Goodbye to The Correspondents

The Correspondents ends its 12-year run on ABS-CBN tonight

In its 12 years on air, ABS-CBN's premier news documentary program The Correspondents has featured significant events in the country's history as well as life-changing human interest stories on the plight of ordinary Filipinos.

This Tuesday (October 19), viewers will get to revisit the stories of 12 individuals who have become part of the 12 colorful and brilliant years of The Correspondents.

The story of Nicolai Magtibay, the young child stricken with Bilary Atresia in the episode "Yellow Babies," won at the 2004 New York TV and Film Festival. Relive the story of Lola Susana, who was a senior citizen in jail who finally got freedom with the help of the program.

The Correspondents will also look back at the story of several out-of-school youth working as miners, and who are now finally back to school. Take a trip again to Barangay San Ysiro, where residents are still waiting for progress to arrive to their community.

These are the people who have given a face to the issues in our society. They are the people whose lives had changed in the 12 years of this news documentary program.

Known for its reports on the biting realities and analyses on the biggest news in the nation, it is also home to the country's known journalists such as Karen Davila, Abner Mercado, Bernadette Sembrano, and Ces Oreña-Drilon. The program has also received honors here and abroad from award-giving bodies like the UNICEF Child Rights Awards, Catholic Mass Media Awards, Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, USTv Awards, and the  Lasallian Scholarum Awards.

This ABS-CBN show also brought its documentaries and anchors to different colleges and universities through The Correspondents' Docuniversity Tour. This allowed the anchors to personally share their documentaries, and their experiences and tips as broadcast journalists to thousands of mass communication students.

The Best of the Correspondents airs tonight (October 19) after Bandila on ABS-CBN.

From PEP

Ninoy Aquino Day

Every 21st of August, we commemorate the death of a hero, Ninoy Aquino. He was assasinated in the tarmac MIA, now known as NAIA. This is a public holiday here in our country. PGMA, our former president, used to move all holidays on its nearest Monday.

Originally, the 23rd of August is a holiday as it is the nearest Monday of the 21st. But PNoy’s decision to declare August 23rd as regular day made everyone else grieving except me. I am very, very grateful for his decision. It means a double pay Saturday for me. (My schedule is Tuesday to Saturday, that’s why.)

"The president is empowered under RA No. 9492 to modify holidays by law, order or proclamation," Lacierda said.

Oh, I’m so happy. Thanks PNoy!

osMun closing down?

Earlier this month, I heard a rumour of OsMun closing down. I have relayed to my DH what I heard and of course, we exchanged thoughts about this issue and had been our nightly topic for one week. This has been so timely after ASP won his second term of mayoralty in the city. Who’d feel so bad about it? Those who still believed he is the better leader for the city, the Muntinlupeños who casted their vote for him. The hearsay of workers being laid off and nurses working as volunteers has been confirmed by officemate who’s SIL is a “volunteer nurse” now in the hospital. I don’t want to say further comments on this matter as I might be biased. This has been the first and only public hospital for them and yet, there are speculations of it nearing its end. I just have a simple wish for the city government, that is to put all their means just to save the hospital from closing down.

Another lawyer is in the house

Yebah!!!

The whole family of hubby was in festive mood last weekend. The reason, another lawyer is in the house. My SIL has passed the 2009 Bar Exam.

I'd say I almost had a heart attack last Friday. I was still in the office (my schedule was midshift) when the husband asked me to check online if the result has already been released by Supreme Court since they announced the result will be released at 6pm. It was like past 7 or 8 in the evening if I remember it right that I was frantically refreshing the site every 5 minutes or so.

I was even online in FB checking for updates. By 10pm, finally the result has been released simultaneously. My heart beats faster and faster every single second that I really thought I'd have a heart attack - seriously. The loading of the page was so slow, I tell you. It took almost 12 minutes to show the names with MO as start of last name. I stopped when I saw her name and took a screenshot as proof.

