The highest rated nutritional supplement

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

Buying the best nutritional supplement is not a waste of money. In the market today, there are so many available nutritional supplements. What is then the best way to choose which nutritional supplements to buy? The logical answer is to seek a credible reference that compared all this nutritional supplements.

According to the book entitled NutriSearch - A Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements (you can avail this book to any branch of National Bookstore nationwide) written by Lyle Mac Williams, who conducted an independent comprehensive evaluation and analysis of more than 1,500 nutritional supplements based on 18 criteria: potency, mineral forms, bioactivity of vitamin E, gamma tocopherol, antioxidant support, bone health, heart health, liver health (detoxification), metabolic health (glucose control), ocular health, methylation support, lipotropic factors, inflammation control, glycation control, bioflavonoid profile, phenolic compounds profile, and completeness.

From his comprehensive evaluation and analysis, USANA Health Sciences, the manufacturer of nutritional supplement called “essentials” (mega antioxidants and chelated minerals) was rated one of the highest rated nutritional supplements in the world. It was named best of the best for garnering the editor’s choice award.

USANA Health Sciences - USANA, a word with Greek and Latin roots meaning “true health” was founded by Dr. Myron W. Wentz in 1992. He is an expert on human cell culture and cellular health. He is a recipient of the prestigious Albert Einstein award for outstanding achievement in the Life Sciences.

He received his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Utah. He is a renowned microbiologist and immunologist. He first gained international recognition by founding Gull Laboratories in 1974, which were a developer and manufacturer of medical diagnostic test kits for infections that are now used in the hospitals worldwide.

He achieved international prominence by developing more than 30 assays for infectious diseases, including the “gold standard” assay for the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). An author of the book entitled Invisible Miracles - the Revolution in Cellular Nutrition. And for nearly 4 decades, he particularly studied human cells under his microscope, determining what would keep them healthy.

Dr. Wentz vision was to make this world free from pain and suffering causes by the degenerative diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, arthritis, and among others. In an interview conducted by Denis Waitley, PhD and a behavioral scientist who trained Armstrong going to the moon, Dr. Myron Wentz said: “I am committed doing all I can, using all my talents, knowledge, and resources while I am on this earth to fulfill my vision.”

The compositions of our human body are trillions of cells. Cell is a basic unit of structure and functions of life. A group of cells which perform essentially the same functions are called tissues. One or more types of tissues interacting as a unit to perform different functions of the body are called organs.

A group of organs which coordinate with one another to perform an integrated set of major function are called organ systems. The whole physical structure of the organ system is our human body. Cells are the foundation of our human body. If we have unhealthy and damage cells, definitely, it affects our health. We can encounter one or more degenerative diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, arthritis, and among others.

USANA nutritionals were designed to keep and help human cells healthy. All USANA nutritionals were made on a Pharmaceutical Grade, meaning, it complied the highest regulatory requirements for purity, dissolution (ability to be dissolved), and absorption. Pharmaceutical Grade has the same strict standard in manufacturing medical drugs (medicines).

It is highly recommended to take nutritional supplements that were made under this grade since the product meets all the manufacturing standards for safety and quality. Most importantly, it is the consumer’s assurance that “what is on the label is really in the bottle.”

All USANA products were made based on solid science. It develops and manufactures high quality science based nutritional and personal care products, and has continuous product innovation and sound scientific research in partnership with the prestigious Linus Pauling Research Institute.

You can access their website at www.usana.com or if you want to know more about USANA HEALTH SCIENCES, you may text/call: 0918 635 7777, 0916 269 1457.

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Why we need to take nutritional supplements

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

Our ancestors did not need nutritional supplements to live longer and stay healthier.

During their time, the food they consumed were fresh and unprocessed (free from toxic chemicals due to fertilizers and feeds). The soil where they planted their staple food were fresh and not depleted with nutrients The air they breathed was not polluted; the water they drank was fresh and free from contaminants and pollutants.

They lived without the effect of radiations from cell phones, TV screens, computers, and other electronic devices that emit radiations and they lived a simple - not a stressful fast paced busy lifestyle.

Nowadays, modern day living is just the opposite of what our ancestors had experienced. We are now exposed to free radicals that affect our health like pollution in the environment, radiation, stress due to fast paced busy lifestyle, toxic chemicals from processed foods due to fertilizers, feeds and preservatives, and among others.

Modern day foods have less of all the essential nutrients that our body needs. There are several reasons why we can’t get all the nutrients we need from food. Most of the soil is now depleted of many important minerals due to excessive used of toxic fertilizers.

If the soil in which fruits and vegetables are grown is not rich in proper minerals, these foods will not contain adequate supply of nutrients. Fruits and vegetables begin to lose their nutritional value immediately after they are picked and harvested.

Cold storage continues this destruction of nutrients. Stored grapes, for example, lose up to 30% of their vitamins by the time it arrive in the market stores. When tangerines are stored for eight weeks, it loses almost half of their vitamin C. Storing asparagus for one week can cause it to lose up to 90% of its vitamin C.

The best and most effective time to eat fruits and vegetables is immediately after it was harvested. Cold storage is usually not good for maintaining the nutritive value of food, but neither is cooking. In fact, the longer you cook fruits and vegetables, fewer nutrients remain. We should try to eat these foods raw or lightly steamed, and if possible, after it was harvested. Unfortunately, most of us are not in a position to do so.

Most foods today are processed, blanched, sterilized, canned, and frozen. These processes decrease all the nutritional value of the food. That’s why we are deprived of essential vitamins and minerals. Therefore, we must look elsewhere for these nutrients to supplement our body.

A few of the most important benefits of nutritional supplements are: 1.) To overcome our nutritional deficiencies. For optimum health, we need all the nutrients and vitamins in their proper amounts. It is very difficult, expensive, and impractical to achieve this through diet alone and nutritional supplements will help us to fill the gap. 2.) To boost our immune system. With a stronger immune system comes a stronger ability of our body to resist illness and diseases. You have probably taken vitamin C in the past to fight off a cold or flu, and that alone is evidence of the true power of nutritional supplements. 3.) To remove toxins of our body.

Every day we are subjected and exposed to free radicals that affect our health like pollution in the environment, radiation, stress due to fast paced busy lifestyle, toxic chemicals from processed foods due to fertilizers, feeds and preservatives, and among others. Nutritional supplements such as antioxidants keep these toxins within our body to a minimum.

There are many more benefits of a nutritional supplement, but the main focus is to help us to achieve optimum, quality health and lower our risk to illness and diseases. Both are very good reasons to take nutritional supplements.

In the market today, there are so many available nutritional supplements. What is then the best way to choose which nutritional supplements to take? The only way is to compare all this supplements.

As a guide, try to read the book – A Comparative Guide To Nutritional Supplements written by Lyle Mac William, MSc, FP, author, educator, biochemist, President and Chief Executive Officer of NutriSearch Corporation, who conducted an independent comprehensive studies, evaluation, and analysis of more than 1,500 nutritional supplements based on 18 health support criteria’s. You can buy this helpful book to any branch of National Bookstore nationwide. Comments/Inquiries are welcome at jhuniewahayna@yahoo.com

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The right nutritional supplement to take

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

The American Medical Association (AMA) recognizes the role of supplements in staying healthy. In 2002, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) which is a guide for medical practitioners published a scientific review recommending multivitamin supplements for health. They wrote: “It appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements.

Knowing this knowledge, what is the best nutritional supplement to take? According to the book entitled NUTRISEARCH a comparative guide to nutritional supplements ( you can avail this book to any branches of National Bookstore nationwide) who conducted a comprehensive evaluation and analysis of more than 1,500 nutritional supplements based on 18 criteria’s: potency, mineral forms, bioactivity of vitamin E, gamma tocopherol, antioxidant support, bone health, heart health, liver health (detoxification), metabolic health (glucose control), ocular health, methylation support, lipotropic factors, inflammation control, glycation control, bioflavonoid profile, phenolic compounds profile, and completeness. USANA Health Sciences, the manufacturer of nutritional supplement called essentials (mega antioxidant and chelated mineral) was rated the highest nutritional supplement in the world.

