Oldest man in Sarangani is 105 years old, eats long things

By: Aquiles Z. Zonio
Inquirer Mindanao

 2share110 106

Lolo Arong, Sarangani’s oldest man at 105, said he eats a full diet of rice and vegetables, which according to him, includes “long” talong (eggplant) and “long” balatong (string beans) and anything that is long. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MAITUM, Sarangani, Philippines—Claro Ducusin Cabading celebrated his 105th birthday on August 9 and became the oldest surviving resident of Sarangani.

Lolo Arong, as he is fondly called by his family and friends, was born on August 9, 1906 in Pakpakak, San Juan town, La Union.

He said there were a few things that helped him outlive many of his childhood friends. In fact, he is the only surviving member of class 1935 of the Ebenezer Bible School, an all-American faculty theology institute in Zamboanga City.

Lolo Arong said he eats a full diet of rice and vegetables, which according to him, includes “long” talong (eggplant) and “long” balatong (string beans) and anything that is long.

Gifted with an innate sense of humor, he starts the day with a smile and goes around cracking jokes, making others laugh.

Lolo Arong’s daily routine includes early morning prayers, exercise, reciting Bible verses and singing religious hymns and great oldies.

Despite working with a mining firm in Northern Luzon during his teen-age days, he cares a lot for nature. His favorite color is green.

Lolo Arong grew up under disciplinarian parents. From their teachings, he said, he learned to value life and take good care of his health.

Quoting an excerpt from the Bible, he said, “Our body is a temple of God. Hence, we must be conscious of what we are taking in.”

Lolo Arong admitted he once smoked rolled tobacco leaves to drive away mosquitoes.

“I used to bring the carabao to pasture and since there were lots of mosquitoes, my mother taught me how to smoke,” he said.

But Lolo Arong said he gave up smoking when he enrolled in the public elementary school because it was prohibited inside the campus.

In 1929, his family came to Mindanao in search of the proverbial greener pasture.

“My father didn’t want me to travel alone. My father sold our harvest and all our properties in La Union, then, we all went to Mindanao,” he said.

Through the help of the Bureau of Lands, they found an area in Luma in Kiamba town.

He later married Pastora Garlitos, with whom he had five children. His wife died long ago.

Today, Lolo Arong still lives in Luma, in the same area where his parents raised him.

“Love your body and honor your father and mother. This is my secret to a long life,” he said.

Promoting vegetable consumption

March 12, 2011, 1:21pm

MANILA, Philippines — The government is embarking on a campaign to encourage Filipino households to eat more vegetables, in light of a recent survey, a part of the 7th National Nutrition Survey, that showed a downtrend in vegetable consumption in Filipino households over the years. Vegetables contribute 34 to 54 percent of Vitamin C to the diet of Filipino families, except pre-school children, while fruits give 19 to 29 percent. The bulk of Vitamin C intake of pre-school children comes from milk and its products, contributing 33.3 percent.

Due to the downtrend, there is now a more aggressive promotion of vegetable consumption among the public. Backyard or home gardening – in vacant spaces, pots, or bottles – is encouraged. The Department of Education has come up with a program allowing schoolchildren to plant vegetables in campuses which they can harvest and bring home.

Vitamin C-rich vegetables include leafy greens like malunggay, ampalaya, petsay, saluyot, as well as red and green pepper, sitsaro, and cabbage. It is said that malunggay has seven times more Vitamin C than oranges and is rich in iron, potassium, and multivitamins, especially Vitamin A. It can lower blood pressure and promotes good sleep. Red cabbage contains phytochemicals with disease-fighting properties collectively known as polyphenols. It is low in calories, a good source of dietary fiber, and a rich source of several vitamins.

Vitamin C is an important anti-oxidant. It helps protect against cancer, heart disease, and stress, and it is part of the cellular chemistry that provides energy. It is essential for making the health of cartilage, joints, skin, and blood vessels. Vitamin C helps in maintaining a healthy immune system, aids in neutralizing pollutants, is needed for antibody production, and acts to increase the absorption of nutrients.

