Nosetalgia - The Power Of Scent

The best remembrance of memory is when it's locked and connected through certain smell or odor; this can be recalled easily by the mind when that scent comes up again in the future.

Ever wondered how the scent of burning firewood on a cold weather, brings back nostalgia in the days when you put your hands together to get it warmed during the early hours of morning by directly putting your hands closer in the burning fire of the "dalikan" - an Ilokano term for a stove, a hand-made potted clay which is used for heating, cooking, and even warming your face, body, or hands.

My Lola used to wake us up along with my cousins when we were kids as early as 5:00 am during the ber months in our province. She would let us taste the "siggit", a rice soup which was lifted from the vapors of the boiling rice being cooked from the stove.

Alongside the burning firewood in the stove, we would place our hands near it, close enough to warm the chilling morning December breeze.

Dalikan - Stove (image courtesy of Ilokano Ak Facebook)

 

How about the scent of a freshly cut grass? It suddenly transports you back in time when you get to be early going to the school grounds during elementary days, prepping for a flag ceremony - with the fresh feeling of morning dew, smelling the wave of this sharp but fresh smell of grass all around. 

It was indeed reinvigorating - when you suddenly smell this pungent odor of grass, it seemed like you're back in time enjoying the greens and sceneries of non-polluted environment.

There's a plethora of examples in the power of scent -- its ability to trigger emotions and memories, locked up long ago, suddenly bringing it back in a snap, as if you are there in that moment in time again.

This property of scent is so magical that even a vague whiff of certain smells, will evoke a strong visual images in our minds and taking us back to a fond memory - may it be a lulling craving of good-old-days happenings, or some tragical moments in our lives.

According to research, the strong connection of memory to odor is primarily attributed to having access of the central brain structures such as the amygdala and hippocampus, which are involved in regulating emotions and emotional memories. Compared to the other senses, the sense of smell is so potent in activating the brain wires to call these memories tied to specific smells when those memories were made.

So, the next time you want to have a memory imprinted, couple it up with a strong odor -- surely, this will trigger those brain circuits to come rushing alive, transporting you back in time.

--Othello

Charity With Dignity

 

I first came across the phrase "charity with dignity" when I was doing a prospecting session with a Sun Life client. She narrated "Bakit kaya by default, karamihan sa atin ay tumatawad lagi sa  mga nagtitinda sa lansangan, o sa wet market, o sa mga naglalako na nagbabahay-bahay?".

"Bakit hindi natin i-reverse ang sitwasyon at gawing - charity with dignity? 'Yung tatawad ka, na ang unang iniisip natin ay upang makatulong sa mas nakaka-baba sa atin ang buhay. 'Yung scenario na 'sige, bilhin kona lahat itong paninda mo (walang tawad), nang upang matapos na ang iyong pag-babahay-bahay, napaka-init pa naman ng panahon!'".

Subalit sa halos lahat na mga pagkakataon, tulad ng isang Manong na nagbebenta ng mga paninda niyang isda, matapos siyang sumagot ng '120 pesos po per kilo', sa tanong ng isang ale na, 'magkano po kilo Manong?', kaagad-agad, tinatawaran natin, or madalas, ang karamihan ay nagsasabi: 'bibili ako ng tatlong kilo, basta gawin mong 100 pesos kada kilo, mahal masiyado ang 120 per kilo!'.

Malimit, hindi makahindi si Manong, "Sige, bigay ko na sa'yo 100 per kilo, para makabenta ako, kanina pang alas siyete ng umaga nag-iikot ngunit dipa nakakabenta, ikaw ang buena mano kaya, kunin mona".

At dali-dali namang naglabas ng pera para bilhin ang itinawad, sa kadahilanang naniniwala ang tumawad na, nakamura siya sa binili niya kay Manong. Na siya ay naka discount at siya ay nanalo, without realizing  consciously na mas pinahirapan niya ang naglalakong si Manong.

Kinagabihan... ang ale na bumili ng isda ay nakipagkita sa kaniyang mga kaibigan at nagdinner sila sa isang restaurant na mamahalin. Noong bayaran na ng bill, given na maykaya naman talaga siya, nag-initiate siyang bayaran ang bill na 2,200 pesos, at nag-iwan pa ng 200 pesos na tip kahit may service charge na sa resibo.

