CEBU, Philippines - Imagine a sanctuary in the middle of a busy city where you can relax and enjoy the wonderful aroma of a warm cup of coffee. That is exactly what you’ll experience at Kikok’s Pastry Kafe.
At first look, one would think that Kikok’s is but another misplaced shop in a location otherwise dominated by surplus shops and other industrial companies, but when you enter their humble abode, you will forget that you are actually in a place replete with all the trappings of a busy industrial street.
This is not just another coffee shop in the mall, but a haven, a small plot of bliss tucked safely along the busy M.L. Quezon Street in Cabangcalan, Mandaue City, where most of the vehicles that pass are either large trucks or heavy equipment.
The front may not be that extraordinary, but then just like all treasures it is what’s in the inside that’s really priceless.
Kikok’s started out of a passion – the passion to bake and the passion to serve.
Jay Fernandez’s love for cooking was not hindered by the fact that his line of business and expertise is printing, advertising, and marketing when he decided to venture into a business that he is not as familiar with.
It all started there, baking out of passion. And since it opened last January 8, the coffee shop-cum-bakeshop has earned a loyal following, not just in terms of walk-in clients but also with corporate clients who order bread and cakes in bulk.
But more than bread and cakes, Kikok’s also serves lunch and dinner. And although the menu is not as extensive and fancy, it’s the taste that captures the essence of home cooking that would truly make one want to take the time to travel to this somewhat remote location.
Want to experience something different? Kikok’s Pastry Kafe is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm. For orders and reservations, call 3182195 or 2382847.
First saw print in The FREEMAN on 26 February 2013 and subsequently published in PhilStar.com.
For only P199, enjoy a bottomless cup of hot or cold brewed coffee and indulge in the silkiest and moistest cake this side of town.
Ube Langka Sans Rival
Choose from the restaurants many cakes. Its best sellers are Banana Caramel Rum Cake, Chocolate Moist Cake (my personal favorite), Ube Langka Sans Rival, and Mango Caramel Cake.
As much as you can taste all of the cakes, there’s just one rule, said C2’s sales and marketing manager Jaybee Flores-Aquino, and that is to first finish your slice of cake before getting another one. Of course, waste not, want not.
Banana Caramel Rum Cake
And if healthy is your thing, C2 also has something for you – unlimited soup and salad at the Soup and Salad Soiree, for only P149.00.
Enjoy the many choices of greens and other vegetables topped with your choice of dressings – from the ever reliable Thousand Island dressing to simpler vinaigrettes.
The best part of the treat is that you would get to enjoy the coffee’s beautiful aroma in one of the best spots in uptown Cebu, overlooking the historic Fuente Osmeña Circle and the busy Gen. Maxilom Avenue.
Chocolate Moist Cake
UCC is available everyday from 2 to 6 pm, while the Soup and Salad Soiree is from 11 am to 2 pm and from 6 to 10 pm, daily. For inquiries and reservation, call 2393000. C2 Classic Cuisine is owned and operated by the Cravings Group, Inc. They are located in the 4th level of Summit Circle Hotel.
First saw print in The FREEMAN on 26 February 2013 and subsequently published in Philstar.com.
On February 10, the world's Chinese community will be saying goodbye to the dragon as it shed's off its scales revealing a black water snake within.
Allow me to give you a rundown to some of the more common Chinese traditions, food, beliefs, and superstitions most prevalent during this most auspicious day of the Chinese calendar.
Apples and dried apricots are not just served and offered to visitors and friends, but are also offered to the family's ancestors and gods. Apples symbolize peace and wisdom, while apricots bring wealth.
Bamboo shoots are served during the Chinese New Year season. Its Chinese term, zhu sun jian, sounds like a wish for wealth and a new start.
Chicken, duck, or fish dishes are a common sight in many Chinese tables during this season. Fish, for one, should be served whole as it represents togetherness, and so with the chicken, for prosperity.
Dragon dance is performed by a team of dancers with the dragon held on poles. It is believed that the dragon brings good luck, and it is for this reason that aside from the celebration of the Chinese New Year, dragon dances are also performed at the opening of business establishments.
Eight treasure rice is a traditional dessert served on the seventh day of the Chinese New Year season. This is a sweet dish made of glutinous rice and eight kinds of dried fruits. Although no two eight treasure rice is the same, the most common fruits used are dates, lotus seeds, red and green plums, cherries, orange, red bean paste, and raisins.
