My Reaction

Posted last February 21, 2005 in Inquirer news Service, Dennis Arroyo’s article is about some solutions to the Philippines’ economic challenges. He pointed out that according to the Eagle watch briefing of the Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development, the economy is in great for growth- the stock market and other variables being in particular- yet, there are still major problem areas.

Share telecom growth

The first challenge he cited was the share telecom growth. The growth is led by the services sector (7.3 percent growth), specifically by the hot streak in communications (16.7 percent growth). He therefore believes that the government should democratize these gains by reaping from giant telecom companies out of their text message services. He proposed for a wider array of mechanisms to benefit the lower income classes by engaging ordinary folk in selling cell phone cards. The proceeds of these special edition cards are reserved for pro-poor projects like building more classrooms, buying more chairs and printing, more textbooks.

The intention of the first challenge is actually a good one. It is one of the proposals that no one in the government has never thought of proposing even though they see a lot of growth in the service sector. Thus, alleviating poverty and adding service for the poor should be two of the aspects that the government should focus on. If the service sector will help finance and support the public schools, the rate of employment will be higher and therefore we can make maximize the use of our workforce inside the country.

How can giant companies help in the national poverty concerns? Despite the fact that all other sectors are in great downfall, it is only the service sector that still has the capacity to earn profit. This is mainly because of the telecommunications companies. Two big giants, smart and Globe can actually help by manipulating the cost they earn from the millions of subscribers here in the Philippines. They can basically make the price of each text higher or lower since the consumer’s demand for their services never vary. Having up to 10% from their total profit is never an expense to them but rather an investment for those families who are below the poverty incidence and needs support financially.

Fight tax evasion

Data of the National Statistical Coordination Board states that the deficit of Php186 billion lies below the official target of Php198 billion, which is according to Mr. Arrroyo. Still remains very large. Thus, rating agencies have responded by downgrading Philippine sovereign bonds, making it costly to borrow.

The writer therefore suggests charging correct prices since the massive tax evasion has already caused the fiscal crisis.

I believe that tax collection is a major problem in the country nowadays and increasing VAT is never a solution. It is important to charge the correct prices for the public services like electricity, highways, and light rail fares. It may be a big expense for the government but the benefit will come soon after.

Government corporations therefore must be able to collect prices from the people to provide proper services to the people. Poverty can sometimes be an excuse if the government does not use the country’s money for good. The money belongs to the people so it is rightful to spend it for them and not to the selfish government officials. I therefore conclude that the issue does not talk only about tax evasion but also with tax collection and the way the money is spent.

Agriculture

The agriculture rose by 4.9% in the whole 2004, but slowed down to only1.2%. Primarily, the reason is because harvests are threatened by a new cycle of natural disasters like el niño tide and drought.

The writer points out that the solution to all these is to ensure enough water for crops through cost-effect irrigation, and likewise, diversity away from water-intensive rice to the less demanding vegetables and cash crops.

The proposal of having proper irrigation is excellent. The government should invest mainly on agriculture because I believe that it is our strong point. Having water storage is the best solution to survive drought and el niño phenomenon.

I don’t agree with diversifying from water-intensive rice to less demanding crops. Storms and other catastrophic disasters happen naturally. The people to be blamed are the weather agencies like PAG_ASA and other meteorologists. If timely information are given to these farmers, they could have prepared for such calamities and extraordinary event.

Diversify Exports

Exports are back to double-digit growth: they rose by 19.5 percent as of November 2004. However, they are heavily concentrated in electronics, and this makes the sector vulnerable to swings in the world market. Competing with fully developed countries like Japan and US by means of electronics is like taking a big risk. It is therefore advised to diversify the export mix of the country. We must focus on agriculture because primarily, Philippines is an agricultural country. Let us bring back the times when we were the ones who lead in exporting rice-and not our “students” (Thailand and Vietnam) because today, we are mainly relying on them by means of rice. It was not too long ago when factories here suffered from the slump in global demand. The challenge then is to put more eggs in other baskets.

Promote Direct Investments

Portfolio investments are actually those that come easily but are easily spent. It is not necessary to focus or to base on this data, but rather to the direct investment. The writer cited that to promote direct investment means making the country more competitive particularly by filling the gaps in infrastructure. The effort focused on the Clark and Subic area, which the government is trying to develop into the logistics hub of Asia.

Personally, I only partly agree with the writer’s proposal. Direct investment is good but it somehow has ill-effects, Let the Philippines first focus on its own export and ideas and limit direct investments since these investments benefit more the investors and never the country as a whole. Mining industry, for instance, may let us earn a lot of national income but it will “rape” our natural resources. Let us first focus in exporting agricultural products and invest more in developing it.

Offer cheap imports

In 2003 the inflation rate was 3.1 percent. Then in 2004 the official target range was 4.5 to 5 percent inflation. But it actually hit 5.5 percent last year, likely because of election spending. In fact it even reached 7.9 percent in December 2004.

The challenge, according to Mr. Dennis Arroyo is to find ways to lower the price for other items as to provide some relief. We must import more rice from Vietnam and Thailand and medicines from India since it is just half the price of Philippine rice and medicines respectively.

With that statement, I certainly do not agree. Importing more products means killing rice and medicine companies here in the Philippines. Consumers have more alternative sources with lower price. This has a great impact on such companies and probably it may even cause the Philippines to rely predominantly on these countries in the succeeding years by means of such products. Therefore, this will lead us to a more complicated situation in the future.

Widen scope of outsourcing

Then there's the unemployment rate, which hovers at a formidable 11.8 percent. The state does not have the funds to generate all these jobs but it can set the direction for the private sector.

To solve the problem, the writer proposed to limit overseas worker who goes to other countries but still be an overseas worker even by just staying in the country. They can just therefore e-mail their outputs to corporations in New York, London, Melbourne, and Vancouver. They can prepare and e-mail financial statements, marketing analysis, industry overviews, software, animation, even songs. It's like being an overseas worker without leaving the Philippines.

I think the proposal is very unique. Though, I know that no country (or company) will ever take risks of employing an invisible worker. No matter how good Filipinos works can be, companies are less assured because they cannot deal with their workers properly. Communication is really a big problem in this suggestion.

Identify small enterprise winners.

According to Mr. Arroyo, to create jobs for poorer classes, it is vital to diffuse technology to the rural sector, particularly to micro, small and medium enterprises.

I agree with the writer. Agro-processing activities can truly create a legion of jobs. It is necessary for the government to invest on rural businesses because it will be a help in the economy. With this strategy, local supply can keep up with demand abroad. The state would do well to identify market opportunities and empower the poor to seize them.

Movie Reflection

Reflection on the movie “ANAK”

Based on economic situation of the Philippines

They're known as ‘bagong bayani’, a Tagalog expression meaning "new heroes." As the movie, “Anak” suggests, these new heroes face loneliness of being far from their love ones, injustice and cruelty of foreigners, hardships of finding new job opportunities and the different negative treatment of Filipinos in their native country.

