How Essential are Essential Oils?

Essential Oils have been around for many centuries. For ages, many cultures around the world rely on the reliable uses of essential oils for many of man's ailments and conditions. From Africa to Asia to Oceania to Antarctica, essential oils have been permanent fixtures in many home medicine cabinets. It really isn't a medicine, but wise 'medicine folks' in the rural areas around the world have been known to use it as an age-old alternative medicine and therapy.

In the Philippines, a growing herd of believers and users have been observed over the years. But since time immemorial, essential oils have been known to be used by "Mangagamots" or "Manghihilots" (medicine men and women), whether for massaging or traditionally called 'Hilot' or touch therapy. I think this also how the word "oilbularyo" was coined. 

With essential oils, a wide range of uses would come to mind. Such as remedy from snake bites, relief from bee stings, high fever, sprained ankle or wrist, assistance in childbirth, and even to such extremes as curing a said person suffering from the possession of an evil spirit. 

In the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, another age-old Philippine traditional medical practice has been resurrected, and that is the 'Tu-ob' or steam inhalation. Nowadays, people mix a few drops of essential oils in a bowl of freshly boiled water and immediately inhale the steam while the head is entirely covered with a towel. The vapors give instant relief from colds, sore throat, and cough. 

But what are essential oils? It is the purest form of a substance derived mostly from flowers, plants, trees, and seeds. Essential oils are the concentrated compound that imparts the scent and herbal essences from which it was sourced from. 

Today, essential oils come in many different variants. Here in the Philippines, the most common essential oils are Lemongrass and Citronella since they’re the easiest to grow and require the least maintenance, and very abundant. However, Casa de Lorenzo under its flagship brand CDL Naturals has pioneered the introduction of other essential oils from native plants and trees of the Philippines and is working to create and discover more essential oils from the country. 

• CALAMANSI ESSENTIAL OIL – From the peels of the beloved Calamansi we use as refreshments or as part of cooking, CDL extracts Calamansi Essential Oil by distillation. The aroma of the essential oil is distinctively Calamansi. The scent of Calamansi has been suggested to help alleviate depression and anxiety. It is also among the few aromatics that not just mask the bad smell but completely neutralizes them, making the essential oil a great additive to cleaning products. It is also an excellent additive to skin toners or blended with other essential oils in a massage blend.

• DALANDAN ESSENTIAL OIL – Just like Calamansi, the sweet citrus of the Philippines’ oil is extracted from its peels via distillation. Unmistakably citrusy and sweet, Dalandan Essential Oil is among the all-time favorites. Aside from feeling really good after smelling Dalandan Essential Oil, this can also be used as the oil from Calamansi.

• ELEMI ESSENTIAL OIL – A world-renowned oil because of its benefits, Elemi Essential Oil has been popular to the rest of the globe but to us Filipinos, it seems we are just slowly being familiar in spite of the world’s supply coming from our country. There are 2 types of Elemi Essential Oil, the first one and the most popular, comes from the resin of the Canarium luzonicum tree or the Manila Elemi. The 2nd one comes from the resin of the Canarium ovatum tree or the Pili tree, which have yet to gain popularity as an alternative. Dubbed as “poor man’s frankincense,” Elemi Essential Oil is basically the more abundant and readily available substitute for Frankincense. Well known for its skin rejuvenation benefits, Elemi Essential Oil is also an amazing anti-inflammatory, a great additive for massaging strained or tired muscles provides relief to respiratory troubles, and a great stress reliever.

• ALMACIGA ESSENTIAL OIL – Known to the world as Manila Copal, it's globally traded as an ingredient in making varnishes. Traditionally, Almaciga is used as a fire starter, caulking for boats, smudge for mosquitoes, and incense for religious ceremonies. There are documented evidence that the resin is burned and smoke is inhaled for asthma and other minor respiratory troubles. The Almaciga Essential Oil is extracted by distilling the resin from Agathis philippinesis trees, which are native to the Philippines. Not much is known for the use of its essential oil because of its extreme uniqueness and it is virtually unknown up until its creation by CDL. The Almaciga Essential Oil’s aroma falls in-between Elemi and Frankincense making it another potential alternative to Frankincense.

Essential Oils can also be used as aromatic oils in the form of candles and used in Aromatherapy. Essential Oils can also found in water bath essentials such as Castile soaps and their purest form placed in diffusers to perfume the entire room with a relaxing scent and calming effect. Thus, essential oils have been used as a topical agent and aromatic ingredient as it acts as neurotransmitters via breathing and suggests an instant gratification to the brain.

