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Compiled by Ana Valenzuela
Illustrations by Carlo Cabrera
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Science Bit
Snore No More Pillow
A German scientist has come up with a solution for snoring—a
computerized pillow that shifts the head’s sleeping
position until the noise stops. Daryoush Bazargani,
professor of computer science at the University of
Rostock and the pillow’s inventor, recently
displayed a prototype of his pillow at a health
conference in Germany.
“The pillow is attached to a computer, which is the size of a book,
rests on a bedside table and analyses snoring
noises,” Bazargani said. “The computer then reduces
or enlarges air compartments within the pillow to
facilitate nasal airflow to minimize snoring as the
user shifts during sleep.”
The ergonomic pillow can also be used for neck massages.
Bazargani said several US firms were interested in
manufacturing the pillow.
“I invented it because I snore,” he said, adding, “I tried
all sorts of products, but nothing worked. I hope
people who use it will sleep more peacefully.”
Business Bit
Indian Enterprises
Venture in Philippines
Top-level managers and executives of ABN Amro India and the
Tamilnadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry concluded
their meetings and ocular trips in the Philippines
in preparation for future conventions, product
launchings and other business activities.
“We are greatly enthusiastic about India’s heightened
interest especially from companies that are
prominent among business circles, to explore our
islands for trade and leisure. The department’s
marketing team has been working closely with our
partner travel wholesalers both in India and
Philippines to present a unique and unforgettable
experience,” Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano
said.
ABN Amro was represented by a 70-member strong delegation
while 18 top-level managers from the Tamilnadu
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) were in the
country to explore local trade and investment
opportunities. TCCI is the largest business
association in India with a mem |
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bership of 6,500
companies. ABN Amro ranks as the world’s 13th
largest bank in terms of assets and has more than
4,500 branches around the globe.
Entertainment Bit
Europe’s Cinema
The Cine Europa, now on its 10th year, is showing
contemporary and critically-acclaimed films at the
Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong
City. Flicks are from Austria—Summer with the
Ghosts; Belgium—The Kiss, Dead Man’s Hand; Czech
Republic—Kolya, Closely Watched Trains; Denmark—The
Leap; Finland—FC Venus; France—La Mome, The
Umbrellas of Cherbourg; Germany—Summer in Berlin,
The Lives of Others; Hungary—Just Sex and Nothing
Else; Ireland—Inside I’m Dancing; Italy—Facing
Windows, The Leopard; Lithuania—You Am I; The
Netherlands—Ellis in Glamourland, Karakter;
Slovakia—Meeting the Enemy; Spain—Carol’s Journey;
Sweden—Jalla! Jalla!, Fanny and Alexander; and the
United Kingdom—Shooting Dogs, Taming of the Shrew.
The Cine Europa will run from October 18 to 31.
Cultural Bit
Peace of Paper
Alliance Française de Manille’s presents Peace of Paper by
Tes Pasola and Tony Gonzales. Pasola has made her
mark as a paper artist and a product designer. She
is president of her 35-year old company, Mind
Masters, Inc., which exports paper-based products.
She received a degree in Bachelor of Science in Fine
Arts and majored in Advertising at the University of
Santo Tomas. Soon after she graduated, she joined
Mind Masters, where she started her career as its
designer. Her early works for this company remain in
their books as statistical benchmarks.
Gonzales, “the Paper Man”. This is the nickname that Gonzales
has earned in his successful |
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Local Eye |
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Foreign Guy |
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As I watched the Philippines’ Manny Pacquiao
and Mexico’s Marco Antonio Barrera prepare
to take the ring for their most awaited
rematch, I noticed that both men had
rosaries draped around their necks. The
boxers also sporadically made the sign of
the cross just before the fight began.
Pac-man (as Pacquiao is fondly called) even
made the sign before each round as the
contest got progressively tougher.
The rituals of these two fighters reminded me how
intertwined our cultures are with
religiosity. In 1521 the Spaniards brought
Christianity in our originally animist
country. Occupying our land for a good 300
years, it is not surprising that the
religion they introduced became deeply
ingrained in our culture. Now this behavior,
or faith as many call it, is clearly a way
of life.
It is timely that I share with you the religious aspect
of Filipino culture because the month of
October is devoted to the Holy Rosary. This
period is celebrated by more frequent
recitations of the rosary. Usually, this is
done before and after masses in Catholic
churches all over the country. I remember
that when I was younger and enrolled in a
Catholic school, every classroom was
required to have an altar set up for Mama
Mary and we would pray one mystery before
starting a class. For devout Catholics, the
rosary is more than religious paraphernalia.
While some merely use it as a guide in praying
the mysteries, a lot of Filipinos use it
almost like a lucky charm or an amulet that
they always have in their pockets or bags.
Cases in point are the two boxing |
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rivals who
seem to use the rosary as a good luck charm
to protect them from fatal injuries.
Soon after the fight, I saw a video footage of a possessed
mother of the winning fighter (i.e. Pacquaio)
prostrating and jumping up and down
emphatically in front of her home altar. She
was in tears and acting a bit…well, wild. It
was a bit bizarre in my opinion, but also
very Pinoy. From my observation, women are
actually more into this devotion. They are
the prayer leaders in churches and
oftentimes when commuting or caught in
traffic, they usually pass the time by
reciting the rosary.
The Philippine population is approximately 80 percent
Catholic. I do not know exactly how many of
that are practicing or pious Catholics, but
one thing I am sure of is how much faith
Filipinos practice in their lives. Amidst
hardships and poverty, they are still able
to go on, share meager resources and find
reasons to smile about because they live
with a go-with-the-flow mentality. In fact,
even the words, “Bahala na” (translated as
“come what may”) comes from “Bathala na”
which literally means “God will provide.”
This mindset can be negative because some
choose just to leave all responsibilities in
the hands of a higher power, to the
detriment of their human counterparts.
Believers (like Pacquaio) however, swear by
the notion that the rosary and its innate
power will keep them safe at all times.
Regardless of the efficacy of these beliefs
and one’s opinion on them, Filipinos and
their religiosity are definitely here to
stay. |
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revolution of the medium. After earning a Bachelor’s
Degree in Fine Arts in 1982 at the University of
Santo Tomas, his path was set. Apprenticing with
established Filipino artists in painting and
printmaking, he was lured to paper early on,
examining it from every perspective, and challenging
himself to adamantly question “What if?”
The artists’ exhibit is ongoing until October 19.
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