Health Advocates Launch A Global Call To Action: Are YOU Ready?

Cancer is getting more advocates – and this time, they are going to work together. The media launch of A Global Call to Action: Preventing Cancer, Saving Lives held last January 11, 2012 summoned the efforts of both private and public sectors to join forces and battle cancer together.

A Global Call To Action (Media Launch)

The media launch was a prelude to the major event, to be held at the Diamond Hotel, Manila on February 3, 2012. Aptly named A Global Call to Action, the event shall showcase keynote speakers who shall tackle important issues, such as the lack of a uniform approach to cancer management in the country.

A Global Call to Action shall also be the platform for dialogue between the private and public sectors. Different private companies shall pool their resources with government organizations in terms of funding cancer research and treatment.

With the Director of Philippine General Hospital
(and also the overall Chair of Global Call to Action), Dr. Jose Gonzales

When I attended the media launch, I had the pleasure of watching Chef Nicolai Stoyanov, the Executive Chef of Diamond Hotel, explain how one of the menu picks (Beef Carpaccio) was cooked. Dinner was filling and healthy, something that a health-conscious person should have instead of instant or fast food, yes?

Much of what I ate was a series of tongue twisters. I’m no good at pronouncing them, but I’m very good at eating them!

Chocolate mozart cake
Cinnamon-hazelnut pastry, sauteed granny smith apples
Vanilla ice cream

Pan-roasted forest mushroom stuffed chicken supreme
Vegetable medley in sweet butter
Green peas and pappardele pasta
Marsala wine jus

Salmon bisque
Lemon cream, roasted shiitake mushrooms

Herb-crusted beef carpaccio
Cloves marinated beech mushrooms, rockets, tarragon aioli

I also chatted with fellow doctor Jane Adevoso, who happened to be a cancer warrior. She gave an inspiring talk on how cancer changed her life. When she was still a medical student, she found out she got pregnant. She was single then, so it was already a big enough problem. But there were more problems to come.

“During my prenatal checkup, I found out that I had cervical cancer,” Dr. Adevoso recalled. She knew that if she had surgery then, she would lose her child. She chose to carry her pregnancy to term. She did get surgery after and she was free of cancer, only to be diagnosed with breast cancer three years after.

Dr. Jane Adevoso, kissing her son Gabriel after her talk

Dr. Adevoso said that cancer did not discriminate and that it would welcome anyone with open arms. It was a message that I’m sure everybody would remember. It was a message that prompted everyone to think of cancer as something that can happen to anyone.

With Dr. Cecilia Ladines-Llave, the Chair of A Global Call to Action

With Representative Ma. Isabelle Climaco Salazar of the First District of Zamboanga.
(She also happens to be the Deputy Speaker for Mindanao and Women’s Block.)

Everyone who attended the event was invited to sign resolutions that proposed to advocate cancer. There was an advocacy wall that everyone was free to sign as well.

After a pledge of commitment was made, guests were then asked to pin a blue ribbon on their neighbors.

A Global Call to Action: Preventing Cancer, Saving Lives will be held on February 3, 2012 at the Diamond Hotel (Roxas Boulevard, Manila). Please call (02)5674274 or (02)3537223, and text (0932)1754436 or (0912)7649573 for inquiries and reservations. You may also send your queries to movingasone@yahoo.com.ph. Visit this website for more details on A Global Call to Action.

Stanley Chi Endorses Home Health Care

Home Health Care has helped open the doors to better palliative care and better home-based health services in the Philippines. Stanley Chi, the comedian behind the bestseller Suplado Tips and the host of the Suplado Show on Dig Radio, is now one of the official endorsers of Home Health Care.

“Going to the doctor’s clinic usually takes up an entire day’s schedule. Getting vaccines and a thorough checkup at home, on the other hand, helps save time and energy,” Stanley Chi said. “This is why I am very happy to be an ambassador of Home Health Care.”

