2021 Yearender

Finally! A proper yearender post! 😛

Now that things have pretty much normalized for me, with the previous consultant routine slowly getting back on track, this time with a bit of accommodation for further opportunities opened up by my recently-concluded training. 😉

Hmm.. I would say that this year pretty much picked up where the shitstorm that was 2020 left off.. The introduction of vaccines early in the year brought a faint glimmer of hope, as cases were trending down and the vaccine rollout caught steam. This optimism was curtailed shortly thereafter though, as the more contagious (and no less deadly) delta variant finally hit our shores a few months after wreaking havoc in India. I would say that this particular wave finally brought the fight to all fronts here in the Philippines, as the outbreak epicenter shifted to the provinces. Fortunately, we were able to see a bit of change in the trend of admissions.. Vaccinated individuals were apparently less prone to wind up in the hospital and hooked to the ventilator. People who got their jabs still tested positive occasionally, but usually had little to no symptomatology to speak of. That's science at work, and no amount of denial by crazies or the ignorant is going to change those facts.

As the year wore on, the trends showed an ever-decreasing case count as more and more people began to shed their unfounded fears and got themselves protected. People started to go out more, and public areas slowly but surely became congested again, the only difference is that people were wearing masks (thank goodness!).

Enough about Covid for now though.. I admit I was a bit apprehensive about getting back into the game after having been away for so long. Fortunately, he clinics were always so supportive, and old familiar faces started to reappear during consults. In fact, I was extremely touched to learn that an old patient had been waiting patiently for my return and refused to see any other physician, because she said I was the only one she trusted. Fortunately, she followed my last instructions and continued her maintenance therapy religiously, which quite predictably resulted in minimal adverse events in the interim. 😛

I thought that I would have become quite rusty with my pulmo management, but apparently its just like riding a bike, you never forget how to do it once you already tried before. ;)

Let me just say that it really feels so good to be able to conduct face-to-face consultations again. I have become extremely sick and tired of telemedicine consultations as it was the only medium we used during fellowship training. I'm sure patients feel the same way, well, those without heightened anxiety about going out anyway. 😜

Hmm.. it's roughly 10pm, but things have still been relatively quiet outside. Perhaps people in the area have finally wised up and learned that it is not cost-effective to waste your hard-earned pandemic money by burning it all away on celebratory explosives. (Although if the news reports from Bulacan are to be believed, people are still going to be such petulant children who are unable to follow sound advice and still do the stupid things that they do, and lose fingers and limbs in the process. Not really my problem though, as long as they don't cause harm to me or the people I care about)

This past holiday season has been one of the weirdest I have experienced. I don't know if its because 24 and 31 are set during thursdays which threw off my internal calendar, but I seem to have trouble telling the days apart. Unlike previous years when people were more than happy to take time off during these holidays, this year seemed to be more busy, as people were taking advantage of relaxed restrictions to conduct business in an almost-normal setting, something most of us have not been able to do for the past 2 years.. I guess this explains my disorientation, since everyday seemed like a regular workday, only with more people at the malls doing their old-school face-to-face x-mas shopping, something they have not been able to do for ages.

Now we stand on the precipice of starting a new year, with a new, highly contagious variant already within our shores. I can only hope that the reports from Africa are correct, that they have already apparently weathered the storm and cases have already significantly dropped, and that this new variant apparently caused milder illness than previously encountered..

So yeah.. It has been a hodgepodge of a year, with equal measures of hope and anxiety mixed in, causing a roller coaster of emotions for all of us. Still, there was some silver linings that happened, and I am grateful for that.. But there are tragedies as well, especially the severe destruction in the southern part of the country brought about by the typhoon Odette, which caused unimaginable devastation as was seen in clips shot by brave individuals caught in the middle of it all..

Let's all pray for a better tomorrow, and a brighter 2022! Stay safe everyone! Please, keep wearing your masks and keeping your distance by avoiding crowds. Its for everyone's good. If you insist on being bullheaded about it, I  will just pray for your family such that you don't put them at risk with your reckless and inconsiderate behavior, because if anything happens to them, it will most likely be all your fault.

More stories to come, and I hope you will be here along with me for the ride. 😁 Have a Happy New Year!

One month later...

 It is quite late at the time of this writing, so this entry will probably be quite brief. 

After around a month of resuming practice, I have confirmed that I really, really miss doing face-to-face consultations. 😅  I hope that the low Covid numbers hold over the next year, so that it would be so much better for eveyone.

2021 PSBIM Passers

 Sharing some positivity for a change. I know it's a little late, pero ngayon lang kasi ulit umayos yung PCP website eh. 😅

Congratulations to all passers!

Info taken as is from the PCP Website

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PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS
PHILIPPINE SPECIALTY BOARD IN INTERNAL MEDICINE
07 MARCH 2021, SUNDAY
Satellite Venues: NCR, Iloilo City, Cebu City, and Davao City

