A social campaign from the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation Photo by Pablo Heimplatz on Unsplash The statistics regarding breast cancer are chilling.  According to reports, 27,163 breast cancer cases make up the total 86,484 cancer cases in the Philippines. Breast cancer is also the third most fatal type of cancer that affects Filipinos, claiming 9,926 lives in 2020. Because of these statistics, women are eager to find out what causes breast cancer and avoid them as much as possible. This has often led to the spread of facts and myths on breast cancer, making it confusing which ones t ..read more

While we may be full-fledged “adults” working a job, you probably miss the days when you could just drop everything at the mere mention of “suspension” on the news… just like me. When we were younger, we’d spend the day watching cartoons and eating a warm bowl of something – anything hot and soupy during rainy days. Food that’s akin to a warm hug as you laze the day away in front of the TV in the comfort of your home. Now, in memory of our childhood and the many suspended school days, I thought I’d make a list of meals that’ll get us through the rainy days as adults. Something that’ll warm hea ..read more

One rainy afternoon, as my friend and I drove around Manila, we started talking about the best meal to have during a gloomy day. While we both agreed that a hearty soup was the best thing to consume, our opinions on the differences between lugaw, arroz caldo, and goto are what set us apart. A huge debate that centered around what makes the three rice porridges different ensued. Voices were raised, goto houses were googled, threats of driving to Lugawan sa Tejeros were made, and relatives were compelled to give up goto lugaw recipes until, ultimately, a white flag was raised and both parties co ..read more

When I got diagnosed with PCOS, I had no idea how complex it was. I assumed taking medication would heal me and all the symptoms I experienced would go away but treatment required so much more. Discovering that PCOS is a lifelong battle was devastating. Because of PCOS, I have trouble losing weight, and people assumed that exercising or eating less would do the trick. However, it’s not that simple. Confiding in other women reminded me that I wasn’t alone; many of us suffer from PCOS. Though each woman will have a unique PCOS experience, knowing that many others understood what I was going thro ..read more

As a person who wholeheartedly says, “Rice is life,” I take pride in my contribution to keeping this country in the Top 10 Consumers of Rice in the World. However, a continuous battle with a pandemic has made everyone more mindful of their health. With more individuals looking to stay in better shape by becoming conscious of what they do and consume, it’s no surprise that they’ve started to dissect their diets and switch ingredients out for more nutrient-dense options. In this article, we’ve listed down five homegrown healthy substitutes for rice. Keep reading to learn more about them! Adlai M ..read more

On a global scale, the COVID-19 pandemic has been raging on for over a year now. The Philippines is no stranger to the virus, with the first case being reported in early 2020. Per the Department Of Health (DOH), on January 21, 2020, a woman flying in from Wuhan, China had been confirmed as the country’s first ever coronavirus-positive case. Since then, there have been ups and downs in the country’s fight against the pandemic. And by “ups and downs,” what I mean is that the “curve” has been fluctuating in the last two years. As of writing, we’ve witnessed a total of 3,688,941 infections and 60 ..read more

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipinos have been self-medicating left and right. While most of them know that what they are doing can be dangerous if done without a medical professional’s input, a lot of them do it anyways because it is either too expensive to consult a doctor or there simply aren’t any doctors available in the area. From home remedies, like herbal treatments, to popping over-the-counter (OTC) drugs like paracetamol, people have been choosing to self-medicate for various reasons. Whether it’s to address the common cold, a wheezing cough, or loss of taste and smell, covid anxi ..read more

Image from Pexels Many women suffer from PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome. PCOS is a reproductive disease that affects almost 10% of women from ages 20 to 40. It involves high levels of testosterone that prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs and, instead, turns those unfertilized eggs into small cysts. Skin problems, sudden weight gain, and unusual hair growth are just some of the few symptoms of the disease. But the most obvious and most common one is having irregular periods. When it comes to PCOS, preparedness is key. Unlike women with normal cycles, we don’t have a calendar to look a ..read more

I am a proud Jollibee palabok and Amber pancit Malabon stan. But I admit that their translucent noodles and orange-yellow sauces have always confused me. All I know is that both merienda classics are tasty and that either is always present in our Noche Buena spread. If, like me, you’re interested to finally learn the difference between pancit Malabon and palabok, then this guide is for you. Pancit Palabok Photo by Airam Dato-on on Unsplash The noodles used in pancit palabok are thin, the same kind used in pancit bihon. Meanwhile, the base for the sauce is a mixture of shrimp and pork broth, se ..read more

Malunggay, also known as moringa in English, is a common tree in the Philippines. You’ll often find malunggay trees in backyard farms of growing on their own in empty lots in rural areas. It’s also called the miracle tree because of its numerous health benefits, which are mostly derived from its small, circular leaves. The health benefits of malunggay are common knowledge among people who grew up with one in their neighborhood, but you may not have had the good fortune to have done so. If you are looking for natural and organic ways to boost your body and improve your well-being, the malunggay ..read more