Reprinted from the Asian Journal
Decembr 28, 2007
Once again, Christmas came -- like a fresh stream of cool water through a sun-baked, blistering desert. It came with jolly Santa on a sleigh, bags full of toys for children, naughty or nice. It came with multicolored lights and parols, melodious Jingle/Silver bells, trees galore and fun-packed malls.
It also came with warm family reunions, friendly gift exchanges, solemn Midnight Mass, and the traditional “Noche Buena”. People the world over came together in joyful celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth -- humankind’s greatest miracle.
The greatest miracle of all reminds me of another miracle, albeit on a much smaller scale. Akin, in some ways, to the tale of St. Joseph’s miraculous staircase in Sante Fe, New Mexico, its sacredness lingers on though more than a decade has passed.
Sometime in 1993, Sr. Dulce Flores, a nun at St. Leo’s mission church in Solana Beach, and my wife Lucie were busy with plans to build a charity clinic. Sr. Dulce was particularly concerned about young mothers -- spouses of farm workers or migrant workers themselves -- who did not have the financial resources to seek prenatal consultation.
Many of these pregnant women, whether legal residents or undocumented workers, did not show up for their doctor’s appointment until they were in full labor and about to deliver their babies. Many times, they ended up in hospital delivery rooms with toxemia or other life-threatening obstetrical emergencies for both mothers and babies.
At a church related gathering one evening, at Harold and Ginger Gaulbert’s home, Sr. Dulce approached Lucie, who had a pediatrics practice in nearby La Jolla, to see if they could put their heads together and build a clinic, specifically to aid these poor mothers, but in general to serve the needs of poor families and their children.
One morning, while Sr. Dulce and Lucie were reviewing preliminary plans at St. Leo’s Church, a stranger knocked on the door. Slightly tall but of medium build, with brown hair and gentle eyes, the stranger had a kind and handsome face. He introduced himself as an architect. He had heard about their plans to build a clinic and he was more than happy to offer his services for free.
Lucie recalls thinking that was a bit strange. Very few, if anyone, had known of the project. But she quickly brushed away the thought. Short of funds, the project could use a pro bono architect. The stranger’s offer was timely and most welcome.
The architect asked Lucie and Sr. Dulce a few questions but he seemed to know exactly what they needed. He did not inquire too much detail about examining rooms, waiting room, or how big a storage space they needed, etc. They showed him the back section of St. Leo’s Mission Church, which the sponsoring parish of St. James in Solana Beach had set aside for the project. Local civic and religious organizations were getting together to raise funds and things were just starting to fall in place.
Several days later, the volunteer architect returned with rolls of blueprint. He showed Lucie and Sr. Dulce and a few other individuals in the room the beautiful blueprints he had designed for the clinic. Lucie remembers looking at the plans laid out neatly on the conference table but could not recall if the architect’s name was printed on them.
Soon, a cadre of volunteer engineers and workers started construction, faithfully following the architectural plans. The functional clinic was completed in a few weeks. Doctors, nurses, dentists, social workers, etc., volunteered to attend to patients on Saturdays. The clinic took off from day one.
When plans for an inaugural ceremony were set, Lucie and her staff put together an invitation list for the event and tried to contact the architect. It would be the proper time to formally thank him for his valuable contribution to the project.
Lucie vaguely remembered that the mysterious architect had introduced himself as Michael. However, she could not recall his last name. She scanned the phone directory and made several calls to local engineering and architectural firms. The clinic staff asked around but not a single parishioner knew who Michael was or where he lived or worked. He had appeared twice at St. Leo’s mission church and vanished!
When Lucie told me about it, I asked if she kept the rolls of blueprint the untraceable architect had left behind. She went to the clinic to look for them; others searched for the precious documents..….they were nowhere to be found.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Bella
Bella
If you watch only one film this Christmas Season, let it be "Bella".