Firecrackers are a must when greeting the Chinese New Year. They say the louder the firecrackers, the better, although, for safety reasons, it is better to leave this part of the festivity to the experts. The loud noise of the firecrackers is believed to help chase away the last year's bad luck while attracting the attention of the God of Good Fortune and Wealth.
Ghost stories are a big no during the Chinese New Year season, and so are talks of death and dying. Rather, prefer to attract good vibrations by sending good wishes and talking of good things and blessings.
Hong bao (Mandarin) or Ang pow (Hokkien) is a red envelope filled with money and is given to children or unemployed young adults. This symbolizes good will, good luck, and good fortune.
Improve your financial health by paying off your debts. The Chinese believes that if you start your year in debt, you will live the rest of your year in debt.
Jie Cai Ceng is the fifth day of the Chinese New Year. It is believed that on this day the gods of prosperity, Cai Shen, descends from the heavens. The gods of wealth and prosperity are greeted with a feast of dumplings and firecrackers.
Kumquat or kiat-kiat is a small citrus fruit displayed during the New Year season to attract good luck and good fortune. These are the most common gifts when visiting friends and family during the New Year season.
Lion dance is more or less the same as the dragon dance, but instead of the dragon, dancers use the lion. The main difference is that with the lion dance, there are only two dancers and they are rarely seen as they are part of the lion.
Mixed vegetables symbolize harmony in relationships. A famous Chinese-Singaporean traditional salad is yee sang or yu sheng, which is tossed fresh vegetables, fruits, and fresh fish. Tossing yee sang ensures good luck, prosperity, and good health for all those who participate in the tossing.
Niangao or tikoy is glutinous rice cake and eating it during the Chinese New Year is considered good luck. The cake can be eaten as is or in the country it is popularly dipped in egg and then fried. Usually, this is given as a gift to family and friends to promote togetherness.
Oranges with leaves intact is a great gift to friends and family during the Chinese New Year season. For starting families, receiving a bag of oranges with their leaves intact is considered favorable as it symbolizes the giver's wish for the family to have many children.
Pineapple is said to be the best fruit to stock on when greeting the snake. The fruit symbolizes wealth, luck (including gambling luck), and fortune.
Qipao or cheongsam is a traditional Chinese dress. Its male version is the changpao. The dress was popular in the late 1600s but is now worn only during formal occasions. Get into the festival mood and get one of these stylish dresses in red.
Red is definitely the color of the season. In Chinese culture, red is the color of good luck, so it is never a bad idea to overdo on the red. Stock up on red clothes, red fashion accessories, and everything and anything red.
Song gao or loose cake is made of rice flour, sugar, water, and azuki beans. It is decorated with a variety of fruits and nuts including pine nuts, walnut, dates, mint, lotus seed, and others. The cake symbolizes blessings and is usually given to family and friends.
Tangyuan is usually eaten during the lantern festival to promote family togetherness. Tangyuan is made of glutinous rice mixed with a little water and then rolled into a ball. This is then cooked and served in boiling water.
Unload the dirt on the day before the start of the New Year, and on New Years Eve, all cleaning implements should be put away and hidden from sight. On New Year's Day, sweeping and cleaning is forbidden as it is believed to also sweep away the good fortune, but after that, the floors can be swept but the dirt can only be taken out of the house on the fifth day of the New Year celebration.
Vegetarian dishes are served on the thirteenth day of the Chinese New Year season. This is to cleanse the body of the toxins from consuming too much meat in the last weeks.
Wan Shi Ru Yi. Let's expand your Chinese New Year greeting from merely Kung Hei Fat Choi (Congratulations and be prosperous!), to also include Wan Shi Ru Yi, which means "May all your wishes be fulfilled."
Xiangjiao or banana is used as an altar offering when one asks for better education and good work performance.
Yuan xiao jie or the lantern festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year season. It falls on the night of the first full moon of the Chinese calendar, marking the end of the New Year season. Traditionally yuanxiao dumplings or sticky rice with sweet or savory fillings is served on this day. This year it falls on February 24.
Zha doufu or fried tofu looks like gold nuggets and therefore symbolizes wealth. It is not only served together with other dishes during the New Year feast, but is also used to offer to one's ancestors and gods.
So, do you still feel like you are missing on something for this year's Chinese New Year celebration? Check the ABC's and you would be as close to complete as you could possibly be.
