The Filipino Blog

Bourne Legacy shoot & traffic

2012-01-30T10:03:00.001+08:00

Not everyone is happy about the shooting of Bourne Legacy scenes in the country much less in Metro Manila.

Yeah I know, it's "exposure" for the country, but come on! The places where they shoot are the ones that we'd rather not show the world.

A few weeks back, MMDA and it's tech savy Director Yves Gonzalez (@doblezeta) tweeted about how exciting he was about the shooting. Which probably means, they were talking about the traffic re-routing and things to do to lessen the effect of the shoot to the driving, heck, to the public as a whole.

Yeah, they've closed side streets, informed people thru twitter (but how about those who doesn't have twitter)...well there will be some who would argue that those who has a twitter account would probably have a car anyway, so they can avoid those areas affected...NOT!

I wonder what "adjustments" were made by the MMDA to soften the impact (if there is really one in the first place). Just last Saturday, there was a shoot at EDSA-Taft (very very busy intersection), an advisory was sent out, routes to avoid the supposed area. Well, the MMDA didn't even adjust traffic lights timing, widened the opening of the barriers in the alternate routes.

Just this morning, Monday...they closed off the Roxas Blvd-Buendia intersection, including the lane going to Makati, there was a bus dangling on a crane and from the radio, I learned that the crew wants to close the southbound lane of Roxas Blvd too! Wow, talk about cooperation and planning.
sent using Gmail on a Motorola Xoom

Bound for the scrap yard

2012-01-30T09:43:00.000+08:00

That's an MMDA vehicle, dilapidated cars, according to the MMDA manual is not allowed on the road. Perhaps a case of "look who's talking" now?

Cause of traffic now!

2012-01-30T09:24:00.000+08:00

This is what's causing it. That's a bus dangling from a crane. Traffic is heavy!

Why is it not Stork?

2012-01-26T21:17:00.000+08:00

Why did they change the name?

Understanding K-12

2012-01-10T11:59:00.001+08:00

I was so furious when I learned that the Department of Education will be implementing the K-12 program this year. I am...because my daughter will be affected by it (so selfish of me).

What is K-12?
Simply put, elementary and high school will now be a total of 12 years, compared to what we're used to that is 10 years. So that's an additional 2 years for the students before going to college.

A lot of arguements about it came out, but I'm not going to pick on those arguments here. I will instead share what I've learned from my High School teacher when I accidentally bumped into her a couple of days back.

She explained, this is how it's going to be at UST Pay High School...incoming 1st years will stay in high school for 4 years (just like the old style), they will be called Junior High School or grade 7-10. On the 5th year (grade 11 or Senior High School) they will be asked as to what course are they inclined to take in college.

Let's say for example, a child wants to go into Medical Technology, he/she will then be sent to the College of Med Tech (depending on the University) and will be enrolled in classes inclined towards Medical Technology (or what ever course they've planned to take), but they are still technically in High School.

After Senior High (grade 11-12), they will now go to their own chosen courses as first year college (which is still start with a 4-yr course).

Now, let's say, the child doesn't have anything in mind for his/her college course, for his/her Senior High, they will be given technical courses (TESDA), so that when they graduate "high school", the child is now ready to join the working class, armed with a technical certificate. This is very advantageous to kids who's parents cannot afford to send them to college.

Pretty nifty if you ask me.

sent using Gmail on a Motorola Xoom

Ok drive today

2012-01-09T17:47:00.001+08:00

Traffic today was more than ok from the usual Monday. Encountered a slight delay at the Osmeña-Quirino and V. Mapa-Ramon Magsaysay intersections respectively but overall it was ok. Heck, even Baclaran traffic was unusually light.

Of course I couldn't comment on the areas affected by the Black Nazarene procession.

sent using Gmail on a Motorola Xoom

Wi-tribe signal testing - Rockwell

2012-01-07T11:35:00.001+08:00

Wi-tribe has no signal at the basement of Powerplant Mall. But was at it's very best once I went out (Starbucks, Cibo area).

sent using Gmail on a Motorola Xoom

The Starbucks Planner - got it

2012-01-07T11:27:00.000+08:00

Finally, got the Starbucks Planner, next question is, what to do with it. Thanks to Starbucks who perhaps overestimated the follower's eagerness to collect stickers for their annual planner giveaway, they did the double sticker promo, that's the reason why, I have this right now.

I like the design, how it looks from the outside (I haven't explored the inside yet, that'll be next). But I don't have a use for a paper planner...I have my phones, tablets, notebook computers and PC's for that.

Langka or Jackfruit

2011-12-29T10:04:00.000+08:00

For breakfast! Wow! Been a long time since I ate these fresh and no preservatives. Bango!

Butong Pakwan

2011-12-28T13:29:00.000+08:00

Bata penge!

"Daang Matuwid"

2011-12-14T11:48:00.000+08:00

This is a typical "eskinita" in Manila. The path is already too narrow and yet most people would do their chores on the path itself like cooking, washing clothes, even lounging and drinking sessions are done here. It becomes an extension of the house.

The Tilted Bus

2011-12-14T11:43:00.000+08:00

This is a common sight here in the Philippines where transportation officials ignore they exist.

MOA Ferris Wheel

2011-12-06T11:42:00.000+08:00

This was taken last week, there's a lot of progress that happened in a week though. Last sunday, the arms has been attached.

We're still wondering though if it's going to be as big as the London Eye.

And...I'm a bit skeptic on the location. Wouldn't it be a hazard when there's a typhoon?

Insider info on GMA fiasco

2011-11-19T16:31:00.000+08:00

I love reading these opinions. If one is observant enough, there are lots of information available for one to piece together what's happening in the government and how they work.

WiFi signal boosters at the Pico Sands Hotel

2011-11-17T08:24:00.000+08:00

These are the wifi signal booster antenna at the Pico Sands Hotel, Pico de Loro, Hamilo Coast at Nasugbu Batangas.

I was wondering where the wirelss APs in the hotel, until I saw these outside, point to the rooms! Clever!

WiFi signal boosters at the Pico Sands Hotel

2011-11-17T07:17:00.000+08:00

These are the wifi signal booster antenna at the Pico Sands Hotel, Pico de Loro, Hamilo Coast at Nasugbu Batangas.

I was wondering where the wirelss APs in the hotel, until I saw these outside, point to the rooms! Clever!

Anne Curtis Fan

2011-11-16T23:18:00.000+08:00

I wonder what this guy is going to do with the picture of Anne Curtis' poster? Your guess is as good as mine

Another angle of the SM Mall of Asia Giant Snow Globe

2011-11-16T23:17:00.000+08:00

This is the entrance to the giant snow globe but is just one of the two "gates" to the whole centerpiece exhibit

The Giant Snow Globe at Mall of Asia

2011-11-16T23:15:00.000+08:00

This is the Giant Snow Globe at SM Mall of Asia. Part of the Christmas centerpiece of the mall.