USANA a word with Greek and Latin roots meaning “true health” was founded by Dr. Myron W. Wentz in 1992, an expert on human cells and cellular health. A recipient of the prestigious Albert Einstein award for outstanding achievement in the Life Sciences .

He received his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Utah. He is a renowned microbiologist and immunologist. He first gained international recognition by founding Gull Laboratories Inc. in 1974, which were a developer and manufacturer of medical diagnostic test kits for infections that are now used in the hospitals worldwide.

He achieved international prominence by developing more than 30 assays for infectious diseases, including the “gold standard” assay for the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Author of the book entitled Invisible Miracles - the Revolution in Cellular Nutrition. For nearly 4 decades, he particularly studied human cells under his microscope, determining what would keep them healthy.

Dr. Wentz vision was to make this world free from pain and suffering causes by the degenerative diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, and among others. In an interview conducted by Denis Waitley, Ph D., a behavioral scientist and bestselling author who trained Armstrong going to the moon, Dr. Myron Wentz said: “I am committed doing all I can using all my talents, knowledge, and resources while I am on this earth to fulfill my vision.”

The compositions of our human body are trillions of cells. Cell is a basic unit of structure and functions of life. A group of cells which perform essentially the same functions are called tissues. One or more types of tissues interacting as a unit to perform different functions of the body are called organs.

A group of organs which coordinate with one another to perform an integrated set of major function are called organ systems. The whole physical structure of the organ system is our body.

Cells are the foundation of our human body. If we have unhealthy cells, definitely, it affects our health. With unhealthy cells, we can encounter one or more degenerative diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, and among others. USANA nutritional and other USANA products were designed to keep and help human cells and human body to stay healthy.

All USANA products were made based on solid science develops and manufactures high quality science based nutritional and personal care products and has continuous product innovation and sound scientific research. You can access the website at www.usana.com or if you want to know more about USANA HEALTH SCIENCES, fell free to call or text Gianne, RN at 0918-635-7777.

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Entrance exams for PMA and PNPA set

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

Able bodied Filipinos who are 17 to 22 years old are invited to take the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) or the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), cadetship admission test to be conducted nationwide.

To qualify to the stringent cadet admission requirements for PMA and PNPA Class 2015, the applicant must be a natural born Filipino citizen, good moral character (no pending case/s), physically fit, must be single, must be at least 5 ft. 4 in. tall for male and 5 ft. 2 in. for female, at least a high school graduate, and able to perform the minimum requirements for physical fitness test.

For the PMA cadet admission test, the exam will be conducted on August 29.

Application forms are free and available at the nearest Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units around the country or accessed through the internet at http://www.pma.ph where you can apply on-line. You can also download the application form on the said website, and after accomplishing, mail it to:

The Office of Cadet Admission (OCA), Philippine Military Academy, Fort del Pilar, Baguio City 2602, not later than two weeks before the scheduled examination date, together with the following: authenticated or NSO copy of your birth certificate and certified true copy of your High School Form 137, and 2 pieces 2” x 2” ID with white background. Applicants are advised to review their algebra, geometry, grammar and composition, reading comprehension, and verbal/numerical reasoning and pattern analysis lessons.

For the PNPA cadet admission test, the exam will be conducted on Nov.7. Application forms can be accessed through the internet at http://www.pnpa.edu.ph.

You can download the application form on the said website, and after accomplishing, submit it to: The Director, (Attn: Registrar), Philippine National Police Academy, Camp General Mariano N. Castaneda, 4219 Silang, Cavite, together with a self-stamped window envelope. The deadline for submission of the application will be on September 30, 2010. The coverage of examination will be communication skills, math and science, logical and reasoning ability, general information and current events, values and aptitude for the service.

While undergoing the 4-year cadetship program, both PMA and PNPA cadets will be receiving a monthly salary to meet education and training requirements such as uniforms, subsistence, books and other necessary expenditures.

PMA and PNPA cadets are recipient of a full government scholarship. Upon admission, they are entitled to receive a training pay and allowances.

Upon graduation from the Academy, PMA cadets are commissioned Second Lieutenants to the three major services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as an officer in the Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Navy (PN), or in the Philippine Air Force (PAF). While PNPA cadets are commissioned Inspectors (equivalent to the rank of a lieutenants in the AFP) to the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), or in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) began on October 25, 1898 with the establishment of the Academia Militar in Malolos, Bulacan by virtue of a decree issued by the first president of the young Philippine Republic, General Emilio Aguinaldo.

Graduates were awarded regular commission in the armed forces. Its existence was short-lived, barely four months old, up to 20 January 1899, when hostilities between the Americans and Filipinos erupted.

While the Philippines was under American colonial rule, an officers’ school of the Philippine Constabulary was established at the Walled City of Intramuros in Manila on February 17, 1905.

It relocated three years later to Baguio City, initially at Camp Henry T. Allen, and subsequently at Teacher's Camp, and then finally, due to the need of wider grounds, the academy moved to its present site at Fort Gregorio del Pilar.

The Philippine Legislature on September 8, 1926 passed Act No. 3496 renaming the school into the Philippine Constabulary Academy and lengthened its course from nine months to three years with provisions to strengthen the faculty and revise its curriculum.

On December 21, 1936, Commonwealth Act No. 1 (also known as the National Defense Act) was passed. The law formally created the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and authorized it to confer a Bachelor of Science degree on its graduates after they successfully complete the four year course program.

The Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) was formally organized and activated on June 12, 1978 pursuant to Department of National Defense Order no. 83 issued on May 25, 1978. Fifty (50) PNPA cadets were admitted. On August 07, 1980, forty five (45) of them were conferred with Bachelor of Science in Public Safety (BSPS) degree after two years in the academy. They were the first graduates and the pioneer Maharlika Class 1980 of the PNPA.

In January 1997, the Bachelor of Science in Public Safety (BSPS) course was approved into a four year course program by the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) who has the administration and supervision of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).

Today, the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) stands at the apex of transformation for the human development of the country’s finest military and public safety officers as it goes beyond the realm of its vision and mission. Both academies continuously take the lead in transforming the Cadet Corps towards its pledge. Good luck to all future examinees.

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Final registration for SK set by Comelec

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) or Youth Council is the governing body in every chapter of the Katipunan ng Kabataan (Youth Federation).

Each barangay in the Philippines is mandated by law to have its own chapter of the Katipunan ng Kabataan in which the members elect their officers called as the Sangguniang Kabataan. The Sangguniang Kabataan is an off-shoot of the Kabataang Barangay (KB) (Village Youth) which was abolished when the Local Government Code of 1991 was enacted.

The Sangguniang Kabataan is the youth legislature in every local village or community. It also initiates policies, programs and projects for the development of youth in their respective political territories. The chairman of the SK acts as the chief executive of the Sanggunian (council) while the Kagawad (councilor) as the legislative council. The Kagawads approve resolutions of the Sanggunian and appropriates the money allotted to the council, a share in the revenue of the barangay.

The chairman automatically sits in the Sangguniang Barangay (Village Council) as ex-officio member. He automatically gets chairmanship of the Committee on Youth and Sports, one of the standing committees in the village council. Every Sangguniang Kabataan is then federated into municipal and city federations, then city and municipal federations are federated into a provincial federation.

The barangay SK chairman represents the barangay in the municipal or city federation. The presidents of the city and municipal federation presidents becomes member of the provincial federation and the provincial federation president. The presidents of highly urbanized and independent component cities composed the membership in the national federation and elect the national federation president who automatically sits in the National Youth Commission as ex-officio member of the commission.

The Commission on Elections in an en banc resolution has set the dates for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) voters’ registration to August 6, 2010 until August 15, 2010.

According to Comelec Resolution No. 9004, promulgated July 12, 2010, stressed on the value of having an “assembly of youth” in every barangay called the “Katipunan ng Kabataan,” its primary objective according to Article 202.

Rule XXVII of the Rules and Regulations Implementing the Local Government Code of 1991, is to enhance the social, political, economic, cultural, intellectual, moral, moral, spiritual and physical development of the youth of the country.

Any Filipino citizen who are at least 5 but below 18 years of age and are residents of the Barangay where they intend to vote for at least six months, may register as member of the Katipunan ng Kabataan.

