Recipes to Help Secure Our Right to Safe Food
The "talong" is food close to the Filipinos' palate. It is one of the most popular, if often inexpensive, food fares that can be prepared and cooked in hundreds of ways imaginable. However, the Filipinos' love affair with the talong could change should we be served soon with dishes laced with genetically modified eggplants. Field tests have taken or are taking place in different parts of the country to evaluate the performance of a GMO talong variety. The field tests are prerequite to possible commercialization of said variety once government authorities permit this. This talong variety has been genetically modified to contain a toxin gene from a soil-borne bacteria to kill and control insect pests. Recently, the government of India rejected an application for commercialization of a similar eggplant variety for various health and environmental reasons. In contrast, Philippine authorities appear inclined to permit the commercial planting and selling of GMO talong by early next year. That is, unless Filipinos take a stand and express their opposition to being practically force-fed with BT Talong.
Following are some recipes to show ways how talong can be prepared. The recipes here include common and modified (not genetically) combinations of ingredients for a delectable culinary experience. This is intended to increase our appreciation for the talong, which is cholesterol-free and contains important phytonutrients (known as nasumin, an antioxidant), phenolic compounds and flavonoids that are helpful in reducing toxins inside the body. Let us keep our talong GMO-free. Say NO to BT Talong!
TALONG BURGER AND CHIPS
Ingredients for Talong Burger
4 pcs large eggplant
1 pc large egg
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon minced onions
t teaspoon finely chopped garlic
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 cup cooking oil
Procedure:
Boil eggplant until cooked. Peel, mash and add all the remaining ingredients. Form in round balls, flat into a patty shape then fry until golden brown.
Ingredients for Talong Chips
4 pcs large eggplant
1 cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon garlic-salt powder
2 cups cooking oil
Procedure:
Slice eggplant thinly, dip in the breading made of cornstarch and garlic-salt powder, deep-fry until crispy. Serve with your favorite dip.
ABOUT THE SOURCE:
Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment (SEARICE), an NGO based in the Philippines that works with farmers in different countries to help keep seeds freely accessible and the future of food secure for all. Check their website at searice.org.ph.
Click here to Join our Sustainable Culinary Tour!
Email activeculture@Ymail.com, if you are looking for:
1.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity
2.Organic Cooperative movement
3.Camping or Tree-planting sites
4.Ecotour, Field trips
5.Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 (RA 10068) materials
6.Environmental Resource Speaker (Expert)
7.Farm training or apprenticeship programs (free-range poultry, vermiculture and vermicomposting, organic agriculture conversion ie rice, corn, sugarcane etc)
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Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
NO to BT Talong!!
BT Talong is an eggplant that looks like your ordinary eggplant, but actually contains a gene from the soil-borne bacterium Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT), which does not naturally occur in plants.
The toxin, the cry gene of BT was inserted into the eggplant's structure through a process of genetic engineering* has an insecticidal trait that is expected to kill specific types of insects. In the case of BT Talong, the specific toxin inserted into the genome of the eggplant is toxic to the fruit and shoot borer, a known pest of the eggplant.
*genetic engineering, a process of altering an organism's genetic structure by rearranging, transferring or inserting (not naturally) genes from one organism to another.
Why Should Filipinos Say NO to BT Talong?
HEALTH RISKS
The lack of comprehensive risk assessment on the potential impacts of genetically modified (GM) crops on human health and the environment should be enough to pause and reconsider.
Analysis done by Dr. Seralini on the BT eggplant in the Philippines shows that tests were invalid, and the BT Brinjal (eggplant in India) may cause liver, blood and stomach problems.
The tests also do not validly measure the long-term effects of BT eggplant. Also, as Seralini pointed out, the recommendation of Mahyco, the corporation that partnered with Monsanto that consumption of BT Brinjal be limited to 50-100g for a person per day for five days "for a safe dose level" puts to doubt the safety of BT eggplant as food.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
High Possibility of Contamination through Cross Polination
Eggplant is considered as a cross-polinated plant and the Philippines has a total of 80 known varieties grown all over the country. There is a high possibility of contamination of non BT eggplant through cross-polination. Farmers planting organic eggplants will seriously suffer because they will no longer be able to guarantee the integrity of their products. Organic farming standards do not allow the use of GMOs.
CONSUMER RIGHTS ENDANGERED
The Philippines has no law or regulation on labelling of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and products derived from GMOs. Consumers would not be able to exercise their right to choose between the Talong and the BT Talong, if BT Talong is commercialized.
NO COMPLETE PUBLIC CONSULTATION OR PARTICIPATION
The proponents of BT Talong in the Philippines consider the Public Information Sheet (PIS) regarding the field trials enough for the public to participate in decision making processes in relation to field testing. This does not comply to the minimum requirements stated in the Philippines' National Biosafety Framework of public participation. In addition, PIS does not contain substantial information for the public to raise their concerns and usually posted in obscure places and published in newspaper sections that nobody reads.
The Philippines is the sixth largest eggplant producer in the world and figures as a major ingredient in typical Filipino dishes such as in pinakbet, sinigang and tortang talong. Why risk? Why take the chance? Say NO to BT Talong!! What else can you do as a Farmer or Consumer? Email Us!
The toxin, the cry gene of BT was inserted into the eggplant's structure through a process of genetic engineering* has an insecticidal trait that is expected to kill specific types of insects. In the case of BT Talong, the specific toxin inserted into the genome of the eggplant is toxic to the fruit and shoot borer, a known pest of the eggplant.
*genetic engineering, a process of altering an organism's genetic structure by rearranging, transferring or inserting (not naturally) genes from one organism to another.
Why Should Filipinos Say NO to BT Talong?
HEALTH RISKS
The lack of comprehensive risk assessment on the potential impacts of genetically modified (GM) crops on human health and the environment should be enough to pause and reconsider.
Analysis done by Dr. Seralini on the BT eggplant in the Philippines shows that tests were invalid, and the BT Brinjal (eggplant in India) may cause liver, blood and stomach problems.
The tests also do not validly measure the long-term effects of BT eggplant. Also, as Seralini pointed out, the recommendation of Mahyco, the corporation that partnered with Monsanto that consumption of BT Brinjal be limited to 50-100g for a person per day for five days "for a safe dose level" puts to doubt the safety of BT eggplant as food.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
High Possibility of Contamination through Cross Polination
Eggplant is considered as a cross-polinated plant and the Philippines has a total of 80 known varieties grown all over the country. There is a high possibility of contamination of non BT eggplant through cross-polination. Farmers planting organic eggplants will seriously suffer because they will no longer be able to guarantee the integrity of their products. Organic farming standards do not allow the use of GMOs.
CONSUMER RIGHTS ENDANGERED
The Philippines has no law or regulation on labelling of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and products derived from GMOs. Consumers would not be able to exercise their right to choose between the Talong and the BT Talong, if BT Talong is commercialized.
NO COMPLETE PUBLIC CONSULTATION OR PARTICIPATION
The proponents of BT Talong in the Philippines consider the Public Information Sheet (PIS) regarding the field trials enough for the public to participate in decision making processes in relation to field testing. This does not comply to the minimum requirements stated in the Philippines' National Biosafety Framework of public participation. In addition, PIS does not contain substantial information for the public to raise their concerns and usually posted in obscure places and published in newspaper sections that nobody reads.
The Philippines is the sixth largest eggplant producer in the world and figures as a major ingredient in typical Filipino dishes such as in pinakbet, sinigang and tortang talong. Why risk? Why take the chance? Say NO to BT Talong!! What else can you do as a Farmer or Consumer? Email Us!
Petition to Dept of Agri |
About Professor Gilles-Eric Seralini:
He is a molecular biologist at the University of Caen, team leader and author of books on environment and GMOs. He was expert of the French government and the European Union on GMOs, currently the president of the scientific council for independent research on genetic engineering (criigen.org).
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
There's Something About Mary
BY REYLYNNE DELA PAZ
I’ve never felt this way before. My days have not been this exciting. I’ve never looked forward to waking up each day than the way I do now. I’ve never been this committed, so dedicated and happy. Never been refreshed and invigorated. I’ve never been so willing to sacrifice and go through pain for the sake of love and togetherness. Even if some of my friends don’t agree and understand why I’m in this, I don’t think I’d give up and stop fighting. I went really crazy.
There’s something about mary. There’s something about running a marathon that I enjoy, including the hurt and sacrifices it entails.
People around me often wonder what is in running that I love and while I can go on and on talking about the benefits of running, what I don’t miss saying is how it changed my life.
After getting injured from the 34th Milo Marathon in June, I rested and thought of saying goodbye to marathons. I took a rest from running for days and without a dash of exaggeration, those were one of the depressing days I had my whole life. It felt like ending a meaningful relationship that I’d wake up each day with an overwhelming feeling of emptiness. Not that there was nothing else in my life that gave me joy and satisfaction, but it was just that a huge part of me and my routine was removed. I missed those days when I’d force myself to get out of bed to start running and lag the required mileage. I longed for those moments when I’d die in envy seeing my friends indulge in my favorite chips and pastries, and those times when I’d turn my back from a good book or movie to rest and sleep. It didn’t sound fun, I know, but it was the glee of knowing that you have the ability to actually control yourself and firmly commit to something. It’s like giving yourself a pat on the back for being able to choose what’s right and necessary for the sake of a goal.
But even those times when I wasn’t training and lie low with running, I noticed that I could no longer afford going back to my old lifestyle and be completely careless about what I eat, etc. Running, especially marathons, turned my life upside down. It taught me not only discipline but also provided me with a fresh perspectives in life. When going through difficulties and frustration and tempted to give up or get grumpy, I’d just remind myself of those marathons that I was able to finish despite so much pain, and of the joy of being able to overcome the odds to get to the finish. Marathons remind me that reaching a goal requires hard work. They allowed me to get to know myself better and the strength that lies within me after the threat of cancer.
While healing from my injury, I had to let go of the Camsur Marathon which was just a month away from Milo and promised myself that I would redeem myself from that bad run in my next marathon which is the Quezon City International Marathon.
As soon as I got my strength back and my injury felt better, I laced up, ran again and began training for the 2nd QCIM. I don’t now how to accurately describe the feeling of being reunited with something so dear to me but I felt a different high while training.
Right now, so much of my time is devoted to training for the QCIM2. I’m looking forward to an enjoyable, safe and injury-free run.
My first half marathon was at the first QCIM and, because it is one of my favorite events, there I will run my fourth full marathon for this year.
About The Author:
Reylynne is a RUNNEX hardcore marathoner with a lightness of spirit. However, she should not be taken lightly as she is an Advocate too. She says in her Runvocate blog, "There are countless times when running has been my escape from the challenges of being an advocate and how I ran to the advocacy to give more meaning to running."
I’ve never felt this way before. My days have not been this exciting. I’ve never looked forward to waking up each day than the way I do now. I’ve never been this committed, so dedicated and happy. Never been refreshed and invigorated. I’ve never been so willing to sacrifice and go through pain for the sake of love and togetherness. Even if some of my friends don’t agree and understand why I’m in this, I don’t think I’d give up and stop fighting. I went really crazy.
There’s something about mary. There’s something about running a marathon that I enjoy, including the hurt and sacrifices it entails.
People around me often wonder what is in running that I love and while I can go on and on talking about the benefits of running, what I don’t miss saying is how it changed my life.
After getting injured from the 34th Milo Marathon in June, I rested and thought of saying goodbye to marathons. I took a rest from running for days and without a dash of exaggeration, those were one of the depressing days I had my whole life. It felt like ending a meaningful relationship that I’d wake up each day with an overwhelming feeling of emptiness. Not that there was nothing else in my life that gave me joy and satisfaction, but it was just that a huge part of me and my routine was removed. I missed those days when I’d force myself to get out of bed to start running and lag the required mileage. I longed for those moments when I’d die in envy seeing my friends indulge in my favorite chips and pastries, and those times when I’d turn my back from a good book or movie to rest and sleep. It didn’t sound fun, I know, but it was the glee of knowing that you have the ability to actually control yourself and firmly commit to something. It’s like giving yourself a pat on the back for being able to choose what’s right and necessary for the sake of a goal.
But even those times when I wasn’t training and lie low with running, I noticed that I could no longer afford going back to my old lifestyle and be completely careless about what I eat, etc. Running, especially marathons, turned my life upside down. It taught me not only discipline but also provided me with a fresh perspectives in life. When going through difficulties and frustration and tempted to give up or get grumpy, I’d just remind myself of those marathons that I was able to finish despite so much pain, and of the joy of being able to overcome the odds to get to the finish. Marathons remind me that reaching a goal requires hard work. They allowed me to get to know myself better and the strength that lies within me after the threat of cancer.
While healing from my injury, I had to let go of the Camsur Marathon which was just a month away from Milo and promised myself that I would redeem myself from that bad run in my next marathon which is the Quezon City International Marathon.
As soon as I got my strength back and my injury felt better, I laced up, ran again and began training for the 2nd QCIM. I don’t now how to accurately describe the feeling of being reunited with something so dear to me but I felt a different high while training.
Right now, so much of my time is devoted to training for the QCIM2. I’m looking forward to an enjoyable, safe and injury-free run.
My first half marathon was at the first QCIM and, because it is one of my favorite events, there I will run my fourth full marathon for this year.
About The Author:
Reylynne is a RUNNEX hardcore marathoner with a lightness of spirit. However, she should not be taken lightly as she is an Advocate too. She says in her Runvocate blog, "There are countless times when running has been my escape from the challenges of being an advocate and how I ran to the advocacy to give more meaning to running."
Saturday, November 27, 2010
2nd QCIM: My City, My Run
BY GISELLE ELGINCOLIN
I look back at October 18, 2009 with much regret, not having been able to enlist in the first Quezon City International Marathon (QCIM). Every time I would ply my usual course, the banners and streamers announcing the QCIM would beckon me; I had to look away to hide my envy. Why wouldn’t I? It was the first running event of its kind in the city I knew as home. And I wasn’t in the running.
Now that the starting line is set for the 2nd QCIM on December 5, 2010, I am making sure that all my roads lead to this prestigious event. The race route is significant to me, with the landmarks bearing affinity to milestones of my life in this city.
