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Spiritual healing

Lesson by Zack Laohavoravudhikul

Despite the advancement of modern medicine, we can still see quite a lot of people in almost every society willing to try an alternative treatment for their sicknesses. Our story this week is about a spiritual healer in the Philippines who helps the sick get better and hopes to have her medical practice passed on to others. Whether or not you think such treatments will work is something that you can discuss with your friends.

To download audio file, right click here

Philippine healer revives ancient practice

JASON GUTIERREZ BAY, PHILIPPINES

healer1

Traditional Philippine healer Nonie del Mundo soaks in naturally warm spring water in the town of Bay, Laguna, before leading a healing session. AFP

The gentle rustle of leaves and a bubbling spring provide a soothing backdrop as traditional Philippine healer Nonie del Mundo sends a worldweary couple into a deep sleep.

‘‘They are now in a dreamless state, which will help them reconnect with the higher being, or God if you will,’’ said del Mundo, a 58-year-old grandmother and one-time real-estate broker who heads the Hilot Pinoy movement seeking to bring back indigenous healing to the mainstream.

Two assistants clad in white then place heated glasses with trapped smoke on acupressure points on her clients’ backs. Called ‘‘bentosa’’, the centuries-old method is meant to stimulate blood flow, heal colds and remove toxins from the body.

The woman, she says, needs to cleanse her kidneys and gall bladder, while the husband is healthier if a little dehydrated.

The session takes about three hours, beginning with a lingering bath in naturally warm spring water. It is then followed by ‘‘dagdagay’’, or reflexology of the foot where nerves are connected to the head zone, after which one is put into meditative sleep.

Del Mundo comes from a family of healers that stretches back more than 100 years.

The ‘‘hilots’’ or ‘‘albularyos’’, as they are called, practise the art of touch therapy and have often been associated with the dark arts, portrayed as gifted healers or mystics who can use black magic to kill.

Many poor Filipinos in remote villages where hospitals and clinics do not exist rely on these healers for quick treatment of common illnesses.

Del Mundo says she is not concerned with the ‘‘material’’ aspect of her craft, saying that her mission is to help the people and pass on her knowledge.

‘‘My vision is to have one hilot per home,’’ del Mundo said. ‘‘All of us are gifted healers because we are divine by nature.

‘‘Imagine a poor mother who has nothing but her soothing words and gentle hands to help ease a sick child’s pain, and imagine if she learned how to cure, then that would help her even if a doctor is not around.’’

healer - a person who has the power to heal people without using ordinary medicines นักบำบัดรักษา
rustle - a soft and dry sound เสียงดังกรอบแกรบ
spring - a place where water naturally flows out from the ground น้ำพุธรรมชาติ
soothing - making you feel calm มีลักษณะ (ปลอบ,ปลอบโยน,ปลอบขวัญ,ประโลมใจ,ทำให้บรรเทา,ลด)
backdrop - the view behind something ฉากหลัง
worldweary - someone who is worldweary is not enthusiastic about anything, often because they have had too much experience of a particular way of life เบื่อโลก
indigenous - naturally existing in a place or country rather than arriving from another place เกี่ยวกับชนพื้นเมือง
the mainstream - the way of life or set of beliefs accepted by most people แนวความคิดคนส่วนใหญ่
clad - dressed or covered สวมใส่
accupressure - a traditional Chinese medicine technique which involves placing physical pressure by hand, elbow, or with the aid of various devices on different points on the surface of the body กดจุด
toxins - poisonous substances, especially ones which are produced by bacteria and which cause disease พิษ
dehydrated - lost water from your body สูญเสียน้ำจากร่างกาย (ทางการแพทย์)
lingering - lasting a long time อย่างอ้อยอิ่ง
reflexology - a treatment in which your feet are rubbed and pressed in a special way in order to improve blood flow and help you relax การนวดเท้า
meditative - thinking carefully about something ซึ่งไตร่ตรอง
mystics - people who attempt to be united with God through prayer ผู้มีเวทย์มนต์
remote - far away in distance ไกล
craft - skill and experience, especially in relation to making objects ทักษะ
divine - connected with a god, or like a god เกี่ยวกับพระเจ้า, เกี่ยวกับวิญญาณ
ease - to make or become less severe, difficult, unpleasant, painful, etc ทำให้ง่าย