The other evening, my wife Lucie and I went out on our semi-regular movie date. I did not have a particular movie in mind. But she had heard good things about "Bella" so we decided to check it out.
The independent film from Metanoia productions was carried, without much fanfare, by only one local theatre. I recall receiving an email promoting the film -- a low budget grassroots campaign reminiscent of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ". The story line was intriguing. And, at the very least, “Bella” had won -- with standing ovation – the People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival. Previous winners of the prestigious award included Chariots of Fire, Life is Beautiful, Hotel Rwanda, American Beauty, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Inspired by a true story, the film is well directed by novice Alejandro Gomez Monteverde. The script by Monteverde, Patrick Million, and Leo Severino weaves plausibly through the theme of how the goodness and kindness of one person can affect and gradually influence others. The cast, headed by Latino superstar Eduardo Verastegui and Tammy Blanchard, is well chosen. The artistic photography by Andrew Cadalago gives viewers a fresh, ethnic perspective of New York. The editing occasionally throws viewers off with flashbacks and fastforwards, but it’s not as nonlinear as Christopher Nolan's Memento.
The movie opens with waves caressing the shoreline, children romping on the sand, and a lonely bearded man, Jose (Eduardo Verastegui), pensively watching the scenery. The story shifts to a street scene where boys are playing street soccer... a young, brash soccer player shows them a few tricks and throws them a new ball. Cigar in hand, he gets in the driver seat of a flashy convertible, on his way to a media interview, prior to signing a lucrative deal.
The soccer player's and his manager's ominous drive towards guaranteed fame and fortune cuts to a kitchen in a Manhattan restaurant where chefs and cooks are busy preparing the day’s menu. The impetuous manager Manny (Manny Perez) arrives and whips his crew into a frenzy. Nina (Tammy Blanchard), the young waitress, reports late for work again and is fired on the spot.
Jose, the pensive man on the beach, who, it turns out, is the restaurant's executive chef, and Manny's younger brother (and the soccer player we saw earlier), senses something wrong. He drops everything and walks out of the restaurant to console Nina, who was late for work because of morning sickness.
The story unfolds in its complexity as we learn more about the inconsolable waitress and the compassionate chef. Jobless and without family support, Nina is overwhelmed by her unexpected pregnancy. Jose, not quite certain what to do, intuitively stays with her.
This PG-13 rated movie has no special effects, no car chases or explosions, no drug deals or expletives, no nudity or sex scenes -- none of the standard fare for blockbuster movies. There is only the evolving story of a distressed young woman dealing with an uncertain future, and the love and patience of a kind soul.
Like my kids say, there's nothing much to do in the desert. Movies are an extra treat here. We have clean, safe, and comfortable theatres. Stadium seating and panoramic screens. Smiling cashiers and courteous ushers. Plus, tickets are way cheaper than downtown San Diego or LA.
More often than not, if we watched a movie in the middle of the week, we might be the only patrons. Can you imagine sitting in a modern theatre, watching a Steven Spielberg blockbuster -- in dynamic Dolby digital surround sound -– and not a single rowdy moviegoer within arm's length, no one kicking the back of your seat, no one chattering on a cell phone – in fact, no other living human being in the movie theatre at all, except your lovely date? For those reasons alone, even a boring B movie can be a wonderful experience in the inland valley of Southern California.
But no, Bella is not a B movie. Far from it. Even if it were standing room only, even if the air-conditioning broke down, even if the popcorn was rubbery and the Coke was flat, watching “Bella” would have been a worthwhile experience many times over. There is nothing like kindness, patience, tolerance, compassion – “a celebration of love and life” -- that can quickly warm the heart and gladden the soul.
Go, check out “Bella.” The movie will rekindle your trust in the inherent goodness of people, the beauty of nature, and the wonder of life.
