Pumayag si Boots Anson-Roa na “cigarette widow” ang itawag sa kanya.
Si Barbara Dacanay ng Gulf News ang nakaisip nito sa seminar ng “Women, Media & Tobacco” na inurganisa ng Women’s Media Circle na ginanap sa Boracay.
Mga 25 na kababaihan, karamihan nagta-trabaho sa media, ang nag-uusap kung paano makatulong ang mga kababaihan sa mga bills na tinatalakay ngayon sa kongreso na mapigilan ang paglaganap ng paninigarilyo na alam naman ng lahat na walang kabutihang nabibigay sa buhay.
Isa sa mga speaker ay ang batikang artista na si Boots Anson-Roa.
Galing si Boots sa pamilyang showbusiness. Anak siya ng batikang artista na si Oscar Moreno. Asawa siya ni Pete Roa, ang popular na emcee ng TV dance show, “Dance-O-Rama” noong dekadang 60.
Namatay si Oscar Moreno ng tuberculosis at si Pete naman ay nagkaroon ng emphysema na naging lung cancer. Sabi ni Boots sinabi ng mga doctor na ang sakit ng kanyang tatay at ni Pete ay dahil sa paninigarilyo.
Ikinuwento ni Boots na nang ma-diagnose si Pete ng emphysema, kung saan ang hirap na hirap ang pasyente huminga, sinabihan siyang ihinto ang paninigarilyo. Ang sagot niya, “Huwag nyo na akong pigilan, mamatay na ako. Kaysa naman akong mamatay na kunsumido, buti nang mamatay na masaya.”
Biruin mo, sabi ni Boots, dalawang pack (40 sticks) ang nauubos ni Pete na sigarilyo sa isang araw.
Marami akong alam na maysakit na ganito ang pag-iisip. Ang hindi nila iniisip,sa kanilang paninigarilyo, hindi lamang siya nagpapakamatay. Dinadawit pa nila ang ibang tao dahil habang naninigarilyo sila, nagsasabog sila ng dumi sa kanilang kapaligiran na nasisinghot ng mga katabi nila na hindi naninigarilyo.
Lumalabas sa mga research na ang sigarilyo ay nabubuo ng 4,000 na elemento, 43 noon ay nagdudulot ng cancer.
Kahit na alam naman na walang sustanya na nabibigay sa katawan ang paninigarilkyo, 60 porsiyento pa rin ng kalalakihan ang naninigarilyo at 10.3 na porsiyento naman ay kababaihan. Kapag babae na apektado, ang mawala ay asawa at nanay.
Sabi ni Boots nang mapunta ang sakit ni Pete sa lung cancer, saka pa lang siya nakumbinsi na huminto sa paninigarilyo. Ngunit huli na ang lahat.
Kaya ngayon, si Boots ang napapatuloy na nagbibigay ng leksyon ng buhay ni Pete.
My uncle also has a lung cancer and is now dying. Worse, his wife, my auntie, was also diagnosed of cancer very recently. So, my uncle and auntie both have cancers as I write.
Experts say we all have some kind of cancer cells. Many only get to know they have it when it’s already at a later stage. Lucky to those who are able to find out earlier.
One day, I believe there would be a cure for cancer. In the past, very few survived of TB; but now it has become common and can be cured. However, one thing we should expect is that if one day there’s a cure for cancer, another kind of incurable disease would appear. This only proves that we all must die one day. We cannot escape death. Life is fragile. One can be healthy and alive one day, then he’s gone the following day.
Cancer can be cured.
The virus that causes TB is the same virus that gives one a cancer.
All viruses, bacteria, fungi, any parasite, can be exterminated for good. The technology is available since 1890s and are rediscovered every decade but suppressed.
Don’t worry folks, we’re working on it too.
The only cancer that can’t be cured by this technology is Politics.
Give us the Right Government, and we’ll give you the Right Solutions.
Hindi lamang active smokers ang mga nagkakasakit, kahit mga passive smokers, dahil nalalanghap nila ang smoke. Dapat talaga bawal ang pagsisigarilyo sa mga sasakyang pampubliko, sa mga sinehan at sa mga iba pang venues na may ipon ipon na mga tao na pwedeng malanghap ang mga usok na ibinubuga nang mga smokers.
If i remember correctly, iyong asawa ni ‘superman’ na si Christopher Reeves, Dianne yata ngalan niya, ay namatay dahil sa lung cancer, kahit hindi siya smoker. Maybe because of passive smoking at kung ano ano pang mga nalalanghap na mga toxic chemicals katulad ng mga panlinis sa bahay.
