Needles for your cats and dogs

CEBU, Philippines - Imagine your pet dog or cat, whining and whimpering on an ailment you that you do not know of. Hopeless, you took him to the veterinarian and the doctor explained a disease of some sort. You can’t really understand what this medical expert was saying but you try your very best to find a way just to make him better.

If you ask an elderly from China or Japan, he’d tell you to go for the “needle treatment” or acupuncture. It’s a wise option, but for a dog? Well, this is indeed possible.

According to Dr. Ging Berdon, a veterinarian who graduated from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), animal acupuncture is the same acupuncture that has been applied to humans since the ancient period. This was discovered by the people of East Asia particularly the Chinese and the Japanese. Legend has it that during the Zang and Chow dynasties in 2000-3000 BC, wounded horses from battle were treated this way.

In treating domesticated animals such as cats and dogs, acupuncture is done on any type of disease. However, Dr. Berdon clarified that this is not done only as a sole treatment. This is a supplementary to the present treatment that they are doing on the animal. It is for relief of pain, healing of the animal’s nerves, and to calm them after having been shocked. There are no risks when an animal undergoes acupuncture, not even pain from the needles. She added that when a cat or a dog has acupuncture as a supplement for its present treatment, its recovery speeds up.

Regular acupuncture needles are used for animal acupuncture. There are different acupuncture sites in a dog’s or cat’s body such as the stomach, joints and the like. Yet, this method is not merely the sticking in of the needles. There should be stimulation such as passing electricity through the needles or by simply twisting them. The pricking is either perpendicular or diagonal. Of course, the animal has to be relaxed before it is given the treatment. At least three acupuncture sites have needles in a session of fifteen to thirty minutes. Dr. Berdon recommends having the treatment daily until the animal is well.

Despite its being relatively old in practice, animal acupuncture is often frowned upon by most pet owners. Most of them have the mindset that the treatment is a form of quackery or the belief in the supernatural. They think it has no guarantee. However, there are also some who want this treatment for their animal. Those are whom who have experienced acupuncture themselves.

In time, acupuncture would become a widespread technique now that it has shown positive results. Dr. Berdon cited a quadriplegic case where a dog’s four feet were paralyzed. After continuous acupuncture apart from the regular treatment, the dog was able to walk again after a few weeks. “It is a new concept but old practice,” said Berdon.

For a technique that’s been long practiced and has recently been proven, there’s no need to be afraid. Give your cats and dogs the best they deserve for their wellness and betterment. 

**Published in the Freeman on May 21, 2012

Mothering to build a nation

I have always wondered what it is like to have a female figure around through thick and thin. You see, my personal life is not as perfect as the family in the TV series 7th Heaven and I have always thought of how a mother would feel towards her children.

There was a time when annulment and divorce were alien to Philippine society. In fact, we Filipinos are highly regarded for our close family ties. We are the type of people who cannot live without family. Even children who become professionals opt to stay with their parents than move out and live alone. Filipino houses are filled with a lot of relatives from grandparents to aunts to in-laws and so on. We used to be the model of a happy family.

Yet, what has happened now? Mothers have become younger and younger by the year. There are no longer extended families. Lola and lolo can now be placed in someone else’s care inside the home for the aged or be left alone in the province. Kuya leaves right after college to start a family and ate wants to start her career alone. Both never come home during holidays and the youngest wants to do the same. Basic families are now only a group of two - a mother and a child, sometimes it’s the other way around. We are on a decline once again.

A lot of children are now living in broken homes. This tragic situation results to a depressed and rebellious child. A huge percentage of children eye suicide as an option, thinking that ending their lives would be the best solution to get out of the mess their parents have created. They feel outcast and abnormal amongst other children. That is why the youth today have lost their direction. They find no reason to dream for a helpless country, they only want to find the happiness that they never had. It is a broken generation that needs to be fixed.

However, some families manage to stay intact. I’d like to believe it’s the mother who has glued such entity together. It is no joke to be a mother, a wife, and a career woman at the same time. If superwoman did exist, there’s one in each of our houses. This gives us all the more reason to salute mothers. In fact, it is not enough to honor these superwomen for just a day.