Looks like it's cold inside and there's even fake-snow constantly falling from the top. People can have their pictures taken inside the globe for a minimal fee...P50 I think

Christmas Season at the SM Mall of Asia

2011-11-16T13:19:00.000+08:00

They're out! Every year, SM Mall of Asia would have a different design for their centerpiece.

This year, a Santa House, a layered stage and a huge Snow Globe.

The New Ford Ranger (Philippines Edition)

2011-11-16T13:15:00.000+08:00

The new Ford Ranger looks a lot like the Toyota Fortuner. I haven't seen one in person, but this photo is pretty convincing.

I wonder if it looks as big. The old Ranger's size is at the level of the D-max...smaller than the Fortuner and Strada.

Lakeview (Pico de Loro)

2011-11-12T08:03:00.000+08:00

Awesome view of the man-made-lake here at Pico de Loro

"Healthy" food!

2011-11-11T19:51:00.000+08:00

This is how "meals" should be!

Sunset by the Cove

2011-11-11T16:49:00.000+08:00

Beach Wedding

2011-11-11T16:20:00.000+08:00

My 1st time to attend a beach wedding...and 1st time here at Pico de Loro (Hamilo Coast)

Privilege Truck

2011-11-10T13:11:00.000+08:00

Are government cars exempted from following the law?

Does it goes the same with people in government?

Why?

Waiting for the "spider"

2011-11-10T13:02:00.000+08:00

Check it out...this is at the corner of V. Mapa and Ramon Magsaysay blvd in Sta. Mesa Manila, will you consider this an inspiring site?

Heck not even Spiderman will dare go close these crisscrossing power cables, can't the govt and the utility companies do something about it?

MMDA guy hiding his face

2011-09-24T00:26:00.001+08:00

Here's that MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) guy who was
standing in the middle of the lane that didn't budge even when cars
almost hit him.

Kept on hiding his face, under that helmet is a ski mask he can easily
flip over his mouth and nose. And that lady is with him

Strange Frog

2011-09-24T00:20:00.001+08:00

Another one of those 'strange' frogs that I blogged before. I've never
seen this kind before this year. They look like they're not from the
Philippines

ARROGANT MMDA Personnel

2011-09-19T09:40:00.001+08:00

After turning right from Coral Way to Macapagal Blvd., this MMDA personnel in green shirt, wearing a ski mask covering his face and wearing a helmet, was on the middle of the right most lane, just standing there, didn't even bother moving to the side of the road as cars were passing by, it was on an incline and when I swerved to the left almost hitting another car, this guy didn't even budge, thus causing traffic in the area as cars were trying to avoid him on that side and other cars trying to avoid the other MMDA personnel on the other side of the road just beneath the MMDA tower. Overall, only 2 lanes were available for the vehicles.

I went down my car and irritably accosted that MMDA guy, who I asked for a name and ID, I was trying to get his picture when a certain Guarin wearing the usual blue MMDA uniform, approached us, an both of them said that they have to be in the middle of the road to apprehend motorists because they are in an official operation. I was telling them my point to stay off the middle of the lane, if, i wasn't careful I would've hit him. As the argument went on, this Guarin guy, got his ID and said "GUSTO MO NG ID, ETONG ID KO, ISUSUPALPAL KO SYO" and made several times to act as if he's going to punch me to a point where he shoved the phone i was using to take his picture. Then this guy, PASOC came and defended that they have to be in the middle of the road and even told me that "SYEMPRE MAINIT ULO MO, IINIT DIN ULO NYA". At this time GUARIN rode on a motorscooter, drove off, while saying HINDI AKO MAGPAPAKUHA NG LITRATO SYO!

I understand the MMDA is doing it's job to ease traffic congestion in the metropolis, but the actions of your enforcers should be within limits and controlled. They should be ready to respond to situations such as this. It irritated me that the people that should be helping make traffic flow smoothly and safely, are the ones causing it. I was with my family then, and from the intersection to where the MMDA with a ski mask and helmet was standing was just a few meters away, and if a driver is not paying attention, your personnel could be hurt, which of course the blame will be put on the driver.

And I can't let go the actions of that GUARIN guy, there should be no place in the government, in ANY of it's agency, for HOT HEADED people like him. That's the same reason why I did not work for the government, that your people should be ready for any IRATE driver that they will encounter. Perhaps a psychological evaluation will be a good option before hiring individuals for the job. It's in your website that they should be courteous even as they apprehend offending drivers, but this situation seems to be far from what your website is telling the public. As a citizen, I felt it my duty to remind these men to do their jobs properly, in order.

Your jobs may not be easy, but since you applied for it, you signed a contract or took an oath, as PUBLIC SERVANTS, your actions are and will always be viewed flawed especially in the nature of your job and with bias of culture against traffic cops. How can drivers respect them when they don't show respect to others and to their jobs, I don't think they realize that respect doesn't come with the uniform.

Morayta

2011-08-23T21:07:00.001+08:00

This is one of my hated place in the city. The corner of PRC
(Professional Regulation Commission) and Nicanor Reyes St., (formerly
Morayta).

That corner is an example of how arrogant and unfriendly place can be.
Jeepneys will stop at their will, that corner there serves as a
"terminal" for jeepneys going to Gastambide and Tutuban.

These drivers and their barkers don't care if they are blocking the
way of other motorists as long as they can do their thing. And if you
pick a fight with them, they're either smash your car's windows or
give the oldest, lamest excuse..."kasi naghahanap-buhay lang".

Then that sign, oh please! And yet the jeepneys are there blocking and
obstructing the streets.

Rotting Ambulances

2011-08-19T16:36:00.000+08:00

These are government cars, rotting on the sidewalks of the Las Pinas District Hospital.

The problem with the government is, we don't have funding for the maintenance of the service vehicles. Thus, most of the time, these cars are the disposable types. Once they break down, it will be very difficult to put it back together.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Razon's

2011-07-31T17:59:00.001+08:00

I love meat, I love bulalo, I love sizzling meat, I love sizzling bulalo and the ones at Razon's it my favorite. It's got the right flavor and the meat, oh the meat...it's not hard...almost melts in my mouth.

Not only do I love the sizzling bulalo, I also like the dinuguan. Very few restaurants make good (in my opinion) dinuguan. Unlike the ones from Lydia's lechon where the dinuguan is mostly of pork kidneys, Razon's have a good mixture of intestines, cartilages and meat...and the taste matches the sweetness of the puto paired with it.

And Razon's wouldn't be complete if i wouldn't mention the Halo-halo. It may not have a lot of "halo" in it, just finely shaved ice, sweetened saging na saba, and macapuno...that's it, but the taste is heavenly! Oh yum! Coming back will never be a problem :-)

sent using Gmail on a Motorola Xoom

San Miguel Church beside Malacanang

2011-07-23T20:31:00.001+08:00

We've been looking for a church to have the kids Confirmed. How ironic that it was my tita from the states who will lead us to this Church.

It's beside the Presidential Palace, and not a big church. What caught my eye is the giant sculpture of Michael the Archangel getting ready to say the devil.