####
Edgar A. Gamboa, M.D., FACS
“Dear children! Today, when you celebrate Christ, the King of all that is created, I desire for Him to be the King of your lives. Only through giving, little children, can you comprehend the gift of Jesus´ sacrifice on the Cross for each of you. Little children, give time to God that He may transform you and fill you with His grace, so that you may be a grace for others. For you, little children, I am a gift of grace and love, which comes from God for this peaceless world. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
Message of November 25, 2007
The Medjugorje Webhttp://www.medjugorje.org
If you watch only one film this Christmas Season, let it be "Bella".
The other evening, my wife Lucie and I went out on our semi-regular movie date. I did not have a particular movie in mind. But she had heard good things about "Bella" so we decided to check it out.
The independent film from Metanoia productions was carried, without much fanfare, by only one local theatre. I recall receiving an email promoting the film -- a low budget grassroots campaign reminiscent of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ". The story line was intriguing. And, at the very least, “Bella” had won -- with standing ovation – the People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival. Previous winners of the prestigious award included Chariots of Fire, Life is Beautiful, Hotel Rwanda, American Beauty, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Inspired by a true story, the film is well directed by novice Alejandro Gomez Monteverde. The script by Monteverde, Patrick Million, and Leo Severino weaves plausibly through the theme of how the goodness and kindness of one person can affect and gradually influence others. The cast, headed by Latino superstar Eduardo Verastegui and Tammy Blanchard, is well chosen. The artistic photography by Andrew Cadalago gives viewers a fresh, ethnic perspective of New York. The editing occasionally throws viewers off with flashbacks and fastforwards, but it’s not as nonlinear as Christopher Nolan's Memento.
The movie opens with waves caressing the shoreline, children romping on the sand, and a lonely bearded man, Jose (Eduardo Verastegui), pensively watching the scenery. The story shifts to a street scene where boys are playing street soccer... a young, brash soccer player shows them a few tricks and throws them a new ball. Cigar in hand, he gets in the driver seat of a flashy convertible, on his way to a media interview, prior to signing a lucrative deal.
The soccer player's and his manager's ominous drive towards guaranteed fame and fortune cuts to a kitchen in a Manhattan restaurant where chefs and cooks are busy preparing the day’s menu. The impetuous manager Manny (Manny Perez) arrives and whips his crew into a frenzy. Nina (Tammy Blanchard), the young waitress, reports late for work again and is fired on the spot.
Jose, the pensive man on the beach, who, it turns out, is the restaurant's executive chef, and Manny's younger brother (and the soccer player we saw earlier), senses something wrong. He drops everything and walks out of the restaurant to console Nina, who was late for work because of morning sickness.
The story unfolds in its complexity as we learn more about the inconsolable waitress and the compassionate chef. Jobless and without family support, Nina is overwhelmed by her unexpected pregnancy. Jose, not quite certain what to do, intuitively stays with her.
This PG-13 rated movie has no special effects, no car chases or explosions, no drug deals or expletives, no nudity or sex scenes -- none of the standard fare for blockbuster movies. There is only the evolving story of a distressed young woman dealing with an uncertain future, and the love and patience of a kind soul.
Like my kids say, there's nothing much to do in the desert. Movies are an extra treat here. We have clean, safe, and comfortable theatres. Stadium seating and panoramic screens. Smiling cashiers and courteous ushers. Plus, tickets are way cheaper than downtown San Diego or LA.
More often than not, if we watched a movie in the middle of the week, we might be the only patrons. Can you imagine sitting in a modern theatre, watching a Steven Spielberg blockbuster -- in dynamic Dolby digital surround sound -– and not a single rowdy moviegoer within arm's length, no one kicking the back of your seat, no one chattering on a cell phone – in fact, no other living human being in the movie theatre at all, except your lovely date? For those reasons alone, even a boring B movie can be a wonderful experience in the inland valley of Southern California.
But no, Bella is not a B movie. Far from it. Even if it were standing room only, even if the air-conditioning broke down, even if the popcorn was rubbery and the Coke was flat, watching “Bella” would have been a worthwhile experience many times over. There is nothing like kindness, patience, tolerance, compassion – “a celebration of love and life” -- that can quickly warm the heart and gladden the soul.
