Health

CEBU, Philippines - Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you should be confined to the bed and be pampered all day. Often, the reason for gaining too much weight during pregnancy (and not losing it afterwards) is because of the sedentary lifestyle lived by most pregnant women.

Experts would argue that exercising would be more beneficial for most expecting mothers, as well as for the baby. Some of the benefits would include:

1. Better self esteem. Most first time moms would feel weird having something or someone growing inside them. The sudden increase in belt size would not be so welcome. However, exercise increases your sense of control and boosts your mood. Endorphins released during exercise would have a “feel good” effect on you. In addition, exercise can also help you cope with some of the musculoskeletal and other medical problems experienced during pregnancy like back aches, wear and tear of joints, constipation, stress and anxiety, which more than often causes sleepless nights. Plus, since the rush of blood to the skin would give you a pinkish healthy glow, you would feel and look more beautiful.

2. Better prepared for childbirth. Exercise, especially focused on strengthening the abdominals and the pelvic area, would help you have an easier and smoother labor and delivery. Increased aerobic capacity also helps you breathe easier and also in managing pain during labor, while increased endurance would be helpful should your labor be a lengthy one.

3. Better control of your figure after pregnancy. With exercise, you would have lesser fat weight even during pregnancy. And if you were even engaged in exercising before pregnancy then so much the better. Don’t expect to lose those fats if you started to exercise when you’re already pregnant. What exercise does is to maintain your fitness level throughout your pregnancy.

4. Decreased risk of complications. One of the most common complications during pregnancy is preeclampsia or high blood pressure brought about by pregnancy. Symptoms include a sharp rise in blood pressure, leakage of large amounts of protein albumin in the urine, and bloating of the hands and feet (edema). With exercise, you would have better control your blood pressure and less chances of experiencing preeclampsia.

5. Healthier babies. Babies of mothers who exercised during pregnancy are reported to have lower heart rates, lesser fat stored, improved stress tolerance and an advanced development of the nervous system. In other words, you would have healthier babies who may grow up to have better emotional and intelligence quotients.

Not all pregnant women, however, can exercise. Exceptions, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, would be those with a serious heart disease, restrictive lung disease (those with difficulty breathing due to an abnormality in the lungs or the muscles of the chest), an incompetent cervix, persistent bleeding in the second and third trimester, premature labor, ruptured membranes, pregnancy induced hypertension and those who had multiple pregnancies with risk of premature labor.

While the following should exercise with medical supervision and with utmost caution: Those suffering from severe anemia, unevaluated increase in heart rate, chronic bronchitis, poorly controlled type 1 diabetes, extreme morbid obesity, extreme underweight (body mass index less than 12), history of an extreme sedentary lifestyle, abnormal slow growth of the fetus, poorly controlled hypertension, orthopedic limitations (problems in the bones and muscles), poorly controlled seizure disorder, poorly controlled thyroid disease, and heavy smokers.

If you are none of those then there is no reason for you not to exercise. ACOG, however, recommends that exercise be stopped if one of the following is experienced:

1. Vaginal bleeding

2. Loss of breath even before exertion

3. Dizziness and lightheadedness

4. Headache

5. Chest pain

6. Muscle weakness

7. Calf pain or swelling

8. Preterm labor

9. Decreased fetal movement

10. Fluid leaking from your vagina

Now, before you start jumping around (which is totally not recommended for pregnant women) consult your doctor first. It is always wise to work with your doctor to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a healthier baby.

This article was first printed in The FREEMAN on April 13, 2009 and published in Philstar.com on the same date. Reposted for expecting mom @nomilktoday.

Photo courtesy of artsybabysitters.com | Video courtesy of Fit in Motion on Youtube.

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Thoughts

So, review's finally over and I am still contemplating if I should go ahead with my plan on going around the province on a walkathon. Hmmmm....

