And the winner is.... Democracy!

Even before the May 9, 2016 Presidential election, it was already evident who would most likely win the election.

But win or lose, I stood by my candidate. I was not voting for a person. I was voting for honesty, integrity and a genuine desire to do what is right for the people. Unfortunately for me and my candidate, majority of the voters had a different a view.

This election had a huge voter turnout at 81%. For the most part, it was clean and honest. Voters went for different candidates, but in the end, with a clean and honest election, the winner is democracy and for that, we can say that we all won.

It is far far better to lose in a fair fight than to win by dirty means.

This thing called suffrage

Today millions of Filipinos will vote for a new leader. The generally good turnout of voters during elections make me believe that Filipinos are aware of the power of their vote.

What I wonder though is that when Filipinos vote, do they vote as equal where they believe they can hold the person they support accountable or do they vote as minions and underlings ceding their right to their bet?

Cool water

Aguas Frescas from Reggie Aspiras column Kitchen Rescue. WIP

Ubas mula sa Sagada

Habang naglalakad ako sa palenke sa Baguio, nakita ko ang panindang ubas na ayon sa karatula at tindera ay galing daw sa Sagada.

Maganda nga sana kung totoo ito pero parang ang hirap agad maniwala. Gusto ko muna makita ang ubasan sa lugar na iyon o makakalap pa ng patotoo ng iba maliban sa nagtitinda nito.

Brushing teeth with baking soda

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. After learning from some people thru the internet that it can be used as replacement for toothpaste, I tried it and found it to be okay enough for me to use it from time to time.

It tastes salthy but not as lathery as the commercial toothpaste. However I can say that it can make my mouth feel clean and that is what is important.

There are concerns that it can be very abrasive. However its abrasive rating is much lower than the ones used in commercial toothpastes.

To use it, just put a small amount in a small cup - I use a ceramic egg holder. Dip my toothbrush in it and brush away.

Don't forget to brush gently but thoroughly.

The "Musikalye" Show

I am one of those people with no musical ability or talent whatsoever. But I am happy and proud that many Filipinos have been blessed with this gift and are chalking up recognition one after the other all over the world.

One nice thing about music is that it is one of the truly democratic arts. The rich have no, and can not have a monopoly on it. But it can be a ticket out of poverty for many poor people.

Since it is almost a given that Filipinos love music, love to sing and also like watching variety game shows, I wonder if it is possible to make a "musikalye" show wherein an entire community or barangay can be engaged in a musical production?

What I have in mind is to transform noontime variety shows featuring fun games done on remote locations to incorporate surprise musical numbers by members of the community.

At least by showcasing talents instead of sob stories for people to earn some cash, the musikalye show can undo the mendicant mentality fostered by some variety shows.

10 Quality of Life Tips

Most of these ideas I got from watching TED talks on Youtube;

1. Quality sleep of 6-8 hours
2. Healthy diet and calorie restriction
3. Regular moderate exercise for body and mind
4. Social engagement
5. Cultivating positive attitudes such as gratitude and civility
6. Meditation
7. Having a purpose
8. Keeping busy and working with the hands
9. Personal grooming and hygiene
10. Always have a ready smile for others

Pinoy in denial

May naka-usap akong driver ng jeep. Hindi na raw siya nagsisigarilyo. Tatlong stick na lang daw sa isang araw.

Tapos sabi pa niya, hindi siya mahilig makipag-inuman at kung napapa-inom siya, ayaw niya ng hard kaya gin ang ini-inom niya.

Marami na akong nakakausap na mga tao na ganito kung magdahilan. Ang tawag ko sa kanila mga "In-day" short for "in denial".

Okay lang sa akin ang mga taong ganito ang pag-iisip. Sa palagay ko, hindi naman para sa akin na sabihin na mali sila at ako ang tama.

Ang hindi okay sa akin, yong mga gumawa ng masama na kahit huling huli na ay nagkakaila pa rin. Maraming may sakit nito mula sa mga ordinaryong tao hanggang sa ilang mga makakapangyarihang politiko.

Nasasa atin na kung gaano natin sila papayagan na makalusot.

Some effective interpersonal traits

1. Smile
2. Show interest and curiosity in others
3. Show your vulnerability and being human just like others
4. Speak with gestures
5. Show admiration not judgment of others
6. Make eye contact

Living well vs. living long

Science has extended the life expectancy of people. What it has not been able to do is to ensure the quality of that extended life.

It is up to us however to choose what kind of life do we want to live. Do we want to live longer or live better?

Lucky if we can have both.