The Highlands of Bucari

The holiday continues! It's the first week of 2020 and the first week of the new decade, but the joyful and soulful moment never ends.

The new year 2020 was welcomed with enthusiasm and a positive spirit. It was the most straightforward, fun, and memorable celebration. 

The holiday rush and noise are over, and we are returning to a normal vibe. We missed the playful kids, the laughter, and the great conversations. We have learned some life lessons and have higher hopes to accomplish.

Today, the first Sunday of the year, is a memorable one. It's the first Soulful Sunday moment. This time it was experienced away from home but in a nearby province of Iloilo in the Municipality of Leon. 

This is my first visit, and on my bucket list is to see and experience the highlands of Bucari. I was accompanied by a beautiful person who is adventurous and also a lover of nature. This was our first time visiting the so-called Summer capital of Iloilo, and we had an incredible journey on the road. What a blissful experience I will never forget!

The road to Bucari is a beautiful experience riding a motorcycle while enjoying the magnificent view of the mountains covered with trees. As we approached the higher elevation and the curvy road, we were greeted by the cool mist and the foggy scenery. I was not in Tagaytay or Baguio, but Bucari has almost the same view.

After half an hour of a motorcycle ride, I was amazed at the development when we entered the camping site where cottages and tents were built and set up. I never thought of the development and the crowd of people who visit to experience the place. Visitors are cheerful and seem excited to explore what the area offers. We explored and saw it with ourselves. No regrets! 

We have climbed the highest peak and have passed by the 14 stations of the cross. That was hundreds of steps, and to reach the final station, we climbed the rock formation. We have conquered our fears, and we have reached the summit. No fears! 

That was a fantastic view. Perhaps one of the best I've ever seen. The peak offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Municipality of Leon and other towns of Iloilo. We were on cloud nine! And literally, the surrounding is covered with clouds until it has disappeared momentarily and offer a clear view of the mountains and the small villages from afar.

The majestic view from the top was a perfect moment to appreciate nature and have good conversations about future travel and adventures. This is just the beginning, and hoping for the best journey. 

Before we ended our short trip, we dropped by the chapel and had a final glimpse of the mountains. I suddenly reminisce about my soulful moment in the highlands of Dharamsala in India, quite similar to the view of the mountains that seem closer.

What a great adventure! And a great start to the year. Again that was another breathing out and a way to calm down despite the adrenaline rush. We did it! We made it! 

That was an incredible Soulful Sunday moment. Living well and at the present moment. 

© 2020 Del Cusay

Related Post:

👉 The Highlands of Baguio

👉 Stairway to the Mountain

Weekend Retreat at The Farm

Highland retreat is a soulful activity for the family. And the weekend is the best moment to take a deep breath and experience the solemnity of nature away from noise and distractions.

An excellent way to be connected with nature is to feel and embrace silence. To be distant for a while and be grounded. That's our human nature; we always find ways to heal our bodies and soul naturally. And for us, it will always be our little sanctuary— our farm far away from the city.

A weekend retreat is a food for the soul. We breathe in good energy as we breathe out the toxic negativity. These stagnant energies are considered a poison that must be released into our body system. And nature has its way of helping us to cleanse and to heal.

Our coffee tastes even better as we have a soulful conversation. This begins a journey towards the soulful discovery of our capacity for sustainable environmental development. It is in this place where plans and dreams are materialized.

As I sip my coffee, I reminisce about when I first saw this underdeveloped site in the middle of 2019. And in July of this year, the dream materialized through the capacity of my parents, who are into years of farming on this farmland.

This place is where we can experience solitude as we contemplate or meditate. It teaches us an important life lesson about contentment but being bold and daring to dream and survive.

We are leaving our little ones with a natural environment for them to continue on this legacy and enjoy a quality and blissful life. As they grow up, they will learn to love nature and do their best to protect and preserve it.

Our weekend highland retreat is a simple celebration of life. We will forever be thankful to the Divine for a meaningful life— where dreams are alive. 

© 2019 Del Cusay

The Garden I Want For Christmas

Christmas is a time for decorating ideas. It is about transforming the home to become bright and glittering with a Christmas tree full of lights. It makes people happy as they accomplish their desired theme for Christmas.

But this time, I thought of doing a different thing. I have improved the landscape of our indoor garden. Several months ago, I had it on my mind and have made the desired transformation. 

