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The anime movies on my mind

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I loved to watch animation series as a kid. Do you remember Voltez V and Mazinger Z? How about Heidi? These were some of the classic animation series that were popular in the 70s. Voltez V made a come back in 1999, the same year I gave birth to my youngest. I was happy reliving my younger years while watching the same old series. Would you believe I was singing the Japanese theme song of Voltez V to my kids? Catchy theme song is what I love About Anime.

Younger people no longer called it animation, but anime (shortened version) or manga (Japanese comics). Whatever term they name it, I still love to watch animation until now, this time with my kids. We have a collection of anime movies by popular Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. These are Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and Castle in the Sky, Kiki’s Delivery Service and My Neighbor Totoro. These movies are not only entertaining to watch, they also leave valuable lessons for audience to ponder — like love for the family and environment.

One anime film that truly made me cry was Grave of the Fireflies. This is the tale of relationship between two orphaned children that took place toward the end of World War II in Japan. I simply love this film. Unfortunately, my copy of the movie was missing. Good thing I can watch anime online and can download it anytime I want.

I’m also a fan of game shows. Recently, I’ve discovered Wipeout TV Show on line. It is said to be the world’s largest extreme obstacle course. I had fun watching it on the Internet. I heard the American game show will have its premier in our local channel (GMA Ch7) here on March 15. I can’t wait to watch it with our local actors as hosts.

Dangers of tattoo

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The tattooed man in the picture was an inmate at the Maximum Security Compound of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. The other man holding a pen-like object was his fellow inmate, who was a known tattoo artist at the same tightly-guarded area. The object was an improvised handmade tattooing tool covered with thick layers of thread.

This picture had been used to support my story published by People’s Tonight sometime in October 2004. The news feature focused on the susceptibility of inmates to blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis B, which is transmitted from having unprotected sex, sharing drug needles, and getting a tattoo or body piercing with dirty needles and tools. I’ve personally seen the environment there and the gadget used by the tattoo artist. If the inmate client knows anything about dermatology or skin condition, he might not agree to have the tattoo mark on his back.

Some authorities interviewed for the story would not admit the incidence rate of hepa B cases (if there are), but confirmed the existence of sharing of drug needles, unprotected sex with different (women) visitors, and unhygienic use of tattooing devices.

There are other inmates who were suffering from skin disease at that time. The area was crowded and there was not enough ventilation to allow fresh air to come in. If there are groups who could provide free medical check-up to them, the skin disease will be prevented from affecting other inmates. Skin doctors can give them first aid treatment.

Sources said the tattoo artist continues to render tattoo services beyond the prison walls.

Rehab approach

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Five years ago, I wrote something about the training of officials and other staffs of government treatment and rehabilitation centers (TRCs) on more effective means to handle addicts.

The approach, called Therapeutic Community Modality (TCM), is the standard method of rehabilitation for people with substance-abused problems. It allows drug dependent to live in a community under a daily routine similar to the approach of California Drug Rehabilitation. It involves constant ‘reality checks’ on the part of each individual through immediate processing by the center’s staff on the cause and effect of their behaviours toward each community members.

There are about 66 rehab centers in the country that are currently employing various approaches in their treatment of drug users like the Drug Rehab in California. Some of these rehab centers are using Faith-based Modality, where behavioral change is encouraged through faith, and may include various religious principles which emphasize respect for oneself and others. Others centers are using modality associated with support groups with members as former alcoholics. The California Drug Rehab operates the same way as most of our present rehab centers.

Personnel who underwent trainings include local doctors, psychologists, nurses, social workers and other paramedical staff. The implementation of the TCM will reduce the number of relapse cases among recovered drug dependents.

I had an opportunity to visit a drug rehab in the southern part of Metro Manila and interviewed four individuals who were former drug dependents. They were hooked on ecstacy, a party drug known by its several street names – X, Rave, Love Drug, Flying Saucer, LBD “Libido”, Jagged Little Pill, Artist Drug, Hug Drug, MDA, MDEA, XTC, E, Eckie, Love Doves. I heard the weirdest to the kinkiest stories.

The drug treatment facility has slowly helped them recover from addiction. But it took a while before they had accepted their condition. They were dealing with denial at the initial stage of the treatment, but with the proper medication and encouragement from their families, their friends, medical staff down to their own peers inside the rehab, they were able to pull through.