Cebu MD

Cebuano Ka?

2012-02-13T10:43:00.001+08:00

(article sent by Henry L. Yu, M.D.)

Occasions and celebrations do come and go. Happening now, gone tomorrow. Yes, just like seasons in the sun. After Christmas came Sinulog. Now that these are done and over with, what's next? There's Valentines, then the Holy Week, graduation, summer holiday, Labor Day, school opening, Independence Day, etc. Cebu really never runs out of celebrations, and along with these, the sale promos at the mall or anywhere else. Where but in Cebu? But proud to be a Cebuano. Aren't you?

Cebuano ka ba o Cebuano ba ka? Yup, you're a Cebuano if...

1. You have no "L" in your vocabulary - Bay, Wa, Di.

2. You know the meaning of the words mosuroy, manglimbong, mangilad, maningkamot, mamakak, makighimamat, lumad.

3. You know the meaning of such modern short-cut terms - naning, promdi, McDo, spag.

4. You know the difference in meaning of nalibang, nakalibang, nagkalibang, nagkalibanga.

5. You know Vino Kulafu, Rufina Patis, San Mig.

6. You know Titay, Shamrock, Alejo, Villalonga, Didang.

7. You know where Fuente, Colon, Junquera, Taboan, Pasil, etc.

8. The family names Osmena, Gaisano, Ludo, Rama, Singson, Cuenco, ring a bell to you.

9. You would miss eating lechon or sinugbang baboy or isda with your hands.

10. You bring danggit, otap, dried mangoes, or even one whole lechon, as pasalubong to friends and relatives.

11. You're familiar with Sutukil, budbud, bibingka, masareal, otap, rosquillos.

12. You know where Gaisano Colon, Lao Eng Chong, White Gold, Taoist Temple, BTC, STK, JY Square, etc.

13. You ask a friend when you bump into him in the mall: "Nag-unsa ka?" or "Ikaw ra?" or "Kinsa imong kuyog?"

14. You say "Bitaw" and "Mao gyud" if and when you agree on something.

15. You say "Puerya buyag" when somebody appreciates your beauty or talent.

16. You say "More pa, mamatay pa ko" when you try to tell the truth, while making a cross sign with your fingers.

17. You know how to sing "Usahay", "Matud Nila", "Bisan Sa Damgo Lang".

18. You feel happy and excited when you meet a fellow Cebuano in Manila or in the U.S.

19. You use "Bai" or "Dong" or "Day" in addressing a person whose name you don't know.

20. You knock on wood and say "Simba ko lang palayo" when you don't want something bad to happen or to drive bad omen.

21. Your Tagalog sounds very hard as in pagka- gahi nalang gyud - "Mag-inusapay muna kayo diyan", "Huwag mong katihin ang likod mo", "Ang mahal naman, patawarin mo ako", "Huwag mong libugin ang utak ko.".

PLDT Wifi Zones Available for Free Use During Sinulog

2012-01-12T10:39:00.000+08:00

Can't wait to share your wonderful photos to your friends during the Sinulog? Now, you can share them right away with the availability of PLDT Wifi Zones in some parts of Cebu City particularly the Sinulog route during this celebration of the feast of the Sto. Nino.

The use of the PLDT Wifi Zone for internet access is free this Sinulog weekend. Just look for the PLDT Booth to register.

The following are the Wifi zones:

Gen Maximlom Ave (Mango Ave) from Gorordo Ave to Fuente Osmena Circle – permanent
Fuente Osmena Circle – permanent
Osmena Blvd. from Fuente Osmena Circle to P. del Rosario St. – permanent
N. Bacalso Ave from Cebu Provincial South Bus Terminal to P. del Rosario St. - permanent
P. del Rosario St (covering USC) from Osmena Blvd to Sikatuna St - permanent
Cebu Sports Complex – temporary installation until Jan. 16 only
Cebu City Hall covering Magellans Cross and Sto. Nino, Basilica – permanent
Cebu Provincial Capitol - permanent
Plaza Independancia – permanent

The zones labelled as permanent will remain a Wifi hotspot after the Sinulog.

Cool, isn't? You can actually continue to avail of the Wifi service after the Sinulog. Just sign up later here and register.

PLDT Wifi is a wifi service available in Cebu and Manila for all PLDT subscribers. Charging applies on January 16 and will be as follows:

DSL subscribers - 150 PHP on top of their monthly bill
Landline subscription - 300 PHP on top of their monthly bill

Pit Senyor readers!

Phone scanning to help Cebu visitors during Sinulog and even APMC convention

2011-12-22T15:15:00.000+08:00

Thanks to Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and Cebu-based website MyCebu.ph, tourists and other visitors to heritage sites will not find difficulty finding information regarding a certain tourist spot or heritage site as they are visiting it. That is because information on tourism and heritage sites will be delivered to mobile phones and tablets through quick response or QR code scanning.

QR codes by the way, turns text or URLs for example into a mix of pixels within a square that can be scanned by a smartphone. In this manner, all the tourist needs to do is to scan the QR code placed prominently in a heritage site like the one below and voila! information regarding the site will be projected into his smartphone or gadget.

We went to the San Juan Bautista Chapel and there is also a QR code there.

After scanning the code, a picture as well as information regarding the church that used to stand there was seen in the gadget.

This project in partnership with the Department of Tourism Central Visayas was launched last December 20, 2011 at the historic Barangay Pari-an in Cebu City.

I am sure this will be very useful for visitors both from within and outside Cebu during the Sinulog festivities.

It can also be recalled that the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges will have the annual convention held here in Cebu this early February hosted by the Cebu Institute of Medicine.

If the planned mini-heritage tour resembling the Gabii sa Kabilin will push through to accomodate APMC delegates, these QR codes will come in handy. The medical students and teachers who have smartphones will just have to scan these codes and no more looking for somebody else to ask about a heritage site.

Going back to Sinulog, Smart and MyCebu.ph also launched "A Guide to Cebu 2012", an electronic guidebook on Cebu as well as announced the immediate availability of a free electronic guidebook to the Sinulog for the iPad, iPhone, Kindle, Android tablets and phones and other smartphones and ereader brands. The guidebooks will be offered for free download at the airport, Ayala Cennter, hotels and other locations frequented by tourists.

Marlen Limpag, MyCebu.ph editor showing the Sinulog Guidebook

While the Sinulog guidebook is available for download already, "A Guide to Cebu 2012" will be made available for download in January.

Again these guidebooks particularly the Cebu electronic guidebook will be useful for APMC delegates once they are made available.

It was stressed however by MyCebu.ph editor, Marlen Limpag that the project isn't purely historical. "Tourists can also get tips on how to get the most of their stay right at the tourist spot they are visiting.

The articles loaded in the system are also linked to Facebook, Google+, Twitter and even FourSquare so one can be a "mayor" of a certain heritage site.

Cebu is lucky as this is the country's first as the project will be later expanded nationwide.

Congrats to SMART, the Department of Tourism and MyCebu.ph!

The Long Wait is Over: HTC Concept Kiosk Now in Cebu

2011-12-15T15:49:00.000+08:00

Ahem! This post is not about the beautiful ladies in the above photo but about the smartphones they are holding.

If you search for the best smartphones list, chances are the list includes an HTC product.

Finally, the HTC products are now available in Cebu. They can be viewed at the 1st HTC Concept Store (which is actually more of an open kiosk) found in SM City Cebu Cyberzone. Below is how the kiosk looks like which also acts as a Support Center.

Take your pick...

How I wish I have one because of the good reviews I read about HTC Sensation for exmple. Anyway, if you want to buy one, you can avail of a zero percent interest in 6 months payment scheme using your credit card....and you need not go far.

HTC Concept Kiosk is found near the Aerophone store in SM City Cebu Cyberzone.

Below are the men behind bringing HTC in Cebu....

Don't expect though to still have these ladies below when you visit the store next time.

12 Days of SurPRIZES when you buy a Sony Ericsson Xperia in Cebu

2011-12-09T10:10:00.001+08:00

If I could change the lyrics of the "12 Days of Christmas" song and make them a reality, I would certainly ask either one type of Sony Ericsson Xperia smartphone each day or realistically speaking, one Cebuano brand product to enjoy each of these days.

You cannot blame me once you see this yourself...

Imagine a smartphone that is still ok even when wet? This the Xperia Active which is dust-proof and water-resistant. Perfect for those sporty adventurous people.

For businessman, doctors or even bloggers who are always on the go and who write or read emails often, the Xperia Pro should be perfect.

Then there's the Xperia Play which is like a Playstation phone. Heck any Xperia phone will do because it's believed to have good graphics, can be connected to a HD TV and it has the nice features and technology of the different Sony products in a smart phone.

Actually there will be an upcoming promo for those buying a Sony Ericsson Xperia unit in Cebu from December 12 to December 23, 2011.

Dubbed as Sony Ericsson's 12 Days of Christmas, a customer who buysa Xperia handset from Sony Ericsson Experience Shops and participating dealer shops in Cebu is entitled to win 12 months worth of products or services from the following awesome Cebuano brands:

CnT Lechon
Body and Sole Spa (wow, feeling like a celebrity!)
Chika-an Restaurant (Family eat out, yupee!)
Coffee Dream Cafe
Dimsum Break Restaurant
ForMo Resto-bar (Chill each month)
Home Bakers Bakeshop
Island Souveneir Shop
JCA Pizza
La Marea Pastry Shop
Salon de Rose
Thirsty Juices and Shakes

Yes, one can experience either one of these brands from January until December 2012. One can enjoy P1,000 worth of Gift Certificates of a brand every month for the next 12 months!

Inquire from the participating shop about this promo when you buy your Xperia Unit.

CIM Founder's Day Activities this 2011

2011-11-29T12:30:00.001+08:00

December 1-8 is a busy week for the Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) as it celebrates Founder's Day. below is the schedule of activities:

December 1 and 2 (Thursday and Friday) 8-5PM: CIM Medical World Congress Day 1 and 2 at the Waterfront Hotel Cebu
December 3, 9 AM: Alumni Day with Mass, Meeting, Lunch and Raffles at the Amphi 3 and CIM Social Hall
December 4, 5-12 NN: Well baby Contest at the CIM Lobby
December 5 (Monday) 8:30 AM Bioethics Presentation/ 6 PM: Students' Night
December 6

8:30 AM Mass in Honor of Dr. Jacinto Velez Sr.
9:30 AM UTOKAY/Floral Offering for Drs. Jacinto Velez Jr, and Sr., Mrs. Epifania Velez
2:00 PM Dr. Jacinto Velez Sr. Memorial Lecture with Dr. Edgar Gamboa as Speaker

December 7, 1:30 PM - Research Contest (Amphi 3)
December 8, 8:30 AM - Recognition ceremonies (CIM Social Hall)

A Peek at the Upcoming SM Seaside City at the SRP Cebu

2011-11-20T22:56:00.001+08:00

A major new landmark is about to rise at the Cebu South Road Properties (SRP) site. Behold, SM Supermalls bring you....

External view (Photo from SM)

...the SM Seaside City..designed by Arquitectonica, an international architecture, interior design and planning firm from Miami Florida.

Notice the Nautilus-inspired design very apt for the location.

Among the the first structures to be built here is a large church.

There will be a 4-level circular-shaped world class retail mall with a two-storey SM Department Store and SM Hypermart. There will also be a 5-theatre Cineplex and....an IMAX Theatre!

There will also be an 18-lane SM Bowling and Amusement Center and a foodcourt flanking an ice skating rink. 800 food and retail shops are estimated to be in this mall. Cool!

There's more.

Aerial view (Photo from SM)

There will be a covered event area for concerts and shows at the fourth floor as well as a roof garden with trees and ponds surrounding the restaurants. Can you imagine that?

Wait till you see this. There will be an Iconic Viewing Tower which will give visitors a panoramic view of the entire city of Cebu.

Can't wait to go to this place soon. I am sure this will be a hit not only in Cebu.

VirtualStaffFinder partners with CBS for Visayas Blogging Summit 2011 in Cebu

2011-11-08T14:06:00.000+08:00

Cebu Bloggers' Society(CBS), the host of this year's Visayas Blogging Summit is happy to be partners with VirtualStaffFinder.com led by its founder Chris C. Ducker (2nd from left in the above picture). Mr. Ducker, in behalf of VirtualStaffFinder.com signed the Memorandum of Understanding and Support with CBS Vice President Ruben Licera (2nd from right).

VirtualStaffFinder.com is an online professional placement agency matching local online professionals to prospective clients overseas. Visit virtualstafffinder.com for more information about them.

Blogging and Beyond: CBS hosting VBS Cebu 2011 this November

2011-10-25T22:40:00.000+08:00

Attention please. Students, bloggers, businesses:

Cebu Bloggers Society (CBS) will host the 2nd Visayas Blogging Summit (VBS) this November 2011 at the SM City Cebu from 7:30-5:00 PM with the theme "Blogging and Beyond".

This summit will not just discuss the basics of blogging for there is something in store for those who are starting to blog, those who aspire to blog professionally, those companies or entrepreneurs who want to use social media for their business and those who want to give back to the community through blogger social responsibility.

Topics include:

Getting Steady with Blogging (for Personal Blogging)
From Blog to Business (for Business blogging)
Basic Tips in Using Social Media for Business (Social Media Marketing for Business)
Social Media Responsibility: A Perspective - how blog is used to change communities and improve lives

Speakers: Vernon, Joseph Go, Chris Ducker, Ms. Joanne Apat and Janette Toral.

