ZigZag Weekly

02/11/2025

Day for loved ones
By Jan Vicente B. Pekas

To this day, we are able to remember all the saints and the rest of the dead, their actions recognized or unrecognized, because of their lasting legacy. It is after all, the thing that stays on even as our physical bodies deteriorate and joins the earth to be one and our soul pass on to another realm. The legacy of a person, good or bad, is what dictates the narrative surrounding a person, what they whisper about after the fact and what people will shout proudly to others. It may be what men obsess about, unable to come to terms with the fact that their names will be forgotten as time passes or it may even be just an afterthought for some, not minding a thing that they won’t even be able to witness through their eyes. Regardless, there is no séance or ritual for the dead to speak through, their actions while they had lived will do the speaking for them.
It has been more than a year now after our grandmother passed in 2024. Each of the family remembers her in one way or another. A caring mother, a disciplinarian, or a sweet old lady. That is all thanks to her past actions, her legacy that lives on through her descendants. In the end she was able to raise a flock of children and held up the house with all its burden that come along with it.
She didn’t seem like someone who cared too much about the whole legacy thing. But as far as I can tell, she left a better legacy than the many people who obsessed about the matter, with all their money and power they left something worse than a turd.
What is legacy truly if you are alone in your deathbed with no one to be with you as you pass on. At the end of this all, will we have someone to be with us at the end, or just left all alone.
Our grandmother was not alone in her final moments. Even as we went back to her hometown, the scene was not a small private ceremony, but an entire community who had their own stories with her gathering in her honor. The amount of people who showed up, who shed tears along with her children, was the true showing of legacy. Legacy can only live on through people and it was very clear, many people cared about her, and her memory is not going away anytime soon.
As part of the living still, and someone who wonders what people may think of themselves after they pass, perhaps that is not the true path to attaining a lasting memory, into making sure all you have done was not for naught. As part of the living there is only the task of living, let other people make a memoir of your story. **

21/09/2025

What now Cordillerans?
By Jan Vicente B. Pekas

September 21 has been chosen to be the day to march and protest against corruption. Different groups around this country will march out and different cities will find themselves hosting angry and frustrated crowds. This is not a sudden thing. Over the past few weeks, many students and different organizations have voiced their frustrations on the streets or in their schools. Perhaps this was to be expected after recent events concerning money in the amount we can only dream of having. Nevertheless, this is an event of importance, not only for the people but for the government.
Seeing the zeal of others to participate, you can see the differing enthusiasm from others. The crux of this movement will no doubt be in Manila. Whatever happens in Manila will have effects on the rest of the country. Whether the government actually heeds the warnings or the shouts be heard by deaf ears, we can only imagine for now.
Still, here in our province there will be many who are still hesitant to join in. If you ask them they only answer with pessimism or deflect with a joke. That has been the culture here as I can remember it, one of peace and order. Even if Cordillera is the same place where Macli-ing fought against the government and their dam projects, the state has changed all throughout the years.
The mountains have been a blessing to the people of this region and it may perhaps be also a curse. While the mountains provide defenses against natural disasters it may also be a structure that blinds those behind it of what happens down south and the rest of the country. Cordillera, in its isolated state, cannot be a hard enough shield against the same disease that plague the rest of the country, mainly corruption. We cannot think for even a second that what happens in the south cannot possibly happen up here.
Corruption also roam around these mountains.
When the reckoning finally comes, Cordillera cannot possibly remain on the sidelines. It must also act. Grassroots movements needs the efforts of everyone. Cordillera, once, has been a hotspot for activism during the time of martial law. It was not a place of silence. ‘Tis a land of warriors not of sideline watchers.
The time will come and the people of the Cordillera must stand with the rest of the Filipinos, should we remain silent then whatever kills freedom in the south will make its way up north.
**

10/08/2025

https://www.zigzagweekly.net/the-healer-within/
The healer within
By Penelope A. Domogo, MD