LIST OF SUCCESSFUL EXAMINEES

Aballe, Kenneth Vergel T
Abanador, Yves Christian R
Abaya, Christopher L
Abella, Jed Mclee G
Abello, Ma. Antonia Elisa R
Aboga, Mirasol D
Abujen, Ann Marie A
Acosta, Tom-Louie J
Acuna, Grachele Charm A
Agbing, Jeffrey Angelo L
Agoncillo, Analigaya R
Aguas, Gerard Vincent A
Aguilar, Derrick A
Agustin, Bianca Marie Q
Ajoc, Marie Rose Antoniette S
Alarilla, Chester Joseph S
Albarico, Larrie-Lyn V
Alcain, Alistair Marie H
Alcid, Rafael Martin A
Ali, Ahmed-Nhawaf A
Almazan-Leyno, Elaine A
Almeida, Ronelito S
Almodovar, Katerina Maria Theresa C
Alon, Beatrice A
Alvarado, Gian Karlo B
Ambatali, Charmaine Aisha M
Amerol, Jamilah S
Amper, Jeanne Michelle D
Ampordan, Ma. Zara A
Ancheta-Juan, Krystal Carol A
Ang, Cynric S
Ang, Wisdom P
Angeles, Areangela A
Añonuevo, Victor Juris R
Apa-Ap, Archimedes A
Aquino, Julius Clarence F
Aquino, Romelia B
Aradani, Khassmeen D
Araneta, Yves Ann P
Arayan, Laurice T
Armeña, Mark Deneb O
Arreola, Alvin P
Aruta, Roque Rowel A
Asprec, Ma. Theresa May D
Astrero, Rj King F
Atas, Bryan B
Atotubo, Jennilyn Rose A
Austria, Roxanne Mae S
Avillo, Karl Phillip L
Ayaay, Gerard Zed C
Aya-Ay, Tam Adrian P
Ayaon, Alhana A
Babao, Janice B
Baclayon, Riel N
Bagol, Wilmer Ciprian S
Balina, Megan Margrethe D
Balingit, April Keith B
Baluyut, Johanne S
Bandoy, Johanna Lei D
Banquirigo, Raymond S
Barbas, Kimberly N
Barbosa, Rey Christian A
Baring, Neil Christian D
Barsaga, Mark Lester A
Barte, James Harold A
Bartolome, Noekka P
Basalong, Deborah B
Bastona, John Neal C
Bathan, Joseph A
Batol, Regine Therese I
Bautista, Darius D
Bautista, Paolo Angelo A
Bautista, Yasmin Francesca A
Baylon, Ma. Luisa Socorro D
Bello, Samuel Anthon P
Berba, Jaime Paolo M
Bernabe Jr., Rommel C
Bernabe, Kris Anne N
Bernal, Shirley Paz B
Bersabal, Shazna Myles B
Beup, Mary Bloom F
Bigay, Donna Karen F
Biong, Kim Eloise
Bisquera, Nichole Andrea N
Bitas, Ma Beatriz N
Bituin, Frances Marian C
Boac, Ma Minerva M
Bodo Jr., Manuel T
Bolodo, Crystal Joy M
Bonabon, Dan Andrew F
Bonilla, Michael A
Bravo, Vincent Martin E
Briñez, Michael Angelo O
Buan, Elaine L
Bueno, Karla Denyse D
Buhay, Ross Marshall C
Caabay, Rosanne Amaris T
Cabading, Richelle G
Cabajar, Jairus
Cabarles, Joy Rosarie B
Cabebe, Cristine Mercy A
Cabrera, Justine P
Cabuling, Ian Angelo H
Caburnay, Charmaine Iris D
Cadungon, Arianne Mae D
Cajoles, Richelle May B
Calabia, Aldreus R
Callejas, Nicole Andrick N
Calma, Zeara Anjelica S
Candelaria, Andrea M
Cangco, Paul John M
Cano-Laynesa, Lucille Phylicia M
Cañoso, Chesna L
Canoza, Dondon Davidge F
Cara, Carlo Evez S
Cardenas, Paolo Reuben B
Caringal, Justine Vera Dennys C
Carpio, Joseph Bernard G
Carrera, Jan Catherine G
Casabar, Adelbert Daniel S
Castaneto, Adel Carlito S
Castillo, Franko Eugenio B
Castillones, Desiree G
Castro, Justin Gerard C
Catambing, Victor Alfred H
Cercado, Geraldine P
Cervantes, Krystal C
Chan, Karl Kevin C
Chavez, Rose Mary R
Chin, Bin Rashid A
Chiong, Patrick M
Chomi, Elikim Ino D
Chua, David Abraham B
Chua, Ernestine Faye T
Chua, Precious Diamond C
Cinco, Ryan D
Codilan, Wendel Jason M
Conde, Ed Jico B
Congjuico, Kara Kirsty V
Conopio, Arnel Y
Coo, Mark Vincent M
Copia, Carlo Martin B
Coronado, Paul Daniel S
Corsino, Shanon Marie M
Cortez, Carmelo M
Cortez, Ria Katrina B
Crisostomo, Gertrude Camille C
Cristobal, Xanthia Lou I
Crumb, Danielle Julie Marie V
Cruz, Aila Marnelle A
Cruz, Angelyn S
Cruz, Ia Marie Donna B
Cruz, Marie Gene D
Cu, Stephen G
Cuaderno, Jessica Marie L
Cuaño, Patricia Maria Gregoria M
Cuña, Jan Benison C
Custodio, John Carlo T
Dacanay, Don David D
Dacillo, Rachele G
Dacumos, Mia Arabelle C
Daga, Lorenz Kristoffer D
Dagondon, Darlene M
Danaque, Karen Faith C
Daud, Hanna Farina C
David, Carl Genesis G
David, Patrick L
Dayos, Nemie Pauline P
De Castro, Lea Roselle O
De Castro, Nikka Paola Z
De Castro, Stephen Albert L
De La Cruz, Katherine C
De La Serna, Ross Anne M
De Lemos, Diordan Glenn R
De Leon, Leslie Pearl B
De Leon, Maria Frances Noreen C
De Leon, Sarah C
De Los Reyes, Denise C
De Villa - Lorenzo, Maria Aizabelle B
Del Mundo, Jaime Romulo R
Dela Cruz Jr., Juanito S
Dela Cruz, Anton Micael K
Dela Cruz, Sonny A
Dela Cruz, Twyla Joy M
Dela Llana, Kevin Andre R
Dela Merced, Ada Clarisse L
Dela Rosa, Venn Homer M
Delgado, Patricia Eugenia H
Delos Reyes, Prian Kae I
Delos Santos, Maria Angela S
Demabildo, Aprille L
Diaz, Joan Kristina O
Diez, Jan Karlo T
Dimaano, Exequiel P
Dimayuga, Diana Colleen M
Din, Jefferson O
Diorico, Christian S
Dizon, Bemnjg Kristen L
Dizon, Sharlene A
Domdom, Remar L
Drilon, Alexis Danica B
Dungca, John Carlo B
Duran, Kay Hazell E
Durano II, Redentor R
Durens, Danica T
Ebilane, John Ray S
Eder, Richton B
Ediza, Vanessa S
Elinzano, Ma. Althea Kathrine B
Eliseo, Kevin Sam S
Elpa, Carlo Jay S
Enobio, Cyrille Maria Trinidad B
Enriquez, Keith Brian T
Enriquez, Kevin Paul D
Eppie, Settie Jamalia A
Ereño, Ephraim Adrian D
Escabarte, Lea B
Espino, Adrian Ronald A
Estreller, Sachiko S
Evangelista, Dianne A
Ezpeleta Jr., Raul R
Fabia, Jesse Emmanuel C
Fabian, Anne Ville B
Fajardo, Jerome M
Faustino, Eva Hazel C
Fernandez, Elaine Louise L
Ferrer, Cristina Angela P
Fianza, Jemma Grace D
Formalejo, Cordella P
Forteza, Claire F
Francia, Charles Andrew T
Francisco, Angelyka B
Franco, Paula Isabel G
Fuentecilla, Ma. Kassandra Rionna B
Gaac, Carmel Anne M
Gacrama, Paul Martin J
Galaez, Ronald P
Galam, Kathleen M
Gamboa, Jennifer Marla S
Gamboa, Jun Cor F
Gampon, Isaiah Jeremi P
Gantioque, Jean B
Gantuangco, Ophel S
Gapusan, Justin Christopher S
Garado, Charmaine Russ P
Garcia, Ann Crizette R
Garcia, Belly Jamaica D
Garcia, Julian Iñaki L
Garcia, Ruben Ervin M
Gargar, Jenn Danielle M
Garmino, Hannah Marie I
Gascon, Buen Carmena M
Geraldez, Maria Francesca Emily Z
Ginete, Justine Maisie M
Glory, Jona B
Go, Karen C
Go, Muriel Tania L
Go, Sherwin Louis Nino Y
Goco, Robert Leonard C
Gonzales, Leonico C
Gonzales-Montalbo, Michaela Ann A
Gordola, Alinda Mae C
Gorospe, Camille N
Grafil, Keith Darryl Deo C
Gravador, Emilio Jose S
Gubat, Sittie Rochma G
Guerrero, Ina Marie Concepcion M
Guzman, Joy-Anezka S
Hayag, Neill Elvin D
Hernandez, Angelo M
Hernandez, Jacqueline A
Herrera, Joseph V
Hilado, Erica D
Hizon, Marc Alison P
Honorico, Fatima G
Hortelano, Maribel Jane G
Hufana, Ellalyne R
Hugo-Utanes, Pia Gabrielle S
Ibrahim, Prince Sydrey S
Imai, Tsuyoshi Y
Inoncillo, Samantha Karla D
Inting, Kim Alfred E
Ismael, Kimberly K
Itulid, Angelie Ann T
Iwag, Mark Dominic S
Jaji, Elham J
Jardiolin, Debby Grace T
Jawid, Millard Fitzgerald G
Jimenez, Manuel Jared Theo A
Jovellanos, Maria Tala Kristina C
Justo, Beverly Diane B
Kalaw, Hanna Jianina N
Katada, Kevin T
Kawi, Lynette Bernadine L
King, Rica Kezia P
Kis-Ing, Kerubine L
Kong, Jan Michael C
Labrador, Angelica D
Laconico, Margaret S
Lacson, Patrick Nicole D
Lacuna, Dan Paulo A
Lalusis, John Kelvin M
Lapitan, Jona Yoana C
Laquindanum, Sheena S
Lariego, Sunshine R
Laroa, Harold Robin F
Larrazabal Jr., Ramon B
Lastimoso-Parreño, Sheena Lenore G
Lauro, Kathrina Joy M
Lay, Michael Edward S
Laynesa, Philip L
