5 reasons why Omega 3 is good for you

November 8, 2010, 1:31pm

Omega-3 Fatty Acids have been getting a lot of attention lately in the news, the scientific community and doctor’s offices around the world.  Many of us have heard all about Omega 3 fats and the health benefits and is now considered as a mega supplement in health!

Omega 3 fish oil contains two active ingredients: EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid). The EPA and DHA are vital nutrients and they are each important at different stages of life.

According to Hiro  Budhrani, president of AAA Pharma Inc., the distributor of O3 Omega-3 (Fish Oil) Supplement, “O3 contains high pharmaceutical-grade Omega-3 that provides the best ratio of EPA/DHA. EPA is part of every cell membrane and is one of the chief messengers on a molecular level. It allows the body’s cells to communicate with each other. DHA, on the other hand, is now thought to constitute the ‘building blocks’ of the brain, forming about 8% of the brain by weight.  This is the reason it is important for pregnant mothers to ensure an adequate supply throughout pregnancy.”

Budhrani added that by supplementing our diet with O3 Omega-3 (Fish Oil) Supplement, we will enjoy the 5 most important health benefits that Omega 3 can give us. These are:

• Control Inflammation in the body EPA and DHA fats have an ability to produce a chemical called Resolvin D2, which is very effective in reducing the excess inflammation in the body. Excess inflammation can lead to various health conditions like Arthritis, Psoriasis, and soreness in the body.

• Brain Health Our brain is primarily made of these fats and they control the proper communication between the neurons inside the brain. We are now learning that diet can alter brain composition and brain function. A fish-rich diet helps keep the mind sharp. For adults, fish oil improves memory, recall, reasoning and focus.
Deficiency of these fatty acids leads to an increased risk of conditions like Depression, Autism, Dyslexia, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, and loss of memory.

• Healthy Heart Omega3 fats have anti coagulant properties, which help in destroying the plaque buildup inside the arteries. Hence, they have immense cardio vascular benefits, they help regulate blood pressure and reduce the chances of strokes and heart attacks.

• Cancer Several studies report possible anti-cancer effects of Omega-3 fatty acids (particularly breast, colon, and prostate cancer). Omega-3 fatty acids reduced prostate tumor growth, slowed histopathological progression, and increased survival.

• For Pregnant and lactating women Nothing is more important than the health of a pregnant woman because she is nurturing a life inside her. She, not only needs to take care of her own health but also the health of the baby developing inside her womb. Studies revealed that pregnant and nursing mothers can have a great impact on the intelligence and happiness of their babies by supplementing with Omega 3 fish oil with DHA.

“Omega 3 has more health benefits that we can get, but these can only be attained if we have the necessary levels of these fats in our body. Since, the body cannot produce these fats on its own, fish oil is important to supplement our daily diet regimen,” Budhrani noted.

Hands down oils from fish like salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines are very rich in Omega-3. Other oily fish such as tuna also contain Omega-3 in somewhat lesser amounts. Consumers of oily fish should be aware of the potential presence of heavy metals and fat-soluble pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxin which may accumulate up the food chain.

(For those who are unable to get this nutritionally fatty acid in their diet, experts recommend the consumption of well-refined fish oil supplements like O3 Omega-3 (Fish Oil) Supplement. For more information about O3 Omega-3 (Fish Oil) Supplement, email aaapharma@ggii.com.ph. O3 Omega-3 (Fish Oil) Supplement is available in Manson Drug/Med-Express and South Star Drug. )

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Gift idea: DIY candles in patterned metal cans

Christmas is just a few weeks away and, for sure, lots of presents are coming your way this season and a few you have to give away yourself. Sorting out gift ideas for your family, friends and co-workers is an exciting moment, especially since it includes a lot of shopping.

However, this idea of giving will be laced with pressure if you don’t know what to get your loved ones. You can scour countless aisles in department stores and visit different boutiques but still go home with things you don’t intend to give to anyone.

