What is a miracle? How do you define it? Would you know one when you see one? Orestes Ignacio, 61, came face-to-face with one of the biggest miracles during his 58th year of existence. This is his story. Read more… »
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And they say teaching is best done when the mentor knows what she preaches like the back of her hand. She never ceases to learn and continues to live life brimming with zeal to gain more knowledge and acquire more skills. The knowledge and skill she eventually fills herself with, she then passes on to her apprentices. Read more… »
Cathelyn Sanchez, 32, a doting mother of two, is about to give birth to her first baby girl. However, she never thought that her third pregnancy would be difficult, as she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is like meeting a stranger for Cathelyn. Before learning of her condition, she didn’t realize she was expecting for the third time until she went to her OB-gyne to confirm her pregnancy. “I was three weeks delayed then,” Cathelyn says. When her doctor asked about her family history of diabetes, Cathelyn admitted that her family had a history of the said disease. “My father has been diabetic for years and my grandmother died of the same disease,” she reveals.
Knowing her background, her OB decided to include an Oral Glucose Challenge Test (OGCT) with her laboratory tests. The results were way above the normal, so Cathelyn underwent another test. This time she had the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) to confirm her condition. The result of the test made her OB advise her to also see an endocrinologist for her gestational diabetes. Despite her condition, her endocrinologist gave her hope and told her not to worry so much so as not to affect the baby inside her womb.
Cathelyn wondered why she would have the disease only now during her third pregnancy. “I did not suffer from gestational diabetes from my two previous pregnancies. I didn’t know if it was because I first gave birth 11 years ago,” recounts Cathelyn. “Laboratory tests on pregnant womenn were not as rigid as it is today, or maybe I was still young then or because of my genes,” explains Cathelyn. Cathelyn is very happy with the coming of her first baby girl yet she needs to sacrifice to be able to make her and her baby safe and healthy. Her endocrinologist put her on a strict 1,900 calorie diet for blood sugar control. “It was stressful on the pocket than the mind because in order to take 1,900 calorie diet, I must attend diabetes education,” Cathelyn narrates.
The diabetes education program is a three-hour lecture which includes food, diabetes information and blood sugar monitoring guidelines. Aside from the lecture, Cathelyn needed to monitor her blood sugar level four times a day. After a week of doing the 1,900 calorie diet, she returned to her endocrinologist for check-up. The said diet did not work for Cathelyn. Her endocrinologist advised her to take insulin to normalize her blood sugar level. “I started at 12 units of mixed insulin at once because one kind of insulin did not work for me,” she says. Insulin injections gave her so much pain but she still managed to do so. “After six months of. injecting insulin before meals, I’m finally used to it. Although, there are times it hurts especially on the leg area.”
Cathelyn’s husband sees to it that she eats a well-balanced diet consisting of a serving of fruit every meal, a measured amount of rice and plenty of vegetables. She also does exercise for her condition. Cathelyn is very thankful of the support she’s getting from her family especially from her husband. “He eats what I eat. He also follows my 1,900 calorie diet and he keeps on hiding foods which will elevate my sugar level,” Cathelyn recounts. Her kids were also trained by her husband not to give her sweet food when Cathelyn asked for a portion size of it.
Cathelyn is on her ninth month already. Despite her grueling condition, she is still hopeful that she and her baby can surpass this condition. Cathelyn said she just had her ultrasound and the result is great. Her baby is of normal size. Meanwhile, Cathelyn’s HbAI c revealed that her sugar level is also normal. Her sacrifices, including insulin injections, are working wonders for her and her baby.
Although, Cathelyn knows that her baby is not spared from this ,killer disease, the family is still praying that it won’t happen to their unica hija. Cathelyn realizes that discipline is very important to be able to manage diabetes. “It is very rude to satisfy yourself when you know that complications of diabetes may strike and affect you and your baby anytime. It is important to know more about the disease. Read and be aware of the complications of diabetes for it is seriously fatal,” Cathelyn explains. She adds that gestational diabetes can happen to any mother with no signs and symptom yet it can be controlled. “Gestational diabetes can be controlled with proper food, care, and information.” Now that’s great advice from one great mom.
SM malls prove that they truly “got it all” as they keep their customers’ needs a top priority. Lactating mothers need worry no more as they can combine malling while still providing the much needed nourishment of their babies through breast feeding stations at various SM malls nationwide. Read more… »
Maria Cecilia “Maricel” Laxa Pangilinan is a common household name today, having appeared in several commercials endorsing products mothers commonly use at home and foods that children enjoy eating. But before these, Maricel was known as the actress that has appeared in several movies and teleseryes. Her versatility as an actress has gained her roles in both drama and comedy movies. She made her name in the industry when she starred in the movie lisa Pa Lamang, and it was there that she garnered a FAMAS award for Best Supporting Actress for her stellar performance. Her unparalleled experience in showbiz qualified her as a juror in ABS-CBN’s Star Circle Quest, and has recently appeared in the just concluded soap, Ysabella, where she played the young Victoria Amarillo. Read more… »
Traditionally, first ladies are known more for their social skills and charm than what they ever said or did. They are expected to be amiable, outgoing, often seen but rarely heard. But these did not apply to former first lady Amelita Ramos, wife of former ,president Fidel V. Ramos. Read more… »
Penny Ovejera, a 34 year-old full time mother and wife, hung on to this particular saying during her struggle with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). It had not been an easy journey for her, but with her deep faith in God and the loving support of her family, she was able to overcome it all. Read more… »
A respite from the maddening grind of urban life and its many pressures is in order. You pack your bag and shunning the usual weekend getaways, take the 45-minute SEAIR flight from Manila, to a place where the excesses of modern living take a backseat. A few minutes into your journey, you are greeted by a sudden change of scenery – the industrial smog-covered wasteland gives way to lush greenery parted gracefully by a web of winding streams and rivers. You know you have finally arrived in Aurora – one of the country’s best kept nature and culture hideaways. Read more… »
Whether you are diabetic or just simply watching your calorie intake, these summer coolers can satisfy your yearning appetites yet keep those sugars at bay and keep you chilled out, too. Enjoy! Read more… »
Traditionally, Filipinas have been bound to stay home to care for the young, elderly and sick members of the family. Known for being warm, hospitable and affectionate, many women have thus been limited to household activities while men provided the basic needs of the family. Over the years, the societal role of women started to change. Currently, women play a significant role in the labor force. In fact, they are given the equal opportunity to seek livelihood for their kin. Read more… »