# data[].attributes.body
Syria holds the largest refugee populations in the world, with 14 million Syrian nationality was enforced to leave homes for their own safety (Syria Refugee Crisis Explained, n.d.).  The conflict in Syria began in March 2011 when anti-government protested against President Assad’s administration. This movement quickly escalated into a civil war when a group of teenagers where violently arrested by the authorities for wall anti-government graffiti. The conflict caused millions of Syrian people have been forced to flee. The Syrian crisis is still ongoing with 70% of Syrians population still in need of humanitarian aid. According to Refugee Council of Australia, the government have last issued refugee visa back in March 2017, with total of 5,620 visas were granted to Syrians (Key Facts on the Conflict in Syria and Iraq, n.d.).

The three health conditions that are considered as priority for the Syrian refugees’ health are Anaemia, Diabetes and Mental Health (Syrian Refugee Health Profiles | Immigrant and Refugee Health | CDC, 2019).

Anaemia: Anaemia is a condition that refers to the amount of red blood cells being low count than its normal or simply called, iron deficiency. This health condition is very common in Syrian refugees. According to WHO, refugee camps for Syrians showed that 48.8% are children up to 5 years of age and 44.8% of women have suffered from anaemia (Syrian Refugee Health Profile | CDC, 2023). The treatment for this condition depends on the severity but it can involve taking iron supplements that assist to increase the iron in the body.

Diabetes: Diabetes is a condition where blood glucose (also called blood sugar) is too high. High glucose level in body can cause nerve and blood vessel damage. Long term complication caused by diabetes could be heart problems, eye, kidney and even damaging the feet. It was reported in 2017 that the case of diabetes in Syrian adults have reached to 705, 700 (Khan et al., 2019). The treatment for this condition also depends on its type or level of severity. Most cases involve checking the blood sugar level frequently and taking insulin injections as their maintenance.

Mental Health: Mental health problem includes depression, anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder and it becomes common issue to Syrian refugees due to civil war and their displacement. They have been exposed to numbers of traumatic events such as losing their loved ones, forced to flee from home and their family, witnessing violence, and uncertainty of future. Treatment that can be offered for people who are suffering from mental disorder are counselling, psychological therapies and even taking medications such as anti-depressant pills.

REFERRENCE:
Key facts on the conflict in Syria and Iraq. (n.d.). Www.refugeecouncil.org.au. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/syria-iraq/4/#:~:text=5%2C620%20of%20these%20visas%20went%20to%20Syrians%2C%20and%206%2C380%20to%20Iraqis.&text=Most%20of%20these%20resettled%20in

‌

Syria Refugee Crisis Explained. (n.d.). Www.unrefugees.org. https://www.unrefugees.org/news/syria-refugee-crisis-explained/#WhendidtheSyrianrefugeecrisisbegin?

Syrian Refugee Health Profiles | Immigrant and Refugee Health | CDC. (2019, March 12). Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/profiles/syrian/index.html

Nutritional Status of Women and Child Refugees from Syria — Jordan, April–May 2014. (n.d.). Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6329a6.htm

‌

Khan, Y., Albache, N., Almasri, I., & Gabbay, R. A. (2019). The Management of Diabetes in Conflict Settings: Focus on the Syrian Crisis. Diabetes Spectrum, 32(3), 264–269. https://doi.org/10.2337/ds18-0070

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Education, Working Life Condition and Housing

