My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: DIVORCED!

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: DIVORCED!: DIVORCED! Once again...Tom Cruise gets a divorce....for the third time.... the first victim or survivor was Mimi Rogers, then we had Nico...

DIVORCED!

DIVORCED!

Once again...Tom Cruise gets a divorce....for the third time....
the first victim or survivor was Mimi Rogers, then we had Nicole Kidman, and now Katie Holmes....
they divorced from Tom Cruise at the age of 33, all three of them...........

and this is the absolute anti-publicity for Divorce....

Stars have divorced their partners 3 - 5 times. Miss Liz Taylor was married 7 or 8 times.
I haven't heard of anyone having an annulment more than once.....I could be wrong of course......
The current crop of stars get married and get divorced after a week or 2.....
and this is because it is so easy to get a divorce....
and they get married knowing how easy it will be to get a divorce once things don't work out...so not much thought is given to the sanctity of marriage and the real love and sacrifice that should go with it......
When you make it extremely easy for married couples to separate....they will not go the extra mile to fix their relationship once a problem creeps in....
They will not fight for their love and their family......and eventually the kids will suffer....
No amount of expensive psychoanalyzing will make kids understand why their parents separated.....
They may pretend that they do...but that's just because they love us more than we love them....and they want to make us feel good about our tragic mistake.

The promoters of The Divorce Bill will tell us, that making the law will not force anyone to get a divorce.....
I can say the same thing for illegal drugs....
It's presence does not force anyone to use it....but we want it off the streets, because it's effect on the individual and his family is really debilitating....
Divorce and separation is the same.....it's effect on a family, esp. on the kids can never be quantified...
It can only be described as destructive and even infectious.....as those coming from broken homes become excellent candidates to lead a broken home themselves, believing it to be normal to separate or get a divorce.....
So yes, it's effect is as, if not more, debilitating than illegal drugs.....
Divorce, annulment and separation destroys your family....
it destroys your kids image or picture of what a family should be.....
you make them believe a lie.....that love is not to meant to last forever.....
and if you indeed believe this...
then you deserve my sympathy....
it must be an ugly world that you live in!

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: LANGIT PA RIN

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: LANGIT PA RIN: LANGIT PA RIN (Isang tulang aking nilikha, may ilang taon na ring nakakaraan...para sa aking nagiisang maybahay) Hindi man maging mayaman ba...

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: LANGIT PA RIN

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: LANGIT PA RIN: LANGIT PA RIN (Isang tulang aking nilikha, may ilang taon na ring nakakaraan...para sa aking nagiisang maybahay) Hindi man maging mayaman ba...

LANGIT PA RIN

LANGIT PA RIN
(Isang tulang aking nilikha, may ilang taon na ring nakakaraan...para sa aking nagiisang maybahay)


Hindi man maging mayaman
basta't sa kahirapan
ikaw ang laging kapiling
langit pa rin.

Hindi man makasakay sa BMW
basta't sa kakarag-karag na sasakyan
ikaw ang katabi
langit pa rin.

Subalit ako'y kinakabahan
papaano kung ika'y hindi naliligayahan.....
nais kong lahat ng hiling
ay iyong makamtan.
Lahat ng panahon
ika'y aking mapagbigyan.

Subalit may kasabihan...
na ang wagas na pagmamahalan
ay higit pa at mas matimbang
sa ginto, salapi at karangyaan.
At ito ang alay ko sayo
ngayon at magpakailanman.

Ano man ang mangyari
ikaw ang laging iibigin.
Ano man ang maganap
ikaw lamang mamahalin.
Malagutan man ng hininga
basta't ikaw ang huling makita,
maglalahong buhay
ay magiging langit pa rin.

Mula ng ika'y makilala
bawat segundo ng buhay ko
para akong nasa langit.
Tangi kong hiling,....
ikaw sana, sa piling ko....
ay parang nasa langit rin.

Jonathan de Guzman

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: OUR WEAKNESS ?

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: OUR WEAKNESS ?: OUR WEAKNESS Yesterday, I told Lizzie to focus on what her teacher was saying....I asked her not to think of me, her mom and her sibling...

OUR WEAKNESS ?

