This is the last episode and effort by Felipe B. Nery to publish the remainder of his poems and essays spanning a period of several decades involving various topics. It covers, to a large extent, the Macanese Diaspora. The Macanese people, through no fault of theirs, are subsequently scattered the world over. They hope, now, wherever they may have settled to be the final home for them and for their children. This is the third book consisting of poems and essays written by Felipe B. Nery for the past decades, which he believes would interest his readers. It covers a variety of topics ranging from health, politics, religion, sports, economics, diseases, foods and so on. These topics are too interesting to be set aside or discard as they somehow touch each and everyone's life, in the process. During the period covered, many things have happened to change the political scenes, scientific knowledge, birth and destruction of nations, such as: The end of Facism, Nazism, partial demise of Communism (in Soviet Russia), takeover of China by the Reds, the end of colonialism, changes occurring in Eastern Europe, birth of a new nation- Israel, wars on Afghanistan and Iraq, the invention of cell phones, advances made in medicines, invention of computers, invention of television, improving the automobiles (also making them available to the average people), improving the airplanes which are now the preferred mode of travel. During this period, the Macanese people had to leave Shanghai, Hong Kong and Macau, not unlike the exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt dubbed Diaspora. The Macanese people are now dispersed throughout the world. We refer this episode to be "The Macanese Diaspora".

Select Remnants

(Third) Collection of Poems and EssaysBy Felipe B. Nery

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2009 Felipe B. Nery
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-4434-3

Chapter One

THE BATTLE OF NOISES BETWEEN TELEVISION SETS

By Felipe B. Nery - June 14, 2004

We happen to have 3 television sets: one in the breakfast room (between the kitchen and the dining room) which is the one my wife uses, one in the living room which I use and a small one in my den which is hardly, if ever, in use.

Now that we have these television sets strategically placed, we come to the sounds they emit that disrupt each other's moments of listening pleasures and concentrations.

We are not only confronted (annoyed) with the loud noises of abhorred programs (favored solely by each of us) but also with the extra loud noise, ear-shattering blasts and nerve wracking din of commercial and advertising programs. They would regularly jolt me out of my peaceful slumber between programs that make me jump off my seat (on purpose or with mischievous intent).

I now, discover a welcome article in the San Francisco Chronicle that my concern is also the concern of many people Of the TV viewing public who express their displeasure with the TV ads loud noises that they would invariably reach for their remote control devise to hit the mute button. This aggravation has reached the point of intolerance that some San Francisco Bay area lawmakers are (particularly Rep. Anna Eshoo D-Palo Alto) in the process of introducing a bill in Congress that would force federal regulators to lower the volume of TV commercials.

It seems we are not alone being subjected to the ear-splitting ads complaints of which have been raised by millions of American TV viewers. The British is also encountering such a ghastly annoyance, they have passed a law requiring broadcasters to tone down the volume and to limit the "maximum subjective loudness" of TV ads as a result of many complaints received from the viewing public.

To add to the chagrin of the loudness of the TV ads, I generally find it disconcerting to have to be interrupted viewing my favorable program for what it seemed like an eternity (for some 15 minutes). While I agree that commercials are a means to pay for our programs, but the length of them seems to be incomprehensible.

The bill, if approved, would direct the Federal Communications Commission to enact and to enforce new rules within a year setting limits on the volume of ads. It would require that commercials should not have an "average maximum loudness" that exceeds the programming that they accompany.

The bill introduced by Rep. Anna Eshoo is known as the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act - CALM ACT for short. Many House of Representative members went as far as saying this would be the right time to set new standards for volume levels since this country is shifting to digital, high definition TV.

It appears, all future sounds of TV commercial ads would then be in concert with the TV program it accompanies. If the program has an explosive sound, such as with a blast of a bomb or a crash of some sort, the ad would likewise be within the same volume of loudness. In general, advertisers are considering applying some new standards of their own without the intervention of the federal government.

In our case, when the noise becomes too loud, drowning out each other's programs we usually yelled at one another above the din to have either or both of us ratchet down the TV volume. But no amount of yelling seemed to solve the problem, which prompted our niece Helen Cox to spring into action by volunteering to help us buy an ear-phone which would ensure the privacy and eliminate all outward sound to keep peace in the family- the cost is $250.00 each. My wife, without hesitation, declined the offer, while I accepted it. I do not use it all the time- only on special occasions and for my favorite programs, as it hurts my ears for prolonged use.

THE GLOBAL WARMING CONTROVERSY AND THE KYOTO PROTOCOL

By Felipe B. Nery - June 18, 2008

Meteorologists are attributing the rash of cyclones, tornados and hurricanes occurring in great numbers to global warming where the cold air meets the warm air creating air disturbances resulting in a tornado, cyclone or hurricane. The warm air is caused by the carbon monoxide and dioxide and other chemical elements that accompany them, so they say.

