Safety First Before Mountain Climbing

Note: This is a re-post from http://www.mountainclimbingblog.com/?p=5. Thanks to the author! :)

Given the many possibilities that could happen as you go mountain climbing, it is also possible to encounter some mishaps and difficulties. Thus, it is definitely wise to equip yourself with the right things when you venture into the forest.

1. Right Climbing Equipment

There are lots of equipment that you will get to know when you go mountain climbing. These will come in handy as you explore the forests and terrain.

Make sure you get the right equipment to ensure safety at all times. They must have good quality and must fit just right to serve their purposes well.

2. First Aid Kit

The first aid kit shall ensure that if any problem should arise, there will be sufficient tools that will resolve the problem. This can avoid any complications that may arise.

3. Climb in Groups

Another safety measure is to go in groups when you explore the forests or climb the mountains. This will keep other people within reach. You can easily call for help if anything should happen.

4. Enough Preparation

One more safety precaution that you can take is to prepare yourself physically for the adventure. You can improve on your flexibility, endurance and stamina so that you can explore your climbing options with less risk of accidents.

Conclusion

The excitement and adventure of mountain climbing can definitely catch your interest. So if you do decide to explore the forest, make sure you do all the safety measures and nothing will keep you from enjoying it.

Train yourself before you go mountain climbing

Note: This is a re-post from http://www.mountainclimbingblog.com/?p=4.

Look at the calendar. Oh no, your climb is just a month away. You have to start training now. The best method to train yourself in any activity is to stimulate yourself into that activity. Therefore, in mountain climbing, the basic skill needed is hiking. So before you head out to that climb, you should grab a pack and begin a regime including hiking exercises that has low intensity cardiovascular exercise.

Give yourself two to six weeks in this kind of regime. At the end of that period, you would have known the basic mountain climbing skill.

1. The first two equipments you should purchase are a back pack and boots. For their first climb, people generally rent boots because they are quite expensive and it would be a waste of money if they will only use it that one time.
2. Choose a small mountain or a hill near where you live.
3. Plan your exercise program. Make sure that the intensity and the length of the whole routine increases gradually.
Let’s say for example in the first week, you trek for thirty minutes thrice a week. In the second week, you go for forty five minutes carrying 15 to 30 lbs of weights with you for three to four times a week. In the third week, you go for an hour with 30 to 45 lbs of weight with you for three to four times a week. In the fourth week, ease on the weight and go for one or two sessions.

Next thing you know, you’re ready for your climb.

Just remember to adjust your program when called for. A particular routine isn’t appropriate to everybody. Weights are added and reduced, depending on the body type of the hiker.

Here are some important mountain climbing tips:
1. Your pack should have weights in the form of the water bottles. This is because they won’t tear up your back pack. You can also dump the water when you reach the peak so that you don’t put tension on your knees when you climb down.
2. Use poles for trekking. These lessen the strain in your knees when you ascend and descend.
3. Don’t rush yourself. Keep it slow and steady. Start and stop depending on your productivity. By listening to music, the rhythm is set.
4. Have realistic goals. If you push yourself too hard, you will only hurt yourself. Before your climb, stretch and stay hydrated. You should also rest two days before the expedition.

Climbing Mount Kanlaon

I never realized that I could climb the most active volcano in the Visayas, Mount Kanlaon. It was a great opportunity and privilege to be with the members of the One Moutaineers Inc. (OMI) and some Japanese and Korean friends to traverse the moderately dangerous trails leading up the summit of the mountain. It was Johnrou Bechayda and Karlo Diel, my Adventist friends who invited me, and with my adventurous desires, I accepted the offer.

December’s last week was rainy, but when we started climbing by the 28th, the sun shined until we descent on the 30th. It was not fun when I felt series of cramps. I almost crying, but I kept on praying that I could surpass the greatest obstacles – the height and ravenous cliffs! Words of Gaelle Rubrico were true, “You need thousands and thousands of prayers!” Yes, I prayed a lot, as in, a lot! And I could no longer feel all the pains when we reached the summit after eight hours and thirty minutes. It was very, very cold.

I was the last to reach the summit, together with Johnrou who was also suffering from painful muscle cramps. We never had more time to physically prepare because of series of activities we had been working on weeks before the climb. Anyway, we kept on praying several times, especially when we reached the most difficult portion of the trek—to climb vertically with lesser light (it was twilight already) and below was a very deep and ravenous cliff.

When we reached Camp 5 at Saddle area, the cold windy breeze soothe those pains we felt. Good thing was, food was prepared just for us, late comers. It took us eight hours and thirty minutes to reach the camp.

By the next day, December 29, as early as 5 am, we climbed the summit. All I saw were lights from distant municipalities and the city proper of Kanlaon. It was a breath-taking view!

I consumed more shots during the sunrise, taking more on the peak of the volcano and its crater, plus capturing the cottony layers of the early morning clouds.

We went back to Camp 5 to have our breakfast, and then, went straight down to Margaja Valley or the old crater at around 9. It took us thirty minutes, more or less, to go down. I enjoyed climbing on those rugged terrains.

What a very mystifying scenery! But the cold air was not a hindrance for us to take a dip on its water. We stayed there until 2 in the afternoon, and went back to the camp to have some more rest.

The most awaited moment came—the sunset! The rustic, bright myriad of colors arrayed the skies, and the continuously soothing of the cold air kept us clothed with double thermal jackets!

No words could describe the beauty of God’s creations. How beautiful His works were!

As early as 8 in the morning of December 30, we descent, and it took us only around three hours to reach the starting point of our climb.

Mount Kanlaon was my first real climb, and it was not only memorable, but a great time walking with my guardian angel and Jesus. I hope to climb more mountains, but I know, in each day of my life I climb higher mountains, more dangerous, but in His hands, I know, I am always safe.