To lessen your gift giving woes this Christmas, here’s a simple idea: why not try to give something you’ve done yourself? I’m not talking about knitted sweaters or socks but of homemade candles with your personal touch!

You may use vintage or patterned metal cans or traditional glasses or ceramics to hold the candles and give them as presents or even keep them for yourself. You don’t have to be an avid candle maker for this project and you’ll only need a few materials, some you can even find at home. You’ll need metal cans to hold candles; candle wax, old and/or basic candles will do; candle wicks, tin base for wicks, wooden chopsticks or skewers and a double boiler.

Here’s what you need to do.

• If your wicks are not pre-waxed, you will want to coat them with a thin layer of wax. Melt a small amount of wax in the top section of the double boiler. Place the uncoated wicks in the wax, coat with wax and remove to harden.
• Prepare your tins by cleaning them and make sure they don’t leak by filling them with water first. Add the tin base to the wicks and place inside the metal tins. Dabbing a bit of melted wax on the bottom of the wick tin base will help hold it in place. Use a skewer to stretch over the metal tin, then wrap the wicks around the skewer to hold in place.
• Melt your desired amount of wax. Different types of wax have different melting points. Wax will not boil, but it is extremely flammable. You will want to take every necessary safety precaution before melting the wax.
• Once melted, pour the wax into the tins. If the top of the candle does not dry smoothly (especially around the wick), this could be a sign of air bubbles. Use a wooden skewer to poke down into the candle (when still soft) to release the air. Add melted wax to the top to create a smooth finish.
• Let the wax harden for about 24 hours. Trim excess wick.

Source:
Design Sponge

Yes, a safe flight involves seat belts!

November 22, 2010, 6:37pm

The likelihood of dying in a commercial flight is 9-million-to-one, says airplane manufacturer Boeing. It’s not surprising since one rarely hears about a fatal crash. However, being paranoid pays off sometimes and being extra careful during flights is a big help when you encounter some unexpected events during your flight.

Here are some safety tips you might want to consider following in your next flight.

Skip first class
If you want an almost hassle-free flight and you want to get the best possible service one can get while flying, the first class section would be perfect for you. But that is assuming that you’re going to reach your destination safely. A study by Popular Mechanics in 2007 suggested that the first class section have the highest mortality rate during crash while passengers sitting near the tail of a plane have a 40% survival rate. So, you choose.

Listen to the safety instructions
If your think that all flight instructions before take-off are the same and you think you’ve heard it all so you don’t have to listen to them anymore, think again. Different safety instructions may apply on different planes. For example, some planes keep life vests in tiny compartments above you but smaller planes may keep them somewhere else.

Seatbelt should not be taken for granted 
If you feel that seatbelts are worthless and do not really adhere to the pilot’s instructions about wearing them during some parts of the flight, maybe you should start using them and keep yourself safer. There is a reason why seatbelts are required, in case you pretend not to know. While pilots know how a certain area of turbulence can affect the flight, there are cases when even pilots cannot be certain about unexpected bumps. So stay buckled up.

Be careful in opening overhead bins 
Overhead compartments contain bags and other things that, through the course of the flight, have been subject to turbulence, too. So be careful when retrieving your things as they may fall on you as soon as you open the above bins. It would also be wise to choose seats near the window instead of being right under the bins, in case of emergency situations.

Read more on AOL Travel.

The Healthy Hotel

By MA. GLAIZA LEE

November 24, 2010, 11:55am

Lake Hotel offers wellness and relaxation with every visit. (Photo by PINGGOT ZULUETA)

MANILA, Philippines — While Taal Volcano is actually situated in Talisay and San Nicolas in Batangas, it is Tagaytay City that greatly benefits from its majestic view as evidenced by the mushrooming business areas and industrial growth along the ridge.

