Here in the US, there are two occasions in a year, that people are strongly compelled to exercise. During these times there is a considerable spike in gym attendance. This is based at least in my observation and purely my opinion only.

The first one is during early January, when everybody is jumping on the band wagon for the New Year’s resolution to exercise, lose weight, and join the gym. However by the end of January, some if not most of them, have already fallen off the wagon.

The second occasion is right after Thanksgiving, when many are feeling guilty they over ate during the holiday. According to one study, an average American will gobble 3000 calories during Thanksgiving dinner. But with all the snacking throughout the day, it can easily amount to 4500 calories in that day alone.

Some will reason that they can burn all those calories when they go shopping on Black Friday. However, unless you go jumping rope while shopping or you’re hauling or carrying a piano, the amount of calories burned is not even close.

One exercise physiologist estimated that in order for a 160-pound person to burn 3000 calories, he has to walk 30 miles. Or if you want to burn them faster, you can run. For 4 hours!

So this weekend, I avoided the gym altogether since I know it will jam-packed. This morning, I decided to run outside instead.

The problem is during this season, in this part of the world, it is already pretty cold. In fact, we already had snow and freezing rain this past week. Today is no different, the temperature was subfreezing.

Good thing is that I have invested on nifty cold-weather running apparel that I can be warm and toasty even if the temperature is below freezing. So I layered up, summon the spirit of the Black Ninja runner  (see previous post), and ran.

I was a little chilly when I started but by the second mile, I was already feeling warm that I took off the hood from my head. By the third mile, I already unzipped my outer layer. I ended my run after 4 miles, and I was all sweaty and hot that I even took off my jacket, at least temporarily, as I was walking to cool down.

I checked on my smart phone, and the temperature was a nippy 29º F (-2º C).

I believe my run will partly burn off all the turkey I ate. Though I still have to burn all the kare-kare* and krema de fruta*, which were what I really feasted on during the Thanksgiving dinner.

Now I’m feeling hungry. Where’s the left over kare-kare?

(*traditional Filipino dishes)

(*photo taken in Vigan a few years ago)

Akala ko’y hindi ka na kailangang lumisan,

Akala ko’y hindi mo na ako iiwan,

Akala ko’y nandito na lahat ng ‘yong kailangan,

Nguni’t meron pa rin pa lang kulang.

Tanggap kong nag-iiba ang iyong pangangailangan,

Kahit hindi ko man lubos na maintindihan,

Nguni’t tunay na pag-ibig ay hindi hahadlang,

Ang pag-alis mo ay hindi ko pipigilan.

Akin lamang pakiusap na iyong tatandaan,

Na narito lang ako at sa iyo’y nag-aabang,

Sige na, humayo ka nang mag-shopping,

Basta pasalubong ko’y aking hihintayin.

August 1984.

I was waiting inside an air-conditioned office of a very old edifice, the Main Building of the University of Santo Tomas (UST). Barely 2 months since the school had started of my freshman year, and I was already sitting inside the Dean’s office of the College of Science. Just like the notorious mandate, “to the Principal’s office,” this incident was not much different. I was there to drop a class in which I was not welcomed anymore.

Few days before that, I was in the Physical Education (PE) class of about 30 or so male students. It was Gymnastics I, which I really don’t have any interest, but needed to take, as it was part of my curriculum in the blocked section. The instructor was an older, yet still hulking man, whom I suppose was a gymnast in his heyday.

We really did not do a lot of gymnastics as I recall. It was more of running and walking around the grandstand, than rolling in the mat or tumbling on the gym floor. Definitely we did not ride on the pommel horse or hang on the high bar. It was in one of those running sessions around the grandstand that I got into trouble.

We were supposed to run around the UST grandstand for several rounds. Seven times around maybe, I don’t really remember. But as we were running, I felt the urge of nature call. Damn nature call! I have no choice but to answer.

So I slipped out of the ranks and went into the bathroom which was behind the grandstand. After I relieved myself, instead of running back and catching up with the class, I waited for the group to make one round and decided to join them when they come around to where I was. That was my costly mistake.

The instructor noted, that there were several students that broke out of the ranks and stop the group from running. So I was “caught” not in the group and have to run to the place where the teacher ordered the group to stop. The problem was it was not just me who was not in the group. There were five of us. The instructor thought it was a mutiny! Though to be honest, I don’t know any of the other boys, nor did we planned this together.

The teacher was really mad. He said that we were “cheating” and trying to take the easy way out by not completing the ordered number of runs around the grandstand. Instead of letting us run to make it up, he already decided that we were uninvited to join his class anymore. We were told to drop the class. No ifs, and no discussion.

UST Grandstand

As I was walking away across the field from the grandstand, it started to rain. The song “Crying in the Rain,” a remake by Aha, which was a hit at that time, was blaring loudly in my mind. And like the song goes, I did my crying in the rain.

That’s what brought me in the Dean’s office. No, not the crying, but the “cheating.”

When the Dean of Science asked me what was the reason I was dropping the PE class, I told her the whole story. I understand the consequence that by dropping that class, even how trivial it may be, I would not be eligible to apply for the Accelerated Class in Biology which was what I was eyeing to be in. Dropping a class, would delay me a semester.

The Accelerated Class was an elite group of students taking the Batchelor of Science, Major in Biology, in 3 years instead of the regular 4 years. They do it with increased workload every semester combined with summer classes. This was a fast track to enter UST Medical School. Only the best students with academic distinction were invited to join that class. Now, that opportunity was slipping away from me.

The Dean then asked me point blankly if I really want to drop the class. I honestly told her that I don’t want to, but I really have no other choice. The PE instructor kind of told me it’s either I drop the class while I can, or fail.

The Dean listened to my story intently. She barely knew me, since I was a first year student and the first semester was only 2 months in session. But I think she saw something in me: a 16-year-old lanky kid who needed a second chance.

The Dean then made a phone call to the PE Department. After a few minutes of what sounds like negotiating, she told me with a smile that I don’t have to drop the PE class. But I needed to attend the Gymnastic class regularly and to be in my best behavior. She never have to tell me twice, that was all I needed.

*******

January 2016.

I am back in the UST campus. I decided to drop by at the Main Building, where the College of Science is. I am actually attending a seminar at the Medicine building as part of our 25th year graduation anniversary from UST College of Medicine and Surgery. But I wanted to visit the College of Science as well, and perhaps see the Dean. Though I found out that the one I knew, have long retired.

I was just hoping to let her know that the kid that once sat in her office, who eventually joined the Accelerated Class, and made it to the Dean’s list, has come back to pay homage and give thanks for the second chance he was given.

UST Main building today

*******

P.S. Maybe I should wander to the PE department too and let them know, that the kid who was unable to complete his run around the grandstand before, is still running. Yes, running half-marathons, even after 32 years since freshman.

(*photos taken during my last homecoming)

After 6 years, almost 600 posts, and approaching 190,000 visits, this blog is going strong as ever. In fact, this last year, was my most successful year with regards to the number of visitors.

I know, this is not a race, but still, what an amazing run!

Thank you for your continued support.

(*photo taken somewhere in Palawan, Philippines, on one of a featured site of the Amazing Race)

Hindi siguro kaila sa karamihan na tayong mga Pilipino ay may romantikong relasyon sa ating inuming alak. Kayang-kaya nating makipagsabayan sa inuman kahit kaninumang mamamayan ng ibang bansa. Sangayon sa isang report mula sa Euromonitor*, ang Pilipinas raw ay isa sa mga bansang malakas komunsumo ng alak.

