... taiko drumming as therapy in the philippines ... (life coach, counselor, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist)

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i love collecting cds of tribal drumming.
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whatever kind of tribe it comes from-- african, australian aboriginal, american indian, hawaiian, or filipino, i love them all. listening to the drums gives me a sense of rootedness and groundedness. the primal beats connect me to a deeper aspect of myself; it connects with people of different cultures; and it connects me with mother earth.
.i'm actually a frustrated drummer. despite having attended drum circles here and there, i haven't really developed the skills of expert drumming. the most i can do is teach some elementary hand drumming rhythms to participants in my growth groups. it usually is an enjoyable experience for the participants.
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when i received the invitation to attend an introductory workshop on japanese taiko drumming, i was all excited! the word "taiko" means "big fat drums," as in "humongously obese" drums. taiko drums were once used in the battlefields of japan to scare away the enemies. the sounds produced were so deafening that they were reputedly heard across the battlefield! now here was my chance to be a brave warrior and beat the hell out of those sumo-sized drums!
.and so what was taiko drumming like?
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let me just tell you that it was a "whole-being experience!" the ecstacy of the experience is in giving all of yourself-- "wasting" yourself as you beat the drum. and the reward you get is the beat that comes back to you in the same intensity with which you produced it. taiko drumming teaches you to consume yourself in the act of pounding the drums. there is no holding back in taiko drumming!
.i always wondered why taiko drummers wore only loincloth as they did their performances, and now i know. taiko drummers get profusely drenched in their own sweat! they urgently need to hydrate themselves with gallons of water to gain back the fluids lost!
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three days after the workshop, my body still aches. i am still ecstatic though from all the pounding i did. truly, it was a one-of-a kind experience!
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... bipolar disorder treatment in the philippines ... (psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, counselor, life coach)

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we all have our mood swings. sometimes, we feel unmotivated, gloomy or grouchy. at other times, we're all bubbly and energetic. there is a natural ebb and flow to our moods and this is a normal part of our lives.
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for some people however, the mood swings are too extreme. rather than an ebb and flow of moods, the mood swings become more like a rollercoaster ride with alpine peaks and abysmal valleys. for a period of time, they slump into a deep depression. and then after a while, they become as hyperactive as an energizer bunny on shabu. this type of mood swing isn't normal. this is a bipolar disorder.
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a bipolar disorder is caused by an imbalance of many brain chemicals- serotonin, adrenaline, dopamine, GABA, and many others. this brain chemical imbalance is usually triggered by physical, emotional, or mental stress. sometimes, it happens spontaneously even in the absence of stress.
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the depressive phase of a bipolar disorder is manifested with the following symptoms: sadness, absence of motivation, sleep pattern changes, appetite changes, energy level changes, lowered self-confidence, negative/pessismistic thinking, concentration problems, and thoughts of death or suicide.
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the manic phase of a bipolar disorder is manifested with the following symptoms: extreme bubbliness or grouchiness, decreased need for sleep, hyperactivity, extreme talkativity, thoughts jumping from one topic to another, and impulsive behaviors.
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bipolar disorder is easily treated with mood stabilizers. it is just a matter of finding the right mood stabilizers and the right dosages. once found, the person with bipolar disorder usually gets well within 2-3 weeks. a wholistic treatment package will consist of mood stabilizing medications, counseling/psychotherapy, relaxation and stress management strategies, and holistic wellness therapies.
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there are many people around us with bipolar disorder but we don't recognize them. that's because when they seriously comply with their treatment regimen, they exhibit no symptoms whatsoever. the goal of treatment is to help people with bipolar disorder live normal, functional, productive, happy, and meaningful lives-- and from my clinical experience, that goal is VERY possible!
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interview by abs-cbn's tv show "ted failon ngayon."

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... ocd treatment / ocd therapy in the philippines ... (psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, counselor, life coach)

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obsessive-compulsive disorder is more common than we think. in fact, around 20% of those who consult me suffer from the disorder. just like major depression, ocd is caused by an imbalance of serotonin (a neurotransmitter) in the brain. it is best treated with anti-depressants-- which are actually serotonin balancers.

