Jabona Filipina

A simple maneuver which can save a lot of money and even lives..A patient on intensive chemotherapy is prevented from acquiring life-threathening infections by singing " Happy Birthday " during handwashing sessions. And Voila! at the end of the song, you're now prepared to handle your favourite and cute patient...use soap please..hand soaps from Foliage at 12 $ each (540 pesos)

The Confessions of Marian: A Teen-age Cancer Patient

Living or hearing news about young children suffering from serious diseases or undergoing general operation is quite normal for me. I would regularly see them on tv, read them on newspapers or even get the chance to know one of them. I always imagine what life's like for these young angels. And i would really love to be of help.

But it never came into my mind that someday i'll be able to experience it myself. It was the 10th day of December 2002 that marked my struggles. I was diagnosed to have cancer (Colorectal) Stage III. ANd from the moment i heard the results, i was totally shocked that i wasn't able to do anything but to cry and just get some comfort from my father. For a 16-year-old girl having to suffer one of the most serious diseases known today, i think having to accept the situation would really be difficult. At first, i thought that it would be the end and that i would live life far different from everybody. I felt discouraged. Discouraged to the fact that i would always be dependent on others and that i cannot be of service . I was afraid to lose my friends. I was afraid of being rejected, and i fear the day that i have to deny myself a lot of things.

Yes, its true, there would always be times when i get to be alone and feel sorry for myself and regret all the things that i've done in my past. But it never affected me that much because i got all the support that i need. I'm so lucky to have my support groups. From my family, my friends even those whom i don't know and most especially from my doctors. They brought me consolation and courage. My doctors have been very supportive and they have helped me gain my confidence and strength back. The situation was clearly explained to me. All the possibilities and consequences were prevented from me so much that i just saw myself walking with a BIG SMILE on my face.

For a patient like me, having to hear these kind of results would be very devastating. At first, i was totally confused and depressed about the way things were presented to me. They told me all possible operations that i might undergo and even told me that i might be a permanent colostomist. This might seem to be a very fast approach but i just thought that having the patient to be fully aware of her situation is very important. This would help both the patient and her family to prepare emotionally, mentally, spiritually and psychologically. My doctors showed me that having this kind of sickness is not a reason for me to give-up. Instead, they made me look at it as a challenge, as a stepping stone for my dreams. With this struggle, I think that it isn't bad after all. Thanks to them, it all turned out to be just fine.

Note: Marian passed away almost one year later because of liver metastasis...

Benches at the Woods

art de cu b etat

Tawasil and Lourna Fernandez paintings, Claudina painted bottles curtain the tiny windows, colour of the year (2006), hanging greens and sunset rays pouring into this resting cubicle

monasterio ng carmelita sa zamboanga

Fifty one years later of bombings, and abu sayaff/MNLF kidnappings, and amidst the locale's resistance to progress..the monastery still stand to unite the faithful in one special celebration... Time passes by..It was same time last year when they opened the monastery for public viewing.. I was one of the fortunate persons who saw its secrets..They do that every 25 years..

Nung isang taon....

Kakaibang pananabik ang namumutawi sa bawat isa...minsan lang sa isang pinagbuong pilak na taon ipinamamahagi ng mga monghang madre ang kanilang monasteryo sa mga mayayaman este mamamayan.

At anupa nga ba, isa tayo sa mga nakipagsapalaran upang makisama sa kanilang piging. Nakikain ng kaunti. Aba may alam sa cocktail? Kasabay syempre ang mga nananampalataya.. andiyan ang mga matataas na pangalan sa lipunan “alta sociedad” daw.. Aba makapigil hininga mong makakasalamuha ang mga pulitiko… mayayaman...mga banal o hinde... ususero man o nagtuturistahan sa lugar na ito ng mga malalambing, magaganda, nagtatagong mayaman, mapagkumbaba, pretensyoso, tsismoso, magarbo, inggitero, etsetera...(sabagay sa lahat ng bahagi ng Pilipinas yata)

Nandiyan ang makipagtsikahan ng sandali sa isang babaeng nakatrono at mahilig magpakuha ng larawan sa ward 8 kasama ang mga batang halos naghihingalo na sa kanser upang mailathala sa lokal na pahayagan na siya'y may naitutulong… ito'y nung isang taon nang namahahagi ng isang lumang telebisyon na galling lang pala sa iisang uugod ugod na hotel sa bandang valderosa. Mukha pang galing pirata (smuggled)...

Utang na loob po...

Isa na naman pong pagpapanggap...

Ngunit sa kabuuan, ako’y nagpupugay na maging bahagi ng ganitong pagdiriwang..Mas nakikilala natin ang isang lugar sa uri ng mga taong nakakasalamuha natin...upang maihanda uli ang ating sarili sa susunod na kabanata ng pakikipagsapalaran sa bawat pagsubok sa balat ng lupa..

