Statement of Solidarity for Mother Earth

On the occasion of the coming International Earth Day, I am reprinting herewith a Statement of Solidarity I penned for Balangaw, the official publication of Responsible Stewards of the Earth, Inc. RSE, Inc. was an environmental group I co-founded way back in 1997 in Bicol. It pursued the mission of being true to its name: to spread the gospel of true and responsible stewardship of the earth. The organization was, however, very unfortunately infiltrated by traditional politicians. We decided to fold tent because of that (a sad story and a very sad experience but a very good eye-opener for me, especially on how this cursed species called traditional politicians devilishly boombazzle almost every well-meaning project that manages to break ground in this part of the globe).

The facts mentioned in the Statement were based on data available in 1997. They may most probably be worse today as evidenced by the fact that we find the earth today no better, in fact objectively worse, than in 1997. The call, however, remains and indeed becomes more pressing by the day:

Unite to save our mother earth!

Statement of Solidarity

International Earth Day

April 22

“And the Lord God took man, and put him into the paradise of pleasure, to dress it, and to keep it.”

- Genesis 2:15

With the advent of the industrial, scientific, cultural and technological revolutions, the cravings of man for a more sophisticated and luxurious life has become so intense that he soon forgets his responsibilities, and the need to maintain a balance between his desires and his resources, as well as the effects of his mundane explorations. Amid the gigantic tumult of a changing environment, amid the bedlam and furor of voices, amid the thundering throes and agony of the oppressed and the victims of poverty, man is undoubtedly digging his own grave, as he continuously permits the ruts and quagmires of an ecological imbalance, the irresponsible stewardship of the natural resources, and the improper utilization of the wealth and wonders of a vast world.

To date, deforestation alone is occurring in a massive scale, happening largely among the 3,000 mile-wide belt of tropical forest which stretches around the world. No amount of reforestation to date, can keep up deforestation. It is proceeding at a calculated rate of 50 acres per minute – over 72,000 acres every day – more than 25 million acres every year! It is estimated that by the year 2,000, the world will be consuming an estimated 300 million cubic meters of hardwood. Only one third of the existing forest will be left.

In the Philippines, much closer to our homes, out the original 30 million hectares of trees, only 900,000 hectares of virgin dipterocarp forest remain. At the present rate of cutting, this could disappear within 7 to 12 years.

Lately, the government’s attempts to lift the ban on export of lumber in compliance with the demands and pressure of the IMF only emphasized the zero commitment of the administration to environmental protection and further displayed how the government plays the role of an accomplice to the rape of our forests and to the murder of our nation. FAO records show that over the last 25 years, we sold over 101.6 million cubic meters of prime logs abroad, subsidizing developed countries with cheap timber.

Other environmental concerns in our country are equally alarming. 17% of over 5 million hectares of arable land has been badly degraded. Over 70% of our coral reefs are ravaged, mostly through blastfishing, poison and sedimentation. Between 1920 and 1988, Philippine mangroves, one of the most productive and biologically diverse wetlands, were stripped by over 462,000 hectares. Only 38,000 hectares remain today, leaving our coastal zones ecologically brittle. Half of our endemic forest flora, with irreplaceable genetic building blocks, is now gone, with the actual figure probably higher. The same is true of our wildlife.

The call, the challenge, indeed the demand, is very clear: the consolidation of man’s efforts and potentials to counteract the rising tide of the present ecological maladies in order to save the world, humankind, and to prepare ourselves for the years to come.

We, therefore, heeding the call of the Almighty Creator to become His responsible stewards of the earth, and through our demonstrated efforts and dedication, do solemnly pledge to:

1. Encourage every individual who believes in the Almighty Creator to live – in thoughts, in words and in deeds – as responsible stewards of the earth;
2. Help preserve nature by personally initiating and actively participating in environmental protection and development activities;
3. Contribute our share in saving wildlife, wildlands and the natural environment, whether in our homes and front yards or at the national level;
4. Be ever vigilant never to give up the future well-being of our children and of the generations-to-come for destructive technological and scientific practices today that are marginal at best and ephemeral at worst;
5. Never to allow a species’ extinction or decimation as a result of greed, ignorance, political ambitions, or just poor judgment.