Considered as the second summer capital of the Philippines, its cool and crisp climate makes it a perfect picnic spot. Spend an afternoon at the Picnic Grove while enjoying a sumptuous picnic lunch and the natural splendor of the majestic Taal Volcano that quietly sits on tranquil Taal Lake.

The view at night is even more dazzling. The lake sparkles from the lights of the fishing boats with the view of the Manila skyline - the tall sky-crappers glistening with lights adding to the allure.

Its proximity to Manila, which is about 58 kilometer south, makes Tagaytay the ultimate weekend respite from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.

Many establishments and businesses have capitalized on its absolute charm that draws many local and foreign tourists. In fact, the city is a cornucopia of hotels, inns, apartelles, bed and breakfast rooms, and retreat houses which provide tourists the perfect place for R and R.

One of these is the Lake Hotel. As guests walk down the wide granite stairs with cascading waterfalls on both sides at the entrance of the hotel, they can already feel the calming and welcoming ambience of the place.

Further down is the Antonio Yupitun Executive Lounge which provides a 180-degree view of the lake and volcano, bounded by lush greeneries. The lounge is an ideal venue for meetings and socializing with acquaintances. It also houses the Sukhabati Meditation Place, which is actually an open-air area where people can commune with nature.

One of the hotel’s unique features is its gift to absorb nature’s blissful heartiness even for a fraction of a silent moment in its soothing garden and communing areas. Take for instance the lush Shambala Garden. Its well-manicured lawn imparts a serene and tranquil moment.

At night, the garden is transformed into an entertainment and cultural area where the Bughaw Folkloric Dance Group performs classic and traditional Filipino dances from the different regions of the country such as the tinikling and Muslim Suites every Saturday.

The hotel has five functions rooms: the Grand Ballroom that can accommodate up to 200 guests, the Function Hall which can be divided into two separate function rooms, the Himalayan View Deck that can accommodate 600 guests, and the Shambala Garden which can be a good wedding venue.

Perfectly situated at the slope of Tagaytay Ridge, the three-storey Mediterranean-inspired hotel provides an exceptionally picturesque view from each of its rooms. In fact, its 60 elegantly designed rooms, including six suites, have different panoramic angles of the Taal Volcano.

Lake Hotel Tagaytay is committed to promoting total well-being and provide their guests with a hale and hearty escapade while delighting their senses. The hotel offers complete health and wellness facilities and amenities, perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Aside from its gym that has dynamic fitness equipment and massage service, the hotel rooms (the Deluxe rooms in particular) are equipped with TheraBed, the magnetic mattress that produces less than two gauss geomagnetic energy, with a high penetration of 60 cm, for that five-star quality sleep.

The Great 103 High-Tech Invention mattress promotes over-all body restoration by applying magnet therapy, a non-invasive method of applying magnetic fields to the body for therapeutic purposes. It works the same way that the Earth’s magnetic energy does.

Geomagnetic power is an environment element that people cannot live without. All living cells are electromagnetic by nature. The earth provides a supportive and steady magnetic field which the body draws on to enhance its molecular reactions. The human brains and the Earth are working together to accomplish magnetic resonance, which dramatically enhances the chemical reactions of the body.

Also, the magnetic mattress is especially designed to make shoulders and buttocks sink properly and get corresponding elastic support giving the vertebra a relaxing and natural pose.

Another health feature of the hotel is the TheraQi Far-infrared Ray (FIR) Enhancer which uses far-infrared electromagnetic energy. Using the natural thermal properties of sunlight, the 14-wavelength enhancer helps improve the systemic blood circulation, regulate balance of the nervous system, and strengthen the immune system. It promotes regeneration and fast healing as well as repair of tissue and cells.

On the night table in every room are various health notices which talk about the benefit of drinking eight glasses of water and the time-table of the body. Guests can read them for health tips and additional knowledge.

Nestled near the food strip of the city, the hotel has the Avengoza Fusion Restaurant to entice the palate. Its dynamic culinary team combines their epicurean taste for impeccable flavors in both local and international cuisines.