Home Health Care also promotes Palliative Medicine, a rather controversial field of medicine that reorients physicians’ focus back on their patients’ quality of life. For instance, they are one of the participants of the 2011 Palliative Care Symposium, which helped answer the following controversial questions:

Is life to be preserved at all costs? When does medical treatment do more harm than good? In terms of life support and resuscitation, where does a physician draw the line?

After all, doctors don’t just have to save lives; they also have to make sure that one’s quality of life is preserved as much as possible. During the symposium, the audience was asked, “What quality of life is there for a 60-year-old with many diseases who undergoes dialysis thrice a week, where his life revolves around dialysis?” A thought-provoking question indeed.

For more on what was discussed in the symposium, read the article here.

Dr. Mary Jean Guno, the Managing Director of Home Health Care, appeared as a special guest on the Suplado Show. She spoke about the importance of health-seeking behavior and how some people will find it very convenient to ask a doctor to come to their homes instead of having to wait at the clinic.

Home Health Care provides checkups, lab tests, vaccinations, and many other health services in the comfort of your own home. Visit Home Health Care for more information. Truly, a doctor is now a phone call away.

Health Membership at Walgreens Offers Discounts!

This post brought to you by Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you noticed how it’s sometimes cold and sometimes warm outside? All that temperature shift is going to wreak havoc on our immune systems for sure. It’s always better to prevent disease rather than deal with it once you have it, right?

Try investing in discount coupons and memberships that provide discounts on health supplies or services. For instance, the Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens provides discounts on drugs and health supplies if you get an annual membership. For families, you pay $10 to cover for you, your spouse, other dependents ages 22 and below, and even the animals in your family. That just about covers it all!

For individual membership, the fee is just $5. In either case, your membership allows you to buy generic and brand name medications at a discounted price – over 8000 of them – whether they are for your family or your pets. You can also buy supplies for family members with diabetes and asthma (think: syringes, nebulizers) at discounted prices. Walgreens also offers their own line of products and their photofinishing amenities, all of which will be offered at a discount as well.

Don’t forget to stay updated by liking Walgreens on Facebook. You might also want to follow Walgreens on Twitter. Stay healthy, everyone!

Suplado Show Features Rap Battle Pros from Sunugan Unfinished Business!

“The rap battle loser must resign from rap – for good!” Oh yes, that’s the rule in the much awaited rap battle appropriately named SUNUGAN: Unfinished Business. A Pinoy rap battle to watch out for, it is the conclusion to several rap battles already carried out in previous years between rap masters, such as Batas and Abra, Melvin the Devil and Shehyee, and many others. If you think you’ve seen the best rap battles before, tune in on January 28, 2012 for SUNUGAN: Unfinished Business!

Many rap masters have proven themselves worthy of another fight. Watch as rap masters lock horns and bet their very careers. After all, whoever loses in SUNUGAN: Unfinished Business must quit rap for good! It’s Apekz versus Harlem, Loonie versus Zaito, Abra versus Batas, and Shehyee versus Melvin the Devil.

This is definitely the rap battle of the decade. In fact, Guijo Street (located in San Antonio Village, Makati) shall be closed off for this special event. At SUNUGAN: Unfinished Business, rap masters battle each other as more than a million rap fans worldwide stand by and watch the live streaming.

To watch Sunugan, catch the live streaming through PinoyTuner, to air LIVE on Youtube. For a comedic preview of Sunugan, watch as both Abra and Shehyee fight with host-comedian Stanley Chi on the Suplado Show (Dig Radio). And guess what? That preview is going to air TODAY, January 23, 2012! Catch it at 9 to 11 p.m HERE.

When you watch the preview rap battle and interview on the Suplado Show, you can call in all your questions to Abra or Shehyee. Plus, you just might win gift certificates worth PhP100 from UniSilver Time if you call the show.

Sunugan: Unfinished Business will commence at 8 p.m. The showdown will be held right in front of Dig Radio Studios (7615 Guijo Street, Makati), across Saguijo Bar. It’s a long drawn-out battle that needs a definitive finale.

