GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA MARCH 2011

THE August����������� ������������������  2011

US Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

Issue No.7

www.filipinojournal.site88.net

See Safety Smart Page 4

FILIPINO JOURNAL

Did you know that skin cancer occurs at any age? Skin cancer plain and simple is a result of continuous exposure to ultra violet radiation. The amount of damage from Ultra Violet depends on the strength of the light, the length of exposure, and whether the skin is protected with clothing or sunscreen. Also wear a hat and sunglasses with UV protection.

THERE ARE NO SAFE ULTRAVIOLET RAYS OR SAFE SUNTANS!

Here at GTMO we are exposed to more Ultra Violet Radiation because we are closer to the equator. The intensity is much greater and we have more sunny days than other places. If you work outside why take a chance? Use sunscreen and use it often. REMEMBER THAT AGE DOES NOT MATTER!

GTMO COMMUNITY REMINDER

NAVSTAGTMOINST 1710.10A (9A)

POOL SWIMMING

Swimming without a lifeguard is prohibited. The lifeguard on duty is responsible for enforcing all posted pool regulations and the general instructions. The lifeguard is authorized to revoke the pool privileges of any patron who fails to adhere to pool regulations.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM EXPOSURE TO SUN

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA AUGUST 2011

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BRLL 2011 OFFICERS

Joyce Faminialan

President

Ritchie Dolores

Vice President

Anna Marie Santiago

Secretary

Evonie Pastoral

Assistant Secretary

Raul Reyes, Jr.

Treasurer

Marita Elesterio

Assistant Treasurer

Analyn Miranda

Auditor

Menchie Alumpe

Assistant Auditor

Edgardo Sichico

Modesto Gamas

Property Custodians

Ronald Sanchez

Diosdado Villegas, Jr.

Ways & Means Coordinators

Joselito Empleyo

Ron Gilbert Santos

Sports Coordinators

Wilson Solon

PIDC Chairperson

Ms. Rachel McGuirl

Mr. Richard Earl

Mr. Brad Renollet

Advisers

The Filipino Journal The Filipino Journal is an authorized newsletter of BRLL for the Filipino community. Contents of The Filipino Journal is produced for information purposes only.

The Filipino Journal is published on a monthly basis. A copy of the journal is distributed electronically via email. If you’re not receiving this email and would like to, submit your name a n d e m a i l a d d r e s s t o filipino.journal@gmx.com.

Submissions to The Filipino Journal are due to the editor no later than a week prior first saturday of the month. All submissions are subject to editing for length, content and conform to local guidelines.

Want to contribute to The Filipino Journal?

Feel free to contact us at Filipino.Journal@gmx.com

Raul Reyes, Jr.Editor / Layout

Rachel McGuirlElvie Bautista

Fred ApogLeah Katherine Yagin

Contributors

Mark SnyderIllustration Artist

www.filipinojournal.site88.net

Issue No. 7

IMPORTANT REMINDER

Please keep in mind that every cash withdrawal from your bank account that is done in the Philippines results in a $1.50 transaction fee plus a Visa charge of 1% of the transaction amount. For example, if $20 is withdrawn in the PI, a $1.70 additional charge is made ($1.50 + $.20).

Community Bank will charge a $20 overdraft fee, even if the account is overdrawn by just a few cents. In the example above, if the employee had a balance of $21 in his account, this $20 withdrawal would result in a balance of ($.70) and a $20 fee would be charged.

Recommendation: If there will be cash withdrawals made in the PI, keep a minimum balance of $5 or $6 in the account to cover these fees and protect you from an overdraft fee.

A Message from Community Bank-GTMO

TAGALOG EVERYDAY PHRASE

“Bawal magtapon basura dito" – "Do not dump garbage here" "Huwag" is more polite while "bawal" is more legalistic. "Magtapon" is the verb "to dump" "basura" means "garbage." "Dito" means "here" .

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA AUGUST 2011

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What God Requires?Isaiah 1:1; 10-17

1 The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. 10 Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah! 11 “The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the LORD. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. 12 When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? 13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your evil assemblies. 14 Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; 16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

According to the opening words of Isaiah, one of God’s chief complaints against the people of Judah is that they have neglected the cares of others. God takes this neglect as a sign of their faithlessness. As a result, God has worn weary of the people’s worship: “Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen.” Those words make me shudder. I would like to think God couldn’t tire of seeing me sitting in my same pew in the church each Sunday. But then I see it right here in my Bible, the prophet Isaiah declaring that God has had enough of burnt offerings and cannot stand the smell of incense anymore.

INSPIRATIONAL WORDS Showing up at the temple with the proper offering did not automatically counts as faithfulness. God saw that on their way to worship, these people hurried right past the blind beggar sitting in the street. They made no time to stand up for the outcast in their community. Look again at the scripture. After denouncing the people’s worship, God provide them with explicit directions for making things right. It is straightforward. The hand that extend to receive the communion cup from Christ’s table must also reach out with cup of cold water in Christ’s name. What God is looking for in worship is not so much what we do when we get there, but what we’ve been doing before we arrived and after.

