Some thoughts on the BBL and the greater underlying issue.

Just a quick hit to start the day.

Post is entirely not mine, but was written by someone called "Anito" who posted this in the comments section of an article on the Inquirer website..

It is eloquently written and raises some pretty valid points, echoing some of my personal sentiments on the issue..

-------------------------------------------------------

"Among the many fundamental flaws of the BBL is its plan to carve out a political entity upon the demand of MILF, a group with a record of killing other Filipinos in order to establish a separate territory primarily based on difference in religion (while utilizing other issues like "historical injustice"). Why are we seeing this Islamic demand throughout the world for separation from other human beings?

Part of the reason can be found in Koran... and sane Muslims should actively convince their fellow Muslims not to take the Koran too seriously.

The Koran may have been of use, even crucial for survival, in the desert tribal warfare of the 7th century of Mohammed. But it has become gravely deficient and even hazardous as a moral guide or some sort of an MOI (manual of operating instructions) in a modern world where various cultures, religions and moral values are all hanging together... along with nuclear weapons that can blow the world to nothingness if some fanatic were to get hold of them.

I have read the Koran and it constantly repeats, to the point of obsessiveness, these two following tenets:

1) Though there were other prophets who revealed the word of God/Allah -- including Adam, Abraham, David, Moses and Jesus -- the prophet Mohammed's Koran is the FINAL WORD of God. Anyone who does not believe that it is the FINAL WORD is damned and deserves to be treated as a criminal. In Malaysia, Sharia Law still prescribes the death sentence for Apostasy or Riddah in states like Kelantan and Terangganu; in other states, it is a crime punishable by jail.

2) If you let pagans, Jews, and Christians know about this FINAL WORD of God and they still remain unbelievers, they displease Allah and deserve to be beheaded, deceived, or at the very least subjugated and required to pay tax as punishment.

These tenets are so central and so constantly emphasized in the Koran that the only sane way for the modern Muslim or general reader to read the Koran is not to take it too seriously.

With the Koran's insistence and obsession with its FINALITY, is it any surprise that those who take it seriously are unable to move on and adapt to this century?

It is encouraging that there are now Muslim-born voices like Ayaan Hirsi Ali (the Somali-born writer now facing a fatwah death sentence from the holy Imams) who is openly asking Muslims to take a serious and critical look at the central tenets of the Koran and their faith. It would go a long way to allay fears by "non-believers" if they hear more open-minded, courageous voices like hers.

I agree with those, including Muslim friends, who say that there are many outdated and even repugnant verses in the Bible. The difference is that violence towards apostates and non-believers is not the burning and central tenet in the Bible as it is in the Koran. This might explain why everyday when we wake up and as soon as we turn on Yahoo News, we learn about some violence somewhere in the world made in the name of Alllah. One would need to enroll in a course in speed reading just to keep up.

Based on the above observations, I don't buy the argument that there is nothing wrong with the Koran...and that it is just being taken out of context. People should just wake up and recognize that these books are made by men who are fallible by nature. BTW, I don't take the Bible too seriously either... which doesn't mean that I don't believe in the Divine.

Let me add that I love and treasure the beautiful calligraphy and arabesques using Koranic text that centuries-long generations of Islamic artists have created. Let us hope that they don't fall victim to the wholesale destruction of age-old monuments going on in the Middle East right now."

Thanksgiving again...

Its' just one bit of good news after another...

I just received word that I had been accepted to a fellowship program I had applied to a few months back prior to the boards, one which I dreamed of entering ever since my senior year in residency..

Blessings abound when you least expect them.. Thank You so much.. :D I'll do my best to make good and continue on with the task. :D

Chinese Resto Mano-A-Mano: Three-Way fight!

For this edition of the food fight, I shall be ptiing the three heavyweights among the freestanding Chinese restos here around Manila. (Hotel restos don't count since they have an unfair advantage. :P)

It is a common tradition among Filipino-Chinese families to have the regular clan get-togethers in one of these three restos I would consider as "Chinese Fine Dining". Recently, the cousins and I got together when we were grouped together at a table to finally settle once and for all which one seems to be the best. (In a span of 2 weeks, we had the good fortune of having eaten at all 3, so the memories were quite fresh when we had the debate).

Before I start, I know that some of you would cry out that I had omitted this or that resto, which I'm sure you would have perfectly logical arguments to support it. However, this encompasses only those that we have had a chance to dine at somewhat regularly (once a year?), and to tell you the truth, I just put this up for fun. :P

With the disclaimer out of the way, let's meet the contestants:

1) Gloria Maris

As I was growing up, Gloria Maris has always been the go-to chinese resto whenever the clan had a celebration (birthdays of uncles/aunts, grandfather's death anniv, Chinese New Year celebrations, etc). With its own freaking building next to Unimart in Greenhills, the place was a monument to good chinese cuisine. With spacious function rooms and a luxurious interior, coupled with great food, this gave us the chance to disconnect from the world at large and eat away in relative comfort.

2) Hai Kang

This seafood resto along Wilson St. near the gate of Greenhills West became another family favorite of sorts, as they food wasn't bad either, but the interior left much to be desired. To me it seemed a little too much like those run-of-the-mill chinese restos you would find downtown in the Binondo Chinatown. The strong poit of this place was that ( I heard) it was relatively affordable and the portions were really generous. Still, I consider this the weakest of the three.

