Another journalism subject? Yes, and more writing too.

 

This was exactly and immediately my first impression upon taking this subject as an elective. There were no other options, so I had no choice. However, I also thought and deemed that the subject was necessary for the course I am taking.

 

It was a whole new experience embarking on the world of online journalism. I heard of it before, but I was never familiar with what was really journalism on the web.

 

In any subject, the manner or flow of discussion is very important in effectively installing the subject to the students and stimulating their interest to the course. In this case, it was favorable.

 

We were made to distinguish the similarities and differences on all aspects of online and print journalism. For me, it was a good introduction to subject. It was only in this subject where I encountered the terms Philippine Press Institute, Cebu Citizens Press Council, and Center for Media and Responsibility. This subject has also harnessed and developed my analytical skills when it comes to evaluating articles online. I also learned how to evaluate the credibility of websites in terms of giving out information, and I realized hoe risky the World Wide Web could be. Since then, I became more careful and vigilant everytime I get information from the Internet.

 

Perhaps the greatest impact that this subject has done was that it changed a bit on my lifestyle. Never in my life have I been into diaries or journals. But Journalism 121 has made me create my own online journal - the blog. It was an achievement! However, I was partly forced upon knowing that I had to make my own blog. As I said, I was not really into this thing because I don't have the luxuries of time and money. But I really had no choice since it's a requirement. However, as days went by and as I kept on posting my experiences, I realized something that I never thought I would.

 

Having a venue of expressing one's feelings or emotions is an essential aspect of human life since it allows one to grow and live "peacefully". I am grateful that it is true to me now. Despite of expensiveness of this subject (due to the constant visit online), it has somehow paid all the money spent and has served its purpose.

 

All of these "online" experiences made a useful and important mark in my life; a big thanks to out teacher who made all of these possible.

 

Well, Journalism 121 was not just about writing and all, and writing is not that bad after all.

It was a privilege and a very nice luck that this topic was assigned to our group. Not only did we work merely for an article, but also we gained information that's essential to human life.

 

I've been hearing the term "herbal medicine" all these years but I really never knew and dwelt on the specifics of this kind of healing. But we, in the family, use herbal medicine and enjoy its benefits.

 

Various benefits of herbal medicine are stated in the article, which are according to an alternative medicine practitioner. I definitely nod to what he said because I, for myself, already experience some of the advantages it offers.

 

Based on our gathered information from Dr. Abellana and Dr. Paredes, I've noticed some contrasting and conflicting ideas. Perhaps the most obvious is about herbal medicine versus food supplements. As stated in the article, Dr. Abellana clears out that food supplements are not medicines as approved by DOH. Dr. Paredes says that big pharmaceutical companies cause the labeling of food supplements as such. For me, this really has a controversial tone between these public and private authorities.

 

I would like to mention about what Dr. Paredes said more on herbal medicine. This sounds really controversial on the part of the DOH. According to him, there is politics in the Department of Health. And because of this, DOH follows the pharmaceutical laboratory processing in approving herbal medicines. He pointed out that "herbal medicine should not be defined based on laws and guidelines (like what the DOH does), but must be based on science".

 

I don't know if he was letting his UPian blood and spirit come out (because he graduated from UP Manila). But I think what he said was logical. I may not know the real thing behind the activities of the DOH, but my awareness on the corruption on government agencies makes me believe on what Dr. Paredes said.

 

On the whole, the topic was really interesting and very helpful since it talked about health and most especially, LIFE.

"Overdosed" with the usually prescribed drugs? Let the healing power of nature take control.

 

Nature has come into play, and plants have now become part of the healing process.

 

"Herbal medicine is a medical system which uses herbs in promoting health in treating illnesses", says Dr. Romy Paredes of Center for Traditional and Alternative Medicine (CTAM). According to him, the use of herbal medicine is developed through folklore, which is handed down generation to generation. This implies that scientific studies are more on validation purposes.

 

Herbalism, as the practice is also known, makes use of all parts of the plant and of the entire plant kingdom. Usually of raw preparation, herbal medicine can now be seen in tablet, capsule, and powder forms, as it is becoming mainstream.

 

Dr. Paredes points out that herbal medicine can eject the toxins in the body and could treat illnesses from the simplest to the most complex case. Furthermore, "it is safer that drugs in terms of treatment. It is more effective and has minimal or no side effects".

 

According to him, herbal medicine treats the cause of the disease and not the symptoms, which basically sets the comparison between herbal and conventional medicine.

