A Gut Feeling: A Father’s Dramatic Advice After His Son Discovers He’s Lactose Intolerant

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

By a Proud, Empathetic (and Slightly Dramatic) Dad

It starts, as many turning points do, with a glass of milk.

For years, my son drank milk like any other growing boy. It was part of the routine — poured over cereal, mixed into coffee, blended in shakes. But now, after peeling back the layers of his own health and finally tuning in to the whispers (or rather, the gurgles) of his gut, he’s made a revelation that stopped me in my tracks: he’s lactose intolerant.

Not allergic.

Not in danger.

But definitely in discomfort.

When he first told me — bloating, bathroom trips, a belly that ballooned after just a small cup of dairy — I couldn’t help but smile. Not because I found it funny, but because he had finally reached a moment every parent quietly waits for: the moment when your child really begins to listen to his body.

And so, as a father, I did what any concerned (and deeply reflective) dad would do:

I turned this revelation into a life lesson. A dramatic one, of course.

Milk: The Childhood Staple Turned Gut Enemy

“Dad,” he said, “I didn’t even notice the bloating before. I just thought it was my belly.”

That hit me. Because it wasn’t just about digestion — it was about transformation. As his body changed, as the extra weight disappeared, as he tuned into the signals he once ignored, he started seeing the truth. The culprit had been there all along, disguised as something familiar. Milk — the symbol of health and strength — was now his dietary adversary.

The result? He’s giving it up. No more milk.

And I say: good call, son.

Knowing when to walk away is a sign of maturity. Sometimes, the hardest breakups are with things that once comforted us. But your gut knows better now — and your decision to honor that is something I applaud.

The Cheese Clause: Negotiating with Dairy

But before you grieve the loss of dairy, know this: cheese remains a loyal friend.

What he discovered — and what many people still don’t realize — is that cheese, especially the hard and aged kinds, contains little to no lactose. That means the cheddar on your sandwich, the parmesan on your pasta, the gouda in your grilled cheese — they can all stay. In moderation, yes, but they’re safe to love again.

And that’s a comfort not just for your gut, but for your soul. Because a world without cheese is a little too dark, even for the most dedicated health warrior.

Risk Management: When the Bathroom is Worth It

Perhaps the most hilarious — and honest — part of my son’s revelation was this line:

“If I feel like something is worth a trip to the bathroom, sure, I’ll risk it.”

I laughed out loud. Because there it is — the great balancing act of adulthood: what are we willing to endure for the things we love?

It’s a bold philosophy. And one I respect.

But my advice? Use that risk sparingly. Life is full of indulgences — save those calculated gambles for something truly memorable. Let that dessert be so good it’s worth the rumble.

Lactose Intolerance ≠ Allergies: A Crucial Clarification

Here’s where many get it wrong. Lactose intolerance is not a food allergy.

It won’t send him into anaphylaxis. There’s no EpiPen needed. But that doesn’t mean it’s not serious. It’s discomfort that affects quality of life — and more importantly, signals how your body wants to be treated.

Understanding the difference is key. And acknowledging that difference with pride, not shame, is part of what makes my son’s discovery so empowering.

My Final Advice: Listen, Adapt, Thrive

To my son — and to anyone else on the same path — here’s my closing thought:

“Your body is wiser than you think. When it speaks, listen. When it resists, don’t punish it — adjust. And when you feel like giving up your comfort zone (or your comfort food), remember this: growth doesn’t always come from adding more, but sometimes from removing what no longer serves you.”

Give up milk if you must. Keep your cheese if you can.

Risk the bloat when it’s really worth it.

And most of all — honor the journey of knowing yourself.

Because discovering you're lactose intolerant isn’t a setback — it’s an upgrade.

And I couldn’t be prouder.

— Dad

PBBM’s Digital Education Revolution Begins: DepEd Delivers Smart TVs, Laptops to Schools Ahead of SY 2025-2026

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a move that signals the dawn of a digitally empowered education era in the Philippines, the Department of Education (DepEd) has begun delivering Smart TVs, laptops, and updated textbooks to thousands of public schools across the country—weeks ahead of the June 16 opening of School Year 2025-2026.

The initiative, driven by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.’s urgent call for a future-ready and inclusive education system, is not just a logistical achievement—it’s a promise made tangible. And under the fresh leadership of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, that promise is being fulfilled in classrooms, not boardrooms.