Aside from watching the show, you can text JOIN (space) SUNUGAN to 2948 for updates. Like the Suplado Show’s Facebook page for more updates on today’s preview battle. You can also like Dig Radio’s Facebook page to get updates on the actual rap battle (Sunugan: Unfinished Business) to be held on January 28, 2012.

How to Save on Health While Spending for Valentines!

This post brought to you by Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

It’s almost February! It’s the month of hearts – and Valentine’s Day draws near. It’s time for romantic candlelit dinners, flowers and chocolates, and of course, it’s time to get a little broke once again. Aw.

Wait, saving on health expenses means more moolah for dates?!

But that doesn’t have to be the case, yes? Spending on Valentine’s doesn’t have to make you feel like you have to pay an arm and a leg. You don’t have to dip into your savings, especially when you are also paying for medications. Love and health, in more ways than one, go together.

Okay, I know, that sounds a little forced, but really, isn’t it easier to go out on a date when you know you have money to spare, and that you’re not sacrificing your budget for the antihypertensive drugs you should be buying? It’s time to spend wisely. Know what discounts are out there. Avail of discount cards and memberships that can benefit you.

For instance, there’s Walgreens. They are giving discounts when you avail of one year’s membership for their very own Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens. An annual fee of $10 entitles you to a family membership that covers your spouse and also your dependents (must be 22 years old or younger). A family membership includes even your pets! For that reason alone, I’m loving the offer from Walgreens. And if you’re single, membership is at $5.

What are the benefits? Discounts on prescriptions for you and your pets (whether generic or brand name), shots, and some merchandise (supplies for diabetics and asthmatics). You also get extra bonuses upon buying Walgreens-branded items or if you avail of the photofinishing services.

Like Walgreens on Facebook and follow Walgreens on Twitter to get more updates on promos.

Sunugan: Unfinished Business on Suplado Show!

“The rap battle loser must resign from rap – for good!” Oh yes, that’s the rule in the much awaited rap battle appropriately named SUNUGAN: Unfinished Business. A Pinoy rap battle to watch out for, it is the conclusion to several rap battles already carried out in previous years between rap masters, such as Batas and Abra, Melvin the Devil and Shehyee, and many others. If you think you’ve seen the best rap battles before, tune in on January 28, 2012 for SUNUGAN: Unfinished Business!

Many rap masters have proven themselves worthy of another fight. Watch as rap masters lock horns and bet their very careers. After all, whoever loses in SUNUGAN: Unfinished Business must quit rap for good! It’s Apekz versus Harlem, Loonie versus Zaito, Abra versus Batas, and Shehyee versus Melvin the Devil.

This is definitely the rap battle of the decade. In fact, Guijo Street (located in San Antonio Village, Makati) shall be closed off for this special event. At SUNUGAN: Unfinished Business, rap masters battle each other as more than a million rap fans worldwide stand by and watch the live streaming.

To watch Sunugan, catch the live streaming through PinoyTuner, to air LIVE on Youtube. For a comedic preview of Sunugan, watch as both Abra and Shehyee fight with host-comedian Stanley Chi on  the Suplado Show (Dig Radio). And guess what? That preview is going to air TODAY, January 23, 2012! Catch it at 9 to 11 p.m HERE.

When you watch the preview rap battle and interview on the Suplado Show, you can call in all your questions to Abra or Shehyee. Plus, you just might win gift certificates worth PhP100 from UniSilver Time if you call the show.

Sunugan: Unfinished Business will commence at 8 p.m. The showdown will be held right in front of Dig Radio Studios (7615 Guijo Street, Makati), across Saguijo Bar. It’s a long drawn-out battle that needs a definitive finale.

Aside from watching the show, you can text JOIN )space) SUNUGAN to 2948 for updates. Like the Suplado Show’s Facebook page for more updates on today’s preview battle. You can also like Dig Radio’s Facebook page to get updates on the actual rap battle (Sunugan: Unfinished Business) to be held on January 28, 2012.

