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The popular White Rabbit from China is banned.

Lab tests show traces of melamine in the manufacture of the candy.

For this reason, White Rabbit candies are ordered withdrawn from the market.

That is, Hongkong and China markets.

But not in the Philippines. White Rabbit is still available in the local market.

* * *

Is White Rabbit safe for human consumption?

The only way to determine that is thru lab testing. Authorities in Hongkong have already determined that it is not safe.

How about our local White Rabbit?

As they say, better safe than sorry.

Or, better still, eat at your own risk.

* * *

Back in my college days, I was fond of the “imported” White Rabbit. This is the one with the “edible wrapper” and the candy is soft. The “local” variety is hard and does not have “edible wrapper.”

It was only when my pockets were suffering from “ulcer” did I turn to the local variety.

But even then, one could really enjoy, as I once did, the sweet and rich-tasting flavor of the White Rabbit.

Back then, who would have known that this popular candy would use milk spiked with the deadly industrial chemical melamine just to fool the food inspectors as to their nutritional content.

* * *

Accordingly, the most immediate victim of melamine are infants who are fed with melamine-laced milk and milk products. Because milk is their chief food, they keep on drinking milk. This is the reason why the infants are the most immediate victims.

But it doesn’t mean that adults are immune from its deadly effects.

According to Dr. Wenceslao Kiat, a toxicologist at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Manila, the biggest problem in taking milk laced with melamine is that one doesn’t see the effect overnight.

The reason for this is the lack of medical lab background on the effects of melamine on humans.

Animal tests have revealed that melamine could cause urinary bladder stones, and even kidney stones.

* * *

Talking about kidney ailment is never nice.

I just lost a friend due to multiple organ failure, and triggered by his kidney problem.

He planned for a kidney transplant next year as soon as he received his retirement benefits.

But he died last week. His body could not wait any longer. The malady attacking his kidney was already spreading and fast.

Doctors even tried immediate dialysis treatment but it was all futile. His body refused to accept the relief sought.

* * *

So what are kidney stones?

Kidney stones, one of the most painful of the urologic disorders, have beset humans for centuries. Kidney stones are one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract.

The urinary tract, or system, consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located below the ribs toward the middle of the back, one on each side of the spine.

The kidneys remove extra water and wastes from the blood, producing urine. They also keep a stable balance of salts and other substances in the blood. The kidneys produce hormones that help build strong bones and form red blood cells.

Narrow tubes called ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder, an oval-shaped chamber in the lower abdomen. Like a balloon, the bladder’s elastic walls stretch and expand to store urine. They flatten together when urine is emptied through the urethra to outside the body.

* * *

A kidney stone is a hard mass developed from crystals that separate from the urine within the urinary tract. Normally, urine contains chemicals that prevent or inhibit the crystals from forming. These inhibitors do not seem to work for everyone, however, so some people form stones.

If the crystals remain tiny enough, they will travel through the urinary tract and pass out of the body in the urine without being noticed.

Kidney stones may contain various combinations of chemicals. The most common type of stone contains calcium in combination with either oxalate or phosphate. These chemicals are part of a person’s normal diet and make up important parts of the body, such as bones and muscles.

A less common type of stone is caused by infection in the urinary tract. This type of stone is called a struvite or infection stone. Another type of stone, uric acid stones, are a bit less common, and cystine stones are rare.

Stones occur more frequently in men. The prevalence of kidney stones rises dramatically as men enter their 40s and continues to rise into their 70s. For women, the prevalence of kidney stones peaks in their 50s. Once a person gets more than one stone, other stones are likely to develop.

Doctors do not always know what causes a stone to form. While certain foods may promote stone formation in people who are susceptible, scientists do not believe that eating any specific food causes stones to form in people who are not susceptible.

A person with a family history of kidney stones may be more likely to develop stones. Urinary tract infections, kidney disorders such as cystic kidney diseases, and certain metabolic disorders such as hyperparathyroidism are also linked to stone formation.

* * *

Kidney stones often do not cause any symptoms.

Usually, the first symptom of a kidney stone is extreme pain, which begins suddenly when a stone moves in the urinary tract and blocks the flow of urine. Typically, a person feels a sharp, cramping pain in the back and side in the area of the kidney or in the lower abdomen. Sometimes nausea and vomiting occur. Later, pain may spread to the groin.

If the stone is too large to pass easily, pain continues as the muscles in the wall of the narrow ureter try to squeeze the stone into the bladder. As the stone moves and the body tries to push it out, blood may appear in the urine, making the urine pink. As the stone moves down the ureter, closer to the bladder, a person may feel the need to urinate more often or feel a burning sensation during urination.

If fever and chills accompany any of these symptoms, an infection may be present. In this case, a person should contact a doctor immediately.

* * *

And the treatment required?