A short walk away to the south of the hotel are the various shopping and entertainment hubs where guests can indulge in a shopping spree and pasalubong buying or opt to have fun at the Casino Filipino Tagaytay. Within its ambit are prime tourist spots such as the Picnic Grove, People’s Park, Caleruega Church, and Ilog ni Maria Bee Farm, as well as the many convents situated in the city.

The Lake Hotel is located at Km.58, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, Brgy. Maharlika East, Tagaytay City. For inquiries, call (+632) 7257080-81 or (+6346) 4134680-81, or email sales@thelakehoteltagaytay.com.

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

Cebu’s small and medium enterprises

By Fernando Fajardo
Cebu Daily News

Despite its size, it accounts for 4.9 percent of the total population and 10 percent of the exports. It also has more than one million tourists, which means that about half of the country’s visitors also choose to come to Cebu.

Cebu’s large population means that it could support a good number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In fact, long before the last population count in 2007, at the time when Cory Aquino began her presidency in 1986, Cebu already had close to 3,000 small and medium enterprises with estimated assets of about P5.5 billion, sales of P12 billion and total employment of about 180,000 workers. This was reported in a study by the Cebu office of the Center for Research and Communication (now University of Asia and the Pacific). With more openness that came with the Cory administration and membership of the Philippines in the World Trade Organization in 1995, these numbers must be much larger by now.

The CRC study identified the five key SMEs in Cebu as: furniture making, food processing, garments, gift, toys and fashion accessories (GTFAs) and house wares and metalworking. Furniture, GTFAs and house wares were touted as Cebu’s export winners because of their high export potential and strong backward linkages through subcontracting. The study found that the intensity of subcontraction was as high as one contractor to 100 sub-contractors in some firms engaged in fashion accessories and 1:15 in some rattan furniture firms. The average was 1:4 in furniture production, 1:3 in fashion accessories, and 1:2 in garments.

Subcontracting is a business model employed by industries in Cebu that allowed them to meet their demand by tying up with home or cottage-based producers in the production of certain parts of a product or the early and rough stage of the production process using unskilled or semiskilled workers living in Cebu. The system is no different from the practice of Japanese manufacturers that subcontract some of production tasks to many small producers except that in Cebu most of the subcontractors belong to the informal sector.

Being informal means that Cebu’s subcontractors are unorganized or operate outside of the law that governs business operation. Unregistered, they do not pay taxes or comply with government requirements relating to the workplace, working condition and wages of the workers.

Why the informality? There were many reasons according to the CRC study. One was the lack of time to register the business. Another was the lack of money to pay the cost of registration. Red tape was also mentioned as well as the confusing procedure in registering a business. Business was also too small to be registered. And finally, there was a problem of the business being highly temporary in nature.

While very dynamic and flexible, Cebu’s subontractors suffered from a number of organizational, management, financial, production and marketing problems, according to the CRC report. Home and cottage industry proprietors were wanting in business management skills, turnover of workers was high and earnings, which depended on orders were irregular. Quality control was poor and compliance with order specifications was weak. Equipment was inadequate and materials were poorly handled. The cost of materials was also high. Deadlines for completion of the products ordered were often not met. Delayed payments of completed orders and lack of access to capital also compounded the problems faced by the subcontractors. The same problems may exist now for many of the subcontractors that remain informal.

With so many existing firms, the competition among Cebu’s small and medium enterprises is intense. Analyzing industry competition, however, does not only mean looking into the rivalry of existing firms.

Another angle that should be looked into is the threat of entry of new competitors. The nature of small and medium industries in Cebu is such that the entry of new business is easy on account of the low level of capital and technology required to start a new business. The coming of a substitute product is another threat and this is true for products that are intended to meet the varying tastes of the final users.

In Cebu, this is also compounded by the usual practice of pirating product designs or skilled workers.