Harlem versus Shehyee at the Suplado Show

Sunugan: Unfinished Business is drawing near, which is why they made a special appearance on the Suplado Show last Monday, January 23, 2012. Stanley Chi engaged in a rap battle with Harlem, Shehyee, Juan Tamad, and Franchize! Stanley Chi also wore an exaggerated hip-hop attire from head to toe, complete with bling!

Here is a video that’s sure to whet your appetite for the Pinoy rap battle on Saturday, January 28, 2012, called SUNUGAN: Unfinished Business. This was taken after the Suplado Show was aired live last Monday. In this video, Stanley hosts a one-on-one battle: Harlem vs. Shehyee!

It’s a rap battle you just MUST see. No kidding, these guys have talent. You got to think on your toes to do this! Anyway, enough with the introductions – watch it and see it to believe it:

You can also watch THE ENTIRE EPISODE of the Suplado Show featuring Shehyee, Abra, Juan Tamad, and Franchise at the PinoyTuner Channel on YouTube 
(once it’s been archived, that is).

And if you want more of that, do watch SUNUGAN: Unfinished Business on January 28, 2012! You can come to the event at Guijo Street – the entire street will be closed off for the big event, or you can catch it via live streaming on Dig Radio’s YouTube channel. Don’t forget to like the Suplado Show on Facebook for more updates on future guests.

SUNUGAN: Unfinished Business is the rap battle to watch out for. It’s just a few days away, so make sure you don’t miss it. The catch: the loser stops rapping for good. It’s going to be a blood bath, boys and girls. Also, catch Stanley Chi at Guijo Street, Makati, 7pm on Saturday as he totes a microphone once again and chats with people for his man-on-the-street interview, EXCLUSIVE for Sunugan: Unfinished Business.

Free Font Download: More Fun in the Philippines!

Blogging is more fun in the Philippines! If you don’t know what I’m talking about, then you probably haven’t seen the newest campaign by the Department of Tourism in the Philippines. There’s a recent meme where you edit your pictures and say why it’s “more fun in the Philippines”. Many creative Filipinos have already joined the bandwagon. And if you’re looking for the font used by the More Fun in the Philippines campaign, good news! I have it here for you to download. It’s called the Harabara font, and you may download it by clicking on the button below.

Download Harabara Font

Here are a few of my versions of the More fun in the Philippines tourism campaign. They’re not as funny, but I hope they do challenge you to do it better – and to make the most of your pictures by using them to promote this campaign!

LOL! I had fun making these More Fun in the Philippines pictures. I had to ask the help of my boyfie about which pictures to use. (He used to be in advertising, so he’s quick on his toes when it comes to artsy-fartsy ideas.)

The Department of Tourism has already received a lot of flack because of purportedly having imitated another country’s tourism campaign. (Read the details here.) After a few resignations and a long silence, the Philippines’ Department of Tourism is back with a fun way to promote tourism: a viral campaign where everyone can use their own pictures to say why It’s More Fun In The Philippines!

Of course, it’s much more fun to do this if you have the right font, so better download the Harabara font used by the Department of Tourism for their More Fun in the Philippines campaign. Oh yes, joining the band wagon can be fun – c’mon, don’t be a killjoy. Besides, you know you want do it, too! Joining the band wagon: more fun in the Philippines. Hehehe!

Old Swiss Inn in Makati

Old Swiss Inn: when you hear that name, you think, a homey, Swiss-type hotel. But it’s actually a restaurant smack in the middle of Makati, located at Olympia Towers, in a hidden nook away from the hustle and bustle of the city. And yes, Old Swiss Inn serves European food that you will keep coming back for.

“Old Swiss Inn serves authentic European cuisine,” explained Gloria Rodriguez, the Operating Manager of Old Swiss Inn. They serve Corned Beef – but it’s not your canned variety. It’s corned beef brisket that is offered with sautéed cabbages plus boiled potatoes.

They also serve Gnagi Pork Knuckles, which are either boiled or baked and offered with boiled potatoes and sauerkraut.

