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Summer is definitely here in my part of the globe. The heat is intense that going out of the house from ten nine in the morning to four in the afternoon dries one out. Unless absolutely necessary, the only way to keep from sweating is to stay indoors and face the whirring blades of the electric fan.

While absolutely uncomfortable, the summer heat is in a way also a welcome change from the heavy rains that plagued Dumaguete just a couple of months ago. Many people were left homeless then as the Banica River overflowed and swept away their houses. Hopefully, their plight will also change with the onset of sunnier days ahead.

True, starting over is always difficult, especially when one is left with nothing but clothes on their bodies and are at the mercy of people with kind hearts who provide them with the food they need. But life is like that- sometimes you’re up and at other times, well, you have to make do with what is left. Whatever the circumstance, I guess what’s important is to keep on living… and striving.

I have not been out much lately, what with motherhood taking much of my time. But when I do get the chance to go for a motorcycle ride, I’m afraid that it has not been much of a pleasant experience. I’ve ranted on how the pollution levels have gone up in the city in one of my previous columns, but it seems that it has gone up noticeably more since the last time I wrote about it. Smoke belching from all sorts of vehicles has become a very horrific reality in this city! Dilapidated and the not-so-dilapidated motorcycles, tricycles, cars and buses proudly give off thick, dark gaseous emissions that are a surefire way to breathing hell. It is fast becoming apparent that Dumaguete has an air pollution problem and something has to be done about it before it spirals out of control and we go the way of Manila, our very urban sister. Moreover, this problem has to be addressed because majority of our population either walk or ride motorcycles or tricycles which offer no protection against the onslaught of contaminated air.

To make things more concrete, let’s look at some pertinent data given by the Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia: 1) Mobile sources principally the automobile is considered the “greatest source of emissions.” 2) There are more deaths worldwide due to air pollution than to automobile accidents. 3) Exposure to too much air pollution is a leading cause of deaths the world over. The website Greenfacts (www.greenfacts.org) also offers a lot relevant information that we ought to consider in our quest for cleaner air: Quoting from a World Health Organization study, the site tells us that exposure to nitrogen dioxide—the main source of which is vehicular traffic—brings with it accompanying health hazards which range from mere cough to asthma to a decrease in lung function and an increased risk of respiratory symptoms, especially in children.

In addition to nitrogen oxide, suspended particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide—emitting pollutants found in combustion engines of transport vehicles also impact public health in more negative ways. Carbon monoxide lessens the amount of blood that enters our body, thus impairing brain and cardiovascular functions “slowing our reflexes” and “making us confused and sleepy.” Sulphur dioxide in the air leads to lung diseases and disorders which include among others “wheezing and shortness of breath.” “Suspended particulate matter consists of dust, fumes, mist and smoke… [which] when breathed in lodge in our lung tissues and cause lung damage and respiratory problems.” (Source: http://edugreen.teri.res.in)

Whether we like it or not, Dumaguetenos need to realize that our city is growing. More people translates to more vehicles which translates to more pollution which when allowed to go unchecked translates to all sorts of health problems for everyone. Is there a city ordinance on smoke belching? If there is, then it should be enforced. The necessary penalties ought to be imposed on those who violate it. If no such ordinance exists, then those in legislation ought to do their jobs and legislate one. As for the rest of us, let’s be responsible enough to check our vehicles and have them repaired when necessary and get them tuned up regularly. And when we can walk to where we need to go, then there’s no reason to crank up the motor, right? We not only save on gasoline, we get to exercise too.

It’s time we really step up the campaign for cleaner air and take concrete steps to address it. Let’s go gentle on our air and reap the benefits of better health—for us and our children.

Spending time outdoors is one of the best ways to unwind. Not only does nature clear the mind, it soothes the soul as well. However, the fun that the outdoors brings can only be experienced if one is prepared with the appropriate gear. Going outdoors Without the proper equipment is not only reckless, it’s downright dangerous. So, for ka bar knives that are tough, dependable and affordable, checkout Thompson Outdoor Supply . They also have a huge array of camping gear that includes, among others, backpacks, stoves and sleeping bags.