A new study published in the journal Cancer Causes and Control revealed that women with high levels of Vitamin D in their blood decrease their chances of developing breast cancer by up to three times.
The study led by researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and collaborated with researchers from San Diego State University and Heartland Assays of Ames, Iowa, examined blood levels of 1,200 healthy women, 600 of whom later developed breast cancer while the other 600 remained healthy.
Comparing the Vitamin D levels of these women, the researchers found out that the 600 women who developed breast cancer had lower levels of Vitamin D in their blood.
"Based on these data, further investigation of the role of vitamin D in reducing incidence of premenopausal breast cancer, particularly during the late phases of its development, is warranted," said principal investigator Dr. Cedric Garland, professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at UC San Diego.
“While the mechanisms by which vitamin D could prevent breast cancer are not fully understood, this study suggests that the association with low vitamin D in the blood is strongest late in the development of the cancer," he said.
The researchers, comparing several studies, estimates that 4000 IU per day of vitamin D from food and supplement sources, which would bring blood levels of vitamin D to 50 ng/ml, could lower the risk of premenopausal breast cancer by 50 percent. Garland believes that the action of vitamin D is critical most especially during the last three months before tumor diagnosis is made.
Garland said that this is the time when the tumor actively recruits blood vessels required for its growth.
Despite these findings, he urges patients to first ask their health care provider to measure their vitamin D blood levels, particularly serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25(OH)D, before increasing their vitamin D intake. 25(OH)D is the form of vitamin D after it passes through the liver. It is also the metabolite used in measuring vitamin D levels in blood plasma.
“Reliance should not be placed on different forms of vitamin D, such as vitamin D2, and megadoses should be avoided except those ordered by a doctor for short-term use,” he cautions.
Note that many commercially produced foods like milk, tofu, and cereals are already fortified with vitamin D, still that doesn't mean that they are good sources of the nutrient, as such, it is always better to choose natural. Here are some natural sources of vitamin D:
1. Cod liver oil is the richest source of vitamin D at 21,803 IU or 5,451 percent of the daily recommended values for adults, but then who would want to drink 1 cup of cod liver oil in a day? One teaspoon or 4 grams of the oil is able to provide 450 IU or 113 percent of the daily recommended value. Many supplements are available in the market, mostly in capsule form, and most of these have been stripped of their "fishy" smell, making it even more acceptable to the palate. Aside from vitamin D, cod liver oil is a good source of vitamin A at 90 percent of the daily recommended value, and Omega 3 fatty acid. It also has strong anti-inflammatory properties making it an ideal supplement for people suffering from arthritis.
2. Fish. The fish with the richest source of vitamin D is raw Atlantic herring at 2,996 IU or 749 percent of the daily recommended values for a 184 grams fillet. This is followed by raw wild catfish at 795 IU or 199 percent of the daily recommended values for a 159 grams fillet. What would be widely available to us would be canned Pacific sardines in tomato sauce. Each 38 gram sardines would contain at most 182 IU or 46 percent of the recommended daily values. Tuna would have the lowest at 66 IU or 17 percent of the recommended daily values.
3. Mollusks, particularly wild raw oysters, are another rich source of vitamin D. A 100-gram serving would have around 320 IU or 80 percent daily values of vitamin D. Oysters are also a rich source of protein, vitamin B12, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium. And contrary to popular notion, they actually have a very strong anti-inflammatory factor according to Nutrition Data. Researchers suggest that this is because of its high Omega-3 fatty acid content, purported to have anti-inflammatory properties, at 672 mg per 100 grams. Oysters, however, has very high cholesterol content, the reason why it is also advisable to eat in moderation.
4. Mushroom. A cup of drained canned mushroom at 156 grams contains 32.8 IU or 8 percent daily values for vitamin D. So, if you're having pizza or some pasta, load it up with some mushrooms and increase your vitamin D intake. Aside from vitamin D, mushrooms are a good source of vitamin B6, folate (vitamin B9), iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, manganese, fiber, thiamin (vitamin B1), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), phosphorus, copper, and selenium. And, unlike other sources of vitamin D mentioned earlier, mushrooms has very low saturated fat and cholesterol, making it a great nutritional source for those trying to control their cholesterol levels.