Signed:

Kiko Gacias; Bishop Jesus Y. Varela, DD
Roni Gile; Msgr. Francisco P. Monje
Melchor Baliatan
Dines Gile; Plus: Hundreds of other signatories

Chili: The Bicolano Aphrodisiac?

The rains were torrentious, the winds howling wild. The local radio station had announced just a few hours ago typhoon signal number three in the whole of Bicol region. The roof of the small house was leaking, ready to be blown by the winds. The household furnitures were now all wet, the posts about to surrender to the strength of the maelstrom pounding on their very foundation. Each howl produced by the angry wind battering the different parts of the house very clearly stressed the warning that the house would crumble in any moment.

Suddenly, the man of the household came out clutching several large sticks in his hands. He ran towards his backyard garden, unmindful of everything, braving threats and dangers unto himself. He reached a small plant and quickly removed the fallen branches that were now threatening to crush it. He planted the sticks around the plant. He glanced at his house and watched as it slowly crumbled to the ground. He smiled. His favorite plant, his most important possession in life, was safe.

His chili was alive.

The aforementioned story is a classic Bicolano tale narrating the Bicolano’s preference for his chili over all his other possessions. Bicol has been notorious, since time immemorial, for hosting the strongest typhoons known to man and the tale of the Bicolano securing first and foremost his chili plant from the storm’s anger has been legendary. It has become a cliché. The Bicolano would prioritize the safety of his chili plant before his house, before his other possessions, or even before himself.

Such is his love for his chili. Greater love no man has than this Bicolano who braves threats of death for his favorite plant: the chili.

Common Names of Chili

While the Bicolano refers to chili only as lada, pasitis, or rimorimo, chili has been known in the Philippines under different names. For most dialects in the Philippines, it is simply referred to as sili. Other common names include but are not limited to:

Tagalog: Siling labuyo; Pasitis; Pasiti; Siling bundok; Siling palay
Bisaya: Katumbal; Kitikot; Siling kolikot
Ilokano: Silit diyablo
Ifugao: Paktin
English: Bird pepper; Bird’s eye chili; African chilies; Cayenne; Chili pepper; Red pepper; Chili; Spanish pepper
Spanish: Chile picante

The Chili Plant

The chili or sili plant is erect, branched, half-woody, and 0.8 to 1.5 meters in height. The leaves are oblong-ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 3 to 10 centimeters long, and pointed at the tip. The flowers are solitary or occur several in each axil, and are stalked, pale green or yellowish-green, and 8 to 9 millimeters in diameter. The fruit is commonly red when ripe, oblong-lanceolate, and 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters long. The seeds are numerous and discoid.

History of Chili

It is widely and commonly held that chilies originated in Mexico and were already being cultivated there as early as 3,500 BC. In the early 1500’s AD, the Spaniards and the Portuguese took them to India and Southeast Asia where, largely owing to the tropical climate in these places, these plants flourished. The early colonizers, ironically in search of spices, found that it was easy to take with them dried seeds of chili in their travels and that chilies thrived in hot climates. They grew at a wide range of altitudes, with rainfall between 600-1250 mm. Thus, the chili was rapidly adapted in many parts of India, Indonesia, Philippines and other tropical Asian countries. The locals then easily took to the spice and soon, their national cuisines were heavily influenced by the “heat” generated by the fruit.

How to measure the “hotness” of chili

Chilies contain capsaicin which irritates the skin in your mouth and throat. Capsaicin has no smell or flavor but it is what provides the “heat quotient” for the specific chili. It is primarily located in the pith that connects the seeds to the pod, not in the seeds itself as is frequently mentioned. The “hotness” of a chili is measured in Scoville units (typically used in the west) which, simply put, is a scale that dilutes capsaicin in sugared water until the “heat” can no longer be detected. The longer it takes to dilute the heat, the higher the score. To give you a range, sweet bell peppers are rated zero while the Habanero, at some time considered as the world’s hottest pepper, is rated at 100,000-300,000 Scoville units.

