Safe and nutritious ‘baon’ begins at home

 General
Dec 152014
 
Safe and nutritious ‘baon’ begins at home

Out-of-the-box baon: Get creative with your kid’s baon. When assembling the bento box, use GladWare food protection containers to help seal in the goodness. These come in different sizes to best match your kid’s baon of the day. MANILA, Philippines – Protecting your child’s baon doesn’t just begin the moment your kid steps out the door to go to school. Before a sandwich or rice meal makes its way into your child’s lunch box, it first exists in the form of essential ingredients that need to be stored and handled properly so that the prepared baon stays fresh longer and uncontaminated right through recess and lunch time. According to the article “Food Safety Tips for Healthy Eating” by Dr. Lourdes Jacobo, different types of bacteria can multiply rapidly in most foods such that millions of them can fit on a pinhead, thriving in temperatures between 5° and 60°C. However, these risks shouldn’t scare parents from preparing school meals in their own kitchens. Making school snacks at home can be a way to ensure that the food the children are eating will adequately furnish 1/3 of their daily food requirements. The 7th National Nutrition Survey by FNRI discloses that a mere 1/5 of school-aged children met the recommended intake for energy (21.5%) and vitamin A (19.6%), while only half met the recommended protein intake (54.7%) for the day. Taking extra precaution is the key to reducing exposure to food poisoning, and a good place to start is when one buys safe Read More …

Protecting bones from calcium deficiency

 General
Dec 152014
 
Protecting bones from calcium deficiency

Chew good: CalChews is fortified with vitamin D3 for proper calcium absorption, bone growth, and bone remodeling.                                      MANILA, Philippines – Of all the conditions associated with calcium deficiency, most people have heard of osteoporosis.  It’s a debilitating ailment that causes bones to become weak and fragile. Even simple everyday routines can lead to fractures in persons suffering from this progressive bone condition.  But did you know that there’s another common disease resulting from calcium deficiency? “Hypocalcemia can be caused by hormonal imbalance or malabsorption of calcium in the intestines,” notes Dr. Francis H. Fernandez, an orthopedic surgeon at Makati Medical Center, with a fellowship in Sports Medicine from Atos Klinik, Heidelberg, Germany. “Ninety-nine percent of calcium is stored in the bones and teeth and it is primarily used in the formation and healing of the bones. Since most of the body’s calcium is stored in the bones, the body needs to break down the bone in order to utilize the calcium for other functions. Conversely, in order to rebuild bone and form new ones, the body also needs calcium to be adequate,” Dr. Fernandez explains. “Calcium deficiency, therefore, could increase the risk of developing osteoporosis because there wouldn’t be enough calcium to form new bones,” he adds. Taking the recommended daily dose of calcium can spell a big difference for people at risk of bone diseases. In particular, women undergoing menopause are susceptible to bone breakage due to their skeletal frame and declining estrogen levels.  Those who are Read More …

More inmates could follow drug convicts to another facility—De Lima

 General
Dec 152014
 
More inmates could follow drug convicts to another facility—De Lima

More high value inmates could follow the 20 drug convicts that were transferred to an undisclosed facility after the latter were found to be living too comfortably and amid reports that they were continuing their drug transactions inside the Maximum Security Compound of the New Bilibid Prison, GMA News’ “24 Oras” reported on Monday. “Kung may mga high risk and high value inmates na hindi pa nakasama ngayon baka isusunod namin. Hindi kasi magagawa yan hanggat physically nandito sila kasi proktetado sila nga mga gang kaya inaalis muna namin sila temporarily,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said. All luxury items found in the special holding areas or “kubol” in NBP were confiscated, including a flat TV, home theater, LCD projector,  jacuzzi, sauna facility, sound system, air-conditioner system, router, internet connection, cellphones, soaps and lotions, expensive shoes, sunglasses and watches, cash, guns, and even sex toys. The NBP has until Saturday to demolish all four “kubol.” De Lima said NBP personnel who colluded with inmates will be held liable. “Ayaw ko na muna magsabi ngayon kung ano ang balak ko… because certainly talaga namang sobra ang naging kapabayaan,” she said. NBP superintendent Roberto Rabo is not new at the NBP but he was still shocked that there were luxurious items found inside the prison. He was then six months in his post as the head of minimum security compound  when reports came out that former Batangas governor Antonio Leviste freely go in and out of the NBP. “Mukhang sobra, kasi bawal po ‘yan. Kunwari ang dalaw pag meron silang Read More …

Will we see a new Ford GT in 2015?