Filipinos should consume more vegetables and there is a growing consciousness on health and wellness, as seen in the proliferation of salad bars, supermarkets selling vegetable preparations, and restaurants having vegetable salad on their menus. The government campaign should help make vegetable more readily available to Filipino families.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Q & A on wellness

By Cory Quirino
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Date

A LITTLE INFORMATION can go a long way can go a long way to help enhance one’s well-being. Here are answers to some of your most asked questions relating to daily concerns.

Q: Is water really the most important of beverages?

In my opinion, water is not a beverage or a drink. It is the elixir of life. Therefore, I do not put it on the same level as regular drinks. It is beyond the category of a beverage.

Water is essential to life. Without it the human body will deteriorate and die. A person will not die in the absence of favorite carbonated drink. But without water, there is the promise of certain death. We all know that the human body requires at least six glasses of water a day. Recent studies show that the ideal 10-15 glasses are important to ensure optimum health.

More than the amount of water, it also good to know when is the best time to drink it. Here is the recommended schedule:

o Before breakfast/upon waking: 2 glasses to cleanse internal organs and to perk them up for the day.

o Before exercise: 2 glasses to fuel the muscles (note: muscles are composed of 50 percent water) and make them pliable for a workout.

o After exercise: 1 glass to prevent dehydration due to sweat and water loss.

o Before bath: 1 glass of water to prevent dehydration

o Before a meal: At least 30 minutes to an hour before mealtime in order to prevent thirst signals during meals (note: water when taken during meals may dilute stomach acids needed for digestion)

o After a meal: 45 minutes-1 hour after meals in order to keep body fluids at healthy levels.

o Before bedtime: Because, statistically, stroke and heart attack normally happen early morning, it is said that a glass of water before bedtime may avert this.

Q: No weight-loss diet works for me. Help!

You are absolutely right. No diet will ever work simply because:

a) It’s the wrong diet for your specific needs

b) You are not consistent and persistent.

Commitment is No. 1 when it comes to dieting. But my question is, why diet? Why not just simply change your lifestyle. If you can commit to the following, I guarantee weight loss the natural way:

1. Eat less of every animal meat/fat. This means you will cut down on lechon, steaks and burgers. Try eating more fish.

2. Always have 1-2 servings of vegetables with your lunch and dinner. If you can have salad for breakfast, that’s even better! Not appetizing for you? Ok, drink fresh vegetable juice. Mix turnips, spinach, romaine, carrots and sugar beets in a blender. Strain. And drink up. This is a detox drink.

3. Exercise (any kind that keeps you moving constantly) for 30-45 minutes daily.

4. It is crucial to either cut back on the protein or the carbohydrate. Your choice. By reducing, say, your carbo, you will see immediate results within days, but dramatic slimming down within 30 days.

Q: What is the best way to deal with depression?

Everyone at some point in life experiences depression. Deal with this condition immediately. Do not wait. Reach out for a new book by Margarita Go Singco Holmes “Down to 1—Depression Stories”. It is a down-to-earth honest account of depression from the mildest to the most suicidal. She calls depression a thief which robs one of the joys of life. Learning from real stories is the best advice.

If you feel that you are experiencing depression, see a doctor. There may be a need for lifestyle changes as well as a new perspective on how you see yourself and others. Oftentimes, a person with depression sees himself/herself as a victim. What if you do some role reversal? Now you are not a victim but the victor!

Natural remedies may include the following:

1. Laughter: be with happy people.

2. Music therapy: your choice of music can either perk you up or bring you down. Pick a happy tune.

3. Affirmation: speak positively to yourself. It works. Never utter a negative word towards yourself like “stupid” or “hopeless”. Instead, say “brilliant” or “hopeful.”

4. Nutrients: vitamin b1(thiamine) vitamin b6(pyridoxine), pantothenic acid, vitamin b12(cobalamin), choline, vitamin E, folic acid, zinc—all these alleviate symptoms like nervousness, stress, anxiety attacks. They directly feed the brain and nervous system. Additional: magnesium, manganese, niacin, calcium, tyrosine, tryptophan, phenylalanine. All these in combination will alter your mood from bad to good, sad to happy.