MEMORIES OF SINULOG

aerial view of downtown cebu boasts of majestic mountainous background

the popular mardigras was well attended by people mostly from neighboring island provinces

everywhere is a photographer's dream shot

age of innocence:behind the abundance is the reality of poverty

colourful and gay

troublemaker should beware

grandiose and realistic costumes

juday among the champions

i was able to catch the famous pinoy smile among the participants representing their town's own produce and traditional dance

It was actually a rip-off from the oldest and queen of all festivals in the Philippine Soil-the Ati atihan- of Ibajay, Aklan.. Dinagyang of Ilo-Ilo followed suit, the Mascara of Bacolod, and name all the products or fruits unique in the Philippines and you're right-theres always a corresponding festival somewhere. Even Eggs had its own festival-poor San Jose, Batangas.. They could have thought of better way to showcase their town.. Capiz which was ever famous for ghosts/underworld creatures finally organized their own festival despite severe resistance from the Catholic Church.. Well its the Philippines, this is the only way we can show to the world our own culture and traditions in order to attract investors...for economic growth of course!

secreto el ciudad de zamboanga 4

The sun, the seas, the trees, and the land... all the right ingredients for a bountiful ground..

Raffy

I can feel, the end is near ... It is one of those inevitable moments that you’re afraid of becoming real..Even though from the start you know its gonna happen, but you just tend to forget..... you took for granted because you were happy after the first medicines took its effect and made the patient more comfortable and even better. Biphenotypic type of Leukemia is a very difficult disease to treat . That was explained from the start. And Raffy’s father and stepmother practically begged for available treatments.

One problem with treating leukemia is treatment-related side effects particularly infection and bleeding using the standard protocol. Even though the dictum is be “harsh in order to be kind”, i decided not to give him that. Its like providing treatment but you end up harming the patient because they cannot afford supportive treatments-blood products and IV antibiotics..They don’t have enough money..so that modifying the kind of treatment is the best thing that i can do....to suit their financial capacity while a little compromising on the outcome.. the possibility of cure..

He is one of my favourites, very malambing and very cooperative. And he knew what was happening to him from the start. Well most children do...Of course there were tantrums from the start of treatment-difficult to pacify during blood extration or hard-headedness in taking their meds.. but eventually they learn to comply.. That's when they feel that something is wrong with them and that they have to cooperate in order to play their favourite toys, and eat their favourite food..

At a tender age of 6 years, Raffy suffered enough. He was left by his biological mother when his parents were separated. But fortunately, when his father remarried, the love and care of a true mother was provided by his step mother.

He is weak, and feverish. I saw some inflammation and bleeding points on his gums...some bruises on his arms and legs..I felt some lumps on his scalp.. He kept on complaining of ankle and knee pains..Even in his condition, i had to promise ice cream-his favourite-just to make him happy, which gave a brightness on his face..I left immediately quite ashamed to show emotions from his stepmother who was also misty eyed...

I just hope, he will not suffer this time....

At Z-Beryani's

At the end of the well cemented stretch of Nunez extension is an entertainment plaza which houses KFC, Coffee Mix (local's version of Starbucks) and the Iranian resto owned by a

a good friend. Dining out being the only form of entertainment i have to be contented myself with, i have prided myself to be more or less "expert" to what and where to invite visitors from Manila to eat.

So, i'm not exagerrating if i said that i have tried all the restaurants locally.. You can just imagine how boring life would be, if you're all alone in your loft, cooking for yourself.. its a routine i am not looking forward to..so it is now my duty to share this restaurant before it suffers the same fate of the dodo..Fine-dining restos had very short half life in this part of the world..

Beryani, as the name sounds, is a Persian restaurant. The owner is a connossieur of excellent cuisine, and while reminiscing his years of doctorate training in Manila, his family frequents a Persian restaurant where they serve the best Rotti bread, that's why he thought of bringing this exotic food home.

In terms of ambience, every visitors would be greeted by the calming sound of waters cascading down their interior fountain. Although this corner houses at least 7 tables, the mirror and glass partition made an anti-claustrophobic effect. The well-lit interior with light green, yellow and pink rose shades plus the antique Asian decore would make you feel you're somewhere in North Africa.

The food vary from chicken or beef kebab, rotti bread, humus ( spicy mashed beans) to their specialty chicken Beryani. Somewhat deceitful, because after a few mouthfuls you feel satisfied already..but when u go home a few minutes later...you feel hunger pangs again..

Is that a good sign? It must be because of that special rice.. really not sure.

The crowd is varied. Sometimes you feel that youre in a foreign country: Turkey perhaps, when a party of 10 or so Turkish would dine out with their characteristic separated dining of men from women. Or the very colourful garbs by religious Tausug or the occasionally fearful all-dark ninja style costumes of ultra-sensitive and religious Moslem women.