3) Choi Garden

I have seen Choi Garden occasionally when I was commuting home, but I never really set foot in it until recently (since the demands of residency kept me away from family gatherings for the most part). The place was GRAND, although in terms of size it does not even hold a candle to the sprawling new structure that Gloria Maris built when they moved to the other side of the Greenhills Shopping Complex. The atmosphere seemed more extravagant and the food exquisite! They even had better dessert! (The dessert was admittedly the dealbreaker for me. I mean, how could you make Mango Sago even better?? :P)

And with those (very short and nonsensical) arguments, it looks like CHOI GARDEN is the winner! :P

Overheard in the huddle..

As was said by a coach (don't remember who) during an NBA game via those in-game mics they clip on for audio bites..

"There is no substitute for hustle. If you do not hustle, you will be substituted for!"


XD

Joketime: The Sound

Just a little something I enearthed from WAAAAAAY before..

(I think this came from an e-mail I received in HIGH SCHOOL, back when home DSL was not yet a thing, screens were still CRTs, and CD-ROMs were just starting to pick up.. :P)

Joke still cracks me up though. :P

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE SOUND 

A man is driving down the road and breaks down near a monastery. He goes to the monastery, knocks on the door, and says, "My car broke down. Do you think I could stay the night?"

The monks graciously accept him, feed him dinner, even fix his car. As the man tries to fall asleep, he hears a strange sound. The next morning, he asks the monks what the sound was, but they say, "We can't tell you. You're not a monk."

The man is disappointed but thanks them anyway and goes about his merry way. Some years later, the same man breaks down in front of the same monastery. The monks again accept him, feed him, even fix his car. That night, he hears the same strange noise that he had heard years earlier.

The next morning, he asks what it is, but the monks reply, "We can't tell you. You're not a monk." The man says, "All right, all right. I'm dying to know. If the only way I can find out what that sound was is to become a monk, how do I become a monk?"

The monks reply, "You must travel the earth and tell us ow many blades of grass there are and the exact number of sand pebbles. When you find these numbers, you will become a monk."

The man sets about his task. Some forty-five years later, he returns and knocks on the door of the monastery. He says, "I have traveled the earth and have found what you have asked for. There are 145,236,284,232 blades of grass and 31,281,219,999,129,382 sand pebbles on the earth."

The monks reply, "Congratulations. You are now a monk. We shall now show you the way to the sound."

The monks lead the man to a wooden door, where the head monk says, "The sound is right behind that door."

The man reaches for the knob, but the door is locked. He says, "Real funny. May I have the key?" The monks give him the key, and he opens the door.

......

Behind the wooden door is another door made of stone. The man demands the key to the stone door.

The monks give him the key, and he opens it, only to find a door made of ruby. He demands another key from the monks, who provide it. Behind that door is another door, this one made of sapphire. So it went until the man had gone through doors of emerald, silver, topaz, and amethyst.

Finally, the monks say, "This is the last key to the last door."

The man is relieved to no end. He unlocks the door, turns the knob, and behind that door he is amazed to find the source of that strange sound.


...

...

...


But I can't tell you what it is because you're not a monk.

PSBIM 2015 Result

Congratulations to all my fellow Diplomates! :D

*taken from the Philipine College of Physicians' Website
______________________________________________________

