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Sunday, October 28

Entrepreneurship is the Answer

The following message by JG, one of the most successful business
tycoons of all time to a graduating class is also an equally
noteworthy thought to all of us and the youth of our next generation,
hope you find time reading it...

JOHN GOKONGWEI'S SPEECH BEFORE ATENEO GRADUATES

I wish I were one of you today, instead of a 77-year-old man, giving a
speech you will probably forget when you wake up from your hangover
tomorrow. You may be surprised I feel this way. Many of you are
feeling fearful and apprehensive about your future. You are thinking
that, perhaps, your Ateneo diploma will not mean a whole lot in the
future in a country with too many problems. And you are probably
right. You are thinking that our country is slipping-no, sliding.
Again, you may be right.

Twenty years ago, we were at par with countries like Thailand ,
Malaysia , and Singapore . Today, we are left way behind. You know the
facts. Twenty years ago, the per capita income of the Filipino was 1,000 US dollars.
Today, it's 1,100 dollars. That's a growth of only ten percent in twenty
years. Meanwhile, Thailand 's per capita income today is double ours;
Malaysia , triple ours; and Singapore , almost twenty times ours.

With globalization coming, you know it is even more urgent to wake up.
Trade barriers are falling, which means we will have to compete
harder. In the new world, entrepreneurs will be forced to invest their
money where it is most efficient. And that is not necessarily in the
Philippines . Even for Filipino entrepreneurs, that can be the case.
For example, a Filipino brand like Maxx candy can be manufactured in
Bangkok-where labor, taxes, power and financing are cheaper and more
efficient-and then exported to other ASEAN countries. This will be a common
scenario-if things do not change.

Pretty soon, we will become a nation that buys everything and produces
practically nothing. We will be like the prodigal son who took his
father's money and spent it all. The difference is that we do not have
a generous father to run back to. But despite this, I am still very
excited about the future. I will tell you why later.

You have been taught at the Ateneo to be "a person for others." Of
course, that is noble: To serve your countrymen.

Question is: How?

And my answer is: Be an entrepreneur! You may think I am just a
foolish man talking mundane stuff when the question before him is
almost philosophical. But I am being very thoughtful here, and if I
may presume this about myself, being patriotic as well.

Entrepreneurship is the answer.

We need young people who will find the idea, grab the opportunity,
take risk, and set aside comfort to set up businesses that will
provide jobs.

But why? What are jobs?

Jobs are what allow people to feel useful and build their self-esteem.
Jobs make people productive members of the community. Jobs make people
feel they are worthy citizens. And jobs make a country worthy players in
the world market.

In that order of things, it is the entrepreneurs who have the power to
harness the creativity and talents of others to achieve a common good.
This should leave the world a better place than it was.

Let me make it clear: Job creation is a priority for any nation to
move forward. For example, it is the young entrepreneurs of Malaysia,
Thailand , and Singapore who created the dynamic businesses that have
propelled their countries to the top. Young people like yourselves.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, progress is slow. Very little is new.
Hardly anything is fresh. With a few exceptions, the biggest companies
before the war-like PLDT, Ayala, and San Miguel-are still the biggest
companies today.

All right, being from the Ateneo, many of you probably have offers
from these corporations already. You may even have offers from JG
Summit. I say:
Great! Take these offers, work as hard as you can, learn everything
these companies can teach-and then leave! If you dream of creating
something great, do not let a 9-to-5 job-even a high-paying one-lull
you into a complacent, comfortable life. Let that high-paying job
propel you toward entrepreneurship instead.

When I speak of the hardship ahead, I do not mean to be skeptical but
realistic. Even you Ateneans, who are famous for your eloquence, you
cannot talk your way out of this one. There is nothing to do but to
deal with it. I learned this lesson when, as a 13-year-old, I lost my
dad. Before that, I was like many of you: a privileged kid. I went to
Cebu 's best school; lived in a big house; and got free entrance to
the Vision, the largest movie house in Cebu , which my father owned.

Then my dad died, and I lost all these. My family had become poor-poor
enough to split my family. My mother and five siblings moved to China
where the cost of living was lower. I was placed under the care of my
Grand Uncle Manuel Gotianuy, who put me through school. But just two
years later, the war broke out, and even my Uncle Manuel could no
longer see me through.

I was out in the streets-literally.

