Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Dengue Update!

According to a Renaissance physicist, once a disease has entered the body, all parts which are healthy must fight it: not one alone, but all.  Because a disease might mean their common death.  Nature knows this; and Nature attacks the disease with whatever help she can muster.

This famous quotation from Paracelsus applies both literally and figuratively on the subject that will make the province of Ilocos Sur gather together on September 30, 2010 for the Provincial Dengue Summit.  Indeed, when a virus enters its host, every fit and vigorous components of the host tries to battle down the parasitic element.  That is the innate response of the body from untoward entrants.  Should the body fail to succeed in its combat; medicine enters in rescue to struggle down this freeloading virus.  Though science hasn’t absolutely derived yet its unqualified shield against this mosquito virus, there are proven strategies to prevent this occurrence.

Figuratively, Paracelsus’ quotation give us clear emphasis that all healthy components come together to fight this disease.  In this sense, everybody fights for the minimization, if not eradication of such.  We all know that if we remain silent about it, sooner, this will not only affect our neighborhood, but worse, in our own household.

Based on statistics, the province, as of September 28, has posted an 808 dengue cases all throughout the province with 13 fatalities from 2009’s 415 cases.  A simple analysis would mean an increase of 95 percent rate in the first three quarters of 2010.  This is a very alarming rate the fact that we still have another quarter to end the year.   

[Special thanks to Chyrele Ujano for reminding the equation and to Alma Gonzales-Reynon for seconding]

Figure on the left is the updated database of Dengue cases in the province as of Sept. 28, 2010.


Sunday, September 26, 2010

PhilKOFA 1st Luzonwide General Assembly

The PhilKOFAns with KOICA RR KIM, Jinoh
Last September 25, the first ever Luzonwide General Assembly was held at the Clarkdine of the Officer's Club at Clark Freeport Zone.  The PhilKOFA Board of Trustees headed by President Judy Vermudo together with Vice President for Luzon Aurora Collantes and RCM 3 Coordinator Edna Dizon welcomed the participants at 10:00 when it was formally started.

KOICA Resident Representative KIM, Jinoh expressed his gratitude for the first ever assembly and hoped that as it was the first, many more assemblies covering the whole of Luzon will follow.  RR Jinoh also emphasized partnership with other Korean organizations here and abroad.  This partnership strengthens not only the networking of its PhilKOFAn but indeed, the possible advancement of the programs and projects of the PhilKOFA.  In lieu of RR Jinoh, Ms. Kristine presented a short discussion on the activities of KOICA in Korea and here in the Philippines.  With the event also was past PhilKOFA President Noel Sevilla.

The Ilocandia Group
After short introductory program, each RCM gathered together to draft its programs and projects.  RCM Coordinators were also sworn to office after selection among RCMs.  Liberalis' author, Marlon Tagorda, became the RCM Coordiantor for Luzon.

The Oath taking
After the event, a tour around Clark Museum and Diosdado Macapagal International Airport followed.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Diseases and Its Causes


The following is extracted from World's Last Chance.  It tackles my most advocated sector - health.  It discusses the existence of diseases based on biblical genesis.


Diseases and Its Causes
By: Ellen White
June 6, 1899
Review & Herald 


Since the fall in Eden, the race has been degenerating. Deformity, imbecility, disease, and human suffering have been pressing heavier and heavier upon each successive generation, and yet the masses are asleep as to the real causes. They do not consider that they themselves are guilty, in a great measure, for this deplorable state of things. They generally charge their sufferings upon Providence, and regard . . . [Yahuwah] as the author of their woes. But it is intemperance, to a greater or less degree, that lies at the foundation of all this suffering.

Eve was intemperate in her desires when she put forth her hand to take of the fruit-forbidden tree. Self-gratification has reigned almost supreme in the hearts of men and women since the fall. Especially has the appetite been indulged, and they have been controlled by it, instead of by reason. For the sake of gratifying the taste, Eve transgressed the command of . . . [Yahuwah]. He had given her everything her wants required, yet she was not satisfied. Ever since, her fallen sons and daughters have followed the desires of their eyes and of their taste. They have, like Eve, disregarded the prohibitions . . . [Yahuwah] has made, and have followed in a course of disobedience, and, like Eve, have flattered themselves that the consequence would not be as fearful as had been apprehended.  

Man has disregarded the laws of his being, and disease has been steadily increasing. The cause has been followed by the effect. He has not been satisfied with food which was the most healthful; but has gratified the taste even at the expense of health. 