I can’t explain how I felt when I saw her name. I felt for moment, my heart stopped. Gawd!, I texted her and the husband immediately. She, together with her niece and nephew, was already on their way home as they got bored waiting for the result. They were screaming and shouting inside the jeepney by then. (The next day, she told me I was the one who broke the good news to her.)

Whoah! Finally, her journey has ended and a new one has just begun. As the usual joke in the family, Joshua and Claire can now go bad as they have another lawyer who'll defend them in court.

Congrats ate!
Congrats Atty. Maria Cecilia Moldez!

International Women’s Day

Whatever you give a woman, she will make it greater. Give her sperm, she will give you a baby. Give her a house, she will give you a home. Give her groceries, she will give you a meal. Give her a smile and she will give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what she is given. So if you give her crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.

REJOICE AND BE PROUD! I AM A WOMAN!

PGMA is dead

Oh no! Someone is in trouble? Manila Bulletin that is. Their issue yesterday (August 6, 2009) showed a picture with caption WITH UTMOST CARE that had the biggest mistake of writing coffin of President Arroyo instead of President Aquino.

How will Malacañang react? Hmm…

I was wondering though, didn’t MB proof read before publishing the news? Also, as far as I remember in HS, our teacher told us that MB is usually pro administration when it comes to news. Now, will they still be like this?

As always, abangan ang susunod na kabanata…

Democracy Icon

After more than a year of battling colon cancer, our President Corazon Aquino passed away today. It was his only son, Senator Noynoy Aquino who announced her passing.

The official statement states: “Our mother peacefully passed away at 3:18 a.m. August 1, 2009 of cardio respiratory arrest. She would have wanted us to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and our country. Hinihiling po ng aming pamilya ang konting panahon para makasama namin ang aming mahal na ina."

Read more here.

Corazon Cojuangco – Aquino (1933-2009 )

H1N1 virus severely affects pregnancy

A colleague of forwarded me this article. It was scary and I fervently prayed that me and my preggie friends will be spared from the virus.

Study: H1N1 virus more severely affects pregnant women ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Pregnant women infected with the H1N1 virus are more likely to be hospitalized from it and perhaps even more likely to die from it, according to a federal study released Wednesday. The authors of the study suggest that pregnant women infected with the virus, commonly known as swine flu, take antiviral drugs to protect themselves and their fetuses. "If they feel sick, they need to call their health care provider and their health care provider needs to prescribe antivirals promptly," said Dr. Denise J. Jamieson, lead author of the study and a medical officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some doctors are reluctant to prescribe the drugs to pregnant women because they are concerned about their possible effect on the fetus, but Jamieson urged them to put aside those concerns. "We know, in this situation, the benefits very likely outweigh the risks, because pregnant women could get pretty darn sick with influenza," the obstetrician-gynecologist told CNN. In fact, they could get more than sick. Of the 45 H1N1 deaths reported to the CDC between April 15 and June 16, six (13 percent) were among pregnant women. All of them had been healthy before infection, and all went on to develop viral pneumonia, leading to acute respiratory distress that required them to be placed on ventilators, Jamieson said. She acknowledged that the numbers are small, but said data collected since then are still reason for concern. Of the 266 H1N1 deaths investigated by the CDC to date, 15 (6 percent) were among pregnant women, she said. That's six times the percentage of U.S. women who are pregnant at any given time. In addition, pregnant women infected with H1N1 were four times as likely as sick people in the general population to be hospitalized for it, she said. But the study cautioned that part of that increase may be because of doctors being more likely to hospitalize a pregnant woman than a nonpregnant person with similar symptoms. Still, the apparent disproportionate impact of H1N1 on pregnant women is not surprising, given the body changes that occur during pregnancy, she said. As the uterus grows and pushes the diaphragm up, there is less room for the lungs," affecting a woman's ability to breathe, she said. Pregnancy's impact goes beyond structural; it affects the body's ability to fight off illness, she said. "A pregnant woman has to accommodate this foreign body of the growing fetus, so there is an immunological shift that occurs in pregnancy," she said. Though it is not clear whether that immunological shift translates into a greater likelihood of contracting the virus, there is no doubt that it can result in more severe illness among pregnant women who are infected with it, she said. "They are more severely affected, and that is consistent with what we are seeing with this H1N1," she said. Still, Jamieson said she is not recommending that pregnant women avoid crowds or take any other precautions that would affect their daily routines. She said she hopes to continue to track what happens to the H1N1-infected pregnant women in the report, though the details have yet to be worked out.