Anyway, another review's coming up, late May, and I am thinking of joining, but my agency is apparently too busy to reply to my messages, so I have to wait on what they have to say, considering that they wanted me to wait for something else before taking the exam.

I said Guam in July, no reply from them. So, my future's still a big blank, and I am jobless and broke till I get a reply from them.

Learned a lot during the review though. Stuff, which I took for granted in college, and now I'm starting to appreciate them considering that I have actually encountered some of the conditions that we discussed.

It was truly one of my most memorable three-months, with the people and the lessons I learned. But most especially the people who were fun, great, and totally amazing. And of course our lecturers, who could forget them? My deepest gratitude to Sirs Joven, Gerard, Owen, Armand, and Miss Archelle.

Here are pictures of my fun batch, thanks to my batchmates for the photos:

Snack time

The fun tsunami batch, indeed, with sir Gerard Martin (in yellow shirt), one of the best lecturers in the country. We call ourselves the tsunami batch because of the false tsunami alert that sent us packing home after experiencing a very strong earthquake.

Our parting snacks, courtesy of our sponsors.

This morning, I was inspired to cook, and this is what I came up for lunch: mung beans sandwich with coleslaw in tofunaise.

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Culture

Art and the Filipino people's struggle for self-sovereignty, equality, and genuine freedom can never be separated. They go hand in hand.

Last April 15, honoring the 80th birthday of Ramon Magsaysay Awardee (Asia's version of the Nobel prize) and National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, the Filipino people coming from different walks of life including the urban poor (as represented by the ever active and super inspiration Nanay Mameng), the academe, farmers' groups, and the artists' circle.

The videos are in Filipino (Tagalog), so please forgive me, but they tell a story of who and what Bien Lumbera is - his driving force, his inspiration, his role in the Filipino people's struggle, and his romance with the Filipino people.

The following is a video on the ceremony that honored a true people's artist and people's teacher, from Bulatlat:

Here is another video on Bien Lumbera by Tudla Productions:

(Video courtesy of Bulatlat and Tudla Productions)

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Thoughts

Yesterday, on my way to the coffee shop I passed by The Fair Trade Shop and it just so happened that Rolly, one of the managers of the organization, was outside packing up. I stopped, we talked, and then what do you know, they have an event - a forum on the social enterprise bill, which the movement is lobbying in the Philippine Congress.

Ms. Gigi, Rolly's wife and former World Fair Trade Organization-Philippines president, told me that they have no host, luckily I was there and she dragged me to their event and I became an instant host! Gosh! I don't usually do hosting jobs and I was definitely not dressed for the job, but its Fair Trade... how can I say no?

Well, it was fun and the forum was very informative. There were more than 100 participants from the different sectors, but mostly women. There were also representatives from the religious group (after all, the forum was at the pilgrim center of the historic Basilica del Sto. Niño).

***

Today, I had to wake up early to fetch my sister at the port. She arrived from Dumaguete to attend the wedding of her boss at Students Only. The wedding's at Shangri La Cebu and its supposed to cost millions. Wow!

After having breakfast with my sis and talking for a bit with her friend and coworker (who'll sing at the wedding), I went straight to my aunt's place to visit my grandma, Lilia. She's 78 and is a bit frail now, especially after she got hospitalized a few months ago. Hopefully, when I return here in Cebu late May, I'll stay with her.

I went to church with grandma at the Virgen de los Remedios Parish in Labangon, Cebu City. Then we had lunch at a local fastfood chain around 10 minutes from the church. I was happy because she was happy. She's staying with my aunt, who takes care of her together with my cousins.

My review's ending this week, hopefully by Saturday, so I might be able to return to Xanga often. Yey!

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Reflection

This morning I came to think, "What memories did I make today or the last days, or the last week, or the past month, or year? With whom did I share it with?"

Shared stories with people who play a significant role in our lives, one time or the other, make life and living more fulfilling. Being able to laugh at our shared follies, at arguments that seems to be so passionate at the time but now sounds ridiculously funny, at past jokes, all these make memories so special.

