QUITTING SMOKING AND OTHER NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

On September 20, 1998, three months into my first term as Governor of North Cotabato, I asked my second child, Josa Bernadette, what she wanted for her 9th birthday, Sept. 22.

Brought up in a simple and frugal way of life, Josa Bernadette who we fondly call JB, simply shrugged her frail shoulders and said: “Wala naman akong gusto pa Papa.” (I have nothing more to ask.)

But suddenly, she seemed to remember something and added: “Puede ba papa, gift mo sa akin quit ka na ng smoking?” (Can you quit smoking as your birthday gift for me?)

At that time, I was smoking like a chimney burning three packs of cigarettes a day. I had been smoking since I was 14.

Faced with that request from an innocent and lovely young girl who was not asking anything for herself, I simply could not say No.

And so since Sept. 20, 1998 until today, not a single stick of cigarette ever touched my lips.

Was it difficult to stop smoking?

Of course, it was like going through hell especially after the second and the third day after quitting when the desire to smoke seemed simply irresistible.

But for a little girl I dearly love, I was willing to do it.

It turned out she was right in asking me to quit smoking, after all.

A few years ago, I underwent a thorough medical examination under cardiologist Dr. Bernard Chiew and the results of the tests showed that there was little calcification in a vein in my heart.

Dr. Chiew said the calcification did not develop and it was a result of my decision to quit smoking.

I could only thank my little girl JB, a licensed nurse who is now in her second year in the medical school in Davao City.

Seven years ago, on the recommendation of my EENT Dr. Ben Estrellado, I totally quit drinking alcohol because he found out that my sinusitis was due to an allergy to alcohol.

I have not taken even a drop of alcohol, not even red wine or beer, since then.

Was it hard to quit drinking?

Yes, it was very hard especially when you see people around you drinking and you smell the sweet scent of cognac.

I am relating this personal experience in totally quitting smoking and drinking because I know that it is at this time of the year when people make New Year resolutions like quitting smoking.

Take this from a former chain smoker and heavy drinker: How do you quit smoking and drinking?

The answer is simple: “QUIT.”

Quit cold turkey.

People who will start a process to quit smoking by reducing their cigarette consumption from 3 packs to 2 packs and then 1 pack will never be able to quit smoking.

Drinkers who celebrate three days of successful abstinence from alcohol by drinking beer with friends, will never be able to quit drinking.

QUIT! All you need is a strong will power.