Melodramatic Fool

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Weighing My Options



Every Saturday, my friend Weng and I make it a point to leave the doldrums and often times downright insanity of our daily existence by engaging in escapism and endless consumerism. Not that we blow our paychecks on anything, our weekend escapades are usually comprised of leisurely window shopping plus the madatory trip to Watsons (Weng would absolutely perish without her weekly staple of soaps, shampoos and cosmetic products.. HEHE). At the moment... the current favorite is the novel shops of "The Mall of Asia", mostly due to lack of other alternatives.

All that walking usually leaves us famished so after debating about calories and trans fats, we trek to the restaurant of choice. Its just funny now how much energy we put into analyzing the evils of carbs when just 5 years ago we never even thought twice about munching on deep fried chicken fingers at Fridays or grabbing a slice of meat pizza oozing with cheese at CPK. Now we are reduced to herb chicken sandwhiches at Olivers... preferring wheat over white bread of course.

Its strange how we've become so caught up on weight issues. Not that I'm grossly overweight but I wouldn't mind shedding off a few bulges from my stomach and thighs. I try to diligently engage in pilates exercises and admittedly it has made some improvement in my mid section as well as my posture. Nevertheless, most of the time I'm just too lazy to drag my exercise mat and pop in the Windsor Pilates DVD to begin my work-out. I always feel like I've much more things to do than lie on my mat stretching my ham strings.

A few days ago, Weng and I were discussing techniques to hasten the weight reduction process. She rold me about a colleague of hers who took up swallowing a few teaspoons of virgin coconut oil to aid in shedding more pounds. Immediately, I was skeptical about the whole idea since coconut oil is very high in saturated fat (the very reason why I use canola oil for cooking at home--low on saturated and polyunsaturated fats but a bit high on monounsaturated fats). Admittedly, the whole debate on oil has also left me confused for some articles on the internet will say canola oil isn't good for the body either. Some say olive oil is the best. Still... logically saturated fat is the main cause of high cholesterol so I wasn't very keen on the idea. It turned out I was right. The friend of hers did lose a few kilos but his cholesterol level shot up prompting him to stop taking the coconut oil altogether. So much for that idea.

I've decided to alter my eating habits a bit. I have now shifted from white rice to red rice (supposedly with more vitamins and minerals as well as fiber), from white sugar to brown sugar and from white bread to wheat bread. Not that it was such a huge adjustment for me since the flavor of the new food stuff didn't really change much.

*Source: Nutrition Action - May 1997


Of course it wasn't exactly the same-- red rice is a lot more grainy and has to be soaked for 30 mins prior to cooking to lock in moisture, plus it has a strong earthy flavor; wheat bread also has grainy chunks with every bite; and brown sugar has some sort of caramelized after taste. But these are just very minor adjustments and for the most part, you won't even notice the difference.

In addition to that, I've also began to drink more green tea & soy milk as well as eat more oatmeal for breakfast. Its really not such a big deal, unlike forcing myself to eat ampalaya. Although I also eat a lot of green leafy veggies, thanks to my mom who trained me while I was still a toddler. I'm just doing as much as I can to improve my diet without turning eating into a chore. Realizing that the earlier I start choosing better alternatives to old unhealthy eating habits the more I will reap its benefits as I age.


As of late my tummy has shrunk a little bit allowing me to fit in my old pair of Levis jeans that I haven't worn in months. However the ultimate test will be the skinny jeans I have had since college. Well, I'm not there yet... hopefully soon I will be.


Don't Forget to read the label. USDA guidelines suggest that fats should be limited: Quick guide to % DV 5% or less is low, 20% or more is high. Choose foodstuff that has less sodium and increase consumption of dietary fiber.





Sunday, July 23, 2006

How Biased Are We? -- The Question Reader's Digest Failed to Ask


The Reader's Digest recently came out with quite a controversial, unscientific social survey entitled "How Polite Are We?" The study was composed of three tests conducted by the magazine's media correspondents in 35 major cities in the world. The criteria included testing locals on whether they opened doors for others, helped pick-up papers accidentally dropped by the researcher in the middle of a busy metropolis and if sales people said thank you upon purchase of items in various shops.