OUR WEAKNESS

Yesterday, I told Lizzie to focus on what her teacher was saying....I asked her not to think of me, her mom and her siblings while she was in school....again, I said just focus on the teacher....then she showed me a group of circular shaped erasers from her bag.....they were like "smileys" with different facial expressions....on the back of each eraser, she wrote the following names....."Mom", "A-chie", "A-hia", "Ang-kong", "A-ma" and for her favorite eraser wherein "smiley" had glasses, she wrote "Daddy"....she told me she would look at these erasers whenever she would miss us....then we hugged each other.

Some people would call us over-sentimental....because all of my kids, even Mary Nicole and Niccolo have remained incredibly close and sweet to me and my wife Dinah. I and my sister Adeline have remained close to my parents as well....Some people refer to this sentimentality as our weakness....I have not tried to go abroad, as a physician or as a pharmacist, in great part, because I could not leave my 84 year old father and my 76 year old mother to my older brother. I told my wife, if I did leave them, I would think of them every single day, wondering how they are....so again, people would call this a weakness.

My parents never went abroad, even when they could afford it, unless we were with them....their barkadas were their children....
Now my best friend is my wife and my barkadas are Nicole, Niccolo and Lizzie, and I could never sleep away from them, not even for a single day.

Again....could this be our weakness?

Whenever problems, no matter, how severe, would hit us...we would always have each other's back....of course, we've also had the help of generous and loving relatives and friends....but....never underestimate....
the comfort of a shoulder to cry on....
the effect of a warm and tight embrace,
the magic of a sincere and loving kiss....
the power of a family laughing, crying
and praying together....
these are the intangibles....
there is no value that you can place on this.....

The love that exists in a family.....this is unbeatable.....

The love, the closeness, the sweetness that we have......
THIS IS OUR STRENGTH!

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: A VERY HARSH SAYING

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: A VERY HARSH SAYING: A VERY HARSH SAYING…. There’s a saying that goes like this….. ”You can get a person out of Tondo, but you cannot get Tondo out of ...

A VERY HARSH SAYING

A VERY HARSH SAYING….

There’s a saying that goes like this…..

”You can get a person out of Tondo, but you cannot get Tondo out of that person.” 

It is a very hurtful saying, but one that is unfortunately, sometimes true. 

What is most unfair about the saying is that it puts everyone in Tondo in a very bad light, and this is very unfair…

So let us correct the saying….

”You can get a person out of the gutter, but sometimes, the stench of the gutter stays with the person.”  

 This is much harsher, but again, sometimes more true and more accurate….

So what do we do….

Whatever the circumstances of our origins are….

if we are blessed to be able to succeed in our endeavors through hard work, through perseverance and through God’s help…..

try and be worthy of God’s grace…leave the bitterness, leave the arrogance….

be an improvement of your old self, not in material things.....but in the facets that really count...

be more respectful....be more humble....be more generous....be more prayerful....and...

always be thankful! 

Remember…wherever you may be now or, at least believe you may be now….you are a mere product of God’s grace…and what God has given, He can easily take back!   

So to all of us who have been blessed...let us endeavor not be a curse, but  to be a blessing to everyone we meet!

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: Still Praying For Dolphy

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: Still Praying For Dolphy: Let us continue to offer prayers for Dolphy, our one and only Comedy King. He may not be a perfect father or partner...but he is a good ma...

Still Praying For Dolphy

Let us continue to offer prayers for Dolphy, our one and only Comedy King.
He may not be a perfect father or partner...but he is a good man. Like I said, I spoke to him briefly when I was still a Medical Intern at Cardinal Santos Medical Center, and his demeanor was that of a simple, humble and respectful man, who does not speak too much....
if you didn't know him, you wouldn't think that he was a legend. 
We leave it all to God.
Dolphy gave all of us thousands of hours of laughter and happiness, 
made us forget our problems and always managed to put a smile on our faces.....
so let us pray that this time God heals him 
or at least lightens his load 
and puts that same smile on his face 
and in his beautiful heart!

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: PRAYERS FOR MANG DOLPHY

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: PRAYERS FOR MANG DOLPHY: I just heard in the news that our great Comedy King is in critical condition due to a worsening case of Pneumonia. I met him years ago when...

