Garlic to combat Breast Cancer

Hey! Hey! Garlic Combats Breast Cancer 

Breast cancer is the growth of malignant cells in the breast and develops to tumor when it becomes severe.

           An account of the Philippine Star, “Mushrooms go pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month” (October 7, 2012) disclosed that breast cancer is today’s leading killer of women aged 35-54 around the world. Every year, close to 500 000 die from the dubbed “dragon cancer”. Recently, the Philippine Breast Cancer Network announced that the country has the most incidence rate of breast cancer in Asia. It is also considered to have 9^th highest breast cancer occurrence rate in the world today. 

How can garlic or locally known as bawang can combat breast cancer?

            With the continuous research in the field of medicine, cancer could be battled through our choice of food intake.

            Among the Filipino typical food flavorings is bawang, a white, small and aromatic bulbous root that can help in fighting breast cancer cells. It is a substantial food condiment that can protect consumers from acquiring cancerous cells. It can help prevent cancer cells growth and muscle inflammation.

           Bawang has long been used by Igorot ancestors to cure asthma and to lower blood pressure, says Paulina Langbet of Tabangoen, Balili, La Trinidad. 
          
         “Si ina mi din kanayun ay ay mang-us-usal sin bawang nu man-uto sisya. Sinay abe din iag-agas na sinan asthma’n din iyugtan ko. Ngem adi mi pay ammu gayam ay agas di cancer na.” (My mother often used garlic whenever she cooks. She had also used this to cure the asthma of my younger sibling. However, we are not aware that this is also for curing cancer), stated Langbet.

          Garlic in Igorot dishes, pinikpikan, etag and pinuneg are some of the delicacies which make use of bawang as a spice. Pinikpikan, an Igorot dish prepared by beating a live chicken with a stick prior to cooking makes use of bawang nowadays. On the other hand, etag is a smoked pork or chopped meat treated in salt for several hours while pinuneg is a sausage made from blood, pork, fats and pig’s intestines. The preparation of these dishes primarily involves bawang, sili (pepper), suka (vinegar) and other spices. Bawang is often pounded or crushed giving off its aroma. It is also the common ingredient in ginisa or sautéed dishes and sinangag or fried rice.

            Medically, bawang contains antibacterial properties which help reproduce healthy body cells and prevent the formation of cancer cells in the body.  When the bawang is crushed or chopped, it reproduces the chemical compound allicin or allyl sulfur. This substance acts as antibiotic and anti-fungal which helps in avoiding the abnormal growth of the body cells during cell division. Aside from that, the allicin also destroys breast cancer cells. In the same manner, it blocks the growth and activation of direct cancer agents called carcinogen. Significantly, it restores DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) which is a very important molecule inside the body cells that carry genetic information.

          According to several medical studies, bawang has more antioxidants than other vegetables. It contains flavonoids, the chemical antioxidants which prevent the formation of carcinogen. These elements are part of a larger group of molecules called the phenols. Some phenols which are naturally occurring in many herbs and other natural sources have a stinking smell and high rate of acidity. These properties are used by phenol-containing plants like onion and garlic to discourage plant-based animals or herbivores from eating them. Bawang also is a natural blood thinner that reduces blood clotting in the blood vessels. Severe clotting is linked to breast cancer that could be prevented through consumption of bawang. 

Using Bawang for Good Health

          Bawang can be used in several ways to boost a person’s health. But the greatest benefit will come from fresh uncooked garlic, says American Cancer Society. If one prefers to try other forms of garlic, there's garlic essential oil, garlic oil macerate, garlic powder, and garlic extract. Garlic supplements are also available, if one wants to avoid "garlic breath." However, the allicin contained in these supplements varies greatly and will be less powerful than that which is released from fresh garlic.

          An online medical writer, Dr. Donald Abrams stressed that bawang should be processed into oil or powder so that its beneficial compounds will be brought out. By peeling the garlic, the allicin is released and will start some chemical reactions that produce a compound called diallyl disulfide or DADS. This diallyl disulfide is formed when raw garlic is cut or crushed. However, it should not be cooked immediately so that its anti-cancer elements will activate properly.

          On the other hand, some American scientists recommend waiting for 15 minutes before cooking the bawang to allow the allicin reaction to occur. They also pointed out that always peel and chop the garlic prior to cooking. Then let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before heating. As they stressed, a person does not need to chew on one slice of garlic a day by itself to get the anticancer benefits from this fragrant bulb. Just chop or finely chop garlic and sprinkle it on a salad, a thick slice of bread or over a fish fillet.

