The benefits of Moringa; Upsilon batch turns 50

Moringaling Philippines Foundation Inc. will  host the 1st International Symposium on Moringa (ISM2015) on Nov.  15-18 at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, in partnership with the International Society for Horticultural Science, based in Belgium, and the Asian Vegetable Center in Taiwan. Scientists from the United States, Mexico, Israel. Thailand, Austria, Saudi Arabia and Thailand will present their own  clinical studies on the efficacy of the Moringa plant.

Earlier, on Nov. 10-12, the Natural Products Expo Manila will  showcase local and international products using all natural ingredients or materials, at the Mega Trade Hall 1. On  opening day, the 6th National Moringa Congress will be held with an expected attendance of 500 delegates consisting of  farmers, producers, manufacturers and consumers  with an interest in the personal and business benefits of Moringa, locally known as malunggay.

More details on these events may be found on www.moringaling.net. Entrance fee to the exhibit is P50,  while seminar fee is P1,500. For inquiries, contact Luz Domingo 0917-8960624.

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One of the sessions at the international symposium will focus on the study “Potential Medicinal Value of Moringa Oleifera” to be presented by  Jed Fahey, Katherine K. Stephenson and Kristina Wade from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

In explaining the abstract, Ked Fahey says the prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases has in the last 30 years overtaken treatment of the scourges of starvation and a variety of infectious and communicable diseases as an urgent health priority in much of the world.  Edible plant-based (dietary) approaches for prevention seek to impede, block, or even reverse the early stages in disease progression, including the molecular pathways involved in its initiation. “The use of a food-centered approach to prevention can be sustainably applied in underserved populations, as well as in the personalized medicine that is catching on in wealthier countries.” In fact, we cannot afford not to adapt our approaches, says Fahey.

Anecdotes abound which suggest that Moringa oleifera is an indication for a variety of medical conditions, says Fahey.  However,  “unscrupulous profiteers exploit the placebo effect (i.e. the fact that one  out of  three  people taking a given preparation, extract, juice, or capsule for the treatment of a condition will report that the condition got better or changed, as a result of taking that preparation).”  Fahey discourages the promotion of such  spurious claims of efficacy.

He says that  scientists interested in Moringa are doing themselves and society a disservice if they let this unscrupulous behavior taint what clearly is an extraordinary plant that has great medicinal and nutritional potential if used “appropriately.” By “appropriately” means consuming modest amounts of the leaves and/or seedpods in a balanced diet, or supplementing protein-poor diets with Moringa. “ More concentrated preparations enriched in specific components or phytochemicals, by-and-large do still require additional clinical evidence, but if we approach it rationally and promote and fund high quality, scientifically rigorous studies, this will come in good time.”

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Batch 1965 of Upsilon Sigma Phi celebrates its 50 years of existence with a month-long calendar of  activities culminating with a dinner-dance at Alabang Country Club on Saturday, Oct. 24, with the theme, “It Was A Very Good Year.”

The celebration kicked off with the  bi-annual golf tournament called “Bangkaw sa  Mindanao” held in Davao City last week. This year’s tournament was called the 1st Don Ramon T.Y. Garcia II Memorial Cup, in honor of the late Ramon “Sonny” Garcia, a Davao resident and prime mover of Batch 1965.

The Oct. 24 activity will feature 80 photographs of Upsilon members  and Sigma Delta Phi sorority sisters from the 1960s to the present.

Ray Orozco is chair of the Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association; top public relations specialist Tong Puno is “the effervescent Mad Man, the 3rd in the trio behind the multi-awarded TBWA/SMP, and Noy Dyliaco is the Upsilon centennial chair.

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 “Marami ng makabayan. Marami ang pwedeng magsabi na makabayan sila. Pero iilan lang ang tunay na makabayan na handang ibuwis ang kanilang buhay para sa kanilang bayan.” - Heneral Luna

Those words were spoken by General Antonio Luna, which I loosely translate with my Visayan understanding, as ,”There are many who claim to be nationalistic.  But only a few are truly nationalistic, ready to give their lives for their country.”

Those words spring in the hearts and minds of  residents of Sariaya, Quezon, as they watch the diminution  of historical edifices, the park and church  building along Heneral Luna street  in the historic town due to the road-widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Endangered  are the Natalio Enriquez Ancestral House designed in 1931 by Andres Luna de San Pedro, son of the famous painter Juan Luna; the art deco municipal hall designed by Juan Arellano (who was also the architect of the  Metropolitan Theater at the Manila Central Post Office), the municipal park built in 1748, and the old buildings along Heneral Luna Street.

A Sariaya Heritage Council  petition letter asking for signatories opposing what’s being done in the municipality is headlined, “Heneral Luna, nilalapastangan ang  Sariaya.”

According to our sources, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts interposed its objection to the plan of DPWH, issuing as it did a Cease and Desist Order last March. Three round-table discussions were held  between the DPWH, the local government of Sariaya,  the Dakilang Pamana ng Lahi, and owners of heritage houses. Discussed at the meetings to determine “loading and unloading bays” where  excavated and construction materials would be placed in order to avoid the defacement of heritage houses and old town streetscapes protected by Republic Act 10066.

Despite the NCCA’s Cease and Desist Order and other  moves, DPWH and LA Clamor Corporation continue their excavation activities. Their action, according to our sources , blatantly ignores the culture, identity, and historical significance of the town of Sariaya.

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Incidentally, my hubby and I  were a few remaining  actually non-movie goers who decided to watch the film “Heneral Luna”. It was like if we did not see the film, we were missing one half of our lives.  So we went, and  were impressed by the portrayal of the life of the bemustached general whose role in the fight against the Spanish and later American conquistadores was eclipsed by  the national focus on Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio. He was the fiery, cussing, truly nationalistic hero portrayed by John Arcilla in the film directed by multi-talented  Jerrold Tarrog.

The film naturally concentrated on the war strategies of Luna, who had a doctorate in pharmacy in Paris,  his  doctoral thesis on malaria, and who was the first person to conduct environmental science studies and on forensic science, studying how human blood could be used as evidence when investigating crimes. In Manila, he opened a fencing club, and that was when his eyes were opened to the imperative  of fighting, despite scant military and human resources,  the enemy.

Jerrold must have failed to notice that the captions on the screen were too small they could hardly be read.

But watching the film was a great experience, and I expect the obra maestra to win whatever awards there are for best actor, film and director.

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