Dear reader, this Sunday I would like to share with you what I shared during the Health Sunday celebration in All Saints Cathedral, Bontoc, Mountain Province.
God has endowed everyone with built-in miraculous healing powers – whether you are a Muslim, Jew, Christian or non-believer. Everyone has natural healing powers since the time we were conceived. This amazing healing machine is in the genes of every living being- humans, animals and plants.
As Psalm 139:14 says “ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
We have evidence of this in each of us. How many times have we been injured and got well? It is not the band-aid or iodine that healed you. It is your body itself. If it is a big wound and you took antibiotics, it is still your body that stitched the wound and closed it. The medicine might have helped kill the bacteria but it is your body that healed itself.
Says Roger Jahnke, an internationally-known doctor of Oriental Medicine, “The naturally occurring self-healing ability of your own body, mind, and spirit is the world’s greatest healer…. This does not suggest that our physicians will no longer be needed.” It means that “when it is necessary to have expert medical care, we can work with our physicians and therapists as partners by purposely stimulating our own precious gift of self-healing.”
He further explains that this self-healing superpower is affected by choices that each individual makes in 3 interconnected factors as follows:
1. Our choice of attitude and mental influences. If you believe that you have a built-in power to heal then the healer within you is automatically strengthened and you get healed. “Your faith has healed you.”
Proverbs 17:22 says “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
And here’s a quote from one of the greatest scientists in the world who is also a great believer “There are two ways to live your life. One is as though there are no miracles. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
Regarding mental influences, be careful with what you feed your mind. Seeing the news even once a day could be depressing – it’s always bad news. Carefully also select your friends. Avoid negative people.
Proverbs 12:26 states: The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
Proverbs 13:20 advises: “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Example- friends who encourage alcohol drinking to someone they know is addicted, friends who kantiyaw others who like to eat well.
1 Corinthians 15:33 warns: Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.”
2. Choice of lifestyle- diet, activity, rest, relationships, material possessions, work, spiritual practice, avoidance of alcohol & ci******es, etc. This area takes a lot of discipline and is closely interrelated with #1- attitudes and mental influences.
Regarding diet, I want to share this story from a sermon by Padi Lioba Achawon. Padi Lioba shared that the Queen of Sheba wanted to test King Solomon’s wisdom. We know King Solomon to be the wisest of kings. So the queen presented 2 identical flowers – one real and one fake – and challenged King Solomon to identify which was the real one. The King was silent and remembered that there were flowers in the garden outside. He then had the windows opened and in came the bees and, of course, the bees landed on the real flower. He then said, “The bees have the answer.” Ang wise talaga ni King Solomon!
Just like King Solomon, we look to nature for guidance and wisdom. Not to expensive technologies, not to calculations made in the laboratory and certainly not to claims made by the factory. So go natural, go organic. Naturally grown plants and animals will provide the proper building blocks for growth and repair of our bodies.
Psalm 145:15 says: “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.”
Then we have to walk, walk, walk. Move, move, move. God designed our bodies to bend, flex, carry, move.
3. Choice of personal self-care – this includes self-massage, slow deep breathing and prayer and meditation.
God created us to be healthy and remain healthy. The more you analyze how your body works, the more you would be awed at the goodness of our Creator. But we also have to do our part. We have to abide by his laws and design. Just like a machine- uray no siya nan kagawisan ay brand of refrigerator, if you don’t take care of it, then it will be damaged in a short time.
Psalm 19: 9, 11 says: “The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous…. By keeping them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”
Romans 12:2 says: “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
So dear friends, whatever health condition you are in now, remember God’s promise in Jeremiah 30:17 “I will restore health to you and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord.” **

15/07/2025

Ancillary services drive July 2025 transmission rates up

Power consumers can expect higher transmission rates this July 2025, with the bulk of the increase driven by Ancillary Services (AS) rates, NGCP announced.

For the June 2025 billing period, both AS and NGCP’s transmission wheeling rates increased, but the surge in AS costs accounts for most of the adjustment.

Overall equivalent average transmission rates for the June 2025 billing period increased by 5.49% to PhP1.2113/kWh, from May's PhP1.1482/kWh.

The increase was driven by a 9.32% increase in ancillary service rates in the June 2025 billing period. From PhP0.5655/kWh in May, AS rates increased to PhP0.6182/kWh.

AS rates pertain to the pass-through costs for power supplied by AS providers to stabilize the grid during power supply-demand imbalance. AS charges are remitted directly to generating companies with bilateral contracts with NGCP, and to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) for the AS sourced from the Reserve Market.

The AS cost for Visayas for the June 2025 billing period includes the 6th and last tranche of the settlement of the remaining 70% AS from the Reserve Market during the March 2024 billing period whose recovery was deferred by the ERC.