On Jul 23, 2011 8:15 PM, <ganmontenegro@gmail.com> wrote:
> We've been looking for a church to have the kids Confirmed. How ironic that it was my tita from the states who will lead us to this Church.
>
> It's beside the Presidential Palace, and not a big church. What caught my eye is the giant sculpture of Michael the Archangel getting ready to say the devil.
> Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

The Jeepney

2011-06-17T07:47:00.001+08:00

It's the symbol of Filipino ingenuity, how the Philippines was able to overcome the consequences of war. But now, the jeepney has become the symbol of how we, the Filipinos have become undisciplined, chaotic people.

The way it swerves from one lane to another, the way it just stops in the middle of the street, unmindful of the other cars around it. The way we tend to ignore how it breaks traffic rules just because of the excuse "naghahanapbuhay lang po", setting side order and replacing it with twisted compassion.

It, together with the pedicabs, the tricycles and the busses bully the other drivers who follow traffic rules and regulations, in turn, becoming an example to the youth and other drivers.

And was has the government done? Nothing, again, because of twisted compassion. Unless otherwise corrected, we will never be progressive.

sent using Gmail on a Motorola Xoom

Traffic Jams

2011-06-10T16:00:00.001+08:00

This will be a never ending rant about traffic jams, though I know that I am not alone irritated by something that can be remedied.

It's acceptable if a problem has a very slim chance of finding a solution, say, the environmental heat in the Philippines, heck we can't di anything about that, but the next best thing is, well, turn on the airconditioning units. Which in turn will jack up your electricity bills.

What's adding insult to injury are the stupid public utility drivers! Yes, those idiotic, moronic jeepney, bus and taxi drivers who uses the road as if no one else is there, and yet, when they hit you, al they can give you is a black stare coupled with a scratch in the head.

The solution on the other hand is doing nothing. We have the so-called traffic enforcers that does nothing to prevent the traffic from building up in their jurisdictions. Even their superiors are in such a moronic state that planning has always been short-term.

If only traffic laws are implemented properly and correctly. Heck if only the laws are implemented period! We Filipinos are too forgivingm, a trait that endears us to some but kills our potential growth as a whole.

So is there still hope? I don't think so. Usually the hope comes from the elected officials, but most often than not, the priorities of these so-called public servants are self-serving. But hey, what can we do, the majority voted for them, so let them suffer!

sent using Gmail on a Motorola Xoom

Horrible Traffic Jams

2011-06-02T13:07:00.001+08:00

Mixed feelings with those Maynilad & Manila Water diggings, these are long term investments...but the way it was planned was terrible. They did not consider the timing as most will not be finish by school time. Though to their credit, work is fairly faster than usual.

Now students will have to wake up earlier than usual, more stress on the kids. Oh and traffic authorities should have planned for contingencies as to the consequences of the diggings. Now these are short-sighted planning tsk!
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

NBI Clearance Renewal

2011-02-14T10:44:00.000+08:00

I need to have my NBI Clearance renewed, had lots of options actually...go to the NBI Monumento, NBI kiosk parksquare, NBI Imus and NBI Las Pinas.

Since I'm here in Bacoor, decided to go to NBI Imus, and all the while I thought it was still in that area where they have all the govt offices here in Bacoor, I was wrong, it was now at Puregold Imus. So I went there, but I was too early, Puregold was still closed, and there was a satisfying poster about the NBI kiosk, citizens are requested to go to the Tagaytay office, WTF! No way!

So decided to go to Las Pinas...was in line when I was told I need to have a Cedula, so went to the main bldg and got one...pretty nice building though, orderly place and clean and nifty cause they have those queue numbering system and someone's playing the piano for crying out loud. Good thing I didn't expect anything fancy.

Well, I decided to just give up and go back home, not successful in having my NBI Clearance renewed, perhaps another day. Oh and did I mention that I did not bring a car, I just took the commute! hehehe

Almost "Caught"

2011-02-08T09:07:00.001+08:00

Last night was one of those times that I almost was given a traffic citation, and in Makati for that matter. I was on my way to the studio, took dela rosa and was supposed to make a right turn at Legaspi towards Valero....true enough the sign says "No right turn on Red signal", the light was red and being the stubborn person that I am, told myself that it was late already (around 9pm) and the taxi and the Mitsubishi Montero was aiming to make a turn. Yes, they did, and as I "slowly" make the turn, there were Makati traffic cops just before Jollibee and apprehended the two cars that went ahead of me, hehehe. What did I do? Well, I stopped right at the corner (I know they saw me), waited til the light turned green, and went straight to dela rosa at the back of Makati Med Ctr instead. Hahahahaha I wouldn't know how to reason out had those officers apprehended me. Tsk stubborn me.

YouTube - Cebu Pacific FAs dancing

2010-10-02T06:05:00.000+08:00

YouTube - Cebu Pacific FAs dancing: ""

There's really nothing wrong with entertainment, but I've always looked up to flight attendants as prim and proper type of personalities.

This one puts them down to the level of back up dancers.

Traffic in Lawton and Quiapo on a Sunday night

2010-09-26T19:17:00.001+08:00

Sundays and holidays are always good times to drive, not much cars on the road, which means, less of traffic jams.

But that's not the case in Lawton & Quiapo, where jeepney and bus drivers have a field day doing their thing because no one will apprehend them.

Patience is truely a virtue when a few meters away from the Quiapo bridge, the traffic clears and all cars get back their mojos and get their leisurely driving pace once again.

What are the authorities doing? Of course a very big NOTHING!!!
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Nissan Z

2010-08-11T07:57:00.000+08:00

Saw this yesterday at Quezon Ave., it's a small but bulky car. Never saw it's performance, traffic was heavy then. Well, I would not be able to take a picture of it had it was speeding right?
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Done deal? All or nothing - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

2010-08-06T18:49:00.000+08:00

Done deal? All or nothing - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

I don't like the Agrarian Reform, it teaches people to be lazy. All they want is to get properties of other people who worked hard to acquire the land.

I say this because I came from a family with properties that the CARP law is eyeing. Why can't they just work and earn so they could lawfully acquire their own lands and not simply take other people's. What if, they're on the other side of the fence? What if they bought a piece of land, then some one wanted to that same parcel, how would they feel? Tsk Tsk these are lazy people!

Digital Xerox

2010-07-21T08:35:00.000+08:00

I'm technologically inclined but I've never heard of a Digital Xerox hehehe saw this at Espana blvd near the university belt
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Marking the Town their Own

2010-07-21T07:37:00.001+08:00

That's why lots of people want to become politicos, their names and faces are "legally" plastered all over town, I wonder if any other ordinary citizen can just paint their names on sheds, walls, light fixtures. I thought there's a law against this? Hmmmm
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Serendra

2010-07-20T17:11:00.000+08:00

Nothing's perfect, lots of people are saying bad things about it, but I still say it's one of the best place to live in.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

No Pets Allowed?

2010-07-11T10:56:00.000+08:00

What ever happened to this policy?