You see, I was born here. I grew up playing in the streets of Visayas Avenue where many government offices lined the then secluded road, as if standing at attention to salute the Quezon Memorial Circle on the Elliptical Road. It is the site where QCIM2 race participants will converge to run towards their dreams.
Being the daughter of a marathoner back in the early 1980s, my father would tirelessly wake us up at dawn so we could join him in his weekend jog at the Quezon Memorial Circle where the late president Manuel L. Quezon’s monument stands tall and proud. Back then, I wasn’t interested in the sport; it was the Circle’s trademark fountains I was drawn to. Every time we would drive home at night from a family outing, my parents would wake me and my siblings up when the fountains of the monument were in sight. The entertaining display of dancing water and lights was always a fitting finale to cap the day. It was a signal, too, that we were almost home.
Within spitting distance from the Circle is the University of the Philippines, Diliman, another leg in the QCIM2 route. Back in college at this state university, I longed for leisure walks along the Academic Oval when I wasn’t late for class. A backpack and my Trapper Keeper notebook in tow, I was always awed by the natural canopy that the Oval’s trees served. Today, the same university provides the avenue for my budding passion for running. Almost across the College of Mass Communication where I graduated from, the Executive Runners Club of the Philippines (RUNNEX) meets every Sunday for its free running clinic. Clad this time in my running shoes, the state university now serves as sacred practice ground for my new-found wings.
U.P. is bounded on one side by Commonwealth Avenue, the widest highway in Metro Manila that could lodge as many as 18 lanes. To me, no full marathon could be had in Quezon City without traversing through this famous road. I can’t recall how many times I have driven here on the defense amidst a sea of cars; this time I will simply steer myself through this runway and marvel at the many changes this part of my city has undergone. This experience affords the race participants a rare chance to sprint, skip, and hopefully, smile while conquering this otherwise busy freeway, which then takes you to La Mesa Ecopark.
42K runners navigate inside this 2,700-hectare watershed which provides water to about 12 million residents of Metro Manila. As a teacher currently practicing my profession in my beloved city, my work brings me to places such as this that instill in our children ecological awareness and love for the environment. The site is a reservoir, forest and outdoor recreational park rolled-into-one, making it a favorite destination for families and schoolchildren. The very idea of exploring the La Mesa Ecopark on rubber-shoed foot gives a semblance of being one with nature in the middle of the bustling city life. I hear that the spectacular view of the forest will send you flying into some pure wonderland.
As I look forward to finally joining the momentous QCIM2, I reclaim the streets and landmarks of my city, my history with it and my future. I will pay homage to the place where my childhood, present family life, and profession poetically run into each other.
This run is personal to me. It is a homecoming of sorts, even if I never really left.
NOTE: Article from a RUNNEX member, is originally posted on QCIM Facebook Fan Page.
I look back at October 18, 2009 with much regret, not having been able to enlist in the first Quezon City International Marathon (QCIM). Every time I would ply my usual course, the banners and streamers announcing the QCIM would beckon me; I had to look away to hide my envy. Why wouldn’t I? It was the first running event of its kind in the city I knew as home. And I wasn’t in the running.
Now that the starting line is set for the 2nd QCIM on December 5, 2010, I am making sure that all my roads lead to this prestigious event. The race route is significant to me, with the landmarks bearing affinity to milestones of my life in this city.
You see, I was born here. I grew up playing in the streets of Visayas Avenue where many government offices lined the then secluded road, as if standing at attention to salute the Quezon Memorial Circle on the Elliptical Road. It is the site where QCIM2 race participants will converge to run towards their dreams.
Being the daughter of a marathoner back in the early 1980s, my father would tirelessly wake us up at dawn so we could join him in his weekend jog at the Quezon Memorial Circle where the late president Manuel L. Quezon’s monument stands tall and proud. Back then, I wasn’t interested in the sport; it was the Circle’s trademark fountains I was drawn to. Every time we would drive home at night from a family outing, my parents would wake me and my siblings up when the fountains of the monument were in sight. The entertaining display of dancing water and lights was always a fitting finale to cap the day. It was a signal, too, that we were almost home.
Within spitting distance from the Circle is the University of the Philippines, Diliman, another leg in the QCIM2 route. Back in college at this state university, I longed for leisure walks along the Academic Oval when I wasn’t late for class. A backpack and my Trapper Keeper notebook in tow, I was always awed by the natural canopy that the Oval’s trees served. Today, the same university provides the avenue for my budding passion for running. Almost across the College of Mass Communication where I graduated from, the Executive Runners Club of the Philippines (RUNNEX) meets every Sunday for its free running clinic. Clad this time in my running shoes, the state university now serves as sacred practice ground for my new-found wings.
U.P. is bounded on one side by Commonwealth Avenue, the widest highway in Metro Manila that could lodge as many as 18 lanes. To me, no full marathon could be had in Quezon City without traversing through this famous road. I can’t recall how many times I have driven here on the defense amidst a sea of cars; this time I will simply steer myself through this runway and marvel at the many changes this part of my city has undergone. This experience affords the race participants a rare chance to sprint, skip, and hopefully, smile while conquering this otherwise busy freeway, which then takes you to La Mesa Ecopark.
42K runners navigate inside this 2,700-hectare watershed which provides water to about 12 million residents of Metro Manila. As a teacher currently practicing my profession in my beloved city, my work brings me to places such as this that instill in our children ecological awareness and love for the environment. The site is a reservoir, forest and outdoor recreational park rolled-into-one, making it a favorite destination for families and schoolchildren. The very idea of exploring the La Mesa Ecopark on rubber-shoed foot gives a semblance of being one with nature in the middle of the bustling city life. I hear that the spectacular view of the forest will send you flying into some pure wonderland.
As I look forward to finally joining the momentous QCIM2, I reclaim the streets and landmarks of my city, my history with it and my future. I will pay homage to the place where my childhood, present family life, and profession poetically run into each other.
This run is personal to me. It is a homecoming of sorts, even if I never really left.
NOTE: Article from a RUNNEX member, is originally posted on QCIM Facebook Fan Page.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
From the Garden to your Kitchen
Whether growing herbs for culinary, medicinal or ornamental value, they make a worthy addition to any garden. Growing herbs for nutritional purposes is above all the most rewarding.
They easily add flavor to your meals while improving your health due to their vitamin, mineral and other nutrient content, not to mention save you money.
Growing herbs indoors in a sunny windowsill, just steps away, enables you to harvest healthy ingredients all year round. They smell and taste great and are an exceptional addition to many recipes and add nutrition to your daily diet.
Herbals supply nutrients that are beneficial to preventing and treating of many health conditions. So, you may want to consider planting herbals to benefit your needs.
Many herbals are delicious brewed as tea. At the Villegas Organic Farms, we serve fresh herbal tea of italian oregano, gotu kola, tarragon, mint, stevia. Get to know 80 species of herbs and crops, their value to your health, and experience their benefits through a Study Tour in an Organic Farm. Email us for a schedule.
Grow a herb garden in containers. Start with the FROM THE GARDEN TO YOUR KITCHEN portable herb baskets.
The herb baskets come in small and large baskets of between 3 to 5 varieties of herbs. Great for Christmas giveaways! Email us for orders.
"Growing herbs is easy and fun and an easy way to enhance your green living."
NOTE: Most of the content here are taken from age-oldherbs.com
They easily add flavor to your meals while improving your health due to their vitamin, mineral and other nutrient content, not to mention save you money.
Growing herbs indoors in a sunny windowsill, just steps away, enables you to harvest healthy ingredients all year round. They smell and taste great and are an exceptional addition to many recipes and add nutrition to your daily diet.
Herbals supply nutrients that are beneficial to preventing and treating of many health conditions. So, you may want to consider planting herbals to benefit your needs.
Many herbals are delicious brewed as tea. At the Villegas Organic Farms, we serve fresh herbal tea of italian oregano, gotu kola, tarragon, mint, stevia. Get to know 80 species of herbs and crops, their value to your health, and experience their benefits through a Study Tour in an Organic Farm. Email us for a schedule.
HERB BASKET |
Grow a herb garden in containers. Start with the FROM THE GARDEN TO YOUR KITCHEN portable herb baskets.
The herb baskets come in small and large baskets of between 3 to 5 varieties of herbs. Great for Christmas giveaways! Email us for orders.
"Growing herbs is easy and fun and an easy way to enhance your green living."
NOTE: Most of the content here are taken from age-oldherbs.com
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Poison(ed) Bananas
BY TONY CRUZADA
AERIAL SPRAYING of hazardous chemicals over banana plantations in Davao continues despite scientific evidence of their harmful effect on human health and the environment. The plantation owners are not to be bothered nor deterred. Not by public clamor, nor by law (which they can, after all, buy).
What we see is the insensitivity and arrogance of capitalist corporations. So they produce poisoned bananas, uncaring about consumers, workers and affected communities. And under modern forms of enslavement with neo-colonial indifference and unmoderated greed.
Since protest, pleading and law dont work in this case, our best and only recourse will have to be: to produce and export clean and nutrilicious bananas ourselves. There is clean technology for growing organic banana that is preferred by the Japanese market and presumably other green markets abroad.
The bananas are grown with conscious regards and compassion for workers who co-own the enterprise. This is being done by Negros farmers under the guidance of the organization AlterTrade.
In the receiving countries to which the poisoned Davao bananas are exported, we should network with civil society organizations and consumer networks to mount an all-out campaign to shift to clean, organic bananas. While here we should expand the organic banana production and be ready to fill the demand.
In expanding production of organic banana we shall be creating jobs and business for agrarian reform beneficiaries and landless rural workers. The emphasis on clean and healthy production methods (chemical-free) will cause a recovery of the caring attitude for people that communities should nurture.
And because production will be through worker cooperation and the enterprise will be worker-owned, dignity of work will be restored, and labor amply rewarded. Morever, the enterprise can be opened for investment by small entrepreneurs such as vegetable and fruit vendors so that a wider population can benefit from the enterprise and shore up their household economy.
In this manner, immediate neighborhoods in the plantation areas are connected to other communities in municipal and urban markets, propelling the banana export industry for the benefit of many. And the beneficiary entrepreneurs can serve as change agents for more caring, self-sufficient communities.
As this pattern of production and fair trade is multiplied across many other products and localities, we shall have a nationwide rebuilding of the life chances of household and flourishing of local economies.
As to the arrogant aerial-spraying corporations, they will either go organic or close shop. Let Philippine bananas be green-organic. Let Filipino enterprise be compassionate. Let our communities be richly productive through communal modes of production and the restoration and nurturer of the sense of community.
About the Author: Tony Cruzada is a social researcher who currently writes for Kamayan para sa Kalikasan journal. Catch him at Kamayan Edsa for an environmental forum that meets every 3rd Friday monthly, 10:30AM to 2:00PM.
Want to learn how to START an organic farm or CONVERT your farm to organic?
NEXT - What is KASAMA KA Organik Koop?
AERIAL SPRAYING of hazardous chemicals over banana plantations in Davao continues despite scientific evidence of their harmful effect on human health and the environment. The plantation owners are not to be bothered nor deterred. Not by public clamor, nor by law (which they can, after all, buy).
What we see is the insensitivity and arrogance of capitalist corporations. So they produce poisoned bananas, uncaring about consumers, workers and affected communities. And under modern forms of enslavement with neo-colonial indifference and unmoderated greed.
Since protest, pleading and law dont work in this case, our best and only recourse will have to be: to produce and export clean and nutrilicious bananas ourselves. There is clean technology for growing organic banana that is preferred by the Japanese market and presumably other green markets abroad.
The bananas are grown with conscious regards and compassion for workers who co-own the enterprise. This is being done by Negros farmers under the guidance of the organization AlterTrade.
In the receiving countries to which the poisoned Davao bananas are exported, we should network with civil society organizations and consumer networks to mount an all-out campaign to shift to clean, organic bananas. While here we should expand the organic banana production and be ready to fill the demand.
In expanding production of organic banana we shall be creating jobs and business for agrarian reform beneficiaries and landless rural workers. The emphasis on clean and healthy production methods (chemical-free) will cause a recovery of the caring attitude for people that communities should nurture.
And because production will be through worker cooperation and the enterprise will be worker-owned, dignity of work will be restored, and labor amply rewarded. Morever, the enterprise can be opened for investment by small entrepreneurs such as vegetable and fruit vendors so that a wider population can benefit from the enterprise and shore up their household economy.
In this manner, immediate neighborhoods in the plantation areas are connected to other communities in municipal and urban markets, propelling the banana export industry for the benefit of many. And the beneficiary entrepreneurs can serve as change agents for more caring, self-sufficient communities.
As this pattern of production and fair trade is multiplied across many other products and localities, we shall have a nationwide rebuilding of the life chances of household and flourishing of local economies.
As to the arrogant aerial-spraying corporations, they will either go organic or close shop. Let Philippine bananas be green-organic. Let Filipino enterprise be compassionate. Let our communities be richly productive through communal modes of production and the restoration and nurturer of the sense of community.
About the Author: Tony Cruzada is a social researcher who currently writes for Kamayan para sa Kalikasan journal. Catch him at Kamayan Edsa for an environmental forum that meets every 3rd Friday monthly, 10:30AM to 2:00PM.
Want to learn how to START an organic farm or CONVERT your farm to organic?
NEXT - What is KASAMA KA Organik Koop?
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Aktong OA
Better known as Organic Agriculture (OA) Act of 2010
IT states that it is the "Policy of the State to promote, propagate, develop further, and implement the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines that will cumulatively condition and enrich the fertility of the soil, increase farm productivity, reduce pollution and destruction of the environment, prevent the depletion of natural resources, further protect the health of farmers, consumers, and the general public, and save on imported farm inputs."
As well as, "Undertake a comprehensive program for the promotion of community-based organic agriculture systems which include, among others, farmer-produced purely organic fertilizers such as compost, pesticides and other farm inputs together with a nationwide educational and promotional campaign for their use and processing, as well as the adoption of organic agricultural system as a viable alternative."
