Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA) Fever

Now I know why there have been few Barkada badminton nights lately. It's because everybody's glued to the TV, watching Pinoy Dream Academy, especially Expulsion night.


I never expected I'd get hooked on it. My other friends were already watching it before I even tried to see few episodes. The weekday episodes bored me, though. Most of the time, the PDA studes were not doing anything interesting, just attending classes, getting scolded by teachers, fighting or gossiping with each other, playing with the cameras. Some of the students were not that visible at all. Perhaps the only thing worth watching during the weekday episodes was the practices for the songs to be performed on Expulsion night. But these last for just few minutes. So most of the time, I watch the episode for a while, then, after getting a sort of gist, I turn the TV off.

Watching Expulsion nights is what finally got me hooked to PDA. I enjoy watching the students perform, seeing how much they improved from the previous week of schooling and performances. Eventually, I have my own favorites: Panky, Iya, and Yeng.

Panky Trinidad

Yeng Constantino

Iya Gines

Everybody are true artists in their own right. It's just a matter of picking out the one who stood out the most. And then, there's Nikki Gil.



Oh boy, she just blows me away.

So, I guess it will be a while before the barkada will play badminton again. And I don't mind at all.

What Did The Mermaid Put In The Drink? (My Love Affair With Starbucks Coffee)

This was posted in my blog last June 1, 2006. I decided to re-post it here in the barkada blog because, I think, I wrote it with you, guys, in mind. :-) Well, at least, in some parts of it...hehe.


Starbucks Coffee Shop always felt like home to me. Even more homey than my own house. And it's a nice cool-down, chill-out place after a 2-hour workout treadmill, elliptical and weights. So, here I am typing away on my poor man's laptop (read: PDA with a mini-keyboard), a tall cup of English Breakfast tea beside it and an ambiance conducive for creative ideas. Starbucks never failed to give me inspiration.

My love affair with coffee and tea started when I was still in college, when my high school barkada and I would have coffee night outs every Saturday night (sometimes, even Sunday nights or whenever we feel a bit more coffeeholic). We used to frequent Starbucks Petron North Balagtas and it was where we would gather in little tables put together and talk about everyday events or philosophical ideas or just reminisce on our high school days. This was a pleasant release from stress we got from our universities. I remember that just being there felt like a convention of freethinkers. It was as if it was our calling to just gather there and decide the fate of the whole world. Oh well, maye it's just my delusions of grandeur speaking there. Haha.

And this went on, even after they graduated from their universities and I, the perpetual student, continued on to medical school. A change of venue had to be done though, because of the rising toll fees inevitably brought on by the rejuvenation of the bleak North Luzon Expressway. So, we had to settle for Petron North Marilao Starbucks, if we wanted to save our hard-earned cash for better deals (Their hard-earned cash, I should say. Or their credit limits. I was still my parents' parasite, then). But the gathering of minds were still there. It was a Roman forum of sorts, where I, the student, listened fervently to my teachers telling me tales of the corporate world (or corporate hell, they said). Here I heard stories of everyday battle with MRT/LRT, stupid/bitchy/ slacker officemates, monstrous bosses. Here I caught a glimpse of their emotions when they got their first ever salary and what did they spend it on. Here I learned that the corporate world can readily get your interests piqued but it can easily get you bored. That it can eat you whole and leave you wondering, retrogradely amnesic, and mentally retarded enough not to be able to decide on what to do for the next 10 years of your precious life. Some of my friends, at the young age of 23 or 24, even felt that there was nothing more to be done, that they have reached the peak of their careers and there's nowhere to go but down. And it was frightening to be finally caught in that stage, they said, when the grips of stagnation start to be strongly felt. I, during that time, was only worried about studying for our small-group discussions, passing the long exams, getting out of the crazy consultant's way and saving up enough of my weekly allowance so I could buy a new pocketbook or have enough money for a once-in-a-blue-moon gimmick. Tall cups of hot coffee or tea or frappuccinos during those Saturday nights seem to drive out these worries and problems of ours, at least, temporarily. And it was already Heaven.

When I finished medical school and internship year, I still sought the comforts of Starbucks. After my board review classes, I would go to Starbucks 6750 or Starbucks EDSA Shangri-La to do my self-review, unbothered that I'm spending P200+ on coffee (Besides, I don't worry about maxing out my monetary resources when it comes to spending over a loved one. Hehe). The brief moment of peace and warmth was worth it.