Of course, one of their bragging rights (and probably their claim to fame) is the fondue menu. “Old Swiss Inn has started the fondue trend,” Rodriguez said.

I ordered Peppersteak Swiss Inn, a 250-gram cut of prime tenderloin steak which is then encrusted with peppercorn, slathered with green peppercorn sauce, and finally, served together with grilled veggies plus French fries.

Peppersteak Swiss Inn

Initially, the steak was too salty, but the staff was kind enough to suggest that it be done according to my specifications. My second plate was more to my liking.

Next, I had the Zurich Geschnetzeltes, which consists of pork tenderloin that is shredded and mixed with mushroom cream sauce. It is then partnered with roesti potatoes, which makes the plate truly delightful. It is my go-to item on the menu at Old Swiss Inn.

Zurich Geschnetzeltes

Their beverages are quite affordable. A glass of their house wine costs about PhP200, while their beer is priced at PhP65. Not bad!

I think this clinches it all: they have free WiFi – and they’re open 24 hours! It’s a great place to have a great meal, relax, go online, and sit back with a glass of wine. It’s also a good stopover after a busy day or a night out with friends. Have a cup of their hot coffee, grab a bite, and head on home for a good night’s sleep.

Don’t forget to give them your contact information when you come visit, as they constantly have promotions and discounts all year round. For instance, this January 2012, Old Swiss Inn is shaving 20% off the Zurich Geschnetzeltes. Wow, lucky me!

Old Swiss Inn is now one of my top restaurant picks in Makati. But don’t just take my word for it; drop by and order one of their famous European meals! Prepare to say a few tongue twisters, though, as many items on the menu are hard to pronounce. And yes, even that is part of the fun.

Suplado Tips 2 Fans Attack Bookstores in Manila

This January, the release of Suplado Tips Book 2 caused an unappeasable mob to besiege several bookstores in Manila. A follow-up for the first Suplado Tips book, Suplado Tips 2 was purportedly released last January. A horde of cult followers overwhelmed several bookstores in Manila and Makati as they demanded copies of the much-anticipated book.

Suplado Tips 2, the sequel to the bestseller Suplado Tips, was written by Stanley Chi to pacify the demands of his fans. “I have been receiving a lot of death threats from my readers, claiming they will hunt me and give me a slow death if I don’t write a second book of Suplado Tips,” a rather terrified Stanley Chi shared.

The second installation of Suplado Tips offered so much more than the offbeat pointers of the first book. Short graphic novels using real-life photographs, statements that need a special microscope to be viewed, fan art, and the official Suplado Society of the Philippines (SSP) I.D. are just some of the novelties expected from Suplado Tips Book 2.

“I feel like Suplado Tips now has a life of its own. It wants to grow, and I can’t do anything to contain it!” Mr. Chi added.

Of course, the much-loved grounded “suplado” retorts and tips prevail in the second book, just as it has in the first. One of the tips in Suplado Tips Book 2 advises, “Kung siksikan sa LRT tapos may biglang nagpabango, paringgan mo ng, ‘Ayos, amoy pokpok nako!’ (If it’s crowded inside the LRT and someone suddenly sprays on perfume, say out loud, ‘Great, now I smell like a prostitute!’)”

“I feel like Suplado Tips now has a life of its own. It wants to grow, and I can’t do anything to contain it!” – Stanley Chi

Bookstores all over the metro have attempted to appeal with Stanley Chi to promise that there is enough security personnel during his book launch. “It’s going to be a riot. We like getting rich by selling Stanley Chi’s Suplado Tips Book 2, but our lives are now in danger!” a bookstore manager, who did not want his identity disclosed, confided.

There shall be citywide unrest until the Suplado Tips 2 is finally released this February 2012. Readers are expected to continue harassing Stanley Chi and all National Bookstore and Fully Booked outlets nationwide.

A Suplado Tips fanatic, who also wanted to keep his identity secret, said, “I owe my machismo to Suplado Tips! I owe my life to Stanley Chi! Hail Mr. Suplado!” He then lost his wits and was committed to a mental hospital after he found out that the second Suplado Tips book was not yet available.