God of justice, grant us the will, and the power, to act on behalf of our neighbors. Accept what we do as a worthy of worship. Amen.

Fred Apog

Mark Snyder

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SKIN CANCER

How is skin cancer treated? Surgery to remove the affected area! The problem is that skin cancer may go deep into the layers of skin and all that area must be removed. This radical treatment leaves scars and deformities. Why gamble with your health?

Look for changes on your skin such as:

Pale, wax-like, pearly nodulesRed, scaly, sharply outlined patchesSores that don’t healSmall, mole-like growths-melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer

How To Select, Apply, and Use Sunscreen Correctly

What To Look for When You Buy Sunscreen

Pick a sunscreen that protects against UV-A and UV-B rays and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Read product labels. Look for a waterproof brand if you will be sweating or swimming. Buy a nonstinging product or one specifically formulated for your face.

Buy a brand that does not contain para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) if you are sensitive to that ingredient. Try a sunscreen with different chemicals if your skin reacts badly to the one that you are using. Not all sunscreens have the same ingredients. A good sunscreen will contain avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide.Use a water-based sunscreen if you have oily skin or are prone to acne.

Be aware of the expiration date because some sunscreen ingredients might degrade over time.

When To Apply Sunscreen

Apply sunscreen approximately 30 minutes before being in the sun so that it can be absorbed by the skin. Sunscreen should be applied daily. The daily use of a low-SPF sunscreen (15) has been shown to be more effective in preventing skin damage than the intermittent use of a higher SPF sunscreen.

Reapplying SunscreenMost instructions on sunscreen labels recommend reapplying sunscreen "frequently", but the definition of "frequently" is vague. A common instruction is to reapply sunscreen after 2-4 hours in the sun. However, one study has shown that reapplying sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes after being in the sun is more effective than waiting 2 hours. It is possible that

SAFETY

SMART

Rachel McGuirl - BRSC Safety

this time period is more effective because most people do not apply enough sunscreen initially, and this second application approximates the actual amount needed. Sunscreen should also be reapplied after swimming, excessive sweating, or toweling. Insect repellents reduce the sunscreen's SPF by up to one-third. When using sunscreen and insect repellent together, a higher SPF should be used and reapplied more often.

How To Apply Sunscreen

Most people use sunscreen improperly by not applying enough. They apply only 25% to 50% of the recommended amount. Sunscreen should be applied liberally enough to all sun-exposed areas that it forms a film when initially applied. It takes 20-30 minutes for sunscreen to be absorbed by the skin, so it should be applied at least a half an hour before going out in the sun. Sunscreen should also be the last product applied especially on the face since some sunscreens can break down in the presence of water contained in water-based foundations and moisturizers.

Shake well before use to mix particles that might be clumped up in the container. Consider using the new spray-on or stick types of sunscreen. Be sure to apply enough sunscreen. As a rule of thumb, use an ounce (a handful) to cover your entire body. Use on all parts of your skin exposed to the sun, including the ears, back, shoulders, and the back of the knees, legs and top of head if you don’t have much hair. Apply sunscreen on your face slowly to avoid the white patches that can occur if the sunscreen is not put on correctly. Working outward, apply the sunscreen on your face, and then put it on your hairline, temples, ears and the front and back of your neck.Apply thickly and thoroughly. Be careful when applying sunscreen around the eyes.

While the consistency of the sunscreen is important in a facial product, it is also wise to look for a word called non-comedogenic, which means that the lotion won't clog your pores.

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Are you a writer or simply someone who loves to write? Share your talent and submit your articles to Filipino.Journal@gmx.com

If your article is selected, it will be published on the next issue.

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA AUGUST 2011

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Rediscover PhilippinesBeautiful PALAWAN…

Having heard so much about the place, I was really excited! This time our itchy feet took us to the beautiful city of Puerto Princesa, the capital island province of Palawan. Acclaimed as the greenest and cleanest city in the Philippines.

Our flight was at nine in the morning and we were at the airport by six. We had breakfast at Jollibee on the second level and made some photo taking here and there. Upon arrival at Puerto Princesa we never missed the opportunity to take our first time picture at Puerto Princesa airport. Our first day plan was to eat on a place where Puerto Princesa is known and experience the city tour. We had our lunch at Bilao at Palayok, a restaurant specializes in grilled Filipino dishes mostly pork, seafood and chicken that is being served in a bilao or palayok (winnowing basket or pot). It has a country-style ambiance complete with bamboo cottages. We decided to get their “Boodle Fight Dish” consists of pork sisig, laing, chicken adobo,   steamed shrimp, grilled squid, baked tahong, grilled tuna, grilled tilapia, grilled liempo   and steamed crab together with atchara, bagoong, salted eggs, tomatoes and green mangoes on the side and rice. This serving is good for 6-7 persons already.

Bilao at Palayok’s Boodle Fight

After lunch, we proceed to Crocodile Farm located not far from the city. Compared to many crocodile farms in other places, this particular one was designed for tourism. The guide gave information about the crocodiles and how they were raised while walking through the hatchery and the other areas. Afterwards, we were given time to wander around at the back where there is a mini-zoo where they keep some native animals. At the end of the trail, we had photo taken with a baby crocodile for a small fee.

