What Happened?

• DSWD to provide assistance to drivers affected by the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) Inquirer
• BFAR reported four areas have exceeded the permissible limit for Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP), commonly known as toxic red tide Philstar
• LTO launched a hotline for complaints about traffic violations as well as online scams Inquirer
• COA released report that officials of the BSP were the top highest paid officials in 2023 Philstar
• DENR documented encounters with elusive bird species associated with the fictional "Ibon Adarna" and two different species of squirrels in Mount Apo Natural Park (MANP) Philstar
• LTFRB said there is no basis to implement a fare hike for public utility vehicles (PUVs) despite the ongoing PUV modernization program Inquirer
• DOH said dengue infections have increased in the Cordillera within a four-month span Inquirer
• PhilSA issues advisory on debris from China rocket launch; expected to fall 123 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc and 55 nautical miles from Panay Island in Catanduanes GMA News
• DMW to recruit 100 Filipino caregivers for work in South Korea GMA News

World

• Japan unveils world’s first 6G device that’s 20x faster than 5G Inquirer
• China launched an uncrewed lunar mission that aims to bring back samples from the far side of the moon for the first time CNN
• Philippines slides down two spots to place 134th out of 180 countries in this year's World Press Freedom Index Philstar
• Scientists observed an orangutan applying medicinal herbs to a face wound in an apparently successful attempt to heal an injury, the first time such behavior has been recorded Philstar
• Nepal’s Supreme Court has ordered the government to limit the number of mountaineering permits issued for Everest and other peaks Inquirer
• Philippines and South Korea set to ratify free trade pact this year Inquirer

Extra

• How Anxiety Traps Us, and How We Can Break Free Harvard Business Review
• What’s a “vent buddy” and where do we get one? Scout
• How do I stop living paycheck to paycheck? Vox
• Why every millennial should try out meditation Scout
• How to Stop Obsessing Over Your Mistakes Harvard Business Review
• A Pasay Local's Guide to Shopping, Dining, Chilling at Cartimar Spot
• Why Your Breakfast Should Start with a Vegetable Yahoo
• The bitter realities of Filipino coffee farmers F&B Report
• If you’re scared of adulthood, here’s some advice from Honne Scout
• “Maria Clara” is not always the best definition of Filipinas Preen
• Movies, series showing this May 2024 Philstar

Note: Links were removed for this post as reddit seems to disable the post with lots of links. For news with link sources, you may read today's newsletter here

Thanks for reading Kape at Balita! Subscribe on my email newsletter for free for daily relevant news

There was a recent post here about someone who feels insecure about her huge breasts. I just want to vent out how I’m on the other side of things. Another literal “off my chest”.
I’m a tall woman of 5’9 but had small boobs when I was younger. I think I was an A cup. Because the size of my breasts were not proportional to my built, I experienced a lot of bullying and hurtful words, some even came from the women in my family - my own mum, sisters and aunts! And so I grew up thinking something was wrong with my body, and I had to do something to correct it.
Fast forward to a few years and I was able to afford a breast augmentation here in Australia. I thought I was finally doing something that my body needed. I thought that I was doing it for myself, but now I realize that was a lie- It was really because I wanted others to accept me and finally perceive me as “beautiful”.
All was well and good for several years. Had a good job, got married, had kids and even moved for good here in the Land Down Under. And then all of a sudden my health took a quick downturn 12 years after getting my implants.
I was out-of-the-blue losing my hair! As in everywhere I go, I leave a trail of hair behind! Parang akong asong nag sshed ng fur! 🥲 At first, it was just from my head, but slowly I was losing eyebrows and eyelashes too. A dermatologist said that it’s all because of genetics and me getting older even though I’m just in my mid-30’s and that none of my family members had male or female pattern baldness. I was given some strong medications too.
And then sumunod na yung other health issues. I was suddenly…

1. Having a lot of leg cramps. I had it even in daytime but mostly when I was asleep that I’d wake up from it.
2. I’m often having watery diarrhoea for no reason at all! Sometimes, my stools were even bloody. I was so scared I thought I had can***!!!
3. My blood pressure was always normal but then it was suddenly very high! My resting heart rate was super high as well, again for no reason at all. My GP was so worried that he referred me to a cardiologist. 💔
4. I’d wake up many times at night because my whole body was shaking and my heartbeat was really fast. Yung parang tumakbo ako sa marathon pero natutulog lang naman ako. 🤷🏻‍♀️
5. My joints were achy (as in d ako makaluhod dahil ang sakit ng knees ko). I was getting inflammation all over my body and it’s very evident on my face to the point people were asking me if I was okay because my face looked like a balloon.
6. No matter how I try, I cannot lose weight. Losing weight was never a problem for me before since I’m very athletic. It seems like my body is holding on to all the inflammation.