Layug, Christopher C
Ledesma-Baterna, Kristine Claire P
Ledres, Gladys Krystabelle I
Lee, Terrence Edward C
Leycano, Danica Ann D
Leyson, Frederick Gavril D
Lim, Jesus Adrian M
Lim, John Peter M
Lim, Robyn S
Lima, Valerie U
Lin, Tim Lawrence T
Lomboy, Joanamer Q
Lominoque, Andreu Leo F
Lopez, Robe Ann V
Lu, Leanne Elaine L
Lu, Lorraine W
Lucinario, Joanne Marie F
Lukban, Maria Christina Angela L
Lumancas, Francis Paolo M
Lustestica, Kaye Eunice L
Luzano, Jonathan R
Ma, Bonn T
Ma, Karen Ashley A
Mabang, Nurmaine Shahanie M
Macabanding, Jamailah B
Macadato, Omar Khayyam R
Macaibay, Ann Charise O
Macapagal, Kristine M
Macapondag, Patrick B
Macaraeg, Ralph Jan Abing D
Macaspac, Janine Bea C
Magcalas, Robert John T
Magno, Enerose D
Magoncia, Marc Frances B
Magpali, Iris Ayn M
Magturo, Frances Dominique G
Mahilum, Mer Lorraine P
Maliwat, Florence B
Mallare, Jayson O
Manabat, Love Grace T
Manaligod, Michelle L
Manaois, Revelyn S
Manarang, Grace Haziel C
Mangabat, Pamela Elaine B
Mangente, Andrew L
Mangila, Leonie Mae P
Mangubat, Gerard Francis E
Manlegro, Nadia O
Marabe, Liza Mae T
Maramag, Jean Marie P
Maraña, Aervin L
Maranan, Claudine Dayle C
Marca, Zyra D
Martinez, Kathleen Therese B
Marundan, Joy Angeli P
Mascardo, Kristoffer Chase M
Mata, Thaddeus Joseph C
Mateo, Michelle J
Maternal, Carmelindelle P
Mattus, Miguel Manuel T
Medina, Billy Rey D
Mejos, Joel John C
Mendoza, Andrea Carmelli D
Mendoza, Janine G
Mendoza, Jester I
Mendoza, Rica Nell N
Mengullo, Ramon Kristoffer A
Mercado, Jeraldine A
Mercado, Marivi Grace V
Miguel, Kimberly S
Mina, Alfred Patrick D
Minerva-Ang, Hazel Claire C
Mirano, Carissa Rae M
Miro, John Michael L
Mondido, Sherry Mae C
Montalbo, Jerome Dylan B
Mordeno, Queen Gesa T
Murakami, Kenneth George C
Musanip, Hissam T
Naanep, Jan Milan V
Naik, Sittie Rizminn T
Napa, John Michael Joseph D
Napa, Rachel Ann L
Narsolis, Christine Irish D
Natividad, Ana Margarita R
Natividad, Justine Lorenz M
Navales, Jerone Anthony D
Ngo, Laurie Lynne C
Nicolas, Shekinnah Joye U
Nierra, Marjorie Faye L
Nievera, Karl Homer V
Nocom, Gerard Noel D
Obias, Maribon M
Obrero, Frances Monina M
Octaviano, Aprille Anne O
Olalo, Mikhail M
Olasiman, Stephanie Rae P
Olgado, Julian Jose Alejandro C
Olpindo, Dan Joseph D
Ong Lopez, Albert Macaire C
Ong, Demi Suzanne D
Ong, Gerald Manuel P
Ong, Hedy Harriet S
Ong, Mark Emmanuel K
Opao, Judy Q
Ortiz, Christopher Roy C
Osia, Jenneth
Otico, Frenzy S
Pablo, Urduja M
Pabua, Diane Joan T
Pabustan, Jan Erico D
Pacariem, Kristoffer T
Pada, Deion Jovencio O
Padayao, John Lois U
Padilla, Beatrice Anne J
Padua, Arnel Jay A
Paez, Ruel D
Pagdagdagan, Lydeleth B
Pagulayan, Jowana Lyn S
Pajanel, Margarette Rose G
Paje, Giselle Joy R
Palomar, Christin Hope J
Pangan, Ghiyll Evannie G
Pangandaman, Nehar A
Panilagao, Rhea Karla P
Parabuac, Jose Luis A
Parico, Evan Joseph F
Pasagui, Rexee Rieh Mae L
Pasia, Glory Jane Z
Pauig, Ma. Angelica T
Pedres, Mick Paul G
Pedreso, Emily Jean M
Pedroso, Mitch F
Pelere, Dave Mar L
Perez, Aaron Ciel E
Perez, Blessie Marie B
Perez, Eunice Marie F
Perez, Randolf A
Petate, Mary Christine S
Pilapil, John Christopher A
Pilones, Christian Amandel V
Pintac, Patricia T
Poblete, Columbine B
Ponciano, Joseph Lawrence A
Poot, Noelle Karla Maniya M
Porcadilla, Ben Jay C
Porras, Clarisse Enria B
Portaje, Ariane Lee U
Pramanta
Pudlao, Nico A
Que, Charmaine B
Querubin, Jan-Reynold O
Quinto, Janice Joy C
Rabot Jr., Rolando I
Radja, Nasheera W
Ragonton, Lalaine Cyril R
Ramirez, Aurea Mae C
Ramos Jr., Robert S
Ramos, Al Christopher O
Ramos, Carmel Kress C
Ramos, Cassius Kay G
Ramos, Krzcht Odessa D
Ramos, Lianne Marie R
Ranggan, Kim Merck J
Ranze, Mercia Joanne C
Razon, Hazzel Mey V
Recto, Antonio Emmanuel C
Redoma, Juanito R
Regalado, Patricia Kaye B
Reña, Robert C
Requilme II, Vicente B
Resma, Abegail G
Rey, Celene Marie R
Reyes, Aldric Cristoval C
Riambon, Marvin M
Ricohermoso, Jaymelyn P
Rigos, Irvin Joshua M
Rivera, Ella Mae U
Rivera, Ian Carlo R
Rivera, Julienne Antoinette E
Rivero, Denise Bernadette T
Rocamora, Xavier R
Rodis, Diana Louise V
Roldan, Anna Carmela M
Rombaoa, Raina Mae B
Romero Jr., Pacheco G
Roque, Vladimir Lennin A
Rosales, Camille Judith R
Rubion, Lou Erika M
Rula, Eden Mae B
Saavedra, Christine Trinity Y
Sabando, Mark John D
Sabay, Reuben V
Sabillena, Miguel M
Sadian, Anna Dominique R
Sagun-Tumanan, Regine P
Salazar, Abigaelle T
Salazar, Marian Paz D
Salting, Maria Luisa D
Salud, Sarah Patricia M
Salud, Vincci Monique T
Samalca, Sarah Jane B
Sampang, Fatima Yusra D
San Pedro, Mary Grace B
Sanchez, Danica H
Sanchez, Nicole M
Sandiego, Dawn Christie M
Sandigan, Hazel A
Santiago, Aimee Grace J
Santos, Anne Luz C
Santos, Nigel Jeronimo C
Sarmiento, Jessica Alexandra T
Saron, Jermelyn R
Saturinas, Lucas Emir Sheikh R
Sayaboc, Kristine Diane R
Señeres, Joy A
Seno, Stephanie Marie C
Serad, Maulana M
Sia, Margarette O
Sicat, Frenzzy C
Siñagan, Mark C
Sison, Angeli E
Sison, Vhina Therese P
So, Dennis D
Sobremisana, James A
Solito, John Ricardo C
Sorsona, Francis E
Suguitan, Eleazar T
Suguran, Jestoni S
Sungahid, Sara Kristel P
Sungcad, Lorenzo Rafael V
Superable, Gerard Adonis C
Superable, Ma. Ann Gellie C
Supremo, Noel Michael S
Sy, Florge Francis A
Sy, Katrina Vina T
Sy, Ryan Shaun T
Sydiongco Jr., Jeff Thomas B
Talamayan, Erika Xandra N
Talens-Galindez, Kristina Regina M
Tan, Charles Jeffrey L
Tan, Ma. Bernadette S
Tanggor, Nafiesa S
Tanhui, Kristel K
Tapia, Cherrie A
Tapispisan, Mae Anne Mercedes U
Tarongoy, Jeannine Erika M
Tarrazona, Rochelle Anne M
Tatoy, Vincent F
Taytayon, Dylan Jansen V
Te III, Mateo C
Teodoro, John Carlo P
Tibon, Deborah R
Tiu, Clifford T
Tiu, Mark Anthony C
Toledo, Lynn Gail B
Tolentino, Carlomagno D
Tomenes, Krizia Anne Claudine B
Toral, Victor John O
Torregosa, Chrisette Randyll C
Torregosa, Christel Anne A
Torres, Rey Christopher S
Torrevillas, Jewelyn M
Tugade, Reynald Evan R
Tuy, Melissa Erika S
Ubay, Cherry Ann S
Unson, Sofia Dominique D
Untalan, Benjamin Alejandro R
Usman, Ali Jabar T
Uy Lim, Angeline S
Uy, Janine Marie Kathleen A
Uy, Karen Kaye A
Uy, Trisha Dorothy C
Valdemar, Ian Rico L
Valdez, Christel M
Valdez, Danielle Sindika B
Valenzuela, Athena Jan F
Valenzuela, Gerald V
Valino, Christa Belle M
Vallester, Venn-Irene M
Varquez, Charmaine Y
Vasquez II, Cornelio L
Velando, Bianca M
Velasquez, Christine P
Veneracion, Cazzy Everlyn B
Vergara, Jovy Louie Anthony R
Vergara, Paul Oliver L
Vergara, Renn Miguel R
Vergel De Dios, Charysse B
Viceo, Katrina Mae R
Victorino, Leona Bianca K
Vidad, Aaron Christian Earl B
Villalobos, Leo Guillermo T
Villamonte, Shane B
Villamor, Sarah Jane R
Villanueva, Cary Amiel G
Villanueva, Mark H
Villarosa, Charmian Rose D
Vinarao, Ampy T
Viscayno, Vince Bryan B
Visda, Venus Anne G
Vista, Giovanni A
Vistal, Maria Carmela Y
Wasil, Avery Gail C
Wee, Aivan Matthew G
Yabon II, Antonio S
Yano, Mark Andrian O
Yap, Rowel David D
Yap, Victor Mathew C
Yap-Yacapin, Vanessa L
Yllana, Isabel Marie S
Yu, Jethro Karl L
Yu, Merrill Van C
Yumul, Danrell R
Yusi, Jan Axel L
Zamoranos, Christian C
Zapata, Ferdinand Renfred A