NGCP does not earn from AS and does not benefit from the movement in prices.

Meanwhile, NGCP's transmission wheeling rates slightly increased by 0.39%, from PhP0.4593/kWh in the May 2025 billing period to PhP0.4611/kWh in the June 2025 billing period.

Transmission wheeling rates are what NGCP charges for its primary service of delivering power.

“For the July 2025 electric bill of the end consumers, NGCP charges only PhP0.46/kWh for the delivery of its services,” NGCP explained, adding that AS still accounts for the bulk of transmission charges. **

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14/07/2025

Move forward or backward
By Danilo P. Padua, PhD

Last July 2, two days after the 20th Congress opened, 23 senators submitted their 10 priority bills each in the Senate. Only Senator M. Zubiri, a former Senate President, was empty handed. This was duly reported by the Philippine Star the following day.
Seems only 3 of them (Senators F. Escudero, R. Marcoleta, and C. Villar) are already ready to rumble as they submitted their lists with complete titles.
Most of the bills being eyed seem to just suddenly popped up from their quiet reverie, and bereft of critical thinking. They were just borne out from just 1 or 2 angles of the issue making them qualify to be just a figment of their imagination. No tangible and practical applications. At best, they can only serve as a staple for upper house deliberations but not expected to have laws enacted from them. That is like unknowingly dumping taxpayers’ money in the garbage bin.
Let us take just 2 of the intended bills, both for the education sector. One is from Sen. S. Gatchalian (Shortening the current 4-year College Course to 3 years); and the other, from Sen. Jinggoy Estrada (Removal of the added 2 years of H.S. – going back to 10 yrs of basic education)
Gatchalian’s proposal is to put all general courses from the college level to H.S. That is his idea to shorten the college courses. That means, 12 years for basic education and 3 years for college. The Sen explains that this will reduce at least one year for students to finish their bachelor’s education. Also, the college should be devoted to the study of the chosen field of specialization by the student.
Firstly, there are already trained faculty members for the general courses in college. And they are under CHED. If they are to be moved to the H.S. level, there will be a lot to surmount or maybe to dismantle such as the staffing pattern under DepEd, and the attendant disruption of the faculty set up in College. The budgeting will necessarily be adjusted. There will be a lot of replanning, restructuring, and the like. In short, it will be more messy to do it than to just improve the implementation of R.A. 2013 (Enhanced Basic Education Act).
The Senior High School was launched in 2016, barely 9 years in existence which is not a sufficient period to gauge the effectivity or ineffectivity of the program.
When the basic education was increased from 10 to 12 years, many in the education sector hailed it as aligning local education to international standards. Rightly so. We were already at par with the rest of the world, except one country in Africa.
A lot of studies, analyses, etc were spent into it. RA 2013 was a result of due diligence from various sectors. To reverse it now is like driving a car in reverse, not forward.
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) unfortunately showed that our students are almost at the rock bottom of the list in Math Science, and critical thinking. Fortunately, our CAR students are much better than those from the rest of the country. This is more on the implementation rather than the set programme itself.
If there are flaws in the implementation of the Programme, it’s better to enhance or improve it. In short, fix the flaws so our students will become more critical thinkers.
That of Sen Jinggoy is even worse, because we will almost totally revert back to the unwanted state of our education before. At least with the addition of 2 years in our basic education, we somehow gained a measure of credibility in the world arena. The idea of not going forward with it should never be entertained.
The plans of the 2 senators are very short sighted, and lacking of due diligence, they should be shelved pronto albeit with an alternative proposal of making the present programme become workable.
Education should not be treated like a guinea pig.
**