The applications for registration as members of the Katipunan ng Kabataan shall be filed from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (including weekends), at the Office of the Election Officer of the city or in the municipality where the applicant resides.

Applicants must present any of the following documents when registering, to wit: A) certificate of live birth, B) baptismal certificate, C) school records or any other document that will establish his or her identity and other qualifications.

The community tax certificates (cedulas) and/or a certification from the barangay will not be honored by the Comelec in the said registration. All qualified youths are encouraged to register and to participate in the nation building of our country. I believed that young children are the future in the development of a progressive nation.

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Multiple choice proposed in bar examination

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

The first bar exam was held in 1901, with 13 examinees, while the 2009 bar examination is the 108th bar exams with 6,080 examinees. The most notable bar exam was the 1999 bar examinations which recorded the lowest passing rate of 16.59% or with a total number of 660 successful examinees out of 3,978.

The 2007 bar exams would have been the all time low in terms of passing percentage if only then Chairman of the Committee of Bar Examiners Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna has lowered the passing rate to 70% instead of the 75% general averaged. The reduction in the passing rate was ordered by Justice Azcuna as only 5 percent (only around 300) of the 5,626 who took the bar exams got the passing grade of 75%.

The Supreme Court adjusted the standard to 70 percent and the disqualification rate in 3 subjects (civil, labor and criminal law) from 50 to 45 percent thus resulting in a 22.91 passing rate or a survival of 1,289 lawyer examinees. The 2001 bar exams had the highest ever passing rate with 1,266 out of the 3,849 total examinees making a passing rate of 32.89%.

To pass the bar exam, a candidate must obtain a general average of 75 percent in all subjects with no grade falling below 50% in any bar subjects. In determining the general average, subjects in the examinations are given relative weights, the eight bar subjects are separately graded. Each subject contributes to the general average in the following proportion: Civil Law - 15%, Labor and Social Legislation - 10%, Mercantile Law - 15%, Criminal Law - 10%, Political and International Law - 15%, Taxation - 10%, Remedial Law - 20%, Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises - 5%, for a total of 100%.

The Five-Strike Rule was implemented since 2005. The rule limits to five the number of times a candidate may take the bar exams. The rule disqualifies a candidate after failing in three examinations. However, he is permitted to take fourth and fifth examinations if he or she successfully completes a one year refresher course for each examination.

The Supreme Court appoints memberships in the Committee of Bar Examiners, their official task is to formulate bar exam questions, instituting policy directives, executing procedures, grading bar examination papers, and releasing the results of the annual bar examination.

The committee is chaired by an incumbent Justice of the Supreme Court, who is designated by the Supreme Court to serve for a term of one year. The members of the committee include eight members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, who also hold office for a term of one year. While the Justice who shall act as Chairman is immediately known, committee members must exert every effort to conceal their identities until the oath-taking of the successful bar examinees, approximately six months after the bar exam. Bar examinations are generally essay-type, but examiners have thrown in a few multiple choice questions over the years.

According to Supreme Court spokesman Jose Midas Marquez, a Supreme Court justice wants to incorporate more multiple choice-type of tests in next year’s 2011 bar examination.

He said 2011 Bar Examination Committee Chairman Associate Justice Roberto Abad made the proposal to better test the knowledge of aspiring lawyers on Codal provisions. This proposal came about after consultation with deans from various law schools. The multiple choice will focus on Codal provision. It is very difficult for an examiner in an essay type exam to determine if an examinee knows the Codal provision. Good luck to all future examinees.

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Full 20% discount to all senior citizens

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

Starting July 06, 2010, all the senior citizens in the country will enjoy additional discounts. The Department of Social Works and Development (DSWD) has signed the implementing rules on the law granting senior citizens exemption from the value-added tax (VAT).

The guideline signed by the DSWD is the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010, which was published on June 21, 2010 on national daily newspapers.

Under the new law, senior citizens are exempted from 12% VAT, thus allowing them to fully enjoy the 20% discount on essential goods and services, including but not limited to food, medicines, and professional fees of doctors. Prior to the implementation of the Expanded Senior Citizen Act, they were only able to enjoy 8% of the supposed 20% discount because of the VAT.

With the implementation of the law, senior citizens will also be able to get discount on fares for land, air and sea travel, as well as hotel stay, admission to theaters and movie houses, concerts and similar leisure activities.

There is also a provision in the law that allows a 5% discount on monthly water and electricity bills as long as the household meters are registered under the senior citizen's name and consumption does not exceed 100 per kilowatt hour for electricity, and 30 cubic meters for water.

Indigent or non-pensioner senior citizens will also be entitled to a monthly pension of P500, free medical insurance and disability insurance through Phil Health, and burial assistance worth P2,000.

Every senior citizen in the world deserves some slack. They have worked so hard and paid their dues to society, it is the society's turn to serve them. However, some businesses, because of low margins and/or greed totally refuse to comply with the law or have drafted internal regulations undermining it.

The senior citizens are like soldiers who refuse to die or fade away. Some of them have united and has started to fight back due to number of establishments have been reported to adamantly refuse to provide the benefits in part or in full. A number of senior citizens have even refused to avail of the Senior Citizens Card claiming that the refusals to provide them with the benefits have caused public spats and embarrassments because it made them look like beggars.

Looking at the provisions of the law, penalties for violations of the law are as follows: P 50,000 to 100,000 and imprisonment of 6 months to 2 years for the first violation. P 100,000 to P200,000 and imprisonment of 2 to 6 years for the succeeding violations.

The measure also expands the penalties for establishments that refuse to grant the benefits. Establishments found violating the law, including their owners, managers and personnel, may be fined a penalty of not less than P10,000 but not more than P50,000, or imprisonment of not less than a month but not more than six months.

The law, right or wrong, is the law. Until it is repealed, there is nothing we can do but give to Ceasar what belongs to him. The law must be applied to all establishments who will violate Republic Act 9994, and who will not respect and give discount to our senior citizens.

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Moderate your greed in acquiring wealth

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

Money, they say is the root of all evils. But it's not the money itself but the obsession to acquire it by all means has motivated a person to do evil things such as: murder, robbery, swindling, plunder, graft and corruption, lying, stealing of people's money, betrayal of public trust, cheating just to stay in power, conspiracy, using the name of God for money making scheme, and among others. If your goal in life is to become rich from a questionable source, your direction towards life is evil.

People should not consider money as their master but rather their servant. If you make money your God, it will plague you like the devil and there will be no peace in your life according to an ancient saying. A person’s character is known in how he treats money. If a man runs after money he's greedily mad. If he gets it without working, he's a parasite. If he gets it through anomalous means he's an evil.

Certainly to become wealthy is not morally wrong. If your wealth comes from legitimate means through honest dealings, you will certainly enjoy the privilege of going anywhere with your head up high and with a clear conscience. Such noble legacy will not only be shared to anyone but to the future generations to come as well. It is the heart that makes a man rich and to become a (real) rich is a summation of honest hard work.

Live your life as simple as you are. Don't do evil what others do. Don’t do evil what others say, just listen to them but do what you feel good and comfortable. After all you are the one dictating the pacing of your life to be upright. If your wealth commands you, then you are poor indeed.

The statement of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile during a Senate Inquiry for the investigation of then the NBN/ZTE scandal was good, and I quote “kung minsan ang kalokohan ay nagiging katotohanan at ang katotohanan ay nagiging kalokohan” (sometimes the foolishness becomes the truth and the truth becomes the foolishness). This statement is absolutely true and undoubtedly a reality. Those greedy and deceitful politicians tweak and twist the lie and convinced the people to accept it as the truth.

The aborted National Broadband Network (NBN) project must serve as a lesson to the greedy government officials especially the incoming ones. According to the Senate Inquiry, the $329 million (P16.4 billion at the exchange rate of P50 to $1 at the time it was negotiated) was over priced by $130 million (P 6.5 billion).

This amount according to a health group is more than half of the entire budget of the Department of Health and more than five times the budget of the Philippine General Hospital. It could have funded 49,000 open-heart surgeries; 325,000 cataract surgeries, and purchased antibiotics for 6,500,000 people. It can also educate millions from the out of school youth Filipinos.