This is a good way to promote hygiene and sanitation in a public area like the mall, but come on! How about the poop residue? How will they clean it?
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Red Mango

2010-07-10T16:58:00.000+08:00

Wonder how long these yogurt fad will last...hope it does.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

The "Lechon" Bread

2010-07-06T08:13:00.000+08:00

This is my 1st time to see one of these. Heck, I didn't even know these existed hehehe.

I was very surprised and amazed to see one!
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Friday Nights at GreenHills Promenade

2010-07-02T19:11:00.000+08:00

Lately I get to join my friends at Tender Bob's on our weekly gathering. I hope I could join them more often as the end to my training nears.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

A wide street (?)

2010-06-29T18:03:00.000+08:00

This street is the one going to Ospital ng Sampaloc. It could have been such a wide street, but with the arrogance and the inaction of the local government, traffic slows down because of the obstructions.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

The Kuliglig and the intersection

2010-06-29T17:52:00.000+08:00

Here's a "kuliglig" a make-shift tricycle that is not covered by the government agency for motorized vehicles. It has proliferated all over the metropolis, and here in Manila, even traffic enforcers cannot apprehend them, even as they don't follow traffic rules and regulations.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Mini Soda-in-cans

2010-04-09T19:18:00.000+08:00

Saw these at S&R, they're soda in 222ml cans...I found it cute hehehe
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Filipino ingenuity

2010-04-09T10:56:00.000+08:00

Well he really has to go...at least his back is turned!
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Why The Dr. Fe del Mundo Medical Center will not progress in it's present set-up

2010-03-10T11:00:00.002+08:00

Census has definitely gone down. Even in other hospitals and in clinics, doctors and hospital administrators have accepted that fact. So the present situation at the Dr. Fe del Mundo Medical Center where admissions had gone down during the first two months of the year is not really alarming...that is, if you're going to base it on the over-all situation of the health industry. But on it's own, the situation is very, very dismal.

The Dr. Fe del Mundo Medical Center, formerly known as the Children's Medical Center is the brainchild and the result of one person's hard labor and love for children, Dr. Fe del Mundo. The hospital has been ran by her, and by her alone until she got old and was not able to oversee every little detail of the operation. Of course, the lady has the right to get old you know. Anyways, she has ran the place like a small clinic, like a house, where no formal organization is in place, policies are made and decided all by her, what ever doktora decides on, then that becomes the hospital policy. But this kind of management style is well much outdated. This kind of management is good in the olden times, but there is what people call as change...where individuals, corporations, adapt to the present situation.

What FDMMC needs at the moment is a very very extensive facelift. From the physical structure to the organizational structure to the upgrades on it's facilities. The old ways should be shelved, as it has proven itself to be ineffective. To drive a point, the country's big centers, the Makati Medical Center and St. Luke's Medical Center, already known for their medical excellence and top-of-the-line facilities, still upgraded their structures and bought new equipments to become competitive. COMPETITIVE is the word! Even if you say that these two centers doesn't need to join the competition as they are way ahead in the game, but still, they chose to!

FDMMC has very good medical and para-medical personnel, again to drive a point, even with the minimal facilities that it has, patients who has poor prognosis, are brought out of the hospital with a smile on their faces. But again, this will not be enough, having good doctors and staff should be complimented with a modern set of facilities, which the hospital lacks...a lot!

STI has leased the management of the hospital from the Dr. Fe del Mundo Foundation for 25 years or more. But STI is not known for infusing enough capital in their business...just look at their schools, nope, not head-turners. Delos Santos Medical Center is not that impressive though one can notice the big changes that happened since STI came in the picture. I guess having STI around is much better than when the FDM Foundation was handling the place.

But what confuses the staff (medical and non-medical) at the moment is, why there seems to be little to none, any movements from STI, that will show an impending change in the management and upgrade in facility. Yes there has been some"touch-ups" such as re-painting of some areas, but this will NOT be enough. There should be a complete overhaul of the hospital for it to attract more patients. What are we offering patients so they would come to us instead of going to nearby institutions.

There has been some "chicken-and-egg" run-around that has been happening for the past two years. The administration is asking the doctors to increase their admissions, but the doctors are arguing that the administration should improve the facilities first before they can bring paying patients in the institution, to which the administration will do (improve the facilities) if more patients will come in. Now that statement will definitely go nowhere.

Census has gone down, because patients want to go to a different hospital where they can get the outstanding service of their doctors coupled with the more efficient and relaxing services offered in other hospitals. What patient wants is, to get what they are paying for. I myself did not asked to be admitted in the FDMMC despite that I am having my Pediatric training there. I'm such a neatpick that I want to be relaxed rather than stressed when I'm admitted. The hospital doesn't have cable TV, the food sucks, I had to have an MRI, had I been admitted in FDMMC, I would've had my MRI at Delos Santos MC, to which, I would have been transported in the disintegrating ambulance, without any airconditioning, and back to my room...now, would you call that a relaxing experience? I don't think so.

There should also be a marketing team that will advertise the hospital...unfortunately, even if there was a marketing team, nothing can be advertise from the hospital, except for the doctor services...there are no compelling facilities to show-off. Heck even St. Luke's is marketing, one will not have a difficult time to find it's two big centers around the metropolis. Their signages are exaggerated! And how about FDMMC? Hmmm well, nobody knows about us actually.

The bottom line, the doctors are willing to bring their patients to FDMMC, only IF, the administration will do it's job to upgrade the whole hospital. Admittedly, it's a business, and no business will prosper if capital infusion is very little.

Mayon's Eruption

2010-01-05T18:09:00.001+08:00

If in case Mayon erupts, it will not be that destructive. It's an active volcano, which means, the steam and hot gases have a vent to come out, which means, no pressure will build up underneath.

It's just like a kettle, which does not explode even if pressure is building inside it, because, there's a vent where steam can push itself out. If even there will be destruction, it won't be from the lava flows and magma, but instead, it will be from the lahar, or cooled hot mud that will flow down because of rainwater.

It's just a cycle of nature, there is a part of Mayon that was destroyed during it's last major activity, but this lava flow has somewhat patched that area and pretty soon, Mayon will be more "magayon" as before.

A herd of Motorcycles

2009-12-17T20:08:00.000+08:00

I wonder if I can just ran over these species hehehe

Kuto-han sa hagdan

2009-12-13T19:50:00.001+08:00

But they're not on a flight of stairs...sa sidewalk na lang

My Daily Run 11/11/09

2009-12-13T19:46:00.000+08:00

Took a Picture of the Uniwide Coastal Mall and how dismal it looks. The wall panels are falling off.

This is how Mayor Alfredo Lim takes care of his constituents. Took this picture at the Quirino Blvd., these shanties are on the "riverbank" with the river dying and full of garbage.

This is the barangay where the picture above was taken.

Take a look at the kids playing right at the sidewalk

Temporary stopping my Twitter and Facebook posts

2009-08-26T15:45:00.000+08:00

Today I decided to temporary stop posting in Twitter and incidentally
Facebook (my Twitter account is linked to my Facebook account).