Affirm today: “I welcome miracles in my life today”

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

Love and light!

Reference: “Vitamin Bible For The 21st Century” by Earl Mindell

Q & A on wellness

By Cory Quirino
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Date

A LITTLE INFORMATION can go a long way can go a long way to help enhance one’s well-being. Here are answers to some of your most asked questions relating to daily concerns.

Q: Is water really the most important of beverages?

In my opinion, water is not a beverage or a drink. It is the elixir of life. Therefore, I do not put it on the same level as regular drinks. It is beyond the category of a beverage.

Water is essential to life. Without it the human body will deteriorate and die. A person will not die in the absence of favorite carbonated drink. But without water, there is the promise of certain death. We all know that the human body requires at least six glasses of water a day. Recent studies show that the ideal 10-15 glasses are important to ensure optimum health.

More than the amount of water, it also good to know when is the best time to drink it. Here is the recommended schedule:

o Before breakfast/upon waking: 2 glasses to cleanse internal organs and to perk them up for the day.

o Before exercise: 2 glasses to fuel the muscles (note: muscles are composed of 50 percent water) and make them pliable for a workout.

o After exercise: 1 glass to prevent dehydration due to sweat and water loss.

o Before bath: 1 glass of water to prevent dehydration

o Before a meal: At least 30 minutes to an hour before mealtime in order to prevent thirst signals during meals (note: water when taken during meals may dilute stomach acids needed for digestion)

o After a meal: 45 minutes-1 hour after meals in order to keep body fluids at healthy levels.

o Before bedtime: Because, statistically, stroke and heart attack normally happen early morning, it is said that a glass of water before bedtime may avert this.

Q: No weight-loss diet works for me. Help!

You are absolutely right. No diet will ever work simply because:

a) It’s the wrong diet for your specific needs

b) You are not consistent and persistent.

Commitment is No. 1 when it comes to dieting. But my question is, why diet? Why not just simply change your lifestyle. If you can commit to the following, I guarantee weight loss the natural way:

1. Eat less of every animal meat/fat. This means you will cut down on lechon, steaks and burgers. Try eating more fish.

2. Always have 1-2 servings of vegetables with your lunch and dinner. If you can have salad for breakfast, that’s even better! Not appetizing for you? Ok, drink fresh vegetable juice. Mix turnips, spinach, romaine, carrots and sugar beets in a blender. Strain. And drink up. This is a detox drink.

3. Exercise (any kind that keeps you moving constantly) for 30-45 minutes daily.

4. It is crucial to either cut back on the protein or the carbohydrate. Your choice. By reducing, say, your carbo, you will see immediate results within days, but dramatic slimming down within 30 days.

Q: What is the best way to deal with depression?

Everyone at some point in life experiences depression. Deal with this condition immediately. Do not wait. Reach out for a new book by Margarita Go Singco Holmes “Down to 1—Depression Stories”. It is a down-to-earth honest account of depression from the mildest to the most suicidal. She calls depression a thief which robs one of the joys of life. Learning from real stories is the best advice.

If you feel that you are experiencing depression, see a doctor. There may be a need for lifestyle changes as well as a new perspective on how you see yourself and others. Oftentimes, a person with depression sees himself/herself as a victim. What if you do some role reversal? Now you are not a victim but the victor!

Natural remedies may include the following:

1. Laughter: be with happy people.

2. Music therapy: your choice of music can either perk you up or bring you down. Pick a happy tune.

3. Affirmation: speak positively to yourself. It works. Never utter a negative word towards yourself like “stupid” or “hopeless”. Instead, say “brilliant” or “hopeful.”

4. Nutrients: vitamin b1(thiamine) vitamin b6(pyridoxine), pantothenic acid, vitamin b12(cobalamin), choline, vitamin E, folic acid, zinc—all these alleviate symptoms like nervousness, stress, anxiety attacks. They directly feed the brain and nervous system. Additional: magnesium, manganese, niacin, calcium, tyrosine, tryptophan, phenylalanine. All these in combination will alter your mood from bad to good, sad to happy.

