The Freudian Slip Of A Bacolodnon

I will be having 3 days of silence. No blogging. No talking. Not a sound. Besides, I am having pharyngitis and while it is not really painful when I talk, I think I still need to rest my voice. I cannot chew very well so I might be on a "vegan" diet for the next few days. Maybe some fish as well. So, no talking for now. Just thinking. Just reflecting. So many things to reflect on. So many things to mentally prepare for. Perhaps this is an opportunity for us to be immersed in the silence of God's tomb during his earthly stay. After Easter Sunday, I will be posting some of the pics and stories that happened in the last week. So many pictures. So many stories. But for now, just peace and quiet, perhaps a perfect gift for myself, and for the people around me.

Rule IV, Section 1 of the Omnibus Rules Implementing Executive Order No. 292: "Section 1. An appointment issued in accordance with pertinent laws and rules shall take effect immediately upon its issuance by the appointing authority, and if the appointee has assumed the duties of the position, he shall be entitled to receive his salary at once without awaiting the approval of his appointment by the Commission. The appointment shall remain effective until disapproved by the Commission." I have yet to receive my salary since I assumed my position last January 1, 2010. Take note: I am not the aggressor here. I am the aggrieved. Take note further: Hindi ako ang may utang...sila ang may utang sa akin. Moral of the story: Negligence of duty shall not go unpunished.

I am letting the pictures speak for themselves.

Yesterday I came back to Candoni burdened with some heavy thoughts. Despite the euphoric feeling of being inspired by the talks of HLMP Fellows last weekend, I felt so wearied and fatigued. There have been some incidents in Candoni that made me think of second thoughts and pushed me to even verbally declare that I was quitting. Before I even arrived in Candoni, my staff already knew about it. During the emergency meeting I called yesterday morning, the staff was quiet. Although the meeting was about our SIA against Measles, they could not bear but think about what I told some of them. In the middle of the meeting, Vice Mayor Jimmy Tiaga asked if we could both talk. It was a private conversation and there are some details that I could not openly share. But the Vice Mayor was asking if I could delay my plan of resigning. Earlier that day, I already piled up my books and arranged them inside old boxes, cleaned out my office at the health center and even my quarters where I spent my last 2...

Last weekend, I attended the National Congress of HLMP Fellows, the first ever to be organized by the Zuellig Family Foundation. HLMP stand for Health Leaders and Managers for the Poor. I belonged to Batch 2009. It was another refreshing moment, spending time with fellow doctors and nurses both from the local to the national levels. It was nice to rekindle friendships as well. My roommate was Doc Buboy who happened to be my first roommate during the first Module of the HLMP training (in Bohol). It was also an opportunity to meet new friends. I happened to be introduced to Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan, one of the pioneer doctors to the barrios. His talk was definitely inspiring. Doc Bubot Enriquez's sharing as well (Chief of the National Children's Hospital)was very inspiring. I won't forget the words: Success comes in CANS. Anyway, I am looking forward to the next year's Congress, perhaps much bigger than this one.

Applying some physio-concepts learned in school, these physiology students presented an infomercial selling a fictitious product and brand. (Disclaimer: any similarity to actual brand or product is purely coincidental and is not in any way promoting such brand or product) Funny and educational at the same time.

Charice's video for her single "Pyramid" (feat. Iyaz). The Single and Pyramid Remix EP is out on iTunes here: http://bit.ly/by5Yg8 You can listen also listen to "Pyramid" on Charice's Myspace Page: http://www.myspace.com/charicepempengco

As predicted and expected, the last week of February was "toxic". Two suspect measles cases came to my clinic and triggered what would be another toxic month for the health workers of Candoni's RHU. The first suspect was a 6 years old who grew up in Manila, migrated to Candoni 2 years ago, and never had any immunization against Measles. The second suspect was a 15 years old who grew up outside of Candoni, in one of the nearby towns in Negros, migrated in Candoni 10 years ago and had been in and out of town. Immediately after our culminating activity for our Heart Month, I called for an emergency meeting with all the midwives and health volunteers to discuss our strategy. Protocol dictates that we need to have a laboratory confirmation of the Measles. In fact, the two suspect cases were sent to Bacolod for laboratory confirmation. However, that would take some time and what we didn't have was time. Measles can spread fast especially among susceptible individuals. Measl...

Heart Month 2010 Celebrations ended with the 3rd Mountain Marathon and 2nd Interbarangay and Interschool Hataw Dance Competition. Video link .

Pictures speak a thousand words. Language spoken in this video is Hiligaynon.

God, I know I’m going to be very busy today. Help me not to be so busy that I miss the most important things. Help me not to be too busy to see the beauty in your world. Help me not to be too busy listening to other voices that I fail to hear your voice speaking to me. Help me not to be too busy to fail to listen to anyone who is in trouble or hurting. Help me not to be too busy to sit still for a moment and be thankful. Help me all through this day to remember that as I work my hardest, sometimes I must be still. Amen.