Saturday, December 31, 2011
For Filipinos, 12 news headlines to hope for in 2012
SAN FRANCISCO—It’s been a tough year. But a new one brings new opportunities, new reasons to be hopeful.
So I asked friends for the news headlines they would like to read in 2012.
It was a fun exercise. There were serious, passionate suggestions, and some hilarious, even naughty ones.
A few were about controversial politicians (‘Reunion ng mga Macapagal-Arroyo at Ampatuan — sa Munti’). And about showbiz celebrities (‘KC Concepcion finds true love with Mo Twister’).
One friend raised the issue of the controversial SM condo project near Ateneo. Another wrote of a concern of many parents: “No classroom shortage come school opening June 2012.”
Then there’s one on the speculation that next year will be our final year on this Earth — “Uy, the world did not end pala!”
It’s good to mix humor with hope, especially in these times. So with the help of friends, here’s my list of headlines to hope for in 2012:
1. Rapid response saves thousands from typhoons
Sendong reminded us that many parts of the archipelago are vulnerable. A bit of good news is that P-Noy’s government has admitted that it could have done more to prepare.
Nature is unpredictable and there are long-term development issues to be considered in taking on this problem.
But what if, when the next round of typhoons and calamities hit, with the aid of the nation’s vibrant network of civic, environmental and humanitarian groups, and the best of the country’s local government officials, Team Noynoy actually takes the lead in saving thousands of lives.
2. Aquino to Luisita farmers: ‘I’m on your side’
Imagine this: P-Noy prevails in the legal and political battles with former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Then he caps these victories by putting to rest any doubts about why he waged these struggles — by proving once and for all that he did not go after GMA, Corona et al for his own family’s interests, but for the sake of the nation.
And he does this by making a stunning act of courage for a president who is also the scion of a powerful landlord clan: He calls on his family to respect the ruling on Hacienda Luisita and takes the side of the farmers in the bruising battle over how much his own family should be paid.
He then rallies different sectors — from business groups, NGOs, even international experts on land reform — to come up with a new sustainable business model for Luisita and the farmers who now own the land.
And in a bold and dramatic appearance before thousands of famers, he declares: “Gaya nang sabi ko — kayo ang boss ko. I’m on your side!”
3. RH bill becomes law, 10,000 doctors, midwives hired
Finally, forces pushing for this long-overdue law move forward. Perhaps with the aid of progressive religious leaders and — who knows– maybe even Manny Pacquiao.
5. Philippines wins first Olympic gold
We’ve been waiting for so long. So maybe this year is the year. Maybe London is where the long wait will end.
6. Pacman KO’s Floyd, ends career with a bang
Maybe a jail term will not stop the much-anticipated showdown. And despite recent unimpressive wins, Manny Pacquiao finally proves that he is the king of boxing by knocking out Floyd Mayweather — in the first round. Then he does the right thing: He retires. “I know I can’t do this forever,” he says. “May mas marami pa akong gustong magawa.”
And maybe he even surprises us with another declaration: “I want to serve — but maybe politics, especially the kind practiced in Congress, is not the only way for me to do that. Maraming ibang paraan. There are other ways for me to help.”
7. Fewer Pinoys leave as economy expands
The global economy is in such a rocky state that this one is perhaps tough to imagine happening within a year.
But maybe by the end of 2012, there could be a surprise: An economy that’s expanding to the point that a tad fewer Filipinos see a reason to leave to find opportunities elsewhere.
8. PH jumps to No. 120 in least corrupt nations list
And maybe P-Noy’s central campaign does begin to gain traction. And from No. 129 on the Corrupt Perceptions Index in 2011, the Philippines moves up to No. 120.
A modest improvement, but still an improvement to celebrate.
9. Obama on Subic anniversary: ‘The U.S. made mistakes’
November 24, 2012 will mark the 20th anniversary of the closing of Subic Naval Base and the end of nearly a century of U.S. military presence in the Philippines.
Imagine a newly-elected President Obama finally visiting the country, and making what no U.S. president has ever done: He acknowledges the painful episodes in the history of the two countries — from the bloody U.S. invasion to the shameless endorsement of a greedy dictator. “We made mistakes,” he says. “It’s time for a new kind of friendship.”
10. Peace offensive: GRP, MILF, NDF close ranks against rogues, hardliners
What if enough key actors on all sides of the civil wars raging in the country finally get tired of war?
And they — military officers who take their roles as defenders of the homeland seriously, together with the sincere elements within the MILF and the underground left — find a way to unite against those within their ranks who don’t want the war to end, who profit from war, who are addicted to the killing — who simply cannot imagine peace?
11. Truth Commission begins probes with surprise first witness
And what if, in the search for lasting peace, P-Noy acknowledges the need to remember the past?