Classifications of Chili

Chili or Sili belongs to the genus Capsicum of which there are at least four known major species. These are:

1. Capsicum frustescens
2. Capsicum annuum
3. Capsicum fastigiatum
4. Capsicum minimum

The Bikolano lada or pasitis has been commonly referred to in Tagalog as siling labuyo. This, as Bicolano chili connoisseurs would attest, is both wrong and correct. It is wrong in the sense that the Bicolano lada or pasitis is adjudged as hotter than the Tagalog siling labuyo; and it is correct in the sense that the Bicolano lada or pasitis and the Tagalog siling labuyo both have almost the same appearance.

To elaborate, it is important to note that currently, there are two different varieties of siling labuyo available in the Philippine market. The most popular and the one most easily available has bright red color, and is pointed and longer. This is, as far as Bicol chili connoisseurs are concerned, actually an imposter whose seeds have come down from Taiwan or elsewhere in the past 15 years or so. Because they are so easy to cultivate, and so nice to look at, they have fastly taken over the older, more “real” siling labuyo. Identified with the scientific name Capsicum frustescens, they are currently the favorite of traders and merchants because they have a longer shelf life, almost triple than the “real” siling labuyo’s. While the siling labuyo would only keep fresh for a couple of days before going totally wrinkled, Taiwan chili would still look fresh even after three weeks. But this variety generally has less heat than the “real” one. At right is a photo of said Taiwan chili.

The chilis at the left are the basic siling labuyo also known as siling bilog. They come in varying stages of ripeness from green to red and sometimes white or yellow. Their heat quotient varies from time to time and from area to area. This definitely is hotter than the Taiwan chili. The green ones are often too painful although said pain is ironically said to be addictive, thus the need to add more and more chili once you get the bug.

For many years, people assumed that siling labuyo was of the Capsicum frustescens species or a relative of the famous Tabasco chili. However, recently, other experts seem to agree it is a member of the hotter variety of Capsicum annuum species, probably of the grossum variety.

The Bicolano lada or pasitis looks almost like the siling labuyo although with a slight difference. It is smaller in size, has smaller leaves and has tougher skin. Its fruit does not turn yellow but brown prior to getting fully ripe and becoming bright red. But one thing is certain: perhaps owing to the quality of soil in the region, the Bicolano lada or pasitis is definitely much hotter than the basic siling labuyo.

Many years back, our own siling labuyo apparently made it into the Guiness Book of World Records as the hottest chili in the world. It’s no longer so. At about 80,000 to 100,000 Scoville units, siling labuyo is at the lower end of the range for the Naga Jolokia or Bhut Jolokia, now considered as the hottest chili in the world. Today, second to the Naga Jolokia or Bhut Jolokia is the Dorset Naga and Red Savina Habanero ranks third. Red Savina Habanero was formerly crowned as the hottest chili in 1994 and it held that record until it was dethroned by Naga Jolokia or Bhut Jolokia in September 2006. Taiwan chili which many Filipinos now also erroneously refer to as siling labuyo, ranks seventh. The rank of original siling labuyo, much less of the Bicolano lada or pasitis is yet unknown.

The importance and uses of chili

For the Bicolano, the chili is indispensable both on his table and in his medicine cabinet. For him, there are at least two functions of chili – nutritional and folkloric.

1. Nutritional uses:

1. The fruit has a very sharp taste and is extensively used as a popular condiment. It is mixed with or made into pickles and is a principal ingredient in Bicolano dishes.
2. The leaves are very extensively used as vegetable. They have a very pleasant, somewhat piquant flavor. They are an excellent source of calcium, iron, phosphorous and vitamins A and B. It contains an active ingredient, capsaicin, 0.14 per cent; and capsaicin, 0.15 - 0.5 per cent; starch, 0.89 - 1.4 percent; pentosans, 8.57 percent; and pectin; 2.33 percent.

