Media Forum Dissects: Diabetes, Obesity, and the Sweetened Beverage Tax

A media forum held in the 84-year-old Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City discussed the proposal to increase the excise tax on sweetened beverages. Called the “Pandesal Forum,” the event welcomed health and economic experts to dissect the issue, citing recent available data on diabetes and obesity rates in the Philippines as sources. The forum sought to understand why diabetes and obesity rates in the country continue to rise despite efforts to reduce consumption of sweetened beverages through the excise tax. 

The panel of experts invited to the forum included Chona Patalen, Senior Science Research Specialist from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). According to data from the FNRI, the per capita consumption of sweetened beverages has decreased significantly from 2015 to 2019. This decline was most evident among urban households. The Sweetened Beverage Tax was implemented in 2018 and imposed a P6.00 tax per liter on beverages which contained added pure sugar or non-caloric sweeteners like aspartame, or a combination of both. A tax of P12.00 per liter was imposed on beverages which contained High Fructose Corn Syrup or HFCS. 

Obesity and Diabetes Rates Continue to Rise 

In addition, consumption of sweetened beverages has decreased across all age groups in the Philippines, with adolescents and adults showing the sharpest decline. In contrast, Ms. Patalen shared obesity rates among Filipinos have only increased from 2015 to 2018, and even up to 2021. Among those aged 20 and above in the country, 38.6% are overweight and obese. This data translates to 17.8 million Filipinos who are overweight, and 5.6 million who are obese. 

The data for Diabetes rates in the Philippines shows the same story. From 2013 to 2019, the number of Filipinos with borderline diabetes has more than doubled, translating to about 17.6 million people. In 2018 when the Sweetened Beverage tax was proposed, the reasons cited for the tax included helping curb obesity and diabetes rates. As the data shows, the number of Filipinos with obesity and diabetes continues to rise, despite the imposition of the excise tax on sweetened beverages. The FNRI is currently conducting the 2023 National Nutrition Survey, which is held every 5 years, which will reflect more updated obesity and diabetes rates, among other health measures.  

An Increase in Excise Tax will Impact Middle- and Lower-Income Classes 

Another member of the media forum panel was Dr. John Paulo Rivera, Executive Director of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Andrew Tan Tourism Center. Dr. Rivera is also the Chief Economist of Oikonomia Advisory & Research, Inc. In his discussion he noted that it is important to discuss the proposal to increase excise taxes on sweetened beverages because of the impact it may have on inflation, particularly on food. “As of the moment, inflation rates continue to be high, but we see this declining by the end of 2023 up to 2024,” explains Dr. Rivera. “However, if the excise tax on sweetened beverages is pursued, it will have an impact on consumption among middle and lower classes of consumers. This is because of the role that sweetened beverages play in their daily lives. If additional taxes are imposed on sweetened beverages, the prices of these will increase and will make purchasing them harder for consumers to purchase. While we understand that the goal of the excise tax is to limit consumption of sweetened beverages, we should also ask the question if these consumers have alternatives to these sweetened beverages.” 

Dr. Rivera goes on to explain that while upper income classes may find alternatives easily, those in the lower brackets may not be able to do so, and as such the excise tax will impact their daily lives. If a tax is imposed, prices will similarly increase and consumers will bear the brunt of the impact. He adds that perhaps the government can find other ways to increase revenues other than an excise tax. In addition, he proposes that if the government would like to limit consumption of sweetened beverages, projects to help improve physical activity like public open spaces to counter diseases can be given focus. 

Exercise is Medicine: Physical Activity and a Balanced Diet against Obesity and Diabetes 

“We promote exercise because it serves as a hub to change lifestyles,” shares 3rd panel member Prof. Hercules Callanta, National Coordinator for "Exercise is Medicine" of the Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity (PASOO). Prof Callanta is also a faculty member of the College of Human Kinetics of the University of Philippines Diliman. He relates that when people start doing exercise, they start to notice other aspects of their health, like the need to diet and even to sleep better. While it is common knowledge that having a balanced diet and being physically active are the keys to avoiding illnesses, Filipinos do not always practice both. 