FORWARDED - A Filipino Medical Frontliner's thoughts

Day in and day out, it has been exasperating to hear that many of the countrymen we are supposed to be serving are unfairly griping about how it is the healthcare sector's fault as to why the certain areas are placed under MECQ again. Personally, I think I have grown calloused already, and I just hope that after this entire pandemic is over (if this DOES ever end and I am still alive by then), that I will still be able to minister to the sick with the same amount of compassion that I have, because to tell you frankly, nakakasawa nang mag-alaga ng mga walang utang na loob.. Sobra na kaming dehado eh.. but I digress..

This circulating post seems to summarize what I want to say quite nicely (although it seems that the original poster is more empathetic).

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PLEASE SHARE, KINDA LONG BUT HE SHOULD BE HEARD:

Magandang araw po sa lahat,

Ako po si Brian S. Callanga, isang nurse sa isang COVID Hospital sa Manila. Ayaw kong gawin to pero sa tingin ko ay kailangan. Pinili ko ang social media dahil ito na ang best way para makaconnect ka sa maraming volume ng tao sa panahon ngayon. Wala naman na kasing nagbabasa ng dyaryo, sobrang busy na ng media sa dami ng kailangan nilang icover, pero ito na sana huling naisip kong paraan para maglabas ng hinaing ko.

Kanina bumili ako ng pagkain ko then I overheard other customers na naguusap about MECQ.
"Frontliners daw nagrequest niyan kasi magpapahinga sila"
"Frontliners din naman tayo, bakit di naman tayo napapagod"
"Pahirap naman yang mga yan"
"Pag naman pumunta ka sa ospital parang wala naman ding umaasikaso sayo"
"Susungit pa nang mga tao dun"
"Buti pa sila may sinasahod"

So ilan lang yan sa mga naalala kong words na mga sinabi nila. Bagong gising ako, galing ako sa nakakapagod na night shift, tapos gutom. Pinilit kong pakalmahin yung sarili ko at kinuha nalang yung order ko at umalis.

So ganito nalang, let me give you people a glimpse of what we are doing sa loob ng hospital.

OR nurse ako, pero dahil kulang na sa tao, naassign nadin ako sa COVID Wards and ICUs. So ganito ang mga common na sinasabi o tinatanong ng patients namin,

"Sir, sana pala hindi nalang ako lumabas"
"Sir, sana pala naging mas maingat kami"
"Sir, sana pala hindi muna ako pumasok"
"Sir, yung asawa ko admitted din sa kabilang hospital"
"Sir, ang hirap pala ng ganito"
"Sir, nasaan na si Mama, bakit wala po akong kasama dito"
"Sir, pag ba namatay ako, paglalamayan paba ako?"

Take note, yan yung mga patients na nakakapagsalita. Most of them matatanda na halos naghahabol ng hininga nila. Yung iba nakatubo na.

Di ba kayo kinikilabutan? Kasi kami halos araw araw kinikilabutan at halos di na namin alam ang isasagot namin sa kanila.

Hindi po namin gusto na kayo ay hindi makalabas at hindi makapaghanapbuhay, hindi po namin kasalanan itong mga nangyayari. Kami po ang talo sa parehas na sitwasyon, kasi kapag hindi kayo nakakain ng tama, sa ospital din ang diretso niyo. Kapag naman nahawa kayo sa labas, sa ospital din diretso niyo. Gets niyo po?

So ECQ vs GCQ, nung ECQ, sobrang bihira ng trauma cases namin dahil walang gaanong tao sa labas. Then here comes the GCQ, may mga naging cases kami ng nasaksak, gunshot wounds, and recently bata na nabaril ng tatlong lasing. And we have to treat them as PUIs kasi wala na kaming chance na intayin ang resulta ng swab nila dahil kailngan na sila iOR. Tsaka try to look at the number of cases per day between ECQ and GCQ. Sobrang laki ng gap diba? Check it yourself, punta ka sa ncov tracker ng DOH, check niyo yung bar graph after June 1 (start of GCQ). At uunahan ko na kayo, after 2 weeks ng mECQ, may posibilidad na hindi baba ang cases kasi some people pwede magkasymptoms after 14 days dba? So lahat ng mga naexpose kahapon, pwedeng magbibilang ka pa ng 14 days. Baka kasi sabihin niyo na wala naman palang silbi ang mECQ kasi hindi naman bumaba ang kaso sa 2 weeks.

Nakakatakot diba? Wala pa yan kasi hindi na magkasya dito yung ibang kwento namin. So sana kilabutan na kayo. Sinasabi ko lang sa inyo kung ano ang realidad. Kung paano makita ang sitwasyon first hand.

Kaya sa mga nagcocomment about sa mga frontiliners and sa sitwasyon ng Pilipinas, punta muna kayo kahit sa ER lang. Para malaman niyo kung gaano na kapuno ang ospital. O iPM niyo ako kung may tanong kayo, rereplyan ko kayo hanggat may energy pa ako. At suggestion lang sa mga nagcomment sa social media posts about sa situation, kung hindi niyo naman naexperience first hand, wag nalang kayo magcomment please. Manuod nalang kayo ng mga videos ng cute na mga aso o pusa, o kaya ng tumatakbong ostrich sa gitna ng siyudad, makimine nlang kayo sa mga live japan surplus na nagaalok ng mga porselana galing japan, tingnan niyo yung mga ulam na post ng mga kaibigan nyo, ang daming pwedeng gawin sa social media kung ito lang talaga ang ginagawa niyo mula umaga hanggang gabi, kesa magcomment pa kayo ng wala nman kayong idea kung ano nga ba talaga ang nangyayari, kasi words can hurt too. Wag nating gawing toxic ang social media, kaya nga siya social media kasi ginawa ito to socialize with other people hindi para idown ang kapwa.