Hindi naman ibig sabihin nito, na tayo’y bansa ng mga lasenggero. Sabihin na lang nating dahil marami tayong okasyon para uminom. Umiinom tayo kapag may birthday. O fiesta. Kapag pista opisyal at walang pasok. Tuwing kinsenas at katapusan (katapusan na rin ng suweldo!). Kapag may nagbalikbayan, gaya ng aming kapitbahay na seaman, na  alam na alam ko kapag-nagbalikbayan na siya, dahil may maiingay na namang nag-iinuman sa kalye, sa tapat ng bahay nila. At iba-iba pang okasyon.

Ngunit kadalasan walang espesyal na dahilan ang kailangan para tayo’y mag-umpukan at mag-tagayan. Dahil lubog na ang araw, ay sapat ng okasyon para tayo’y mag-inuman.

Drinking. More fun in the Philippines.

Iba’t iba rin ang ating gustong inumin. Beer, gin, brandy, vodka, at rum. Nandiyan din ang mga katutubo nating inumin, gaya ng lambanog, basi, tapuy, at tuba. Sang-ayon sa mga pagsisiyasat, beer o cerveza, ang paboritong inumin nating Pilipino. At ang pangunahing beer sa Pilipinas ay walang iba kundi San Miguel beer na naging bahagi na ng ating kultura. (Wala po akong komisyon sa San Miguel Corporation, pero baka mabasa nila ito at bigyan ako ng balato.)

Iba’t iba rin ang tawag natin sa ating inumin. Tulad ng lapad, bilog, quatro-kantos, at long neck, sang-ayon sa hugis ng bote nila. Iba’t ibang taglines rin ang nakaukit na sa ating ulirat. “Iba ang may pinagsamahan.” “Inumin ng tunay na lalaki.” “Ganado sa buhay.” At “hindi lang pampamilya, pang sports pa.” Ah…eh….. rubbing alkohol pala iyung huli, ipinapahid lang at hindi dapat iniinom.

Nakakaaliw rin ang iba’t ibang logo ng mga alak. Isa sa nakakaagaw pansin ay ang logo ng Ginebra San Miguel, na kilala rin na marca demonio. Ito ay yung arkanghel na si San Miguel na may nakahugot na espada, habang inaapakan niya ang demonio. Ngunit kapag itiniwarik at tinungga mo na yung bote, at iyong titigan si San Miguel – nakapaibabaw na yung demonio!

May mga taong mahilig uminom sa bar. May madalas sa beer garden o mas kilala na “patay sindi.” Ngunit ang karamihan ng mga Pilipino ay sa harap lang ng  tindahan sa may kanto, o kaya’y sa isang sulok ng kalye sa ilalim ng poste ng Meralco, at doon kasama ang tropa ay solb na solb na sa tagay at pulutan.

Tungkol naman sa ating pulutan, paborito natin ang sisig, krispy pata, at tokwa’t baboy. Kung tipid naman ay adobong mani, o kornik, o chicaron ay talo-talo na. Kung walang-wala naman, ay “usa” na lang ang pulutan – “usapan.” At malungkot mang tanggapin, ay kilala rin tayong mga Pinoy sa pulutang “asusena.”

Ikuwento ko lang po noong bata pa ako, ay may aso kaming ang pangalan ay Brownie. Isang hapon ay nakawala ito dahil naiwanan naming bukas ang gate. Dali-dali naming ginalugad ang paligid-ligid at mga kapit-kalye doon sa amin sa Sampaloc, Manila. Patuloy kami sa pag-hahanap hanggang sa kumagat na ang dilim. Hindi namin mahanap ang aming aso, pero may nakita kaming isang grupo sa isang kalye na masasayang nag-iinuman at nagkakantahan. Hindi ko sila pinaparatangan. Ang alam ko lang, hindi na namin nakitang muli si Brownie.

Isang tradisyon ng inuman na aking personal na nasaksihan ay doon sa lugar na pinaglakihan ng aking tatay, sa Norzagaray, Bulacan. Parang Oktoberfest sa Germany ang tradisyon na palasak ang laklakan. Tawag nila rito ay “Lansakan.” Ito ay ginaganap tuwing Mahal na Araw. Sangayon sa tradisyon ang mga tao’y nagpapakalasing gaya ng mga sundalong Roman noong naghihirap si Kristo.

Kaya kapag Semana Santa doon sa Norzagaray, habang maraming mga tao ang nagpapakabanal, habang dumadagundong sa loudspeaker ang pabasa ng pasyon, habang ang mga Santo at Santa ay ipinuprusisyon, sa iba’t ibang sulok naman ng bayan ay ang mga taong nag-iinuman at nagpapakalasing. Tuloy-tuloy ang daloy ng beer, gin, rum, vodka, tuba at lambanog. Sa katagalan ay naiihi na ang mga manginginom sa kanilang salawal dahil sa kanilang kalasingan.

Sabi ng marami, dapat daw kapag umiinom, ay papuntahin lang ang alak sa bituka at tiyan at hindi sa utak, upang hindi malasing. Ngunit sasabihin ko sa inyo, bilang isang medical expert, na ang alkohol na ating iniinom ay pupunta at pupunta sa dugong nananalatay sa ating katawan, at hindi kalauna’y maapektohan nito ang ating pag-iisip.

Hindi naman siguro ninyo itatanggi na maraming mga tao ang kung ano-ano ang kanilang nasasabi, nagagawa, at inaasal kapag sila ay lasing na. Kadalasan, kanilang pinagsisihan ang mga nangyari kapag humupa na ang epekto ng alkohol at sila ay nahimasmasan na.

Hindi ko sinasabing bawal tayong mag-inuman, o sa ako’y nagmamalinis. Ngunit naging saksi ako sa maraming buhay na nawasak at maraming magagandang kinabukasan ang nalusaw sa walang pakundangang inuman. Maraming magkakaibigan ang nag-aaway kapag sila ay “lasheng” na. Ang malulutok na halakhak ay nauuwi sa malulutok na “put*ng ina mo!” At kung minsan hindi lang saksakan ng init ang kanilang pagtatalo, kundi nauuwi pa sa tunay na saksakan.

Marami ring mga pamilya ang nawatak sanhi ng alkohol. Nagiging mas mahalaga ang ating relasyon sa alak at ka-tropa kaysa sa relasyon sa tahanan. Nagiging sanhi rin ng away at paghihirap kapag ang mga pinagpawisang sweldo ay nauuwi lang kay Chivas Regal at Johnny Walker. Nalulugmok tayo sa putik ng walang pag-asenso.

kinilaw na utak

Ngayon, bilang isang duktor, marami na rin akong nakitang mga taong naging bilanggo ng alak. Kahit anong pilit nilang humilagpos sa mga kuko nito ay hindi sila makaalpas, dahil sa haling na haling na ang kanilang katawan dito. Kahit luto na ang kanilang atay, baldado na ang puso, at tustado na ang utak, tuloy pa rin sila sa pag-inom. Napakarami na akong nakita na nagbuwis ng kanilang buhay dahil sa alkohol.

Alam kong bahagi na ng hibla ng ating pagka-Pilipino ang magtagay-tagay sa anumang pagdiriwang. Ngunit sana naman ay ating  pag-isipan ang mga ito, at hinay-hinay lang po tayo sa ating pag-inom.

Pare, isang tagay pa?

*******

(*report of Euromonitor was published in Philstar and can be read here)

(**photos taken from the internet)

I am back in my favorite city. A city that I love despite of all its ills and nuisances. A city that I have left so many times, and yet I kept coming back to. This city is no other than Manila.