The main character in the story is a Filipina Overseas Contract Worker (Vilma Santos), one of the many residents of the archipelago who is forced to leave her family and take a higher paying job in a more prosperous Asian country- Hong Kong. While she is working her employer refuses to let her take a vacation, nor does he deliver her mail to her. She is unaware, therefore, that her husband has died. When she finally returns to the Philippines she is met with resentment and hatred by her children.

After six years of being a domestic Helper, Josie faced a lot of problems concerning her family. Carla (Claudine Barreto) exercised rebellion because of her anger towards her mom. Michael’s scholarship in a university has been forfeited after a low grade in an academic subject. And even Josie’s knowledge about her youngest daughter is very limited. She felt like she knows nothing about her family.

. Josie’s case happens to must Filipinos nowadays. It a worse thing facing hardships of finding new job opportunities abroad, but it’s a lot difficult facing family problems. These OFW’s actually suffer the cruelty of foreigners and most of them are treated differently as is they were slaves. But for the love of their families here in the Philippines, they are willing to sacrifice and face the challenges abroad.

Personally, I adore Josie in a lot of ways. She went to Hong Kong for the purpose of helping the family in its needs and not for any selfish reason. She went there and faced all hardships for the love of her children and husband, yet, when she came back, she still faced a more severe problem in the family. As a caring mother, seeing the family in a crisis is a big heartache and overcoming these feelings and rebuilding the same relationship is really hard to attain.

What has gone to the Philippines? Are we training Filipinos to work for the benefit of other counties? Flexible, industrious, and frequently skilled, Filipinos are finding their way into unexpected niche markets. Nurses trained in the Philippines, for instance, are more likely to end up working elsewhere. Hospital recruiters from Norway and the UK travel to Manila to hire them. Likewise, American school districts having trouble attracting new teachers are discovering ample supply in the Philippines. The Philippines truly has discovered the future of work. About 10 percent of the country's population of 76.5 million is hard at work - outside the country. During 2001, more than 800,000 people headed out to Italy, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Singapore, and Uzbekistan. They went to Mongolia and Equatorial Guinea. Unlike Mexicans, who flock primarily to the United States. Filipinos traveled to 162 nations in all. Filipinos toil as domestic helpers, engineers, nurses, bricklayers, teachers, farmers, seafarers, stenographers, hairdressers, crane operators, cooks, and entertainers.

Discovering its prowess as an outsourcer of labor, the Philippines is now pursuing the opportunity with fervor. Whereas the US has spent decades bemoaning the export of its jobs (to Mexico, to China), the Philippine government revels in the export of its people. Using technology to stay involved in family life back home, Filipino global commuters constitute one of the biggest sources of stability for the economy of a country perennially known as the Sick Man of Asia. Remittances, the money they electronically send back to their families, account for 8.2 percent of the nation's gross national product, stabilizing its peso, improving foreign currency reserves, shoring up consumption, and making more than a dent in the unemployment rate (now 11.8percent). Last year, overseas Filipino workers sent home $6.2 billion.

Filipinos actually gain a lot of benefits from these OFW’s. The thriving trade of people has already been the envy of the developing world. The growing market migrant work has attracted Asian countries to come and find out how they can have prime producers of labor from the Philippines. According to the International Monetary Fund, worldwide remittances totaled $2 billion in 1970; by 2000, the International Labor Organization set that figure at $73 billion.

Remittances are the best benefit that we gain from domestic helpers abroad. Truly, it accounts a big percent in improving the Philippine economy. But there are also other factors that can make it be improved. The balance of payments states the various aspects that a country must focus on, like the import and export, and also the investments. People are very essential in a developing country and therefore we should make use of them in the best possible way. We cannot afford to let other countries benefit from our workforce. Implementing new government rules to take care of these OFW’s are good, but its like accepting and relying on them predominantly, which I think is wrong.

Soy Serves Up Healthy Benefits

Adapted from "Soy Health News" written for the Indiana Soybean Board by Kim Galeaz, RD, CD, Food & Nutrition Consultant. For comprehensive versions of this information, refer to www.indianasoybeanboard.com.

Soyfoods are a source of high-quality protein. In addition, consumption of soy protein provides health benefits that may help prevent or treat certain chronic diseases. Currently, a great deal of research is being conducted to investigate possible health benefits of soy.

Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity continues to increase at alarming rates. One way to reverse this trend is to start early and start right by teaching your child good nutrition habits that will last a lifetime. Starting right also means offering soyfoods. Soyfoods provide critical vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein for growing children.

Plus, many soyfoods contain fewer calories and fat grams, making weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight much easier. Many kid-friendly soyfoods are available today including chocolate soymilk, frozen pizza, taco-style meat and chicken-style nuggets.

Weight Loss & Dietary Fiber
Eating more high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and soyfoods may help with weight loss efforts when substituted for higher calorie foods. Many soyfoods are filled with fiber; ongoing medical research is showing that fiber provides a feeling of satiety and fullness in between meals and reduces hunger cravings. Ultimately, this helps prevent unnecessary eating and excessive calories which can lead to weight gain. Aim for 25 grams of fiber every day. A serving of green sweet soybeans contains 3 grams of fiber. One soy veggie burger has four grams of fiber and roasted, salted soynuts have five grams.

In addition, many soyfoods contain fewer calories and fat grams, making weight loss even easier.

Weight Loss & Breakfast
Losing weight may be a lot easier if breakfast becomes a priority every day, and soyfoods may help with weight loss efforts when substituted for higher caloric foods. Eating breakfast provides a feeling of fullness, or satiety, which helps curb hunger and prevents overeating of high-calorie snacks and foods. In addition, research indicates fewer calories may be consumed at the next eating occasion or meal.

Soyfoods are perfect for breakfast, especially when trying to lose weight because they are filled with bone-building and heart-healthy soy protein, plus they reduce overall calories and fat grams. For example, traditional sausage links contain 160 calories and 14 grams of fat; soy breakfast links have only 70 calories and 3 grams of fat. Other soy breakfast foods include bagels made with soynuts and soy cereal with vanilla soymilk.

Fad Diets
Being on a low carb or the next fad diet when trying to lose weight should not come at the expense of having a healthy heart. Eating unlimited amounts of high-protein foods loaded with fat and saturated fat could prove detrimental over time. Soyfoods help promote healthier eating habits with low carb diets, because many soyfoods are naturally low in fat and saturated fat, while being high in heart-healthy protein. For example, the average soy veggie burger provides 12 grams of soy protein with only five grams of total fat, one gram of saturated fat and just three grams of net carbs.