KASAMA KA Organik Koop has a series of seminar on Organic Agriculture Act (OAA) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. Email Us for more details. Other course offerings are as follows:
1]Lakbay Aral sa Bukid Organiko (Study Tour in an Organic Farm)
This is a one-day activity designed to educate and enrich the level of awareness and appreciation of the participants on the principles and practical applications of sustainable organic farming cum zero waste management systems and their impact to the environment, human health and food security as showcased and demonstrated in the crop-poultry-fish production system in the Villegas Organic farms. INCLUSION: 2 snacks, lunch, farm entrance, facilitators, electronic training materials.
2]Three-Day Apprenticeship Training on Sustainable Organic Agriculture
The program is designed for farm caretakers and laborers, technicians and farm managers, with respective modules, to equip them with basic know-how and skills on organic vegetables, herbs, medicinal plants and free-range animal production including chicken, pigs and goats.
This training includes production of organic materials and farm inputs, demonstration of zero waste management, showcasing of livelihood and employment opportunities within the supply and value added chain. INCLUSION for 3-days: meals, on-farm lodging, farm entrance, facilitators, electronic training materials.
3]Three to Four Months On-The-Job Training
This is an extensive theoretical and hands-on training covering the whole crop cycle on organic vegetables, production of organic materials and farm inputs, farm record keeping and farm management.
The participants should have at least reached high school. They will be given a living allowance by donors/sponsors, potential employers while on apprenticeship training. Successful trainees are for placement on satellite farms and organic agriculture practitioners under the network of the KASAMA KA Organik Koop.
4] Environment, Health, and Food Security Awareness Study Tour for Students of ALL Levels
OPEN as HALF-DAY or WHOLE DAY SESSION
This study tour is mainly designed to increase the level of awareness of students on the role of sustainable and organic agriculture in:
-addressing environmental issues and health hazards;
-ensuring the supply of, and access to, safe and affordable food;
-sustaining the agricultural production and the ecological systems;
-ensuring food safety and security;
-and poverty reduction.
5] Specialized Training tailored according to the Client’s Needs
Specialized training on either (or all desired) of the following: free-range poultry production, vermiculture and vermicomposting, organic agriculture conversion for rice, corn, sugarcane, whichever is required by the participants.
PREVIOUS - What is KASAMA KA Organik Koop?
IT states that it is the "Policy of the State to promote, propagate, develop further, and implement the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines that will cumulatively condition and enrich the fertility of the soil, increase farm productivity, reduce pollution and destruction of the environment, prevent the depletion of natural resources, further protect the health of farmers, consumers, and the general public, and save on imported farm inputs."
As well as, "Undertake a comprehensive program for the promotion of community-based organic agriculture systems which include, among others, farmer-produced purely organic fertilizers such as compost, pesticides and other farm inputs together with a nationwide educational and promotional campaign for their use and processing, as well as the adoption of organic agricultural system as a viable alternative."
KASAMA KA Organik Koop has a series of seminar on Organic Agriculture Act (OAA) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. Email Us for more details. Other course offerings are as follows:
1]Lakbay Aral sa Bukid Organiko (Study Tour in an Organic Farm)
This is a one-day activity designed to educate and enrich the level of awareness and appreciation of the participants on the principles and practical applications of sustainable organic farming cum zero waste management systems and their impact to the environment, human health and food security as showcased and demonstrated in the crop-poultry-fish production system in the Villegas Organic farms. INCLUSION: 2 snacks, lunch, farm entrance, facilitators, electronic training materials.
2]Three-Day Apprenticeship Training on Sustainable Organic Agriculture
The program is designed for farm caretakers and laborers, technicians and farm managers, with respective modules, to equip them with basic know-how and skills on organic vegetables, herbs, medicinal plants and free-range animal production including chicken, pigs and goats.
This training includes production of organic materials and farm inputs, demonstration of zero waste management, showcasing of livelihood and employment opportunities within the supply and value added chain. INCLUSION for 3-days: meals, on-farm lodging, farm entrance, facilitators, electronic training materials.
3]Three to Four Months On-The-Job Training
This is an extensive theoretical and hands-on training covering the whole crop cycle on organic vegetables, production of organic materials and farm inputs, farm record keeping and farm management.
The participants should have at least reached high school. They will be given a living allowance by donors/sponsors, potential employers while on apprenticeship training. Successful trainees are for placement on satellite farms and organic agriculture practitioners under the network of the KASAMA KA Organik Koop.
4] Environment, Health, and Food Security Awareness Study Tour for Students of ALL Levels
OPEN as HALF-DAY or WHOLE DAY SESSION
This study tour is mainly designed to increase the level of awareness of students on the role of sustainable and organic agriculture in:
-addressing environmental issues and health hazards;
-ensuring the supply of, and access to, safe and affordable food;
-sustaining the agricultural production and the ecological systems;
-ensuring food safety and security;
-and poverty reduction.
5] Specialized Training tailored according to the Client’s Needs
Specialized training on either (or all desired) of the following: free-range poultry production, vermiculture and vermicomposting, organic agriculture conversion for rice, corn, sugarcane, whichever is required by the participants.
PREVIOUS - What is KASAMA KA Organik Koop?
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Food INsecurity
Key Messages of Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) on State of FOOD INSECURITY in the World (2010)
The number and the proportion of undernourished people have declined, but they remain unacceptably high.
After increasing from 2006 to 2009 due to high food prices and the global economic crisis, both the number and proportion of hungry people have declined in 2010 as the global economy recovers and food prices remain below their peak levels. But hunger remains higher than before the crises, making it ever more difficult to achieve the hunger-reduction targets of the World Food Summit and Millennium Development Goal 1.
The current aid architecture needs to be modified to better address both immediate needs and the structural causes of protracted crises.
The current system uses humanitarian assistance to support short-term efforts to address the immediate effects of a crisis, and development assistance for long-term interventions to address underlying causes. Areas of intervention that are important in protracted crises (including social protection and risk reduction) are often underfunded. In general, weak governance structures in protracted crisis situations condition aid allocations.
Broader social protection measures help countries cope with protracted crises and lay the foundation for long-term recovery.
Key interventions include providing safety nets, insurance when appropriate, and services such as health and education, which build bridges to longer-term development. In countries in protracted crisis, however, financial, institutional and implementation capacity are limited, so social protection programmes are generally short-term, relief-oriented and externally funded.
Agriculture and the rural economy are key sectors for supporting livelihoods in protracted crises, but they are not properly reflected in aid flows.
Agricultural and rural-based livelihoods are critical to the groups most affected by protracted crises. Agriculture accounts for a third of protracted crisis countries’ gross domestic product and twothirds of their employment. Yet agriculture accounts for only 4 percent of humanitarian ODA received by countries in protracted crisis and 3 percent of development ODA. KNOW MORE.
Click here to read Food Insecurity in full text
Click here how you can help gain Food Security
The number and the proportion of undernourished people have declined, but they remain unacceptably high.
After increasing from 2006 to 2009 due to high food prices and the global economic crisis, both the number and proportion of hungry people have declined in 2010 as the global economy recovers and food prices remain below their peak levels. But hunger remains higher than before the crises, making it ever more difficult to achieve the hunger-reduction targets of the World Food Summit and Millennium Development Goal 1.
The current aid architecture needs to be modified to better address both immediate needs and the structural causes of protracted crises.
The current system uses humanitarian assistance to support short-term efforts to address the immediate effects of a crisis, and development assistance for long-term interventions to address underlying causes. Areas of intervention that are important in protracted crises (including social protection and risk reduction) are often underfunded. In general, weak governance structures in protracted crisis situations condition aid allocations.
Broader social protection measures help countries cope with protracted crises and lay the foundation for long-term recovery.
Key interventions include providing safety nets, insurance when appropriate, and services such as health and education, which build bridges to longer-term development. In countries in protracted crisis, however, financial, institutional and implementation capacity are limited, so social protection programmes are generally short-term, relief-oriented and externally funded.
Agriculture and the rural economy are key sectors for supporting livelihoods in protracted crises, but they are not properly reflected in aid flows.
Agricultural and rural-based livelihoods are critical to the groups most affected by protracted crises. Agriculture accounts for a third of protracted crisis countries’ gross domestic product and twothirds of their employment. Yet agriculture accounts for only 4 percent of humanitarian ODA received by countries in protracted crisis and 3 percent of development ODA. KNOW MORE.
Click here to read Food Insecurity in full text
Click here how you can help gain Food Security
Saturday, October 30, 2010
KASAMA KA!!
Kalipunan ng Sustenableng Agrikultura at Magsasakang Organikong Kooperatiba (KASAMA KA)
The KASAMA KA Organik Koop with it's mission to promote, demonstrate and popularize the nucleus and satellite organic farm clusters and its value chain optimization is open to non-members to avail of the following services:
TRAINING & CAPACITY BUILDING
Being accredited by Agriculture Technical Institute as ESP on Sustainable Organic Ecological Agriculture, it is conducting training programs for students, health afficionados, farmers, farm managers and owners:
Please help us support our Organic Farmers. Should you be interested in becoming a member, please send us a shout.
Want to know the benefits of a KASAMA KA koop member? Click here.
Will you spare us 5 minutes to complete a survey to help us identify the means to empower cooperatives and stop poverty in the Philippines?
Yes, I want to be instrumental in the growth of the cooperatives!
NEXT - Philippine Organic Agriculture (OA) Act of 2010
The KASAMA KA Organik Koop with it's mission to promote, demonstrate and popularize the nucleus and satellite organic farm clusters and its value chain optimization is open to non-members to avail of the following services:
TRAINING & CAPACITY BUILDING
Being accredited by Agriculture Technical Institute as ESP on Sustainable Organic Ecological Agriculture, it is conducting training programs for students, health afficionados, farmers, farm managers and owners:
- Lakbay Aral Program and Tours
- Apprenticeship SOEA Training Program
- Organic Conversion
- Organic Inspection and certification
- Practicum Students/OJT Program
- Other specialized training program
SALE OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS
- Vegetables ie lettuce, brassicas
- Culinary herbs
- Plotted plants and fruit trees
- Vermi & Vermicompost
- Organic fertilizers
- Brooded layers and meat type of free range chicken
Please help us support our Organic Farmers. Should you be interested in becoming a member, please send us a shout.
Want to know the benefits of a KASAMA KA koop member? Click here.
Will you spare us 5 minutes to complete a survey to help us identify the means to empower cooperatives and stop poverty in the Philippines?
Yes, I want to be instrumental in the growth of the cooperatives!
NEXT - Philippine Organic Agriculture (OA) Act of 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Ellie's Home of the Organic Meat
During the Agri Link-Food Link, it was noticeable how this shop was full with dining people and spectators alike (one of them is me) wondering what food they have to offer a tummy who is dying to have something to fill it. Come close and check it out:
ABOUT THE SHOP: Ellie's Home of the Organic Meat
(hormone-free, grass-fed animals)
HOUSE SPECIAL: Roasted Calf
DISHES: During the exhibit, Ellie's had various preparation of goat dishes like Adobo, Caldereta, Kilawin, Sisig, Kare-kare (as shown on the picture)
LOCATION: Ellie's Farm is situated in Bulacan but you can catch them at The Fort Weekend market (Taguig City) and Centris Sunday market (Quezon City)
CONTACT DETAILS: TELEPHONE (+632) 936 2732 EMAIL ellies_roastedcalf@yahoo.com
ABOUT THE SHOP: Ellie's Home of the Organic Meat
(hormone-free, grass-fed animals)
HOUSE SPECIAL: Roasted Calf
DISHES: During the exhibit, Ellie's had various preparation of goat dishes like Adobo, Caldereta, Kilawin, Sisig, Kare-kare (as shown on the picture)
LOCATION: Ellie's Farm is situated in Bulacan but you can catch them at The Fort Weekend market (Taguig City) and Centris Sunday market (Quezon City)
CONTACT DETAILS: TELEPHONE (+632) 936 2732 EMAIL ellies_roastedcalf@yahoo.com
Monday, October 11, 2010
2nd QCIM to Attract 10,000 Runners
MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City government hopes to draw more than 10,000 local and foreign runners when it hosts the second edition of the QC International Marathon slated in December.
QC Mayor Herbert Bautista has given his official support to his city’s hosting of the event, which expects to double the more than 5,000 runners who took part in last year’s inaugurals.
In a recent courtesy call to Bautista, officials from the organizing RUNNEX (the Executive Runners Club of the Phils., Inc.) vowed to make the December event an even greater success than the first one.
The RUNNEX officials also met with QC Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte.
RUNNEX has been organizing running clinics, marathons and similar events for close to three decades. The year-end QCIM will be the biggest event of its kind and is tipped to be at par with the world’s biggest marathons.
READ MORE at PhilStar
Need to Prepare for QCIM? Join the ongoing RUNNING CLINIC - F.R.E.E!!! Click here for more details
PHOTO-Standing from Left to Right:
RUNNEX President Dave, QC Vice Mayor Joy, RUNNEX Chairman Atty Rudy, QC Mayor Herbert, RUNNEX Chairman Emeritus Professor Art
QC Mayor Herbert Bautista has given his official support to his city’s hosting of the event, which expects to double the more than 5,000 runners who took part in last year’s inaugurals.
In a recent courtesy call to Bautista, officials from the organizing RUNNEX (the Executive Runners Club of the Phils., Inc.) vowed to make the December event an even greater success than the first one.
The RUNNEX officials also met with QC Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte.
RUNNEX has been organizing running clinics, marathons and similar events for close to three decades. The year-end QCIM will be the biggest event of its kind and is tipped to be at par with the world’s biggest marathons.
READ MORE at PhilStar
Need to Prepare for QCIM? Join the ongoing RUNNING CLINIC - F.R.E.E!!! Click here for more details
QCIM 2010 PressCon |
RUNNEX President Dave, QC Vice Mayor Joy, RUNNEX Chairman Atty Rudy, QC Mayor Herbert, RUNNEX Chairman Emeritus Professor Art
Monday, October 4, 2010
Pedestrianization: Walking for Cleaner Air
from CAI-ASIA, Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities
Asian cities have traditionally been cities of walkers and many rely on walking, cycling and public transport for daily travel. Walking relies on our own kinetic energy, rather than fossil fuels to which vehicles are dependent upon. However, vehicles now dominate cityscapes. Roads, fly-overs, and bridges are continuously being put up to accomodate the ever-increasing number of land transport. This rapid motorization in urban areas has lead to air pollution and road risks. For pedestrians who are most vulnerable, is there enough attention towards non-motorized transport?