This phenomenon is viewed by the skeptics and offending countries which help to pollute the air with their coal burning factories and now increasingly with their automobiles (with green house gas emission) with cynicism shrugging them off as just a theory, if not a myth because the experts are unable to pin point the fact. Those experts that expound the global warming theory cannot substantiate it with irrefutable proof of where it came from or establish an indisputable proof of the damage caused by the pollution.

The global warming controversy was brought about when the Kyoto Protocol was initially established excluding China and India from the obligation to observe the pact in reducing the amount of pollution from their factories because most countries, at that time, considered China and India as up and coming third world countries and should be given a chance to produce their goods without restrictions.

China and India, since then, have advanced so much, they are no longer considered as third world countries. In fact, they have been and are engaged in outright competition with other industrialized countries. Australia and the U.S.A. are the two countries that didn't ratify the Kyoto Protocol because they felt it would place them at an economic disadvantage as trade competitors. They are adamant about placing China and India on an equal footing with all industrialized countries.

It seems, this controversy will rage on without paying too much attention to the cause of the atmospheric disturbance and floods that have been destroying houses, breaking levees and flooding the grain fields (farm lands) such as soya and corn. Yet, the offenders are not convinced it was the consequence of global warming. What other proofs they need to convince them? The tornados and hurricanes are occurring more often than they used to and all they believe, this is just an Act of Nature or of God, to be more precise!

The meteorologists that issued the warnings are not politicians, they do not take sides - all they do is to explain scientifically the cause and effect of atmospheric conditions. They are not in the business of pointing a finger at anyone, for they only wish to prevent further global warming and further damage by all concerned, regardless of nationality or political persuasion. Their aim is to save the world for all humankind. Through their experience and daily observance, they are able to report to us the weather forecast and to provide us with timely warning of an impending storm so that we may be able to take shelter and to weather the storm. We have relied on their accurate forecast and we have benefited by it, why should we now cast a shadow of doubt and not believe them as to the consequence of global warming?

We are able to observe the brewing of a storm, we are therefore capable of making an assessment of its strength, path and time of arrival. But not so with an earthquake that occurs underground and not within sight of any humans. We can only theorize! This, we may appropriately categorize as an Act of God, an event beyond the reach and sight of us humans. Since we are not able to see how it evolved, we are also not able to examine its crucial activities in order to develop a means to prevent or adequately handle it.

AN EXCHANGE OF PARCELS BETWEEN BRAZIL AND THE U.S.A.

Not long ago we (my wife and I) received a parcel from our good friends Angelina and Jacinta Collaco of Sao Paulo, Brazil, which consisted of : a Brazilian Goiabada (or Guava Jam) to be eaten with cream cheese or Monterey Jack known in Brazil as quejo branco to form a combination widely acclaimed as inseparable as Romeo and Juliet. In the parcel, to our delight, there were other goodies, such as Doce de Bananas, Moka Caf, Brazilian Chocolate, Cha Matte, a dish cloth, marshmallow, Peanut Candy and Sweet Potatoes.

My wife and I were ecstatic to receive such a magnanimous gift with the delicacies that not only pleased our palates, but also touched our hearts. We had our Brazilian friends Margot Sladkov and Marly Kaskanlian who joined us on separate occasions to partake in the feasting of those delicacies adhering to the true Brazilian traditions. We were fascinated and enjoyed every moment of the ritual and gastronomic adventure. Beside experiencing a delight in ingesting those delectable tidbits we also experienced the electrifying euphoria radiated from our two Brazilian friends who became nostalgic about their past existence in Brazil whereupon they and their families would from time to time celebrate birthdays, wedding graduations and other parties which these delicacies were offered for the enjoyment of everyone present.

In appreciation of the gift, we in turn sent a parcel to Angelina and Jacinta, not to compete with their efforts, but to manifest our gratitude and to engage in an exchange of kind gestures. At this stage we are not fully aware of what is immediately available and what is not available in Brazil, as we understand there are Chinatown and Japan Town in Sao Paulo where some of the condiments and other items may be obtainable. In any case, we sent them the following items and hoped for the best:

1 jar of Turmeric Condensed Milk (canned) Canned Snow Cabbage (Ham Choi) Pickled Cabbage in a can Hot Vegetable (Mui Choi) Coffee "Gevalia" Brand English Breakfast Tea by Twinning English Orange Marmalade Black Bean Sauce Kung Pao Sauce (Hot Sauce) Spicy Bean Sauce Szechuan Sauce Allspice Canned Vegetarian Dish (Tofu)

I was asked several questions about the spices we sent. Here are some of my answers:

Turmeric is a spice known as "Wong Keong Fun" in Cantonese and known as Safrao in Macanese. It is not saffron but resembles saffron in turning the gravy yellow in color. However, it has a distinctive taste of its own. The Indians make extensive use of it especially in their curries. For this reason, scientists and doctors have come to the conclusion that it is because of using this spice, Indians as a whole are not susceptible to Alzheimer's disease.