11/05/2025

Elections
By Jan Vicente B. Pekas

An action committed brings forth its own set of consequences. They are undeniable and unstoppable, we, the people who committed such action, must face them eventually. Good or bad, the side effects of what we do catches up with us no matter how far we run or how hard we cover our eyes.
Throughout my life my actions had given me consequences that ranged from a simple burn due to holding a hot kettle, and life threatening drowning due to my overflowing confidence. They have all given me lessons that had stockpiled over the years. I especially learned to diligently practice swimming. Because apart from going swimming, there are only so few holiday activities our families can afford.
Our actions, perhaps even inactions in the elections will also bring forth their own side effects. After countless people saying, “Vote wisely”, we will eventually know how wise the voters have been.
And just how much closer have we gotten to being a prosperous nation.
Through out my time in school and watching the news and browsing the internet, I have had to hear over and over again how rich other nations are. It was always Philippines being the butt of jokes. And even if our nation was being portrayed in a better light, success was only a potential, a big if.
Elections can always bring us closer to that promised land. Where the premium healthcare we hear so much about in the west can also be implemented here and we can produce more quality products with the words, “Made in the Philippines”. And our name would be in equal standing with that of our neighbors Japan, S. Korea, and China.
These were among the many imaginations for our country from my childhood and youth. Though I forget what brought over such currently audacious goals.
Come the results and the time after it, we will eventually see if leaders who have the same audacity to dream such goals have been elected or they will remain dreamers stuck in a nightmare.
Regardless of what is to come, we all will face the consequences together. Because its not like we have any choice. If we hit the bullseye on this one, then perhaps we can all sigh with relief. But if we are off the mark, then what is there to do but try again next time, and next time, and the next.
Till someone or everyone is pi**ed enough to break the torturous cycle at least.**

09/05/2025

The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) on Wednesday May 7, 2025 announced the top-performing cadets from the Siklab-Laya Class of 2025. Top 1 - Cadet First Class Jessie Jr R Ticar, Summa Cum Laude; Top 2 - CDT 1CL Murthan P Zabala; Top 3 - CDT 1CL Joana Marie D Viray, Cum Laude; Top 4 - CDT 1CL Carlo A Badiola; Top 5 - CDT 1CL Jetron Giorgio A Nazareno, Cum Laude; Top 6 - CDT 1CL Kobe Jo Ann Q Pajaron, Cum Laude; Top 7 - CDT 1CL Malvin Brian N Dapar, Magna Cum Laude; Top 8 - CDT 1CL Elzur D Salon; Top 9 - CDT 1CL Aprilyn A Magsigay, andTop 10 - CDT 1CL Kristine Kate C Senados.** photo by neimless_skills

29/04/2025

SM Supermalls, DOLE launch nationwide Labor Day Job Fairs

In celebration of Labor Day, SM Supermalls reaffirms its dedication to supporting Filipino job seekers by providing accessible employment opportunities through strategic partnerships and nationwide job fairs. As part of this commitment, SM is renewing its collaboration with Jobstreet by SEEK to enhance job matching, ensuring that more Filipinos find meaningful careers.

Renewing our partnership with Jobstreet by SEEK
Building on past successes, SM will renew its partnership with Jobstreet by SEEK on May 1, reinforcing its commitment to connecting job seekers with top employers. This continued collaboration enhances digital and on-site recruitment efforts, ensuring a seamless job search experience.

Join the nationwide Labor Day Job Fairs

SM Supermalls, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), invite all job seekers to participate in the nationwide Labor Day Job Fairs on May 1. These events will be held across 20 SM malls, providing thousands of employment opportunities:
• SMX Convention Center Manila
• SM Center Las Piñas
• SM City East Ortigas
• SM City Marikina
• SM City Sucat
• SM City Grand Central
• SM City Baguio
• SM City Tuguegarao
• SM City Cabanatuan
• SM City Olongapo Central
• SM City Pampanga
• SM City San Jose Del Monte
• SM City Taytay
• SM Center San Pedro
• SM City Sto. Tomas
• SM City Roxas
• SM City Bacolod
• SM Seaside City Cebu
• SM CDO Downtown Premier
• SM City Davao
Hassle-free job hunting with on-site government services

Job seekers can enjoy a convenient hiring process with the presence of key government agencies, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Pag-IBIG Fund. These agencies will provide assistance with essential employment requirements, making job hunting more efficient and stress-free.

Driving growth, building the nation

More than just hiring events, these Job Fairs contribute to economic recovery and community development. By promoting employment opportunities, SM Supermalls plays a vital role in driving economic growth and supporting businesses. Your next big career move starts here—don’t miss out!

Other Job Fair activations happening in May that you can catch in SM Supermalls:
• May 1 – SM Malls (20 malls)
• May 2 – SM City Valenzuela
• May 22 – SM City Lucena
• May 29 – SM City Dasmariñas
• May 30 – SM City Trece Martires
Ready to level up your career? Visit the SM Job Fairs this Labor Day, May 1, doors open at 10AM! Bring multiple copies of your updated resume, a valid ID, and your best self.
About SM Supermalls

SM Supermalls, a division of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the Philippines' leading mall developer, dedicated to sustainable and community-driven initiatives. Through its job fairs, SM Supermalls continues to empower job seekers, support businesses, and contribute to economic growth.**

SM Supermalls connects job seekers with top employers during the Job Fair.

