Here's another addition to Davao's new development focusing on health and wellness with modern facility ....


Davao bizmen putting up P300-M medical research center

DAVAO CITY, Sept. 11 (PNA) -- A group of Filipino-Chinese businessmen here is opening up a medical center after seeing the lack of hospital beds at the height of dengue outbreak in the city recently.

Metro Davao Medical and Research Center (MDMR) medical director doctor Yvette Yenco-Tan said the group of businessmen here just want to offer health care facilities and good medical service to the people of Davao with a starting capital expenditure of P300 million.

She said MDMR would be fully operational before the year ends. A soft opening of the hospital’s ancillary services will be held on Sept. 16.

Although she did not name all the owners, Tan said Sammy Uy, president of Limso Medical Center here, was one of the owners and when they (owners) bought the old Cuison Hotel, their intention was to put up a business that would support the people of Davao on the health aspect.

She said they wanted to complement with the other hospitals operating here and in fact, the MDMR is just one block away from the government-owned Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

Aside from operating as a hospital, Tan said the center would also house doctors’ clinics where 161 physicians would open their respective clinics to the public next week with varied specialization from pediatrics, EENT (ear, eye, nose and throat), dermatology, general medicine, internist, obstetrics and gynecology and others field.

She said they were looking at operating it as medical service and wellness center even as she said it would also offer all care physical therapy and wellness rehab services.

The MDMR, she said, would have a clinical research component that cater on chronic illnesses. It is designed with modern architecture sporting vibrant colors to make the environment alive.

There will also be several food kiosks just like what can be seen in malls, she said. (PNA) 

Prix Digna D. Banzon/ldp/utb

The government steps up campaign on TB cure if only to help those afflicted with the disease get treatment for free.

TB doctor urges patients to avail of free medicines

DAVAO CITY (PNA) -– A tuberculosis (TB) treatment center physician here is urging patients to avail free medicines for drug-resistant TB patients which are now available at the regional office of the Department of Health (DOH) Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis here.

Lilian Suemith, treatment center physician here, said the five-year TB program funded by the Global fund aims to help patients in Mindanao. The center is located at the old out-patients building of the Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC) along J.P. Laurel Ave, this city.

Suemith said the treatment center has been open since 2009 and there has been more than 200 patients treated or checked while 57 patients are being treated for drug resistant TB.

"We are on active case filing and we are urging those who are suffering from the disease to go to the center," she said.

Suemith said the center is giving for free an 18-month treatment as compared to a regular six to eight months treatment period which costs P200 to P300 for one patient, in private health facilities.

The center has signed a memorandum of agreement with local government units in assisting TB patients with their transportation to and from the center, she said. (PNA) 

DCT/FFC/DDB/ldp

Davao group beefs up cancer awareness campaign

DAVAO CITY -- The Davao Cancer Society beefed up its awareness campaign to reach out to women to submit for regular physical check up.

Dr. Alex Tan, vice president of the Davao Cancer Society said the situation is quiet alarming even as he cited that out of 100,000 population of Filipinas, 47 have breast cancer.

He said there are three risk factors namely, hereditary, early menstruation and late menopause.

Among the cancer cases he said breast cancer is number one, followed by cervical then the colon.

Although he did not recommended what diet to follow he said the Japanese women are of low risk in breast cancer saying that maybe because of their lifestyle and their diet mostly of fish and vegetables compared to that in the US when their diet is of high protein meat food.

Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) growth that begins in the tissues of the breast and the most common cancer in women.

Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way.

Tan stressed however that cancer is curable if treated at an early stage.

"Our group has beef up its awareness campaign as many women still do not submit for regular check up," he said.

He said women ages 50 and above must have a yearly test for mammography while 40 to 50 years old every other year. The procedure is not recommended for 40 years old and below but still must submit for physical check up.

Meanwhile, as part of their campaign Tan said a Breast Cancer Awareness Day will be undertaken by the Atty. Eugenia Marfori Celi Foundation on October 23 at SM Entertainment Center where a Breast Cancer Awareness Lecture for lay people will be held with the participation of Melissa de Leon, a breast cancer survivor.

There will also be personal testimonies of other breast cancer survivors, Tan said.

During the activity, he said a free breast examination and consultation of breast diseases will also be held. There will be free breast ultrasound, free breast fine needle aspiration biopsy, free drug samples for breast cancer patients. 

