Sangkusing

        As we age, our body's organs and other systems make changes. These changes alter our susceptibility to various diseases. Researchers are just beginning to understand the processes that cause changes over time in our body systems. Understanding these processes is important because many of the effects of aging are first noticed in our body systems. Here is a brief overview of how some body systems age:

Behavioral Factors

The good news is that many of these causes of aging can be modified through your behaviors:

        Lifestyle factors have also been shown to extend life. Rats and mice on a calorie restricted diet (30 percent fewer daily calories) live up to 40 percent longer. Positive thinking has also been shown to extend life in people by up to 7.5 years.

        The Tampoy ancestral house of the De Leon clan in Malolos yesterday, February 16, 2014, became the venue of the clan’s first-ever reunion based on participation. The gathering was made up of 3 surviving generations and attended by over 100 relatives. The clan is recorded to start from Anastacio de Leon or “Inkong Tasio”, my great-grandfather. 

       What caught my particular attention was the revelation of a senior member that my grandfather, the first mayor of Malolos of the Philippine republic, a lawyer, who had the code-name “Bagwis” in the anti-friar movement, advised his children to take up any academic pursuit, except law. When asked by a youngster why, she said she was not told why, but was met by some comments from the same youngsters: “corruption”.

        A quick survey of the attendees high-lighted the absence of lawyers and politicians in our clan. Of course, I discount the possible presence of non-direct descendant of the clan, who may have been married into the clan.

        Briefly, this wake-up call explains why I did not know until recently about political dynasties and the fortunes attached to being in one.  It also explains why the clan is enjoying coming home together in the my grandfather’s preserved house, because among us we did not have mansions that may only embarrass us in explaining how they were acquired. It also explains why 20 percent of the “parenting age” have migrated.

        I also understand now why political dynasties are built, and the resistance to any enabling law that will stop or at least moderate dynasty building.

For better insight, click on

http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2014/02/17/1291262/where-our-taxes-go

        This commentary serves to introduce the excellent column of Ana Marie Pamintuan of The Philippine Star.   

        This is particularly addressed to my colleagues in the pre-departure area, the not-so-young who are keenly aware of what transpired during the Martial Law years and lived through other horrors thereafter.

         From the time we Filipinos found ourselves free from colonial rule to be on our own, successive Philippine presidents have led us gradually down to perdition. We hit a snag during Martial Law years and exalted in the successful People Power Revolution hoping the spiral had been halted.

       But then the prevailing feudalism and political dynasties were resurrected and corruption continued unabated gathering momentum. People power vainly tried to intervene in more than one instance, but our damaged electorate put back in power the same feudal families. The rich got richer and the poor became poorer!

        Then, out of the blue, a neophyte from the same feudal mould and following the tried and true political route, was elected president. To everyone’s surprise, through his heart-felt battle cry of treading the straight path, he has since put the Philippines on the way to become an Asian Tiger. Unfortunately, his efforts have stirred up enough dust and dirt that forced the traditional feudal lords to be in offensive mode and again ready to negate whatever gains have already been attained.

        After the Supertyphoon Yolanda’s fury, foreigners assisting survivors were impressed saying that our country is a country of ever smiling and resilient people. It’s a good tourism gimmick, but it can indicate a negative image – we easily forget.

        This short memory lapses seem to have been the destiny of this country for decades ever since Filipinos took the helm of nation-building in their own hands. For some time going into the ’60s, the Philippines was considered the shining star of the East.

        Then, for some reason, our country overnight found itself as the sick man of Asia. Even shamefully, in recent years, we’d heard of Vietnam and Laos being praised for their vibrant progression towards economic salvation. That was long after the world acknowledged the emergence of Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and China as economic powers.

        We have had our share of colorful presidents, who have tried every kind of recipe in the book to cook up a path of economic emancipation, including holding midnight drinking cabinets and lengthening their stay in government over the regular prescribed period.

        They say six years is too short for a good president, and too long for a bad one. I’d like to think that time is not really the big issue here.

        Here lies the crux of the matter: it should be the mindset of both our elected officials and those that elect them that a public post is more than a position of trust. We must have people in governance who will truly work for the country’s 100 million people’s welfare.

       Why do we never learn?

        There are so many reasons. One lies in our educational system which has diminished not just scholarship but excellence. There is less emphasis now on the humanities, in the study of the classics which enables us to have a broader grasp of our past and the philosophies of this past. We envy Hindus and Buddhists who have in their religion philosophy and ancestor worship that build in the believer a continuity with the past, and that most important ingredient in the building of a nation — memory.

        We even allow disgraced criminals to be recycled in government service.

        The intelligent person is aware of his shortcomings. He is humble enough to ask the opinion of those who know more than him on particular subjects. If he is a government hierarch, he will surround himself with advisers who can supply him with guidance and background possessing more knowledge, experience and wisdom than him. Such an official is bound to commit fewer mistakes because he knows himself. But, of course, how can he get there unless ironically he had played along with predecessors.

        This is how we show our perennial weakness for short-sightedness and apathy. Patience and fortitude have been traits that Filipinos take pride in - even to a fault. We say “bahala na” suffering incompetence and shabby work without a whimper of protest. We smile shrugging off misery that normally would have made other peoples scream and run amuck.

        Again, the world looks at the Philippines as being at the brink of joining other emerging economies. This SHOULD be flattering to ALL Filipinos. We are given a head-start that is grounded on something substantial that will really form the basis for future growth.

        Needless to say, we have to unify and get our act together this time. The reality is that if we bungle this opportunity, the chance to move forward may not come again in a very long time. Think Filipino! You have a right to know and keep remembering.

           With apologies to the author, I take the liberty of freely commenting on his very commendable article. May I just add my 5-cents worth:

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Assuring recovery in the new year by Paulo Alcazaren (The Philippine Star)

        The year 2013 was one of disasters with the Visayas taking the brunt. The twin terrors of the temblor and typhoon Yolanda wrought unfathomable loss of life, heritage structures, and damage to the economy.

        Filipinos are resilient. This is a given, but in the face of the scale and scope of devastation, it is unrealistic to expect quick recovery. The initial rescue and relief have almost run their course, although many areas have yet to get enough attention. In this coming new year, the aspects of recovery and reconstruction will weigh heavy on assuring the Visayas that it will recover and be rebuilt sustainably.