Most of the time, we usually serve our meals in this place since it is an open space with good air ventilation and a relaxing ambiance.

It is unique because it becomes a sanctuary for Eurasian  Sparrow birds that serenade us with their chirping sounds in the morning for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks. That's a soulful serenade from nature.

This garden is also a source of nutrition for the family since there is a malunggay tree and a papaya tree where birds would shelter happily. And to make it more pleasing, I added some tropical plants and a palm tree. It's now a tropical indoor garden. 

Gardening is a fulfilling activity with many benefits for health and well-being. We bring a piece of nature at home as we celebrate Christmas's soulful and meaningful spirit.

© 2019 Del Cusay

Sunday's Best at Lilia's Sky Garden

It's Sunday and the best time to have a soulful conversation with the people who matter in our lives. Sunday makes us feel thankful for our blessings and the serenity that gives us peace of mind. It's the perfect time to unwind and rejuvenate to make us fully alive as we start our week right.

This Sunday, we chose to spend it in our little Skygarden. This is where we plant, grow, and appreciate the beautiful and colorful flowers that give us a joyful mood. There is something with the garden and the flowers that make us smile and brighten our day.

Since we have limited space for gardening, we decided to have a sky garden where we could spend time with a piece of nature right in our home. This little sanctuary attracts butterflies and some chirping birds to shelter.

This is one of my favorite spots for some meditation and reflection. An excellent place to have a morning cup of coffee and get some sunlight for energy. Sometimes in the afternoon, I would lie down or swing through a hammock while gazing at the blue skies until sunset to dusk. 

My Mother would share how she started to have her little garden in the 70s, and she relates it to some level of success through blessings that have come. It may not be the garden and flowers, but the positive energy brings happiness and joy, leading to health, wellness, and fulfillment.

Then I must believe my Mother since it is also in this garden where great plans have been imagined and conceptualized. As I lie down on the hammock, I think of the present moment and visualize the future. This is somewhat a thought form building and where thoughts become a reality—  thoughts become things. 

Our Mother influenced us to be interested in gardening, and I have been in love with doing it to be attached to nature and to experience its grounding effect. So as a little Thanksgiving and appreciation to our Mother, we named it Lilia's Sky Garden. It is her passion and the source of joy and inspiration, so together, we continue to develop and make things possible and beautiful.

© 2019 Del Cusay

International Coffee Day: Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

Coffee is one of the topmost beverages in the world, and in the Philippines, it has become a staple drink due to its caffeine-addictive substance that people can't live without. Who wouldn't resist the aroma of freshly brewed coffee served in your favorite café or at home? Globally, it is best done with the ever-favorite cakes and pastries; donuts and croissants, while in the Philippines⁠— all over the archipelago, it is best served with local bread and delicacies like freshly baked pandesal, puto, and bibingka. 

Like Western Visayas, people drink coffee partnered with suman, biko, and the most popular biscocho, the region's pride. Other areas would have their local delicacy that is best served with a hot coffee to start the day right and to get energized any time of the day. Whether for breakfast, snacks, or post-dinner, we love having a cup of coffee at any hour and place.

Filipinos have adapted to the global flavors of gourmet coffee. From purely black coffee Americano to the frothy cup of cappuccino and latté, we surely blend with the rest of the world. Now, we have a choice beyond the traditional hot black coffee; we also have a selection of whether to be served cold or iced and blended. No matter how pricey it is, espresso coffee has been our favorite beverage because we are now after the experience. 

When we go to our favorite cafés, the baristas greet us warmly, and they prepare and serve our coffee heartily. Cafés have been part of our lives through the years. It is our go-to place for delicious coffee and to enjoy conversation with friends, business meetings, or freelance tasks; indeed, our site gives a beautiful ambiance and a delightful experience.

As we enjoy a sip of our favorite coffee, we must remember the coffee farmers who sweat out to carefully plant, harvest and roast good quality coffee beans. From farm to cup, it is truly a journey of the farmers to give us the most delicious beverage we will enjoy. From Tagum City in the South to Lipa City in Batangas and going up in the mountains of the Cordillera, we have our hardworking coffee farmers who are coffee entrepreneurs. For every cup of freshly brewed local coffee beans, we help support our local coffee farmers in their livelihood.