2. Folkloric and medicinal uses:

When eaten fresh, chili is an excellent promoter of ligaments. The bruised berries are employed as powerful rubefacients, being preferred to sinapisms in sore throats. They are also given, with the best results, as a gargle. Chili vinegar (made by pouring hot vinegar upon the fruit) is an excellent stomachic. Chilies are employed, in combination with cinchona, in intermittent and lethargic affections, and also in atonic gout, dyspepsia accompanied with flatulence, tympanitis, and paralysis.

Warm fomentation of both leaves and fruit is applied for rheumatic pains. The leaves of some varieties are used as a dressing for wounds and sores. A strong infusion of the fruit of the hotter kinds is applied as a lotion for ringworm of the scalp.

Chilies are used in native practice in typhus intermittent fevers and dropsy; also in gout, dyspepsia, and cholera. Externally, they are used as a rubefacient and internally, as a stomachic.

For arthritis and rheumatism, crush fruit, mix with oil and apply on affected part. For dyspepsia and flatulence, eat the fruit as condiment or drink an infusion as a stimulant and antispasmodic. (Infusion preparation: 3-10 grains every 2 hours to a cup of boiling water) For toothache, press the juice of the pepper into the tooth cavity. For scalp ringworm, apply as lotion a strong infusion of fruit.

For several years now, contests have been held in Legaspi City on eating the most pieces of chili. Said contests are usually held during the yearly celebration of Ibalong festival. The person who gets to eat the most number of chili is proclaimed the Sili King or Queen. And it is quite interesting to note that the number of pieces of chili consumed by the contestants progressively gets higher every year. It started from 300 and it now reaches 600 pieces.

Lada or pasitis as the Bicolano aphrodisiac

Chili is believed to be wholesome for persons of phlegmatic temperament, being considered stimulating. For the Bicolano in particular, it is widely believed to be a stimulant – yup, a sexual stimulant.

There is no definitive study yet made on the effects of lada or pasitis on the Bicolano’s sexuality. And yet, if data from the National Statistics Office and the Department of Health are anything to go by, it would be easy to conjecture on the influence of lada or pasitis on the “hotness” of the Bicolanos/Bicolanas. The Bicolano/Bicolana has been declared and has been holding on the title of the “Sexiest” Filipino for several years now, being the most sexually active among all the Filipinos. For several years now, the Bicolanos have had the highest rate in teenage pregnancy, premarital sex, and very sadly, also in rape and abortion. This is no good news most certainly and this is very unfortunately the downside of this phenomenon called lada or pasitis.

But would you be interested to know the upside of it? Well, it may sound like hubris but there’s only one way to find out:

Marry a Bicolano/Bicolana and you’ll soon find out on bed.

Melody in "F"

Feeling footloose and frisky, a feather-brained fellow forced his fond father to fork over the farthings. He flew far to foreign fields and frittered his fortune, feasting fabulously with faithless friends.

Finally facing famine and fleeced by his fellows-in-folly, he found himself a feed flinger in a farmyard. Fairly famishing, he fain would have filled his frame with foraged food from the fodder fragments. "Fooey, my father's flunkies fare fat fancier," the frazzled fugitive fumed feverishly, finally frankly facing facts.

Frustrated with failure and filled with foreboding, he fled forthwith to his family. Falling at his father's feet, he floundered forlornly, "Father, I have flunked and fruitlessly forfeited family favor..." But the faithful father forestalling further flinching, frantically flagged the flunkies to fetch forth the finest fatling and fix a fabulous feast.