I remember when I was in college, I missed in a lot of things.

My "solitary" lifestyle excluded me from my friends, and thus I was not able to create as much meaningful memories and stories with them. I was constantly jealous at the adventures they shared, or even the most menial activities that they did together like going grocery shopping or just sharing stories while doing the laundry together.

In college, I lived different lives – a student, an activist, and a community youth leader. So I missed a lot of things at home, and when I say home, it's with my college friends whom I transferred with from Dumaguete to Manila.

Of course, I also made and shared memories with those I became close among my activist friends and my friends in the socio-civic circle. But since I had to divide my time among these different roles, there are activities and events that I was forced to miss.

Yes, there were plenty of memories that I created for myself, but to whom can I share it with? Who do I talk to, who would laugh with me at our follies, the jokes we shared, and all that? Or smile with me as we recall the challenges that we faced together?

These days, when everybody seems to be stuck in front of their laptops or tinkering with their android phones, iPhones, or iPads looking at the memories of others, sharing their personal stories, and getting an overdose of information, it seems that social interactions have gone to a different level. More personal and intimate, as we get to see even the darkest secret of others (that is if they share with the world), yet detached because we become mere observers, not participants.

So, is it true that the internet is turning us into a bunch of lonely people?

I read an article in The Atlantic on how Facebook is making us lonely. The article said that "non-personalized use of Facebook—scanning your friends’ status updates and updating the world on your own activities via your wall, or what Burke calls “passive consumption” and “broadcasting”—correlates to feelings of disconnectedness."

"It’s a lonely business, wandering the labyrinths of our friends’ and pseudo-friends’ projected identities, trying to figure out what part of ourselves we ought to project, who will listen, and what they will hear," it added.

However, it also posits that loneliness is not caused by these social media, rather, it is being caused by us. We are making ourselves lonely, and we allow this to happen to us. It is a form of addiction.

Ever since I have been disconnecting myself from my friends, not wanting to join gatherings and meet-ups, and instead allowing myself the company of movie marathons, reading books, or surfing the net for some new information or the other, without even bothering to finish reading the whole story, I find this kind of emptiness that I want filled.

I have denied myself the real company of friends and people that matters in my effort to broaden my experience. It's time to be with the people who matters most in our life.

So, who do you plan to talk to and share memories with today?

(Photo credit: Sidney Morning Herald)

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Thoughts

Good Friday and what greeted me? The picture above on Facebook, taken by a certain Karlos Manlupig, who had this to say of the picture:

FILTHY HYPOCRITES. As I was shooting in Davao City's San Pedro Cathedral during the observance of Good Friday, I noticed a Tagalog speaking man instructing this security guard to throw out a half-naked man who is silently kneeling and praying inside the church, saying that the churches in Manila prohibit persons with mental disabilities and vagrants to enter its premises. The security guard then assaulted the poor man without any warning poking him in the ribs several times using a "ratan" truncheon...I immediately took several burst shots of the detestable incident. Suddenly, an old man with a Bible in his hand tapped me on my shoulder and told me that it is improper to take photos of the incident and that it is also improper to take photos inside their heavenly church. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE??? Tama si Dong Abay. Banal na aso, santong kabayo. (Copyright: Karlos Manlupig)

NOTE: I opted to post this blurry picture to preserve the identity of the victim.

Of course, as with everything these days, he got to put that "Copyright" mark to make sure he gets credited for the picture. Nothing wrong with that of course, and we have Karlos to thank for bringing this to our attention.

As Jesus suffered from ridicule, physical prosecution, and the eventual nailing on the cross, this beggar also suffered from ridicule and prosecution. A modern day Jesus suffering from the hypocrisy of a modern day Roman Sentinel, representing society. What makes this picture symbolic is that while Jesus was pierced by a Roman Sentinel to hasten his death, this church guard poked this sincere and prayerful beggar on the ribs, hastening the latter's spiritual death, as how could he still believe in a church who speaks of being kind to the poor but unable to welcome him?