# data[].attributes.body
Coming to Australia either as migrants or as refugees is not as easy as most people think. There are lots of challenges that needs to face in migrating to Australia. Having applied my own experience, one of the social determinants that my family had to encounter were education, working life condition and housing. Having to applied my own personal experience, my mother could not work in Australia when we have arrived here due to her education background. Despite of holding a degree in the Philippines, it was still a challenge for her as she was not professionally qualified here in Australia. Therefore, her degree was not recognised. And to be able to provide, my mother had to work in a potatoe farm as a farmer, which is very different from her career in the Philippines which was an office secretary. Same story goes with most migrants and refugees in Australia, most of them has a degree back in their countries and a rewarding job but less pay compare to Australia. However, coming to Australia got them to start from the scratch. I personally know a lot of Filipino workers here in Australia, who were previously a professional nurses, managers and teachers back in our country, but their working jobs here in Australia are either kitchen hand, domestic cleaner, retailer, customer assistant, etc. And for them to be able to use their degree here in Australia, they have to go through studying again or taking exams to be qualified. By means, they also have to pay a lot of fees to conduct these education and examinations. Education and working life conditions are both indeed relevant to social determinant that migrants and refugees has to deal and they are facing this because they want to build a better future in Australia for/with their family. Housing is another challenge to refugees and migrants. We all know that renting and buying a house in Australia is quite expensive and challenging. Most of the international student I know are currently renting a room to share with another student, so that they can save money from paying these bills. Another personal experience is when my father first arrived in Australia 15 years ago, he had to share a four-bedroom house with other 3 Filipino families for 2 years. My father always tell me how hard it was when he came here as he got nothing and he had to start again. Most of the time, he would apparently eat instant noodles for meals as he could not use the kitchen to cook proper meal. His room did not have any heater or air-condition, so when it is summer, it was apparently very hot and when it is winter, he would shiver due to coldness. These were just a few things that my father had to endured during his arrival in Australia, so that he can provide us a better life. This is still happening for most newly migrants in Australia and these social determinants can highly impact an individual's overall well-being and health.

# data[].attributes.body
Australia is a multi-cultural country and the population is undeniably made of people all over the world. From migrants to refugees, health workers must be professionally trained to interact with their consumers culturally aware. The competency standard 12.1 clearly stated that clinicians' interactions to patients would evidently shows overall healthcare experience. Therefore, to enhance the health and well-being of Australia's people, culturally responsive clinical practice must be incorporated in health workers' professional development, education, training and  practice (Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds: Competency Standards Framework for Clinicians | VOCEDplus, the International Tertiary Education and Research Database, n.d.). Having cultural awareness at every workplace, will lead to culturally competent and unbiased care. And this also covers improvement in equity and equal access to health care.

REFERRENCE:
Culturally responsive clinical practice: working with people from migrant and refugee backgrounds: competency standards framework for clinicians | VOCEDplus, the international tertiary education and research database. (n.d.). Www.voced.edu.au. Retrieved October 1, 2023, from https://www.voced.edu.au/content/ngv:96595

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Cultural Atlas team acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands throughout Australia on whose country we have the privilege to live and work. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander custodians past, present and emerging.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Cultural Atlas aims to inform and educate the public in cross-cultural attitudes, practices, norms, behaviours, communications and business skills

# data[].attributes.body
Just like the other countries, Philippines has also their own healing practices outside of clinical setting.

I remember when I was a child, I often get fever and my mother used to take me to a local healer, where an individual healer would firstly perform a ritual where hydrated aluminum potassium sulfate will be the main use to diagnose the condition. Then, the healer would give me a traditional massage using herbal oils and plants while he/she is whispering some prayes. The healer is often called "albularyo" in the Philippines and they are typically, similar to shaman. After the procedure, the healer would give some type of herbal oil to take home and instructions on how to use it. And just like the professional doctors, they would also ask for payments and will ask you to come back if your condition did not have any improvement or even worsen.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Even if indigenous healing methods aren't readily available to me, I've found enormous value in learning about how my ancestors took care of themselves.

I recently wondered about healing methods that originated in the Philippines. I was surprised to find quite a few traditional modalities that don't seem to be known in North America.

I found the first few practices through Virgil Mayor Apostol, a Los Angeles-based practitioner who's a descendant of a long line of Filipino healers. He wrote Way of the Ancient Healer: Sacred Teachings from the Philippine Ancestral Traditions as well as the first instructional manual published on Hilot in 1998.

HISTORY OF FILIPINO HEALING TRADITIONS

Traditional Filipino medicine takes a holistic view of the individual, including environmental factors that affect a person's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Healing practices were first documented in the 16th century at the start of Spanish colonization, so it's hard to tell how early they began. The babaylans or shamans - who were women but also men who dressed as women or changed genders - maintained culture, religion, and medicine for their tribes, and communicated with spirits that were thought to be associated with natural phenomena.

According to Apostol, the traditional Filipino medical system was composed of various specialties: midwifery, pulse diagnosis, bonesetting, herbology, suction cupping, skin scraping, herbal steam and smoke, energy medicine, and other forms of metaphysical healing.