Another angle to consider in industry competition is the power of buyers. Here, foreign buyers or their agents are more in a position to influence the price and other terms of business. Along with the influence of buyers is the power of suppliers.

Cebu SMEs lacks many of the materials that they need for production. Thus, they are also at the mercy of their suppliers, which partly explains the high production costs.

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

Global Filipina

By Carlos Concepcion
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Date

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Veronica Kirzhner-a Jewish Filipina-puts passion in anything she does, including her style
“FIERCE” is a fashion word I really hate to use; it is overly used and almost cheesy. But for this subject, I cannot find a better word. 29-year-old former shoe designerof the famed Dolce Vita, Veronica “Ivy” Kirzhner is fierce!

Of Filipino-Jewish origins, Ivy is born to a family of fashion designers. She wanted to stay along the lines of what the rest of her family was doing, yet still a little different—thus shoe design.

She is a graduate of the FIT, major in accessories (shoes/handbags), and used to be the designers for international brand Dolce Vita. She is based in New York churning out hit collections worn by the likes of Charlize Theron and Jessica Simpson, to mention a few celebrities on her clientele.

Being a shoe designer is only one part of what makes Ivy so special. A multi-faceted creative explorer and an antiquarian, she immerses herself in different crafts, whether through her photos, writing, and music (she is currently recording an album).

If you think she is just another “slasher” with too many job descriptions, you only have to view and read her work (check out her blog!). You see the passion and commitment she puts into every single picture, every word, and every design she creates. These provide inspiration for the rest of us.

Ivy’s work has been described as provocative—a fusion of the old and new world—and a challenge to the norms set even just minutes before.

The last conversation I had with her, she wanted to bring more local designers into the New York scene. She believes, “now” is every Filipino’s time.

Style profile

Style icons: Ines de la Fressange, Grace Jones, China Machado, Audrey Hepburn

Best style advice given: “Never stop reinventing yourself, but try not to reinvent the wheel or anything that already works perfectly.”

What is your go-to outfit on lazy days?

My black American Apparel leggings, white button-down batwing shirt belted high at the waist, and a pair of combat boots. Oh, and a turban if my hair is out of control!

What is the soundtrack of your style?

It would probably be a fusion of World Music with a hint of old French.

Is there really such a thing as bad style?

I think bad style spawns from just having poor taste or the lack thereof.

What is the worst style moment of your life?

Whenever I feel like I’m physically out of shape. Being stylish is also having a mindset that runs deep into your overall well-being.

What trend should go?

Just the word “trend” should go!

What are your cheap wardrobe updates?

Going through your mom’s closet and finding a nice statement piece from 20 years ago. She’d lend it to you if you ask kindly. (Laughs)

What are your tips on vintage shopping?

This store called Eleven in Nolita has the best old world vintage items that will take you back through time!

As a shoe designer, what would be your pet-peeve in shoe design?

Any direct knock-offs. But that’s how this industry stays afloat so it cannot be helped.

What is New York’s biggest style influence on you?

I’m influenced by the diversity and the celebration of ethnic origins. I started looking deep into my own native origins, as well as others, and I have started incorporating a lot of costume elements into my wardrobe. I love mixing prints and textures, from ikat prints and Muslim tapestry to Mallorcandresses.

Who would be your worst dressed celebrity?

Courtney Love, she can make the most demure and sophisticated clothes look so trashy, but that’s what I love about her.

Who is overrated?

Rachel Zoe. Show me something new that will not remind me too much of an LA cookie-cutter.

What movie has influenced your style the most?

I like anything that is old British Edwardian-themed. I love the men’s fashion back in the day with their military band coats, jodphurs and riding boots!

To fur or not to fur?

I’d never wear a cuddly yet endangered polar bear.

Do you have any advice on aspiring designers who wish to move to the big city?

There’s nothing holding you back, but your own self.

