A legal heavyweight for CJ

A loyal reader of this column suggested that I should write, too, about a legal heavyweight with the necessary gravitas (defined as one possessing a certain substance of depth of personality) that makes him very suitable to become the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: Former Congressman and Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora.

Zamora may come off to some people as a surprise potential candidate for the post of CJ, but not to those who know his impressive educational and public service credentials.

At 18, Zamora was the youngest editor in chief of the Philippine Collegian, the student newspaper of the University of the Philippines where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, in 1965. It was also in UP that he obtained his Bachelor of Laws in 1969, again, as magna cum laude.

The valedictorian of his law class which included Senators Miriam Defensor Santiago and Franklin Drilon, Zamora placed first in the bar exams of 1969.

While still in law school in 1965, Zamora was already serving in government, and later on was named by the Philippine Jaycees as one of the country’s Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) along with President Joseph Estrada in 1972.

Six years down the road after being awarded the TOYM, Zamora was first elected as an assemblyman in the Batasang Pambansa. From there, he was elected to the 8th, 9th and 10th Congress, and after the constitutionally required term break, he was again elected to the 12th, 13th and 14th Congress, serving in two of his terms as majority leader and in two others as minority leader.

Zamora sponsored landmark legislation such as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, the law creating the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as well as the act creating the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. He also authored the two bills creating the highly urbanized cities of San Juan and Mandaluyong.

Zamora’s having served in the executive department as executive secretary during the Estrada administration and his service in Congress, should make him a most well-rounded CJ.

 P-Noy can’t go wrong with Zamora at the helm of the High Court.

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For Pinoys, regardless of social status, food is more than just for sustenance, it’s a way of life. Because of the importance that food plays in private and social gatherings, “Eat, Drink, and be Merry” could very well be our motto. From fiestas, house visits, down to simple family dinners, our taste buds and bellies always welcome gastronomical treats.

It is therefore quite sad that many people are prevented from fully enjoying some types of food preparations simply because of sensitive teeth. You may be shocked to learn that 8 out of 10 Filipinos suffer from what is commonly known as pangingilo. This short, sharp pain that comes from eating cold, hot or even sweet and sour food is due to several reasons. Such causes include poor oral hygiene, an appetite for acidic food, excessive use of whitening products, grinding, or even brushing your teeth too hard.

I learned all this while having a nice chat with noted dental practitioner Dr. Angie De Castro (who, incidentally, does have perfect teeth). “Filipinos are matiisin by nature, Domini,” she said, emphasizing a cultural trait that can be both a positive and a negative. “The problem is that we often choose to dismiss pangingilo when it hits, opting to bear the pain and hope that the bouts become less frequent.” The thing is, in a country where the scrumptious sweet, and ice-filled treat, halo- halo is ordinary dessert fare, and sinigang is best eaten really hot and really sour, having vulnerable teeth is definitely a problem worth addressing. Although Dr. Angie mentioned that statistically, tooth sensitivity is highest between the ages of 25 to 30 years, pangingilo can happen to anyone in any age group. “Tooth sensitivity occurs when the underlying layer of your teeth — the dentin — becomes exposed as a result of receding gum tissue, thus exposing the tooth roots,” she explained. “The roots, which are not covered by hard enamel, contain thousands of tiny tubules leading to the tooth’s nerve center. These dentinal tubules allow the stimuli to reach the nerve in your tooth, which results in sharp pain.” As she described the process, I found myself wincing involuntarily at the thought that 80 percent of Filipinos go through this ordeal on a regular basis. 

Thankfully, the war on pangingilo has gone high-tech. “The toothpaste brand I recommend to my patients is the only one that uses a breakthrough technology called NovaMin. It’s truly amazing stuff,” Dr. Angie enthused. Apparently, NovaMin has its roots in a bone regeneration compound invented by Professor Larry Hench at the University of Florida in the early 1970s. The technology evolved from a material called “Bioglass,” which was developed to stimulate bone regeneration in combat-wounded Vietnam troops. Talk about combat-tested!      

On the other hand, NovaMin is made from elements naturally found in healthy teeth and bone. Its particles start to react when they come in contact with water or saliva, and within 12 hours, forms a protective layer that bonds to your teeth. Apart from fully covering the exposed tubules, this protective layer can also prevent further demineralization of the dentin. In the end, an ounce of prevention still counts for more, so we should always remember the good oral hygiene we were taught as kids. I don’t know about you, but missing out on certain food fare is a big NO to me. As a food lover myself, having my choice of food limited due to sensitivity is downright dismaying, not just because I’m missing out on the flavors in my mouth, but also the possibility of bonding with friends and relatives over a glass of halo-halo, among others.

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On June 22 - 23, tomorrow and Saturday, the record-breaking Jobstreet.com career fair opens at Halls 2, 3 and 4 of the country’s biggest international exhibition and convention venue, the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. Jobseekers can expect to find and apply for jobs at companies including top ones at the most convenient job fair in the Philippines.

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Let me plug my niece Zonito’s Malunggay Shing-a-Ling snack treat being sold at the Jobstreet fair. It’s good, makes you crave for more. Shing-a-Ling, along with the really delicious Buko Malunggay Shake and guyabano tea, is also sold at Tsiborg at the Quezon City Circle, Farmers Market, Saturdays and Sundays.

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My e-mail: [email protected]