LIST OF SUCCESSFUL EXAMINEES OF MARCH 1, 2015 PSBIM EXAM

ABDUL, SUSAN MIJARES
ABELO-RAMO, IDA GRACE BUCOL
ABLAZA, PAUL JOHN LOPEZ
ACOSTA, KATHERINE ROSE ABELLERA
ACOSTA, VIDA ROSE DANIELLE KUAN TIU
ADAMOS, EMMYLOU LISING
ADEA, JOSE-ERNESTO BLANCADA
ADHIKARI, ASHOK
ADRANEDA, CELINA CELESTE HERNANDO
ADRIANTO
AGUATIS, CHRISTINE JOY MACATANGAY
AGUSTIN, CHARLENE FRANCISCO
ALBA, MARGARET BILAOEN
ALBERCA, KENNETH JAY-R QUILAQUIL
ALCANCIA, MARIA CLAUDIA GESMUNDO
ALIANGAN, EDGAR BAUTISTA
ALIANZA, MA. FAITH TIMONERA
ALONTO, AKISAH LAMBAS
ALOTA-ANIN, MAY ANN MACION
ALVAREZ, JOAN GASPAR
ALVAREZ, MARIA GEORGETTE YNZON
AMADOR, MARIE CHRIS TOLENTINO
ANDRES, HAIDEE HERNANDO
ANGCAO, GENARO TORREGOZA
ANTONIO, SHARON GRACE MAPANOO
AUGUIS, CHURCHILL CANTERO
AUSTRIA, NICKSON ESCOBAR
BAELLO, RAYMUND PAUL CICERON
BAGAOISAN, KRISTIANNE EMMANUELLE RAYO
BAGASINO, MARY JILL DELA CRUZ
BAGUISI, KATHRINE MARIE SAMANIEGO
BALA, MISHELLE VONNABIE OLARTE
BALA-GALARRETA, HELEN DAHUNAN
BALAGTAS, DOREEN TORIBIO
BALINAS, ELLEN GRACE MANGUILIMUTAN
BAÑEZ, ANGELINE FRANCES FRANCISCO
BANTOC, ABIGAIL PASAGUI
BARBA, KRISTIN JUNE PEÑALOSA
BATAC, JIREH ANN LANDINGIN
BAUTISTA, GINALYN REYES
BAUTISTA, MHARK VINCENT TAN
BAYANI, II, DIOSCORO DE CASTRO
BAYONA, JESSECA LLENA
BENITEZ, CARINA BAUTISTA
BERNARDO, DIANE CARLA CENTENO
BERNARDO, MARJA ARCANGEL
BINALINGBING, MARIA FRANCIA LOBETE
BLANCO, FLORENCE TUMACA
BLANQUISCO, LOUREN RABE
BLAS, LUTECE KRYSTLE AGUINALDO
BODOSO, DANIEL PENTURAS
BOMBASE, MILLICENT GRACE SAHAGUN
BONAGUA, AIREEN MARMITO
BONAOBRA, BARBRA MAY CONVITE
BONAOBRA, JOAN ENOISA
BONGOTAN, JOEL BING-IYAN
BRAVO, NIÑA TERESA SISON
BRILLANTES, SALVADOR SOLANO
BUDHATHOKI, ARJUN
BUFETE, ERIKA UBALDO
BULAON, RONA YSABEL VIESCA
BUTAL, ROXANNE MAE CASALS
CABAHUG, MAE ANOTA
CABATANIA, LORELIE ANN MANTUHAC
CABATBAT, CONCEPCION CENTENO
CABIGAN, RAY ALBERT RAMOS
CABRERA, CARLA BERNEDO
CABRERA, DIANNE SHARI MOJICA
CALATRAVA, JOSE BERNARDO AQUINO
CAMBONGA, MANDER LUMBAO
CAMID, FATIMAH HONEYBEE MULOK
CAMORO, ROSEJANNE TANDOG
CAMPOMANES, SHIELA U
CANAPI, MICHELLE ANN ABAOAG
CANILLAS, MAY JOY TORRICO
CAÑIZARES, HENRY G
CANONO, RAYZEN VENTINILLA
CARAS, CHRISTOPHER PELAGIO
CARDIEL, DYNA LAGSUB
CARIASO, CHARISSE XENA COLLINNE CATBAGAN
CARLOS, CARMEL MATERIANO
CARPIO, GIAN CARLO ALVERO
CASTILLO, ANNA PAULA BERNARDO
CASTILLO-CRUZ, MA. MARCI CASTILLO
CASTRO, EDEN MALAGA
CELERIO, ERLOR YAP
CELESTRA, ADELENE ARADA
CELIS, RHEA ANNE CONFESOR
CHANCO, VICTORIA JUANSON
CHAVEZ, MARGARITA YSABEL AMARGA
CHAVEZ, MARIA CLAUDIA LIM
CHIN, INOFEL IDEA
CHU, ABIGAIL QUIMBO
CHUA, CHERYL TAN
CHUA, JACQUELINE SIOJO
CLADO-REYES, CATHERINE BANTUG
CLARIDADES, FRANCIS SOLOMON MOJICA
CLOMA, RDENN FAITH ARSENAL
CLOSA-BONSOL, DIANNE KRISTINE JOY HERNANDEZ
CO, JEANNE MARGARET SIA
CO, PATRICK JAMES ENDICO
CO, VANESSA CHARLENE ONG
COLINA, CHERYL ENOJO
COMO, CHRISTIAN RICO MANALO
CONFESOR, JEANETTE TRASMONTE
CORDERO, ALINAYA AURELIO
CORDERO, SHARON TAN
CRABAJAL, EDILBERTO H
CRESENCIO, JAY VINCENT JAUCIAN
CRUCERO-MANUEL, KRIS LAURA LABRADOR
CRUZ, ANGELO JONATHAN DIEGO
CRUZ, JOHN MARTIN M
CRUZ, MARIANNE SANTOS
CRUZ, MEL VALERIE BIANZON
CUDAL, BEINJERINCK IVAN BUMATAY
CUEZON, TERENCE MALIAMAN
DAEL, MAE SHYALLA THERESA LOGRONIO
DAGOC, BREN FELIAS
DAING, MANGONTAWAR ASIMPEN
DALAY, ROCHEL PEREZ
DALAYON, MARY JOYCE ALAGAO
DALISAY, AIMEE VICTORIA BAGOS
DANGAZO, KEUFFEL CAPARUZO
DANUGO, LESLIE FUNDAL
DAQUIOAG, JAYSON V
DARMAWAN, GUNTUR
DAVID, ABIGAIL DELFIN
DAYAG, MYRRENE BLUE AGCAOLI
DAYO, AURA BREE CORUÑA
DE CHAVEZ, BRYAN JOSEF TORRALBA
DE GUZMAN, LYRA HOSEÑA
DE GUZMAN, SHEILAMAR MEJIA
DE LA CRUZ, RIANNE L
DE LA CUESTA, GERARD TRISTAN ADRIANO
DE LA MOTA, MARY JOY PEÑALVER
DE LEON, JHOBELEEN DELAS LLAGAS
DE VERA, RONALDO QUILALA
DE VILLA, IRIS GRETEL SANTIAGO
DE VILLA, KIM BYRON SARMIENTO
DEJORAS, ELIZA MIA MEMPIN
DEL CASTILLO, DOMINADOR V
DEL MUNDO, DANA COLLEENE RAMOS
DELA CRUZ, CINDY BREYN HOMILLANO
DELA CRUZ, KATHERINE FIGUEROA
DELA CRUZ, MA. PAULA RAISA DE LEON
DELA CRUZ, MARIA GUIA ESTRELLA ANDALUZ
DELA CRUZ, MILLETTE PAED
DELA CRUZ, PERLITA JOANNE YU
DELA ROCA, ANNABELLE ACLAN
DIAZ, JUAN ARMANDO DORION
DILANGALEN, OMOHAIRE TAPERLA
DIMAGIBA, ANDREA QUINDIPAN
DIOLA, AIZZA ZERRINA BARING
DIOLA, RIOLOIDA VILLERO
DISPO, DONNA BELLE TORILLO
DIZON, DEAN ADRIAN BARCELONA
DJAJAKUSUMA, ANGELA DE VILLA
DOROMAL, MICHAEL ANGELO PASANA
DUJUNCO, MA. MARYLAINE UY
DY, JOANNA GRACE DY
ECOBEN, ROLLAND MATTHEW LAMPARAS
EISMA, JACKIE LOU ARANETA
EMBESTRO, AYEZL AGNAS
ENERO, JANELLE DE LOS REYES
ERIBAL, MARIE CATHERINE MANUEL
ESCUDERO, CHARITO DE JESUS
ESGUERRA, DENISE FRANCESCA CAASI
ESLEYER, PRIMO ARCHIE ANONAT
ESPELETA, GERARD PAUL RITO
ESPIGA, RENEE GLORIEN SY
ESPINOSA, AMOR PATRICE SOCORRO MOJICA
ESQUIBEL, MA. IMEE LYNNE CATALLA
ESTANISLAO, MAY JASMIN SANTOS
ESTIANDAN, KAYE KRISTINE PAYUMO
ESTRELLA, PATRICIA ANN TACCAD
EUROPA, MARY LAUREN REYES
FALTADO, JR., ANTONIO LUMBERA
FELICIANO, DEXTER DIAZ
FERNANDEZ, JANNET HIZON
FLORES, KATHLEEN JOY LUNA
FLORES, SHEILAMAR BRUA
FLORES-RIVA, CHERYL ELEGIDO
FLORIDA, CARL HILL NARCISO
FRANCISCO, CHRISTIAN NADONGA
FRANCISCO, CRISCEL OCAMPO
GALAMAY, JOHN RAY TUMOLVA
GALLEGO, CARLO VINCENT MAYOL
GAMAYON, GEOFREY JOHN B
GARCIA, GIVENCHY MAREE DELA CRUZ
GARCIA, JOSEPHINE MACALINO
GARCIA, MARK GAVIN MAGLENTE
GARCIA, STEPHEN JOSEPH PARAGAS
GARCIA-CAPARAS, MARICRIS CRISTOBAL
GARGALICANA, JAY PEE ZULLA
GARLITOS, RICHARD PARCON
GATMAITAN, INGRID MARIE YENEZA
GAUIRAN, DEONNE THADDEUS VITE
GERONA, AMABELLE TRINA BORGONIA
GILTENDEZ, JUNMAY VILVESTRE
GOCO, MA. ESTRELLA LUNA
GOCO, MARIA FLEURDELIZ RAMOS
GOLOCAN-ALQUIZA, IAN FEB GORBIN
GOLONG, RYAN SOLEDAD
GONZAGA, DIANA ANDRINO
GONZALES, EDDIESON MASANGCAY
GONZALES, JACKIE LYN LAO
GORRICETA, JUNE HAYRELLE TURTOCION
GUEVARRA, PRINCESS AMURAO
GUIA, ELLA LORAINE DE LARA
GUILLARTE, ADELSON GORDO
GUIRITAN, TANYA RUTH SECUYA
GUIRNELA, LISHA PEARL NARAJOS
GUNGON, MARIA CONCEPCION HALUAG
HAMSANI, CELINA EMBELLADO
HERNANDEZ, BLANCAFLOR QUIJANO
HILADO, FE GRIO
HORMILLOSA, MARY PAULINE AVANCEÑA
IDEA, JEROME C
IGASAN, KARNA KAMLON
ILARDE, MARIA ANGELES GASTAR
INOCENCIO, ROWENA TORRES
INTING, MITZI ROSE CAÑA
INTING, NIÑO MICHAEL C
JACOBA, YSIS ANGELINE PACIS
JALOTJOT, AILAH SALVAÑA
JAMBARO, MARINETTE RUMUSUO
JARIOL, ROSIE VERN FABRONERO
JAVONILLO, ROWENA Q
JOTIC, CHERRYL BULATAO
KING KAY, CAROLINE BERNADETTE OLANKA
KWEE, LIMDAWATI
LACSAMANA, ROSELLA MENDOZA