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

The Latest Breakthrough Treatment for Autoimmune Disorders

November 24, 2010, 2:14pm

Dr. Nelson Kraucak, who founded the first Holistic Medical Practice in Central Florida, brings to the Philippines a revolutionary treatment for Autoimmune Disorders and Aging. The treatment is the product of a 35-year medical research project completed at Oxford University in England.

The research concluded that the cause of many serious chronic diseases is an underlying disorder of the immune system."The immune system is able to distinguish between what tissues are yours and what tissues are not," said Dr. Kraucak.

 "The immune system can perform many tasks to protect the body from threats. But any deviation in the many complicated functions of the immune system can be disastrous. For example, if a large foreign protein enters your blood, the body will react to it. The immune system may react to this foreign protein, and also react to your tissues and may confuse self from non-self. The immune system can overreact in a pathological manner, creating conditions that cascade down to form the basis of autoimmune disorders," he added.

As a result, the immune system will make antibodies, which will attack and damage your own tissues. "This leads to chronic diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis and Addison's Disease---diseases which are poorly managed by today's medicine. If someone has Arthritis or Asthma, he or she may be given steroids, which weaken the immune system and create adverse side effects."

Oxford medical researchers discovered that Chronic Autoimmune conditions can be effectively treated through the use of amino acids. Clinical trials involving more than 15,000 patients concluded that Biomodulation therapy is safe. "We are using Sequenced Amino acids, which modulate the way the immune system reacts to the body. There have been no side effects, no reactions and no fatalities associated with this treatment."

Dr. Kraucak has been administering Amino Acid Treatment at his practice for six years. "Through this treatment, I have helped stabilize conditions such as Arthritis, Lupus, Gastritis, Anemia, Chronic Fatigue, Psoriasis, Fibromyalgia, Hepatitis and Pulmonary Conditions among others," he explains.

"Aging is the development of disease. By stabilizing these disease processes, I am managing or influencing the aging process," he concluded.

Dr. Kraucak is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice. Dr. Kraucak has advanced certificates by the American Board of Holistic Medicine, International Board of Anti-Aging and Longevity Medicine, Heavy Metal Detoxification and Immuno Modulation.

Dr. Kraucak did his internship in Internal Medicine and Residency in Family Practice at Albert Einstein Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in New York City.

He is currently serving as Associate Professor at the University of Central Florida.

Traveling A–Z: Lanao del Norte

By JACKY LYNNE A. OIGA

November 24, 2010, 12:01pm

Tinago Falls (www.skyscrapercity.com)

MANILA, Philippines — Located in the Northern Mindanao region is the province of Lanao del Norte. 

Unlike what most people would think, Lanao del Norte is actually predominantly Catholic with a people mix of Maranaos and Cebuanos.

 And while the province, along with the rest of Mindanao, struggles with security issues associated with terrorism, 

Lanao del Norte attracts a large number of tourists because of the world famous city of majestic waterfalls, Iligan.

Iligan City used to be the city capital of Lanao del Norte. However, in 1977, former President Ferdinand Marcos transferred the provincial capital from Iligan City to the Municipality of Tubod which currently stands as the provincial capital.

While Iligan City boasts of numerous cascading waterfalls, Tubod, on the other hand, is famous for hot and cold springs. The unassuming shores of Lanao del Norte are also dotted with beaches located in the town of Linamon.

For adventure-loving mountaineers, there is the 1600 feet high Mount Agad-Agad, the highest peak in Iligan City and is safe for mountain climbing, camping, and trekking. The province also has its own subterranean river although in a rather modest scale.

Furthermore, getting off the beaten track is one of the best reasons to visit Lanao del Norte. With its charming people as well as its stunning waterfalls that are rarely seen, the province provides new experiences for the intrepid traveler.

Fast facts:

Local Dialect: Cebuano and Filipino are widely spoken among Catholics, Maranao for the Muslims.

Festivals:

• Sagayan Festival - Sagayan festival portrays a war dance among the Maranaos complemented by women in colorful costumes gracefully doing the Kasiduratan, a pronounced movement of their arms.