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 06:20 AM

Korean pop culture

Lesson by Zack Laohavoravudhikul

There’s probably nothing hotter than the Korean fever that’s been bombarding Thailand and the rest of Asia for some time now. The recent visit by a Korean girl band, The Wonder Girls, is a testament to their success of having reached cult status among both the young and old here. After reading our lesson this week, you can discuss with your friends what started this Korean wave and what impact it has on their economy.

bombarding - attacking a place with continuous shooting or bombs กระหน่ำ
testament - proof ข้อพิสูจน์ชัดแจ้ง
cult status - the condition of being adored or worshipped by many people สิ่งที่ฮิตราวกับเป็นลัทธิ
impact - a powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a situation or person ผลกระทบ

To download audio file, right click here

Surf's (still) up

Story by SIRINYA WATTANASUKCHAI

A Korean Wave is sweeping across Thailand, entrapping Thai youth

kpop3

Once the Korean series is over, the next thing Warakorn Panithanarak does is Google a cute and compact powder case she has just seen one of the characters take out from her purse.

‘‘[The package] was so cute and attractive,’’ said the 21-year-old Thammasat University student. That cute little compact case led her into a world of pretty little things from Etude and Skin Food, two of the most popular Korean cosmetic brands among young Thais today.

Even better, these cosmetics turn out to be affordable enough to allow youths to wear light make-up similar to the beautiful females portrayed in the dramas.

Korean drama — a part of the ‘‘Korean Wave’’ — now works as an inter-Asia advertising medium, says Assoc Prof Ubonrat Siriyuvasak, an expert on media and culture.

Take a look around Bangkok and you’ll see an increasing number of Korean restaurants. The youths sport spiky haircuts like those worn by K-pop singers, and the girls put on light make-up to further enhance the size of their ‘‘Big Eye Circle’’ contact lenses.

Warakorn and her friends enjoy the affordable cute Korean cosmetics while her family has become big fans of Samsung and LG products since the 10-year-long economic crisis has made such electronic devices very affordable; even cheaper than items imported from Japan.

kpop1

Another K-pop fan is 20-year-old Unchisa Charoensawadsiri. Although she’s still loyal to Thai cosmetic brands, the Chulalongkorn University student agrees that the fine quality of K-pop songs have slightly changed her perspective on Korean products. That is, if the songs and singers meet these high standards, then products born from Korea, including electrical appliances, should be on the same par, she says.

‘‘Now we are beginning to perceive that Samsung is better than Sony,’’ said Ubonrat.

Korean wave - a craze for Korean stars and products เกาหลีฟีเวอร์
entrapping - causing someone to do something that they would not usually do ทำให้ติดกับดัก
series - a set of TV broadcasts on the same subject or using the same characters but in different situations หนังชุด
compact powder case - a small flat case which contains women's face powder ตลับแป้ง
affordable - not expensive ไม่แพง
portrayed - represented or described someone or something พรรณา
medium - a method or way of expressing something สื่อ
spiky haircuts - haircuts with short pointed pieces of hair ผมทรงตั้งๆ
K-pop - Korean popular music เพลงป้อปแบบเกาหลี
enhance - to improve the quality, amount or strength of something ปรับปรุง
cosmetics - substances that you put on your face or body which are intended to improve its appearance เครื่องสำอาง
crisis - a situation that has reached and extremely difficult or dangerous point ช่วงวิกฤต
loyal - firm and not changing in your friendship with or support for a person or an organization, or in your belief in your principles ซื่อสัตย์
perspective - a particular way of considering something ทัศนคติ
electrical appliances - instruments or tools that run on electricity เครื่องใช้ไฟฟ้า
on the same par - on the same level ในระดับเดียวกัน
perceive - to come to an opinion about something, or have a belief about something รับรู้

