an eye doctor in a third world country

THE OPHTHA BANQUET

All eye doctors in the land were summon to
Imperial Manila to
attend a big banquet of knowledge and idea sharing.

The OPhTha Chiefs from the Island of Cebu answered the call,
willingly and eagerly to break the
monotomy of their daily grind

The humble chiefs from the south were billeted
in a very humble dwelling in the
heart of Ortigas.

They were fed exotic foods not found on their islands,
and they did not stopped till their belly aches.

Even in the asphalt jungle of EDSA, crocodiles abound,
watching and waiting while chiefs from other
islands were dining and pigging.

Even their choice of beverage were for the malaria afflicted,
the chiefs were wondering where's the brown water.

While strolling in the Baywalk, amid the myriad of twinkiling lights,
a living statue caught the chief's eyes.
He was not moving at all,
but if you ran away with his pile of coins,
do you think he will not jumped and ran after it?

The chiefs wanted to experience a different tepsichorean show,
and they were happily obliged.

And the chiefs went home, happy with full of baggages of memories
and loads of new things to ponder .

I WAS NAUGHTILY ASKING MY INTERN DURING SURGERY THIS MORNING, WHY HE WANTED TO BECOME A DOCTOR. SA WAY DUHA DUHA, NITUBAG ANG HINAMPAK UG " TO SERVE HUMANITY DOC" NI BAHAKHAK KO UG KATAWA KAY MAO MAN JUD NI PIRMING I RASON SA MGA ESTUDYANTE NGA GUSTO MU SULOD SA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. EITHER TINUNTO TO IYAHA O TINARUNG (TINARUNG BUWAD, NOY?) NAKALITAN KO SA AKO NG BAHAKHAK, WHAT'S WRONG WITH HIS ANSWER? PROBABLY , I WAS THE ONE HAVING THE WRONG REACTION. KAUWAW!

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF OUR LIFE IF WE CANNOT SHARE IT WITH SOMEONE? IN AN M.D.'S MIND SET, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF BEING A DOCTOR IF YOU CANNOT TREAT ANYONE IN NEED ? YOU SPEND ALMOST A DECADE BEING ONE AND IT WILL GO TO WASTE IF YOU WILL NOT USE IT TO PROMOTE AND IMPROVE HUMANITY (INCLUDING YOURSELF).

YOU MAY CALL IT ALTRUISM OR PLAIN HIPPOCRISY BUT REALLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH SERVING HUMANITY?

NA A PA PUD BIYAY DOCTOR NGA NAGPAKATINUUD SA ILANG PROFESYON. DILI BYA TANAN NAKALIMUT ANING BULAWANONG MITHI. ANG UBAN PUD BIYA NATONG MGA GINOO/AMO/SIR, MOHATAG BIYA SA ILANG PANAHON UG NAKAMAUHAN SA MGA TAW NGA TINUURAY NGA NAGKINAHANGLAN.

PERO NAA PUY UBAN NGA NAKALIMUT. HINAUT UNTA NGA MALAMDAGAN ANG ILANG HUNA HUNA. PARA SA ILANG KALUWASAN.

BUSA KUNG KINSA MAN GANING DOCTOR, DOCTORON UG MURAG DOCTOR NGA MUBASA ANI. WALAY SAYOP SA PAG SERBISYO SA KATILINGBAN, HINGLABAW NA NGA DI SAYOP ANG PAGPAKABUHI SA HARUHAY!

DIRI NA LANG....

WHAT IS THERE TO LOOK FORWARD THAN BEYOND THE CREEPING CLOUDS? THEY SAY ITS DIFFICULT, STEREOTYPICAL.
GONNA BE CONVENTIONAL.
SO I SING THIS SONG TO ALL OF MY AGE.
THIS ARE THE QUESTIONS WE HAVE TO FACE.
FOR IN THIS CYCLE THAT WE CALLED LIFE
WE ARE THE ONE WHO ARE NEXT IN LINE.