Top ten Filipino blogs

I got this information from Spot.PH

These are the top ten Manila’s best-known money making bloggers.

1. Byahilo.com – owned by Enrico Dee. He earns around P20,000 to P40,000 a month.
2. Jehzlau-Concepts.com – owned by Jehzeel Laurente. He refused to divulge his online earnings, but rough estimate is P10,000 to P15,000 a month.
3. Micamyx.com – owned by Micaela Francesca Rodriguez. Estimated earnings is about P5,000 to P6,000per month.
4. YugaTech.com – owned by Abe Olandres. He earns around $5,000 a month for this blog.
5. Baratillo.net – owned by Juned Sonido. His first earning is around $40 to $70 a month. He now earns about P5,000 to P6,000 a month.
6. FitzVillafuerte.com / ThirstyBlogger.com – owned by Fitz Villafuerte. He earns at least $1,000 a month.
7. BatangYagit.com – owned by Winson Almendras. He earns an estimate of $50 to $100 a month.
8. OurAwesomePlanet.com – owned by Anton Diaz. He usually earns P10,000 a month.
9. ABuggedLife.com – owned by Jayvee Fernandez. He earns P6,000 a month.
10. ByranBoy.com – owned by Bryan Boy. He earns $1,000 a month.

To read more of the details, go here.

Are you ready for IPv6?

IPv6 is short for "Internet Protocol Version 6". IPv6 is the "next generation" protocol designed by the IETF to replace the current version Internet Protocol, IP Version 4 ("IPv4").

In 2011, IPv6 will fully be implemented. At the time of writing, we still have 745 days to be prepared and get equipped with IPv6 knowledge.

Scary!!!

We aren’t anymore negative of the A H1N1 virus, as of yesterday, 10-year old girl was confirmed to have the said virus.

Read more.

DOH - UPDATE NO. 18 - RP's FIRST H1N1 CASE

21 May  2009

The Department of Health is officially announcing this evening the first confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1) in the Philippines.

A female traveler arrived in the Philippines on May 18, Monday, from the United States and Canada. A throat specimen was collected, and was tested at the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) on May 20, Wednesday, after she developed fever, sore throat and cough. 

Today, RITM confirmed that the specimen tested positive for the novel Influenza A (H1N1) on PCR using the primers sent by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

She was immediately started on an antiviral, Oseltamivir, and given supportive care. At this time, the patient is continuously being monitored. She no longer has fever or cough, but still has sore throat. 

The DOH would like to emphasize that there is no community level outbreak in the country and measures are being done by the government to prevent transmission, starting with the quarantine of household close contacts.

The family of the patient has been informed and advised about the situation. We would like to thank them for their cooperation and willingness to comply with the recommendations of the DOH. They were advised to observe self-monitoring, home quarantine, social distancing, proper hygiene and respiratory etiquette procedures. 

We appeal to our media partners and the rest of the nation to respect the privacy and anonymity of the patient and her family. Rest assured that any information vital to protect public health and safety will be appropriately shared to those concerned. 

The DOH also stresses that the discovery of this first case of Influenza A(H1N1) in the Philippines is something we have been preparing for and is a result of the collective efforts of both public and private sectors as well as the effective surveillance system which we have put in place.

The DOH has already notified the International Health Regulations (IHR) and will submit its official report in 24 hours.