What about the price? Its a little expensive by local standard, but if you're just a visitor from the Big city, well its still considered cheap..

Definitely, this restaurant would be remembered...just like the dodo.

the article

I received a text message from my sister last week. She excitedly told me about this particular article on the official mag of one famous airline. She just arrived in Manila airport to buy some items for her business. Of course i was impressed! That was my best friend, the 3rd guy from the left.

And Instituto Esthetico is partly his. Who wouldn't be proud! He did hit jackpot this time! Imagine, being featured in that particular magazine. I didnt know him to be secretive for a very important info like this one.. and he didnt tell me anything about it!

Well, in a way this wasn't the first time. There were several local magazines who have featured him before this; and in the first place he already had a handful of patients who came from the showbiz world, in fact he did the nose job of an upcoming star who won a particular talent search.

Anyways, i asked and congratulated him about this particular article.

Gaga, 150 thousand a month for 2 months yan.

I was dumbfounded.

Ok.

secreto el ciudad de zamboanga 3

Unpretentious, no one would ever think that a cozy restaurant with late sixties ambience would emerge, nestled in the center of congested downtown pueblo. For me it serves the best hamburger in town, and I never expected a pancit luglug would be delectable in this part of the country.
Part of its charm is very few people know of its existence. You can absolutely enjoy your dinner with your date privately.
Its located at the second floor of Lim Town Center, beside KFC.

eye of beholder

My first time outside the Philippines was at the age of thirtysomething...
Its like an eye opener.A lot is missing in my own country in terms of economic excellence and individual discipline.
Eye of beholder. There are a lot to be impressed to: the spotlessly clean streets, fresh-smelling purple-colored buogainvilleas lining along the roads welcoming new visitors, colourful shades, towering contemporary skyscrapers, unpolluted and clear free-flowing rivers, white paints abound the different historical structures from museums to bridges, paved tiny streets, organized railway system, no traffic. This tiny island state has it all: money, power, disciplined people.
I wonder if they are really happy? Their large malls can boast off the most modern facilities, fashion trends, and the latest gadgets available. Well, thats why the locals' favourite past time is probably SHOPPING looking at the over-crowded malls. Vivo as their largest mall? Im not impressed, really. Its probably only half the size of MOA.

I was sad for them in a way. They may have the best amenities..the Sintosa fake beaches and campy underwater world filled with humongous poor sea creatures cannot duplicate our island beaches with crystal blue waters and white sands : Amanpulo, Taytay, Panglao, Samal Island and a lot more untouched islands in the Tawi Tawi and Sulu archipelago...

Our appetizing and mouthwatering dinuguan in zamboanga, sisig in pampanga, sutokil in Cebu, pinakbet in Ilokos,langoniza of lukban, exotic fruits in davao;and the people always wearing that famous smile even after a Pinatubo eruption or Karding typhoon. W e had it all. And we are luckier.
I was fortunate too, i know. Because just like everyone of us...hardworking and determined to reach his dreams....

i am here enjoying the "treasures" of this country..
i am staying in one of its best hotels...

eating breakfast daily in their buffet ...

served unfortunately by Filipinos...

maria clara went to town

Its Sunday. Family day. Rest day and a day for day trips or picnics. Like most people, there's no other way to spend this special day under the heat of the summer than to go on excursion to the beach.

Where else could that be, but to that island fronting the city known for its pink sands as seen from a distance..
But when you're actually in the island..its just one of those plain looking a-little-finer-than pebbles sands. Thanks to the powdered/crushed red corrals that were damaged by dynamite fishing since long time ago which is still a predominant practice to the present day..heaps of pulverized red corrals thrive along the shoreline..and townsfolks even sell them to visitors to serve as art decor.. anyhow, this island is a secret gem. it could rival some famous island resorts in the country..thanks to the kidnappings and unstable peace and order...

secreto de ciudad de zamboanga II

Fort Virgen del Pilar at night

famous bilao meal

pink sands of sta cruz

maria clara at santa cruz island

zamboanga sunset

the gallery

alright, this is the local gallery i mentioned from my previous post. Its a pleasant place, in fairness..

it is situated at la vista resort along the coastal waters of the peninsula. owned by the family of a major politician in the city.. and the photographs said it all.. the museum pieces are expensive though.. by local standard..

the sign-named after the well-respected mayor of the city

an image of the virgin by the garden area


the facade, note the spanish emblem-one of the visitors from manila didnt believe me that this is a spanish embassy


the atrium- my favourite part of the museum

little figurative frogs. pauso ba?


one of the dolls, maria celestina of havana, cuba. of course i love my maria clara more. she's smarter