Weeks before Christmas of 2021, the VisMin regions of the Philippines were struck by Typhoon Odette (international name, RAI). Millions of Victims are still suffering from the aftermath of the storm, thousands were injured while hundreds of death were listed. It is very hard but Pinoys are known to be resilient and soon, we will rise again. And of course, Bayanihan will always be here even without calamity, Pinoys are known to help in their own ways. Just like our friends from ResCute Operation, they've been consistent since the pandemic -  and this time, they're helping by sending 300 packs of relief goods and some essentials to Cebu Victims of Typhoon Odette.

Cuties from ResCute Operation doing the packing

With the help from Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp. (PSACC), ResCute Operation sent 147 Big Boxes of packages to Cebu specifically to Cebu City, Mandaue City and Oslob. These packs contain drinking water, canned goods, noodles, coffees, and other essentials which are very helpful for all victims to somehow help overcome their daily needs.  

Cuties from ResCute Operation doing the packing

If you read my blogs or follow me on social media, you would remember that special article I made for a certain Dentist here in Cebu. It is entitled "What this Dentist has been doing for 12 years is unbelievable!" It is special not because he is a good friend but because he went extra - he went out of his Clinic to extend his goal and dream as a Professional Dentist. And last August 12, 2019, his fellow co-Dentists who practices in Cebu and Mandaue, had acknowledged that actions and he was inducted as new President of Philippine Dental Associations - Mandaue Chapter. He is no other than, Doc. Xavier Gonzalez-Solis.

Induction of Doc. Xavier Gonzalez-Solis as new President of PDA-Mandaue. Photo by Jun Laurel

This 37-year-old Dentist is very passionate about his crafts. Aside from his yearly Charity Work which he purposely holds during his Birthday Month, he also blogs, an active Poseidon Dragon Boat Paddler and of course, a participative volunteer of LoveYourself, an HIV advocacy group. During his induction, the PDA-Mandaue president said, he said "Let’s go out of our clinics and make PDA Mandaue an avenue of learning, to enhance our knowledge, not just to be more compassionate and tactful in our treatment to our patients, but also to enrich our knowledge on topics that will make us better, wiser, well-rounded individuals." Indeed, he walks the talk!

Doc. Xavier Gonzalez-Solis during his induction speech. Photo by Jun Laurel

And by going out of their clinics means riching out to communities. Doc. Xavier believes that every Dentist has a big role in society. He even supports the newly passed resolution entitled “Sugar Away and Let it Begin With Me”. This resolution mandates the banning of sugary drinks and desserts like cake and pastries in all PDA Mandaue related activities. In this way, Dentists can show to their patients and to the community that they are indeed good examples. Do you know eating high-sugar snacks can cause or leads to cavities? That's why Doc. Xavier wanted to exert the effort of this drive to Mandaue and to different sectors of the community. In addition, Dr. Xavier pushes and supports non-Dental related programs such as Zero Plastic use by being sensitive to the community and being always an environment-friendly Dentists, thus, he signed a resolution mandating to No single-use plastic in all PDA Mandaue activities. In this way, Dentists can be more proactive not just inside their clinics but also outside their zones by improving the society to be a healthier one, that is more aware, environmentally conscious and socially involved.

Induction Ceremony of PDA-Mandaue. Photo by Gerrymie Tampos of CebuEventsBlog.com

He has a good vision for PDA Mandaue. As a Dentist himself, he knows how stressful the work is so he wants to help other Dentists to treat themselves. He supports #TheDentistsAreOut Project, a project by PDA Mandaue encouraging dentists to have a break, enjoy and engage in activities outside our clinics to achieve a work-play balance. "We have partnered with various establishments that when we present our PRC ID, these partner establishments will give us perks & discounts! So yes! This gives us more reason to renew our PRC ID and yes again… this is not limited to PDA Mandaue members only, as long as you have an updated PRC ID you can avail the privileges." He added.



Doc. Xavier Gonzalez-Solis is a faculty of Gullas - College of Dentistry in Mandaue and manages his own clinic called Dr. Xavier G. Solis Dental Care Clinic and also the VP for Dental City - Center for Smile. If you wish to contact him, you can visit all of his social media channels at @DookieXave or visit his blog at www.thedentistisout.com

Oh Christmas, you are full of mysteries and surprises! And this time, a very good surprise! Yesterday, a Social Media user, Prudence Mae Abellanosa Enerlan, posted something thoughtful and magical on her Facebook account. Are you ready to know this one of a kind Christmas Presents? Here's Tatay Driver who offers a free ride to all his Jeepney passengers on his first trip every Christmas Day for 14 years already!

Tatay Driver has been reported to be living in Tinaan, Naga City in Cebu. I just hope someone will give this Tatay Driver something amazing this Holiday season! By the way, you can catch him on his Naga-Bulacao Jeepney Route.