It is also proven by scientific research that coffee consumption has a lot of health benefits due to the higher level of antioxidant that prevents certain types of cancers, leading to healthier cells and longevity. For health and wellness, a cup of coffee daily gives us energy and protection from free radicals. Others would consume not just 1 cup but up to 4 cups or more daily, and they are certainly well -- just enough caffeine for daily consumption.

Today, the world is celebrating International Coffee Day. It is not just a simple beverage, but it's now a lifestyle. We help promote coffee and the excellent benefits we can gain from it. Wherever we are in the world, no matter what language we can utter, Koffi, kopi, kape, and Cafe, we just mean one thing: our craving and the need for a daily dose of coffee. It has been our trusted health partner and part of our success and life's journey.

© 2019 Del Cusay

Journey to Self-care and Personal Development

Sometime in 2013, I met a wise old man in an Elderly Home Care in New Delhi. He is bright because of the great wisdom he imparted to me for about an hour of meaningful conversation. He is a sage; his intellect may be far beyond our consciousness, but one thing that made him inferior at that time was that he was physically ill and unable to enjoy what a physically able-bodied person could do.

The volunteers, residents, and Founder of Panchvati Elderly Care Home, Ms. Neelam Mohan, in New Delhi on June 27, 2013.

He offered me his mental and spiritual consciousness and life experiences from that conversation. That was one of the most profound conversations I ever had, and I was so thankful that I met someone like him. What an aha! Moment and a blissful encounter.

So yes! Some people may have reached the level of "intelligentsia, a Saint or a Sage," which is a developed mental and spiritual level of consciousness, but some have failed in physical health. However, some people may just be of average intelligence, but they are physically fit and enjoy what life can offer.

When I left the wise man's room, I realized that it would be better to improve oneself and reach that level of consciousness just like him and at the same time physically well so we can enjoy our most extraordinary lives, living a great life.

Just like those elderly residents that I have met in that home care, most of them had medicines for their health conditions. They used to become active in their younger years but later experienced some pains and suffering on physical, mental, and emotional levels of health.

On that day, when I gave a health talk and some practical exercises to the elderly residents in the home care, I felt their desire to bring back their physical health, and some of them perhaps have regrets.

So here comes the importance of self-care; no matter how much success we have attained in life, some will be bound for physical suffering as we age when we neglect some levels of health. For instance, we may be mentally healthy, but stress, anxiety, and fatigue lead to illness and health imbalance.

Self-care is about doing activities promoting health and wellness; sometimes, we only have a little time and effort because we think we only have a limited time and must work harder and aspire for more to live more comfortably and successfully.

Self-care is about healing our well-being after a stressful day. It could also be healing our emotions when we feel sad or depressed. It is also about clearing our minds when troubled. It uplifts our souls when we are lost and in the dark. So everything in life is a balancing act to soar high. We must balance physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health for complete well-being.

Thinking that self-care is a selfish act and expensive? That weekend treat in a spa and wellness center could be costly, but some things in life are worthwhile for a bit of expense.

That weekend travel getaway with your family or friends could lead to rejuvenation. Spending time at the beach, river, or lake is like breathing out your inner toxicities, making you feel lighter and calmer. Barefoot walking in the sand or river stones promotes earthing or grounding, feeling more attached to nature and earth. Nature is lovely; spending time on it cleanses our souls and revives our spirits.

In our travels, there are some things we could do. We can have meditation and breathing exercises to relax and heal our body, mind, and soul. Have some pure thinking while having your favorite cup of coffee or tea. A meaningful conversation with the family or friend. Do some stroll in the garden or nearby park? Appreciate historical sites, arts, and cultural heritage. Visit a church or chapel for a prayer or a mass.

Also, occasionally even a little thing relaxes our senses and can have positive effects. A body massage, aromatherapy, music therapy, and journaling. You see? That completes a meaningful and soulful journey. That promotes balanced health at all levels: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. That is the essence of self-care! to bring back our holistic being.

Returning to our home or work, we feel renewed and whole again. However, self-care never ends. It is a lifestyle! It may be a struggle, but we need at least 8 hours of quality sleep. Eating foods with nutritional value. Having some "me time" to evaluate oneself. These self-care activities are essential for personal development.