Influenza A (H1N1) is currently affecting 41 other countries with 11,034 cases and 85 deaths. Thus far, the behavior of the virus is to cause generally mild illness and low mortality (<1%) in the affected population.

This development only shows the vulnerability of all countries to the threat of Influenza A (H1N1) which indicates that no nation and no government should be complacent. Thus, we continue to strengthen our systems for surveillance, early detection and management and effective response. We are also closely coordinating with the WHO, other agencies of government and the private sector to effectively combat the virus.

Our stockpiles of Oseltamivir is currently sufficient at 1 million capsules and have been distributed in regional hubs all over the country. We would like to remind the public that Oseltamivir may only be dispensed and taken upon the advice of your doctor. Irrational use can result in drug resistance that causes the drug to become ineffective in the future.

We reiterate to the public that government is on top of the situation and everyone is advised to be vigilant. If you have arrived from an affected country and develop flu-like symptoms (or TRANGKASO) such as fever, sore throat and cough, immediately consult a medical professional or call the DOH Hotline at (02) 711-1001 or 711-1002.

This situation is evolving globally. We will give regular updates to the media and the public as information becomes available. 

To know more about Influenza A(H1N1), you may go to the DOH Influenza A(H1N1) Website at www.doh.gov.ph/h1n1

FDA (USA) Advisory

All drugs containing PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE are being recalled. Stop taking anything containing this ingredient. It has been linked to increase hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding of the brain) among women ages 18 to 49 and seizures in children.

Examples of drugs containing such here in our country are:

• Alkaseltzer
• Dimetapp
• Robitussin
• Dexatrim
• Bioflu
• Neozep
• Sinutab
• Decolgen

Check their website for more info.

Products with Melamine

You may want to know. This are the list of products tested by Centre for Food Safety in HongKong as has been detected to contain melamine. For the complete list, check here.

1. White Rabbit creamy candies
Manufacturer: Shanghai GuanSheng Yuan Food General Factory
Address: 220 Cao Bao Road, Shanghai


2. Natural Choice Yogurt Flavoured Ice Bar with Real Fruit
Manufacturer: Shanghai Yili AB Foods., Ltd
Address: No. 269 Beidou Road, Minhang Zone, Shanghai P.R. of China

3. Yili Super Bean Red Bean Chestnut Ice Bar
Manufacturer: Shanghai Yili AB Foods Co., Ltd
Address: No. 269 Beidou Road, Minhang Zone, Shanghai P.R. of China

4. Yili Bean Club- Matcha red bean ice bar
Manufacturer: Shanghai Yili AB Foods Co., Ltd
Address: No. 269 Beidou Road, Minhang Zone, Shanghai P.R. of China

5. Yili High Calcium Milk Beverage
Manufacturer: Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd.
Address: No.2, Jin 3 Ave, Jinchuan Development Zone, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China

6. Yili Bean Club- Red bean milk bar
Manufacturer: Shanghai Yili AB Foods Co., Ltd
Address: No. 269 Beidou Road, Minhang Zone, Shanghai P.R. of China

7. Yili Prestige Chocliz - Dark Chocolate Bar
Manufacturer: Shanghai Yili AB Foods Co., Ltd
Address: No. 269 Beidou Road, Minhang Zone, Shanghai P.R. of China

8. Yili Pure Milk
Manufacturer: Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd.
Address: No.2, Jin 3 Ave, Jinchuan Development Zone, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China

9. Yili Pure Milk
Manufacturer: Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd.
Address: No.2, Jin 3 Ave, Jinchuan Development Zone, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China

10 Yili High calcium low fat milk beverage
Manufacturer: Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd.
Address: No.2, Jin 3 Ave, Jinchuan Development Zone, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China

11. Nestle Dairy Farm UHT Pure Milk 1L (Catering)
Manufacturer: Nestlé Qingdao Limited
Address: Weihai Xi Lu, Laixi City, Qingdao, China

12. Four Seas Cake (Strawberry Flavour)
Sole Agent: Four Seas Mercantile Limited
Address: Four Seas Group Building, No. 1, Hong Ting Road, Sai Kung, Hong Kong

I just wish our own BFAD will release their own list soon. This is really, really scary. We are not buying any dairy products except the little boy's infant formula which, Thank God!, is listed here as one of the products that do not contain melamine.