Spearheaded by the Davao Cancer Society, the event is supported by AMUMA Cancer Support Group Foundation, Inc., Philippine College of Surgeons, Manila, Philippine Society of General Surgeons, Inc. Marco Polo Hotel Davao, Jollibee and Philippine Airlines. (PNA)

LOR/Prix Digna D. Banzon/lvp

Nonagenarian Duterte speaks about Alzheimer’s disease in Davao City


DAVAO CITY, Sept. 20 (PNA) – The 90-year-old Soledad Duterte will be one of the speakers in the 8th Annual convention of the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorder here from Oct. 7 to 8 at the Marco Polo Hotel Davao.

Nanay Soleng, as fondly called by Dabawenyos, is the grandmother of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, the mother of Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

The old Duterte will talk about “How Ready Are We with Nursing Homes in the Philippines”. Vice Mayor Duterte is the Keynote Speaker.

Dr. Eva Aranas-Angel, member of the board of Dementia Society of the Philippines (DSP), said the convention would center on the Holistic Dementia Care where topics would include, among others, The Molecular Basis of Learning and Memory, Medical and Environmental Conditions That Affect Memory, Cognitive Symptoms of Dementia, Activities of Daily Living in Dementia, Neurobehavioral Indicators of Dementia, Diagnosis of Dementia Syndrome, Pharmacologic Strategies in the Management of Dementia, Music Therapy, Aromatherapy, Reality Orientation, Interdisciplinary Approach to Dementia Care, The Community Awareness Program of the DSP, Dementia Care Pinoy Style, Dementia Policies in the Philippines.

The convention is also organized by the Allied Specialist Group in cooperation with the Philippine Neurological Association.

On the other hand, Angel said cases of alzheimer's disease in the Philippines has become alarming to family members.

However, she said they did not have yet data as to number of cases, but she got at least two new cases a week in her clinic.

Their data show that about 70 percent of Filipinos 60 years old and above manage to live good quality of life while the remaining 30 percent of them are vulnerable to dementia.

"It is sad to note that many don't get to see a doctor. And this can be prevented," she said.

Angel is the only doctor in Davao City that practices Geriatric Medicine and gets patients from as far as Lanao and the different parts of Mindanao.

Angel also said the higher the age the more dementia cases would be, adding that among the 70 years old, about 30 percent of them suffered dementia; while for the 80 years old, around 40 percent and in the 90 years old bracket, about 50 percent of them have dementia.

Aside from the attitude of not seeing a doctor, the other problem would be economic because of the difficulty of convincing the family to see a doctor as most of them declined due to the high cost of treatment.

Seeking treatment could reduce the problem but sustaining the treatment in order to bring back quality of life was another thing, she said.

"There is no price tag for quality of life but we could put price tag to bringing back memory of the patient," she said.

She advises people, who have the option to retire, not to proceed unless they have other similar activities outside of their usual routine while still working.

She said when out of work because of retirement, reading was not enough because what the person read had to be communicated to others for actual interaction.

She said one has to have continued intellectual stimulation and it was not enough by just watching TV or by reading.

The mind, she said, had to be active as what the Europeans popularized through the University of Life Long Learning.

There is one in the Philippines handled by St. Escolastica through the University of Life where their teachers are retired professors, career executive officers (CEOs) and other executives.

She said this kind of activity could help a lot because having an alzheimer patient in the family was painful.

"Many of the family members of my patients would say they pity their parents seeing them losing their memory," she said. (PNA)

RMA/Prix Digna D. Banzon/lvp

More blood donors needed in Davao City due to dengue cases, heart surgeries

A demand for more blood supply is needed in Davao City due to dengue cases as well as the operation of Mindanao Heart Center here.

City Councilor Bernie Al-Ag, council committee chair on health, said they need about 200 donors per day to sustain the increasing demand for blood.

Al-ag said for the dengue cases alone, almost all of the supplies are depleted and they wanted to immediately come up with reserve to address the pressing demand for blood supply.

With the operation of the Mindanao Heart Center here, Al-Ag said an open heart surgery would require a good amount of blood that is why they should be ready for these requirements.

He said related to the high demand for blood supply, they convened the Davao City Blood Council composed of multi-sectoral groups which organizations have a good number of members citing among them the Philippine Banana Growers and Employees Association (PBGEA) with 20,000, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Davao City government employees, Liga ng mga Barangay, the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) and others.