The Book of John speaks of this event:

But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs.One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. (9:33-34, NLT)

Church hypocrisy is a given. It is expected that what happened in Davao City's San Pedro Cathedral happens in many churches, regardless of religion or denomination, as Jesus said:

A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family. (Mark 6:4, NLT)

Since birth we have been taught to be body conscious. A boy gets to be given stuffs colored blue, while a girl gets pink. When we go out, we are told not to touch people in the streets, most especially the beggars, as they may be carrying loads of germs, thus commercials of sanitizers like Lysol and yes of course soaps for handwashing.

Do you remember this movie? I love this movie:

There is nothing wrong with taking care of our body, but the thing is, when it comes to how we treat the poor, looking at them with disgust because they could not afford clean clothes or to clean themselves even, is not just fair for them. Body consciousness is one of the ails of the world, not the disease that we get from that filthy beggar in the street.

When we are so engrossed with our bodies, we smell the stink in the air even if the source is a mile away. Then we are grossed out, not knowing how difficult life has been for that person.

When was the last time you shooed away a beggar, ran away from him, or made sure to take the other path to make sure your paths wont cross?

When we go to mountain communities or in depressed areas the one thing that we are told is to not decline anything given to us because it was given out of sincerity and deep gratitude. To decline would be to insult them because they would think that you believe them to be dirty. To be honest, no one has to tell us this, its called courtesy, but because most of us could not be anywhere near someone in old dirty clothes or those smelling like they've never been near water for a decade, we need reminding.

Body consciousness makes us put a lot of weight on what we see, feel, and smell. We have ideals, we have a criteria on who to talk to, who to mingle with, or who to touch. And if people don't meet these criteria, we shun them, we ostracize them because they are a potential danger.

On the other hand, soul consciousness allows us to accept people regardless of their faults. It allows us to see them with acceptance and with regard.

So, they may not be wearing clean clothes, they may not be smelling fresh, but they too have needs, they too need are people, not some bacteria or disease that should be shunned. So, they may be carrying a lethal disease, so much more their need for acceptance, we just have to take what's called universal precautions, of course.

But why keep them out of society? Why should we forbid them from fulfilling a very basic need, their need to fulfill their spiritual obligations?

Jesus was rejected by his people not knowing that he was the world's savior. He was not even an ordinary man as everywhere he goes, people flock to him. How much more a beggar, unclothed, covered in grease, and smelling like the latrine. Wouldn't it be so easy to reject him?

This Black Saturday, let us start practicing looking at others with a soul conscious eye. Not for the body that he is being presented to us, but the soul that he truly is.

A soul conscious vision.

 (Photo credit: Karlos Manlupig | Video credits:Fox, Warner Bros., Brahma Kumaris)

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Reflections

First and foremost let me be clear that I am not for war, as war, for me, is not the solution to the world's ails. Rather we need a change of heart, embracing the being of humanity, the truth - our being souls and not the bodies that we overly identify ourselves with.

These past weeks, or so, there's been a cacophony of calls for freedom.

The country's oldest revolutionary group, the Marxist-Maoist New People's Army celebrated its 43rd anniversary, marking it with victories, a stronger armed base, and a much broader and wider support from the Filipino people, owing to the rising discontent with the showbiz and lazy administration of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.

Instead of measuring his administration's achievements on the impact they've made on the lives of the Filipino people, Aquino seems to measure his success on his administration's effort to ridicule former president and now Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her allies like Chief Justice Renato Corona, who by the way is undergoing impeachment proceedings before the Philippine Senate; or with how much protection he has been giving his family's wealth as with the recent win of his uncle against the government, giving his uncle Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco full ownership of nearly P60 billion worth of shares with San Miguel Corporation. The said shares were allegedly purchased using the money of a coconut levy fund unfairly collected from more than 3.5 million coconut farmers and their families during the Marcos era.The farmers are now fighting to get that money back, but with this recent decision, it looks like justice has been denied of them.