At work, self-care must be practiced to protect ourselves from physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. It would be good to escape toxic situations and harmful influences that can degrade our self-worth.

Self-care is doing little things that matter to keep our balance and in perfect health. We must look into our being before extending our services to others. More excellent service comes with a great self, a love of beingness, and our holiness.

© 2019 Del Cusay

Road to Summit: Unloading Our Emotional Baggages

There are times when we feel stuck at some point in our lives. There's heaviness in our hearts causing us to slow down or to quit, to end the game and breathe out the pain.

That heaviness on our being may result from past traumas, anxieties, guilt, and toxicities from people and the environment. We call it "emotional baggage," which is unwanted and causes us to pay the price.

Like in our travels, we never wanted to pay for excess baggage at the airport counter, which costs us more. It gives us inconvenience and stress and a bad experience. I remember sometime in 2014 when I was at Kathmandu Airport in Nepal going back to New Delhi in India, when the airport counter lady charged me more for my excess baggage. Without much cash in my wallet, I left to withdraw from the ATM for a while. From that moment, I was uneasy, but luckily I could get my money to pay for the price of my excess baggage, and I felt so bad.

From that horrible experience, I can relate it to the present reality of carrying for more and paying the price. Our lower emotions like anger, jealousy, pride, and rage take away the peace in our hearts. That heaviness from the inside prevents us from moving fast forward since we are distracted by so many rumbling thoughts and the roller coaster of emotions.

One of the reasons we are stuck is because of the attachments we have to someone or something from somewhere. Or it could be the other way around when someone is so attached to us that we suddenly become mentally connected.

When this excess emotional baggage affects our well-being, there's a way to escape before we become totally stuck. When we recall in detail what went wrong, we start to be directed by a compass, the right direction towards the desired destination.

When we decide to escape from the trouble, we start to experience emotional freedom as we travel on the road to Summit. From there, we take a deep breath, relive the present moment, and capture what is pleasant and peaceful. Suddenly without us knowing, we unload the heaviness of emotions that caused us pain and sorrow. That is good for our mental health and overall well-being. 

At the Summit, we breathe out what is unwanted, which doesn't contribute much value to our being. And then, when we feel the lightness, we are ready to take on the next adventure on our road to forever. We are prepared to love again, for this is the right thing to do, and we have made the right choice. To live and laugh again, to love and be whole again.

© 2019 Del Cusay

Reliving the Memories on The Road to Bato Arobo

It's been more than a decade since I reached the mountaintop of Bato Arobo. A place that brings pleasant memories of my childhood days. Back then, we used to hike for more than an hour just to reach if coming from Sitio Lomboy in Linambasan, province of Capiz; the landmark being the present-day Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. 

I have great  Memories of Mount Bato Arobo with my family, and I am eager to see them after a long time. A day after May 13, 2019, midterm election, we decided to have an adventure ride to see the ongoing road construction development from the Parish to the road to Bato Arobo. This is a momentous moment to be back and see the mountain ranges from afar, to breathe in fresher air, and to relive the old days.

The road to Bato Arobo is like a roller coaster ride; there are ups and downs and fantastic scenery ahead with tall Coconut palms and greeneries. The less than 2-hour hike can now be reached by a vehicle in less than 15 minutes.

Two months after, on July 24, a day before the 89th birthday of my Grandfather, we decided to bring him to revisit the Road to Bato Arobo when the roadside development was nearing its completion. Due to the hilly slope on both sides of the road, there is a need for a concrete hillside cover to protect from untoward soil erosion; the same thing we can see on the hilly streets of Baguio City.

Along the Road to Bato Arobo are farmlands planted with rice and coconuts, which makes the surroundings calm and pleasant. There are few houses on the way, and it is even a distance apart on the foothills of the mountain. In a few years, perhaps over the next decade, more houses will be built, considering the accessibility of the road to the town center.

What makes it beautiful is the natural landscape of the mountains, with occasional fog when it rains and when the temperature drops. Bato Arobo has a higher elevation that makes it cool and windy, which is perfect for unwinding over a cup of coffee and tea or a bowl of hot noodles or batchoy.

                       The video above; click the arrow to view

Nature has a healing wonder on our soul, and the Bato Arobo mountain view dramatically appeals to the senses. This is similar to soul searching in the Highlands of Tagaytay and Baguio. Though the place is on its way to development, it is still pristine and naturally beautiful.