I am glad people still talk about this matter. Why would the government still subsidize the tobacco industry when in fact tobacco is the number one killer and we put a sizeable budget on health programs on respiratory diseases it brings. Government hospitals have sections just for it. Smuggling of blue seals is still a racket. Been yapping on this since my lungs went bad. Of course my suggested alternative is marijuana. It is not addictive as tobacco. It is not expensive to plant and produce, one can plant it on the roofs in flower vase. Or in non-agricultural mountain sides. It does not need sophisticated processes before one can use it. The only reason it is criminalised is that Reynolds and the other kingmakers in the US would go bankrupt. Its decriminlised already in many European cafes. But lets not make it a monoploy of the cordilleras.
Nevertheless, I’ve seen heavy smokers reaching very old age. I know of someone in his late 80s who before he died asked for a cigar before his last breath.
Cancer treatment can be extremely expensive. If you’re poor, you’re as good as dead. That’s especially true in the Philippines and other third world countries. In developing countries, aside from government subsidized health care, they offer critical illness and long term care insurance.
One of my barbershop watch called to say pipe and cigar smokers are the really older folks and they dont even have much dental problems. Besides the smoke does not reach their own lungs at all, only their neighbors’s.
Is it true that people who smoke are also drinkers? I don’t smoke but I drink socially. Beer and smoking are great combination…then sex.
My dad died from complications from emphysema. He was hospitalized a few times, the gaps in between became shorter until that fateful day. He died in my arms. I promised him I will stop smoking and I have not kept that promise for five years going. I’m a strong-willed person, but this is the only habit/vice I can’t kick.
Tongue, I’m sorry to learn about your dad’s demise even if it happened years ago. How old was he? Have you heard of self-hypnosis? I’ve known some people who became smoke free having undergoing such therapy. It’s the usual saying “mind over body”. Try to say no. Let your mind says no. Another problem with smoking is that it’s fire hazard. Remember the saying “If there’s smoke, there’s fire”. So, if you smoke it may cause fire.
Ellen, hinde ba si Rogelio dela Rosa and Tatay ni Boots Anson Roa?
Hi. I started smoking since i was in high school(ssshhh in the 80′) Then it seems like i die if i dont have cigarettes in my hand. I smoke as i wake up till the time i closes my eyes.
There are couples of time that i have to quit smoking because of sore throat but after few days i started to smoke again when im with my barkadas.
Last August 13, i woke up with a bad sore throat.I dont even like to talk coz its aching and cigarette gives me a bad taste. I consulted a doctor (for the first time ever) and gave me meds to take.
Since August 13, 2008 up to this very date, i never tried to smoke again, NEVER. I dont even like to smell the cigs.
Ellen, let me post this to my blog ha. salamat
Are you sure it’s the cigarette that you’re holding in your hand when you wake up?
If a government is serious in eliminating cigarettes they only have one option. Raise the tax 1000%. The reason why many are smoking is the availabilty and its affordability. If the price is sky high many can not afford so they are force to quit smoking. Now only the rich can afford it but never mind they have the money to spend for their medical care.
On the economic side cigarette manufacturers maybe force to close shops and loss of revenue on the part of government, but that is a small price to pay if health of the people is at stake.
Tobacco industry is as big as oil industry. They lobby to keep their business and continue to make profits.
I quit smoking October 21, 1971!! My older brod kept on smoking and been six feet under for several years now. He was only 57. Never told him to quit – as the saying goes, can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Tobacco and Alcohol Industries freely and legally sell their products YET Marijuana, which was proven to have medicinal cure, continue to be ILLEGAL.
Let’s support Boots and anyone who advocates the deadly effects of smoking. Stop Smoking Now, it’s not too late.
way back in l988 in the month of june, me and my co-workers including the owners decided to do a working group for the purpose of quiting smoking, for me a two packers, the big bosses cigars, and at least half dozen more office mates. it was a cold turkey mode. some went back after less than a month, i quit for good after addicted to cigarettes for more than 20 years. it’s never too late, but it should also be followed by strict sensible diet, because most who quit usually turn to food as part of staying quit.
Marijuana, can be had with Prescription now, but most are complaining because the Health Ministry contracted supply not potent enough. I’d rather my usual NSAID.
Just a day or two ago, CNN reported that the number of smokers in the US has gone down. That’s indeed a welcome news.
I don’t smoke, and I hate smokers. It’s one reason why I prefer to eat in a sushi bar. Smoking is not allowed in any Sushi Restaurant here and abroad. Kasi siguro baka ang labas ng sushi, smoked fish!!!