To determine whether pedestrians' needs are adequately satisfied, WALKABILITY Surveys have been conducted by the Clean Air Initiatives for Asian Cities with support from the Asian Development Bank. "Walkability" is a term used to describe and measure the desirability, connectivity and quality of walkways. It has been included as air quality management benchmarking tool developed by CAI-Asia based on the Global Walkability Index developed by H. Krambeck for the World Bank.
The "Walkability Survey" involved a scoring system that rated the following parameters:
Walkability in Davao, Philippines
In Davao, Philippines, based on 287 pedestrians interviewed, the most preferred method to cross the road is through overhead crossing (53%) and most preferred improvement is "wide, leveled and clean sidewalks." On exposure to air pollution, 45% said they are most vulnerable when they are riding a tricycle, 28% when they are walking, and 22% when they are riding a car or a taxi. If no improvements are made in the quality of sidewalks, 83% said they will shift from walking to other modes of transport.
Conclusion
Pedestrianization is an oft-ignored component in the urban transport system and these walkability studies are ways where CAI-ASIA can hopefully contribute to policy improvement favorable for pedestrians and create a paradigm shift that promotes non-motorized transportation, thus reducing carbon footprint, one city at a time.
Meanwhile, the CAI-ASIA announced a conference on Better Air Quality (BAQ) to be held in Singapore this coming 9-11 November, 2010 with theme, "Air quality in a Changing Climate." Among the topics are the following:
READ: World leaders leaving behind big, fat carbon footprints by Associated Press
Asian cities have traditionally been cities of walkers and many rely on walking, cycling and public transport for daily travel. Walking relies on our own kinetic energy, rather than fossil fuels to which vehicles are dependent upon. However, vehicles now dominate cityscapes. Roads, fly-overs, and bridges are continuously being put up to accomodate the ever-increasing number of land transport. This rapid motorization in urban areas has lead to air pollution and road risks. For pedestrians who are most vulnerable, is there enough attention towards non-motorized transport?
To determine whether pedestrians' needs are adequately satisfied, WALKABILITY Surveys have been conducted by the Clean Air Initiatives for Asian Cities with support from the Asian Development Bank. "Walkability" is a term used to describe and measure the desirability, connectivity and quality of walkways. It has been included as air quality management benchmarking tool developed by CAI-Asia based on the Global Walkability Index developed by H. Krambeck for the World Bank.
The "Walkability Survey" involved a scoring system that rated the following parameters:
- availability of walking paths,
- walking path modal conflicts,
- availability of crossings,
- grade crossing safety,
- motorists behavior,
- amenities,
- disability infrastructure,
- obstructions,
- security from crime
Walkability in Davao, Philippines
In Davao, Philippines, based on 287 pedestrians interviewed, the most preferred method to cross the road is through overhead crossing (53%) and most preferred improvement is "wide, leveled and clean sidewalks." On exposure to air pollution, 45% said they are most vulnerable when they are riding a tricycle, 28% when they are walking, and 22% when they are riding a car or a taxi. If no improvements are made in the quality of sidewalks, 83% said they will shift from walking to other modes of transport.
Conclusion
- Most Asian cities have insufficient policies that prioritized pedestrians and current guidelines for pedestrian facilities are not comprehensive enough to address pedestrian's needs
- Insufficient resources are allocated for pedestrian facilities
- Asian cities have high pedestrian mode shares but declining due to inadequate pedestrian facilities, high number of pedestrian accidents and exposure to air pollution
Pedestrianization is an oft-ignored component in the urban transport system and these walkability studies are ways where CAI-ASIA can hopefully contribute to policy improvement favorable for pedestrians and create a paradigm shift that promotes non-motorized transportation, thus reducing carbon footprint, one city at a time.
Meanwhile, the CAI-ASIA announced a conference on Better Air Quality (BAQ) to be held in Singapore this coming 9-11 November, 2010 with theme, "Air quality in a Changing Climate." Among the topics are the following:
- Sustainable Cities and Urban Development
- Air Quality Monitoring and Impacts
- Air Quality Management and Climate Change Mitigation
- Transport systems and modes
- Clean Fuels and Vehicles
- Industry and Other Sources (of air pollution)
READ: World leaders leaving behind big, fat carbon footprints by Associated Press
Friday, September 17, 2010
Striding Farther
"Running is more than a Sport, more than a State of mind, it’s a Lifestyle. Do more. Accomplish more. Enjoy more."
Hear it straight from Jem, while he makes the stride of his life..
ACTTIVE: How long have you been running?
JEM: I started running August of last year. I got into the gym with the goal of losing the excess weight. I was weighing 184 lbs back then.
Months before I got serious, I was kind of running in a ranch near my place. While trying to maintain my pace, some dogs got so friendly and started chasing me. That’s when I got my unbeatable record --thanks to the dogs!
Sometimes, when I don't feel like interacting with the dogs, I hook on the treadmill while watching 24, Smallville and House before hitting bed.
Then I lost 5 lbs... Five pounds with no sweat, with some playing around!! I realized I am ready to do serious strides and shed more unwanted weight!!
That day onwards, the lonely road going up to Tagaytay became my training ground. From my place to Summit Ridge Tagaytay is around 10.5 to 11K (counting kilometer posts). I have loved running that route with my buddies, Chip Ingram, John Maxwell and Joey Bonifacio (podcasts).
ACTTIVE: Are you competitive?
JEM: I compete with myself. I’ve been running long distance --half and full marathon. I love long distance running. It kind of test my training preparation, if I did well or if I need to train more.
ACTTIVE: How many marathons have you run in the past?
JEM: TBR Dream Marathon was my first marathon. It was a very awesome experience finishing 42K on my birthday! Milo was my second full marathon. Unlike the first, the second marathon was a pain with an injured right leg. However, I am looking forward to continue running the long distance in Pasig, QCIM and Subic races.
ACTTIVE: What is the most favorite race (not necessarily marathon) you run? Why?
JEM: I have to say, my most favorite race is the TBR Dream Marathon because it was my first time to run a full marathon and it was on my birthday. A very unique gift to myself. That was actually the first time I learned about Chi Running* in my attempt to pace with Lit Onrubia, a chi running instructor. But I only paced with him until the 24th kilometer only. I fell short on training. I did my final long run I think a week before the big day, which is by-the-way a NO-NO, since we’re jumpstarting a new enterprise. However, I had a lot of fun because it was so exclusive. The runners are either first timers or second timers. You won’t feel the tension of competing with one another. Runners even became friends and running buddies. It felt like a culminating activity after all our training and running clinics --a Graduation. Very organized race spearheaded by the bull runner herself, Jaymie Pizarro.
ACTTIVE: How do you prepare for a race? Do you follow any specific running program?
JEM: As much as possible, I run in the morning for my maintenance run before I hit the gym. If I cannot run, I do ropes. Personally, I call it "easy-pacute" runs, since my last stretch would be 2-4 rounds around the high school oval where pretty girls are. LOL. Weekend is allotted for LSD (long slow distance). I follow the 3-month marathon training program I got from Jim Lafferty when am engaged in a marathon. This is actually one of the very generous supports of TBR Dream Marathon. Run on time, run if you should. No cheat days. Sweat if you must.
ACTTIVE: How do you approach running a marathon?
JEM: I set my interval at 7-1 (7 minutes running and 1 minute walking). Turning 8-1 after 5 sets then 9-1 if I still can. I usually maintain 8-1 then plateau at 7-1. Marathon is a test whether I did well on my training or not.
ACTTIVE: How many kilometers per week do you run?
JEM: Long runs every weekend, at least 25K from my office going up to Tagaytay then back, usually until Olivarez Plaza or Sonia’s Garden. Short maintenance runs during weekdays, 6-10K depending on my time.
ACTTIVE: Do you cross train or do other sports?
Yes. I swim once a week. I live next to a resort so anytime I want to hit the pool, I can just splash in. I have been wanting to do MTB (mountain bike) though, to prepare for triathlon but I am still not up to the nitty-gritty it requires to set it up, clean and maintain it. As a substitute, I do my spinning in the gym. Consistent workout is a must in keeping fit and training for any sport, may it be marathon or triathlon.
ACTTIVE: Do you have any special diet --during the training program, immediately before a race, post race?
JEM: My daily diet consists mainly of oatmeal, any fruit in season, tuna, with occasional inclusion of chicken or pork for my protein source. I prefer “nilaga” (stewed/boiled) or grilled than fried, while grilled taste better for me. I eat rice only when I feel like having it. It is not staple in my home.
My latest discovery, Century Tuna Bangus --oh man you gotta try it! I grill the bangus (milkfish) in a sizzling plate with egg then top it with the sauce that goes with it. Panalo (winner) with oatmeal!
I also take protein shakes after workout. One thing I’ve observed with oatmeal, it’s easier and faster to move than rice which feels heavy on the tummy. I've been wanting to give up Kapeng Barako (native Batangas coffee) but I am having a hard time. And what makes it more difficult is a benefit I learned from a recent reading that coffee promotes running faster (Men's Health magazine).
Before a race, I carboload with two servings of rice, chicken and Marathon Max. Yes, it feels heavy, but it conditions my body to run full tank the following day. Better to run full tank than half empty. Right after a race, I take a lot of water and whatever carb and protein source accessible. I usually rush to McDonald’s for a cheeseburger meal.
ACTTIVE: Do you bring your own nutrition for the race ie electrolytes, gels?
JEM: Yes. My metabolism shoots up easily so I need to replenish my tank before it hits empty. I fill my hydration belt with energy drinks. Pocari sweat and Gatorade are good choices. I bring at least four Hammer gels (espresso flavor) and a Hershey bar for long distance running.
ACTTIVE: Have you done an out of town marathon/race? Any learning experience that is beneficial to those aspiring to do the same?
JEM: Practice is Key. Always have yourself on training mode even if you’re not joining any race. In this way, your body will get used to high endurance mobility until it becomes your habit then your second nature --as your normal running capacity. Whether you’re running a half marathon or a full marathon, if your body is always on a training mode, what you are only going to worry about is your body clock. Everything else follows. But when you are on training, make sure you are into it. Put your heart and soul to it. Listen to your body. Adjust your capacity gradually. You are building a strong foundation. Remember you are going to run for as long as you live not only for a season.
“Fire will test the quality of each man’s work, if the work survives, he will receive a reward.” ~ Paul of Tarsus
CONSISTENCY. Stick to your running schedule. Run if you must even if you don’t feel like it. You are forming a habit. Keep track of your mileage, increase gradually. Do time trials --strive to beat your personal record (PR). Be consistent with your pace whether it’s 5-1 or 9-1. Walk if your interval says you should, even if you feel like running or else it will backfire on you in the last kilometers. Running is more than a sport, more than a state of mind, it’s a lifestyle. Do more. Accomplish more. Enjoy more.
“Run in such a way as to win the prize” ~ Paul of Tarsus
ACTTIVE: What is your ultimate running goal? What makes you run (any motivation)?
JEM: When I started running, my goal was only to lose weight then maintain a correct form. Then I thought about running a full marathon. I am going to run anyway so why not run like real runners do. I think it’s an acid test to call yourself a marathoner or a recreational runner. Being able to finish a full 42K by foot means a lot.
I have no idea back then that there is such a thing as Ultra Marathon. I hear people talk about it. And I start to read about it. My next goal is 102K Bataan Death March Ultra Marathon. Wait, I heard there’s even a 151K Ultra Marathon says the Bald Runner --sounds exciting and interesting!! I love endurance test, the Survival of the Fittest!!
Jem's inspiring words for the active culture:
"To challenge yourself, whether you can give more or give up soon, this keeps you striding farther. If you can outplay yourself by running physically, you can do it also in your family, in your business, in your ministry and in your relationships. Self-fulfillment. New levels of Victory. Behind every mountain is a bigger and higher mountain. To be the best that God created you to be. To make Him proud and see Him smile."
See you guys in 2nd QCIM. Cheers to a healthy nation!
NEXT: *CHI RUNNING
MEANTIME: Check out The High Road Runner
Hear it straight from Jem, while he makes the stride of his life..
ACTTIVE: How long have you been running?
JEM: I started running August of last year. I got into the gym with the goal of losing the excess weight. I was weighing 184 lbs back then.
Months before I got serious, I was kind of running in a ranch near my place. While trying to maintain my pace, some dogs got so friendly and started chasing me. That’s when I got my unbeatable record --thanks to the dogs!
Sometimes, when I don't feel like interacting with the dogs, I hook on the treadmill while watching 24, Smallville and House before hitting bed.
Then I lost 5 lbs... Five pounds with no sweat, with some playing around!! I realized I am ready to do serious strides and shed more unwanted weight!!
That day onwards, the lonely road going up to Tagaytay became my training ground. From my place to Summit Ridge Tagaytay is around 10.5 to 11K (counting kilometer posts). I have loved running that route with my buddies, Chip Ingram, John Maxwell and Joey Bonifacio (podcasts).
ACTTIVE: Are you competitive?
JEM: I compete with myself. I’ve been running long distance --half and full marathon. I love long distance running. It kind of test my training preparation, if I did well or if I need to train more.
ACTTIVE: How many marathons have you run in the past?
JEM: TBR Dream Marathon was my first marathon. It was a very awesome experience finishing 42K on my birthday! Milo was my second full marathon. Unlike the first, the second marathon was a pain with an injured right leg. However, I am looking forward to continue running the long distance in Pasig, QCIM and Subic races.
ACTTIVE: What is the most favorite race (not necessarily marathon) you run? Why?
JEM: I have to say, my most favorite race is the TBR Dream Marathon because it was my first time to run a full marathon and it was on my birthday. A very unique gift to myself. That was actually the first time I learned about Chi Running* in my attempt to pace with Lit Onrubia, a chi running instructor. But I only paced with him until the 24th kilometer only. I fell short on training. I did my final long run I think a week before the big day, which is by-the-way a NO-NO, since we’re jumpstarting a new enterprise. However, I had a lot of fun because it was so exclusive. The runners are either first timers or second timers. You won’t feel the tension of competing with one another. Runners even became friends and running buddies. It felt like a culminating activity after all our training and running clinics --a Graduation. Very organized race spearheaded by the bull runner herself, Jaymie Pizarro.