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there certainly is hope for ocd patients. once the right anti-depressant and dosage is found, the ocd symptoms should diminish or disappear within 2-3 weeks. the most effective treatment regimen consists of anti-depressant medication, psychotherapy, stress management techniques, and holistic therapies.

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sandra aguinaldo, the host of gma's tv documentary show "i-witness" asked me to share some information on ocd. here is a description of the documentary:

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"Sikreto ko, OC ako." (Documentary of Sandra Aguinaldo)

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Washing hands again and again, switching lights on and off, repeatedly locking and unlocking doors. These are just some of the compulsions of people with OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

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In movies, the behavior of characters with OCD may be portrayed as strangely amusing. But real life for OCD sufferers is not as funny. They have obsessive thoughts that drive them to perform certain peculiar rituals.
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26 year-old Efren is so gripped with the thought of germs contaminating him that he would disinfect his girlfriend’s hand before holding it. Hand-washing is a tedious ritual for him. It would start in the kitchen, scrubbing each finger 3 times, then the whole hand several times more. He would then proceed to the bathroom only to repeat the whole process. Although he admits these urges are bizarre, he says that he is unable to stop it.

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Odd as his behavior may be, Efren’s case is not as unique as it seems. In fact, it is estimated that there are more than 1 million Filipinos with OCD. Despite this, OCD is still a hidden illness among us. The stigma of mental illness has forced them to suffer in silence. Yet for most of them, there is a chance to live better-quality lives, if only their condition is understood better.
.Together with host Sandra Aguinaldo, enter the unusual world of people with OCD this Monday on I-Witness, airing on GMA-7, after Saksi.

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... the emo culture and self-cutting in the philippines ... (life coach, counselor, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist)

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just a few days ago, the crew of rescue (gma's reality-documentary program) interviewed me on depressed people.
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having worked with colleges and universities as a school psychiatrist, much of the clinically depressed kids i encountered came from the "emo" culture. you'll recognize these "emos" unmistakeably. they're depressive and resort to their favorite pastime activities, namely, (1) brooding about the gloomy aspects of their life and then (2) cutting themselves up.

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no, these self-cutters don't necessarily want to die. some of them have become so numb from the pain of their existence that they may not feel anything emotionally or physically. self-cutting is their attempt to feel something... or anything! in fact, they'll tell you that feeling something (even pain) is better than not feeling anything at all.

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authentic "emos" have little to do with the "emo look." in fact, they despise "emo fashionistas" and consider them to be pathetic posers.
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the emo cult is composed of teenagers and young adults with major depression, low-grade depression (aka dysthymia), borderline personality disorder, and depressive personality disorder.
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if you know any "emo" lurking around, encourage them to get the help they need. through counseling and medical treatment for their depression, the promise of a more meaningful and joyful life awaits them.
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... psychiatric evaluation for plastic surgery patients in the philippines ... (psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, counselor, life coach)

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the first time i ever did psychiatric evaluation for surgery patients was during my psychiatric residency at the veterans memorial medical center. i was given the task of interviewing filipino men who wanted to undergo sex reassignment surgery. during that time, i was amazed how beautiful and flawless these men could be. it was also amusing for me to know that their surgeries were funded by their male lovers, most of whom were straight japanese men. i know it's weird but these japanese claimed to be straight, and as proof of that, they wanted their filipino male partners to become full-pledged women!

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this evening, i was invited as a guest speaker by the philippine academy of aesthetic surgeons. it was held at the H20 Hotel at the manila ocean park and the event was attended by around 150 surgeons. basically, i told that plastic surgery patients have to undergo routine psychiatric evaluation, especially to screen for the following psychiatric disorders:
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• depression - may get more depressed after surgery; may use surgery as a emotional band-aid
• bipolar disorder, hypomanic phase - may make an impulsive reckless decision to undergo surgery
• anxiety disorder - may get more anxious before, during, and after the surgery
• body dysmorphic disorder - obsesses about imagined (non-existent) defects
• borderline personality disorder - very unstable with their emotions and body image
• eating disorders - have flawed perception about their bodies
• psychosis - may have bizarre complaints about their bodies and make bizarre requests
• polysurgical addiction - gets a thrill from unneeded surgeries

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first time for me to be at manila ocean park, so i enjoyed oggling at all the marine life swimming lazily behind us.

