Health & Home (January-February 2020)

ISSN 0115-0839

Forever

Loving Again Is a Blessing

Two Kinds of Hunger

Senior High G.A.S. Electives

Love Notes: Nostalgia in Memorabilia

Practicing Good Table Manners

CONTENTS January-February 2020

REGULARS

FEATURES

3

Notes From the Frontlines Ermina Sharmaine I. Javier

8

Spreading the H&H Legacy

Freed From Facebook Carol Cumberland

4

iContact

Retired and addicted

16

Compiled by Michelle Anne P. Diamante

Forever in Love

A Village Dream Sheryl Mirth A. Cubal

6

Finance

A new school for the B’laan

20

Rose Fres Fausto

Falling in Love With Note-writing—Again Lucile B. Tañalas

Handwriting does pluck heartstrings

23

Speeding Up Home Chores Leah G. Malunes

28

Health Benefits of a Cold Shower

30

Yes, No, and Yes When. . .

34

In Love With Glamping

Rachel Nall

Shocking, cooling, reviving

Grace in the Act

14

Education

22

Letters From the Heart

Corazon DC Hernandez

Belle O. Mapa

Pairing Up General Academic Strand Electives

Ellen G. White

Counsel to the Newlyweds

Arts & Crafts

Arlene R. Taylor

Saying no without using N,O

Iza Sanchez

Resorts that feature family camping in style

26

Czarina V. Budayao

42

John Spencer B. Tanalas

Curly Ribbon Clips

Share a Thought My Forever Verse

Calabash: A Miracle Fruit?

Henrylito D. Tacio

No, it’s not squash but don’t let this pass

38

10

Blessings Overflowing

A fold here, a trick there for the home manager

36

How Do You Treat Failure?

43

Word for the World

44

The Power of Hope Series

46

Parenting Portrait

47

Word Play

Katia Reinart

Rest for the Soul

Why Do We Get Hungry Yella H. Martin

The two kinds of hunger

Julián Melgosa & Michelson Borges

Stress: Excess Present

24

Pictures of Love Pamela Grace B. Tañalas

Love—difficult to define but looks sublime

Harold Bryan L. Namoca

Playtime Reflection

Jecsoon O. Mariñas

Flashbacks Coming up… • Should You Get a Car Seat? • Saved by Malunggay • That Feeling of Not Belonging • Missing Marriage License • Fake News Red Flags • Internet University? • Crawling Colors

Notes From the Frontlines

47

Subscribers Section has taken on an expanded form. Notes From the Frontlines features our loyal readers and our dedicated distributors who are at the forefront of our mission to share “healthy, happy, and holistic living to the glory of God and the blessing of humankind.”

Book Review Janice Mae L. Hortilano

The Bible Story

Spreading the H&H Legacy

COLUMNS

5

By ERMINA SHARMAINE I. JAVIER

Here and the Hereafter

M

Leonardo C. Heyasa, Jr.

Road to Forever

13

Consult Your Lawyer

19

Dear Doctor

27

Personal Answers

33

Standpoint

39

Food for the Family

40

Children’s Corner

Atty. Silvino L. Sumagaysay, Jr.

Annulment of Judgment

Linda L. Varona

How to Treat Lifestyle Diseases

Sheryll Ann M. Castillo

Of Guilt and Confusion

Nathanlie M. Baldoza

I Pray for You to Be Good

Miriam R. Estrada

Good Table Manners Begin at Home

Janet R. Tolete

Attractive Objects

ABOUT THE COVER The Elusive Ideal. Is it really possible to stay in love with the same person forever? Looking around, it’s easy to say no. But looking above? It’s a big yes! God’s love can more than sustain that spark.

Cover photo by shutterstock.com/goodluz Photos and illustrations in this issue are from shutterstock.com unless credited otherwise.

y brother and I love books and take care of each like a prized treasure. Because we were surrounded with people who love to read, ours was a seamless introduction to the world of Health & Home (H&H).

Informative. Along with encyclopedias, H&H has been our primary source of information for our school work—assignments, projects, reports, presentations, and even feasibility studies.

For example, our baby thesis in high school was on plants that can absorb oxide emissions from cars. H&H articles along this line helped us evaluate which plants to use in our studies. We even got to compete at the national level.

In college, H&H was my favorite reference. Even now as a government employee, I continue to read H&H because of the “mine” of information that awaits me.

A livelihood starter. During our visit to the Aeta community in Rosario, Batangas, our team shared easy-tocook recipes from H&H using indigenous plants. We also taught food preservation and carving, and how to sew hats by hand, which the community sold. The sale was equally divided among the families and a portion went to the enhancement of the community.

Family-oriented. This magazine has been guiding families through the years: from raising children to dealing with teenagers to adjusting to married life. H&H is like a manual that helps us troubleshoot our lives.