ACTTIVE: How do you prepare for a race? Do you follow any specific running program?
JEM: As much as possible, I run in the morning for my maintenance run before I hit the gym. If I cannot run, I do ropes. Personally, I call it "easy-pacute" runs, since my last stretch would be 2-4 rounds around the high school oval where pretty girls are. LOL. Weekend is allotted for LSD (long slow distance). I follow the 3-month marathon training program I got from Jim Lafferty when am engaged in a marathon. This is actually one of the very generous supports of TBR Dream Marathon. Run on time, run if you should. No cheat days. Sweat if you must.
ACTTIVE: How do you approach running a marathon?
JEM: I set my interval at 7-1 (7 minutes running and 1 minute walking). Turning 8-1 after 5 sets then 9-1 if I still can. I usually maintain 8-1 then plateau at 7-1. Marathon is a test whether I did well on my training or not.
ACTTIVE: How many kilometers per week do you run?
JEM: Long runs every weekend, at least 25K from my office going up to Tagaytay then back, usually until Olivarez Plaza or Sonia’s Garden. Short maintenance runs during weekdays, 6-10K depending on my time.
ACTTIVE: Do you cross train or do other sports?
Yes. I swim once a week. I live next to a resort so anytime I want to hit the pool, I can just splash in. I have been wanting to do MTB (mountain bike) though, to prepare for triathlon but I am still not up to the nitty-gritty it requires to set it up, clean and maintain it. As a substitute, I do my spinning in the gym. Consistent workout is a must in keeping fit and training for any sport, may it be marathon or triathlon.
ACTTIVE: Do you have any special diet --during the training program, immediately before a race, post race?
JEM: My daily diet consists mainly of oatmeal, any fruit in season, tuna, with occasional inclusion of chicken or pork for my protein source. I prefer “nilaga” (stewed/boiled) or grilled than fried, while grilled taste better for me. I eat rice only when I feel like having it. It is not staple in my home.
My latest discovery, Century Tuna Bangus --oh man you gotta try it! I grill the bangus (milkfish) in a sizzling plate with egg then top it with the sauce that goes with it. Panalo (winner) with oatmeal!
I also take protein shakes after workout. One thing I’ve observed with oatmeal, it’s easier and faster to move than rice which feels heavy on the tummy. I've been wanting to give up Kapeng Barako (native Batangas coffee) but I am having a hard time. And what makes it more difficult is a benefit I learned from a recent reading that coffee promotes running faster (Men's Health magazine).
Before a race, I carboload with two servings of rice, chicken and Marathon Max. Yes, it feels heavy, but it conditions my body to run full tank the following day. Better to run full tank than half empty. Right after a race, I take a lot of water and whatever carb and protein source accessible. I usually rush to McDonald’s for a cheeseburger meal.
ACTTIVE: Do you bring your own nutrition for the race ie electrolytes, gels?
JEM: Yes. My metabolism shoots up easily so I need to replenish my tank before it hits empty. I fill my hydration belt with energy drinks. Pocari sweat and Gatorade are good choices. I bring at least four Hammer gels (espresso flavor) and a Hershey bar for long distance running.
ACTTIVE: Have you done an out of town marathon/race? Any learning experience that is beneficial to those aspiring to do the same?
JEM: Practice is Key. Always have yourself on training mode even if you’re not joining any race. In this way, your body will get used to high endurance mobility until it becomes your habit then your second nature --as your normal running capacity. Whether you’re running a half marathon or a full marathon, if your body is always on a training mode, what you are only going to worry about is your body clock. Everything else follows. But when you are on training, make sure you are into it. Put your heart and soul to it. Listen to your body. Adjust your capacity gradually. You are building a strong foundation. Remember you are going to run for as long as you live not only for a season.
“Fire will test the quality of each man’s work, if the work survives, he will receive a reward.” ~ Paul of Tarsus
CONSISTENCY. Stick to your running schedule. Run if you must even if you don’t feel like it. You are forming a habit. Keep track of your mileage, increase gradually. Do time trials --strive to beat your personal record (PR). Be consistent with your pace whether it’s 5-1 or 9-1. Walk if your interval says you should, even if you feel like running or else it will backfire on you in the last kilometers. Running is more than a sport, more than a state of mind, it’s a lifestyle. Do more. Accomplish more. Enjoy more.
“Run in such a way as to win the prize” ~ Paul of Tarsus
ACTTIVE: What is your ultimate running goal? What makes you run (any motivation)?
JEM: When I started running, my goal was only to lose weight then maintain a correct form. Then I thought about running a full marathon. I am going to run anyway so why not run like real runners do. I think it’s an acid test to call yourself a marathoner or a recreational runner. Being able to finish a full 42K by foot means a lot.
I have no idea back then that there is such a thing as Ultra Marathon. I hear people talk about it. And I start to read about it. My next goal is 102K Bataan Death March Ultra Marathon. Wait, I heard there’s even a 151K Ultra Marathon says the Bald Runner --sounds exciting and interesting!! I love endurance test, the Survival of the Fittest!!
Jem's inspiring words for the active culture:
"To challenge yourself, whether you can give more or give up soon, this keeps you striding farther. If you can outplay yourself by running physically, you can do it also in your family, in your business, in your ministry and in your relationships. Self-fulfillment. New levels of Victory. Behind every mountain is a bigger and higher mountain. To be the best that God created you to be. To make Him proud and see Him smile."
See you guys in 2nd QCIM. Cheers to a healthy nation!
NEXT: *CHI RUNNING
MEANTIME: Check out The High Road Runner
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Go to Work to Get Fit
Treadmill-workstation of Seattlepi |
My workspace is mobile. I take it with me wherever I go. It is made up of numerous complex smaller units that work systematically well... Well, most of the time. There will be days that it'll need a little push, a tickle may be, some water? Yeah a cup of water --with strong caffeine.
It's no electronic machine. Just the human machine. My body.
Heavy load of work is done on my toes (or was it the middle sole as taught by chi running?) running around the perimeters of trees (yes, the few spaces left in Manila with trees. Email us to find out where.), standing tall falling tall (secret of our running clinic participants), breathing fresh air, listening to mild chirping of birds, and sometimes vis-a-vis puppies. Creativity "sprint off" during this time while perhaps, if lucky enough, I would use my phone to take down notes of the wonderful creation in my mind. And few times, if waiting cannot wait, put it across the SMSpace.
I wish everybody have the option to have a workspace like mine :) While it's not available for everybody, each one can find time to stretch those muscles, burn some calories, get energetic and be revived in spirit while you hop on your running shoes. Join RUNNEX as we hold, FREE Running clinic every Sunday at U.P. Plaridel Hall. Email activeculture@Ymail.com for more details.
Incidentally, Executive Runners of the Philippines (RUNNEX), with the Quezon City government, is preparing for the 2nd Quezon City International Marathon slated on 5th December 2010. Bigger-- Better-- More-- at Philstar.com
QCIM2 PressCon |
RUNNEX President Dave, QC Vice Mayor Joy, RUNNEX Chairman Atty Rudy, QC Mayor Herbert, RUNNEX Chairman Emeritus Professor Art
Treadmill-workstation photo courtesy of: seattlepi.com
Saturday, August 21, 2010
My Shawshank Redemption
by R.E.D.
"These walls are funny. First you hate 'em, then you get used to 'em. After long enough, you get so dependent on 'em." Red told the prisoners who have served half of their lifetime inside Shawshank.
We are enclaved in our own prison walls. An addiction for spending till the credit card maxed out. A fetish for news, funny it may seem --a close friend of mine, reads three broadsheets, listen to news three times a day sort of appetizer before the real main course.
For some it is a rare sickness.
I was diagnosed positive with HIV, not so far time ago. After an occasion of bloodletting drive, I received a phone call urgently requesting me to appear at a health institution's office.
I wish I was deaf the minute the doctor told me the findings. But the words were audible even as my mind dwindled away from my dark past into the unknown future.
I was locked up in my own prison cell -- useless, dysfunctional, futile, of no value to society.
"The first night's the toughest, no doubt about it.. Old life blown away in the blink of an eye... a long cold season in hell stretching out ahead...nothing left but all the time in the world to think about it. Most new fish come close to madness the first night. Somebody always breaks down crying. Happens every time. The only question is, who's it gonna be?"
It's me this time. Call me RED.
Before the news, I watch my bright future as a runner, a marathoner, a triathlete. I watch what I eat, live a clean lifestyle, serve the community through medical mission and just passed, the bloodletting drive, which will change the rest of my life...
I am institutionalized for HIV.
After a time, it donned on me that being HIV positive does not mean living an abnormal life, dying sooner, stopping to care for loved ones, and standing as a problem to the society.
If for anything, this positivism has become my stronghold in living my life to the fullest not just for me but for the people that surround me.
"There are things in this world not carved out of gray stone. That there's a small place inside of us they can never lock away, and that place is called HOPE.. Hope is a good thing, and no good thing ever dies."
The gunshot at the starting line liberates me. I am taking the hopeful route, choosing to do extraordinary things in the race of my lifetime. Run with me..
"LIFE is what you make it, Let us choose to be POSITIVE," +redshoe
"These walls are funny. First you hate 'em, then you get used to 'em. After long enough, you get so dependent on 'em." Red told the prisoners who have served half of their lifetime inside Shawshank.
We are enclaved in our own prison walls. An addiction for spending till the credit card maxed out. A fetish for news, funny it may seem --a close friend of mine, reads three broadsheets, listen to news three times a day sort of appetizer before the real main course.
For some it is a rare sickness.
I was diagnosed positive with HIV, not so far time ago. After an occasion of bloodletting drive, I received a phone call urgently requesting me to appear at a health institution's office.
I wish I was deaf the minute the doctor told me the findings. But the words were audible even as my mind dwindled away from my dark past into the unknown future.
I was locked up in my own prison cell -- useless, dysfunctional, futile, of no value to society.
"The first night's the toughest, no doubt about it.. Old life blown away in the blink of an eye... a long cold season in hell stretching out ahead...nothing left but all the time in the world to think about it. Most new fish come close to madness the first night. Somebody always breaks down crying. Happens every time. The only question is, who's it gonna be?"
It's me this time. Call me RED.
Before the news, I watch my bright future as a runner, a marathoner, a triathlete. I watch what I eat, live a clean lifestyle, serve the community through medical mission and just passed, the bloodletting drive, which will change the rest of my life...
I am institutionalized for HIV.
After a time, it donned on me that being HIV positive does not mean living an abnormal life, dying sooner, stopping to care for loved ones, and standing as a problem to the society.
If for anything, this positivism has become my stronghold in living my life to the fullest not just for me but for the people that surround me.
"There are things in this world not carved out of gray stone. That there's a small place inside of us they can never lock away, and that place is called HOPE.. Hope is a good thing, and no good thing ever dies."
The gunshot at the starting line liberates me. I am taking the hopeful route, choosing to do extraordinary things in the race of my lifetime. Run with me..
"LIFE is what you make it, Let us choose to be POSITIVE," +redshoe
Help us support KEEP A CHILD ALIVE by providing medications for AIDS patients. Go to http://redshoe27.wordpress.com/
To learn more about HIV:
go to positivism.ph
listen to Wanggo Gallaga at youtube
search for Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC)
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Must Try TRI-MONA !!
TAGALOG translation: "Try mo na! Sige nahhh!"
Dancing wind chimes, hanging trinkets, parading native ecoproducts, conversing paintings and arts, greeted me at this shop, called TRI-MONA.
Sounds familiar? For the mall-goers in Quezon City, it does! It's a "spin-off" from a popular mall with similar concept of offering various products to consumers, ONLY, Tri-Mona limit theirs with organic, natural, local.
The shop which partners with PGX, promotes FAIR TRADE (articles of the same are posted on its wall) and markets indigenous products of communities and people's organizations.
The interesting cafe with interesting stuff had an interesting MENU: I tried the Bacalao made of crushed premium "daing" labahita, sauteed in ORGANIC tomatoes, served with warm lightly toast pita bread. Perfect with freshly squeezed dalandan juice, sweetened with coco-sugar. That, as a starter!
For the main course, I devoured on Davao Tuna, crisp-locked Organic Vegetables and steaming hot Organic Rice! If only I had space in my belly, I would have enjoyed a succulent dessert... that is why I have to go back.. Go back on August 28th for the GREEN NITE. Will you come along? :)
MORE ABOUT THE SHOP: Tri-Mona
GENERAL MANAGER:
Pangging (+63.915.648.4638)
HOUSE SPECIAL:
Davao Fish Kinilaw (fresh Davao tuna/blue marlin/tanigue in organic Davao tuba), Fresh Lumpia (with home made lumpia wrapper), Tofu-based dishes (made from organic soy beans), Vegetable or Seafood veggie-noodle dishes
Healthy Breakfast:
Ensaladang Ampalaya or Radish, Veggie Omelet, Lugaw with Tofu or Hard-boiled Organic Egg, Homemade Pancake with Fresh Fruit, Kesong Puti (cottage cheese) Sandwich on Whole-Wheat Pandesal
LOCATION: 112 Anonas Extension, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City, Philippines
OPEN: Mondays to Saturdays, 8AM to 10PM. Sundays for private function only. Accepts catering.
NEXT EVENT:
13 Aug = TGIF buffet lunch (11AM-2PM) and dinner (6-9PM). Promo PhP200 for Soup; Salad; 3 Viands of veg, fish, chicken; Dessert and Fresh herb tea!
17 Aug = Bukidnon and DENR officials
28 Aug = Green Nite serving all-vegetable buffet from 6 to 10PM. Every end of the month -- Call first to check the exact date.
CLICK HERE to Email us about the Green Nite!
Dancing wind chimes, hanging trinkets, parading native ecoproducts, conversing paintings and arts, greeted me at this shop, called TRI-MONA.
Sounds familiar? For the mall-goers in Quezon City, it does! It's a "spin-off" from a popular mall with similar concept of offering various products to consumers, ONLY, Tri-Mona limit theirs with organic, natural, local.
The shop which partners with PGX, promotes FAIR TRADE (articles of the same are posted on its wall) and markets indigenous products of communities and people's organizations.