Surprisingly, New York came out on top followed by Zurich and Toronto while Mumbai miserably failed landing on the bottom of the list along with other Asian counties such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul and Kuala Lumpur doing just a tad better. My own city, Manila, ranked 23rd. Although we didn't do too badly. I can't help but feel that the whole exercise was quite culturally biased. Especially for Asian cities, most of which landed in the bottom half.

The tests employed were in themselves very Western oriented. And granted that these are supposed to be universal social decorums (which is of course debatable), there are various reasons why some people may fail to put them into pratice. For one thing, it is not a common in the Philippines to hold the door for someone. We may hold the elevator if we are aware that someone else is intending to ride along with us, but with regular entrances we tend to be oblivious of another person walking behind us. Although there are instances where the Filipino male of the species are chivalrous enough to hold the door for a lady, myself being a woman, I am not keen on such idiosyncracies. And for anyone who's been in Manila long enough to notice the uniformed guards who sift through one's belongings before being allowed into any given establishment, it is quite natural to fall into the habit of expecting a paid security employee to burst the doors open for you. You find them everywhere-- financial, institutions, office buildings, even every god damn Starbucks outlet has their own security personnel. So there really isn't much chance to observe people actually practicing this type of custom. And if one happens upon a place where no uniformed guard is in sight, people do hold doors for you provided that you almost have your foot in the door. But if you are a few strides away from doing so, forget it. Personally, I do not see this as uncouth behavior. Aside for being too used to security guards doing all the work for us, failing to keep the door for someone isn't a sign of rudeness for us, unless of course someone blatantly slams it on your face, which I doubt is what the RD researchers experienced in the first place. In fact they even failed to define what constitutes the polite way of holding the door for someone, could it be waiting on someone 5 feet away, 5 steps behind you, or someone near the point of frottuerising one of your best ASSets (get it?). Suffice to say, this is not a very convincing criterion to begin with.

As for the case of helping a fellow commuter or pedestrian with things he/she accidentally dropped, one woman from Manila reasoned out that there is much reluctance in assisting a stranger especially since it might turn out to be a ploy by unscupulous individuals. It is no secret that Manila is home to quite a number of muggers and snatchers that lurk in the shadows, and as of late -- in sheer daylight, to catch their next prey. Not to further smudge the much mired image of Filipinos struggling to make a decent living, it is undeniable that many of our countrymen have chosen a life a crime amid much oppresion and inhumane living conditions. I myself have fallen victim to a few petty thieves , all the more reason for me to be weary of helping others and unwittingly endanger myself. But given a more secure location where one can gauge their own safety, I have reason to believe that an ordinary Filipino would instinctively pick up whatever items some careless klutz inadventently drops on the pavement. But I guess it still depends on whether the items in questions would at fall at least within arms reach can one expect help. If its a few meters away, its quite rare that an eager beaver would come rushing to be a hero. But again, for us, failing to do so, unless the items is almost at one's foot, is not necessarily a sign of uncivilized behavior.

Lastly, the test invloving sales personnel. Admittedly, unaccommodating or utterly impolite sales people abound in this god forsaken city. Its quite common to ask for assistance and be met with a smug face or a sarcastic remark. Whether they are just having a bad day (A typical Filipino's psyche is one that makes it difficult to draw the line between professional and personal affairs, one that frustrates most foreign employers) or they are so poorly compesated that they subtly try to sabotage the owners' business. Most Filipinos do not take pride in blue collar jobs and this attitude is very much reflected in the quality of service rendered towards customers. Sometimes I do feel for the hapless pawns of Capitalism. Its a rotten feeling to be overworked and underpaid. You work your ass off to make someone else richer while you are stuck with a fixed salary that could barely pay for utilities and to top it all off, the goverment enacts laws for you to bleed tax money off your nose. On the other hand, it equally sucks to be on the receiving end of a dissatisfied smart ass employee. I could just pluck their eyes out with rusty pliers. Arrgghhh! And the worst part is complaining to the higher ups isn't exactly fruitful. Yup, business as usual. I guess the results on this part of the study are not completely unwarranted. It may be a deeper issue concerning labor practices and wage disputes, inadequate customer service training or it could be the general attitude of workers towards their jobs. And whether such actions are forgivable depends how one sees it -- either symphatize with the poor wage earners OR expect no less than quality service regradless of the financial state or personal issues involving employee.