A mother’s love is very crucial. It shapes the character of a child. We, as a people, need to be mothered. We need to be mothered by the right people who would shape us into being great once again. A mother’s instinct always wants what’s best for the children, even if it means sacrifice. We need leaders who are willing to be that.

However, this dream may take time or may never be attained in the political arena for now. Yet, it is never too late to be mothers ourselves in the community that we are in to build this nation again. It starts with a simple family, the basic unit of society. If we go back to the strength of the Filipinos in having close family ties, I’m sure we can go as far as we can imagine. Nobody knows better than a mother. Like they say, mothers know best.

**Published in the Freeman newspaper last May 15, 2012

The Freedom we Deserve

Congress has reconvened to discuss pending bills in both houses. The ongoing impeachment trial of our Chief Justice, the teleserye that Filipinos have been looking forward to, will also resume. Among the bills to be discussed is the Freedom of Information Act or FOI. This has been a hot topic within the media circle especially that World Press Freedom Day was celebrated last May 3.

The FOI gives us the privilege of accessing official records, documents, and other transactions of the government. It is like an expansion to the right to information enshrined in our Constitution. It also upholds press freedom as it helps journalists who are covering beats close to the government.

Why should a young person like me be concerned with the bills that Congress will be talking about? Let me tell you this. For one, everyone is directly affected by it because these bills will become the laws that govern the nation that we are in. Second, the people next in line who would benefit from these laws are no other than us, the next generation. That is how important the law is to a teenager who is rather much engrossed with the latest fashion trend than with the state of the nation.

With all the threats a journalist faces in his/her everyday work, there is no full press freedom at all. The Philippines was once dubbed as the worst place for a journalist to work in when the Maguindanao massacre happened. It was a stain in the reputation of the free country we are claiming to have. This has become a threat to aspiring journalists and to the students in the field of communication.

But I’d like to say we’re partly free, better than the information ban being experienced in China and Russia. The information age is what drives young writers to expand their horizons, and we’re already very lucky to have our lines open. Therefore, there is no reason for aspirants to be scared. It’s only a matter of being careful.

Going back to Congress, I really hope that the FOI will be passed. If this happens, imagine the numerous information we can find out about the government and its transactions. However, a speck exists in the bill for media outlets – the right of reply. This compels such outlets to broadcast or publish all reactions and comments by the readers. To me, this is already useless because readers and listeners are already actually enjoying being able to express their views or give their reactions through radio/TV programs, social media and through the newspapers’ opinion page.

They say your freedom ends where my nose begins. There is always a limitation to freedom and liberty. But for the press and all other outfits who strive to get the truth out, they deserve access to the information they need for them to write or feature stories that are of interest to the public. This is the reason why they say, “The truth shall set you free” and “The truth prevails.”

**Published in the Freeman newspaper on May 8, 2012

No discipline at all

I never quite understood why Labor Day required more labor for the workers by marching on the streets and asking for what they want. It is a holiday and workers should spend resting like spending time with their family and relax for just a day. But then when I had my short summer trip to one of the municipalities in the south, I understood why year after year it is always the same cycle. I understood why, despite all the hardships of the working class, we never moved forward as a nation.

Me, and a group of 12 other youngsters were preparing to have a quick break in Alcoy. None of us have been there except for one, who lives there. Preparing to leave for an 8pm trip, nobody knew the ins and outs of the South Bus Terminal. When the lady and her male assistant who asked for P5 never smiled back at us nor even looked at us, I sensed that something was wrong. They only extended their arms in the act of asking for the fee and tore a piece of paper, which was the proof of payment. I was disappointed. I wish a peso paid for their smiles. They were not happy.

While waiting for the bus to arrive, we were patiently falling in line hoping for the next bus. When it arrived, people from left and right were squabbling and pushing against each other just to get a seat. Even when the bus was still running towards the parking lot, a number of commuters already ran towards it, throwing their bags through the window so they could reserve a seat. We were horrified at what happened. From young professionals to ordinary commuters, they were doing all the same thing. When the second bus arrived, we followed what the others did. It was maybe for vengeance or for the reason of going to the destination in a jiffy. But we knew it was wrong.

