The Freudian Slip Of A Bacolodnon

For Manny P. Show your support. Post a shoutout for Manny. December 6, 2008

Tomorrow is the start of the last 31 days of the year and there is still so much to do. The first week of December will be very very busy. Although it's a holiday tomorrow, I need to go up to my area for the Opening Ceremonies of the Area Meet. All department heads are to be there during the opening ceremonies in the afternoon. Of course, the entire week is more of supervising the entire event from the medical aspect. We will be deploying our midwives and first-aiders for the entire Area Meet on Tuesday. I have also scheduled an emergency meeting with the staff this Wednesday. Por supuesto, tengo que terminar mis papeles de prueba para los exámenes. I need also to finalize our papers for the Healthy Lifestyle Contest. I need to mail them before December 15. Which reminds me, I need also to send via mail my DTR for October (which is long overdue) and my application for forced leave which I will be taking by the 3rd week of December. Until now, I still have to plan for our Holiday v...

I was reading this article about Edna Parker who died Wednesday at the age of 115. She was declared last year as the oldest living person. I cannot imagine how life would be at the age of 115. According to the article, despite her old age, she still led an active life. In fact, while at the nursing home, according to his grandchild, she could still be seen pushing patients on their wheelchairs. The Governor of Indiana remarked that she must have been a remarkable lady at any age. I cannot imagine how much stored wisdom and experience this old lady has in her. In 115 years, she must have seen how the world around her evolved. Across the spectrum of society - politics, technology, religion - Edna was a witness to the best and worst of the human civilization. According to the article: "Parker taught in a two-room school in Shelby County for several years after graduating from Franklin College in 1911. She wed her childhood sweetheart and neighbor in 1913. But as was the tradition of ...

Take me to this place where every joy is unending and the sun never sets, even as the moon rises and chases the winds that create shadows. Take me to this place where falling stars never harm, they fly across the midnight sky and with them memories every man would want to forget. Take me to this place, a venue they call paradise, yet none of the dead are present, only the living, the hopeful, those who wish their lives to be just a little bit better. Take me to this place where time runs backwards and chances are plenty to spare, where identities are not important, and actions weigh more than any single opinion. Take me to this place high above the cliffs, where clouds creep over my feet and the morning dewdrops carpet the everlasting green. Take me to this place, let me cling to your fiery wings, I don't mind the burning flames that will consume my soul, for my soul is free and it is indestructible, like your offsprings that sprout ever so often from the ashes you leave in your ne...

MUMBAI, India – A trickle of bodies and hostages emerged from a luxury hotel Thursday as Indian commandoes tried to free people trapped by suspected Muslim militants who attacked at least 10 targets in India's financial capital of Mumbai, killing 101 people. More than 300 were also wounded in the highly coordinated attacks Wednesday night by bands of gunmen who invaded two five star hotels, a popular restaurant, a crowded train station, a Jewish center and at least five other sites, armed with assault rifles, hand grenades and explosives. A previously unknown Islamic militant group claimed responsibility for the carnage, the latest in a series of nationwide terror attacks over the past three years that have dented India's image as an industrious nation galloping toward prosperity. Among the dead were at least one Australian, a Japanese and a British national, said Pradeep Indulkar, a senior government official of Maharashtra state, whose capital is Mumbai. The Italian Foreign M...

The events in Mumbai remind us that terrorism is still at large and these cowards are using their twisted interpretation of their religion to spread terror and death. They are indiscriminate in their choice for victims. Their belief is that they are doing their God's will. I cannot conceive a God who will command His children to kill those who are different from them with a promised reward of eternal life. Whether God is Allah, Yahweh, or Jesus Christ, no God in His right Divine Mind can bring such chaos, such suffering, such destruction and misery as what we are seeing in our Television sets. No, religion has nothing to do with this. Terrorism is all about the indelible flaws of human beings who are inherently selfish, violent and domineering. And whether these are Muslim jihadists, or Christian vigilantes or Jewish armed groups or whatever, the victims and the perpetrators are one and the same. So many blood have been shed, so many lives killed. My frustration is that I will bequ...

Another memorable event for the year 2008 was when my family went to Boracay during the summer for a family get-together. We needed that trip to the white sands of Boracay island as a family. It was time to relax and re-charge. Good thing the annual PAGPI convention was scheduled in Boracay. So, it became a segway trip for me and my family as well. Personally, it was already my third time in the island and my son's and wife's second time. It was a first for my baby daughter, who just turned 1 year old that time and could barely walk straight on her own. We went to all the must-go places. It wasn't as expensive as we have expected. Every night, we would treat ourselves to Eat-all-you-can delicacies. The last eat-all-you-can resto was memorable because they had the sweetest mango shake I have ever tasted since our first day in Boracay. I was kind of frustrated because everytime I ordered for mango shake, it wasn't as sweet as I would have wanted it. But at last, the elusi...

The Area Meet will be next week and about 5 municipalities and cities will converge in our little town of Candoni, nestled in Tabla Valley, to compete in various sports events: basketball, softball, athletics, volleyball, boxing, table tennis, etc. Candoni will be hosting the Area Meet for the very first time and the rural health unit will be leading the First Aid Team. A few days ago, the municipal health office conducted its pre-event planning in case of a possible disaster. Unfortunately, the Department of Education was not coordinating with us even during the pre-event planning. One of the gaps identified is the small human resources that would serve as first aiders and medics. It was proposed that the students and teachers will be asked to volunteer as medics. Through the Community health Allies and Reform Team (CHART) assembly we were able to invite the teachers and students to attend our crash course on First Aiding, at the same time our final pre-event planning and finalization...

