Philippines Rank 20th in HPI Happiest Countries in the World

The Philippines has been consistently included on the list of the happiest countries in the world during past years. Undeniably, Filipinos have long been known as happy and enduring people. Filipinos never forget to smile, or even throw a joke, no what struggles that comes along the way. I think it has something to do with our strong religious belief that motivates us to stand up strong once again and ready to start a new beginning.

According to the recent report of Happy Planet Index 2016 of the New Economics Foundation, the Philippines ranked 20th of the 140 countries included.

The Philippines got an HPI overall score of 35.0.

Wellbeing	5.0/10 and ranked 83rd of 140
Life Expectancy	67.9 years and ranked 98th of 140
Inequality of Outcome	26% and ranked 90th of 140
Ecological Footprint	1.1 gha/p and ranked 16th of 140

*gha/p – global hectares per person

The HPI report considers the:

Wellbeing. Residents of each country asked how they feel life overall, on a scale of zero to ten. Data collected by Gallup World Poll.

Life Expectancy. The average number of years a person expected to live in each country. Data provided by the UN.

Inequality of Outcomes. This refers to the inequalities between people in each country when in comes to how long they live and how happy they feel.

Ecological Footprint. The impact that each resident of a country placed on the environment. Data provided by Global Footprint Network.

For the year 2016, Costa Rica ranked first in the list with an HPI score of 44.7.

2016 HPI Top 20 Happiest Countries in the World

Costa Rica	44.7
Mexico	40.7
Colombia	40.7
Vanuatu	40.6
Vietnam	40.3
Panama	39.5
Nicaragua	38.7
Bangladesh	38.4
Thailand	37.3
Ecuador	37.0
Jamaica	36.9
Norway	36.8
Albania	36.8
Uruguay	36.1
Spain	36.0
Indonesia	35.7
El Salvador	35.6
Netherlands	35.3
Argentina	35.2
Philippines	35.0

Read more at http://happyplanetindex.org/

A Proven Way To Stop Smoking Immediately

Being a medical professional and as a part of the rehabilitation program, I often give advice on the importance of smoking cessation. To make such advice believable, it would be approriate to set myself as an example to motivate my patient towards a healthy lifestyle. As a matter of fact, my beloved father passed away due to a lung disease he got from heavy smoking.

Smoking is not just dangerous to the health of the smoker, but also to anyone who inhaled the smoke, particularly the children. People came out with different reasons on how and why got into cigarette smoking. The feeling of relief from tension, pressure from peers, the sense of being belong to the group, and curiosity are some to mention. Cigarettes contain harmful carcinogenic ingredients that slowly kills you. Better watch out for that.

I have been into cigarette smoking for ages now. Sort of effort, I think, has been made to get rid of this bad habit. Though I am successful in all my attempts, unfortunately, it didn't last long. Certainly, I know it all goes down to me because I am not fully motivated to rid of this vice. Right now, I am slowly reducing the number of cigarettes I regularly consumed in a day. In addition to that, an expert idea coming from a good friend, using baking soda at the same time is helping me a lot.


Here's how you prepare and use the baking soda: Prepare 1 tablespoon of baking soda and a glass of drinking water. Slowly pour the baking soda into the glass of water. Stir the mixture until the baking soda is completely dissolved in the water. I just gargle the mixture every time I feel the urge to grab a stick of cigarette. Prepare another mixture and put it in the bottle for future use. Continue this technique in about 2 weeks and see if it works for you. Please be reminded that too much baking soda taken on a regular basis is not good for your kidneys.

Another recommendation is to drink the mixture, but I don't prefer that way. I have opted the another way by placing a tough of baking soda in my tongue, more convenient I think.

If you have been into this technique of getting out of the habit, please your success stories down below in the comment box.

Classic Filipino Songs in Funerals

From the time I was born and until now, part of our big neighborhood are the two well-known funeral homes in the city center. It so happened that some of the owner's family members of these funeral homes were my friends. We often talk about on what they do inside the funeral homes, from the process of embalming up to the burial service in the cemetery. Part of our conversation is cracking jokes on our personal death wishes. It may sound weird to some who had heard us, but that is the reality, we all come to that point in our lifetime.

