On presidential kissers

WHEN I read about a lady awardee suddenly hugging President Aquino and planting a kiss on his cheeks during awarding ceremonies in the Palace, I was reminded of similar incidents with former President Arroyo.

We were in Glan, South Cotabato inaugurating a one-stop shop for Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) facilities as gateway to our BIMP-EAGA trade route with neighboring Indonesia and Pres. GMA came to personally welcome the arrival of the first Indonesian trading vessel with goods and businessmen and political leaders.

Standing at the foot of the gangplank of the Indon vessel, PGMA personally met them and shook hands with everyone.

When the Indonesian mayor of the Sangir-Talaud group stepped down, the president extended her hand in handshake. The gentleman visitor reached out and received her handshake and instinctively lunged forward to plant a kiss or buzz the president' cheeks. It was so sudden but the alert lady PSG moved forward and blocked the mayor's face and aborted a presidential kiss.

Of course, it was so fast that only a few of us within a foot away saw what happened. The Indon mayor looked shaken but recovered quickly when the president engaged him in a light banter. As if nothing happened.

In this recent case of President Aquino, it's either the PSG elements were slow or sleeping on their jobs or it was something that the President relished and welcomed and preferred not to abort.

But it's good copy for the quick lensmen who caught the act and froze it for posterity. These are presidential moments worth remembering.

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BOMBSHELL. I am reading a new book entitled "Bombshell" by Suzanne Somers, a 65-year-old American author who has gone through the worse in her life and how she navigated her various health crisis. She was a breast cancer patient and who survived. In fact, her cancer-stricken breasts were totally removed. Thanks to stem cell treatment, her breasts were fully restored. The wonders of alternative medicine. Breasts lost to cancer can be regrown, according to Suzzane. The book is described as disclosing "explosive medical secrets that will redefine aging."

According to her book and the doctors who served as resource persons, the bottom line reason for health problems is acidity in the body. Being acidic is caused by what the body takes like food, the environment and stress, among others.

An acidic body is where sickness like cancer and other ailments thrive. Alkaline water, fresh vegetables not sprayed with pesticides and other organic food will do the trick.

One of the topics in the book is about aging. Due to the onset of diseases and today's lifestyle, many are slowly wasting their lives, especially the remaining few years in pain or in great discomfort and agony. Not only of the person concerned but including their relatives.

There are many advancements in medical science now where many elders even now look forward to reaching 100 years old or more.

Aside from being mindful of one's lifestyle, getting the right food and availing of new ways like stem cell or hormone therapy or alternative medicine can be the answer.

There is confidence now that within the next 10 years, a revolutionary way of reversing aging will become common. Many other advancements are mentioned in the book. Very interesting! And mind-boggling! The 2012 edition is in the bookstore. No, I don't get a commission for those sales.

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CATHOLIC VOTE. The only way the Catholic church can convince some political leaders to listen to them on matters that the Catholic church considers as issues that have basic moral bearings or issues of faith is to muster enough votes and swing those votes for or against election candidates during election time.

The church’s official position on the RH bill is unequivocal. It's about time that the church comes out openly and campaigns against those who vote "yes."

I know the hesitance of some church leaders on transcending the moral to the political. But this may have to be necessary in swaying one way or the other political decisions that will affect the catholic faithful on clear moral issues like the RH bill.

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THE DALAI LAMA. The venerable Dalai Lama of Tibet was asked one day what surprised him most about humanity. His answer: "Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices the money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then he dies having never really lived."

Please read this again and again until it sinks in.

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PHILEX MINING. The way Philex Mining is handling the recent report of “leak" from its mine site in Padcal, Benguet may be a good example of how a responsible mining company values and takes care of the environment. It is showing with great transparency how such an incident caused by heavy rains does not endanger the immediate surroundings, the community, the environment today and of course, the future.

Philex Bossman Manny" MVP" Pangilinan has shown a track record of being a no-nonsense businessman who looks seriously at his responsibility and corporate obligation to his fellowman.

But I expect the anti-mining sector will go to town and attack the company for endangering the lives of the people. I will not be surprised.