"What we want to do is for these members to plot their schedule of donating blood so that all of the days will be covered completing at least 200 donors per day," he said.

He said they need to extensively campaign for this as many Dabawenyos might not know this and would be willing to donate. Ideal donors are those between 18 to 56 years old. However, those with tattoos will not be accepted.

He said what is alarming in the dengue cases is the number of deaths where the figure for the first eight months this year is almost equal to the number of deaths in the entire 2009.

In 2009, cases of death for dengue totaled 64 while the number of deaths as of August 2010 already reached 63.

Meanwhile, Al-Ag said the Barangay Dengue Prevention Council had been activated.

The council which is also multi-sectoral aims to remove possible breeding sites of mosquitoes and the conduct of fogging activities.

He said they are more particular about the stocking of old tires and bottles as there are the common places where mosquitoes breed. As to the use of fogging machines, they want to control this because it could harm persons who have respiratory problems.

He said what is important is for the barangay folks to maintain cleanliness and eliminate structures that would be the causes of illnesses.

Al-Ag also said all residents are encouraged to practice the 4 o'clock habit. (PNA)
LAP/Digna D. Banzon/lvp

Doctors beef up campaign against prostate cancer in Davao City

A group of doctors has conducted symposium during a Prostate Cancer Awareness Day at SM City Davao Entertainment Center here.

The group also conducted consultation among males as their way of letting them understand the importance of having an examination.

Davao Cancer Society president Dr. Helen Grace Te-Santos, said prostate cases had turned out alarming because most of the male population did not submit themselves for check up.

“This kind of attitude is still common among males. That is why they deemed it urgent to call on all the males for an early detection check up,” Santos said.

She said with the increasing number of cases on prostate cancer, it is a must among males with ages 45 and above to submit for an annual check up as cases continue to increase because the male population does not want their selves examined for an early detection.

Prostate cancer is among the leading ailment in the Philippines, with lung cancer topping the list for overall cases followed by cancer of the breast, colon, liver, ovary and cervix.

"Our campaign will be continuing on cancer cases and next month we will delve on cases in the head and heart," she said.

Santos led a symposium with a group of doctors facilitating the discussion.

She said the examination of the prostate was the counterpart of the annual pap smear check up among women and this had to be a regular yearly check up.

Cancer of the prostate is the 6th most common for overall cancer cases but among males its 4th among males.

New cases, she said, in 2005 was at 4,254 and deaths at 2,571.

Citing the 2005 Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates, she said the median survival was 52 months. About 43.14 percent of the cases survived in five years while 30.74 percent survived 10 years.

Prostate cancer cases have significantly increased and expected to continue as the disease begins to rise steeply beginning at 55 years old.

Proper education would correct misconception about the disease, she said.

She said for an early detection, a test to assay prostatic antigen (PSA) is accurate enough to be used to detect prostate cancer, either as a screening method in asymptomatic men or in symptomatic individuals.

"If positive, a diagnostic biopsy is performed and if PSA test is not available, biopsy or suspicious areas in the enlarged prostate, detected by rectal digital examination and/or transrectal ultrasound is done on symptomatic individuals. Annual transrectal digital rectal examination on asymptomatic men who are 50 years or older may detect early prostate and rectum cancer," she said.

She said increasing age is the most important risk factors and the increasing numbers of Filipino males who are 55 years and older is the main reason for the significant increase and expected continuing increase in incidence.

Males who start a healthy lifestyle early in life and are able to sustain the healthy habits throughout life may lower their individual risk of prostate cancer, she said. (PNA) PDB/lvp

10 Medical Tests Women Need This Year - Health.com

10 Medical Tests Women Need This Year - Health.com

In Davao, there is the MOVE

Spearheaded by the male employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) they organize a group they call MOVE ... Men Oppose to Violence Against Women.

MOVE undertakes series of capacity building sessions to better improve their lot and become better husbands, fathers, colleagues, sons and brothers for a much better family and a much better nation.

Complementing the MOVE is the Men Support Group (MSG) chair by Harry Arante of Barangay Centro Agdao which led the 42-member of DSWD Community-Based Rehabilitation Project for Perpetrators of Domestic Violence (CBRPPDV).  MSGs are vital elements in the war against domestic violence and helps snuff out the awful cycle of domestic violence.