“I have been receiving a lot of death threats from my readers, claiming they will hunt me and give me a slow death if I don’t write a second book of Suplado Tips!” – Stanley Chi

Stanley Chi, albeit spooked by all the indecent proposals and death threats he has been receiving, still continues to host the Suplado Show, live on Dig Radio every Monday, 9 to 11 p.m. He writes two comic strips, the weekly Chopsticks and the daily Copy+Paste, for the Manila Bulletin.

For the Suplado Tips 2 Book Launch this 2012, Stanley Chi shall be accompanied by security guards, bouncers, and retired snipers. Former members of the Filipino rock band Hale, now named Bakeshop, shall play during the event. Many other surprises await those who dare to attend; after all, it is worth risking their lives for.

Suplado Tips 2, Chi’s newest book, shall be available online through www.psicompublishing.com and may be found in Fully Booked and National Bookstore outlets all over the country (unless his fanatic followers beat you to it).

For more updates on Stanley Chi’s Suplado Tips 2 and to join the Suplado Society of the Philippines, feel free to contact and stalk him at www.stanleychi.net. Catch more updates on the Suplado Tips Facebook page.

Looking for Single Filipinas Online?

Are you looking for Filipinas online? Are you looking for single Filipinas to go on a date with? Did you stumble upon this website because you are looking for sexy Filipina singles?

Do you want to date this single Filipina? Apparently, many foreigners want to “date” Filipinas.

Well, you’ve come to the right place. And by “right”, I mean the one place you need to go to for you to understand that us Filipinas do not appreciate the reputation we’ve been given as “women on sale” or “women for hire”.

When you search for the word “Filipina”, many search results on the first page actually lead to dating sites where Filipinas want to meet foreigners. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but really, is that the one thing that Filipinas want to be known for? The answer is a resounding NO.

When you meet a foreigner, fall in love, and become a family, it’s a wonderful love story. But it’s totally different when Filipinas are labeled as “women who like having a good time with rich foreigners”. We want the search results to show Filipinas as proud, beautiful, smart women, not as women who are marketing themselves in a chatroom full of foreigners who just want to get laid.

I hope I’m not stepping on the toes of well-intentioned foreigners who meet a Filipina, fall in love with her and eventually marry. But to set the record straight, when you come to the Philippines, you will be surprised how Filipinas just might shoot your proposal down if you ask them on a date – especially if you’re a complete stranger.

I do hope that when you search for “Filipina” on Google, less dating sites will appear in the search results. There’s something disturbing about that fact. I hope I’ve said this well; I do not want to be misinterpreted. And single Filipinas deserve more space in the Interweb other than on dating sites and chatrooms.

Rejected Student (Theindifferentmasochist) Bashes University on Tumblr

A few days ago, I stumbled upon a screenshot of a highschool girl’s statement on Tumblr. Apparently, she was bashing the University of Santo Tomas and criticizing the four-century-old university. Here is a screenshot of theindifferentmasochist and her Tumbler statement:

It’s no surprise that this Tumblr statement by theindifferentmasochist about UST prompted almost 2000 shares on Facebook. After this screenshot was shared on Facebook, many people replied in retort.

Some bashed her physical appearance, some bashed her intelligence. Perhaps she was asking for it. Or maybe she was just a really opinionated girl who wanted to let out steam (although perhaps a little too inappropriately). But what bugs me is not what she said about UST – and take note, I am a proud graduate of the University of Santo Tomas. What bothers me is that so many people ganged up on her and decided to attack her online.

Is this really what we do to confused teenagers? Remember, an eye for an eye will make the world blind.

According to some online statements, this girl was apparently suicidal. I have yet to confirm that statement, but someone who is depressed (and perhaps very rebellious and very confused) just might release a hateful statement such as the one posted above. But, as adults, we should know better than to attack her based on how she looks, or on her intelligence. Calling her “fugly” or “retarded” or “fat” is even cheaper than theindifferentmasochist’s careless hate post against UST.