Go here to register. It is for free. First 100 gets the chance to receive gift packs.

For more details about the program, vist the VBS website.

This event is co-organized by SM City Cebu and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.

Diamond sponsors: Virtual Staff Finder, Watsons, Geiser Maclang
Gold sponsors: Solidhosting.ph, Cebu Directories and Maribago Bluewater
Media partners: Cebu daily News, Sunstar, Freeman, ABS-CBN, GMA.

People Get Ready for Bob Marlin

2011-10-10T23:02:00.000+08:00

Bob is here complete with reggae music in the backgroundand good food. Nope. It's not Bob Marley. I am talking about Bob Marlin, the latest restaurant to hit Park Mall Cebu.

Photo by Jervie David Mondejar

Bob Marlin is named in honor of Bob Marley since the owner is an avid fan of his. They offer native Filipino dishes and a selection of deliciously-grilled delights.

A must-taste is the Crispy Pata which is crunchy and tasty. It is not hard to chew and is very pleasant to the palate and friendly to the teeth. Other must-try is the sinigang na hipon (which had a natural sampaloc taste and does NOT taste like commercial sinigang mix) and of course the various grilled Marlin fish as well as the Kare Kare. It is perfect for family and barkadas.

I myself had the chance to taste the various selections in their menu and I could say Bob Marlin captured the taste of what Filipino homemade dishes should be.

So people, get up, standup and visit Bob Marlin at Park Mall ground floor along the other restaurants located outside it. Promos are upcoming as well as occasional live performances from Bob Marley music-playing bands in the future.

CIM Received Special Award

2011-09-23T10:27:00.001+08:00

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) released the results of the August 2011 Physician Licensure Examination last August 17. All of the 50 examinees of the Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) and the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila’s 144 examinees passed the said exam.

A special award from the PRC was given to the Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM), through its Dean, Dr. Thelma La Rosa-Fernandez, as the number one medical school in the country, along with the University of the Philippines Manila, in the 2011 Physician Licensure Examination's top performing schools.

The said awarding took place during the oath-taking ceremony of new physicians which was held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel last September 19 with the presence of the six members of the Board of Medicine who flew in to Cebu to grace and witness the occasion.

The Board is composed of Dr. Miguel L. Noche Jr., chairman; Dr. Florentino C. Doble, Dr. Restituto C. De Ocampo, Dr. Edgardo T. Fernando, Dr. Mildred N. Pareja and Dr. Jose Y. Cueto Jr., members. Present also was Atty. Dan Malayang, PRC Region 7 Director.

Post Author: Dr. Henry Yu

Mga Bayani sa Sugbo Exhibit: Get to Know your Cebuano Heroes

2011-09-04T20:43:00.000+08:00

Cebuanos are familiar with Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo and Tandang Sora. But are we familiar with our own heroes here in Cebu?

Our heroes are actually the names we find in our streets. Do we even know they are heroes? Ever wondered who Gen, Maxilom , J. Climaco, Don Pedro Cui, Leon Kilat and V. Rama are?

Arcadio Maxilom figured imminently in the Revolution against Spain and the resistance against the Americans in the past. Juan Climaco was a well-known figure when the Spaniards departed. Leon Kilat was a charismatic figure that was believed to have supernatural powers. Don Pedro Cui along with his sister who were generous philanthropists. Vicente Rama was a distinguished figure in Cebuano literature, journalism and politics.

Know more about them in Mga Bayani sa Sugbo: Cebu's Contribution to Nation-Building Exhibit launched last August 26 which will run until October 21 at the Casa Gorordo Museum, Cebu City brought to you by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated (RAFI) through its Culture and Heritage Unit in partnership with the Cebu City Government and Cebuano Studies Center.

For more information about this exhibit, you may contact telephone number 418-7234 local 703 and look for Florencio Moreno and Karl Hegel Damayo.

MCCI's Search for W.I.N.N.E.Rs Coronation this August 24

2011-08-18T23:54:00.000+08:00

In connection with the 2011 Mandaue Business Month, the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has announced that the coronation for their search for W.I.N.N.E.Rs (Women In Need, Now Entrepreneurs and Role Models) will be on the 24th of August at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC). To recall, the MCCI has already made known its Top 23 micro-entrepreneurs for its Search held at St. Theresa's College last month, July 23, 2011.

The Search for W.I.N.N.E.Rs is a search for model women micro-entrepreneurs from Mandaue City who are struggling to rise from poverty through their business ventures inspiring other women to be empowered in the process.

Judging is based on their inspirational stories of courage, perseverance and creativity (50%), response to the Q&A (20%) and comprehensiveness of the information presented on their business plan (30%). Judges were composed of MCCI Trustees, event sponsors and media partners.

The contestants also have a line of activities comparable to a beauty pageant like sponsors tour, personality development seminar, livelihood trainings and other seminars.

Among the media partners for this event is the Cebu Bloggers' Society.

Truly this is a unique contest woth supporting.

Free Showing of Brillante Mendoza's Award-Winning Films at SM Cebu

2011-08-04T12:34:00.000+08:00

Tired of watching hastily-made movies with poor story plots that only showcase actors, actresses with good looks but poor acting chops? Want to see award-winning movies by an award-winning director for a change? and FOR FREE?

One need not go far...

SM City Cebu through SM Cinemas and Brillante Mendoza brings you the Brillante Mendoza Film Festival at SM City Cebu this coming August 4 to August 5, 2011 at SM Cinema 2.

The movie line-up with corresponding schedule includes:
DAY 1

MANORO (The Aeta Teacher, 2006) - August 4 - 11 AM
LOLA (Grandmother, 2009) - August 4 - 5 PM

DAY 2

KALELDO (Summer Heat, 2007) - August 5 - 11 AM
FOSTER CHILD (2007) - August 5 - 2 PM

The above films were entered in various film festivals all managing to get awards for either the film itself, the director or the artists involved.

Brillante Mendoza is the Filipino film director who won Best Director at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival for Kinatay. His films were likewise award-winners along with some of his films' cast members who under his direction gave award-winning performances.

Breastfeeding highlighted this Nutrition Month

2011-07-10T18:08:00.000+08:00

July is Nutrition Month in the Philippines and last July 1, 2011. In Cebu, it was launched by several groups led by the National Nutrition Council VII at the Event Center, SM City Cebu. The theme for this year is "Isulong ang Breastfeeding, Tama, Sapat at Eksklusibo" which promotes breastfeeding.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding from birth to the first 4-6 months of life and likewise recommends continuation of breastfeeding with complementary foods up to 2 years of age or beyond.

Unfortunately, some mothers make many excuses and others even give artificial drinks before 4 months. When I was still a medical technologist, I even saw an infant being given coffee. They probably do not know that if a baby stops suckling from a breast, that breast stops making milk which could explain why some mothers claim they are not producing milk and make it a reason why they stop breastfeeding their babies. Breastfeeding therefore stimulates milk production. Mothers who don't produce milk probably give up right away in breastfeeding their babies.

Mother's milk and breastfeeding have many benefits.

Breastfeeding promotes mother-baby bonding.
Studies suggests it may help to dvelop the child intellectually.
Breastmilk is easily digested and protects against infection.
Breastmilk provides proper nutrition with the perfect nutrients.
It is a natural way of delaying a new pregnancy for mothers.
Mother's milk is free and does not cost a cent.

So the next time you have new mothers in the family, encourage them to breastfeed and in your own little way, you are promoting the message of this year's nutrition month.

Santiago Restaurant, a taste of Latin America in Mactan, Cebu

2011-07-05T08:28:00.001+08:00

If you have the craving for Latin American food, you do not have to go all the way to the airport to fly abroad. Along the way to Mactan Cebu International Airport, is Santiago restaurant, probably the first Latin American restaurant in Cebu found in Days Hotel, Mactan.

Inside you will find the restaurant staff wearing South American attire serving you food and drinks. In the background is Latin American music playing to set the mood.

From the food, one can tell the foreign influences in Latin American food.

One example is the Ceviche series which can be compared to the Japanese sashimi.

This fish in the Ceviche dish is immersed in lime with tomatoes, onions and Cilantro giving it an interesting refreshing taste.

Anticucho de Cordero

Another favorite of mine is the Anticucho de Cordero which is made of Lamb rubbed with curry, cardamom, other spices which is char grilled. They have other Anticuchos in the menu which is the counterpart of are barbecued or grilled meat.

They offer several varieties of Arroz rice dishes from various Latin American cuntries like Peru, Brazil and Ecuador.

Vatapa

Vatapa is a Brazilian dish made of shrimp and fish cooked in Ginger Peanut sauce with cashews and coconut milk.

Boronia

If you want to know what's cooking in Ecuador, then sample Boronia, a popular dish from Cartagena, Colombia which has eggplant, sweet paprika and spices.

It is amazing that this restaurant has quite a number of dishes from the said countries.

The dessert has similarities with our own.

The coco flan above just lloks and tastes like leche flan.

Tres Leches

Tres Leches is good news for those with a sweet tooth.

Of course, there is also a variety of wines one can order some of them imported from South American countries.

For that night, it was like I had a trip to the Latin American countries as I tasted their food.

Santiago restaurant promises to be an interesting food trip.

Santiago will have its grand opening in August. It is open to both tourists and Filipinos.

Probably, the only restaurant dedicated to South American cuisine, Cebuanos are given the first opportunity to experience the food adventure to the best of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Venezuela, Bolivia and Guyana at an affordable price.

Santiago is found at Days Hotel, Airport Road, Matumbo, Pusok Hills, Mactan Island, Lapu-lapu City, Cebu, Philippines with telephone numbers (032) 495-5381, 495-5383 and 495-5386.

Running Event Alert: LiveRun in Cebu this August

2011-07-01T09:16:00.000+08:00

Want to exercise, run for a good cause while promoting Hepatitis awareness at the same time getting a chance to win cool raffle prizes such as a GPS Enabled Sports Watch?

Join the Liverun on August 7, 2011 organized by the Cebu GI Group, a group of gastroenterologists in Cebu to commemorate World Hepatitis Day in Cebu City. As mentioned, it is for Hepatitis awareness and also to help fund future projects of the group like Hepatitis B immunization in certain communities among other projects.

Students are also welcome to join with a lower registration fee of P200.

Registration sites are at the Endoscopy Units of Chong Hua, Cebu Doctors and Perpetual Succour Hospitals. In Velez Hospital, you may contact Dr. Karen Batoctoy at the 2nd Floor Doctor's Clinic of the said hospital. Others may also register at RUNNR, Ayala Center Cebu. You may also text 09227281677.

Assembly time for the running event is at 4 AM at the Chong Hua Medical Arts Parking Lot.

Floods not the only problem but Leptospirosis also

2011-06-27T23:49:00.002+08:00

In recent weeks, different parts of the country experienced floods. It may be safe to say that sadly, floods are a common sight in Manila especially when there is rain....ordinary rain...not just during typhoons.

I was a witness to this in my days in UP Manila. When it really rains, flood waters start to form and establishments in Taft become "floating" buildings. Then one will see "padyak" or pedicab drivers braving the floods to take advantage of the chance to earn higher take home cash for that day. One will also observe people making a make-shift "bridge" for people to cross charging a good amount of money.

Waters may even reach knee-high but both pedicab drivers and people who put make-shift "bridges" ignore the possible free Leptospirosis that may come with their "jobs".

Leptospires

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by a bacteria affecting humans and animals. The organism enters the body when mucous membranes or abraded skin come in contact with water contaminated with the urine of infected animals like rats. Wading in contaminated flood waters is one way of getting the infection. It causes symptoms that may be similar to flu or other infectious diseases causing fever and muscle aches. Jaundice (yellow eyes and skin) may be observed in severe cases from liver failure. Kidney damage and even death is a possibility.

One may not know right away that he or she has leptospirosis. It may take two days to four weeks before symptoms develop.

According to the Department of Health Philippines (DOH), there are already 454 leptospirosis cases from January to May 21, 2011 (higher by almost 75% than the figure during same period last year) with 32 deaths already (compared to 8 from the same period last year).

Most affected regions...NCR? Nope. It's the Western Visayan region followed by Bicol then Central Luzon. These are areas greatly affected by recent typhoons. But this does not mean that only these areas should be careful. Urban residents are actually also at increased risk what with our lack of discipline in proper garbage disposal (thus inviting the rats to these areas).

Apparently, many people are not still aware of the possibility of getting Leptospirosis when wading thru floods. This might explain why the number of cases is high.

Therefore my advice is: Do not dare wade in flood waters. Prevention is better than cure as they say. Health is better than "wealth". "Padyaks", for the sake of your families - do not drive your pedicabs in the flood. You would not want your earnings to disappear quickly because of the expense of treatment.

If a flood is expected and one cannot avoid being exposed to it, then arm yourself with protective footwear like high boots and protective clothing.

Drug for prophylaxis is available for those adults at high risk of exposure known as Doxycycline which is not intended for long term use

If you have a history of wading through flood waters and you have fever, headache and muscle aches, consult your doctor right away. It may be some other disease. But it may also be Leptospirosis.

My Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2011

2011-06-14T09:15:00.012+08:00

I am participating for the first time in the writing project initiated by Influential Blogger which is made possible with the help of Cyber Monday Deals,TRIbeca Private Residences, How To Videos, Palawan Beaches for Sale, Green and Natural Lubes Philippines, Philippine data center, Philippine online shopping, Singapore Jobs, Pinoy Party Food, Apartment for rent, and Best deals tips.