The post was done Christmas day at 7:40 AM, 25 minutes after it actually happened. As of this writing, it has 11 thousand comments and 19 thousand shares. It stated as follows:

---

December 25, 2018 around 7:15am

While on the way going to my work..

As soon as I entered his jeepney ( front seat), He immediately greeted me "GOOD MORNING AND MERRY CHRISTMAS"

When one passenger gave his jeepney fare he refused to accept it, and said to us "ALL MY PASSENGER IS FREE of Fare, that's my little Christmas gift for everyone",

Me sitting beside him was shocked and awe for what he said.

He's been doing this free fare for 14years every first trip of December 25th.

Little things matter.

Merry Christmas indeed Tay, Thank you and God bless 😊

---

See original post below:



See how an ordinary jeepney driver gave smile and brightness to people even with just a small deed! Now, I hope this will enlighten our minds and gives us ideas on how to share positive vibes not just for Christmas Day but throughout our entire life for as long as we can! Way to go Tatay!!!

Lupang Hinirang (not "Bayang Magiliw") is the Philippine National Anthem's title. And it's been trending lately here in Cebu and of course, in the country as well, when Senator Sotto proposed to change the lyrics most specifically the end part. Even Vice Ganda expressed his disappointment on this matter in Its Showtime last Saturday. As I quote from Philstar, "Sotto is proposing to change the last line from the current one that declares the Filipino’s readiness, when faced with an oppressor, to die for the country – ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo – into one that vows to defend freedom – ang ipaglaban ang kalayaan mo." Since it has become a national concern, how come this Lady who sang our National Anthem in San Diego Padres VS. San Francisco Giants Major League Baseball game could not do it properly?


We don't judge her because maybe she's nervous that time but a little practice and research on the lyrics surely won't hurt? Right? Now, take a look from this original video captured by Roxanne Husain and uploaded in facebook. See below for the Youtube Version.





Just to refresh our minds, here is Lupang Hinirang (Philippine National Anthem) Lyrics

Bayang magiliw
Perlas ng silanganan
Alab ng puso
Sa dibdib mo'y buhay

Lupang Hinirang
Duyan ka nang magiting
Sa manlulupig
Di ka pasisiil

Sa dagat at bundok sa simoy
At sa langit mo'y bughaw
May dilag ang tula
At awit sa paglayang minamahal
Ang kislap ng watawat mong tagumpay na nagniningning
Ang bituin at araw niya'y kailanpama'y di magdidilim

Lupa ng araw ng luwalhati't pagsinta
Buhay ay langit sa piling mo
Aming ligaya nang pag
May mang-aapi
Ang mamatay ng dahil sayo

If you are my avid reader and social media follower, you would know that I’m not into Political blogging. I don’t do politics articles or even politicians’ feature in this Lifestyle and Travel Blog of mine. But there’s one issue that caught my attention, this TRAIN and SSB Tax proposals.


So aside from the undying issue of killings under President Duterte administration, TRAIN and SSB are important topics that need to be discussed in the Congress or in the Senate. I won’t be talking as professional here, but using my research and other online skills, let me help you define and together understand this tax reform matters. First, let’s talk about terms.

• TRAIN – It stands for Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion
• SSB – Means Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax
• House Bill 292 – authored by Representatives Horacio Suansing and Estrellita Suansing. It imposes an excise tax on Sweetened Beverage products. HB 292 is part of TRAIN (House Bill 5636)
• House Bill 5636 – It will amend our Comprehensive Tax Reform Package so the government can collect more taxes.

What will happen if TRAIN bill is approved?

1. Oil excise tax rates will be adjusted gradually in the succeeding years. Diesel and essentials namely processed gas, kerosene, diesel fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas, asphalt, and bunker fuel oil will increase from P0 in 2017, to P1.75 to P3 in 2018, P3.75 to P5 in 2019 and P6 in 2020. Gas and non-essentials such as lubricating oils and greases, naphtha, regular gasoline, premium gasoline, and aviation turbo jet fuel will increase from P4.35 in 2017, to P6 to P7 in 2018, P8 to P9 in 2019 and P10 in 2020. ( Src philstar )

• Just imagine how much the fare would be if this is approved. For those Call Center Agents or Night Shifters who rely on motorcycle-taxi or Habal-Habal in coming to their respective offices, how much would they suffer in their daily lives? Not to mention other public transportations such as Jeepneys, V-Hire and Taxis. Can you imagin the fare would be?

2. A P-10-excise tax for the first year and four percent every year thereafter on all sweetened beverages such as soft drinks, coffee, juice drinks and energy drinks. The SSB tax proposes a P10 per liter tax on beverages using high-fructose corn syrup, P5 per liter on drinks using sugar, and P3 per liter on drinks using non-caloric sweeteners. How much would a poor Filipino cost for a sachet of 3-in-1 coffee? They are using this daily!