Ang nais kong ipa-pansin dito ay ang magkaibang behavior ng Ale na tumawad sa paninda ng Manong na babad sa sikat ng araw, hirap sa paglalako at pagbabahay-bahay kumpara sa walang anumang pagbibigay ng tip sa isang restaurant na hindi naman nanghihingi ng tip. Para bang automatic kaagad sa isipan ng Ale, na tumulong sa hindi naman nangangailangan ng tulong.

____

Sana, tuwing nakakatagpo tayo ng mga sitwasyong alam nating mas hirap ang buhay ng kasalamuha natin at patuloy silang kumakayod upang maitawid ang pang-araw araw na pamumuhay, ay maisipan lagi nating tumulong sa kanilang kapakanan. Gawin nating may touch of "charity with dignity". Iyong maging automatic din tayo sa isipang kahit kaunti, makakatulong ako sa taong ito upang mai-angat ang kaniyang kalalagayan sa pamamagitan ng additional effort o mas mataas na pagpapahalaga sa kanilang serbisyo. Ito ay maaring nating gawin by adding more value through tangible payments of their services or whatever they are offering; similar to our example above, o kung hindi naman natin kayang bilhin ang lahat ng paninda nila, mag-dagdag tayo ng additional payment sa binili natin, bilang tulong na rin sa kanilang kalalagayan -- tip natin sa kanila, ito ang tinatawag na Charity with Dignity.

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Taking Care Of Your Physical Well-Being During Summer in The Philippines

 

It's summer in the Philippines. The temperature is breaking records as high as 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 Farenheit) but it feels like 43 degrees -- it's immensely hot!

Taking care of ourselves and our whole being during these critical weather conditions in PH is a form of self-love--it means that you just don't go outside without prepping for the solar burn, not to mention the UV Index so high it could easily damage our eyes under the sun without protection, and bring skin cancer if basking for so long under the sun's rays.

Today I learned that these tips will help:

1. Use a Humidifier: Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier can help increase humidity levels indoors, which can prevent moisture loss from the skin.

   
   

2. Shorter Showers: Long, hot showers can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness. Opt for shorter, lukewarm showers instead.

3. 
   

   Moisturize Regularly: Use a rich, emollient moisturizer immediately after showering or washing your hands to lock in moisture. Look for products containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter, or ceramides, which help to hydrate and repair the skin barrier.

4. 
   

   Avoid Harsh Products: Avoid using harsh soaps or cleansers that can further strip the skin of its natural oils. Opt for gentle, fragrance-free products that are formulated for sensitive or dry skin.

5. 
   

   Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated from the inside out.

   
   

   
   
   

6. Protect Your Skin: Wear protective clothing, such as gloves and scarves, when venturing out into cold or windy weather to protect your skin from harsh environmental conditions.

7. 
   

   Use a Lip Balm: Keep your lips moisturized with a hydrating lip balm to prevent them from becoming dry and chapped.

8. 
   

   Protect Your Eyes/Avoid Overheating: Wear sunglasses at all times, even when driving. Overheated indoor environments can further dry out the air and your skin. Keep indoor temperatures moderate and consider using a humidifier if necessary.

9. 
   

   Choose Moisturizing Ingredients: Look for skincare products that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter, or ceramides, which help to attract and retain moisture in the skin.

10. 
    

    Consider an Overnight Mask: Using an overnight moisturizing mask or a thick layer of moisturizer before bedtime can help replenish moisture levels while you sleep.

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    --Othello

    
    

Tara! Kape Tayo... (Part 2)

 

click here for Part 1

Habang inaantay ko na mahimasmahasan ka sa bugso ng iyong damdamin, dahil sa iyong pag-iyak, napatingin ako sa labas; payapa ang kalsada, may mangilan-ngilang tao na naglalakad at tila baga'y sila man ay payapa din; naisip ko na ilan din kaya sa kanila ang may dinadalang bigat ng kalooban?, na tulad mo -- you shared what you felt, letting it out, tears flowing down your cheeks.

It's my first time actually, na maging witness at involved first hand, in public sa pagpapakita ng emosyon na may kasamang pagyakap at pag-iyak; hindi natin alintana 'yung mga matang palihim na tumitingin sa atin; 'di ko alam kung ang iniisip nila ay, pina-iyak kita o sadyang kino-comfort lang kita; anoman ang nasa isip nila, balewala iyon, ang mahalaga ay nailabas mo ang 'yong saloobin.