You have never heard of any of my blogs in previous years, right? It is because I am a new blogger with all of his blogs starting just last year. I may be an officer of the Cebu Blogger's Society but really, my blogger friends and fellow members just heard of my blogs late last year.

Allow me to share to you my partial list for Top Ten Emerging Influential Blogs for 2011 (in no particular order) with some explanations on the choice.

Libotero (by Sinjin Pineda). Created last May 2010, Libotero is a Page Rank 2 Travel Photo Blog by a genuine well-traveled person, a "libotero" in the truest sense of the word. His travel blog brings you to many different places and helps you imagine how it would be like being there.
Foodiecraft (by Mary Angeli Bas). I remember that Angeli started this just this year and in that relatively short time span, she has gain many followers for her reviews on "food, eating and everything in between." Last time I heard, she has started to get invites for food reviews.
Even with PKD Life Goes On (by Dr. Narciso Tapia). This blog is perhaps the only Filipino-made blog that primarily promotes awareness on polycystic kidney disease (PKD) including its management. Made by a physician himself who has the disease, readers (who are most likely polycystic kidney disease patients themselves or their relatives and friends) find tips and information regarding things their doctors usually forget to address nor bother to explain. Some blog visitors find the blog posts useful and even inspirational. Indeed there is still life even with PKD.
Cebu MD Blog. (by Dr. Narciso Tapia). There are not too many physicians who are into serious blogging. This blog provides a refreshing break for readers especially in the medical field who maybe already tired of reading blogs that talk about life in the hospital and the medical life. It connects the medical field and its readers mostly in the medical field to society, to real life, to the world outside the hospital. Being Cebu-based and part of the Cebu Bloggers Society, it also talks and promotes anything Cebu. It still has health-related content geared towards educating the public to show that the medical profession still boils down to serving the community and connecting with them. Recently joining the Filipino-initiated "Blog Rounds", it is helping to show the way to fellow physician bloggers that blogging can be a powerful tool for patient or community health education.
RizalPark.Org (by Jhong Medina). Very timely especially with Rizal at 150 coming up. It brings back Rizal, our country's national hero to our national consciousness.
I-Swallow (by Rabsin). A rising food blog giving honest food reviews from an ordinary food-lover's point of view.
The Teacher's Notebook (by Ariel). Educational. I am a teacher myself and I think with today's Net Generation, teachers should use online tools such as blogs to educate as well as increase interest on Education.
Blog-ph.com (by JLAquino). Nicely made. PR3. High Alexa rank. Good mix of Entertainment, Fashion, Music and Technology. The blog speaks for itself.
A blog that is a sight for sore eyes with nice shots.
A nice mix of guides and tips and everything else.

There are really a lot of other blogs out there that really deserve nomination but the list is just limited to 10. Below are other blogs worth reading.

http://kaiserthesage.com/
http://theadventuresofsuperboink.blogspot.com/
http://www.lizmoneyweb.com/
http://ghillcorner.com
http://www.juanderfulpinoy.com/
http://www.abdul-hakeem.com
http://www.skamid.com

I would like to point out that the intent of the writing project as pointed out in the Influential Blogger's FAQ is to introduce new blogs/bloggers giving them the chance to "shine and grow".

So do you think both of this genuinely NEW blogger's new blogs have the potential to become an influential blog? Do you want to support my advocacy on using blogs to educate people on health, the reality of polycystic kidney disease and awareness to society? Then you might consider joining this writing project and nominate this blog along with the other awesome blogs out there.

It will really serve as an inspiration for new bloggers like me.

www.rizalpark.org

Gabii sa Kabilin last May 27, 2011

2011-05-31T12:40:00.001+08:00

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.(RAFI) once again led the Gabii sa Kabilin even held last May 27, 2011. Eleven (11) museums and seven heritage sites participated this year, opening their doors to the public from 6pm to midnight. Hundreds braved the rains to visit these sites and learn Cebu's cultural heritage. The event showcased Cebu's past. It was indeed a very educational trip for many.

Scenes from the Night of Heritage are shown in the slideshow below:

I have one suggestion for the participating museums and heritage sites though. I suggest that they play the appropriate music next time to match the environment of each museum. Like in the Cathedral Museum, it would be better if they play Church music. In the Museo Parian, music that will reflect Chinese influence or Visayan songs. No rock music for any museum please.

Blog Rounds Season 2: What If I Had Unlimited Time, Unlimited Wealth

2011-05-22T16:10:00.001+08:00

It was just this year that I stumbled upon Blog Rounds, a blog carnival participated in by a good number of Filipino doctors who blog. Blog Rounds is now in Season 2 and going on its second edition. Blog Rounds is still open to physician-bloggers out there.

For this edition of blog rounds, my student, Doc Ligaya in her blog, An adventure called life was asking doctor bloggers to list 10 things they would do if "they had more of both (gold and time)".

Well, this is a very appropriate question for me because (realistically-speaking) being a polycystic kidney patient myself, I really wish to have both -- more time for my kidneys to remain healthy and more "gold" to be able to afford a "new" kidney in the future when my own kidneys will fail me. Perhaps, the closest thing to having this unlimited gold in real life is when that dream of mine winning the Grand Lotto jackpot comes true.

So what if I do have extra time?

If I have more time, I will not do things differently. I am already contented of what I have presently and having extra time is more than enough to be thankful for. Therefore I will continue to do the things that I usually do.

I will be forever thanking God for everything.
I will continue to love my wife and my family.
I will continue to teach.
I will continue to blog.
I will continue to do research.
I will continue to appreciate friendships.
I will continue to appreciate the beauty of nature.
I will continue to appreciate the unconditional love of dogs.
I will continue to love music.
I will continue to be a fan of the NBA.

Very simple really. Because I enjoy doing all the things that I have been doing already.

Alright, I admit. I have things that I haven't done yet that I want to try out if I were just dreaming. There's nothing wrong in dreaming, right? Besides, we are talking here of lots of time, maybe unlimited time. So maybe i will do something like...

Study music formally and be a complete musician composing, singing, playing the piano, violin and saxophone among many instruments.
Study film acting and directing then act in a movie or direct a movie (My uncle was a local Visayan director and my aunt was a radio talent so this idea is not exactly far-fetched.)
Study I.T. (Wait why am I always studying?)
Photograph the 7 Wonders of the World........

Enough of the dreaming. I can't think of anything else.

To continue.....

If I have more gold...I will be.........NAH!

If I post it here, I will not win the Grand Lotto jackpot. It's forbidden to count the chickens before they hatch, you know. Saka na lang. Baka di tuloy ako manalo.

(Voice in the background: Paano ka mananalo e di ka naman tumataya!)

Why my mom's picture is not my Facebook profile pic on Mother's Day

2011-05-08T10:53:00.001+08:00

I look at my Facebook wall and my Facebook friends' profile pictures and I see either their respective mom's solo picture or a photo of these persons beside their moms.

Yes, it is Mother's day but I decided NOT to put any picture of my mom in my Facebook profile. Why?

Because there is no need to do so. Why?

Because as I look at myself in my profile picture, I see my mom. For everything I am now is because of my mom.

Even if my mom passed away when I was still 8 years old because of complications of polycystic kidney disease (which was not known then), I went into the health profession because of her, to know more about what made her sick.

I am grateful that she decided to have me even if it was risky for her to have a baby with her condition .

I believe I am fond of cartoons and anime until now probably because I enjoy watching with her Voltes V when I was young and I cherished the times when she bought me T-shirts with Mazinger Z and Voltes V as well as Star Ranger prints.

I am a basketball fan because of her as she gave me the nickname "Sonny Boy" with her fondness for Sonny Jaworski and the Toyota squad.

I love Filipino food because I remember her personally cooking my favorite Pinoy dishes with her expertise helping her aunt who had a carinderia in Carbon.

I am active in extracurricular activities as she was active as a member of a dressmaking club near our school in Labangon just to be close to me during class hours.

Even if she is physically gone, I know she has a great influence on me even almost 30 years after her demise.

She is not in my Facebook profile pic because in reality, she is there inside me...inside my heart.

Happy Mother's Day mama Ana. I miss you.

NBA 2011 Playoffs: Getting to be More Interesting

2011-04-27T11:58:00.001+08:00

It is the Playoffs of the NBA 2011 and many are glued to their cable TV sets to cheer for their favorite NBA team. Well, some who do not have cable TV but have internet connection wish are currently looking for live NBA streaming. Coming into the playoffs by the way, I have my Yahoo Fantasy basketball team winning my league. My fantasy team is composed of players who are mostly still playing in the playoffs like Serge Ibaka and Tyson Chandler as well as Zach Randolph. ( A clap for me please...Thank you.)

Now back to the playoff picture. This particular year is a very interesting one. Why? Because of the NBA Playoff standings.

Who would have thought that a contender of the NBA Finals 2010 like the Lakers will be tied 2-2 (currently playing) against the Hornets minus their leading scorer David West? Now Kobe is playing hurt and suddenly some are even doubting if the Lakers can survive the series.

Or who would imagine the Magic trailing the Hawks 3-2 in the series? Yes the Magic just won a few hours ago with their shooters finally finding their mark even with Howard limited by foul trouble.

And finally, who would think that the No. 1 seed in the West, the San Antonio Spurs are on the brink of elimination courtesy of a "Grizzly" attack.

Just minutes ago, the Bulls advance into the second round dispatching the pesky Pacers finally showing why they are the top seed. Many are divided as to whether the Bulls will finally reach the NBA Finals this year with the leadership of top MVP favorite Derrick Rose.

There is also ongoing debate whether the Celtics, now without tough man Kendrick Perkins will also return to the Finals. They have been inconsistent, particularly Rondo during the start of the Playoffs although in their last 2 games, Rondo was superb thus it comes as no surprise that the Celtics swept New York. But New York is without the services of an injured Chauncey Billups so the Celtics winning is a no-brainer. I feel the success of New York though will really rely also on Melo maturing as a responsible star player and that him, Amare and Big Shot Billups being surrounded with good backup players.

So who would it be in the NBA conference finals and finals this year? Who is your bet in the East? West? Who will become NBA champs this NBA season?

P.S. ABS-CBN, I hope as the playoffs go deeper, you air the games more often for the benefit of those without cable subscriptions.

Hand Hygiene, AIDS updates in PSMID Cebu's 1st Biennial Postgrad Course

2011-04-18T22:02:00.000+08:00

Hand hygiene is probably a neglected tool in preventing the spread of superbugs and nosocomial infections. Nurses who are most often in contact with patients and instruments in the wards (more often than the physicians even) should be the target of continuing education efforts on infection control and hand washing since they play a bigger role in preventing nosocomial diseases and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

This was one of the reasons behind inviting nurses and other healthcare professionals aside from physicians during PSMID Cebu's first Biennial Postgraduate Course held last March 31-April 1, 2011 at the Grand Convention Cebu. And the response was overwhelming turning the event into a success.

Speaker-experts were invited from both Cebu and Manila and Dealing with infections in the workplace was the theme. Some of the speakers include Dr. Jaime Montoya, Dr. Eternity Labio, Dr. Elfleda Hernandez and Dr. Evelyn Alesna.

Cebu MD was one of the organizers being part of PSMID-Cebu.

Below are some of the slides:

Extended-spectrum Beta lactamases was among the topics discussed stressing the dangers of it increasing in incidence.

Regarding HIV, one speaker revealed that injection drug use is becoming a source of new HIV patients in Cebu with some starting as early as age 10. Nubain plus shabu "milkshake" was among the last substance injected.

It was shocking to know from the session on HIV that some HIV patients start having sex as early as 7 years old. Around 3 out of 10 of the male patients had sex with fellow male. Some were clients of female sex workers.

Risk for HIV infection among injection drug users is increased with increased frequency of injection per day and the use of service needles commonly used by them.

Another speaker highlighted the risks of HIV transmission in various situations as shown below:

Overall, the event was a success thanks to the participation of nurses, medical technologists, residents, consultants and the support of friends from the pharmaceutical industry.

One participant summed up the wish of the others when she wished for more conventions like this that welcome not just doctors but other health professionals.

Ways to Celebrate World Bloggers' Day

2011-04-09T10:43:00.001+08:00

Yes, there is indeed a World Bloggers' Day. May 2 is World Bloggers' Day, an event initiated by Filipino bloggers, the Cebu Bloggers Society, Incorporated last year and is now truly going global. The day will be highlighted by both offline and online celebrations also in countries like Australia and Singapore.

Why celebrate? Why not? Isn't being a blogger worth celebrating?

Each blogger has a different reason for blogging and I am pretty sure, he or she is not regretting it. Each of us bloggers have our own roles to play in blogging and each of us have a choice to become a positive influence in the blogosphere.

So how should one celebrate World Bloggers' Day?

Of course, connect to other bloggers offline and online.

Attend the offline event in your area. Make friends. Share tips. Exchange links. Promote your business if you want.
Learn from the speakers and interact with them during the event. Use and apply what was learned during the event in your blogs.
Go online, join us in Facebook, register your blog at the World Bloggers' Day website (WBD). Tweet, re-tweet, blog and invite others to celebrate World Bloggers' Day and have their blogs registered at the WBD site.
On the day itself, be proud to be a blogger. Greet each other Happy B-day!
If you are in Cebu, join us offline on May 2 and learn from the expert speakers. Updates y alreadavailable in the WBD site, the WBD Facebook page and below in this blog .
Lastly, continue blogging and make the blogosphere and the world a better place for all of us.

