On Swine Flu and Vitamin C...

ON SWINE FLU.

It's now all over the news bulletins -- Swine Flu is now declared as a pandemic that has spread through populations in many parts of the world.

In the Philippines, there are almost 200 reported cases, making it the highest rate among countries within Southeast Asia, and with a provincial community up north said to have registered the most number of confirmed cases. Though the figures have been steadily rising, there are no related deaths recorded.

According to Health Officials, the spread seems to be inevitable but should not be cause for people to panic.

But how can one not panic, especially if you are a mother to young children?

Health officials have said that these cases are all mild in nature with more than half of those patients who tested positive for the A (H1N1) considered as having fully recovered. Besides the availability of a vaccine (Tamiflu) to combat this contagious illness, steps were intensely taken to conduct information drives more aggressively. People were advised to take the necessary precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

Some of these sound advices include the following:

1. If one can help it, avoid crowded places (modes of transport included)and stay only at home when you can.

2. Wash your hands regularly. Avoid touching banisters, doorknobs, walls, anything that may have been touched by an infected person, in commercial establishments.

3. Avoid putting your hand to your mouth, nose, and eyes. Cover your mouth—with a tissue, not with your hands—when sneezing or coughing.

4. Though it may seem impolite, try to avoid shaking hands or kissing.

5. Put off any travel plans, in the meantime.

6. Keep body defenses up. The body’s immune system battles invading viruses and microbes. Help it by eating nutritious food such as more fruits, more of fish and vegetables and less meat.

7. Pump up on your Vitamin C intake.

ON VITAMIN C.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. A genetic mutation that happened millions of years ago has made humans, unlike most mammals, unable to produce their own vitamin C. Therefore, we must obtain vitamin C through our diet. Vitamin C is the most widely taken dietary supplement that comes in many forms including caplets, tablets, capsules, drink mix packets, in multi-vitamin formulations, in multiple antioxidant formulations, and crystalline powder.

Vitamin C strengthens our immune system, promotes healthy healing of wounds and burns and functions as a highly effective antioxidant as well. Even a moderate quantity of Vitamin C can help protect the body from diseases.

Studies have shown that a 500mg daily dosage results in lower risk of death from heart diseases or fromany cause. Furthermore, there is considerable evidence that Vitamin C, in large, frequent doses, can prevent or cure infectious diseases. In fact, mega ascorbic acid intake brings the toxic stage of an infectious disease under control.*

*Reference: The Healing Factor: Vitamin C Against Disease", by Irwin Stone

With ascorbic acid as a water-soluble vitamin that easily passes thru the urine, there is no such thing as a Vitamin C overdose. In fact, it is ideal that our body's Vitamin C supply is replenished every four hours. And taking incredible amounts of Vitamin C for long periods were found to cause no ill effects.

There are Vitamin C brands that come in calcium ascorbate form. This is the most popular form of Vitamin C in the United States and Europe today because of its non-sodium and non-acidic properties, that does not cause gastric irritations, unlike some other pure ascorbic acid brands.

Likewise, the addition of sodium in other brands has become a cause of concern because of the mineral's link to hypertension and kidney disorders.

One brand of calcium ascorbate that is available in the market today, which I have personally tried, is CALCIUM-CEE. It incorporates calcium -- the mineral essential for bone health -- with the collagen-building properties of Vitamin C.

Calcium-Cee has a pH level between 7 and 8 (alkaline) so it is easily absorbed and retained in the body without upsetting the stomach and digestive system.

During my growing years, the daily intake of Vitamin C was a regular part of diet. Our parents even came up with a chart that we had to fill-up everyday as proof that we have, indeed, taken our dose of Vitamin C. However, by the time I went to college, my stomach became less and less tolerant towards my Vitamin C intake. Oftentimes, I would experience a burning sensation in my tummy area few minutes after I took a capsule. There were also instances that they made me feel sleepy instead. Because of that, I stopped taking Vitamin C for many years, even going against doctors' advices everytime I fell ill.

It was only after I learned of Calcium Cee that I started taking Vitamin C again. And in the last four months of my consumption, the effects are highly satisfactory. I no longer experience upset stomach and feel much more perky now than before. What's more, since I started taking Calcium-Cee, gone also are my morning attacks of allergic rhinitis.