Essential Oils are helpful physically, physiologically, psychologically, and mentally. This almost spiritual experience is not yet liberally focused and touched by science but it is something that touches man's very core and encompasses the bliss this world has known. After all, essential oils are the closest to what Mother Nature can offer.

Now, here's the best part? Since we have established that essential oils are indeed essential, We would love one of our readers to win this set of Castile soap and essential oils for CDL Naturals. 

To join, check out our Facebook page for mechanics. 

The Medical City and Robinsons Hotels & Resorts take Healthcare and Hospitality to a whole new level

Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR) has partnered with The Medical City to provide a seamless and convenient healthcare experience for every Filipino with its Hotel and Travel Care Packages. The Hotel Care Package 1 is recommended to those who plan to have their ECLIA Serological (antibody) test from The Medical City. This antibody test is a highly sensitive and specific chemiluminescent immunoassay test intended for identifying individuals with an adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2, indicating recent or prior infection. And since the result will be released within 24 hours, the patient has the option to wait for the results in the comfort of Summit Hotel Magnolia and Go Hotels Ortigas Center, which is 20 minutes and 8 minutes away, respectively, from The Medical City.

For only P4,200 net per person (single occupancy), enjoy an overnight stay in a single room with high-speed Wi-Fi, international and local TV channels. Packed breakfast is included. Just add P2,200 if you wish to stay for another night.

Package 2 (three days/two nights) is priced at P10,000 per person (single occupancy). Stay for two nights in a single room with full board (packed meals), high-speed Wi-Fi connection, and international and local TV channels.

This package is ideal for those who are required to take the RT-PCR test, which is considered as the gold standard for confirming the presence of SARS-CoV-2 since the results will be released after two days. Just add Php2,300 net per person (single occupancy) to include private car pickup service from the airport to hotel or hotel to the airport. This package is designed for OFWs, seafarers, and balikbayans, who are required to undergo a swab test (RT-PCR) and have to wait for their test results and clearance to be able to return home.

Under the new normal, Robinsons Hotels and Resorts has elevated its standard of hygiene and cleanliness protocols with the “Circle of Clean” seal. Based on the World Health Organization (WHO) and Department of Health’s new normal protocols, Circle of Clean provides a worry-free stay experience for RHR guests from pre-arrival to post-departure touchpoint implemented in all Go Hotels and Summit Hotels and Resorts around the Philippines.

In times of need, you can always count on your go-to hotels to do what they do best — hospitality. Hospitality is making your guests feel like they’re home.

To avail of the Travel Care Package, call Robinsons Hotels and Resorts at least three days from date of arrival.

For inquiries and reservations, please contact: RHR Happy to Care Hotlines: 0917 888 7788; 0998 888 7788; + 632 8397 0111; Go Hotels Ortigas Center: +63 (2) 8 531 3585 ; +63 (2) 8 531 3591 ; +63 998 840 1719; Summit Hotel Magnolia: (02) 8 705-6300; 0998-840-3677. Email: reservations@summithotels.ph | reservations@gohotels.ph

Quarantined for a year (literally!) and how I spent my 2020

It's official! We haven't gone out of the house (literally!) for a year already as of this day. This is because we believe that the most effective way to keep you safe from the virus is to stay at home and avoid exposure at all costs. Since I am considered high-risk and my mom is a senior citizen, we'd like to take the necessary precautions as much as we could. 

Since I had been working from home, I had the option not to go out of the house. The only adjustments that we need to do were our grocery, bank transactions, and errands. Luckily, companies and stores were able to adjust immediately and now have online services available thus, it was easy for consumers like me to fulfill these responsibilities through the use of technology and mobile apps.

Is this for real?  

When I tell my friends that we REALLY do not leave the house, they have a hard time believing and they keep on asking if I was okay and what it feels like to be stuck at home all the time. To answer this question -- Yes, I am okay and you can say that I am a happy quarantined individual (if there is such a term. LOL!) I have made this decision voluntarily and whole-heartedly and I am grateful to have this choice for me and my family. 

After all, 2020 is an unforgettable year. It was a rollercoaster ride and truly life-changing. However, I don't think it is 100% bad but rather it was a wake-up call to teach us important lessons in life. Being stuck at home, made me realize what truly matters. The safety and health of my family is my top priority. 

