Dear Manang,
Lately, I have been between sweaty and cold. At bedtime, I have a sweatshirt and socks to keep me warm under two blankets. By about 3 a.m., I break out in a sweat and have to remove the sweatshirt and socks only to put them back on at around 5 p.m. During the day, I have to fan myself because there are moments when I feel warm while others are wrapped up. It’s funny but my female friends tell me it is andropause. I am gay so I say is it menopause?
Mickey of Pinget, Baguio City
Dear Mickey,
I am not supposed to answer this because there is a doctor in the house. I can speak on behalf of experiences of some male friends who have undergone it somehow. Yes, men also experience andropause or in the women it is menopause. Funny but they say, they experience the same mood swings and hot flashes (that’s what you call those sweaty episodes through the day and night). Google says it is the lowering of the testosterone levels in the male body. Google says it also has irritability and mood swings, increased body fat and depression. You will just have to live with it.
Stay cool,
Manang
Dear Manang,
Paano ko matutulungan ang mga anak ko sa pagsagot ng mga modules kung hindi rin ako nakapag-aral? Nakatapos ako ng grade 6 pero sa dami ng anak ko, apat sila, na iba’t-ibang grades – grade 1, grade 2, grade 4, at grade 6. Hindi ko alam kung paano sila matulungan. Paano kaya ito?
(How can I help my children answer the modules if I myself didn’t finish school? I reached grade 6 but I have four children and they belong to different grades – grade 1, grade 2, grade 4, and grade 6. I don’t know how to help them. What should I do?)
Cely of Irisan, Baguio City
Dear Cely,
The most difficult to teach is grade 1 because you must teach them how to read before they can even begin to read their lessons. I know that the challenge there is how to begin. I wish I could come to help you but I too was at a loss when my children came to me for help. I didn’t know how to answer the lessons. Perhaps, this is the time to call on the Department of Education to make those modules more reasonable. Please, help these mothers who are not ready for this task. Meanwhile, go to the teacher and ask her to help you. (Editor’s note: The reply forwarded to the concerned parent was answered in Filipino).
You’ll find a way,
Manang