Heart Health and Heart Disease
Soyfoods containing soy protein can be allies in the ongoing battle against heart disease, the number one killer of adult men and women. Over 40 scientific studies have proven the positive effect of soy protein on lowering cholesterol levels, including the harmful LDL cholesterol, which leads to the decreased risk of heart disease. In fact, the Food & Drug Administration recommends eating 25 grams of soy protein every day as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. A serving of soy latte provides seven grams of soy protein, roasted salted soynuts contain 12 grams and a soy cheeseburger has nine grams of heart-healthy soy protein.

Omega-3's
Certain fatty fish, like salmon and tuna, contain the best source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. But certain plant foods, like flaxseed and soybeans, also contain these fatty acids. Soybeans are one of the best non-fish sources of essential omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Compared to other beans like pinto beans and navy beans, soybeans have a higher fat content, but this fat contains these heart-healthy omega-3's.

Blood Pressure & Soy
Soy protein may provide positive results for people with high blood pressure. According to a recently published scientific study, researchers found that both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure were reduced in middle-aged and elderly women who ate at least 25 grams of soy protein daily. Since supermarkets today are filled with numerous soyfoods, eating 25 grams of soy protein is easy. Start the day with soy cereal for breakfast (eight grams soy protein). Add BBQ soy chips for lunch (seven grams soy protein). Grab a soy-protein-energy-bar for an afternoon snack (10 grams soy protein). Total soy protein equals 25 grams.

Menopause
While soy protein may or may not help reduce hot flashes for women going through menopause, soy protein has other proven benefits extending well into post-menopausal years. Research has found that consuming soy protein before, as well as after, menopause may help protect bones from becoming weak and brittle. And since post-menopausal women face an increased risk for osteoporosis, keeping bones healthy with soy protein-rich foods is critical.

In addition, soy protein may help reduce the risk of heart disease, another major concern after menopause.

Pregnancy & Omega-3's
The link between omega-3 fatty acids and a healthy heart is well established. But there's yet another reason - geared toward mothers and their daughters - for eating more omega-3's.

A newly released scientific study found that mothers who eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy (and while breastfeeding), may help to significantly reduce their daughters' risk of developing breast cancer later in life. In addition, this study found that including omega-3 rich foods throughout childhood and teenage years may continue to help provide protective benefits against breast cancer.

Fatty fish like tuna, salmon and mackerel are the highest source of omega-3 fatty acids, but walnuts, flaxseed and soybeans also contain these critical omega-3's.

Breast Cancer
Including soyfoods during a teenage girl's adolescence years may provide increased protective benefits and reduce the risk of developing breast cancer later in life. Although there is a lack of evidence that consuming soy as an adult may reduce the risk of breast cancer, ongoing scientific research is showing that consuming soy protein as a teenager may help reduce breast cancer risk as an adult by nearly 50 percent. These impressive results were obtained by eating just 11 grams of soy protein daily. Eleven grams of soy protein is found in one serving of honey roasted soynuts or two servings of barbecued soy chips.

In addition to reducing risk of breast cancer, soy protein-rich foods may promote a healthy heart and strong bones.

Cancer & Soy Isoflavones
Medical research has determined that foods rich in fiber, low in fat and high in phytochemicals may help reduce your risk of developing certain cancers. Consuming soyfoods may prove beneficial when eating to reduce cancer risk because many soyfoods are not only high in fiber, they are low in total fat and high in soy protein and phytochemicals called isoflavones.

Isoflavones are naturally-occurring plant compounds that have been attributed in numerous medical and scientific studies to reducing risk of colon, breast and prostate cancer.

Prostate and Colon Cancer
Some of the same foods that can lower risk of heart disease, like soyfoods, may also reduce the risk of the second most common cancer in men. Medical research has shown that foods rich in soy protein may be protective against prostate cancer by helping to promote healthier prostate tissues. And although a specific level of soy protein hasn't been recommended yet for reducing prostate cancer risk, adding one soyfood every day could be beneficial. Plus soyfoods will provide heart-healthy and bone-building benefits at the same time.

Colon Cancer
The latest medical research has found that several natural components of soy may help protect against colon cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The components of soy that may be helping prevent colon cancer are called isoflavones and saponins. Both are found in soyfoods such as soymilk, soynuts, and green and yellow soybeans.

Many soyfoods are not only good sources of these isoflavones and saponins, but they are high in fiber, and fiber-rich foods have also been associated with lower cancer risk.

Limiting high fat foods may also help reduce risk of developing colon cancer. Substituting soy veggie burgers or tofu for higher fat protein foods will help cut fat considerably.

Diabetes
Several benefits of soy protein exist for the management of diabetes and provide support for the importance of adding soyfoods to a diabetic diet.

First, many soyfoods have a lower glycemic index. Foods with a low glycemic index help keep blood sugar levels more stable, making diabetes much easier to control. Soyfoods like canned yellow soybeans and frozen green sweet soybeans have a lower glylcemic index than other soyfoods.

Secondly, many soyfoods are high in dietary fiber, and fiber also helps stabilize blood sugar levels. Everyone - including people with diabetes - should aim for at least 25 grams of fiber daily. Roasted soynuts contain six grams of fiber and a soy veggie burger has four grams.

Plus, soyfoods can provide additional benefits for controlling one of the most prevalent complications of diabetes - heart disease.

SoyWorks

Overview of the SoyWorks Company
Everything about Soy

General Manager: Michael Arevalo
Operations Manager: January Luzada
Marketing Officer: Ma. Michelle Abiog
Finance Manager: Cherry Vie Saballegue

The business is established to provide innovative products made out of Soy. The business offers the following products:

• Cold Taho or Cold Soy Custard with different fruit flavors such as mango, strawberry, pineapple, etc. The business also adds Honey, nata de coco, and big sago. The shelf life of the taho is 2 weeks if it is kept in the refrigerator.
  
• Ready-to-drink Soy milk is also offered by the business. the buiness offers a lot of choices for soymilk- the pure soymilk and fruit-flavored soymilk.
• Packaged Tofu or Tokwa is also offered by the SoyWorks. It is pure, clean and is being exported to other countries.
• SoyCandles is another thing but the business is still working on such.
• Powderized Taho is also another product being considered by the business in the long-run.
  

Egoism

Egoism

Egoism, as contrary to utilitarianism, is described as the view that associates morality with self-interest. Egoists believe that an act is morally right if and only if it best promotes their long-term interest. Thus, egoists use their best long-term advantage as the ultimate standard for measuring an action’s righteousness. For instance, if an action produces, will possible produce, or is intended to produce for an egoist a greater ratio of good over evil in the long-run than any other option/alternative, then the action is the right one to perform and he should consider such act as moral. If it is accepted as a basis for morality, is it really right for us to adopt such principle? What could possibly happen if all of us learned to make use of such principle in our day-to-day living?