I thought the father of Boots Anson is Oscar Moreno. On the other context, Marijuana will only push one to harder drugs. Why can’t anybody stay away from alcohol, cigarettes. Do you have to have a stimulant to act normal or because peer pressure said so. To combat this challenges,
read a good book, (Bible especially), learn to play a musical instrument, do gardening, make yourself usefull, invent something, be creative, learn how to cook gourmet food. Have a time management schedule. Keep yourself busy. I bet you’ll have no time to waste and most of all you’ll be a happier person.
Visuallinked, what’s your blog?
I’m a smoker too, but I try to limit it to half a pack a day. But, these days whenever I read or heard stressful news about lying, corruption etc. in gov’t, I ended up smoking 1 pack a day. 🙁
Can’t wait for the day when I finally quit smoking. Bukod sa masama sa health, magastos pa.
O.T.
Dapat siguro, lahat ng mga criminal sa gov’t ay matulad kay Saddam Hussein, binigti. Pero sana sa atin, ibitin ng patiwarik ang mga criminal.
Meron latest video ni Saddam sa youtube pagkataos siyang bitayin. Nakakatakot mangyari sa atin dito yun pag nabuhay pa ang mga criminal sa gov’t natin. Eto, panoorin nalang ninyo. 😀
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_jhE0JX99o&feature=rec-HM-fresh+div
Most things we do are about doing them “responsibly”.
Years ago a Russian woman was interviewed of her extraordinary longevity of 112 years old. She was asked of course what’s the secret, her response – “I smoked marijuana all my adult life!”
I’m not smoker folks, kaya i have no comment kasi nga di ko naranasan humitit eh…but di ligtas suminghot ng usok galing sa mga pasaway na addict sa yosi?
Please stop smoking? Love yourselves at pagpapalain ang inyong kalusugan.
nakakamatay din ang 2nd hand smoke. marami din ang cases ng 2nd hand smoke death. I started smoking at a very young age. 13yrs old ako ng nag umpisa. Taon 2000 ng tumiggil akong sa paninigarilyo. Its a long story kung bakit ako napatigil:) Going 9 yrs na akong nag stop. Cold turkey ang pag tigil ko. Walang patch or any medication na nakapag patigil sa akin. Sarili ko lang at ang pag mamahal ko sa katawan ko.
Isa ako sa mga pumipilit sa mga friends ko na tumigil na rin sila. Wala talagang madudulot na kabutihan sa katawan nyo yan.:) Pamilya nyo ang isipin nyo at ang halaga na inuubos nyo.:)
I smoked 30 years…I Quit last January 1,2008 (Cold Turkey), and I’m proud to tell you na up to now hindi ako nag smoke or nag attempt na mag smoke …YOU KNOW MY SECRET ?
1.)Hinamon ko sarili ko na kaya kong ihinto ang paninigarilyo…(Thats it!)
2.) Tell everybody (Broadcast it! ,Relatives, Frineds…etc) that you QUIT SMOKING. para mahiya ka kung makikita kanila uling naninigarilyo.)
3.) if you survive a day without smoking, on the next day isipin mong naka one week ka nang hindi naninigarilyo, and on the 3rd day , isipin mong 3 weeks ka nang di naninigarilyo…(PUT IT IN YOUR MIND NA GANOON KA NANG KATAGAL NAG QUIT, KASI GANOON ANG MARARAMDAMAN MO.
4.) the hardest part of quiting is the 1st to 2nd week.
5.) after that, your ok…ISIPIN MO NA LANG NA NAKAYA MO..ANG GALING KO !!
O.T.
Sorry Ellen for posting off-topics several times already, but I feel that I couldn’t let this pass.
Just like to share with you all what I just saw on youtube.com. I sledom cry and always thought that men don’t and shouldn’t cry. Well, I have to admit that after watching this video clip, I cried.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33ASQhDvfGs
Yung mga maton dyan, mga meron, jailwardens or tough parents who all claim to be tough disciplinarians – if you’re a smoker and can’t quit, can’t discipline yourself then what good are thee. Like some commenters above said, bring yourself to a lifetime of challenge – it can be done.
We all talk about toppling the “fake” administration, we can also bring down the tobacco industry by quitting the habit. Remove the deadly chimney smell from your body.
Good video. Very mature at that age, rip.
Beating own drum, this former 2-3 pack a day polluter offers advise at:
http://orly28.blogspot.com/2007/12/perils-of-smoke-billowing-smoke-is.html
http://orly28.blogspot.com/2008/03/smoking-doesnt-make-you-happy.html
Congratulations, all you successful quitters! I’ve decided I will stop it, too.