Affirm today: “I welcome miracles in my life today”

Love and light!

Reference: “Vitamin Bible For The 21st Century” by Earl Mindell

Guyabano and other gifts from the Galleons

TIMPLA'T TIKIM

By SOL VANZI

September 1, 2010, 12:12pm

More than four centuries ago, the Philippines was the center of international trade when the galleons sailing between the Manila and Acapulco first linked the people of Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Africa.

The ships carried not only silks, gold, and porcelain from Asia to the New World; they also brought to Asia a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and animals which have so successfully adapted to local conditions that they are often mislabeled as “native” Filipino food items.

Among these gifts from the Americas are: kalabasa, avocado, kamote, patatas, pipino, kamatis, sili, sibuyas, atis, anonas, and guyabano. They did not exist in the Philippines before the Spaniards crossed the Pacific. In some of their countries of origin, those fruits and vegetables are still known by their original names, which we have adapted. One documentary recently showed Peruvians cooking peanuts and called them mani, like we Filipinos do.

One cannot imagine what Philippine cuisine would be without the edibles imported into our shores by the galleon trade, which will be commemorated worldwide on October 8. That is the day designated by the UNESCO in Paris as Dia Del Galeon (Day of the Galleon). The first galleon, the San Pedro, directed by master navigator Fray Urdaneta, reached Acapulco on October 8, 1565. The trade continued until 1815.

Today, almost all the food items brought to our shores during those 250 years of inter-continental trading are considered superfoods. The avocado is not only hailed for its nutritive value, but also treasured as an ingredient in beauty care products. Squash and sweet potato are recognized for their beta-carotene and fiber. Many upscale restaurants for the health-conscious are now using squash and sweet potato in most recipes that traditionally call for potato.

Peanuts, another import from the Americas, are saving the lives of millions of undernourished children. Ground up to a paste, peanuts are combined with a few other ingredients to make the wonder product called Plumpy’nut which is being distributed by United Nations agencies to needy communities around the world. .Plumpy’nut requires no refrigeration and can therefore the shipped and stored cheaply. It is readily consumed even by infants, as it requires no special handling. It is often simply squeezed out of its container directly into the mouth of a starving child.

The latest star of the miracle food parade is the guyabano which is now proclaimed in thousands of emails as a cure-all, from cancer to diabetes and dysentery.

Here is what our own DOST writes about this fruit:

Guyabano is most popular as a health juice drink because of its richness in ascorbic acid or vitamin C. It is also rich in vitamin B while the edible portion is a powerhouse of energy foods. Guyabano contains little amount of vitamin A, calcium, potash, and phosphorus.

The fruit is scientifically called Anona muricata, a member of the anonacae family, together with atis, anona, and atemoya. Guyabano is also known as soursop in English.

The mature but unripe fruit is used for vegetable dishes or preserve as sweet meats. The ripe fruit is eaten raw as dessert or processed into juice drinks and canned preserves, or as flavoring for ice cream and sherbets.

And here is what we have gleaned from our internet research:

The unripe fruit is used against dysentery. Seeds and green fruit are astringent, while the flowers are antispasmodic.

An infusion of leaves is often used as antispasmodic and emetic. In some cultures, the fruits and leaves are used for tranquilizing and sedative properties.

The juice of the ripe fruit can be used  as a diuretic, while the flesh is used as a poultice to draw out chiggers and a decoction of leaves can counter head lice and bedbugs. Also for head lice, some tribes have been known to use pulverized seeds and seed oil.

A decoction of leaves can be used as compress for inflammation and swollen feet, while a poultice of mashed leaves and sap of young leaves cures eczema and skin eruptions.

In Peru, the bark, roots, and leaves are used for diabetes, as sedative, and as antispasmodic.

And in Brazil, the oil of leaves and unripe fruit is mixed with olive oil and used externally for rheumatism and arthritis pains.

When we celebrate the Dia Del Galeon, we should remember not the negative aspects of colonization, but the gifts that the colonizers’ galleons brought into our lives.

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