He clarifies however that while workouts are great for keeping fit, everyone should just start moving every day to be healthy. “We should all just start moving, start looking at our plates, adapting the “mind over plate,” he adds. He also supports the idea of walking more or even biking, taking the stairs, and avoiding using transportation if possible. 

Professor Callanta adds that to help curb obesity and diabetes, there is a need to make nutritious food more affordable. “What we want to see is for healthy food to be more affordable especially for the poorer portions of the grand population,” he explains. He also adds that improving physical activity rates among Filipinos should also be a priority of the government by promoting more walkable places in communities. 

The forum ended with the conclusion that, as the data shows, to help reduce obesity and diabetes rates the solution lies not in taxation but in the need for proper diet and exercise. 

Possible Return of Stolen Balangiga Church Bells is Victory of Philippine Independent Foreign Policy & Struggles, not American Benevolence

Speakers at Kamuning Bakery Café’s non-partisan Pandesal Forum in Quezon City on August 14 were Balangiga Battle hero Capt. Eugenio Daza’s grandson and president of Kaanak 1896 (association of descendants of the Philippine Revolution and Phil-American War era) Eugenio Roy Daza, “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness” film director & co-writer Khavn de la Cruz and producer/co-writer Achinette Villamor, geopolitics analysts Butch Valdes and George Siy of Integrated Development Studies Institute (IDSI). Moderator is writer Wilson Lee Flores.

The Pandesal Forum agrees that the possible and long overdue return of the Balangiga bells is a victory of Philippines’ independent foreign policy and struggles, not American benevolence
Return Balangiga church bells, other loot, issue official apology
University of the Philippines (U.P.) Prof. Bobby Tuazon of the Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) gave this message to the Pandesal Forum: “The return of the Balangiga Bells is long overdue and a historical injustice of American colonizers. The return should not be seen as American benevolence, but rather as a victory of the Filipino people who have fought hard and long for their return.”
Prof. Tuazon added: “Much of our history, by the way, was looted by the American aggressors during the Philippine-American War---relics, archives, treasures, etc. remain in the U.S. until today---are in museums such as the Smithsonian, collectors, etc. These should also be returned.”
Tuazon said: “No apology has been given for the 1 million Filipinos---revolutionaries and civilians---who died during the Philippine-American War. If the U.S. really cares for ‘friendship’, they should at least apologize.”

Retelling history from viewpoint of the defeated… Balangiga: Howling Wilderness

In the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) from August 15 to 21, the Pandesal Forum highly recommends that the public watch watch the award-winning “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness” which had won 3 times as best film at the QCinema 2017, the Urian and Famas.

The artists behind “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness” are director and co-scriptwriter Khavn de la Cruz, co-writers Achinette Villamor and Jerry B. Gracio. There are no celebrity stars in the cast led by Justine Samson, Pio Del Rio, Warren Tuaño.
Producer and co-scriptwriter Achinette Villamor said the injustice that happened in Balangiga is “part of the numerous national wounds in the consciousness of the Philippines”. She said: “History is usually written by the victors, such as many accounts of the Philippine-American War whoch were mostly authored by the colonizers, the white men, there is a need to tell history from the points of view of those who were defeated and conquered, like us Filipinos. The Balangiga film project is one such attempt.”

It is unique that this movie stands out for its good attempt at artistry, its uncommon courage and its seeking to retell a sad, controversial and violent episode in Philippine history from the refreshing, innocent perspectives of little children.

This well-crafted movie is set in 1901 in seaside town of Balangiga in the Philippines’ third largest island of Samar. Eight-year-old Kulas flees the town with his grandfather and their carabao to escape U.S. General Jacob Smith’s controversial “Kill & Burn” military order. He finds an infant amid a sea of corpses and together, the two boys struggle to survive the American military occupation.