Egoists clearly pointed out that they are not living a happy life by considering only their own good and not caring for others. They are also in a sense, “risk-takers” and they are willing to undergo unpleasant even painful experiences, provided that such temporary sacrifice is necessary for the advancement of his long-term interest. Another is the principle of hedonism, the view that only pleasure (or happiness) is of intrinsic value, the only good worth pursuing. Though some egoists are hedonists, one must never generalize them as such because there are also some of them who have a broader view of what constitutes self-interest, just like knowledge, power or what other psychologist might call self-actualization. Lastly, egoists can also act honestly, be gracious and helpful to others, or otherwise promote other’s interest. Egoists indirectly help others by promoting their own self-interest. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone, but you aim for just one. In particular, egoists tells us to benefit others when we expect that our doing so will be reciprocated or when the act will bring us pleasure or in some way promote our own good.

Egoism seemed to be a concrete principle, there are, however, some problems in adopting such. Psychological egoism, a doctrine that states that all human beings are, as a matter of fact, so constructed that they behave selfishly, is not a sound theory. There are some human acts that doesn’t really promote their own good, instead promote others welfare. When Peter Parker (Spiderman 2) lost his powers as the masked wall-crawler, he tried to live a normal life, as an ordinary citizen. But when he saw a building on fire, he immediately rushed inside to save a little girl trapped in the second floor. He knew that he could die rescuing the victim, but he ignored the fire and went in. Such heroic deed is actually a sign of courage and bravery. This example actually violates the rule about psychological egoism (the only desires that you have, or the only desire that moves you are all self-interested desires). Psychological egoism justifies that such act is still caused by personal interest- it may be fame, prize, etc. But, for all those who watched the movie, you know that Peter wasn’t after any prize, or fame whatsoever, in fact, after he helped the victims, he left the place. A hero, indeed.

Ethical egoism is not really a moral theory at all. It is difficult to see how ethical egoism could perform this function as a moral standard. If all people fight for their pure self-interested desires, then they would find it hard to attain moral standards that will provide the guidelines for cooperative social existence. Thus, if the people’s interests never came into conflict- that is, if it were never advantageous for one person to deceive or cheat one another- then, people would have no need for morality.

Am I also an egoist? I remember back when I was ten. I learned to compete with my classmates for a high grade, but does that qualify me as an egoist? How about when I started to collect Harry Potter stuffs, old coins, certificates and postcards? When I found a five-peso coin and decided to keep it? When I decided not to let Micha text using my phone? Or how about when I watched a movie all alone? Are these all sign of my selfishness?

I like to believe that I exercise egoism most of the time. I am well-motivated to do things that I like because it brings me pleasure and excitement. But I am not that selfish. I think that I am an egoist who wants self-interest but never at the expense of others’. It’s like I acquire happiness without hurting or harming anyone around me. With this in mind, I believe that in a sense, I am able to exercise both egoism and utilitarianism. Why? Because I believe that people desires to find ultimate happiness in this world. Such happiness is subjectively defined, but absolute happiness doesn’t lead other people on the wrong end.

What could possibly happen in a world where people are pure egoist? Probably, the world would never be the same. It’s like living in a world where there is an ultimate rule: “Mind Your Own Business”. Just imagine a world where no one cares what you do, and no one would tell you the difference between right and wrong because that is beyond their rule of achieving personal happiness. The most common objection to egoism as an ethical doctrine is that by reducing everything to the standard of best long-term self-interest, egoism takes no stand against seemingly outrageous acts like stealing, murder, racial discrimination, deliberately false advertising and wanton pollution. Such actions remain morally neutral until the test of self-interest is applied. That is the reason why one of the problems with egoism is that it ignores blatant wrongs. Another is that egoism cannot provide means for settling conflicts and disputes because it simply tells each party to do whatever is necessary to promote effectively his or her interest.

Egoism is not a concrete basis of morality. It cannot serve as a standard or guideline that a society follows because there are several problems attached to it. One is psychological egoism is not a sound theory. Another is that ethical egoism is not really a moral theory at all. And the last is that ethical egoism ignores blatant wrongs.

BMHP and the Learning Strategies towards Success

Being a part of the Business Management Honors Program has already been one of the best things that happened in my life. It may only be nine months since I stayed in the program but I can say that it is one of my most challenging experiences as far as schooling is concerned.

I believe that education plays a very essential role nowadays. Privilege to attend school is our right as a known citizen of the society. It is our key to our future and our strength to face the obstacles in life that is ahead of us. Simply put, it is the first step towards success.

Schooling, according to Balisacan and Pernia of ADB’s 2002 brochure, if accompanied by improvements in access to markets, technology and information raises the welfare of the poor. Therefore, education does not only concern ourselves but the society as a whole. Someday, we are bound to help those who are in need, after we become successful in our own chosen field.

How can we find success?

“It is only in the dictionary that work comes after success.” This is one of my favorite quotes that I read in a poetry book. It may be a bit simple but it implies a lot. Just like Og Mandino’s novel entitled “Mission: Success!” about a soldier who traveled a lot and never lose hope, we are taught not to give up in the life long journey towards success. We are taught not to be weak when we face all these challenges of life. Academics as one big challenge should never count as something to fear but rather a privilege.

Never be afraid to accept defeat. As the text message says, “When God drops needles and pins in your path in life, never avoid them. Instead collect them-they are designed to keep you stronger.” God knows us very well that He would never give something that we couldn’t handle. This is one of the things that I learned in BMHP- being strong to withstand all obstacles and trusting God. Ms. Tordilla’s Lites.com at Baras, Canaman has faced a lot of downfalls- by means of capital and settling their accounts, but still it managed to stand again as an exceptional fishpond business of mudfish and other sea creatures with the name Lites.com 2. This is what hope is all about, learning to conflict and understanding the value of being open-minded.

Love and passion for the unending learning should be well understood. Let us put our best in everything that we do because it will lead us to a really good outcome. When we are satisfied, we are successful in our own little way. Someday, the dream, hope, love and passion will be the key toward successful living.

Learn to interact. No man is an island. Just like what Bro. Alpasa narrated, he was once embarrassed in an application interview because the interviewee (I guess the president) was his high school rival in the prom night. This is how significant relationship is. We cannot learn things by just reading books and textbooks. The school has its own way of developing proper conduct and interrelationship with other people.

“Nothing is impossible if you think it’s possible.” But what must we as a successful individual? Is attainment of success the end of dreaming more?

The unselfish desire to achieve success will often lead to successful living. Once successful in a certain career, we need to have service to the community and help those who are in need. Success is worthless if we don’t understand how we can help others. There is no definite definition of success. Real success is accompanied by true happiness, something that is attainable only if we learn to love others and help them in the best possible way that we can.

There is an unending learning so we need to continue to aspire more even if we are already successful. Having a good traits in learning is significant to us who aspire for something more.