Imagine, therefore, what taking megadoses of this wonder worker can do for you. Calcium-Cee, the ONLY non-sodium, non-acidic Vitamin C, is available in all leading drugstores nationwide.

“Dad, WE LUV U 8!”

It was 12:19am of March 20^th then … just a couple of days away (March 22 to be exact) from what was always celebrated — well at least among the Manalo clan — as the “most important date of the year” … Daddy Deo’s (or Oyed to some) birthday!.. He would’ve turned 78 …

Before I go any further, again, in behalf of my mom, my brother and 3 sisters, and everyone else in our family, we’d like to say BIG, BIG THANK YOU TO ALL for the warm thoughts and concern, for your valuable gift of time to condole with us, for all the support and comforting words extended, and for the sympathies and sincerest prayers you have offered us upon Dad’s sudden demise last March 1^st …

As I had said, the family remains strong and steadfast in the midst of this trying and difficult moment in our lives. And this is partly because of family and friends’ overwhelming expression of love for our Dad and for our family …

Backtracking a bit, Dad was diagnosed to have angina pectoris in 1996 and has been on nitrolingual maintenance since then. While he was here, he had nitrolingual tablets hanging on a small bottle on his neck. When they went to the US, their cardiologist also prescribed nitrolingual tablets, but later changed it to nitrolingual spray instead because the effect is much faster. He usually took one spray before doing a strenuous activity and the effect is good for at least 12 hours. But this was done only when necessary … He was conscious and extra-cautious with his diet and was very religious with his medications. Eventually, all that paid off as he was always given a clean bill of health during his Quarterly Physical Exams and was found to still be fit to work. However, on February 28^th, he just happened to have left his nitrolingual spray at a time when he badly needed it. Thus, by 11:45pm of that day, he had phoned Mom to inform that he wasn’t feeling that well and would immediately need the spray as soon as he would arrive home … Unfortunately though, Dad suffered from a heart attack, which was actually his first since the diagnosis 13 years ago, and didn’t survive …

From time to time, certain “what ifs” would cross our minds … but later comes the acceptance that, indeed, it really was Dad’s time to go home and be with the Lord … We are all just thankful that the attack did not happen on the freeway while he was driving home. He was still able to reach home, even able to park the car in the driveway and spend his last moments with Mom by his side … And knowing Dad, too, am sure that during those final moments, he was fervently praying and lifting everything up to God, offering his life and then faithfully accepting His will …

During the necrological service held at the Holy Family Parish last Monday, March 9^th, there were so many things that I heard and still learned about Dad … from the eulogists who willingly related their memories of him, from colleagues from various socio-civic organizations who credited him for his numerous contributions and projects, from relatives who shared unforgettable moments with him and from family friends whose lives he had touched in one way or another … They all talked about the many acts of kindness and selfless deeds he has done as a faithful servant of our Lord, how jolly and optimistic a person he was and how he was as a little man of BIG faith …

Till the very end, he remained to be the selfless person that he was — he was still of service to others … Dad signed up to be an organ donor … And last March 15^th, Mom informed that she received certificates of appreciation from the eye bank and Life-Sharing organizations and how these groups considered Dad to be a hero for also donating parts of his body to be able to help someone in need. Just to mention, these included his eyes, skin from the torso, arms and buttocks for reconstructive surgery, limbs from his legs to help someone walk, and even a part of his brain to be able to help a person’s mind work again. A full life lived, indeed. Amidst all the pain brought by the loss, I felt truly proud and humbled at the same time …

You know, as our way of paying tribute to Dad, there were two AVPs which I did few days after his passing … They were done in a rush, with the hope to make it in time for the March 7^th viewing in San Diego, CA and for the necrological rites here in Manila on March 9^th. Then for some reason, the AVPs couldn’t be sent to the U.S. by email and the upload in youtube suddenly took ages to complete … Needless to say, it didn’t beat the March 7^th timeline … We were also fortunate to have been granted permission to hold a simultaneous viewing online from 3:00am – 8:00am, Manila time of March 8^th … We all had hoped to see Dad one last time … But then again, the technician assigned to take care of this unexpectedly became unavailable … On March 9^th, in spite of having conducted a test-run prior, the AVPs also didn’t play during the necrological rites … Mom said that probably, Dad didn’t want us to see him – well not yet – in his lifeless state, there, lying in a casket … that maybe Dad preferred it that people would remember him the way he was while he was still alive … and that perhaps, too, Dad wanted to spare people from leaving the viewing and necrological rites with heavy hearts …