(fAMILIAR? KANTA NI SA INTROVOYS, MAO MAOY LYRICS SA AKONG NAHINUMDUMAN )

Pinoys Favorite Food:
THIS WAS POSTED IN ONE RESTAURANT NEAR NAIA AIRPORT,
so, maybe next time you are around the area, you may
as well dine-in there, and check out their menu; AS
YOU GO ON, IT'S BECOMING INTERESTING AND MORE
FLAVORFUL!!! (this is based on true facts...)

1. TAPSILOG - Tapa, Sinangag, Itlog

2. LONGSILOG - Longganisa, Sinangag, Itlog

3. HOTSILOG - Hotdog, Sinangag, Itlog

4. PORKSILOG - Pork, Sinangag, Itlog

5. CHICKSILOG - Chicken, Sinangag Itlog

6. AZUCARERA - Adobong Aso

7. LUGLOG - Lugaw, Itlog

8. PAKAPLOG - Pandesal, Kape, Itlog

9. KALOG - Kanin, Itlog

10. PAKALOG - Pandesal, Kanin, Itlog

11. MAALOG NA BETLOG - Maalat na Itlog, Pakbet, Itlog

12. BAHAW - Bakang Inihaw (akala ninyo kaning lamig
ano)

13. KALKAL - Kalderetang Kalabaw

14. HIMAS - Hipon Malasado

15. HIMAS SUSO - Hipon Malasado, Sugpo, Keso

16. HIMAS PEKPEK - Hipon Malasado, Kropek, Pinekpekan

17. PEKPEK MONG MALAKI - Kropek, Pinekpekan, Monggo,
Malasado, Laing, Kilawin

18. DILA - Dinuguan, Laing

19. DILAAN MO - Dinuguan, Laing, Dalandan, Molo

20. BOKA BOKA - Bopis, Kanin, Bokayo, Kape

21. BOKA BOKA MO PA - Bopis, Kanin, Bokayo, Kape,
Molong Pancit

22. KANTOT - Kanin, Tortang Talong

23. KANTOT PA - Kanin, Tortang Talong, Pancit

24. SIGE KANTOT PA - Sinigang na Pige, Kanin, Tortang
Talong, Pancit
25. SIGE KANTOT PA IBAON MO - Sinigang na Pige, Kanin,
Tortang Talong, Pancit - Take out

26. SIGE KANTOT PA HA - Sinigang na Pige, Kanin,
Tortang Talong, Pancit, Halo-halo

27. SIGE KANTOT PAIBAON MO PAPA - Sinigang na Pige,
Kanin, Tortang Talong, Pancit... Take out with Ketchup

28. PAKANTOT - Pandesal, Kanin, Tortang Talong

29. PAPAKANTOT - Papaitan, Kanin, Tortang Talong

30. PAPAKANTOT KA BA - Papaitan, Kanin, Tortang
Talong, Kapeng Barako

31. PAKANTOT SA YO - Pandesal, Kanin, Tortang Talong,
Saging + Yosi

32. PAKANTOT KA - Pandesal, Kanin, Tortang Talong,
Kape

33. PAKANTOT KA HABANG MATIGAS PA - Pandesal, Kanin,
Tortang Talong, Kape, Inihaw na Bangus, Maruya,
Tinola, Ginisang Aso, Pancit

34. SUBO - Sugpo, Bopis

35. SUBO MO - Sugpo, Bopis, Molo

36. SUBO MO PA - Sugpo, Bopis, Molo, Pancit

37. SUB O MO PA MAIGE - Sugpo, Bopis, Molo, Mais, Pige

38. SUBO MO TITE KO - Sugpo, Bopis, Tinola, Teryaki,
Kochinta

39. SUBO MO TITE KO BILIS - Sugpo, Bopis, Tinola
Teryaki, Kochinta, Bihon, Tawilis

40. SUBO MO TITE KO BILIS, HAYOP! - ...same as #39,
minura mo lang yung waiter kasi ang tagal ng order.

NOW, YOU BELIEVE, FILIPINO CUISINE MENUS CAN BE SO
APPETIZING, SERVE WITH SIZZLING LIBIDO... ENJOY YOUR
MEAL, BON APPETITI!!!