In Bro. Javy’s final message in the talk last Friday, February 25, 2005, he read this poem:

Live a Life That Matters
(Author Unknown)

Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end.

There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours,
or days.
All the things you collected, whether treasured or
forgotten, will pass to someone else.
Your wealth, fame, and temporal power will shrivel
to irrelevance.

It will not matter what you owned or what you were
owed.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and
jealousies will finally disappear.
So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do
lists will expire.

The wins and losses that once seemed so
important will fade away.
It won't matter where you came from, or on what
side of the tracks you lived, at the end.
It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant
Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

So what will matter? How will the value of your
days be measured?

What will matter is not what you bought, but what
you built; not what you got, but what you gave.
What will matter is not your success, but your
significance.
What will matter is not what you learned, but what
you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity,
compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched,
empowered or encouraged others to emulate your
example.

What will matter is not your competence, but your
character.
What will matter is not how many people you
knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when
you're gone.

What will matter are not your memories, but the
memories that live in those who loved you.
What will matter is how long you will be
remembered, by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by
accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of
choice.

Choose to live a life that matters.

It tells us that everything comes to an end so therefore we should treasure every moment that we have in our life and use it not just for ourselves but for the good of others. Soon, everything will come to an end so let us learn to make use of our freedom of choice for the benefit of those who are in need.

Are You a Coward?

Certain people we all know in life are cowards. But how do you know if your cowardly or brave? Read this anf ind out.

1. Cowards talk shit about people behind there backs and are to afraid to fess up to let alone say these same things when the person is right there or even to say them to the persons face. Brave People on the other habd talk shit about people behind their backs, to thier faces, and even if they're sitting right there listening. They are not afraid to tell you how they feel. They are also the first one to get shot when the crazy made fun of kid decides to go genocidal.

2. Cowards do not take chances. They dont express themselves and spen their whole lives trying to act "just right" to impress everyone. Brave people take chances. They act the same everywhere and are also the first ones to get fired because they dont know when to shut up.

3. Cowards look at the world only through their own eyes. They don’t see the bad stuff and even if they do they don’t care because they're to afraid of having to give up some comfort to change the world. Brave People see everything and strive to make a change where change is truly needed. They are the ones who have lost in order to have gain, the ones that help the weaker so that they can learn to be strong. They are the ones that will someday save the world as they're helping all the cowards back onto their feet.

Why Do I Exist?