Places of interest:
• Tinago Falls - As literally implied, Tinago Falls is hidden in a deep ravine cascading beautifully into a basin-like pool, calm, deep, and icy cold. It has an elevation of approximately 420 ft. It is located at Linamon, Lanao del Norte, 52 kilometers away from Tubod.

•Sta. Cruz Falls - Located at Sta. Cruz, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, it is approximately two kilometers from the national highway and surrounded with growing trees and wild vegetation. It is also known among locals as the miniature version of the famous Niagara Falls.

•Kalilangan Cold Spring - Cool and pure water located at Kalilangan, Tubod, 12 kilometers away from Downtown.

•Lidpa Subterranean River – The site can be reached by a gradual climb to Munai, Lanao del Norte where the river bores into a hill and runs underground for about 100meters. Located fifteen kilometers from the National Highway, takeoff point is at the junction of Bacolod national highway.

•Mt. Inayawan – the mountain is an ideal site for Ecotourism located at the heart of Nunungan, Lanao del Norte with a natural rain forest enriched with its biodiversity and wild life enhanced by the Maranao settlers residing in the area.

How to get there:

The nearest airport to Iligan, Lanao del Norter would be the Lumbia airport in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental. Tourists can also take a ferry to Cagayan de Oro and take a bus or drive all the way to Lanao del Norte.

Rasputin in Malacañang

Philippine Daily Inquirer

GRIGORI YEFIMOVICH Rasputin (1872-1916) was a Russian mystic, known as the “mad monk.” He gained influence over Czarina Alexandra Fyodorovna (wife of Russian Czar Nicholas Romanov who ruled from 1894 to 1917), after supposedly curing her son’s hemophilia in 1905. Rasputin’s debaucheries in political affairs contributed to the undermining of the imperial government. He was assassinated by a group of ultraconservatives.

In the May 10 national election, Benigno Aquino III won the presidency with 41.87 percent of the votes. He has embarked on a new direction in government, especially against corruption which tainted the previous administration. In the Department of Interior and Local Government, he appointed Liberal Party-mate Jesse Robredo as secretary. Robredo, a former mayor of Naga City, was the recipient of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for government service.

Deviating from established practice, President Aquino appointed Rico E. Puno as Interior undersecretary, with exclusive jurisdiction over the Philippine National Police. He reported directly to the President on police matters, leaving Robredo outside this ambit. During the Aug. 23 hostage crisis, Puno was the President’s point man.

The investigation conducted by the committee chaired by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima concluded that the government officials tasked to handle the incident were culpable and it recommended criminal and administrative charges against them. A review of the committee’s findings by the executive secretary and the President’s legal adviser practically sanitized the culpabilities and downgraded the punishments. Puno was cleared of any liability. He now appears to be untouchable.

Puno feigned forgetfulness when Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile asked him for the names of those he said offered him jueteng payola. He also couldn’t recall the names of those mentioned in a report he was preparing on the jueteng issue. He bragged that the President cannot just let him go; that he and only a few others could “tame” P-Noy. He boasted that during the presidential campaign, the campaign center in the candidate’s Times Street residence where he held sway was more influential than the other two: the so-called Balay and Samar.

If P-Noy garnered 15,208,678 votes to win the presidency, he owes it to the voters who catapulted him to power to reveal who is this Rico E. Puno who seems to possess a very strange and unusual hold on the man they chose to be leader. Puno was not part of the equation on May 10, 2010. It’s about time the President revealed all about this man who has the potential to make or unmake the elected leader of this country. When a man is elected president of the Philippines, he cannot share his authority with another individual, period!

The Filipino people will never accept a Rasputin in Malacañang!