I don't have anything against Twitter and Facebook, it's a personal
reason more than anything else.

But I will continue posting here and in my other blogs.

There's a point I want to emphasize on a person.

MIckey Mouse?

2009-07-02T15:19:00.001+08:00

Saw this at a sink in a place where no mouse should be seen. Pity the little bugger is dead, I would have made him into a cute little pet hehehehe.

Graduation

2009-04-06T18:50:00.001+08:00

graduation

Pronunciation:: \ˌgra-jə-ˈwā-shən\
Function:: noun
Date:: 1594

1: a mark on an instrument or vessel indicating degrees or quantity ; also : these marks2 a: the award or acceptance of an academic degree or diploma b: commencement3: arrangement in degrees or ranks

This is an event that every student, parents and relatives are looking forward to everytime. It signifies an end to something gruelsome, some for 4 years, others more. And a start of something new (ala High School Musical).

Let me see, I graduated 4 times and another graduation is in the making for me (Residency Training). And each one of those graduations gave me certain feelings and memories that is unforgettable.

When one graduates, there are mixed feelings. Excitement, because you have survived the whole course of the degree. Sadness, because you will now be separated from friends that you've been with all those years studying, saying goodbye to your school (which practically was your home during your student years), and that YOU WILL HAVE NO MORE BAON after this nyahahahaha! Then there's ANXIETY, that is, you don't know what will happen to you afterwards.

The party, the gimiks, it's so easy to go to them when one is studying, the un-ending flow of allowances from your parents. But all these suddenly stop after graduation. The withdrawal feeling is too strong to ignore. What happened? Well, you just became one of those jobless people bumming around (unless your parents are there and promised to feed you until you have five layers of chin and breasts nyahahaha). Ang kapal naman ng mukha mo to bum around.

Some would always rely on their folks, yeah do that, but take note, your parents will not be with you in your lifetime as always. Sooner or later, you will have to say goodbye to them, either temporarily or permanently. You will also have a family of your own and all these factors will change your life.

After graduation, and if you're one of the lucky ones who finds a job, you will now understand the value of money, and how to keep some of it. You will now understand that even if you have a steady job, you have to be careful because, a simple mistake can amplify and cost you your job and eventually your supply of money.

Kaya, for the Graduates, CONGRATULATIONS, savor the moment, because after this event, it's the real world that you have to face.

New Ford Ranger | Manila Bulletin

2009-04-05T14:19:00.001+08:00

This latest Ford Ranger looks exactly like new Mazda Pick-up. I like the previous model in looks.

New Ford Ranger | Manila Bulletin

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Traffic Blues in Manila

2009-04-03T15:49:00.001+08:00

I've been travelling to and from Manila for years and the traffic situation has worsened. Aside from the persistent traffic along Taft Avenue, gridlocks have increased along it's major thoroughfares. In Quiapo alone, it's very frustrating to see traffic cops, ignoring the blatant disregard of the jeepney drivers of street rules and regulations. Another area that is causing heavy traffic jams is the new intersection at the City Hall area. Tsk tsk, graft and corruption working it's best again and it only shows how INCOMPETENT the traffic people are in solving the problem.

My Gay Moments

2009-03-27T19:37:00.001+08:00

So I was in Starbucks yesterday, was enjoying the evening with a Caramel Frapuccino, then came these two guys and sat at the table right beside mine. These were two good looking guys (coming from me, that will be quite flattering), the Metrosexual type. Both have good fashion sense and has very nice, toned bodies (told you, my gay moments).

Anyways, after a little while, I noticed (since I had nothing better to do, I was my old self and started "observing" the people around me) that the other guy started "touching" the other guy's arm, then he started twirling his fingers on his arm while staring at him and the other guy is doing nothing to stop it, heck, he was even blushing and it seems that he's liking it! Oh this went on for a while and I really can't help myself from feeling oh so awkward.

I really don't know, perhaps it's the age, perhaps it's me being confined most of my time in the hospital. I know that they exist, but to see them doing what I do with the opposite sex is still a shocking view for my eyes. Hay!

Banning of Cellphone Use While Driving - STUPID IDEA

2009-03-22T18:01:00.001+08:00

A proposal to ban using the mobile phone while driving is a noble but a very stupid idea. These lawmakers have nothing else to do perhaps, and instead just to fulfill their jobs as lawmaker, thinks of unnecessary laws. Idle minds make stupid ideas, why focus on cellphones, why don't they look at the jeepney drivers that take their eyes off the road to get the payment from passengers? How about the motorcycle drivers (including law enforcers), that drive without any helmet, and drive with their children (including babies) on their motorcycles. Why don't they do something with the motorized-tricycles, I bet my pwet that those driving these make-shift vehicles doesn't even have any drivers license. How about the road responsibilities of these people?

Perhaps, it's these kind of people that they please because it's these kind that they can fool, they can buy the votes, since these kinds outnumber the thinking voters. Hay!

Attention Getter

2009-02-15T07:57:00.001+08:00

I always get to see this Honda Civic along Roxas Blvd. on the way to
work, check out the stickers, can't the car get any more attention
than this. Hindi naman obvious no?

These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.
Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/

A government car on a Sunday ride

2008-12-30T21:15:00.001+08:00

Will you look at that, it even brandishes a very big PGMA sticker on
the side and a very nice red plate. This Toyota Innova with plate
number SJC 844 was seen along Roxas Blvd. on December 28, 2008, a
Sunday. Tsk tsk tsk

My day yesterday November 5, 2008

2008-12-06T12:05:00.001+08:00

I was from duty yesterday. The duty night was not that harsh. I was told to admit all patients coming in the ER past 10pm, I liked it because it's going to be less thinking for me, as I will just inform the attending and write the admitting notes.

I was so anxious being a Baby SHO (Senior House Officer) that I made my rounds early in the morning just not to look stupid and give out make-believe answers for the morning admission rounds.

Chief told me early yesterday if I wanted to go to Duty Free. Of course I said yes. It's one of my times to get out of the hospital and simply enjoy whatever is in front of me.

I was the only guy, there were three girls. We went to Duty Free around 4pm. When we got there in less than an hour's time, we were denied the supposed complimentary shopping card (someone in the office bungled the request from one of the residents who has a contact within the halls of Duty Free Philippines). A few minutes of wait and we're on to shopping.

We went and looked at a perfume, CLINIQUE HAPPY HEARTS (Chief wants this to be her gift for the Christmas Party), I tried it on my wrist. Honestly, I liked it but not what I was expecting. I like ETERNITY scent much better. Well, I have this fetish for sweet smelling women hehehe.

Ok, so we got some candies from the store, I got some PISTACHIOS. I was supposed to buy more but I found out that the "complimentary" shopping card can only be used for cash purchases.

On the way to the grocery portion, I felt a bit who-oozy, then I remembered that I did not have any lunch for that day. So we went through the grocery quite fast, I just bought 2 buckets of detergents.