Bato Arobo will always have a place in my heart since I conquered its summit when it was just a trail, and now that we embrace its development, there will be no barriers to reaching the mountaintop and reliving its scenic mountain view. Bato Arobo is a natural wonder of all time and also a natural heritage in our time. We preserve, protect, and recollect memories that will last a lifetime. 

© 2019 Del Cusay

Highlands' Sunrise: A Heaven's Call

There's a certain energy that sunrise would give. At dawn, just before it rises to awaken one's slumber, waking up gives a serenity of a peaceful morning with the natural sounds from chirping songbirds and a fresh morning mist.

To awaken as early as 4:30 and get up in bed at 5 A. M. is the pure bliss of an awakened soul to start a brand new day that brings new hope of an incredible adventure and the opportunities that await.

In my beloved highland town is where I would experience a pleasant morning to awaken my senses. Watching the colorful hues of the sky from the terrace is like staring at a live painting, a natural masterpiece that slowly turns into a bright light and ultraviolet rays that brighten my mood to last for the entire day.

The video above; click the arrow to view

What makes me fully alive is the healing energy that the sunrise gives. It nourishes the physical body with the required Vitamin D for the absorption of Calcium giving stronger and healthy bones and energetic vibes for productivity.

Sunrise would give a positive emotion and expression of happiness and joy, not entertaining any negativity to ruin the day. Leaving our negativities behind makes us feel grateful for life and the Earth's natural wonders.

A deep breathing exercise absorbs the prana or chi, a life force for healing and longevity. While simple yoga-like and internal stamina exercises would loosen up a stiff body and shake up the soul.

What compliments the sunrise is a cup of coffee, a black and a strong one to completely awaken the senses for daytime alertness.

The sunrise is God's gift for us to wake up each morning with gratitude for life and endless energy for our survival. There's a natural wonder as we open our eyes and natural healing as we open our hearts. The sunrise is heaven's call, a hope for a better day and tomorrow.

© 2019 Del Cusay

Beyond the Horizon: A Euphoric Summer Escapade

It's not officially the end of summer or dry season in the Philippines, and people can feel hotter and more humid weather starting on the first day of June. Also, few days left before the start of the rainy season, and for sure many will miss the hot summer days that brought fun and holiday bliss, while others will still catch up before it finally ends.

I love summer, no matter how hot the weather is. That's our reality, and we can't escape it anyway. During this season, my body can tolerate intense heat and even get sunburned while at the beach. Why is summer more fun in the Philippines? Because this is the time that most people get to enjoy the blue waters, the gentle waves, and the footprints in the sand.

I am joyful during summer, unlike during the monsoon season when it rains heavily, which brings a depressing mood. That explains why most people would love to go and have fun at the beach, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes because of the natural healing it brings. Indeed, that would mean that a bright and sunny day makes us fully alive.

I enjoyed my beach hopping in the peaceful coastal town of Zambales before the end of May. Memories of Summer 2019 brought a euphoric experience and a rejuvenated body, mind, and spirit.

The cool breeze of the ocean, the relaxing sound of the waves, and the chirping of the birds are a natural wonder and are part of our self-care; for our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

During my precious time at the beach, I would take the chance to do some meditation, bringing stress relief, a lighter mood, and a greater feeling of happiness; that's true bliss!

Sitting on a beachfront for just a few minutes, I breathed out my own negativities considered blockages to my well-being. It has beautiful results, and it truly heals.

Being mindful of our breathing is an essential step for meditation. When we inhale deeply, we prepare to eliminate what is supposed to flush out from our system, the stagnant energy that blocks our path to the success and fulfillment we deserve.

I learned the Power of Meditation from a world-renowned expert, Master Del Pe. He taught us how to be in stillness, quiet our minds, and expel toxicity from energy fields through meditation, powerful physical exercises, and martial arts. I will forever be grateful for the Lessons From Master Del Pe and the powerful life tools and techniques that will be shared with others who may need them most. Anyone can start to learn and practice the ancient science and art of meditation. It doesn't cost a fortune but requires openness, patience, and discipline to achieve the desired results.

The summer season is enjoyable and exciting. Where the road may have taken us, whether on the mountain or at the beach, we still see the boundaries and can always accomplish things beyond the horizon, beyond our wildest dreams.