God-centered. Our parents always remind us to put God in the center of our lives. H&H, I must say, is a work of God. It helps our family and the whole clan maintain a strong relationship with Him. Every time I meet a fellow subscriber, I am delighted—like I found a family. Lazy afternoons with Mom and Dad bonding over our newly acquired H&H copy is a treasured memory.

We will continue to spread the H&H legacy to our families and friends. It is our #H&Hsalinlahi.

Ermina Sharmaine Ilao Javier works at the City Government of Lipa, Batangas. Her family has been an H&H subscriber for three generations now.

Health & Home ︱ 3 ︱ January-February 2020

Grace in the Act

By Corazon DC Hernandez

Blessings Overflowing B

e like water . . . flow smoothly around obstacles rather than bump against them. Adapt yourself to the shape of the channel and you won’t get stuck.” So goes a saying.

Flow, I did . . . sometimes smoothly, sometimes bumpily, and sometimes against the surge of life.

Now you’re mine “At long last, you’re mine!” These very words my husband uttered after our wedding.

Decades ago, we studied in the same high school in our town. He had told his friends he loved me but never dared express it personally for fear of rejection. After our graduation in 1966, we went our separate ways—he to America while I continued studying in the Philippines.

I dreamed of becoming a journalist or a lawyer, but due to financial reasons, my strict father discouraged me from pursuing it. So I took up Education as he wished. This profession led me to different work experiences in dif­ ferent institutions. Eventually I got married and had a family. I thought my family life would flow smoothly, but soon the flowing water bum­ ped me against rocks that bruised me all over.

One time I got stuck helplessly in between rocks. This happened when my husband died—

was killed actually—leaving me with seven hungry mouths to feed. The eldest was in first-year college at a seminary and the youngest was 7 years old.

Life alone I pleaded with my eldest son to leave the seminary.

“I need you more than the seminary needs you.”

He led me to my bedroom and gave me a rosary.

“Inay,” he said, “God is more powerful than I am.”

He then kissed me goodbye and left.

I cried my heart out. In the days that followed, I couldn’t sleep, eat, or focus. Life stopped flowing. I barely had energy to teach.

A month later my eldest son paid me a visit and was told of my condition.

“Inay,” he said, “we are still seven. Our father has left us. Are you leaving us, too?”

Those words and the appealing eyes of my children pushed me to continue flowing—struggling, actually—against the surge of life.

Health & Home ︱ 10 ︱January-February 2020

Falling in Love With Note-writing—Again

By LUCILE B. TAÑALAS

A

fter almost four decades of dedicated service in teaching and publishing (the latter I served for 26 years, my husband for 34 years), the time has come for us to enjoy our retirement years and move to my hometown in Estancia, Iloilo.

After our retirement applications were approved, we started packing.

The selection process was slow and meticulous. What things should be kept?

What should be given to friends? What should be thrown away?

Treasures in a shoebox Amid the busyness of packing, I suddenly stopped and smiled. Letters, cards, and notes—kept in shoeboxes— caught my attention. Seeing them brought back memories. I focused on one shoebox.

The contents were from my two children, written before they started school. Most of the letters were messages of love and written on pad papers: “Dear Nanay, Alam mo ba na love kita?

I love you very, very much. Smile always.

Love, Bunso.”

“Dear Tatay, Happy Birthday. May you have more birthdays to come. Have a nice day always. God bless you!!! Smile always!! I love you!! Love, Ate Pam.” One particular letter from my then 7-year-old boy made me smile. It was written on a stationery using colored pens.

“Dear Nanay, Sorry na nasira ko ang masaya mong araw. Sa susunod hinding hindi na ako iiyak kapag pinapauli[t] po ako. Nanay alam ko po na pinaghihirapan mo po akong toruaan [turuan] mag boyoli [violin]. Nay paluin mo po ako kapag umiiyak ako habang tayo ay nagparpartis [practice] po tayo. Love, Bunso.” (Dear Nanay, Sorry I marred your happy day. Next practice time I will not cry if you will ask me to repeat practicing the pieces.

Nanay, I know that you take the time and effort to teach me how to play the violin. Nay, you may spank me should I cry while practicing. Love, Bunso.)

The packing stopped as I reached for more letters to read, most of which were already yellowing or fading. Wasn’t I glad I kept those handwritten messages!

When my now professional children came home that particular weekend, I showed them the letters, cards, and notes. Over juice and pizza, we reread them and laughed, often­ times recalling the reason for the written note.

Mailboxes no more

Before the digital age, note-writing was the norm. Back in the 70s I snail-mailed my handwritten letters to my penpals in foreign places. Stamps embroidered my envelopes.

And seeing their letters in our mailbox brought untold joy. Now, mailboxes in gates are no more!