Remembering history, to create a better future… Read this U.S. account of the past

J. P. Lawrence wrote last year in the “New York Review of Books” on this sad episode of Philippine history which followed local Filipino rebels decisive military victory in Balangiga over U.S. occupation troops:
“US troops returned to Balangiga in force. They bombarded the town with cannons, and set it ablaze. The three bells remained in the ruins of the church. But the retribution did not end there. General Jacob Smith told his troops he wanted a ‘howling wilderness’ and ordered any male over the age of ten killed. ‘I want no prisoners,’ he said. ‘I wish you to kill and burn; the more you kill and burn the better it will please me.’ Theodore Roosevelt, who was responsible for the conduct of the war in the Philippines for part of 1902, had earlier reflected on the justification for such harsh tactics. ‘In a fight with savages, where the savages themselves perform deeds of hideous cruelty, a certain proportion of whites are sure to do the same thing,’ he said. In the reprisals for Balangiga, US troops are said to have killed as many as 50,000 Filipinos.”

Lawrence also wrote: “Forty-eight US soldiers died at Balangiga, America’s worst military defeat since the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876. To commemorate their lost men—or perhaps to avenge them—American troops brought the three bells of Balangiga home with them. Over the next century, the bells passed through various military bases. Two are now in Wyoming, and one is on an army base in South Korea, displayed to memorialize the battle.”

History---whether sad, happy, tragic or triumphant---is part of our present and influences our future. May these two indie movies on our history not just entertain, but hopefully educate, awaken, conscienticize and inspire us to help create a better and more just future.

Pandesal Forum, background & purpose

The non-partisan, liberal and tertulia-inspired Pandesal Forum hopes to help elevate the quality of public discourse on national and global issues by having leaders and newsmakers dialogue with media and intellectuals over simple pandesal meals and coffee or tea.

Pandesal Forum’s Moderator is writer Wilson Lee Flores of Quezon City’s pioneer 79-year-old Kamuning Bakery Café. KBC burned down on Feb. 6, 2018, but it is still baking and selling outside burnt ruins and plans to someday fully reopen.

Gov. Imee Marcos plans Senate bid, invites tourists to Ilocos Norte 200th anniversary

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos confirmed to media that she’s thinking of running for the Senate in 2019 but is still now “50/50” on this decision until final consultations with her mother Congresswoman Imelda Romualdez Marcos and other kin, she said this at Kamuning Bakery Café’s non-partisan Pandesal Forum. Despite the Feb. 6 fire which burned down Quezon City’s pioneer, iconic, 79-year-old Kamuning Bakery Café, the previously scheduled forum with media proceeded at a temporary venue.

            Governor Marcos expressed her strong support for “the successful socio-economic, foreign policy and political reforms of President Rody R. Duterte” which she said have sustained, fast and more inclusive Philippine economic growth. One of the tangible benefits of the country’s robust economic growth is booming tourism not only nationwide, but also to Ilocos Norte such as the arrivals of Star Cruise tourist groups and others enjoying the historic, cultural and numerous unique eco-tourism wonders of Ilocos Norte province.

            Governor Imee Marcos announced also that Ilocos Norte has launched their year-long celebration of the bicentennial or 200th anniversary celebration of the creation of the province starting in February 2018. She welcomes more tourists and investors to visit their province.  

            In response to recent problems of Boracay, Governor Marcos said that her province of Ilocos Norte recognizes that it cannot accommodate many millions of mass tourists yearly but would prefer to cater to manageable numbers of tourists in order to enhance the ecology, nature, sustainability, and beauty of the province.

            Governor Imee Marcos lamented the delays in the on-going election protest case of her younger brother former Senator Bongbong Marcos and expects a recount of provincial votes in Camarines Sur to start soon.

            When asked if her running for the Senate in 2019 is due to their efforts to rehabilitate the legacy of their father the late President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos, Governor Imee Marcos said that her possible running or the vice-presidential bid of Bongbong Marcos, all that have nothing to do with their father’s legacy. She stressed that President Marcos’ legacy can stand on its own based on his solid accomplishments in massive infrastructures, socio-economic welfare programs, a more independent foreign policy of the Philippines befriending all the world’s big powers, etc., and that nothing they---his children---shall do or not do, can change his legacy for future historians and future generations to judge dispassionately and objectively.

            Governor Imee Marcos added that her family has endured 32 years of criticisms by critics and political foes on the alleged wrongs of their father’s administration, but they are also gratified that more people---especially millenials and the youth---are also giving due recognition to the numerous contributions of President Marcos to nation-building and development.