We not only use "turmeric" in our curries, we also use it in "vinho d'alho" or bafaca. See pages 52 and 189 of my cookbook on Macnese dishes (for Chicken Bafaca). It could also be used in Minchi and for a filling in Chilicote. Kung Pao sauce can be used as spice for Kung Pao Chicken (see page 214). Instead of using chili peppers, ginger and soy sauce-just use the Kung Pao sauce.

We use condensed milk in making our Bagi, without which it would not be Bagi. It would be something unimaginable.

The idea of sending them the various spices is to help them accomplish their goal in cooking as many Macanese dishes they desire to satisfy the wishes of their relatives and friends.

When I recommend the use of dry sherry wine in any recipe, it can be substituted for vinho branco, vinho tinto, brandy or Sho Shing whichever is at the disposal of the cook. The main object is to cook until the alcohol evaporates and only the taste of fruit (grapes) remains.

Speaking of goiabada, I can vividly recall when I was in Macau in my younger days, my grandmother had a guava tree, an anona tree and several papaya trees in her backyard. The anona was the most treasured of the fruits, with the papayas coming second and the guava is converted into a jam, then, its popularity catapulted right away to the forefront, as the seeds are no longer present the jam with its exquisite tasted became prominent. We just ate the jam as is, or with bread or crackers - not with cheese as the Brazilians do, but the result is just as spectacular.

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BELOVED WIFE "RAYA" October 11, 2007

I have decided to use my own words Instead of using the so-called trite Boilerplate language used by card vendors You deserve something better than that

Words that flow directly from my heart To greet you on this auspicious day A day of great celebration and joy Because you have come into this world For the past eighty seven years You have brought joy and happiness To your relatives and close friends Above all, you have outdone yourself for me It is a day aglow with good cheer, Happiness and dazzling brightness The whole world stood still, in awe Witnessing a bright star in the sky This star is none other than you My dearly beloved wife and partner For the past 60 years and over You have showered me with your gift For all that you have done, I thank You and wish you have a wonderful birthday. May God bless you and may all of your dreams come true.

With all my love Phil

FOODS TO IMPROVE ONE'S HEALTH AND MIND MEMORY

By Felipe B. Nery - June 16, 2008

Food as we have known it since childhood is essential for the development of our bodies, it is akin to the fuel that we put into our gas tank to run our automobile engine.

When we reached adulthood, we learn that certain foods are good for us and certain foods are bad for us. We are told to eat less red meats, but more fresh fruits and vegetables. We are also told to eat more seafood.

In our younger days, we were given candies and desserts by our parents to keep us in line and they became tokens of rewards for our good behavior. Since then we tend to reward ourselves without the help of our parents to help us satisfy our cravings, as well as, to reward ourselves in our depressing moods and unpleasant encounters. In time we find these candies and delicious cakes and pastries have a detrimental effect on our cholesterol, blood pressure, heart circulation and overall health condition. We are told by our doctors and nutritionists to curtail our consumption of these goodies or cut them out completely to maintain a healthy condition in our bodies, especially if we are afflicted with diabetes.

Today, we are living longer than our parents and grandparents did because of the advanced technology in the medical field with improved medication and the proper diets we maintain in our daily food intake. We now have thousands of food supplements flooding the market supposedly to take care of every conceivable health condition, displayed at a large drug store filling several shelves. Some of these supplements may be beneficial to our health, but the majority may contribute to side effects, therefore, it would be advisable to consult with our doctors before taking them. Besides, some of the supplements can come into conflict with the medication we are currently taking.

Above all, what matters the most to us, is the food we eat at our daily meals. Though we are told to eat more fish because of omega-3 fatty acids they have, providing us great benefits towards having a healthy heart, we are also warned they may contain mercury and PCB. These toxins are dangerous and harmful to us. We are then told to stick to small size fish and fish raised in private ponds or farm raised fish such as salmon, catfish and tilapia.

When it comes to men, who generally have prostate problems, it is suggested that we eat a food source which contains selenium, for example Brazil nut. But too much selenium may also be toxic if taken in daily doses of more than 400 micrograms (mcg) and one Brazil nut is said to have about 100 mcg, therefore, just eating one or two nuts would suffice, per our nutritionist.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Select Remnantsby Felipe B. Nery Copyright © 2009 by Felipe B. Nery . Excerpted by permission.
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