Kung gusto niyo lumabas, bahala na kayo. Pero I encourage all na wag na kung hindi naman importante, kung lalabas man magsuot ng facemask at shield, magalcohol kapag humawak sa mga bagay bagay, maghugas ng kamay kapag may chance, umiwas sa mataong lugar, paguwi maligo at ibabad na ang damit sa sabon at zonrox. Sana hindi namin kayo makita sa ospital. Basta gagawin namin lahat ng makakaya namin kung sakaling kailangan niyong maospital, pangako yan. Kasi mas gusto namin na mabuhay kayo kesa mamatay, kasi pag namatay kayo at may covid kayo, itatry namin kayong irevive, tapos kapag wala na talaga, iinform ang families tapos ibabalot namin kayo sa dalawang body bag, tapos cremate. Wala ng lamay lamay, wala nadin chance ang families na makita ang bangkay niyo. Di ako nanakot, again, yan ang realidad, nangyayari siya sa totoong buhay, okay? Siyempre walang video nyan sa facebook baka maghanap pa kasi yung iba. Alam niyo ba kung gaano kabigat para sa aming mga healthworkers yon? Tao din kami may awa din kami sa kapwa naming tao.

Konting background lang, since March pa ako di nakakauwi sa amin, sa family ko kasi nandun yung takot ko na baka carrier ako dahil halos araw araw kaming nakaharap sa mga covid positive. Para akong nagabroad. Ni sarili kong pamilya hindi ko masamahan sa ganitong mga sitwasyon, dont worry naaccept ko na yun kasi part na siya ng pagiging nurse, sinasabi ko lang para lang makita niyo yung reality.

Sobrang haba na nito and I hate to say this dito sa social media pero there's no better way to reach people out without any physical contact. Di ako mapost na tao pero this time people need to know para mahinto na yung mga misunderstanding about sa timeout timeout na yan. KAHIT KAILAN HINDI NAGPAHINGA ANG HOSPITALS. SAN KAYO NAKAKITA NG HOSPITAL NA SARADO KASI HOLIDAY. HINDI LANG KAYO MATANGGAP NG IBA KASI WALA NG PAGLAGYAN. PARA SA ATING LAHAT ANG ECQ NA ITO LALONG LALO NA SA INYO. KUNG PATULOY NA DADAMI ANG CASES BAKA SA HALLWAY NA KAYO MAADMIT BAKA UMABOT PA SA POINT NA KAILANGAN NIYO MAGDALA NG FOLDING BED PARA MAY MAHIGAAN KAYO, MAHIRAP O MAYAMAN.

To my fellow healthworkers, share your stories para malaman ng tao kung ano ba talaga ang ginagawa natin. Alam ko na meron pang mas malalang sitwasyon kaysa sa nararanasan ko. Stay strong, healthy and pray for the wellbeing ng buong sambayanan. God knows how we are doing our best to be a blessing sa bawat tao na nakakasalamuha natin.

Pahinga lang saglit,
Brian

News from the frontlines

* Before I begin, I would like to state that the following piece I write here is based on my opinions and observations alone, and am not part of some cockamamie government plot to spread disinformation or other shit. Don't associate me with that garbage. A lot of crazy people of the internet throwing crap at innocent observations lately. Sheesh.

**EDIT: I have to clarify that my observations are from the standpoint of a Metro Manila hospital only, since I know the situation is  different elsewhere like in Cebu where cases are unfortunately spiking as of the moment.

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Ok, now that I got that disclaimer nonsense out of the way, its story time.

Things seem to have been winding down with regards to Covid at the hospital. One of the designated Covid wards has been converted back to regular (non-covid) use, and hopefully we'll be able to get the Sleep Lab back within the week. Though it is true that the number of cases is still increasing, the death rate remains quite low, and the Covid admissions has slowed considerably when compared to the shitstorm that was March 2020. Even though the general rate of admission has not slowed down, a greater proportion of the cases we are seeing are the usual admissions to the hospital which do not necessarily have Covid.

I think the reasons for this are threefold:

1) More testing and faster turn-around, so of course you would have more positive results, but we are now catching more asymptomatic and healthy individuals which do not need to be admitted at the hospital and are able to safely recover on their own.

2) We are getting better at managing Covid cases. Let's face the facts, this was a new disease and treating it was such a struggle for everyone across the globe since nobody had any idea what to use or what would specifically work since there was no preexisting data. Doing research on new treatments isn't easy, and if you're such a smartass to say that doctors slacked off, why don't you get off your lazy ass and do the clinical studies yourself to see just how complicated things are?

Sorry, I got a bit sidetracked for a moment.. :P I'm just so sick of all these armchair scientists who aren't worth a damn in real life chastising healthcare workers as if their opinions mattered.. Anyway, there are now more interventions in our armamentarium like the use of tocilizumab and hemoperfusion, as well as the modification of protocols like the shift from early intubation to a preference for non-invasive oxygenation like high-flow nasal cannulas. As more information is gathered and shared across the board, we will get better in managing the disease collectively. Gotta give props to all the researchers that shared their information freely as soon as it came out which helped all of us treat the patients better. (No, not you China. You sit in the back.) Thanks  to the deluge of vetted information, people are more confident in their management approaches. Compare that to the early panic we experienced during the first two months where patients were expiring left and right and we felt powerless to do anything about it.

3) The lockdown worked (somewhat). Let's face it, the Philippines has never been a perfect example of good governance or a compliant population, but somehow I think we got this one right.. for a few weeks at least. Yes, the lockdown could have been a little earlier, and yes the ban on Chinese travellers should have come much, much earlier, but when I compare the present Philippine situation to whatever the hell is happening in the United States and Brazil, I can't help but say to everyone that "you did a relatively better job, somewhat.." Consider that if we did not have as strict a lockdown as we did during the crucial first couple of weeks, our numbers could easily surpass the crazy infection and death rates they have in the States. People eventually got cabin fever and began violating in little ways, but for the most part people have been compliant, and I noticed that during my daily drive to and from the hospital. I follow the news in the US to see how they were coping as we went through our own pandemic experience, and I have to say that I'm shocked at the way these Americans seem to value freedom above safety and common sense, to the point that their obsession with absolute freedom borders on lunacy. I can only shake my head and scroll down.. No wonder their healthcare system is so overwhelmed. I honestly expected so much better from the country where we get our medical books from, but then again, its' not the fault of the doctors there, but the uncompliant populace.. Oh, but it's also unfair to blame it on an uncompliant people, because their leaders initially didn't believe in all these social distancing measures either. I never thought I would see the day that I would encounter Filipinos (who admire the US a lot ) who would say that "I'm glad I don't live/didn't move to the States". Grabe, how times have changed.. and now you have these racial tensions boiling over at the worst possible time.

Going back on-topic, we have to bear in mind that the lockdown was not meant to make us hide in a bunker until this Covid plague blew over like a passing storm, like the Israelites hiding in their homes during Passover while death befell the firstborns of Egypt. It was meant to push transmission rates down so that the hospitals could catch up and prepare better for the surge which unfortunately came earlier than we would have liked. Eventually we caught up though, and the hospital underwent a major restructuring to convert a majority of the hospital infrastructure into isolation wards which are better equipped to handle these Covid patients. Proper donning and doffing areas were put up, and designated "hot zones" were strategically created for safe movement of patients and personnel. This also helped a lot in keeping the hospital personnel infection rate to a bare minimum.  It was such a massive undertaking, and we have to thank the many donors who lent us support to help make that happen. Many thanks also  to the PEE and food donors who sustained us especially during those early trying times when despair against a lethal invisible enemy was the general feeling all around. We could not have done it without you.

4) People are still generally careful, and it helps. With the exception of those stubborn idiots with uncontrollable cabin fever (and probably underlying psychiatric illnesses),  I'm happy to observe that people are following distancing and protection guidelines as they are issued. Just to be clear,  I'm not beating down on those people who were forced to leave their homes to try and make a buck, because people were already getting hungry because of the shortcomings of the government, especially at the LGU level where I heard that even barangay officials were at fault due to greed, politics, or both... Really? In a pandemic?.. How low can you get?..