MOVE is an organization of caring, pro-active and principled men committed to be actively involved in the elimination of VAW. Members come from various organizations, private and public.

The goals of the group are to speak out against VAW; examine, propose and formulate total male involvement and actions in the elimination of VAW; form partnerships and linkages with similar groups working on VAW, locally and internationally; organize and conduct researches, studies and fora in recognition of the social effects of VAW for policy and program development; and establish resource network on VAW. 

The Davao MOVE will join with other groups in the country in a Planning Worshop on December 2 and 3 in Manila to further improve their capabilities.

To smoke or not to smoke .... what will happen to the cigarette ? what will happen to U?

If you are smoking and if you are not it would be good to know that cases of COPD or Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease are on the rise.

Dr. Mervin Marcos, pulmonologist and member of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians-Southern Mindanao cited a study in the United States and the Philippines that at the rate of growth, COPD will dislodge heart disease as the number 5 or 6 top killer disease. 

Another pullmologist Dr. Jasper Ramos disclosed that the number one cause of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollutants, in medical terms the cause of COPD is constant exposure to noxious stimuli causing injury to the lungs.

COPD is much like the symptoms of asthma, where affected persons experience persistent coughing and breathlessness. However a Spirometry test is used to determine if indeed the person has COPD. 

The doctors advised persons manifesting symptoms of COPD to immediately consult a physician so that proper tests can be done.

Given this people should start to think and think on what to do about smoking.  I for one could not stand that smoke and i don't hesitate asking the person near me who is smoking to put off that lighted stick because the smoke is hurting.  There's no battle about it. I just ask the person politely. I know there is hope.  It's just a matter of doing not to smoke again.  

Massive advocacy for diabetes control launch

The Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation, Inc. embarks on massive advocacy campaign against diabetes. It recognizes diabetic patients through an Achievers Award for maintaining the disease without complication.

Dr. Tommy T. Willing, president of Philippine Diabetic Association (PDA) in a press conference at SM City Davao said the cases of diabetes is increasing and alarming where one of five adult population has diabetes.

He said the incidence is prevalent in Asia Pacific and in the coming years saying the bulk will be in this region and that includes the Philippines and this has something to do with genetic and lifestyle of people.

Data shared by Dr. Willing that he presented in Kyoto, Japan at the Asian Association for the Study of Diabetes among others showed that among the diabetic patients in the Philippines, 50.4 percent employed while 45.9 percent unemployed with those employed belonging to the income bracket of P5,000 to P10,000.

He said once the person with diabetes develops complication, the treatment is costly not included plus the high maintenance drugs that those under the low income bracket could not afford.

Same data showed that of those with diabetes, 30 percent pay their consultation fees while 29 percent is shouldered by the family or 60 percent of those surveyed pay their own fees with only 18 percent of them are shouldered by government and 14 percent by the industry.

With insurance, only one percent of them are covered and most of the expenses are borned out by the family and own self of 80 percent and a low of 11 percent by the industry sector.

Willing likewise said even with the symptoms, people still are into denial stage and mabuti pa ang langgam alam (the ant knows better) because it attacks urine, an indication that it is high in sugar.

He said cost for diabetes could either be direct which includes cost of care and prevention and indirectly due to loss of productivity and income. The other costs could be psychosocial or the intangible ones like pain, anxiety and loss of quality of life the moment complications sets in.

The PDA he said has beefed up its campaign and with the Diabetes Achievers Award this could motivate other people to take appropriate action. Although there is no cure of the disease, it could be controlled, he said.

"This will motivate other patients and realize that they could still live normal lives," he said.

In Davao City there are several awardees that will be conferred with the award on July 17, 2009 either bronze for maintaining the diseases without complication between 10 to 19 years, silver, for 20 to 29 years and gold medallon for 30 years and above.

Davao gold awardee Kaiben So who was diagnosed at age 23 with diabetes, since then has controlled the disease up to this time that he is 53 years old.

"I just religiously follow what the doctor tells me and by monitoring regularly my blood sugar plus exercise and eating the right food," he said.

But So told Dr. Willing that there has to be action taken on the cost for laboratory exams on Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) because the low income patients cannot afford it.

Willing said the PDA is studying areas where this could be given appropriate concern even as he said that they are calling on government to also put more support on this. Although the government has included diabetes in their program the support is still minimal, he added.