For me, to merely exist is as simple as the process of inhaling oxygen, and throwing back carbon dioxide. You see, to exist is like living each day in a routine of scheduled activities. To exist is just struggling to survive without really knowing the reason why.
But to live is not just struggling to survive but also hoping until finding a definite purpose of existence. When people stops hoping, the exact reason why they are here for will vanish and will let them become ordinary animals.
Life is all about living, not existence. Life is not just about working until you die, but it is working for you to grow and to find the real meaning of your life. To live allows you to grow while to exist allows you to maintain your present state without any changes whatsoever. Life therefore is an unending growth of man to fulfill his ultimate desire- his mission, his contribution to humanity, his purpose. Life is quest of searching and hoping to find the absolute reason of existence.
I remember back when I was in Grade V. I watched a movie entitled Simon Birch. Simon Birch is a film about a very small person; who has a lot of faith and self-confidence in spite of the fact that he is physically "different", he has little family support and he has health problems. What I liked most about the film is that it has many charming features and the quality is so impressive because it has delicate balance between comedy and tragedy. Strolling ahead on a tight rope, with abyss on either side - that of despair and that of burlesque - and never falling.
Simon is a boy with such a severe physical handicap, and with terrible parents. Even though he is really as close to being a dwarf, he never loses hope that God has a reason for everything. He believes that God has allotted him something and that is why He made him different from any other normal beings. Simon suffered being degraded by his friends yet he never pitied himself because of his belief. That belief was fulfilled at the end of the story when his height has led him to save a lot of people who are inside a bus sinking in the water. If we would analyze carefully, he has achieved his purpose and that purpose is to save people. God therefore made him small because he is the only one who could fit inside the small window in the bus.
Just like Simon, each one of us is here for something. We are here not just to add to the growing population of the Philippines. We are here for something big, something that is hidden within ourselves, something that has a positive impact on other people's lives and something that may be a part of our destiny.
We are all here to fulfill a purpose. We continuously exist because we are about to make an act in the future that will create our identity. Probably, we are about to make a heroic act of saving planet earth from alien invasion. Or maybe, we will be a known leader bound to create new changes in the welfare of mankind. Or perhaps, we are about to invent an antidote against any kind of human disease. All these things may happen sooner or later. But, no matter how big, or small such act may be, for as long as it was able to move other people, then it can be considered an act worth recognition. That may even be your purpose. Thus, your purpose may even lead you to fame and honor, just like Louise Braille, Leonardo DaVinci, and Albert Einstein.
What exactly is the reason why I exist? They are as follows:
I exist because I choose to exist.
I exist because I want to exist. Life is full of ups and downs, of hard and easy obstacles, and of an unending meeting of friends. These things make life worth living. The happiness and sad moments in life are the things that make it enjoyable to live.
To exist is a choice. Some may choose to live, and others may choose to kill themselves. In my 18 years of living here on earth, I never thought of committing suicide. No matter how hard a problem may be, I still find time to enjoy life and to live it with smile on my face. I always think positive and no matter how dark things may seem, I am still able to look for a little light that would cheer me up. Perhaps this is the reason why most people envy me. They are so emotional most of the times. They easily react on their problems. They even seem to empathize and sympathize with the problems of other people. I am not saying that I am tougher than them. Feeling sad, crying, and feeling weak clearly doesn't serve as a standard for identifying a person to be weak or not. I am saying that there is more to life than just being sad. Everyone should enjoy life. The only thing that they should have is a positive outlook. Things may seem hard and severe but for as long as you have that certain belief that things will be okay sooner or later, then you are on your way towards living a joyful life.
I exist because I need to exist.
Several persons are counting on me. They may not explicitly tell me, but I can see in them that they need me. My family wants me to live for my dreams and also for their dreams for me. They want me to succeed in life and to ensure a financially stable lifestyle in the future. That is why they are continuously reminding me to study and work for my future. I can feel their love with their acts of motivating me. And in return, I want to prove to them that their support, both emotionally and financially, is worth doing. I need to exist to live that dream and to become a successful individual.
I also need to exist because I am valuing my friends. They are special to me and I don't want them to lose such a wonderful friend like me. Probably, if I would die at this very moment, then, my tropa would no longer find hilarious person like me as a replacement. I am a unique individual and I wanted to show the world how unique I am.
I also value the fulfillment of promises and obligations. I need to exist because I sill have to settle obligations that I have committed. I am still under a contract with Ateneo de Naga University to be an Honor's Program Student. The program has challenged me to be a person I am right now. And I don't want to end it by just committing suicide. I want to graduate cum laude and to prove to the world especially to some people who doubted my capabilities that I am worth the scholarship.
I exist because of my belief that there is something meant for me.
Just like Simon, I believe that there is something ahead of me that is specially meant for me. I see myself as a really successful businessman. I wanted to live because I wanted to see if that dream is tenable. It's exciting to think of the future because it's always positive. I wanted to test whether my actual future is also positive. Some say that when you dream, aim high because as of now, the only thing free in this world is dreaming.
God has given each one of us gifts to fulfill something we are bound to fulfill. We should always accept that gift/s and use it to fulfill our destiny. Let us all accept it with all our heart just like Simon Birch who was able to accept his physical incapacities even if his friends are teasing him. It is because just like Simon we might be flabbergasted to see that our abnormalities that have lead us to save those who treated us bad.
I exist because of my loved ones.
I exist because I want to be with my loved ones. I wanted to share my happiness with them. I wanted to bring back the love they have brought me. I wanted to tell them how much I love them over and over again. I wanted to let them feel my love through proving to them that their sacrifices for me are not waste of time.
I can say that I have done a lot of considerable things in the past and I am still about to do more in the future. Let me first assess myself in as far as my experiences and beliefs are concerned.
Past
I have done so many things in the past. Some may be considered good, and some are absolutely bad. But, those things that I have done marked my identity and my identity is my proof that I was able to make something in my 18 years of stay here on earth.
If I die right now (probably because this computer explodes in front of me) and in heaven, San Pedro asks me, What have you done in your life?, I would answer him with conviction that I was able to share my love to others, learn the meaning of being loved, and influence others towards good.
If I did not exist, there won't be Mike in this world. No one had helped my friends in their problems, my sister in her assignments, my city, Naga City, in some of its pro-poor programs (I was a City youth official), some beggars whom I have given some of my coins with, the people not believing in God who I have persuaded to go back to the church, and even the askal dog I have kept, saving him from hunger and cruelty of some resident tambays in Brgy. Conception Pequena.. If I did not exist, the biggest impact to the world is that its population might even been reduced by one. I am not a person able to make a really large thing. I wasn't able to resolve the problem of poverty in the world, AIDS in Africa, and corruption in the Philippines. But I was able to implement a little change. Probably not even a single percent done by Einstein, but that small change was able to touch persons I knew. That for me is an accomplishment.
Present
As of now, I am in a state where I face a lot of obstacles. But in every obstacle that I face for me is a challenge, a challenge for me to grow and an opportunity for me to help others.
In growing, I will be able to stretch myself to my limits and I am able to learn new things. I am still hoping that someday I will contribute something in the field of science that will bring me fame and honor. My biggest dream is to be famous, and even though there comes a time that I am already dead, people would still know the name Mike Arevalo as one of the persons in history who was able to implement changes. I want to be recognized in the history, for my life to be published on books, and for me to be retained in the hearts of a lot of people.
I remember when I was in first year high school. I had a dream of inventing a new device that will help me transport faster from different places. I liked to call it the rocket shoes. It came from a wild idea, though until now, I still believe its possible. I'd say it's not as crazy as some of my classmates' work, solar-powered street lights and vibrating briefs. My dream is to innovate shoes and adding to it a mini-high powered, rechargeable engine. At the age of 12, I was preparing blue print of its design including its internal setup. I even researched on the piston of a car, considering it to be a pattern on how it works. My dream was to see people travel using their rocket shoes, and then they would just manipulate the remote to control it. I wanted to see people up in the sky flying, not with wings but with a fire blowing under their shoes. I really don't know why I want to invent such thing, but probably, unconsciously, I want people to fly rather than use their bikes. (Trivia: I don't know how to ride a bike)
Someday, I may fulfill my childhood dream. Or maybe, I will invent or discover another thing. Who knows? I may even be more famous than Harry Potter.
I believe that God wants his creation to do things that he wants them to do. His gifts should be nurtured. By nurturing his skills, one is preparing for his biggest act- his ultimate purpose.
I am blessed with the skill in painting and drawing. I have won a lot of poster making, painting and sketching contests. I cultivate my skill by practicing, attending workshops, and by using it to help others. I believe that there's always a reason for everything. I am blessed with such skill because I'll be using it in the future to do something big and that would be my purpose. Probably, I can draw because I'm about to draw the real picture of poverty in the Philippines and thus, it will awaken the politicians and government officials in the country to focus on the severe case of poverty. Probably, it will be a reason for the country to prosper and develop together with its neighboring countries.
Future
As I was telling, every individual's future remains uncertain. It's not good to rely on the fate or destiny because achieving a nice future requires hard work, patience, practicality and love or passion for what you are doing.
Just like an ordinary human being my future is never fixed. One false move and I might unintentionally ruin everything. I might lose everything that I have done for the fulfillment of my dream of having a desirable future. Perhaps, one day a supernatural force may come along the way and be the reason for the breakdown of the foundation of a better future. No one really knows. But the only thing that remains certain is that people should never stop hoping. Once the hoping stops, people would then work under an everyday routine of working. Its like his life has already ended. No one can therefore say that he is fulfilled because human beings are naturally creatures with unending desires.
For instance, a man who has worked for 70 years and was able to finance the education of his 8 children until they all finish college, really couldn't say that he is all satisfied. There would always be a part of his heart that craves and that pushes him to want more. Satisfaction for human beings cannot be achieved. Just as ultimate happiness remains hard to attain for mankind. Give a teenager a new cellular phone and he'll be happy for a week. But for the succeeding weeks, his happiness would then fade and he may even want a new one, a new iPod, a portable vcd player, etc.
My beliefs¦
1. Everything happens for a reason. Our existence is because of a reason. There would always be a connection with every act that we make and the effects it brings. With this, the occurrence of thing and of a situation is explainable.
I was named Michael because of certain reason. Dad was telling me that his life was once endangered after he touched an electric wire. Most people say its fatal for anyone wet to be electrified. Dad survived the electric shock because of his belief that his amulet of St. Michael has saved him. From then on, he would always pray for the saint and named me after St. Michael.
Maybe it's my fate to be named by such. Perhaps I was able to acquire some traits of St. Michael, which I will use to help others. No one really knows.
2. I am bound to do something. In my parents first 3 years as husband and wife, they never had a baby. For three long years, they kept on praying for God to let them have even just one healthy, and good-looking baby. Then, after series of novenas, and dancing in for a certain saint for them to have a baby, a miracle happened. There was I.
I believe that God gave me to my parents because I am somehow a completely wrapped gift for my very religious parents. I may have even inherited their religiousness. And thus, I am about to use that religiousness to bring back to God those who no longer believe in Him. I am not saying that I am hearing God's calling and I am soon becoming a priest. It's just that as Gods gift to my parents, I am about to make good things for my parents to be happy. For after all, touching other people's lives doesn't really hinder you or encloses you for that certain act. There are still a lot of responsibilities that you have to take.
Answering why do I exist is perhaps one of the most difficult questions I ever answered. It takes a lot of philosophical reflection and sharing out of experiences. The task of providing this paper may be really hard. Though, I would like to say that I truly enjoyed doing this.

