The Freudian Slip Of A Bacolodnon

Leaders are in a position not only of great responsibility but also of great stress. Nothing can be more stressful than being in a leadership role. Leaders face many challenges every day, some of which are invisible to the others and are only explicit to the leaders themselves. Challenges can come from within, e.g. a struggle or conflict between personal core-values and the differing values of others and the world. Challenges can come from outside as well, such as the weight of the work, the lack of appreciation of others and even public criticism. Leaders run on motivation and passion but they don't function in a vacuum. Most often than not, leaders can experience burn outs, even frustrations and waning of passion and motivation. It is important that leaders must find time to take care of themselves, to "step out of the office" and renew the passions and internal drive. If one is hungry, one goes to find food. If one is thirsty, one goes to find a drink. If one is ti...

Last Saturday, I was invited to give a talk during the first Philippine Conference on Community Health at the U.P Manila College of Medicine. It was organized by the University of the Philippines' Regionalization Student Organization (RSO). My lecture was about "Support and Benefits" given to the Community Physician. The idea was really to share my experience as a former Doctor to the Barrios regarding the benefits I received whether from Government or Non-government Organizations. At first I wasn't really sure how I would deliver the content but it ended up being a light reminiscing of my DTTB days. The photos in this blog are not mine and are just grabbed from the facebook pages of some of the participants who attended my talk: After I gave my talk there was an opportunity for a "Q&A" and one of the "difficult" questions I encountered was "What was your biggest accomplishment as a DTTB?" Trying to avoid answering like a ...

You might be a first-timer when it comes to Masskara Festival, the City of Smiles' Grand Fiesta and the Philippines' Party of the Year. Perhaps it is also your first time to visit Bacolod City, perhaps the rising City in Central Philippines. Here are some tips which can help you celebrate the Masskara Festival: Tip No. 1 : Plan Your Itinerary - There are so much happening in Bacolod City when it's Masskara Festival. Be sure you get hold of a copy of all the events especially during the weekend celebration. Every mall, every restaurant, every bar, every street corner has some thing going on and it lasts from sun-up to sundown. You can visit the City Tourism Office or download a copy of the schedule here . Tip No. 2 : Charge Your Batteries - If you are a photo-bug, then it's time to load your cameras with fully-charged batteries and reserve a lot of spares in your backpacks. There will be so much color and motion that you might not know where to begin. Best advice, ...

I will be celebrating my 5 years in Public health soon and as a tribute to many mentors and colleagues in the field, I am reposting the episode of TV5's Ako Mismo which featured me and former municipality. The experience that I had as a Doctor to the Barrios is perhaps nothing compared to the pioneers in the program. I am still thankful though for the opportunity to serve. Despite the many challenges, I am praying that I may have more fulfilling years in Public Health. Like it? Share it. Get the Share on Facebook widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox ! Not seeing a widget? ( More info )Like it.

Game 2 between University of Sto. Tomas and Ateneo de Manila University is currently happening at the Araneta Coliseum. The Atenean Blue Eagles are expecting to sweep the series to win their 5th crown in a row. The UST Growling Tigers are hoping to trip the defending champions and push for a third game. Below are live updates from the Mall of Asia Arena as seen by spectators, media and fans of the UAAP. UPDATE: Ateneo de Manila University wins UAAP 75th Men's Basketball Championship Tweets about "#UAAP75" Like it? Share it. Get the Share on Facebook widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox ! Not seeing a widget? ( More info )Like it.

A few weeks ago, the NGO that I am working for was invited to provide resource speakers to discuss the Philippine Health Situation and how our NGO has attempted to address the current health challenges confronting the country. It was during the City-wide Health Summit annually organized and sponsored by the Tambal Society, a student-initiative of the medical students of the University of Saint La Salle in Bacolod City. The school would usually hold this summit and other activities during the annual Medicine Week which also coincides with the University Week (or currently known as Lasallian Week). There were three of us who represented the NGO. I was tasked to share the overview on the latest health statistics of the country. The summit was attended by municipal health officers of Negros Occidental, the Provincial Health Office, students of the University and other private individuals and organizations. More than just presenting the statistics, I attempted to present the lecture i...

One of the most unforgettable trips I spent in Spain was my brief day tour of Barcelona. When I was young, I have always dreamed of going to Spain. While working onboard a cruise ship, I was able to learn basic Spanish through constant conversations with Spanish-speaking friends. When our cruise ship crossed the Atlantic Ocean, one of its ports was the port of Barcelona. The ship arrived very early in the morning so as soon as the ship docked, we went off and spent the early morning wandering around the city of Barcelona. Of course, since it was early morning, we had to find a place where we could grab some breakfast. However, the first stop we really had in mind was to visit the famous Cathedral of the Sagrada Familia. Along the way, we had to take a picture of ourselves with the statue of Christopher Columbus. We took a cab to the Sagrada Familia and as soon as we arrived there we were greeted by this almost-amazing view of the Church's facade. Almost-amazing because the...

"Life is Good in Bacolod" is the theme of the Masskara Festival 2012. Tourists from all over the country and even elsewhere around the globe are expected to troop to Bacolod City, the City of Smiles, to celebrate this almost a month-long festival. Here is the schedule of the Masskara Festival Activities this 2012. Like it? Share it. Get the Share on Facebook widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox ! Not seeing a widget? ( More info )Like it.

September 29, 2012 will go down in history books as the day when the Philippine National Football team won an International Tournament after 99 years. The last time the National Team won an International Championship Trophy was in 1913 during the Far Eastern Games. Technically speaking, they were actually carrying the American Flag being a colony of the United States of America during this year. Nevertheless, if we count it out, the win of the Philippines last Saturday could be in a sense a first for the country. [ View the story "Philippine Football History" on Storify ] Philippine Football History Last Saturday, September 29, 2012, the Philippine National Football Team, better known as the Azkals, made yet another history in Philippine Football. Storified by Bien Nonoy · Sun, Sep 30 2012 21:57:44 undefinedAkamaihd Philippine Azkals seal historic win in Peace CupMANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) - The Philippine Azkals won its first international title in 99 years by crush...