The worst, if the project was not cancelled; these 6.5 billion pesos will only go to the pocket of one or two person. This amount is a loan to be paid by all Filipino people through taxes. This greedy act of a few government officials will affect the life of the masses that will be more affected more than anyone else. Our children to be, and the next generation to come will suffer the consequences of their greediness and lies.

Even if they “moderate their greed” the evil deed was still there. And evil according to the dictionary is the violation of the moral customs or principles. There is no agreement about whether evil is a matter of social custom or correct principle that overrides custom. Evil is usually contrasted with good. In some religion, evil is an active force, often personified as an entity such as Satan or Lucifer.

If you live on “evil wealth” acquired through greediness and lies, the only equalizer between you and the poorest of the poor is that you cannot bring your billion of pesos with you if you die. Death is the equalizer to all humanity.

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The devil’s advocate

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

A devil's advocate is someone who takes a position he or she does not necessarily agree with for the sake of argument. This process can also be used to test the quality of the original argument and identify weaknesses in its structure.

During the canonization process of the Roman Catholic Church, the Promoter of the Faith (Latin: promotor fidei), popularly known as the Devil's advocate (Latin: advocatus diaboli), is a canon lawyer appointed by Church authorities to argue against the canonization of the candidate.

It is his or her job to take a skeptical view of the candidate's character, to look for holes in the evidence, to argue that any miracles attributed to the candidate were fraudulent, etc. The Devil's advocate opposes God's advocate (Latin: advocatus Dei; also known as the Promoter of the Cause), whose task is to make the argument in favor of canonization. This task is now performed by the Promoter of Justice (promotor iustitiae), who is in charge of examining how accurate is the inquiry on the saintliness of the candidate.

The office was established in 1587 during the reign of Pope Sixtus V and eliminated by Pope John Paul II in 1983. This reform changed the canonization process helping Pope John Paul II to usher in an unprecedented number of elevations: nearly 500 individuals were canonized and over 1,300 were beatified during his tenure as Pope as compared to only 98 canonizations by all his 20th-century predecessors.

Such a dramatic increase suggests that the office of the Devil's Advocate had served to reduce the number of canonizations. Some argue that it served a useful role in ensuring that canonizations did not proceed without due care and hence the status of sainthood was not easily achieved. In cases of controversy, the Vatican may still seek to informally solicit the testimony of critics of a candidate for canonization.

The British born American columnist Christopher Hitchens was famously asked to testify against the beatification of Mother Teresa in 2002, a role he would later humorously describe as being akin to "representing the Evil One, as it were, pro bono".

In modern Christian cultures, a devil also known as satan or lucifer is said to be the infamous figurehead of all evil. He is popularly given many descriptions: he has horns, a forked tail, and a forked tongue. He’s sometimes beast-like, hairy, repulsive, and fire-breathing. He is the commander of the underworld - the land of the dead - and causes death and destruction.

He is believed to be an angel who rebelled against God - and also the one who spoke through the serpent and seduced Eve into disobeying God's command. His ultimate goal is to lead people away from the love of God - to lead them to fallacies which God opposes. The Devil is also identified as the accuser of Job, the tempter in the Gospels, the secret power of lawlessness in 2 Thessalonians 2:7, and the dragon in the Book of Revelation.

Before his insurrection, the devil was among the highest of all angels and the "brightest in the sky". His pride is considered a reason why he would not bow to God as all other angels did, but sought to rule heaven himself. The popularly held beliefs that the Devil was once a prideful angel who eventually rebels against God, however, are barely portrayed explicitly in the Bible and are mostly based on inference (e.g., Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14:12-17).

In mainstream Christianity he is called "the ruler of the demons" (Matt. 12:24), "the ruler of the world" and "the god of this world". (2 Cor. 4:4). The Book of Revelation describes how the devil will be cast out of Heaven, down to the earth, having "great anger" and waging war against "those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus". Ultimately, the devil is thrown into the "lake of fire" (Revelation 20:10), not as ruler, but as one among many, being tormented day and night for all eternity.

In other Christian beliefs (e.g. the beliefs of the Christadelphians) the word "devil" in the Bible is not regarded as referring to a supernatural, personal being but to any "adversary" and figuratively refers to human sin and temptation.

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Money is the rootof all evil

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

The principle of money came from olden times when people would use gold or silver for trade. However, the constant fear of robbers and thieves meant that people needed a safe place to put there gold and silver. To fulfill this need the banking industry was born. People would surrender their goods to a banker who was to be trusted, in exchange for a claim check. Claim checks where soon being used as the new medium in exchange of goods.

The famous American author, Louisa May Alcott once said that, “Money is the root of all evil, and yet it is such a useful root that we cannot get on without it.”

Humans rely on money for a better life as much as they rely on water to live. The world does not necessarily need money.

There are many other different ways of currency. If money did not exist, this earth would have definitely been a better place. Money, the root of all evil, has shaped our world into a corrupt nation, a people without a conscience, and a society of very scrutinizing and greedy human beings.

Money is not the root of injustice. The root of injustice comes out of the wickedness of man and his love for money. It is mans greed and immoral ways that have perverted and uprooted the basic principles for which the idea of money had been originally devised for.

We must all understand that money is something that is not real. Money is a concept that we as a society all agree on. But this wasn’t always the case. Because people never satisfied with money, if people have money, they want some more, until they will adore it and becomes their “God”.

The Holy Bible teaches us that - “love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, in their eagerness to get rich, have wandered away from the faith and caused themselves a lot of pain.”

Money is a necessity but God wants us to take what He has given to us and multiply it. The verses from the Holy Bible on money and prosperity should inspire us that God is on our side. We do not have to be in debt and a slave to our money. He wants to pour out his blessing, and increase and prosper us in every way. God also wants us to share our wealth and be a greater blessing to others.
In the Bible,

Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus Christ our Savior in exchanged for a bribe money. According to the gospels, he led a group of armed men to a garden where Jesus was praying and identified him with a kiss. After a brief scuffle, Jesus was seized and taken to the Jewish religious leaders. They put him through a long interrogation, then turned him over to the Romans and pressured the Roman governor Pontius Pilate into ordering his crucifixion.

The Jewish leaders paid Judas a bribe for his help. Matthew 26:15 says that it was "thirty pieces of silver", possibly referring to a silver coin known as a Tyrian shekel. But Judas didn't get any benefit from the money, because he died shortly after the betrayal. Matthew 27:3-5 says that he felt so much remorse over what he had done that he returned the bribe money and then hanged himself.

Judas was a common name in ancient Palestine, the gospel writers usually added the surname Iscariot to make it clear who they were talking about. John 6:71 calls him "Judas Iscariot the son of Simon." He was put in charge of the disciples' money, keeping it in a special box and making purchases for the group as needed.

John 12:6 says that he sometimes stole money from the box for his personal use. Because of money, human beings are taught to steal, to become traitors just like Judas Iscariot, to become greedy, to become robbers, to become a corrupt employees and public servants, to become a corrupt leader, a corrupt politician among other evil deeds that money can bring.

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Study: Lack of sleep linked to early death

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

According to study conducted by Francesco Cappuccio, head of Sleep, Health and Society Programme at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom - People who get less than six hours sleep per night have an increased risk of dying prematurely. Those who slumbered for less than that amount of time were 12 percent more likely to die early. If you sleep little, you can develop diabetes, obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol.

The study conducted with the Federico II University in Naples, Italy, aggregated a decade long studies from around the world involving more than 1.3 million people and found "unequivocal evidence of the direct link" between lack of sleep and premature death.

Cappuccio believes the duration of sleep is a public health issue and should be considered as a behavioral risk factor. Sleeping less than six hours is more common among full time shift workers.

The study also found a link between sleeping more than nine hours per night and premature death. Oversleeping is more likely to be an effect of illness, rather than a cause. Researched shows that there no adverse effects for those sleeping between six to eight hours per day. This finding was published in the Sleep Journal.