PRAYERS FOR MANG DOLPHY

I just heard in the news that our great Comedy King is in critical condition due to a worsening case of Pneumonia.
I met him years ago when I was still an intern at Cardinal Santos Medical Center,
and he was so polite, so down to earth, and he was so respectful...
this is the Comedy King, the one and only Dolphy,
unlike this star of Channel 5, who has already been involved in so many controversies and in each one, he has only become more arrogant....
walang -wala na sa talent at galing ni mang Dolphy, saksakan pa ng yabang at bilib sa sarili.....
Dolphy is one of a kind......and although I don't know him personally, I am asking everyone to pray for him and for his family.
God bless you po Mang Dolphy!

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: THE PASSION FOR READING

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: THE PASSION FOR READING: A PASSION FOR READING... The other night, after coming home from visiting our favorite place---"Fully Booked" my baby Lizzie came to ...

THE PASSION FOR READING

A PASSION FOR READING...

The other night, after coming home from visiting our favorite place---"Fully Booked" my baby Lizzie came to us, bragging that she could already read her new book. She just turned 6, and this was not your typical 3-letter word book, this was not a beginner’s book, in short....the book is Disney's Wall-E as done by "Little Golden Books". We were all surprised, because I had just finished reading that book to her about 30-45 minutes ago. So she started reading the book to us, needing our assistance every now and then....We were astonished that she could read words like "spaceship" and "arrived", then she said, that while I was reading to her, she was looking at the words and memorizing the long words...so that if she sees them again, she can recognize them....we were all so proud of her.

Then Niccolo says, now he understands why he would often see Lizzie staring at a book silently and turning the pages...she was teaching herself to read.

I am happy and proud to say that all my kids love reading, and they got this passion from me.

My mom started this whole passion for me. She read "Lady Bird" books for me about fairy tales, and then comic books, first with "Classics Illustrated", introducing me to ......"Treasure Island", "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea", "Mutiny on The Bounty", "The War of The Worlds", The Food of The Gods", "Les Miserables", "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", “Moby Dick”, "Wild Bill Hickok", "The Ox-Bow Incident", "Frankenstein", and other classics.....then I was introduced to the "Man Of Steel" (Superman) and "Caped Crusader" (Batman), he is now more commonly referred to as the "Dark Knight", and "Scarlet Speedster" (The Flash).

Then I tried "The Hardy Boys", but I didn't like it that much and I tried "Perry Mason" which I loved......that's how I started with pocket books.

I try to read every genre, and several authors....from Anne Rice to Dean Koontz, from Patricia Cornwell to Mary Higgins Clark, from Scott Turrow to John Grisham, from David Baldacci to Dan Brown and from John Le Carre to James Patterson, the James Bond novels, those by Ian Fleming, then by John Gardner, then by Sebastian Faulks, then very recently by Jefferey Deaver. Although I must admit that James Patterson, esp. his Alex Cross novels have always been my favorites.

I still read comic books, once in a while, when they come on sale, because they are pretty expensive.

After my wife's miraculous healing, I have also developed a liking for inspirational books. They are the best books to read when one is down, when one is seeking help or enlightenment, or when one is happy and thankful!

I have done what my mother did for me…..every time I had money to spare, I’d buy a book for my kids, the I ‘d read to them at night. I started with Nicole, then I did it with Niccolo and now I continue to do it with Lizzie. It’s a passage of some kind for my kids.

Now my children have all developed this same passion. They are all voracious readers...from magazines, to comic books to pocket books....I wish they will pass this on to their future children.

This passion is not only inherited, it is infectious as well, because my wife has also developed this love for reading ….now, she is unable to sleep without reading.

To all parents….this is the best hobby ever….it’s not so expensive…. A lot of my inspirational books and pocket books come from “Book Sale”…when we really like something, we buy at “Fully Booked” and “National Book Store”, or wait for them to have a “sale”.

My father always complains that the 2nd floor of the house looks like a mini book store.

I know kids now a days, would prefer the computer games, but you can never go wrong with books. It increases one’s knowledge, it widens one’s vocabulary and gives the reader confidence…..and if the right books are read…..it inspires the reader and may make him a better person.

Every once in a while, when Nicole and Niccolo sees me reading to Lizzie, they would also lie down beside us and listen…..Our passion for reading is surpassed only by our passion for one another!