Each area and group of people had their own set of healers, who passed down their knowledge to children at an early age.

Along with other cultural traditions, the healing arts began to fade in the 17th century, and continued with the introduction of hospitals and Western medicine after the Americans arrived.

There are more traditional techniques still practiced in the Philippines, but these are the most known.

Hilot / Ablon

A recognized technique also practiced in other parts of Asia, Hilot or Ablon is often mischaracterized as a type of massage and offered at spas to attract tourists.

It involves the hands and is akin to osteopathy, acupressure, and chiropractic or physical therapy. The practitioner, called a manghihilot or mangablon, detects areas of congestion and treats skeletal misalignments and energy imbalances through a person's urat (nerve or vein), pennet (tendons, ligaments, or sinewy structures), lasag (flesh or muscle structure through which urat and pennet flow), and tulang (bones).

Herbs, plants, and oils may also be integrated.

Subcategories of ablon include pekkel - using hands to rub the injured area - and ablon seated therapy, which treats the upper body, such as neck and shoulder joints.

Apostol's " Ablon Chirothesia " treats back and neck problems, strain and sport-related injuries, headaches, sprains, and nerve disorders.

Herbalism and Plant Medicine

An albularyo is a practitioner who uses a combination of modalities: herbalism, prayers, incantations, and mysticism, similar to a shaman.

The Philippines is home to 10,000 to 14,000 plant species. While 1,500 of them contain potential medicinal value, only 120 have been scientifically validated.

The Philippine Department of Health endorsed just 10 medicinal plants that can be used in herbal teas, tinctures, fluid extracts, poultices (vegetable fat mixtures), tablets, supplements, powders, creams, and essential oils.

Lyn Pacificar, an albularya in California, manufactures products containing herbs traditionally used for healing.

This short video is in Tagalog, but gives a sense of how albularyos/albularyas use herbs today:

Tuob

The tuob (boiling) ritual involves the sick person wrapped in a blanket or cloth, sitting over a jar heated by coal, or hovering above a steaming pot. The healer rubs essential oils over the heated patient and chants a healing mantra.

Benefits of tuob include detoxification, cleansing the skin, muscle relaxation, increasing body metabolism, boosting the immune system, keeping mucous membranes from drying, and relieving comfort from asthma, allergies, and arthritis.

Cupping Therapy

Ventosa or suction cupping involves special heated cups that form a seal or vacuum to help ease sore muscles. It is a common practice in other areas of Asia, such as China.

Faith or Spiritual Healing

As the spiritual element is of importance, practitioners may ask questions that are origin oriented, such as why the patient believes they were injured, and counsel them on spiritual matters related to the event of origin.

As part of her practice, Pacificar senses energies, auras, and passed figures who may have been related to the patient.

Spiritual rituals that may be integrated with bodywork include bulong (whispered prayers) and orasyon (recited or written prayers). Despite the introduction of Christianity in the 16th century, indigenous healing methods maintained an integration with spirituality.

HOPE FOR REVIVAL

The Philippines remains the best place to experience these practices. An Institute for Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) established in 1997 promotes and advocates traditional and alternative health care modalities, through scientific research and product development.

In 2001, there were approximately 250,000 traditional medicine practitioners in the Philippines, far more than the 70,000 active Western medicine practitioners today.

The "healing huts" at the island province of Siquijor are one example of how tourism attracts patients.

Due to medical regulations that vary in each country, not all traditional Filipino modalities may be available in your area. With research, you may find healers like Apostol, Pacificar, or Lorelie Luna in Australia.

Despite technological advancement, modern disease continues to plague us. Even if indigenous healing methods aren't readily available to me, I've still found enormous value in learning about how my ancestors took care of themselves.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Indigenous Filipino healing practices - Cold Tea Collective

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Even if indigenous healing methods aren't readily available to me, I've found enormous value in learning about how my ancestors took care of themselves.

# data[].attributes.wish_content.attachment_props.question
Do you personally know a Filipino nurse in your local clinic or hospital?