LAGUINDAB, SOHAILI LAGUINDAB
LANDICHO-GARCIA, ISMAELA REYES
LAPITAN, LAISSA CASSANDRA PIOQUINTO
LARIOSA, GERLIDES CATEMBUNG
LAT, ANNABELLE MARIE MITRA
LAYOG, ALLISTER VINCENT GUMAGAY
LI, ANN LORAINE JOGUILON
LICO, HANA MAE CASTELLANO
LIM, ARNEL FLORES
LIM, LLOYD EVERETT ROMERO
LIM-TEODORO, ADOLF QUE
LIRA, CLEIN JAY AMAGUIN
LLAMAS, CRISANTO DONDON RAMOS
LLOVIDO-PINEDA, JENNIFER GONZALES
LONGAKIT, ADRIAN NIÑO LAGAHIT
LU, RAYMOND BARRIOS
LUGTU, ISAIAH CARLOS
LUMANLAN, DONNAH BLESS BAYO
MABASA-ALAN, JENA LYNN BANAn
MACABEO, RENELENE ALFEREZ
MAGALLANES, VINCENT CESAR GALARRITA
MALAZA, GELINEMAE GLORIA
MANAOIS, MICHIKO ROSE BASCOS
MANGELEN, SHEILA FARISHA KUSIN
MANGULABNAN, MELISSA CAMILLE ESTEBAN
MANIBPEL, SHARIFF AMILOARI S
MANTOS, KATRINA BIANCA RAMOS
MANUTA, CHRISTINE EVASCO
MARCELO, JHOANNA GONZALES
MARIANO, RAMELITO MATEO
MARISTELA, MA. THERESA DEL MUNDO
MAROHOMSALIC, ABDULLAH MAROHOM
MARTINEZ, JULIE ANN PRUDENCIO
MASANGKAY, KEITH JOHN ARMAMENTO
MASBANG, ARMIN NACPIL
MATA, ANNABEL JOSON
MATEO, MICHAEL QUIJANO
MATRIANO, VIVIENNE AYUYAO
MEDEZ, RIZALYN DONIO
MELENDRES, KRISTINE ANNE TISON
MERCADO, MARI CHRIS HUMARANG
MIGUEL-CAMPITA, MELINDA OLAGUER
MINGI, SHERYL ROJO
MIRA-ATO, ALINOR MINDALANO
MIRALLES, KAREN VELASCO
MIRANDA, ALFONSO JUAN VILLEGAS
MIRANDA, JOSE CARLOS SANTOS
MOJICA, JOERELLE VELASCO
MONTEHERMOSO, JOAN RAZOTE
MONTESA, JAMES CRISFIL FRUCTUOSO MALICDEM
MORTEL, SHARON ROSE CRISTOBAL
MOZO, RAINIER NERY
NACINOPA, GEOVIL MEÑA
NARCISE, ANTOINETTE MARIE PICOKNEIL
NATANAUAN, GERALD BULA
NAVALES, EVA CHRISTINE ONG
NG, CAMILLE TAN
NICOLAS, JR., EDGAR SANTOS
NICOLAS, MINERVA GONZALES
NUEVO, MA. CRISELDA RIVERA
NUÑAL, JEWEL CORDELLE CURIO
OABEL, GLENDA PANAGA
OBLIGACION, HALBERD JACOSALEM
OCTAVIANO, CHRYSANTA VIERNES
OGALESCO, MARIA OLIVIA ALQUIZAR
OLYMPIA, ANGELA MARIE ALMENDRAS
OMBAO, RON CELSO PAMA
ONG, BRIAN NELSON MIRANDA
ONG, SHELLA MARIE ROXAS
ORDANZA, MARY JOY PINEDA
ORTIGAS, JONAS ARSENAL
ORTIZ LUIS, MARIA CRISTINA JOSON
OSIAS, JERNY MIRANDA
PACQUING, JONATHAN UBUNGEN
PADILLA, PAUL SEPALVEDA
PADILLA, RHODA ZYRA MAGNAYE
PADILLA, RODERICK DALUSUNG
PADILLA, SHIRLEY TAN
PAGADUAN, CHRISTOPHER RYAN PESEBRE
PAGCALIWAGAN, NESSIE REÑA
PAJARES, EMERSON RESTAURO
PALMA, MARINICA CIARA BONDAD
PALMA, RONALD DE CASTRO
PALMARES, ROSALINDA SOLIDARIOS
PANCHO, GRACE ANNE ODULIO
PANG, ALEX, JR. YONGCO
PANGAN, RICARDO, III. BALDERAS
PANGANIBAN, JOHANNA FELICITY CHUA
PANGGAT, JAKES CATHERINE MERCADO
PANINGBATAN, JAMES CASTILLO
PARAS, BRYAN MENDOZA
PASAG, MARY JESSIL RAMOS
PASAMONTE, DONARYN VILLA
PASAPORTE, CYRUS GERALD PANES
PASCASIO, BELEN KIMHOKO
PATIÑO, IRENE DARUNDAY
PAYUMO, EDELISSA FABRIA
PEDARSE, CATHERINE VILLAPANDO
PEDRACIO, FARRAH HAIDEE LYNNE DAYCO
PEGUIT, NATHALIE GRACE AYUPAN
PELAYO, MAY ANGELA MASANGKAY
PELICANO, MA. DONNA BALAGAPO
PENDALIDAY, MOHAMMAD ALI JAUHAR DILANGALEN
PEPINO, CHERRY LOU RUIZ
PINE-PANGANIBAN, JOHANNAH HALLELUJAH MANGUSSAD
PLAZUELA, HAIDEE CORAZON PEREZ
POLLOSO, DEBBIE MUSNI
PRADO, CLEMENT RONQUILLO
PUNDAVELA, JACKIE ANN SIA
PUNJABI, MARIE ANTONETTE DELFIN
PUNZALAN, KSIRTIAN ANTEOLIN DAGDAGAN
QUE, DEAN HARRIS PO
QUE, MARY LAREINE VASQUEZ
QUIBO, FLOIN JADE MANTOD
QUIOHILAG, PRANCYNE LIM
