Say NO to Genetic Engineering

I had one of the most insightful evenings with the ever idealistic Greenpeace staff. And maybe in the coming years I will also be one of them sharing and imparting their knowledge to our volunteers. Well, it has been my undying passion to contribute something to the environment. I have been writing several environmental stories but this time I just don’t want to sit on my chair and focus myself in pieces of paper to convert my idealistic ideas to manuscripts and readable articles.

Last night, our staff in Greenpeace oriented us about the campaigns we are currently pushing through: STOP CLIMATE CHANGE; ELIMINATE TOXIC CHEMICALS; and SAY NO TO GENETIC ENGINEERING. Among the three, genetic engineering took my attention and interest. Well, climate change and toxic waste campaigns are typically normal. I mean the people are well informed about these campaigns since most of our PSAs, documentaries, writeups etc. nowadays focus on these topics. But what about genetic engineering?

It’s not your Virtua Fighter or Street Fighter cloning process. Though it has something to do with genes, DNAs and other related stuff, it has been another transmogrification to our technological breakthrough. But have you ever imagined eating tomatoes with the genes of a fish? How about corn with bacterial genes or soybeans with built-in herbicides? What if you have eaten a vegetable with the genes of a food you are allergic to? Are there health and environmental implications? There are so many questions over your head that form like a halo.

To give you a brief explanation of what genetic engineering is all about, here’s the definition of it from www.safe-food.org.

Genetic engineering is a laboratory technique used by scientists to change the DNA of living organisms.

Since DNA is the blueprint for the individuality of an organism, the features of the original test sample will be altered upon transmission of other genes from other test samples (other species). I’ll give you a more specific example. Tomatoes are not advisable to be planted near the winter season because they become hard and inedible. Thus, genes from a fish can be transmitted to the tomatoes to remain fresh even in extreme coldness. At first glance, this might look exciting to some people. But deeper consideration reveals serious dangers.

Benefit to Farmers

It’s inevitable to have farmers who whole-heartedly accepted this technology. For example, a farmer who planted genetically modified corn seedlings can have higher yield because the corn would be pest resistant unlike the conventional way of farming which gives farmers inconvenience whenever pests start to destroy their crops. Of course, if you are the farmer you prefer the more effective way.

Risks Involved

Greenpeace is not totally against the “science.” WE are against the release of this technology to agricultural purposes. There are no lab tests yet to prove that it does not harm people’s health. OUR concern is... why release something to the market and let the people consume it without scientific basis of its safety? We cannot risk the lives of the people.

Greenpeace Advocacy

Greenpeace is in the forefront of the campaign to oppose the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the environment. Greenpeace insists that because the technology is very new and imprecise, the potential ill effects on public health and on the environment are still widely unknown. The truth is no one knows for sure how these new man-made creations will affect life on planet Earth. Therefore, because there is still no scientific consensus as to long-term impact, and in accordance with the precautionary principle, it is best that no releases of GMOs into the environment be allowed.

This technology must be approached with great caution and more study! Releasing GMOs into the environment could have lasting effects that we cannot yet even imagine.

Think About It

This is not a simple issue. Let me end this with what had been published in Washington Times: “Genetic engineering is like performing heart surgery with a shovel. Scientists do not yet understand living systems completely enough to perform DNA surgery without creating mutations which could be harmful to the environment and our health. They are experimenting with very delicate, yet powerful forces of nature, without full knowledge of the repercussions.”

Yellow Antidote

I wasn’t able to vote in the recent national elections, a regret that is still scourging my mind. Well, apparently it was a result of laziness I had during the registration of voters. But still, my bet President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III made it to the tallest chair.

I became a big supporter of the Aquino family because of my mom’s stories who witnessed how Filipinos suffered from Marshall Law. My support doesn’t stop from posting a yellow ribbon sticker on our car’s windshield, following blogs pertaining to Noynoy’s works and persuading others to believe that Noynoy is our next saving grace. I know he will compensate our previous president’s shortcomings.

Though a lot of people are still questioning his ability to run a nation, his integrity, molded by his parents, and the support given in every respect by most Filipinos will help him perform his duties and responsibilities. Now no one can say he looks weird. He is just probably gifted.





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photo from Google images

Learning real lessons from real people

I had a chance to have a worthy conversation with Bernard, who is now my friend. He is really an eye-catcher with good looks and intimidating posture. But he almost killed himself three years ago thinking that he's useless. His girlfriend left him and his family once neglected him. He believed that living started to crash him part by part. But he found God. He met a pastor who introduced him to Christ. Yes, he knew Christ before but he never allowed Him to fully control his heart. But everything abruptly changed. He learned to live again, to offer his life to Jesus, to appreciate the people around him and to keep going on. He is blind but he is sure enough his life has now a purpose.