If I am to describe Mount Kanlaon in one word, simply, it is mystical!

I hope to come back, soon!

Boracay Island, the best tropical beach resort in the world

A Sad Goodbye

Well, it hurts, but I think, this is now the time for me to say, “Adiós”, “ha det bra”, “näkemiin”, “さようなら”, “au revoir”, to my lovable pet dog named “sha sha.” I will surely miss you. For almost five months of seeing you inside the dog cage, I could say that in each morning of my life, you brighten up my day. I hate to say that there were times you bitten up my sandals, even the lucrative Havaianas sandal my friend gave me was torn into pieces. But I never regret of you doing that. Because I know it was your passion and one of the ways you need to express–biting off to be free from strains.

There were moments that I cry in front of you telling you why I was hurt, why my day was so lonely, and why I feel like I am dying. But you were only staring at me, though I know deep inside of you, you tend to understand me even if its hard to. Though you could not speak like my tongue does, your vocal sounds were more than enough for me to realize you were trying to grasp what I am telling you.

It would now be the last time for me to see you. As I see you being buried below the grave, I could not stop my tears falling down. I wished I could be with you down below, but I still have a lot of tasks to do; I still have a lot of missions to work for.

Memories keep haunting me as we used to stroll the beach every afternoon. As I throw away the megarang toy, you hurriedly leaped and tried to catch it. Even if I am not used to exercise every morning, I have to, so that you, too, could stretch out and run with your four legs along the main street. But we usually faced trouble–a lot of street dogs bark on us. We just don’t mind them.

As you lay down in your grave, always remember that I won’t forget those memories we had. If only you could see my crying and dirging so much, you may, for sure, regret saying good bye to me. You never said good bye to me, because you cannot.

All I heard was a whisp of your sound, so magnetic that I roused from my bed to check you inside your cage, but you were dying. I do nothing, but to soothe you from your pain. I exactly saw you gasping, and I wished I could give you more air to breathe, but I cannot. I wanted to rescucitate you, but I know you never wanted it anymore, because you were tired, verily tired.

I am sorry for all the things that I have done. I wasn’t able to say sorry to you on that moment, but I know, for sure, you have forgiven me already. I will always cherish you, for you have been part of my life.

Good bye my loving pet dog.

‘Recession-proof’ services to cushion economy

Vol. XXII, No. 93
Wednesday, December 3, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
BusinessWorld

By HARTHWELL C. CAPISTRANO

ILOILO CITY — Remittances from some nine-million overseas Filipino workers, business process outsourcing (BPO) and other recession-proof services are expected to shield the local economy from the effects of the spreading financial crisis.

Among the recession-proof services that entrepreneurs should consider providing are those related to education, health and transportation, De La Salle University economics professor Luz T. Suplico said during the BusinessWorld Entrepreneur Forum Series here last Friday.

"These activities can create jobs. People with jobs can have purchasing power. It can cushion the impact of an economic recession," she explained.

Ateneo Graduate School of Business professor Enrique Soriano III said the fact that "we are still a remittance-[driven] economy" means the country "can still be shielded from the major setbacks of the global slowdown."

He warned that business worldwide "is going to get worse, before it gets better."

The BPO sector is one bright spot amid the spreading gloom, said Maria Cecilia Tamura of Airily Corp. She noted that Iloilo residents are fluent in English, familiar with the Western culture, have quality education and can adapt to work.

"The increasing number of BPOs is an indicator that it is not greatly affected by the economic recession and this could cushion the impact of the problem here in the country," said Ms. Tamura.

She also said that knowledge process outsourcing — which offers services that require higher skills than mere voice-based services (like software design, financial analysis, etc.) — offers a similar edge as BPO.

For all businesses, however, it’s time to go back to basics in the face of worsening economic conditions.

Customer service management, for instance — a requirement for good business in good times and bad — can spell the difference when the crisis is over, said Joseph Vincent Go, owner of Light and Glory Taxi Services.

"Customers are willing to pay for services they want and these must be tailored according to their needs and capability. Start focusing on your great service and start it right, and when there is turnaround, your company and your product have already positioned," he said.

Photo Ads Campaign Against HIV/AIDS

The photos above were taken from Obvious Blog as they have been widely used in the campaign to fight HIV/AIDS in the entire world. I would like to extend my gratitude to the authors/owners of those photos posted above. For you to be properly acknowledged, kindly email me at harthwellc@gmail.com.

World AIDS Day 2008

The whole world celebrates today the World AIDS Day 2008, uniting all people from different walks of life, in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

According to the UNAIDS 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic, there are around 30.8 million adults and 2 million children who were living with HIV at the end of 2007.

Around 6,000 individuals die every day from HIV/AIDS, and another 7,000 become infected by the virus,, said Peter Piot, Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

In a report last June 10, 2008, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the global fight against HIV/AIDS is making a significant progress, but UN health official said that the global epidemic is far from over.

Although the global rate of newer infections has decreased, several countries are seeing rising rates of newer infections, including China, Indonesia, Russia and Ukraine, and some European Union and North American countries.

In Africa, AIDS remains to be the leading cause of death, and the overall rate of infection among women is rising more rapidly than among men.

There are 5 million people in Asia living with HIV/AIDS with around 400,000 people being newly infected every year, according to the statistics released by Uniting the world against AIDS (UNAIDS).

It was thought that India was home to around 5.7 million people living with HIV - more than any other country in the world.

In July 2007 this estimate was revised to between 2 million and 3.1 million, based on better data including the results of a national household survey.

Because of the major revision of the Indian estimate, the number of people living with HIV in the whole of Asia is now thought to be substantially less than the figure published by UNAIDS in late 2006. The current estimate is around 5 million.

Other countries with large numbers of people living with HIV include China (700,000), Thailand (610,000) and Viet Nam (290,000).