Imagine this: A Truth Commission, inspired by similar successful initiatives in South Africa and El Salvador, is convened to probe human rights abuses from the Marcos regime to the present.
Perpetrators are given the opportunity to confess, to disclose what they know of the acts of political violence in the past four decades in exchange for more lenient punishment. The objective is neither vengeance nor vindictiveness, but to understand what went wrong, so we can learn from the past. And so we don’t repeat past mistakes.
The commission gets an unexpected boost. After his capture, Jovito Palparan, known as the ‘butcher,’ agrees to become the first major witness.
12. Aquino: ‘Freedom of Information Law cannot wait’
P-Noy finally follows up on his promise of transparent governance. It’s a long process. “Which is why it’s time to start now,” he says. “It’s time for freedom of information to be part of the way government works in our country.”
This is my personal list. I’m sure you all have your own. Marami pa pong maidadagdag…
Isang mapayapa at makabuluhang bagong taon sa ating lahat!
On Twitter @KuwentoPimentel. On Facebook at www.facebook.com/benjamin.pimentel
Prayer That Brings Miracles
I thank you for my being able to see, and to hear, and to speak, and to feel, and to taste of Your good creation this day and every day.
I'm blessed because you are such a loving and such
a forgiving God, and such an understanding and caring God.
You have done so much for me and yet you keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything
I have ever done, or ever said or ever thought
That was not pleasing to you. I say I am so sorry.
I now repent and ask for your forgiveness.
From all danger, hurt, and harm.
Help me to start this day and every day
With a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day,
To clear my mind so that I can hear from you.
Please broaden my mind so that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over, for all things are working together for my good and God's Glory.
And when I'm pushed beyond my limits, give me the
best response, a response which says Alleluia, and
Praise the Lord, and Thanks be unto the Most
High God Almighty, I know that when I can't
pray, You listen to the prayer of my heart.
Continue to use me to do your will.
Continue to bless me so that I may be
A blessing to others.
Keep me strong so that I may help the weak...
Keep me uplifted so that I may have
Words of encouragement for the discouraged.
I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way, that they come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, even through this Prayer I am now praying.
I pray for those that are misjudged
Misguided, misused, and misunderstood.
I pray for those who don't know you intimately.
I pray for those who will delete this prayer
without sharing the Love of God with others
I pray for those that don't believe.
But I thank You, that I do believe
That God changes people and God changes things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers.
For each and every one of the family members
In their households. I pray for peace, love, and joy
in their homes; I pray that they are out of debt
And that all their financial needs are met,
I pray for every eye that reads and says this Prayer
That they come to know that there is no problem, no circumstance,
For God, the Most High God Almighty of all the Universes is truly the Greatest of All.
I pray for all my enemies, and those who have used me and abused me, and have lifted up their hands and their tongue against me. I now forgive them for all they have done. In Jesus Name, all my enemies are now forgiven, and I pray God forgiveness upon all my enemies, for they do know what they are doing, for I am a Child of God.
So every battle that I have ever encountered in my life is now in God's Loving hands, for You, O God fights all my battles for me.
I pray that these words be believed, received and accepted
into the hearts of every eye that sees them
and every tongue that confesses them
in name of Jesus Christ, I pray believing,
receiving and accepting God's miracles in my life this
day and every day, for God's Divine favor is now my
heritage, in Jesus Name. Amen and Amen! It is
done! O' Praise The Lord! Alleluia!
God Bless You!! ! ! !
Just repeat the phrase below and see how God moves!!
God I so love you and I need you. I confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, my Lord, my Savior, and my King, and I confess this day and every day that I am highly FAVORED by God and man.
Please come into my life, Lord Jesus Christ and change my heart now!
Let's take this Prayer around the World.
You will receive a miracle tomorrow.
Don't ignore this and God will bless you.
Know that you are already blessed
By the person who sent this to you.
GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO TAKING MEDICATION!!!!
Make muscle pain a memory with ginger
When Danish researchers asked achy people to jazz up their diets with ginger, it eased muscle and joint pain, swelling and stiffness for up to 63 percent of them within two months. Experts credit ginger’s potent compounds called gingerols, which prevent the production of pain-triggering hormones. The study-recommended dose: Add at least 1 teaspoon of dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger to meals daily.
Cure a toothache with cloves
Got a toothache and can’t get to the dentist? Gently chewing on a clove can ease tooth pain and gum inflammation for two hours straight, say UCLA researchers. Experts point to a natural compound in cloves called eugenol, a powerful, natural anesthetic. Bonus: Sprinkling a ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves on meals daily may also protect your ticker. Scientists say this simple action helps stabilize blood sugar, plus dampen production of artery-clogging cholesterol in as little as three weeks.
