Past records of the Department of Health show an increase of the number of patients at the local hospitals after a long Christmas vacation.

This prompted Dave Bargamento, National Nutrition Council 7 nutrition officer, and Ronald delos Reyes, program coordinator of the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center, to urge the public to observe a healthy lifestyle during the holidays.

During the Dec. 17 episode of Pagtuki, the weekly radio program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. aired every Saturday morning over dyLA, Bargamento and delos Reyes shared tips on how to stay healthy this yuletide season.

“People, especially those who are always attending parties, should eat moderately. They should avoid eating high fat and salt content foods. Too much of fat and salt will always have a negative effect on one’s body,” Bargamento explained.

Both Pagtuki guests promoted the eating of fruits and vegetables and lessening the use of seasonings.

“Since it would be a long holiday for everyone, it would be better to give time to exercising. Exercise would help burn excess calories. The sweat would help release toxins from our body,” delos Reyes said.

“Intake of water would also be helpful, especially when you drink alcoholic beverages. Water can help dilute alcoholic drinks,” Bargamento added.

They also advised partygoers to eat food that are rich in protein before going to their parties, saying that being very hungry before an event would trigger them to eat a lot.

“Eating ham on noche buena should also be minimized. Ham is processed meat and is high on salt. One or two slices of it would be enough,” Bargamento said.

He also urged parents to store the kids’ favorite, spaghetti, properly since it “perishes easily” compared to other food. Both Pagtuki guests pointed out that excess intake of food would lead to obesity that increases the risk of other possible illnesses, such as colon cancer. (by Hannah Reoma/RAFI intern)

What is the best way to celebrate the gift-giving season?

For some people like Ency Encinares, a volunteer deaf mute teacher, and Venerva Amil, a teacher for the Bajau community in Barangay Alaska Mambaling, Cebu City, volunteering for a cause is the best form of a gift this yuletide season.

They both define volunteerism as serving without something in return, as long as the one doing it happy with what he or she is doing doing. They also associate volunteerism as saying the truth, letting the people know that one is sincere with his or her voluntary service.

Encinares and Amil were guests during the “Pagtuki” episode last Dec. 3 when the topic was on the state of the Cebuano volunteerism. Pagtuki is the weekly radio program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) aired every Saturday morning over dyLA.

“When I was still in college, I belonged to an organization that is into helping the community. I have had worries, such as failing my subjects since I gave so much of my time as a volunteer. But at the end of the day, I find fulfillment in what I was doing,” Encinares explained.

He added that he would have had a hard time learning the sign language if he was not dedicated and passionate about it.

For Amil, she has seen the need for the Bajau community to focus on education, especially learning the Cebuano language.

“I decided to share my knowledge with them. Even though there are a lot of challenges being a volunteer teacher, such as getting the cooperation of the Bajau community, these are not reasons for me to stop. I know majority of my students want to learn. I want to impart to them that education is very relevant in our lives,” Amil shared in Cebuano.

Apart from sharing their personal experiences on volunteerism, they also encouraged the public, particularly the youth, to do voluntary work and contribute to community development.

“Volunteerism should start in us. Set yourself as an example so that the rest will follow,” Amil advised. (by Hannah Reoma/RAFI intern)