In the Philippines, there are about 3,000 registered HIV/AIDS cases in the Philippines, considered a low-incidence country with national adult prevalence at less than 0.1 percent of the 90 million population.

But new HIV cases suggests that the Philippines' situation might be more accurately described as "hidden and growing," said Mario Villaverde, an undersecretary in the Department of Health.

"More recent statistics have already indicted a more or less abrupt change in the number of people afflicted," he said, on the sidelines of a conference on HIV/AIDS in nine Asian countries deemed to have low prevalence of the disease.

The number of Filipinos living with HIV was estimated by the United Nations at 7,000 cases in 2007, out of a total population of about 91 million.

The Philippines Department of Health however put the number of HIV patients at about 3,360 as of July, but says over 300 new cases have surfaced this year alone.

http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Resources/FeatureStories/archive/2008/20080728_New_Global_Report_2008.asp

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSSP21147420080828?feedType=nl&feedName=ushealth1100

AIDS spreads to haunt Philippines' modern-day heroes

by Ana Santos, Xu Lingui

MANILA, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Working as a seafarer for 10 years, Mario has traveled the world and visited far-fetched places like Africa and Brazil. It required him to be away from the Philippines for long periods at a time, but it was with this job that Mario was able to provide for his wife, Jinky and his two small children.

It was also with this job, 38-year-old Mario contracted the HIVvirus.

Mario is one of the more than 3,000 registered HIV/AIDS cases in the Philippines, considered a low-incidence country with national adult prevalence at less than 0.1 percent of the 90 million population.

But as a Filipino seafarer, Mario represents a growing trend that the country's modern-day heroes -- the 8 million overseas Filipino workers whose remittance is key to the country's economic growth -- are falling into the grips of this deadly virus.

"While on the boat, on the way to West Africa, I met an accident. We were trying to fix the hydraulic jack when I was hit by a pipe and my upper abdomen was cut. I was declared 'unfit to work' and flew back to the Philippines for an operation," Mario told Xinhua in a small clinic in Manila that offers counseling to people living with HIV/AIDS.

Mario said in the hospital when the epidemiologist asked his relatives to temporarily leave the room, he was suggested a HIV anti-body test.

"I wasn't affronted or shocked by the suggestion of the doctor." Mario said. "But I was too weak to object and desperate to just find out what was wrong."

When the lab result was read to him three weeks later, Mario said he felt his world had just collapsed.

A BIG BLOW TO FAMILY

Mario traced that he may have contracted the virus during an unprotected sexual encounter in Brazil. Afraid that he may have passed on the virus to his wife, he told her about his condition and suggested that she be tested as well.

"I was angry when he told me. At that time, there was not a lot of information about HIV. It was the disease of prostitutes and gay men -- not married couples," Jinky recalled.

But she said she couldn't stay angry for very long because Mario was so thin and so sick. "I was afraid that he would die. More than his indiscretion, I became concerned about the welfare of our children. They were too young to lose their father and our family were very dependent on his earnings as a seafarer," she added.

And it is the reason why Jinky couldn't bring herself to the lab room at the first place.

"I just assumed that I already had the virus. I didn't want to know. I might not be able to work if I tested positive. Besides, it might mean that we would both have to get medication and treatment. These were possibilities that we simply couldn't afford," she recalled.

It was only in 2007, three years after Mario was diagnosed, when Jinky finally subjected herself to an HIV anti-body test. When her test results came, she was not surprised that it was positive.

There are 5 million people in Asia living with HIV/AIDS with around 400,000 people being newly infected every year, according to the statistics released by Uniting the world against AIDS (UNAIDS). Health officials of UN agencies said over all Asia, stories similar to Mario and Jinky are repeating almost everyday.

Jacques Jeugmans, a health official of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) regional and sustainable development division, said a recent ADB study indicated that HIV infection in Asia, while it will not have a macro-economic, social impact as in Africa, will clearly have a significant impact on the house-hold level.

"In some countries and regions, this will significantly undermine the government's poverty reduction efforts," he said.

MODERN DAY HEROES TO VICTIMS

Like Mario, many Filipinos work overseas as seafarers, nurses and domestic helpers, to support their families back at home through remittances.

The money they send back is a major drive of domestic consumption and contributes roughly 10 percent of the country's annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.

Overseas Filipinos sent back 14.4 billion U.S. dollars in remittances in 2007 and the Philippine central bank expects the figure to swell to 15.7 billion U.S. dollars. Just like Mario, the overseas Filipino workers are the bread-earners of the country which can not afford to see them crushed by illness.

But statistics has found the modern day heroes are among the most vulnerable groups to HIV/AIDS in the Philippines.

Returning workers are found to account for 35 percent of the infection cases in the Philippines, according to the 2008 report of the Philippine National AIDS Council.

And of all reported cases among returning Filipino workers, seafarers have the highest incidence. Out of a total of 800,000 seafarers around the world, about 350,000 were from the Philippines. Long way from home coupled with the nature of high sea jobs being hard and depressed forces men to seek fun on-shore, and more than often without proper protection.

But it should also be noted that, unlike the general public, outgoing Filipino workers are required to undergo HIV screening for employment purposes. Many returned workers were only diagnosed HIV positive upon their departure for re-deployment overseas.

In 2007, the World Health Organization and the Department of Health estimated that there could be 7,490 people living with HIV in the country, up from the 6,000 figure projected in 2002.

Unprotected sexual intercourse is found to be the predominating mode of transmission in the Philippines, accounting for 86 percent of the infection.

In a country where the Catholic Church has significant influence in political and social life, the use of artificial methods of contraception, including condom, is not so widely promoted. Condoms are hard to be found in stores other than pharmacies and a family planning bill, which includes the advocacy of condom usage, has been shelved and debated in the Congress for years.