So for your next outdoor trip, get the right gear. For more information, click on the links above.

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It rained again last week. Gosh, how I detested it! My laundry wouldn’t dry, the ground was soggy, and my daughter and I couldn’t go outside to play. I got so frustrated one time that I “cursed” (in a manner of speaking) the weather. Don’t get me wrong, I like getting cool breezes, but strong wind and rain together isn’t something I look forward to. I’d rather get sunshine any day.

But, it’s like that I suppose. In much the same manner that we can’t dictate what life throws at us, then we can’t tell the heavens to give us this or give us that kind of weather. Sure, we can predict it, but that doesn’t mean we can stop the heavens from pouring. The best we can do is cope- much like life.

I love to read science fiction stories. Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov are just two of my favorite authors in this genre. Not only are stories in this category an exciting read, they also herald of things to come. Going to space, for instance, was once thought of as impossible, but now, it’s certainly a common part of everyday life. The same goes for cellphones and the internet.

To add to that list, electric cars have come to the fore. Whoever thought that this was possible? A car is not like a cellphone, after all, that fits only in the palm of your hand. You can’t charge a car like you would a cellphone, right? Wrong. Obviously, you can. BYD Cars has now introduced their BYD E6 Electric Car at the Beijing International Auto Show. From what is gathered, this electric car’s specifications include a lithium-ion iron phosphate battery pack located under the rear passenger seats, a top speed of 160 kph and it’s expected to go at 300 km per charge. The company also projected that the battery life of the E6 is 600,000 km.

Hybrids and electric cars are certainly the wave of the future. That’s driving with the environment, and your health, in mind.

It used to be very difficult to imagine a world where you can get your message to a huge number of people with one medium. But with TV, internet and mobile messaging, this is now possible. But My Voice Dialing takes reaching to others to a whole new level. With their technologically advanced equipment, they are able to send as many as several thousand calls in a single hour simultaneously to their intended recipients. This has a lot of benefits to companies and individuals alike. For example, residents in a particular area can be warned of an impending disaster at a much faster time than conventional media. And since they specialize in Real Time Leads, Home Equity Leads and Loan Modification Leads, companies in this line of work can filter and customize the leads they wish to work with and thus save loads on advertising.

For more information on this exciting new technology, click on the links above.

Summer is almost around in my part of the globe. While rains still pour occassionally, the warm whether is definitely only two months away. And with the lazy vacation days just around the corner, family bonding is a definite must during these times. What better way to spend quality time with mom, dad, brod and sis than to go to camp like that of Camp Kresge, the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA’s camping facility? Located at the foot of Mount Yeager in Pennsylvania’s Pocono mountains, Camp Kresge boasts of fishing, boating and other family activities designed to invigorate and strengthen those family bonds. They offer Parent-Child Weekends, Resident Camp and Family Camp Week from August 9th-14th. The camp has its own lake, and is also home to different animals like beavers, bobcats and squirrels.

To learn more about Camp Kresge, including how to get there, just click on NY Summer Camp. Have a happy family summer!

I love the outdoors. Before I got sick with the Big C, I used to enjoy hiking, swimming, and enjoying the sights, sounds and smells that communing with nature brings. I immensely enjoyed my work as a research assistant for a sustainability research project back when I was still a fresh college graduate since it enabled me to explore places that were off the beaten track. While savoring the good and bad experiences that it brought, I learned lessons along the way that I still hold dear until now.

While loving the outdoors has its share of fun, it’s also important to keep one’s safety in mind. Having the right adventure gear is essential to a great outdoors experience. Ensuring that you have the right equipment not only prevents mishaps, it’s also vital if one wants to make the most of the adventure- whether on sea, or on high ground.

Sierra Adventure Gear (www.sierraadventuregear.com) offers a variety of products for those who love the outdoors. From bags and backpacks to emergency tools to GPS, they have the stuff for those who love to trek, camp, swim and climb. One hot find in this online haven for those who want to get out there is the Luminox Watch which they sell for a far cheaper price than other stores. You can also browse by brand in their easy-to-navigate website.