The countdown to the finale begins. I wish to start reminiscing early so I will be posting my first "Looking Back" blogs for the year 2008. And perhaps one of the most memorable events for 2008 was when I was able to organize, along with my staff, the first ever Mountain Marathon in Candoni , Negros Occidental. This was part of our Heart Month activities last February 28, 2008.

It is about 36 days before the year of 2008 ends. Another year is waiting around the corner and I feel that time is running out. There is so much to do, so little time to do all of these things. I feel that everything is in a rush the past few days. I need some time to slow down, ease up a bit and relax. I expected life to be a little bit slower in the countryside, but the work demands so much from me that there is no time to stop and even take a deep breath. With this speed I fear that I might miss some things to do so I should better list them down before I could forget them. List of things to do: 1. Submit my application for forced leave - I still got 5 days alloted for my vacation. I am planning to take them a week before the Christmas Holidays. 2. Submit my DTR's for October and November - there's no dough without these little babies. 3. Staff Meetings - there are two left for the year, one is coming up tomorrow. 4. Follow up applications for a) TB DOTS, b) OPB, c)MCP and...

Candoni is in the Southern tip of Negros Island and it is right in the middle of what was once known as Tabla Valley. Every morning, a shroud of fog would cover the valley, almost a preview to what heaven must be like.

Soon to be published... In all honesty, "Verses" is just a working title. I am not really sure what title to give to this book. It is supposed to be a collection of reflections born out of my experiences as a doctor to the barrio. When it's done, it is going to be sold in the I-proclaim bookstores. Anyone can buy it, either as a printed book or as an e-book. I am trying to finalize my text now and hopefully I can submit it for publication within the week. I have yet to survive the brutal month of November and I still have hectic December waiting in the corner. So, it will take me some form of miracle to submit my text for publications. Any suggestion for the title will be very much appreciated.

I just received an email from a friend with an attachment of this picture of a news clipping. This is totally hilarious. I have read about similar letters like this, Filipinos trying to write in perfect english. I guess some of us have to be contented with the Mother Tongue that we are gifted with. And besides, why pressure ourselves from speaking English? True, it is a global language and globalization is the key to survival in the 21st century onwards, but there are a lot of cultures and societies that are currently successful and yet can't even a word in English, let alone speak in perfect English grammar. Anyway, for better viewing, click on the image to enlarge it. I used to collect pictures of real funny grafittis and signboards in my cellphone. I used to have lots of these pictures. I think I uploaded them in my multiply account. An example would be: "Please Ring Door Bill". Or the word, "Intrance" painted on a gate. Of course, Bacolod got so popular with...

I have just been nominated for Blog of the Week. To vote, click here . (The poll is at the sidebar of the website) Blog of the Week competition is sponsored by The Composed Gentleman

Music to my ears. These were the words of Dr. Teruel when he and Sir Jerry went to Candoni yesterday to evaluate our local health board. We met with them earlier, the day before, in Kabankalan City, where all of the LGU members of the South Negros Interlocal Health Zone gathered to meet with them for the evaluation of the outstanding Interlocal Health Zone. Hinoba-an and Candoni, members of the SNILHZ, also joined the outstanding local health board competition. Weeks before this, we were already preparing our documentations and presentations for D-day. They arrived from Hinobaan in our RHU yesterday morning. I gave them a short tour of our newly renovated Health Center. It was a big change from the last time Sir Jerry was here. Earlier that day, we already had a practice presentation infront of the rest of the staff and the other members of the Municipal Council. Unfortunately, the Mayor was not around to "add on" to the presentation. He was in Manila attending the convention...

Some people love to "wear" their current sentiments. A shirt or a cap can be an extension of how a person would like to express himself. Most often than not, these self-expressions don't come in total serious mode. I love wearing "funny expressive" shirts. I have one at home. In fact, it is my first "pink" shirt. It says, "I'm Sofa King Cool". If you are the kind of person who would love to wear your emotions, then you might as well hop in at crazydogtshirts. They got all the funny shirts you can just be proud to wear. Browsing through their catalogue, I have to say that my favorites are the Chuck Norris's tshirts. There is this one tshirt that shows the face of Chuck and it reads, "I Don't Need A Weapon. I am one." The Banner below leads you to their very user-friendly website. There is this one t-shirt showing that bad-ass dude in Karate Kid Part One, saying his infamous line, "Sweep the leg". Another funny...

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The start of the hectic week has just began. As soon as I arrived at the RHU last Monday, the entire place was already packed with people trying to donate blood. Of course, the teachers and barangay captains are waiting for me to start our Community Health Allies and Reform Team Consultative Assembly. It was a very productive meeting. I was able to convince the participants to support my pet project of Alkansiya for the pregnant mothers. The objective was to make the pregnant mothers save for the expected baby and the expenses to be incurred during their delivery. They assembly called it Alkansiyang Pampamilya and gave birth to the project through an Assembly Resolution. The group was also sold out on the idea of implementing a User Fee on some selected health services. In fact, during our Local Health Board meeting with the Mayor later that afternoon, he himself was contemplating of making the ambulance exclusively free only for indigents. He himself had to admit that making it free f...