The fugitive's fault-finding frater frowned on the flickle forgiveness of former folderol. His fury flashed -- but fussing was futile. The farsighted father figured "Such filial fidelity is fine but what forbids fervent festivity -- for the fugitive is found! Unfurl the flags, with fanfares flaring, let fun and frolic freely flow. Former failure is forgotten, folly forsaken. Forgiveness forms the foundation for future fortitude."

Forged and fabricated from Luke 15:11-32

Parot Mo!

Observe how a Bicolano or Bicolana verbally expresses his/her disgust or aggression towards another person, whether or not to a fellow Bicolano/Bicolana, and you would most probably hear him/her cuss “Parot mo!” or “Lusi mo!”

“Parot mo” is literally translated as “your smegma!” “Lusi mo!” would refer to the male organ’s foreskin that forms as head-covering to his penis and actually helps secrete smegma.

The bugging questions: Why would the Bicolano or Bicolana particularly use this sexual image as an expletive? What role does the smegma have in the Bicolano psyche that it would merit particular mention in an expression of disgust?

Smegma unmasked

Smegma, from the Greek smēchein (to clean), is a combination of exfoliated (shed) epithelial cells, transudated skin oils, and moisture. In males, smegma helps keep the glans moist and facilitates sexual intercourse by acting as a lubricant.

Both males and females produce smegma. In males, smegma is produced and accumulates under the foreskin; in females, it collects around the clitoris and in the folds of the labia minora.

The physical and medical benefits of smegma

Strictly speaking, smegma helps clean and lubricate the genitals in all healthy animals, humans included. Thomas J. Ritter, MD, co-author of "Say No to Circumcision" underscored the importance of smegma when he said:

“Smegma is probably the most misunderstood, most unjustifiably maligned substance in nature. Smegma is clean, not dirty, and is beneficial and necessary. It moisturizes the glans and keeps it smooth, soft, and supple. Its antibacterial and antiviral properties keep the penis clean and healthy. All mammals produce smegma.”

And perhaps the boldest statement ever made about smegma thus far:

“The animal kingdom would probably cease to exist without smegma.” (“Where Is My Foreskin? The Case Against Circumcision,” by Paul M. Fleiss, MD, Mothering, Winter 1977).

Is smegma indeed useful? Modern medical profession is one in saying that yes, it certainly is. It lubricates the cavity between the foreskin of the penis and the glans, thus allowing smooth movement between them during intercourse. During an erection, the glans increases in size. The foreskin, on the other hand does not change its dimensions. It is yielding enough and thin enough to accept the enlarged glans. Furthermore, the foreskin is pressed backward during intercourse, and on subsidence of erection returns to its normal position. These movements are not entirely passive but are aided by the relaxation of the muscle fibers within the foreskin.

Now, could these movements be comfortably performed if the surfaces between glans and foreskin were dry and harsh? Unfortunately, they could not. There would be difficulty, delay and need for manipulation. Nature has therefore provided a “natural ointment,” -- smegma -- to ensure easy lubrication and protect this delicate region of the male genital organ.

Scientists have found that smegma contains 26.6% fats and 13.3% proteins, which are judged to be consistent with necrotic epithelial debris. Newly produced smegma has a smooth, moist texture and is thought to be rich in squalene and contains prostatic and seminal secretions, desquamated epithelial cells, and the mucin content of the urethal glands. Some state that it contains anti-bacterial enzymes such as lysozyme and hormones such as androsterone. Furthermore, it is found that the incidence of smegma increases from 1% among 6-7 year olds to 8% among 16-17 year olds or an overall incidence of 5%.

The Bicolano concept of smegma

But the Bicolano or Bicolana certainly does not refer to the positive physical uses and medical importance of smegma when he/she uses the word to address a person. In the context of the Bicolano culture, there are only two possibilities that could explain the word’s special inclusion in the Bicolano expletives:

1. It subtly implies that the person addressed to is being addressed to as uncircumcised;
2. Or, it subtly implies that the person addressed to is being addressed to as someone who negates to wash or clean his or her genitals.