Let’s smoke to that.
Beware, Tan owns a cigarette company and an airline. Read more on this at
Documents Show Tobacco Industry Conspired Against Airline Smoking Ban
Source: British Medical Journal, October 1, 2008
http://tinyurl.com/6kyk7n
TT, pat yourself on the back when you join the ex-polluters club and inhale only the second-hand smoke of your comrades. But don’t celebrate yet as you need 2-3 extreme and agonizing efforts to kick the filthy habit.
ako, no comment dyan… kasi hanggang ngayon, nagpapa-usok pa rin!
Marijuana has more advantages in our lives. There is never anything derogatory on it except that the law wont permit us to have anything to do with it. It could be the brush of life. We used it for rope sturdier than abaca hemp and will save us dollars on the nylon imports, it gives a lot of medicinal drugs. Its smoke definitely wont give us lung cancer saving us those bad pictures to put on the packs. The second hand smoke is very, very enjoyable. If ever the medical world finds it addictive its no cause for alarm, it grows anywhere like weeds. One can smoke it right at the plant.
ARAY KUH! hehehe! tabi muna kayo! smoke muna me hehe!
OFF TOPIC: azan si Tita Ellen?
I was waiting for her to blog about HR550 na nakakatuwang drama that’s going on in the House. You’ve all heard them on the news, pati nga sa dyaryo you probably read it about the claims that extension of terms of electhieve officials will not and is not included in the proposed Charter change. Well, guess what! Hahaha!
There are more deaths attributed to Tanduay than those who puffed MJ in.
Happy Thanksgiving Ms Ellen and to all!!! May this special day bring peace and happiness to everyone.
I am researching on MJ related deaths. So far my list is clean. I cant seem to place a dozen US president whether the MJ they puffed in heir teens had something to do with their deaths in their fully matured old days.
MJ related deaths? Mark Jimenez is still alive.
The only MJ smoker in the U.S. presidency as recorded was B.Clinton, B.Obama. It was also recorded that both snorted C but the main stream media won’t publish much about it considering they are liberal media. The media have to cover-up for their media darlings. Just like the media that are covering Arroyo. They can not write enough good about her because for sure they will lose their livelihood. Even the truth that Obama can not produce his real birth certificate that would surely be a reason to oust him as president, the media won’t touch it. It all hinges on money. Popularity contest are all supported with mulah. See, the semilarity between how elections are won in the Philippines and the U.S.? Obama as recorded bought the White House for $600hundred million. All his Foreign contributors (which is against the U.S. laws) and George
Soros, closed the deal.
dandaw, George Bush was also a pothead, and so was McCain, like many Vietnam veterans.
In UP, at our time when smoking was still allowed even during class, some students would pass dope at the smoking row while the unsuspecting teacher continues his lecture.
If it’s true that MJ destroys brain cells, these scholars surely didn’t manifest that!
It is also said that MJ weakens memory and other side-effects.
I can’tremember them now.
Slick Willy and Obama admitted their youthful transgressions as most of us maybe had done during high school and college days – hormones were running high then. GWB pussyfooted on these questions – about his use of illegal drugs, alcohol, MJ, and cocaine. His response was a Palin-like running around a maze “I didn’t want to say yes, as it would be a bad example to kids”. GWB is a wallpaper for these kinds of semantics BUT keep in mind also the Mainstream Media were kind to him and his alcoholic daughter in this regard.
GWB can also be regarded as the only President who challenged his father, BUSH 41 to a “fistfight” during his “alcoholic days”. Mainstream Media were again quite cordial and generous to him in this matters.
I myself would like to know who the “Foreign” contributors were. Give me names and I’ll pass them on to the FBI.
titingin pa ba kayo sa malayo e sa gobyerno natin marami naman?
nga pala, count me in sa mga successful quitters. but only because bumalik yung asthma ko after 4 years of smoking? hehe…
pero ngayon mild na ulet, rare ung attacks around 1 – 5 na lang in a year. tara, let’s smoke to that.
For Ellen:
hi. i posted this in my blogspot. adelodextermacaldo.blogspot.com
tnanks
No MJ related Deaths?
‘Yong mga kuko ng pinsan ko sa hintuturo, hinlalaki, at sa gitna, patay lahat!
SumpPit,
Mukhang diabetes yan o ketong. Pinuputol yan o napupudpud na lamang.
Dandaw, what’s difference between alcoholic and MJ smoker? Not much, right? Bush is a certified alcoholic…now fighting his depression in his last days at White House.