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 01:50 AM

	Weekend Practice
Words in the News General News Easy English News Easy Business News Economics and Business Business Words in the News Teaching with the Bangkok Post Feature Focus From the Weeklies Mainly for Fun Hey kids! Weekend Practice Lessons on H.M.the King Focus on Thailand Buddhism Business and Economics Library 60 years ago General Links Terry's blog About Site General suggestions for teachers Building your vocabulary Suggestions for learners Suggestions for parents Who is Acharn Terry? Who is Acharn Jon?	March 06, 2010 Spiritual healing Lesson by Zack Laohavoravudhikul Despite the advancement of modern medicine, we can still see quite a lot of people in almost every society willing to try an alternative treatment for their sicknesses. Our story this week is about a spiritual healer in the Philippines who helps the sick get better and hopes to have her medical practice passed on to others. Whether or not you think such treatments will work is something that you can discuss with your friends. To download audio file, right click here Philippine healer revives ancient practice JASON GUTIERREZ BAY, PHILIPPINES Traditional Philippine healer Nonie del Mundo soaks in naturally warm spring water in the town of Bay, Laguna, before leading a healing session. AFP The gentle rustle of leaves and a bubbling spring provide a soothing backdrop as traditional Philippine healer Nonie del Mundo sends a worldweary couple into a deep sleep. ‘‘They are now in a dreamless state, which will help them reconnect with the higher being, or God if you will,’’ said del Mundo, a 58-year-old grandmother and one-time real-estate broker who heads the Hilot Pinoy movement seeking to bring back indigenous healing to the mainstream. Two assistants clad in white then place heated glasses with trapped smoke on acupressure points on her clients’ backs. Called ‘‘bentosa’’, the centuries-old method is meant to stimulate blood flow, heal colds and remove toxins from the body. The woman, she says, needs to cleanse her kidneys and gall bladder, while the husband is healthier if a little dehydrated. The session takes about three hours, beginning with a lingering bath in naturally warm spring water. It is then followed by ‘‘dagdagay’’, or reflexology of the foot where nerves are connected to the head zone, after which one is put into meditative sleep. Del Mundo comes from a family of healers that stretches back more than 100 years. The ‘‘hilots’’ or ‘‘albularyos’’, as they are called, practise the art of touch therapy and have often been associated with the dark arts, portrayed as gifted healers or mystics who can use black magic to kill. Many poor Filipinos in remote villages where hospitals and clinics do not exist rely on these healers for quick treatment of common illnesses. Del Mundo says she is not concerned with the ‘‘material’’ aspect of her craft, saying that her mission is to help the people and pass on her knowledge. ‘‘My vision is to have one hilot per home,’’ del Mundo said. ‘‘All of us are gifted healers because we are divine by nature. ‘‘Imagine a poor mother who has nothing but her soothing words and gentle hands to help ease a sick child’s pain, and imagine if she learned how to cure, then that would help her even if a doctor is not around.’’ healer - a person who has the power to heal people without using ordinary medicines นักบำบัดรักษา rustle - a soft and dry sound เสียงดังกรอบแกรบ spring - a place where water naturally flows out from the ground น้ำพุธรรมชาติ soothing - making you feel calm มีลักษณะ (ปลอบ,ปลอบโยน,ปลอบขวัญ,ประโลมใจ,ทำให้บรรเทา,ลด) backdrop - the view behind something ฉากหลัง worldweary - someone who is worldweary is not enthusiastic about anything, often because they have had too much experience of a particular way of life เบื่อโลก indigenous - naturally existing in a place or country rather than arriving from another place เกี่ยวกับชนพื้นเมือง the mainstream - the way of life or set of beliefs accepted by most people แนวความคิดคนส่วนใหญ่ clad - dressed or covered สวมใส่ accupressure - a traditional Chinese medicine technique which involves placing physical pressure by hand, elbow, or with the aid of various devices on different points on the surface of the body กดจุด toxins - poisonous substances, especially ones which are produced by bacteria and which cause disease พิษ dehydrated - lost water from your body สูญเสียน้ำจากร่างกาย (ทางการแพทย์) lingering - lasting a long time อย่างอ้อยอิ่ง reflexology - a treatment in which your feet are rubbed and pressed in a special way in order to improve blood flow and help you relax การนวดเท้า meditative - thinking carefully about something ซึ่งไตร่ตรอง mystics - people who attempt to be united with