The Truth about Shampoos

Popular shampoos contain toxic chemicals linked to nerve damage
Overview
The article actually depicts a criticism about the major manufacturing companies in America . The article is informing the consumers about the danger brought about by the products available in the market. The products identified are ideally meant for health and hygienic purposes but it actually causes a moral issue on the part of consumers especially because these products are dangerous to their health.
Brief Summary
The main products identified in the article are shampoos like Head and Shoulders, Suave, Clairol and Pantene Hair Conditioner. The article was saying that these products contain an ingredient called methylisothiazoline, or MIT, which actually causes neurological damage. This data was gathered by the National Institutes of Health through experimentations with the brain cells of rats.
Researchers are concerned that exposure to this chemical by pregnant women could put their fetus at risk for abnormal brain development. In other people, exposure could also be a factor in the development of Alzheimer's disease and other nervous system disorders.
The chemical causes these effects by preventing communication between neurons. Essentially, it slows the networking of neurons, and since the nervous system and brain function on a system of neural networks, the slowing of this network will suppress and impair the normal function of the brain and nervous system.
The manufacturers of such products know the danger of the products they are producing. Yet, through advertising, they are concealing these facts and therefore they are not preserving the rights of the consumers to acquire adequate information about the dangers of the product they are purchasing.
Statement of the Central Moral Problem or Ethical Issue
The central moral problem in the case is the abuse of rights of the manufacturers. It is frequently called the Due Care Theory wherein the consumers and sellers do not meet as equals because sellers have the knowledge and expertise that consumers don’t have. The manufacturers of the personal care products like shampoos failed to take the responsibility of:
Informing the public about the dangers brought by the product through advertising.
Making sure that the products they are producing are of good quality and does not lead to any risks of danger to one’s health.
Analysis of the Moral Issue
Before we analyze the issue using different approaches, we should first verify if the case states relevant facts and the intention of the author is to inform and not to argue against major shampoo manufacturers. We should never ignore the fact that the person who wrote it may have the intention to persuade the consumers not to purchase the products of some manufacturers. As such, they may even try to present invalid data about the company. Somehow, analyzing the validity of the case is one of the most important things to do in order to make personal judgments, thus, make proposed solutions.
I have researched the net and discovered that the same article was posted on the site of OCA or Organic Consumers Association. OCA is campaigning for food safety, organic agriculture, fair trade and sustainability. OCA was able to further research and proved that the data presented in the article were all true. In addition, it was also posted in another site called MY TOXIC HOUSE, a site that safe lifestyle for families. The site ensures its credibility especially because it affects the way of living of each families, and therefore would never post an article that is not true.
Having known that the article is indeed true, we can now try to analyze the issue using different approaches such as the egoistic, utilitarian,, and so on.
If we would analyze the case by being pure egoists, its like saying that it is okay not to tell the consumers that the shampoos causes dangers of health. For an egoist, it would be okay to conceal relevant information about the product. Egoists actually would contend that profit maximization for their own benefits should be the major thing to be considered and not the welfare of the consumers. So, for an egoist it is okay to let the consumers suffer Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disease for as long as the business becomes profitable. Thus, they would never consider the narrow view of each corporation which is the fulfillment of other obligations other than the satisfaction of demand. These obligations are directly associated with the consumers and the society at large. If businesses would think the same way, there would no longer be safe products that can be bought in the market. If all managers would think like an egoist, the consumer’s welfare would certainly be at risk. Therefore, for an egoist, it is justifiable to produce substandard products and to hide information about the health risk of the ingredients of the products being manufactured.
If we would now consider being utilitarianist, we would consider the greatest happiness of the majority. Thus, utilitarianist would argue that the manufacturers should be responsible about the quality of product they are rendering to market. They should make sure that the consumers are properly informed (probably through advertising) and even if it would cause to have net loss, the safety of the consumers justifies the action. For a ultilitarianist manager, it is okay to sacrifice oneself just to cater to the happiness of the majority-the consumers.
Chosen course of action
The business should apply strict product liability theory, wherein the manufacturers shoulder the legal liabilities to compensate injuries because the defective product makes it dangerous. The manufacturers should ensure that the limitations of their products are known by the consumers. Such limitations or risk in the health of the consumers will be the responsibility of the manufacturers.
Proposed plan of action
Manufacturers of Head and Shoulders, Suave, Clairol and Pantene Hair Conditioner should make sure that the advertising are not deceiving and should show the real risk of using the products. Some may argue that if they do such, they won’t earn anything at all. Well, the problem lies with the process of production. There is no perfect product. There is no product that doesn’t carry with it any health risk and possibility of injuries. But as manufacturers, they should ensure that their products will have the least possibility of health risk and injuries. By then, advertising and marketing such products would be easy.
In the case, the business must first ensure that the ingredients in the products do not contain chemicals that are harmful to one’s health. What would happen if all people using Head and Shoulders shampoo would have Alzheimer's disease and other nervous system disorders? What would happen if the exposure MIT by pregnant women has put their fetus at risk for abnormal brain development? These are the things that manufacturers should consider. Life is so valuable to be wasted. When you are a manufacturer you always try to preserve life and ensure that the products you are rendering the market would make living life easy. Business is a process of mutual relationship between buyers and sellers- the sellers benefits by acquiring income while the buyers benefits by the satisfaction of the demand by the seller. Business owners should never think like egoists and break this mutual relationship. They should never think more of the narrow view of business which is profit. It is because certainly business is not just profit-making but also being responsible to the community, especially to the consumers using the products. As a responsible manager or business owner, one must ensure that the product is of good quality and able to function with its intended purpose. Manufacturers should ensure that the products were able to pass safety standards set by the company. These safety standards comprise rules on the way products will be manufactured- the direct materials, equipments and the process as a whole would be safe. Safety standards also include testing of prototypes to really check that the products do not negatively affect the lives of the consumers.
As we discussed in the class, there are some companies who are not into product development towards the safety of the consumers. They use the technique called cost-benefit analysis wherein they try to assess whether the investment in the development of a particular product will be justified by the “returns” it brings. Such “returns” are measured by the lesser cost it can bring to the business. For instance, one business would no longer invest on changing the production schedule of the product to make is safe because paying those who are injured upon using the product would give them lesser cost. I like to believe that such act is wrong because they are leaving the consumers at risk. They are actually breaking the mutual connection between the buyers and sellers. I still believe that ensuring the quality of the product (i.e., changing the ingredients of a product to make it less injury-prone) is still the best option even though it would cost the business greater expense. Businesses are accountable for ensuring such.
Another plan of action that needs to be done is when it comes to advertising. Marketing strategies are oftentimes deceiving. One example given in the case is on the case of Herbal Essences Shampoo by Clairol. In its packaging, it's trying to exploit the word "herbal" to imply that the shampoo is healthy, even though it is primarily made with the same ingredients as other popular shampoos. The first three ingredients, for example, are: water, sodium laureth, and sodium lauryl sulfate. This is an example of trying to deceive the consumers. This is wrong.
In the case of shampoo that is prone to neurological disorders, I have discovered that manufacturers of such products actually know about its health risk. Yet, they are concealing this fact to the public because they are thinking primarily of profit. Concealment is one of the wrong ways to market the product. It’s like you are cheating with the consumers. We really do not expect caveat emptor (let the buyers beware) to happen at most times because I firmly believe that the responsibility is carried more by the manufacturers.
There are several ways by which advertising becomes wrong- through exaggeration, concealment, etc. But the power of advertising is really strong because, advertising through media for instance, is very influential nowadays. Even advertisement through hear-say is also powerful, especially here in the Philippines where people especially manangs are generally chismosa. If a certain product works for them, they would tell the entire neighborhood about such. Then, the entire neighborhood would use the product as well, and then they would again tell another neighborhood and so on. It would now be a bandwagon appeal. But, ask each manangs about something about the product and you’ll be fascinated that the only thing they know about the product is the name. Nothing more, nothing less. Often times, they may even pronounced the name wrong. My point here is that caveat emptor, especially here in the Philippines , is generally ineffective. There are only a few would take time to research more and observe about the product description. So, clearly, more than just logical analysis, manufacturers are really more responsible about their own products. Manufacturers should not wait until the government pushes them to do so. They should not rely on FDA which is responsible for regulating products, and investigating the safety of most products. Manufacturers should take action within themselves.
Shampoos are considered one of the things that people use everyday. It is used for hygienic purposes and is even considered one of the personal care products. If there is a little risk involved in using some of the products of shampoo, and people use it everyday, the risk would still be piled up and multiplied by the number of days of use. The risk therefore is high, especially if you are loyal to a particular product of shampoo.
THE ARTICLE
Popular shampoos contain toxic chemicals linked to nerve damage
NewsTarget.com printable article
Friday, February 18, 2005
Source: http://www.newstarget.com/003210.html