. . . [Yahuwah] has established the laws of our being. If we violate these laws, we must, sooner or later, pay the penalty. The laws of our being can not be more successfully violated than by crowding upon the stomach unhealthful food, because craved by a morbid appetite. To eat to excess, of even simple food, will eventually break down the digestive organs; but to eat too great an amount of food, and that unwholesome, and the evil is greatly increased. The constitution must become impaired. 

The human family have been growing more and more self-indulgent, until health has been most successfully sacrificed upon the altar of lustful appetite. The inhabitants of the old world were intemperate in eating and drinking. They would have flesh-meats, although . . . [Yahuwah] had given them no permission to eat animal food. They ate and drank to excess, and their depraved appetites knew no bounds. They gave themselves up to abominable idolatry. They became violent and ferocious, and so corrupt that . . . [Yahuwah] could bear with them no longer. Their cup of iniquity was full, and . . . [Yahuwah] cleansed the earth of its moral pollution by a flood. As men multiplied upon the face of the earth after the flood, they forgot . . . [Yahuwah], and corrupted their ways before him. Intemperance in every form increased to a great extent. 

The Lord . . . [Yahuwah] brought his people out of Egypt in a victorious manner. He led them through the wilderness to prove them and try them. He repeatedly manifested his miraculous power in their deliverances from their enemies. He promised to take them to himself as his peculiar treasure if they would obey his voice and keep his commandments. He did not forbid them to eat the flesh of animals, but withheld it from them in great measure. He provided them food which was the most healthful. He rained their bread from heaven, and gave them purest water from the flinty rock. He made a covenant with them: if they would obey him in all things, he would preserve them from disease. 

But the Hebrews were not satisfied. They despised the food given them from heaven, and wished themselves back in Egypt, where they could sit by the flesh-pots. They preferred slavery, and even death, rather than to be deprived of meat. . . . [Yahuwah], in his anger, gave them flesh to gratify their lustful appetites, and great numbers of them died while eating the meat for which they had lusted.  

Nadab and Abihu were slain by the fire of . . . [Yahuwah]'s wrath for their intemperance in the use of wine. . . . [Yahuwah] would have his people understand that they will be visited according to their obedience or transgressions. Crime and disease have increased with every successive generation. Intemperance in eating and drinking, and the indulgence of the baser passions, have benumbed the nobler faculties. Appetite, to an alarming extent, has controlled reason. 

The human family have indulged an increasing desire for rich food, until it has become a fashion to crowd all the delicacies possible into the stomach. Especially at parties of pleasure is the appetite indulged with but little restraint. Rich dinners and late suppers are partaken of, consisting of highly seasoned meats, with rich gravies, rich cakes, pies, ice-cream, etc.

Professed Christians generally take the lead in these fashionable gatherings. Large sums of money are sacrificed to the gods of fashion and appetite, in preparing feasts of health-destroying dainties to tempt the appetite, that through this channel something may be raised for religious purposes. Thus ministers and professed Christians have acted their part and exerted their influence, by precept and example, in indulging intemperance in eating, and in leading the people to health-destroying gluttony. Instead of appealing to man's reason, to his benevolence, his humanity, his nobler faculties, the most successful appeal that can be made is to the appetite. 

The gratification of the appetite will induce men to give when otherwise they would do nothing. What a sad picture for Christians! With such sacrifice is . . . [Yahuwah] well pleased? How much more acceptable to him was the widow's mite! Such as follow her example from the heart will have well done. To have the blessing of Heaven attend the sacrifice thus made, can make the simplest offering of the highest value. 

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Bridging 2015 UN MDG

As per progress report on the Millennium Development Goals, the world is near to its target by 2015.  below is a chart published in The Economist showing progress of the world from 1990's to present, and eventually to its target year - 2015.


The graph showed progress among developing countries, but how about to those countries which belong to the less develop or even to those underdeveloped?  Presumably, as personally experienced, less develop nations have hard time achieving the Millennium Development Goals.  In the province alone, as per Goal No. 6, it could hardly be achieved by 2015 because instead of lesser cases of diseases, the province experience escalation of various diseases.  Dengue, for instance, instead of posting cases only during rainy seasons, the province and even the whole nation post it in a year-round cycle which is becoming alarming.

Should there be progress in the attainment of goals, it should be centered not with the developing nations, but rather, with the less development nations.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Repost from My Facebook Account

The video was a shared file from my Facebook account (though PoL original) which shows animation on the philosophy of liberty.  It explains in simple and understandable layman's terms the foundation of right to life, liberty and property.  


Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Dengue Alert!