The interesting cafe with interesting stuff had an interesting MENU: I tried the Bacalao made of crushed premium "daing" labahita, sauteed in ORGANIC tomatoes, served with warm lightly toast pita bread. Perfect with freshly squeezed dalandan juice, sweetened with coco-sugar. That, as a starter!
For the main course, I devoured on Davao Tuna, crisp-locked Organic Vegetables and steaming hot Organic Rice! If only I had space in my belly, I would have enjoyed a succulent dessert... that is why I have to go back.. Go back on August 28th for the GREEN NITE. Will you come along? :)
MORE ABOUT THE SHOP: Tri-Mona
GENERAL MANAGER:
Pangging (+63.915.648.4638)
HOUSE SPECIAL:
Davao Fish Kinilaw (fresh Davao tuna/blue marlin/tanigue in organic Davao tuba), Fresh Lumpia (with home made lumpia wrapper), Tofu-based dishes (made from organic soy beans), Vegetable or Seafood veggie-noodle dishes
Healthy Breakfast:
Ensaladang Ampalaya or Radish, Veggie Omelet, Lugaw with Tofu or Hard-boiled Organic Egg, Homemade Pancake with Fresh Fruit, Kesong Puti (cottage cheese) Sandwich on Whole-Wheat Pandesal
LOCATION: 112 Anonas Extension, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City, Philippines
OPEN: Mondays to Saturdays, 8AM to 10PM. Sundays for private function only. Accepts catering.
NEXT EVENT:
13 Aug = TGIF buffet lunch (11AM-2PM) and dinner (6-9PM). Promo PhP200 for Soup; Salad; 3 Viands of veg, fish, chicken; Dessert and Fresh herb tea!
17 Aug = Bukidnon and DENR officials
28 Aug = Green Nite serving all-vegetable buffet from 6 to 10PM. Every end of the month -- Call first to check the exact date.
CLICK HERE to Email us about the Green Nite!
Friday, August 6, 2010
WED-Phils on DENR's Orientation and Design
from World Environment Day (WED)-Philippines Network, also named Green Families and Communities Network (GFCN)
One of the ultimate reasons behind the poverty of Filipinos in our seven thousand one hundred one islands, is the destruction of ecological habitat of the millions of ecology dependent families of tribal societies in the upland, farming families in the lowland and fishing families in the vast coastal area considered to tbe twice longer than the entire coast of the United States of America. These are the three sectors of the Economy of the Commons in our Island Economic Systems. At present, this marginalization of communities primarily dependent upon Ecological Habitat, became the primary actors beneath the new dimensions of social realities in our society: Overseas Contract Workers and the Phenomenon of Urban Poverty (railroad and solid wastes dependent communities, in Payatas, and so forth).
The bottomline here is the destruction of ecology systems where these millions of families have been primarily dependent for daily sustenance in the upland, lowland and coastal areas in the country. The protection and preservation of these ecosystems have been the primary mandate of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
While the effect is clearly manifested in the Domain of the DENR, the cause is clearly in another Domain, that of NEDA, specifically its Medium Term Philippines Development Plan, which had created all of this pandemonium in the Economy of the Commons. The way out therefore of National Poverty that we are in today is not only along the Dimension of the Domain of NEDA but a balance between the domain of the Economy of Globalization of NEDA with the Economy of the Commons within the Domain of the DENR.
A handy tool for this dilemma would be a National Environment Plan (NEP) approved by the Filipino People through a Regional Consensus of the Office of the President. In this regard, the National Environment Plan of DENR would become a tool to audit the adverse impact of the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan of NEDA on the Economy of the Commons in the Countrysides.
At present, there are no clear dimensions of thinking along this line of conflict between the Economy of Globalization of NEDA and Economy of the Commons supposed to be protected by the DENR. With this, too, all the regional offices of the DENR must be fully equipped to implement the objectives defined by this NEP, approved by the Filipino people under the leadership of no less than the President of the Republic of the Philippines.
Presented by Dr Ernesto R Gonzales of Pateros River Basin Organization (PATRiBOrg). More of WED-Phils @
http://readdingz.blogspot.com/2010/05/proposed-resolution-agenda-for-green.html
PREVIOUS: For a People-based and Stable Environment Regime
One of the ultimate reasons behind the poverty of Filipinos in our seven thousand one hundred one islands, is the destruction of ecological habitat of the millions of ecology dependent families of tribal societies in the upland, farming families in the lowland and fishing families in the vast coastal area considered to tbe twice longer than the entire coast of the United States of America. These are the three sectors of the Economy of the Commons in our Island Economic Systems. At present, this marginalization of communities primarily dependent upon Ecological Habitat, became the primary actors beneath the new dimensions of social realities in our society: Overseas Contract Workers and the Phenomenon of Urban Poverty (railroad and solid wastes dependent communities, in Payatas, and so forth).
The bottomline here is the destruction of ecology systems where these millions of families have been primarily dependent for daily sustenance in the upland, lowland and coastal areas in the country. The protection and preservation of these ecosystems have been the primary mandate of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
While the effect is clearly manifested in the Domain of the DENR, the cause is clearly in another Domain, that of NEDA, specifically its Medium Term Philippines Development Plan, which had created all of this pandemonium in the Economy of the Commons. The way out therefore of National Poverty that we are in today is not only along the Dimension of the Domain of NEDA but a balance between the domain of the Economy of Globalization of NEDA with the Economy of the Commons within the Domain of the DENR.
A handy tool for this dilemma would be a National Environment Plan (NEP) approved by the Filipino People through a Regional Consensus of the Office of the President. In this regard, the National Environment Plan of DENR would become a tool to audit the adverse impact of the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan of NEDA on the Economy of the Commons in the Countrysides.
At present, there are no clear dimensions of thinking along this line of conflict between the Economy of Globalization of NEDA and Economy of the Commons supposed to be protected by the DENR. With this, too, all the regional offices of the DENR must be fully equipped to implement the objectives defined by this NEP, approved by the Filipino people under the leadership of no less than the President of the Republic of the Philippines.
Presented by Dr Ernesto R Gonzales of Pateros River Basin Organization (PATRiBOrg). More of WED-Phils @
http://readdingz.blogspot.com/2010/05/proposed-resolution-agenda-for-green.html
PREVIOUS: For a People-based and Stable Environment Regime
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
For a People-based and Stable Environment Regime
BY TONY CRUZADA
THE NEW ADMINISTRATION of President Benigno S. Aquino III had campaigned and won on a people-based platform. The chief executive proclaimed himself upon inauguration that he was going to be the servant of the people and that we, the people, are going to be his boss. Earlier, he said the people were his source of strength. But how much can he possibly stretch the sense of these words so they would surely go beyond the rhetorics of populism and ultimately rebound to the interests of the people, to the people’s deliverance and survival and that of the Commons they have had to depend on?
As of now, the people are yet unassurred that the Aquino administration would take their side when it comes to environmental policies as these oftentimes conflict with the views of the economic rulers, namely the big multinational corporations as they have come to be consolidated and championed by powerful institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization. The paradigms, programs and policies being imposed by these entities on the Philippine economy are debt-driven, import dependent and export-oriented to the clear detriment of any slim chance the country could ever attain a sustainable economic upturn.
These programs and policies have been enshrined in the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) by the super-powerful National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), whose word outweighs the voices of all the other government executive instrumentalities, combined.
Justifying its essentially-suicidal prescriptions as absolutely necessary and our “only hope” in trying to win the war on poverty, NEDA has only succeeded in pushing us deeper in debt, desperation and destitution, ultra-dependent on other economies even for our staple food, and exporting our own people for short stretches of survival. All these years they have been giving us figures to paint a rosy picture on the graphs and charts but adequated safe and nutritious food does not appear on the dining tables of the average Filipinos, who have had to suffer, to boot, polluted air, polluted water and poisoned and denuded land.
How can President Noynoy accomplish any of these if the powerful foreign and local business interests are going to apply effecive pressure on the DENR and other government entities not to enforce legal and even Constitutional mandates on the effective protection of the environment?
To be sure, President Aquino’s initial signs of being starkly different from the predispositions and personal styles of his predecessors go a long way in building popular credibility of his earnestness, but at the end of it all, probably long before, the people have to be shown real substantial changes in governance that would be felt in the gut. On the environment front, for example, the all-out open mining policy has to be stopped. The import of poisoned food and food crops like genetically-modified organisms of GMOs has to be stopped. For a change, DENR has to start being consistently on the side of the local communities and their natural habitats. Really, it’s more difficult work than banning “wang-wang” sirens of abusive politicians and cops.
With its structural dilemma, and many of the laws allowing lawbreakers to invoke unclarities and loopholes in them, the DENR and other agencies are allowed to feign “excusable” incompetence and budgetary problems instead of having to admit out and out anti-people predispositions and also corruption to explain their dismal overall performance. Can President Aguino really make them work energetically to protect the people and the environment? No, they would probably prefer to repel the people’s complaints and inquiries with the typical “talagang ganyan!” line and may even occassionally offer to weep with us during the worst incidents of actually-preventable calamities.
To take a firmer hold on governance, specifically on the environment front, there really has to be a clear National Environment Plan, adequately insulated from the environmentally-destructive prescriptions of NEDA, to disallow premediated confusions and footdragging on environmental programs and policies and this has to be pursued with passion. Aquino cannot afford to do any less.
Ultimately, the ratings of the new government will sink or swim with this passion. WE therefore support the resolution of the recent Annual Assembly of the World Environment Day – Philippines Network to have a stongly pro-environment National Environment Plan drafted and promulgated that few much closer to the mandates of Philippine Agenda 21 than to NEDA’s MTPDP.
This is the more important matter than who the President would appoint to stably lead the DENR. It’s not a matter of personalities –Noynoy Aquino’s or Mon Paje’s.
About the Author:
Tony Cruzada is the Editor of Kamayan para sa Kalikasan Forum which meets every third Friday of the month to discuss about delicate issues about the environment. Visit their Website @ http://kamayanforum.8m.net/
THE NEW ADMINISTRATION of President Benigno S. Aquino III had campaigned and won on a people-based platform. The chief executive proclaimed himself upon inauguration that he was going to be the servant of the people and that we, the people, are going to be his boss. Earlier, he said the people were his source of strength. But how much can he possibly stretch the sense of these words so they would surely go beyond the rhetorics of populism and ultimately rebound to the interests of the people, to the people’s deliverance and survival and that of the Commons they have had to depend on?
As of now, the people are yet unassurred that the Aquino administration would take their side when it comes to environmental policies as these oftentimes conflict with the views of the economic rulers, namely the big multinational corporations as they have come to be consolidated and championed by powerful institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization. The paradigms, programs and policies being imposed by these entities on the Philippine economy are debt-driven, import dependent and export-oriented to the clear detriment of any slim chance the country could ever attain a sustainable economic upturn.
These programs and policies have been enshrined in the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) by the super-powerful National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), whose word outweighs the voices of all the other government executive instrumentalities, combined.
Justifying its essentially-suicidal prescriptions as absolutely necessary and our “only hope” in trying to win the war on poverty, NEDA has only succeeded in pushing us deeper in debt, desperation and destitution, ultra-dependent on other economies even for our staple food, and exporting our own people for short stretches of survival. All these years they have been giving us figures to paint a rosy picture on the graphs and charts but adequated safe and nutritious food does not appear on the dining tables of the average Filipinos, who have had to suffer, to boot, polluted air, polluted water and poisoned and denuded land.
How can President Noynoy accomplish any of these if the powerful foreign and local business interests are going to apply effecive pressure on the DENR and other government entities not to enforce legal and even Constitutional mandates on the effective protection of the environment?
To be sure, President Aquino’s initial signs of being starkly different from the predispositions and personal styles of his predecessors go a long way in building popular credibility of his earnestness, but at the end of it all, probably long before, the people have to be shown real substantial changes in governance that would be felt in the gut. On the environment front, for example, the all-out open mining policy has to be stopped. The import of poisoned food and food crops like genetically-modified organisms of GMOs has to be stopped. For a change, DENR has to start being consistently on the side of the local communities and their natural habitats. Really, it’s more difficult work than banning “wang-wang” sirens of abusive politicians and cops.
With its structural dilemma, and many of the laws allowing lawbreakers to invoke unclarities and loopholes in them, the DENR and other agencies are allowed to feign “excusable” incompetence and budgetary problems instead of having to admit out and out anti-people predispositions and also corruption to explain their dismal overall performance. Can President Aguino really make them work energetically to protect the people and the environment? No, they would probably prefer to repel the people’s complaints and inquiries with the typical “talagang ganyan!” line and may even occassionally offer to weep with us during the worst incidents of actually-preventable calamities.
To take a firmer hold on governance, specifically on the environment front, there really has to be a clear National Environment Plan, adequately insulated from the environmentally-destructive prescriptions of NEDA, to disallow premediated confusions and footdragging on environmental programs and policies and this has to be pursued with passion. Aquino cannot afford to do any less.
Ultimately, the ratings of the new government will sink or swim with this passion. WE therefore support the resolution of the recent Annual Assembly of the World Environment Day – Philippines Network to have a stongly pro-environment National Environment Plan drafted and promulgated that few much closer to the mandates of Philippine Agenda 21 than to NEDA’s MTPDP.
This is the more important matter than who the President would appoint to stably lead the DENR. It’s not a matter of personalities –Noynoy Aquino’s or Mon Paje’s.
About the Author:
Tony Cruzada is the Editor of Kamayan para sa Kalikasan Forum which meets every third Friday of the month to discuss about delicate issues about the environment. Visit their Website @ http://kamayanforum.8m.net/
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Grace To Finish My 2nd 42K
BY JEMUEL BAYOT
It’s Milo. The most prestigious marathon in the Philippines. Been wanting to run this marathon since I got into this running thing. For me, you’ve never really experienced running if you haven’t done a Milo marathon/race. I mean, since I was a little kid, I’ve been hearing about this Milo race thingy that everyone’s excited about. It was just another event I would never care about joining since most of the runners are seasoned veterans---the kind with white long beards, grey hair, muscle legs. Imagine the photo of the muscular system man in your elementary science [just add some beard and gray hair or even bald head]. Never thought I’d be interested in running this race. This is, by far, the most excruciating, exhaustive race i had.