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found a correlation between an ingredient found in shampoos and nervous system damage. The experiments were conducted with the brain cells of rats and they show that contact with this ingredient called methylisothiazoline, or MIT, causes neurological damage.
Which products contain this chemical compound MIT? Head and Shoulders, Suave, Clairol and Pantene Hair Conditioner all contain this ingredient. Researchers are concerned that exposure to this chemical by pregnant women could put their fetus at risk for abnormal brain development. In other people, exposure could also be a factor in the development of Alzheimer's disease and other nervous system disorders.
The chemical causes these effects by preventing communication between neurons. Essentially, it slows the networking of neurons, and since the nervous system and brain function on a system of neural networks, the slowing of this network will suppress and impair the normal function of the brain and nervous system.
These finding were presented December 5th at the American Society for Cell Biology annual meeting.
I have frequently warned readers about the dangers of using brand-name personal care products. The vast majority of these products contain toxic chemical compounds like MIT that contribute to cancer, liver disorders and neurological diseases. In fact, this chemical, MIT, is just one of dozens of such chemicals that are found in personal care products.
Why are these dangerous personal care products allowed to remain on the market? Because the FDA, which is responsible for regulating these products, spends almost no time, money or effort actually investigating the safety of such products. Instead, the FDA spends the vast majority of its time approving new prescription drugs rather than protecting the public against the dangers from such drugs or personal care products like shampoos, soaps, deodorants and fragrance products.
In fact, it may surprise you to learn that manufacturers can put practically any chemical they want into shampoos, even if it is a hazardous chemical listed in the RTECS database of toxicity and even if it is considered a toxic waste chemical by the EPA. The FDA allows all sorts of chemicals to be used in these products, including chemicals that are known carcinogens and that contribute to liver failure and nervous system disorders. How's that for protecting public health?
If you thought prescription drugs were dangerous, just take a look at the toxic chemicals found in personal care products used by virtually all Americans every single day. Americans bathe themselves in toxic chemicals and they do it by buying and using products made by brand name companies that have premier shelf positioning at convenience stores, grocery stores and discount clubs.
One of the more curious personal care products on the market is Herbal Essences Shampoo by Clairol. Personally, I think this product is a joke because it's trying to exploit the word "herbal" to imply that the shampoo is healthy, even though it is primarily made with the same ingredients as other popular shampoos. The first three ingredients, for example, are: water, sodium laureth, and sodium lauryl sulfate. Big deal, huh? You can find the same three ingredients in 99-cent shampoo at Wal-Mart. Plus, the product contains all sorts of other ingredients that I personally would never allow to touch my skin (like methylchloroisothiazolinone, if you can believe there's actually a chemical with a name that long). Think the color of the shampoo is from the herbs? Think again. Three other ingredients in the shampoo are Yellow #5, Orange #4 and Violet #2.
In other words, this is a shampoo product purchased by naive consumers, in my opinion. People who really know herbs and natural products can only laugh at a product like this. Want a real shampoo? Buy Olive Oil Shampoo from Heritage Products, available at most natural health stores.
The bottom line to all of this, though, is that every week, it seems like we see a new announcement about some toxic chemical found in personal care products that is related to either cancer or neurological disorders. And yet week after week these products are being sold by retailers and consumed in large quantities by the American people who remain oblivious to the real damage these products are causing to their health.
Once again, the solution here is to protect yourself by learning the truth about these products and switching to products made with safe ingredients. There are safe shampoos, safe soaps, safe laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids and even deodorant products. You don't have to expose yourself to toxic chemicals to take care of personal hygiene, because whether you agree with it or not, these disease-causing chemicals are going to remain quite legal in the use of personal care products for many years to come. Why? You can bet that the manufacturers of these products will fight against any attempt to regulate or outlaw these toxic chemicals. That's because the chemicals are convenient for such manufacturers. It's much the same way in which food manufacturers use sodium nitrate in bacon and other packaged meats. It's all about their convenience rather than protecting your health.
So, here's the idiot test for today: if I was standing on a street corner with a bottle of colored liquid, and I told you that liquid contained a toxic chemical that caused neurological disorders, Alzheimer's disease and birth defects, would you buy that product from me and scrub it into your scalp under warm water?
Of course not. But if you're buying these popular shampoo products, that's exactly what you're doing right now. Such is the power of brand marketing in America.