Christmas is the time of the year when I have to exercise the most discipline in resisting the temptation to consume, consume, and consume.  In light of our current global recession and burgeoning environmental challenge, is it really holy-religious-spiritual to spend money (you may or may not have) on stuff that will eventually end up in a landfill? My unsolicited advice this year for Christmas shoppers:

            1. Don’t give. Instead, spend some quality time with those you want to honor. Do something special for them. Serve them.

            2. If you must give, choose gifts that keep on giving:

                        a) Donate to charitable organization on behalf of your loved one.

                        b  Choose biodegradeable goods

                         c) Choose art

i.Treat loved ones to a live music experience,

ii.Give books – they will eventually biodegrade; better yet, get                                                 them used

iii.Give music

            3. Don’t spend money on swaddling your gift in luxurious wrappers and ribbons. Improvise. Use whatever you can at home. Recyle bags, papers, ribbons. Use old cloth for wrapping, or colorful magazines.

Don’t just “go with the flow.” There are more satisfying and loving ways to show people your love than offering another wrapped box. 

 In Cambodia, a bride-to-be was found dead. The reason is allegedly blood infection from a skin whitening cream called Bao Dao cream which contains high level of mercury. The bride rubbed the cream all over her body to whiten her skin in preparation for her wedding which caused severe allergic reactions such as peeling skin, chest discomfort then losing consciousness. Vendors have taken off Bao Dao from their shelves after learning about the woman’s death.

I’ve expressed many times in interviews, during live performances, and online chats my strong desire for my kayumanggi (or brown) sisters to embrace their indigenous beauty. Trying to achieve artificial "whiteness" has negative psychological and social effects; it also can be a serious health issue. In the case of two whitening products from China that were recently banned in the Philippines, the creams contained high levels of mercury, which can cause multi-organ failure, among many other symptoms. There are other whitening products recently banned in other countries (Kenya, Brunei)  because of their health risks. Common ingredients that are harmful include mercury, hydroquinone and tretinoin. A recent article in Philippine Daily Inquirer caught my eye.  "Brown is beautiful," Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said, and I could not agree more.

1. Senator Barack Obama for President and Senator Joe Biden for Vice President

2. Yes on 1A California High Speed Rail-Bond Measure

3. Yes on 2 Prevention of Animal Cruelty Act

4. No on Prop 4 Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy

5. No on Prop 7 Renewable Energy Generation

6. No on Prop 8 Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry

7. No on Prop 10 Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy Bonds