 General
Dec 152014
 
Will we see a new Ford GT in 2015?

The Ford GT pictured with its illustrious predecessors. ©Ford Motor Company Reports are growing that 2015 could see the resurrection of an automotive legend and Ford’s return to the supercar market. After an absence of nearly 10 years, Ford is planning a new GT. And, according to Road and Track magazine, it could make its debut as early as next month at the Detroit Auto Show. The last GT, which ceased production in 2006, was a modern interpretation of the iconic GT40, with modern Ferrari-beating levels of performance to boot. When it was launched, demand outstripped supply but by the time Ford caught up – cars had been changing hands on the second-hand market for $100,000s above the list price – US vehicle regulations changed and the economy stumbled; meaning that the car only stayed in production for two years and Ford cancelled plans to extend its supercar offering with Daytona and Cobra-inspired models that had passed the concept car stage. The car that inspired the GT, the Ford GT40 was built in the 1960s to challenge Ferrari’s dominance at Le Mans; and in doing so wrote itself into the history books. In 1966 the car came first, second and third in the 24-hour race and also went on to win the race in 1967, 68 and 69 too. In 2016 it will be 50 years since Ford managed this incredible coup and the new GT is expected to mark the anniversary, alongside a new track-focused version of the car that Read More …

DOJ: Significant portion of drug trade may be traced from inside NBP

 News
Dec 152014
 
DOJ: Significant portion of drug trade may be traced from inside NBP

Drugs, cash, appliances found in drug lords’ den inside NBP. Members of the PNP Special Action Force haul away three safes seized from inside a kubol of a drug lord inside the New Bilibid Prison maximum compound in Muntinlupa City on Monday, December 15. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, along with a company of fully-armed SAF, made a surprise inspection of the jail facility. John Consulta The surprise inspection at the New Bilibid Prisons on Monday was meant to help the government’s cause against the “significant” contribution of convicted and incarcerated drug traffickers to the trade of narcotics at large. “Ang greater reason [why we did this] is that para ma-completely incapacitate sila from further transacting sa drugs,” De Lima said in an interview over GMA News TV’s Baltanghali. “[A] significant portion ng narcotics industry sa Philippines ay nate-trace sa mga inmates sa loob,” she added. De Lima led the surprise inspection, conducted with at least 100 agents from the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Philippine National Police.  The operation was about two to three months in the making, she said. Surprising finds Authorities found kilos of shabu and other drug paraphernalia during the raid, along with a list of what authorities believe to be drug transactions that happened within prison. But the inspection further yielded surprising finds, including items and facilities that are said to be used only in luxury condominiums. In his reports, GMA News’ John Consulta said that among the items discovered Read More …

Senator wants probe into govt's disaster response after Ruby

 News
Dec 152014
 
Senator wants probe into govt's disaster response after Ruby

Senator Bongbong Marcos on Monday pushed for the institutionalization of disaster response and relief protocols of the government. In a privilege speech, Marcos introduced Senate Resolution No. 1056 which directs the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of the Civil Defense’s (OCD) implementation of Republic Act 10121 or the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Law. Marcos said with the frequency of strong typhoons entering the country such Yolanda and Ruby, there was a greater need to institutionalize disaster and relief response protocols both in the national as well as local levels. Marcos, who chairs the Senate’s committee on local government, says that government response in Ruby was an improvement compared with that of Yolanda especially in terms of implementing massive and early evacuation. He, however, said the loss of lives could have been prevented further had the people knew of the protocols for disaster response being undertaken by NDRRMC. Based on the figure of the NDRRMC there were more than 6,000 people who died from Yolanda while as of Thursday last week, the NDRRMC recorded 18 casualties from Ruby.  “We thank God that Ruby’s winds slowly dissipated and we did not experience its full fury. I want to know whether we are truly prepared for the effects of a super typhoon or a killer quake. Through this probe, our Senate will be able to identify problem areas, listen to experts and Read More …