Want to be a sponsor for the offline event? Send me a message at my Facebook.

Program is found below:

World Bloggers’ Day – Cebu

May 02, 2011, 01PM – 06PM

6th Floor, Plenary Hall, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., 35 Lopez Jaena Street, Cebu City, Philippines

Theme: Bloggers as Social Media Revolutionists, Initiators and Champions, Collaborators of Businesses and NGO's to attain Corporate and Societal Goals

Programme
Host: Atty. Ethelbert Ouano | Event Photographer: Ken Michael Jon Taarup

OPENING
1PM - 1:30PM - Registration
1:30PM - 1:35PM – Invocation -Dr. Narciso Tapia
1:35PM - 1:40PM – National Anthem
1:40PM - 1:50PM - Opening Speech/Preview of World Bloggers' Day Celebration - CBSi's newly elected President

Talk - Part 1
1:50PM - 1:55PM - World Bloggers' Day Audio Visual Presentation
1:55PM - 2:00PM - Acknowledgement of the top 10 Best Cebu Blogs Winners from 2008 to 2010
2PM - 2:30PM - Building a Name, Building a Brand - Mr. Wilson Ng, Cebu’s Most Prominent Veteran Blogger & Businessman
2:30PM - 2:50PM - Yahoo! Philippines Message for CBSi & WBD

BREAK
2:50PM - 3PM - Sponsors announcements & AVPs.

Talk - Part 2
3:30PM - 4PM - How to Secure your Blog from Hacking - Marlon D. Guzman, Solid Hosting, Manila

CBSi Officers’ Induction
4:00PM - 4:30PM - Induction of CBSi's new set of officers

Talk - Part 3
4:30PM - 5:00PM - Impact of Blogging in Internet Marketing & Real Estate - Anthony Leuterio, Cebu Real Estate Millionaire
5:00PM - 5:55PM - Open Forum (Moderator – Kevin Ray Chua)

CLOSING
5:30PM - 5:35PM - Acknowledgement of Sponsors & Organizers - Mark Monta

See you there!

St. Luke's Neurology Postgraduate Lectures in Cebu this May 7, 2011

2011-03-29T21:10:00.000+08:00

Medical students, Residents, Nurses and Physicians out there.

Nothing to do this summer? Why not do something cerebral in Cebu?

St. Luke's Medical Center International Institute for Neuroscience Section of Adult Neurology invites you to a Postgraduate Lecture Series dubbed as Take the Extra Step: Reviews and Updates on Selected Topics in Neurology.

Do not be afraid of the topics. They are really interesting ones that can be used in the present or future practice of the attendees' respective professions.

It will be on May 7, 2011 from 8 AM to 4 PM at the Cebu Parklane International Hotel, Cebu City.

Refer to the poster below for details.

Team Building Activities for CBSi members

2011-03-17T18:07:00.001+08:00

As part of Cebu Bloggers Society Incorporated's (CBSi) development strategy for its members, a series of team-building or group development sessions are scheduled for the coming months starting this Saturday, March 19 from 6:30-9:30 PM at the Techbar Ground Floor i1 Building, Asiatown IT Park, Lahug Cebu City. This undertaking is in partnership with Exist Global.

The other schedules are March 26, April 16 and April 23 also at 6:30-9:30 PM on the same venue.

The sessions will be facilitated by no other than Mr. Thaddeau Engaling of Be! Experential Trainings and his team of training and development facilitators who are committed to help organizations in Cebu become highly competitive and efficient.

I don't really know what to expect from this activity, honestly speaking. All I know about team building is that call center employees are often engaged in these activities. But I look forward to the experience and somehow I think I will learn a lot out of it.

Exist Global, an international software development company, is the official venue sponsor for CBSi's series of upcoming Group Development Sessions. Visit Exist's blog.

LDS Seagulls to the Rescue in Cebu

2011-03-05T15:22:00.001+08:00

Heaven forbid if something like an Ondoy or an earthquake like that recent one in New Zealand happens in Cebu, who do we definitely need?

Trained rescuers, of course (with emphasis on trained). Because an attempt of rescue without training can have dire consequences. And we may need plenty of these trained rescue teams.

Good thing we have the LDS Seagull Rescue International Incorporated, Cebu Chapter.

A risky mission means these rescuers are paid with large salaries, right? ...Wrong.

The LDS Seagull Rescue Teams are composed of volunteers from all walks of life. They do not receive any regular salary. They volunteer simply to serve and help save lives which is enough joy for them.

It was founded by Brad Pitt...wait, it's Brod. Pete or Mr. Peter Negrido, a veteran climber and paramedic with Visayan roots who has successfully trained rescuers in various parts of the country including the Philippine military. He looks like a military man himself.

Mr. Negrido's advocacy is to teach search and rescue skills to ordinary persons and the ordinary military personnel who are not themselves part of any special rescue team so that if the need arises like an Ondoy-like typhoon, they can also be tapped.

Anyway, the LDS rescuers are not just composed of men as you can see in the photo. In fact a lot of the volunteers and trainees are women. Volunteers undergo several levels of training including first aid, basic life support, search and rescue in confined spaces and tall buildings, fire rescue, water and rescue and many more.

The equipment that they have is a product of donations from fellow members or volunteers, past trainees, church members (Latter Day Saints church) and support from the Cebu City government. The city government through the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council may tap them as part of the personnel to respond in situations of disaster.

The members of LDS Seagulls are from the Church of the Latter Day Saints (thus the name LDS which also means Light Disaster Squad) but they also accept trainees practicing other religions for collaborations).

I was fortunate to be invited to witness a critical part of the training of their latest recruits last Thursday, March 3, 2011 at the LJD Dormitory, Nasipit, Talamban wherein they would learn how to maneuver in tall buildings.

Before the spidey thing, of course they had some briefings and last-minute instructions...

...and then, they did this...

and this...

and this.

I salute this people really. Just to undergo training requires courage and determination.

Mr. Negrido dared me and fellow blogger Bjorn Bernales to give these maneuvers a try and we said...hmmm...well....nah! And we proceeded to take pictures. (If blogger-mountaineer Vince was there, I think Brod. Pete would have his volunteer).

In the future, expect the LDS Seagull Rescue International Cebu Chapter to have their own base and hotline like other volunteer emergency teams. For now, they are part of Cebu City's team of responders during emergencies and disasters who are ready to lend a hand risking their lives for the sake of their brethren.

More power to LDS!

Copyscape banner

Annual Cebu Medical Society and PMA Elections 2011

2011-03-05T12:21:00.000+08:00

The stars in the picture above are not exactly the candidates. It was just to catch the attention of Cebu doctors of an upcoming election.

This annual election of officers of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and Cebu Medical Society (CMS) will be this coming March 13, 2011, a Sunday at the Cebu Medical Society, Inc. Building, Governor Cuenco Avenue, Banilad Cebu City from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

CBSi Three Years and Counting...

2011-02-20T21:40:00.000+08:00

Cebu MD was filled with excitement yesterday to finally meet his Cebu Bloggers Society family. It was like Phil Younghusband finally meeting up with Angel Locsin. (char!)

Well, his fellow CBSi colleagues did not disappoint.

Who would want to leave the place with these smiling faces welcoming you like you're a client of PAGCOR?

But wait! Cebu MD was indeed in PAGCOR Casino Filipino Parkmall Satellite Branch yesterday (thanks to Mr. Renato Z. Osmeña, Jr, their manager) for the 3rd year anniversary of the Cebu Bloggers Society Incorporated or CBSi.

It's like CBSi owned the 2nd Floor Hall of the venue (for lack of a name of that hall we will call it like that). The room's color was orange which is CBSi's color exactly. And it turned out that CBSi was the first one to use the said room.

Then like a person booked for felony, Cebu MD's photograph was taken by Vince (a fellow rookie) against the orange wall background for his mugshot (for CBSi ID purposes).

It was an afternoon of fun, laughter and inspiration.

It was an honor meeting with these people. It's like Cebu MD, a neophyte superhero finally getting the chance to join the Justice League or the Avengers. Except that this neophyte is looking like Professor Xavier. (Can you not focus the camera on top of my head please. Thank you. Hehe.)

In the PAGCOR hall that day were gathered (from various origins and background), individuals who I see can really do lots of great things for the society in the future through the blogosphere. Cebu MD is proud to be amongst these SuperFriends!

Original photo above by Vince Delicano

Here are some scenes from yesterday's affair below:

See you next year for the 4th anniversary guys!

Special mention goes to Holister, Inc. for help in the overall set-up of the venue.

Yipee! CBSi @ 3

2011-02-16T23:48:00.000+08:00

February 19 is one day I will never forget.

Aside from my dad's birthday, it is also the day when my new family will celebrate its 3rd birthday this year. Happy 3rd Birthday Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc.(CBSi) !

Actually, CBSi inspired me to start blogging. It was a year ago when I chanced upon the CBS website and the blogs of its members...

And I noticed that CBS members are not some computer nerds who only know about internet and computer stuff blogging about the beauty of Cebu, but they are productive citizens with substance -- leaders, achievers with various interests and talents who promote noble advocacies. They are individuals who also reach out to others giving whatever they can... to share to the needy -- outreach to fire victims, book donation, teaching computer literacy, bringing Christmas cheer.

And so from the very beginning of my blogging days, I already have my mind set in joining CBSi never mind if I am one of the "youngest" applicants. Never mind if almost everyone are not from the medical field. Never mind if it seemed that I am the mature red blood cell in the midst of reticulocytes.

And I am thankful and I am honored now to be part of the group. Despite my newbie status, I felt welcomed.

I am really proud of this group. Believe me, CBSi is so organized indeed. As organized as the body's immune defense system.

Who would have thought I will be celebrating CBSi's anniversary as one of its members?

Actually the anniversary is originally February 14 but you know what's February 14, right?

And so we will have it on the 19th. And as we celebrate CBSi's 3rd birthday, we look forward to more years of building relationships with members and with society. (That is if the world will go beyond year 2012! Hehehe. Calling Nostradamus!)

Meanwhile CBSi (like phagocytes) will gather together on the 19th at the PAGCOR, Casino Filipino Cebu in Parkmall, Saturday between 3 to 6 pm for our bonding time. Like the Christmas colors in the poster below, I am sure there will be a Christmas-like atmosphere with songs and laughter. (Or better, laughter and songs because songs then laughter won't sound good.)

Stronger, better and many amazing years ahead of us. More power CBSi and God bless all of us!

Acute Kidney Injury Has a New Biomarker

2011-02-12T06:38:00.000+08:00

Good day Doctors:

There is a new acute kidney injury biomarker which has just been launched abroad and will perhaps be on its way to Philippine shores in the near future.

It is NGAL or neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (an ubiquitous 25 kDa protein), a new early marker for acute kidney injury which levels rise rapidly after renal injury (rises earlier than creatinine) and one test is an ELISA for the determination of human NGAL in urine, plasma or serum. There is another that can be used with a laboratory's chemistry analyzer.

Details at NGAL.com.

Beware: HIV is on the Rise

2011-02-07T22:37:00.000+08:00

As Valentine's Day nears, perhaps this is the most appropriate time to give an update of the local HIV situation.

Incidence of HIV in the Philippines cases has been described as slow but sure. Look again.

From 1984 to 2010, HIV infection here has reached the 6000 mark. This is according to the Statistics from the DOH's Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry Report with 174 cases recorded last December 2010 alone. About 97% of the December 2010 cases were acquired through sexual contact.

Just here in Cebu, a 28-year old overseas Filipino worker returning from the Middle East in time for the Sinulog has just learned during a recent check-up that he got HIV. This after he unintentionally infected 10 individuals in Cebu City. The said OFW was reportedly sexually-active in the Middle East with members of both sexes. He is now unable to go back to work in the Middle East.

Surely with sexual behaviors such as this, expect HIV to be described in the near future as alarmingly fast.

For the related detailed reports, visit the Inquirer.net Breaking News and Inquirer's Mind and Body Health Beat.

Stay H.I.V. Stay Healthy...physically and morally...Intaon this Valentines.

On the Recent Taxi and Jeep Fare Increase

2011-02-02T08:29:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, I finally was in a taxi using the new flagdown rate of P40 with P3.50 increments travel in a certain distance. And I realized, I will never ride a taxi whenever possible. Why?

From our home in Guadalupe, Cebu City to Velez College before the new taxi rates, the fare was around P55 to P60. What I paid yesterday? It was P89. That's about P30 increase from the usual. Wow! That's heavy in the pocket nowadays. And if every taxi now has the new rate, I think this would turn out to be a disadvantage for the taxi drivers. My projection will be that their middle-class passengers will decrease. The long lines in Ayala taxi loading bay will be shortened. The regular taxis in airports will also experience a shortage of passengers since the airport taxi rates will be like their rates especially those who are carrying heavy baggage.

Then there's the increase in jeepney fare to P7.50. I think I will still insist paying the P7.00. Why?

Because when the fare was P6.50. the drivers especially those plying Guadalupe are asking P7.00 not returning the P0.50 change of regular commuters paying P7.00. And with P7.50, they may be getting P8.00 now.

I hope the drivers will be fair this time or the rates should be set rounded off to the near peso. P0.50 is not that available.

Velez College Medtech graduates unite!