The Filipino traditions of honoring our departed loved ones are truly remarkable and unique. We learned all these different custom and traditions from generation to generation, regardless of tribe and beliefs one may have.

Part of the practice of honoring our dead involves the playing of music, whether be it western modern love songs, religious songs or an original Filipino music. The love of music runs in the blood of every Filipino, I think, because music is always there until the time of death. I believed that music is an effective way to show our emotions as well as to find relief in an hour of sorrow. The song selection can either be the favorite of the departed loved ones or the request of the family.

Let me mention some of the popular Filipino songs played during the funeral service. The hearse carrying the coffin played the selected songs during the funeral march going to the cemetery.

1. Hindi Kita Malilimutan
This is the top of the list. An Original Pilipino Music (OPM) popularized by Basil Valdez. I always heard this song during funeral march.

2. Paglisan
An original music by Color it Redd. Usually played for teenagers who lost their lives early.

3. Maalala Mo Kaya
Usually played to honor the departed grandparents.

4. Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo
Another emotional song played during funeral, again by Basil Valdez

5. Magpakailanman Man
A heartfelt song popularized by Wendy Cornejo. The powerful rendition will surely weeps everyone.

6. Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggang
A song by Didith Reyes. The meaning of the title itself, till the end of time, will truly full your tears.

7. Pangako
The song meant to convey the promise of an endless love. The artist of the song is Ogie Alcasid.

8. Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin
The artist was Rodeo Naval, who died at the peak of his career.

9. Kanlungan
The song famoused by Noel Cabangon. The song meant to recollect memories.

10. Malayo Pa Ang Umaga
A meaningful song popularized by Rey Valera. The song meant to convey hope and joy, as the saying that goes there is a rainbow after the rain.

In case you haven't heard any of the songs listed above, better check them out over the internet to experience hearing these music masterpieces.

When my dear father died last Dec 2010, I choose "Dance With My Father" by Luther Vandross. It was fitting to honor a dedicated father like mine. It is now the favorite song of the family. Every time I played it on some family occasions, everyone is rushing away to every corner of the house to hide their tears.

Truly, music brings magic into our life.

Philippines Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC)

Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) is the Philippines continuous effort to help the frail and needy indigent senior citizens of the country. Not to overlooked the contributions they had made in nation building during their productive years.

Pursuant to the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Social Pension Program, those aged 60 years and above qualified senior citizens will receive a monthly stipend amounting to PHP 500 (equal to PHP 1,500 per quarter) to augment daily sustenance. Although, the amount not that big, but it can help them in many ways, compared to nothing.

To avail the program, one must give all the required documentation to the nearest City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) or at the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA).

Eligibility to the program include:

1. 60 years old and above of age.
2. An applicant must not receiving pensions from Social Security Office (SSS), Government Service Insurance System, or a Veterans Pension.
3. Indigent with certification.

Documentation include:

1. Senior Citizen Identification Card ( In applying an ID, one must give a birth certificate, a 1x1 photo, and any valid ID)
2. Certificate of indigence ( One can get it from the barangay of residence)

Upon submission of the required documentation, the social worker will conduct evaluation of the applicant. An assessment report will then be submitted to the DSWD Regional Office for last validation.

Qualified applicant now on the pensioner's waitlist. This does not mean a qualified applicant will receive the fund immediately after qualification. Every qualified applicant has to wait for an indefinite time, as a replacement, upon the death or delisting of the existing pensioners of the program. Accordingly, funds for the Social Pension Program have already  been allocated to the existing pensioners of the program.

Applicants will receive the funds every quarter of the year through cash in the DSWD Field Offices.

Read Republic Act No. 9994

RICE Therapy for Acute Injuries

For the benefits of those who still have no idea on to how handle recent soft-tissue injuries, let me share with you the advantage of RICE therapy and how it promote faster recovery. Anyone, particularly the athletes and other physically active people, can have muscle strain, ligament sprain, bruise, and other soft-tissue injuries. RICE therapy is recommended on acute cases, usually the first 24 to 48 hours after injury. It doesn't mean RICE therapy is already enough, especially serious injuries. Better see your doctor for proper evaluation and management, like drug prescription and physical therapy. RICE, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation, help reduce pain and swelling.