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: MY FATHER

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: MY FATHER: MY FATHER My father is Domingo de Guzman , he will be 84 years old this year. He was born here and brought to China before the age of 2,...

MY FATHER

MY FATHER

My father is Domingo de Guzman, he will be 84 years old this year. He was born here and brought to China before the age of 2, and together with his older brother, they came back at the age of 18. Not belonging to a rich clan, he was not able to pursue his studies here in the Philippines, and unable to speak the language, he was forced to take on odd jobs. He was a cook, a waiter, a janitor...he then took extra-effort to learn Pilipino, then he took on more odd jobs, married my mother and went to live in Metro Manila, and then they had me. He became a salesman of an obscure alcoholic drink, they called it "Shoktong". He was given the option to be assigned in the province, but both he and my mother declined, because they did not want to be apart, and my father wanted to have an active hand in my growing up.

My father was the salesman of an alcoholic beverage, but her never drank liquor, he never smoked, he never gambled, and as far as I know, he never womanized. I remember seeing him at home every night, watching tv with the whole family. He took me to all the old James Bond Films. He was not a snub, he embraced the Filipino culture, so we also saw some FPJ, Erap and Dolphy films.

He was not a Catholic, but he sent me to a Catholic-Chinese School, the best they know, Saint Jude Catholic School. Then when choosing which college to go to, he supported my desire to go to UP (University of the Philippines) and eventually my ultimate desire to become a doctor.

When my sister Adeline was born, almost 15 years after me, there was a different twinkle in his eyes, he so dreamed of having a daughter, that he really took care of her. He brought her to and from school until she graduated from Saint Jude and from De La Salle University.

We were never rich, but as a testament to his hard work and sacrifice, I went to Saint Jude, then to UP, then to UERM College of Medicine....and my sister, graduated from De La Salle and is now working at SGV and married to a partner of SGV.

My livelihood, what I feed my family with...I owe it all to him.

The fact, that I never learned to drink alcoholic beverages, smoke cigarettes and gamble....I owe it all to him.

That I believe that my wife should be my most trusted friend, and my children my best buddies or barkadas...I owe it all to him.

I could never go abroad, or even to the province and have a great time without my kids....I got that from him too.

The way I try to treat everyone with respect, esp. the maintenance people, the guards, the food servers, the janitors....I got that from him too.

Today he is 84, and continues to help in the household chores, esp. with the absence of household help. He never wants to be a burden, he never complains of illnesses. When he was admitted a few years back, his first hospital admission I believe....the attending physician said....you have fantastic genes, and then looking at me, she said, you may inherit these genes of strength and longevity.....but those are not the only genes I'd like to inherit....I'd like to be as hardworking and as loving as he was and continues to be to his family!

Happy Father's Day to my Father - in - law.
Happy Father's Day to my Uncle Edgar!
Happy Father's Day to my Uncle Henry!
Happy Father's day to all my uncles and my cousins.
God bless all of us!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO MY FATHER - DOMINGO DE GUZMAN
GOD BLESS HIM AND KEEP HIM HEALTHY AND HAPPY, SO THAT HE CAN KEEP ON LOVING HIS GRANDCHILDREN AND TEACHING THEM TO BE THE KIND OF DECENT AND RESPECTABLE MAN THAT HE IS.

He remains to be in my eyes, and in my heart....the best father ever.....BAR NONE!

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: FUNNY?

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: FUNNY?: Not every joke is funny......and not everything that's funny was meant to be a joke! On the first one......the most important thing to do...

FUNNY?

Not every joke is funny......and not everything that's funny was meant to be a joke!

On the first one......the most important thing to do when making a joke is to refrain or to avoid, all together, jokes that involve discrimination of any kind and stereotyping....they are immature, they are insensitive, and they are sick!

On the second one......the story may be boring, but the delivery, albeit unintentionally, becomes funnier....because of some mistakes with the vernacular, most of the time.....so

When we make jokes, try our very best not to hurt other people,..... and second, make certain, that after you deliver or you write your joke or your story.......people will laugh at your story........not at you!

Have a great day friends! God be with all of us!

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: A TALE OF 2 NEIGHBORS / PATIENTS

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: A TALE OF 2 NEIGHBORS / PATIENTS: A TALE OF TWO NEIGHBORS / PATIENTS I have two neighbors, who incidentally became patients of mine as well. One is in his early thirti...