Save our Planet!

Please help conserve energy.

See Page 6

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA AUGUST 2011

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We also got a chance to visit Ancestral Home of Mitra (a property of a famous political figure in Palawan), it gives wonderful view of the Honda Bay and other surrounding islands and few minutes away is the Baker’s Hill, a small village/park literally located on top of the hill overlooking the city. This place is ideal for relaxing while eating their native delicacies. The last stop was the Puerto Princesa Baywalk. By this time, our group was really tired and wanted to go back to our hotel and eat. We had our dinner at Kinabuchs- one of Palawan’s best restaurants. It is definitely the best dinner and hang-with-friends venue in a city which is full of delicious options.

It was another fun day in Puerto Princesa. This time we’re off to Underground River. Underground River is now included as one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is nominated as one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. From the hotel, a van ride took us to the coast where boats were waiting ready to set sail to the other end of the island which leads to the entrance to this beautiful natural wonder. Underground River is a long tunnel cave with a natural river flowing underneath the limestone mountains. It features fascinating stalactite and stalagmite formation. We were fitted with life vests and helmets and ride on the canoe. Our boatman made our tour such a delight, he was friendly, helpful and informative. The sight inside the cave was astounding. I was stunned and startled how the different rock formations were made. Truly, one of nature’s great wonders!

Underground RiverWe ate our lunch at the beachside restaurant. The long table was set up under the nipa hut. The waiter served a buffet of pork liempo, fish, chicken, kangkong, seaweed and fruits. There were locals selling tamilok (wood worms)– a Palawan delicacy, served uncooked with vinegar. After a round of tasting, it was ok but no one tried a second serving ;-). Afterwhich, we were allowed to take a dip to the beach. It’s already night time when we reached our hotel. Our dinner was at Kalui Restaurant. The place was homey and serene. We were even asked to take off our footwear upon entering. Generally, the food was excellent.

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Kalui’s InteriorOur last day was dedicated to swimming and snorkeling at Pandan Island and Snake Island. Fish feeding were allowed at the two islands. The underwater world was really magnificent even if I only got to experience the shallow part of it.

Snorkeling at Snake IslandThis Palawan trip was a remarkable experience for me. An experience with nature at its best! Priceless!

Elvie Bautista

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AUGUST BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS

Last Name First Name DayALEGRE MELVIN 5ALMAZAN DEMETRIO 18ALVAREZ DANILO 14AMOLONG JOHN BERNARD 20AQUINO NOMER 9ATIENZA ALFONSO JR. 7AUSTRIA ROLANDO 23AVISO CHARLES 12BAGAT MARVIN 23BANAG BOYET 31BONGCO GLENA MARIE 27BOQUIDA RICKY 12BUENO AUGUSTO 24BULLO MANUEL 19CABURIAN ANGELO 2CAINTO WARLITO 13CAPISTRANO REYNALDO 12CASER LEOPOLDO 5CAYANAN CHRISTIAN 31CONSUL EDWARDO 22CORILLA RAMON 14CRUZ EDWARD 10DE VERA BENJAMIN 6DOLOPO DELIEUS 15DOMINGO MELFER 9DUNGCA ROGELIO, JR. 17EBREO BERNARDO 20ENRIQUEZ ERNESTO 14EREN REYMORE 3ESPINOSA JOSELITO 12ESTARAS SALVADOR 11ESTRELLA ERNESTO 15ESTUITA JOEL 24FAJARDO HILARIO 2FAURILLO ROBERT 23FERNANDEZ CEFERINO 24FLORA BART 24GARCIA WILSON 27GIRON FELIX NORMAN 22GONZAGA JOSELITO 2GUANZON RAZEL 28

Last Name First Name DayJAIME OSCAR 18JAVEL MANUEL 20LACANIENTA RONALD I 17LAJE DOMINGO 8LAXAMANA JEFFREY 15LAZO ROGER 17LUCAS DARWIN 20LUGTU SUSAN 2MABASA JOEL 27MAGNAYE REYNALDO JR. 6MAGSAYO EGLECERIO 2MANANGAN RONALD JOHN 31MANUEL MICAHEL 16MATAWARAN NOE 7MEIMBAN JEFFREY 30MENDOZA ERNESTO 1MIRANDA BOOZ 31MISTULA REDENTOR 13NAGERA VENICIO 23ORELLANA EDUARDO 24PAQUEO BREENDIX 1PERONA DOMINGO 8POY LORENZO ERWIN 10POY LORENZO LAVERNIE 8QUINTANA ALEXANDER 20RALOSO ENRICO 9RAMIREZ ANTONIO JR. 29REANDINO NOEL 10REGLOS MANUEL 17SAN PEDRO CRESENCIO JR. 23SARAZA LEOVILDO 20STO DOMINGO NELSON 30TABUCAN FLORENCIO JR. 2TORRES AMBIVERT 24VERGARA MELVIN 18VILLAFUERTE EDUARDO 27VILLALVA BERNARDO 5VILLASOL RICARDO 17YUPACINA ARNELITO 15ZACARIAS ELMER 21