 

DOH on Herbal Medicine

 

Dr. Jocelyn Paredes, Regional Coordinator of Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC), says that there are only 10 herbal medicines recognized by the Department of Health (DOH). Among them are Lagundi and Sambong, which were the officially released so far.

 

Western medicine has been the pattern of the country's screening process of herbal medicines. According to DOH, the process would run for 20 years, consisting of 10 years of research, five years of clinical trials, and five years of post-marketing and surveillance.

 

"Food supplements are not medicines", says Dr. Abellana. She adds that food supplements are approved by Bureau of Food and Drugs and also by the DOH not as medicine, but as food. However, Dr. Paredes states that some food supplements can be used as herbal medicines. He says that food supplements are labeled such because of the "lobbying of some pharmaceutical giants".

 

Dr. Paredes believes in a person's self-healing ability, and that herbal medicine stimulates it. "There is only one true healing - healing that comes from the inside. We are designed to heal ourselves and that is through or self - healing energy", he says.

 

 

I just finished typing another article. Here it is.

 

 

Ever wanted to buy something but then looking at the price tag made you step back and forget about it?

 I have done that a lot of times. Everytime I go to the department store and plan to buy something, the price rally become a big deal to me. It is the first factor that I consider when I look at items. This is the result of my characteristic being so conscious on saving money.

  My attitude being so thrifty started when I was in high school. I had a weekly allowance of 50 pesos, exclusive of fare because I just walked from the school to my mom’s office. I was not used to taking recess, not because I was on a diet, but because I aimed at saving my allowance. I would also use it for paying minor expenses in school.

 I’ve grown up in a family where practicality is a big issue. My mother is always at the forefront in the lecture on saving money and in instilling in us how significant it is nowadays. Everytime she sees something being wasted, especially food, her head just blows up and starts her never-ending sermon.

 In the family, I am the only one who inherited her my mom’s character. In fact, I am thriftier than her! Everytime I want to get hold of something and get discouraged by the high price, she does otherwise. She even pushes me to pursue that item no matter what the price may be, and especially if the quality is good. It sounds a bit weird because I am even more conscious on spending, considering that the money comes from my parents’ pockets and not mine.

             When I reached college, I became even thriftier. Living away from

my family really made a big impact on the issue of money. My parents send

me money and I take care of the budgeting. I make sure that it does not

slip through my hands in a blink of an eye.

            Thriftiness has become part of my life. In fact, I consider it as an

important and useful “asset” because I tend to develop the skill which, I

deem, so important nowadays. Also, this prepares me in being totally

independent in the future. However, I feel sad whenever I turn back on

something I really want to have. Sometimes my attitude is misplaced, that

I don’t dare buying some of the essentials in human life like clothes. I don’t

go for the latest trend in fashion and rather stay loyal to the usual t-shirt –

jeans – slippers outfit. It’s depressing at times, but I never regret my

decisions.

Conserving things, especially money, is undeniably essential especially today wherein prices keep on rising and everything important is getting scarce. But also, the thing is to make sure that it is applied at the right place and time.

So, if you need something that is really a matter of life and death, don’t hesitate to buy it because the feeling of contentment, joy, and satisfaction are priceless. 

 

 

 

 

...It's weeks after since i posted here..and now I'm back!..

...This past days were quite alright, except for two extreme incidents that happened just days ago...First was that my dad went to manila for his final interview for his promotion...After three days, he departed Manila and visited me here in Cebu before finally going back home...He arrived last Friday at exactly 7:00 am and left bound to Cagayan de Oro City yesterday at 8:00 am...Goodness! How I missed my dad!...I was so glad I was able to see him after two and a half months...I was so excited to see him then...And the news he brought made me happier...He finally got promoted!...At last, after all those interviews, the money and the effort spent, he finally got what he wanted, and what we all, in the family, dreamed of...We are still waiting when the oath taking would be...

...Something contrasted that happiness...Last Friday, my roommate/classmate's father died...Her mother sent her a text message notifyingher of his father's death...I felt so sad for her...She said her father had lots of vices (cigars, alcohol, etc), which probably caused his illness (which I don't know specifically)...I really don't know how to comfort her, especially everytime she cries...I want to, but I don't know how...I just keep on telling jokes to somehow uplift her emotions...But I know that she already accepted what happened because I know that she is a strong person who has that solid and unwavering faith in God...And I believe that He makes things happen for special reasons that only He knows because He knows exactly knows what is best for us...

...Things come and go...All we have to do is accept, face, and never give up...