"Jesus is in my heart and He speaks to me."
-Bernard

Open your eyes and vice versa

There are some people who pay much for their gym sessions, gadgets, cosmetics, spa services etc. Pero sa pagbili ng isang bible worth P250 hirap na hirap na sila. There's nothing wrong to acquire those things pero remember according to the Bible, God is searching for your internal beauty, not the external. You can invest on the external but invest more on the internal. If you die, you can't bring all those material things with you.

2 Corinthians 4:18 says "For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

All we need is to have a closer relationship with God. Reading the Bible helps us to achieve it as we get to know, understand and apply the word of our LORD. GOD BLESS EVERYONE. :)

The Ultimate Rock Experience

I missed Catanduanes, the food, the hospitality of Catandungans and most especially the pristine beaches and stunning mountain ranges. The island province has a lot to offer to backpackers who want to relax and spend their wee days from the hustle-and-bustle urban living. And talking about these fantastic places, there’s this paradise hiding in the southwestern tip of the island.

The Twin Rock Resort, a white beach cove in Igang, is definitely one of the reasons why the island province is being visited by heap of tourists from various parts of the Philippines and other countries.

I have never been to Boracay but at the very moment I stepped on the enticing shore, I immediately loved the place. I realized there is this wonderful tourist destination of ours reminiscent of Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay.

The beach is very pristine. Apparently the place is maintained to be clean and visitor-friendly. By paying just a small amount, your entire stay in Twin Rock would really be a remarkable one. There are a lot of activities you can do inside. There is one kiddie and one adult pool if you prefer not to swim in the beach water, a beach volleyball sand court which is inseparable when it comes to extreme summer getaway, restaurants to enjoy variety of foods, a diving zone for diving enthusiasts, a massage area for complete relaxation, rooms for rent for overnight staying, beach motors to fully enjoy the entirety of the resort and seaside cottages facing the crystal clear water. I can literally say, “It’s bluer than blue.”
If it's low-tide, the tourists can go to the 'twin rocks' (as what they say, because of the two huge rocks adjacent to each other) and see a "paradise" hiding at the back of the rocks. There are high rock walls and peculiar marine species.
Folks in the town said that the larger rock has a huge hole on top of it, just like a volcano. But they ensured me there's no lava inside. They didn't know what's inside cause' nobody ever attempted to go down and check it out. There was also an old man living on top of it raising goats.

Also, in the diving portion, I also discovered that it's a small trench. There's a steep-sided depression in the ocean floor. I tried to dive under but I couldn't go more than 10 feet.

When the water reached the farthest ebb of the tide, we immediately went to the 'twin rock.' We were able to cross the shallow water (but if it's high-tide, you cannot cross it because the water is above eight feet I think.) I was amazed by the scenery I saw. It's like a paradise. Aside from the high rock walls and marine species living there, there were small caves, unspoiled water and relaxing sound of waves. I also saw the vastness of the Pacific Ocean that made me forget the clutters of the environment I temporarily left.

Amenia Beach, Palawig, Catanduanes

The Amenia Beach can be found in Palawig, Catanduanes. The water is really, really clear with fewer underwater plants so you can step on the sand comfortably. Just be careful with the tiny crabs underwater. I noticed some small holes on the sand. I thought the holes were dug by water snakes. These crabs make the holes to escape from sudden danger. Speaking of water snakes, I saw some in the water. But they're not as dangerous as what we see in the fields. I also saw some small red plants on the sea ground. If you step on those red plants, they'll vanish. I just don't know the mystery behind it. :) I think I still have to ask Kuya Kim first.

I loved the sand. It's like what I've seen in Alibuyod Beach in Guimaras when I visited the place. The entire place is tranquil. You can see monkeys, sea birds, mangrove swamps, starfish and other marine species that you couldn't see at the Ocean Park. I found a starfish while I was having my walk across the seashore. I used to see various starfish from my father. He used to collect and take them home. I remembered the yellow one he brought from Malaysia and the the violet starfish with pink lining I saw in front of our home in Brunei. But what I saw in Amenia was different. It's bigger and it looked like a kiddie toy I used to play with in our bathtub. I really wanna go back there in the near future and bring my friends. It was such a great, great experience!

The Distant Land of My Father: Catanduanes

It all began when my brother bought me a plane ticket as a graduation gift. I really knew it would be a great summer vacation. It has been two years since the last time I visited my father's hometown, Virac, Catanduanes. I missed the food and the hospitality of Catandungans. When we arrived there, we immediately visited my relatives in Santa Cruz and Santa Elena. I found out that most of them now live in Canada and the United States. I also joined their annual Virac Procession and followed our family's own sacred figure, the Dolorosa. The people are still traditional and conservative. On the next day, we went to Kemji Resort and Restaurant. The place is just few blocks away from the Virac Airport. The place is good for backpackers after a long trip and to those who don't have a place to stay in Virac. I love the Black Forest Frappuccino reminiscent of Red Ribbon's frappe specialty. My experience in Catanduanes is really one of a kind. I really have the desire to travel across the country and see the beauty of each province.