In both cases thus, the person being addressed to is addressed to as someone who is “paroton” – literally translated as “full of smegma.” That, in the Bicolano culture and psyche, is one of the most debasing things one could be accused of. It is the highest form of insult one could be labeled with.

In its fresh state, smegma is a wholesome and functional lubricant. But, it should be borne in mind that if it is allowed to accumulate in the foreskin cavity, it becomes changed into an unpleasant, unhealthy, and bad-smelling substance. In addition, foreign material may gain access to the smegma deposit in the form of dirt, dust or sand, and urine and semen. Also, infrequent washing may allow colonization of the preputal space by pathogenic bacteria. Such compact masses of smegma can lead to chronic disease, and even prepare the way for cancerous changes.

The circumcised versus the uncircumcised

Which brings us to the issue of, or the debate between, the circumcised and the uncircumcised.

The circumcised, for the Bicolano/Bicolana, indeed, for the Filipinos in general, is adjudged as definitely much cleaner, more hygienic and healthier than the uncircumcised. The most obvious reason: he is not Paroton or “full of smegma.” He is thus less likely to have smegma accumulation, inflammation, phimosis or adhesions than those who are not circumcised.

This is particularly the image that the Bicolano or Bicolana has at the back of his/her mind when he/she utters the words "parot mo!" or “Paroton ka!” A Paroton means an uncircumcised male; a Paroton is unpleasant and is bad-smelling. More than that, a Paroton, mainly because he is uncircumcised, is an incomplete man, “does not belong with US who are circumcised” and is therefore an outcast. He is a shame to the male specie and deserves to be ostracized, to be banished to the smelly land of the Parotons.

There is currently a growing clamor especially among medical practitioners in America and Europe against the practice of circumcision. As early as 1971 for instance, the American Academy of Pediatrics had declared, “there is no valid medical reasons whatsoever for circumcision.” The negative consequences of circumcision are currently especially magnified and given more weight which contributed to the rapid decline of circumcision in America and Europe. A few years ago, the US government reported that the intact rate for 2003 had already climbed to 60%. It would be safe to assume that in all probability, that percentage may have had climbed higher as of this writing.

To which the Bicolano provides an answer which can be considered as not only most poignant, literal and graphic but also replete with tremendous hermeneutico-sociologic undertones:

“Mga paroton kamo!”

1st World Airsoft Challenge

My team, Hammerheads (check our website here), is organizing the first ever world airsoft challenge on November 27-30, 2009 at Clark Freeport Zone in cooperation with Clark Development Corporation and the Philippine Department of Tourism.

Dubbed Rapier 01: World Airsoft Challenge, the event is expected to draw delegates from airsoft aficionados around the world. As of date, delegates from South Korea, Hongkong, Japan, Taiwan, United Kingdom and U.S.A. have already signified their attendance.

Visit our video promotion at popularairsoft.com where my son Kirk appears as one of the models while his dad waited for hours for the photo-op to finish, carrying all the gears, guns and ammos including Kirk’s hydration which was filled with 4 liters of iced tea. Both photo and video were taken at Missile Silo, our team’s mout site at Taguig.

Some lessons in airsoft

Words I always tell my kids before a game in airsoft:

1. Remember that you are joining a war. Be prepared for one. Gear up for the worst. Be sure that your guns are firing, that your mags are loaded, and that you are adequately protected.
2. Start with the end: your mission/objective. Visualize your game plan, create a mental picture of how you will work on and fulfill it. Anticipate deviations and be ready to deal with them.
3. Teamwork is essential. Coordinate your moves with your comrades. Be ready to cover for them, to sacrifice if you must.
4. Patience pays. As in any game, war is a game mostly of wits and not of brawl.
5. Above all, remember that as in life, it is a game. Never forget to have fun.

Ratratan 2008

Photos are taken during the Ratratan 2008 held on December 13, 2008 at Kampo Kalesa Kape at Santa Rosa, Laguna. More photos and videos at www.popularairsoft.com. Also at our squad's site here.