It then reminded me of a song that Dad once told me about twelve years ago, he said it was one of his favorites … That time though, I thought the lyrics sounded kinda morbid so I didn’t give it as much attention … I never thought it would take me more than a decade to eventually appreciate the song … I now find it to be very fitting since the words, most especially the chorus part, best encapsulates the kind of memory Dad wants us to have of him … Add to it, the song’s tempo isn’t your usual fare of a highly emotional ballad, thus, when you get to hear it, you just know that it speaks so much of how Dad is like, and always will be … The chorus says:

And when I die I keep on living
You’ll always have my love seeing you through
I’ll be your angel up in heaven
Forever all my love will shine on you
Cause baby I love you
Baby I need you, yes, I do

So this was the song used in one of the AVPs …Its title is “When I Die”, and sung by No Mercy in 1997 …

The other AVP is a simple presentation of Dad as a father to his five children, as father-in-law to his “manugangs”, as a grandfather to seven (now going eight) grandchildren and as a husband, bestfriend and soulmate to Mom … We wished to have included more pictures … but I guess everything in there is sufficient to tell a lot about him…

These videos were both uploaded in youtube, finally, haha!.. If you want to check it out, you can just type its tags, DMM AVP, in the search bar … or copy paste the following links below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSp2DLRsV0w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFzpbgQB3dY

Dad’s remains have been cremated and is temporarily home with Mom … One day soon, he’ll be brought home here and his cremains, laid in a final resting place …

Dad always ended his emails, phone conversations and text messages to all of us with “I luv u 8”, which he said meant that he will love us till eternity … I know Dad is in a much better place now (with our little angel, his granddaughter, Crissa) and will always look down upon us and take care of us …“Dad, you will be greatly missed … WE LUV U 8!”

During Dad’s birthday last Sunday, March 22, the family requested friends and relatives to say a short prayer for him, for his soul, and to read thru his favorite Bible verse, Psalm 23 …

Psalm 23 - A psalm of David

¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

³ he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

⁴ Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, ^[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Life is never the same anymore without Dad... And as Father's Day approaches (on June 21st), our first actually without him, we will request the same again from friends and relatives... Happy Father's Day, Dad!..

And once more, we thank everyone very much from the bottom of our hearts …

-- Mom, kids and grandkids …

Love Moves In Mysterious Ways

Few days ago I learned from a friend the love story of one of her relatives, which I consider to be worthy of an episode in "Maalaala Mo Kaya".

It's a story between two young sweethearts -- the typical story of teen, puppy love that usually ends just before the relationship really gets to flourish. Moving on with their lives after a mutually-agreed break-up, they went on their separate ways, later met their respective partners, built their own families, had kids and grandkids.

Fast forward to almost half a century years later. Fate would have it that they meet again. Boy comes home after many years abroad, then wondered about his first love. Initially perhaps out of curiosity, boy decided to trace girl. Boy got ecstatic upon knowing where to find her. Finally boy got to see girl again.

For some reason, boy felt his heart skip upon finding out girl is now widowed, just like him. And so sparks mysteriously flew between them in that meeting after many years. Constant dates thereafter only confirmed their magical feeling towards each other -- that everything about them was simply rekindled. The next thing they knew, they were walking down the aisle again.

Sigh! In this day and age, it's always nice to hear about good, old-fashioned and real love stories like this once in a while, don't you think? The story reminds me of a line from Dawson's Creek that said "When two people are meant for each other, it doesn't mean that they are meant for each other now..." :-)

So who knows, you love fools out there. Life and love really moves in mysterious ways. ;-)

Why the blog title?

Simply put, not all goddesses are immortal and powerful... I am Athena, a human goddess who can share with you some pearls of wisdom about her world -- For her, the goddess LIFE is like a PRISM... As defined by wikipedia and good ol' webster, prism (prĭz’əm), as a noun is defined as: A medium or device that cuts, with precise angles and plane faces, resulting to the formation of a spectrum of colors or the rainbow...

And these devices that bring in these many spectrum of colors in her mortal life are the varied events, issues, concerns, turning points and learning curves that happen day to day; human interest occurrences that, no matter how small, simple or obscure they may be, largely contribute in shaping the kind of human goddess that she is... ;-)