If you have sleep problems, here are some tips to improve your sleep habit. Sleep hygiene is one of the components of behavioral therapy for insomnia. Several simple steps can be taken to improve a patient's sleep quality and quantity. These steps include: Sleep as much as you need to feel rested, do not oversleep. Exercise regularly at least 20 minutes daily, ideally 4-5 hours before bedtime. Avoid forcing yourself to sleep.

Keep a regular sleep and awakening schedule. Do not drink caffeinated beverages before going to bed (tea, coffee, soft drinks etc.). Avoid "night caps" (alcoholic drinks prior to going to bed). Do not smoke especially in the evening. Do not go to bed hungry. Adjust the environment in the room (lights, temperature, noise, etc.). Do not go to bed with your worries; try to resolve them before going to bed.

Relaxation therapy involves measures such as meditation and muscle relaxation or dimming the lights and playing soothing music prior to going to bed.

Stimulus control therapy also consists of a few simple steps that may help patients with chronic insomnia. Go to bed when you feel sleepy. Do not watch TV, read, eat, or worry in bed. Your bed should be used only for sleep and sexual activity. If you do not fall asleep 30 minutes after going to bed, get up and go to another room and resume your relaxation techniques. Set your alarm clock to get up at a certain time each morning, even on weekends. Do not oversleep. Avoid taking long naps in the daytime.

Restricting your time in bed to sleep may improve quality of sleep. This therapy is called sleep restriction. It is achieved by averaging the time in bed that the patient spends sleeping. Rigid bedtime and rise time are set, and patient is forced to get up even if they feel sleepy. This may help the patient sleep better the next night because of sleep deprivation for the previous night. Sleep restriction has been helpful in some cases.

Other simple measures that can be helpful to treat insomnia are as follows: Avoid large meals and excessive fluids before bedtime. Control your environment- light, noise, and elevated room temperature can disrupt sleep. Avoid stressful tasks before going to bed may be beneficial. Avoid doing work in the bedroom that should be done somewhere else. For example, do not work or operate your business out of your bedroom, avoid watching TV, reading books, and eating in your bed. Likewise, manage your stress level by not thinking too much of your problems before going to bed will help a lot. Email jhuniewahayna@yahoo.com for comments.

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Time is gold

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

According to Carl Sandburg (1878 -1967), said that: “Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful not to let other people spend it for you.”

Time management is one thing that you have to imply in your daily activities. It is an important skill that people should learn. It is an important practice especially if you are trying to lessen your work. Time is essential because it will help you become more effective in finishing a task. If you manage your time well you can finish your work earlier as what you expected.

Time management has a lot of advantages in the business or in your workplace. It can teach you on how to become organize with your daily schedule. The tasks are planned in a more efficient manner. If you know how to manage your time well then you would also know how to manage your schedule well such as appointments, conferences and meetings. You could also meet your deadlines more efficiently if you manage your time well.

Managing your time well can lead to have less chance of work piling up and there is less stress because you know you already finish your work even before the deadline. Time management is mandatory for employees and managers. Tasks are easily managed if you know how to properly control time. When the work is piling up it can really be tiring and stressful.

So always know what to prioritize in your activities.

Knowing your priorities can make all the difference, and you can save time. All you have to do is have discipline in yourself. By practicing of being on time during meetings and appointments, then you will be able to discipline your self, and as a result, your business dealings will prosper. At first it is not easy but if you master the skills and time management then you will have a less pressured work and at the same time you can finish a lot of task.

In many occasions, people waste their time. How do you spend most of your spare time? Do you sit in front of the TV for hours? Do you speak on the phone for long periods of time? Do you sit outside and watch your neighbors come and go? Do you play computer games? I personally do not believe that any of the activities I mentioned above are wrong.

To maintain our sanity we must also have time to relax and socialize. However, when you allow any of these time consuming or addictive behaviors to take over your life, then there is an imbalance behavior in you, and it is most likely preventing you from engaging on other productive activities.

If you have any amount of money, if you use it, it decreases in quantity. But in time, if you use it, you will get benefit. Remember the saying "Time is Gold". If you use at present, it acts like gold, otherwise it will become old. So, you should become bold to use this gold. Definitely, you will appreciate its value.

Here are some tips that can help you maintain track of time and how well it will be spent: Asses yourself, is your life leading towards your personal desires? What changes would you have to make?

Set and define goals in a timely manner. Schedule your time -- long term and short term Schedule and limit your leisure time in order to avoid distractions. If I would give a conclusion about time being gold, I would say “Time is indeed gold”.

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Knowing your candidates

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

May 10 will be the judgment day for all the candidates nationwide. Vote according to your conscience and choose the best according to your judgment. Your vote is a sacred one; nobody should influence your decision.
In Baguio City, there are 79 candidates who filed their candidacy with the Commission on Elections for various positions. There are 10 candidates running for mayor, three for vice-mayor, nine for congressman, and 57 for city councilor. The candidates:
FOR MAYOR:
01 Barcelo, Ruben Liwag "Ben"; (IND.)
02 Busacay-lazo, Erlinda Adan "Erlinda"; (IND.)
03 Domogan, Mauricio Gamsao "Morris"; (LKS-KAM)
04 Go, Marquez Ocampo "Mark"; (PMP)
05 Hernandez, Guillermo Codinera "Willie"; (IND.)
06 Labo, Ramon Jr Lozano "Jun"; (IND.)
07 Mandapat, Julius Javier "Butch"; (IND.)
08 Molintas, Jose Mencio "Joe"; (LP)
09 Puzon, Peter Dulay "Terminator"; (IND.)
10 Sembrano, Elaine Dominguez "Kabsat"; (PDP LABAN)
FOR VICE-MAYOR:
01 Domalsin, Carol Rosado "Carol"; (LDP)
02 Farinas, Daniel Tesaluna "Danny"; (NP)
03 Olowan, Faustino Atiwag "Ulo"; (IND.)
FOR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE:
01 Avila, Edgar Mendoza "Ed"; (PMP)
02 Balisong, Rocky Thomas Aspilan "Rocky"; (NP)
03 Bautista, Reinaldo Asperin "Rey"; (IND.)
04 Bello Iii, Dwight Nicolas Advincula "Ike"; (IND.)
05 Quilala, Rabinrandranah Pablo "Kabagis"; (PDP LABAN)
06 Ramos, Felipe Tribonalo "Felipe"; (IND.)
07 Vergara, Bernardo Mangaoang "Bernie"; (LKS-KAM)
08 Yangot, Leandro Jr. Bagto "Leandro"; (LP)
09 Yaranon, Braulio Dacanay "Raul"; (LDP)
FOR CITY COUNCILORS:
01 Acosta, Voltaire Lising "Voltz"; (PDP LABAN)
02 Adube, Laurence Redusta "Larry"; (LDP)
03 Aliping, Nicasio Jr. Mocnangan "Botbot"; (LKS-KAM)
04 Allad-iw, Arthur Lapaan "Art"; (IND.)
05 Antolin, Gerardo Ramiscal "Gery"; (IND.)
06 Aquino, Odell Peralta "Bombito"; (PMP)
07 Araos, Anthony Alano "Tony"; (PDSP)
08 Asiatico, Carlos Molina "Caloy"; (IND.)
09 Bagbagen, Fred Longboan "Fred"; (LP )
10 Balajadia, Erdolfo Villacruz "Erding"; (LKS-KAM)
11 Beltran, Edgar Allan Palisoc "Ed"; (IND.)
12 Bilog, Edison Ramos "Ed"; (LP)
13 Cariño, Richard Arola "Richard"; (NP)
14 Carlos, Richard Agnep "Richard"; (LP)
15 Clemente, Emmanuel Sevilla "Noel"; (NP)
16 Cortes, Antonino Jr. Alabanza "Junn"; (LP)
17 Cosalan, Isabelo Jr Bastian "Poppo"; (LP)
18 Coteng, Robin Gang-awen "Binoy"; (NP )
19 Dangatan, Patrick Palangeo "Dontog"; (LKS-KAM)
20 Daoas, Sonia Aplosen "Sonia"; (IND.)
21 Datuin, Elmer Orzal "Elmer"; (LKS-KAM)
22 David, Roi Guzman "Roi Vinzon"; (IND.)
23 Delacerna, Wilfredo Sr. Ritomalta "Willy"; (IND.)
24 Delson, Rafael Tabao-ican "Pael"; (IND.)
25 Diaz, Reynaldo Tambot "Rey"; (PMP )
26 Dumawing, George Jr. Malaggay "George"; (LKS-KAM)
27 Duque, Edgardo Libuan "Eddie"; (IND.)
28 Fangonon, Fred Larade "Bangon"; (IND.)
29 Fianza, Peter Carino "Pete"; (IND.)
30 Gandeza, Roney Preza "Roney"; (NP )
31 Gapuz, Edilberto Caluza "Eddie"; (IND.)
32 Gumnad, Pablito Gerdan "Pabs"; (LP )
33 Lardizabal, Orlando Jr Eslava "Jhun"; (PMP)
34 Macadangdang, Benjamin Arellano "Benjie`"; (IND.)
35 Marrero, Joseph Cutop "Ustap"; (LP)
36 Mascarenas, Antolin Lakip "Butch"; (PMP)
37 Maskay, Mabini Chaloping "Benny"; (LKS-KAM)
38 Mazo, Alan Antonio Salonga "Alan"; (LP)
39 Ocampo, Roberto Ruiz "Rob"; (IND.)
40 Olarte, Jose Jr Laranang "Bubut"; (LP)
41 Ortega, Alexander Francisco Rellosa "Alec"; (NP)
42 Padilla, Narciso Racraquin "Nars"; (IND.)
43 Palaganas, Nicasio Soriano "Nick"; (LKS-KAM)
44 Panagan, Rufino Magastino "Raffy"; (LKS-KAM)
45 Paragas, Rodolfo De Leon "Rod"; (LDP)
46 Perez, Ronald Lacaste "Ron"; (IND.)
47 Pilando, Lorenzo Salupen "Lore"; (IND.)
48 Quilop, Arturo Baobaoen "Art"; (LKS-KAM)
49 Reyes, Alberto Villaruz "Betot"; (PDP LABAN)
50 Rondez, Perlita Chan "Pinky"; (NP)
51 Tabanda, Betty Lourdes Flores "Lulu"; (LKS-KAM)
52 Tabora-tuason, Cynthia Runez "Cyn"; (NP)
53 Teliaken, Lourdes Aguia "Lulu"; (IND.)
54 Tenefrancia, Edilberto Boncato "Tene"; (IND.)
55 Wasan, Rafael Salvador "Raffy"; (PMP)
56 Weygan, Philian Louise Cuanguey "Philian"; (NP)
57 Zarate, Richard Villanueva "Dicks"; (NP)
Make your list before going out to vote. For city councilors, choose 12 candidates out of the 57 candidates.