What can melt a mother's heart? what can trigger daddy's happy tears?

He's 8 years old but talks and acts like his 28, and he thinks like one too. He asks logical question, makes you wonder where in this world did he get such thoughts. He can be pretty biting with his remarks sometimes and would get some serious reprimands for it. He shows his feelings with his eyebrows and cool your anger with his smiles.

He argues like a lawyer for his baon but he's afraid of the dark. He wants to be cuddled and be hugged and he does'nt want to be treated like a kid. He does'nt want to study in Manila because his Daddy is not there. He wants to be a car designer but i havent heard of a degree for that.

He does'nt want a baby sister, he wants a baby brother for a playmate. He likes Smackdown but can't decide if Batista or Undertaker should be his idol. He says he will get married at 14 but I said it should be 40. He says his already a young man but he will always be our baby.

MY HOMETOWN

Majestic entrance to a magnificent town

Acacia Arch in Perrelos, Carcar

A Funeral and A Wedding

My friend Katherine Veloso died Saturday. She was afflicted with cancer of the breasts which has mets all over her body including her brain and lungs which means that she never had a chance with her fight of the Big C. According to her husband, on the day that she passed away, she kept on removing her IV's and needles and would refuse any meds given to her. Its as if she had given up and she just wanted to be let go. She was 34. She left behind a son and a grieving husband.

We visited her wake last night, the STC-Cebu BAtch '89 came to console with the family. There we were, all healthy, chattering, living girls and there was Viels in front, lying in her coffin peaceful and at rest.  A grim reminder that all of us temporary beings in these world.

Most of the girls were in a melancholic mood and saying that Viels is still so young to die, etc. etc. I just kept to myself thinking, if being alive is equivalent to the  difficult chemo treatments plus needles and avalanche of labs plus the mega expenses, then I'd rather be dead knowing that my family would be in neck deep debt just to sustain my clinging life which would be gone anyway. Another thought occurred to me, Viels was very fortunate that she had a very supportive family, emotionally and financially and they were able to sustain her life as long as it permits them. She had live a fulfilled life.

To my friend Viels, where ever you maybe right now, we will always cherish your memory.

Just as were going home, the girls said that we should meet at the Coffee Beanery just down the block for a video taping session. I said what? videotaping? what the hell for? Yup, Dr. Aimee Alinsorin of Pennsylvannia and Cebu,is walking down the aisle and is asking for videos of her high school friends. That pulled us out of our melancholic mood.

Life is still worth living for and live life like it would be your last.

Technorati Profile

He won ! But i can feel the pain of being vanquished and the face of cluelessness of his boxing career on Mr. Morales' face. Lets celebrate his victory but we should remember that all is not victorious. To Mr. Morales, thank you for the good fight, even if we feel shortchanged of the lessen period of brutal punching as you gave out on the third round. To Manny, congratulations, and may you not squander your wealth as some past boxers have done.
Remember N-A-V-A-R-R-E-T-E! No mas!

This weekend, I was in Argao. I wish it was a laag journey but somehow, sounds-like na pud kay trabaho ug laag na man pud siya. I was with the Tzu Chi Foundation, they invited some ophthalmologists to do free cataract surgery para sa mga pobre ug uyamot nato nga mga ka-igsuonan sa lungsod sa Argao. Kuyog nako sila Drs. Jeffery Lim and Janice Lim from the Chong Eye Center, Dr. Milanel Fuentebella , Chief Resident of CEbu Doctor's University Hospital, Dr. Andrew Uy of Cebu City Medical Center Eye Clinic ug uban pa nga mga miyembro sa Foundation. Kuyug pud namo ang mga nurses sa Cebu Doc.