The following photos I have here of Manila, are seen from a different angle and perspective, at least from the point of view of the Manila I used to know.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport

“Manila, Manila, I keep coming back to Manila,” says the 1970’s song of the Hotdogs, and that rings true for me as well.  And every time I return, the city warmly (as in hot!) welcomes me back.

Speaking of welcome, above is the Welcome Rotonda, which marks the boundary between Manila and Quezon City. The photo is facing the Manila side of the boundary, overlooking España Boulevard, though technically I was standing in Quezon City  when I took this picture.

The photo below is an area of Manila that I am very familiar with. The prominent structure is the Sampaloc PLDT tower. So the immediate vicinity is Sampaloc, Manila – the place where I grew up. It is just interesting that I have never looked at Sampaloc before from such a high point of view, since there was no high rise buildings in this area during my youth. Unless I climb the PLDT tower of course.

The main reason of my short visit back to Manila is to attend my 25th year graduation anniversary (I’ll make a separate post on this) from the University of Santo Tomas school of medicine. Thus several photos are from the UST campus. The different perspective is that I am viewing this campus not as a student but as a homecoming alumnus.

Arch of the Century at the entrance to the university

the Main Building of UST

Building of the College of Medicine and Surgery

University Hospital

Most of the activities of the homecoming festivities were done in the UST campus, but the big gala night took place in Manila Hotel. Even though I know Manila Hotel is a very old establishment (opened in 1912), and I passed this area several times before, I have never set foot inside of it. Until now.

Above is the swimming pool at the back side of Manila Hotel. Photo below is one of its beautiful hallways.

The back of the hotel looks over the marina and Manila Bay, while rooms facing the city side gives a grand view of the walled city, the Intramuros. Honestly, I have never seen Intramuros from this angle before. From this view, you can see the contrast of the old walled city and the new high rise buildings in the distance.

From Manila Hotel, I still went on foot to see Luneta, a place full of loving and joyful memories from my childhood.

But there is something different in this place. It is impossible to miss the change in the landscape as you view Rizal’s monument. Definitely cannot ignore the monstrosity of Torre de Manila.

However, with the right angle and positioning, I can still make the huge eyesore disappear. Look, it’s gone!

I enjoyed my return to the city of my birth, even for so short a time. And seeing the familiar places albeit in a different point of view is kind of refreshing.

For now, once more, I say goodbye to you Manila. Hope to see you again……soon.

(*all photos taken with an iPhone)

Sinampalukang manok. Pinangat na tilapia sa kamias. Sinigang na bangus sa bayabas. Ginataang santol. Alam natin ang mga ito bilang Pilipino. Alam din natin na kahit maaasim ay masasarap ang mga ulam na ito.

Pero nakarinig ka na ba ng Sinampalukang Pangarap? Masarap din ba ito? O maasim?

Noong nakaraang buwan, ako’y nag-balikbayan at nag-balikpaaralan para dumalo sa pagdiriwang ng aming 25th graduation anniversary mula sa UST College of Medicine and Surgery.

Dalampu’t limang taon na nga ba ang nakalipas? Parang kahapon lamang ito. O hindi ko lang matanggap na matanda na talaga ako, at nag-uulianin na.

Ang tema ng aming selebrasyon ay: “Mundi Dottore*: From Tamarind Dreams to the World.” Sa madaling salita, sinampalukang pangarap.

Ang temang ito ang napili dahil ang UST raw ay nasa Sampaloc, Manila, at marami sa aming mga nagsipagtapos dito, ay nagsipangalat sa iba’t ibang lupalop ng mundo. Para sa akin, na tunay na lumaki sa Sampaloc, at nagmula sa isang simpleng pamilya at pamumuhay, ay talagang naaangkop ang “sinampalukang pangarap.” Mula sa uhuging bata ng Sampaloc na nakarating sa kabilang dalampasigan ng mundo.

Marami-rami rin sa amin ang nanumbalik at dumalo sa selebrasyong ito. Kung saan-saan ang ang aming pinanggalingan. Mula sa iba’t-ibang bahagi at iba’t-ibang isla ng Pilipinas, at mula rin sa iba’t-ibang sulok ng ibayong dagat. Kasama na ako rito.

Totoo, bago mag-reunion, ay naging sabik akong makita ang mga dating kaklase na naging kaibigan at kasangga sa anumang pinagdaanan, sa hirap man o ligaya. Kamusta na kaya ang mga kumag?  Ano na kaya ang kanilang racket ngayon? Ano na kaya ang itsura nila? Gaya ko kaya silang tumanda? Tumaba? Pumayat? Pumuti ang buhok? O naubos ang buhok?

Makikilala pa kaya ako nila? O makikilala ko pa rin ba sila?

Aaminin ko na bagama’t saya ang pangunahing naramdaman ko sa aking pag-babalik, ay may halo rin itong kaba, pag-aalinlangan, at konting pait. Dahil alam naman natin na hindi lahat ng mga nakaraang ala-ala ay masasaya. Parang sampalok, may maaasim din.

Mayroon din palang sinampalukang ala-ala?

Paano kung makita mo ‘yung dati mong nakaaway? O ‘yung nang-basted sa iyo? O ‘yung ayaw kang turuan at ayaw rin namang magpakopya, kaya tuloy nag-remedials ka. O ‘yung laging magulang at tamad kapag duty ninyo? O ‘yung nagsumbong at nagpahamak sa inyo? Buhay pa kaya ang mga anak ng tinapa?

Sa kabilang banda, paano naman kung makita mo ‘yung mayroon kang atraso noon? O kaya’y ‘yung kaibigan mo na hanggang ngayon ay hindi mo pa rin nababayaran ang hinayupak na utang mo?

Ano kaya ang iyong gagawin kung makita mong muli ang malupit mong guro na nagpahirap sa iyo? Ano kaya ang mararamdaman mo kung makita mo ang teacher na dahilan kung bakit ka hindi nakapag-marcha sa graduation? Makaya mo kayang ngitian sila o baka magdilim ang iyong paningin at hindi mo mapigilang mag-hurumintado?

Pagtapak mo kaya sa dating paaralan, masasayang gunita lang ba ang sasagi sa iyong isip? O hindi mo rin maiiwasang maalala ang iyong mga naging pagkakamali, na matagal mo nang pinagsisihan at pilit nang kinalimutan?

Hindi ko na lang sasabihin kung ano ang aking mga naramdaman, ngunit sabihin na lang nating may mga sugat na kahit naghilom na, ay masakit pa rin kung makanti.

Subalit lahat ay lumilipas din. Hindi dapat manatili sa maaasim. At kung may maaasim mang mga alaala ay higupin na lang ito na parang sinigang sa sampalok, na matapos mong namnamin, ay masarap din naman pala.

Ang mahalaga ay nakatapos, at naging matagumpay sa pinili mong landas na tahakin. Kahit pa naging puno ng putik at balakid ang iyong dinaanang landas. At ngayon ay taas-noong nanumbalik at nakipagdiwang, para ipakita sa kanila na ang iyong mga sinampalukang pangarap ay iyo ring naatim.

Kaya kahit sampalok man, ay tumatamis din.

********

(*Mundi Dottore is Latin for World Doctor)

Muli akong nalungkot sa mga bali-balita na nanggagaling sa bayan ko nitong nakaraang lingo. Tungkol ito sa sanggol na namatay dahil hindi umano tinanggap na maipanganak sa UST hospital.