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Health is better than wealth

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

Many people are working hard to earn millions of money even if their health is being neglected and compromise. Health and wealth are two words that rhyme so well but often do not occur together. Good health is clearly preferable but if one does not have good health, it is better to have some wealth to ease the burden. Money cannot replace the lack of health, but it goes a long way to make life easier, more comfortable and reduce a major stress in most people's lives.

The real question to be answered is not whether health is better than wealth but what is the true path to happiness. To be healthy but miserable because you are poor is a fairly shallow way to live your life. With health, your potential is unlimited. Nothing stands in the way of traveling, working a job, having a family or going back to school.

With good health, there is always a way to make money to create the life you desire. Poor health is like a roadblock that cannot be driven around. It is always staring you in the face, requiring attention even in the most mundane of tasks. It doesn't release you despite begging, crying, bargaining or even in resignation of your job.

To be wealthy but have poor health is like partial compensation, a kind of a bad news with good news. At least, you will have less concern about the cost of healthcare, cost to live a restricted life and whether there will be money to attend to the further decline of health as you age.

Early to bed and early to rise continues to be the best way to be healthy, wealthy and wise. Health is more than wealth because good health generates healthy activity in the mind which in turn generates wealth of sorts. A healthy man is a wise man. A wise man is a knowledgeable man. One who has knowledge is bound to generate wealth in one form or the other.

A balanced diet for good health is highly recommended. A vegetarian meal is preferable for sound mental and physical health. However, if one is prone to eating non-vegetarian food one should ensure that fresh green vegetables definitely form a part of the menu. A lot of fluid should be taken right from the time one leaves the bed to the time ones retires for the day.

Drinking water up to five liters a day in summer will be health promoting. Physicians always tell us that a human body is 70 per cent fluid and, therefore, intake of fluid is always helpful. Drinking half a liter to a liter of water right in the morning works as a laxative too and helps one in moving bowels effortlessly. Believe it or not, a good movement of bowels generates both internal and external happiness.

Social health is bound to improve when individuals of a society are healthy both physically and mentally. Individuals will go to the rescue of neighbors and even strangers in times of need even without expecting a similar gesture in return. The infamous disease called AIDS, which indeed is assuming an epidemic proportion, is to be tackled socially. If the entire society makes its youth educated in the method of prevention, the need for cure may not arise.

Unfortunately, the senior citizens and others fail in their parental duty in not educating their adolescent children about the gravity of the situation. Let us start the education on AIDS program in a serious and objective manner without fighting shy of talking to our own children on a subject like sex or a sexual ailment.

Being wealthy and in good health means you have the world at your feet, nothing should stand in your way. You can wake up in the morning and carry out any and all of your dreams and plans. You should experience utter happiness that you have the power to conquer anything, unless of course, your health fails then the choice will be obvious. You would likely spend your money in order to get your health back.

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Why many Filipinos are going abroad

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

The latest population of our country today is over the 90 million mark. A fraction of this "millions" of Filipinos are actually not in the Philippines all the time. They are in other countries finding a living and sending money to their families back home.

While the statistics from the government isn't clear, one thing is quite clear, about 10% of RP's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) comes from remittances of OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers).

The GDP is a rough estimate of a country's output. It's quite silly when 10% of RP's GDP is coming from other countries. Technically it is not really its output, it just happen that money is pouring in to the country due to remittances to help our economy afloat. In fact, OFWs are called "Bagong Bayani" (New Heroes) in the Philippines.

Every year, more and more filipinos are leaving abroad to look for a greener pasture. In search for a more comfortable life, they leave their families, made sacrifices and usually suffer the consequences of leaving.

Filipinos are regarded to have close family ties. But this tradition is defied by many Filipinos, mostly women, who leave their children. Children are left at the mercy of relatives who unfortunately, are unkind to these kids. From what I have gathered, these children who were left by their mothers are confident that their children are in good hands, but the situation is the opposite, they are maltreated and abused by their own relatives.

In other cases while parents are away working abroad, they presumed that the money they are sending is in the right hands, but only to find out that their kids are not in school and the greedy relatives are the ones savoring and exploiting the money that should have been for their children.

In worst case scenarios, when mothers get home, the three kids she left with her husband are now four. Really saddening but it's a fact. Other Filipino workers leave the Philippines in a “standing” position and with full of life, but came back in a “lying” position with no life at all, amusing to hear but a sad fact, even a tragedy.

Despite these, many are still unshakable to leave their families behind, sacrificing countless relevant occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, Christmas, and among others. Many are still finding ways to leave Philippines and embrace a whole new different world.
This question has been present the whole time but the answer seemed always elusive, addressing these problems is always given little importance, maybe because the government per se benefits from the remittances that these OFW bring.

I believe that to be able to give quality life to your family's future is not by leaving them behind. It's not providing them with all the material things they need. It's more on your physical presence felt during the child’s formative years. It's very basic, and very important.

Damn with the exclusive school, damn with the signature clothes, damn with exclusive subdivisions, damn with luxury cars!! Enough! People have matured but they lack decorous thinking. Who says there is bright future when you work abroad? Who guarantees success in going abroad?

Should OFWs be heralded for bravely facing loneliness, boredom, sacrifice and courage of working far from their loved ones? Are they really the modern heroes for boosting Philippine economy? Are they really heroes for sacrificing their family in search of a better future? Or should they be questioned how they can bear leaving their families?

If this is the price I have to pay for working abroad, I’d rather stay here. I may not have an SUV and a three-storey house in an exclusive subdivision, I may not have signature clothes and expensive perfumes, my kids may not have entered an expensive school, but I can claim that even without these luxuries, my family can still leave a modest and comfortable life. My family is intact, I have no worries, and I won’t have to gain the pain of being away from them.The real reason why many Filipinos are going abroad is because of “economic” survival.