© 2019 Del Cusay

Social Commentary: Universal Healthcare for All Filipinos

It was in August 2018 that I fell in line to pay for the annual Philhealth contribution of my sister and her family. I was glad to see hundreds of people who were there to invest in health insurance in exchange for good Healthcare benefits offered by the agency.  As a healthcare worker, I have pledged not only to the healing of sick people but also to become an advocate for health promotion and prevention. That time as I was seated on a chair to wait for my priority number to flash on the screen, I had a realization that people, no matter their economic status, are now becoming more aware of the advantages of having a healthy family that is free of illnesses and diseases and becoming a productive contributor in the society. 

But how about those individuals or families without access to primary healthcare due to economic hardship? They may feel ineligible and intimidated by their Healthcare rights, and they remain vulnerable to health crises and threats. 

I'm glad that on February 20, 2019, the Universal Healthcare Act was finally enacted into law, granting all Filipinos access to affordable and better healthcare. This is a positive and perhaps the most significant measure towards healthier citizens leading to productivity and wellness. 

Talking about the agency that has the mandate for its implementation, the Philippine Health Insurance Company or Philhealth will have to ensure the automatic eligibility and membership of all Filipinos regardless of social and economic standing, more excellent service for our less privileged families and individuals. 

The Fight for Universal Healthcare

This new law is not just an achievement of the legislative and executive body but an outstanding achievement of all Filipinos who have long been hoping for this initiative.

Just imagine how Western countries could give Universal Healthcare to their citizens that started several years or decades back, and why couldn't our government do the same? This has been a puzzle to other Filipinos who had a glimpse of the Healthcare status in a foreign country and me. 

Now our time has come, but the implementing rules and regulations of the new law are yet to be laid, and we have to be aware of the Healthcare coverage, how we can truly benefit from it, and when shall we start to benefit from it. 

Benefits of the Universal Healthcare Law

Philhealth can guarantee essential Healthcare services to exist, premium contributors, indirect contributors, or indigents like our Senior Citizens and Persons with disabilities and non-indigent or non-premium contributors. That would mean free consultation, laboratory tests, and diagnostic tests are among the essential services covered by everyone. Almost all scope of health includes preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care, giving everyone holistic health and wellness. 

Sustainable Healthcare development 

Although we welcome the extraordinary Healthcare measures, we are yet to experience how they will be delivered. The funding source has been determined, and the implementation of this new law will be gradual, considering that the funding will come from a pool of different agency funds. 

The new law is very promising. However, we would also like to see its more tremendous success and development from now and in years to come and not be exploited and mismanaged by our people in the Healthcare authority. 

Issues in the Philippine Health Insurance

Our National Health Insurance Company, Philhealth, and private Health Management Organizations (HMO) have been delivering their healthcare services in partnership with our Healthcare institutions, hospitals, clinics, and health centers nationwide. They have always been to the rescue whenever we seek medical help. However, their insurance coverage needs to be more comprehensive as they do not cover all health conditions and other health services. This has been a challenge for those who couldn't afford or have financial difficulty seeking medical attention. 

While working at The Medical City in Iloilo, I learned about issues like non-payment or delay of payment of Philhealth for hospital claims to several member hospitals in the country. This would also cause a delay in the hospitals paying their medical providers. This has led to another issue: some medical providers would charge their clients an additional cash payment for a professional fee already covered by Philhealth. This issue happened to my sister, and she asserted her rights against the double charging of her provider.  This scenario will lose the confidence of other Philhealth members if such a case happens to them, which is against the primary goal of Philhealth its mandate to lessen the financial burden of Filipinos upon seeking medical treatment. 

Continuous Healthcare reform 

The Universal Healthcare law is a good start in providing Healthcare access to All Filipinos, a measure that no one will be excluded and left behind in Healthcare services due to poor economic status. 

However, challenges in Government and corporate social service are still something Filipinos must fight to achieve better healthcare. 

For Philhealth, may the agency uphold good governance and update its policies and coverage to package benefits that are not selective to a particular medical condition. This is a burden to the Filipino people because we do not choose the kind of disease once it strikes just to be covered by our insurance provider. We need to decide when to get sick and when to get treated. We don't select the end of our physical suffering and the end of our life. 