Go, check out “Bella.” The movie will rekindle your trust in the inherent goodness of people, the beauty of nature, and the wonder of life.
####
Edgar A. Gamboa, M.D., FACS
“Dear children! Today, when you celebrate Christ, the King of all that is created, I desire for Him to be the King of your lives. Only through giving, little children, can you comprehend the gift of Jesus´ sacrifice on the Cross for each of you. Little children, give time to God that He may transform you and fill you with His grace, so that you may be a grace for others. For you, little children, I am a gift of grace and love, which comes from God for this peaceless world. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
Message of November 25, 2007
The Medjugorje Webhttp://www.medjugorje.org
Friday, December 7, 2007
Indigenous Philippine Remedies
Reprinted from the Asian Journal
(Second installment) | December 7, 2007
Tawa-tawa: cure for dengue fever
by Edgar A.Gamboa,MD,FACS
The native treatments that I witnessed (or received) growing up in Cebu, whether administered by albularyo or manghihilot, fascinate me because they must have somehow worked, otherwise why would people return for treatment? Viewed now from the perspective of modern science, many of the indigenous or antique therapeutics look more like placebos. But they were readily available, arguably effective, and definitely affordable or, for the most part, free.
The term albularyo derived from the Spanish herbolario (herbalist). Albularyos are general practice healers who take care of common illnesses such as fever, cough, cold, diarrhea, etc. using medicinal herbs, which rural area folks commonly stock in their medicine cabinets. Albularyos also take care of people believed to be afflicted by supernatural illness or witchcraft. Thus their medical repertoire, in addition to herbs, includes chants, prayers, icons and religious articles.
The manghihilot is a more specialized medicine man or woman, focusing on musculoskeletal problems, much like chiropractors. They use massage techniques utilizing oil and salves to cure panuhot (strained muscle or air trapped in body cavities) or lisa (sprained joint). Some of the modern manghihilots have incorporated reflexology and acupuncture mapping into their practice.
In addition to the albularyo and the manghihilot, other native healers include midwives (mananabang in Bisaya, magpapaanak in Tagalog), the mangluluop, manghihila, mangtatawas, mediko, faith healers, etc. Medikos or medicos supplement native therapeutics with Western pharmacology. Filipino faith healers have, in some cases, achieved international fame (or notoriety) and, in some ways, are the pioneers of medical tourism.
There are about two dozen scientifically recognized medical herbs and plants in the Philippines. Boiled ginger to soothe sore throat is fairly well known. In fact, the concoction is now commercially available in powdered form or ginger tea (salabat).
A mixture of sampalok or sambag (tamarind), luy-a (ginger), and calamansi or lemoncito (citrus) works well for cough. Avocado, guava, and star apple (kaimito) leaves are the local version of Lomotil or Loperamide (Imodium). My mother used to heat rice grains until they turned brown, then added water to make an anti-diarrhea drink.
My sister Daisy, when pregnant with her first child, was advised by my aunt, who bore eleven healthy children, to boil thirteen kinds of roots and drink the bitter brew to ensure an uncomplicated delivery. She faithfully followed the time-tested advice but got so sick with the brew’s aftertaste that she no longer cared if she had a difficult labor. Those were the days before epidural anesthesia became common practice.
Talking about nasty medicines, cod liver oil in the form of Scott’s Emulsion was a popular source of multivitamins A and D, calcium, phosphorus and omega 3. I cringed every time my turn came to swallow two full tablespoons of the awful syrup. I'm amused to learn that Scott’s Emulsion is still available in some drugstores in the United States, and remains popular in Mexico, Central and South America, Asia, Africa, etc. My sympathy goes to those kids whose daily dose of vitamins emanate from that nasty brown bottle.
