LA BUENA VIDA: November 2012

The Child Menace: Rotavirus

Diarrhea is very common in the Philippines and the whole world through. Statistics show that 1 child dies from diarrhea every minute that passes us by, and around 13 children who are below 5 years old die every day, worldwide!

With the help of Department of Health Secretary Enrique Ona and President Noynoy Aquino, Rotavirus Vaccination is finally part of the Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI) just this year. This is also in alignment with the President's Universal Health Care goal and in achievement for Millenium Development Goal 4, which aims to reduce child mortality by year 2015.

Philippines is the very first Asian Country to include the Rotavirus Vaccination as part of the EPI. Other countries that have the Rotavirus Vaccine are USA, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Belgium, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, Germany, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, Bolivia, and Honduras.

The project aims to give 700,000 free vaccinations (2 dose Rotavirus Vaccine) to the poorest of the poor in the Philippines.

As for those who can afford to pay the vaccine, rates will range from Php 2,500 - Php 3,500, which varies a lot due to the factory price and the professional fee of the doctor.

The vaccine should be given to the baby as early as 6 weeks from birth and the maximum age of 8 months for the vaccine to have effect.

Parents should take in mind that the first episode of Rotavirus Diarrhea is the worst so they must make sure that their babies will be vaccinated as soon as possible.

So what is diarrhea to be exact? It is an output of looser than normal stools of at least 3 times within 24 hours. About 13-69% of diarrhea cases here in the Philippines are largely due to Rotavirus.

We should not take diarrhea for granted because they pose serious long term effects of the development of a child and mainly affect a child's height, energy level, and cognitive abilities.

Not only does hospitalization due to diarrhea hurt the family budget, it gives strain on the livelihood of the parents and causes emotional distress as well.

As for the virus itself, it is all around us and can live in surfaces for about a week or so. The Rotavirus is also known as The Great Equalizer because it is present in both developed and developing countries.

As for ways to prevent children from having diarrhea, improved sanitation and clean water supply is not very effective but it does not hurt to maintain those habits.

Please visit your pediatrician for more details about the disease and the vaccine.

Stay healthy!

* This advocacy event is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline.

Dr. Juliet Aguilar

Dr. Obra

When Great Charities and Fun Meet: World Blogathon

The World Blogathon is an awesome event organized by the Cebu Bloggers Society wherein 10 different charities will share the reasons why they started and participants will get the chance to post on the spot, have fun, and bring home loads of prizes!

The venue will be at the Rooftop Function Hall of Andy Hotel from 1 PM - 6 PM.

Details will be added in the days to come so stay tuned!

All Cebu Bloggers are invited to join! This day will be full of cheer!

For more information, please contact the Chairperson of the Cebu Bloggers Society Inc.'s Outreach Committee, Jaysee Pingkian of www.jayseeblabs.blogspot.com

The Best of the Best: Best Cebu Blogs Awards 2012

Those who have made a mark in the online world will be rewarded for their efforts. All their work was not left in vain because December 9, 2012 would mark the day when they will harvest what they have sowed. The Best Cebu Blogs Awards 2012 Awarding Night and Ceremony will be their special night of the year because they certainly deserve to be celebrated. To be exact, 30 nominees are qualified.

The venue for this year's Best Cebu Blogs Awards is Insular Square, located in 31 J.P. Rizal Street, Tabok, 6014 Mandaue City. It is a one-stop lifestyle center where you can shop and dine with much gusto! Visit their Facebook Page by clicking HERE.

Please use the Twitter Hashtag #BCBA2012 when twitting about the event. Follow us on Twitter @bcbawards.

We would like to thank all the sponsors who will make the event very special!

The Best Cebu Blogs Awards started recognizing Cebu-based blogs that create an impact since 2008.

The judges for this year are the following:

Northern Luzon - Vincent Tabor
Central Luzon - Azrael Colladilla
Central Visayas - Nancy Cudis
Mindanao - Avel Manansala

Their qualifications are judges can be found HERE.

To view past winners, click the specific year:

2008
2009
2010
2011

To contact the Organizing Team, click HERE.

Weird Thingies Flying In The Night Sky: My Very First UFO Encounter

From the World Wide Web

I neither affirm or negate the presence of aliens, especially now that I saw flying thingies across the starry night sky last November 10, 2012.

We were in Cebu Highland Farms when we saw numerous flying orbs as big as the stars with very weird flight patterns and lights that turn on and off.

It was dusk when we started seeing them, as we were lying down on the cool and green grass, waiting for inspiration to write our gospels.

When the sky became darker, we began seeing moving stars. We first thought that they were shooting stars, until we noticed them moving in erratic patterns.

Some moved like satellites in orbit. Some moved in straight lines then would go back the other way then would go zigzag. Their lights go on and off as they kept on moving in front of our eyes.

It was impossible for them to be the commercial airplanes that we know. They could be fighter jets or secret government experiments or simply ALIENS! Yes! They could be aliens! Why not?

Unfortunately, they were too far for my video camera to capture and it was also too dark.

They were numerous. They were glowing. They were flying. They indeed were Unidentified Flying Objects!!!

From the World Wide Web

Exceptional Hospitality: Hotel Elizabeth Turns 2

What do you get when you combine great accommodation, great food, and great hospitality? You will get Hotel Elizabeth celebrating their 2nd year in Cebu!

In celebration of their 2nd anniversary, Hotel Elizabeth held a motorcade, feeding program, and press conference. Aside from those, they also organized a marathon which went very well!

During the press conference, they shared their plans of expanding in Palawan and at The Fort in their efforts of moving forward and creating a great impact.

Part of moving forward is maintaining the classic and elegant design of their building and interiors, which was artistically done by Miss Tessa Prieto-Valdez.

Every quarter, they also feature different food promotions to keep their menu exciting and new.

As for room accommodations, they also offer promos that you will surely enjoy! Please contact them for additional information.

Since the Sinulog season is fast approaching, we could not help ourselves but ask for their plans. They said that upon Sinulog, they will feature local dancers every hour, offer merienda buffet (included in the package), and give an idea how Penagbenga in Baguio is celebrated.

As for the cocktail that followed the press conference, we were surprised to know that Shalala was invited to be the host of the event. He made the night very funny. His necklace was very bright, making the back of my eyes look like neon yellow! As for the food, it was great!

I'd like to personally thank Hotel Elizabeth for giving us bloggers a great night. Keep up the good work!

Shalala in the center

When Art Meets Fun: Lakwatsa Restolounge

After a hard day's night, you deserve to unwind in an awesome place. If you love cultural shows, musicals, and the likes, I know a great place you will surely love! This place I know is perhaps the best in Cebu! Lakwatsa Restolounge is the place I am referring to!

On the 5th floor of Engy Tech Building at Hernan Cortes Street in Banilad, Mandaue City, you will be greeted with a Musical Fantasy Dinner Show called Byahe.

Byahe is a Visayan word which means journey. Byahe is a perfect name for their musical performances because every visitor will be amazed by the 25 cultural dancers who will dance their way to your heart!

Feast your eyes on the very talented and enthusiastic 10G Troupers! Every dance performance they feature will make your jaw drop! They add a twist to our local cultural dance. One example is instead of just dancing the tinikling, they add fire dancing to it! Their singers also have powerful vocals! When you add awesome dancing and singing, it is a night that you will never forget!

Directed by: Rudy Aviles

Choreography: Alfie Mosqueda

Music: Nendel Endrina

For bookings and reservations, contact them at (032) 346 2926.

Starting November 14, 2012 there are 4-6 regular weekly shows from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM.

Ticket rates are the following: