Pfizer and CIM partner to form Philippine Clinical Mycology Network

A group of health professionals, mostly medical technologists, gathered together for the first meeting of the Philippine Clinical Mycology Network which aims to promote the best practice in the fight against fungal infections. The event which started on this evening, April 20, at the Cebu Parklane Hotel, will continue tomorrow, April 21, 2012 at the Cebu Institute of Medicine.

Welcoming the delegates (which came from various parts of the country) in behalf of Dr. Josefina Poblete, President and Chair of the Board of Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) was CIM's College Secretary, Dr. Corazon Meneses.

Dr. Virginia Mesola, one of the primemovers of this collaborative CME Project of CIM and Pfizer, gave the course overview. Prior to the overview, she discussed the vision of the network which was to advocate "the best management practices in invasive fungal infections especially in the resource-limited setting". She likewise shared the group's history, mission and action plan.

Dr. Mitzi Marie Montebon Chua, the other thinktank of this undertaking gave a short lecture on the Epidemiology and Early Recognition of Candida Infections.

Mr. Jimson Pantojan was the Master of Ceremonies.

The project is set to continue tomorrow with introductory lectures on fungi, identification of mold and yeast colonies as well as sensitivity testing.

Awaiting the delegates also are laboratory sessions demonstrating mold colonies and slide culture as well as the identification of Candida species and Antifungal Susceptibility Tests.

The activity will be capped tomorrow with a lecture on the management of invasive fungal infections.

The other lecturers are: Dr. Narciso Tapia and Ms. Myldred Completo, RMT.

Assisting the delegates in the laboratory sessions are RMTs Lorenzo Lozano, Reynaldo Manzanares, Rachel Yu, Regie Sayson and the CIM Laboratory Staff and Faculty.

This scientific meeting is being made possible by Pfizer, makers of Diflucan (Fluconazole), Vfend (Voriconazole) and Eraxis (Anidulafungin) and the Cebu Institute of Medicine.

The Successful Globe Run4Home 2012 in Cebu Experience

This is the first running event I participated in for charity. Four institutions providing homes to both people and endangered species were the designated beneficiaries and many people responded including families and their children. (The oldest participant was 77 years old and the youngest was 4 years old running in the 3K category.)

A day before the Run4Home, me and my wife attended the Skechers GoRun Running Essentials running clinic in Ayala Center Cebu with Ms. Michelle Estuar along with many other newbie runners.

There, she taught attendees the basics of running including the mid-foot strike, form, warm up exercises, stretching, recovery and many more. Experts were also present to help answer questions by attendees.

The Run4Home day itself, we woke up early at 4 AM. It was still dark when we were on our way to the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), the event venue.

On the road leading to CICC, one could see that the route for running was closed to traffic ensuring a safe run.

In the CICC, more than 5 thousand people converged. The atmosphere was like that of a fiesta. Barkadas, families, office mates, executives, celebrities, soldiers in their sports attires, couples, and even children were present to support their chosen charities through their participation.

It was nice to see our friends from the media and various sponsors including Skechers Philippines.

The start of each race category is signaled by the fireworks that lit the sky. Warm up exercises were performed together at the starting point prior to the race with the aid of a fitness instructor.

Then our turn came. As beginners, we were in the 3K category together with (well....ehem) kids.

As a polycystic kidney disease (PKD) patient myself, I also did not know if I can manage a higher K so we decided to have a feel of the 3K first.
3...2....1....GO!!!!

I had so much fun. I was taking pictures along the route.

Below is my photo in action (running only when the camera is pointed at me. hehe.)

I was making sure not to finish behind this kid below. (Pressure...whew!)

Drinking stations were positioned at approximately 1 to 1.5K intervals. Despite the presence of giant plastic bags for cup disposal, some runners (sad to say) threw their plastic cups on the road.

I finished the race within 30 minutes as my Facebook tracker indicated. Don't ask me the exact time details though. Hehe. See that big smile on my face? I DID IT!!!! (My wife finished ahead of me though....minutes ahead. At least not hours.)

At the finish line, I realized Gatorade and bananas really tasted so good after a race as I huff and puff.

Like the other participants, we proceeded to the Loot Bags section as a reward for finishing. The 21K finishers were beaming with their medals worn on their necks.

In the end, everybody went home winners. It was a victory for health, a victory for the beneficiaries since much needed help will be on the way for the victims of Sendong and the recent earthquake as well as the tarsiers of Bohol and the endangered animal and plant species.

For that I consider the Globe Run4Home a success. More events in Cebu like this please.

The overall results for males are found here. 


Results for females are in this link. 

The Net needs Good Blogs like the world needs good news also

A lot of blogs contain rants, complaints or ramblings. How refreshing it would be if we also get to read good blogs -- blogs that "can inspire others to do good and be something better."

Gadgets Magazine, Coca-cola, VSO Bahaginan and NWTF is searching for good blogs all over the country.

If you feel your blog or a friend's blog is a "good" blog with "...the potential to ignite ideas that can enhance our lives and impart some form of spiritual growth...and can ...inspire others to reach out, take the extra step and pave the way forward to improve the quality of life for a single individual, or the nation as a whole," then submit your blog post and join the Good Blog Awards. 


Text Blogs, Photo Blogs and Video Blogs are welcomed.


For a change, share the world these good blogs. Instead of just complain, be part of the solution and inspire others.


Submit your blog now and follow the GoodBlog Awards at Facebook.

A first: Globe brings a Cebu-based Visayan customer service

I heard of stories of some Visayan customers who hesitated to call the customer service hotline for "fear" of speaking in English. 

It is expected that people when having concerns are more comfortable telling his concern to the person he is most comfortable with (his kababayan) and in the language that he usually speaks.

Therefore this move by Globe to partner with Aegis People Support in providing a Cebu-based contact center dedicated to Visayan-speaking customers is a very good idea that will be beneficial for both Globe and its customers.

Visayan-speaking customers will now have access to Globe/TM sales and after-sales services through a dedicated Visayan Interactive Voice Response System. By following the self-service voice prompts (in Visayan), callers are directed to a Visayan-speaking customer service representative based in Cebu.

This blogger witnessed an actual call to a Visayan-speaking customer service representative during the launching of this service last February 22 at the San Cristobal II Room, Radisson Blu Hotel. Cebu City.

"Maayong Buntag", will now be a common phrase that will greet these customers as they try to communicate their concerns or inquire about any Globe mobile, Landline or Boroadband services for sales, care or tech matters to Globe's Visayan-speaking customer service representative on the other side of the phone.

In addition, there are now Globe Talk2Globe channels including 24/7 chat service available on the Globe website or via Yahoo Messenger by adding "Talk2GLOBECHAT" as your YM buddy. There is also Globe's *143# easy-to-use quick service menu that allow subscribers access to the latest information on Globe promos in their cellphones.

So Globe users, you can try these services for yourself or spread the word to your friends.

Cebuano Ka?

(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

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!