Nevertheless, I still do not completely agree with how this study was conducted especially the standard by which the 35 nations are measured upon. There are many ways by which Asians, especially Filipinos show politeness and respect toward each other. For one thing, we respect our elders and usually do not answer back to our parents. Westerners find this as submissive behavior for their culture values assertiveness and self expression. Filipinos consider this disrespectful much like being slapped on the face. We also use different sentence structures when addressing older people or individuals of higher authorithy. We find it inappropriate to call our parents or our bosses by their first names. Such practice is considered rude unlike in Western countries where it is totally acceptable and is the norm. Westerners can be very direct and have no qualms about looking one in the eye to gauge the person's sincerity. Asians on the other hand feel self-conscious when placed in such situations and may consider it too forward or intimidating. I can come up with a lot more examples but I think you already get the point.

Its just very unfair that most Asian countries are placed in a bad light by sweeping generalizations. Instead of promoting understanding amongst cultures this survey succeeds in perpetuating stereotypes and casting unfair judgements. Filipinos may fail in some aspects of this test but it is wrong to label us as impolite, or worse, uncivlized. If we continue to impose such biased standards and fail to see the bigger picture and the greater scheme of things, people from different cultures may never develop respect and understanding toward others. The real complexion of a society cannot be judged by three simplistic and shallow tests. Each country is capable of expressing care and concern in its own way and not by unfairly comparing them to vague and biased Western social practices. It might not be wrong to compare how people react towards holding doors for others, helping someone pick up items he/she dropped or how sales people express gratitude towards a customer. But to equate such tests to how polite an entire nation is, is absolutely unacceptable.




Thursday, July 20, 2006

Back in Crazy Town

More than two weeks have passed since I got back from a much deserved vacation and I still unapologetically take account of things that make this country suck. I cannot help but be taken aback by how our country has lagged behind its Asian neighbors. The first thing I noticed of course is how ridiculously tiny our airports are compared to Hong Kong's grand and modern Chek Lap Kok Airport in Lantau. Landing on the runway was a much better experience compared to my previous trip in 1998 at Kai Tak Airport. That was terrifying because from the aircraft window it seemed like the plane was gonna crash on some homes in Kowloon. At Chek Lap Kok Airport, dubbed as one of the busiest airports in the world, one could really feel the excitement aound the bustling terminal. It was just enough to quicken the pulse but not too much as to induce stress or create chaos. Comparing this to the Centennial terminal at NAIA, ours definitely pale in comparison.

I also took note of the efficient transport systems of the MTR plying as well as connecting the islands. The trains arrive on time and despite the sheer volume of commuters, it was unusual to feel cramped since the coaches can more than accommodate the bulk of passengers. Its so unlike the MRT whizing through Edsa that usually takes 5 minutes in between trains and where pushing and shoving is the norm. Back in Manila, I experienced riding on a Friday during rush hour and I couldn't even get to the door. The coach was sooo crowded I could barely move. And to make matters worse, my bag kept getting caught on other people's clothes, baggages or body parts that inching to the exit was almost impossible. And that's not the worst part, the weather was so humid that everyone was reeking of sweat. I was hyperventilating as the obnoxious odors waft to my now flared nostrils.

Surprisingly, even traffic in HongKong was manageable despite the narrow streets, ubiquitous pedestrians and humongous busses. Somehow the entire system works. Traffic was minimal and save for the humid July weather, it was quite pleasant to just trek to one's destination sans the fear of your cellphone being snached or a mugger pointing a knife to your throat. Although I do not have grand delusions that the city was crime free, I definitely felt safer there than strutting the streets of Metro Manila. Law enforcers were also very visible and most if not all were fluent in English so asking for directions or assistance was relatively easy.

