According to Wikipedia, Saridon is an analgesic combination of propyphenazone, paracetamol, and caffeine designed to produce effective analgesia with fast onset of action in 15 minutes. It is manufactured by Bayer AG in Germany.

Every member of our family is a pain killer user (blame it to our migraines!) so we’ve tried every product available in the market today. Heck, we even noticed the change on the formulation of the world’s most trusted pain killer ^_^. But why isn’t Saridon familiar? It is because Saridon is widely distributed ONLY in the Visayas and Mindanao regions and is currently being marketed as clinically proven safe and effective pain relief against headache, muscle pains, and toothache. Saridon is also proven to work faster and better without sacrificing safety.

Much to my dismay, this was the only reliable information I got from the web. The company didn’t even have a decent website where people can go to in case they need additional information of the product. If these companies has funds to produce these products, then why can’t they spare a little amount of their budget in building a reliable website.

Web presence through websites is very important because this is where people could get first hand information about a certain product in case they have questions about its components, efficacy and side effects.

I saw a Facebook page of Saridon Bayer but I noticed how it was poorly made. It lacks information – no, it contains NO information about the product, even the “No Approved Therapeutic Claims” mandated by the Department of Health. I also noticed that the product is EXCLUSIVELY released in the Visayas and Mindanao regions…hmmm I smell something fishy here. Shouldn’t these people know that this painkiller was banned almost 30 years ago by the Bureau of Food and Drugs in the United States because of it’s active ingredient “phenacetin” which is known to be cancerous? Why is the product just released (or should I say, tested?) in the South – because consumers there would not bother filing reports in BFAD?

Here is a Saridon commercial released a few years ago in the South:

Aside from this and some lousy Facebook pages, the consumers are left with no detailed information about the product, its manufacturer and its local distributor.

If my opinions may be asked, I suggest that the Department of Health should require these companies to build a website with complete, updated information about the product. At this point in time, people rely mostly in the web for “information” because it is more updated and the answers are all there. So when consumer search for a particular product, they will be directly to the official website itself. And by being “updated” I mean, there’s a webmaster maintaining the website and monitoring it 24/7 – this is to ensure that no question and complaints are left unanswered.

The story was different 20 years ago when people ONLY believed in what their doctors say. People then, especially the ones in the urban areas rely on medicines A LOT. But times have changed, people are now once again tapping various “alternative options” for prevention and ailment – since people felt ‘safer’ because it’s ‘all natural’.

This ‘need’ pushed manufacturers to take the less traveled path and ventured into “alternative medicines”.

Right now, alternative medicines is a growing multi-billion dollar business on every corners of the world. More and more supplements are being sold each day all claiming to AID the body in fighting the harmful effects of what they eat, drink, lack of sleep and more. But do these medicines really help at all?

After every advertisement of these alternative medicines comes the disclaimer of all sorts, ‘No Approved Therapeutic Claims‘. This simply means that the product advertised has not yet been approved by Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) and the manufacturer do not claim that it could treat anything. It also means that no long-term study has been done to prove the efficiency of the product. Manila Standard Today describes this disclaimer clause “perfunctory and vague” because indeed, it is.

On March 18, 2010, the Department of Health mandated to replace the clause with “Important notice: The product is not medicine and is not to be used for treating diseases.” oftentimes it is translated into Filipino: “Mahalagang paalaala: Ang ________ ay hindi dapat gamiting panggamot sa anumang uri ng sakit.”

But do people notice this? more so, treat the clause seriously and as a warning? Some do but most people are blinded by the testimonials of celebrities endorsing the herbal supplements. Manufacturers invest a huge portion of their budget on the talent fees of their endorsers. Gullible consumers would easily believe in these celebrities and so they will buy the product – much to the delight (and profit!) of the manufacturers ^_^

Lately I noticed how these manufacturers have tapped social media in marketing their products and you’ll see lots of them on Facebook and Twitter BUT NOT THE NO APPROVED THERAPEUTIC CLAIMS CLAUSE.

But…why?

Is it not their responsibility to inform the greater public about the real purpose of their product, including what it can and it cannot do? Shouldn’t they present the real nature of their product? Is it medicine? Is it food? The consumers need the truth. Drop the sugar coated testimonials and glittering personality endorsements!