We ate dinner at Kenny Roger's, I got their SOLO B package, an extra java rice and a large soda. After which we left for the hospital. But on the way back, I thought of dropping by The Fort since we're already out and I wanted to show Rina (the senior Indonesian resident) the place, to buy Krispy Kreme donuts.

Before buying the donuts, we walked around, went into Crumpler store, then iStudio then Calvin Klein, then GAP then Krispy Kreme.

We got back at the hospital at around 11pm, we got stuck in traffic at AH Lacson (due to a bottleneck because of some diggings from the Water Utility Company perhaps Maynilad Water so be warned), then I went home. What a day!

Traffic in AH Lacson last night

2008-12-06T06:43:00.001+08:00

We were on our way back to the hospital, it was around 11pm, coming from Duty Free Philippines, we passed thru Nagtahan. The wrong decision was to go straight instead of using Ramon Magsaysay. It took us almost an hour to get to that 2nd intersection from the flyover. The road was full of trucks. I blamed the portion in front of UST past the Espana intersection, just in front of the Bank of the Philippine Island branch. This is used by the jeepneys going to Tayuman as a terminal (well, what's new). But I guess, I was partly right, since the traffic is initially from a road construction/digging my Manila Water (I think, or it was Maynilad) which closed one lane, which leaves only three lanes from the 4 supposed lanes. But only two lanes were passable because there was a crew dump truck that was collecting the diggings. It now creates a bottle neck from a wide 4 lane road becoming a two lane road which is mainly filled with trucks. Good luck!

Put up more and understandable signs!

2008-10-30T06:54:00.001+08:00

I got to use the Subic-Clark Toll Expressway last Monday and I say, it's a fun road to use. Mostly straight flat surface with good asphalt where the tires have a very good grip. But there was a problem with signages. At first, I wanted to use it going to subic from the North Luzon Expressway just to avoid the tricycles at the Olongapo-Gapan Road if I'm going to use the San Fernando Exit. But there was no specific sign that tells me that I have to drive all the way to Clark to get into the SCTEx (duh, "Subic-Clark"?). Anyways, I ended up using the Olongapo-Gapan Road, up until Dinalupihan Bataan, where I was told, an entry to the SCTEx can be found. And from there, the ride was so smooth.

The other day, I used the South Luzon Expressway, yeah I know they're still fixing it up to be at par with the NLEX but still, the experience was horrible! Especially when I was going back, from Calamba, since again, they fixing it, the road would split up and eventually merge somewhere ahead. But when I got near the Filinvest exit (that's where I supposed to get out of the SLEX, I took the inner fork, knowing that ahead it's going to merge. Alas, I saw the Filinvest exit but there was this very long concrete divider between me and the exit! Oh the frustration I have, taking note of the slow-paced traffic in front of me. I eventually got out of the SLEX at the Sucat exit and was able to get home. Hay!

The Subic-Clark Toll Expressway (SCTEx) Experience

2008-10-27T18:06:00.001+08:00

I love using the North Luzon Expressway, it's such an experience where I can push the pedal to the metal and still the feeling is as if I'm just travelling at 60 kph. NO stress, nothing to expect at the end of it that will increase my stress levels.

Then came the Subic-Clark Toll Expressway, it's brand new, and...Oh shit, one hell of a road. If I have been to the Autobahn then most probably I can compare this to it.

I only experienced 9kms of it but hey! And to think I just had the car tuned-up and the tie rod replaced and I love how it runs especially during turns! This drive is an experience I will not forget.

Mga Pasaway na motorsiklo

2008-07-21T21:00:00.001+08:00

Dibaleng sila yung maaksidente, wag lang sana nila idamay ang mga
bata. Just take a look at this irresponsible motorcycle driver.
Dinamay pa yung bata.

These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.
Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/

Mamang PULIS NAMAN!

2008-07-21T20:53:00.001+08:00

Hay naku, ewan ko ba! Do you think when you see one of these (and
malamang madami pa nito sa carports nila) on the road, you would still
have faith with the Police?

Hay!

These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.
Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/

Helmet series: Ayan, Pulis yan!

2008-06-23T19:38:00.001+08:00

Here I go again, PULIS yan! Sana masagi ng bus or truck para
tumilapon, these people should learn their lessons the hard way.

Sana tumilapon sila tapos ma-paralyze from neck down! Ang tuwa ko lang hehehehe

These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.
Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/

Too comfort of a ride

2008-06-20T22:04:00.001+08:00

This new model of the Corolla is one comfortable car. Just imagine how
that guy is feeling right now!

These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.
Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/

Progress Notes: And another award for the Living Legend

2008-06-20T20:22:00.001+08:00

These was take the other day, Wednesday I think. We were announcing
the award that the "Doktora" got on Tuesday as UP gave her an award as
one of the leaders of the medical community.

Heck, it's another award to add in her memorabilia. Oh, in case you
don't know her, she's Dr. Fe del Mundo, the Mother of Pediatrics here
in the Philippines.

These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.
Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/

May Amphibious Car

2008-06-20T20:18:00.001+08:00

I went out of the hospital early yesterday, hoping to get home early
too, unfortunately I was caught in traffic in Espana, the reason?
Flooded street! No problem, all I have to do is to take an alternate
route, a few turns here and another here and this is where it brought
me, this is one of the parallel streets of Espana, somewhere in
Sampaloc (I really don't know the names of the street) this is
perhaps, Dapitan, or is it the other street. Anyways, please take
note, this is one of the shallow areas of the stretch of the road.
This is one of the good reasons I don't drive a car. Looks fun, isn't it?

These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.
Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/

Driver's License Renewal

2008-06-12T09:02:00.002+08:00

I had my driver's license renewed yesterday. Instead of going into an LTO office, I went to one of their satellite renewal offices, this oneat the Ayala MRT station. It's one of the cleanest government office I've seen. Very professional people manning the place (though maybe it's just because I smile at them first). In less than an hour I was able to get my Driver's License Card. Very fast and efficient service, my commendation to whoever thought of this concept. Doing business with the government, if all offices are like this, would be a pleasurable one.

These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.
Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/

Wear your helmet please!

2008-06-04T23:56:00.001+08:00

This is a very nice way to implement safety. A police officer on a motorcycle, NOT WEARING A HELMET! Isa pang siraulo! Who does he think he's fooling?

Three important points!
1.) He's a police officer, he should be an example to the citizenry and implements the law, thus he should be wearing a helmet.
2.) Since he's the police, he's "above" the law and he's excused not to wear helmets
3.) Ay grabe sa katangahan! Kala nya siguro, dahil pulis sya, pag na-aksidente eh hindi sya mamamatay!

If I am on duty at the ER when this guy comes over because of an accident, if he lives, I will surely not use any anesthesia while I suture his wounds! Shyet!

Asshole Driver 1

2008-06-01T14:48:00.001+08:00

Yesterday, on my way home, this Nissan Safari kept on cutting my path. So, instead of going into an argument with the driver, who obviously is an ASSHOLE! I took this picture and tell the world how arrogant and ignoramus he is! If this is you, try going back to driving school (that is, if you ever gone to one).