Looking back, this time was one of the best times of my life. We lost
everything, true, but so did everybody! War was the great equalizer.
In that setting, anyone who was willing to size up the situation, use
his wits, and work hard, could make it! It was every man for himself,
and I had to find a way to support myself and my family. I decided to
be a market vendor.

Why? Because it was something that I, a 15-year-old boy in short
pants, could do.

I started by selling simple products in the palengke half an hour by
bike from the city. I had a bicycle. I would wake up at five in the
morning, load thread, soap and candles into my bike, and rush to the
palengke. I would rent a stall for one peso a day, lay out my goods on
a table as big as this podium, and begin selling. I did that the whole
day.

I sold about twenty pesos of goods every day. Today, twenty pesos will
only allow you to send twenty text messages to y our crush, but 63
years ago, it was enough to support my family. And it left me enough
to plow back into my small, but growing, business.

I was the youngest vendor in the palengke, but that didn't faze me. In
fact, I rather saw it as an opportunity. Remember, that was 63 years
and 100 pounds ago, so I could move faster, stay under the sun more,
and keep selling longer than everyone else.

Then, when I had enough money and more confidence, I decided to travel
to Manila from Cebu to sell all kinds of goods like rubber tires.
Instead of my bike, I now traveled on a batel-a boat so small that on
windless days, we would just float there. On bad days, the trip could
take two weeks! During one trip, our batel sank! We would have all
perished in the sea were it not for my inventory of tires. The
viajeros were happy because my tires saved their lives, and I was
happy because the viajeros, by hanging on to them, saved my tires. On
these long and lonely trips I had to entertain myself with books, like
Gone WithThe Wind.

After the war, I had saved up 50,000 pesos. That was when you could
buy a chicken for 20 centavos and a car for 2,000 pesos. I was 19
years old. Now I had enough money to bring my family home from China .
Once they were all here, they helped me expand our trading business to
include imports. Remember that the war had left the Philippines with
very few goods. So we imported whatever was needed and imported them
from everywhere-including used clothes and textile remnants from the
United States . We were probably the first ukay-ukay dealers here.

Then, when I had gained more experience and built my reputation, I
borrowed money from the bank and got into manufacturing. I saw that
coffee was abundant, and Nescafe of Nestle was too expensive for a
country still rebuilding from the war, so my company created Blend 45.
That was our first branded hit. And from there, we had enough profits
to launch Jack and Jill.

From one market stall, we are now in nine core businesses-includin g
retail, real estate, publishing, petrochemicals, textiles, banking,
food manufacturing, Cebu Pacific Air and Sun Cellular.

When we had shown success in the smaller businesses, we were able to
raise money in the capital markets-through IPOs and bond offerings--
and then get into more complex, capital-intensive enterprises. We did it
slow, but sure.

Success doesn't happen overnight. It's the small successes achieved
day by day that build a company. So, don't be impatient or focused on
immediate financial rewards. I only started flying business class when I
got too fat to fit in the economy seats.

And I even wore a used overcoat while courting my wife-it came from my
ukay-ukay business. Thank God Elizabeth didn't mind the mothball smell
of my coat or maybe she wouldn't have married me.

Save what you earn and plow it back.

And never forget your families! Your parents denied themselves many
things to send you here. They could have traveled around the world a
couple of times with the money they set aside for your education, and
your social life, and your comforts.

Remember them-and thank them.

When you have families of your own, you must be home with them for at
least one meal everyday. I did that while I was building my company.
Now, with all my six
children married, I ask that we spend every Sunday lunch together,
when everything under the sun is discussed. As it is with business, so
it is with family.
There are no short cuts for building either one. Remember, no short cuts.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola, your patron saint, and founder of this
450-year old organization I admire, described an ideal Jesuit as one
who "lives with one foot raised." I believe that means someone who is
always ready to respond to opportunities. Saint Ignatius knew that, to
build a successful organization, he needed to recruit and educate men
who were not afraid of change but were in fact excited by it. In fact,
the Jesuits were one of the earliest practitioners of globalization.
As early as the 16th century, upon reaching a foreign country, they
compiled dictionaries in local languages, like Tamil and Vietnamese,
so that they could spread their message in the local language. In a
few centuries, they have been able to spread their mission in many
countries through education.