5. Sunshine. Our body naturally produces vitamin D, particularly cholecalciferol or vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 is ergocalciferol and is synthesized by plants. Vitamin D3 is produced in our skin when it is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays, particularly UVB. A thirty-minute whole body exposure to UVB could produce around 10,000 to 20,000 IU of vitamin D. So, the next time you try to hide from the sun, think again. The best times to be exposed to the sun (in the tropics) would be around 7 to 10 in the morning, after that, the UV rays you'll be getting from the sun would be more harmful than beneficial.
Here is a 2010 ABC report on a similar study:
Source: Newswise | Photo from Times of India/Getty Images. Video from YouTube. All food nutrition figures quoted in this article were from Nutrition Data.
The Sto. Niño is believed to have arrived in the island of Cebu through Spanish Empire-commissioned Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan as a gift to the island's Queen Juana on the occasion of her baptism together with her husband, King Humabon, and the rest of the village on April 14, 1521.
"Our devotion to the Sto. Niño is not only religious by nature. It also has a historical dimension," Fr. Leonard Realiza told The FREEMAN in an email interview. Realiza is the curator of the Basilica Del Sto. Niño Museum.
The baptism of Queen Juana is the start of the evangelization of the Philippine islands, and even with the death of Magellan and his crew days after, the devotion to the Infant Jesus apparently continued, as evidenced by the discovery of the image by Spanish soldier Juan Camus in one of the houses that the Spanish colonizers burned.
While many native Cebuanos suffered the fire started by Legaspi, the Sto. Niño survived, and not just survive, it was discovered unscathed – fully intact and in all its splendor, with velvet clothes, woolen red hood, and jewelries.
"Our devotion to the Sto. Niño testifies to the birth of our faith and the beginning of the evangelization of our country," said Realiza adding that this mission is continued by the Agustinian Order by "proclaiming to the whole world the same Jesus, who once assumed the form of an infant when he was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary."
As the devotion to the Infant Christ in the Philippines was in its infancy, in the Catholic West, this devotion was already reaching its peak. Apparently, at this time, devotion to the Infancy of Christ in Spain was at its height owing to the visions of St. Teresa of Avila, who was also known to bring a small image of the Infant Christ wherever she sets up a new convent.
And so, the devotion to the Infant Christ has become popular all throughout like the Infant Jesus of Prague (Czechoslovakia), Sto. Niño de Atocha (Spain), Divino Niño Jesus (Colombia), and Santo Bambino di Aracoeli (Rome) to name a few.
However, Realiza said, that the despite the many names of the the Infant Christ, devotion is one and the same and the difference merely "reflect (the) different aspects of one and the same faith which those who fabricated them wanted to underscore." Fellow Agustinian scholar Fr. Czar Emmanuel Alvarez, concurred to this.
This is also the reason why in the Philippines, the Sto. Niño de los Pobres was born, reflecting the struggles of most Filipinos, and the Sto. Niño de Pescadores revered by fisherfolks. When one visits the Sto. Niño exhibit at Ayala Center Cebu, one would notice the many faces, costumes, and postures of the Sto. Niño.
"The differences in the way one and the same Infant Jesus is represented correspond with the place and time that the devotion to Him is promulgated and how the local people express their faith in Him and enter into a relationship with Him," Realiza explained.
"Here in Cebu we express our devotion to the Child Jesus in various ways, such as through the novena Masses in preparation for the liturgical feast of the Sto. Niño every third Sunday of January, processions, religious dances (Sinulog), novena prayer, the singing of the so-called “Gozos” or the Batubalani sa Gugma song accompanied by the waving of the hands, asking petitions by saying “Pit Senyor” while indicating the names of persons, and so forth," he said.
He clarified that there is no standard expression of devotion and worship since one's relationship with the Sto. Niño is personal, but he emphasized that "certain order or discipline" must be observed to avoid exaggerations.
"More importantly, our outward expression must correspond with what we really have in our hearts or what we truly believe in," he added.
This year, Realiza emphasized the theme adapted by the Basilica for the celebration – "Journeying Together in Faith with Santo Niño."
"The risk of reducing the whole celebration to a purely secular and cultural event is very high. People might end up focusing on the on-going external festivities, the gaiety and pageantry, the street dancing, the deafening music by various bands, the colorful costumes of the Sinulog dancers, etc., and forget the religious dimension of it all," he said.
"We want the people to grow in faith and to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, who deigned to become a man like each and every one of us," he added.