2011-01-31T23:10:00.000+08:00

When I opened my Facebook account, I was surprised to know that a Facebook group has been put up and I was added to its members. (I am thankful that I was added). The group is "Velez College BSMT grads". The FB Group account was set up by Nanette Jabonero Robles of Batch '73 according to the Organization Notes. Thank you Ma'am Nanette.

It is about time!

For the longest time during Velez College events, I only see Velez College Nursing Alumni Association tarpulins on their homecoming as well as their alumni activities but no Velez College Medtech Alumni Association events. And to think, there are also many medtech alumni both here and abroad who could have organized the graduates.

And now, the fb group account even has a discussion on what to call the VC medtech alumni association when before there was no association to speak of, no formal and official alumni reunions to attend, no activity, just silence... It seemed that medtechs were all work and study. Too busy to care, perhaps? Not really.

They were just waiting for somebody to start the ball rolling. The opening of the fb account is perhaps the start everybody was waiting for.

The group page was created January 28 and in just 3 days, it has reached 677 members already as of 10:50PM Philippine Time. The online activity is non-stop. Heck even my medical students who were medtech graduates dropped by to join as members. (Pssst! Go back to your books after a few seconds, OK?)

There seem to be plans for a grand reunion for a start but I hope in the future there would be also educational and community-oriented activities.

This is just the first step and I am inviting other Velez College BS Medical Technology graduates to join and be part of the online medtech graduate online family. Together we can do many things.

Let's unite Velezian medtechs and medtech graduates! Join or add your batchmates in the Facebook Velez College BSMT graduates group.

Important note: If you do not edit your group settings, once you post in any facebook group like this MT grads group, you will receive everyone's post in the fb group through your email. Email clutter may result. To avoid this, edit your settings once in the Velez BSMT grads group and in notify me when, choose "Only posts I am subscribed to". You will receive only posts that you subscribed to or only replies of posts you yourself made.

Sinulog Through the Lens of Cebu Physicians

2011-01-29T22:01:00.000+08:00

If you watch the Sinulog festivities in the streets, chances are you will also see physicians bringing their DSLRs taking photos of the contingents. Here are some of the pics they have taken during the Sinulog. Enjoy!

The first 2 photos are courtesy of Dr. Anna Pato, a pediatrician. The next two were taken by an ophthalmology resident. Visit his website which was also placed in the photos.

The last 4 photos are courtesy of Dr. Pebbles Vallar (an IM resident) and Dr. Suga Dioko (also a pediatrician) respectively.

When will I have my own DSLR?

GM Mosquitoes: The Future Solution for Dengue?

2011-01-27T09:15:00.000+08:00

I just read last night an interesting article about a field trial wherein genetically-modified male Aedes mosquitoes were released in an uninhabited forest somewhere in Malaysia to mate with mild female Aedes to produce larvae that eventually will die early without reaching its normal life span and therefore not reach adulthood. In effect, this will expect to decrease the Aedes population and cut down the incidence of dengue.

Looks to be the perfect solution for our dengue problem in the country especially Cebu, right? But there is some concern here. Because the natural balance is offset, we do not know if there will be new diseases that will emerge? Perhaps mutation of virus?

Anyway, the defense made were males have no capability to transmit dengue so the GM-mosquitoes will soon die without spreading dengue. If these GM-mosquitoes mate, the offspring eventually dies so the gene introduced to the modified mosquitoes are not passed on to future generations. So theoretically, it is believed that this is a safe move.

This debate will never end.

You can read more of this trial at The Independent website.

2011 Baguio City Tour in One Day: Part 2

2011-01-19T20:05:00.000+08:00

This is a continuation of my blog post which is part 1 of same title at http://pinoylifewithpkd.blogspot.com/2011/01/2011-baguio-city-tour-in-one-day-part-1.html in my PKD Blog.

I know this blog is not exactly a travel blog. But for the meantime allow me to write about Baguio for this post since Baguio may be one of possible favorite destinations for conventions and vacations of physicians and non-physicians alike.

In part 1 of this post in my PKD Personal blog, I mentioned that I am doing this to help travelers who plan to go to Baguio without their own transport vehicle and are visiting Baguio overnight or for a day.

Coming to Baguio at this time for a convention was like getting inside a refrigerator so that sweaters and even a bonnet were a big help for me especially that I have cold intolerance since I had polycystic kidney disease with anemia.

Already booked beforehand in a room for 2 accommodation (there are many hotels in Baguio), me and my wife were already ready for the trip.

Arriving on a Saturday evening, we immediately went to the Baguio Cathedral to give thanks to God for the safe journey among many other things and to attend the anticipated mass since we plan to tour Baguio on the whole Sunday prior to the convention.

Actually, it was also "Sinulog" in Cebu so we sort of celebrated the feast of the Child Jesus in Baguio.

Baguio Cathedral is just walking distance from Session Road, probably the busiest in Baguio City with the commerciall establishments in the area.

An interesting observation is that cars were just parked almost in the middle of the street in a weekend and there were no towing trucks in sight unlike in Cebu to take away these vehicles.

A day after, we met with our taxi driver contact and the first in our itinerary (our first stop for breakfast) was Cafe by the Ruins which appeared to be a hangout also of Baguio artists. In our research, it was one of the best places to eat in Baguio and the food indeed was delicious although the price is quite expensive.

Delicious-looking isn't it? It comes with coffee made of local "barako" with a ball-like substitute for sugar (maybe it's made of caramel therefore is still sugar) which when put on your coffee appears to form bubbles (like boiling) and dissolves thus sweetening your coffee.

Cafe by the Ruins from its menu offers local food products, strawberry-based food as well as local food. It is just near the City Hall and Burnham Park, our first tourist spot destination. Entrance is free. It has a playground, a lake for boating, a wide area for jogging, full of greens and flowers. And surrounded by clean comfort rooms (CR) with attendants that charge P6 for the use of the urinal and P10 I think for toilet bowl for "bawas". (Nice way to earn money and maintain cleanliness and hygiene for the city...wish we had plenty of this in Cebu since the Baguio CRs are just everywhere in Baguio City).

After spending about an hour and a half for breakfast and exploring Burnham, we were on the road. We passed by this famous (believed-to-be haunted) house, the Laperal House. (Hope you do not see anything that suddenly pops out in the next picture.)

We went to the Botanical Gardens and had our picture taken with the Senior Citizen Igorots. (Tip: Expect them to suddenly rush at your side to have their picture taken with you then charge you money for it. Do not also ask them how much it will cost you to have them on your picture. Just speak to two or three of them and give them P20 at least each for the photo op.)

(Who among the pics are not Igorots?)

Anyway, the Garden offers a nice background for your pics as seen below.

Notice that we both have our pictures taken together. That's the beauty of the tripod which we brought along. We can have the pictures where we want it as we want it.

Next stop was the Wright Park which offers horseback-riding although we just had our pics taken since my wife just underwent surgery a month ago.

Nearby is the Mansion, which serves as the residence of the Philippine President when in Baguio usually during the Christmas season. There is no entrance fee but one is only allowed to take pictures near the main gate.

Across the Mansion is also nice with a gazebo and a man-made mini-lagoon (I do not really know the correct term).

Then off we go to Mines View Park which offers a breathtaking view of the mines below. Likewise there is no entrance. Here in Mines View you not only see the nice view of the mountains but also souvenir shops which sell Baguio products. There are also pairs of giant dogs (St. Bernard breed perhaps) which are trained to assume different poses and positions for a photo op with tourists or visitors costing P50 for 3 shots if I recall correctly. In other words, you can have pictures taken with them.

I think this is Boomer and the other dog is Dog-las. (Our pet dog will surely be mad if he detects a different dog sent in our laundry later on.)

Anyway, in Mines View Park like us, you may also get to chance to wear Igorot costumes complete with shield and spear for males and native bag and flowers for females.

Bagay ba? You should really try this. I think the price is P10 for costume rental and P30 for several shots taken with it.

So as not to waste time, we went next to the Good Shepherd Convent to buy food products from the nuns there. Aside from getting freshly-made products like Ube Jam, Strawberry Jam, Peanut butter and many more, you actually help someone finish college since the proceeds will help some scholars finish schooling.

Before buying, write your order first using the pictures with the corresponding price on one area of the establishment. Present this piece of paper and the store attendant will get the products for you as you pay the cashier in the counter.

It was 11 AM and we have already gone to several tourist spots. But a Baguio visit will not be complete without a visit to Camp John Hay. We decided to visit it just prior to lunch.

There is just so much to see here with the many large pine trees, plenty of green bermuda grass, flowers, nature at its best.

There is another reason to visit Camp John Hay for it has a Treetop adventure which include rappelling and zip-line adventure.

You can also eat lunch in the Mile Hi center inside the camp which offers different food choices for different tastes.

As for us, we opted to have lunch where many locals eat...the Good Taste restaurant in Magsaysay avenue.

In part 3 of this post, we will continue with our Baguio adventure from lunch to sunset and talk more about Good Taste, PMA and some more spots.

Part 3 is here at http://pinoylifewithpkd.blogspot.com/2011/01/2011-baguio-city-tour-in-one-day-part-3.html

This March 31: PSMID Cebu 1st Biennial Postgraduate Course

2011-01-11T15:45:00.000+08:00

Announcing the upcoming Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Disease (PSMID) - Cebu Chapter 1st Biennial Postgraduate Course on March 31 to April 1, 2011 at the Cebu Grand Convention Center, Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu City.

The theme for this course is "Bugs at Work: Dealing with Infections at the Workplace".

Topics include: Chronic Hepatitis B, Basic infection control at work, Infectious diseases and overseas work, Pulmonary TB work clearance, HIV/AIDS, Common skin infections at work, Kids preventive health for working moms and Dengue updates.

It's not only physicians that are invited but also allied healthcare staff such as nurses and medical technologists.

The Over-all chair for this course is Dr. Jonathan Lim. Further details will also be posted in this blog or contact (032) 2328627 and look for Yvonne.

PSMID Cebu is headed this year by its President, Dr. Arlene G. Macabaya.

This blogger is a member of the PSMID-Cebu Chapter.

Bloody Start for the Year 2011: When will we learn our lesson?

2011-01-01T22:11:00.000+08:00

Local news headlines reported an increase in number of firework-related injuries from December 21-January 1, 2011 compared to the same period in the previous 5 years on average.

The total firework-related injuries is 546 of which 20 are due to.....stray bullets.

Right. Stray bullets.

Imagine...these victims some of which were just watching the festivities unfold, some going outside to watch fireworks from a distance and not handling firecrackers themselves (as reported also in the news) suddenly falling to the ground in a pool of blood, hit by a stray bullet. If not, having an eye injury because of some irresponsible person throwing a "piccolo" without regard for their neighbors or passersby.

"Most of those affected were children aged 1-10 year old," a DOH official revealed although at the same time, it was also reported that there was a slight decrease in the number of children affected.

It makes us think why not ban these known illegal bomb-like noisy firecrackers and instead limit the sale to those aerial fireworks that color the sky like that used by hotels and big establishments during celebrations?

It's not only the damage to one's extremities and important body parts, there is also the potential damage to property.

It seems that in recent days, incidence of fire hitting establishments and residential areas are on the rise.

In Metro Manila alone, there were 20 fires that hit the metropolis on New Year itself and most of them were attributed to stray firecrackers.

From stray firecrackers, let's shift to stray bullets.

Stray bullets...Why oh why? Do we really need to use our guns to celebrate the coming year? Manila Bulletin reports, "In Taguig, a woman was killed shortly after midnight after a stray bullet hit her while celebrating the coming New Year with her family."

It is the same story each year. When will we learn?

Paper Horns not also advisable for the New Year

2010-12-30T07:51:00.000+08:00

First, when it comes to New Year, it is usually firecrackers that are of great concern for health officials. With good reason because from December 21-28, 173 firecracker-related injuries were already recorded which is an increase from the 5-year average.

In fact, the Department of Health has an extensive campaign against firecrackers. However, recently it was found out that the seemingly harmless paper horns or "torotot" are potentially dangerous.

As of the latest reports, 2 children were rushed to the hospital after swallowing "torotot" whistles.Thus, it was suggested to use pots and pans to make noise instead of horns and firecrackers.

Have a safe New Year celebration!

A nice Merry Christmas song for dog lovers out there

2010-12-26T07:00:00.000+08:00

I came across a nice You tube video by "Talking Animals" which I wish to share to you...

Merry Christmas everyone from CebuMD!

A Published Article, Thank You Lord!

2010-12-16T07:11:00.000+08:00

Having my first scholarly article published in vol. 44 no. 3 2010 issue of a reputable journal is a good way to cap my month before entering Christmas week.

Finally, the result of years of hard work is found in page 24 of Acta Medica Philippina Vol. 44 No. 3 which just came out early December 2010 I think.

The article is on Abbreviation Usage Practices in Patient Chart Records and Doctors' Orders.

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank my all UP-NTTC HP teachers, my MHPEd classmates, my family, my friends in the UP College of Public Health, my colleagues and mentors in Cebu Institute of Medicine, the Records section staff of VSMMC and CVGH as well as Dr. G. Aquino and Dr. Poblete of VSMMC and CVGH respectively.

This article, like the thesis manuscript that preceded it, is dedicated to one of my MHPEd classmates who was also my teacher in CIM and Velez College, Dr. Mario Sanchez, who passed away years ago before finishing the MHPEd program. Dr. Sanchez may be gone, but he is not forgotten.