The Jesuits have another quote. "Make the whole world your house"
which means that the ideal Jesuit must be at home everywhere. By
adapting to change , but at the same time staying true to their
beliefs, the Society of Jesus has become the long-lasting and
successful organization it is today and has made the world their house.

So, let's live with one foot raised in facing the next big
opportunity: globalization.

Globalization can be your greatest enemy. It will be your downfall if
you are too afraid and too weak to fight it out. But it can also be
your biggest ally. With the Asian Free Trade agreement and tariffs
near zero, your market has grown from 80 million Filipinos to half a
billion Southeast Asians. Imagine what that means to you as an
entrepreneur if you are able to find a need and fill it. And imagine,
too, what that will do for the economy of our country!

Yes, our government may not be perfect, and our economic environment
not ideal, but true entrepreneurs will find opportunities anywhere.
Look at the young Filipino entrepreneurs who made it. When I say
young-and I'm 77, remember-I am talking about those in their 50s and
below. Tony Tan of Jollibee, Ben Chan of Bench, Rolando Hortaleza of
Splash, and Wilson Lim of Abensons. They're the guys who weren't
content with the 9-to-5 job, who were willing to delay their
gratification and comfort, and who created something new, something
fresh. Something Filipinos are now very proud of. They all started
small but now sell their hamburgers, T-shirts and cosmetics in Asia,
America , and the Middle East In doing so, these young Filipino
entrepreneurs created jobs while doing something they were passionate
about.

Globalization is an opportunity of a lifetime-for you. And that is why
I want to be out there with you instead of here behind this
podium-perhaps too old and too slow to seize the opportunities you can.

Let me leave you with one last thought.

Trade barriers have fallen. The only barriers left are the barriers
you have in your mind.

So, Ateneans, heed the call of entrepreneurship. With a little bit of
will and a little bit of imagination, you can turn this crisis into
your patriotic moment-and truly become a person for others.

"Live with one foot raised and make the world your house."

To this great University, my sincerest thanks for this singular honor
conferred on me today.

To the graduates, congratulations and Godspeed.

"Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam".

Thank you.

Tuesday, October 23

Children’s Letters to God

While I was arranging my kids' books I came across a small book which I gave to my first-born last 1999. I read it again and can't help but smile. Would like to share them in this post.

According to the publishers, in choosing these letters, they tried to convey the incredible variety they represent. Their spelling and grammar have not been corrected, for what they say, they say better as they are.

Compiled by Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall

In Sunday School they told us what you do. Who does it when you are on vacation? Jane

How did you know you were God? Charlene

Dear God, I read the bible. What does begat mean? Nobody will tell me. Love, Alison

Dear God, On Holloween I am going to wear a Devil’s costume, Is that all right with you? Marnie

Dear God, Are you really invisible or is that just a trick? Lucy

Dear God, Did you mean for giraffe to look like that or was it an accident? Norma

Dear God, I went to this wedding and they kissed right in church. Is that ok? Neil

Dear God, is Reverend Coe a friend of yours, or do you just know him through business? Donny

Dear God, What does it mean you are a jealous God? I thought you had everything. Jane

Dear God, I am American what are you? John

Dear God, Thank you for the baby brother but what I prayed for was a puppy. Joyce

Please send me pony. I never ask for anything before, you can look it up. Bruce

Dear God, How come you did all those miracles in the old days and don’t do any now? Seymour

Dear God, if we come back as something please don’t let me be Jennifer Horton because I hate her. Denise

Dear God, my brother is a rat. You should give him a tail. Ha ha. Danny

Dear God, Please send Dennis Clark to a different camp this year. Peter

Dear God, I think about you sometimes even when I’m not praying. Elliott

Dear God, of all the people who work for you I like Peter and John the best. Rob

Dear God, I bet it is very hard to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only 4 people in our family and I can never do it. Nan

Dear God, If you watch in church on Sunday, I will show you my new shoes. Mickey D.