Heal heartburn with cider vinegar
Sip 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water before every meal, and experts say you could shut down painful bouts of heartburn in as little as 24 hours. “Cider vinegar is rich in malic and tartaric acids, powerful digestive aids that speed the breakdown of fats and proteins so your stomach can empty quickly, before food washes up into the esophagus, triggering heartburn pain,” explains Joseph Brasco, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Center for Colon and Digestive Diseases in Huntsville, AL.
Erase earaches with garlic
Painful ear infections drive millions of Americans to doctors’ offices every year. To cure one fast, just place two drops of warm garlic oil into your aching ear twice daily for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear infections faster than prescription meds, say experts at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Scientists say garlic’s active ingredients (germanium, selenium, and sulfur compounds) are naturally toxic to dozens of different pain-causing bacteria. To whip up your own garlic oil gently simmer three cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin olive oil for two minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks, suggests Teresa Graedon, Ph.D., co-author of the book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. For an optimal experience, warm this mix slightly before using so the liquid will feel soothing in your ear canal.
Chase away joint and headache pain with cherries
Latest studies show that at least one in four women is struggling with arthritis, gout or chronic headaches. If you’re one of them, a daily bowl of cherries could ease your ache, without the stomach upset so often triggered by today’s painkillers, say researchers at East Lansing ’s Michigan State University . Their research reveals that anthocyanins, the compounds that give cherries their brilliant red color, are anti-inflammatories 10 times stronger than ibuprofen and aspirin. “Anthocyanins help shut down the powerful enzymes that kick-start tissue inflammation, so they can prevent, as well as treat, many different kinds of pain,” explains Muraleedharan Nair, Ph.D., professor of food science at Michigan State University . His advice: Enjoy 20 cherries (fresh, frozen or dried) daily, then continue until your pain disappears.
Fight tummy troubles with fish
Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases...if your belly always seems to be in an uproar, try munching 18 ounces of fish weekly to ease your misery. Repeated studies show that the fatty acids in fish, called EPA and DHA, can significantly reduce intestinal inflammation, cramping and belly pain and, in some cases, provide as much relief as corticosteroids and other prescription meds. “EPA and DHA are powerful, natural, side effect-free anti-inflammatories, that can dramatically improve the function of the entire gastrointestinal tract,” explains biological chemist Barry Sears, Ph.D., president of the Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead , MA . For best results, look for oily fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout and herring.
Prevent PMS with yogurt
Up to 80 percent of women will struggle with premenstrual syndrome and its uncomfortable symptoms, report Yale researchers. The reason: Their nervous systems are sensitive to the ups and downs in estrogen and progesterone that occur naturally every month. But snacking on 2 cups of yogurt a day can slash these symptoms by 48 percent, say researchers at New York ’s Columbia University . “Yogurt is rich in calcium, a mineral that naturally calms the nervous system, preventing painful symptoms even when hormones are in flux,” explains Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a professor of gynecology at Yale University .
Tame chronic pain with turmeric
Studies show turmeric, a popular East Indian spice, is actually three times more effective at easing pain than aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, plus it can help relieve chronic pain for 50 percent of people struggling with arthritis and even fibromyalgia, according to Cornell researchers. That’s because turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, naturally shuts down cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme that churns out a stream of pain-producing hormones, explains nutrition researcher Julian Whitaker, M.D. and author of the book, Reversing Diabetes. The study-recommended dose: Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of this spice daily onto any rice, poultry, meat or vegetable dish.
End endometrial pain with oats
The ticket to soothing endometriosis pain could be a daily bowl of oatmeal. Endometriosis occurs when little bits of the uterine lining detach and grow outside of the uterus. Experts say these migrating cells can turn menstruation into a misery, causing so much inflammation that they trigger severe cramping during your period, plus a heavy ache that drags on all month long. Fortunately, scientists say opting for a diet rich in oats can help reduce endometrial pain for up to 60 percent of women within six months. That’s because oats don’t contain gluten, a trouble-making protein that triggers inflammation in many women, making endometriosis difficult to bear, explains Peter Green, M.D., professor of medicine at Colombia University .
Soothe foot pain with salt
Experts say at least six million Americans develop painful ingrown toenails each year. But regularly soaking ingrown nails in warm salt water baths can cure these painful infections within four days, say scientists at California ’s Stanford University . The salt in the mix naturally nixes inflammation, plus it’s anti-bacterial, so it quickly destroys the germs that cause swelling and pain. Just mix 1 teaspoon of salt into each cup of water, heat to the warmest temperature that you can comfortably stand, and then soak the affected foot area for 20 minutes twice daily, until your infection subsides.