Unang-una, nakikiramay po ako sa pamilya ng mga Pelayo sa pagpanaw ng kanilang sanggol. Walang magulang ang dapat dumanas ng masaklap nilang karanasan, at walang salita akong maiialay sa kanila na makapagpapabalik ng buhay ng kanilang anak na si baby Vince Adrian.  Huwag na nating dagdagan pa ang kanilang paghihinagpis, para sila ay pulaan kung sila man ay may pagkukulang din.

Pangalawa, nakikiramay rin ako kay Dra. Anna Liezel Sahagun na naging tampulan ng paninisi at panglalait ng mga mamamayan na maaring hindi naman ganap na naiintindahan ang mga bagay-bagay at buong pangyayari. Hindi ko po sasabihing naging gahaman siya sa salapi, dahil unang-una na, siya po ay residente lamang sa OB-Gyn. Kahit po siya ay lisensiyado nang manggagamot, wala po siyang bayad na tatanggapin mula sa sinumang pasyente na kanyang gagamutin. Ang serbisyo ng mga residente ay libre kapalit ng training na kanilang makukuha sa panahon ng kanilang Residency Program.

Pangatlo, ikinalulungkot ko na nasangkot ang paaralan at ospital na nagbigay sa akin ng kaalamang manggamot. Noong nakaraang buwan lamang ay aking pinagsisigawan ang aking pinagmamalaking paaralan. Aking pinagyayabang ang aking pagdalo sa aming 25th year graduation reunion ng UST Medicine na may tema na “From Tamarind Dreams to the World,” o sa madaling salita Sinampalukang Pangarap (see previous post). Ngayon sa balitang ito, ito ba ang Bangungot sa Sampalok?

Ang nangyari sa pamilyang Pelayo ay nagaganap po araw-araw sa maraming mahihirap na mamamayan ng ating bansa. Ganito na po ito noong ako’y nag-aaral pa sa UST. Sa lahat ng mga pribadong ospital, tinatanong agad nila ang kakayanang makabayad ng maysakit bago nila ito tanggapin. Buti nga ang buntis, may ilang buwan para makapaghanda bago sila manganak sa ospital. Paano na lang yung nasaksak o kaya’y inatake sa puso, wala silang panahon para makapaghanda ng pambayad. Ngunit itinatanong pa rin sa pamilya kung mayroon ba silang pambayad bago sila ipasok sa ospital.

Alam ko pong totoo ito, dahil noong itinakbo namin ang aking ina sa isang pribadong ospital sa Maynila ilang taon pa lang ang nakakalipas, kasama sa mga tanong ay ang kakayanan naming makabayad. Kung walang pampayad ay irerekomenda nilang dalhin ang aking ina sa gobyernong ospital. Ngunit aking aaminin, kadalasan ay mas kumpleto at advance ang technology at facilities sa pribadong ospital. Kaya tulad ko, pinili naming dalhin ang aking ina sa pribadong ospital. Paano na lang kung walang pambayad?

Dito sa bansang aking tinutuntungan ngayon, walang tanong tanong kung may pera o wala ang isang pasyenteng dinadala sa Emergency Room. Lalapatan muna ng lunas lalo na kung emergency, at saka na lang proproblemahin kung mayroon silang pambayad o wala. Iba ang patakaran dito. Kahit pulubi, hindi puwedeng itaboy mula sa Emergency Room kung may sakit. Marahil maari nating sabihing dahil may salapi ang bansa at gobyerno.

Alam kong patakaran o standard policy sa mga pribadong ospital sa Pilipinas na tanungin agad kung may pambayad o wala, dahil malaking gastos naman talaga magkasakit.

Ngunit dapat nga bang palitan na ang patakarang ito? Sa tingin ko po ay nararapat lang na ito ay baguhin na.

Ngunit paano? Sinong magpapasan ng gastos kung walang pambayad ang pasyente? Ang ospital? Ang doktor? Ang mga politiko? Ang gobyerno?

Wala po akong kasagutan, dahil wala naman po talagang madaling katugunan. Habang naghihirap ang ating bansa, ganito pa rin ang magiging kahihinatnan ng mga dukha nating mamamayan.

Maari ba nating sisihin ang mga duktor? Tutal mayayaman naman sila di ba?

Ngunit ating alalahanin na maraming duktor ay nagsusumikap lamang din. Kung hindi nila makakamit ang nararapat sa kanilang mga pinagpapaguran, maghahanap na lang sila ng mas luntiang damo sa ibayong dalampasigan. At ito na nga ang nangyayari ngayon. Marami sa mga manggagamot ay nayayamot at nabibigo sa mga kondisyon, palakad, at patakaran sa ating bansa.

UST Hospital

Sa mga duktor at nurses, o iba mang propesyon, na may oportunidad na lumabas ng bansa, ngunit piniling manilbihan sa ating bansa, kasama na rito ang mga duktor na nanatili sa UST, saludo po ako sa kanila. Sila po ang mga tunay na bayani ng ating bansa.

Ngunit ano po ang ating ginagawa sa mga bayaning ito? Binabaril natin sila sa Bagumbayan! Hinuhusgahan natin sila na parang mga kriminal na walang tamang paglilitis.

Ako na lumisan ng bansa, aaminin kong mayroon akong pagkukulang, at isa sa mga dapat sisihin. Ngunit tulad ko, ikaw, mga mamamayan, mga politiko, ang gobyerno, TAYONG LAHAT, ay may pananagutan sa mapait na kalagayan ng ating bayan.

Tayong lahat ay may kinalaman sa pagpanaw ni baby Vince Adrian.

Art they say is created by someone who is considered to be an artist. But what really is art is debatable. At least for me.

The other day, my wife and I had a lunch date in our art center cafe. Even though my wife and kids have been to the Des Moines Art Center a few times, and my wife have even taken some of our visitors from out of state to this place, yet it was my first place to enter this center.

I would admit, many times I don’t understand art. Maybe I am artistically challenged.

Here’s a sculpture at the center’s courtyard.

A man and a horse flying sideways. What is this suppose to mean?  A jockey falling off Pegasus?

How about this?

A circle of stones and scattered glass bubbles. I don’t get it.

And lastly this. Is this art?

It looks like a squatter’s shack or a barong-barong to me!

I rest my case.

(*photos taken at Des Moines Art Center)

Since I live in the outskirt of the city of greater Des Moines, I travel some distance everyday for work. I drive close to 40 miles a day roundtrip. I don’t mind to drive though, as long as the traffic is moving fast. In reality it only takes me less than 25 minutes one way, which is less than the average time Americans spent going to their workplace. I know if I drive in Metro Manila, that distance I covered will take me an hour or two, plus a lot of cursing.

In addition, as I have written in the past, I go once a month to our satellite clinics (I go to 2 outreach clinics now) which is about an hour and a half drive from our main office. Even though it is about 80 miles away, the travel is easy with open highways that goes through scenic rural Iowa of rolling hills of farmlands and prairies. In fact I even consider the drive relaxing (read previous post “Zen Driving”).

For the past several years I have made this journey alone, except for my thoughts, the radio playing the music I picked for that day, and my trusted car. The other day, I made that same journey again. But somehow, something was different.

It was my last drive on this trip with my “old” car.

My car is getting old. Like dogs, 1 car year is probably comparable to 7 human years, especially if you drive it a lot. I have read in car reviews that the average life span of a car is about 10 – 13  years or about 150,000 miles. Though there are cars that still runs good even after 200,000 miles.

My car is 10 years old and approaching 150,000 miles. It may be considered already a grandma in car years, though it still runs well, however it’s getting expensive to maintain. Not too long ago, I have to change some parts that costs a hefty sum, that I wondered if its worth spending that amount. I surely would not like to spend more than its remaining trade value.

Thus I decided that its time for it to go.