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Teach your children the value of money

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

From a child’s point view, money comes from mom and dad’s pockets. As soon as your children learn to count, you can begin teaching them how to count money. Practice playing simple games that they will enjoy. You could place a paper bill on the table and next to it place five coins. Continue adding coins in different denominations. Before you knew it, they will not only have learned how to count money but will understand its value as well.

One helpful tip is to include your children in shopping activities but always explain to them the purpose of the trip. Make it a point that to always tell them that going to the mall doesn’t mean that you have to buy something all the time. When you take them to the grocery, explain how to plan purchases in advance and make unit-price comparisons. Show them how to check for value, quality, and other consumer concerns.

My friend, a mother of three boys, once told me that she always try to include her children whenever she does certain tasks like grocery shopping. She would ask her children to write down the grocery list and make them in-charge of crossing out the items on the list. While making the list, she would ask what they think they will need for the week so they will feel part of the decision making. She also taught them how to look and compare prices and so there were times wherein they would stop her from getting one item because the other one is cheaper.

Most common scenario would be whenever the family enters a toy store; the children would always want their parents to buy nearly every toy. Parents can always tell their children that they are only there to look and play with some of the toys and that if they want something maybe they can save up for it for their birthday or Christmas. This can become an opportunity to teach them to set a goal.

Always talk to your children. Use simple words and calmly explain to them that money is valuable that one has to earn it to be able to buy something. That parents work hard to earn money. In the same way, if you can let your children work hard to get what they want. This will help them learn to value money as well as to be more industrious. You can tell them how to do simple jobs such as babysitting, cleaning out the house, selling different products, and among others.

Encourage your children to set aside a portion of their earnings. Give them a piggy bank or savings account. Give them allowance in denominations that encourage savings. If their allowance is 20 pesos, give them four pieces of 5 peso coins and encourage them to set aside one piece or two pieces of 5 peso in their piggy bank. Or if your children want new toy, you can teach them to save part of their earnings for that toy while still keeping the remaining for future use. This is also teaching them to understand the value of both short-term saving and long-term saving. Aside from teaching them the value of money, this is also a way for your children to discover what possession and ownership are all about. Remind them that the money they save belongs to them and that they should use their earnings for things they need and believe have value.

Set a budget. Tell your children that they can only buy toys and clothes on special occasions and within a specific budget. And perhaps if they have a special award from school, they may get the opportunity to ask for what they want in kind or in cash but always with limitations. Always make it very clear to them that buying should always be within certain budget.

Children learn what they are taught but they mimic what they see. If you struggle with money, you can work on your finances while teaching your children the value of money. A good education about money is one of the best tools you can give to your children. Perhaps one of the most important lessons in life to be taught at an early age is the value of money. The things children learn at an early age are deeply rooted and carry it on as they grow.

Teach them the difference between needs, wants and wishes besides teaching them to work, save, and to be wise purchasers. However, allow them to make spending decisions to let them learn from their choices. At times they will have bad choices where they can learn their lessons. Guide them about making choices before spending takes place. Explain to them why some things are better to buy than others.

They will soon find out that it takes a long time to make money and so they will be more careful in the future with their spending.

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Health benefit of a dry sauna

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

Sauna a relaxing and enjoyable environment to help you unwind. It is a place to find peace of mind, relaxation and contentment. During sauna session, your heart rate increases by 50-75 percent.

This provides the same metabolic result as physical exercise. The increased cardiac load is equivalent to a brisk walk. There is a nominal effect on blood pressure because the heat also causes blood vessels in skin to expand to accommodate increased blood flow. Blood vessels become more flexible and there is increased circulation to the extremities.

During sauna, blood flow to the skin increases to as high as 50-70 percent of cardiac output (compared to the standard 5-10%). These bring nutrients to subcutaneous (under the skin) and surface tissue resulting in glowing healthy skin.

Saunas induce sweating to provide a comprehensive cleansing of the skin and sweat glands. Skin is the largest organ in the body. Thirty percent of body wastes are passed through the skin. Profuse sweating enhances the detoxifying capacity of the skin by opening pores and flushing impurities from the body.

Sweating is beneficial for our health. Toxins are released through our skin when sweating. If we increase the rate of sweating we rid our bodies of more toxins. A dry sauna heats our skin directly not with steam and humidity so we reach an increased body temperature faster.
Along with the higher temperature a sauna will open the pores in our skin to allow more moisture and toxins to escape. This combined process is one of the best health benefits of a dry sauna.

When taking a sauna, skin temperature rises to 40°C (104°F) and internal body temperature rises to about 38°C (100.4°F). Exposure to the high heat creates an artificial fever state. Fever is part of the body’s natural healing process. Fever stimulates the immune system resulting in increased production of disease fighting white blood cells, antibodies and interferon (an anti viral protein with cancer fighting capability).

When someone enters a sauna, the increased temperature causes an elevation in heart rate and also increases circulation. Blood vessels and the body become more flexible, and the metabolism also increases. These physiological reactions to a sauna have a number of positive health impacts on the body, especially with routine sauna use.

The increased circulation which results from regular sauna use benefits the extremities and the skin. A sauna also opens the pores of the skin to help the body express toxins, carried out in the sweat which results from the high temperature.

Taking a sauna can help to stave off cold symptoms, relieve sore muscles, and awaken the body while simultaneously reducing feelings of stress and unhappiness. Frequent sauna bathers often say that they feel more at peace and relaxed after sitting in a sauna, and some take that opportunity to meditate so that the sensation is increased.

Traditionally, people alternate hot and cold during sauna session. Most people take sauna for 15 to 20 minutes before stepping out and taking a cold shower or plunge to close the pores. The body is allowed to rest outside the sauna for the same amount of time that it was inside before another round of sauna commences. This reduces stress on the body as the result of a sauna, and also allows the bather time to drink water and relax.

There are some cautions to sauna use: sauna bathers should drink plenty of water before, during, and after the sauna session. If dizziness or nausea (tendency to vomit) is experienced in a sauna, the bather should get out immediately and cool down. Use of a sauna may be contraindicated for people who have medical issues like high or low blood pressure, heart disease, or pregnancy. If you are unsure about whether taking a sauna is safe for you, consult your doctor.

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Free patents to residential lands

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Junie Wahayna

Republic Act No. 10023 or an Act Authorizing the Issuance of Free Patents to Residential Lands was approved by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last March 9, 2010.

The Free Patent Act, ratified by the two houses of Congress, seeks to ease the requirements and procedures in the titling of residential lands. Under this new law, the Director of the Land Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act, and shall see to it that such are gender responsive.

Any Filipino citizen who is an actual occupant of a residential land may apply for a Free Patent Title under this Act. Provided that in highly urbanized cities, the land should not exceed two hundred (200) square meters; in other cities, it should not exceed 500 square meters; in first class and second class municipalities, it should not exceed 750 square meters; and in all other municipalities, it should not exceed 1,000 square meters. Provided that the land applied for is not needed for public service and/or public use.

This Act shall cover all lands that are zoned as residential areas, including town sites as defined under the Public Land Act. Provided, that none of the provisions of Presidential Decree No.705 shall be violated.

Zoned residential areas located inside a delisted military reservation or abandoned military camp, and those of local government units or townsites which preceded Republic Act No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) law, shall also be covered by this Act.

The application on the land applied for shall be supported by a map based on an actual survey conducted by a licensed geodetic engineer and approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources together with the technical description of the land applied for.

A supporting affidavit of two disinterested persons who are residing in the barangay of the city or municipality where the land is located is also needed. The applicant or through his predecessor-in-interest, shall actually resided for more than 10 years and continuously possessed and occupied the land applied for.

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary and subject to private rights, if any, public land actually occupied and used for public schools, municipal halls, public plazas or parks and other government institutions for public use or purpose may be issued special patents under the name of the national agency or LGU concerned: Provided that all lands titled under this section shall not be disposed of unless sanctioned by Congress if owned by the national agency or sanctioned by the sanggunian concerned through an approved ordinance if owned by the LGU.