With all these races and with all these crazes, I registered in park square. Never thought they’d be serious with the empty Milo pouch. [it’s my first time to join Milo, that’s why]. I had to buy at SM supermarket then registered. I secured my desk calendar and planned my runs ahead from 3 week final long run and all. Thinking that I can make my final long run on time, I still didn’t. My time is consumed in business operations and all. Did my long run 2 weeks before the marathon day. Guess what, it’s still not a good idea to do your final long run 2 weeks before the race. It has to be 3 weeks prior to race day. Now I know that it’s true when Jim Lafferty said that “the data are very clear… it takes 3 weeks to recover..." Read More at highroadrunner blogspot
About the Author: Jem is a newbie runner, Ironman aspirant. Prior to having an active lifestyle, his life revolved around businesses, ministry and parties. It still does. It's just that "running made him look better."
It’s Milo. The most prestigious marathon in the Philippines. Been wanting to run this marathon since I got into this running thing. For me, you’ve never really experienced running if you haven’t done a Milo marathon/race. I mean, since I was a little kid, I’ve been hearing about this Milo race thingy that everyone’s excited about. It was just another event I would never care about joining since most of the runners are seasoned veterans---the kind with white long beards, grey hair, muscle legs. Imagine the photo of the muscular system man in your elementary science [just add some beard and gray hair or even bald head]. Never thought I’d be interested in running this race. This is, by far, the most excruciating, exhaustive race i had.
With all these races and with all these crazes, I registered in park square. Never thought they’d be serious with the empty Milo pouch. [it’s my first time to join Milo, that’s why]. I had to buy at SM supermarket then registered. I secured my desk calendar and planned my runs ahead from 3 week final long run and all. Thinking that I can make my final long run on time, I still didn’t. My time is consumed in business operations and all. Did my long run 2 weeks before the marathon day. Guess what, it’s still not a good idea to do your final long run 2 weeks before the race. It has to be 3 weeks prior to race day. Now I know that it’s true when Jim Lafferty said that “the data are very clear… it takes 3 weeks to recover..." Read More at highroadrunner blogspot
About the Author: Jem is a newbie runner, Ironman aspirant. Prior to having an active lifestyle, his life revolved around businesses, ministry and parties. It still does. It's just that "running made him look better."
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Green Chef: Tarragon, The King of Herbs
SOURCE: TarragonCentral
Tarragon is widely used as an herb in cooking but also has a medicinal history of use. The ancient Greeks chewed tarragon to treat toothaches because of its ability to numb the mouth. Tarragon has also been used as a digestive aid, a mild sedative, and as a heart disease prevention aid. Tarragon is an herb which has a flavor that resembles licorice. It was used during the Middle Ages as an antidote for poisonous snakebites.
HOW TO TAKE IT
Tea for calming benefits: To prepare tarragon tea, take one cup boiling water and pour over one tablespoon tarragon and let stand for ten minutes, and drink. It is recommended to drink at least one cup of tarragon tea per day.
Tea for Parasites: Tarragon tea has been used in helping to remove parasites, take one quart of boiling water and one ounce of tarragon leaves, pour water over leaves and let stand for ten minutes, strain and drink two cups in the morning and refrigerate the remaining. It is recommended to drink at least four cups per day, once in the morning and in the evening.
Tea for for insomnia, hyperactivity, depression, or nervous exhaustion. (or anything "jittery") 1 ½ tsp cut dried herb in 1 ¾ cups boiled water, steep 40 minutes, drink warm
Tea to aid Digestion: For digestion steep a handful of dried leaves in a jar with apple cider vinegar, stand 7 hours, strain and seal. Take 1 tbsp before each meal.
Hiccups: Chew a leaf to stop hiccups.
External use: inhalation: dried leaves in 2 to 3 cups of boiling water; inhale vapors for headache, depression, or insomnia.
Topical application: Apply crushed leaves to small cuts to help fight bacteria before washing and bandaging.
Toothache: try chewing a couple of fresh or dried leaves until it is a paste and hold with tongue against sore tooth or area for oral pain (adults only). It will numb the bothersome area.
HOW TO COOK WITH IT?
A few sprinkles of tarragon make all the difference in these recipes!
Email Us should you want to get a pot of tarragon for Php 35.00. Mix it with 2 other herbs for Php 100.00
Tarragon is widely used as an herb in cooking but also has a medicinal history of use. The ancient Greeks chewed tarragon to treat toothaches because of its ability to numb the mouth. Tarragon has also been used as a digestive aid, a mild sedative, and as a heart disease prevention aid. Tarragon is an herb which has a flavor that resembles licorice. It was used during the Middle Ages as an antidote for poisonous snakebites.
HOW TO TAKE IT
Tea for calming benefits: To prepare tarragon tea, take one cup boiling water and pour over one tablespoon tarragon and let stand for ten minutes, and drink. It is recommended to drink at least one cup of tarragon tea per day.
Tea for Parasites: Tarragon tea has been used in helping to remove parasites, take one quart of boiling water and one ounce of tarragon leaves, pour water over leaves and let stand for ten minutes, strain and drink two cups in the morning and refrigerate the remaining. It is recommended to drink at least four cups per day, once in the morning and in the evening.
Tea for for insomnia, hyperactivity, depression, or nervous exhaustion. (or anything "jittery") 1 ½ tsp cut dried herb in 1 ¾ cups boiled water, steep 40 minutes, drink warm
Tea to aid Digestion: For digestion steep a handful of dried leaves in a jar with apple cider vinegar, stand 7 hours, strain and seal. Take 1 tbsp before each meal.
Hiccups: Chew a leaf to stop hiccups.
External use: inhalation: dried leaves in 2 to 3 cups of boiling water; inhale vapors for headache, depression, or insomnia.
Topical application: Apply crushed leaves to small cuts to help fight bacteria before washing and bandaging.
Toothache: try chewing a couple of fresh or dried leaves until it is a paste and hold with tongue against sore tooth or area for oral pain (adults only). It will numb the bothersome area.
HOW TO COOK WITH IT?
A few sprinkles of tarragon make all the difference in these recipes!
Email Us should you want to get a pot of tarragon for Php 35.00. Mix it with 2 other herbs for Php 100.00
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Runner's Death As Told By His Father
This came in from the inbox, let us all learn from this story... As our mentor in the running organization who managed a 42K marathon during the SUMMER(!) taught us, "To protect the runners, I had chipped blocks of ice every 3 kilometers apart and instructed everyone to massage their bodies with ICE when they get to the ice stations. I realize that this kind of service is difficult to provide when the number of runners hit thousands. But the least that the organizers could do is to advise the runners to bring ice with them --place the ice inside socks than dangle around their necks, and advise them constantly rub ice on the nape and chest. And of course, to drink water at every station. And ice directed to the participants should be part of the race organizers assumed responsibility."
REMUS FUENTES died of multiple organ failures as result of heatstroke two days after he ran the 21K in the recent 34th Milo Marathon last Sunday, July 4, 2010. His death was the result of fatal mistakes, sheer incompetence and gross negligence in the event organized by the Organizing Team.
My son, 37-year-old Remus ran the 21K together with a running buddy when he collapsed at 19.9 kilometer mark. There was none of organizer's ambulance nor marshalls to respond in the incident. Policemen hailed for a taxi and they, together with his buddy, assisted in bringing him to the nearest hospital, Ospital ng Maynila. At the ER, the diagnose was suspected heart attack. My wife and me, upon being informed by his younger brother, Roy Fuentes, who also ran the 21K, rushed to the hospital and saw that Remus in coma, had seizures and struggled breathing in spite of hand-pumped oxygen and dextrose attached. His body temperature was 40 degrees C and when asked, the medical attendant told us he had fever. She introduced paracetamol intravenously twice at interval of about 15 minutes. Remus continued having seizures even until the arrival of Medical City doctor & ambulance attendants that we have arranged for his transfer. The Medical City doctor attending said his status was unstable, contrary to the earlier advice to her by the Ospital ng Maynila ER doctor. They rushed him with the ambulance to Medical City at about 11:30 AM. There, a series of tests were done, including blood chemistry, CT scan, etc. Cardiologist told us his heart was strong and no intervening medicine was necessary. Blood Chemistry results showed positive findings on creatinin level, an indication of kidney failure. They suspected liver failure too. To stop his seizures, Remus was put on full sedation for 12 hours. Kidney functions further deteriorated after 36 hours. Blood pressure and heart rate went erratic.
Doctors attending him in the ICU asked our permission to do dialysis and blood transfusion to stabilize his blood pressure. Seven hours later, ICU nurse wake us up and asked us to rush to the ICU. We saw 18 medical people around him, several taking turn doing the CPR. Failing to revive him, the doctor asked our consent to stop the CPR after 15 minutes. We begged them to continue hoping for miracle. 30 minutes further, doctor told us again that all numbers in the monitoring were bad and asked again the consent to stop the CPR. Finally, we relented. Few minutes later, his heart rate monitor went flat. All these happened in front of my wife and me. We lost Remus 48 hours after he collapsed into coma which he has never recovered. His young wife and his eight-year old son took the news very badly.
About Heatstroke:
It usually happen in extreme sports like basketball, football, boxing and marathon.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical condition. The person's cooling system, which is controlled by the brain, stops working and the internal body temperature rises to the point where brain damage or damage to other internal organs may result. The body temperature, usually at normal 37 C, goes up during the exertion of effort as result of the increased heart rate. When it reaches 40 C, the person is in danger of getting heatstroke. Above 40 C and mostly at about 42 C, the person can collapse into unconsciousness. If nothing is done within few minutes, he can slip into coma and brain damage may occur. The proven first aid response for heatstroke is cooling the body rapidly in whatever means to the level of below 40 C before bringing him to a hospital.
Ice and water is the best way to do this, the same way it is done for a child having high fever who has convulsion.
Another way of understanding heatstroke is comparing it to the performance of car engine. At idling, the engine temp is low and safe. At sustained high speed, engine temperature increases rapidly but because of the cooling system, the heat is continuously dissipated in the radiator and safe temperature level is maintained. But when the water in the radiator is gone, Undissipated heat will rack up the engine temperature and ultimately exceeds the safe limits. At this condition, engine breakdown will occur in minutes starting with broken piston rings, rods, pistons, etc.
With the human body, perspiration cools down the body so hydration by drinking water is essential. Without water, perspiration stops and body temperature goes to critical level and into heatstroke and then organs and brain begin to fail.
Big obvious difference between human body and car engine is that you can always overhaul the engine but you cannot do that on the human body.
Why Heatstroke is More Dangerous in Marathon than in other Extreme Sports?
In basketball, the player exerts extreme effort only in bursts, stopping or slowing down intermittently which slows down heart rate and cools down the body. At timeout, they drink to replenish lost body water hence you always have the waterboy. Heart stroke is rare but ask any PBA player what they do when a player collapse. They don't move the body but cool them off with water or ice before bringing him to the hospital.
The same is true in football and in many similar sports. In boxing, in between rounds of three minutes, boxer rests and drinks water. We can only wonder what will happen if the rule of the sport is drastically changed and will only end when one is down and out.
In Marathon , the risk of heatstroke is much higher for the following reasons:
1. The long distance runner aims for shorter time as a goal and therefore motivated to keep a sustained effort, not unlike cars at high speed in the highway.
2. Furthermore, the target minimum time set by the organizer adds more to the motivation to run faster. The cut-off time added more pressure to the marginal marathon runner, meaning if you are used to run above the target time, the tendency is to do better time, probably at pace unproven by your body in practice. (Milo Marathon set the target for 21K medal at 2 ½ hours or less. Remus collapsed at near 20th km. with time of 2 hours 10 minutes when his previous record was 2 hours and 27 minutes. ).
3. The more critical factor is that the hydration management is not in the control of the runner. He has to rely on water availability at the water stations provided and planned by the organizer along the route. ( In this 34th Milo Marathon, several runners including Remus brother, Roy and Remus running buddy asserted that practically there was no water to drink in the last 2~3 kilometers before the finish line, a fatal failure for Remus by the organizer when they changed the route resulting in over-traffic near the finish line. There were record 28,000 runners on that day and obviously the organizers failed to anticipate the complexity of hydration. Milo's last year marathon participant was well below 10,000 runners.)
4. The correct life-saving response for heatstroke depends on few knowledgable people who may happen to be around the person. To mitigate this, the organizer deploys ambulances with water & ice for cooling heatstroke victims and is expected to respond within minutes. In addition, marshalls are provided along the route to assess runner situations continuously. (Obviously, the organizer failed again on this aspect because Remus was helped by policemen and his buddy instead. By this time, Remus is probably already brain damaged as evident by his seizure at the hospital. No Milo people knew of Remus case on that day until Roy, his brother, sent an email informing the organizer of the incident in the next morning).
5. The Sun Factor adds to the danger in Marathon . Running under the heat of the sun in tropical country like ours cannot be underestimated. To minimize the effect of the sunheat, Marathon run is planned to finish in the early morning avoiding the heat at later time. Organizers usually take this into consideration. ( Milo organized the 21K to start at 5:30 AM , a departure of common practice of other marathons which started at 5:00 AM. Remus collapsed at about 7:57 AM. Roy who is a better runner than his brother Remus, complained that it was unusually hot that morning even if he was able to finish it earlier in 2 hours 45 minutes )
Clearly, Marathon is an extreme and dangerous sport even to the young, healthy and trained runners. This is not the a fun run's many people confused of. The organizer has clear life-and-death responsibility to make sure that the conditions the runner will run under item 3, 4 and 5 above are done properly.
Obviously they did not do their job properly in the 34th Milo Marathon. In my opinion, being the father of Remus, Milo Marathon Organizers have failed my son. It is their sheer incompetence and consequently the gross negligence in their duty that results in the death of Remus, an unneccesary death.
About Remus:
At the time of his death, he was an IT project manager of Hewlett-Packard (HP) responsible in computerizing big companies like Unilab, Coke, etc. including installation of hardwares (servers, etc.) and software system. He used to worked for Intel for 10 years before he moved to HP 3 years ago. He graduated in Computer Engineering. He left a housewife, Takako and two children, Raphael, 8 years old and Therese, 4 years old. Raphael is enrolled at La Salle Greenhills. He played basketball with his brothers regularly on weekends. He has been running since his high school days in Lourdes School of Mandaluyong.