But on our last trip together, I let it run wild. Instead of zen driving I transitioned to rallye driving. I shifted to sports gear all the way, and I let its engine revved as we climb hills and raced through open highways, bringing out its racing heritage. My car may be old, yet it still has lots of feistiness remaining in it.

As we were whizzing through open country roads and as I was listening to its engine growl, my car was singing to me its swan song.

(*photo with and iPhone)

Several weeks ago, I came down with a viral illness that derailed me for a couple of days. Yes, doctors get sick too. My wife gave me some tender loving care, including a foot massage, chest and back rub and herbal tea. This brought memories on how my mother and father cared for me when I was sick during my childhood days. Let’s examine if there’s some medical validity on these practices.

1. Baños or hot water bath for fever.

When I was young, whenever I would have a high fever, my mother would give me what she called baños (Spanish for bath). This involves having warm water in a small planggana (basin) and she would soak my feet in that basin, and with a small towel, wipe my neck, arms and legs with the hot water. The water was not scalding, though in my child’s mind it was boiling hot. She would though place another towel soaked in ice water on my head while she gives me the hot water sponge bath.

I was not a fan of that treatment, as I have seen her also pour hot water on dead chicken before she pluck out its feathers. And I am no chicken! Though I enjoyed the chicken in the tinola (a traditional Filipino dish) after it was cooked.

Several years later, after going through medical school and gaining more understanding, I realized that there’s science on this practice as the water bath can really bring down the fever. Though the water need not be very hot, just tepid temperature is enough. The evaporation of the water on the skin cools us and brings the temperature down. You can argue that using cold water will bring the fever much faster. However, cold water will cause more shivering and chills, and that will bring the core body temperature higher, so it will be counter productive. Thus tepid water is advisable.

How about the cold towel soaked in ice water in the head? That is to prevent the temperature in the head going even higher which can trigger fever convulsion, while having the hot bath.

My mom was right all along.

2. Salabat or ginger tea for sore throat.

You probably have been given salabat for sore throat before. Salabat has been known to be taken by singers or by people who use their voice a lot, when they are hoarse. Some suck the ginger itself to soothe their throat. Some people even believe that it can make their singing voice mellow.

Ginger has been studied for its medical properties. It was found to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. So there’s truth to this home-made remedy.

Ginger has also been used for cough, headaches, stomach ache, toothache and even joint pains. Some studies even suggest that ginger has anti-cancer properties. So go ahead and sip that salabat. It goes well with bibingka too (rice cake).

But the best use of ginger for me, is when it flavors the tinola!

3. Ampalaya (bitter melon) leaves’ extract for cough.

When we’re little and we have cough and thick phlegm, my father will get ampalaya leaves and pound it and get its extract. It was the most bitter substance I have tasted in my life! My father said that it would get the thick mucus out. Maybe it did, for I almost to the point of vomiting and coughing my lungs out after I took a teaspoonful of this bitter extract.

Ampalaya is being used for many disorders, including fever, cough, hemorrhoids, and stomach problems. There’s even studies showing benefits for diabetes, as it has insulin-like peptides that has properties to lower the blood sugar.

As far as its effect on the cough, I did not really find the exact mechanism of action of how it works. Maybe the bitterness caused my body to abhor it so much that I got better faster so I would not take those bitter extract again.

4. Warm kalamansi (calamondin) extract or juice for colds.

I remember my father or mother would squeeze 2 to 3 kalamansi into a spoon, then would give it to us to drink when we have the colds. That’s sure took away the colds as well as the smile on our face. Sometimes they will even heat the spoonful of kalamansi over the flame to make it hot before giving it to us. Or they would prepare kalamansi with warm water but no sugar for us to drink, which to me was more tolerable.

Kalamansi, as well as other citrus fruits, are rich in vitamin C. And we know that vitamin C is good for us, especially when we are fighting infection. So there is truth on this folk’s medical practice. Even today, doctors will advice people who have colds or flu to take lots of water as well as fruits rich in vitamin C to help fight off the sickness.

So taking a spoonful of squeezed kalamansi  when you have a cold? Go right ahead. But skip heating it up over a flame. Vitamin C is easily denatured or destroyed with heat.

So there you have it people. These old folks’ remedy were effective after all. Who said you need an M.D. title to give sound medical advice?

********

(*photos from the web)

Dahil tapos na po ang eleksiyon, tawanan na lang natin ang ating mga problema. Ipagpaumanhin na lang po ninyo ang aking kahibangan.

1. Eleksiyon ka ba?

Kasi dinadaya mo ang puso ko.

2. Suweldo ka ba?

Kasi lagi akong nasasabik sa iyo, ngunit lagi ring bitin sa iyo.

3. Utang  ka ba?

Dahil pinipilit na kitang kalimutan.

4. Hatsing ka ba?

Dahil hindi ko maitago ang damdamin ko sa iyo. (Natitigilan at napapapikit pa pag andiyan ka na.)

5. Puwing ka ba?

Kasi pinapaluha mo ako.

6. Konsumisyon ka ba?

Kasi lagi kang laman ng isip ko.

7. Board exam ka ba?

Dahil hindi ako makapasa-pasa sa iyo.

8. Libag ka ba?

Dahil hindi kita maialis sa sarili ko.

9. Hingal ka ba?

Kasi lagi akong naghahabol sa iyo.

10. Utot ka ba?

Kasi hindi kita mapakawalan.

(*All hugot lines are original, but feel free to share away.)

Isang sawimpalad na binata ang nakatayo sa breakwater ng Maynila. Dahil lagi na lang siyang basted sa lahat ng kaniyang niligawang babae, kaya’t handa na itong tumalon sa maruming tubig ng Manila Bay at magpakalunod na lamang.

Ngunit bago ito magpakalunod ay mayroon siyang nakitang isang kakaibang bote na lumulutang-lutang sa tabi ng dagat. Kanyang pinulot ang bote at binuksan…..

Poof!

Isang genie mula sa bote ang biglang lumitaw sa kanyang harapan!

“Maraming salamat kaibigan, at ako’y iyong pinalaya,” bati ng genie. “Bilang ganti, ay bibigyan kita ng tatlong kahilingan. Aking ipagkakaloob anuman ang iyong hilingin,” sabi pa ng genie.

Napaisip ang binata. Hmmm.

“Gusto kong maging mayaman,” ang naging unang hiling ng lalaki.

Poof!

Biglang nagkaroon ng Rolex na relo ang kanyang braso. Kinapa niya ang kanyang bulsa, at kanyang hinugot ang isang bagong Salvatore Ferragamo na wallet na busog na busog sa tig-iisang libong piso na pera.

Napalingon ang binata, at kanyang nakita ang isang kotse – isang pulang Porsche na nakaparada sa tabi ng breakwater na may vanity plate na “PEDRO,” na siyang pangalan ng binata.

Tuwang-tuwa ang kolokoy. Muli itong nag-isip.

“Gusto kong magkaroon ng magandang girlfriend,” ang naging pangalawang kahilingan ng binata.

Poof!

Nagkaroon ng mala-binibining Pilipinas na isang dalaga sa loob ng Porsche ni Pedro. Kumaway ito sa kanya. Nagpa-bebe wave naman ang binata sa magandang dilag at hanggang tenga ang ngiti ng kumag.

Muling napa-isip ang binata para sa kanyang pangatlong kahilingan. Ano kaya ang kanyang magiging huling hiling?

Naisip niya ang mga gwapong artista na tulad nila Dingdong Dantes at Alden Richards na pinagkakaguluhan ng mga kababaihan.