Days before the decision of the Supreme Court on the matter, Aquino promised to do what is "right" on the coco levy. Apparently, what's right for him is to give it to his uncle, not the farmers. Next stop: Hacienda Luisita.

No wonder the "noynoying", a corruption of the President's nickname, Noynoy, suddenly rose into popularity with people adopting it and using the word to describe a lazy and insincere attitude towards one's work.

The following is the message of the National Democratic Front of the Philippine's Mindanao Spokesperson Ka Oris on the NPA's 43rd anniversary:

And then there was the call of students of an exclusive all-girls' Catholic school in Cebu, St. Theresa's College, for them to be given the chance to participate in the school's graduation ceremonies and the subsequent junking of the repressive rules of the nun-ran school.

The students and their parents believed that their rights were trampled when the nuns decided to impose a disciplinary action on the students for violating one of the school's rules in exercising prudence in public, befitting a student of the school. Apparently, the students went wild in a party and then posted their provocative pictures on Facebook. This caught the attention of the nuns, thus the punishment.

Students' rights activists believed that the freedom of the students were violated because of the archaic morality rules of the school, calling for the school to do away with these rules and just allow their students to do whatever they want to do.

Majority of the Cebuanos were at first sympathetic to the students, calling the school's move as grave and harsh. But when the school explained the whole situation, that the students and the parents lied in saying that no procedure was followed in the  imposition of the penalties and that the pictures posted was not just about wearing bikinis but also of minors drinking booze and getting wasted while posing provocatively, people started to understand the stance of the school, condemning instead the parents who unnecessarily embarrassed and traumatized their children  because of their pride and ego, and their desire to see their children ramp on stage. Of course the nuns did not deny the students their high school diploma, just the right to participate in the ceremonies.

Recently, Pope Benedict XVI slammed members of the cleric calling for disobedience in protest of the church's stand in not accepting women into the priestly vocation and on the church's celibacy rule. (I'm having a hard time inserting the audio, so if you can't hear it or see the controls, click here).

The church's morality rules may be archaic, but most of it still stands as a good measure for what is right and what is wrong. Just because society is tolerant towards women wearing barely nothing or nudity, so to speak, it doesn't make it right. If stealing becomes popular, would its popularity make it right? If killing is part of a culture, would that make it right? Just because war is being popularized by a respected nation, does that make it right? Teenage drinking and smoking is popular, but is it right?

Perhaps, the ultimate rule that would limit our freedom is karma: For every action we make, we receive an equal return for that. In Christianity we call this the Golden Rule; in Science, this would be Newton's Third Law or the Law of Action-Reaction.

Our rules and laws may be variable. The University of Sto. Tomas, an esteemed institution, may bend its rules just so they could give the Philippine's Chief Justice Renato Corona a summa cum laude honor for his Doctor of Law degree, but karma is definite and whatever wrong we do, there will be a consequence for that, or whatever right we do, there will be a reward.

No human rule or law is above karma and no one is exempt from karma.

Freedom, yes, we are free to do whatever we want to do, but together with that freedom is responsibility, and if society's rules can be bent or changed depending on the popular personal desires of its people, karma can't. It is absolute, and because of this, it will always remain to be the neutralizer of our freedom. The ultimate conscience that would tell us what is right and what is wrong.

(Sources: Anakbayan, The Vatican Today, ABS-CBN | Photo credit: DB Smyth, Father Stephen| Video credit: NDFP Mindanao | Audio credit: Vatican Radio)

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Thoughts

Coke tries to seduce people into enjoying a bottle of their sugar-rich nutrient-deficient drink with their happiness campaign, featuring heart-warming ads that's been going viral in the internet.

Apparently, Coke just wants to make their customers believe that to give happiness is what their company is about because their workers in the Philippines are suffering from abuses starting with the company's refusal to recognize the union's appeal for wage increase and for other benefits through a collective bargaining agreement.