Fortunately, surgery is not usually necessary. Most kidney stones can pass through the urinary system with plenty of water—2 to 3 quarts or about 4 liters a day—to help move the stone along. Often, the patient can stay home during this process, drinking fluids and taking pain medication as needed. The doctor usually asks the patient to save the passed stone(s) for testing. It can be caught in a cup or tea strainer used only for this purpose.

A simple and most important lifestyle change to prevent stones is to drink more liquids—water is best. Someone who tends to form stones should try to drink enough liquids throughout the day to produce at least 2 quarts of urine in every 24-hour period.

In the past, people who form calcium stones were told to avoid dairy products and other foods with high calcium content. Recent studies have shown that foods high in calcium, including dairy products, may help prevent calcium stones.

Taking calcium in pill form, however, may increase the risk of developing stones.

Patients may be told to avoid food with added vitamin D and certain types of antacids that have a calcium base. Someone who has highly acidic urine may need to eat less meat, fish, and poultry. These foods increase the amount of acid in the urine.

To prevent cystine stones, a person should drink enough water each day to dilute the concentration of cystine that escapes into the urine, which may be difficult.

More than a gallon of water may be needed every 24 hours, and a third of that must be drunk during the night.

A gallon of water, no problem.

* * *

Is Erap running for president?

Son Jinggoy told us weeks back that Erap running for president in 2010 is a possibility if the opposition will not be able to pick a common candidate.

Which is understandable. A fragmented opposition is a weak opposition. Erap does not want that.

He wants an opposition to sit in Malacanang after the 2010 elections.

* * *

The situation in the province is ripe for the picking. For the opposition, that is.

The guv is on his last term. Either he’s running back in the 2nd district or he will seek an appointive position. He’s a workaholic, I cannot imagine him staying in the house in Calcita doing consultancy job.

He’s also used to the limelight. I cannot imagine him being delegated to the far corners of the society pages.

And the congressional race in 2010 in the 2nd district is piece of cake for the guv.

As an aside, I am wondering what arrangements there will be between guv and Boy or Roygie Jumamoy of Inabanga if this scenario pushes through.

Boy Jumamoy once told me that Roygie is definitely running for congress in 2010. And he’s prepared to meet Cong. Ondoy Cajes head on if Ondoy decides to field his wife Bebe Cajes.

This development bears watching.

With the guv out, V-Gov Julius Caesar Herrera is definitely a shoo-in for the administration.

Julius is brutally frank in declaring his governatorial ambitions in every forum there is in town.

But there’s a problem.

Cong. Edgar Chatto, a last termer, is also another shoo-in for the administration. He has no less than GMA as his guardian angel. With GMA, Edgar does not need Lakas because he can very well get Kampi.

And still another complication.

Congressman Ondoy is also on his last term. I cannot also imagine him staying on the political sideline. And he’s already used to hobnobbing with powerful figures in the country.

So he will be another shoo-in for governatorial bout in 2010.

And if Edgar has GMA, Ondoy has FG kuno.

Why FG?

Because FG was grateful kuno with the way Ondoy handled the expose of Allan Peter Cayetano implicating FG with deposits in Germany.

That makes 3 strong and powerful contenders.

But that’s not all.

There is also Cesar Montano who is also interested for the position. If the 3 politikos will decide to cross swords for the governatorial bout, then Cesar has a good chance of beating them all.

Somebody from the opposition with good credentials (and a lot of money) to lead the fight in Bohol should make Erap very happy.

More when we return, stay tuned for more. Comments, suggestions, write to salvadiputado@yahoo.com

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Labels: china, erap, kidney, melamine

We join the family of the late CHED regional director Dr. Enrique “Eking” Grecia in their hour of deep bereavement.

He succumbed last Thursday due to multiple organ failure. He refused to the end to undergo dialysis treatment. His kidney trouble put a final period to his very distinguished career in government.

He was a good man and a decent friend.

I would never forget him.

In the oral defense for my Master of Laws at the University of Southern Philippines years back, he made it easy for me to hurdle the panel of interrogators.

He always had an answer. And he was quick to the draw. He practically became my instant adviser.

* * *

Every time he discussed business matters with the family, he always had a smart suggestion.

And a warning too – never trust your in-laws (sons or daughters-in law, that is). Trust only your children, he would say. Your in-laws could mean trouble in the near future, he would add as he wrapped up his narration of factual incidents.

* * *

It was not difficult to like him.

Unlike other Ilongos that I know, Sir Eking was a good conversationalist. He could tackle any topic under the heat of the sun.

He was also a simple man with simple tastes.

He claimed to be an expert in preparing some foods, Pansit Molo, for instance. I missed the chance to taste his Pansit Molo because this was a special treat reserved only for his colleagues at the CHED regional office.

He also knew how to choose nice fish and seafoods.

And I got a first-hand experience of his expertise when he went with me to Manga Market to buy fish. He picked those kinds that were not necessarily expensive but were very delicious when cooked. Some of those he picked were the kinds that I would normally ignore because of my limited knowledge of fishes.