Dear God, I do not think anybody could be a better God. Well I just want you to know but I am not saying that because you are God. Charles

Octoberfest - My Bea Turns Four Today

My youngest kid, Maria Angelica Beatrice is now 4 years old. She was born five days after Pio turned 1. I was hoping to give birth on the 24th of October so she'll have the same birthday with my former boss (who was an honorable statesman) but because I got so tired preparing for Pio's big day (buying stuff and driving back and forth), I didn't notice that my waterbag had leaked already. When I visited my OB, she said my tummy looked smaller than my last visit. Upon checking, she hurriedly scheduled me for another cs operation, my fourth and last. There, my sweet little angel was born. She has to be hospitalized for one week because the womb was almost empty of water when the ob-gyne opened it up. The pedia said she might have an infection and has to be observed. Everyday, I have to go to the hospital to breastfeed her. And it pains me, everytime I would leave her back in the nursery room. Fast forward, 4 years after Bea is now a very witty small girl. She talks non-stop from the time she wakes up until she's about to retire to bed. Sometimes I would ask her if she's not tired of talking/chatting. She said no. I told her ok, when you grow up you better be a good reporter....

Here, I made her a slideshow so when she begins to read she won't ask me why I didn't make one for her birthday just like I what did with Pio and Gabbie.

To my youngest child, Bea Happy, Happy Birthday. We love you.

Saturday, October 20

Kids Pics and Video

Gabbie celebrated her birthday with a simple dinner with our family at Chef d' Angelo. She doesn't want a party, so I just brought some foods in her school for her classmates and teachers partaken during their recess time. Anyway, the kids were so happy celebrating Gabbie's special day.

I've noticed recently Pio is often tinkering with his toy-piano and imitating hubby's current favorite musician (Renzo Dali). Here, I took a video of Pio's "play version" of Agua de Invierno.


Gabbie and her black forest cake (Goldilocks)


the birthday girl and sis, Nicole


all white seafood pizza


pasta paella


chicken caesar salad


carbonara

Thursday, October 18

My Only Son Turns 5

My only son Pio Miguel is celebrating his 5th birthday. He just asked me to prepare carbonara for his friends. Such a simple request, I woke up early, bought all the things I need and whip up my specialty with some pork barbecue, fried chicken, ice cream, a cake and fruit salad. I also invited some blogger-friends who live nearby.

Pio Miguel was born October 18, 2002 in San Juan de Dios Hospital. Two months before his birth I was in Canada with hubby, I'm supposed to give birth there so my son would acquire a Canadian citizenship. But I opted to get back in Manila and gave birth here instead. I still want him to grow up as a Filipino and this country as the land of his birth...

To you my adorable son, we love you. We wish you all the best in life.

Wednesday, October 17

Beware there's an OUTBREAK...of CORRUPTION!

I am re-printing here a column by one of my favorite columnists, Mr. Jarius Bondoc of the Philippine Star. I mentioned in my friend's blog that one of my passions is writing/sending emails to newspapers' columnists (both from Philstar and Phil Daily Inquirer) on my thoughts regarding current issues or just simply giving them a bit of what I know (first-hand info). And it gives me a different kind of feeling when they publish my letters--that I was able to help in my own little way. I firmly believe in the saying "That evil thrives because good men do nothing". In my next post, I decided to tell things that I know, actually experienced regarding corruption in government....Let's start a crusade, to stop corruption in our country (impossible?), and it can begin with each of us....We can send letters/emails to our so-called leaders, newspapers' editorials, radio/tv news and talk show hosts, tell them the not-so good encounters you had with our public servants (that includes employees in government agencies)....Let them be shamed. Let them get their acts together. We need to change our system soon. Before our kids get this very contagious disease---of corruption.

Opinion

Governor Ed, believe it or not, it’s a bribe
GOTCHA By Jarius Bondoc
Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Governor Ed Panlilio of Pampanga is a priest. He was the parish pastor of Betis town just before he was elected head of one of the country’s richest provinces. He is used to the clerical life. And that includes receiving donations from varied sources for his many religious projects.

When a man in barong handed Governor Ed P500,000 cash at the Malacañang Palace grounds, he didn’t think twice about accepting. For him it was another regular contribution to the causes he represents. He cannot even remember now who had handed him the gift bag full of crisp new P1,000 bills. All he knew then was that it was a welcome addition to the funds he needs for anti-poverty plans. And so he would just report the amount to his parish council, er, provincial capitol, as usual.

Or so he thought.

Governor Ed has been in office for four months. That should be enough time for him to learn the big difference between Church money and State money. He was given a generous amount of cash at the Malacañang gardens not as a man of the robe but as government functionary. The reason he was in Malacañang was not to celebrate Holy Mass but to attend a rush meeting of the League of Provinces of the Philippines and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines. He was there with fellow-governors, mayors and other local officials. In fact, the governor of adjacent Bulacan province too, along with many unidentified local officials, admitted to receiving similar P500,000 “gifts”.