“Gusto ko kapag ako’y dumadaan, ako’y tinitilian ng mga kababaihan,” ang naging pangatlong hiling ng binata sa genie ng bote.

Poof!

At si Pedro ay naging isang gwapitong…….ipis!

*******

(*photo from the web)

(**Ang istoryang ito ay orihinal na kathang-isip ng isang utak na kulang sa tulog. Sige matutulog po muna ako.)

Nataandaan mo pa ba kung nasaan ka nang pumutok ang Mount Pinatubo? Maaring wala ka pang kamuwang-muwang noon, o baka naman wala ka pa at hindi ka pa iniluluwal sa mundong ibabaw nang mga panahong iyon.

Dalawampu’t limang taon na pala ang lumipas mula nang sumabog ang bulkang ito. Ngunit ang naging sakunang dulot nito ay bakas pa, at malalim pa ring nakaukit sa alaala.

Hunyo 6 – 15, 1991, nang bumuga ng apoy, lava, at usok ang Mt. Pinatubo. Dito rin umulan ng abo at luha, at naging sanhi ng pagbaha ng lahar at paghihinagpis sa Pilipinas. Sangayon sa mga tagapagtala ng kasaysayan, ang pagputok ng Pinatubo ay ikalawa sa pinakamalakas na pagsabog ng anumang bulkan sa buong mundo noong 20th century.

Maraming napinsala. Mahigit sa 800 katao ang namatay sa pagputok ng bulkan, may mahigit sa 10,000 mamayan naman ang nawalan ng tirahan, at libu-libo pang mga Pilipino ang nasalanta at natabunan ng paghihirap. Bilyun-bilyung pisong halaga rin ng ari-arian ang nilamon ng epekto ng pagsabog ng Mt. Pinatubo.

Isa sa mga napinsala ng Mt. Pinatubo ay ang base-militar ng Amerika sa Pampanga. Sa katunayan, hindi panukalang batas ng pamahalaan o kongreso, hindi rin ang pagpo-protesta ng mga mamamayan, kundi ang pagsabog ng bulkan ang tunay na nagpalayas sa mga Amerikano mula sa Clark Air Base. Sa aking opinyon, ang Mt. Pinatubo ang siyang naging huling hataw kaya nag-alsa balutan ang mga Amerikano.

Ngunit kamakailan lamang, matapos ang mahabang panahon, at matapos humupa ang lahat ng usok hindi lamang ng bulkan, kundi pati nagbabagang sentimyento laban sa mga Amerikano, ay muling pinaplanong ibalik ang mga base-militar ng US sa Pilipinas ngayon.

Katatapos ko lang ng pag-aaral ng Medisina sa UST, at ako ay isang medical intern sa St. Luke’s Medical Center, nang pumutok ang Mt. Pinatubo. Community service ang aking rotation noon at ako’y nakadestino sa Canlubang, Laguna, sa isang maliit na provincial hospital doon. Kahit hanggang doon sa Canlubang ay umabot ang abo ng Pinatubo.

Umiikot lang sa sarili kong mundo ang buhay ko noon. Hindi ko pa tiyak kung saang landas ako ihahatid ng aking bukas. Hindi ko pa rin alam kung saang lupalop ako ibabalibag ng tadhana. Pangangailangan ko lamang at ang susunod kong kakainin ang akin lang iniintindi. Wala akong masyadong pakialam pa sa mga pangangailan ng ibang tao, kasama na dito ang mga naghihikahos nating mga kababayan.

Ngunit hindi katagalan matapos pumutok ang Pinatubo, isang kakilala ang nag-imbita sa akin na sumama sa isang medical mission sa Pampanga upang tumulong at magbigay lunas sa mga kababayan doon na naapektuhan ng rumaragasang lahar. Bilang isang bagitong duktor, nasabik akong sumama. Wala pa rin naman akong suweldo noon, tapos libre daw ang pakain sa mga volunteers, kaya’t ano pa ang hahanapin ko?

Ito ang una kong pagsama sa isang medical mission. At hindi rin ito naging huli. Nasundan ito nang maraming beses pa ng pagbubuluntaryo ko sa iba’t ibang medical mission noong panahong iyon. Dito ako namulat nang husto sa nakalulungkot na kalagayan ng ating lipunan. Kalagayan na hanggang sa ngayon ay maliit pa rin ang pinagbago.

Mula sa Pinatubo, napunla sa akin ang diwa ng paglilingkod.

Kaya matagal pa bago pa ako sumabak sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong Yolanda (see previous post here), ay nauna muna akong sumabak sa mga nasalanta ng lahar mula sa Mt. Pinatubo.

May isa pang naging bunga ang pagsabog ng bulkan. Dahil sa aking pagsama lagi sa mga medical mission matapos pumutok ang Mt. Pinatubo, ay mayroon akong nakilalang magandang binibini na lagi ring nagbubuluntaryo. Dito sa mga medical mission, akin siyang nakasama at lubusang nakilala.

Sa pagsabog ng bulkang Pinatubo, ay may magandang tumubo, umusbong, at lumago.

Siya’y naging kasama ko hanggang ngayon.

******

(*photos from the web)

Last summer when we went home to the Philippines, a family gave us ukulele made from Cebu. Not just one, but two. They said one for each of my kids. Though they said I can borrow it too if I want to.

It is a known fact that Cebu is the center of guitar manufacturing in the Philippines, boasting  that among the best guitars not just nationally, but international as well, were made there. Cebu is known to be one of the finest crafters of ukulele too. Definitely we got two beautiful and good-sounding ukuleles.

I don’t know how to play the ukulele, but I believe it is simple enough to learn. I have played another 4-stringed instrument in the past, the violin, and I think ukulele is much easier to play than that. Or so I thought.

One of my favorite song that is played with the ukulele is “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by the late Hawaiian singer Iz Kamakawiwo’ole. I just love his version of that song with the certain “island-feel,” the care-free strumming, and his dreamy rendition.

No wonder that is the first song I wanted to learn in the ukulele, in that distinct style. So after we got back from the Philippines last year, I searched on YouTube and watched some tutorials to learn it.

First thing to learn is the kind of strumming on this specific song. It is called “island strumming.” But for the life of me, I can’t get it. I guess I am not coordinated enough. My left hand can do the chords with not much hitch, but my right hand just cannot keep up with the right rhythm of the strumming.

Easy to learn huh? So I gave up.

I did not touch the ukulele again for several months until a few weeks ago.  My daughter’s music teacher said that it will be nice to have a number that will be different and special if in my daughter’s recital, I play the ukulele while she plays the cello. What song? “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” of course!

I took on the challenge. Besides my son will also play with us, playing the other ukulele. So he can carry me if in case I mess up, right?

So I practiced, and practiced some more. Soon I had my right hand perfecting the “island” strumming. I can transition between chords with ease. I can do it with my eyes closed. I can even do it in my sleep. Maybe not.

The day of the performance came.

As I was strumming on the ukulele, I tried to imagine that we were in a beautiful tropical island, under the swaying palm trees, with the warm breeze blowing, the waves softly lapping on the beach, and we’re lost in a care-free world somewhere over the rainbow.

Off course I got lost in my chords too, but my daughter and son played beautifully that nobody even noticed my slips.

(*photo taken by our friend)

“Dad, you smell like the Philippines.” That was what my son told me the other morning.

It was the weekend and I did not have to go to work, so I was preparing breakfast. But I was  cooking omelet and not a typical Filipino dish, like the tapsilog, so I know that’s not it.

What is the “smell of the Philippines” anyway?