BPA in feeding bottles - another update

New health risks linked with plastic in bottles

CHICAGO – The first major study of health effects in people from a chemical used in plastic baby bottles, food cans, and a host of other products links it with possible risks for heart disease and diabetes.

It suggests a potential new concern about the safety of bisphenol A, or BPA. And because of the possible public health implications, the results "deserve scientific follow-up," the study authors said.

But the study is preliminary, far from proof that the chemical causes heart disease and diabetes. Two Dartmouth College analysts of medical research said the study raises questions but provides no answers about whether the ubiquitous chemical is harmful.

The findings were released to coincide with the researchers' presentation of their findings at a US Food and Drug Administration scientific advisers' hearing.

The FDA has the power to limit use of BPA in food containers and medical devices, but last month released an internal report concluding that BPA exposure is not enough to warrant action.

Since then, another government agency released a separate report concluding that risks to people, in particular to infants and children, cannot be ruled out.

Past animal studies have suggested reproductive and hormone-related problems from BPA. The new study is the largest to examine possible BPA effects in people and the first suggesting a direct link to heart disease, said scientists Frederick vom Saal and John Peterson Myers, both longtime critics of the chemical.

They wrote an editorial accompanying the study, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Still, they said more rigorous studies are needed to confirm the results.

Vom Saal is a biological sciences professor at University of Missouri who has served as an expert witness and consultant on BPA litigation. Myers is chief scientist at Environmental Health Sciences, a Charlottesville, Virginia, nonprofit group.

BPA is used in hardened plastics in a wide range of consumer goods including food containers, eyeglass lenses and compact discs. Many scientists believe it can act like the hormone estrogen, and animal studies have linked it with breast, prostate and reproductive system problems and some cancers.

Researchers from Britain and the University of Iowa examined a US government health survey of 1,455 American adults who gave urine samples in 2003-04 and reported whether they had any of several common diseases.

Participants were divided into four groups based on BPA urine amounts; more than 90 percent had detectable BPA in their urine.

A total of 79 had heart attacks, chest pain or other types of cardiovascular disease and 136 had diabetes. There were more than twice as many people with heart disease or diabetes in the highest BPA group than in the lowest BPA group. The study showed no connection between BPA and other ailments, including cancer.

No one in the study had BPA urine amounts showing higher than recommended exposure levels, said co-author Dr. David Melzer, a University of Exeter researcher.

Drs. Lisa Schwartz and Steven Woloshin of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice said the study presents no clear information about what might have caused participants' heart disease and diabetes.

"Measuring who has disease and high BPA levels at a single point in time cannot tell you which comes first," Schwartz said.

The study authors acknowledge that it's impossible to rule out that people who already have heart disease or diabetes are somehow more vulnerable to having BPA show up in their urine.

"There's a small possibility that there's some other factor that's explaining this and it's not due to BPA itself. We've done everything we can think of to exclude that possibility, but it would be nice to get more direct evidence," Melzer said.

The American Chemistry Council, an industry trade group, said the study is flawed, has substantial limitations and proves nothing.

"As the authors themselves note, they do not conclude that the presence of BPA is causing adverse health effects — they merely noted a statistical association," the group said in a statement.

But Dr. Ana Soto of Tufts University said the study raises enough concerns to warrant government action to limit BPA exposure.

"We shouldn't wait until further studies are done in order to act in protecting humans," said Soto, who has called for more restrictions in the past.