—LEONCIO DE MESA,
UP Diliman, Quezon City

Teacher misses chance to bet and win P495-M pot

By Christian V. Esguerra, Miko Morelos Philippine Daily Inquirer Filed Under: Humor and Satire, Customs & Traditions, People,Awards and Prizes Most Read MANILA, Philippines—For one luckless bettor, the dreams of instant fortune were borne of extreme need and last Wednesday he came tantalizingly close to getting his desire. “Alfredo,” a 41-year-old schoolteacher, needs money for his ailing 73-year-old mother just out of hospital. His 1-year-old son remains confined. Alfredo had been religiously placing bets since the Grand Lotto jackpot breached the P100-million mark not so long ago, always betting his most cherished combination of six numbers—53-09-45-24-50-29. But on the day that mattered, the Caloocan Elementary School teacher lost track of the time and missed making the bet. His combination of numbers came out last Wednesday, when the jackpot stood at the then record P495.6 million. He would have been the lone winner. The pot for the Grand Lotto shot to a new record high by late afternoon Friday, hitting the half-billion peso mark, according to Liza Gabuyo, assistant general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office(PCSO), which supervises the popular game of chance. “It hit P507 million as of four in the afternoon,” Gabuyo said in a phone interview. “This is the biggest pot in history,” said the PCSO official. The figure is expected to reach around P535 million Saturday as more punters rush to the lotto outlets with their bets before the 8.30 p.m. closing. The previous record was in February 2009, when the jackpot for the 6/49 Super Lotto game reached P347 million. Two lucky bettors won the draw and split the pot. In between the Grand Lotto draws, the pot increases in increments of around P30 million, Gabuyo explained. The newly introduced version of the lotto holds draws every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 9 p.m. Alfredo admitted to standing frozen in disbelief when he learned about the winning combination. But he said he quickly came to terms with the frustrating loss. “At first, I asked, ‘Lord, why did it have to happen that way?’” he said. “But I would like to think that God probably just didn’t want me to hit the jackpot yet because he’s preparing [me for] something bigger,” he said philosophically. He asked that his real name not be used because as a “born-again” Christian, he is a bit shamefaced at indulging in a pastime that the establishment Church denigrates. In any case, Alfredo’s denomination is not bound by Catholic strictures. Like many bettors, Alfredo thinks there is nothing wrong with trying his luck—especially if the pot hits, as expected, P535 million in Saturday night’s draw. But Alfredo doesn’t really regret the reason for the oversight that made him miss the chance of a lifetime. He had spent the afternoon of the fateful draw coaching his pupils for an upcoming inter-school journalism contest. Ironically, one of the writing exercises he had given thestudents was about lotto. He figured the topic would come out in the contest proper because everyone was agog about the huge jackpot prize. So eager was he to make winners out of his pupils that he brought his team for the writing exercise to his child’s hospital room in Caloocan. In the process, he lost track of the time and the chance to become an instant multi-millionaire. “We were all engrossed in the exercise that I realized it was already 10 minutes to 8 (p.m.),” he recalled. “I tried to look for a lotto outlet but it was too late.” The next day, his 23-year-old sister called him about checking the winning combination in the computer. She had often placed the bet for him, but for that Wednesday draw, he told her he would do it himself. “Kuya, these are your numbers—you’ve won!” the sister, staring at the computer monitor, told him excitedly. But euphoria quickly turned into painful disbelief when he told her the bad news. “Perhaps, it’s not God’s will that I win it yet so I have no regrets,” he said. Alfredo is also mindful of how instant fortune can become “more of a curse than a blessing.” “I don’t like the idea of money controlling people instead of people controlling money,” he said. Despite his rotten luck, he said he is still a betting man and will continue to try his luck in the next draws. “If I finally win, I would not let even my family know about it. I would still keep the simple lifestyle I have now, one that sees me patronizing the congee stalls (lugawan) on the streets,” he said. Thinking twice about picking six numbers between 1 and 55, and casting your lot with millions of others hoping for a lucky 1-in-29-million shot at the Grand Lotto? You have until 8:30 p.m. Saturday to choose the series of combinations that could determine the rest of your life. When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.