Is this right?

Video credits: Coca Cola on YouTube, Mayday Productions on Vimeo.

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Health

CEBU, Philippines - Exercising the heart is not about experiencing heartaches and feelings of jubilation every once in a while.

That crunching feeling that you get when you experience rejection or that constant jumping on your chest when you feel excited is not the way to exercise this muscle that’s barely the size of your fist.

Cardiac exercise is much more.

The heart functions to bring much needed oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. It does this by pumping blood that contains oxygen and nutrients to the different organs like the brain, the liver, and even the skin.

Ever climbed a four-story building? What do you feel once you reach the top? Almost often, your heart would be beating fast and you’ll be out of breath. And if you have been sedentary all your life you would feel numbness and aching pain on the front of your thighs.

The latter would mean that your heart is unable to pump enough blood to your thighs starving it of oxygen. While the first situation means your heart is working double time in order to cope with the increase demand of oxygen by the body.

However, a heart that’s on its prime is able to pump oxygenated blood in an efficient manner, allowing it to beat smoothly and regularly regardless of the level of activity, including the number of flights of stairs that you have to climb.

Having a healthy heart is not based on age, so age will never be an excuse why you are unable to reach the top of the building without panting. Just like any muscle in the body, the heart also needs to be exercised, however, before starting any exercise program check with your cardiologist.

It is also recommended that you start by getting your maximum heart rate using the Karvonen Formula. The following is the Tanaka method of this formula, which is deemed more accurate:

206.9 – (0.685 x age) = Max Heart Rate

Max. Heart Rate – Resting Heart Rate = Target Heart Rate

Start your exercise with a goal of achieving 60 to 70 percent of your target heart rate. This would be the warm up period and could last for 5 to 10 minutes. Once achieved, you can then aim for 70 to 80 percent of the target heart rate for a moderate intensity exercise.

Here are a few activities that promote better heart health:

Walking is one of the most inexpensive and practical form of exercise that everyone can muster. Unfortunately, many of us have forgotten the value of this most ancient mode of transportation, relegating it to the only activity ladies would love to do all day, shopping. A 2004 study from the Department of Exercise and Wellness of Arizona State University revealed that those who walk 10,000 steps a day are classified as active individuals, while those who are able to accomplish 5,000 steps or less are sedentary. Given that on average a step would measure around 67 to 76 centimeters, an active individual would be able to walk around 6.7 to 7.6 kilometers a day. That’s roughly from Cebu International Convention Center to the the entrance of Cebu South Coastal Properties near PhilPost or the Malacañan sa Sugbo. Not too far, but could be stressful for one who’s been sitting all day for the last 20 or 30 years.

Jogging and running is the in-thing for fitness buffs these days. It is funny how one friend pointed out that urban running does more harm than good to one’s body, not just because of the danger of being bumped by a passing jeepney, but also because of the countless toxic fumes inhaled during the course of running. For this reason, it would be better to choose a venue that’s less toxic, so to speak. The Cebu Sports Center has a rubberized track that’s friendly to your feet plus you’ll be less exposed to jeepneys spewing toxic fumes.

Swimming is also a good cardiac exercise. I always say that if you don’t want to sweat and still want to exercise, you swim. Of course, that’s only a joke because as your body spends energy, you sweat. The great thing about swimming is that it is a total body exercise that would not only train the heart muscle but also your upper and lower extremities – shoulders, arms, thighs, and legs. There are several venues in Cebu where one can take a dip and do laps. The Cebu Sports Center is one of them, although this is also the venue where many swimming teams practice, so better check on the pool’s schedule before changing to your trunks. The YMCA (Phone: 032-2539724) along Osmeña Blvd in Cebu City also offers swimming lessons both for children and adults.