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... why showbiz romances don't usually last ... (philippines, life coach, counselor, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist)

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Why Showbiz Romance Don’t Usually Last

By Ricky F. Lo

Funfare, Entertainment Section,

The Philippine Star February 17, 2011

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Why is it harder for celebrities to keep relationships strong than non-celebrities?

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The show biz environment is like one big pick-up joint. Since most everyone in show biz is beautiful and handsome, there is a natural temptation to get attracted to and lust after someone more physically attractive than one’s current partner.

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Secondly, many female celebs get a kick out of being temptresses and seductresses, while many male celebs are certified philanderers or “players.” When by chance these people meet, they seize the opportunity to enjoy the chemistry.

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Thirdly, the culture of the entertainment industry does not promote fidelity in relationships. Rumors of break-ups, stormy relationships, and exposes of infidelity are staple news in gossip shows. Sometimes in fact, gossip is intentionally created to destabilize an otherwise harmonious showbiz couple.

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Fourthly, show biz treats people like commodities with a short shelf-life. Once the show biz artist is older, he or she is quickly replaced by younger, fresher, and more attractive ones. Sometimes, this attitude of disposability is applied to relationships. When the partner is not considered attractive anymore, the quick option is to dispose and replace.

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What should the celebrity spouse do to keep the relationship intact? What if the other spouse is a non-show biz?

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Whether it is a show biz couple or not, the success of any relationship is based on 5 essential ingredients: compatibility, commitment, communication, collaboration, and connectedness.

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When one or more of these ingredients is missing, the relationship becomes a shaky one. When only one of the partners is willing to work at the relationship, then it is essentially a non-relationship.

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It doesn’t matter that one partner is show biz and the other is not. Most working couples do not have the same job anyway. What matters most is that each partner stays faithful by dispelling thoughts of playing around and by running away from temptation.

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How come some celebrity wives stay faithful to their husbands or keep quiet even if their celebrity husband is playing around?

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The common reason why wives stay faithful to their philandering husband is to keep the family intact for the children’s sake.

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Many wives also stay because they are financially-dependent on their husband.

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Another reason is that some wives subconsciously enjoy playing the role of “mother-teacher” to their immature and adolescent-minded husband.

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And lastly, some wives harbour the hope that if they just remain faithful, their husbands will eventually see the light and reform from their philandering ways.

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Why do male celebrities who were known playboys when they were single start to behave when they're married? e.g. Richard Gomez, Dolphy, who's as good as married to Zsa Zsa

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Biologically, testosterone production in men decreases as they age. With reduced testosterone levels, the sexual drive and sexual aggression also decreases.

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Psychologically, priorities and values change as men age. Young adult men are more concerned on catching an ideal mate. Men in midlife focus on family-building and career development. And elderly men focus on getting medical treatment for their illnesses, as well as leaving a legacy behind.

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Why do philandering married male celebrities choose to return to their respective wives even if they still play around? They even swear everlasting love to their wife.

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Love does not ensure monogamy. A man is capable of sincerely loving two or more women simultaneously. Some religions recognize this hence polygamy is allowed.

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Some men treat their wives more like mother figures, that is, someone to come home who will take care of them after they’ve finished romping around with their playmates.

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Finally, many men just use other women as outlets for their sexual release, but they remain emotionally loyal to their wives.

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... how to survive a break-up: relationship counseling/ counselor in the philippines ... (life coach, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist)

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whether you're a guy or girl, mending a broken heart is always difficult to do. experts say that it can take anywhere from 6 months to 8 years for you to get over the heartache of a separation. that's a pretty long time, isn't it?
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while you still haven't recovered, it's expected that you'll go through a rollercoaster ride of different emotional reactions such as denial, disbelief, grief, loneliness, anger, rage, and confusion. as time passes, the heaviness of the emotions should slowly subside. if after 6 months, your emotions are still intense, then you should consider getting counseling sessions with a professional to facilitate and hasten your emotional healing.
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in the meantime, while you still haven't recovered from the break-up, here are some tips for you:
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• accept the fact that it's finally over. as long as you still harbor the fantasy or wish of gettin back together again, your emotional rollercoaster ride is going to continue.
• allow yourself to grieve. it's all right to feel bad. the bad feelings are going to diminish as you slowly pick up the pieces of your life and regain your self-identity.
• don't stay isolated. even if you don't feel like socializing, mingle with your family members and friends. you don't need to talk about your heartaches with them if you don't want to. at the very least, they can temporarily distract you from your heavy feelings.
• pamper yourself and love yourself. this is the best time to engage in what i call "good" selfishness.
• develop a spiritual perspective. spirituality teaches us that we can't really hold on to anything and anyone in this life. it reminds us to flow and surrender with whatever circumstances life offers us.
• avoid vengeful acts. while revenge is tempting, it's something you'll regret you ever did.
• and lastly, don't make the mistake of getting yourself a relationship on the rebound. it's unfair for both you and your rebound partner.