Progress Notes: Getting my S2 license part 1

2008-05-19T12:31:00.000+08:00

I was already told that it's going to be me that will be getting the S2 license for the hospital, but I didn't know it's going to be today.

I went and had my drug testing in one of my wife's drug testing centers (she heads it, but doesn't own it), buti na lang negative hehehe (what's going to make it positive in the first place?).

Then I went to PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency), I got the application form, but I have to have the requirements photocopied (as expected from a goverment office, people were not as accomodating and lacks facilities, I had to go out the compound for the photocopies), since it's almost lunch time (i just don't know, but I know that before government offices doesn't have any lunch breaks), I decided to go to Trinoma which is just a few blocks away for the photocopies.

I had my documents copied at National Bookstore then I went and had my lunch at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (buti na lang meron dito sa Trinoma).

Will be adding more to this, 'coz I will go back to PDEA to finish my application then will go to East Ave. Medical Center for the Yellow Prescription pads. See you then.

This email was sent using a Palm Centro on Globe's network.

Commute after so many months

2008-05-13T22:53:00.001+08:00

I took this picture today, inside an AUV (Toyota FX) on my way to work. It was my first time to commute to work since I started my residency.

This is one of the reason I like having a cameraphone. I get to make fun of the people around me.

I never knew that because of the increasing gas prices, the fare for the FX from Buendia to Lawton is now P15 from P10 (same fare from Lawton to Banawe).

Watch out for more pictures from a common tao's perspective.

Of Land Reform

2008-05-07T19:17:00.001+08:00

I DON'T LIKE THIS!

I know I'm biased against it. For the simple reason that I'm a land owner.

I don't get why we should give up our land for the people who did not earn it. If they want land then they should buy one for themselves. We have big parcels of land because my grandparents worked hard to acquire these, and not because eventually we will give it up to people who are lazy and only want an easy way in.

Come on! Work hard and earn your own! TAMAD!

High Gas Prices

2008-05-07T19:13:00.001+08:00

OMG! It's almost P50/liter for the unleaded gasoline. My P1000 weekly just gives me a little over 20liters of gas. Ain't that a bummer!

Twitter on the Right Sidebar

2008-04-18T22:38:00.001+08:00

I've added my Twitter updates on the right sidebar, check it out. It's micro-blogging made super simple.

Movies and Popcorn, what gives?

2008-03-01T20:39:00.000+08:00

My niece made some popcorn tonight and when my kids saw and smelled
it, they all got the same idea to pop a DVD and watch a movie. I
mean, where in the world did it say that when someone eats popcorn,
they should watch a movie as well? Hmmm or is it the other way
around? Can;t we eat popcorn without watching a movie, you know, how
about just eating popcorn, period! Hehehe

It's a Non-Working Holiday Tomorrow! Duh!

2008-02-24T22:37:00.001+08:00

I was wondering why my kids are still up even if it's past 9pm (their bedtime), and my wife is not at all bothered by this. Then I realized that it's a non-working holiday tomorrow, and SHIT OF ALL SHITS! I'm the only one who has work tomorrow! What a life! Nyahahahaha!

A day of doing nothing

2008-02-21T21:44:00.001+08:00

Today was community day, where I should spend my day in my hospital's community, and this is at Moonwalk, Paranaque. This will be my first time to go the place they call GULAYAN. It's your typical shanty-ridden place, so basically, most of the cases that I'll be seeing are that of cough and colds of the same mucus-peeking-out-of-the-nose variety.

I don't like crowded places, that's why, I don't like crowded clinics nor crowded health centers. As much as possible, I try to dispose of the patients as quickly as possible. Today, I did just that. It was endorsed to me that it usually takes around the whole day looking at patients in the health center, but today, less than a couple of hours and all of them are gone. And this made my plans go haywire.

I had my Tita bring the car to the LTO and register it, knowing that I'll finish late in the health center, I agreed for them to just pick me up in the afternoon. But, as I've said, I finished earlier than usual, and I did not intend to spend my whole day in that place. So I decided to wait for my ride at the Mall of Asia instead.

When I got there, the usual, you know, walk around, intentionally dragging my feet to the computer shops line. Window shopping then finally decided to get two PS2 games, Tekken 5 (finally!) and Twisted Metal. It was these or the Jason Bourne series DVD plus The Kingdom, but I decided on the former.

Then I went to Starbucks to waste time. And oh boy, that was really a waste of time. I was able to read two broadsheets, a tech magazine and went thru the inserts of the two games and my ride wasn't there yet. I texted my ex, flirted a bit and so with......and still no ride yet. See, it's really a productive time for me. And what a time not to bring my laptop. It simply looks like the people around me were taunting me of their mobile computers! Damn! And to think tomorrow will be another duty day! And what made it worst is, there were not a single hottie in that coffee shop! Not even one to stimulate my ever so bored neurons hehehehe.

It's not a well planned day!

It's going to be on a holiday and I'm on duty!

2008-02-18T18:10:00.000+08:00

I just read from the internet that February 25 is going to be a non-
working holiday. In resident talk, it means that only those on duty
will go to work, and guess what, I'm on duty! Shit!

Hard to comprehend people and motorcycles

2008-02-12T20:05:00.001+08:00

Here I go again, ranting about motorcycle drivers in the streets. Just today, on my way home, there's this couple....nope triple, riding on a small motorcycle, two were wearing helmets, no problem in that right? I agree, but remember, I said, triple, meaning there's another person on the vehicle, what's ironic is that 3rd person is a kid, perhaps less than 10 years old, sandwiched between the driver and the adult passenger, and the kid IS NOT WEARING ANY HELMET!

Ayun, if they get into an accident, both adults will be safe, while the kid will have a 50% chance of living. Nice! Very nice!

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!

2008-01-02T05:01:00.001+08:00

Let's all be thankful for the blessings we've received in 2007 and let's prepare for the showers of gifts that 2008 will bring! God bless us all!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24T23:01:00.001+08:00

Season's Greetings to all! Merry Christmas!

The Filipinos are POOR?!

2007-12-17T09:48:00.001+08:00

The Filipinos are poor! This is how we are described. But this is a lot of BULLSHIT!

Been to Divisoria, SM Malls, Silvercity Mall, Rockwell, Glorietta, Bonifacio High Strip, Starbucks, the Fort Strip, EDSA, C5, T. Morato, Timog and during these times, it's all filled with people.

Folks are partying, shopping, dining, the works. I know it may be isolated here in the Metro, but bring those people in the provinces in the Metro and they too will be doing the same.

People in the US are thought to have more money than us Pinoys, but they don't, what they have are lots of credit. We pinoys on the other hand pay in Cash! So who's got more money now?

MERRY CHRISTMAS guys!

Divisoria 2007

2007-12-17T09:38:00.001+08:00

It's the time of year, when good friends are near...trying to squeeze their way into cramped walkways filled with people buying stuff for the holidays in 168 Mall in Divisoria.

