Nuts over coco

The coconut has long been dubbed as the “wonder tree” or even the “tree of life” because of the many healing properties being attributed to the fruit. Coconut water especially generated renewed interest after President Noy’s visit to the United States last September, with US beverage manufacturer Vita Coco partnering with local company AgriNurture Inc. to build a production facility in Camarines Sur. As a matter of fact, the Philippine Coconut Authority reported a 315 percent jump for coco water exports in the first six months this year, with Americans reportedly the biggest consumers for coconut water, which has become the most popular – and natural – energy drink today.

No one doubts the huge potential that coconut trees can contribute to the economy, considering that the Philippines is said to be the world’s top exporter of coconut products. But a more important reason why a lot of people are going “loco over coco” has to do with the medical benefits of the wonder fruit as a cure and remedy for various ailments such as diabetes through coconut sugar.

Over the years, a lot of so-called sugar alternatives meant for diabetics have been introduced into the market but unfortunately, the accompanying side effects – belatedly discovered, one might say – have made these alternatives more deadly with one brand reported to have carcinogenic substances. Not so with coconut sugar – which is derived from freshly harvested coconut sap and is 100 percent all natural. What’s more, nutrients in coco sugar have been shown to lower cholesterol and boost the immune system.

One of the companies making a lot of headway in coconut sugar is Los Ricos Compania of Harry Liu with the Coco Natura brand. Harry tells me his Coco Natura is “proudly 100 percent Filipino owned and produced,” with ISO-certified packaging, making it one of the “sweetest” products there ever is for people with a sweet tooth. Levity aside however, close to 300 million people are suffering from diabetes and the number is expected to reach 438 million by 2030. Worse, more than 50 percent of people worldwide are unaware that they have diabetes. In the Philippines, about 3.5 million people are diagnosed with diabetes and that number does not even include those who are unaware that they have the disease.

Complications from diabetes have made it essential for restaurants and chefs to be innovative and more conscious of healthy alternatives in their offerings, which is why establishments such as Cibo, Café Bola, Via Mare and many others are using Coco Natura. Considering that this is the season for merry making with all those parties and celebrations, coco sugar is certainly sweet news especially for diabetics because I understand they can take it without worrying about the spike in their blood sugar levels.

Iligan disaster: ‘I told you so’

A local businessman based in Iligan could not believe the devastation wrought by tropical storm Sendong, with more than 600 killed and over 135,000 people displaced in several areas in Northern Mindanao. As of this writing, hundreds of decomposing bodies in both Iligan and Cagayan de Oro – the two cities most affected by the storm – would have to be buried in shallow graves to prevent diseases, not to mention the stench, from spreading. Filipinos can only watch and listen in horror at the heartbreaking tales of men, women and children being dragged helplessly by the rampaging flood waters. According to several eye witness accounts, one of the most terrible sights were that of two very pregnant women who perished while apparently giving birth, with the head of the dead infants protruding from their bodies.

While it may be true that the devastation was partly caused by the refusal of the people to heed warnings from PAG-ASA and other agencies about the potential flooding, our businessman friend said the main culprit was the unbridled illegal logging particularly in Lanao del Norte, the mother province of Iligan, with a big portion of the watersheds and forest cover already denuded in Northern Mindanao. He has been hearing stories about illegal logging activities and passing the information to concerned authorities. Rumors also have it that corrupt local government officials as well as military and DENR officers are in cahoots with these unscrupulous loggers, making it easy to sneakily transport hundreds of thousands of board feet of logs to sawmills and other wood processing plants. Well, it would seem the rumors are true, but the businessman is not happy at the thought that he now has an opportunity to say, “I told you so.”

Logs and uprooted trees were carried by the floodwaters, and residents could only watch in shock as huge timbers pounded their houses. Despite President Noynoy Aquino’s issuance of Executive Order 23 that put all logging activities on hold plus the creation of a task force to combat illegal logging, it would seem that illegal logging activities are still rampant. The tragedy in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro are just grim reminders of what illegal logging can do – and President Noy should go after those responsible and make them accountable for this devastation.

Spy tidbit

–– Oplan Sagip Iligan: La Sallians from LS Academy Iligan are calling on fellow Filipinos to help the victims of Tropical Storm Sendong by way of cash gifts or donations instead of goods or clothes due to time constraints and logistical concerns. Every peso anyone can spare will go a long way. You may direct your gifts/donations to the DBP account of La Salle Academy with account number 0820-016221-030. For donation reconciliation and acknowledgement, donors must advise LSA or their DLSAA by faxing deposit details to +6325240503 or email the information to [email protected].

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