# data[].attributes.wish_content.attachment_props.poll_choices[].choice_text
Yes, he/she is actually my friend/relative.

# data[].attributes.wish_content.attachment_props.poll_choices[].choice_text
Yes, he/she attended me when I needed care.

# data[].attributes.body
Lupang Hinirang is Philippines' national anthem. When this song has played in public or private settings and in any type of occasion, Filipino individuals are meant to stop from whatever they are doing, place their right hand to where the heart is located and either sing along with the music or pay respect by being quiet.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Philippine National Anthem - "Lupang Hinirang" (TL/EN)

# data[].attributes.body
During the U.S. colonisation in Philippines back in 1898, U.S. provided an American nursing programs (Why Are There so Many Filipino Nurses in the U.S.?, 2022).

Filipino nurses are known for their professional work ethics, providing outstanding care to their patients, beyond exceptional service and being natural and genuine in hospitality.

The Philippines has the largest number in nursing industry around the world. An astounding 85% of professional Filipino nurses work outside of the Philippines (Lorenzo FME, et al.).

From 2001-2006, about more than 1,000 qualified Filipino nurses have migrated to Australia. Following the United Kingdom/Ireland with 2,081 migrated nurses, Philippines is the second main provider of Australia's international degree-holder (Hawthorne L., 2011).

REFERRENCE:
Short, S., Hawthorne, L., Sampford, C., Marcus, K., & Ransome, W. (n.d.). “Filipino nurses down under”: Filipino nurses in Australia. https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au/bitstream/handle/10072/50813/81600_1.pdf

# data[].attributes.body
Philippine's national dish is Adobo. It is best to pair it with a bowl or more of hot steamed rice. By far, Adobo is the easiest Filipino dish to cook. It is a constant dish that most of the Filipino household would cook for lunch or dinner. It is rich in protein due to its main ingredients which can be either pork or chicken. Other optional ingredients are boiled egg, carrot, potatoe and pineapple.

Here's how to cook Adobo:

Ingredients:

FOR CHICKEN AND MARINADE:

- 1kg any chicken parts

- 4 minced garlic cloves

- 1/3 cup of light soy sauce

- 1/3 cup of vinegar

- 5 dried bay leaves

FOR COOKING:

- 2 tbsp oil

- 3 minced garlic cloves

- 1 diced brown onion

- 2 cups of water

- 2 tbsp of brown sugar

- 1 tbsp whole black pepper

OPTIONAL:
- Boiled eggs
- Carrots
- Potatoes

Instructions:

Put chicken parts and marinade ingredients in a bowl and marinate it for 1 hour to overnight.

After marinating chicken, heat the oil in the pan on high heat and cook the marinated chicken parts until it gets brown.

Do not over fry the chicken parts, set aside once done.

Using the same oil from the pan where the chicken parts were fried, saute the garlic and onion for 1 minute.

Add the remaining marinade mixture, sugar, water and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes. Once it is simmering, turn the heat into low.

Then add the fried chicken parts into the pan. Simmer it for another 25 minutes (do not stir). Turn chicken parts in every 10 minutes, ensuring all sides will get cook and simmer until the sauce became a thick syrup.

Add optional ingredients and bring it to boil.

Coat chicken in glaze then serve over steamed rice.

NUTRITION INFORMATION:

Serving: 407g
Calories: 350cal (18%)
Carbohydrates: 13g (4%)
Protein: 39g (78%)
Fat: 15g (23%)
Saturated Fat: 3g (19%)
Cholesterol: 178mg (59%)
Sodium: 1458mg (63%)
Potassium: 597mg (17%)
Fiber: 1g (4%)
Sugar: 7g (8%)
Vitamin A: 59IU (1%)
Vitamin C: 3mg (4%)
Calcium: 108mg (11%)
Iron: 2mg (11%)

(Filipino Chicken Adobo (Flavour Kapow!), 2020)

REFERRENCE:
Filipino Chicken Adobo (Flavour Kapow!). (2020, January 6). RecipeTin Eats. https://www.recipetineats.com/filipino-chicken-adobo-flavour-kapow/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Chicken Adobo | Adobong Manok | Cooking guide

# data[].attributes.body
Health to me means being mentally fit for a body to be able to do its role. To my personal experience, when a person is feeling down or stressed, they tend to hunger themselves or consume unhealthy foods and drinks, which is not the best for the body. For me, mental health affects physical health. I believe that with a healthy mindset, comes with a healthy  body.