The Formaldehyde Scare

The formalin issue about the possibility of food tainted with such substances has blown into major proportion, especially at present times. The situation had caused further paranoia among consumers recently. When some years ago, that possibility was denied and considered as kwentong barbero, this time, with hard evidences and substantial testing from BFAD laboratories, it has become eventually as one among our serious concerns.
The main culprit is Mainland China. The country had allegedly been producing and exporting commodities on the global market and rumored to have been adulterated with toxic substances for practical business purposes. Formalin in particular had always been the substance in question. To substantiate the allegations, BFAD conducted its own laboratory and confirmed that the substance has always been a part of the food. Prominent among these products is a famous candy branded as White Rabbit, the soft and vanilla tasted sweet which was one of my favorites during childhood. Then there were assorted biscuits tainted as well. This called the prompt pulling out of these products from the grocery and supermarkets nationwide. Some toothpaste exported from China was banned as well for containing such.
I remember formalin during my college days as a vet student at UP Diliman. The substance was very useful in preserving the cadavers that were used as specimen for the anatomy subjects. But it leaves irritations, itchiness and rashes on our hands considering the thick rubber gloves we also wore then. The odor was also nauseating so sometimes we have to cover our nose and mouth with surgical masks. We could just imagine the consequences of ingesting these substances down from our oral cavity into the esophagus and then through the GI tract. More paranoia would set in after absorption of formalin into the blood then going to different parts of the body specially the kidney and the liver. A small amount might perhaps be lethal and damaging to these organs while more than enough dose would eventually be fatal.
The formaldehyde scare had caused global concerns while taking preventive measures mitigating the occurrence of further exposure. CNN reports that measures
Had been taken by USA by banning some exportation from China. Perhaps the European community would eventually follow suit. Here in the Philippines, media had played a significant role disseminating information and creating awareness among consumers about the food they buy on the market. It has been noted that the BFAD seal is a very essential criteria in selecting foods to buy. And considering the wave of products exported from China and peddled into the streets of Divisoria, Baclaran and other crowded commercial establishments in Metro Manila, the possibility of formaldehyde exposure would not be remote. Vigilance would eventually play a special role among the consumers.

Baywalk Manila Gone Soon

Well not really totally gone soon. At least the promenade will still be around. And from what I heard with the incumbency of former senator Alfredo Lim as the new mayor of Manila, there will be changes including the Baywalk scenario. I knew and expected this will happen sooner or later and knowing that Mayor Lim is such an advocate for moral ascendancy. It is not really that Baywalk is a haven for sinners or prostitutes just like the old Ermita but there were liquors served in many of the kiosks around there and truly business is thriving. Considering the thousand of people strolling along the bay almost everyday most especially on weekends. This will surely be a big blow as far as business for these liquor kiosks. Unless of course there are recourses to transfer them just across Roxas Boulevard or just at the vicinity of the Solaiman Plaza.
Oh well, Ross and I took the opportunity to drop by last Wednesday afternoon. The weather was friendly, wind, and cloudy with overcast skies. It was as if rain will soon be pouring but nevertheless we managed to take some shots of ourselves solo on different parts of the promenade starting from the US embassy up to the Figaro coffee shop. It as if we both have to rush before the new Mayor and his men would start remodeling the bay landscape soon we would be packing our bags with Ross’ camera. Our efforts on that Wednesday afternoon seemed to be a must for both of us because that place had been one of the significant parts of our friendship. Ross and I would be dropping by Baywalk during our initial stages and sometimes on weekends we would be just sitting around there up to the wee hours, as the sun will eventually be peeping on us. Then we hear the call of the magtataho who sold them for only ten pesos for a plastic cup. And not yet contented, we would be proceeding to the coffee kiosks vending breakfast just behind the Sulaiman plaza. That was year 2003.
Things have changed there of course including our routine. We had explored more places to visit just around the vicinity. We had dine at the Aristocrat Restaurant, we had a drink or two at some beer pub along Remedios, we had also savored the noodles of Sylvia’s kitchenette, we had enjoyed the acoustic gigs at the Café Adriatico but we would not miss the coffee of Figaro which we had enjoyed for these past years of visiting the place. Not to be missed too is dinner of seafoods and liempo at Big Mama’s eatery, an open area restaurant also located behind the plaza and patronized by people comprised of locals and tourists who had a knack for lutong bahay servings. For only three to four hours of stay, again we would relish the simple pleasures of life, communing with nature, watching people enjoy the promenade, hearing mass at the Malate church, dinner at Big Mama’s and coffee at Figaro’s.