From the "low and slow" description in the 1990s until 2004, the Department of Health now acknowledges the possibility that the HIV situation is "hidden and growing."

But UN health officials interviewed by Xinhua mostly agreed that the HIV/AIDS won't become a grave threat to the Philippines in near future.

Massimo Ghidinelli, WHO Regional Advisor on HIV/AIDS and STI, said factors like the relatively lower ratio of Filipino men who seek prostitution, the fact that most Filipino men are circumcised, and the availability of services to protect sex workers from sexually transmitted diseases keep the HIV situation under checks.

"The Philippines is doing quite good." Ghidinelli said the robust civil society he witnessed in the Philippines that coordinates with government agencies to reach out to the vulnerable and high-risk groups is also a crucial factor to keep the epidemic at bay.

Mario and Jinky said as people living with HIV they also joined various NGO and government initiatives to spread information about HIV and awareness about proper prevention methods.

Mario now conducts government required pre-departure orientation seminars to Filipinos who are about to be deployed overseas.

In these seminars, he talks about the decade of his life that he spent as a seafarer and gives an honest account of the factors that make seafarers vulnerable to contracting HIV.

Jinky, who volunteers at a group called Babae Plus (Women Plus)for females living with HIV/AIDS, also shares her own experience and tells other seafarers' housewives the importance of safe sex even among married couples.

The couple hopes that their testimony will make others avoid high risk situation and their sharing will give others a better understanding of the disease and instill in them compassion and empathy, rather than pity and judgment towards those living with HIV/AIDS.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/30/content_10433355.htm

What is HIV/AIDS?

What is HIV?

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects cells of the immune system, destroying or impairing their function. Infection with the virus results in the progressive deterioration of the immune system, leading to "immune deficiency." The immune system is considered deficient when it can no longer fulfill its role of fighting infection and disease. Infections associated with severe immunodeficiency are known as "opportunistic infections," because they take advantage of a weakened immune system.

What is AIDS?

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a surveillance term defined by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and by the European Centre for the Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS (EuroHIV). The term AIDS applies to the most advanced stages of HIV infection, defined by the occurrence of any of more than 20 opportunistic infections or HIV-related cancers.

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal or anal), and oral sex with an infected person; transfusion of contaminated blood; and the sharing of contaminated needles, syringes or other sharp instruments. It may also be transmitted between a mother and her infant during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

How quickly does a person infected with HIV develop AIDS?

The length of time can vary widely between individuals. Left untreated, the majority of people infected with HIV will develop signs of HIV-related illness within 5-10 years. However, the time between HIV infection and an AIDS diagnosis can be 10–15 years, sometimes longer. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can slow the disease progression by decreasing an infected person’s viral load.

What is the most common life-threatening opportunistic infection affecting people living with HIV/AIDS?

Tuberculosis (TB) kills nearly a quarter of a million people living with HIV each year. It is the number one cause of death among HIV-infected people in Africa, and a leading cause of death in this population worldwide. Three core health-care strategies are critical to reverse the course of HIV/TB:

* intensified case finding (ICF) for active TB
* isoniazid preventive treatment (IPT)
* TB infection control (IC).

More about the HIV/TB "dual epidemic"

How many people are living with HIV?

According to estimates by WHO and UNAIDS, 33.2 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2007. That same year, some 2.5 million people became newly infected, and 2.1 million died of AIDS, including 330 000 children. Two thirds of HIV infections are in sub-Saharan Africa.

How can I limit my risk of HIV transmission through sex?

* Use male or female condoms correctly each time you have sex.
* Practice only non-penetrative sex.
* Remain faithful in a relationship with an uninfected equally faithful partner with no other risk behaviour.
* Abstain from sex.

Does male circumcision prevent HIV transmission?

Recent studies suggest that male circumcision can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV though sex. However, it is not 100% effective, and circumcised men can still become infected. Circumcision can actually increase the risk of transmission if the wounds have not properly healed following surgery. In addition, HIV-positive men who are circumcised can infect their sexual partners.

While male circumcision is not a replacement for other known methods of HIV prevention, it should be considered as part of a comprehensive prevention strategy.

How effective are condoms in preventing HIV?

Quality-assured male and female condoms are the only products currently available to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. When used properly during every sexual intercourse, condoms are a proven means of preventing HIV infection in women and men. However, apart from abstinence, no protective method is 100% effective.

What is a female condom?

The female condom is the only female-controlled contraceptive barrier method currently on the market. The female condom is a strong, soft, transparent polyurethane sheath inserted in the vagina before sexual intercourse. It entirely lines the vagina and provides protection against both pregnancy and STIs, including HIV, when used correctly in each act of intercourse.

What is the benefit of an HIV test?

Knowing your HIV status can have two important benefits:

* If you learn that you are HIV positive, you can take the necessary steps before symptoms appear to access treatment, care and support, thereby potentially prolonging your life for many years.
* If you know that you are infected, you can take precautions to prevent the spread of HIV to others.

What are antiretroviral drugs?

Antiretroviral drugs are used in the treatment and prevention of HIV infection. They fight HIV by stopping or interfering with the reproduction of the virus in the body.

What is the current status of antiretroviral treatment (ART)?

Approximately 3 million people in low- and middle-income countries were receiving HIV antiretroviral therapy at the end of 2007. Until 2003, the high cost of the medicines, weak or inadequate health-care infrastructure, and lack of financing prevented wide use of combination antiretroviral treatment in low- and middle-income countries. But in recent years, increased political and financial commitment has allowed dramatic expansion of access to HIV therapy.

Is there a cure for HIV?

No, there is no cure for HIV. But with good and continued adherence to antiretroviral treatment, the progression of HIV in the body can be slowed to a near halt. Increasingly, people living with HIV are kept well and productive for extended periods of time, even in low-income countries.

What other kinds of care do people living with HIV need?

