Keep Moving Forward

by Ancheden J. Pacamalan

“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we are curious…And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” This is a message I have read from Walt Disney after watching the movie Meet the Robinsons last Sunday or Monday (I think!).

It was an animated cartoon movie and it was all about leaving the past behind and moving forward for a better future. The movie was unbelievable but the message and the values it conveyed was so damn true!

After watching the movie, it made me think just how it fits to our way of thinking in terms of the situation here in Mindanao. One of the reasons of the armed conflict in Mindanao is we linger on the past. It seems that we cannot find acceptance and forgiveness within us.

If we are to trace back the history of the first settlers in Mindanao; the Moros came here first and established their own sovereign estate. But many things have happened in the past that resulted to the coming of new settlers in the island and displacing the former settlers of Mindanao.

There are also other groups living in this island – the indigenous people or the Lumads. They are neither Muslims nor Christians. They do not want to be involved in this conflict between Muslims and Christians. All they want is their own land so they can live peacefully.

If every one of us will find acceptance and forgiveness, there is no need for wars. We can all live peacefully in this beautiful island. I do believe that there is unity amidst the diverse beliefs, traditions, culture and people

Is CDO safe?

By: Pauline Quette Eduave

Robbery. Holdapping. Snacthing. Inciddents that any person would not want to get involved. Because who would want to be robbed or snatch? Walking in the streets of CDO are Kagay-anons really safe?

Just this morning, around 11:00 am, I was caught in an inciddent that did not even occur in my mind, but left me shocked and so helpless. Me, Juna and Lorilyn (my classmates) were chasing our Cropscience instructor Ms. Tumilap because of a project that was supposed to be submited that exact time. Upon chasing her, because her destination would be in Manresa. We were really running after her hoping to see her so that we wont have to go after her at Manresa. When we were approaching Hayes street, I was so shoked when someone pulled my necklace… I was so stunned that I didn’t even said a word, when I turned my back to face him, I was even scared because he said “sige, singgit kay sumbagon tamo..!!” (try to scream or else I’ll punch you). When I turned my head to look for help, I even noticed that the man who grabbed my neck were somewhat part of a gang, they were wearing ragged cloths and there eyes were all red. I didn’t have a chance to really look at his faced because of such fear that I felt that time. Without someone to help me, i just cried, and juna and lorilyn hug me tight.

When I think about that inciddent, I realized that its better not to wear valuable belongings. You really cant tell whether your safe just walking in the streets, because before when I was snatched, I dont mind wearing those stuff I'm to confident that nothing will happen to me, but then again I was wrong.

The fact that our city is now progressing, people who have bad intentions would also increase in number. Even if our City has high security mesurements, its better to take extra care. Especially in crowded area, for instance in our night cafe, where people are to busy having fun, or buying stuffs in the night market. To those Kagay-anons out there -be alert!

BIG things come from small things...

by: Juri Padios

Last Thursday, I lined up to pay for my tuition fee in my school. It was exactly 8:20 in the morning when I started to fall in line. There were a lot of students in the finance office and all the windows were occupied by students of Xavier University. I was a bit disappointed because their system is very slow. It will take 10 to 15 minutes to accommodate a single student and that is really disgusting but of course i understand full that they have to double check the money that they are receiving. What made me really pissed off was the thing that i have to line up for almost four hours to pay but there are “people” who doesn't have “respect”. The “singit” thing is the issue here. I just don't understand why people do this. They don't have the patience to wait? If you're going to ask me, i have waited three hours and thirty minutes standing to pay but why is it that they can not do the right thing. The right thing here is to have a little respect.

It is impossible that each one of us can not have a little respect. It comes from within. Every little thing matters. In my case which is the “singit2x” thing, if others would just line up and think of others who is lining up before them, there wouldn't have any problem at all. People are just making things complicated and they are making things run slowly. If this case happens all the time, the result is obvious already. The problem also is that there are people who doesn't have conscience and these people are selfish and self-centered. They are only thinking of themselves.

How can one country, nation, city progress if respect is not there? Big things come from small ones. This is a wonderful thing to ponder. Each one of us must learn to respect one another to be able to create change- a positive change. I do believe that all of us can do this. Law of attraction. Think positive. Everything comes from within. If one respects others, he or she will definitely gain the respect of others. Simple yet confusing. But that is the challenge for all of us.

Do the right thing.

Getting to know HIV

by: Ancheden J. Pacamalan

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a REALITY. Many have been informed about AIDS but do we really know Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)?