Raw eggs (with the attendant risk of Salmonella infection) blended in milk or Tru-Orange was not as nasty as Scott’s was but why did people think the frothy potion was helpful for hangovers? Was there credible research that showed that the eggnog mix protected alcoholics from developing liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension?
Lately, the popularity of Tawa-Tawa usage for Dengue fever is supported by government health agencies. Research has reportedly confirmed the common plant's antiviral and antibacterial properties. Tawa-Tawa is believed to help sustain platelets and counter hemorrhagic dengue. Two dozen plants boiled in seven glasses of water, from a report I've read, is the current recommended dosage
Gumamela or Hibiscus, also boiled in water, may be applied as poultice to inflamed wounds or abscesses. Some claim the flower has varied uses for cough, fever, hypertension, urinary tract infection, etc. But have you heard of inhaling adobo to get rid of your cold? Not sure about that one. Inhaling Vicks Vaporub dropped in steaming hot water may work, however. You can maximize the effects of such treatment by capturing vaporized oil with a large tent-like cape or blanket draped over your head.
Boiled guava leaves, particularly leaf sprouts, make excellent salve for new mothers, as effective as TUCKS Witchazel pads. Its topical application extends to those who suffer from inflamed hemorrhoids. Before Hibiclens and Bacitracin became commercially available, warm water blended with guava leaf extracts were used to cleanse nuka (Staphylococcal skin infection) so prevalent in children.
Kamunggay leaves commonly used for vegetable soup are also traditionally utilized to stop local bleeding. The leaves may not be as effective as Surgicel or Avitene but are cheap and readily available.
Soapsuds enema is practically out of style except for cleansing the bowels preparatory to endoscopy. I recall it being used for a variety of undiagnosed illnesses, manifesting as fever, cough, or abdominal pain. Being at the receiving end of an enema was one of the worst part of getting sick.
As beneficiaries or practitioners of modern Western medicine, we may tend to dismiss many of these primitive therapies as ineffective or unscientific. Yet, we may recall that back in the 5th century BC, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, wrote about a bitter powder extracted from the bark of the willow tree that relieved pain and reduced fever. Knowledge about the analgesic willow tree survived through the centuries.
In 1853, the French chemist Charles Frederic Gerhardt synthesized acetylsalicylic acid and in 1859, von Gilm purified it. In 1897, Felix Hoffmann, a chemist at Friedrich Bayer and Co., refined the process so that he could administer aspirin tablets to his father who suffered from severe arthritis. The rest, as they say, is history.
(Second installment) | December 7, 2007
Tawa-tawa: cure for dengue fever
by Edgar A.Gamboa,MD,FACS
The native treatments that I witnessed (or received) growing up in Cebu, whether administered by albularyo or manghihilot, fascinate me because they must have somehow worked, otherwise why would people return for treatment? Viewed now from the perspective of modern science, many of the indigenous or antique therapeutics look more like placebos. But they were readily available, arguably effective, and definitely affordable or, for the most part, free.
The term albularyo derived from the Spanish herbolario (herbalist). Albularyos are general practice healers who take care of common illnesses such as fever, cough, cold, diarrhea, etc. using medicinal herbs, which rural area folks commonly stock in their medicine cabinets. Albularyos also take care of people believed to be afflicted by supernatural illness or witchcraft. Thus their medical repertoire, in addition to herbs, includes chants, prayers, icons and religious articles.
The manghihilot is a more specialized medicine man or woman, focusing on musculoskeletal problems, much like chiropractors. They use massage techniques utilizing oil and salves to cure panuhot (strained muscle or air trapped in body cavities) or lisa (sprained joint). Some of the modern manghihilots have incorporated reflexology and acupuncture mapping into their practice.
In addition to the albularyo and the manghihilot, other native healers include midwives (mananabang in Bisaya, magpapaanak in Tagalog), the mangluluop, manghihila, mangtatawas, mediko, faith healers, etc. Medikos or medicos supplement native therapeutics with Western pharmacology. Filipino faith healers have, in some cases, achieved international fame (or notoriety) and, in some ways, are the pioneers of medical tourism.
