Unable to walk, Lilia Cuntapay pleads for financial help

MANILA - Award-winning actress Lilia Cuntapay is appealing for help to pay for her medical bills after a spinal cord problem left her unable to walk, let alone work.

"Sa mga concerned citizens diyan, like yung mga directors ko, mga co-workers ko, wala na ako sa showbiz dahil may sakit ako," Cuntapay, 81, in a video posted on Facebook, said. "Kung mahal ninyo pa ako, any help will be appreciated."

Cuntapay is currently in the care of her son in Pinili, Ilocos Norte, according to the Task Force Lingkod Cagayan (TFLC) of the provincial government of Cagayan. The actress was staying in Gonzaga, but was brought back to her Ilocos Norte home as per her request.

The TFLC, an emergency and rapid response team, said that Cuntapay is in need of immediate medical attention, adding that the so-called "Queen of Philippine Horror Movies" has been unable to walk since July 5, when she first started to feel back pain.


Cuntapay got her big acting break in 1991 on the very first "Shake, Rattle and Roll" film, where she worked as a talent coordinator. She went on to appear in over 70 other horror films and shows, including other "Shake, Rattle and Roll" movies, "Okatokat" and "Wansapanataym."

She won the Best Actress award for portraying herself in the mockumentary "Six Degrees of Separation From Lilia Cuntapay" at the 2011 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival. The indie movie was directed by Antoinette Jadaone.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

What you need to know about depression

MANILA – While it is a serious medical condition, depression can be cured and treated, a psychiatrist said.

According to St. Luke’s Medical Center psychiatrist Bernadette Manalo-Arcena, the key to battling depression is observing the signs and knowing when to seek medical help.

“When you see that you’re not functioning anymore, you don’t see happiness in your life, or if you feel that you are not your normal self anymore, you may be depressed,” Manalo-Arcena said in an interview on “Mornings@ANC” on Thursday.

“Depression can happen to anyone. Wala siyang pinipili, even if you’re on top of the world. Actually, mahirap ‘yun kasi a lot of expectations are coming from other people. There’s a lot of pressure,” she added.

Manalo-Arcena’s interview comes after reports confirmed that actor-comedian Robin Williams, who died on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), hanged himself with a belt in his home after he had sought treatment for depression.

She said death by depression should not happen to anyone “because there is a solution.”

Here are some things that you need to know about depression, as mentioned by Manalo-Arcena during the interview:

1. Sadness is different from depression

A person occasionally gets sad over certain things – from family and relationship problems to money woes and work issues – and this is normal, Manalo-Arcena said.

But if the person has been experiencing sadness for two straight weeks – meaning no “happy moments” in between – it’s time to take a second look as this may already mean depression.

“It’s not like I’m happy now and I’m sad later on. It’s continuous. Oras-oras, araw-araw, you are sad,” she said.

The sadness will eventually show on a person’s physical appearance, mainly in the form of weight loss and lethargy.

“You have no appetite, you always feel remorse or guilt about doing anything,” she said. “The things that used to matter to you are not important to you anymore.”

2. If you’re thinking about wanting to die, you may be depressed

Unless it is said purely as a joke and it is not mentioned consistently, a remark about wanting to die should be considered as a depression red flag, according to Manalo-Arcena.

“The thought and idea of wanting to hurt yourself, that is already a symptom of being depressed,” she said. “No need to wait for an attempt… A person saying that he wanted to die is [more than enough]. Even if it is situational and is not mentioned again.”

When asked about those who have committed suicide despite appearing happy in the company of their friends and family, Manalo-Arcena said: “There are people who would silently think about suicide and nobody knew about it. But they would do their normal chores, they would say hi to you. Tapos maya-maya, you would here that she died.”

3. What usually causes depression

A lot of factors may come into play when it comes to depression, but Manalo-Arcena mentioned some common causes based on her experience with patients.

“It could be genetics. It could be the use of alcohol, it could be the use of substance. It could be a chemical problem – very low serotonin can lead to anxiety and being depressed,” she said.

When asked about the issues that depressed people often struggle with, Manalo-Arcena said: “Relationship issues is a big factor, as well as financial problems and problems with work.”

4. Nothing wrong with going to a psychiatrist

Manalo-Arcena admitted that one of the reasons why many people continue to suffer from the effects of depression – suicide included – is the stigma associated with visiting a psychiatrist for treatment.

She said this is not only evident in the Philippines but also in other countries.

“There’s a stigma associated with psychiatry. But I hope that it would be lessened because of the fact that incidents of depression are increasing,” she said.

Aside from treating medical conditions, psychiatry can also significantly help a person cope with life’s stresses, Manalo-Arcena added.

“You will learn more about yourself… You can be more functional. You can work and you can love again,” she said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Leptospirosis cases triple to 1,728

MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Health (DOH) has warned the public against leptospirosis as it reported a total of 1,728 cases from Jan. 1 to May 26 this year, up by 211.35 percent from 555 cases during the same period last year.

The DOH also reported 75 leptospirosis deaths during the period as against the 40 recorded in 2011.

According to the DOH, 50 percent or 868 cases were from Region 10, versus seven in 2011; and 19.3 percent or 6,333 cases in Region 6, against 143 last year.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), 64 cases were reported - 22 in Manila, 20 in Quezon City and a few number of cases in other cities.

In its advisory, the DOH said that the persons who might be afflicted by leptospirosis are those living in flooded areas, those who recently waded or swam in flood waters, have had high fever for two to three days; fever was accompanied by body pains, chills, headaches, and red eyes (like sore eyes); jaundice (yellowing of the skin); decreased levels of urination, and urine was tea-colored (a dark amber color).

The DOH said the symptoms occur 10 days after a person first wades in flood waters, wet soil or vegetation.

Leptospirosis is an infection caused by direct exposure to bacteria found in animal urine and feces. Patients can get infected when they swallow flood water or when bacteria enter the body through open wounds, eyes, nose, or breaks in the skin.

As part of precaution, the DOH reiterated calls to the public to avoid flooded areas and to refrain from coming in contact with flood water, to wear protective clothing like pants, rubber boots, gloves or rubber jumpsuits, maintain their home clean and getting rid of rats.

The DOH advised those who have to wade through floods to protect the skin from bacteria by washing with soap and water the parts of the body that have come into contact with flood water.

It also said that those suspected of having leptospirosis should seek medical help immediately, take prescribed antibiotics as early as possible to prevent the disease deteriorating.

Apart from leptospirosis, the DOH also issued a warning against other diseases common during rainy days such as flu, cough and colds, skin irritation and dengue.

source: interaksyon.com