People come into your life for a reason. Some stay for a season and others stay for a lifetime. I hope that God grants you people of the lifetime type.
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At the DWBR 104.3 radio station with host Merly Aloras interviewing me on relationship break-ups.

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... depression treatment and suicide prevention in the philippines ... (life coach, counselor, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist)

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with the tragic news of former defense secretary angelo reyes' self-inflicted death, gma network interviewed me on the topic of "suicide" for their breaking news.
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i won't get into details about what i mentioned in the interview, but i'd like to offer you some tips on what to do in case you encounter a friend or loved one who is suicidal:
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• take your suicidal friend or loved one seriously. many suicidal people are ambivalent about dying so they express their suicidal thoughts as a cry for help. be calm; listen to what s/he has to say; don't be judgmental or belittle his/her feelings.
• find out more about the person's suicidality. ask her/him how s/he plans to do it. ask whether s/he's attempted suicide before. inquire about the current situations that triggered the suicidal thoughts. ask whether s/he hears voices (auditory hallucinations) which tell him/her to do it.
• empathize with the person's distress. offer them reasons to go on living. offer them suggestions on how to cope. encourage them to seek professional help immediately.
• don't leave your friend alone. if you have to leave, make sure someone's with him/her.
• never keep it a secret. inform his/her parents as soon as possible. your suicidal friend may think that you betrayed him/her, but by informing the parents, you would have saved his/her life.
• get counseling for yourself. you surely will need emotional detox after interacting with a suicidal person.

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... "wish ko lang" that you quit the booze ... (philippines, life coach, counselor, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist)

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because plainly speaking, alcohol is a toxin.

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how can it harm you? let me count the ways:

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1. damage to the nervous system (impaired transmission of nerve impulses, Wernicke’s disease, Korsakoff’s syndrome)
2. damage to the digestive system (gastritis, ulceration, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer, colon cancer)
3. damage to the cardiovascular system (hypertension, cardiomyopathy, increased risk of heart failure and stroke)
4. damage to the reproductive system (erectile dysfunction, testicular shrinkage, descreased sperm production, loss of libido)
5. damage to the endocrine system (diabetes)

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whew! and to think that we haven't even discussed the mental, emotional, relational damage which alcohol can do!

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gma's wish ko lang and life change recovery center (lcrc) granting mang melchor another lease on life. let's hope mang melchor maximizes the opportunities given to him.

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... body-mind integration and body-centered psychotherapy in the philippines ... (psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, counselor, life coach)

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medical students from u.p. pgh got a first-hand experience of body-centered psychotherapy.

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body-centered psychotherapy is way of integrating the body, mind, and emotions. when the body, mind, and emotions are disintegrated or split from each other, emotional disturbances, psychosomatic illnesses, and medical problems result.

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the disintegration usually happens when negative emotions are suppressed, minimized, or denied. when emotions are not given an outlet for expression, the energy of the emotion gets trapped in the body thereby disturbing the body equilibrium. unexpressed anger, grief, guilt, and fear can cause hypertension, hyperacidity, irritable bowel syndrome, panic attacks, depression, asthma, acne, allergies, headaches, etc.

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body-centered psychotherapy is a wonderful way of befriending our bodies and releasing the emotions and memories trapped within. because this therapy is body-based, it can accomplish a level of healing which ordinary "talk therapies" cannot.

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the disposal of emotional baggage which had been trapped in the body creates fresh and fertile space for positive emotions to reside and flourish within the person.

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