Dry July

Photo c/o 

Without us knowing or realizing it, July is now here, and it's time for Dry July---an online challenge for people to abstain from drinking alcohol the whole month of July to support adults living with cancer. It's been 9 years since the 1st one and every year more and more people are participating to help raise awareness and support to more than 50 different cancer support organisations across Australia and New Zealand.

This would be really challenging for drinkers because it happens at a time when it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere, in New Zealand. According to the Ministry of Health in it's Annual Update of Key Results 2015/16: NZ Health Survey, the hazardous drinking rate has increased since 2006/07, which can only contribute to the general deterioration of the overall health of drinkers.  Furthermore, in the same report it states that "Maori, Pacific peoples and those living in the most deprived areas generally report poorer health than others.  However, Asian health is generally good."

As a Kiwinoy, I can only speak about my first-hand experiences with Filipino drinkers in Aotearoa New Zealand.  I know of kababayans who generally engage in binge drinking, especially during Fridays and Saturdays.  They will rotate the house where they'll do the drinking.  That's one thing about us, we do drink, but it is often inside one's house and not the pubs.  And of course, with the alcoholic drinks comes the pulutan (appetizer) i.e. lechon, sisig, crispy pata, inihaw na isda at baboy, porkchop, BBQ, dinuguan, nearly all types of Filipino food.  It will also be the occasion, when one's regional roots comes into play with the various dishes cooked, most often substituting the ingredients with what is available here.

I wonder how Kiwinoys will work out this Dry July challenge.  Please do share your experiences with me.  Let's have one for the road.  Isa pa nga.