And so, contrary to what Governor Ed prefers to believe, what was given him was a bribe. Nothing more, nothing less.

And what was the bribe for? Governor Ed himself gave the purpose. The local officials had not gathered at Malacañang for any religious activity. On the contrary, they were called there by President Gloria Arroyo to discuss politics. Specifically, Governor Ed vividly recalled, they had agreed to neither support nor oppose the impeachment case in Congress against Arroyo. If Governor Ed analyzes it deeply, that “neutrality” meant that they would leave Arroyo alone — which is best politically for her than anybody else. Was not the money distributed in Malacañang instead of released through proper channels like the budget department, and not in cash but in the form of notices?

Governor Ed would do well to contemplate the context in which the P500,000 was given to him. Was not the sham impeachment complaint accompanied by offers of P2 million each to six Opposition congressmen to serve as endorsers? Was it not followed by a stupendous P100-million bribe to 200 congressmen, at P500,000 each like the local officials’, to corner Speaker Jose de Venecia into referring by proxy the limp case to the justice committee — for certain burial? Did not the impeachment case arise from two other bribery incidents: $10 million to businessman Joey de Venecia and P200 million to Sec. Romy Neri, both from a partymate-official whom Arroyo did not bother to prosecute?

And where does Governor Ed think the money came from? It certainly did not generously flow from personal pockets of Malacañang occupants. Otherwise, they would have innocently but openly handed the money themselves, no strings attached. Yet, there was no covering voucher nor receipt. This belies the explanation that the huge handouts were “allowances”, and confirms that it did not come from the usual releases of the budget department. Yet, the money source can only be the public coffers, most likely from one of those discretionary intelligence funds. And there will be more of it for Governor Ed and his colleagues for the next three years of their terms. At what expense will such P500,000 “gifts” be given away again and again, considering the worsening poverty and moral degeneration of Filipinos?

Governor Ed must sue the P500,000 briber. That is his responsibility as government official.

Pampangos elected Governor Ed out of spite for a long line of greedy thieving officials. Inspiring voters from other officials that bad officials can be repudiated after all, they had pinned on a priest their dream for good government. Hopefully Governor Ed would not fall for temptations — and attendant excuses — of wrong leadership. After all, he is known to humbly yet avidly learn about reforms.

* * *

Tuesday, October 16

How Much Have You Changed?

You've Changed 20% in 10 Years

You've hardly changed in ten years, from your lifestyle to those very retro clothes.
And unless you were really ahead of your time, you probably need to acquaint yourself with the modern world!


I only got 20%, to think a lot has changed in my lifestyle from way back....Does it mean, I now have a less (or more) relaxing/convenient time compared to my care-free (single) days? Try this quiz....

Healthiest Pinoy Foods

MIND YOUR BODY

By Willie T. Ong, MD


Q. Dear Doc, I want to eat healthy so I can live longer. What foods are healthy for me?

A. This is probably the most common question patients ask their doctor. For your eating pleasure, I’ll list down the top foods experts generally consider to be healthy. This list (obviously controversial) is based on a compilation of several nutrition books, and published studies and articles.

Here are the criteria we used in choosing our “superfoods”:

• Good source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

• Rich in phytonutrients and antioxidant compounds, such as vitamins A and E, and beta carotene.

• May help reduce the risk for diseases.

• Preferably low in calories, meaning you can eat a bigger portion with less calories.

• Readily available in the Philippines.

• Must be affordable, too.

Can’t wait to see the results? Well, here it is.

Nuts

The good: Nuts are nutritional powerfoods, packed in protein, minerals, and fats. Yes, they’re fatty, but don’t worry, the fats found in nuts are the good fats — monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Instead of eating junk foods reeking of unhealthy saturated fats (like potato chips and doughnuts), nuts can reduce your bad cholesterol (LDL) while raising good cholesterol (HDL). Nuts also contain vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Locally, we have nilagang mani (boiled peanuts) and cashew nuts. Almonds are expensive but they’re very nutritious. They’re loaded with protein, minerals, and healthy kinds of fat.