QUITOS, LEONELL ALBERT LOPEZ
QUIZON, LENDRY LAGSA
RABANERA, MARIA SHIELA MAY SALINAS
RABOR, NANETTE DALAGUIT
RAMIREZ, JOSEPH MICHAEL LIBRANDA
RAMIREZ-RAGASA, ROSEMARIE M
RAMOS, BERNARD OLAÑO
RAMOS, CHRISTIAN ARCHE
RAMOS, FRANCESCA CECILIA BAUTISTA
RAMOS, REX VOLTAIRE ANGELES
RAMOS, RUSSEL CORDERO
RAMOS, SUSANA AQUINO
RAZO II, ROBERTO ALAM
REFE-FRIOLO, JANICE KRISTINE DULCE
REODICA, RONALD ANTONIO SANTOS
REQUINTA, KATHERINE NAZARETH
REYES, JASON CAYETANO
REYES, JOANNE GRACE MANGUBAT
REYES, SHEILA MARIE MACATUGGAL
REYES-ADDATU, ALMA ONG
RIJAL, RAJENDRA
ROBLES, JACLYN PALACIO
RODRIGUEZ, MARK RAYMUND ALESANA
RONQUILLO, MARITES ASUNIO
ROXAS, BYRON CLAUDE ZINGAPAN
ROXAS, JUDE PATRICK ZINGAPAN
ROYALES, JOVITH TASARRA
SABALLA, AVA CHARISSE ANDAL
SABAS, GILDALEINE SAN JUAN
SABOLBORA, GISELLE LAMERES
SAHI, SAID J
SALIMO, ERIC MISSION
SALVADOR, LORIELYN ABELLO
SAMALA, KENNETH GELERA
SAMUELA-JIMENEZ, JOSEPHINE ALCASABAS
SANCHEZ, KARL PATRICK RAMIREZ
SANTIAGO, MARIA THERESA PALLERA
SANTOS, JESUSA SUICO
SANTY, THEO JAY, III., TABLIZO
SARAPUDDIN, SHADRINA TAHIL
SARMIENTO, MARK GANDIONCO
SASTRILLAS, GINA ALKLINO
SEBASTIAN, MICHAEL RAY CO
SEE, JOHNSON ONG
SENO, ROSSANA RUSIANA
SESCON, PETER ALLEN SILORIO
SEVILLES, DYNA ANN CASAS
SHIU, LOUIE ALFRED BERNARDINO
SIA, JESSIELYN ESCANO
SIAO, RIA MARI SEBASTIAN
SIM-SOLIS, CINDY CARCEDO
SIQUIAN, HAROLD LEBE SYJONGTIAN
SISON-SAN LUIS, JENNIFER GATCHALIAN
SISTOZA, JOJILENE V
SIUTE, RACHEL ANN CRUZ
SIY, PATRICK YIU
SOLITE, JETT AARON Villordon
SOMBILLO, JOY AIZA RAMOS
SORIA, GRACE SHEILA PONCE
STA. ROMANA, DULCINEA SAMONTE
STO. TOMAS, LIZBETH BACAL
SUAREZ, MARIA MIGUELA QUIZON
SUBEDI, KAMAL RAJ
SUIB, SITTI JULYHA BALOCO
SUÑER, CLEMENT CEZAR COLACION
SUNGA, HAROLD CUNANAN
SUPERIANO, RYLAN HOWELL SAMSON
SURYAJAYA, CHRISTINE ELIZABETH
SY, MARK LESTER SANTOS
TAALIM, MUSHAR MUSIN
TAGHOY, EMERSON ROVILLOS
TALAG, ANDREA MONICA LAMONERA
TAM, LILIAN VILLE BACALSO
TAN, CAMILLE ASILOM
TAN, MA. KRISELDA KARLENE GONZALBO
TAN, WILFREDO YSMAEL
TANYAG, PORTIA MARIA CADITE
TAPERLA, SHERYL SALAPANG
TAQUISO, JEZREEL LABRADOR
TASI, IANNE MYLA C
TE, JOHN ISIDORE IGNACIO
TICZON, ADOLF DASCO
TIMBOL, AEDEN BERNICE GUECO
TINGZON, GLYNIS SOLIS
TIU, MARLON ARCAMO
TOBIAS, KAREN KATE SOMERA
TOJINO, ANDRE LAWRENCE GONZALES
TRASPORTO, KENNETH MARIE CALLAO
TROMPETA, CHARIZA DIESTO
TULIO, REH ANN FERRER
UDARBE, DEBBIE LYNN AQUINO
UNTALAN, MELISSA ISLA
URBANO, LORRIE SUZETTE JURADO
UY, CHARLES VINCENT ONG
VALENCIA, JOSE CARLO B
VALENZUELA, ABIGAIL LEANILLO
VALLEJA, RODNEY REGAÑION
VELILIA, LAURENCE MANIQUIZ
VEÑEGAS, ELAINE TANDOG
VERONA, JEFFREY ANAYANG
VIACRUCIS, FRANKIE MAINE MARENTES
VIEJA, DIANNE VICTORIA CANCINO
VILLAFUERTE, GERARDO NOLASCO
VILLALOBOS, RALPH ELVI MUDANZA
VILLALUNA, RICHARD ARTHUR LECHONSITO
VILLAMIN, KEN MATTHEW M
VILLANUEVA, JULIE ANNE SAPINOSO
VILLANUEVA-LADRIDO, IV DARLETTE IRAO
VINLUAN, RIZZA JANE RAMIREZ
VIRAY, LEO DE GARY CRISTOBAL
VISITA, RAIZA ALVAREZ
YAMYAMIN, JANET CELESTIAL
YANG, CAPRICE LASTIMOSA
YANO, MIRIAM AGITO
YU, MARC GREGORY YU
YULENTA, FRISKA
YULO, DEDRIC CHRISTI PAUL ORIAN
YUMUL, ARVIN ROMERO
YUMUL-TALAMAYAN, ANNA JANE MORTEL
ZAMORA, MARIA PAMELA CABALLERO
ZULUETA, FAITH ELIZABETH ALVAREZ