God through prayer ผู้มีเวทย์มนต์ remote - far away in distance ไกล craft - skill and experience, especially in relation to making objects ทักษะ divine - connected with a god, or like a god เกี่ยวกับพระเจ้า, เกี่ยวกับวิญญาณ ease - to make or become less severe, difficult, unpleasant, painful, etc ทำให้ง่าย Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 06:20 AM February 20, 2010 Korean pop culture Lesson by Zack Laohavoravudhikul There’s probably nothing hotter than the Korean fever that’s been bombarding Thailand and the rest of Asia for some time now. The recent visit by a Korean girl band, The Wonder Girls, is a testament to their success of having reached cult status among both the young and old here. After reading our lesson this week, you can discuss with your friends what started this Korean wave and what impact it has on their economy. bombarding - attacking a place with continuous shooting or bombs กระหน่ำ testament - proof ข้อพิสูจน์ชัดแจ้ง cult status - the condition of being adored or worshipped by many people สิ่งที่ฮิตราวกับเป็นลัทธิ impact - a powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a situation or person ผลกระทบ To download audio file, right click here Surf's (still) up Story by SIRINYA WATTANASUKCHAI A Korean Wave is sweeping across Thailand, entrapping Thai youth Once the Korean series is over, the next thing Warakorn Panithanarak does is Google a cute and compact powder case she has just seen one of the characters take out from her purse. ‘‘[The package] was so cute and attractive,’’ said the 21-year-old Thammasat University student. That cute little compact case led her into a world of pretty little things from Etude and Skin Food, two of the most popular Korean cosmetic brands among young Thais today. Even better, these cosmetics turn out to be affordable enough to allow youths to wear light make-up similar to the beautiful females portrayed in the dramas. Korean drama — a part of the ‘‘Korean Wave’’ — now works as an inter-Asia advertising medium, says Assoc Prof Ubonrat Siriyuvasak, an expert on media and culture. Take a look around Bangkok and you’ll see an increasing number of Korean restaurants. The youths sport spiky haircuts like those worn by K-pop singers, and the girls put on light make-up to further enhance the size of their ‘‘Big Eye Circle’’ contact lenses. Warakorn and her friends enjoy the affordable cute Korean cosmetics while her family has become big fans of Samsung and LG products since the 10-year-long economic crisis has made such electronic devices very affordable; even cheaper than items imported from Japan. Another K-pop fan is 20-year-old Unchisa Charoensawadsiri. Although she’s still loyal to Thai cosmetic brands, the Chulalongkorn University student agrees that the fine quality of K-pop songs have slightly changed her perspective on Korean products. That is, if the songs and singers meet these high standards, then products born from Korea, including electrical appliances, should be on the same par, she says. ‘‘Now we are beginning to perceive that Samsung is better than Sony,’’ said Ubonrat. Korean wave - a craze for Korean stars and products เกาหลีฟีเวอร์ entrapping - causing someone to do something that they would not usually do ทำให้ติดกับดัก series - a set of TV broadcasts on the same subject or using the same characters but in different situations หนังชุด compact powder case - a small flat case which contains women's face powder ตลับแป้ง affordable - not expensive ไม่แพง portrayed - represented or described someone or something พรรณา medium - a method or way of expressing something สื่อ spiky haircuts - haircuts with short pointed pieces of hair ผมทรงตั้งๆ K-pop - Korean popular music เพลงป้อปแบบเกาหลี enhance - to improve the quality, amount or strength of something ปรับปรุง cosmetics - substances that you put on your face or body which are intended to improve its appearance เครื่องสำอาง crisis - a situation that has reached and extremely difficult or dangerous point ช่วงวิกฤต loyal - firm and not changing in your friendship with or support for a person or an organization, or in your belief in your principles ซื่อสัตย์ perspective - a particular way of considering something ทัศนคติ electrical appliances - instruments or tools that run on electricity เครื่องใช้ไฟฟ้า on the same par - on the same level ในระดับเดียวกัน perceive - to come to an opinion about something, or have a belief about something รับรู้ Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 01:50 AM
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March 06, 2010

Spiritual healing

To download audio file, right click here

Philippine healer revives ancient practice

February 20, 2010

Korean pop culture

To download audio file, right click here

Surf's (still) up