yuan's christmas party 2008

merry christmas! - yuan mari a. andal

maligayang pasko po!

Maligayang Pasko! This year, i used the internet (Chikka server) to reply to my friends - i saved a few pesos and delivered the message just the same. Thanks to the wonderfulworld of cyberspace. Merry Christmas everyone!!!

(that's my eldest under the christmas tree a few years ago, very christmassy)

twilight

After Bangkok Dangerous, i'm now on my next not-a-movie-but-a-movie-titled blog. Books for me are like diphenhydramine - with sedating effect. This will actually be my prescription for the insomniacs, hyperactive and zombees. It works for me, i just dunno if reading books has the same effect with the general public.

Enough of the introduction. okay. While i was stucked in Bangkok, Marie called me and said she watched a vampire movie - Twilight. Not just once but thrice! It was Edward Cullen's appeal that made her go back and watch it 3x. Hmmm, i wondered why (malamang pogi, ganyan din siya kay coffee prince at nagagalit saken pagsinasabi kong kamukha ni kuya kim atienza (matang lawin) si gong yu, hehehe)?

On my first day back in office, my friend gave me an audiobook version of the twilight saga. "Now, this is cool, let's see if this will keep me awake, cuz i will definitely not read the book version, knowing that the Twilight Saga is 4 books!".

Let me try this nonconventional way of "reading". And so i started. It was the unabridged version narrated by Llyana Kadushin. Is the audiobook version as diphenhydraminic as the visual book version? To my surprise, its not! This version actually made me "thirsty" for more. Such a lovely voice! A few minutes passed and twilight consumed me. It seems i'm under the spell of Bella's voice that i have to continue "hunting" the book. Ahhh, Bella, Bella, Bella. The accident-magnet Bella, my Bella.

I guess i have to stop from here. So? did i like this nonconventional reading you might ask? I'm now in Book 3 - Eclipse. Hooked. Enchanted. Bellafied.

(for the movie version..... i'll probably stick with the audiobook version for now, i'll probably wait for the clear dvd (blue ray daw) copy in Quiapo)the hunt is on!

Bangkok Dangerous

"kailan ako lalaya? sa anino ng pag iisa? mga rehas lang ang tanaw, nanginginig sa seldang maginaw." - eheads (NGA PALA, NAKARATING NA KO PILIPINAS, SALAMAT SA DIYOS! -12/01/08)

How does it feel to be a prisoner in an invisible jailhouse? This is what i'm feeling right now. I flew here from Manila to attend a business meeting last Saturday. My flight back was booked last Wednesday afternoon. But Tuesday night, there was news that protesters blocked the International Airport leaving no choice but to stop business - all flights cancelled - until further notice. The people are demanding CHANGE. Let the prime minister step down his office and start a new era of good governance. The world will know their plea by demonstrating a peaceful protest in one of Asia's biggest airport (infact 18th bussiest in the world) - Suvarnabhumi.

Ok, this wouldn't probably take long....and so i thought. Today is Sunday, my 9th day in Bangkok. Both local and international airports here are closed. You have to go to Pattaya (+ 2hours) or Phuket (+12 hours) then fly to Cambodia or Vietnam or Malaysia or Singapore if your flight carrier can accomodate you. Everyday, the number of stranded tourists are in the thousands. 5 days post airport seige. Booking for train (earliset available booking Dec10!), car (hotel car to Phuket - 17,000 Baht!), bus (fully booked), boat or plane (prioritize nationals - Cathay for HongKong, SQ for Singaporeans, Thai Airways for those already booked) to any destination away from Bangkok is like joining the Amazing Race! Until finally, you're too tired of thinking all the possibilities.

Shop. Eat. Walk along the streets of Bangkok. Watch CNN. Sleep. Drink. Sleep. Watch CNN. Walk along the streets of Bangkok. Eat. Shop. Plenty of things to do. A lot of sites to see. But no matter what i do, the reality is - i'm stranded, i'm stucked in prison without the jailbars.

I want to go home. I miss my family.... ganito pala ang malayo sa mga taong minamahal mo, sigh....

You're my Hero

This weekend was all "parteeyy" for my kids. Saturday, November 1. We went to a friend's son 1st birthday party. My 2 kids, both excited with their superhero costumes - green lantern and flash. The party was on the 7th floor a few minutes from the biggest government hospital in taft (yeah, you guessed it right) were my wife works (and i used to work). The place was perfect - swimming pool, overlooking crowded manila, cool breeze and bright lights in the bay area.

Too excited, the boys rushed inside the party place but immediately turned back upon seeing cookie monster and the clowns! haaaay, for some unknown reason, my kids don't like mascots (kung pwede lang sila ma banned sa mga party) even our very own jollibee! But of course, we can't stop the party just because my kids are afraid of these "monsters". So we managed to enjoy the event..... at the far end of the party room away from these creatures. haha.