Thank You

This post is 2-3 days overdue already, so I'll get right to it..

A miracle happened again, and I'm really grateful for it.

That being said, I have a lot of people to be thankful FOR..

- All praises firstly and rightfully go to Him who made all of this possible.. Ever since I came into this world, you have never left my side, especially during those moments when I needed you the most. I am eternally grateful..

- My folks and my brothers (yes, even you 2nd bro, I know you're up there watching over everything and everyone.. :) ). People would be amazed at what my family had to put up with when I was cloistered at home, especially when crunchtime was fast approaching. :P Thank you for always believing and supporting me through the good and bad, whatever path I chose..

- My bros (and by extension, their families). You guys kept me sane for the most part of this ordeal. Thanks for getting together every once in a while for the occasional movie or dinner inspite of the different paths our lives took after we left school. Thanks to your wives as well for allowing attendance to the occasional Boys' Night Out. Good naman kami eh! ;)

- My mentors back at the hospital. You took me in when I was down and gave me one final shot to do good and make things right. I'm forever in your debt for all the things you have taught me and the opportunities you have given. I hope that I made you guys proud. Thank you so much po for all your support!! :D Special mention to Dr. Tuy for that phone call on the night before the test, and to Dr. Cons for the encouraging text prior to the exam. Thank you so much!

- My juniors  who remain in the hospital. Like I have said before I left, thank you for showing us seniors that we needed to be strong for everyone else. Thank you for all the challenges and trials we have gone through together. I know it was not a perfect year, but I hope you guys have learned something in the process, as I have learned a lot from you as well. I know so much has been left unsaid so I'm taking advantage of this opportunity now to tell you what I feel. I want you guys to keep learning, keep pushing each other and help one another get better at what you do. I believe that you can do so much better than we did. :) I feel that I might not have learned as much as I did if I didn't have you guys to help me get better. Thank you for believing in me and cheering me on. It really meant a lot..

- My "minions". I was so happy when I heard that you all passed your board examinations, and I was really touched when you remembered me and thanked me for the tiny part I played in your lives. I'm really proud of all of you (even the "adopted" children of Daddy O, because you're all Daddy O's kids in my book!)! You guys inspired me to keep on going as the date drew nearer.Thank you for all the encouragement you guys gave me. Kaya nga love ko ayo eh! :D

- Noona. Surprised that you're here? :P I know we've only known each other for a relatively short period of time, but I feel you deserve a special mention as well. ;) Thank you for keeping me sane and being a sounding board of sorts when I was freaking out towards the endgame. That really meant a lot. Thank you for the lucky cupcakes as well. Oh, and thank you for everything despite all the awkwardness. :D 

- The hospital staff (mainly the nurses) who helped us in caring for our patients and made sure everything was running smoothly. The support we received was invaluable in helping us prepare for what was to come. Thanks also for the words of encouragement when we felt that nothing could go right. :)

- Lastly, I would like to thank our patients. It is said that the doctor's greatest teachers are his/her patients, as there is no substitute for clinical experience. Seeing the cases in the book come to life is loads better than a whole day buried in a book. I have received grateful smiles and small tokens of appreciation during my stint as a resident, but I am also thankful to them for letting me take care of them and see them through to their eventual discharge. :D

So again, I thank you all!