Wow, this has been quite long already, but expected since I had such a long time yo ruminate on what I wanted to get across. As we slowly open up to this new normal before us, I hope that people will still be responsible and keep each other safe, To those who suffered through the lockdown, thank you for your sacrifice and compliance. It's because of your contribution that things didn't spiral out of control as much as is happening abroad. Like I said before, I am cautiously optimistic that we can all get through this safely and not be overwhelmed by the pandemic, since the mass production of a viable vaccine is still a few months away.

Please, let us help each other get through this.  Comply with distancing guidelines. Keep the vulnerable at home for a little while longer. Wear a mask in public. Support local businesses. Don't be an irrational asshole who just wants to do whatever he/she wants without regard for others. I hope this experience would change a lot of people for the better, and help them realize that there is more to life than always just looking out for yourself.

Pilyoship part 2

That went better than I expected..

I had an exam and interview a few days ago for a position in (yet another) fellowship training program. When I was way younger, I used to look with awe at those people who took training a few extra steps further. I mean, medicine by itself is already challenging, and residency is definitely not for the weak of heart. Sub-specialty training in is often a must among Internal Medicine residency grads who intend to practice in urban centers, and is no walk in the park either.

After I was done with fellowship training several years ago, the concept of going for further "sub-subspecialty" training seemed like such an abstract idea for me. Maybe its because I felt that I didn't have what it takes? Or perhaps after having been in training so long, I wanted to do things on my own terms? Or maybe because I was just tired of going through the entire process?

To give you an overview of the life of a person in medical training, here is a breakdown of the average years spent in education of someone who would eventually be a sub-specialist:

College degree - 3-5 years*

Medical School - 4 years

Postgraduate internship - 1 year

Residency (Specialty) Training - 3-5 years**

Fellowship (Subspecialty) Training - 2-3 years***

For the sake of simplicity, I chose not to include the INTARMED program popularized by UP Manila.

* College courses in the Philippines are 3 to 5 years in length depending on the university of enrollment and the coursework involved.

** Residency training ranges from 3 years for Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, to 5 years for General Surgery. Not included among these are the so-called "Straight programs" offered by some institutions wherein trainees have a lengthened residency period but are already qualified to take the sub-specialty examinations upon completion (common among the surgical sub-specs like Neurosurgery and Orthopedics).

*** Fellowship training for most sub-specialties like Pulmonology and Gastroenterology last around 2 years. Cardiology and Oncology fellowships are usually longer by a year. I have little idea about the subspecialities for other feilds, but I know Thoracic Surgeons have to take an extra 3 years after their General Surgery residency.

People may opt to take things one step further and pursue either a new sub-specialty (like one of my bosses who is BOTH a Pulmonologist and Oncologist), or delve further into the specialty by choosing a focused area of study to concentrate on (e.g. Interventional Cardiology, Hepatology (Gastroenterology), Sleep Medicine (Pulmonology). The length of this further training is variable, depending on the extent of training required.

From what I have seen, specialization can range from all-out fellowship programs lasting a year or two, to short trainings abroad (2 weeks to 6 months) for the emerging and newly-established fields of study.

Medical practice has been continuously evolving by leaps and bounds the past few decades, and the growth of specialization was inevitable, since it is necessary to keep up with the tremendous amount of new research and advanced techniques.

Having said all that, I made the decision to go and try for further training. Since my practice is in the highly competitive environment of the metropolis, its easy to get lost in the background noise and be considered irrelevant unless you have something that can help you stand out. ;)

I just hope everything eventually works out in the end.. :)

Hello Fellow

There is a lot of confusion generated by doctors with the title of FELLOW, especially among the non-physicians. It can get quite convoluted, since sub-specialty trainees are called fellows, but so are esteemed members of medical societies who are obviously not trainees anymore. So, to set the record straight, I did some light research and here are the best explanations I have read:

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1) The FELLOW as a TRAINEE:

A fellow is a physician who has completed their residency and elects to complete further training in a specialty. The fellow is a fully credentialed physician who chooses to pursue additional training, the fellowship is optional and is not required to practice medicine, but is necessary for training in a sub-specialty.

2) The FELLOW as a distinguished member of the medical society:

Fellows are a special group of physicians who are dedicated to continuing education in medical practice, teaching, or research. Fellowship is an honorary designation given to recognize ongoing individual service and contributions to the practice of medicine.
Fellowship is a mark of distinction. It says that your physician has made - and continues to make - special efforts to be a better physician. Ultimately, it says your physician cares about delivering good health care.

How does a physician become a fellow?
Physicians must show that they are always growing and learning in order for the honor of Fellowship to be conferred. They may show this through activities such as teaching, hospital appointments, public service, community health planning, continuing medical education, publishing articles, and advanced training.
They may also be recommended by other Fellows who must attest to their character, ethics, and excellence in professional medical activities (This is usually the case here in the Philippines)

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 * A quick additional note about the distinguished fellows. Being conferred the honorary title of fellow of the society grants you the privilege of adding an additional acronym after your name comprised of the title (Fellow), followed by the society that gave you the distinction, and this is usually placed after the MD.

Example: Juan Dela Cruz MD, FPCP (Fellow, Philippine College of Physicians)

There you have it! I hope this clarifies things for a lot of people out there, especially the younger doctors or doctors-to-be, who still get confused by the hospital hierarchy.

Trapped in a corner

Ok, that title seems more serious than this post really is. 😅

Things have been pretty busy lately, but not so much writing-wise, and I kinda need to get started again because of a lot of paperwork that is coming my way. I guess I got a little burned out from the previous month with all of the Lung Month stuff that went on, and all the work that went with it. So with that, I begin this post.

Life has been stable for the most part. Work is picking up somewhat, and referrals are really helping make ends meet. Still not confident though, because cash flow still is unstable.. 😩 I guess that's the problem practicing in the Metro as opposed to starting out provincial..

I guess that's enough for now. I want to make these kickstarter posts separate from the ones with actual content.

To The Trainees..

I had a chat sometime ago with a promising junior who was struggling with the rigors of residency training. As I was drawing from my own previous experiences in figuring out what I had to say, it dawned on me that it would be of much better use to a greater number of people if I were able to condense that into a universally relevant message.. 

With that being said, this post is dedicated to all the residents- and fellows-in-training, no matter what your specialty or subspec may be... (although I guess it would be more relevant to the junior residents, since the fellows already know what they are getting into, having finished their own residency programs earlier. hehe)

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To all those struggling in their training, I say to you, don't give up!

There will SURELY come a time (or multiple times even) in your training where you would contemplate just giving up, abandoning everything, and just going home.. It's not exclusive to being a junior, because I have felt that compulsion too as a fellow-in-training..

The reasons are varied: they would often be those things that are beyond your control like hostile seniors or a hospital/department system that doesn't work well for you, toxic patients (or relatives of said patients), a heavy patient load, rigid academic standards, difficult batchmates, the list just goes on and on...

Having said all this, there is one thing you have to understand.. These things that you are experiencing, they will not go on forever.. The bad seniors will eventually graduate, the toxic patient will eventually get discharged, the patient and academic loads will stop once you graduate, and your won't necessarily have to deal with your batchmates again after you finish training.

So, to leave just because of these things would be a major folly.. Yes, sure, leaving the program might result in an end to whatever hardship you are presently going through, but you will deprive yourself of the proper training as a specialist, which would have led to proper certification and a fruitful practice for the rest of your life..

Another discouraging feeling I recall which could drive a person to quit would be the feeling of inadequacy.. A conscientious trainee would feel that he or she is not good enough to train when he/she would commit a lot of errors and understandably be repeatedly chastised by seniors or consultants. These feelings of shame and guilt would build up inside you and make you question why the hell you started training in the first place..

Having been on both sides of the coin first as a hapless junior on the verge of quitting and then as a senior trainee evaluating prospective juniors, I just have to say this: The training committee of your respective departments generally accept trainees because they see the potential in you, otherwise you would not be accepted outright. The personal challenge for you is to grow into that potential and be what they see you can eventually become. This would entail a lot of personal growth, not just academically, but emotionally (and even spiritually as well) if you are to survive to the end of your training.