Prevent digestive upsets with pineapple
Got gas? One cup of fresh pineapple daily can cut painful bloating within 72 hours, say researchers at California ’s Stanford University . That's because pineapple is natually packed with proteolytic enzymes, digestive aids that help speed the breakdown of pain-causing proteins in the stomach and small intestine, say USDA researchers.
Relax painful muscles with peppermint
Suffering from tight, sore muscles? Stubborn knots can hang around for months if they aren’t properly treated, says naturopath Mark Stengler, N.D., author of the book, The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies. His advice: Three times each week, soak in a warm tub scented with 10 drops of peppermint oil. The warm water will relax your muscles, while the peppermint oil will naturally soothe your nerves -- a combo that can ease muscle cramping 25 percent more effectively than over-the-counter painkillers, and cut the frequency of future flare-ups in half, says Stengler.
Give your back some TLC with grapes
Got an achy back? Grapes could be the ticket to a speedy recovery. Recent studies at Ohio State University suggest eating a heaping cup of grapes daily can relax tight blood vessels, significantly improving blood flow to damaged back tissues (and often within three hours of enjoying the first bowl). That’s great news because your back’s vertebrae and shock-absorbing discs are completely dependent on nearby blood vessels to bring them healing nutrients and oxygen, so improving blood flow is essential for healing damaged back tissue, says Stengler.
Wash away pain injuries with water
Whether it’s your feet, your knees or your shoulders that are throbbing, experts at New York ’s Manhattan College , say you could kick-start your recovery in one week just by drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Why? Experts say water dilutes, and then helps flush out, histamine, a pain-triggering compound produced by injured tissues. “Plus water is a key building block of the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones, your joints’ lubricating fluid, and the soft discs in your spine,” adds Susan M. Kleiner, Ph.D., author of the book, The Good Mood Diet. “And when these tissues are well-hydrated, they can move and glide over each other without causing pain.” One caveat: Be sure to measure your drinking glasses to find out how large they really are before you start sipping, she says. Today’s juice glasses often hold more than 12 ounces, which means five servings could be enough to meet your daily goal.
Heal sinus problems with horseradish
Latest studies show sinusitis is the nation’s number one chronic health problem. And this condition doesn’t just spur congestion and facial pain, it also makes sufferers six times more likely to feel achy all-over. Horseradish to the rescue! According to German researchers, this eye-watering condiment naturally revs up blood flow to the sinus cavities, helping to open and drain clogged sinuses and heal sinus infections more quickly than decongestant sprays do. The study-recommended dose: One teaspoon twice daily (either on its own, or used as a sandwich or meat topping) until symptoms clear.
Beat bladder infections with blueberries
Eating 1 cup of blueberries daily, whether you opt for them fresh, frozen or in juice form, can cut your risk of a urinary tract infection (UTIs) by 60 percent, according to researchers at New Jersey’s Rutgers University. That's because blueberries are loaded with tannins, plant compounds that wrap around problem-causing bacteria in the bladder, so they can’t get a toehold and create an infection, explains Amy Howell, Ph.D. a scientist at Rutgers University .
Heal mouth sores with honey
Dab painful canker and cold sores with unpasteurized honey four times daily until these skin woes disappear, and they’ll heal 43 percent faster than if you use a prescription cream, say researchers at the Dubai Specialized Medical Center in the United Arab Emirates . Raw honey’s natural enzymes zap inflammation, destroy invading viruses and speed the healing of damaged tissues, say the study authors.
Fight breast pain with flax
In one recent study, adding 3 tablespoons of ground flax to their daily diet eased breast soreness for one in three women within 12 weeks. Scientists credit flax’s phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds that prevent the estrogen spikes that can trigger breast pain. More good news: You don’t have to be a master baker to sneak this healthy seed into your diet. Just sprinkle ground flax on oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce or add it to smoothies and veggie dips.
Cure migraines with coffee
Prone to migraines? Try muscling-up your painkiller with a coffee chaser. Whatever over-the-counter pain med you prefer, researchers at the National Headache Foundation say washing it down with a strong 12- ounce cup of coffee will boost the effectiveness of your medication by 40 percent or more. Experts say caffeine stimulates the stomach lining to absorb painkillers more quickly and more effectively.
Tame leg cramps with tomato juice
At least one in five people regularly struggle with leg cramps. The culprit? Potassium deficiencies, which occur when this mineral is flushed out by diuretics, caffeinated beverages or heavy perspiration during exercise. But sip 10 ounces of potassium-rich tomato juice daily and you'll not only speed your recovery, you'll reduce your risk of painful cramp flare-ups in as little as 10 days, say UCLA researchers.