Mother Nature now Angry!

FLOODS — For the first time, almost one half of Metro Manila was submerged in water these last few days. EVERYTHING was paralyzed. No work, no banks, no stores, no shops, no transport — everything at a standstill. Alarming because this is happening all over now. The ocean water level had gone up so rainwater can no longer empty out into the sea especially when the tides are high. An angry Mother Nature is hitting back at us with a vengeance!

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SISTER LLANOS —Sister Carmelita Llanos OP, the administrator of the San Pedro Hospital marked her 70th birthday earlier this week. The day was doubly significant with the inauguration of the P50-million building which will house the clinics of the doctors and later, at its ground floor the hospital laboratory. When I asked her where she would transition into retirement, Sr. Carmelita, who is a relative of my wife Beth, told me: “There’s no retirement for us. I will however be assigned to do the library/museum of the OPs in Bajada taking care of the archives.” Surely less stressful than running a hospital.

Sister Rita Stang OP, after whom the building was named, was one of the earliest sisters who served the hospital in its early years. She was the guest of honor during the celebration. The congregation has been here for about 60 years with about 100 sisters spread all over the Davao region.

I met Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles at the noontime affair.

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BANGSAMORO REPUBLIK — MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari, although making a declaration for Mindanao independence, was quoted as saying that his group would not resort to violence. But even if this is peaceful, this is without doubt, complicating the already complicated on-going peace negotiations with the MILF. Good luck.

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CHRISTIAN MINDANAO — I am getting word that some Christian groups in Mindanao will start demanding from the national government the same concessions that will be given to the Bangsamoro. This will be interesting to watch, especially because the aspirations — and complaints — of the Muslims are similar all throughout the island region.

One commented: “We who have lived peacefully must also be given the same concessions or do we have to take up arms as our Muslim brethrens have done to get the same attention?”

My bold prediction: a federal-type of government in Mindanao may be the answer. Seceding, of course, is out of the question.

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STEM CELL —There’s big debate now in Manila about regulating stem cell treatment. I was in a forum in Manila Hotel where I told Sec. Enrique Ona of the Department of Health that rigorous regulations must be in place in the Philippines because this method is still in its infancy with not enough track record in the country. Unlike in Germany where stem cell treatment had been discovered since 1931 and used for its regenerative effect for over 50 years with tested results. (Beth and I can attest to this with confidence.)

This alternative, innovative treatment will definitely change the face of orthodox medicine which uses its usual buffet of anti-biotics, painkillers and steroids!