"I hope that through their participation in the novena Masses they would intensify their faith experience as they listen to God’s word and message and really let the Child Jesus grow in their hearts and become the central point of reference of their entire lives," Realiza concluded.
First saw print in The FREEMAN on January 19, 2013.
Local tourists are filling up the hotels in the city and the streets of Cebu during the one-day Sinulog festival and even days before and after the festival that promoting this already famous festival outside the country is not necessary.
From this, one could surmise that one of the major reasons why Cebu is flocked during the Sinulog is for the religious aspect of the festival. And with the city-hosted Sinulog carnival, the festivity has welcomed even visitors of non-Catholic faiths to marvel and join in the revelry.
Spiritual preparation
The Sinulog is a lot of things for us, and for each individual this popular festival has a different meaning. But whatever that reason may be, one could have a better experience of the fiesta if they also take time to ready themselves spiritually.
Attend the 9-day Novena Mass. The novena mass is one of the many ways for a devotee to show his/her utmost devotion to the Sto. Niño. It is a daily sacrifice for many, and for most an intimate meeting being looked forward to every year. The novena mass also prepares the devotee for the solemn procession of the miraculous image of the Sto. Niño, which can be considered as the apex of the celebration.
Reserve one hour of your day for reflection. A relationship with one's God is not one way. Just like any relationship, it has to be mutual, and as such, give God the opportunity to give you an answer. Learn to listen to God, allow him to speak, stay quiet and just reflect on the beauty of the Child Jesus.
Contemplate on the virtues of the Infant Jesus. The Sto. Niño de Cebu is a representation of the Infant Jesus, although Cebu's image is unique because of the miracles attributed to it, starting from its discovery to being spared from burning. Fr. Reginald Marie Garrigou-Lagrange in his book "The Three Ages of the Interior Life" pointed out the innate qualities of the child, as taught by St. Teresa of Lisieux, and is "found in an eminent degree in the child of God" are simplicity and consciousness of weakness. Simplicity allows the child to see events and circumstances around him on face value, as it is. This simplicity brings with it trust, the reason why the child would believe what an adult would tell him. The consciousness of weakness brings humility as the child realizes his dependence to his parents.
As one makes this practice, a prayerful devotee can be assured of a much meaningful spiritual experience.
The Sinulog carnival
Should you wish to enjoy the city-hosted festival, it would be wise to follow these tips:
Know your goal. What is your reason for joining the Sinulog? Is it to enliven your spiritual life or to simply enjoy the festivity? Beer drinking perhaps or go party hopping? Whatever your reason is, make that your goal and plan your activities with the thought of experiencing your goal.
Calendar your activities. The Sinulog has plenty of related events and activities, all to entertain the city's visitors. But there are activities that are purely Cebuano or Visayan. One of these is the annual Cebu Pop Music Festival, which has produced such great talents as Raki Vega, Chad Borja, and Vina Morales. The Sinulog Foundation, which handles the carnival, and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, who handles the religious aspect of the festival, have already posted the different schedules leading to the Sinulog day. You can start planning your activities from there. The city's different hotels and shopping centers have also scheduled various events. For that, check out their websites or call their respective customer service hotlines.
Map your route. Many of the major roads of the city will be closed for the festival, and with this, expect a lot of walking. Walking the stretch of Osmeña Boulevard, however, can be fun during the Sinulog because you won't just be walking, you will also be marveling at the different gimmicks and plots initiated by enterprising Cebuanos. A road map would be very useful. Know where you are going and see if there are back alleys and short cuts that you can take.
Buy your pasalubong ahead. After the festivity, visitors would be seen flocking such popular pasalubong centers and establishments like the Tabo-an for dried fish and danggit, or at souvenir shops for t-shirts and other delicacies. In order to avoid the pasalubong rush, try to make it a point to buy them when you arrive in the city, right after you've settled down in your hotel. For the danggit and other dried seafood products, make sure they're tightly sealed to avoid the spread of any funny smell in your room or your bag.
Enjoy. Lastly, you should remember that you are joining the Sinulog because you want to enjoy. While the church-led celebration focuses on silent reflection and sincere devotion, the city-hosted carnival is about thanksgiving. Have fun, go wild (in a responsible way), and experience something new. Have a henna tattoo, wear fashionably weird clothes, or dance in the middle of the street. Just remember not to leave courtesy in your room, bring it at all times, especially during the street parade where you would surely encounter many rowdy people.