So before you get down and dirty, make sure you have all the right gear. Check out Sierra Adventure Gear before you head out.

The streets are quiet here in Dumaguete. There is no sign of the usual melee of motorcycles, pedicabs and four-wheeled vehicles in the downtown area. This only happens when our very own Manny Pacquiao has a fight. And the whole city, make that the whole country, has not watched in vain. Pacman did it again, this time outshining and outboxing Oscar dela Hoya, another boxing great.

Congratulations Manny! All Filipinos everywhere are mighty proud of you!

In one of my columns, I wrote about how nothing compares to country living. I cited fresh air and the laid-back atmosphere as veritable pluses to rural life. Two months later, I’m beginning to realize that my hometown isn’t as rosy as I want it to be.

For starters, I was expecting the same kind of atmosphere I grew up in—and I mean real fresh, clean, good old country air. I love to motorcycle around the city, you see. The rush of air that greets me has a rejuvenating effect on my senses, calming and at the same time clearing my mind. Now, riding a motorcycle seems more of a bane than a boon for my health and my senses. Now, it has become a stressful breathing experience. Can you believe we actually have rush hours here? I mean there is actually bumper-to-bumper traffic at seven o’clock in the morning and five o’clock in the afternoon in almost all areas of the city. The only advantage in riding a motorbike is that you can swerve your way around the three and four – wheeled contraptions queuing one after the other, like dull metallic objects in a bizarre procession. But the disadvantage far outweigh the thrill of swerving around vehicles: Breathing toxic carbon dioxide emissions from these automobiles is simply too much for my poor convalescing lungs. You might ask why I subject myself to such torture. Well, life has to go on and I won’t allow myself to get cooped inside the house. For instance, I like going to the beach to relax and take in the scenery. But before I even get there, I’ve already ingested tons of toxins on the way! If the traffic is anything to go by, Dumaguete is getting way too urbanized for our own good. Whether you have cancer or not, breathing uncontaminated (if at all possible) air is vital for our own health and well-being.

Then there’s that simple matter we call customer service. What has that got to do with anything, you may ask. You see, when your nerves are frayed because you’re sick, the least you need is arrogance from a store, office or hospital staff. Customer service here has a long way to go. In one of the stores here in the city, for example, I politely requested that the organic soil I bought be packed separately from the Christmas decors but the salesperson adamantly refused, jamming everything in one bag. I kept on reiterating my request but he simply did not put it in another bag. My voice had grown ostensibly higher now, but there was still no response. Since I could feel my blood pressure skyrocketing, I decided to drop it. That’s simply rotten, don’t you think? I guess it would have served that person right had I made a big deal out of it and called his superior but when you’re tired, you really don’t want to sweat the small stuff. Then there’s the time at the drugstore where I was shocked to hear the pharmacy assistant (that’s the politically correct term, I suppose) lecturing/grumbling to a senior citizen who expressed his shock at how the price of a medicine he had bought just a week ago had gone up. A simple explanation would have sufficed but no, this one had to threaten the old man (in very rough Visayan terms): “Keep on doing that and I won’t serve your order!” And I thought the customer is king. You can just imagine how taxing it must have been to be treated like that when you’re buying medicines for a sick loved one. Lucky for her, the customer did not holler out: “Call your manager!” I certainly do miss the kind of customer service I get in Tokyo, Bangkok or even in Manila where basic courtesy is practiced and ultimate customer satisfaction always the main goal.

And what about the laid-back peaceful atmosphere? Well, we hear rape, vigilante shootings and robberies here and there. Years ago, I could go home way past midnight and the only thing that scared me was a wakwak sucking me lifeless. Now, there is that fear of all-too real danger from the bad elements in society.

Don’t read me wrong, though. Dumaguete will always be home to me. That’s why I’ve come back. I know it’s useless to pine for the city of my childhood to re-emerge. But certainly, there must be a way to go urban without sacrificing our physical and emotional well-being. Respecting the environment and respecting each other ought to be the cornerstones of our quest for a more progressive and healthy society.