On top of all that is the mysterious hair loss that never got solved with oral minoxdil and spirolactone (medications for alopecia). Even my doctors were bewildered on what was happening to me because every tests and scans that we did all came back normal. My bloodwork, thyroid, hormones, etc were all okay. And although I was experiencing many symptoms of autoimmune diseases, my tests came back negative for it.
And so when I heard about my own patients and celebrities having their implants removed (like Ellen Adarna and Michelle Madrigal, etc), it got my curiosity and I researched about breast implant safety. And lo and behold, every symptom that I have was on the list of BREAST IMPLANT ILLNESS.
After a long discussion with my doctors - General Practitioner, Endocrinologist, Cardiologist, Gastroenterologist, Dermatologist, and a naturopath - (thank God nasa country akong may universal healthcare! 😮‍💨) - we all decided it’s best for me to have my implants removed. My naturopath explained na my body could be in distress already. That it is now signalling that those foreign things, my implants, have got to go… and that they might be even leaking already! 😭 A few months after searching for a good plastic surgeon, I was able to have my explant + total capsulectomy. Awa naman ng Diyos, my implants were intact. 🙏🏼 I feel so blessed that I have a husband who supported my decision, and who loves me no matter what the size of my breasts are. ❤️
But not so much for others. When I told people about my experience thinking I was doing them good by warning them, madaming nagalit at na offend sa akin. How could I say daw that my implants did that to me? That I was delusional to even think that implants are not safe, and it was my fault anyway for being insecure and doing that to my body. Some even accused me of lying and inventing my symptoms. 😔 I explained how my doctors tried to treat me for two years and nothing happened, so sila na nag suggest na to have them removed. I didn’t come to that decision alone and if they only knew how I’ve always wanted to have big and perfect boobies! 😭
I’m a few months post-op and although I noticed that I’m healing, my journey to healing is not a quick one. I never imagined how trying to “fix myself” could have serious consequences after several years. I sometimes worry for my kids whom I’ve breastfed with implants. 😩 As a medical professional myself, I can’t believe how implants were even allowed in the first place. Specially after learning how many questionable chemicals are in them - something that wasn’t taught to us in medical school.
I’m now continuing to see a naturopath who’s helping me continue to heal. I will go back to my dermatologist too because although my hair is now growing I still have some hair loss. My other symptoms are slowly going away too. No more achy joints, inflammation, watery diarrhoea, bloody stools, etc. Needless to say, I will never change my body again just to gain approval from other people. I’m now down to a full B to a small cup C, a lot smaller than with implants but I’m happy because I’m starting to lose weight too. I’m now teaching my own kids never to allow someone to comment rude things about their bodies, that they are perfect the way they are, and to never comment negatively on other people’s bodies! Because when words cut it cuts deep. 🥲
I now seriously and strongly believe that us women are beautiful just the way we are.
I just wanted to let this off my chest because my experience made me scared and depressed for years that it almost cost me my job. I also can’t remember how many times I’ve cried out of worry. I’m unsure of what will happen in the future, but all I know is that I will never put anything inside my body anymore. Nevermind nang maliit basta healthy!!! 💪🏻
And as for breast implants? I now have this “joke” that ‘only wish it for my enemies’ … if you get what I mean!!!
Edited to add: I had my implants done in Australia, and it is the "premium" kind of implants - a cohesive silicone. There is no "lower end" kind of implants here.
Final Edit: Just in case hindi ko na masagot ang future messages about my post, I will write down the answers to the questions that were asked to me via private message:
1) I had my symptoms 12 years after having my implants. For two years doctors tried to heal me and all efforts failed. I had my implants for a total of 14 years.
2) Again, no... this is not silicone oil or some cheap implants. I paid a lot of money for them and I went to a very known and reputable surgeon. However, I had to go to the different surgeon to have them removed. Hindi lahat ng plastic surgeons ay nagtatanggal ng implants, and not all doctors believe in BII. I had both my implant and explant surgeries done here in Australia.
3) I learned about BII from this website https://www.healingbreastimplantillness.com/ And I also joined the FB Group "Breast Implant Illness and Healing by Nicole" There also a lot of websites and FB groups that educate about BII, but I believe that these are the top sites.
4) To those who are considering to have their implants removed: The surgery you are looking for is EN BLOC CAPSULECTOMY or TOTAL or COMPLETE CAPSULECTOMY (eto yung surgery ko). It's very important na tanggalin din yung scar tissue hindi lang yung implants. And yes, mas mahal magpatanggal kaysa magpa lagay ng implants because removing them is more complicated. For more info visit this site: https://www.albertandresmd.com/blog/en-bloc-vs-capsulectomy/
5) Yes, it is true na pwede magka cancer because of implants. Thankfully, I never had it. It is called - Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma or BIA-ALCL. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21078-bia-alcl
6) Since I was okay for 12 years did I ever regret having my boobs done after I got sick? Yes, very much so! Had I known na my breast size will increase anyway because of pregnancy, breast feeding and weight gain hindi na lang sana ako nagpa gawa! 😭
THANK YOU FOR WELL WISHES!!! GOD BLESS US ALL!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Bigla ko nalang naalala na may napanood akong pelikula years ago when I was still a kid during Semana Santa. From what I can remember, the cast is a bunch of kids trying to escape (?) I also remember na the Ibong Adarna is involved with the plot pero ung cast ng Ibong Adarna ay nakapunta sa modern times and the kids were trying their best to find the bird ata ??? May scene pa dun na merong naiputan and naging bato HAHAHA Idk if baka panaginip ko lang ba to or wala ba talagang ganitong film?? Pero I’m pretty sure na napanood ko yun eh.
Please help… hindi po ako makatulog kakaisip kasi I want to rewatch it.