Now, when we were starting to notice unacceptable increase in body weights and bulges that were never there before, my highschool barkada decided to turn the coffee Saturday nights into badminton Saturday nights. It was the only available time from our busy schedules. We still do visit our favorite Starbucks place, every now and then. And whenever we are there, memories of our previous gatherings would fill us and we would be at peace once more, at least for a while...a brief moment of wonderful separation from the clutches of corporate slavery and dissatisfying medical practice. There, we are just a bunch of good souls, revelling at how our life choices molded us. And, I, would be in reverie at how a sweet, warm coffee or cool frappuccino could make this bland existence so much more bearable.

I wonder what the mermaid put in the coffee...

Quirky Patients Part I: At The HMO Clinic

In my one year of being a licensed physician, moonlighting in different hospitals and clinics, I think I've had a fair share of funny and sometimes irritating incidents with "pasaway" patients. In memory of these people who've taught me a lot of things about the art of medicine which I wouldn't be able to learn in the four walls of my medical school, I recount these various tales (in no particular order of quirkiness):

1) Patient comes in at HMO clinic. Female, around late 20's.

Me: Good morning. Ano po ikokonsulta?
Patient: Wala po.
Me: Ano po ibig n'yo sabihin?
Patient: Wala po akong sakit.
Me: Scheduled po ba for follow-up consult?
Patient: No.
Me: Ano po sadya nyo?
Patient: Gusto ko po magpa-test.
Me: For what?
Patient: Lahat!
Me: Ah, wait. Ang ibig n'yo ba sabihin 'yung mga routine na exams. Chest xray? CBC? Urinalysis? Fecalysis? Nakapagpa-annual PE na po ba kayo?
Patient: Uh. 'Yun yata ang tawag doon. Basta 'yung may mga laboratory tests.
Me: Ok.


2) 65-year old female comes in at HMO clinic. Conscious, coherent, and ambulatory. Definitely not in cardiorespiratory distress.

Me: Ano po ipapa-checkup?
Patient: Magpapareseta lang po sana ng pampadulas
Me: Ano po? Para saan po?
Patient: Kapag ginagamit ako ni Mister. Medyo parang dry kasi eh. Si Mister pa naman gusto gabi-gabi.
Me: Ah, ganun ho ba. Ilan taon na po ba si Mister?
Patient: 68 po.
Me: Puede po kayong gumamit ng lubricating jelly.
Patient: Ano po ba 'yung mahusay? Baka ho kasi magka-UTI ako. Mas lalo ho masakit kapag may ganun eh.


3) Mother with 7-year old daughter comes in at HMO clinic. The daughter has swollen ears and face and full of rashes.

Me: Ano nangyari sa kanya?
Mother: Paggising po namin ganyan na siya and nangangati na katawan niya.
Me: Mukhang allergy 'yan. Sa'n ho ba siya may allergy?
Mother: Indi ko po alam. Pero nangyari na sa kanya 'yung ganyan dati. Kaya lang hindi naman po namaga ang mukha at tenga.
Me: (Auscultating patient) Eh, dapat ho sa emergency room kayo kaagad nagpunta. Buti na lang hindi siya nahihirapan huminga. Kailangan siya maipa-admit.
Mother: Indi ko po kasi alam kung saan mga accredited na ospital. Kaya dito ko dinala.
Me: Hay naku, eh paano kung emergency 'to talaga, dito mo pa dinala...nasa brochure ho na kasama ng health card ninyo 'yung listahan ng mga accredited hospitals, pati provincial list po nandoon.
Mother: Indi ko po kasi natingnan.
Me: Anyway, eto 'yung listahan ng mga hospitals. Magdecide po kayo kung saan nyo gusto siya ipa-admit. Bigyan ko muna siya ng pang-anti-allergy at itatawag ko na sa pediatrician.


4) 40-something female comes in at HMO clinic. Conscious, coherent, not in cardiorespiratory distress. (Eto winner 'to...)

Patient: Gusto ko po magpa-admit.
Me: Parang dapat po sa hospital na po kayo nagpunta. Ano po ba nararamdaman ninyo?
Patient: Inuubo kasi ako dati kaso indi ako nakapagpagamot agad kasi ang dami kong inaasikaso sa bahay. Nilalagnat din ako ngayon kaya gusto ko din magpaadmit kasi indi ako makakapagpahinga sa bahay. Mabibinat lang ako kasi ang daming trabaho sa bahay. Kaya gusto ko sa hospital na magpahinga.
Me: (After checking the reading in the thermometer) Ala naman po kayong lagnat. Mag-run po muna tayo ng mga laboratory tests and chest x-ray.

(After the tests were done...)