Some people think that HIV and AIDS are the same. That is a big NO! HIV is the cause of AIDS. It is a virus that destroys a person’s immune system. Thus, he or she is prone to various diseases and infections; once his or her immune system is destroyed, then that person has AIDS. In addition, if a person is HIV positive it does not really mean that he or she has AIDS.

However, HIV positive people can have AIDS when they are not immediately treated.

According to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation website, HIV is quite different from other viruses; the immune system which should be – in the first place – protecting us from viruses, cannot kill HIV because it directly “attacks the immune system itself” – how ironic!

How come our immune system cannot destroy HIV when its function is to fight off viruses? You see, experts are still studying this virus and they are still looking for cure. Fortunately, there are medical treatments that can slow down the HIV from destroying the immune system but it does not totally eradicate the virus.

Prevention of HIV

Always remember that “Prevention is better than cure.” This is from the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia website: if a person has HIV, he or she is not allowed to have sex, to breastfeed, and to donate organs, blood or semen. One should always use sterile needles and avoid sharing syringes. Furthermore, this website mentioned that using protection (such as condoms) during sexual intercourse does not guarantee that a person will not be infected. The best way is ABSTINENCE.

The last two sentences above are somehow new to me. I thought when one uses protection he or she is safe from infection. Obviously, if you are HIV-positive you should not have sex with or without protection.

Treatment

Did you really think that there is no treatment for HIV? Well, you are wrong.

Antiretroviral Therapy. It actually prevents HIV from making more copies of itself. There are four classes of antiretroviral drugs and each class fights in a different way: Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) and Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs), in many ways, prevent the production of Reverse Transcriptase, a protein that the HIV uses to replicate.

Another one is Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). This one uses three or more drugs from the four classes, such as two NRTIs and one Protease Inhibitors (PIs). However, the virus will be resistant to one of the four drugs after being exposed to the antiretroviral medications. As a result, the drug is less effective for that person. But there are still drugs from the other classes which will fight off the virus.

These are all complicated treatments but we should be thankful that experts came up with this. On the other hand, these treatments only prevent the virus.

As far as I can remember, one or two years ago there was this rumor that someone has been infected with AIDS. I am not sure if it was confirmed or denied but it was possible because there are night clubs in the City and the said victim was a sex-worker. Some people choose to work in night clubs because the pay is good. Well, it all boils down to poverty.

Recently, I have not heard cases in Cagayan de Oro City of HIV positive patient or people having AIDS. Khrisna Marie C. Egbalic, a nurse in the German Doctor’s Hospital confirmed this when I had a chance to ask her about HIV/AIDS cases within the city. But she said that the Hospital does not accept these cases so they do not have any record.

HIV and AIDS are different but deadly and complicated also. Knowing HIV means understanding AIDS. By being vigilant we prevent the increase of both HIV and AIDS victims. Therefore, preventing suffering and fear among men, women and children all over the world.

Maternal Mortality: High in CDO

By: Doi Flordeliz


High maternal mortality rate hits Cagayan de Oro, according to the statistical report from the City Health Office.

The city recorded only 11,500 live births out of the total birth rate of 29,118 in 2007. For a big city in Northern Mindanao, this number is quite unusual.

Further statistical report revealed that hospital delivery summed up to 7 303; health center delivery 1 784; home delivery 3 456; “hilot” delivery 2,982, doctor delivery, 8 227; nurse delivery, 39; midwife delivery, 2,667; and others 2 660.

High maternal mortality usually happens in developing countries and underdeveloped countries where poverty rate is also high. It is because of the lack of knowledge regarding pregnancy, especially among pregnant women below the poverty line.

Due to the lack of knowledge, pregnant women tend to think that pregnancy is easy. The fact is, pregnancy is never easy, it is complicated. Aside from the fact that the mother is carrying life inside her, hormonal and chemical changes are on the rise and it may have a harmful effect on the fetus and to the mother. Vitamins and minerals need to be monitored in pregnancy; too much or too less of them is not good for the developing fetus and the mother. Also, environmental factors need to be assessed, because a pregnant woman is fragile during and after pregnancy, as resistance level is low while the mother gives nourishment to her fetus. Also, the mother is required more than eight hours of sleep but not exceeding 10 hours daily. Maternal exercise is also recommended. Alcohol, smoking and stress, are strictly prohibited due to the harmful effects on both in the mother and her fetus. Most of all, in pregnancy it is important to have regular check-ups, pre-natal and post-natal. Facts are stated and the statistics are, quiet alarming. The real question here is, where are we going from this? A possible solution to this problem is to educate people so that they will have an insight about what is really happening to them.