First saw print on January 13, 2013 in The FREEMAN, a daily regional paper in the Philippines. Photos: Reynan Villena/Philstar.com and Ferdinand Edralin/Philstar.com.
Or make that Filipina version. This is such a hilarious video, but what I really love about it is that it totally represents the Philippines - the hopes of the Filipino people, its culture, its livelihood, the life of the majority, and of course, the beautiful places of Manila City.
In the Philippines, printmaking as an art form that still has to take root, perhaps because of the wrong notion that prints are easily reproduced, so one could not really claim that what he has is an original, which is what collectors really go for.
Its like photographs, which although are beautiful, the fact that it can be reproduced by anyone and everyone who has the file (negatives, for those who still use film) has lessened its value, which for me does not really complement the artists' talent. Sad to say.
The Holy Family (2012), Celso Duazo Pepito
Although many Filipino artists are into printmaking, if one still has no name in the industry, one's works would really not fetch a good price, or even the attention of people. In Cebu, we have Radel Paredes and Josua Cabrera who are also known in this genre of work.
Birds in waiting (2012), Sonia de la Torre Yrastorza
And in the Philippines we have Manuel "Mang Maning" Rodriguez, Sr., who despite his many awards and accolades, remain to be a virtual unknown in the country. Perhaps this is the reason why until today he has not been given theNational Artist recognition, and to think he has brought honor to his country countless of times.
Life is worth it (2012), Celso Duazo Pepito
One of the reasons, as artist Sonia Yrastorza related, is the fact that he relocated to the US in 1976, but that doesn't mean that he stopped working. In fact many of his works were exhibited in the US and the Philippines, helping bring Filipino artists to the world's attention.
Jade II (2012), Darby Alcoseba
The exhibit, aptly titled Homage, hopes to bring to the attention of the Philippine award giving body the contributions of this great man in the hope of giving him the most deserved title of National Artist. If ever, he will be the first National Artist from Cebu and the first for printmaking. This centenarian artist is considered to be the Father of Printmaking in the Philippines.
Dahong Laya (2012), Guido Lubanga
Because of this, several artists under the auspices of Cebu Artists Inc. (CAI), decided to do a workshop on printmaking. These artists, although already recognized for their craft, were excited to learn this new genre in the hope of highlighting the contributions of Mang Maning in Philippine art and at the same time bringing attention to printmaking as a mature art form.
November Print (2012), Guido Lubanga
The exhibit carried some of the works of Mang Maning together with Cebu artist's first venture on the art form. One who is familiar with the works of the artists who participated would still see that even with printmaking, their works still carry their signature: Celso Pepito's geometric spaces, Sonia Yrastorza's solitary subjects, and Cesar Castillo's elegantly adventurous strokes.
Spring (2012), Sonia de la Torre Yrastorza
The exhibit will run until December 21 at the Art Center of SM City Cebu.
Had a very busy yet very fulfilling day yesterday.
Woke up at 4 am to prepare for The FREEMAN Foundation's Christmas with Angels project in Don Andres Soriano (Lutopan), Toledo City. That's like one to two hours by car from where I live.
Since seven years ago, The FREEMAN, through The FREEMAN Foundation, would identify a certain community, or barangay as we call it, from where we would get the children who would then be the beneficiary of the project. The kids gets to enjoy a fun-filled day of games and great food. This year, we gave out school supplies, toys, and groceries for every family represented and the beneficiary was Brgy. Biga of Toledo City.
Exactly a year ago, it was in Brgy. Biga where three very young kids were taken hostage by their uncle. One of those kids had to have an arm, from the shoulder down, amputated. Since that incident happened The FREEMAN have been helping the baby and it was for this reason that the community was chosen for this year's Christmas with Angels.
We had a lot of fun, with all the games and everything. Well, except for the time when we distributed the groceries for each family and one mother angrily went to the front and harangued our doctor who happened to be the coordinator of the Foundation because she thought that some received more than her.
Ungratefulness is really not a new thing with these charitable activities. I always see it during free medical and dental missions and other activities that I have joined, where the beneficiaries think that it is your responsibility to give them these goods and if they feel uncomfortable in the process, like if they had to go on queue, its your fault and complaints come like a deluge. I approached the lady and gave her a lecture on gratitude, and she responded by leaving the building, perhaps in shame or of anger.
Well, you can't please everybody.
