A long, long while...

It feels like it has been ages since I last posted something worthwhile, with the last I recall being a blurb I got out while in the midst of my much-enjoyed Sleep Medicine rotation (which I unfortunately was unable to maximize because f all the concomitant paperwork and presentations that happened during the given time span. Its a Sunday duty, and I resolved to make the most of it while the lull lasts..

A lot of stuff has been happening both in my life, as well as in the world at large, and I shall attempt to cover these things through a forthcoming blogspam..

 Nah.. I'll just put everything into one giant hodgepodge post and let you guys sort things out for yourselves. :P

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THE BALL PIT

I recently went with my Other Half to check out the Ball Pit Manila, which happens to be situated in Makati very near MMC.. weird.. :P People that know me well know for a fact that I tend to avaoid Makati like the plague due to horror stories of getting lost and getting caught for weird traffic violations due to unclear or hidden traffic signs, or basically a puzzling road network with unforgiving and corrupt traffic officials manning the streets who would pounce on you at every opportunity, taking advantage of the fact that you are lost and uncomfortable.

My fears were allayed by the fact that I had the guidance of Waze to help me through the ordeal. An additional motivation was the fact that this was actually a Girls' Night Out (GNO?) for thm, and I had just been invited to tag along. Not wanting to be a spoilsport, and having excused myself from a previous meeting already before, I decided that I needed to go with the flow on this one, and go out of my comfort zone for someone else, and actually meet new people for a change.. (what a run-on sentence.. :P)

Needless to say, it was truly a unique experience, and a very relaxing one at that.. As a kid, I shied away from these ball pits since I kinda disliked all the running and shouting that go with these playgrounds. Now that I'm older though, there was a strange calming effect of lying in a pit filled with white PVC balls and stumbling through the entire shifting mess.. It lasted for only an hour, but the fun memories from that place are gonna last a while..

We had dinner at Kanin Club at the Ayala Triangle shortly thereafter. There wasn't really anything significant to write home about since I had been to Kanin Club with my family before, but the company was different, and I could say that I was glad to have gone out and tried something new for a change..

After we parted ways with her friends, we began our long and anxiety-filled trek back to the car, and eventually getting home safe and sound via Gil Puyat and EDSA.. As weird as this may sound fro a fully grown adult, I guess I became a bit braver that day, and it seems that I had shown myself that I was capable of overcoming yet another psychological hurdle to my development as a person. :)

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B-DAY 2016

A few weeks back, I finally used one of my leave credits to take time off and celebrate my birthday after so many years of just going with the flow of the hospital schedule regardless of the occasion. It felt so liberating to be able to wake up on our day and know that you won't have to go to work since you had already arranged for the day off yourself.. #GiftToSelf :P

As my luck would have it, my scheduled break coincided with an unexpected rest day for her as well! So needless to say, we were able to spend the better part of the day together. Adding to my joy was the fact that her parents were cool with the idea of us going out in the middle of the workweek since it was my day after all.. :D

All in wall, it was a very memorable day, and I am deeply grateful to have had the chance to experience something like that, although it was just a simple day away from the hospital. :)

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KINGSGLAIVE FINAL FANTASY XV

Before I forget, I watched Kungslaive, and it was AWESOME!!!! :D

Celebrating a Great Loss

Yesterday, the local version of the hit reality show series The Biggest Loser wrapped up its first season after the final weigh-in of the 5 finalists. Cash prizes and gym memberships abounded . But more importantly, there was a general outpouring of admiration and goodwill from the audience who have followed these contestants as they fought to take steps to improve their fitness, self-image, and ultimately their very lives.

The 5 finalists (image source here)

Just because there were only 5 finalists did not mean that the rest of the other 11 contestants disappeared into obscurity after their appearance on the show. These 11 were called back to have a weigh-in of their own and whoever had the highest percentage weight loss (relative to their initial weigh-in at the camp) was also awarded a cash prize for being the Biggest Loser Home Winner.

How everyone looked at the start (image source here)

I think this program is one of the finer examples of reality TV that is of benefit not just for the contestants themselves, but for the viewership at large (pun not intended). As opposed to the usual bickering about as reality contestants jockeyed for position and did stupid/embarrassing things just so they could win a prize, the "bigating Pinoy" were doing it for their health and well-being. The competition was just secondary (at least thats what I think). The people who joined the show but didn't win are not leaving empty-handed. They have been shown the tools to better themselves and hopefully improve their lives in the process.

Having followed the show and being a budding health nut myself, I feel genuinely happy for everyone who participated in the show. Even though there was a prize in store, you couldn't help but feel like rooting for everyne, given the trials they underwent and the determination they showed in order to reach their goals at the camp.

The "Fab FIve". Holy Weight Loss, Batman!!

(Image source here)

The results were nothing short of amazing. You have these enormous 300+ pound guys and 200+ pound girls losing about a fourth to a third of their weight to emerge fitter, stronger, and definitely looking better!

On the filpside, I find it a little sad that obesity is now a growing problem here in the country. What used to be a lifestyle disease of the more developed western nations has began to show its ugly head in the islands.. Its great that people a becoming more health conscious already, with shows like this and fitness lifestyle magazines like Men's (and Women's) Health flying off the shelves. As a physician., I honestly hope that the prevalence of Pinoy obesity can be kept at a minimum, if not eradicated completely.

A radio anchor doing commentary about the show's ending commented this morning that in the US version of the show, the contestants there reported being unable to keep the pounds off after they left the program. I think that won't be the case with the winners here. Having watched both versions, the Pinoy has the advantage of great familial support to keep them focused, and the lower prevalence of obesity here (which would make the former contestants stop and look at themselves more often than their US counterparts who live in a country where obesity is sadly becoming more of a norm). Pair that off with the enormous portions served in the US and the more sendentary lifestyles they have there, and it becomes pretty clear why I'm not so worried about our former "Bigating Pinoys".

Congratulations to the contestants of The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition! And props to Abs-CBN for producing a reality show that is actuially more than just crap on a stick. :P