And shouldn’t the Department of Health be concerned on the presence of these supplements on the worldwide web and how it is being marketed? because in the Administrative Order 2010-0008, it says there “This applies to every advertisement, promotion and/or sponsorship activities or any materials concerning food/dietary supplements.

For print and other visual advertisements, promotions or materials, the prescribed standard message or phrase shall be at least 1/3 of the size of the largest letter/logo and prominently (all in capital and bold letters) printed above of every advertisement, promotional activities or any materials used.”

It’s clear, but I don’t think that this is being followed.

Respiratory Illness excuses no one, especially during the rainy season. Everyone has had their share of colds and cough at one time or another. There are safe and natural ways to relieve them.

One method is through the conventional cough and colds preparations. Tried-and-tested over the years, taking synthetic medicine, either in syrup or tablet, has been a stable means of getting us through clogged noses and phlegm filled airways. But with the advent of natural medicine, parents are recognizing its safety and efficacy .

A good and natural solution is through the use of Lagundi leaves. Tried and tested by our forebearers, its use has been existent for quite sometime now and had remained unnoticed. Technology has brought into fore this time tested natural remedy creating a cough and cold medicine under strict quality control standards. Lagundex (Vitex Negundo) was thus created for this purpose.

A brand trusted by the Department of Health, Lagundex is made from the finest Lagundi leaves in the country. The finer quality the leaf has, the more potent it is to treat cough, colds, and even mild asthma.

Unlike other Lagundi preparations, our brand of lagundi is harvested in the nutrient rich soil of Palawan, long considered as the greenest & cleanest part of the Philippines, and considered as the “ Last Frontier “

Lagundex ( Lagundi ) was developed by a group of Filipino scientist over a 14 year period using only indigenous Lagundi plants. This makes it “Truly a Filipino Product “.

Our farmers practice utmost care in ensuring that no chemical herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers were used in growing our lagundi plants, all natural and pure organic produce.

Giving the kids Lagundex won’t be a problem because they are sure to love its peppermint, orange, and lemon flavors.

So for the common cough and colds, remember to keep your Lagundex always handy. Remember…..lagundex its not just a leaf, its cough relief.

I am no sucker for Filipino food because I get to eat it at home but since it was where binagoongan was and pregger was craving for it, then off we went to KKK.

The first thing that we noticed about KKK was its interior – makabayang-makabayan

the girls

beautiful, ayt?

Then comes the food…

Baked Tahong, P135

Fresh (yes, I mean it. It’s really fresh!) tahong baked with cheese. It’s my all time favorite so I get it all the time except when the “red tide” warning is up

Pinakbet ng KKK, P155

Maquesong Lumpiang Shanghai, P145

Instead of the usual lumpiang shanghai, KKK cooked it with melted cheese. Winner!

Ensaladang Manggang Hilaw

This.is.to.die.for!

Instead of the usual bagoong, you’ll be served with shredded green mangoes topped with crispy dilis. absolute heaven!

Binagoongang Lechon Kawali, P220

Melt in your mouth lechon kawali served with bagoong. Ay panalo! Malilimutan mo pangalan mo

Krispy Sisig Lumpia, P160

Imagine this: crispy sisig (and I swear it’s chopped bagnet!) + ensaladang mangga + chopped tomatoes,garlic and onions + bihon

mouth watering combi!

Every order is good for 3-4 persons so it’s really very sulit! We went home with happy tummies obviously and we were glad that the pregger was happy:

So the next time you crave for Filipino dishes, try KKK.

I got so tired of blogging.

I refuse to attend blogging events because I can no longer include it on my day-to-day schedule.

I’m not sure if it’s blogging per se that’s causing it. Maybe I’m just too tired or overwhelmed from the cupcake orders I received the past few weeks? Not that I am complaining at all – I feel so blessed! Lord, bring it on!

You can check out our online bakeshop here: PH Bakehouse

One word – burnout.

Maybe I need to relax a bit, manage my schedule well and plan things in advance? But how?

But beyond this explanation, I have a personal reason why I don’t allow her to bring just ready made/off the rack food in school – I consider biscuits (healthy or otherwise) and juices as appetite suppressants. Because these products are high in sugar, it reduces a child’s appetite and food consumption therefore would affect their weight and nutrition.