If you think that what she did is wrong and you want to share your opinion, then do so in a mature and scholarly manner. Do not make the mistake of mirroring her brashness. Otherwise, you are no different from her – after all, she also thinks she is right, and she also thinks she is just trying to voice out her opinions – just like you.

Just because you feel that you are right and theindifferentmasochist is wrong, that doesn’t make it right for you to go down to her level and bash her the way she bashed UST. No, you should know better. You should be more civilized. Let’s not be bullies online – I bet you didn’t even realize you’re being a cyberbully. By making insults that are clearly below the belt, you’ll be doing exactly what she did. Let us all be more mature and act our age, yes?

And to theindifferentmasochist on Tumblr, girl, your hatred of UST just might destroy you; I hope you learn to curb it for your own good. If you’re real, that is. (I hope this is not a fake issue produced by a bored person.)

Wolfgang Visits Suplado Show!

Wolfgang: a Pinoy rock icon. They are arguably the gods of Filipino rock. They are (almost) twenty years old, and still making good music. And, more importantly, Wolfgang was on the Suplado Show!

Last January 9, 2012, the Suplado Show started the year with a bang. The entire Wolfgang band came to Dig Radio Studios for an interview with comedian Stanley Chi, the show’s host. Wolfgang also gave away guitar picks autographed by Manuel Legarda, the band’s lead guitarist.

Stanley Chi asks all members of the band Wolfgang about personal and professional issues: what are their day jobs? What are favorite bands? Is there an album coming out? Watch the interview on YouTube to listen to their answers – and catch Basti Artadi tell horror stories about their worst gigs.

Watch this episode with Wolfgang:

Ristras Mexican Grill also made an appearance on the show and gave away gift certificates to several lucky commenters. The show usually accepts callers, but there were network problems all over the metro (the telcos in Manila intentionally disrupted cellphone coverage because of bomb threats during the Black Nazarene event). However, commenters on YouTube were lucky to get all the freebies.

Yes, the Suplado Show gives away freebies every night, so be sure to catch the show on Mondays, 9 to 11 p.m., on Dig Radio (instructions here) or YouTube. The show airs LIVE. In the meantime, enjoy the interview with Wolfgang on the Suplado Show!

How Music REALLY Relieves Pain

Music has always been the panacea for all woes – emotional ones, that is. But does music relieve physical pain? Is there enough evidence to support the claim that listening to music can help relieve pain?

Does music relieve pain?

To help answer the above queries, a study by Bradshaw et al published at the Journal of Pain revealed that people do experience less pain when listening to music, especially those who were quite agitated at the beginning of the experiment. In other words, music may help relieve anxiety, increasing the threshold for pain. By the way, that’s medical mumbo-jumbo for “less anxiety, less pain”, in case you found all of it too confusing.

Although the implications of the study are encouraging, the results also imply that if your pain is not entirely due to a lowered pain threshold which was caused by anxiety, then music just might not help.

CONCLUSION: Based on the above study, if you’re the jittery type, listening to music can soothe your nerves and make you feel less pain during painful procedures, such as when your dermatologist gives you acne surgery (a.k.a. “facial”).

I guess that also means that if you’re not entirely scared of breaking up with your girlfriend, then turning your mp3 player on while giving her the bad news is not going to make her open-palm slap sting less.

Although much more research needs to be done to find out if “music medicine” has a role in pain management, I could say that there’s no harm in putting on your headphones. It’s better than listening to yourself say, “Ouch!”

Another study, this time by Nilsson et al, was conducted last 2009 on eighty children. The study, published at Paediatric Anaesthesia, revealed that kids who listened to music needed much less morphine after surgery.

But Cochrane rules all, what with their meta-analysis and all. (To those who don’t know what a meta-analysis is, it’s when the results of different studies are pooled together to come up with one consolidated conclusion.) In this meta-analysis by Cepeda et al, findings from 3663 participants from more than fifty studies were pooled. The analysis revealed that many of the studies indeed showed promising results, with music-exposed participants needing less opioid for pain relief.