Prior to the significance of integrating bawang as a part of the Filipinos’ nutritious spices, it could be remembered that Hippocrates once said “Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food”. 
              Eating some of the Igorot delicacies like etag, pinuneg ginisa, sinangag,and pinikpikan is indeed worthwhile for it aids in the prevention of breast cancer among Filipino women and men. Though there are no recommended amounts of garlic best use in treating cancer, eating garlic regularly as part of a diet may help a person to battle cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Who is this blogger?

                             I am the Living Maria Clara

              Hi! My name is Hermilita Melio Lagmay :), a true Filipino by heart. I am a simple lady, filled with dreams and hopes of everlasting life. I believe to the Almighty God who stands with us in the battlefield of our lives.

              My father is an Ilocano and my mother is a native Igorot of the Cordillera. I grew up with the Kankana-ey tribe in Sabangan, Montain Province. Regardless of being raised in barrios where life is different from the modernized areas, many good Filipino values are enshrined in my heart by my parents. Some of which are humility, politeness, hospitality, and sense of utang-na-loob.

               Though I have been showered with moral teachings, I also do commit mistakes due to my imperfections. But that does not mean that I will blame my imperfections for my wrong deeds. Every mistake I will commit would mean punishment. Every single wrong deed would signify hard consequences. This prompt me to make this blog, to always remind me that I should always keep right my words and actions.

                  One more thing, I also made this blog page of mine to accept genuine comments from the readers that may help in harnessing this writing skill which God had given to me.

                   Fifteen years ago, I remember being a "readaholic" grade one pupil. I loved reading fairy tales like Cinderella, Snow white, Ariel: the Mermaid, and many more. Aside from these fiction stories, I am also fond of reading the Lola Basyang' stories which usually talks about the heroism of warriors, princes and kings. Due to my "readaholic" characteristic, I learned to love writing short poems, stories, and songs. 

                  "Did you really make this story?" my father once asked me. With his glistering, wide eyes, he stared at me intently.  I did not say a word because I knew that if I would talk, I might burst out tears of joy. It was the very first moment that he appreciated my obra-maestra. You know, I am so melancholic that tends to be emotional when it comes to life stories. Yeah, I am really that person who easily sheds tears.

                 
                   I was only a grade three pupil then. That was the very first time I made a novel entitled "The Boxing story". I wrote it in my old notebook. If my mind serves me right, I wrote it within three months. I did not want my parents, brothers or sisters to read it but I accidentally left the notebook on the kitchen, so then, my father saw it.

                   If only I had kept that notebook, I might have something to show you. But I lost it. That does not mean the end of my passion in writing.  So here I am again, starting to wave and play with critic minds by incorporating my stories through this page.

                  When I started enrolling in our humble campus, I was in doubt of what course I am really inclined with. Upon looking at the "list of course choices", Bachelor of Science in Development Communication caught my eyes. I made up my mind so I took the course knowing that it is not just a mere choice but rather a better path for me to develop myself, as well as my community. It may be a weird idea, but I believe that a simple word could turn the world greener and lovelier. In the same manner, a single story could energize an individual to be part of the sustainable societal development.
 
                   So goes with this saying of mine, "One person could build billion populations into one mind".

The "Inayan" Concept among Igorots

We can solve Graft and Corruption by having the Inayan concept!

                 So lucky that I was doctrined with the Inayan concept of the Igorot culture.
                 Inayan signifies fear to the perceived Supreme Being. Thus, this sense of Inayan prevent one person from doing unpleasant doings. Inayan has a religious overtone as it cites a moral from the Ten Commandments, illustrates the popular significance of inayan as a warning or caution in the conduct of things and uses inayan as an exclamation to express disappointment or annoyance.  

               Culture must not be forgotten. This was the advocacy of senior citizens who sat as official-for-a-day in Benguet on Monday, October 1. Customary laws are legislative by Council of Elders with attached moral or spiritual aspects found out later to be parallel to Biblical laws as subsumed in the Igorot sense of inayan, lawlawa baw, mangisiw, ngaag, and madmadi.

               Even the word value means has many different meanings, and placing Igorot to quality it, would only further complicate its meaning. Values could also have either good or bad implication.