So if this will push thru, what will happen to our beloved Sari-Sari Store and micro-enterprise business in which majority of their products come from those sweetened goods? Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) chairman Jesus Lim Arranza said the implementation of the tax would cause a 40 to 60 percent sales slump in sari-sari stores and other micro-enterprises, triggered by a 25 to 50 percent price increase of basic commodities. (Src Philstar)

3. Another tax-payers group is identified as "medium taxpayers" and maybe converted to Medium
Taxpayers division following the Large Taxpayers Division should the TRAIN is approved. Meaning,
those belong to this category are companies that pay more than 30 percent of a revenue region's
collection goal. Don't you know that BIR-13 revenue regions, Cebu and Bohol, is recently identified as top 500 establishments classified as “medium taxpayers,” which includes mostly construction, real estate,
and manufacturing companies in the two provinces. (Src SunStar)

What’s the advantage? 

Filipinos will be forced to observe healthy living without any sugar from any foods or beverages in our daily meals. Meaning, fewer figures on issues of Diabetes and Obesity. data from the 2017 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations show that the problem is undernutrition, not obesity which means the Government should focus on this matter rather than resolving a problem with another possible problem.


The Senate session in regards to this matter will resume in November, I’m hoping they will see how the poor Filipinos are being affected by this latest tax move. I'm hoping that this TRAIN won't arrive on its expected station.

Since I started Blogging in the year 2007, I promised to put this passion into good use. I started the Bloggers Social Responsibility as Cebu Bloggers Society's version of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Since then, other organizations from different Countries had started following it. But this is not about CBS. I'm giving this special highlight to Cebu's amazing Dentists.

Dental Mission : Tooth Extraction. Pic by Verge Gamotan

Cebu Bloggers Mark Monta (FaceCebu.net) and Rabsin Dela Cruz (Burn Those Fats) preparing those educational Supplies for the students. Pic by Verge Gamotan

Last Sunday, I finally joined my friend Dentist, Doctor Xavier Solis and couple of his friends and volunteers for a Dental Mission at Caohagan Elementary School as he celebrated his Birthday. This school is situated in a very small island near Lapu-Lapu and is part of Olango Island Group. Why giving this basic information? I just want to share how difficult for our brothers and sisters from that Island in terms of necessities such as medical, education (High School, Senior High School, College) , drinking water and other essentials. Some of the people earn money from fishing. That's why they could not buy other needs such as wearing good clothes or protection from the harmful and dirty ground - yes, I saw children wearing nothing - barefooted. It broke my heart thinking some of City Millenials' problems are like "what to wear" or "what coffee shops are they going to lounge for their "studies"" which ended up disturbing their neighboring tables with their noice pollution. Very sad indeed! That's why I'm giving Doctor Solis and his friends a good feature in my blog. People like them are very hard to find.

Doc. Xavier Solis (center) handing over some educational supplies. Pic by Verge Gamotan

Doc. Solis's friend discussing about the medicine. Pic by Verge Gamotan

I once asked Doc. Solis why celebrate your birthday in an island with a Dental mission? I know it's a simple question but I just wanted to know his personal reasons. "It's a truly HAPPY birthday when you share your happiness to the community." he answered briefly. And to my surprise he added "To be honest I don't like sharing what I'm doing because I believe that doing good don't need to be sensationalized in social media." Now, that's how a true Charity Works!

Doc. Solis's student doing the tooth extraction

Doc. Solis's student doing the tooth extraction

Since 2005, Doc. Solis started the Dental Mission with the help of his friends from Solis Dental Care Clinic and Dental City Center For Smile. And just last year, he decided to start giving back to the community every during his birthday week in a form of Dental Service such as free tooth extraction while some volunteers are giving away educational supplies to Students. Unbelievable that a good Dentist has been doing it for 12 years already! Kudos to Doc. Solis and the rest of his friends and volunteers!

Doc. Solis's friends preparing those educational supplies for students

By the way, if you are willing to partner with those mentioned Dental Centers, please see below contact details.

Solis Dental Care Clinic
Address: G/F Cogal Bldg., P. del Rosario Ext., Cebu City (Adjacent to USC-South Campus formerly Girls-Hi)
Numbers:  0917 9263309 or below.
(032) 321-8349
(032) 418-2755
(032) 516-2657
Facebook: @DrXavierGSolisDentalCareClinic

Dental City Center For Smile
Address: GROUND FLOOR i1 BLDG., ASIATOWN I.T PARK, LAHUG,CEBU CITY
Number: Call +63 923 826 5744 |(032) 232-9080
Email: centerforsmilecebu@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dental-City-Center-for-Smile-540600619402475/

Cheers to a successful event! A groufie is a must! Here are Doc. Solis friends and Volunteers. Pic by Doc. Solis.