How he loved to demolish one bottle of fresh tuyom or sawaki which was just an appetizer for him, before we devoured the main courses on the table.

He had no care in the world about the uric acid in the sawaki or tuyom.

* * *

His death poses a big challenge to his daughter.

His daughter is taking the Bar.

How she mourned and grieved when she discovered that her father was already dead. Her mother and other members of the family initially tried to hide the fact of death because they did not want to disturb her preparation for the Bar.

But the daughter soon became suspicious. She went home unannounced and proceeded to the hospital to check on the condition of her father.

That was when she got the bad news.

* * *

Meanwhile, the last time she was here, Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta promised to hire more lawyers to beef up the lawyers of the Public Attorneys Office (PAO).

She made the promise after her visit to the city and provincial detention and rehab centers. Many prisoners who are in jail waiting for the disposition of their cases do not have lawyers to defend their causes.

As PAO national chief, Acosta said she would do something.

And we believe her.

* * *

But why are the PAO lawyers deserting the PAO?

Because of a stupid policy, one PAO lawyer told me last week.

A PAO lawyer has been with PAO for the last 3 years, on a temporary basis.

PAO policy says he will only get regular appointment after 5 years.

As such, he has to apply for a renewal of his appointment every year.

For 3 years, he did just that.

So why did he abandon PAO?

* * *

There is this latest policy of PAO that requires an orientation seminar in Manila, among others, for non-permanent PAO lawyers.

Why should I be required to undergo an orientation seminar in Manila every time I renew when I had been appearing and attending to PAO cases for the past 3 years now, this was the question that confronted the PAO lawyer.

When Bohol PAO chief Isabelo Digaum asked for “leniency” of this requirement, Acosta said she could not do anything because that is the law.

So instead of applying for a renewal, the PAO lawyer simply resigned.

At present, there are only 5 PAO lawyers, plus 1 in Talibon and another 1 in Carmen.

Severely undermanned, Digaum said they could not do anything to address the problem.

When I asked if there are applicants, Digaum said initially, there were some who expressed interest.

But when informed about the requirements like tests and interviews, Psychiatric and other battery of tests in Manila without certainty of acceptance because he/she needs to have a “Padrino” who would work for his employment, they suddenly turned tail.

There are no more applicants as of the present, Digaum said.

Terribly loaded with cases in several courts, can one really expect a PAO lawyer to be well-prepared for the day’s cases?

* * *

Nowadays, anything Chinese in the market is suspect.

There is this story about a microphone that electrifies the user because it is grounded.

There is this other story about electrical components that are very cheap but guaranteed not to last a month.

Or, carpentry tools that look good but easily break when put in actual use. The list is endless.

There are even cellphones that are sold at half the price in other stores. Sometimes, even lower than half of the actual price. Naturally, the user takes risks in using the cheap cellphone.

They are sold in one of the more popular stores in the city which has also branches in Cebu, Dumaguete and other cities of the country.

So why cheap?

Because these items are all Chinese-made.

The latest furor about tragic deaths of infants in China who have ingested contaminated Chinese milk products has no doubt renewed apprehensions about the quality of Chinese products.

At least 4 babies have died and some 6,244 other infants have become sick after consuming melamine-contaminated milk products.

The kids have developed kidney stones and other complications.

The scandal snowballed late this week, with the Chinese government admitting that melamine had been discovered in regular milk and other dairy products such as ice cream, leading to mass recalls across the country.

Melamine is an industrial chemical normally used in the manufacture of plastics but which can be used to mask low protein levels in foods.

The deadly chemical was used by suppliers to cover-up the watering down of milk. The nitrogen-rich compound was added to watered-down milk to get past quality inspections, which check for nitrogen to measure protein levels.

The chemical was also found in Chinese pet food exported to the U.S. that was blamed for the deaths from kidney failure of thousands of cats and dogs last year.

* * *

And that’s not all.

Borne out of the milk contamination scandal, there are other highly questionable Chinese foods that need to be closely examined.

These foods find their way to the market. In fact, some of these foods are displayed in our local department stores and malls.

So what are these foods?

Steroid-fed pigs and chickens, fish pumped up with hormones so they can live in polluted water and dumplings containing illegal amounts of chemicals are just some of the well-known problems in China.

China has a history of cover-ups involving health and safety scandals.

In one of the worst cases, China initially tried to deny the existence of the 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and only owned up after it spilled over into other countries.

In 2004, at least 13 babies died of malnutrition in Anhui province after unscrupulous producers sold milk with no nutritional value. In July 2007, China executed the former head of its food and drug administration for taking bribes in exchange for approving unsafe medicines.

The Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) has warned the consumers against Chinese milk products like milk, ice cream and yoghurt, among others.

More when we return, stay tuned for more. Comments, suggestions, write to salvadiputado@yahoo.com

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Labels: bfad, CHED, china, Grecia, milk, PAO