The Freudian Slip Of A Bacolodnon

This morning I got my facebook newsfeed swamped with links to what appears to be a column written by a Ms. Fely Villoria Sicam. The title of her article "Are resident doctors really doctors?" intrigued me so I had to read it for myself, but not before reading some of the comments made already by many who would share the link. Apparently, the article was yet another criticism to a certain sector of fellow health care practitioners. Further reading of the article would reveal that the criticism was directed more to the doctors and nurses working in government hospitals. At first glance I thought it was too stupid an article it has to be ignored. However, I tried to suspend my judgment and gave it another look. This article appeared to be inspired by a personal experience of an author's friend, narrating how this patient allegedly was not taken good care of while at an Emergency Room of a government-owned hospital. Apparently, the experience was not memorable and the interac...

I currently teach Family and Community Medicine for the University of Saint La Salle College of Medicine and I handle the lecture on "History of Public Health". After discussing the milestones in public health both from a global and national perspective, I asked my first year med students if they are aware of existing Public health programs of the government. It then gave me an idea for their first project. Divided into four groups, I asked them to come up with a video that would describe an existing Public Health Program of their choice. The idea is to have a one-shot video supposedly to highlight the process a patient would go through if they were to avail of the services under a specific health program. Here are the four videos they sent. Hope you enjoy them: Video on Family Planning Video on HIV/AIDS Video on Smoking Cessation Video on Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care Which of the four videos do you like? Like it? Share it. Get the Share on...

By the time Cardinal Bergoglio, or Father Jorge as he would like to be called, assumed the Papacy, becoming therefore the new successor to the seat of Saint Peter the first Pope, the whole Catholic Church and indeed the whole world was set ablaze. Pope Francis is indeed a breath of fresh air for modern-day society, a new role model for humility and openness. I was hoping then that he would eventually decide to visit the Philippines considering what we have been through in the past 2 years. When the good news came that he would finally make his first visit to the country, I was thrilled! Now here is a chance to see Pope Francis who definitely would invigorate the Catholic Christians in The Philippines with his meekness, straightforwardness and passion for the poor. After witnessing for 5 days his Apostolic Visit, Pope Francis did not disappoint.  Weeks before the visit, I was already calling for people at my workplace, trying to form a contingent of pilgrims who will attend the fina...

For school year 2014-2015, I decided to make my family and community medicine 3rd year medical students do a school-based health program for their chosen school. Part of their output is to come up with a video-documentary to summarize what they have done for the year. Here are the four video-documentaries for this year's schools project. 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.

UPDATE: Here's what others have been tweeting about #Cinemedicine2015 #Cinemedicine2015 update: #Bintana leads over #Heartstrings by only 300 votes. Judging of the films will be done on Friday. #Linger #Kape — Bien Nillos, MD (@DocBIENevolent) January 6, 2015 Will be watching #Cinemedicine entries in a while 😊 — Ronn Victor Azurin (@neuR0NN) January 1, 2015 "HEARTSTRINGS." It is a tribute film to our favorite band, Eraserheads! VOTE for the film. http://t.co/sGoJtsc8Mw by: Cha-Cha Valencia — Eraserheads (@Eheads_Fans) January 2, 2015 Please click the link and scroll down till you see the poll for voting! Kindly vote for LINGER! Thank you! :) http://t.co/uhZcFVknFG — Charles Adrian (@chaddlegislador) January 1, 2015 hi guys! i'll be needing your support by voting for our entry BINTANA in CINEMEDICINE2015 :) here's the official link http://t.co/k8WEyYSfm3 — Krisel Gonzaga (@KriselGonzaga31) January 1, 2015 Yes, i...

Four years ago, I did what I never imagined myself would do as a medical professional: 'betray' my country. At least, that was how it looked like for me. I was one of those who would criticize fellow professionals- doctors, nurses, therapists, teachers - who would leave the country in exchange for better incomes. I would lambast them in my tweets and facebook posts, condemning them for bartering their patriotism for a better life. Traitors.  I never expected that one day I would be placed in a similar situation. Worse. I never expected I would choose to leave rather than to stay.  It must be said that I chose to be a doctor not only because I wanted to "serve humanity" as the cliche would go but of course to earn a more than decent living that would support my family. Doing the right thing and getting paid for what you love to do is not bad or wrong. But the economical reason took a far back seat from the personal aspiration to really make a difference. I got attracte...

It was that time of the year again. The 38th edition of the famous Milo Marathon has just concluded its Bacolod Qualifying Leg. The Milo Marathon is perhaps the most famous marathon to ever be organized in the country. Thousands would join this race which ranges from 3k to 21k distances. Most of those who participate are not just avid and professional runners but mostly students and young professionals. There are also runners who come in groups and even families. Many join the Milo Marathon not only because it is popular and one of the longest running marathons in the country: the registration is also inexpensive.  For the Bacolod Qualifying Leg, thousands gathered at The People's House grounds where the Starting and Finish Lines were located. Here are some of the scenes in today's Bacolod Qualifying Leg: The top runners will be able to participate in the Manila Leg which is the Championships which is usually every December. To the finishers and top runners, congratulations!