Here comes the "bring me game". Definitely they still want to win and have a price (TOYS). Bring me a pair of white socks! (I have gray). Bring me three piso coins!(i have 500 bills, ehem, ehem). Bring me a receipt! (i gave one to my son, but he was not the first one to reach the clowns...we're at the far end, remember?) Bring me the longest belt! (my waist size is just 30, i gave it but obviously not winnable). Bring me a license! (still not the first one)... the game was such a sure hit to the crowds, but for my son, i saw in his eyes, he wanted to win atleast one so that he can have a precious lightning mcqueen prize (TOY).... i saw in him not happiness but a tinge of sorrow for not being able to get atleast one precious, which is like a world for him. I openned my wallet, getting ready for whatever bring me the clown will utter (Please God, give us a chance, all for my kids....)

Atlast, one last bring me.... Bring me your PINAKAMACHONG DADDY!!! Without any hesitation, i stood up, brought my son to the clown and proclaimed my self MR. SEXY! Nevermind the laughter from the crowd, but seeing my son getting his prize, the pure innocent laughter in his face, like in the credit card commercial, its PRICELESS.

After the party, my son told me, "thanks dad, you're my hero!" I may not be green lantern, flash or superman but i will endure anything, all for love.

The next day, November 2, there's another party.......

barya lang po sa umaga

Oh i can feel the credit crunch!

I have to pay my 2 credit card bills this week. I overspent last month (learning #1: thou shall not swipe your card left and right, there's no such thing as plastic money, in the end, you have to pay for everything!)

ok, they were mostly house supplies - groceries, must-haves, and uhm, "other stuff" (learning #2: though shall not go to the supermarket without a list of must-buys, or else you will end up buying extras)

since i'm out of cash, i opened my alkansya and got a hefty 5,000 pesos of piso, 5 peso- and 10 peso coins! (learning #3: pag may isinuksok may madudukot)

Now, am on my way to bayad center. there's a long line of payees. here i am carrying a heavy plastic (i bundled the coins in 1,000s)..... "Tumatanggap kayo ng barya?" (Do you accept coins?). "Yes, po!", she said. Then i initially showed the paper bills and put the heavy plastic of coins in front of her kahera. "Five thousand po yan"

She looked at me, smiled. Looked at the people next in line. Looked at the ceiling (oh, God parusa ito!) then she immediately called for back up. (I never looked at the people behind me, i wonder how they reacted upon seeing me putting the heavy plastic of coins infront of the cashier? hmmmm....urghh)

Haaaay, after about 10-15 minutes, i heard the backup clerk who counted the coins saying, "Maam complete po!"

Thank you very much SM Taytay for accepting my coins, talagang service with a grin, este smile (learning #4 Though shall love your customers so that they will keep on coming back!).

Next month ulet!

horsie horsie

Ang susunod na thema ay hindi angkop sa mga mambabasa edad disiotso pababa. Patnubay ng magulang ay kinakailangan.....


We had a "joy ride" in the village last week. A joy ride atleast once a week is one of our little family bonding moments.

While driving, i have to make a sudden full stop. Why? because two dogs are doing a LIVE SHOW "making love" in the middle of the street! Animals in heat sa init ng araw! With the undulating action, who am i to interrupt such act of procreation?

My smart kids, with a questionable look at their faces had their attention with the intimate dogs in front of us. "ay, daddy, look at the dogs, nag hohorsie horsie!"

stunned. a sudden silence from me and marie. i honked and interrupted their "horsie horsie", sorry guys. beep, beep! (i wonder how they felt? coitus interruptus! *wink)

I AM (LEGEND) doctor

i am a member of pinoymd yahoogroups, and there has been a long email thread recently about the plight of doctors (salary, status, hirap ng buhay). I dont know if i met Carl during residency, but i sure can relate to him on the realities of training in that big hospital sa Taft Ave. Here's my response to his post.

and btw, this is not a will-smith-wannabe-post :-)

Dear Carl,

Wow, i wasnt able to read this the first time. It is a sad reality that not all of us are "Anak ng Diyos", people have the general notion that all Doctors are on the top tier of the society (financial-wise). And even if you want to tell them that we're no different from all the fresh graduates of the University, it's just hard to change such an established notion.

The truth is, having a diploma, additional two letters at the end of our name (and probably a few more post residency) a white coat and a stet hanging on our shoulders are not 100% ticket to success. We still have to work our way up and climb the long ladder to success.

The harsh reality of our economy not only affects the tambays in the kanto, the millions of mang pandoy and the countless indays. Doctors are not immune to experience the difficulties of establishing a practice.

On a positive note, we studied so many years to attain doctorhood. We met so many people along the way. All the prelims, midterms, removals, practicals, decuries and board exam made us logical people. So i'm sure all of us can pass this chapter of struggle in our career. In the end, its the benefit we contribute to the society that makes a mark to the lives of people we have touched and healed. One patient at a time.

