Pamilya no to drugs

The family, or the home, if you may, is the best place to prevent drug dealers from victimizing youngsters.  Kids may be enticed into drug taking at school, in the neighborhood, or even at home by relatives or friends, or even strangers. Often, parents don’t know that their children have become addicts, and they’re in great pain and at a loss on how to help them kick the habit.

It’s refreshing to know that the Philippine National Police and the Inner Wheel Clubs of the Philippines, Inc. (IWCP), District 381, along with Rotary International (RI) Dist. 3810 and RI Dist. 3830 have formalized a public-private partnership with the signing of a memorandum of agreement during the launch of "Pamilya Ko Ayaw sa Droga" the other day.

Police Deputy Dir. Gen. Ricardo de Leon, head of the PNP Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF), which spearheads the countrywide anti-drug project, said the government’s campaign against illegal drugs and target goal to a have a drug-free country by 2010 is now "more realistic and attainable with the support of Inner Wheel and Rotary civic groups."

IWCPI chair Beth Sison-Tagle said the partnership is laudable "because the focus is to make the Filipino family — the foundation of our nation — stronger by fighting drugs whose tentacles have become a social menace afflicting the Filipino youth."

For the first time, the civic groups IWCP1-Dist. 381 and its duo-counterparts RI District 3810 represented by Gov. Ed Tumangan, and RI District 3830 represented by Gov. Jimmy Cura, have joined hands to "pursue a forceful, intensive and unrelenting campaign against illegal drugs," with the PNP as lead partner. Both of them accepted the challenge, saying that their respective district’s involvement in the project is an opportunity to expand their horizon in community/public service.

Beth said, "As fathers and mothers, we at the Inner wheel and the Rotary feel good that we are taking part in helping and contributing to our government’s target goal to eradicate this social malaise." She expressed the hope that the signing of the MOA will result in the involvement of various sectors in protecting the family and the youth from the damage inflicted by illegal drugs.

Beth appointed Inner Wheel-Makati North past president Cora Tan as chair to serve as focal officer of "Pamilya Ko Ayaw sa Droga" project

We will be hearing more about this project, which should encourage other civic organizations to form their family anti-drug programs.

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Bad weather makes us feel hungry, and as I write this column, with the wind banging at my door, my mind and taste buds keep wandering to Tagaytay City – to the new restaurant called Taalena – where my significant other and I had lunch last weekend. I still remember the crisply fried tawilis, and the yellow adobo and sinanglay na plapla.

The restaurant, which opened early this year, is a project in past-middle age of four Upsilonians – Mar Galicia who is the project president; Dr. Nanding Pieded, chair; advertising man Tong S. Puno, and Bert Salanga. A fourth member is Ernie Hainsay. Mar and Nanding and their wives Lilia de Leon (who runs the restaurant) and Viola (an architect by training), hosted us to the sumptuous meal. That Saturday, the two-story place (with a waterfalls running beside the staircase), and with a spectacular view of Taal lake, was full of hungry diners. To everyone’s delight, the D’Wiggles trio dished out Spanish and Tagalog songs from "the oldies."  Nanding told us the place has lots of bookings for weddings up to December. That’s not surprising, since Taalena is a romantic place for lovers.

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It’s joke time, and from my friend Divina S. Tapaya who lives in California and who is one of this year’s Outstanding Silliman Awardees, comes two rib-ticklers. One is entitled "All I need is a Miracle." The story goes:

A woman was walking along the beach when she stumbled upon a genie’s lamp. She picked it up and rubbed it. Lo and behold, a genie appeared. The amazed woman asked if she could ask for three wishes.

The genie said, "Nope. Due to inflation, constant downsizing, low wages in Third World countries and fierce global competition, I can only grant you one wish. So, what’ll it be?"

The woman didn’t hesitate. She said, "I want peace in the Middle East. See this map? I want these countries to stop fighting with each other."

The genie looked at the map and exclaimed, "Gadzooks, lady! These countries have been at war for thousands of years. I’m good, but not THAT good! I don’t think it can be done. Make another wish."

The woman thought for a minute. She said, "Well, I’ve been trying to find the right husband. You know, one that’s considerate and fun, likes to cook and helps with the housecleaning, has a great sense of humor and gets along with my family, doesn’t watch sports all the time and is faithful. That’s what I wish for. A good mate."

The genie let out a long sigh and said, "Let me see that map again."

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Here is a piece written by Andy Rooney for CBS 60 Minutes.

As I grow in age, I value women who are over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why.

A woman over 40 will not lay next to you in bed and ask, ‘What are you thinking?’ She doesn’t care what you think.

If a woman over 40 doesn’t want to watch the game, she doesn’t sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do. And it’s usually something more interesting.

A woman over 40 knows herself well enough to be self-assured as to who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 40 give a damn what you might think about her or what she’s doing.

Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won’t hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it’s like to be unappreciated.

A woman over 40 has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn’t trust the guy with other women. Women over 40 couldn’t care less if you’re attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won’t betray her.

Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40. She always knows.

A woman over 40 looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women or drag queens.

Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest. They’ll tell you right off if you are a jerk or if you are acting like one! You don’t ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it’s not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of 40+ there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of him with some 22-year-old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.

For all those men who say, ‘Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free," here’s an update for you. Nowadays 80 percent of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it’s not worth buying an entire pig, just to get a little sausage.

Have a good weekend!

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My e-mail: [email protected]