A TALE OF 2 NEIGHBORS / PATIENTS

A TALE OF TWO NEIGHBORS / PATIENTS

I have two neighbors, who incidentally became patients of mine as well. One is in his early thirties and resides at the left side of our house.....and the other is well into his seventies and resides at the right side of our house.....their differences does not end there, unfortunately.....

First...my young neighbor, the one of the left side......he has sought consult perhaps about 7-8 times in a span of 1 or 2 years. His complaints are almost always the same, he either has or had an asthma attack or had diarrhea, and after consult, he would ask for a Medical Certificate for the office since he was absent for work. After obtaining his prescriptions and medical certificate, he would say a quick thanks and then turn his back and leave.....he would never ask how much the professional fee (pf) was, not from me and not from my secretary.

Just a few days ago, he sent his nanny to my clinic with his kid. The nanny said, they needed a clearance of some sort, I said I did not understand what they needed. So the nanny tried her best to explain.....it still came out quite vague, but from what I understood....they brought their kid to their pediatrician to get some shots, then they found out they could reimburse the amount from the office and decided to get the certificate and the receipt from me, although his kid had never been my patient. I said I'd consider doing it, but I'd have to talk to the parents to get all the necessary details. They haven't come back.

Second....my 70+ year old neighbor, the one on the right side......he sought consult about a week ago, for the first time ever, because he got scared as he felt that something was wrong with him......so I examined him and found out that he was hypertensive and it was alarmingly high, so I gave him the necessary medications, and I took a history of meds and found out that he while he had several anti-hypertensive meds, he was not adequately covered for 24 hours. So I just adjusted his meds. Then before I allowed him to go home, I made sure that his BP had gone down to normal. When it was time for him to leave, he could not stop saying thank you and this was his exact words....."I would like to ask how much and I would like to pay you, but you might get mad at me. This is the reason I never bother you. I don't know what to say?" ...and I said, "You are right, if you had asked me and insisted to pay me, I would be hurt, we are neighbors after all. Please do come for consult anytime."

Again, the differences between my 2 neighbors don't end there....

The first neighbor.....we are just acquaintances, I actually don't know anything about him, we have never talked, unless it was about his complaints as a patient,.....and during the holidays, we both don't go out of our ways to greet each other. You can go as far as saying that we're not really friends. You see, this is peculiar to me, because almost all of my patients have become my friends.

The second neighbor....we are really good friends. He advises me about my brother, tells me to be careful when I come home from work at 2-3 a.m.....and during the holidays, we go out of our ways to greet each other and exchange goodies. He is also a very religious man and he prayed for my wife when she was sick.

It is quite difficult to understand why these two neighbors of mine are so different...both are well educated. Are we just suppose to accept that those belonging to the older generation are more courteous and respectful? Are we just suppose to conclude that their must be vast differences in the way they were brought up? Useless to tire one's mind coming up with an answer.

Lessons to be learned......

First, always conduct ourselves properly, because it says a lot about us and about we were brought up. It's unfair to our parents and to our ancestors, who may have been great people.

Second, regardless of who we are dealing with.....it could be our employer, our employee, our relatives, our neighbors our friends...we should always be respectful and courteous, even when they are not!

Third, the fact that one is your neighbor or your friend, or someone very close to you....should not make you more complacent in treating him with courtesy and respect.....if any, you should treat him with more respect as he is very dear to your heart.

Fourth, as a doctor, I have to treat both patients with equal diligence and patience, regardless of their manners and, whether they will pay me or not.

God bless all doctors! God bless all patients! God bless our neighbors! God bless our friends! God bless everyone!

3

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: NICCOLO

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: NICCOLO: My son Niccolo has this reputation in school as being hyperactive, a little talkative and one who enjoys making jokes.....I've been infor...

NICCOLO

My son Niccolo has this reputation in school as being hyperactive, a little talkative and one who enjoys making jokes.....I've been informed by some of his teachers about this...they say he is "medyo malikot and madaldal" but that he is always repentant, respectful and kind....well there is a side of Niccole that none of his teachers and his classmates know......

