Suggestion to columnists
Thu, 07 May 1998 15:24:05 +0800

Why don't we encourage our columnists abroad to write more of their home town, experience, and culture. Then compare that with ours, wouldn't this be interesting?  Something like what Loloy Tan had done earlier in his column.  For us, who may not have the chance to travel, we would have a least a glimpse of their place and community.

Rene Tio (Batch '70), Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
 

Dateline Buffalo

By Ernesto L. Yu, M.D., Batch 1965 Ernstyu49@aol.com

So, a troop of seasoned politicians who lead lives of pardonable character flaws that were publicly traded as astoundingly exaggerated ethical slips during verbal sparring in election rallies didn't realize that such profile-assassination rendered them stinking-dead weeks before the electorate ultimately aired the devastating truth.  Well, with all their personal squabbles exhaustively dissected in personality-bruising arenas and their financial status demoted to ground zero, the only humane options are: to dart through the wickedly unforgiving crowd, choke on their waterlogged despair in an obscure corner and look as demoralized as any sore losers can look with barely palpable pulses; and to surrender without reservation their solid alliance to the triumphant coalition.  After all, democracy was conceived for and by the people.

For the bleeding Mickey Mouses, it's time to scout for private employment and sweat it out in the real world. For a change, Popeye.

Comadre, I was tickled pink by the range of your emotional resonance.  Nurture your natural asset and keep the journalistic extract streaming. In blazing certainty, the weekly cerebral stimuli are apt to enhance your mental and physical regeneration. Trust me, "I'm not only an endorser, I'm also a legitimate client!"

On whatever breathing cells left in my head.  The one on top of my shoulders?
 

Dr. Ernie Yu was always a year ahead of me in our LCHS days. So I just always presumed he is a year older than me.  After reading his article in our last issue, I sent him a message of "Belated Happy Birthday Greetings" for the big five-zero milestone.  I received an immediate reply from Ernie and I was told of my error.  He is in fact a month younger than me.  He must have started school a year earlier.  My apology to our prolific writer from Buffalo for making him a year older than he should be.

Last Easter weekend, I celebrated my birthday among friends at a campsite some 200 kilometers north of Sydney.  My friends asked me how young I am, and I said: "I am 39."  Of course, no one believed me.  With my graying hair, wrinkled face and sagging waistline, I must be close to 50. Well, crooked Filipino politicians have no monopoly of "Dagdag-Bawas".  We can do it too!

Close Encounter with Viagra.  I would like to congratulate our new writer Aurora Tansiokhian, whom I fondly called "Sandy-chi", for a very well-written, interesting and thought-provoking first article - "Where is Home?".  It has given me another dimension regarding my adopted new place here in Sydney.

She mentioned as a joke about this new wonder drug, Viagra.  Well, two weeks ago, I had almost an accident due to this new phenomenal prescription drug being sought by men mostly suffering from mid-life crises.  I was driving on the busy afternoon peak hour traffic and listening to our local top rating radio program called "Mike Carlton Show".  He was interviewing a male doctor in America whose specialty is male sexuality.  It was a very informative interview with all the facts and information about Viagra.  That the drug company had really thought "long and hard" about their product and it is guaranteed to "rise to the occasion."  And how the sales of the drug have smashed all record sales so far.  The interview went for about 5 minutes and the next on the phone line was the Federal opposition leader Kim Beazley to be interviewed by Mr. Carlton on political matters.  Mr. Beazley gave an opening remark by congratulating Mike for a very informative program and he added: "Keep it up, Mike, keep it up!"  The very quick witted Mike asked in return: "Keep the what up? Keep the what up?" This made me laugh uncontrollably that I almost hit the car in front of me!

Balut and Ero.  Also to be congratulated is our new contributor from Utah, Susan Kennedy Jensen for a great article about her days in LCHS.  From her article, we can conclude that the memories of our hometown Iligan and that of our alma mater will always have a special place in her heart. It took our American alumna to point out the great things we have back home which we always take for granted.  Yes, I also miss the fried bananas and the sweet mangoes.  But I have to admit that I have not tried balut yet!  Ero? I don't know but I was told it was a goat meat!  My eldest son was detained for one hour after school during his high school days here a few years ago.  He had a fight with another kid in the school.  Why? The other kid teased my son: "You Filipinos eat dogs!"
 

Dr. Do Little

By Alex S. Rodriguez, M.D., Batch 1965 gates1@juno.com

Dear Dr. Do Little,

I have this mild deformation of the spine which doctors call Scoliosis.  What really is Scoliosis?  Is this hereditary?  What are the ways to prevent Scoliosis?  Will it cause the muscles in the neck and shoulders to tense up?  Can a chiropractor cure such deformity if my Scoliosis is a mild one?  And if I don't treat it, will it get worse?  Does it have a cure?  Thank you for your helpful and enlightening information. -- Ellen S. Limtin, University of San Carlos, Cebu, Philippines

Dear Ellen,

I am impressed with your interest about your health at this age.  Your concern can help you realize what are the essential things to do to prevent progression or to find a solution to small problem before it gets worse.

The spine of the normal adult has three separate curves as follows: an anterior or forward curve of the neck (cervical concavity), a posterior or backward curve of the midthoracic area (thoracic convexity), and anterior or forward curve of the lumbar or lower back area (lumbar concavity).  By looking at an individual's spine or back and along the side, one will be able to note that normally the spine is like an S shape having all the those 3 curves mentioned.

Spinal deformities can occur in any of the curves whether accentuation or straightening of the curvature or lateral curvature and depending on the spinal areas involved.

Scoliosis is the lateral curvature or the curve of the thoracic spine or the curve is towards the side whether left or right of the thoracic spine instead of thoracic convexity. 75% of cases of scoliosis points to the right, especially the mild form.

Moderate to severe scoliosis exhibits two lateral curves pointing in opposite directions - athoracic curve and a compensatory lumbar curve inferiorly located to complete the shape of the letter S when the thoracic curve points to either lateral direction.  When the scoliosis is severe, this can cause decreased chest wall compliance and restrictive pulmonary or lung disease.

Scoliosis can develop as a result of irregular bone formation (e.g., congenital deformities), poor posture over long period of time, compensatory mechanism (e.g., thoracic thoracoplastyor surgery, shortened lower limb), weakness or paralysis of the back and abdominal muscles (e.g., neuromuscular disorders such as poliomyelitis and quadriplegia like Christopher Reeves).

I would like to recommend you to see an orthopedic surgeon who specializes on this aspect. They can examine you well and diagnose your case then be able to give you better advice than I can. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure really holds true in life.

Dr. Do Little
 

Success lies
not in how well-known you are,
but how well-respected...
not in your power to take,
but your willingness to give.
It is measured
by the height of your aspirations,
the breadth of your vision,
the depth of your convictions.
Do not look
to the changing opinions of others
for news of your success.
Word comes in the small voice
you hear within at the end of the day,
knowing you have done your best.
This is the only success that matters.
                                            --L. Staten