We got seats in the second bus but a woman in her early 30s who was carrying a baby was pushed so hard that she fell to the ground. A pang of guilt struck us and we felt angry, too. People were so selfish.

This is the reason why we never move forward as a nation. We don’t have the discipline. Even as simple as falling in line could have made things better. Things get worse when the young ones witness what the elders are doing and follow it. It just goes on and on, nothing changes. The administration of the terminal didn’t even mind the lack of a system. It only takes common sense to know that we must fall in line. When we only think of ourselves and our needs, we tend to forget common sense and this makes us barbarians with no discipline at all. It is as if scrambling for seats is already accepted by everyone at the terminal. The commuters never complained. The authorities never bothered to correct the chaos. Bayanihan doesn’t exist anymore.

In celebration of Labor Day, let’s look back at all the actions the working class has done. Our lack of discipline is not helping them at all.

**Published in the Freeman newspaper on May 1, 2012

Answering Quo Vadis

This day (April 24) marks the end of the academic life for over 200 Iskolars ng Bayan from the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu. They are about 5% of the best students in the whole country, the cream of the crop. However ending it may seem, the commencement exercises are never the end. To commence means to begin again, leaving the past behind with a lavish ceremony. It’s like the beginning of another beginning’s end. The four-year path has been their journey, their story. They have endured the life of being zombies drinking on coffee as though it was water. Who could even forget examinations and the major extracurricular burden here and there. Oh, the typical life of being in UP.

With the survival in one of the most gruesome yet prestigious universities in the Philippines, these graduates are bound to find their niche in their chosen field after graduation. So Quo Vadis, then iskos and iskas? Quo Vadis is the Latin phrase for “Where are you headed?” The real world is a vast web of opportunities that may sometimes trick, fail or allow us to win at times with the power lying in our own choices. Would you become a call center agent after four years of intense studying? Or maybe take those proficiency tests to propel oneself into the land of milk and honey? A huge percentage of the youth think that finding money is all there is.

For UP students, we have always been taught the concept of giving back to society. The concept is what makes this university unique. Teachers, professors and even school workers encourage students never to leave the country for economic reasons. They say that while it may be help us individually, the country needs our help more. Therefore we are urged to stay. If the next generation leaves bearing all the knowledge gathered in the university, then the people’s money goes to waste. It’s like biting the hand of those who fed you.

However, it is the pang of capitalism that makes all fresh graduates confused. The gap of the rich and poor has become very wide that they have to choose between what they want and what the family needs. This may be the hardest choice they have to make by far, and the decision that may change their lives forever.

My only wish for the graduates, go back to the basics. Remember what you have heard during the first days of class, the speeches made by countless alumni, and the emphasis of every professor – don’t leave the country unless you have done your share in building it again. This goes even to those who have graduated last March. Please think twice. If we become content with all the things money can buy then this country would never move forward. Don’t also become too comfortable with the “silver dagger of entitlement” bestowed upon you, as billionaire Warren Buffet says. Those born with all the comfort may be lucky but unfortunate for not being to experience true fulfillment upon achieving all the material things for these are already given to them.

A salute also goes to all of you for enduring the tough tutelage in UP and giving a hint of hope to our dire country. The answer to the question “Quo vadis” lies in your hands. But do remember that wherever you are heading you are the image of “giting at tapang” that the country has always been bragging about. Congratulations and mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan!

**Published in the Freeman Newspaper on April 24, 2012

Siding with Baguio and their trees

Who isn’t familiar with the famous Joyce Kilmer poem Trees. It starts with, “I think I shall never see, a poem as lovely as a tree,” and ends with, “Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.”

I live near a Catholic school which used to be a thick forest. Our summers back then were spent playing hide-and-seek with my cousin and neighbors. We’d even play shatong in the area because the shade from the trees made the place cooler. A few years ago, however, the trees were cut and then a huge school took their place. The sound of children playing in the area has been replaced by a solemn buzz brought about by the nuns running place.