There are about two dozen scientifically recognized medical herbs and plants in the Philippines. Boiled ginger to soothe sore throat is fairly well known. In fact, the concoction is now commercially available in powdered form or ginger tea (salabat).
A mixture of sampalok or sambag (tamarind), luy-a (ginger), and calamansi or lemoncito (citrus) works well for cough. Avocado, guava, and star apple (kaimito) leaves are the local version of Lomotil or Loperamide (Imodium). My mother used to heat rice grains until they turned brown, then added water to make an anti-diarrhea drink.
My sister Daisy, when pregnant with her first child, was advised by my aunt, who bore eleven healthy children, to boil thirteen kinds of roots and drink the bitter brew to ensure an uncomplicated delivery. She faithfully followed the time-tested advice but got so sick with the brew’s aftertaste that she no longer cared if she had a difficult labor. Those were the days before epidural anesthesia became common practice.
Talking about nasty medicines, cod liver oil in the form of Scott’s Emulsion was a popular source of multivitamins A and D, calcium, phosphorus and omega 3. I cringed every time my turn came to swallow two full tablespoons of the awful syrup. I'm amused to learn that Scott’s Emulsion is still available in some drugstores in the United States, and remains popular in Mexico, Central and South America, Asia, Africa, etc. My sympathy goes to those kids whose daily dose of vitamins emanate from that nasty brown bottle.
Raw eggs (with the attendant risk of Salmonella infection) blended in milk or Tru-Orange was not as nasty as Scott’s was but why did people think the frothy potion was helpful for hangovers? Was there credible research that showed that the eggnog mix protected alcoholics from developing liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension?
Lately, the popularity of Tawa-Tawa usage for Dengue fever is supported by government health agencies. Research has reportedly confirmed the common plant's antiviral and antibacterial properties. Tawa-Tawa is believed to help sustain platelets and counter hemorrhagic dengue. Two dozen plants boiled in seven glasses of water, from a report I've read, is the current recommended dosage
Gumamela or Hibiscus, also boiled in water, may be applied as poultice to inflamed wounds or abscesses. Some claim the flower has varied uses for cough, fever, hypertension, urinary tract infection, etc. But have you heard of inhaling adobo to get rid of your cold? Not sure about that one. Inhaling Vicks Vaporub dropped in steaming hot water may work, however. You can maximize the effects of such treatment by capturing vaporized oil with a large tent-like cape or blanket draped over your head.
Boiled guava leaves, particularly leaf sprouts, make excellent salve for new mothers, as effective as TUCKS Witchazel pads. Its topical application extends to those who suffer from inflamed hemorrhoids. Before Hibiclens and Bacitracin became commercially available, warm water blended with guava leaf extracts were used to cleanse nuka (Staphylococcal skin infection) so prevalent in children.
Kamunggay leaves commonly used for vegetable soup are also traditionally utilized to stop local bleeding. The leaves may not be as effective as Surgicel or Avitene but are cheap and readily available.
Soapsuds enema is practically out of style except for cleansing the bowels preparatory to endoscopy. I recall it being used for a variety of undiagnosed illnesses, manifesting as fever, cough, or abdominal pain. Being at the receiving end of an enema was one of the worst part of getting sick.
As beneficiaries or practitioners of modern Western medicine, we may tend to dismiss many of these primitive therapies as ineffective or unscientific. Yet, we may recall that back in the 5th century BC, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, wrote about a bitter powder extracted from the bark of the willow tree that relieved pain and reduced fever. Knowledge about the analgesic willow tree survived through the centuries.
In 1853, the French chemist Charles Frederic Gerhardt synthesized acetylsalicylic acid and in 1859, von Gilm purified it. In 1897, Felix Hoffmann, a chemist at Friedrich Bayer and Co., refined the process so that he could administer aspirin tablets to his father who suffered from severe arthritis. The rest, as they say, is history.
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