Coal mining
On our way home, we passed by a side road snack station and noticed people from the community, including small kids and women, carrying sacks and sacks of coal from an apparently illegal coal mine just near the road.
I don't blame these people. They get something like P75 (US$ 1.5) per shovel, and how many shovels would it take to fill a sack? Government should provide them with a sustainable source of income and these illegal activities would stop.
A tribute to a great artist
When we reached home after our almost all day activity, I went straight to the Art Center of a mall north of Cebu. There, several Cebuano artists have come together to help raise awareness about Manuel Rodriguez, Sr., a centenarian artist who is considered as the Philippine's father of printmaking.
All of them are my favorites: Celso Pepito and wife Fe, Cesar Castillo, and Sonia Yrastorza, to name some. There's also Jesuit priest Fr. Jason Dy who's famous for his bottle installations, and one of Cebu's famous photographer, Joseph Ong.
These artists were not really into print, but through the University of San Carlos and with artist/writer Radel Paredes as their mentor, the mentors became mentees. The works on exhibit was the product of this workshop, and as Celso said, it opened his door to a new medium that would further enhance his craft.
The exhibit was opened by our very own Executive Lifestyle Editor and my mentor, Madam Marlinda Angbetic Tan, together with other beautiful art patrons of the Aboitiz and Osmena families.
CEBU, Philippines - In 2011, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 7 recorded 748 cases of child abuse.
Of this number, 401 were cases of abandonment and neglect, 132 were cases of sexual abuse while 116 were cases of physical abuse, battery and maltreatment, according to data from DSWD-FO 7.
Although these numbers are smaller in total than the 1,047 cases served in 2010, DSWD-FO VII child and youth welfare head Emma Patalinghug clarifies this does not mean that incidents are getting fewer.
In fact, Patalinghug admits that these figures are not an accurate representation of the situation in the region, as they do not include cases handled by non-government agencies and other charitable institutions.
The wide acceptance of physical abuse and maltreatment as a form of discipline has also significantly reduced reports on these cases, she says.
What is certain, Patalinghug says, is that the numbers show the urgency of the need to address the problem.
Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act defines child abuse as maltreatment of a child, habitual or not.
These acts include psychological and physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse and emotional maltreatment; any act by deeds or words which debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being; unreasonable deprivation of his basic needs for survival such as food and shelter; or failure to immediately give medical treatment to an injured child resulting in serious impairment of his growth and development or in his permanent incapacity or death.
Child abuse and Politics
Politics, too, is considered a major factor in the battle against child abuse.
When politics played a significant role in the dumping of the positive and non-violent discipline ordinance authored by opposition councilors in Cebu City, child welfare advocates felt their efforts were invalidated.
Last June 27, the Cebu City Council passed the "Cebu City Ordinance Promoting Positive and Non-Violent Discipline of Children" with 14 councilors voting for the legislation and two against it. The ordinance was authored by Councilor Lea Japson who sits as chair of the committee on family and women, as well as Councilors Alvin Dizon, John Philip Po II and Margarita Osmeña, herself a child's rights advocate and former head of the Cebu City Task Force on Street Children and a member of Operation Second Chance.
In his State of the City Address (SOCA) last July 2, however, Mayor Michael Rama described the ordinance as anti-poor as it carries with it a fine of P5,000 or the penalty of six months imprisonment. When interviewed by members of the press after his SOCA, however, Rama admitted that he has not read the ordinance just yet.
In his veto message, he made mention that the measure is not "just, fair, non-oppressive, and non-confiscatory."
Japson denied this, saying that the penalty is not for first time offenders. She explained that the provisions in the ordinance gives the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) the option to refer the offender to the city's Social Welfare Service Office for assessment and intervention, which may come in the form of counseling for parents who violate the ordinance and their children, as well as seminars on children's rights and positive and non-violent discipline of children.
Child welfare advocates who believe that corporal punishment is a form of child abuse think that more than just punishing guardians, parents, and other adults who would physically, verbally, and psychologically inflict harm on the child as a form of discipline, the measure is a step forward towards positive discipline, which is more effective based on research and other scientific studies on behavioral science.
Patalinghug relates their struggle in making people and politicians understand the ordinance. She laments that the lack of implementation of national laws concerning child welfare is also rooted on the lack of localized measures that best address the particular circumstances of the locality.
"Like in Cebu, we have here plenty of cases of verbal abuse and flagging," she says.