My witnessing of turning nature’s best into commercial establishments did not stop there. A year ago, a vast corn and kangkong field became the new site of a mall. Fresh water turned into concrete, a pity on the river beside it. On the brighter side, the mall promised the Consolacioños a better life. More like the contrary.

Similarly, the SM Baguio expansion project is said to be a green solution with the corporation planting 30,000 trees in the next three years after they cut 182. It seems viable with the number difference. However, it takes 15 to 20 years to grow such trees, a span of time equivalent to a generation. SM has been urging shoppers to go green but their action on the trees of Baguio is certainly not green.

Many have joined the protests against the earth-balling of the trees in Baguio, waving the Temporary Protection Order issued by the court. But how long can this protection order protect the trees? The activists’ shouts are not just done for the sake of protesting. It’s for the love of nature, Baguio and our country. If we let this pass and be defeated by the strong front of capitalism, we are cowards. As author and historian Christine Diaz said in a personal talk, “It’s the love for our country that makes us great, rooted with our deep emotions.” I’d go there myself and shout with them, if only the City of Pines wasn’t that far.

SM Baguio is already big enough, I’ve been there myself. Baguio does not need additional parking space. It does, however, need more trees. The summer capital is experiencing a decline on its temperature rate due to man’s irresponsibility with the environment. Let’s not make it any worse.

**Published in the Freeman newspaper on April 17, 2012

Iskulturang Tansan

CEBU, Philippines - Who says sculptures are only made of clay and are hand-painted?

Well, in this present era, we are moved to make the ordinary extraordinary and the usual unusual. For University of the Philippines (UP) Fine Arts student Ebenezar Lanzam “Benz” Morrok, seven thousand crowns have defined making ordinary extraordinary.

Student Artist Benz Morrok

In his sculpture which he entitled Biomorphic, Benz utilized the most ordinary object that fascinated him – soft drink crowns otherwise known as tansan. It is a seven-foot three dimensional artwork that is made out of almost seven thousand crowns, rivets and wireframe most commonly known to us as alambre.

According to his mentor and Fine Arts professor Raymund Fernandez, Biomorphic is an industrial product for he used materials that are for industrial purposes. His sculpture is a figurative abstract art form which means it does not have a definite identification.

Towering sculpture made out of almost 7,000 tansans

Benz explained that Biomorphic comes from two root words: “Bio” which means life and “morph” which means to move into a distorted form. “Akong artwork naa’y kinabuhi, murag mga mananap og porma, (My artwork has life, its form is like an animal)” he added.

Since his childhood, he has seen these crowns everywhere, in streets, in the stores and even in his own house. That is why he chose this as his primary material. “Naganahan ko sa iyang pagka ordinary… Naa diay siya’y highest point of beauty. (I liked how it is ordinary… I never thought it had a highest point of having beauty).” It took Benz five months to create this sculpture that’s taller than him.

Prior to creating the sculpture, Benz made several studies which are variations of the final one. Their forms were of existing creatures with a twist only he could explain. These forms were made from terracotta clay, one of the most readily available sculpting material in the market.

When ask what he wanted to convey, there are multiple answers designated for a specific audience. “For the art community, it is a development in progress that when making an artwork we should not be focused on one medium but must look for something that we can transform,” he said. “For the viewers, mura siyag pagtampo sa kalikupan or a call to preserve the environment.”

Benz showcased his sculpture in his first solo exhibit entitled Iskulturang Tansan last March 27, 2012 at the UP Mini Gallery. This is his thesis for his Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. It is not an ordinary thesis because he together with another student artist have chosen to write their paper in our native Cebuano Language. Professor Raymund Fernandez commended them for that.

Iskulturang Tansan was attended by his mentors in the academe, family, friends and art enthusiasts in the community. Everyone was in awe of this towering sculpture made out of a multitude of softdrink crowns. As for Kenneth Gallardo, a product design major, his take on Morrok is that he has deep understanding with curves and lines. “The process was intricate and careful. It has uniformity,” he added.

Benz is one of the many student artists who speak special messages with their artworks. But whether or not the message has been delivered to everyone in a uniform manner, one thing is for sure. He has made the ordinary extraordinary.


**Published in the Freeman newspaper on April 15, 2012