Ok, so I just had an epiphany while at work. In addition to said epiphany, I am just working this out in my head.
Ibong Adarna - Is a colorful magical bird in Pilipino Folklore, often associated with what we know as the Phoenix. Both Meaning Hope and Rebirth.
I do not find it coincidence that Andarna's name is awfully close to that of the bird. When you look at artwork of the Pilipino depictions, the bird it is often very colorful. A trait our favorite dragon possesses. In the folklore, it is said the bird has healing powers... Thoughts on our Dragon having such thing? We already know her fire can kill Venin, but what if, between her and Violet we see a team of healing through rebirth? We know Andarna waiting 600 years (I Think) to be born? Waited, meaning she was alive before? Like a Phoenix?
Again just piecing this puzzle together, but thoughts?
Anyone know of the legend? Know it well enough to help piece this together. Maybe I am off the mark, just something to look at.

So out of curiosity, I did some digging on PH animation and its history since ang underrated niya. Apparently, there was an adaptation of Ibong Adarna, and it's credited as the PH's first animated film. Although this is the case, mukhang wala siyang available na archive or official release. The closest I got to was a few screenshots, trailer and music video. Sayang, kase eto pa naman ang first animated film sa PH, and it's potentially lost media.
Would like to hear your thoughts about this!

Sobrang proud ko sumama sa 2 campaign rally niya.
Natutuwa ako makita paano niya nilalaban ang plataporma niya sa transparency, good governance at economic solutions gamit ang researches, data, at model na napatunayan na nag-work sa ibang bansa.
Hindi man siya nanalo noon last presidential election pero ang sarap na closure sa puso ko yun nagannounce siya ng Angat Buhay NGO.
May mga libro ako dito tungkol kay Leni at lalo pa ako namangha. Paborito ko ang children's book na "Dancing Waters" mula sa Adarna House na nagkwento ng childhood ni Madam Leni at paano siya nainspire ng papa niya maging compassionate sa ibang tao.
Isa sa pinagsisikapan ko intindihin ngayon ay magpakita ng gentleness/pag-unawa kahit magkaiba kami ng political beliefs ng kausap ko. Dahil si Leni, tumutulong pa rin kahit sa taong hindi siya ang binoto at pinili.
2 years pagkatapos ng election, okay ngayon ang buhay ko na nakapundar ng properties, tumutulong sa ibang tao makasimula sa online work dahil dito ako umunlad, at magbigay ng insights o share ng trade secrets ko sa mga alam ko hindi din ipagdadamot sa ibang tao.
Nakapagaral na rin ako certification program na kinikilala abroad para lalo ko pa ako maggrow.
Ang bilis ko pati makuha tiwala ng mga malalaking tao sa network ko pag nalaman nila si Madam Leni ang pinili ko Presidente.
Hindi ka man nanalo Madam Leni last election para maging presidente ng Pilipinas pero ang laki ng impluwensiya mo sa buhay ko.
I am a proud happy loser last election but a champion now in fulfilling my dream life and inspiring other people to dream for their own fulfilling life too.
Mabuhay ka pa nang sobrang tagal at healthy Madam Leni. Hindi nasayang ang nilaban mo noon last presidential election. Oo nga hindi man natin mababago ang Pilipinas kaagad-agad pero kaya natin tumulong para mapaunlad ang buhay ng mga taong sa paligid natin sa bawat araw na dumadaan.