Every year, we go to Divisoria to get gifts, yeah cheap you'll say, but I tell you, once you experience shopping there, you'll always come back.

What's funny is, everybody knows how Divisoria is, it's not like your friendly neighborhood Glorietta and Trinoma and Rockwell where it's hard to rub elbows with other shoppers. In Divisoria, it's just elbows that you'll be rubbing with the other shoppers. And yet, I still hear lots of different comments like: "ano ba yan, ang sikip!", "grabe ang daming namimili!" (hello ok ka lang, syempre no, December and Divisoria put together and you get chaos!).

Another thing that amazes me are those people selling their stuff on the side of the road, their products are exposed and with the number of people in the area, but they are confident that no one will steal their stuff.

But overall, it's fun to go to these areas, especially if you're interested in the different types of people, because there, you will see all sorts of folks, from the poorest to the richest, they are there.

Back to FEU-NRMF

2007-12-13T10:56:00.001+08:00

Preparing for my specialty training involves different tasks and one of these is catching up with the documents that I should have gotten even before I took the Medical Board Examination. I can give you a lot of explanation, but the simplest and most reasonable one that I could think of is, the DAMN school, where I graduated, my ALMA MATER, FEU-Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation Institute of Medicine, is way tooooooo far in Fairview, Quezon city.

Anyways, it looks like it's inevitable that I will be going back to FEU-NRMF and that's just what I did last Friday and yesterday. Well, it was such a wonderful experience. Not because I get to see my professors that made my life miserable during my med school years, as well as those Residents that felt they were god during those times (which the bitch in me of course made me just ignore them when they smiled at me), but because this is my second home. For goodness-sake, I've practically stayed in this institution for half of my lifetime.

I was expecting to see the same building, perhaps some modifications or some paintjobs here and there, but basically the same structures that I left around 2 years ago. But when I got there, I was surprised to see a Starbucks, KFC and some other stores, that were not there before. They now call this newly added portion to the Medical Center, the Arcade. But it was Starbucks that really gave me the surprise of my life. The reason for this is, you see, FEU-NRMF people (from students, to faculty, to doctors, to staff, to the Administration), are not they sosi type that Ateneo, or La Salle or even UST for that matter. We are the Jologs type, the remnant culture from the old FEU-NRMF environment which is MORAYTA. So you see, seeing a Starbucks in the vicinity, much more within the complex is such a fascinating site. At last, we did catch up to the modern society (I'm saying that in a social form, because the Medical Center itself, eversince we've moved, has been at par with big medical centers in the metropolis), we're becoming sosi! Nyahahahaha

Then I made a courtesy call to my, well, much appreciated mentors and to my surprise, of all the students that they've handle all though the years, they still remembered my name. Even the technical staff of the institution greeted me with a smile and a very appreciated "...huy kumsta na!", even this maintenance guy turned orderly, recognizes me even when my back is turned. What a community!

Now that I'm one of them, a colleague, it sure is worth saying, I LOVE THIS SCHOOL! And even though of the sour past hehehe, I love going back to it. In fact I told myself that I will go back to this institution and teach in it when everything else is done.

ABS-CBN mulls charges vs police for arrest of journalists

2007-11-30T23:50:00.001+08:00

Charie Villa, head of news-gathering, said ABS-CBN was studying the possibility of filing charges against the police officers who rounded up its personnel.“We'll investigate them the way they investigated us. I heard from some of them that their IDs were pulled violently [and] they were told to lie face down. I think that was uncalled for because they had IDs,” she was quoted by the ABS-CBN website as saying.

ABS-CBN mulls charges vs police for arrest of journalists - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

And they say that the government is suppressing the freedom of speech! If so, then how come these people can still file charges against the police. In my opinion, I say that there was no overkill and the police did what they're supposed to do. These media outfits, think that just because they are the media, they are above the law. What's happening now is these media people are becoming bullies hiding behind the guise of legitimate journalists. I guess these people were the product of a deranged ideology of broadcasting. That even if they were told to leave the premises but insisted on staying, they become heroes? I say go ahead and file charges so you will know who's doing their jobs and not. ABS-CBN reporters are so arrogant that I think they're doing this just to pull up ratings/viewership that they are losing to GMA Network. Serves them right.

Blogged with Flock

GMANews.TV - Standoff, curfew serve as preview to Martial Law

2007-11-30T12:21:00.001+08:00

he arrests and curfew that followed a six-hour standoff in Makati City Thursday has given modern-day Filipinos a "foretaste" of Martial Law, the head of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Friday.

"Yesterday and last night, the people hold-in at Peninsula Manila had a 'foretaste' of what Martial Law could be. God save us from the worse!" Lagdameo said in his web log.

In calling for Labayen's release, Lagdameo said the bishop emeritus of Infanta in Quezon has experienced in the hands of the military what the latter did not undergo even in the time of Marcos dictatorship.

"Bishop Labayen is already 81 years old. I am appealing to the military that he be released on account of his age. The advocacy that Bishop Labayen had been doing is for the country to be restored to genuine democracy and justice which is worth fighting for," he said.

GMANews.TV - Standoff, curfew serve as preview to Martial Law - CBCP head - Nation - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News - BETA

Don't you think they're pushing this a bit too far? The government did not start the commotion, it was Mr. Trillanes and Lim who walked out of the court showing utter disregard to the law then marching in the street as if they own it, brandishing their weapons, smashing and forcing themselves into the lobby of a hotel, stopping guests from leaving then ignoring the warrant of arrest being served by the police and asking the President of the country step down.

Where is the order in that? Now, they have the guts to blame the government for it's action? Newton's law says, "...for every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction". It only shows how stupidity has taken over the minds of this country's leaders. Who ever says that a Bishop is exempted from arrest? No wonder there is chaos in the street, because we only want the poor to suffer and the rich to just get a slap on the wrist. What a law! What a mindset! Its about time the government show them who's boss!

Blogged with Flock

And Now they start to talk

2007-11-30T12:07:00.001+08:00

Senate president Manuel Villar said the tough measures were similar to the heavy-handed approach of Marcos."This is overkill, especially curfew. It was unnecessary and only reminded us of martial law," he said.

Business - Filipinos shake their heads at coup bid and response - INQUIRER.net

Oh ok, now you talk, and where were you yesterday? Did you every help resolve the situation. It only shows what type of person you are!

Blogged with Flock

We're ready to die here, Magdalo men say

2007-11-29T15:15:00.001+08:00

On the eve of the government-imposed "deadline" for their surrender, military sympathizers of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brigadier Gen. Danilo Lim said Thursday expressed readiness to fight to the very end."No, we won't leave. We're ready to die here," one soldier standing guard at the Manila Peninsula told GMA News. - GMANews.TV

GMANews.TV - We're ready to die here, Magdalo men say - Nation - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News - BETA

Hopefully you do! I cannot trust my children's faith to someone that took an oath protecting the constitution and the government and yet is now fighting it. You shouldn't have joined the military if you will just question it later. It goes beyond the teaching of the organization.

Blogged with Flock