All applications shall be filed immediately after the affectivity of this Act before the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the DENR. The CENRO is mandated to process the application within one hundred and twenty (120) days to include compliance with the required notices and other legal requirements, and forward this recommendation to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), who shall have five days to approve or disapprove the patent. In case of approval, patent shall be issued; in case of conflicting claims among different claimants, the parties may seek the proper judicial remedies.

This Act shall take effect 15 after its publication in two national newspapers of general circulation.

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Burden in raising a child

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

When a couple measures the price of childbirth by the cost of milk powder, diapers and school fees and sees this as "slavery," something must be wrong. To have a child and bring him or her up is never an economic issue. To see childbirth as hard labor and connect it with housing and car mortgage loans represent an erroneous attitude toward life. It is necessary to calculate the cost of raising a child, but it is unwise to complain about the cost of it and about high living expenses.

Parenting is the process of promoting and supporting the physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and intellectual development of a child from infancy to adulthood. Parenting refers to the activity of raising a child rather than the biological relationship.

The cost of raising a child is becoming greater and greater. But economic pressure is not the only reason that makes young parents "child's slaves." Their efforts to compete with each other in trying to provide the best possible living conditions for their children should also be blamed.

In order that their offspring do not lose at the starting line, young couples never hesitate to spend money on their children. Businessman know well that young couples only buy the most expensive things for their children but do not care about if what they buy suits their children. Therefore infant and child commodities become increasingly expensive.

To bring up children is not an easy job for parents. No matter how time changes, it is important to keep one's expenses within the capacity to pay. We know the hardship young couples experience, but it is unnecessary to exaggerate the difficulties facing them. While the emergence of "mortgage slaves" stirs up the concern in the whole of society about mounting housing prices, sensationalizing the pains of "child's slaves" is only amplifying young parents' anxiety.

Children do not come into this world as consuming machines. When parents slip into economic pitfalls because of their own vain mentality and urge to compete in providing abundance, it is unfair to blame their hard lives on their children. It is better to put a stop to unreasonable expenses for children than to feel worried about becoming "child's slaves"

In recent years, parents have taken it for granted that to bring up a child is to offer them better living conditions than others. Since they do not have enough time to spend with children, they hope to compensate for it with expensive commodities. The parents believe money is able to satisfy their children spiritually and materially. Guided by this belief, high expenses for children become increasingly common and as a result, parents reduce themselves to the status of "child's slaves."

Parents should prepare themselves psychologically and physiologically for the arrival of children and, more importantly, they must develop a way of rational consumption.

Living costs, especially in cities, are becoming a huge pressure for many people. This is the price we have to pay for economic growth. Those who call themselves "child's slaves" are mostly young couples who have just begun an independent life. The huge gap between the rich and the poor and that between their expected success and present terrible state has prompted them to blame all problems and setbacks in life on unfairness and the inequality of society.

"Slaves" generally refer to the young people who received middle or higher education and are from low-income families. They belong to the middle class, but some of them have lost the confidence of being a member of the middle class. This is a problem the whole nation should take seriously, because without a stable middle class, it is difficult for a society to operate well.

Raising a child is never just as easy as buying several bags of milk powder to feed her or him. For example, when a child goes to school, the door of endless demands on money opens. In many western countries, a highly developed social welfare system helps parents raise their children more easily. But in the Philippines, parents have to pay almost all the bills by themselves.

Pressed by hard lives, many young couples find themselves unable to afford bringing up a child. Jobs, health care, education, housing, gas prices, and so on, plague them. "Child's slave," along with terms such as "mortgage slave," "credit card slave" and "car slave," vividly depict the extremely passive state of today's young people.

The smartest advice on raising children is to enjoy them while they are still on your side. Once they reach adulthood and get married, they now go on their own life.

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pH level

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

Our body is largely made up of water, a medium which is biologically useful in allowing nutrients, oxygen and bio-chemicals to be transported from place to place. This water based medium can have either acid or alkaline properties that are measured by a graduated scale called pH (potential hydrogen), wherein a pH level between 0 to 6.9 is considered acidic, 7.0 is neutral and 7.1 to 14.0 is alkaline.

The pH level has profound effects on all our body chemistry, health and disease. All regulatory mechanisms including breathing, circulation, digestion, hormonal production, serve the purpose of balancing pH, by removing caustic metabolized acid residues from the body tissues without damaging living cells.

If the pH level deviates too far to the acid side or too far to the alkaline side, body cells become poisoned by their own toxic waste and eventually the cells will die. Just like an acid rain can destroy a forest and alkaline waste can pollute a lake; an imbalanced pH corrodes all body tissues slowly. If left unchecked, an imbalanced pH will interrupt all cellular activities and functions from the beating of your heart to the neural firing of your brain.

According to Dr. Mona Harrison, Director - International Water Council, “Cancer tumors cannot live in alkaline water. All cancer patients should drink alkaline water. You and I should be drinking alkalized water so that our bodies won't provide cancer tumors to live.

Alkaline water is fantastic for insomnia and colic. The brain is 90% water and when it can't maintain that percentage it will pull water from all other parts of the body.

Salt, caffeine, nicotine, valium, alcohol and sugar will put your body out of balance. If we don't keep a pH blood level at 7.3 or above, death will occur. In fact, death will occur if the blood pH level goes below 7.

Urine that has a strong odor indicates an unhealthy body. If the body is balanced there is no ammonia and protein in the urine. An over acidic body causes kidney stones and gall stones.

Cysts are the beginning of tumors, which lead to cancer because minerals are deficient from that part of the body. Cancer is a long period of mineral deficiency caused by an over acid condition of the body.”

Herman Aihara, in his book entitled "Acid & Alkaline" states that: “If the condition of our extra cellular fluids, especially the blood, becomes acidic, our physical condition will first manifest tiredness, proneness to catching colds, etc. When these fluids become more acidic, our condition then manifests pains and suffering such as headaches, chest pains, stomach aches, etc.”

According to Keiichi Morishita in his Hidden Truth of Cancer, “If the blood develops a more acidic condition, then our body inevitably deposits these excess acidic substances in some area of the body, so that the blood will not be able to maintain an alkaline condition which causes these areas such as the cells to become acidic and lower in oxygen.

If this condition continues, such areas increase in acidity, some cells will die; then these dead cells themselves turn into acids. However, some other cells may adapt in that environment. In other words, instead of dying - as normal cells do in an acid environment - some cells survive by becoming abnormal cells. These abnormal cells are called malignant cells. Malignant cells do not correspond with brain function nor with our own DNS memory code.

Therefore, malignant cells grow indefinitely and without order. This is cancer. One of the least understood concepts of nutrition is to understand what acid and alkaline balance is. The cells of the human body depend on a balanced acid-alkaline pH. If any fluids are abnormal, digestive enzymes are rendered inactive, food does not digest properly, and allergic reactions can occur. Food bound microorganisms such as yeast, bacteria, parasites; molds, viruses, etc. are liberated in the body, which puts stress on the immune system.”

The normal range for pH level in ground water lies between 6 and 8.5. By comparison, vinegar measures 2 to 3 pH level, beer measures between 4 and 5, while milk measures around 6.4 pH. Just to give you further example and idea, a battery acid, strong hydrochloric acid has a 0 pH. Hydrochloric acid secreted by the stomach lining has 1 pH. Lemon juice, gastric acid, vinegar has 2 pH. Grape fruit, orange juice, soda has 3 pH. Tomato juice, acid rain has 4 pH. Soft drinking water, black coffee has 5pH. Urine, saliva has 6 pH.

While 7 has a neutral pH. Sea water, viva mineralized water has a pH of 8. Baking soda has 9 pH. Great Salt Lake, milk of magnesia has 10 pH. Ammonia solution has 11 pH. Soapy water has 12 pH. Bleaches, oven cleaner has 13 pH. Liquid drain cleaner has a 14 pH. Distilled water has a pH level below 7.

Nowadays, if you visit the groceries, it’s hard to find alkaline foods. Now that you have an idea what is pH level all about, you should choose what are the right healthy foods and drinks to take that will enter into your body system.

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