Jinggoy’s furlough request in limbo after justices recuse themselves from his case

 News
Dec 152014
 
Jinggoy’s furlough request in limbo after justices recuse themselves from his case

Detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada has asked the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division for a Christmas and New Year’s furlough, but the chances of its being granted are slim to none. “The requested days for furlough are indubitably the only days in the year where family traditions of being together are of no question. Premises considered, it is respectfully prayed of the honourable court to allow the accused a furlough on the days and time, under escort and security conditions at accused’s expense,” Estrada wrote in his December 12 motion that was made public Monday. However, division clerk of court Ma. Teresa S. Pabulayan said the motion will not be heard, since the justices of the division have asked to be removed from the case. Earlier Monday, Justices of the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division recused themselves from Estrada’s trial “for personal reasons.” In a one-page document submitted to Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, Justices Roland Jurado, Alexander Gesmundo and Ma. Theresa Dolores Estoesta requested to be relieved of handling Estrada’s case. “May we request for our recusal in the above indicated criminal cases for personal reasons,” the three justices wrote. Estrada is facing graft and plunder charges for allegedly channeling millions of pesos of his pork barrel allocations to bogus NGOs owned by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, in exchange for kickbacks. The Fifth Division is currently hearing his bail petition. He is currently detained at the Philippine National Police custodial center in Camp Crame. In his motion for furlough, Estrada detailed family traditions and asked the court Read More …

Senate ratifies P2.6-T budget for 2015

 News
Dec 152014
 
Senate ratifies P2.6-T budget for 2015

The Senate on Monday ratified the P2.6-trillion national budget for 2015, adopting the bicameral committee report on the new definition of savings as well as some realignments due to amendments introduced by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). In his manifestation on the Senate floor, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, chairman of the bicameral panel and the Senate committee on finance, called on his fellow senators to adopt the bicameral report. “Without a negative vote, the Senate hereby adopts the bicameral conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions in the House bill for the 2015 national budget. So ordered,” Senate President Franklin Drilon declared when no opposition was raised on Escudero’s manifestation by the 12 other senators present in plenary. Under the ratified committee report, savings refer to portions or balances of any released appropriations under the 2015 budget but have not been obligated as a result of the following:  an ongoing program, activity or project was discontinued or abandoned and given finality the agency head concerned due to causes that cannot be cited as the fault or negligence of the agency that would implement the program, activity or project impossible the program, activity or project could commence because the appropriations is released due to natural or man-made calamities or other causes not attributable to the fault or negligence of the agency concerned decreased cost as a result of improved efficiency during implementation or until the program, activity or project is completed a difference between the  budget approved for the Read More …

Laude murder case a test for court system taking on LGBT case—groups

 General
Dec 152014
 
Laude murder case a test for court system taking on LGBT case—groups

The murder case of transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude is a case test on how the Philippine justice system would respond to crimes against the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Thus, said various LGBT groups on Monday after the Olongapo City Prosecutors Office filed a murder charge against US Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton. “This case is a litmus test for our judicial process, whether it can ensure fair, transparent, and independent investigation and trial not just for Jennifer’s killing, but also for other instances of violence and discrimination experienced by Filipino LGBTs,” LGBT rights groups said in a statement. The statement was signed by representatives of UP Babaylan, CURLS Cebu, Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP), Gayon Albay, TLF Share Inc., Babaylanes Inc., and AKBAYAN LGBT Collective.  The groups Gender and Development Advocates (GANDA) Filipinas, Outrage Magazine, Task Force Pride, Rainbow Rights Philippines, University of the Philippines Diliman Student Council also signed the statement.  While members of the LGBT welcome the murder case, they said it should not only be a case test for the Philippine-US military agreement or the Visiting Forces Agreement. “Justice in this particular case cannot simply be limited to putting the perpetrator behind bars,  or to an overhaul of Philippine-US military agreement,” it read. On October 11, Jennifer, 26, was found dead inside a motel bathroom after succumbing to asphyxia due to drowning. According to witnesses, Pemberton was the last person she was seen with.  The groups said Read More …

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