20/03/2025

An arrest and a change in BARMM
By Danilo P. Padua, PhD

Last week was a very eventful one in the country. To some the event was some sort of justice, to some it is just a political agenda; a case of politics rearing its ugly head.
The arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, materialized due to an arrest order from the International Criminal Court based in The Hague, Netherlands, brought about such reactions. The order was coursed thru the INTERPOL.
Not long ago, the former president boldly dared the ICC in a live televised statement, saying in effect: “ Come and arrest me, before I die”. He got his wish, his supposed comeuppance.
PBBM and other concerned government officials were always telling us that even if an arrest warrant is issued by ICC, the government will not cooperate but if the INTERPOL is used to enforce the arrest order, the government will be forced to do something. That is to say of course, that the arrest order will be enforced if one becomes a reality, come what may.
FPRRD must answer any malfeasance that he may have committed but personally, I believe the PBBM government should not have easily yielded to the ICC’s insistence to have the former President transported to the Netherlands posthaste. Self-respect for the Philippine government, including its own justice system should have been carefully considered. Somehow we have lost a good level of dignity by allowing a foreign entity to impugn our judicial system. Our top national leaders were apparently drowned by the childish dares and attacks (although very weak) by its critics.
It would have been better had our leaders started to conduct formal court proceedings against even the former president. Such proceedings, in my mind, would have prevented the ICC to issue an arrest order and haul down the first head of state into its detention facility in Netherlands. Now we are wallowing, bewildered, in the negative side of history.
There are certainly more notorious international offenders like President Putin of Russia, Bashir of Syria and Netanyahu of Israel. Their crimes are diligently chronicled in international media. In fact, there were also arrest orders for them from ICC. They were not of course offered for slaughter to ICC.
Whatever we say now though, no longer carries any weight. Sec. J. Remulla of DILG said, “Nasa korte na ang labanan”.
0-0-0-0-0
The quiet transfer of power from the previous to the present chief minister last March 3, 2025 in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, was overshadowed by the Duterte caper. This is the appointment of the new Chief Minister Macacua, a former governor, vice previous CM Murrad of BARMM. Am not sure if this news was aired by the national mainstream media.
I happened to be in Cotabato city for about 12 days starting Mar 4, 2025 for some important activity related to agriculture in the region. The city is the seat of government of BARMM. The region’s governance structure is different from the existing Philippine system. It is headed by a Chief Minister, then Senior Minister(similar to a Vice Pres.), then Minister (similar to agency Secretary); under the ministers are director generals, then directors, and so on.
My first informal meeting was with a young professional who advises the current S.M. He strikes me as a no nonsense individual who, in my estimation, will be somebody someday in the region. He talked of how progress should be all-in, meaning nobody will be left out among the groups (Moros, settlers or Christians mainly, and Lumads or IPs) in the region. A noble view of the future, indeed.
Then I visited the SM’s office for a courtesy call, carrying a short communication for future discussions. The SM was out, but a young, vivacious secretary was gracious enough to let me know of what their office is doing, and even shared some nuggets of their history such as why children of datus and other royalties before were not sent to school, and many more. She never told me, but I learned later that she is actually an attorney. More later.
**