In addition to antiretroviral treatment, people with HIV often need counselling and psychosocial support. Access to good nutrition, safe water and basic hygiene can also help an HIV-infected person maintain a high quality of life.


http://www.who.int/features/qa/71/en/index.html

Cases of HIV Transmission Via Straight Sex Double Over 4 Years

by Kilian Melloy
EDGE Contributor
Tuesday Nov 25, 2008

The long-held wisdom is that unprotected straight sex almost never leads to HIV transmission. That assumption is now going by the wayside, report health authorities in the United Kingdom, where the rate of HIV transmission through heterosexual contact has doubled over the course of the last four years.

A Nov. 25 article in the UK newspaper The Times reported on the increasing incidence of heterosexual contact leading to new HIV infections, and said that, according to the Health Protection Agency, nearly one-quarter of the estimated 77,400 individuals in the UK who are HIV positive may not even know their status.

Overall, MSM (men who have sex with men) still comprise the largest single demographic of HIV positive people, but in 2007 almost 50 percent of new HIV cases were the result of sex between men and women.

Because of the commonly accepted assumption that unprotected sex between the genders is "safe" in terms of HIV transmission, many of those who become infected with the virus may not get themselves tested regularly, meaning that a delay between infection and treatment may result. That delay could have an impact on how effective the eventual course of treatment is, the article said.

The article said that of those living with HIV acquired through heterosexual contact, most are of African heritage; the article further stated that up to 75 percent of those persons of African heritage who contracted HIV through straight sex had become infected from partners while abroad in Africa.

Health authorities reiterated the necessity of using condoms to help prevent the spread of HIV, at least until testing for both partners could be arranged.
Other STDs are also on the rise, the article said, quoting the HPA’s Valerie Delpech.

"Large numbers of young people in Britain are increasingly being diagnosed with [STDs] such as chlamydia, due to unsafe heterosexual sex in the community but HIV tends to affect specific groups."

Added Delpech, "[Newly diagnosed heterosexual individuals] may have been infected outside the UK after traveling to a high-prevalence area, such as sub-Saharan Africa, or had sex with someone from such an area."

Continued Delpech, "The message is to use a condom with a new sexual partner until both of you can be sure that you are not at risk."

With heterosexual who do not get regular testing, delay can mean the difference between managing the disease and living a healthy life, and dying; the article said that a delay in treatment can result in mcuh greater risk of dying less than a year after being diagnosed.

That point was underscored by a quote from the Chief Executive of the National AIDS Trust, Deborah Jack, who said, "Each year a significant number of people are diagnosed with HIV, showing we still have much more to do to reduce ongoing HIV infection in the UK.

"Most worrying is the number of people who should be on HIV treatment but who in fact are not--whether because they are unaware of their infection or because they are opting not to start treatment when recommended.

"Treatment for HIV has revolutionized the condition and people with HIV can now expect a good life expectancy if they are diagnosed early and take their medication as advised. By not getting treatment people are risking their health."


Kilian Melloy reviews media, conducts interviews, and writes commentary for EDGEBoston, where he also serves as Assistant Arts Editor.
http://www.edgefireisland.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=83875

Boracay Island remains peaceful

By Harthwell C. Capistrano

MALAY, AKLAN – The world-renowned tropical beach resort, Boracay Island, stays calm and safe for tourists, while the long road of battle between two parties claiming to be owners of the beachfront land property here has not yet over as days pass by as they await for the final court order.

Charles Greggory Hutchinson, an Australian journalist, lawyer and businessman, together with his wife, 5-year-old twins and pet dog, occupy the 2^nd and 3^rd floors of the Sand Castles The Apartments Boracay and refuse to leave the area. They claimed to be in their own home, their property.

"We were held hostages and inhumanely treated," cried Viveca Ferrer Hutchinson."We could not go out, and we feel oppressed."

Outside the building are streamers showing "Hostaged Sand Castles," "Arrest Dalino," and "Arrest our captors Meren, Dalino, et al."

This started during the takeover that took place on the eve of November 5 at 10:30 pm when armed goons stormed the resort and broke shatter the front panel glass. They were hired by Editha Meren, the owner of the property, and Evangeline Dalino, who subleased the area.

Melchor Ferrer, 34, coordinator of the Sand Castles Resort and nephew of Viveca, said that he, together with other nine staff of the resort was maltreated and physically harmed during the takeover. "Pinosasan po ako at sinuntok nila," referring to guards of the Harvest Security Guard Agency, who were hired by Meren and Dalino during the takeover. We lost even our cellular phones, and they did not even want to return back the laptop.

But police authorities deny that there were hostage-taking that occurred during the heist.

"No, there were no hostages seen when some policemen went to secure the place. We just let the Harvest Security Guards out of the area. Even the Hutchinson couple is safe upstairs, they could even go around, but they refused to go down," Superintendent Larry Decena, chief of police of the Boracay Special Tourist Protection Office, said.

Hutchinsons said that even the food baskets and anything going inside the apartment are being scrutinized and examined by the police authorities who are detailed at the front and around the resort. However, Decena said that they were only checked for "safety of everybody and to avoid further problems."

Viveca said that the "takeover" was illegal since the 20-year lease agreement they had entered into with Meren in 1980 and extended until 2019 is still binding. "In fact, the rental has been paid for until December 4, 2010," Viveca said.

But Meren said that it was already cancelled due to irregularities and non-abidance by the Hutchinson on the contract.

"I learned that the lease agreement was extended and even my signature was forged," Meren said.

"I don't even know that he subleased part of the 6,000 sq. m. property without my knowledge, and the most shocking of all was when I knew that tax declaration of the 375 sq.m. they leased from me was already transferred to his name without my consent," Meren added.

Meren said that Hutchinsons are planning to sell the property.

"The take over was due to the refusal of the Hutchinsons to leave the area," Meren said.