Carl, hope you're all good in the new path you have chosen. Doctors are survivors. And to all of us, keep evolving, tandaan mo, hindi ka nag-iisa. Kudos Carl for this great contribution.

rheiboy17

Can't live without

I remember when i was in grade school, the only people in the class with phone (landline) are those from the upper tier of the society. In a public school (i call it "Dela Salle Taytay") you can actually count those students who exchange phone numbers - those that belong to the "in" crowd. Yeah, i ask their numbers, too! because at the end of our "village" there is the good ole phonebooth, three 25 cents and your in the loop! (under time pressure though, cuz there's a long line of people waiting to use the phone booth)...

High school! Aha! zero backlog of PLDT connected the whole of Rizal to the civilized world. I was in a Catholic School then (let's call it "Ateneo de Cainta"). The masses are one with the affluent people now. You can call almost everybody, and you will really need a phonebook to store your classmate's (and friend's, and "phone pal's" numbers). Yeah, i used to have a pocket-sized book that i carry along ready to flash anytime once there's an exchange of phone numbers session.

College. This time a landline is not enough. the evolution of pocketbells, infopage and beepers! a one-line text to your friends and 'cool barkada' will always keep you in touch. communication is getting easier and smaller as we embrace the end of the century. uh, did i mention i received University awakening at the Royal, Catholic and Pontifical?

Post college. Cellular phones galore. I remember when the 2 network giants offer texting for free. text now and receive the message in an instant. no need to call an operator. communication in just a few buttons. death to beepers and all his friends (sounds like the latest album of coldplay huh). Text revolutionized our mobile life - from voting on tv shows, erap jokes, and even updates of the matalinong INDAY series. Everything you can get from mobile - news, chizmiz, games, ringtones, mms, movie snipets - wow. where was i? still with the yellow royal pontifical blood.

residency. The need to store evidence-based medicine at the palm of your hand is a must. volumes of books in a pocket sized gadget - PDA. Yup handhelds that is really a powerful device. Presentations, notes, books, chitnotes, quick reviews - all of them can be stored in just one device (external memory card is a must). 3 years of training under the four walls of maroon hospital. stinky? that's for you to find out. visit the place- its at the heart of taft avenue and if you get all sweaty inside, just proceed to the adjacent mall, viva la vida!


now? there's so many gadgets all over. ever heard of sandwich's hip music? "wala pa nung myx, wala pa nung mtv, wala pa nung internet, wa la pa nung ipod o mp3, wala pa nung cable, wala pa nung celfone, wala pa nung cd o dvd, meron lang beta max.....
today, there's so much instore for eveyone. you can personalize everything and chose whatever that fits your lifestyle. i love to live in this day and age. knowledge is really within reach.

so, what's next? hmmm....

(duke, i was FORCED to write this entry)

"12 Little things Every Filipino Can do to help our Country"

I found a book worth sharing "12 Little Things every Filipino Can Do To Help our Country" - Alexander L. Lacson

1. Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.
2. Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ASK FOR AN OFFICIAL RECEIPT.
3. Don't buy smuggled goods. BUY LOCAL, buy Filipino.
4. When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak POSITIVELY about us and our country
5. Respect your traffic enforcer, policeman and soldier
6. DO NOT LITTER. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate, Recycle, Conserve.
7. Support your Church.
8. During elections, do your solemn duty.
9. Pay your employees well.
10. Pay your Taxes.
11. ADOPT A SCHOLAR or a POOR CHILD.
12. BE A GOOD PARENT. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our country

Easier said than done, but the simplest act of goodness can really spell the big difference. Belated Happy Independence Day to all.

its been a while

It's been a while.

I know i can give hundreds, make it thousands, of excuses why i suddenly put my blog into hiatus. oh well, if my blogpost can rant, he would probably cussed me for abandoning him.

if simon cowell can say his apologies before the anouncement of this season's American Idol, then I can pretty much say whatever i want (this is my post anyways). Sorry po, subukan kong magpost ng mas madalas.....

so what's up?

excuse #1 - briefly, i'm still in the wonderful world of corporate pharma but no longer in Global City Taguig (a.k.a. The Fort). I'm now in Makati Central Business District. Yup, am in a new company. And i thank all the people from company A for giving me all the necessary knowledge and skills to survive in this business. I definitely wouldn't be at Company B if not for the training and experience i got from Company A, i will be forever greatful.

excuse #2 - busy life. adjustment phase. some stuff to read. new therapeutic area. getting to know a lot of new faces. travel here and there. start anew. ilovemyjob.

excuse #3 - i cant think of any..... ah yeah, i'd spent a lot of time watching korean movies during weekends (Biscuit Teacher and Star Candy, The First Shop of Coffee Prince, A love Story in Harvard, Il Mare, Eraser In My Head, The Classic, Addicted, Sad Movie, and a lot more). Thanks to the very "accessible bangketa's" with the ever accomodating vendors selling "DVD, DVD, DVD"

excuse #4 - ..... i'll park for now. until my next blog, when? hmmmm.....

*wink