Puro Ingles na lang ang binabasa ko ngayong nasa kolehiyo na ako kasi hindi na required magbasa ng Florante at Laura o mga sulat ni Rizal o kaya ay Ibong Adarna. Hindi ko alam kung saan magsisimula. May mga natatandaan ako noon, tulad ng "Sa Pula, Sa Puti". At yung isang kwento tungkol sa isang babaeng nag-cheat sa asawa nya, kasama yung kaibigan ng asawa nya, tas sa huli ay nilason nung asawa yung lalaking kaibigan nya habang alam nung babae at nagmamakaawa (di ko matandaan kung nakasulat sa ingles ito o nakasulat sa Tagalog pero Pinoy ang may likha at parang script sya ng isang dula, kung may nakakaalam ng pamagat, paki-comment na lang po). Syempre marami rin akong natatandaan na mga kwentong alamat. Nabasa ko rin MacArthur ni Bob Ong at ilang mga Kikomachine komiks ng ate ko. Nabasa ko rin ang The Woman who Had Two Navels noong 13 ako, para akong nagka- fever dream pero nagustuhan ko sya ng sobra. Kaso Ay nakasulat naman sa Ingles. Gusto ko yung ganun, surreal o kung may alam kayo na-contemporary filipino writer na nagsusulat ng magical realism. Comment na lang kayo kung ano mga marerekomenda nyong mga (huwag naman po yung pang-elementary reading o galing wattpad na cliche romance).

I've always wondered about this. On the one hand, Ibong Adarna obviously has a "Western" setting, and the word "Adarna" itself doesn't look like it comes from Philippine languages. But on the other hand, there doesn't seem to be a foreign story that could have served as its basis (If I remember correctly, Fansler and Eugenio identify tropes or themes in the Adarna story that are shared by foreign fairy tales but don't identify a specific story where it could have come from). Also, the Adarna shares common themes with Filipino epics. E.g., the hero's quest for multiple wives from different parts of the universe (underworld, skyworld, etc.). There are also other native/non-western elements like the dayap used by Don Juan to keep himself awake. The word "manusia" is also mentioned twice in the korido, which is interesting because it's a Malay/Sanskirt word for "man" that I don't think I've ever seen in Tagalog literature.
In my (wishful thinking) headcanon, the Ibong Adarna is a heavily Westernized version of an original but now lost Tagalog epic, haha. But that's just me.
Anyway, thoughts?

Hi po, Chers and Students!
Bagong teacher po ako at Filipino subject po ang itinuturo ko po. Ngayon, 4th quarter na po kami sa school po namin at wala po akong mahanap na research or source na mapagkukunan ng strategies, importance at point na dapat kong ma-instill sa mga bata patungkol sa Ibong Adarna (G7), Florante at Laura (8), Noli, at El Fili.
Kung mayroon po kayong alam na effective at the same time creative and fun ways po para matutunan namin ang dapat matutunan sa mga literature na ito pa-share po🥹 Pwede rin po if readings for me as Filipino teacher po, mas better po.
Sa mga students naman po, ano po mga activities or strategies na naenjoy ninyo nung inaral niyo itong mga 'to?
Thank you poooo!

Hi po, Chers!
Bagong teacher po ako at Filipino subject po ang itinuturo ko po. Ngayon, 4th quarter na po kami sa school po namin at wala po akong mahanap na research or source na mapagkukunan ng strategies, importance at point na dapat kong ma-instill sa mga bata patungkol sa Ibong Adarna (G7), Florante at Laura (8), Noli, at El Fili.
Kung mayroon po kayong alam na effective at the same time creative and fun ways po para matutunan namin ang dapat matutunan sa mga literature na ito pa-share po🥹 Pwede rin po if readings for me as Filipino teacher po, mas better po.
Thank you poooo!

Where do they normally hang out? Who are the "Altas sosyedad"? May ganito na ba sa Baguio? If manila has the Aboitiz, Ayala, Pangilinan and Cebu has the likes of guidecelli, Adarna,Osmenia et al. How about the Cordillerans? Curious lang hehe

Ako, may nakalimutan akong malalim na tagalog ng patay. Sobrang lalim niya parang pang pre colonial yung word nito. I think mahabulahay o mahubalahay?? Nabasa ko ito noon kaso nakalimutan ko yung book.
Maraming mga salita ang malalalim halimbawa sa ibong adarna, sobrang lalim ng mga salita nila noon na maging tayo hindi natin alam ang kahulugan nito.