Personal Answers

By Sheryll Ann M. Castillo

Of Guilt and Confusion My father died of a heart attack the night we had an argument. I never found the chance to tell him how sorry I was. My family does not say anything, but I feel guilty for causing his death. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat. What should I do to be relieved of this burden?

I

am deeply sorry for your loss. Losing a father is already painful and considering what happened between you and him before his death, I can sense how it is much more painful and regretful on your part. Guilt is a normal part of the grieving process. Other members of your family who are grieving may also have their own share of guilt feelings, their own versions of “if onlys” and “could haves” to deal with but of course different from what you are dealing with.

Guilt is only a feeling, however, and if you feel guilty, it doesn’t mean that you are guilty.

Please examine your thoughts. You “feel” intense guilt because of the way you think about and interpret your situation. Which of your interpretation is rational and real? Which ones are irrational? For example, what’s real is that you and your father had a misunderstanding, hence, you argued. But you directly causing his death is impossible; hence, improbable.

Forgive yourself. You did not intend for things to happen the way they had. It is something you or other members of the family have no control of. Although you can no longer tell your father you are sorry, focus on what you can still be able to do, which is to forgive yourself instead.

The Lord knows what you are going through and His mercy is upon you. It is said in 1 John 3:20 that “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”

Talk it out. Do not keep your emotions. Find a trusted person with whom you can share what you feel. If you can find the courage to tell your family what you exactly feel, then that will be good, too. This is the best time to support each other as a family.

I was born male, but I don’t feel like one. I don’t think I’m a girl either. What am I?

Y

ou sound confused. I understand how difficult it must be to feel indifferent about your assigned sex. I acknowledge that you may be trying your best to fight off this confusion, but it still seems that this situation is too difficult for you to handle. Hopefully, these suggestions would help.

Whatever the mind thinks, the feelings even­­tually follow. So try to embrace the truth. The Bible says in Genesis 1:27 that “God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” It is clear that God created only male and female. If you have sex organs designed for males, then you are a male—plain and simple. Rehearse the truth in your mind over and over, and I hope it sinks in.

And yet I know there’s a chance that what you are experiencing right now may be beyond “feeling confused.” Do you also feel like you are “trapped in the wrong body”? Is the feeling so intense that you hate yourself so much to the point that your functioning (relating with others, doing your tasks, eating, sleeping, and even personal hygiene) also gets affected?

Have you been bullied because of this? Are you depressed?

If this is the case, then I suggest that you seek professional help (from a psychiatrist/ psychologist) to further evaluate you and come up with a proper diagnosis as the identity issue may not be the only problem you have to deal with. Do not be afraid to seek professional help as you are not the only one going through this.

Sheryll Ann Manese-Castillo, Ph.D., R.G.C., L.P.T., is assistant professor and guidance counselor at the Adventist University of the Philippines in Silang, Cavite. Would you like to seek advice for something that is troubling you? Email castilloshefm@gmail.com.

Health & Home ︱ 27 ︱ January-February 2020

Standpoint

Random musings on everyday living

By Nathanlie M. Baldoza

I PRAY FOR YOU TO BE GOOD

A

s is usually the case, our night would end with a prayer. It was almost 10:00 p.m. and way past our sleeping time.

“Me! Me!” Evari, our 2-year-old son, was quick to respond when I asked who would volunteer to pray.

While waiting for him to begin praying, I noticed moonbeams leaking through the slits of our win­­ dow. The wind was still. Strangely, our next-door neighbor’s dog that barks at every noise and movement was quiet. Had it not been for the rattling whirring of our electric fan in a corner of our room, it would have been a perfectly peaceful night.

“Dear Jesus,” he began.

Then, silence.

“Thank You for giving us a beautiful day. Keep us safe as we sleep. Give us good dreams. . . .”

But it wasn’t Evari praying any­­ more. It was Aidyl, our 3-year-old daughter, cutting in. With eyes half open, I saw Evari crossing his arms in disappointment.

Aidyl proceeded to pray for what­­­ever she could think of: her friends, the puppy we rescued at a park nearby, and her lolo who had a stroke.

Though we agreed to the spe­­­­ cifics of her prayer, Danna and I were amazed at the way she phrased it. We were all ears, curious about what she would say next.

“Jesus, help Mommy and Daddy to be good to us. Amen.”

I closed my eyes tighter as we joined her in singing the doxology

she learned in her Sabbath School class.

When she came out of the other room raising the belt, Aidyl felt she couldn’t take what was about to take place sitting down.

“Mommy,” Aidyl called, looking at Danna straight in the eyes. “I prayed for you to be good. Hurting someone isn’t good, you said. Right?”

Danna and I could have said an outright “yes,” but we opted not to answer for fear that our words would just stick in our throats.