We don't have control over our health crisis, but we can do something for its promotion and prevention so we will not suffer and pay for its consequence. We must take good care of our health to avoid illnesses and diseases. Though inevitable, we can help ourselves, our families, and our communities by choosing a healthy lifestyle away from too much stress and vices to achieve health and longevity, leading to the productive citizen we can be.

As we continue to contribute towards nation-building, we have to be respectfully assertive of our healthcare bill of rights and, at the same time, be supportive of our Government's mandate to provide better healthcare to All Filipinos so we can achieve wellness can live our most extraordinary life.

© 2019 Del Cusay

Social Commentary: Lessons from Vaccination Scare and Disease Outbreak

On February 6, 2019, the Department of Health declared an outbreak of measles in the National Capital Region, including regions in Luzon, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON. Just a day after, it was reported that the outbreak expanded in the Visayas, Central, Eastern, and Western Visayas.

The disease outbreak is just a year after the controversial Dengvaxia scare, with several deaths of children linked with Dengvaxia: a vaccine for Dengue.

Although it was not medically proven through studies and investigation by the Department of Health, still the Public Attorney's Office, headed by its Chief, Persida Acosta, defended the human rights of her clients when she insisted that it was indeed the Dengvaxia vaccine that caused the death of children who received it.

How the deadly controversy started

It was revealed late last year by Acosta that the President himself ordered her office to pursue filing a criminal complaint against several personalities of the past administration who are allegedly involved in the Dengvaxia controversy, and that includes former President Aquino, Former Department of Health Secretary Garin, and the present DOH Secretary Duque.

Since then, Acosta has actively pushed for public information on the dangers of  Dengvaxia and the vaccination program, and this controversy led to discouragement and fear against vaccination. 

Dr. Acosta is interested in fighting for her client's rights and following his excellency, the President. As a Doctor of Social Development, she has the expertise and advocacy for human rights and legal aid; that is where she comes from.

From Advocacy to Disaster 

Apparently, Acosta's advocacy went wrong when her allegations about the Dengvaxia-related deaths caused a sudden drop in immunization records of the DOH starting in 2018 until the present. Parents are scared to have their children vaccinated by Dengvaxia and even other vaccinations, including MMR vaccines (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) which have caused an epidemic of measles in several regions in the country and were reported to be thousands of cases and several deaths already. 

Disinformation and fake news can kill

With the Dengvaxia scare, over 2 million Filipino children are currently at risk of contracting measles, a highly infectious airborne disease-causing respiratory complications that can be lethal. 

This would not have happened if there had been no mass hysteria coming from several personalities from broadcast media and social media. The disinformation easily spread and was accepted by their followers to be an absolute truth. 

Nowadays, thousands or millions of Filipinos are victims of fake news or disinformation with social media. Social media influencers have to be responsible for their words or statement to not create confusion, and also for followers and the general public to learn how to decipher real news from fake ones.

Turnaround of circumstances.

With the rising number of measles cases across the country, the Department of Health and President Duterte has stepped up to lead a campaign on national television for families to have their children vaccinated against diseases. The public call was followed by Vice President Robredo and now, the Chief Public Attorney, Persida Acosta, who seemed to be remorseful when she expressed to the public not to be scared of vaccination to spare children from getting measles considering its alarming rates: a step she made just after the call for her resignation by our Senators and some people. 

Our leaders have the most significant role to play in all of these circumstances affecting the state of health of Filipino children. They may have reflected on their shortcomings and are now doing their part to correct the mistakes they have caused. For the Chief Public Attorney, her sudden active campaign for vaccination may not be an admission of guilt, hence taking responsibility for her actions if her advocacy to fight for her clients led to our country's health crisis. 

Our Call to action 

May this health crisis call other media personalities and social media influencers to do the same thing and stop disinformation campaigns causing trials by publicity and untoward events? The worst is the loss of lives. We have lost the confidence of our people in our Government's immunization campaign, and it might take time for others to regain their trust.

Full immunization is essential in developing immunity against highly communicable diseases. Imagine if all children received full immunization; we would be closer to eradicating diseases like measles.

We have already eradicated diseases like polio and maternal and neonatal tetanus. Hence we can also achieve a measles-free country and eliminate other conditions through full immunization. It may be a challenging task for our healthcare workers, but with our government's active campaign and the public's cooperation, the goal can be achieved. 