            When asked why at the Panagbenga Festival, she and former Senator Bongbong Marcos were allegedly campaigning there, she said some critics are exaggerating the issue, but she and her brother were grateful for the warm welcome of Baguio people and they were very touched to witness that there’s still the “Solid North” unity of many Ilocano people.  

            On the Marcos wealth issue, Governor Imee Marcos said that there is nothing concrete yet on this issue, but she hopes that proper representatives from their family and the government can thresh out something during the term of President Duterte, because she and her family trust that Duterte shall be sincere and capable in putting to good use for the public welfare whatever money to be returned. In reply to questions, she said she still had no idea the exact amount of money to be negotiated.

            On what her top priorities shall be as possible Senator, Governor Imee Marcos cited these top 3 advocacies---First, the construction of better, modern nationwide and provincial public transportation systems to benefit rural development and economic development; Second, ensuring cheaper consumer prices and putting in place social safety nets for ordinary and poor families to protect them from high prives; Third, reforms to create millions of new jobs. She said that her advocacies mainly support the progressive, pro-people and comprehensive reforms by the strong-willed President Duterte. She urged all leaders and citizens to unite in supporting the government’s reform efforts.

            On the recent controversy about the new Bagani TV series of ABS CBN, Governor Imee Marcos said she and Ilocos Norte province enthusiastically support “this beautiful, well-made, and interesting TV series” which was set and shot in the natural locations of their province. She believes this project doesn’t dis respe3ct our cultural minorities or indigenous peoples.  Governor Imee Marcos encouraged the public to watch this new TV series, also congratulating Liza Soberano, Enrique Gil, Matteo Guidecilli, Sofia Andres and others behind the project for their good talents, their creativity, and professionalism.

            Herself a former movie producer, head of the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines (ECP) and producer of classic Filipino films like Nora Aunor’s multi-awarded “Himala”, Governor Imee Marcos said she is thinking of again going into movie production to boost support for Philippine cinema and arts. She also welcomed local and international film producers and others to continue using the beautiful and “lucky” Ilocos Norte province as location for their projects, citing the box office successes and critical acclaim of many movie and TV projects shot there through the decades.

*This is Press Release

Duterte’s handling of Arbitral Tribunal case described as “win-win diplomacy”

Defense/diplomacy expert General Victor Corpus and geopolitics analyst former Education Undersecretary Antonio "Butch" Valdes on July 11 at non-partisan “Pandesal Forum” of 78-year-old Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City said President  Rody R. Duterte's wise, nationalist and pragmatic handling of the July 12, 2016 Arbitral Tribunal decision victory of the Philippines "has brought about stability to Asia, lessening of regional tensions, promoted a win-win strategy benefiting both the Philippines and China, upholding our pursuit of a truly independent foreign policy".

General Corpus said the Philippines had basically two approaches to handle the arbitrary case, the win-lose option or the win-win option. He explained that the win-lose approach calls for pushing the Philippines' total win at the arbitral tribunal and to force the non-participant party China into a total loss position, while Duterte's successful win-win strategy now allows both countries not to surrender or compromise any sovereignty rights and also not endlessly quarrelling, but both countries agreeing to disagree while continuously negotiating, improving the two countries’ ancient bilateral diplomatic and economic relations.

Corpus said President Duterte’s independent foreign policy reform still asserts the Philippines’ sovereignty claims in the Spratlys vis-à-vis those of the rival claims of China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and others, but these territorial disputes shouldn’t sour the Philippines’ important diplomatic and economic relations with all these Asean and Asian neighbors. On the question on how best to respond to China’s constructions in the disputed Spratlys, General Corpus said that he believes the best Philippine response is the Duterte administration’s current policy of maintaining the status quo in the region: the Philippines continues to occupy and build on islets we hold on to, while China and other Asian governments can do so in their respective areas that they now physically hold on to, negotiating for demilitarization of the region and for a Code of Conduct for the region.

Valdes said that President Rody R. Duterte’s independent foreign policy has stabilized Asia, that peace isn’t just the absence of war and that the Philippines’ new “win-win” approach to diplomacy is bringing more economic development benefits to the country and to the whole region.