18/03/2025

NGCP: Heightened monitoring needed amid spike in demand, unplanned plant outages

NGCP appeals to energy stakeholders to strictly monitor and ensure the availability of power in the coming months, following a surge in demand due to exceptionally high heat indices in recent days and unplanned outages of critical power plants.
As of 10 March 2025, the highest peak demand for the year was recorded on 06 March 2025 at 12,467 MW, a 5% increase from the DOE-approved GOP forecast demand of 11,870 MW for that day. For 2025, the DOE forecasted a peak of 14,769 MW for Luzon to occur mid-May, a 5.37% increase from the 2024 actual peak of 14,016 MW on 24 April 2024.
On 05 March 2025, hot weather conditions caused a spike in demand, but the unavailability of GNPD1 (668 megawatts capacity) among 11 other plants totaling 1,639.3 MW and the deration, or the operation at less than the declared capacity, of 16 other critical powerplants, led to the raising of the yellow alert from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on the same day. Capacity made unavailable because of unplanned outages and deration totaled 3,362.3MW. With NGCP’s implementation of rapid assessment on grid stability, optimization of remaining available power, and continuous real-time monitoring and coordination with affected plants, the power situation did not escalate into a red alert. The yellow alert was lifted by 7:49PM on the same day.
A yellow alert is issued when the operating margin is insufficient to meet generation’s contingency requirement, putting the grid at risk with the available contingency reserve less than the required operating margin. A red alert status is issued when power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the grid’s contingency requirement.
"As in the past years, NGCP cautions the public that while power supply seems sufficient on paper, over the years, unplanned outages of critical plants are a major factor in the power situation and have been the primary cause of power interruptions. While NGCP has complied with the DOE directive on the procurement of ancillary services (AS) through competitive selection process (CSP) and payment of AS procured through the AS Reserve Market (AS RM), the unplanned outages cause all power dispatched through the transmission system to be used for energy consumption. The contingency and dispatchable ancillary services will have been depleted and already running and dispatched as "energy" for use by the consumers, and no longer reserved for ancillary services, since the contingency for which they were procured has already occurred. A shortfall in supply, should that occur, means that while all available generators are running, including those contracted by NGCP for ancillary services, the existing supply is still insufficient to meet demand,” NGCP stated.
The procurement and scheduling of ancillary services through the AS RM is the responsibility of the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP).
NGCP reiterates the need for additional, non-intermittent baseload power sources to ensure the stability of power supply. As the transmission service provider and grid operator, NGCP can only provide an overview of the current supply and demand situation and dispatch any and all available power. The Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Republic Act 9511) prohibits NGCP from owning or operating power generating facilities.
To alleviate possible power shortages, NGCP advises the public to exercise prudence in its consumption of power. **

17/03/2025

Why frozen when you can have fresh?
By Penelope A. Domogo, MD

One of the saddest sights I ever saw in our traditional pristine barangays is the sign “Frozen foods available here.” Because this meant that big business has invaded even the remotest barangay (sigh). As long as there’s a road, you can be sure the delivery trucks peddling these unhealthy foods from the factory have reached that place. So these roads are factory or market to farm roads, not farm to market roads as they are supposed to be.
What’s the problem with frozen foods? Well, frozen foods have lost some of their vitamins, especially Vitamin C and some Vitamin Bs. For frozen fruits and veggies, these were harvested days or weeks or even years ago, then frozen. For meat and meat products, the animals were killed much earlier then the meat was frozen or processed. Taste of course, is altered. Those who have grown in the traditional Igorot village would know the flavorful (almost succulent) taste of plain boiled meat of just butchered meat, and seasoning is just rock salt. Compare that to the taste of frozen meat. Now you understand why food nowadays, especially in restaurants, are smothered with ketchup or artificial flavors.
Aside from the loss of nutrients in frozen foods, there are added artificial chemicals in frozen foods like hotdogs or ham or bacon other processed frozen meat. These pose unnecessary risks to our health especially children because they have more years to accumulate these toxic chemicals and they have small bodies.
Moreover, frozen foods gets you out of sync with Mother Nature. The best food is what God gave in season. With refrigeration and other unnatural preservation, we can eat out-of-season foods and can be in excess, to the detriment of our health and well-being. Di ba, if hotdogs and meat are in your refrigerator, then you run the risk of eating these everyday and even three times a day. Of course, this is unhealthy.
Aside from the immediate dangerous effects of frozen foods in our bodies, they also adversely impact the environment. Food processing itself creates a lot of waste, add the plastic packaging of hotdogs and ham and bacon, and the cost of transportation of these goods. The farther your food comes from, the bigger your carbon footprint. The bigger your carbon footprint, the more destructive you are to the environment. And if you destroy the environment that sustains your life, ultimately, you are harming yourself, whether you are conscious of it or not.
Eating fresh foods also means eating locally produced foods. This means you are helping our local farmers. If we help one another and we lift each other up financially and spiritually, then we create a happy, healthy community! It’s our choice. By the way, when we buy from local farmers, let us not haggle. We can’t eat the coins or bills.***
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As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied gifts.” 1 Peter 4:10