Food, food, food ... and food

Cooking is one skill I learned through the years. Although I did not have formal schooling by chance I made it and my family and close friends like my cooking. My parents allowed us (we are four girls in the family) to explore the kitchen and that's it we developed our own skills and we (my sisters) have our own specialties.

I allow my kids to familiarize themselves in the kitchen too. Kim and Joe3 can do basics and they also learned some of the simple dishes that I prepare at home.

There was one time that I had to be out for a coverage on a Sunday and Kim was asked by my husband to cook breaded pork chop ... while am out and with the now technology I sent instructions through the celfon from the time she started cooking until she's done. And presto they had dinner served in white platters with ice cream as dessert. Very rewarding isn't it for parents to know that kids are also learning.

My son while in grade school joined cooking club and this time Joe3 knows how to make special egg sandwich with chicken and white onion with some innovation that I shared with him.
Cooking is also bonding time as my children would request me for a special dish that they like.

My husband too has a long list and among his fave are pochero, fish pellet with lemon sauce, my own version of crispy fried chicken and beef steak in mushroom and broccolli, "Pompano" steamed in spring onion with seasoning (I like the fish grown in cages in Sarangani Bay).
Cooking to others may not be easy but I tell you it is one task worth doing especially for the family.

I have a kitchen not that big but cozy enough to work on things easily but i still want to create my dream kitchen one that i can go online, watch tv and write stories at the same time while am there.

May be cooking by heart allows you to produce good food aside from the fact that your taste buds may be has something to do with it.

But one thing basic in cooking is food preparation.

Handling is also another and if we dine outside we always wonder how it is being prepared.
Doctors would always remind us that food handlers play a big role in keeping food safe and washing of hands before touching the food is a must do thing for food handlers. What with salmonella around - isn't that frightening? That is one aspect about food.

But learning to cook is a challenge too especially when you can convince people that the food you cook is good.

The coconut jam

There is this coconut jam sold in Davao that me and my son love to spread on hot bread. That's why i have to bring some to Manila because none could be found in groceries either in SM, Robinsons, MOA, or the 7/11, etc.

It has not reach other market except here but the producer Kablon Farms is exporting some of their products abroad.

We like it because it is soft and creamy and the sweetness is just right. Main ingredient is the coconut milk mix with muscovado or raw sugar.

Kablon Farms, by the way, produces fresh, healthy, all organic products in their farm in Tupi, South Cotabato in the Philippines.

They have the pure tablea (cocoa tablets), marinated asparagus, fruits processed into jellies, marmalades, jams, juice concentrated and puree.

For pioneering such products, they received awards and recognition one of which is the Natatanging Marsasaka-Processor ng 1999-2000 given by the Gawad Saka. Its product packaging and labeling are of world-class quality and can readily complete in the global market.

In the farm itself, you will find a Pasalubong Center where can take a pick over its long product line. Wondrous nature's bounty Kablon Farms in Tupi, South Cotabato is a 70.5-hectare multi-crop farm and processing center owned and managed by the Pantua family. Headed by Ernesto Pantua Sr., Kablon Farms launched its first product in 1968, which was the Pure Tablea or the traditional chocolate tablets.

From factsheet provided by Kablon Farms, it said that Pure Tablea is the bestseller among their products lines. Tablea comes from cocao bean (Theobroma cocoa) that underwent several processes. These include sun drying, roasting and grounding it to form chocolate tablets. In the case of Kablon Farms, all its cocoa trees are organically grown.

Next in line is the black pepper that is obtained from the small dried berry of the vine piper nigrum. The berries are picked while still green, allowed to ferment and are then sun-dried until they shrivel and turn a brownish-black color. Pepper can be stored for many years without losing its flavor and aroma and has long been known as the master spice. Organically grown black pepper is one the many wonders that can be found in the heart of Kablon Farms and is one of its best sellers.

Within Kablon Farms also are organically grown fruit trees like, passion fruit, papaya, guyabano, jackfruit, durian, lanzones and mangosteen. Their farm-grown passion fruits are blended with other fruits to make exquisite twist taste to their juices. Passion fruits are nearly round or ovoid fruit that have tough yet smooth and waxy rind. These are rich in potassium, which is good for the heart.