              There are also Igorot attributes that are either good or bad depending on how it is taken or applied. The ba-in (meaning shame but perhaps best interpreted as shyness or dishonorable) of the modern-day Igorot could be a hindrance to his/her from showing his/her full professional development and advancement if it keeps him/her from showing his/her full potential.

              Similarly the inayan value could play for or against his/her day-to-day endeavors. Because of inayan (be careful attitude and fear of the unknown) one tends to avoid taking risks, but on the other hand it also keeps one from engaging in some bad or unwanted deeds. The spirituality of the Igorots in general is encompassed in their strong belief on the power of the Almighty referred as Kabunyan, Alawagan, Lumauig or sometimes termed as Adikaila, Nintootongdo or Manakaalin. With such belief, the core values of inayan, laaton, may kasiyana, lawlawa baw etc. are their   guiding philosophies in their everyday living.

            Inayan according to Solang is a community value similar to the popularly known karma or the concept of “you reap what you sow”. This value he said cautions as individual against   violating cultural norms or taboos. He said this is a cultural value that instills discipline, order and harmony among individuals within families and clans, within the village or tribe, and with the environment. In other tribes, inayan is called paniyew  or paniyaw.

              Inayan is a lexicon in the Kankanaey language, which is spoken mainly by the Kankanaey ethnologies   group inhabiting the western part of the Mountain Province covering the municipalities of  Bauko, Besao, Sagada,  and Tadian. Kankanaeys are also found in the found in the northern Benguet province area spanning the Mankayan,  Buguias, Kibungan, Kapangan and Guidzadan municipalities.

              Inayan means to hold back or to prevent from doing from doing something unpleasant. It is also a mild expression like “shucks”. This two meaning present the word as an ordinary verb and an exclamation. However, a deeper investigation of the presence of the word in the Kankanaey language culture, namely the fear of a Supreme Deity called Kabunian (God), forewarns or dissuades one from doing anything harmful to others. The concept of Inayan deeply rooted in the culture specifically of the Sagada and Besao Kankanaey tribes, as claimed by informants from these places. To them, inayan embodies all virtues   and morals of tribal members – humility, truthfulness, fidelity, honesty, and commitment, among others.

             In so far as these informants from Sagada and Besao are concerned, the Inayan belief recognizes utang na loob (the ‘I owe you a favor’Filipino concept)    which in this  political context, the Kankanaey native regards as “goodness”  and “kindness” coming from the giver, hence, requires a commensurate return the favor commitment.

              The Kankanaey people claim that they have a word, lawa which generically   used to mean “bad”. They also recognize that lawa does not signify a cultural value as intense as the Inayan concept.

These are some old spiritual and ethical Igorot values which are worth keeping for like the concept of Inayan. This fear  of  the perceived  Supreme Being affects  one’s  conscience , according to “Power from the Mountains”, a book by the Bakun Indigenous Tribes Organization or BITO, a people’s organization of the Kankanaey and Bago tribes of Bakun, Benguet. The perceived someone may not impose any sanction, but the offender’s conscience hurts him most, and this may mean sleepless nights for the person concerned.   Another is the paniyew or fear of the unseen or   the creator of humankind.

               A breach of the paniyew law could spell an eternal suffering for the offender, says BITO. One also is bain.  This literally means shame.  “The kankanaey and Bago society is a reproachful community. To live in such a community upon conviction of a crime is intolerable because of bain. Bain can be too heavy for a person to take so much so that   it becomes enough punishment in itself.”

            These  inayan, lawa,  and pamiyew concept carry a threat:   if you cheat  during your married life, this will  have a devastating effect in the family in the  future. The worst thing is that it is considered a curse, the misfortune does not affect the husband or wife, but   the curse may pass through  the innocent victims-the children or grandchildren.

             Melchora  Calang-ad  Chin, the composer of the “Onward IGO!” the anthem of the  Igorot Global  Organization said that “Real  Igorots are those  who learned the ways  of their ancestors, who taught us to be honest and trustworthy, implementing the virtue  of inayan.

              Here are some of the instances where inayan is applied: Inayan nan adi mangpati is ina nay a ama na, Ay no inchismis da sika, ichismis mo es daida?  Inayan, Inayan di  mangibubukod  si gawis, Inayan sa, Madi man  ongonga ay isnan dap-ay nu obaya tay inayan kanan nan am-ama and Pakay maid paylang chi?  Inayan sa.  

                A Northern Benguet tribe member, the informant associates the word with a more intense apprehension of the possible consequences as she relates inayan means scary.