An earlier lab experiment with human fat tissue found that BPA can interfere with a hormone involved in protecting against diabetes, heart disease and obesity. That study appeared online last month in Environmental Health Perspectives, a monthly journal published by the National Institutes of Health.

Government toxicology experts have also studied BPA and recently completed their own report based on earlier animal studies. They found no strong evidence of health hazards from BPA, but said there was "some concern" about possible effects on the brain in fetuses, infants and children.

Several states are considering restricting BPA use, some manufacturers have begun promoting BPA-free baby bottles, and some stores are phasing out baby products containing the chemical. The European Union has said BPA-containing products are safe, but Canada's government has proposed banning the sale of baby bottles with BPA as a precaution.

Snagged here.

Ces Drilon and TV crews missing in Sulu

OH MY GOD!!!

Ces Drilon and her TV crews are missing in Sulu.

Read here.

New Seven Wonders of Nature

Thanks to PBB Teen Edition Plus 2, I become aware that four of our own nature's wonders are nominated as New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Tubbataha Reef (Current Rank: 4)Tubbataha Reef is an atoll coral reef in the Sulu Sea that belongs to the Philippines. It is a marine sanctuary protected as Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. The reef is composed of two atolls, North and South Reefs. Each reef has a single small islet that protrudes from the water. The atolls are separated by a deep channel 8 kilometers wide. Over one thousand species, including many that are endangered, can be found at on the reef. These include manta rays, lionfish, tortoises, clownfish and sharks.

Chocolate Hills (Current Rank: 7)The Chocolate Hills is an unusual geological formation in Bohol, Philippines. It is composed of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills, all about the same size, spread over an area of more than 50 sq km The hills are covered in green grass that turns brown during the dry season, giving them the name ''Chocolate Hills.''

Puerto Princesa Subtarranean River National Park (Current Rank: 10)

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. It features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The underground river is reputed to be the world's longest. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water's edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave.

Mayon Volcano (Current Rank: 11)Mayon Volcano is an active volcano on the Filipino island of Luzon, 15 km northwest of Legazpi City. It is classified by volcanologists as a stratovolcano (composite volcano). Its symmetric cone was formed through alternate pyroclastic and lava flows. Mayon is the most active volcano in the country, having erupted over 47 times in the past 400 years, and is a part of what is called the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Let's support and vote for our own Wonders of Nature. One vote counts Seven. Visit their site here.

Note: Pictures and description of the nominees are from the site as well.

Will you forget

That you have a toddler in tow at the airport? I may never had a chance to be inside the plane with my kid but I swear that I will never, ever leave my sight on him. Gawd! This is ridiculous!

*****
Tickets, check. Passports, check. Luggage, check. Baby ... oops.

A family boarded a flight on Monday in westernmost Canada, and forgot their tot at the Vancouver international airport, media said Tuesday.

The 23-month-old boy's family had just arrived in Canada from the Philippines, but they were forced to repack their overweight bags before catching a connecting flight to Winnipeg, causing them to run late.

In their sprint to the gate, the family became separated.

The boy's father Jun Parreno, told local media he had thought his son was with his wife and the boy's grandparents, who ran ahead. They thought the boy was with his dad.

On the plane, the family members were seated separately and so did not immediately realize they had left the child behind.

Sometime later, a security guard found the boy, who speaks no English, wandering near the departure gate, and Air Canada officials tracked down his shocked parents on the flight.

Because the boy was so young, he was not issued a boarding pass and would have sat on a parent's lap during the flight, so airline personnel did not notice a passenger was missing.

According to the Vancouver Sun, airport security found a Tagalog-speaking Air Canada agent who looked after the child while his father flew 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles) back to Vancouver to pick him up and then return to Winnipeg to rejoin the immigrant family on their first day in Canada.

The baby was kept in Air Canada's offices and staff found him some toys, said local media.

"Air Canada took good care of him," Parreno told the daily Winnipeg Free Press upon arrival. "I'm grateful."
*****

Parents board flight, forget toddler at airport