Skin cancer, Brazilian mania and choc-nut

Episode on August, 15, 2009 Saturday, 8:30 PM Skin Cancer Freckle-like spots dot the skin of six-year old Leemar, while a huge cyst continuous to grow at the corner of his eyes. Staying outdoors is never an option for he must never be exposed to the sun --- these are what Leemar has to go through every single day because of his condition. Leemar has Xeroderma Pigmentosum, a genetic disorder that, if left untreated, can lead to skin cancer. His case is the first in the Philippines and many fear that the cure for the disease is yet to be found. Brazilian Mania From Brazilian models to Brazilian-style cosmetic surgery?! Filipinos just can’t stop lovin’ the Brazilians! In parlors, one can find the “dreaded" Brazilian wax and its male version --- the Boyzilian wax! There are even restaurants that serve mouth-watering Brazilian recipes while you listen to the relaxing grooves of bossa nova... or dance to samba! With the Brazilian influence all over Manila, there is no doubt, the Brazilian-craze is far from over! Chocnut Although imported chocolates sell like hotcakes in the local market, one Philippine product continues to stand out--- Choc nut! Each bite-sized delight can now be found as main ingredients in desserts like cakes, ice cream, turon, and even viands such as kare-kare! With these, it’s no wonder why some think that Choc-nut can now be considered as the Filipino chocolate!

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Skin Cancer Tinadtad ng animo’y mga pekas ang balat ng anim na taong gulang na si Leemar. Ang gilid naman ng kanyang mata, tinubuan ng malaking bukol. Bawal na bawal din siyang masikatan ng araw. Si Leemar kasi may Xeroderma Pigmentosum, isang genetic disorder na kapag lumubha maaring matuloy sa skin cancer. Ang kasong ito ni Leemar ang kauna-unahan sa Pilipinas at pinangangambahang wala pang nahahanap na lunas. Brazilian Mania Patuloy pa ring dinadagsa ng mga Brazilian model ang ating bansa. Ang nauuso naman ngayong cosmetic surgery procedure gaya ng breast at butt surgery ---Brazilian style. Usap-usapan na rin ang kinatatakutang Brazilian wax at ang pang-lalaking version nito, ang Boyzilian wax! Puwede na ring matikman sa ilang mga restaurant sa Maynila ang mga lutong Brazilian… kaya siguradong gaganahan kang kumanta ng mga bossa nova…o magsayaw ng samba! Sa ganitong mga impluwensya, walang duda, may Brazilian craze ngayon dito sa Pilipinas! Choc-Nut Dagsa man na ang mga imported na tsokolate sa bansa, nananatili pa ring may puwang sa puso at panlasa ng mga Pilipino ang Chocnut! Sa katunayan, hindi na lang ito basta bastang panghimagas o kutkutin. Dahil maging mga cake, ice cream, turon at kare-kare, pinasasarap na rin ng Choc-Nut! Para tuloy sa ilan, Chocnut ang maituturing na pambansang tsokolate ng Pilipinas!