- BrainiaxMD, DPCP

Watchful Waiting

It rained today.. First time in quite a while.. Kinda like this blog entry, hehe.

Seeing as I often tend to start my posts with a commentary on how long it has been in between blog entries, I shall put that aside and just jump into the thick of things.

The diplomate examination has come and gone, and I now find myself nervously waiting for the results of the test (which is slated to come out tomorrow according to the information pamphlet we were provided at the venue). However, I have decided to wait it out for tonight in the hopes of getting an early lead on the news, whatever the outcome may be..

 This "watchful waiting" reminds me of my two previous licensure examinations, for Medical Technologists and Physicians. The wait for the MD boards was obviously the more nerve-wracking of the two, considering the relative difficulty of the latter and what was at stake as compared to the former.

Taking the MT boards was never really a necessity for me since I was already in Medical School at the time, studying to become a doctor. However, I felt that I couldn't just let all those years go to waste. It is true that I chose Medical Technology as my pre-med course, but I guess I wanted it to be more than that.. I spent my years in college learning the finer points of diagnostic laboratory medicine at one of the finer institutions of higher learning to offer that course. The least I could do was to see everything through full-circle to do justice to all the effort my professors exerted in teaching me, as well as my own attempts to make sense of all the information I supposedly learned in school. :)

I've been keeping busy the past few days with the very un-academic task of clearing out (yet again) my old room which strangely becomes a storage area  whenever I turn my back for a few months without sleeping in it. :P I can't believe how much junk we've accumulated in a few short years.. :l Part of the fun of clearing a room is rediscovering old forgotten stuff and the satisfaction of tossing some of them out since they were old/useless/really dirty/broken/rotting away and just taking up space anyway.

I also had to clean out my closet and am now wondering what the hell do I do with all those blazers I had made through all those years in residency (not to mention my failed attempt at Neurology which involved an entirely different set.)

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A lot of hoopla has been generated by the forthcoming fight between two of the top draws of professional boxing, namely Pacquiao and Mayweather. I admit that I used to be a fan of MP when he was just a straight-up fighter winning bout after bout against notable boxers like Dela Hoya and Marquez (who I still consider a cowardly counterpuncher to this day). All that changed when he dicided to stick his nose where it didn't belong and inserted himself into the PBA as a PLAYING COACH! The nerve of the guy! I mean, fine, he may have the strength and stamina to keep up with the rest of the guys since he is an athlete after all, but his "forced" entry into the PBA (getting drafted in the FIRST ROUND pa kamo!) made a travesty of the league I had grown up watching and admiring. The thing that sickens me is that he was only able yo enter the PBA because 1) he's so goddamn popular and 2) he's so filthy rich that he can make the league do what he wants, even to accomodate hime just because he "knows" how to play basketball (Pacman knows?)

It's such a shame.. When I was a kid growing up, I saw the PBA as a league where the best of the best played. Being the unathletic bum that I was, I knew I had absolutely no chance of getting in, since it was all about strength, speed, stamina, talent etc.., Thus, I had a ton of respect for people who played in the league, because not everyone would be good enough to get in. Fast forward it to today, and Pacquiao has set a bad precedent by showing the masses who idolize him so much that if you have enough money, fame, or influnce like he does, a little problem like lack of actual basketball talent is not an impediment to playing in the PBA, nor is a lack of any real knowledge of professional coaching a detriment to being named as a coach for a professional team.Corollary to that, shame on KIA for pulling such a publicity stunt! You have tainted the sport forever. I hope you're happy.. :( Oh, and I'm never buying any of your vehicles when the time comes that I will have the money to buy my own..

Yeah, I know, it turned into a rant again.. I'm just so pissed at what the PBA has become.. I used to enjoy the league so much.. Back when the only foreign-sounding names you would hear would be the surname of a commentator (that's you Quinito) or the coaches, and you would only get foreigners during the other Cups. The All-Filipino was my personal favorite, as I found it more exciting. Yeah sure, the imports turned stuff up a notch, but it cheapened the game since most of the offense became railroaded through them for obvious reasons..

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The UAAP Womens Volletball Finals is in full swing, with Ateneo taking the first win over an injuy-riddled Lasalle squad. This is unfortunate since the Lady Eagles, having swept the Eliminations automatically hold a one game advantage over LaSalle in what the analysts have defined as "something like a Best of Five series where Ateneo is automatically up 1-0".

In short, Ateneo only has to win two games to claim the title, while LaSalle has to win three.

I have began following UAAP Volleyball ever since "little sister" came into out lives as brother's significant other. ;) We were eventually hooked and continued watching even beyond her playing years. :P

LaSalle is now looking at a 0-1 deficit and are playing without their star spiker Ara Galang who was injured in the final set of a do-or-die match against NU for a chance to play in the finals against ADMU. The injury (ACL, MCL, Meniscal tear) sidelines Galang for the remainder of the season, making this series apparently lopsided due to the obvious loss of firepower on the side of the Lady Archers.

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Wow, this was a long one. Hehe. ;) Hopefully I'll be online again in a few hours with some (hopefully positive) news