Nagsugod na sila ug opera pag abot nako, medyo na late ko ug abot gikan sa dakbayan. Naka- opera na sila ug 15 ka pasyente sugod pa sa buntag. Naka-ambit na sila sa ilang mga powers sa 15 ka pasyente. 15 patients na ang nabalikan na ug kahayag ang ilang mga panan-aw. 15 patients na ang naka-pasalamat na sila sa Ginoo sa pagbalik sa ilang kahayag. Kaming mga doctor, instrumento lang sa Ginoo. Dili kami ang nag-balik sa ilang panan-aw, ang Kahitas-an ang nagbuot sa tanan.

(Actual picture of Patient's eyes being operated in Argao)

Ang operasyon sa mata, dili kani ka-tiaw-tiawan. Sayon nga tan-awon, pero lisud buhaton. Lalim ba nimo ug dungan ang imong mata ug kamot samtang nag-lili lang ka sa microscope. Kinahanglan ug daghang powers. Kinahanglan ug daghang pangaliya.

A lot of pressures, a lot of stress. But im sure that if you're given the proper training and guidance, young doctors (young pa pud ko!) who wants to go into training, you should go into ophthalmology. Muta ray imo kontra!

Of course, human sa trabaho, pahayahayay na sa baga ug sa mga gi-pangkapoy nga bukton. Ambak dayon sa dagat, swimming dayon sa pool. Ang uban nag-shina-okay sa videoke, pero ang tanan dili na hait nga instrumento ang dala kun dili brown na nga botelya. Kalimtan ang ka-alimout sa operating room, kalimtan ang kasakit sa buko-buko, kalimtan ang ka-poypoy sa kamot.

Pero way juy mo-reklamo, kay wa ra ba mo sugu-a nga pangopera. Way nag-nagpugos sa pag-kuyog. It is our choice, it is our heaven.

25 ka pasyente ang nabalikan ug kahayag kadtong adlawa. Hinaut nga ilang galmon ang ilang ika-duhang higayon sa pagka-kita sa kahayag sa adlaw, sa ka-berde sa dahon ug sa pahiyum sa ilang mga apo ug anak.

10 ka pasyente ang na-kiskisan sa ptyregium. Nahiluwas na sila sa mga tutuk sa mga tao tungod sa unod sa ilang mga mata. Dili na sila ma-uwaw mu tutuk og balik.

This eerie site met us when we visited the Twin Lakes of Balinsasayaw in San Jose, Negros Oriental last year. It reminded me of the movie, The Others by Nicole Kidman. The mist was all over the place and we were the only people around. A passing local said that this the first lake, farther on is the second lake which 20x more bigger. We decided to go further to make our trip more worthwhile as we had traveled more than an hour in a road of steep ravines and angled unpaved roads.

And this the second lake that we have been chasing. It was more eerie than the first one. You can feel the Loch Ness Monster suddenly arises from the water and eat you alive, whole! What a great way to die! But my husband said that he can imagine the water full of piranhas ready to munch and chew his flesh. But hey, in fairness to the lake, it was very beautiful, pristine and peaceful. We took turns in shouting and hear our own echoes. Yes, echoes! in a lake nestled in between a range of small mountains. Amazing noh? But our grumbling stomachs brought us back to reality, demanding its share of chow, but there was nothing to eat but a few cans of sardines. I would have wanted a big bite of pork belly sinugba and kinilaw to go with the ambience. A few slurps of ice tea or mango shake would'nt hurt a bit. But nah, we just have to make do with the hot sardines with lots of garlic and sibuyas paired with the steamy smoking bugas mais cooked by the nature park ranger's wife. A grumbling stomach has no choice but to grabbed what's laid out. Mind you, the food doesn't taste bad at all but it evokes memories of many comfort foods you longed to eat in a rainy afternoon (it was in fact a rainy afternoon during our visit).

We hopped on rented bancas to tour and criss-crossed the lake aboard it , discovering its hidden secrets, btw, we did not find any.

And to Rey, our good friend and tireless defender. May the memory of this trip, be with you always, rest in peace our friend. You will always be remembered.