Hutchinsons said that Malay Mayor Ceciron Cawaling is protecting Meren, who is the sister of the Cawaling. But the Mayor denied any this allegation.

"My brother doesn't meddle with us, most especially that when he helps me with regards to this issue, would mean a lot to his work as the mayor of Malay; would even destroy his reputation," Meren said.

Dalino who subleased the area from the Hutchinson's said that on April 11, 2006, Hutchinsons took over the resort, while they were in operation.

"Kinaladkad kami sa palabas ng resort. Our guests, customers who were inside the resort were all dragged outside. My cousins were only wearing panties and they were inhumanely dragged out of the resort," Dalino said.

"The 1.8 million pesos inside the cash register was also missing during the takeover. I lost my fiancée, my resort, my money, and all I have left is my family," Dalino added.

"Now that the resort is already in our possession, we could operate the resort, anytime," Dalino said.

Prior to the takeover on 2006, Dalino said that they were already doubts in the contract since one of the entries in the said contract was "you are not allowed to talk to the owner of the land owner, or to have any relationship to them."

"We entered a contract with them in 2005; I was 23 then. With good faith, I don't question the contract with the Hutchinson," Dalino said.

Dalino said that the contract with them is until 2019, but with Meren, it will only last until 2009.

But Meren only knew that the lease agreement, which will supposedly end on 2009 was extended to 2019, without her prior consent.

Police authorities have filed cases of two counts of grave coercion for allegedly forcibly entering the resort, shattering glass doors and pointing guns on the resort personnel, Aider Elorde and Mechor Ferrer. Complaints of robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons on the respondents for the alleged loss of Ferrer's properties were also included.

Undersecretary of the National Security Council, Retired Police General Virtus Gil said on the telephone interview that issue on the disputed property is already in the court pending for its decision.

"We cannot arrest Dalino nor Meren since there is no warrant of arrest against them" Undersecretary Gil said. "Police officers who are in the Sand Castles Resort are there to maintain the security of both parties," Gil added.

In terms of peace and order in Boracay Island, the BPSTO chief assured the public that it would maintain the safety and security of the tourists and the locales in the area.

"Police visibility in the area is high, and we are here to maintain the orderliness of the operations here in the island," Superintendent Decena said.

While the negotiations are going on, the Hutchinsons family remained in the upper levels of the building and on the ground floor where Meren is currently staying.

However, as of the press time, streamer "Hostaged SandCastles" still hang on the 2^nd floor of the apartment that draw so much attention to foreign and local tourists who pass by the resort.

"We assure the public that in spite of the problem in Sand Castles Resort, Boracay Island remains to be peaceful and in order. Nobody is held hostage and businesses here operate smoothly," Superintendent Decena said.

Philippine Center for Photojournalism Inc. (PCP) new set of officers for 2008-2010

Congratulations to the new officers!

Chairman Joan Bondoc
Vice Chair Veejay Villafranca
Secretary Angie de Silva
Treasurer Aaron Favila
Auditor Danny Pata
Board Members
1. Jimmy Domingo
2. Charlie Saceda
3. June Sepe
4. Leanne Azul
5. Val Handumon
6. Luis Liwanag
7. Dave Leprozo
8. Bobby Timonera
9. Jake Versoza
10. Alex Baluyot

November 2008 Nurse Licensure Examination on the go

Around 88,750 nursing examinees are taking the great step today, November 29, as they hurdle the two-day Nurse Licensure Examination (NLE) in different key cities in the country, Manila, Iloilo, Baguio, Davao City and Metro Cebu.

The first three subjects given on the first day and the other two remaining sets will be on the second day. Results will be released on the last week of January or first week of February, 2009.

Results will be made available in this site once released by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).

TARA NA SA RAINBOW

NOTE: This is a re-post of John Lapuz's article

Si Carol Dauden, na isang magaling aktres, at si Aiza Seguera, na mahusay na mang-aawit, ay umamin na—sila ay mga tomboy. Mukha naman silang masaya sa kanilang pag-amin. Mas naging malaya sila. Natanggap naman sila ng mga pamilya nila at mga kaibigan. Pero bakit ang mga bakla sa showbiz, isang damukal ang ayaw umamin. Yung iba, tumanda na, at yung iba naman, namatay na pero hindi umamin. Namatay nang nagtatago. Namatay nang hindi malaya. Kawawang bakla.

Sabi ng mga kaibigan kong tomboy, minsan daw, nakaka-get sila ng babaeng makaka-s*x nang hindi nila binabayaran. Para ding mga straight guys na minsan talk show lang at isang bote ng beer, confirmed na! Yung mga baklang mukhang babae at maganda, siguro nakaka-get ng libre, pero prangkahan na, yung iba hindi. Kahit mayaman ang bakla or sikat at powerful, pay pa din. Yung iba, hindi cash. Minsan, career or trabaho. Minsan, damit or rubber shoes. Basta, may kapalit pa rin. May mga kaibigan akong nagmamaganda. Mahal daw sila ng kanilang mga straight boyfriends. I asked them, "Try niyo nga huwag bigyan 'yan ng allowance or work, tignan ko lang kung boyfriend mo pa 'yan." Ayaw naman nila i-try. Kawawang bakla.

Ang dami kong kilalang tomboy na ang girlfriend babaeng totoo 'tapos tumagal ang relasyon. Sa mga bakla, ang tumatagal lang yung bakla sa baklang relasyon. Kawawang bakla.

Lima na ang kakilala kong baklang pinatay. Yung dalawa, ka-close ko pa. Nagkaroon tuloy ng chismis na baka may gay serial killer. Pero tomboy, walang masyadong pinapatay. Naisip ko, itong mga gay killers, they know na kaya nilang patayin ang mga kawawang bakla na biktima nila. Honestly, minsan naisip ko, kung meron kayang bakla na serial killer naman ng mga lalaki? Bongga, di ba? Pero mga salbahe lang ang pinapatay niya. Kaya lang 'pag nahuli, kawawang bakla.