_______

Nabasa mo ang istoryang ito (yung Part 1 niya), and you requested profusely for me not go into details anymore about it.

I was about to share some details about "it", kung bakit ka humagulgol ng iyak, but we decided to veil and leave my readers just hanging. Ang sabi ko: "mabibitin sila!, hahaha!". 

"Hayaan mo silang mabitin, sa tingin ko, 'di na nila kailangang malaman pa ang mga detalye ng aking kalungkutan, i hope you respect my request not to publish even a glimpse of it". You mentioned crisply but with impact.

Hindi na ako nakipagpilitan pa, i totally get it --  let's keep it private.

_______

Fast forward to 2024, once in a blue moon na tayo magkita. Ang "Tara Kape Tayo" ay madalang pa sa ulan tuwing tag-araw -- as if it's never going to happen. Sa iMessage nalang tayo nag-uusap, at least we get to catch up and share memes, laughing out loud with the mundane things of what's in and what's out.

Unang linggo ng March 2024, naalala ko nag-aya ka -- gusto mong pumunta tayo sa Tagaytay, magkape sa Twin Lakes o kung saan man may view ng Taal, "somewhere intimate at wala masiyado tao", ang sabi mo. However, I wasn't available - during that time, kasagsagan ng paghahanda ng BNH (a church, week-long preparation).

"It's alright, next time nalang". Eto ang mga huli mong wika.

"I hope to see you by April na". Reply ko.

To my surprise... I received your iMessage out of the blue: "Asan ka?, Tara! Kape Tayo!"

At dali ko naman na tinawagan ka, and just like that- in a quick snap of the fingers, we agreed to meet, upang pag-usapan ang mga bagay-bagay na gumugulo sa iyong isipan. "Ano kaya ang mga iyon?" tanong ko sa aking sarili, habang nag-drive papunta sa Tagaytay.

(itutuloy...)

- Othello

Monday at Tagaytay

Maging Listo at Buo ang Loob: Two Traits We Must Possess In These Last Days

April 6, 2024 Saturday | English Worship Service

As I was listening earlier in the preaching of Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, two phrases emerged with emphasis, these two phrases were repeatedly mentioned, not only as a statement, but being of a declarative form and being a command in nature.

1. Maging listo at

2. Buo ang loob.

The message is to use these two traits to ensure that the devil cannot gain victory no matter how small. It is our duty to always be on guard and not let the enemy sneak upon us - - because it is always prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

Researching the meaning of "listo", it's akin to "mapagmatyag", smart, always on the lookout... dahil ang ahas ay tuso; gaya ng ginawa niyang pandaraya sa sinaunang tao-- Eba at Adan. Diba't alam nila ang utos ng Diyos? -- na puede silang kumain ng alinmang bunga ng puno sa halamanan ng Eden maliban lamang sa bunga ng isang puno sa gitna niyaon. And yet, despite their knowledge of the truth and God's command, Eve was deceived by Satan, she was hoodwinked (nabola) by casting doubt and creating an imaginary pleasurable aftermath if she eats the fruit, eventually entangling Adan by giving and letting him eat as well.

This encounter is truly simple in nature, in a quick snap, the husband and wife got devoured by the temptation and trick of the devil. Hence, the command -- "maging listo", we should be smart, quick to decipher that the enemy is playing tricks already against us; and we must be able to stop it, be steadfast to stand our ground and let God's commands and counsel emerge victorious. 

We must be always sober and be alert, for in this way, we get to ensure that there's no space for the enemy to lure us, tempt us, or cast doubt in our mind.

We must remember to fight for our faith... "makilabang may pagsusumikap, ipakipaglaban ang pananampalataya ng buong tapang at buo ang loob", because this is our "passes" in reaching the Holy Land. For if we fail and get defeated, it's the same as saying "here on earth, we are already experiencing sorrows, tribulations, and pain; do we allow further to experience the same in the next life to come?"

The choice if is yours to take.

Who doesn't want to be saved? It's a rhetorical question.

___

With abundance in love, Brother Eduardo repeatedly mentioned in his preaching how much he loves us. "Mahal ko Kayo", was said twice, thrice or even on the fourth time-- highlighting the need for us to do what is expected of us, in order reach and gain the greatest reward, a reward that cannot be measured because it's far beyond compare, that is-- to live in heaven for eternity.

--billymacdeus