Me: Normal naman po lahat ng mga tests ninyo...chest x-ray, cbc with platelet count...except urinalysis. May UTI po kayo pero mild lang. Puede naman pong i-treat as outpatient lang.
Patient: Gusto ko pa din magpa-admit. Sayang naman 'yung health card ko eh. And pakiramdam ko magkakasakit ako lalo sa bahay.
Me: Dalhin n'yo na lang po 'tong mga lab tests sa hospital kung saan po ninyo gusto magpa-admit.

(After 5 days...)

Me: Kamusta na po? Akala ko po nagpa-admit kayo sa hospital?
Patient: Nagpaadmit pero kasi nagpa-discharge against medical advice ako kasi walang nag-aalaga sa tatay ko sa bahay. Katulong lang ang nandoon kaya lumabas muna ako ng ospital at naghanap ng puede mag-alaga. Hindi po marunong magluto 'yung katulong sa bahay. Ngayon po gusto ko na magpaadmit ulit pero hinihingan ako ng referral letter mula dito sa clinic.
Me: Okay, mag-run ulit tayo ng tests.

(After several minutes...)

Me: Normal naman po mga tests ninyo. Pati urinalysis. Wala pong medical indication for hospital admission. May mga binigay naman pong home medications sa inyo bago kayo na-discharge sa hospital?
Patient: Meron. Kaya lang mas gusto ko sa hospital. Lalo ako magkakasakit sa bahay...

(Comment: Wala na akong magawa sa makulit na pasyente na ito. Inirefer ko na sa Clinic Director. Hehe. Sus, gawin ba namang hotel ang hospital na puede siyang mag-check in kapag ayaw na niya sa bahay?!?!)



to be continued...

Yahoo! Finally I Found It!

Now I know the Axe Click Commercial song!

Title: Gangster of Love by Johnny "Guitar" Watson

You can download it at here

Bloggers Code Of Ethics

 

*from Cyberjournalist.net

 

Be Honest and Fair
Bloggers should be honest and fair in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
Bloggers should:
• Never plagiarize.
• Identify and link to sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources’ reliability.
• Make certain that Weblog entries, quotations, headlines, photos and all other content do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
• Never distort the content of photos without disclosing what has been changed. Image enhancement is only acceptable for for technical clarity. Label montages and photo illustrations.
• Never publish information they know is inaccurate — and if publishing questionable information, make it clear it’s in doubt.
• Distinguish between advocacy, commentary and factual information. Even advocacy writing and commentary should not misrepresent fact or context.
• Distinguish factual information and commentary from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.

Minimize Harm
Ethical bloggers treat sources and subjects as human beings deserving of respect.
Bloggers should:
• Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by Weblog content. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
• Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
• Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of information is not a license for arrogance.
• Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone’s privacy.
• Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects, victims of sex crimes and criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.

Be Accountable
Bloggers should:
• Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
• Explain each Weblog’s mission and invite dialogue with the public over its content and the bloggers’ conduct.
• Disclose conflicts of interest, affiliations, activities and personal agendas.
• Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence content. When exceptions are made, disclose them fully to readers.
• Be wary of sources offering information for favors. When accepting such information, disclose the favors.
• Expose unethical practices of other bloggers.
• Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.

Happy Birthday, Omar!

October 10

Please Vote For Me!

I'm one of the nominees for Filipino Blog Of The Week in salaswildthoughts.blogspot.com!

Please do vote for me! Just click here to go to the site and look for the Filipino Blog Of The Week poll!
Thank you very much!

Mall Day

Finally got bored with staying at home, or doing clinics or going on duty. I miss my mall-roaming days. And so, Friday afternoon found me in the cool familiar comforts of Starbucks Glorietta 4.

Just bought the book, "Friedrich Nietzche: A Nietzche Reader" at A Different Bookstore before I went to Starbucks. And that's my favorite morning glory notebook which, I think, I bought from St. Patrick's years ago.

Beautiful overhead lights

When I got tired of reading Nietzche and listening to my mp3s, I went down to the lobby to enjoy the coffee at the 5th annual Coffee Break Festival. Participating stores are Figaro, Boyd's Coffee, Coffee Dreams, and many more. I must have downed several cups of coffee. Hehehe.


Carrying my last cup of coffee, I went up to the food court and sat in this corner to read the other book I bought, "The Woman With The Alabaster Jar" by Margaret Starbird.

Strawberry shake with yoghurt and white chocolate @ Max Brenner's Chocolate Bar: What a way to end the day

AXE Click Commercial

Anyone who knows the title of the song played in the commercial?

Happy Birthday, Serj!

SEPTEMBER 29

Banned Books Week (September 23-30, 2006)

"Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us." Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas," The One Un-American Act." Nieman Reports, vol. 7, no. 1 (Jan. 1953): p. 20.