Looking at each other rather guiltily, we recalled the time we told our children that quarreling and being mean have no room in the house. Then and there, we realized that in our intentions to be good parents, we have become bad in our children’s eyes.

Evari had stopped crying, but the guilt and regret of having hurt him previously would haunt me days after.

Aidyl’s honest-to-goodness ques­­ tioning compelled us to recon­­sider our parenting choices.

Out of it all, I resolved to always wear my belt tighter around my waist and leave it there even in the tes­tiest time of my life as a parent.

Parenting in question

The closing lines of Aidyl’s prayer made sleep elusive that night. Questions about our style of parenting clouded my mind.

Does she really think we’re bad parents? How bad have we been?

Does it have to do with Danna making them do simple house chores? Do they feel unloved every time I refuse to give in to their childish whims? Could it pos­­­sibly be about the veggies we set for their meals?

A timely answer

One hot evening, Danna see­med to be at her wit’s end. Evari just po­­­c­­­­­­­­­­k­­­ eted his food in his mouth for almost two hours.

At first, she was simply coaxing him to eat. Next, she tried baby talking to him. After 30 minutes, I could see her strug­gling with her temper.

Eventually, I heard her resor­­t­­­­ing to threats.

“If you’ll not swallow your food, I will get your daddy’s belt!”she warned.

Evari became teary-eyed.

“Mommy, water, please,” he pleaded.

“No, unless you swallow your food,” she snapped.

Crying.

Thinking Evari was being mani­ pulating, Danna moved quickly to the laundry room to get my belt. She later realized it was in our bedroom.

Nathanlie Moralde Baldoza is associate editor of Health & Home.

Health & Home ︱ 33 ︱ January-February 2020

Parenting Portrait

Capturing the colorful, challenging, and profound world of parenting

By Harold Bryan L. Namoca

Models: Danna May Sepuesca-Baldoza with her kids: Aidyl Lianne, 4, and Evari Damien, 3

Playtime Reflection

“You will always be your child’s favorite toy.”

—Vicki Lansky, American author and publisher

Harold Bryan Libunao Namoca is graphic artist of Health & Home.

Word Play

Book Review

By Janice Mae L. Hortilano

By Jecsoon O. Mariñas

The

FLASHBACKS

D

I

o you fancy puzzles and brainteasers?

Spend some time reading and reviewing the November-December 2019 Health and Home issue and you will find yourself running homebase toward finishing this fun-filled and lesson-loaded activity.

Answers to these blanks are arranged horizontally, vertically, and diagonally in the box below. Have fun searching!

ISS

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15

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-083

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Jecsoon Orbano Mariñas is editorial assistant of Health & Home.

Story

remember that I was 8 when my mother started telling us kids wonderful stories, especially from the Bible.

We bought a lot of books then like My Bible Friends and The Bible Story, which contain stories from Creation to Jesus’ life of service and sacrifice to His promise of coming back to take us to heaven.

We read the books every day. It felt like being transported straight to the scenario. The stories of Bible characters showed me how God’s love always prevails.The drawings and the illustrations gave life and meaning to the stories.

Having read all the 10 volumes and growing up with memories of it, I can say that The Bible Story changed my life and brought me closer to Jesus.

Janice Mae Laraño Hortilano, L.P.T., is based in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

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1. Healthy relationships start at _________ (see p.8).

2. As children of God, we are therefore, __________ of His kingdom (see p. 27).

3. ________ is the most extraordinary Gift from heaven but was utterly ordinary in many ways (see p. 37).

4. After death, our bodies return to __________ (see p. 38).

5. God promised __________ for the faithful who died (see p. 39)?

6. Instead of spoons and forks, using the _______ can be a more enjoyable way of eating (see p. 40).

7. Too much ___________ in the air can bring death to the planet (see p. 42).

8. We only have one quick _______. Let’s live it well (see p. 3).

9. On Mt. Everest, corpses are used as __________ (see p. 4).

10. __________ is a transitional stage in life before adulthood (see p. 10).

11. __________ is being mindful of how we act and react and what we say or do, and the possible consequences (see p. 10).

12. _________ is the only constant in this world (see p. 11).

13. _________ is the best reaction towards change (see p. 11).

14. A mother’s ___________ is one of the most secure in the world (see p. 13).

15. Don’t just say it, __________ it (see p. 19).

16. Use your __________ time for improvement (see

p. 35).

17. Success, in God’s eyes, is an ____________ life

well lived (see p. 37).

18. ___________ is a medical condition where

your pancreas becomes inflamed (see p. 20).

19. Love lavishly but ___________ (see p. 19).

20. Sacrifice money rather than ___________

(see p. 35).

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Health & Home ︱ 47 ︱ January-February 2020

New Year, new chances!

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