I’m very conscious when it comes to Yona’s weight and height because she’s such a tiny little girl. She’s the smallest in their class and I want her to grow – at least above the average height for her age. Her weight is within normal range naman but I’m still worried.

It’s hard to wake up at 4:00am every single day to cook rice and “ulam” for her baon but I it’s all worth the effort.

I’m a sucker for David & Goliath products. It may not seem appropriate, given my age and the supposed to be “market” of their products but who cares? I love how colorful their products are, from shirts, bags, jackets, watches, knick-knacks – everything in their shop shouts “FANTABULOUS!”

This morning I receive a newsletter from them saying that their newest collection is already out. Of all their products, I’m very disappointed with the shirts not because it’s not of good quality but because they don’t have my size! I am 1L for crying out loud huhuhu perhaps I need to reduce belly fat in order to fit on their shirts.

photo credit: Yves V. Barcelo

I am a pork lover especially the fried ones but I couldn’t force myself to love Crispy Pata. It looks oh so yummy especially if it’s very crispy but I.just.do.not.like.it.

Siguro dahil legs siya. I don’t like chicken legs and bulalo, kaya siguro…

Believe me, I can eat pork morning, noon and night, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (okay…OA na yun haha) but that’s how I love pork. Now I’m scared to undergo any treatment for high cholesterol so I promised to lessen my pork intake before I reach 30…and that’s less than two months from now

Anyhoo, here’s a recipe of Crispy Pata if you like:

Ingredients

· 1 pork pata (pork leg), wash well
· 1 cup soda pop (Sprite or 7-up)
· water, for boiling
· coarse sea salt
· 1 tsp. peppercorns
· 5 cloves garlic, crushed
· 2 bay leaves
· 1 tbsp. soy sauce
· 2 tsp. baking soda
· oil, for frying

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Clean pork pata. Cut skin about 3-5 slits on each side, without cutting the bone.

2. Place pork pata in a big pot. Add soda pop and water enough to cover the pork.

3. Season with plenty of salt. Add peppercorns, crushed garlic, bay leaves and soy sauce.

4. Covered and boil over high heat. Remove all the resulting scum that will rise to the top of the pot. Lower the heat and simmer
for about an hour or until pork pata meat is tender (make sure that meat is not too tender).

5. About 15 minutes of simmering, add baking soda (to soften the meat faster) and continue cooking.

6. Drain pork pata when done. Let sit for a while so the juices settle. Dry with paper towels.

7. Deep-fry pata until golden brown and blisters appear on skin. Drain on paper towels.

8. Slice meat and transfer to a serving plate. Serve hot with sauce for dipping.

9. You can also make sauce by mixing soy sauce and white vinegar. You may add garlic, onion and chili pepper.

Source: http://www.philippinecountry.com

How about you, do you like Crispy Pata?

]]> http://entrepremom.info/2010/07/no-fan-of-crispy-pata/feed/ 3 http://entrepremom.info/2010/06/dying-washing-machine/ http://entrepremom.info/2010/06/dying-washing-machine/#comments Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:08:10 +0000 entrepremom http://entrepremom.info/?p=1688 After 5 years and almost 4 months, I think our good ol’ washing machine will finally say goodbye. A busy mom like me can not live without a washer so we definitely need to buy a new one and this time I’ll ensure that we’ll get a fully automatic washer!

Right now, my husband and I are washing everything by hand and boy does it hurt!  (God bless our hands!) We wanted to bring everything to the laundry shop but the bill will break out wallet for sure

We’re now scouting for the right washer so I must say goodbye to our allergy mattress covers‘ budget. I need the said covers to treat my allergic rhinitis but I guess we need the automatic washer more.

As usual, her speech were so full of ‘administration’s accomplishments’ which I personally call PANUNUMBAT. I don’t buy her “Sa totoo lang…” tag line on most of her “glad to be of service” infomercials. Public servants SHOULD NOT do that because it is your responsibility to SERVE the Filipino people – YOUR TAXPAYERS. The ordinary people DO NOT OWE YOU ANYTHING.

Many were hoping to hear the word ‘goodbye’ from PGMA but hell, she didn’t say it. Because she’s here to stay. She’s no fool who’ll just shout “sell my timeshare!” at the end of her term.