Classrooms Transformed: From Chalkboards to Smart Screens

In places like Pagalanggang Elementary School in Bataan, the shift is already visible.

"It would be a great help sa ating mga mag-aaral, especially when it comes to reading," shared Principal Jocelyn Reyes, beaming with pride as her school received five brand new Smart TVs. "Napakalaking tulong po niyan talaga para mapabasa namin ang mga bata namin."

These Smart TVs—part of nearly 26,000 packages equipped with external hard drives—aren’t just screens. They’re portals to a new learning dimension where visuals meet values, and engagement meets empowerment. Region VII alone is slated to receive over 2,300 units, while deliveries continue across Regions IX, CAR, and the National Capital Region, where 1,340 laptops are set for distribution to 268 schools between June 16 and 26.

Early Procurement, Real Progress

This dramatic acceleration is powered by DepEd’s FY 2025 Early Procurement Activities (EPA), a strategic overhaul that allowed 79% of the Computerization Program’s annual budget to be locked in before the fiscal year even began. As a result, over 33,539 laptops for teachers and 5,360 for non-teaching staff have been procured—with deliveries already hitting campuses.

But for Secretary Sonny Angara, it’s not about numbers. It’s about impact.

"Hindi lang ito basta pag-deliver ng gamit, ito’y paghahatid ng oportunidad," said Angara. "Kapag dumadating na talaga sa mga paaralan ang mga kagamitan, doon natin nararamdaman ang tunay na pagbabago. Mas nagiging buhay ang pagkatuto, mas naaabot ng mga bata, at mas nakakagana para sa mga guro."

Indeed, these tools aren’t just resources—they’re instruments of equity, ensuring that every Filipino child, from the highlands of the Cordilleras to the coastal towns of Mindanao, has a fair shot at quality learning.

The Digital Backbone of K to 10

It’s not only devices that are arriving early. DepEd is also fast-tracking the rollout of textbooks aligned with the newly revised K to 10 curriculum. Titles for Grades 1, 4, and 7 are already 99% procured, while those for Grades 2, 5, and 8 are well underway. Books for Grades 6, 9, and 10 will follow by 2026.

Complementing these are a wide range of alternative and digital learning resources, such as lesson exemplars, ADM modules, and decodable books, many of which are available through DepEd’s digital platforms: the Learning Management System, the Learning Resource Portal, and the Likha App.

From Reactive to Proactive Learning

For educators on the ground, this new wave of technology and support is more than a shift in tools—it’s a shift in mindset.

"Sa ngayon, talagang nakikita namin ang pagbabago sa DepEd," said Principal Raffy Abilong of Sta. Isabel Elementary School. "Unti-unti, naiibabangon natin at naihahatid natin 'yung tinatawag nating quality education para sa ating mga mag-aaral."

Teachers are now planning lessons not around limitations, but around possibilities. With devices already in place before the first bell rings, schools are evolving from crisis managers to curriculum innovators. And students—especially those in underserved areas—are finally experiencing the transformative power of modern, multimedia learning.

Education as the Great Equalizer

President Marcos’ vision of an empowered, digitally literate Filipino youth is no longer a distant aspiration—it’s unfolding, day by day, in the country’s 47,000+ public schools. With DepEd’s early delivery program breaking bureaucratic barriers and bridging the digital divide, the Philippines is taking bold steps toward reclaiming education as the great equalizer.

This is not just a change in the school year calendar—it’s a change in the national narrative. One where classrooms are no longer left waiting. One where teachers are no longer under-equipped. And one where Filipino children can dream bigger, bolder, and brighter—because someone believed in the power of delivering not just education, but opportunity.

At a Glance: DepEd’s Digital Education Push

26,000+ Smart TV packages procured

33,539 laptops for teachers, 5,360 for non-teaching staff

79% of Computerization Program budget secured early

Revised K to 10 curriculum textbooks 99% procured for Grades 1, 4, 7

Digital platforms like LMS, Likha App, and Learning Resource Portal active

As the first day of SY 2025-2026 approaches, one message resounds from school halls to policy chambers: the future of Philippine education is here—and it's connected, inclusive, and already making a difference.

