Ulasimang bato, likas na lunas laban sa gout at mataas na uric acid

ni PAO Deputy Chief Dr/Atty. Erwin P. Erfe, M.D. @Sabi ni Doc | March 30, 2026

Dear Doc Erwin,

Taos-pusong pasasalamat sa patuloy ninyong pagtuturo tungkol sa kalusugan. Ang inyong column sa BULGAR ay nagsisilbing gabay namin upang mamuhay nang mas malusog at ligtas sa sakit.

Bilang isang guro sa pampublikong paaralan, ang aking katawan ang aking puhunan sa pagtuturo. Kaya naman napakabigat para sa akin kapag sinusumpong ako ng gout; bukod sa sobrang sakit na halos hindi ako makalakad, naapektuhan din ang pag-aaral ng aking mga estudyante dahil hindi ako makakilos at makapagturo nang may buong sigasig. 

Gusto kong itanong kung paano ba mabisang makokontrol ang uric acid para maiwasan ang ganitong mga atake ng gout. Anobang mga pagkain o natural na lunas ang maaaring makatulong sa akin? Maraming salamat po. — Mel

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Maraming salamat, Mel, sa iyong pagbabahagi ng iyong karanasan at sa hamong kinakaharap mo sa iyong kalusugan.

Ang Peperomia pellucida, o mas kilala sa lokal na pangalang Ulasimang Bato o Pansit-pansitan, ay isa sa pinakatanyag at pinag-aaralang halamang gamot sa Pilipinas.

Bagaman madalas itong ituring na damo lamang dahil sa mabilis nitong pagtubo sa mga mamasa-masang lugar, ang halamang ito ay kinikilala na ngayon ng Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Health (DOH), at ng mga dalubhasa bilang isang mabisang sandata laban sa mataas na uric acid at gout.

Ang hyperuricemia ay ang kondisyon kung saan ang antas ng uric acid sa dugo ay masyadong mataas. Kapag hindi ito naagapan, nagbubuo ito ng mga kristal sa mga kasukasuan na siyang sanhi ng matinding sakit at pamamaga na nagdudulot ng sakit na gout. 

Ayon sa pag-aaral nina Alvero, Quijano, et al., napatunayan sa laboratoryo ang kakayahan ng halamang ito na pababain ang antas ng uric acid. Sa nasabing eksperimento, ang mga binigyan ng extract ng Peperomia pellucida ay nagpakita ng makabuluhang pagbaba ng uric acid sa kanilang dugo na maihahambing sa epekto ng ilang komersyal na gamot. Ipinapakita nito na ang bisa ng halaman ay hindi lamang base sa tradisyonal na paniniwala, kundi suportado ng matibay na siyentipikong ebidensya.

Hindi lamang pagpapababa ng uric acid ang kayang gawin ng Ulasimang Bato. Ayon sa Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), ang halamang ito ay may taglay ding mahahalagang anti-inflammatory properties. Ang pamamaga ng mga kasukasuan na dulot ng gout ay labis na masakit at madalas na nakakapilay. Sa pamamagitan ng pagbuo ng mga drug formulations mula sa Ulasimang Bato, nabibigyan ang mga Pilipino ng karagdagang opsyon na mas abot-kaya at likas na paraan upang mabawasan ang pamamaga na dulot ng gout at hyperuricemia. Ang inobasyong ito ay bahagi ng layunin ng bansa na gawing mas accessible ang de-kalidad na gamot para sa masa.

Dahil sa potensyal nito, patuloy ang pag-unlad ng teknolohiya sa pagproseso ng halamang ito upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga gagamit. Sa ulat na "Conceptual design development of a Peperomia pellucida decoction machine," binibigyang-diin ang pangangailangan para sa mga kagamitang makakapag-standardize ng paggawa ng tsaa o decoction mula rito. Layon ng teknolohiyang ito na matiyak na ang tamang dosis at kalidad ng gamot ay mapapanatili sa bawat paghahanda, upang ang bawat pag-inom ng halamang gamot na ito ay maging ligtas, puro, at epektibo.

Ang Ulasimang Bato ay isang paalala na ang kalikasan ay may sariling "botika" na handang magbigay ng lunas sa ating mga karamdaman. Sa tulong ng mga komprehensibong pag-aaral at suporta ng DOST, malinaw na ang Peperomia pellucida ay hindi lamang dekorasyon sa hardin kundi isang mahalagang yaman sa medisina. Sa tamang paggamit, patuloy na pananaliksik, at regular na pagkonsulta sa doktor, ang munting halamang ito ay patuloy na magbibigay ng ginhawa at pag-asa sa libu-libong Pilipinong nagdurusa sa gout at hyperuricemia. (Sarrah F. Serrano, MD)

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Maraming Salamat sa inyong pagliham sa Sabi ni Doc at nawa’y magpatuloy sa pagbuti ang inyong kalusugan. Kung may mga katanungan pa, mag-email lamang sa Sabi ni Doc sa e-mail address na erwin.erfe@gmail.com o sa doc.bulgar@gmail.com

Mang Inasal celebrates women creators championing Filipino food online

by Info @Brand Zone | March 14, 2026

Chef Beng Velarde, Momfluencer Hiedie Mamauag, and Gen Z KOL Khem Gomez are among the Mang Inasal Creators' Circle members who have redefined content creation and proudly share Filipino food culture with audiences across the country

As digital platforms continue to shape how stories are shared, Filipino audiences are becoming increasingly selective about the voices they follow and engage with online. 