The bad: Nuts are salty and high in uric acid, which is bad for high blood pressure and those with gout, respectively. Also, eating too much nuts (it’s sooo addicting) can make you fat, around 150 calories per ounce. Ouch! Eat a handful, not a bowlful.

Coconuts (including virgin coconut oil)

The good: Dr. Conrado Dayrit’s book The Truth About Coconut Oil lists many alleged health benefits for VCO, ranging from treating bacterial infection to fungal diseases such as ringworm, and even HIV-AIDS. Dr. Dayrit lists a number of case studies and smaller studies that show VCO’s beneficial effects for heart disease, diabetes, and boosting one’s immunity.

Coconut water, on the other hand, is good for kidney stones and cleansing the digestive tract. It’s low in carbohydrates, low in sugar and serves as an isotonic beverage, which means it’s good for replenishing your body.

The bad: Did you know that Harvard Medical School’s Family Health Guide lists coconut oil as the “worst” oil among a list of 12, even ranking it lower than lard and butter? Harvard’s basis is its high 87-percent saturated fat (the bad fat). Some cardiologists, including myself, have also seen a rise in their patient’s cholesterol levels when taking VCO.

Conclusion: With the conflicting opinions, the safest answer is that we don’t know for sure. As more studies come in, this ranking may go up or down. We can’t ignore VCO’s health and economic benefits for our people, but this is our highest ranking for the moment.

Tea (including black, green, and oolong tea)

The good: Do you want to know why Asian people (Chinese, Japanese) have less heart attacks as compared to Western people? Experts believe it’s because of their tea-drinking habit. Hot tea kills bacteria and cleanses the body. The secret is in the catechin, which acts like an artery protector, antibiotic, and anti-ulcer agent. Tea also prevents dental cavities and may help you lose weight!

According to cardiologist Dr. Nelson Abelardo, studies show that green tea may prevent various cancers. In fact, green tea has the highest concentration of catechins, followed by oolong tea and the ordinary black tea (sold in supermarkets). But if you can’t afford green tea, black tea is fine, too.

The bad: Tea contains caffeine which may cause heart palpitation, anxiety, and high blood pressure. Don’t drink too much either.

Soy products like tofu or taho

The good: For semi-vegetarians like me, soy products are great substitutes for animal meat. Soy beans are high in protein, containing the essential amino acids. In fact, Time magazine lists soy as one of the world’s healthiest foods. Soy beans are rich in calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber. Hence, they’re good for our heart and bones. Soy also contains genistein, a weak estrogen-like substance, which may prevent prostate and breast cancer.

Wheat in wheat bread and cereals

Some breads, cereals, and muffins contain whole wheat, which can help regulate bowel movement and prevent colon cancer. Studies show that whole wheat products help control weight, prevent type-2 diabetes, and reduce cholesterol levels. Wheat may also accelerate the metabolism of estrogen and prevent breast cancer.

So next time you buy bread and cereals, look for the key words “whole wheat” and “whole grains” in the package. We Filipinos can’t live without rice, but let’s try to eat the healthier bread from time to time.

Sweet potatoes (kamote)

Our very own kamote is an excellent source of starch and contains huge amounts of carotenoids. Kamote’s deep orange-yellow color proclaims to everyone that they’re high in the antioxidant beta carotene. Sweet potatoes are superb sources of fiber, vitamins B6, C and E, folate, and potassium. It is these and other phytochemicals that make sweet potatoes a potent anti-cancer food.

And like all vegetables, they’re fat-free and low in calories — one small sweet potato has just 54 calories. And hear this: Sweet potatoes may reduce your risk for lung cancer, especially good news to the millions of Filipino smokers and ex-smokers out there. Cooking-wise, it’s best to eat them boiled, mashed or baked. kamoteque, anyone?

Oats as in oatmeal

Take a couple of bowls of oat bran or oatmeal a day, and cut down your cholesterol by around 10 percent. Oats contain beta-glucan, a spongy, soluble fiber that sucks cholesterol in the intestines and throws them out of the body. Studies suggest that oats may lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

Moreover, oats are one of the few grains that contain the antioxidant tocotrienols, a vitamin E­-like substance. And the dietary fiber in oats makes you feel full faster, so it can help you control your weight. Just watch out for gassiness and bloating from too much oats.