The positive and non-violent discipline ordinance was supposed to help in the fight against domestic child abuse in the context of Cebu City wherein the most common manifestation is physical discipline.
Another area that is becoming a concern for children's rights advocates is the alarming increase in child internet pornography.
What makes it difficult to report and respond to these cases, Patalinghug says, is that the act is usually committed in the homes of the victims and the perpetrator.
"The moral values of people are deteriorating," she says, pointing to the fact that parents themselves are the one pushing their children to engage in such lurid acts.
"They think that because their child is just doing it in front of a camera and not with an actual person, it's ok," she says in Cebuano.
Patalinghug cites the 2011 cases in Cordova town wherein parents encouraged their five minor children to perform lewd acts in front of the camera. She says that because the parents are there, the children, trusting of their parents, believed that there was nothing wrong with what they were doing. Worse, they remained oblivious to the fact that they were already being exploited.
"They thought that they were just playing," Patalinghug says.
Patalinghug believes that until society is educated on the rights of children and what it can do to help protect it, there will always be hurdles to face.
For this, she says awareness and education campaigns are at the top of their to-do list in the implementation of national laws concerning children's welfare, and in pushing for the localization of these laws. Still, more work has to be done, considering the disproportionate number of staffs that their office has to their area of coverage.
With this, Patalinghug suggests that the Department of Education must promote values education for children aggressively.
Patalinghug also believes that in order to address cases of child abuse, local governments must learn to aggressively push for local measures that could help address the issues. These measures, she says, must be implemented fully at the grassroots level like in the barangays.
"When it comes to laws, we have plenty of them, but one of our weaknesses is full implementation," she says.
Parents, too, have a big role to play and must be educated themselves.
"There should be continuous advocacy for parents," she added. "They need to know their duties and responsibilities."
She says that in 2010, aggressive information campaign on child abuse resulted in an increase in the number of cases reported.
That year, DSWD-FO VII recorded 305 cases of various child sex abuse compared to the previous year's 258 or this year's 155. What would be significant this year is that DSWD recorded 18 cases of cyber pornography, an increase of eight cases from last year's 10 cases.
"We had a program at SM City Cebu on child sexual abuse and we included all the students from the different schools," she says.
Local social workers should also undergo continuous capability building seminars including case management. This would, however, entail cost and as such, Patalinghug says efforts should be multi-sectoral, coming from the community itself and with the support of both the private and public sectors.
Multi-sectoral efforts would also make more and more people aware of the problem and, hopefully, generate more helping hands. (Edited by Joeberth M. Ocao/The FREEMAN).
At first look, one would think that Kikok’s is but another misplaced shop in a location otherwise dominated by surplus shops and other industrial companies, but when you enter their humble abode, you will forget that you are actually in a place replete with all the trappings of a busy industrial street.
Eight treasure rice is a traditional dessert served on the seventh day of the Chinese New Year season. This is a sweet dish made of glutinous rice and eight kinds of dried fruits. Although no two eight treasure rice is the same, the most common fruits used are dates, lotus seeds, red and green plums, cherries, orange, red bean paste, and raisins.
Qipao or cheongsam is a traditional Chinese dress. Its male version is the changpao. The dress was popular in the late 1600s but is now worn only during formal occasions. Get into the festival mood and get one of these stylish dresses in red.
The Sto. Niño is believed to have arrived in the island of Cebu through Spanish Empire-commissioned Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan as a gift to the island's Queen Juana on the occasion of her baptism together with her husband, King Humabon, and the rest of the village on April 14, 1521.
And so, the devotion to the Infant Christ has become popular all throughout like the Infant Jesus of Prague (Czechoslovakia), Sto. Niño de Atocha (Spain), Divino Niño Jesus (Colombia), and Santo Bambino di Aracoeli (Rome) to name a few.
He clarified that there is no standard expression of devotion and worship since one's relationship with the Sto. Niño is personal, but he emphasized that "certain order or discipline" must be observed to avoid exaggerations.
The Sinulog is a lot of things for us, and for each individual this popular festival has a different meaning. But whatever that reason may be, one could have a better experience of the fiesta if they also take time to ready themselves spiritually.
Should you wish to enjoy the city-hosted festival, it would be wise to follow these tips:
In the Philippines, printmaking as an art form that still has to take root, perhaps because of the wrong notion that prints are easily reproduced, so one could not really claim that what he has is an original, which is what collectors really go for.
CEBU, Philippines