Insights from Meltwater’s Digital 2026 report show that the Philippines remains one of the most socially connected countries globally, with users spending between 30 minutes to more than an hour daily on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. In this crowded digital landscape, audiences are drawn less to viral moments and more to creators whose stories feel authentic, values-driven, and relatable. 

This Women’s Month, Mang Inasal celebrates Filipina creators who embody these qualities—women redefining the content creation space while proudly sharing Filipino food culture with audiences across the country. 

Among them are creators Khem Gomez, Chef Beng Velarde, and Heidie Mamauag, whose journeys reflect resilience, authenticity, and a deep love for Filipino cuisine. 

“Mang Inasal has always been about celebrating what makes us proudly Filipino,” said Mang Inasal president Mike V. Castro. “This Women’s Month, we are proud to highlight Filipina creators who are using their platforms to inspire communities while showcasing the richness of Filipino food culture.” 

Taking the first step 

For many creators, the most difficult part of the journey is simply getting started. Gomez recalls how hesitation once held her back from pursuing content creation. 

“I’ve always wanted to create content since I was young,” she said. “But actually, starting can feel daunting. Still, it’s scarier to look back at the ‘could-have-beens.’” 

Today, Gomez shares creative food-related content, including miniature cooking videos that bring Filipino dishes to life in playful and imaginative ways. For her, Filipino cuisine represents something deeper than content—it reflects identity and pride. 

“Filipino food will always be home,” she said. “The ingredients, the cooking methods, and the stories behind every dish make you proud to share it with the world.” 

Meanwhile, Velarde began her content creation journey during the pandemic while managing professional commitments and other responsibilities. Balancing these priorities requires careful planning. 

“Creating content wasn’t my only focus,” she said. “But those early challenges helped me become more organized and intentional.” 

By planning posts ahead and creating content in batches during weekends, she found a rhythm that allowed her to balance productivity with personal time. “Balance isn’t perfect—it’s intentional,” she added. 

Staying authentic in a fast-moving digital world 

The digital content landscape moves quickly, with creators constantly navigating trends, algorithms, and audience expectations. For Gomez, authenticity has been essential to staying grounded. 

“Social media can sometimes make you more calculated than authentic,” she said. “But when you understand yourself and enjoy what you’re creating, the pressure becomes easier to manage.” 

Velarde takes a similar approach, choosing to stay aligned with her values rather than chasing every trend. 

“Algorithms change constantly,” she said. “But I focus on creating content that reflects my brand and purpose instead of trying to keep up with everything.” 

For Mamauag, whose content centers on simple living and home cooking, purpose matters more than popularity. 

“Don’t let likes or views define you,” she said. “Just keep sharing your stories—you never know who might need to hear them.” Messages from followers who find inspiration in her posts continue to motivate her to keep creating. 

Celebrating Filipino food and culture online 

For these creators, food is not just content but also storytelling. 

Velarde sees Filipino cuisine as a powerful way to connect people with culture and heritage. “Every dish carries family memories and regional traditions,” she said. “When we share Filipino food, we’re also sharing stories of who we are.” 

Mamauag’s love for cooking was shaped by her childhood in the province, where many meals were prepared using ingredients from their backyard. “Growing up, our food was simple,” she shared. “But those meals were special because they were made with love.” 

Today, she encourages families to appreciate everyday meals and the meaningful moments shared around the table. 

A shared love for Mang Inasal 

For these creators, Mang Inasal represents the same spirit of Filipino warmth and togetherness they share through their content. 

Gomez describes dining at Mang Inasal as a uniquely Filipino experience. “It truly represents what being Pinoy is,” she said. “From the food to the atmosphere, it makes you proud of your culture.” 

Velarde agrees, noting how the brand’s signature dishes evoke comfort and nostalgia, “Their Chicken Inasal reminds people of home and family,” she said. 

For Mamauag, Mang Inasal also symbolizes moments of togetherness with loved ones. “When Mang Inasal is our meal, my kids already know what that means,” she shared with a smile. “We eat with our hands, enjoy the food, and spend time talking together.” 

As more women find their voices in the digital space, their stories continue to reshape how Filipino culture is shared online. This Women’s Month, Mang Inasal celebrates these Filipina creators who inspire communities while proudly sharing the flavors and stories of Filipino food with the world. 

Want more Mang Inasal exclusives NOW? Visit www.manginasal.ph for the latest news, manginasaldelivery.com.ph for delivery deals, and follow Mang Inasal on social media for more Ihaw-Sarap and Unli-Saya updates!

Mga residente ng Caloocan, nag-avail ng libreng serbsiyong medikal

by Maeng Santos @News | March 2, 2026

Umabot sa mahigit 2,100 residente ng Caloocan City ang nag-avail ng libreng serbisyong medikal na handog ng Caloocan City Medical Center (CCMC), Caloocan City North Medical Center (CCNMC), at City Health Department (CHD) bilang bahagi ng mga aktibidad sa pagdiriwang ng ika-64 na Anibersaryo ng Lungsod.