Ginger

For centuries, ginger has been used in Asia to treat nausea, vomiting, cough, colds, headache, stomachache, and arthritis. Haven’t tried it? Clinical studies show that ginger is as effective as drugs (like Dramamine) to prevent motion sickness and nausea.

Ginger contains one to four-percent volatile oils. Its pungent odor comes from gingerols and shogaols, which are likely responsible for its anti-nausea and anti-vomiting effects. Ginger also acts as an antibiotic, killing bacteria in the test tube, and may have anti-cancer activity. As a first aid, try warm salabat with honey for nausea. It works!

Beans (including monggo beans)

The good: Beans, including monggo beans, red beans, and black beans, are inexpensive sources of soluble fiber, iron, folic acid, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and thiamin. They’re also the poor man’s alternative source of protein. And to top it all, they’re low-fat, low-salt, and have zero cholesterol. A half cup of cooked beans daily can reduce cholesterol, and thus good for diabetics.

Beans contain phytonutrients that may help prevent heart disease and cancer. They also contain protease inhibitors, which help prevent the development of cancer cells. Strict vegetarians will also benefit from the large amounts of folic acid in beans, which can prevent birth defects and anemia. Not yet convinced? Beans are nutritious, delicious, easy to cook, and affordable, too!

The bad: Avoid if you have gout or high uric acid levels.

Ampalaya (bitter gourd)

Okay, I admit I’m biased. Our family members are ampalaya lovers, especially beef with ampalaya. It’s an acquired taste since childhood. But when I heard that the lowly ampalaya has recently been added to the Department of Health’s 10 approved medicinal plants, I can’t help but rejoice for my favorite vegetable.

Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) can be used to treat mild diabetes mellitus. Emphasis on mild. Ampalaya contains a hypoglycemic polypeptide, a plant insulin, responsible for its blood sugar-lowering effects. Others suggest it can help in detoxification and boosting one’s immune system.

Warning: Diabetes experts strongly advise their patients to continue their regular medications and just use ampalaya as a supplement. In serious cases of diabetes, you really need your maintenance medicines.

Friday, October 12

Disorder in Court - Joke Time

These are taken from a book called Disorder in the American Courts, and are
things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now
published by court reporters who had the torment of staying calm while
these exchanges were actually taking place.

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Attorney: Are you sexually active?
Witness: No, I just lie there.

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Attorney: What gear were you in at the moment of impact?
Witness: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.

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Attorney: This mysthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
Witness: Yes.
Attorney: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
Witness: I forget.
Attorney: You forgot? Can you give us an example of something you
forgot?

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Attorney: What was the first thing your husband said to you that
morning?
Witness: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?"
Attorney: And why did that upset you?
Witness: My name is Susan!

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Attorney: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in
voodoo?
Witness: We both do.
Attorney: Voodoo?
Witness: We do.
Attorney: You do?
Witness: Yes, voodoo.

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Attorney: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his
sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
Witness: Did you actually pass the bar exam?

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Attorney: Were you present when your picture was taken?
Witness: Are you sh -- me?

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Attorney: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
Witness: Yes.
Attorney: And what were you doing at the time?
Witness: Uh...I was gettin' laid!

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Attorney: She had three children, right?
Witness: Yes.
Attorney: How many were boys?
Witness: None.
Attorney: Were there any girls?
Witness: Are you sh -- me? You Honour, I think I need a different
attorney? Can I get a new attorney?

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Attorney: How was your first marriage terminated?
Witness: By death.
Attorney: And by whose death was it terminated?
Witness: Now whose death do you suppose terminated it?

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Attorney: Can you describe the individual?
Witness: He was about medium height and had a beard.
Attorney: Was this a male or female?
Witness: Guess.

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Attorney: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to deposition
notice which I sent to your attorney?
Witness: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.

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Attorney: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead
people?
Witness: All my autopsies are performed on dead people. Would you like
to rephrase that?

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Attorney: All your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go
to?
Witness: Oral.

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Attorney: Do you recall the time you examined the body?
Witness: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.
Attorney: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
Witness: No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was doing an
autopsy on him!

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Attorney: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
Witness: Huh...are you qualified to ask that question?

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Attorney: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a
pulse.
Witness: No.
Attorney: Did you check for blood pressure?
Witness: No.
Attorney: Did you check for breathing?
Witness: No.
Attorney: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you
began the autopsy?
Witness: No.
Attorney: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
Witness: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
Attorney: I see, but could the patient have still been alive,
nevertheless?
Witness: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and
practicing law.