Most of us would associate the smell of the Philippines with the typical Filipino dishes. Like the adobo, or the kare-kare, or the tinola, or the lechon. Not to forget the more “smelly” foods that we Pinoys are known for, like the tuyo, the danggit, the pusit, and the bagoong.

Some of us would definitely remember the Philippines with the sweet scent of sampaguita, or the ilang-ilang, or the calachuchi, or the dama de noche. Or some would like the more exotic fragrance of the durian. That is for certain a pungent scent for not the faint of heart, or more accurately, for not the faint of “sikmura.”

Durian

For expats and oversea workers out there, maybe it is the distinctive smell of the palengke (wet market) of the Philippines that you miss. The mixture of odors of fish, fruits, stale water, pig’s blood, and mud. Or maybe it is the smell of Philippine traffic with the smog, the diesel fumes, cigarette smoke and body odor that you miss.

Since I now live in Iowa, a land lot in the midwest of America, where the nearest ocean is about a thousand miles away, I miss the smell of the ocean. Definitely I associate the salty air smell with somewhat fishy accent with my days in the Philippines and its gorgeous beaches.

By the way, do you ever wonder what gives the ocean its distinctive briny smell? Scientists said it is not mainly the salt nor the fish. It is mostly from the phytoplanktons. The what now? Phytoplanktons are marine microscopic organisms. When they die they release dimethyl sulfide or DMS, the chemical that is responsible for that specific ocean scent.

There’s also memories of certain scents that I associate particularly from the Philippines. Like the barber shops, with the whiff of rubbing alcohol, pomade, and Johnson baby powder. The hair salon that I go to here in the US, does not have that certain nostalgic smell that I used to know.

But there are also the smell of the Philippines, that maybe we are not proud of. Like the stench of the clogged canal and esteros, or the sad fate and smell of our slums and squatters, or the reeking pile of the uncollected garbage, and the stinky street corners and walls, even with “Bawal umihi dito!” written all over them.

Back to my son’s comment, I tried to figure out why he said I smell like the Philippines. Do I smell like tuyo? Or the wet market? Or the stinky walls of Manila? But I knew I just took a shower, and just put on clean clothes.

Then when I sniffed my shirt, it dawned on me that the shirt I was wearing was a shirt I have not worn since I came back from the Philippines a few months ago. So it was last washed in Manila, with the undeniable scent of hang-dried in the sun and Philippine laundry soap. It certainly smells like Philippines!

For expats like me, even the laundry, can remind us and make us long for home.

(*photo from the web)

Serendipity: the occurrence or development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

Several days ago when my family and I were driving to Glacier National Park in Montana, while we were in a middle of nowhere in a lonely highway, we came to a site that was unexpected, at least for us. We had to stop and enjoy the view, for just a little longer.

Of course we were expecting great views in Glacier National Park, a wilderness in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, known to be one of the most picturesque landscapes in North America (I’ll make a separate post about Glacier National Park later, I promise).

However, while we were still hours away to our destination, we serendipitously saw this field full of bright yellow flowers with the snow-capped mountains seen from the distance. It was  just us and some bees on that field.

a field somewhere in Montana

Later on we learned that they are canola plants, the source of canola oil, and are commonly farmed in this part of the US. We were just not familiar with them. But still, I think you’d agree that it was such a beautiful sight, right?

Sometimes in life, there are things or events that we are not expecting, but happen as a pleasant surprise. Of course the opposite is true as well, when we have such high expectations and then we become extremely disappointed by the turn of events. We even have a law for that – the Murphy’s law: “If anything can go wrong, it will.”

Well, back to the positive side of things, there are also “mistakes” that turned out to be just right. The discovery of Penicillin and the development of Post-it are prime examples.

Are there really fortunate happenstance?

When I was applying for Internal Medicine residency training program after I graduated from medical school in the Philippines, I sent out more than 50 application letters to different universities and hospitals in the United States.

A classmate of mine who was also applying, gave me a list of US hospitals and universities that would likely accept foreign medical graduates like us. I am not sure where he got this list, but that was an era before the heyday of the internet, whereas now you can “google”just about anything.

The list that he gave me was scribbled in a hospital’s pad paper with a letterhead. So I sent applications to all those on the list. And for good measure, I also sent one to the hospital on the letterhead, even though it was not on the list. How did my friend got the stationery? I have no clue.

Out of more than 50 applications I sent, I received only 8 or 9 invitations for interview. I needed all those invitation letters to apply for a visa to enter the United States.

You know that traveling from Manila to USA cost a fortune, not to mention traveling to different States where those hospitals were located, and so with limited resources, I was forced to choose only 3 hospitals to go for an interview – all were in New Jersey and New York, and all within a train or a bus ride away from each other.

After all the interviews, each applicant would rank their preferred hospital or training program, while every hospital would also rank their chosen applicants out of the hundreds they interviewed. Then the National Resident Matching Program matches all applicants to training programs by using a mathematical algorithm. There’s always a chance that an applicant won’t be accepted nor matched.

Where did I end up matching and doing my training?

I matched at a hospital in New Jersey that was an affiliate of Columbia University. Though this hospital was not on the list that I was given. It is the one on the letterhead of the stationery with the list!

Serendipity? Maybe it is destiny.

*******

(*Photo taken with an iPhone)

Taong 1991, ako ay isang medical intern na nakadestino sa Canlubang, Laguna sa isang maliit na ospital bilang aming community service. Isang malamlam na gabi, isang binata ang itinakbo sa aming Emergency Room. Ito’y walang malay at para bagang naninigas pa.

Sabi ng mga kamag-anak nito ay wala raw silang alam na sakit ang binata. Alam lang daw nila na mahilig itong mapag-isa at malimit itong pumaroon na walang kasama, sa tabi ng ilog.

Tumingin sa akin ang nakatatandang duktor na naka-duty sa Emergency Room. Tinanong niya ako kung ako raw ba ay “naniniwala.” Naniniwala saan?

Hindi ako nakasagot. Dahil hindi ko rin naman alam ang aking isasagot.

Hindi na lang umimik sa akin ang Emergency Room doctor, ngunit naringgan ko na sabi nito sa isang nurse, na baka raw napaglaruan ng espiritu ang binata.

Bilang mga Pilipino, tayo’y maraming mga paniniwala. Hindi alintana kung ano man ang antas natin sa buhay, bata man o matanda, mataas man ang pinag-aralan o wala, marami sa atin ay may mga superstisyon.

Naniniwala tayo sa multo, sa aswang, sa tikbalang, sa kapre, sa tiyanak, sa manananggal, sa nuno sa punso, sa engkanto at engkantada, sa dwende at marami pang iba.

Balik tayo sa Canlubang. Isang buwan din ang naging rotation namin doon. Apat na babaeng co-interns ang kasama ko sa rotation na iyon, ako lang ang lalaki. Sa isang maliit na gusali sa likod ng ospital kami nanirahan habang kami ay naninilbihan doon.

Isang gabi, isa sa aking co-intern ay may hinahanap na gamit niyang nawawala. Kami ay tinanong niya kung amin daw ba itong nakita. Sumagot ang isa ko namang co-intern na baka raw “hiniram” lamang ito.

“Hiniram nino?” ang aming tanong.

“Maari ng mga dwende,” and sagot niya.

Nagkatinginan na lamang kaming apat. Tanong namin, “May dwende ba rito?”

“Oo, ayun nga ang isa sa may pintuan o,” ang dagdag pa nito.

Biglang nagtayuan ang aming mga balahibo! Sumulyap kami sa may gawing pintuan kung nasaan daw yung dwende, ngunit wala naman kaming nakita.