As much as physical activity is needed to promote heart health, removing the tension in one’s life also helps in easing stress to this vital muscle. One of the ways to minimize stress is to learn how to handle everyday situations. Raja yoga meditation, considered as India’s most ancient form of yoga, is an effective way of focusing the mind to remove stress and tensions. In Cebu, the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center (Phone: 032-2545975) offers free courses on raja yoga and stress free living.

This Valentines Day, pamper your heart not just with sweets and sweet moments, but also with exercise and living a stress-free life. Do this for a couple of months and feel the difference in your life.

First published in The FREEMAN on February 13, 2012. Photo credits: Medimanage.com | Video credit: Youtube.

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Events

CEBU, Philippines - Well, give it to the Pinoys who have a penchant of making even the most trying situation into something light and a source of laughter, at that.

A recent international survey on happiness ranked the Philippines highly. Amazingly, this despite the calamities and the low quality of life of Filipinos as evidenced in the recent Human Development Index released by the United Nations Development Programme, where we ranked 112, out of the 187 countries surveyed.

Pinoys are really a happy people. We may not have all the luxuries in the world, or we may lack the necessities in life, still, we are able to put a smile on our faces.

We may experience plenty of calamities, suffer a plentitude of losses, still, Filipinos have a way of picking themselves up and make the challenges easy and light.

This natural outlook of Pinoys have prompted Cebuana Lhuillier to come up with a project aptly called the Search for the Happiest Pinoy.

Jonathan Batangan, general manager for Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions, Inc., and the creator of the search said that one time during his early morning meditation, he was inspired to come out with this search and in an instant, he was able to make a draft of the project including the mechanics and the names of the judges.

The novelty of the idea inspired the management of the company and decided to adapt the search as one of their campaigns, hoping that through this they would be able to inspire the country and the Filipinos into building an even more positive outlook in life.

The search started in 2009. That year they chose a Dumagueteño, Winston Maxino.

Maxino, although a successful corporate executive, suffers from a rare painful disease called ankylosing spondylitis. Because of this condition, he experiences pain 24/7 and spends a fortune for pain injections. Aside from that, Maxino has a daughter with Down Syndrome, whom he said, taught him “kidology” or the study of making kids happy.

The challenges that he faces physically did not turn him into a grouch, rather, it made him an even better person who inspires the people he meets.

That year as well, on its first run, the campaign was able to garner both national and international recognitions, like the Philippine Quill Award for Excellence, Anvil Award, and the prestigious Stevie International Business Awards for Communications as the PR Campaign of the Year.

This year, on its second run, Cebuana Lhuillier, hopes to find an ordinary pinoy – a street vendor, a teacher, a security guard, a humble government worker, or an inspiring public servant – to be the next happiest pinoy.

The winner of the search will receive a P250,000 cash prize tax free. And those whose nominees reached the top ten will be getting a prize from Cebuana Lhuillier, as well.

Nominees must be able to meet three criteria, namely: a) A constantly cheerful face and optimistic outlook; b) Proven ability to rise above life’s challenges; and c) Positive impact in the lives of others.

The finalists will be judged by Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Carmencita T. Abella, Department of Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, the reigning happiest pinoy himself Winston Maxino, and the president of the Brahma Kumaris Foundation Philippines and former ambassador and senator Dr. Leticia Ramos-Shahani, to name a few.

Nominations can be made through its website at happiest-pinoy.com, or by filling out nomination forms at any Cebuana Lhuillier branch. The deadline of submission of entries is on June 2012.

Batangan said that happiness is a choice. It starts from a thought, which can be very powerful. And so, he said, if we plant the seed of happy thoughts, then that thought would be able to shape our destiny.

The search, Batangan said, is a genuine effort of the company to “rekindle the age-old values of optimism and resiliency among Filipinos.”

“Let’s spread the happydemic,” said Batangan.  (FREEMAN)

Related post: Happiest Pinoy

First published in The FREEMAN on March 3, 2012. Photos courtesy of Cebuana Lhuillier.

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