It is not a bed of roses

I remember one night during the early days of the lockdown, I was crying as I was just so scared and lost. When I think about our situation, there was no end in sight. I was disappointed and anxious. I had mixed emotions. But then I prayed and thought about what I really wanted for me and my family. Then, I realized that as long as we are safe and healthy and we have our basic needs (food, water, shelter, clothing, air) then we will be okay. I don't have to worry about other things for now. 

These are some of the lines and quotes that I held on to while dealing with this crisis. 

"2020 is not the year of thinking about your dreams or plans, but just to ensure that you stay alive"

"Look for the bare necessities. The simple bare necessities. Forget about your worries and your strife. I mean the bare necessities. That's why a bear can rest at ease. With just the bare necessities of life." - The Jungle Book  

Since I was able to let go of my worries, I became productive again. I was able to channel my energies to something more positive. My life did not stop while I was stuck at home. Instead, it just had another route, and here's how I spent my 2020:

• Be part of the team behind high-impact online events like the HR Summit Global with 10,000+ participants and World Gratitude Summit with 15,000+ participants from 40+ countries globally. Since live events are not allowed during the pandemic, the conduct of online events was one of the major changes that we had. 

Check out the World Gratitude Summit highlights below. :) 

 

• Val and I founded Bacolod Food and Supply Sources, an online community created to help address the needs of our local community during the quarantine. It was a venue where members are encouraged to stay at home and opt for alternative ways (e.g. delivery service to source their needs like groceries, food, and medicine. We also had local sellers and suppliers as members whom we were able to support their business through online transactions. To date, we have over 8,600 members.  

• I was able to co-author the book, To the First Woman Who Loved Me with Sha Nacino, Bro. Bo Sanchez, Kat Aristorenas, etc. It was a special Mother's Day tribute where I shared a story all about my mom. The book features 42 heartwarming and inspiring stories that will rekindle treasured moments with your mom. 

If you wish to have a printed copy of the book, you may order via this link or if you want  the ebook version, you may order via this link.

 

• The year also opened up another passion project for us as we launched our official Youtube channel. This time, our Youtube channel will feature DIY tips, tech and gadget reviews, instructional materials, and game streaming. Thus, the content will be slightly different from the blog. Hope you can support us in this too by subscribing to our channel. 

• We also had a Disney-themed Christmas tree and organized a Christmas Lighting Event. This is going to be one of our family traditions every December 8. 

• Completed "Simbang Gabi" for the first time where we attended the Manila Cathedral's online mass every 4:30AM for 9 straight days. 
• Had a Virtual Noche Buena with Family 
• Started affiliate marketing with Involve Asia and this has been exciting and rewarding. You may read more about it, here.
• Became part of the support team for the Virtual Speakers Association International, which is one of the top professional speakers' associations globally. 

Of course, It was not all work and serious stuff, I was able to finish a lot of Kdrama series too. (LOL!)

Anyway, why I am sharing this post with you? Well, I hope that no matter how bad the situation is, how things don't go on as planned, or how feeling hopeless we are, we learn to focus on what is truly important to us. All other stuff is a bonus. We don't have to dwell on our problems instead embrace them and face them. I don't mean that we have to stay positive all the time. That's just plain toxic. 

But what I mean is learn to accept your problems and do something about them. If I got so depressed and simply focus on my fear and anxiety, then I wouldn't be productive. I might even end up losing my job because I can't work right anymore. Cry if you have to but make sure that all those tears wash away the pain, worries, and fears. Be strong! This will all shall pass. 

Wishing you the best this 2021. 

Davao City Water District is now available in GCASH

While everyone is encouraged to stay at home, bills payment has been one of the major concerns during the quarantine. Thus, a lot of companies especially utility companies offered online payment services to address the needs of their customers. 

Unfortunately, this is not the case for all. There were still some companies including the Davao City Water District that do not have the online option thus, customers are still forced to go out in order to pay while waiting for the availability of online payment options. 

But the good news is the long wait is over ---> Davao City Water District will be available on GCASH starting January 26, 2021. This means that DCWD customers can now pay their bills online.  

To pay, just open your GCASH app, under PAY BILLS > WATER UTILITIES, and look for DAVAO CITY WATER DISTRICT. Then input the following:

Account holder’s name

9-digit DCWD account number

Payment amount

Working email address

Valid mobile number

If you don't have GCASH yet, you may download the app via this link: https://gcsh.app/r/r7p8nsm

Please note that there will be a Php 10 convenience fee for every transaction. The Payment date will be on the same day as the payment was made thru Gcash but the posting and sending of electronic official receipt will be 2 working days after payment was made.

For more details, you may check out DCWD's Facebook Page.