AI vs. Superbugs: UP Scientists Use Artificial Intelligence to Predict Antibiotic Resistance in E. coli

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Revolutionary research paves the way for real-time tracking of antimicrobial threats in agriculture

In a world grappling with the silent pandemic of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a team of Filipino scientists has taken a bold leap into the future—using artificial intelligence (AI) to predict whether common bacteria like Escherichia coli will resist or succumb to antibiotics. This groundbreaking initiative, driven by researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman, signals a major turning point in the battle against superbugs.

Led by Marco Christopher Lopez and Dr. Pierangeli Vital of the UP Diliman College of Science’s Natural Sciences Research Institute (UPD-CS NSRI), in collaboration with Dr. Joseph Ryan Lansangan of the UPD School of Statistics, the study harnessed the power of machine learning to interpret vast amounts of genetic data. Their mission: to predict how dangerous strains of E. coli—a bacteria commonly found in the intestines and a red flag for fecal contamination—react to antibiotics.

Why E. coli? As both a biological indicator and a common resident in agricultural environments, E. coli is frequently exposed to antibiotics through manure and wastewater, giving it ample opportunity to evolve resistance. This makes it the perfect test subject in the fight against antimicrobial resistance—a phenomenon that now threatens to outpace the development of new medicines.

Slow Science Meets High-Speed Data

Traditional lab methods for detecting AMR, such as culture-based assays, are notoriously slow and resource-heavy. They require days or even weeks to yield results, making them ineffective for large-scale surveillance, especially in agriculture where time-sensitive decisions can impact food safety on a national level.

But now, thanks to innovations in whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and machine learning, this once-sluggish process is getting a major upgrade.

“We selected AI models based on their strengths in handling biological and imbalanced data,” explained Dr. Vital. “The models help us compare different learning strategies to determine which is best suited to predict resistance patterns.”

The team analyzed a rich dataset of genetic sequences and lab results from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. They then tested four powerful AI models:

Random Forest (RF): ideal for dealing with complex, high-dimensional biological data.

Support Vector Machine (SVM): a champion in classification tasks, especially when data patterns are hard to separate.

Adaptive Boosting (AB) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB): ensemble methods known for zeroing in on difficult-to-classify data points with precision.

The models performed best in predicting resistance to streptomycin and tetracycline, two commonly used antibiotics in agricultural settings. However, the models struggled with ciprofloxacin, due to the limited number of resistant samples in the dataset—a challenge known as class imbalance that can skew AI predictions.

Despite this, AB and XGB models stood out, consistently achieving high accuracy even under tough conditions. Their ability to navigate imbalanced datasets makes them strong candidates for real-world AMR surveillance.

A Tool for Food Security and Public Health

“We believe this strategy holds immense promise for real-time AMR monitoring, especially in agriculture,” Dr. Vital noted. “As sequencing technologies become faster and more affordable, prediction models like ours can detect resistant bacteria before they spread or cause outbreaks.”

The implications are profound. With early detection, farmers and health officials can respond faster, avoid inappropriate antibiotic use, and make more informed decisions about food safety and livestock management.

The researchers are now calling for the integration of more complex data types, including metagenomic data, which captures the genetic material of all microorganisms in a sample. This would offer an even more comprehensive view of how bacteria develop resistance—and how to stop them.

Cross-Disciplinary Power

Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of the study is the collaboration between fields. A microbiologist, a statistician, and a data scientist came together to tackle a problem that affects every Filipino—from the farmer planting crops in Bulacan to the child eating vegetables in Quezon City.

“This is what happens when biology meets statistics and artificial intelligence,” said Dr. Vital. “By combining our disciplines, we can generate insights that don’t just stay in academic journals—they can directly impact communities, especially in ensuring agricultural food safety.”

The study, titled “Prediction models for antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli in an agricultural setting around Metro Manila, Philippines,” was published in the Malaysian Journal of Microbiology. It was funded by the Natural Sciences Research Institute and the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Grant to Outstanding Achievements in Science and Technology, under the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).

As antibiotic resistance continues to threaten global health, the innovative work of these Filipino researchers serves as both a warning and a beacon. With AI as an ally, the fight against antimicrobial resistance is not just reactive—it can be predictive, preemptive, and profoundly effective.

Sidebar: Why It Matters

700,000 people die annually from drug-resistant infections worldwide.

By 2050, this number could rise to 10 million without urgent action.

Philippine agriculture is a key area of concern, where unchecked antibiotic use can accelerate resistance.

AI-powered tools offer a scalable and rapid solution for monitoring threats and informing policy.