Parang boring ang kumalat na picture ng Mocha girls na naghahalikan. Pero kung member ng all-male group ang may kumalat na picture na naglalaplapan, kahit biruan lang din tulad ng sa Mocha, I'm sure-manicure- pedicure- kulot, hanggang next year ay headline 'yon. Pagchi-chismisan sa beauty parlor, palengke, school, opisina, prisinto, at sa batis habang naglalaba. Kasi recently ko lang nalaman, na 'pag dalawang babae pala ang naghalikan, natuturn-on ang mga lalaki. Pero 'pag dalawang lalaki ang naghalikan, hindi naman natuturn-on ang mga babae, worst, nandidiri sila. Biased, di ba? Kawawang bakla.

Pag ang mga lalaki nambabae, sasabihin "macho." Pero pag namakla, "kadiri." Kawawang bakla.

Pag ang bakla mukhang babae, maganda. Pero ang babae pag mukang bakla, pangit. Hahaha. Kawawang bakla.

Eto, talagang totoo. Pag ang baklang pa-girl malaki ang nota, alaskado siya sa mga kaibigan niyang bakla. Ang tomboy na pamin pag matambok ang pechay, kaiinggitan ng mga kaibigan niyang tomboy. Suwerteng tomboy, kawawang bakla.

Ang dami kong kaibigang Filipino-Chinese na tomboy at accepted ng family nila. Ang dami kong kaibigang Filipino-Chinese na tagong bakla. Yung iba umamin na lang noong patay na ang tatay nila. Kawawang bakla.

Pag may dumaan na bakla, sumisigaw ang mga batang kalye ng, "Bakla! Bakla!" Pero parang hindi pa ako nakarinig na sumigaw sila ng, "Tomboy! Tomboy!" Kawawang bakla.
Ang mga baklang nakadamit-babae, posibleng mabastos pag pumasok sa C.R. ng boys. Pag ang tomboy pumasok sa C.R. ng girls, okay lang na nakadamit-lalaki. Hindi kaya dahil lalaki lang ang nambabastos? Kawawang bakla.

Nabanggit ko na ito dati. Ang dami kong nakikitang tomboy na may ka-holding hands na babae. May nakita na ba kayong baklang hinolding hands ng boyfriend niya? In public, ha. Kawawang bakla.

Yung isang kaibigan kong tomboy, tuwang-tuwa daw ang tatay niyang sundalo nang malamang tomboy siya. Yung kaibigan kong bakla, binugbog ng tatay na sundalo nang malamang bakla. Kaloka. Kawawang bakla.

Pag ang anak na lalaki or babae masama ang ugali, ang tawag "black sheep." Pag bakla ang anak na masama ang ugali, ang tawag "salot." May kaibigan nga ako na mabait naman, salot pa din ang turing ng pamilya. Maryosep, kawawang bakla.

Kadalasan ang lalaki, kapag nakikipag-break sa girlfriend nila, kasi may ibang babae. Kapag ang lalaki, nakikipag-break sa bakla, kasi may ibang bakla or babae. Heto ang kakaiba, may kaibigan akong bakla, iniwan siya ng jowa niya kasi nag-born again. Ang say ni bakla, "Anong palagay niya sa akin, demonyo?" Kawawang bakla.

Naging malaking issue nang tawagin ni Joey de Leon na "mukhang aswang" si Pokwang. Dahil siguro magkatapat sila ng show. Sabi ni Willie Revillame, kawawa naman daw ang anak ni Pokwang kasi tinutukso sa school. Naisip ko lang, kung bakla ang co-host sa Wowowee at sinabihang "mukhang aswang" ni Joey, masasabi rin kaya ni Willie na kawawa naman ang mga pamangkin ni bakla kasi tinutukso sa school? Ano sa sa plagay niyo? Sana naman…Kasi 'pag hindi, kawawa si bakla.

May mga artistang babae at lalaki na pangit na, wala pang laman ang utak. Itsura pa lang kasi, nakakatawa na. Ang mga baklang pangit, kailangan medyo witty at matalino. Kung hindi, kawawa kang bakla ka.

Ang batang lalaki 'pag kumikendeng, sasabihin "bakla paglaki." 'Pag ang batang babae, macho kumilos, sasabihin ay "boyish" lang. Kawawang baklita.

Ang mga babae tuwang-tuwa 'pag pumupunta sa gay bar. Ang mga bakla, kawawa sa pandidiri 'pag pumunta sa girlie bar. Sure ako diyan. Sinama ako dati ng mga kaibigan kong lalaki, awang-awa ako sa sarili ko. Huhuhu.

Nakakatawa pero nakakasad yung joke na ito (buti na lang joke):

PARI: Ang mga bakla ay hindi makakapasok sa langit.

BAKLA: Ok lang 'yon Father. Doon na lang kami sa Rainbow, magslide-slide.

Which made me think. Ang mga bakla lang ang makakaisip ng ganoon. Hindi na papasukin sa langit pero nakuha pang mag-taray at lumigaya sa pag-slide sa rainbow.

Dito sa Pilipinas, sa Quezon City na lang, tabi-tabi ang gay bar. Lesbian bar, may nakita ka na?

Alam niyo ba na may mga spa at massage parlor na para lang sa mga bakla? Bongga!

Walang baklang istambay. As in pang lalaki lang ang word na 'yan. Yun nga lang, may baklang pusher at bugaw pero may trabaho pa din. Bihira ang baklang holdaper. Yung kumukuha na lang ng hindi kanila. May na-meet na akong baklang snatcher at akyat-bahay, at least, nag-effort muna sa pagtakbo at pag-akyat. Hahaha.