Last year, the Provincial Health Team Office of Ilocos Sur posted a total of 415 cases of Dengue with 11 deaths.  That was 2009!!!

But it is so alarming that in 2010, just this date, the Dengue cases in Ilocos Sur raised to 606 with 12 death cases!  It has surpassed the annual case recorded last year and surely, this data will still be accelerated since there are over three months more before the end of the year.  


The Department of Health has issued a Health Advisory for the people to know details of Dengue and how to prevent it.  The following were extracted from http://www.doh.gov.ph/healthadvisories/dengue/ A PDF file of this Health Advisory is also available at http://www.doh.gov.ph/files/dengue_0.pdf for possible posting at school, government, and other offices' bulletin boards.

DENGUE HEMORRHAGIC FEVER is an acute infectious disease manifested initially with fever.
Transmission
Aedes aegypti, the transmitter of the disease, is a day-biting mosquito which lays eggs in clear and stagnant water found in flower vases, cans, rain barrels, old rubber tires, etc. The adult mosquitoes rest in dark places of the house.
Signs and Symptoms
  • Sudden onset of high fever which may last 2 to 7 days.
  • Joint & muscle pain and pain behind the eyes.
  • Weakness
  • Skin rashes - maculopapular rash or red tiny spots on the skin called petechiae
  • Nosebleeding when fever starts to subside
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting of coffee-colored matter
  • Dark-colored stools
Prevention and Control
  • Cover water drums and water pails at all times to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
  • Replace water in flower vases once a week.
  • Clean all water containers once a week. Scrub the sides well to remove eggs of mosquitoes sticking to the sides.
  • Clean gutters of leaves and debris so that rain water will not collect as breeding places of mosquitoes.
  • Old tires used as roof support should be punctured or cut to avoid accumulation of water.
  • Collect and dispose all unusable tin cans, jars, bottles and other items that can collect and hold water.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Fire Dance at Boracay


The following were taken via Sony digicam with adjusted settings to catch the fire effects.
the Dragon & its Fireball! 



the Seagull

Monday, September 6, 2010

My Trip Advisor Review for Astoria Boracay

Astoria Boracay's WEBSITE

Astoria Boracay is indeed the BEST hotel along white sand shore of Boracay! Guests need not to walk on foot walk or ride a motor trike to reach the beach. Guests just take a few steps – a couple or three – behind the hotel, and presto – the world renowned Boracay beach!

Along with the world-class amenities of Astoria Boracay is its very noticeable immaculate white and lustrous glass design. In the event that night falls, the 22-meter swimming pool adds grandiose to the edifice as it is perfectly lit with blue-color lights submerged in the pool somehow imitating the azure hue of the sea. Strategically placed are CCTVs that monitors all angles of the vicinity for added security among guests.

Rooms are equally relaxing for its very comfy lighting system. Amidst the amenities of the room are as follows: high-speed wifi connection, personal-sized refrigerator, LCD television, kettle, slippers (hotel-complement), beach towels other than body, face and hand towels, three pillows in each bed (great buddies for pillow lovers), sufficient DC sockets, and large safety deposit box for security purposes. In addition to the characteristics of the vault, it is indeed spacious that had accommodated the reviewer’s two (2) laptops, one (1) videocam, one (1) digicam, mens’ wallet and accessories. Rest rooms are very much comfortable to fit vanity kits, toiletries and others. More so, it houses a tub that catches water from three water sources – the faucet and two types of showers.

Rooms are smoke-free but has balcony where nicotine-lover may play his smoke! As to the food, they serve all buffet style. To late risers, worry not as breakfast is made available up to two hours before noon. A choice of local and western menus are also available to the preference of the guests. Bar is made just outside the hotel near the beach that offers acoustic, pop and mind-soothing tunes from live band of three or more. Just adjacent the outside bar is the location for the famous fire dancing exposition; a very suitable hotel to catch the gleaming fire at night!

As for the staff, very much recommendable! The hotel is sufficient with manpower! Anywhere of the hotel, you can grab (what-a-word!) a friendly, accommodating and apparently well-trained personnel for your needs and queries – be it in the room (the conventional Dial-Zero operator), the pool area, the bar and others! Seemingly, over staffed hotel! A great factor though!

What else??? As a guest checks-out, a short survey/questionnaire is offered. This certainly gives chance for retention of good service and improvement on some loopholes (which I think none as per our stay). Part of the survey asks what three things a guest desires for his comeback in Boracay; as for the reviewer, he simply answered the following – 1.) the white sand beach, 2.) the fire dance, and 3.) ASTORIA BORACAY!