Rest

Right after the injury, take some time off from your activities. Stopping or limiting an activity promote faster soft-tissue healing. Remember, continued stress on the injured part will lead to further damage. If the injury is on the leg or ankle, crutches will help you move around without putting pressure on the injured part.

Ice

This treatment approach help control pain and inflammation. Icing works on reducing the size of the blood vessels, thereby decreasing the bleeding, the swelling, and easing pain. Never apply ice directly over the skin on the injured part, instead, wrap it around with a towel or any clothes. Commercially, there are cold packs available in medical shops. Apply icing for 15 to 20 minutes and repeat the procedure as long as you want. Icing works best during the first 24 to 48 hours after injury.

Compression

Compression,using a bandage, help reduce swelling as well as support to the injured part. Just remember not to wrap too tight to avoid cutting off blood supply to the injured area as well as more swelling below the affected area.

Elevation

While applying the ice, like sitting or lying, elevate the injured part above the heart level to help reduce swelling.

FYI: 8 Interesting New Laws Should Every Filipino Must Know

1. Republic Act 10883 - Stricter Anti-Carnapping Law
Under this act, carnapping is now a non-bailable offense and the length of imprisonment increases to 20 to 30 years, from the old law of 14 years and eight months to 17 years and four months imprisonment.

If the offenders resorted to violence, a guilty person would serve 30 years and one day to 40 years imprisonment. If the victim got killed or raped, a guilty person would serve life imprisonment.

In addition, any person involved in concealing the crime would serve six to 12 years imprisonment plus a corresponding fine.

Any government officials found guilty will face removal from office and perpetual disqualification from any public office.

2. Republic Act 10905 - Mandatory Subtitles
The mandating all television networks and producers of television shows to give subtitles in their programs for the deaf community.

However, this does not include both public service announcements under 10 minutes airtime and for programs airing from 1 am to 6 am.

A penalty fine with at least PHP 50,000 to PHP 100,000, or imprisonment of  6 months to 12 months, or both for violators. The license to run the business will also be invalidated.

3. Republic Act 10906 - Anti-Mail Order Spouse Act
This new law provides strong teeth to safeguard every Filipinos in marrying foreign nationals. The law mandates that any person or businesses found guilty in an act of unlawful practice to exploit a Filipino to marry foreign nationals will face imprisonment of 15 years and a fine of PHP 500,000 to PHP 1 Million. Penalty increases, according to the number of offenses made.

Likewise, foreign offenders will face immediate deportation.

4. Republic Act 10909 - No Shortchanging Act of 2016
The law requires all business establishments prohibition from giving insufficient or no change to consumers and to giving candies in exchange for a change. Also, placement of price tags on all items is also included under the new law.

Penalties:
First Offense: Php 500 of the gross sale
Second Offense: Php 5,000 or 5% of the gross sale
Third offense: Php 15,000 or 7% of the gross sale
Last Offense: Php 25,000 and closure of the establishment
5. Republic Act 10910 - Anti-Graft & Corrupt Practices Act (Prescriptive Period)
The law increases the prescriptive period for the crimes of graft and corruption, from  15 years to 20 years.

6. Republic Act 10911 - Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act
This is the most awaited law, I think, in my age bracket. The new law will give equal opportunities to every potential employees to show their worth in the workforce regardless of age.

Violators will be fine at least Php 50,00 but not more than Php 500,000 and/or be imprisoned between three months to two years.

7. Republic Act 10913 - Anti-Distracted Driving Act
The law prohibits the use of phones in non-emergency cases while in the act of driving.
Penalties
First Offense: Php 5,000
Second Offense: Php 10,000
Third Offense: Php 15,000 and suspension of driving license

8. Republic Act 10916 - Road Speed Limiters Act of 2016
A new requiring all public utility vehicle owners to install speed limiters on their units. Th new law gives a grace period of 18 months after it takes effect.

Failure to comply will result to no registration or issuance of franchise permit and a corresponding fine of Php 50,000.

Offenders caught tampering with speed limiters will be imprisoned for  six to 36 months and fine with Php 30,000

Source: http://www.pllo.gov.ph/downloads/republic-acts/new-ra.html