Passion fruits are high in Vitamin A content. It is good for people with sleeping disorders as these vinefruits are considered mild sedatives.

Guavas are also grown and processed in Kablon Farms. They are blended with passion fruit, guyabano and other fruits in their juice concentrates and are made into jellies. Guava fruits may be round, ovoid or pear-shaped and have four or five protruding floral remnants at the apex. The seeds are numerous but small--actual seed counts ranged from 112-535. Like passion fruits, guavas have high potassium and Vitamin A content that are necessary to a healthy body. A Guava tree can tolerate many soil conditions, but will produce better in rich soils high in organic matter as is in the case of Kablon Farms.

Guyabano or soursop (Annona muricata) is another fruit crop raised organically in Kablon Farms. The soursop tree is low branching and bushy but slender because of its upturned limbs. The fruit is more or less oval or heart shaped, sometimes irregular, lopsided or curved--the tips breaks off easily when fully ripe. Guyabanos are blended with other fruits and are made into puree, juices and the like.

The marinated asparagus of the Kabon Fartms are now exported to Montreal in Canada. It is said that asparagus was the favorite vegetable of Julius Ceasar, King Louis XIV, and Thomas Jefferson. Asparagus is a member of the lily family and is related to onions, leeks and garlic. It contains more cancer-fighting glutathione than any other food. It is packed with folic acid, which helps to prevent birth defects and heart disease, and is a good source of potassium, fiber, vitamins A, D, B8, and thiamin.

Health conscious dieters will be pleased to know that asparagus contains no fat and no cholesterol. Another reason why you should buy their Marinated Asparagus is that, they are grown organically in Kablon Farms.

Papaya (Carica Papaya) is another fruit grown organically there. Papaya is succulent fruit of a large plant of the family caricacae that is considered a tree, though it's palm-like trunk is not as woody as the designation generally implies.

The papaya fruit is slightly sweet, with agreeable musty tang. Papayas are usually grown from seed. It is a good source of potassium, calcium, vitamin A, C and folate. Langka or jackfruit (Artocarpus heteropyllus) is another addition to the farm's long list of orchards. It is the largest edible tree-grown fruit.

The fruit is covered by numerous hard points, is pale green in color and changes into a yellowish-brown when ripe. Fruit is mature for harvest when the single small leaf above the stem withers and the first color changes appear. Ripening continues post harvest and, with experienced, is ascertained by tapping the fruit. When ripe, fruit soften a little and will "give" when pushed. Ripe fruit exudes a musty odor, for a day or two before fruit is ideal for most purposes.

Kablon's processed product of jackfruit is the Langka Preserve. Among the favorite fruit is the Durian, which is a big, green thorny fruit native to Malaysia and is considered "King of the Fruit" throughout Southeast Asia. It has a creamy texture, and the taste of its flesh sends eater ecstasies (and it has the reputation of being an aphrodisiac). But it has one drawback; it has an extremely offensive smell described as garlic like and similar to stinky feet. It has high potassium content, and it is also a good source of Magnesium, Vitamin B-6 and Niacin.

Bread ...

It's not the money but the flour mixed with lard, egg and milk and baked to hot bread... In Davao, I buy my supply in groceries and at bakeshop along the way that even at night has hot bread to sell.

It's frustrating to bring home bread that aren't fresh. But what is good with my favorite bakeshop aside from the newly baked bread that i get still hot and yummy to eat, is that they indicate expiration date.

For us consumers, we need to check also the shelf life of bread... and the appearance because molds develop fast.

Not conscious at first

People before never bother to read the information attached to the items that they are buying and I was guilty about it. Whether it be food, medicine, clothes, electronics or whatever, these items have accompanying labels and some relevant information that will guide buyers on the kind of items that they are getting.

With my regular talks with people in authority and some researches and readings I started writing on the advocacy of government and private sectors for consumers to be vigilant and be conscious of buying only safe products passing quality standards.

Right now I am particular especially on processed food by checking its nutritional value. I check on the calorie, fat and cholesterol where before I really don't mind it.

A lot has been said about this and a lot of this I share with the members of my family and friends.

It would be a blow ones face that they be victims of something fake, of adulterated products, substandard materials and bad order products because of ignorance and not knowing the information.

But it's not yet late and even on line we need to also "Check D Label".

Anything goes

Anything goes in here. And before anything else, check the label first.