Shopping around was almost stress free (except at the night market where vendors have no qualms about grabbing your arms and harrasing you just to make a sale) since sales ladies do not hound you or deprive you of breathing space. Unlike in Manila where they feel the need to follow you around watching your every move as if you were a potential criminal. I was in this relatively huge cosmetics store where countless small items were up for grabs. One could easily have pocketed a few stuff wihout anyone noticing but the sales people weren't bothered. They just let you free to choose what you like with much trust that you are honest enough to pay for it. I have no idea how many shoplifters abound in HK and I'm sure there are some, but I do like the carefree attitude towards consumers. Although I cannot blame shopkeepers back home for protecting their precious merchandise for god knows how much of it is stolen in a blink of an eye. It just saddens me that this is a reality faced by many shops in my country.

Another marked observation is the mere pace of life. One can really feel the importance of time in a Hong Kong resident's life. It was reflected by the efficiency of the buses and trains, the speed of the escalators and travellators, and even the sheer urgency in each step of a regular pedestrian. Flat shoes seems to be a must if one is to survive this urban landscape. Locals just walk everywhere which probably explains why most of them are in good shape. Also, people do not loiter at the malls, save for the regular tourists. I do not know if I can easily adjust to a such fast-paced lifestyle since even a few meters of mimicking the way they walk already left me breathless, but I do admire them for their drive and sense of purpose. For not only do my countrymen walk a lot slower, most are unempoyed who spend time downing some good ol' San Miguel Beer or the more potent Ginebra Gin while their wives go their merry way, gossiping about neighbors or the latest showbiz tidbits.

I know locals in Hong Kong and Manila face different challenges and opportunities, experience different catalysts for development, and have different attitudes toward hardwork. I guess it ain't right to compare apples with oranges. I just feel quite frustrated for I do have big dreams for my country... and I cannot help but envy those nations that seem to have somehow improved the lives of its citizens and have allowed its countrymen to their share in the pie of success and prosperity. But I guess happiness, or at least contentment, is relative. We did land 17th place in the World's Happiest People list. Who knows how happy people in Hong Kong really are. Well, one thing is for sure... I'm back in crazy town. It definitely ain't for the faint hearted.






No Borders







Inset (counter-clockwise) -- (1) Shopping at Rockwell (2) Grabbing a bite after a long day of shooping at Greenhills; my host mom got so excited over the cheap goods and was able to grab some good finds plus a few Mikimoto pearls. (3) My wedding day taken near the poolside of the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIKO OKASAN!

Its my Japanese host mom's birthday yesterday, July 19th. I cannot believe it has been almost 10 years since I embarked on my first adventure outside the country that inevitably started my thirst to see and experience different cultures. Hearing a foreign language, of which I do not understand a word of, is like music to my ears. It just gives me that tingling feeling and I'm transported back to the time when I was sixteen alighting Northwest Airlines, my first plane ride by the way, and ready to embark on the then greatest adventure of my life.

I last saw my host parents. Otosan and Okasan, and my host sister Mariko two years ago. They came over to attend my wedding. My sister flew in from Australia and my host parents boarded a plane from Japan. It was my host parent's first time to travel to a foreign land and it still amazes me how they eagerly jumped on a plane bound for the Philippines, a country they've heard so much about-- not beacause of its famous beaches or its unique flora and fauna, but bacause of its endemic corruption, unsafe streets and kidnap for ransom gangs. Despite the bad image the international media plays up about my country, they still chose to brave the concrete jungles of Manila to be with me on the most important day of my life. I'm really grateful I was given the chance to be part of the Oya family. The ten months I spent in Japan was so wonderful because of their kindness and their eagerness to open their hearts to a complete stranger to show me a love that knows no borders.

I've already began to scout for a nice gift for my host mom. Probably an elegant bag made from Philippine indigenous materials. I saw a few nice ones at the mall so i'll probably send it out by next week.