Of course, nothing is final just yet. The results, no matter how encouraging, seem to show that music relieves pain only minimally. So, does music relieve pain? Perhaps it does, but not to a huge extent. Although much more research needs to be done to find out if “music medicine” has a role in pain management, I could say that there’s no harm in putting on your headphones when you’re about to experience something painful. It’s better than listening to yourself say, “Ouch!”

Lomography Walkthrough for Photoshop: Version 2

There are many types of lomography cameras and it follows that the pictures they produce create different effects. Earlier, I shared a tutorial on how to create Lomography pictures using Photoshop. Now, I have a second version that produces Lomography in Photoshop in a different way. (Read the previous tutorial here.)

Using the detailed tutorial below, you can transform your regular photograph to a Lomography picture, such as what I did with mine using Photoshop. Even if you’ve never used Photoshop before, you can do this as the walkthrough is complete with screenshots.

For this guide on how to make Lomography photos using Photoshop, I decided to use another photo of mine (that way, nobody can copy the screenshots and claim copyright, hehe!) The picture on top is the original photo, while the one below is the processed one:

Here’s how to make your pictures look like Lomography photos using Photoshop (CS5 and up):

1. Open your picture file using Photoshop.

2. Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool to trace the central area of the photograph. Irregular shapes look better, such as the one below.

3. Then, right-click on your selection, and choose “Select Inverse”.

Home Improvement 101: Personal Story

So, here’s the deal. I’ve been trying to clean my room, segregate my unused stuff and the stuff I use everyday, and make my small home a lot more spacious. Ever since I moved here less than a year ago, my stuff is still in boxes! Sigh.

Hi, I’m Stef, and I’m not a clean freak. (Everyone: Hi, Stef!)

Here’s a picture of the boxes that, up to now, I haven’t emptied into my cabinets yet:

Wahaha! Talk about procrastination! But that hasn’t discouraged me from at least, um, trying to make my house more livable. For instance, I finally purchased a LED TV, I bought a new bed (so I know have two beds in my room, gah), and I want to install an entertainment system so that I can watch movies like I’m in a posh cinema. Hehehe.

I was thinking of installing wall speakers, but then I can’t just poke holes into the wall because I’m just renting this condo unit. I already bought a cabinet of sorts for my old DVD player and my new TV, but I still don’t have an audio system to boot, for many reasons:

1. Speakers are sooooo expensive.
2. It takes a pro to set them up so that you get what you paid for.

Sigh. But perhaps if I can find a way to install an entertainment system that doesn’t cost too much or take up too much space, then I’d love to learn how! I’m a music and movie kind of girl, and I’d love to be a couch potato for an entire week, watching my favorite movies in a comfy sofa – which is why good speakers are on my shopping list.

Home improvement – what a really difficult hobby to take up. Speaking of which, I need a new DVD player (one that doesn’t stop in the middle of a movie like mine does), a laundry hamper, a microwave oven… and the list goes on…

And maybe I should include “motivation to clean” in my shopping list. I hope they sell that in Quiapo or Divisoria. How about you, how do you plan on improving your home?

My Trip to Baguio: Part 3

Good Shepherd in Baguio has only one outlet. So if you purchased Good Shepherd products somewhere else, then you can’t be too sure that you’re actually getting their authentic products.

Wow, so there are “pirated” Good Shepherd products? LOL!

Good Shepherd closes at 5 p.m., so get there early. There is a queue to purchase their products – that’s how in-demand their sweets and desserts are.

May the hungriest person persevere! Hehe!

Here are their store hours during the holidays:

I then visited Minesview Park’s many silver stores. My personal favorite was Pilak Silver Shoppe.

Silver is the poor man’s gold?

They offered a wide range of silver jewelry at really cheap prices. I purchased the following silver rings and pendants.

The moonstone pendant was so pretty, I couldn’t wait to use it!