Of course, all thanks and praise go to God Almighty. After a stressful first few weeks of December, (my wife had surgery, thieves broke into the house, destroyed our barbed wire and stole several meters of electricity cable), He gave me this blessing in the form of a published journal article.

I did not even think my work will be published.

I had doubts if I could even finish data collection since I was doing it at the same time I was attending classes for my MS Public Health training.

Then the paper was finished and the work was presented as a poster in the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges. Then came the time that it was accepted as a poster in the 7th Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference in Singapore. And then, this.

I had plenty of encouragement from my UP mentors, Dr, Jose Alvin Mojica, Dean Erlyn Sana and my other NTTC teachers.

Dr. Marian Denopol of VSMMC was also very helpful and I thank her for that.

I just hope that my research teachers during medical school will also be happy for me.

And I hope that Physical Diagnosis teachers and the medical community will take a look at this study and consider the recommendations of standardization of abbreviations as well as the formal teaching of ""Responsible Abbreviation Usage".

I hope this will serve as an inspiration for my students to do research with an intention also to publish in a journal.

For what is a research work for, when the results are not made known to stakeholders who may have good use for the information gained.

As Dr. Vicente Belizario Jr., UP-NIH Deputy Director for Research Management and Development and my Parasitology professor said to me, "If the results of the work are not intended to be published, then the work should not be done at all. "

Time to Pay Attention to HAIs

2010-12-11T12:42:00.000+08:00

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Healthcare-associated infections or HAIs are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving healthcare treatment for other conditions.

They can be deadly and economically-devastating. But they can be prevented.

One way is via practicing hand hygiene in healthcare settings and good healthcare infection control.

The true state of HAIs in the Philippines is not yet really known. Only a few studies regarding this in the country were made.

HAIs are not only a concern among developing countries.

The United States too is concerned about HAIs. Watchdog agencies are campaigning hard for preventing this problem from spreading.

Kimberly-Clark is among those spearheading efforts to solve the problem of HAIs. They are giving out awards in recognition of healthcare facilities who are making a difference in preventing HAIs.

Through their website, http://haiwatchnews.com/ they provide resources for healthcare facilities or individuals to make HAI Commitment Posters and other HAI-prevention efforts.

You can join them in their "Not On My Watch" HAI Prevention Campaign by paying them a visit online and participate in the HAI Education Program for instance which include continuing education-accredited programs.

Let us not way for HAIs to happen to our loved ones and ourselves.

In CIM, Year 2010 is the year for singers!

2010-12-10T15:28:00.000+08:00

A good year for singers indeed for CIM.

December marked the return of the CIM choir who had their debut live performance during the CIM Alumni Day 2010 singing the liturgical songs during the Holy Mass, the Pambansang Awit, CIM Hymn and some intermission numbers.

See those smiling faces? That's because a lot in the audience liked their performance.

Well, the CIM choir has good reason also to be happy for one of their physician members is the 2010 Most Outstanding CIM Alumni Awardee (MOCA), the person who is also smiling in the picture, none other than Dr. Manuel Emerson Donaldo.

One of his colleagues promptly referred to him as, "A Doctor with A Song in His Heart".

He is known to have a golden singing voice on top of his other achievements as a rheumatologist, teacher, researcher and as the CIM Clinical Epidemiology Unit head.

He was handed the MOCA Award last Saturday, December 4 during the CIM Alumni Day celebrations.

(Hmmmmm....I'm also into singing...I'm also into research...I'm also into teaching.....Does this mean I'll be a MOCA in the future?Hahaha....Just kidding!)

See You at the 5th CIM Medical World Congress

2010-11-23T18:33:00.000+08:00

Details of the 5th CIM Medical World Congress on December 9 and 10 are found in the poster below.

Registration is ongoing.

CIM Upcoming Activities This December

2010-11-23T13:35:00.000+08:00

Every year, December is a month to remember for CIM students and alumni.

For this year, here are the lineup of activities for this month:

December 4, a Saturday is CIM Alumni Day. The activity will start at 9AM with a Holy Mass at The Jacinto Velez Memorial Hall. Aside from a chance to renew ties with classmates and friends, the highlight of the activity is the opportunity to win a 4-year scholarship at CIM for children of CIM alumni.

December 6 is the CIM Student's Night with the theme, "Heroes and Villains" led by batch Connexon at the Casino Espanol. Students get to experience cosplaying wearing their favorite hero and villain costumes while getting acquainted with their fellow students in a party that serve as an early Christmas celebration. Below is their poster.

December 11 is the 2nd Dr. Jacinto Velez Sr. Memorial Fun Run at the SM City Cebu, Radisson Blu Hotel grounds. Assembly time is 5AM. Categories are 3k, 5k and 10k. Proceeds will go to the CIM charity and Scholarship Fund. Race director is Dr. Dennis Entera.

CIM alumni and students especially are invited to these activities.

CIM at 53: Come Celebrate the Changes

2010-11-19T10:57:00.000+08:00

An educational institution related to the medical field which makes Cebu proud is the Cebu Institute of Medicine.

Carrying the name of Cebu, it is one of the best medical schools in the country as shown by its excellent performance in the Medical Board exams especially in recent years under the PBL curriculum.

This year, the school is now on its 53th year and a lot has changed in a span of just one year with the help of its able alumni officers led by Dr. Pek Eng Lim.

For those alumni who have not been to CIM for a long time, CIM now boasts of a new Research office and Clinical Epidemiology Unit office where students for one can visit their research advisers for research consultations. Meetings by the Publication Committee and the Institutional Review Board are also held in these offices.

The Research Unit office is found in the 1st floor near the Administration offices while the Clinical Epidemiology Unit (CEU) is found across the CIM-Pfizer Virtual Library and is adjacent to the Research Unit office.

On the second floor just on top of the Research Unit is the Medical Education Unit (MEU) office.

Planning of projects, seminar-workshops and researches related to medical education are some of the things done in the MEU office.

Then there's the CIM choir with mostly students as members. Regular practices are held with severl musical pieces that include some classics, Filipiniana and Christmas-related. They are to perform this coming December during the Founders' Day celebration.

Of course, not to be left in the research aspect, CIM now has an online subscription of MDConsult which can be accessed through the library.

As CIM celebrates its 53rd year during the Founders' week this December, let us celebrate these welcome developments.

Physicians are invited to the coming CIM World Congress, Research contests and CIM Alumni Day this coming December.

2010 CIM Research Paper Contest

2010-10-31T07:21:00.000+08:00

In connection with the Cebu Institute of Medicine's annual Founder's Day Celebration every month of December, CIM invites CIM Students and Alumni to participate in the 2010 Research Paper Contest which has an Undergraduate and Postgraduate Category as well as a Case Poster Presentation.

For details, contact the Dean's office at telephone number 254-3385.

Deadline of submission is November 15, 2010.

The Best Liempo in Cebu City

2010-10-25T12:29:00.000+08:00

Doctors are always on the lookout for great tasting food and that includes grilled pork belly or "liempo". (Just don't eat these types of food on a daily basis.)

Different kinds of "liempohan" stalls selling grilled pork belly have been sprouting everywhere in Cebu City in recent times.

There's franchise A, K, M and the local grilled chicken "lechon manok" stalls which also sell grilled pork belly. But nothing compares to "Balamban Liempo" with branches in Talamban and the nearest that I know of -- near Capitol and NBI.

Before, the best for me was the pork belly grilled by stall K but once I tasted Balamban Liempo, I immediately concluded that the latter was the best in town.

"Tastier than Lechon" is the stores slogan and what makes it indeed tasty is its blend of spices including "tanglad" which is visble in its meat.

From the smell alone, you can be sure it's tasty. Let me repeat though, don't eat this on a daily basis.

Compared to its competitors, it does not appear as very oily and fatty. The meat is soft. The skin, just enough crunch.

The price is much expensive than the other brands. One order is currently P175 compared to the others' P140-P150. But the serving is bigger and worth the price.

The branch particularly located between the Provincial Capitol Building and NBI office does not serve only "liempo" as seen from the menu below.

We tried their "pochero" and considering the price, it is okay.

I therefore recommend this. Just make sure you have your cholesterol in check.

It's the male flight attendants turn to dance

2010-10-11T13:30:00.000+08:00

In my Even with PKD, Life Goes On blog site, I have written about the dancing female flight attendants of the Cebu Pacific Air.

Cebu Pacific is at it again.

This time, it's the male flight attendants' turn to dance the flight safety procedures Youtube has been filled with videos of these dancing flight attendants along with comments both for and against.

I don't know what really is the truth for I have not taken a Cebu Pacific flight recently but some claimed that before these "dance numbers", the regular demonstration of the flight safety procedures is being done.

But others are not entertained, particularly the flight attendants of other airlines as well as other passengers. They believe that the credibility of the flight attendants especially in times of emergencies as well as the respect may be diminished because of this.

You judge for yourself. Below is the video of the Cebu Pacific male flight attendants.

Transport-related Problem? NMEDA can help

2010-10-07T05:54:00.000+08:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

In the usual cars or transport vehicles, traveling is difficult for persons with disabilities. The wheelchair may not fit in the car and transferring from a wheelchair to a car seat and vice versa provides difficulties. It can be tough for both the caregiver and the handicapped person.

With NMEDA, a solution to these types of problems is not far behind.

See the car in the picture? NMEDA can help you get the right transport or driving solution that will fit your specific needs. But what is NMEDA?

NMEDA stands for National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. It is a non-profit trade association of mobility equipment dealers, driver rehabilitation specialists, and other professionals dedicated to broadening the opportunities for people with disabilities to drive or be transported in vehicles modified with mobility equipment. In other words, they educate consumers on buying products from a NMEDA qualified dealer.

NMEDA does not sell anything.

It is the NMEDA dealers (members) who are the ones who sell handicap vans and vehicle modifications for disabled people. And safety of the vehicle is assured because their members are required to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In fact, NMEDA is the only association that promotes safe driving and equipment for disabled people.

Safety is not the only one assured by NMEDA. Quality, too. Because NMEDA has Dealers AND Quality Assurance Program (QAP) dealers through its Quality Assurance Program (QAP), the only program of this nature developed for the mobility equipment industry.

Yes, it is the only nationally recognized accreditation program for the Adaptive Mobility Equipment Industry. It is based on the principle that in order to satisfy customers consistently, companies must have a systematic and documented approach to quality.

So in summary, what can a NMEDA dealer offer? A NMEDA dealer can help the elderly or disabled get back onto the road of independence.

So what are you waiting for? Go to the NMEDA website and find the dealer nearest you. Just enter your ZipCode and Search by State and Province. In California for example, there are several dealers and from the website. you can get directions.

With NMEDA, No Man should Experience transport and mobility problems because of their DisAbility.

PSMID-Cebu/PPS Cebu Prevnar Vaccination Program for Indigent Children

2010-09-26T09:41:00.000+08:00

altThe Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Cebu chapter (PSMID-Cebu) together with the Philippine Pediatric Society-Cebu conducted a Prevnar (7 or 13-valent Conjugate vaccine) Vaccination Program for indigent children yesterday, September 25, 2010 2-4 PM at the Cebu Medical Society (CMS) Grounds.

This followed a series of activities participated in by PSMID Cebu commemorating CMS Medicine week.

Prevnar^®7 or 13 (Pneumococcal 7 or 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM₁₉₇ Protein]) is a pediatric vaccine that has been given to infants and young children to help protect against 7 or 13 strains of pneumococcal bacteria, respectively.

It is indicated for active immunization of infants and toddlers against serious invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, including bacteremia (bloodstream infection) and meningitis (infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord).

CIM alumnus William Larida needs your support

2010-09-09T08:38:00.000+08:00

Dr. William Larida, an alumnus of Cebu Institute of Medicine who finished training in Cebu Velez General Hospital's Family and Preventive Medicine training program is recovering from Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and still needs your support.

Sometime last August, he was admitted in the ICU of Chong Hua Hospital and received IVIg which we know is very expensive. Thankfully, the response was good.

However, full recovery will take time. He may be out of the ICU but GBS has left him unable to resume work yet. He is expected to undergo physical therapy for some time.

William is a fellow alumnus who helped me before in my thesis. This is the least I could do for him right now.

For those interested to give support of any kind or any financial help, just contact Dr. Florence Malou Watin-Siao or Dr. Nanette Noel-Odilao by sending them a message on facebook. These two have been working hard to get help for their batchmate especially during the critical times when Dr. Larida was in the ICU.

God bless!

Performance of Cebu Medical schools in the August 2010 Board Exams

2010-08-19T07:08:00.000+08:00

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that 1,597 out of 2,300 (69.43%) passed the August 2010 Board Exams.

Below is the statistics for Cebu Medical schools in the most recent August 2010 Board Exams:

Cebu Institute of Medicine - 40 passed among 40 who took the exam or 100%
Cebu Doctors' University College of Medicine - 41/50 or 82%
Southwestern University (listed as Southwestern University and Southwestern University College of Medicine combined) - 28/52
University of the Visayas Mandaue - 12/62

Congratulations to the new doctors!

CIM Alumnus awarded Teacher of the Year abroad

2010-08-14T21:37:00.000+08:00

A clinician can be a good teacher at the same time sharing his time and knowledge to medical students despite the busy schedule. This was proven by David Veloso Lardizabal, M.D., a neurologist and medical director of University of Missouri Health Care’s Epilepsy Program who has been awarded the Teacher of the Year for 2010 at the University of Missouri.