Going back to the basics, being told that you made a mistake really sucks. Different people have their own ways of processing this. Some would get angry and lash outward, especially those who are so full of themselves and think that they are so much better than they really are. Others would get depressed and punish themselves internally, since they would see themselves as failures and this just validates their own insecurities about their abilities. Both of these methods are not only throughly useless, but are very destructive as well.. If left unchecked, continuing on with any of these would result to either an expulsion from the program or the trainee dropping out due to the pressure.

Being wrong hurts, I get that. The mindset is very important here though.. Undergoing training would expose you to the uncomfortable truth that you are still inadequate. It would render visible to all the deficiencies and gaps in your clinical knowledge. How you would respond to that would be entirely up to you.. You could just throw your hands in the air, say "I give up" and just leave, or you could take note of these deficiencies and use this as an opportunity to grow by filling in the identified gaps through study and research (if the need arises).Getting better in training is not an option, it is the only way to go. This growth would entail some degree of sacrifice. It is a well known cliche that nothing easy is ever worth it, and medical training is no exception. The hardships you encounter here will mould you into a better and wiser version of yourself, as long as you let it. You may not be comfortable leaving some facets of your past behind, like being comfortable with mediocrity or procrastinating 'til the last minute, but if you have the will to improve and be a better version of yourself, these "sacrifices" would eventually matter little to you since the better version of you no longer has need for them.

An image about training I thought of recently was that of a plant in a garden.. Imagine an untamed bush (which would represent the new trainee). This bush would have grown wildly since the prospective trainee had just probably finished medical school and have so many different bits of acquired knowledge but with little wisdom when it comes to application. When the trainee anters the program, he/she enters the custody of a gardener (which would represent the training program, seniors, consultants) which would trim the plant as it grows, removing unecessary branches and allowing other parts to grow.

Training does that to you. It removes any preconcieved erroneous/flawed.incomplete notions about disease entities including the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches which may have been misunderstood in medical school. It allows other necessary parts to grow by letting the trainess fill the gaps in his or her knowledge. New branches would also grow, which would repepresent new skills that would have otherwise not been learned under the wing of a program (advanced medical and surgical procedures for example). It would also create a change in the way you perceive the world, and the way you work and deal with people. All of these are part of your growth, so you don't have to fight it. More often than not, these adaptaions would result in changing you for the better. Eventually, the plant in the garden would grow to be a beautiful well-manicured tree which would bear much fruit for years to come, and thus be of benefit to a great number of people.

So when you are thinking of quitting, take time to step back and take a look at the bigger picture. This brief moment in your life is insignificant compared to the beautiful and complicated tapestry that lies far ahead and stretches as far as the eye can see, and all that is needed of you is to stay on this path.. Get better and grow if you need to. Acknowledge your deficiencies and work to fill in the gaps. Growth is never instantaneous and would sometimes require a great deal of effort. Keep your eye on the prize and never lose sight of what you want to become. Eventually though, you would be able to look back after everything has been said and done and tell yourself "Damn, I went through all that??". ;)

Good luck guys! I will be praying for you! :)

Medical Honorifics

I guess it's just common sense that a physician would be addressed by the general public with "Doc" or "Doctor" attached as a prefix to his or her name, in the same way that lawyers are called "Attorney" or priests are called "Father".

In medical school, especially during 4th year or the so-called Clerkship/Junior Intern year, one becomes a part of the hospital hierarchy and thus everyone senior to you is addressed accordingly.. or so I thought..

When I was in my clerkship year, "Doctor" was the norm, and everyone was fine with that, since it made perfect sense. However, during my Legal Medicine rotation where I found myself at Camp Crame, we encountered a senior intern from a different medical school for the first time. What struck me the most was that in their institution, senior doctors were addresssed as "Sir" or "Ma'am" instead of the conventional "Doc/Doctor". The rationale he gave was that the use of Sir/Ma'am was the highest honor you could give someone, plus I guess it came in pretty handy when addressing someone you weren't sure was a doctor or not.

"Ok", I thought "that seems reasonable." but something in me argued that "You can call anyone Sir or Ma'am, but you can't just call anyone Doctor". In hindsight, this seemed like a pretty arrogant thing to say, and to be perfectly honest, I am quite ashamed of having thought that way before.. :/

As I went further along the path of rising through the ranks, I encountered more people from different schools, and I discovered that there was such a heterogeneity of how trainees use the honorifics. Eventually I found myself using "Sir" and Ma'am" more often, as it seemed more comfortable and less awkward to say. Hmm, I guess you can also add the fact that I had unpleasant experiences as a junior in my alma mater which made me averse to any similarities to the way the hierarchy was run over there. :P

As I previously stated, everyone else calls you doctor anyway, so why do you have to require your juniors to say the same? It seems kinda redundant (and a little too pretentious if you ask me) to call each other "Doctor" all the time. I now wholeheartedly agree with the concept that "Sir/Ma'am" conveys a whole lot more respect when said by a junior to a senior, as it sets clear bounbdaries between the two of you. "Doctor" is more ambiguous can be used when talking to peers from other departments who you aren't close to, or even used sarcastically by consultants talking down to juniors. (In retrospect "Sir/Ma'am" can also work for the former. Hehe)

Sorry if this seemed long-winded and confusing.. The basic point I wish to get across is that the use of "Sir/Ma'am" as an honorific title when junior doctors speak to their seniors seems much better than addressing your bosses as "Doc" or Doctor". And yes, It really does come in handy when respectfully addressing someone whose medical status is unknown. Manners maketh man I guess. :P

A post that is long overdue

In fact, this is more than a week late to be exact, but here goes..

CONGRATULATIONS to the passers of the September 2017 Physician Licensure Examinations!!! :)

You can see the results here at the PRC Website, or here at PRCBoard.com just in case the first link doesn't work anymore. :)

Welcome to the wild and crazy world of Philippine Medicine! :P See you guys around!

So you wanna be a Medicine? :P

I recently found out that I had a younger cousin who is interested in becoming a doctor.. and though I may have discussed the topic in this blog briefly at times, I don't think I ever dedicated an entire post for this purpose alone.. so here goes...

First off, I would like to state for the record that I'm not trying to scare anybody off from treading the path towards becoming an MD. In fact, it is actually a quite noble profession. However, I will be discussing uncomfortable truths here that one might face during his or her medical training..

The road to earning the right to place the letters "MD" after your name is a long and ardous task, entailing much more than just plain old brain power.. let me explain..

We start with pre-med.. With the exception of the 7-year INTARMED program offered by PGH to those who are bionic enough to endure it, regular people must have a college degree prior to being accepted into medical school. Pre-med courses are classically Bachelor of Science programs like biology, chemistry, paychology, or even those pre-professional ones like Medical Technology, Pharmacy, or Physical Therapy. These would range from 3-5 years depending on the college/university as well as the course curriculum itself. As far as I can remember, DLSU offers 3-year programs, while Physical Therapy is generally a 5-year affair..

Getting your college diploma alone is not enough to get into med school. There is also the NMAT, which is basically a glorified entrance test which is administered nationally, and ranks prospective medical students based on their performance. There will be a corresponding percentile rank, and some schools use the NMAT ranking as a cutoff to tell whether an application would be entertained or not. Example: UST and FEU reportedly use the NMAT cutoff rank of 65 to screen prospective applicants.

So now you've entered medical school. Congratulations and welcome to another 3 years of classroom work (with things turned up by a great many notches). The curriculum would progress at a speed far greater than anything you have experienced in college. There will also be more tests given, and some laboratory subjects as well, the most famius being the cadaver dissection for 1st year anatomy class, which by the way, runs for an entire year, as are most basic medicine subjects. 

Brains, although important, is not the sole requirement for medical school. It also requires a great deal of determination, and a genuine interest to learn and see it through to the end.. Many a story have I heard about the poor unsure student who only went to med school because of his or her parents' wishes, and would unfortunately drop out sometime during the first school year because they were enduring a lot of hardships, and their heart was not really into it.. :(

If you were lucky enough to survive the first 3 years of medical school and are already brimming with confidence due to all the knowledge you've gained, then you'll be in for the surprise of your life when you reach your fourth year, the so called junior internship (JI) or clinical clerkship (clerk). For this year of your medical training, you will be rotating around the various departments or specialties, to give you exposure and experience of hadling actual patients with actual diseases that need to be treated, Rotations outside the mother hospital may be common, because in some instances, the exposure than can be provided by the said hospitals may be lacking. For example, clerks from UST would rotate to Fabella for their Obstetrics rotation in order to gain hands-on experience with delivering babies. San Lazaro Hospital is another rotation wherein the clerks would be exposed to cases of infectious diseases.