"[I]t's not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers.” Judy Blume

"Where they have burned books, they will end in burning human beings." (German: "Dort, wo man Bücher verbrennt, verbrennt man am Ende auch Menschen.") - Heinrich Heine, from his play Almansor (1821)

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the Banned Books Week, which is usually celebrated during the last week of September. I'm not sure if many people are familiar with it. I, myself, only acquainted to it this year by pure accident, as I was googling, looking for a nice e-book to download.

And now I've stumbled upon the site American Library Association website, which keeps an accounting of "objectionable" reads.

Here are 10 of the most challenged books of the 21st century:

1. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

2. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

3. Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

4. "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck

5. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

6. "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers

7. "It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris

8. Scary Stories series by Alvin Schwartz

9. Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey

10. "Forever" by Judy Blume

These books were challenged due to one or more of the following reasons: violence, sexual content, homosexuality, nudity, racism, or offensive language.And for several years, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series topped the list. Personally, I don't like the idea of banning any literature from being kept in the shelves of libraries or bookstores. If you don't like a book or you don't like the ideas that book is perpetuating, then leave it alone. Or tell your friends/neighbors not to read it because you think it's not good. Anyway, it's your right to say what you think of the things around you. But don't IMPOSE your will on other people just because you think you find these books "objectionable".

For more information about Banned Books Week, go here.

For information about book burnings in the 21st century (I think this is the modern version of the witch burnings. Remember Fr. Regino Cortes, O.P., biblical scholar, and his group of "believers" burned copies of the Da Vinci Code in protest of its contents?), go here.

(By the way, Fr. Regino Cortes already died a few months ago at the age of 64. May he rest in peace and God bless him, even if he burned hundreds of books of Dan Brown, whose books may contain inaccuracies, but nevertheless, I think, did not deserve the burning.)

I love my freedom of thought and speech. AND I WANT TO KEEP IT!

Her Best Pose

from Maxim Magazine

I think this is her best pose in the magazine so far. I bet you, guys, are fantasizing that you are the ones in between Kaye Abad's legs and not the couch's arm rest! Hehehe.

NEWSFLASH! (From AJ)

Ayon sa reliable resources, ang tambayan natin sa Caltex ay under surveillance ng mga awtoridad dahil ang naturang tambayan ay oasis ng mga drug traders.  Pinpayuhan ang tropa na umiwas muna sa naturang tambayan upang huwag masangkot sa napipintong mga kaguluhan na maaaring maganap.

 

--- Kaya ba madaming nakatambay doon na feeling Harley-Davidson motorbikes ang mga pinapatakbo (pero actually puro scooters lang naman ang dala nila)?  Hehehehe. 

 

 

 

Blind Item #001

This blind item came from AJ :-)

Blind Item:
Sinong girl ang natipuhan ni Kuya Arn-Arn sa Pundaquit Adventure ng barkada? Ang mobile number ng girl na ito ay pilit na hinihingi sa akin ni Kuya Arn-Arn, ngunit hindi ko ibinigay.

Clue:
Ang naturang girl ay katabi raw ni Kuya Arn-Arn sa byahe.


Bwahahaha!

The Pundaquit Adventures! (Day 1: Hike To The Falls)

Lunch Muna Bago Mag-adventure

Jump! Jump! Jump!
(Habang may energy pa tumalon hehe)

Trudging the sandy shores to the falls...

Parang pang-AVP ang scene na ito ah

The Pundaquit Adventures! (Day 1: Hike To The Falls Part II)

Mababaw lang 'yung water but it's eeky so tawid na lang sa bamboo bridge...

"Ophelio"

The Penguins

Sorry, you have to turn your head to the left for you to enjoy this pic. Hehe.

The Pundaquit Adventures! (Homeward Bound From Falls and Mervin's Birthday)

Yay! Parang Blair Witch Project!

Barkada's Photographer

Uyyyy...bagay sila

Advance Happy Birthday Loves!

Mahaba-habang Inuman!

Tanggero

Going Island Hopping

The Pundaquit Adventures! (First Island)

The First Island We Went To

Ang Sweet! Parang can't wait for December 2007 ah! Hehehe!

The Gals

The Boys

Catch Of The Day!

The Pundaquit Adventures! (The Second Island)

The second island we went to

Sa May Mga Batuhan

The Barkada Official Photographer

(Tagapagmana ni Mang Jack, Hehe)

Sad to be leaving already. But we're burning under the fierce sun!

Another adventure has ended. Hopefully another one will start soon!