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Wednesday, October 10

Gabbie Turns 7 Today


My lovable child, Gabbie is celebrating her 7th birthday today. She's been waiting for it since last night, she's actually having her own countdown. She wants me to put something about her in my blog. So here it is, my darling daughter.

Gabbie was born on October 10, 2000 at San Juan de Dios Hospital. A millennium baby, she weighs 6.5 lbs and as she grows, she turns into a bubbly baby. She is really a delight to our family. She came just as we have wished for (our first-born Nicole is 3 years older) another baby. Hubby and I are so lucky to have such a wonderful, witty, pretty child---Maria Cristina Gabrielle.

To you my child, I wish you all the best in life...We love you.


Saturday, October 6

AWARDS AND TAGS






NEW AWARDS

My new cyber-friend Francine (La Place de Cherie) gave me 2 awards recently. Thanks a lot my dear. And to spread the cheer, I’m sharing this award to Auee (Kwentong Walang Kwenta), Cookie (SchroochChronicles), Myrna (Ode to Old), Anna (Ana’s Tasa), Ladybug (Of Law and Badminton), Gina (Alone With My Thoughts), Cess (Occupation-Stay At Home Mom), Chats (imomonline), Julie (teacherjulie), Belle (simply belle) and to another very dear friend Rachel (Heart of Rachel). My day wouldn’t be complete without visiting these lovely ladies’ sites.

Rachel tagged me to do the “what’s in my desktop meme”. I just followed her instructions below:

A. Upon receiving this tag, immediately perform a screen capture of your desktop. It is best that no icons be deleted before the screen capture so as to add to the element of fun. You can do a screen capture by Going to your desktop and pressing the Print Scrn key (located on the right side of the F12 key). Open a graphics program (like Picture Manager, Paint, or Photoshop) and do a Paste (CTRL + V). If you wish, you can “edit” the image, before saving it.

B. Post the picture in your blog. You can also give a short explanation on the look of your desktop just below it if you want. You can explain why you preferred such look or why is it full of icons. Things like that.

C. Tag five of your friends and ask them to give you a Free View of their desktop as well.

D. Add your name to this list of Free Viewers with a link pointing directly to your Desktop Free View post to promote it to succeeding participants


I am tagging the following:

Gina- alone-with-my-thoughts

Raquel-homeworked

Luiza- beyond normal

Belle- simply belle

Analyse- myhideaway


List of Free Viewers:

iRonnie - I Set No Corner
Thess - Thesserie
Rebecca - Skippy Heart
Knoizki - A Dialogue With K
Beng - Kauderwelch
Tina - My Good Finds
Rachel- Heart of Rachel

Rowena- The Sweet Life




BLAST FROM THE PAST

This is a long overdue tag from Raquel (homeworked). Am so sorry I just found the time to finally do it all in one sitting. Since I am a new blogger, having started only last May, I don’t have enough posts to choose from. I just have here a dozen which I think would be interesting read, some are re-printed from my favorite columnist and the topics are really important for me.

A Burning Warning

Don’t Quit

My Reasons for Homeschooling

The Suite Life

The World Needs Men

21 Memos From Your Child

Happy Father’s Day

When Helpers Come and Go

The Signs of Hard Times

Working in the Senate

About My Mom

My Thoughts…Out Loud

Francine also tag me to do another meme. Here, I’m done my friend.

THINGS I HATE TO HEAR

That I am thin- because I’m not. I weigh 100 lbs.

That I am lazy- of all the household chores I’m doing, that would be absurd. At one time, I even worked in 3 different offices simultaneously (senate, city hall, a computer company).

That I am stingy- though only one person said that, it’s a total lie. Generosity runs in my blood, he he (combination of German, Chinese, Kapampangan and Cebuano).

Wednesday, October 3

A Candy Corn For Halloween

Your Halloween Costume Should Be

Candy Corn


I'm bloghopping from Rachel's (Heart of Rachel), went to Skittle's place, then I saw this quiz. Since it's early in the morning, don't know what to do next (either I bloghop more or read the newspapers), I just answered few questions. Here's in turn, the answer that I got, a candy corn. Wonder why? I want to be a witch...Try the quiz and have some fun.