part of the ones with weak discipline, disposition, and who are naturally selfish.

It is not bad to be hard working, but abusing the body to the point of exhaustion could mean fatigue and if left unchecked could be fatal, too. Also, in a group that is expected to work as a team, those working hard, may be abused by the indolent members who may become overly dependent. That is why, for the sake of teamwork, it is important that roles are played fairly.

As to the expression of faith, those who manifest it with utmost sincerity according to what their religion says, is admirable. However, to be boisterous about it, and be proud about their belief that only they have the right to be saved, really stinks. It is revolting to see a faithful with outstretched hands and who walks on his or her knees from the door of the church to the altar, or pretend that he or she is overcome by the “spirit” while praying as shown by his or her fainting or uncontrolled shaking body…a scene that can be comical for others. All these overdose of faith is fanaticism.

Too much freedom in a nation can breed abuse on the part of inconsiderate and undisciplined constituents. And, too much discipline instilled in a person can make him too “sterile” and oblivious to the imperfect, albeit, normal actuations of others.

The world needs air and rain, but too much of them, results to typhoons and floods. The same is true with the cool and immaculate snow, as too much of it, results to snowstorm. The wildlife has its own way of “moderation”. And, it seems that lesser creatures are more intelligent than man in observing such discipline. I have seen film footages of different kinds of wild animals milling around drinking holes where the strong are shown chasing the weak with the obvious intention of enjoying the latter as dinner. After the overpowering animals have had their fill, they back off and leave the rest of the packs.

Greed and selfishness are innate in man’s character, but should be manifested in moderation to prevent exploitation of others that could result to their suffering. Unfortunately, it does not happen in politics where greedy officials are not satisfied with what they may have already stolen from the government coffer, and which could already ensure them of a comfortable retirement. They practically, want everything by all means….not only money but lifetime power!

Illegal Drugs and Poverty – the miseries of a society

Illegal Drugs and Poverty –

The Miseries of a Society

By Apolinario Villalobos

Illegal drugs and poverty are miseries of a society that breed corruption in a country’s government and erode the culture and virtues of its people. Illegal drug start its infection as a mere vice of the indolent portion of the population until it becomes an extreme psychological necessity for survival. On the other hand, poverty-stricken populace of a country gets controlled by corrupt government officials and politicians with the use of money…with such control driven by helplessness on the former. Worse yet, the money come from the coffer of the government in most cases.

In the Philippines, there are allegations that contingents of the New People’s Army based in the north have resorted to planting marijuana in hidden and almost inaccessible nooks of the cordilleras. In Mindanao, there are allegations, too, that the Abu Sayyaf Group uses drugs to lure the youth to expand their membership.

During the campaign period that precedes an election, buying of votes is no longer discussed discreetly. This corrupt practice of politicians has become a common subject among electorates, as to who among the candidates gives the highest bribe. The electoral trend has become a way of life of the people. Regrets of the people are like cycle, repetitive and without end, every time winning corrupt candidates assume office and begin to ransack the government coffer to recoup what have been spent during their campaign.

Narco-politics have already crept into the government system of other countries, especially, those in South America. Poverty has become the face of third world countries. And, corruption that has developed into the stinking fruit of the mentioned phenomena is ensuing seeds that are being sowed throughout the world, as shown by drug laboratories operated by Chinese in the Philippines. The phenomena have become universal with the use of different nationalities as drug mules or couriers that carry loads of drugs to unsuspecting countries.

The world is experiencing a tremendous metamorphosis in all aspects of development in such a fast phase, as if mankind is in hurry to commit a self-annihilation!