In 2005, Dr. Lardizabal was also the Teacher of the Year in Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Dr. Lardizabal graduated with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1991 from Cebu Institute of Medicine and prior to his adult neurology residency in the Philippine General Hospital, he finished his internal medicine residency training at Cebu Velez General Hospital.

This online publication promptly documents this achievement by our fellow CIM alumnus.

Congratulations to Dr. Lardizabal. May there be more people like him not just abroad but also locally.

ASOCIMAI is in Facebook!

2010-07-30T06:27:00.000+08:00

ASOCIMAI or the American Society of CIM Alumni Inc. has joined the social networking trend and is in Facebook. You can access the ASOCIMAI Facebook page by typing ASOCIMAI at the Facebook searchbox and clicking the LIKE button. After that, you can post comments, post and join the discussion among fellow CIM alumni. You can also receive regular updates. Cool, isn't it? So far, 114 people has LIKED the page.

Why not join the ASOCIMAI activities especially if you are a CIM Alumni based in the US and Canada? For after all, this organization is dedicated to the fellowship and support of the alumni of the Cebu Institute of Medicine, Cebu City, Philippines. Of course, the ASOCIMAI official website is still at http://www.asocimai.org.

A Review of Panglao Tropical Villa, Bohol

2010-07-26T13:01:00.000+08:00

Doctors take vacations too and one favorite place often visited by doctors in Cebu is Bohol. This blog post gets to review one particular destination in Bohol which is Panglao Tropical Villa.

Panglao Tropical Villa is located in Panglao Island, Bohol. Panglao Island is known for each beautiful beaches. Unfortunately, the beaches in Panglao Tropical Villa is not its strong selling point. However, the location is, as advertised, a good place for guests to feel at home. It is probably a good taking point for those who will tour Bohol and go for dolphin watching, diving and other adventures. The villas themselves have themes. The Villa Angelus (where we stayed) for example has a Filipino theme with its nipa materials and bahay kubo appearance.

The villa provides a temporary home complete with amenities such as cable TV, some cooking utensils, a cooking grill, gas stove, refrigerator, water dispenser (hot and warm only, not cold) and comfortable rooms that give a "home-y" atmosphere. You can do the cooking yourself with your own raw ingredients or have the cooking done by in-house staff using the villa's own stock of ingredients of course with a fee. The price for the stay is reasonable. (Refer to their website at http://www.panglaotropicalvillas.com/ for their rates). But prices of goods such as softdrinks or sodas are double the regular price and 1 gallon water refill is much higher at P100.00 per gallon.

The villa also has vehicles for rent like a motorcycle which you yourself can use for travelling to the market for instance. They also have a van for hire with driver for your travel needs like touring Bohol.

The villa is good for families who prefer a private vacation spot. It has 2 pools. A swimming pool for kids and a swimming pool for adults which may go as deep as 8 feet perhaps equipped with a diving board. They appear to be well-maintained and clean. There are no lifeguards so dive at your own risk and make sure children really are accompanied by adults when swimming.

There are other ways for recreation in the villa. There is a beach volleyball "court", a billiards table and pingpong table with net. You can borrow the respective balls from the restaurant.

Speaking of restaurant, the villa does have a restaurant although we haven't tried dining there but it seems nice. We once had "sinugbang" milkfish and "molmol" done by their personnel and they tasted good.

It might be boring though to just stay in the villa the whole time without exploring Bohol. The villa have people who offer dolphin watching at around P2000. There are several small boats or "bancas" standing by in the resort for this.

They also offer tour packages to the Chocolate Hills, Loboc River Cruise, Hanging Bridge, Tarsier site, Bilar man-made forest, and many more.

But when it comes to the beach, do not expect a very nice beach for swimming. Most of the time when we were there, it was low tide and the beaches are not as crystal clear as other beaches such as those found in Camotes in Cebu. The view is not also as nice. I did not appreciate the sunrise as well as the sunset. Perhaps there was a better location in Panglao or Alona Beach where sunsets are better appreciated.

Dog lover that I am, I noted there are few friendly dogs which I encountered there. One of them I even named Scooby Doo. The white dog with brown spots is the friendliest of them all. She is called Maggie. All of their dogs are "chubby".

Overall, Villa Angelus is still okay as a place to stay in Bohol especially considering the price as compared to a hotel. During our stay, the villa always has guests coming in replacing those who checked out. Thus it seemed to be always booked. Bring your mosquito-repellants though, for at night when you are outside your airconditioned room, mosquitoes are plenty.

This is not a sponsored review so I hope I have objectively provided a useful review for this place.

Diarrhea equals Bathroom Dance (Bad Romance Spoof)

2010-07-18T10:04:00.000+08:00

Let's take a break from serious medical stuff. I just find this video circulating in YouTube made by famous Philippine comedian Michael V for the GMA7 TV program "Bubble Gang" entertaining. Michael V is really good at what he does including making spoofs of famous music videos and TV commercials or advertisements.

The music video is a spoof of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" entitled "Bathroom Dance" (Restroom Dance) to make it sound like Bad Romance. It is in Tagalog or Filipino but when you listen to it, it sounds similar to the original song.

For non-Filipino readers, the first part of the song translates to: "Ooooh! Makes Me Wanna Do the Bathroom Dance". (2x) Some parts of the song are translated as follows...

There it is! It's coming out! Idiot! It's getting worse...I'm like an old man.
Something happened that's frustrating. I think I ate spoiled food. I'm experiencing cramping pain...

Part of the Chorus: Biting my lips, curling in pain...that it makes me wanna do the bathroom dance...

Actually, translating Filipino to English is difficult as there are no exact English equivalents for some Tagalog or Filipino words. But from the video, one can tell what Michael V is talking about.

Seriously, one has to make sure food is freshly-cooked and freshly-prepared to avoid the "Bathroom Dance"or worse, end up in a hospital.

Food left in the open for hours even if re-heated may still result to food poisoning by multiplication of harmful organisms or by production by bacteria of toxins which are left in the food even if the organisms are eventually killed.

For now, just enjoy the video and maybe do the Bathroom Dance.

Sugat sa Paa Symposium Chong Hua Hospital Leg on July 17, 2010

2010-07-10T13:49:00.000+08:00

Philippine Society for Vascular Surgery presents "Sugat sa Paa" Symposium on Diagnosis and Treatment this July 17, 2010 Saturday 8-5 PM at the Chong Hua Hospital.

First come. First serve. No registration fee.

"Hi Hello" - Recognition and Diagnosis of Foot Ulcers
"Sweet for Your Feet" Management of Diabetes Mellitus
"Bugs that Love" DM Foot - Management of Infection
"Foot Loose" DM Foot Revascularization
"Bye Bye Foot" Amputation and Rehabilitation

Call or Text Name of Doctor to: Dr. Recuerdo Baclig - 0920-2639218

MyHealth Multispecialty Clinic Cebu in Need of Medical Specialists

2010-07-04T18:03:00.000+08:00

MyHealth Clinics, the latest, fastest-growing, state-of-the-art multi-specialty clinic and laboratory in the country is opening 2 clinics in Cebu (Cybergate and IT Park). They are looking for specialists especially from Rehabilitation Medicine and Dermatology. They are also looking for

Cardiology
Pulmonology
Gastroenterology
Nephrology
Oncology
Allergology
ENT
Ophthalmology
General Surgery
Urology
Pediatrics
Obstetrics-Gynecology
other specialties

Free rental and utilities are offered.

MyHealth Clinics is the sister company of Maxicare so most of Maxicare patients will be channeled through MyHealth Clinics physicians.

Interested doctors, please send email to Dr. Benedict Go at bgo@myhealth.ph

This Blog's Posts Have Been Copied Without My Permission

2010-06-30T08:59:00.000+08:00

CebuMD original blog post

Have you experienced having your blog's contents hijacked in full by another site?

Blog that copied my blog's contents

I know that there are other sites that publish your contents but they exclude pictures and they place links back to your site plus attribute you as the author. These sites publish your blog with your consent and this may occur during various blog directory submissions.

I was surprised however to see a certain blog which uses my blog and other blog's entire contents and mix them together in a blog which may be earning from Adsense since Google Adsense ads are present. This is copyright infringement right? Want me to give proof?

In google search, type "cebu physicians and photography" and click on the no. 1 search result which is also a blog. This blog showing up first with the same contents as mine is NOT my blog. Notice that the said impostor blogpost is exactly the same as my previous post at http://cebumd.blogspot.com/2010/06/photography-and-cebu-physicians.html .

I may not be good at SEO yet but the point is that blog is stealing my content, in effect my identity.

The same blog also copied the rest of my other posts. And the blogger for that site is copying other blog's contents as well. Case in point, this original blog at http://charliechia.blogspot.com/2010/03/energizer-night-race-2010.html . Type the first few sentences of this blog in search and the same blog who copied my blog contents will also come out in the search result having the same contents as the energizer night race original post.

In making this post also, I am trying to see if that aforementioned copycat blog will be also copying this post.

I am planning to complain against the misbehaving blog to Google and Google Adsense for copyright infringement, what do you think?

So again I ask, did the same thing happened to you? What action did you take? How do you suggest I deal with the matter? Any advice is appreciated.

Photography and Cebu Physicians

2010-06-23T11:00:00.000+08:00

Aside from running, Physicians in Cebu have a love affair with photography.

As a kid, I already know a doctor who was very fond of photography. Dr. Antonio Tautjo was our amily physician and when I have a check-up in his clinic years before I went to medical school, I already noticed the picture frames hanging on the walls of his clinic. He was taking pictures of his kids and photographing people appears to be his specialty.

I myself started my love affair with photography when I was invited by a surgeon, Dr. Mike Busa to join him and several other surgeons for a series of basic photography sessions with Ted Madamba. I instantly fell in love with photography. I find it relaxing. It gives me the opportunity to marvel at God and nature, and it provides me with a chance to express myself.

I may not have a DSLR camera. All I have is my reliable Canon Powershot A470 but that did not stop me to take some classes.

The picture of a mosquito above was my very first as a "photo enthusiast" taken before I started taking up lessons. I was studying dengue fever for my masteral class in Public Health Microbiology when I saw this mosquito hovering in my room. I did something to it and somehow I managed to somehow "preserve" it for a rare photo op. I placed it on top of my notes so one would appreciate the size of the letters and the mosquito. Does it look like Aedes?

Anyway, back to the lessons...On one session, we went out very early in the morning just to catch a sunrise by the sea in Compostela.

Even without a DSLR camera, I was quite proud to have taken this picture. Hopefully someday, I'll be able to afford a DSLR.

I know of many doctors who went into photography as a hobby.

One was my student, Dr. Norwin Detalla who has a website for his pictures at norwindetalla.multiply.com.

There are many others from different specialties like Surgery, Pediatrics and many more. You can see the pictures that they take from their travels for example in their respective Facebook accounts.

As for me, I always take my camera with me. I take pictures for my blog, for my studies, for me and my wife's Facebook and for the fun of it. I even started volunteering to take pictures of my cousin's wedding. I love vacations even more because it allows me to snap pictures of beautiful places.

So c'mon, let's start taking some pics.

Run Cebu Run

2010-06-17T22:17:00.000+08:00

Before it was badminton. Now it's running. Almost every week, there are scheduled races and doctors in Cebu have caught up with the running craze. Among the more popular physician runners in Cebu is Dr. Yong Larrazabal of course who even participate in races organized abroad.

To give you an idea of the different races scheduled in Cebu, here is a list I read from Reel running blog:

6/20/10 - Dasig Kabataan Run
6/26/10 - Run for a BEBE
6/26-27/10 - Danao City Multisports Weekend
6/27/10 - Planet Sports Run
7/4/10 - Fitness Run of Fitness First
7/25/10 - ABCCI Run for the KIDS
8/8/10 - VSMMC Fun Run
8/8/10 - ABOITIZ Race to Reduce
8/29/10 - 1st Recoletos' Run
9/05/10 - 34th MILO CEBU Eliminations
10/10/10 - Run to the Max 3
01/09/11 - Cebu City Marathon 2011

Notice the gap between races? Some races are even organized by doctors. Some of these races even occur on the same day!

What could have started this craze or fad if that's the right term for it? Are people nowadays really becoming health conscious? I will soon find out and if I do find the answers, I will post it here.

Meanwhile in facebook, you will see wall posts of friends planning designs for singlets or t-shirts. Many would show their own photos of their participation and tag other friends participating also in such races. Others have already made blogs on running. I have talked to several doctors who follow a regular training regimen in an attempt to imprve their personal records. I will try to ask them soon what made them decide to take up running as a sport.

As for me. Mmmmm? Shall I try running? Judging from the picture above, do you think I can run a 5k?

Joking aside. Go on and run. It's good for your health.

The Attack of the Babies in Game 4 of the NBA Finals

2010-06-13T06:35:00.000+08:00

As I have foreseen in this NBA finals, the Celtics bench are stepping up in this series. Sheed and Tony Allen are playing superb defense and the pediatric duo of the diminutive Nate Robinson and the "Big Baby" Glen Davis are wreaking havoc, the latter by spreading saliva like a baby or a bulldog drooling. No wonder he is called Big Baby.

Davis' breakout performance this finals is a developmental milestone for him thus the drool. If the Big Baby continues to drool like that, I'm sure no Laker can get near him and the Celtics will surely win. (LOL). I'm sure Kobe would not want to be beaten by these 2 babies who just escaped the nursery.