That points out that 18,063 infants were either not registered or died during or after post delivery procedure. Cagayan de Oro also has a high rate of teenage pregnancy. It is now becoming a trend even in other cities in the Philippines and the world. . In an interview, Mrs. Josephine Barba head of the Maternal Health Division stressed her concern about teenage mothers “Teenage pregnancy is high and it is becoming trend, maternal and child birth mortality is high because they simply don’t care.”
In India and Africa, there is a decrease in mortality rate during the early years of the new millennium because of the campaign of the United Nations (UN). The UN included in its goals the promotion of Maternal Health. This advocacy informs and educates women around the world, but, especially those in the developing and underdeveloped because of the high concentration of maternal mortality in these countries.


Also, we need to question why the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) allows a nurse or a local “kumadrona” or “mananabang” to administer a birth. These persons may not be academically, scientifically and professionally trained to do so, which is also one cause of high maternal and birth mortality not only in Cagayan de Oro but in the Philippines. The PRC should do an immediate action on this, the system rots for years already there is no excuse for not changing it. We can also check whether the City Health Office acts on this matter. Until now we do not know their plan for this matter, if they have one. In this light the City Health Office and Barangay Health Center should collaborate and have a campaign about the risks in pregnancy and the need for regular check-ups. They can conduct activities for pregnant women such as seminars held in their respective barangays, and follow-ups which are important to monitor the condition of each pregnant women and her fetus.

As citizens of this city and of this nation we need to act to prevent this number of deaths from increasing. There is still time.

Future Plans: Golden Mile for CdeO

by: Pauline Quette Eduave

Of all the people passing and walking Cagayan de Oro’s Divisoria, during Fridays and Saturdays especially during night time where most of the people are merry making and even on ordinary days, where people find time to search for a shade under the heat of the sun, do they notice a tarpaulin? It is not that big so people might not notice it immediately. One is located near the tourism show house. What does the tarpaulin shows?

When I first saw it, it was a picture. It as a proposed project entitled: Golden Mile, a 600 –meter walkway and 1 –Kilometer Boulevard along the riverbank. In is a flagship project or our own City Mayor, Constantino Jaraula, with his picture at the lower right side of the tarpaulin.

The plan pictures much advancement in Cagayan de Oro. A proposed JR Borja Bridge, proposed Walk Bridge, a fountain at the center of Cagayan de Oro River, an extended road near Burgos Street and for natures sake, a series of trees will be planted along the extended road.

Looking at the said tarpaulin, I was happy knowing that somehow our local government is still doing their part in planning much advancement for our city’s betterment, because in the first place this is what they are paid for. And does the Kagay-anons also do their part? Or better yet the question to be asked is that do the Kagay-anons even care about this? Do they even know that there is a proposed project for our city? Or there just so busy not noticing the said tarpaulin. As a citizen, one should do his/her part, it would only take few seconds to look at the tarpaulin and read it, through this: one would somehow be informed that plans for our city are taking part.

If I were to ask, betterment would be greater attained if the two parties are doing their own part. This means our local government and also local citizens, the Kagay-anons should take part and do some action. So if you’re a Kagay-anon, better yet do your part or do nothing and be nothing. Reading that tarpaulin is not a hard task, it would only take few seconds of your time. If you happen to pass by Divisoria you already know where it is located –be a responsible Kagay-anon.

oooopppssss...

by: Juri Padios

www.planadoption.com

The image above simply relates to a young lady having a problem on how to raise the baby inside her womb. This facade is actually one of the many faces we've seen having this kind of problem-- unwanted pregnancy.

I have become so conscious about getting into a high voltage of understanding such problems as far as my friends do. It is very common nowadays seeing pregnant women in high schools and colleges. In that case, it is disturbing.
In my 19 years living in this world, I've been aware in terms of knowing and digging deep to that kind of situation-- the unwanted pregnancy. Why is it that a lot of people engaged to that thing? Is it for fun? Ignorance? For awareness? All of these are actually some of the thousands of questions that are commonly asked. I admit that my friends in high school are pregnant now. I was actually unhappy because they are still students. I just don't seem to understand the youth today. Problems are already problems. You don't have to attack it by making another one. In most cases, I usually get an answer of "the reason why they are doing it, it's becasue of rebellion" and for me that is an invalid answer because you are creating a life-- a serious and sacred life.

It is not right to just engage to that situation because sex is sacred. People should not abuse it because it is a gift from God that is very life changing. I do not disagree people having relationships but they should not go beyond the limit. If they wanted to do it, they must have the proper understanding of the outcome. The one who is pity is not the couple but the child. A child should have a mother and a father.

It is okay having a boyfriend and a girlfriend. It really happens. the thing there is both should be aware of what they are doing so that no matter what will happen, the result is not a regret but a gift.