A smorgasbord

By Alex P. Vidal

“I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end.” – Margaret Thatcher

WHEN it rains, it pours.

With so many controversial and big events happening in unison in the Philippines nowadays, Juan dela Cruz is overloaded, stressed out, irritated, confused.

It’s like a macro film festival happening in one fell swoop.

Stories that have competed for headlines were the Philippine peso succumbing anew vis-a-vis the US dollar (P60.15 against $1), the International Criminal Court (ICC) judges rejecting the bid to release detained former President Rodrigo Duterte, the impeachment case against his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, the “capture” of fugitive former solon and flood control project accused Zaldy Co in Prague and the government’s effort to bring him back soon.

Also queuing for front page attention were stories about the Ombudsman’s decision to block the travel abroad of presidential cousin, former speaker Martin Romualdez, the possible indictment of former Senate president Chiz Escudero and Romualdez (they are considered as “big fishes” in the flood control project imbroglio), the heat index alert where three areas were forecast to register the highest record of heat index at 41°C.

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Also in the headlines were the Supreme Court ordering President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to comment within 10 days on a petition for a writ of mandamus filed by former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and others, on the petition that sought to compel the President to undergo mental/physical exams and a drug test, citing concerns about his fitness to govern.

There’s also the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) confirming that at least 18 bank transactions involving Vice Presiden Duterte-Carpio, her husband Mans Carpio, and other family members matched the bank records former senator Antonio Trillanes IV presented in his affidavit.

Trillanes alleged during the House Committee on Justice hearing April 22 that the Duterte family received P181.6 million in payouts from a suspected drug lord via cashier’s and personal checks.

There was also the Palace decision to approve the 22-day travel abroad of the vice president which happened after the April 22 House Committee on Justice hearing on her impeachment case.

It has become a smorgasbord.

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LET’S SAY “OM,” NOT “OUCH”. Many studies have shown that meditation can ease chronic pain, but most of these have depended on lengthy–and pricely–training programs. New research at the University of North Carolina shows that a few 20-minute sessions may be all we need. (Goodhealth News)

WE MUST BEWARE OF Perchlorate, an oxidant in rocket fuel found in drinking water, soil, some vegetables. It disrupts thyroid’s hormone production. Environmental groups have been urging the government to lower perchlorate levels in drinking water.

Some sources indicate that one recycled aluminum can save as much energy as it takes to run a TV set for four hours or the energy equivalent of one half gallon (1.9 liters) of gasoline.

Even if we’re overweight, ditching butter for a drizzle of olive oil may help you fend off diabetes, heart disease, and other ills associated with ab flab. The fat facts: Scientists puts 20 people with big bellies on diets high in either saturated fats (the kind in red meat and dairy) or monounsaturated fats.

WE MUST AVOID Decabromodiphenyl ether (DECA), a flame retardant found in electronics, furniture, carpets. It can cause permanent learning and memory deficits; hearing defects; decreased sperm count in animals. The good news is that the industry has begun phasing out the chemical in December 2009.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines. —Ed)