It is during clerkship that the limits of one's physical, mental, and emotional endurance are tested. For  most of the clerks, this would be the first time they would be going on 24+ hour duties straight at the hospital. It doesn't seem so bad when done one in a while, but bear in mind that this would go on for an entire year, and that the schedules could find you going on duty once every 3-4 days depending on the manpower available. As a clerk, you are the lowest animal on the hospital heirachy food chain, being outranked by senior interns, residents, fellows, and consultants. As such you will be expected to do the more basic tasks like interviewing and monitoring patients, performing proper physical examinations, doing paperworks, assisting in procedures, and preparing reports (since you're basicall still a 4th year sstudent anyway). As you near the end of clerkship year, there will still be final examinations, the format of which may vary among the different medical schools.

After completion of clerkship and graduation from medical school, you would have earned your medical degree, and with it, the MD title. But now you  move on to Post-Graduate Internship (or Senior Internship in those hospitals whohave clerks/JIs). Internship is required by the PRC as a prerequisite to taking the licensure examinations. Before clerkship ends, you apply to have your internship at institutions of your choice (3 choices ranked accordingly), and this is submitted to the APMC which oversees the matching of incoming interns to their hospitals of choice (whenever possible).  As an intern, you will be saddled with more responsibilities since you already proudly wear the mantle of Doctor (but still cannot practice since you don't have a license yet). Intership year is another set of rotations around the different departments of the hospital, along with the corresponding duty schedules (16-24 hour duties). You would serve as the right hand man/woman of the residents supervising you. Resposibilities may vary from hospital to hospital, but the most glaring difference would be the level of trust a resident puts in you as compared to when you were just a mere JI, which is totally understandable, since you're now (supposedly) a much smarter, wiser, better version of yourself compared to a year ago.

After intership year, you pass your requirements to PRC, review everything you've been studying the past 4-5 years, and take the board examinations. If successful, you would earn your license and the right to practice as a GP (General Practicioner) .At this point, you would be on your own, and the decisions would be yours alone, whether you decidec to go into specialty training, go into practice as a GP (not advisable if you plan to live in NCR), or even just turn your back on medicine forever. 

Whew! That was a long one.. I hope this helps! If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments below. 

Pump it up

At long last, the darn research requirement (as well as the eventual presentation) has been completed! Now I am truly free to do somerhing I have been visualizing for the past couple of years.. In-depth, uninterrupted studying! :) My intention is to put up such a solid effort that would put my PSBIM attempt to shame..

Some people may wonder what's the big deal, or why am I so pumped up about this?.. well, when you come to think about it, this one examination is my passport to subspecialty practice. With that being the case, my purpose of studying is no longer solely driven by an intent to pass, but to be the damn best that I can be, since this specialty is going to be what I will be doing for the rest of my life! :)

Some people may say that 4-5 months is still a very long time, but I personally feel that I've already wasted too much time, what with my self-imposed deadline for all research-related activities delayed for about a month, a grim reminder that one should never underestimate the power of procrastination..

I certainly hope I will be able to sustain this high level of interest and eagerness to learn.. Losing momentum would prove disastrous down the line..

A little bit of legwork to set things in order this coming week, and Iwill be all set to hunker down in a bunker and study my ass off.. ;)

I don't wanna do this..

My mind says I must, but my heart is just not into it..

Still won't change the fact that it has to be done though..

Sigh.. I'm sick of researching for lousy topics which don't really pique my interest.. It takes my time away from other more valuable pursuits close to my heart.. But this is the nature of training I suppose.. You can't always like everything you're asked to do.. That's why probabaly mhy work has seemed like such a drag lately. Here I am with no choice stuck doing things I don't really care for, all the while it takes me away from things that I feel I should be doing with my life. Its not just the specialty, in fact this is one of the more palatable specialties I can stomach going through training for.. Its the whole "doctoring" thing. Sometimes I can't help but feel that everything has been one big mistake, which started out with a simple and, looking retrospectively, arrogant decision to pursue a career in Medicine.. Am I burned out? Most probably yes.. But hte thing is, I'm already in this so deep that there's no turning back already. I guess I'll just have to stomach the remaining year or so, after which I can be free to do my own thing..

At the ER

It's time for another rotation at the Emergency Room, the rotation I like the least.. :( at least now the end seems to be in sight, with only roughly 20 ER duties to go before I will be totally rid of this forever..

It's really a struggle to get up and go to work day in and day out, especially if you feel that you've made some crappy life decisions along the way.. Makes me kinda wish I could turn back time and steer my life in a completely different direction.. Make no mistake, there have been blessings that came my way as well, but all the trauma and hardships I've been through seems to trump it all, and in the end there's just no contest..

I guess what I want to say is that I'm sick of having to worry about everything and that it would be nice to have nothing to worry about for a change...

The sad thing about having an awesome day..

..is that the following normal day is guaranteed to suck even more. :( That's the way life balances itself out I guess.. Sigh..This becomes even more pronounced when you are still a doctor in training, following a schedule which required you to regularly go on grueling duties which saps both your energy and happiness.. A sad reality which we have to face day in and day out. I really ca't wait for training to end..

Still, I enjoyed yesterday though, no matter how brief it was.. :)

Running on Fumes

It can't be helped. Every day I go to work still feeling like a pile of crap.. It's sad.. Its as though I'm just trudging through the weekdays just to live for the weekend.. :(

I just want to be done with everything, so that I may finally enjoy some semblance of control over my life.. Schedules and deadlines will never go away, but I will have the luxury of being able to choose which of those I would follow..

I really need to get back to exercising. I have given up on the ideal that I would have as much time for the gym as before, even if I (hopefully) hit my senior year next year. I'm so out of shape (although people say that round is a shape) thanks to the unhealthy duty lifestyle, prophylactic eating, the endless unecessary treats by the pharmas, and the general lack of activity upon reaching home because one has already been drained by the demands of the previous workday.. I should start by doing bodyweght exrcises since these require no other equipment for the most part.:P

I currently find solance in the playlists I presently have in my phone and laptop, especially my anime tracks. :) Never has zoning out while soundtripping been more pleasant. :P Its just sad I can't use my headphones while on duty though, since I might miss and important text or call from the consultant/wards..

Sigh, I just realized my post is ER again for next month.. No matter, 2 more months remaining, then hopefully I will be rid of ER duty for the rest of my life. >.<

Doctors get stressed out too, you know!

Ok, so this is a rant. But i do what i can to survive, to prevent myself from burning out. Other people go out at night, have drinks, and indulge in all sorts of other "nightlife" activities. I don't do that. In fact, i would much rather curl up in bed and hide from civilization for the next week or so if given the chance.

Truth be told, I'm not really a very sociable person. Sure, i know how to interact socially with others like a normal guy, but constant exposure to complete strangers kind of takes its toll on me. Call me socially withdrawn, but i guess that's the truth. I don't mind clinic consults and whatnot, because you can go home and be yourself and be alone with your thoughts. That's why i really have a hard time at the ER. The physical and mental demands of going on 24+ hours duty is bad enough, added to the miscellaneous stresses that different personalities of the patients and watchers bring, and you have a coxktail for an early meltdown..

Part of me kind of wishes that I did not have my fellowship here, where the fellows are still the frontliners due to the absence of medical residents who are supposed to man these areas in other less specialized institutions. That's the price of quality training I guess. The policies may seem a bit heavy, but that's the way it has been since the inception of the institution..

I guess its because I'm already a little tired of everything. Admittedly, I'm not as young as I used to, and my endurance for pulling all-nighters seem to have dramatically decreased. Add that to health concerns which may already be cropping up as I age, and you have a very tired physician desperately trying to hold on with the hope that the end will come soon and that tommorrow will be a better day..

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

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