Ang word na "pink peso" ay dedicated daw sa pera na kinikita at ginagastos ng mga bakla.
Madami daw bakla sa call center na pinapayagang mag-boses babae kasi boses babae talaga. I doubt kung madaming tomboy ang boses lalaki. Aminin.

May kaibigan akong tomboy na nag-commit ng suicide after iwan ng girlfriend. Ang mga bakla 'pag iniwan ng jowa, mababaliw lang—iiyak…mag- e-emote…magkukulong sa kwarto…magluluto… magpapa-parlor…'tapos may jowa na ulit. Taray! I should know.

Mas madaming bakla ang nanalo sa mga make-up at hair style competition. Oo naman.
Ang mga bakla, may taste. Pag sinabi naming pangit, pangit talaga 'yon. Pero pag sinabi naming maganda, ay maganda talaga 'yon. May kaibigan akong lalaki. May pina-date sa akin na barkada daw niyang guwapo. Sa barkada nila, 'yon daw ang pinaka-guwapo. Nang makita ko, ang naisip ko lang, "Diyos ko po! Ano pa itsura ng pangit sa barkada nila?" May barkada naman akong babae. Pinakilala sa akin yung manliligaw niya. Super guwapo daw. Pucha, pagkakita ko, napa-C.R. ako.

Ang mga bakla, masaya kasama. Maingay, nakakatawa at hindi boring.

Come to think of it. Hindi rin pala kami masyadong kawawa. Mga bakla, tara na sa Rainbow at mag-slide-slide in this particular order:

RED- Mga baklang pa-girl, operada at mukhang babae. Go, mga sisters!

ORANGE- Mga batang bakla. Slide na, mga anak!

GREEN- Mga paminta, mukhang lalaki. Slide na, mga pare!

YELLOW- Mga baklang may asawa at anak. You deserved to be happy. Slide na!

VIOLET- Mga baklang bisexual, dito kayo kasi alanganing red, alanganing blue. Go!

INDIGO- Mga baklang Diva at Mama. Halina mga sisters. Mama Ricky, kapit lang po mabuti. Sunod na po ako in a while.

BLUE- Mga baklang tago at ayaw umamin, dito kayo. Kahit hindi kayo umaamin, may karapatan din kayong mag-slide sa rainbow natin. Ingat lang sa pagtili at baka mabuking. Diyan kayo sa dulo para hindi mahalata ng bayan na nakikipaglaro kayo sa amin. Don't worry, we understand. Alam ko, kawawa din kayo. Sssshhhh….

IKAW WHAT COLOR KA? HAHAHA

GO GREEN HEHEHE

I got a new webpage design, thanks to zixpk.com!

I got a newer, better design of my Blogspot page. Hope to add more gadgets and links in here. Thank you readers for patronizing this blog.. God bless!

May aswang ba?

I don’t know what exactly to write, but my mind is boggled once more. I woke up shattered. My mind tends to stir and I felt I was inside a washing machine. I don’t have vertigo or any motion sickness, but rather, my mind seemed to quibble, to go against what I wanted.

It’s better for me to write in English, but now, I need and I should write in Filipino, as well. I was even told by someone, “No, I don’t read your blogs, your messages, English eh!” Whoaah, I was insulted, though, but I understand. Let us love our language.

Ang isipan kasi, at times, would tend to change. Iyan ang tawag natin na MOOD SWINGS. Even if guys do have that. I thought babae lang nagkakaroon ng mood swings because they do have “monthly visits”, but I was wrong. I know a lot of guys na may mood swings. Hindi ko lubos akalain na umiiba ang modo nila at di ko alam kung bakit. Because they refused to say so.

Well, it is for us to understand them. But others were just simply saying, “Pwes, don’t try to understand us!” No, I don’t even have to. Well, they’re having personal emotional deficits. Ergo, meron silang problema sa sarili na hindi nila maiintindihan kung bakit ganyan sila. “Why me, Lord?” Siguro, nakabalot sa kanilang isipan, ang pagkakaroon ng kabiguan, pagkalumo sa mga pangyayari sa buhay nila. They don’t just go against the flow of the world. They tend to rebel because they don’t want the life they are in. Simply, hindi nila gusto na naging “aswang” sila. Gets mo?

I haven’t seen exactly how “aswang” really looks like. They have a lot of forms. Marami silang sub-types, o di kaya ay sub-species. Merong “aswang” na sa gabi lang gumagala. Meron namang “aswang” na pang umaga lang. Yes, daytime “nocturnal-specie!” They don’t change, they don’t morph into different forms.

What they like to eat, unlike Edward Cullen in Twilight Movie who drinks blood, this “aswang” is fond to drink highly gelatinous substance, more likely protein-based form, like alsa gulaman, mushed ginataan, and alike. Kumakain din sila ng karne, pero hindi yung laman. They don’t usually eat the whole meat itself. Pa kime kime pa silang kumain niyan. In fact, gusto pa nga nilang subuan mo ng karne, para lang makakain sila. They are most of the time weak, especially kung di sila makakain ng dugo at karne ng tao.

Minsan, habang kumakain, their body seemed to agitate, at most of the time, their heads are down, at yong mga mata nila ay sometimes red, minsan hindi naman, but they tend to roll-up. Have you seen they patient’s eyes when he or she has convulsion or seizure attacks? Ganyan ang mga mata nila, exactly! At ang laway nila, eiiw, parang mighty bond kung kumapit. Their hair, of course, may smell like Hydro gel or Hair setting lotion. They don’t usually use “oils or lana”. Sabi kasi nila, “Bagong generation na ang mga aswang ngayon.”

Well, I have a lot more to say about them. But I guess, I need to pause for a while. Next time uli…

Uy, may aswang nga ba?

Of course, yes!

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