Mayroon daw talagang mga tao na kitain ng dwende, o ng multo, at ng kung anu-ano pang kataka-takang pangitain. Siguro katulad ko ay may mga kakilala rin kayong kagaya nila. Ayaw natin silang kasama, kasi lalo lang tayong matatakot.

Mula noon, lagi nang nagpapasama sa akin ang aking mga co-intern paglalabas sila sa gabi mula sa aming tinitirahan, kahit patungo lang sila sa ospital, na may ilang hakbang lang ang layo. Madilim at mapuno naman kasi ang paligid, tapos dadaan ka pa sa tabi ng morgue ng hospital. Sino nga ba naman ang hindi matatakot?

Marami pa akong narinig na makababalaghang kwento mula sa aking pagkabata sa mga lugar na aking narating. Tulad ng White Lady sa Balete Drive sa pagitan ng Aurora Boulevard at Rodriguez Avenue. O kaya nama’y ang kwento ng diwata sa bundok ng Makiling, na kilala na si Maria Makiling. Nang kami din ay bumisita sa isang liblib na purok sa probinsiya ng Quezon, bilin sa amin ng mga tagaroon, huwag daw kaming masyadong tititig sa mga nakadungaw sa bintana na hindi namin kakilala, at baka raw kami mamaligno.

Naalala mo rin ba noong bata ka, huwag ka raw tatapak sa maliit na bunton ng lupa, at baka raw may nuno sa punso na nakatira sa loob nito. O kaya ay binabawalan ka na huwag kang turo nang turo kapag nasa gubat o mapunong lugar, at baka ka ma-matanda. Umiwas din daw sa puno ng balete at baka magambala mo ang mga nilalang na naninirahan doon.

Naniniwala ba ako sa mga ito at mga kwentong multo?

May kinakausap kaya ang batang ito sa puno ng balete?

Pagkatapos ko ng aking internship, dahil hindi ko pa tiyak kung anong specialty ang aking pipiliin, kaya’t nag-moonlight muna ako sa isang ospital sa Plaridel, Bulacan. Habang ako ay nagre-review para sa Medical Licensure Exam ng US, upang makapag-training sa Amerika, ay sa Plaridel muna ako nanilbihan ng kulang-kulang isang taon.

Maliit lang ang ospital na iyon. Nasa looban ito at nasa daang graba. Sa ikalawang palapag ng ospital ay mga kwarto ng pasyente. Sa unang palapag naman ay ang klinika, at ang emergency room.

Isang gabi na medyo matumal ang dating ng mga pasyente, ako lang at isang nurse ang nasa ospital. Walang pasyenteng naka-admit sa ikalawang palapag, kaya’t patay lahat ng ilaw sa itaas. Wala ring laman ang Emergency Room maliban sa akin at sa nurse na naka-duty. Naroon din naman si Manong na katiwala ng ospital na nakaupo at nagbabantay sa pinto ng Emergency Room.

Nagpaalam ako sa nurse at sabi ko ako’y bibili lang ng softdrink sa may tindahan sa kanto. Sinabihan ko rin si Manong na tawagin at takbuhin lang ako sa kanto kung sakaling may emergency na dumating.

Pagbalik ko sa Emergency Room ay humahangos akong sinalubong ng aming nurse.

“Doc! May multo po yata sa taas!” ang gimbal na pahayag ng aming nurse.

Tinanong ko kung ano ang nangyari. Sabi niya ay may narinig siyang malalakas na yabag mula sa ikalawang palapag. At para bang may kinakaladkad pa itong kadena, wika pa ng aming nurse.

Alam namin na walang ibang tao sa ospital. May mga ligalig kayang kaluluwang gumagala-gala sa gusaling ito? Ano kaya ang kanilang gustong ipahayag? Baka naman “pinaglalaruan” lamang kami.

Bumaling ako kay Manong. Sa halip na takot ang mababakas sa kanyang mukha ay parang nakangisi pa ito, na para bang may sanib.

Marahan kong nilapitan si Manong, habang pilit kong tinatago ang tunay kong nararamdaman. Ako’y bumulong sa kanya, “Bukas ko na lang po isasauli ang aking hiniram.”

Kinaumagahan, isinauli ko na ang hiniram kong kadena ng bisikleta ni Manong, na aking kinaladkad noong gabi.

Pinaglalaruan nga ba kamo?

*******

P.S. : Nurse Owie, peace na tayo.

(*photo from the web)

Part of our big summer trip few weeks ago was going down to Long Beach, California. Long Beach is a city in Los Angeles County at the pacific coast of the US. It is 24 miles away from the city of Los Angeles, but that drive can take more than an hour due to terrible traffic.

We went to Long Beach to attend my medical school’s sponsored event. It was the 24th University of Santo Tomas Medical Alumni Association of America (USTMAA) Grand Reunion and Medical Convention.

The Hilton Long Beach was the site of the event, and that’s where we stayed for a couple of days.

Only a few blocks away from the hotel is the ocean and the Pine Avenue Pier. One early morning, I went out for my 2-3 miles run, and I wandered down to the pier (above and below photos were taken during my run).

The Pier was lined with prime restaurants, so I guess you won’t get hungry if you stroll there.

Here’s the marina with some of the boats docked there.

There’s even a lighthouse at that Pier.

Back to the USTMAAA event, since the event is billed as a Grand Reunion, many medical alumni from different batches attended. The oldest batch represented in the gala night was from medical class of 1951, though he was a lone attendee of his class. He was probably in his 90’s or nearing 90, yet he still looked strong and springy.

One of the biggest contingent was from the class of 1966, who were celebrating their 50th (Golden) anniversary. I tell you, those “old” folks can still dance the night away.

The “youngest” (the term ‘young’ is really relative) batch in that reunion was our class – from year 1991, which in my estimation was the biggest group represented. We were celebrating our 25th (Silver) anniversary.

Above is a photo I grabbed from USTMAAA website, showing our batch during the parade of the different classes at the gala dinner. Though many of my other classmates who went to Long Beach did not attend the gala, but came for the other festivities and the medical conference.

To be honest, I am not really a fan of galas and pageantries, so it that was not the main reason I attended. Sad to admit, I can’t even dance. Of course seeing my old friends and classmates was enough motivation to attend.

But the biggest reason I came was, I was invited to give one of the lectures during the medical convention, which I considered an honor and a privilege. Many of the lecturers, including the keynote speaker, was from my batch.

The theme of the conference was “Current and Interesting Topics in Medicine and Surgery.” Below is an ‘official’ photo (grabbed from USTMAAA website) of me giving the talk.

The title of the lecture I gave was: The Lung and Winding Road (my apologies to the Beatles): Current Trends in Lung Cancer Screening and Diagnosis.

A portion of my talk was about Electromagnetic Navigational Bronchoscopy, a relatively new technology using GPS-like guidance with videogame-like images, when doing bronchoscopy and lung biopsy (see previous post about this topic).

Are you wondering what was the slide projected on the screen on the photo above?

Here is that specific slide on my presentation:

For readers who are not familiar with the above character, this is Voltes V. He is an anime super robot, aired as a TV series in the Philippines in the 1970’s. One of his weapon was the “electromagnetic top.” We definitely are not the first ones to use the “electromagnetic” technology.

After the lecture, many attendees approached me and told me that they enjoyed my presentation very much. Maybe they were all Voltes V fans.

I had a fun time in Long Beach. I hope to be reunited with my classmates and other alumni in the next UST event. Borrowing the battle cry from the Voltes V team, “Let’s volt in!”

********

P.S. Voltes V is now forever profiled in the USTMAAA website.