He has run many 10Ks and two 21Ks before these, the "Freedom Run" in June 13 and Nature Valley in May 20 only this year. He has no history nor complaint of illness and he lived clean.
My Questions for the Organizers:
1. How many died in the 34th Milo Marathon last July 4? Is it true that there was another runner at 42K who collapsed at 33 km and later died?
2. How many runner collapsed in that marathon due to heatstroke who later survived but now are no longer the same person as before due to partial brain injury? At Ospital ng Maynila, we saw a 2nd runner brought in unconscious and woke up later but he can no longer recognize his family. Do the Organizers of knew this? What happened to him. Are their more?
3. Is it true that another 36 year-old runner, Fidel Camson, who ran the 42K 31st Milo Marathon in November 2007 collapsed near the finish line, brought to the Ospital ng Maynila and died later of undetermined cause? If true, what did they do avoid a repeat which apparently did not happen in this 34th Milo Marathon? If true, why do they still keep Rudy Biscocho as their Marathon organizer for 10 years until now?
4. Do they keep tally of deaths in the 34 years of Milo Marathon? Do they study the statistics and establish how many died of heatstroke, the preventable one?
5. What is the corporate culture of the Organizers regarding its respect of the value of life? Upon knowing the death of my son Remus, A Senior Vice President of one of the organizing team, who head its Beverages Business Unit went to see me and among other things, he told me that the Marathon is continuously improved and but sometimes lapses occur and they will learn from these lapses. Lapse is defined as a "mistake". People learn from "error", a deviation from being correct but a "mistake" is caused by a fault: the fault could be misjudgment or carelessness. We learn from "error" but we take action on "mistake" and more drastic action when people die of this "mistake". So death in my son's case is a mere learning process for this person? Is this the culture that pervades in their Organization? or only in him?
6. Is the measly "humanitarian" offer to help the family shoulder medical & funeral expense to the family had become an SOP too often? Was it their expectation that as appreciation of this help, the family will keep quiet about the whole thing? Do they really think that the waiver signed by the runners protect them from being liable? Do they know that this waiver won't apply if negligence of their duty as organizer can be established?
7. What did the Organizers do, if any, to keep the news of Remus death from appearing in the media even after one week? Not one news item of his death appeared in the newspaper, TV or radio. Could the news of HP Manager Died of HeatStroke during the Milo Marathon not interest the public? Were they afraid that the bigger news is when the subline Father charged Milo Marathon Organizer of Incompetence and Negligence which may damage the public image of the company?
The answers to these questions will help enlightened the public whether Milo Marathon is safe or not for the runner. To the runners, their parents, wives and relatives they all better asked these questions before the runners decide to run in Milo Marathon.
Last Words from Remus Father:
I am not condemning the sport but the organizer who failed to make sure runners will not die of heatstroke, when the risks can be grossly minimized with proper route planning, hydration management and quick medical response. I am condemning the contribution of the apparent culture of the sponsor of diminished value of human life as indicative of its senior executive's attitude calling my son's death a result of lapses. My hope is something good will come out of his death and as result of improved organizing of the marathon run, few lives will be saved from heatstroke. My other hope is to get justice and for the Organizing team to answer for his untimely death. I am working on it.
RUDY FUENTES, Father of Remus
*Other side of the story --from Philippine Daily Inquirer*
REMUS FUENTES died of multiple organ failures as result of heatstroke two days after he ran the 21K in the recent 34th Milo Marathon last Sunday, July 4, 2010. His death was the result of fatal mistakes, sheer incompetence and gross negligence in the event organized by the Organizing Team.
My son, 37-year-old Remus ran the 21K together with a running buddy when he collapsed at 19.9 kilometer mark. There was none of organizer's ambulance nor marshalls to respond in the incident. Policemen hailed for a taxi and they, together with his buddy, assisted in bringing him to the nearest hospital, Ospital ng Maynila. At the ER, the diagnose was suspected heart attack. My wife and me, upon being informed by his younger brother, Roy Fuentes, who also ran the 21K, rushed to the hospital and saw that Remus in coma, had seizures and struggled breathing in spite of hand-pumped oxygen and dextrose attached. His body temperature was 40 degrees C and when asked, the medical attendant told us he had fever. She introduced paracetamol intravenously twice at interval of about 15 minutes. Remus continued having seizures even until the arrival of Medical City doctor & ambulance attendants that we have arranged for his transfer. The Medical City doctor attending said his status was unstable, contrary to the earlier advice to her by the Ospital ng Maynila ER doctor. They rushed him with the ambulance to Medical City at about 11:30 AM. There, a series of tests were done, including blood chemistry, CT scan, etc. Cardiologist told us his heart was strong and no intervening medicine was necessary. Blood Chemistry results showed positive findings on creatinin level, an indication of kidney failure. They suspected liver failure too. To stop his seizures, Remus was put on full sedation for 12 hours. Kidney functions further deteriorated after 36 hours. Blood pressure and heart rate went erratic.
Doctors attending him in the ICU asked our permission to do dialysis and blood transfusion to stabilize his blood pressure. Seven hours later, ICU nurse wake us up and asked us to rush to the ICU. We saw 18 medical people around him, several taking turn doing the CPR. Failing to revive him, the doctor asked our consent to stop the CPR after 15 minutes. We begged them to continue hoping for miracle. 30 minutes further, doctor told us again that all numbers in the monitoring were bad and asked again the consent to stop the CPR. Finally, we relented. Few minutes later, his heart rate monitor went flat. All these happened in front of my wife and me. We lost Remus 48 hours after he collapsed into coma which he has never recovered. His young wife and his eight-year old son took the news very badly.
About Heatstroke:
It usually happen in extreme sports like basketball, football, boxing and marathon.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical condition. The person's cooling system, which is controlled by the brain, stops working and the internal body temperature rises to the point where brain damage or damage to other internal organs may result. The body temperature, usually at normal 37 C, goes up during the exertion of effort as result of the increased heart rate. When it reaches 40 C, the person is in danger of getting heatstroke. Above 40 C and mostly at about 42 C, the person can collapse into unconsciousness. If nothing is done within few minutes, he can slip into coma and brain damage may occur. The proven first aid response for heatstroke is cooling the body rapidly in whatever means to the level of below 40 C before bringing him to a hospital.
Ice and water is the best way to do this, the same way it is done for a child having high fever who has convulsion.
Another way of understanding heatstroke is comparing it to the performance of car engine. At idling, the engine temp is low and safe. At sustained high speed, engine temperature increases rapidly but because of the cooling system, the heat is continuously dissipated in the radiator and safe temperature level is maintained. But when the water in the radiator is gone, Undissipated heat will rack up the engine temperature and ultimately exceeds the safe limits. At this condition, engine breakdown will occur in minutes starting with broken piston rings, rods, pistons, etc.
With the human body, perspiration cools down the body so hydration by drinking water is essential. Without water, perspiration stops and body temperature goes to critical level and into heatstroke and then organs and brain begin to fail.
Big obvious difference between human body and car engine is that you can always overhaul the engine but you cannot do that on the human body.
Why Heatstroke is More Dangerous in Marathon than in other Extreme Sports?
In basketball, the player exerts extreme effort only in bursts, stopping or slowing down intermittently which slows down heart rate and cools down the body. At timeout, they drink to replenish lost body water hence you always have the waterboy. Heart stroke is rare but ask any PBA player what they do when a player collapse. They don't move the body but cool them off with water or ice before bringing him to the hospital.
The same is true in football and in many similar sports. In boxing, in between rounds of three minutes, boxer rests and drinks water. We can only wonder what will happen if the rule of the sport is drastically changed and will only end when one is down and out.
In Marathon , the risk of heatstroke is much higher for the following reasons:
1. The long distance runner aims for shorter time as a goal and therefore motivated to keep a sustained effort, not unlike cars at high speed in the highway.
2. Furthermore, the target minimum time set by the organizer adds more to the motivation to run faster. The cut-off time added more pressure to the marginal marathon runner, meaning if you are used to run above the target time, the tendency is to do better time, probably at pace unproven by your body in practice. (Milo Marathon set the target for 21K medal at 2 ½ hours or less. Remus collapsed at near 20th km. with time of 2 hours 10 minutes when his previous record was 2 hours and 27 minutes. ).
3. The more critical factor is that the hydration management is not in the control of the runner. He has to rely on water availability at the water stations provided and planned by the organizer along the route. ( In this 34th Milo Marathon, several runners including Remus brother, Roy and Remus running buddy asserted that practically there was no water to drink in the last 2~3 kilometers before the finish line, a fatal failure for Remus by the organizer when they changed the route resulting in over-traffic near the finish line. There were record 28,000 runners on that day and obviously the organizers failed to anticipate the complexity of hydration. Milo's last year marathon participant was well below 10,000 runners.)
4. The correct life-saving response for heatstroke depends on few knowledgable people who may happen to be around the person. To mitigate this, the organizer deploys ambulances with water & ice for cooling heatstroke victims and is expected to respond within minutes. In addition, marshalls are provided along the route to assess runner situations continuously. (Obviously, the organizer failed again on this aspect because Remus was helped by policemen and his buddy instead. By this time, Remus is probably already brain damaged as evident by his seizure at the hospital. No Milo people knew of Remus case on that day until Roy, his brother, sent an email informing the organizer of the incident in the next morning).
5. The Sun Factor adds to the danger in Marathon . Running under the heat of the sun in tropical country like ours cannot be underestimated. To minimize the effect of the sunheat, Marathon run is planned to finish in the early morning avoiding the heat at later time. Organizers usually take this into consideration. ( Milo organized the 21K to start at 5:30 AM , a departure of common practice of other marathons which started at 5:00 AM. Remus collapsed at about 7:57 AM. Roy who is a better runner than his brother Remus, complained that it was unusually hot that morning even if he was able to finish it earlier in 2 hours 45 minutes )
Clearly, Marathon is an extreme and dangerous sport even to the young, healthy and trained runners. This is not the a fun run's many people confused of. The organizer has clear life-and-death responsibility to make sure that the conditions the runner will run under item 3, 4 and 5 above are done properly.
Obviously they did not do their job properly in the 34th Milo Marathon. In my opinion, being the father of Remus, Milo Marathon Organizers have failed my son. It is their sheer incompetence and consequently the gross negligence in their duty that results in the death of Remus, an unneccesary death.
About Remus:
At the time of his death, he was an IT project manager of Hewlett-Packard (HP) responsible in computerizing big companies like Unilab, Coke, etc. including installation of hardwares (servers, etc.) and software system. He used to worked for Intel for 10 years before he moved to HP 3 years ago. He graduated in Computer Engineering. He left a housewife, Takako and two children, Raphael, 8 years old and Therese, 4 years old. Raphael is enrolled at La Salle Greenhills. He played basketball with his brothers regularly on weekends. He has been running since his high school days in Lourdes School of Mandaluyong.
He has run many 10Ks and two 21Ks before these, the "Freedom Run" in June 13 and Nature Valley in May 20 only this year. He has no history nor complaint of illness and he lived clean.
My Questions for the Organizers:
1. How many died in the 34th Milo Marathon last July 4? Is it true that there was another runner at 42K who collapsed at 33 km and later died?
2. How many runner collapsed in that marathon due to heatstroke who later survived but now are no longer the same person as before due to partial brain injury? At Ospital ng Maynila, we saw a 2nd runner brought in unconscious and woke up later but he can no longer recognize his family. Do the Organizers of knew this? What happened to him. Are their more?
3. Is it true that another 36 year-old runner, Fidel Camson, who ran the 42K 31st Milo Marathon in November 2007 collapsed near the finish line, brought to the Ospital ng Maynila and died later of undetermined cause? If true, what did they do avoid a repeat which apparently did not happen in this 34th Milo Marathon? If true, why do they still keep Rudy Biscocho as their Marathon organizer for 10 years until now?
4. Do they keep tally of deaths in the 34 years of Milo Marathon? Do they study the statistics and establish how many died of heatstroke, the preventable one?
5. What is the corporate culture of the Organizers regarding its respect of the value of life? Upon knowing the death of my son Remus, A Senior Vice President of one of the organizing team, who head its Beverages Business Unit went to see me and among other things, he told me that the Marathon is continuously improved and but sometimes lapses occur and they will learn from these lapses. Lapse is defined as a "mistake". People learn from "error", a deviation from being correct but a "mistake" is caused by a fault: the fault could be misjudgment or carelessness. We learn from "error" but we take action on "mistake" and more drastic action when people die of this "mistake". So death in my son's case is a mere learning process for this person? Is this the culture that pervades in their Organization? or only in him?
6. Is the measly "humanitarian" offer to help the family shoulder medical & funeral expense to the family had become an SOP too often? Was it their expectation that as appreciation of this help, the family will keep quiet about the whole thing? Do they really think that the waiver signed by the runners protect them from being liable? Do they know that this waiver won't apply if negligence of their duty as organizer can be established?
7. What did the Organizers do, if any, to keep the news of Remus death from appearing in the media even after one week? Not one news item of his death appeared in the newspaper, TV or radio. Could the news of HP Manager Died of HeatStroke during the Milo Marathon not interest the public? Were they afraid that the bigger news is when the subline Father charged Milo Marathon Organizer of Incompetence and Negligence which may damage the public image of the company?
The answers to these questions will help enlightened the public whether Milo Marathon is safe or not for the runner. To the runners, their parents, wives and relatives they all better asked these questions before the runners decide to run in Milo Marathon.
Last Words from Remus Father:
I am not condemning the sport but the organizer who failed to make sure runners will not die of heatstroke, when the risks can be grossly minimized with proper route planning, hydration management and quick medical response. I am condemning the contribution of the apparent culture of the sponsor of diminished value of human life as indicative of its senior executive's attitude calling my son's death a result of lapses. My hope is something good will come out of his death and as result of improved organizing of the marathon run, few lives will be saved from heatstroke. My other hope is to get justice and for the Organizing team to answer for his untimely death. I am working on it.
RUDY FUENTES, Father of Remus
*Other side of the story --from Philippine Daily Inquirer*
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