Can't wait for Game 5. Will it be the chapter on the "Return of the Giant (Bynum)", the "Revenge of Kobe" or the "Attack of the Babies Part II"?

Beware of "WILD" diseases

2010-06-08T21:39:00.000+08:00

I know. When one hears of something wild, people tend to flock together and see what that "wild" thing is. In this case, you wouldn't want to mess with this type of "wild".

With the onset of the rainy season officially confirmed by the national weather bureau, the Health department has cautioned the public to beware of the WILD...the WILD diseases.

WILD stands for water-borne diseases, influenza (interesting pronounced as influentia by one TV reporter), leptospirosis and dengue.

Pipe leaks may facilitate the entry of waterborne pathogens in the drinking water causing diarrhea. When water is thought to be unsafe, it is not enough to simply heat the water. Boiling is preferred. Fluid and electrolyte replacement is key to managing diarrhea, not the usual antidiarrheals.

Meanwhile influenza vaccines are now available some offering protection against H1N1 but many are still afraid (including some healthcare workers) to have themselves immunized for fear of side effects. Influenza vaccines are still one of the safest vaccines around.

Leptospirosis on the other hand is acquired especially when one wades in flood waters. In last year's typhoons especially Ondoy, the floods resulted to an outbreak of Leptospirosis which killed many. I could just imagine the risk taken by pedicab drivers plying the streets of Manila braving the floods when heavy rains pour. They too are at high risk for Leptospirosis. Even without a skin break, these leptospires may possibly enter through the skin pores.

Dengue is particularly high in Cebu despite the recent hot weather. From January 2010 to May 15 of this year, 532 cases with 6 deaths were reported. In the same period last year, there were around 300 cases but with 10 deaths.

Dengue prevention entails covering water containers which may become possible breeding grounds for mosquitoes carrying dengue virus and providing personal protection through mosquito repellents among other things. Fever especially in children should not be taken lightly and dengue should not be immediately ruled out.

CVGH Held Successful Postgrad Course as Lakers win

2010-06-05T07:22:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was the culmination of a two day activity hosted by the Cebu Institute of Medicine and Cebu Velez General Hospital (CVGH) Department of Family and Community Medicine held at the Grand Convention Center in Cebu City.

The event was well attended with particpants coming as far as Zamboanga and as near as Ramos street.

I was the assigned moderator for the afternoon sessions yesterday. And since this is my first time as a moderator, I have to come in the morning to secretly observe other moderators as to how they did their jobs.

I was particularly scared (Was it obvious?) because I was told that I should also fire the first question in the open forum if nobody asks a question and one of the topics was on neurology and the speaker was my teacher back in medical school. It was indeed my first "public" appearance.

Good thing the other speakers were my classmates.

I had to do a "big" sacrifice really... Going there meant missing Game 1 of the NBA Finals but the Lakers won so good thing I missed the game. hehe.

Anyway, the topics in the postgraduate course were interesting. To name a few, the course had neuropathic pain, diabetes education and nutrition, GERD and yesterday it had pneumonia updates and proton pump inhibitors to name a few.

I would like to congratulate Dr. Thelma Fernandez, Dr. Cebrecus and Dr. Gravador for holding a successful event. Of course, the same goes to the residents of the Family Medicine Department and the other behind-the-scenes people. (Wait!I am sounding like a moderator giving out the certificate of appreciation).

I suggest for the next year maybe invite speakers form the public health sector, the government health officers and have topics on preventive medicine or public health to help in the campaign of the programs of the DOH.

Warning: Your Kid's School Supplies Might Be Toxic

2010-06-02T08:03:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, watching the news broadcast reminded me that the school opening is fast approaching and many parents are now busy buying school supplies for their kids. I imagine children being excited about what notebooks, lunch box and pencil case they will have. Some would prefer to find in their school supplies perhaps their favorite actor's or actress's photo or their favorite cartoon character. Parents might choose these supplies based on appearance not knowing the potential dangers.

That danger is PVC.

PVC or polyvinyl chloride is dangerous to human health (associated to cancer, hormone disruption and severe health problems) and a danger to the environment as well.

I came across these tips from http://www.mtp2.org/healthy_schools_files/PVCFree.pdf and the following should be avoided because they most likely contain harmful components like polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate and polystyrene plastics collectively considered toxic plastics:

AVOID:

Notebooks containing metal spirals encased in colored plastic. (Oh no! I used this before when I was a kid till high school)
Backpacks with shiny plastic design.
PVC rainwear (will tell you later what identifying marks will point to something as made of PVC)
Colored paper clips
Shiny and colorful plastic umbrellas
Lunchbox made of PVC which are said to be many
Some plastic drinking containers

PVC products usually have the three-arrow "recycling" symbol with the number 3 and or the initials PVC or the label "vinyl" on the packaging. However some products are not properly labeled.

USE INSTEAD

Notebooks with uncovered metal spirals
Stick to plain metal paper clips
Use nylon umbrellas
Use cardboard, fabric-covered or polypropylene binders
Use cloth or metal lunch boxes
If cannot avoid plastic, use plastics of the polystyrene or polycarbonate type

So parents beware of PVC products. Now you know.

How to Surf and Earn Online at the Same Time part 1

2010-05-26T08:29:00.000+08:00

Doctors surf a lot in the net. Even at midnight, many of my facebook friends are still online probably surfing on the side.

I asked myself before, why just surf when I can also earn at the same time? Want to know two ways? I will enumerate below.

I am relatively new to earning online but I must say I am beginning to enjoy it. I have extensively researched different review sites before joining to make sure the sites I will be joining are not scams.

I would like to talk about 3 sites which many reviewers speak well of in terms of being legit. Many of the review bloggers presented many proofs of payment from them so I guess the sites below are ok.

One of these sites is Neobux. According to many, you just click and you'll earn money little by little. Refer your friends they say and you earn more. Their banner is found below. I checked the site and joining is free! You don't have to pay anything. More after the banner.

Another is JPHFBux which seems to be also a legit PTC site. A strategy used by PTC participants is to click various PTC ads while waiting for other PTC ads to load. Below is their banner.

The next website is a paid survey site. You take online surveys where you qualify, you earn money usually around $1-$5 if I'm not mistaken. One of the respectable survey sites is survey savvy. Before I give the link, let me clarify that I am not claiming that you will get rich from these sites. But you will earn extra income while just surfing or passive income as your referrals also participate in surveys.

Below is the link to join survey savvy, again for FREE:
https://www.surveysavvy.com?id=4309422&action=join

Together let us enjoy surfing while earning money. I will be featuring other sites as I encounter them on succeeding posts.

Be Included in the CebuMD's Directory of Doctors in Cebu

2010-05-14T12:50:00.000+08:00

Are you a physician practicing in Cebu? Then you came to the right place.

If you want your name to be included in this blog's directory, just go to the Contact Me page and send me a note or message of request to have your name included in my directory page which I will put up soon.

While in the Contact Me page, fill-up the corresponding fields of the form with the appropriate information (name and email). Then, in filling up the message box, just give the following information (following the format below):
First name Last name, MD
Specialty or subspecialty
Clinic venue/s within Cebu, room no./s
Clinic Schedule
telephone no. (optional)

In return, I will just ask for a small favor especially if you have a webpage or a blog ---a link back to this main blog's url which is http://cebumd.blogpspot.com/

Feel free to explore the blog's contents in the future too.

The Need for "Responsible Abbreviation Usage" in Hospital Chart Records

2010-05-07T14:36:00.000+08:00

Pls start IVF w/ D5LR and reg at 30 gtts/min.
CBR w/o TP. Labs: For CBC, U/A, SE, PT, BT.
Seen these abbreviations in our handwriten Doctor's Orders in patient chart records?
Surprised? You shouldn't be. Abbreviations may already be common in local hospital chart records.

A paper by the author of this blog (which is still to be published) presented as a poster in the latest Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference in Singapore held last February 2010 determined that abbreviations were present in all the patient's histories, PE and Doctor's Orders in the chart records of 2 local hospitals studied.

Non-universally-accepted abbreviations were common such as ECE (equal chest expansion), DHS (distinct heart sounds) and HFD (heredofamilial disease).

Potentially dangerous abbreviations were noted such as d/c or D/C which could mean either as discontinue, discharge or dilatation and curettage. Some of the other notable abbreviations are OOT (out of town), TYVM (thank you very much), PS (peripheral smear), NCCF (No chocolate-colored food), HOB (head of bed and TFFC (to follow first case).

Abbreviations are more common in the Physical Exam findings than the history itself in the private hospital studied.

Among the text language forms, @ is usually observed. Yes text forms are beginning to appear in the charts. Considering the charts selected were year 2006 charts, more text language forms may already be present in today's charts.

Abbreviation usage may be discouraged especially in the early medical school years but somehow it persists because it is perceived to be useful despite the known potential dangers. It appears that abbreviations are here to stay. Since abbreviations are difficult to eliminate then perhaps it is better to teach instead responsible abbreviation usage and make guidelines for abbreviation usage.

Abbreviations are important even outside patient care when the patient's case is of legal importance and for the Philhealth insurance. Thus there is really a need to remind medical students of the potential dangers of abbreviations in perhaps a separate topic to promote responsible abbreviating. In this subject, the aforementioned guidelines may be introduced including a local version of the "Do Not Use" list as a standard to be agreed upon probably by doctors of different hospitals and the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges.

In this way also, even physicians from Joint Commission-accredited hospitals will not have a hard time adjusting as to what abbreviations are allowed to be used since there was already prior training in their respective medical schools.

Movie Review: Iron Man 2

2010-04-30T23:36:00.000+08:00

Taking off from the previous Iron Man movie, the world now knows that billionaire Tony Stark is Iron Man. He is pressured by the government to share the secrets of the Iron man suit to the military which Tony refuses to do. Meanwhile, new enemies emerge which rival Iron man's capabilities.

Returning to reprise his role as Iron Man/Tony Stark is Robert Downey Jr. who as always is effective in portraying his character's "cool" personality. The movie actually has an all-star cast with Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, Samuel Jackson as SHIELD's Nick Fury, Mickey Rourke as Whiplash, Scarlett Johansson as Natalie Rushman (Stark's new assistant) and Don Cheadle replacing Terrence Howard as Stark's good pal James "Rhodey" Rhodes.

Regarding the new actors joining the movie, personally, I would have preferred Terrence Howard over Don Cheadle (may be because Don is too small for the War Machine character and Terrence appears to be more beleivable as Stark's good friend). Although Scarlett is always nice to look at, her character would have required someone with a Russian look and accent to be more believable.

Good news though! Considering a lot of sequels do poorly than their predecessors, the movie actually is very good. It offers a visual feast. The movie is full of action and special effects especially towards the end. (More than the 1st movie). I think it even defeats Transformers in the "metal against metal" fighting aspect. There is more use of firepower and weaponry and not just "hand to hand" combat.

And if you are a Marvel comics fan, you will recognize some references to the other superheroes of the group Avengers as in the other Marvel movies like the Incredible Hulk. There are 2 objects related to 2 Avenger superheroes that make an appearance in this movie. One appears in a very important scene prior to the final fight sequences and the other comes at the very end, after the final credits have been flashed in the screen. So do not go out of the movie theater until the very end.

One should realize that this movie is believed to be a prelude to a series of movies on the different members of the Avengers (like Thor, Captain America, etc.) which will culminate in a movie that unites all of them with the common denominator being SHIELD led by Nick Fury (played by Samuel Jackson as in the Ultimate Marvel comics series).

This movie is definitely worth seeing in the big screen itself.

And by the way, as in other Marvel movies, look for Stan Lee...Enjoy the movie!

Mosley vs. Mayweather: Who's Your Pick?

2010-04-28T12:53:00.000+08:00

This May 2, 2010 (Sunday, Philippine time), the fight between "Sugar" Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Mosley is 39 years old, with wins in the past over De la Hoya and Antonio Margarito. He also fought quality opponents like Miguel Cotto, Vernon Forrest and Ricardo Mayorga among others. He holds a record of 46 wins, 5 losses with 39 KOs.

Floyd Mayweather is younger at 33 and is a former pound per pound king. Mayweather is undefeated with 40 wins including 25 by KOs. He defeated in the past de la Hoya, Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez and Zab Judah among others.

Both are possible future opponents of our own Manny Pacquiao. So who is your pick?

Find your Precinct Online, Check Status before Election Day

2010-04-27T09:58:00.000+08:00

Doctors, instead of going to the Comelec office to verify your registration, why not verify it online? Find your precinct number and check if you are still in the voters' list. All you need to do is to go to the Comelec Online Precinct Finder, fill the online form. The data needed is just your complete name and birthdate. You can verify also in behalf of other persons you know. However, if you applied for registration last December 21, 22, 23, 28 and 29, 2009 your record is not yet included according to the Comelec website.

And while you are at it, drop by the main page of the Comelec to download the online sample ballot for shading practice and familiarization.

CIM-CVGH 14th Postgraduate Course in Family Medicine

2010-04-26T15:03:00.000+08:00

REGISTRATION DETAILS:
Pre-registration Fee: Php P400.00
On-Site registration Fee: Php P500.00
Deadline for Pre-registration: May 14, 2010

CONTACT DETAILS:
Department of Family & Community Medicine
Cebu Velez General Hospital
F. Ramos St., Cebu City

Fax/Tel: (032) 412-5733
Cell: 0927 549 3901 or 0923 952 1337 or 0923 581 2182
Email: cimcvgh_famed@yahoo.com