As a Healthcare advocate, I want to protect my family and the public through health education to live the best life they deserve. Whoever we are, we can become health advocates, and our advocacy can create a ripple effect toward a healthy citizenry and community. 

© 2019 Del Cusay

Starting The New Year Right: Wisdom from Master Del Pe

Two weeks after the New year's day celebration, people may be gaining momentum on their new year's resolutions. It's overwhelming! Since it takes discipline to keep going on and lots of patience in waiting for the desired result.

Whatever people may have set as their goal for 2019  would never be accessible from the start, but having a positive mindset and determination can help if serious about making things happen. There is no shortcut; there's no such thing as hacking our way to success. We must learn our past lessons and commit to improving ourselves. 

For this year, I've set my mind on starting my first week right. That means eliminating or avoiding those negative thoughts that harm or jeopardize my goals. The first week after the new year is crucial to determining how long we can hold on to our resolutions.

New Year 2019: Sunshine After The Rain talks about my goals for this year. I may have set it subconsciously a few years back, but I would want to regain the power back. When you lose, you get to start again, and willpower becomes activated with the intense and pure energy of the body, mind, and spirit.

Balanced Energy

Having balanced energy at all levels is a must to achieve our goals. I've learned this from Master Del Pe, a world-renowned life coach, and spiritual guru. Master Del Pe, known as "MDP" to his students, teaches about balancing our energy on all levels: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. For instance, having an active material and mental body that is less spiritual doesn't balance you. Likewise, having a higher level of mental capacity but with a poor physical body doesn't make your balance either. This is fundamental wisdom from a modern sage, Master Del Pe.

Together with Master Del Pe at Baguio City, Philippines, in May 2011

To know more about Master Del Pe and his services, visit his website at http://www.masterdelpe.com and http://www.masterdelpe.com, and you will discover his breakthrough programs for health and wellness.

Better Health

A positive and healthy mental state starts with a healthy physical body that is achieved through physical exercises and a proper diet. I started to like eating a vegan diet in 2011 when I joined Master Del Pe and was quite active in physical activities like powerful stamina and essential martial arts. I was slimmer during those years compared to the present, when it's hard to eliminate unwanted fats on the tummy. Now it's also hard to lower bad cholesterol. I just can't take those "Statins" and would rely on physical activities and a balanced diet.

To start my new year right, I resolved to avoid drinking soft drinks and take in less sugar. I am now into drinking lemon water, a natural colon cleanser or detox. I also like consuming turmeric for its anti-inflammation effect. I have been eating too many sweets, and reducing my consumption before it leads to foreseeable health problems would be good.

Personal Development 

I read many self-help articles which are beneficial for growth and success. It was also through the books of Master Del Pe that I learned about personal development most practically and efficiently. One of the best tools I have learned is meditation, and it was Master Del Pe, a master of 8 types of meditation, taught us how to meditate effectively with the use of "mudra," sanskit term for hand seals chanting those sacred mantras for transformation. 

When life gets tough and triggered by so much noise, it's good to spend at least 20 minutes meditating 2 to 3 times a week to regain life and have peace of mind. 

In Manila, where traffic congestion is the worst in the world, I would simply close my eyes, breathe in and breathe out along EDSA as I ride the bus from Ayala, Makati, to Monumento Circle Caloocan City. Meditation has saved me from enduring the long ride, and it doesn't cost a thing, but the benefits are priceless. In fact, my first-ever blog post is about The Power of Meditation. It has dramatically changed my life, and I believe this world would be a better place if more people would learn to practice the art and science of meditation. 

To start the year right, I would have put some time for pure thinking time which was advised by Master Del Pe. Before blogging and after it, I think and reflect deeply; that is also a great mental exercise and good for mental health. 

Starting the new year with a positive spirit and higher hopes gives an overwhelming feeling of joy. I feel Joyful whenever I overcome a challenge and continue doing so until I've made it. It's a commitment made for the entire year. It may not last or may have been broken, but willpower can help to make it happen. As I strengthen my personality, I prepare myself for something coming my way. I may never know it yet; it may be cloudy for now, but I know for sure that I can help myself rise up and break through the barriers of my personal journey to success and fulfillment not only this year but for a lifetime.

© 2019 Del Cusay