Category Archives: Personal

Repost: Grannies want to spend Christmas as free individuals

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Old and weary.

It doesn’t matter if they don’t have a place to stay or relatives to welcome them with open arms. What is important for old persons, who have served more than half of their lives as inmates at the Correctional Institution for Women, is to walk as free individuals.

Some old folks who don’t have families to come home to were brought to the Home for the Aged for care.

I have met some old women inmates at the CIW when I was still with PJI.  They cried the moment they began telling their stories…I couldn’t help but cry with them too, especially when they talk about their children and how miserable their lives have become when they were sent to prison.

They’ve missed their children’s birthdays, graduation days…special events in the lives of their loved ones that they wish they were a part of…They even missed burial of their own children…so tragic, but true.

I still keep some of their photos. I’m not sure if these two grandmothers have been released from the institution. Both of them originated from the north and have been charged for drug-related offense.

If both of them have not been released yet, I hope that they will get their freedom back soon.

And if they were already reunited with their loved ones, I wish that they (relatives) have accepted them wholeheartedly so they could live the life they truly deserve as free individuals.

Photos taken by PJI photographers for People’s Tonight

Why I refuse to undergo a medical check-up

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I would rather spend time on the work mat doing yoga than undergo a medical check-up. Friends and relatives are encouraging me to have a medical check-up after complaining on and off pain in the abdominal and pelvic area. I had the same condition checked last year but I failed to have the test results examined by the proper medical person. The pain is still there but I refused to undergo another round of lab tests afraid to learn a shocking truth…

No more milk tea for now

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For fear of poisoning (story here), my daughter who loves milk tea will refrain from drinking one for now. Cases of food and beverage poisoning caused by bacterial contamination is particularly high during the summer months. We can avoid getting sick if we are wary of the food and water we take. We may also check on the sanitation of the stores we get our favorite snacks from. Don’t get me wrong, maraming simpleng stores (‘yung tipong suki na natin) pero malinis naman ang pagkagawa ng paninda nila. Alarming lang talaga nangyari sa milk tea poisoning.

Meanwhile, the government has issued an update regarding the alleged milk tea poisoning:

The Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and toxicologists from the UP-Philippine General Hospital (PGH), obtained and studied the footage from the food establishment to aid in assessing the clinical manifestations and course of illness of the victims. Samples of the milk tea ingested were also submitted for examination. Preliminary results were negative for suspected toxic substances. However, we have expanded the tests to include biological samples such as blood, tissues, and gastric contents from the victims as collected during the autopsy.

The situation appears to be an isolated event, pointing to a possible case of poisoning. Let me emphasize that this is isolated. In fact, this is the third time the couple bought milk tea in the same food establishment. No untoward incident happened during the previous intake. We appeal to the public not to generalize the situation as many small and medium scale enterprises are dependent on the sale of milk tea and similar beverages.

A joint DOH-DENR Advisory concerning cyanide-containing substances has been issued in 2010. Taking into consideration the serious health impact of cyanide-containing silver jewelry cleaning solutions, the DOH calls for the immediate passage of a law making the sale and dispensing of these substances a criminal act. Meanwhile, we urge the local government units to pass ordinances banning these substances in their respective jurisdictions.

We call on the public to be aware of the initial signs and symptoms of poisoning, such as vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness, and impaired or loss of consciousness. Whether mild or severe, the patient should be immediately brought to the nearest hospital. Poisoning is deadly and immediate medical attention is warranted.For inquiries, the National Poison Center-PGH, which is open 24 hours and seven days a week,may be reached at the following numbers: (02) 554-8400 local 2311, (02) 524-1078, or 0922-8961541.

doh.gov.ph

Passage to manhood

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The young person here will enter this stage soon. I’m talking about my son who is scheduled to have a circumcision next week.

In the Philippines, circumcision is seen as a rite of passage for adolescent boys. It is also considered a part of men’s personal hygiene, since the foreskin is considered ‘dirty’ in local culture.

My son is actually old enough to undergo the minor procedure. But because he is always sick his pediatrician would defer the circumcision until the time he is well. This summer, hubby and I thought that it’s about time to have our son undergo the minor surgical procedure. The boy feels awkward because he’s taller than the usual kid who underwent circumcision and younger than he is. However, if we postpone the circumcision for next year, it would make him feel more uneasy.

Passage to manhood (for me) also means that he (my son) should be responsible in his every action. And by that, I mean he should never ever try to smoke (cigarettes, gurkha cigars or whatever brand there is). It’s a good thing my son is well aware of the health consequences of smoking.