The Freudian Slip Of A Bacolodnon

Last August 28, 2008, the RHU of Candoni opened its TB DOTS center in the new Infirmary. Attended by the Provincial health Officer of the Province of Negros Occidental, Dra. Luisa Efren, and the NTP evaluation team, and my superiors from the Center for health development - region 6 and Central Office of the Department of Health (Dra. Gestosani, Dra. Christine and Ms. Amy), it was a proud moment for the RHU staff and health workers. Present during the ceremonies were Mayor Borromeo himself together with all the barangay midwives and some department heads of the municipality of Candoni. A much bigger occasion is set this September.

Fulfilling my promise pledged a year ago, I made my pilgrimage back to Simala last weekend this time with the entire family. It's my first trip back to Cebu together with my wife and kids and although it was kind of a whirlwind experience, it was worth the trip. We went to Cebu last Saturday via Don Salvador Benedicto, through San Carlos City then Toledo then to Cebu City. The kids were enjoying every bit of it, especially my son who was expecting a beach when we arrived in Cebu. He must have probably recalled our last Family Day Out in Boracay last May. We went to Simala, Sibonga the following day, Sunday. The place was packed with pilgrims. We were unable really to go inside the sanctuary where the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary was venerated by thousands of pilgrims lining up the path from the main entrance all the way to the church. Instead, we lit candles outside and bought some souvenirs after I offered a thanksgiving prayer. Back in Cebu City, we went to the Basillica d...

Congratulations to Batchmates Andylou, Teresita, Neil and Caryn for passing the board exams! The August 2008 Physician Board Passers List: ABAD, ALBEN TEODORO TUMANDAY ABAD, MELINDA RIVERA ABADIA, JO ANNE ABENOJA ABADILLA, KATRINA ACEDO ABALETA, RUTZELLE ERSANDO ABARQUEZ, PEPITO JR JUSTIMBASTE ABARY, RYAN RAINIEL ARABANI ABATAYO, ARNEL DURAN ABBAS-ABDULLAH, JEHAN MACMAC ABCEDE, APRIL MELODY DE LA TORRE ABESA, MARIA REGINA ARAYATA ABING, JOSEPH OYAO ABIQUI, SARAH ROWENA BAQUIRAN ABIS, RUTH ANNE ESPINO ABONADO, RUFINO PICAÑA ABRERA, MARIA ANGENICA RAFON ABRINA, VANESSA MAE SANTOS ABSIN, DARLENE MILLEVO ABUDE, CARLO ANTONIO ARANCON ACALA, MA CHRISTY COMORA ACENAS, JEFFREY BAHIAN ACERO, ANGELYNN JOSEFINA AGDUMA ACEVEDA, QUEENIE LYNNE VILLAS ACHAS, BLESIL CENIZA ACOSTA, ELLEN JOY PONCE ACOSTA, JOAN MARIE SANTOS ADRANEDA, ADRIAN TALAVERA ADRIANO, CZARINA DURENDES AGAPITO, MARIE MENETTE IMPERIAL AGCOPRA, ELEANOR CAYABYAB AGITO, MARKUS ANGELO DORIA AGOILO, MELIZA CARLA TOMACDER AGUILAR, DENNIS...

Nine months ago, I was deployed to a small-but-not-so-unfamiliar town of Candoni, in the Southern region of Negros Occidental. Prior to my deployment, I was already quite aware of a few details concerning Candoni. I had the information that this town had been doctor-less for at least 3 years and that there had been DTTBs (Doctors to the Barrios) in the past who were deployed in the area. In fact, I am the third DTTB to be deployed here. I also had the information that Candoni is a mountainous area, agricultural, relatively poor, being a 4th class municipality, and had a history of insurgency especially in the early 1980's and even early 1990's. It is 4 hours away from Bacolod and the roads, I was told, were not entirely hospitable. With these perceptions I began to work as their new doctor and in my first day, I was already able to identify some problem areas in the town with regards to health. As a DTTB, my primary task was to perform my situational analysis and conduct my com...

In celebration of our Lung month, the Municipal health office of Candoni decided to hold a public parade as part of our advocacy campaign against TB or tuberculosis. As far as data is concerned, Candoni has a high Cure rate but still a very low detection rate, thus, TB still contributes to our top ten Mortality and Morbidity cases. With our aggressive campaign, we are hoping to erase the "stigma" among TB suspects and even within the community. People who feel that they have the disease are afraid to come out of the open for fear of being isolated. This behavior seems to contribute to the growing number of silent TB patients who are not diagnosed and are therefore not started with their treatment. Some of them eventually die due to complications of the disease. This morning, along with all of my barangay health workers, staff, community volunteers and barangay leaders, we went around Poblacion carrying streamers informing the public that it is time to really get serious with ...

Last August 12, 2008, the Municipality of Candoni celebrated its 47th anniversary as a municipality. Of course, the history of the Candonians started more than 50 years ago, back in the early 1920's when their founder Santiago Diego started the exodus to the Tabla Valley and settled in what was to become Candoni. Without government aid, the pioneers of Tabla Valley built 30 kilometers of road from Dancalan, Ilog to Poblacion, Candoni. During the 47th anniversary, these pioneers who were still alive were given due recognition by the Mayor himself, who was the grandson of Santiago "Tagoy" Diego. Present during the occasion were Congressman Genaro Alvarez, Jr, Former Mayors Paul Alvarez (Ilog) and Tabujara (Cauayan), and other officials of Candoni. It was a loaded day for me and the RHU as well. After the ceremonies, we dashed to the RHU and held our first ever Mass Breastfeeding Activity. Around 68 mothers gathered in the Tourism Cottage and breastfed their babies together....

I had to report to my area of assignment last Sunday in order to fulfill the prestigious role of a ring-side physician. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy watching such a sport and I advocate the promotion of this sport, albeit violent in the eyes of others, especially among our young people. At least it distracts them from the lure of drugs and idleness. Anyway, it is only curious to note that Boxing hero and now living legend Manny Pacquiao started his career in local matches such as this. It is possible that I am watching the next Boxing hero doing his stuff in the ring.

Having survived an NPA-infested area (thanks to the warm accommodation of Ilog's Mayor, Honorable Joyce Alvarez), I have come out of Ilog's farthest mountains to bring pictures of the medical mission which the Mayor sponsored. Around 300 patients sought consultation and together with Ilog's MHO, Dr. Quijano, we saw patients from various age groups. It was gruelling day, not to mention the trip going to the mountains and back to the Poblacion area.

The sun loses a ray of light every time a teacher on earth dies. It is one flame less and the darkness that threatens mankind into the plunge of ignorance thickens and gains strength. It is an irreplaceable loss. Today, I have lost a great teacher. As far as I can recall, she was one of the greatest teachers I have met. Simply because she has changed me and made me become who I am today. From a once shy and aloof kid in my elementary, she was able to see what perhaps others have failed to see: my potentials. Along with other few teachers as great as she was, I was able to gain confidence, establish self-esteem and develop my skills, simply because this teacher believed in me. She taught me to speak in public, to not fear the stage and the audience, to write without boundaries nor fear of ridicule. And although I am not so sure whether I have lived up to her standards, I am thankful that somehow, through her patient mentoring, I was able to instill in myself the confidence to speak ...

Happy Birthday Mommy! And what a way to celebrate Mommy's birthday. Rien's school had this culminating activity for their Nutrition Month. I was the guest speaker. After the school activity, my wife invited her friends and co-parents to our house for some simple cocktails. I will be posting the pictures during the small fete in our house but for now, let me share with you the pictures during my son's culminating activity.