General Victor Corpus also added that President Duterte’s adroit handling of the Arbitral Tribunal case victory and his high-level statesmanship helped “prevent the possibility of war breaking out in this region”, because Duterte has lessened the possibility of war and of the Philippines becoming a target country in case of superpower rivalry between our military treaty ally U.S.A. and China. Corpus explained that he Duterte is correct in analyzing that China is willing to go to war for the disputed Spratlys and has built port facilities in the disputed islets because it doesn’t want the strategic Straits of Malacca to be blockaded by any foreign country since that area is where much of China’s global trade and imported oil pass.

Corpus also pointed out that China’s government has built up its defense capabilities in this region, in order to safeguard against or block any nuclear and other military strikes against its economically vital coastal cities.

General Corpus said President Duterte’s “successful, nationalistic and win-win diplomacy should be supported by all sectors of our Philippine society”. He said that the Philippines’ independent foreign policy should be guided only by what is beneficial for the national interests and sovereignty of the country, not to be beholden to or dictated upon any big power.

Both Corpus and Valdes said Duterte’s independent foreign policy has resulted in the Philippines becoming now a friend and trading partner of all the world’s big powers USA, China and Russia, the country is no longer considered a foe or a threat to any big power. They both said that the Philippines is becoming more similar to any normal sovereign Asean or Asian country, an ally to all big powers in an equidistant manner and gaining from economic and strategic advantages from all these big powers.

The non-partisan, tertulia-inspired Pandesal Forum of the 78-year-old Kamuning Bakery Café hopes to help elevate the quality of public discourse on national and international issues, current affairs, focusing more on reforms. The Pandesal Forum invites newsmakers, leaders and experts to dialogue with media and intellectuals.

This July 11 Pandesal Forum on the Arbitral Tribunal Case was co-organized with the Integrated Development Studies Institute (IDSI) and the Phil-BRICS Strategic Studies.

Singapore envoy marks World Poetry Day, extols bilateral ties & Asean progress at Pandesal Forum of Kamuning Bakery Café

Singapore Ambassador Madame Kok Li Peng joined award-winning poets Jose F. Lacaba and Marra Pl. Lanot on March 21 morning to celebrate UNESCO’s “World Poetry Day” at the Pandesal Forum of 78-year-old Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City. The envoy also discussed Philippine-Singapore relations and Asean issues with the media and intellectuals at the two-hour forum. This artisanal café also gave away free coffee or tea drinks the whole day to all people who came to pay with their original poems, in a unique civic and cultural project.

            To celebrate “World Poetry Day”, Kamuning Bakery Café’s Wilson Lee Flores invited Singapore Ambassador Kok to recite one of her favorite poems entitled “The road not taken” by Robert Frost. Lacaba and Lanot both also each recited their original poems in the Filipino language.

            During the free-wheeling Pandesal Forum with local and international media, Ambassador Kok extolled the warm diplomatic and economic ties between the Philippines and Singapore, as well as the general optimism of the Asean region as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a high-level summit hosted by chairman the Philippines. She said that there are high hopes on the RCEP economic agreement being worked out between the 10-member nations of Asean region and China, that she thinks both this RCEP and even the TPP are all good initiatives to promote freer global trade.

            Ambassador Kok declined to comment to media’s questions on controversies like some Western criticisms of the draconian war on illegal drugs and the new death penalty bill, she reiterated that Singapore respects the sovereignty of its nation to govern itself and solve its own problems. She said Singapore has a very strong policy against illegal drugs. Kok also declined to comment on territorial dispute issues, since Singapore isn’t a claimant state but expressed hopes that Asian regional peace and stability shall be maintained by all Asian countries in order to sustain the region’s strong economic growth.

            Kok also said that Singapore’s founding father the late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Philippine President Duterte live in different eras and face divergent challenges, but Ambassador Kok said that both Lee and Duterte are similar in their “strong political will and being doers”. She said during President Duterte’s state visit to Singapore, she had witnessed his “magnetic appeal”, charisma and humility in meeting with ordinary people at his short walk at a mall.

            Ambassador Kok said that Singapore is optimistic about bilateral ties and the Philippines’ economic future, especially with strong economic growth and strong will to achieve national peace. She lauded government’s on-going peace negotiations with the Communist rebels and the Moro secessionist rebels.