Tonight while I was at the dentist, I was texted by my son, informing me that his mom was sick.....so I told my dentist to try and speed things up, so I can go home immediately.....When I got home I found my son Niccolo, preparing the dining table, putting all the plates and the utensils, together with my dad. I checked on my wife, and found Nikki and Lizzie taking care of her every needs....My wife had hyper-acidity and I believe over fatigue, as it is not easy taking care of the family and of the house all by her lonesome.....so I gave her the necessary medicines and went down to check our dinner......again, together with Niccolo and my 84 year old dad, we set up dinner...then after dinner, I asked Nikki to give Lizzie her bath and look after her mom, while Niccolo washes the the dishes and finishes up the work in the kitchen with my dad and me....Niccolo was fantastic, he was fast, he never complained, he just worked.

This is my son..."makulit" in school but sweet, "malambing" and always very helpful at home, esp. to his grandparents, and to me and his mom. When I cook, he helps me too....he has the hallmarks of a true gentleman....doesn't mind doing household chores and always takes care of family...he will make a good husband someday.

Tonight, while my hardworking and lovely wife is sick....My kids and my parents were there to take over....this is my family.....and I am truly blessed to have them in my life.

God bless my friends! Good night!

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: A DOCTOR'S DILEMMA

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: A DOCTOR'S DILEMMA: A DOCTOR’S DILEMMA I just finished seeing a patient, and he was very honest that he had already seen another physician about 2-3 weeks...

A DOCTOR'S DILEMMA

A DOCTOR’S DILEMMA
I just finished seeing a patient, and he was very honest that he had already seen another physician about 2-3 weeks ago, as I was sick and unable to hold clinic. He also said that his condition had improved slightly, but that he refused to return to the other physician, because she prescribes expensive medications….so I looked at the prescription from the other physician, and true enough, an expensive medication was prescribed, but both the Brand Name and the Generic Name were given, and I know for a fact, that there are several brand names for the said medication….So I asked him, “Why did you not buy the more affordable generic equivalent of the medicine?” , the patient said, he was given strict orders by the other physician, to get only that particular brand, as the generic equivalents will not work. This particular brand happens to be the most expensive brand of said medication…..So I checked the prescription again, the name of the physician wasn’t there, but the clinic’s name and the address were there on the top of the prescription. I know the clinic, and I know the location…..it was at a site where most residents belong to the less fortunate members of our society….it was at a location where people eat less than 3 meals a day and would not go to a doctor, unless their condition had worsened…..So I could not understand why this physician would prescribe expensive medications knowing who her target patients were…..then the patient supplied me with the answer…..he said, the doctor had a mini-pharmacy within her clinic and you had to buy the medications from her, before you leave….so that was the answer! But I still had a bigger question that had to be answered!

What should be more important to a doctor…..the chance to earn so much more….or the chance to actually treat a patient, not just see him and prescribe a medication, but to actually treat him?

Where and when do we draw the line between earning more and living up to our promise and our oath? I am not talking about the Hippocratic Oath. I am talking about a much deeper and more meaningful promise every young child dreaming to be a doctor makes with himself or herself, and with God.

I am pretty certain that all of us who eventually became physicians dreamed of becoming one, not to be rich or affluent, but to treat and help people. Isn’t this the standard answer of every child when asked why he or she wants to be a doctor….”I want to cure sick people.” …or “I want to help people!” Then as we grow older, as we are awakened to the harsh realities of the world and of our poor country, we make an oath to ourselves, that when we become doctors, we will do our part in helping the less fortunate, if not, in bigger and more grandiose ways, then at least in making sure that they are treated in the same way as those who can afford.

This simple case with my patient….it was very telling on me…..That same medication that other physician prescribed… I took the generic equivalent of that drug a few months ago, and I was adequately cured of my condition…..I have given the same drug to my 2 older kids and they too have been cured by the generic equivalent….so this belief about generic drugs not being effective is pure rubbish, and when you dispense drugs or have a pharmacy…then it becomes a money making scheme, that borders on insensitivity and may even be deemed criminal.

If you prescribe a drug to a patient who earns less than 100 or even 200 per day, a drug worth more than a hundred pesos, and he has to take it twice a day, then how do you expect him to afford the medication and feed his family as well……and then, since you own a drug store, you know there’s another brand that he can purchase for 30 pesos each or even less….assuring him or at least giving your patient a good chance of finishing his treatment ….having these options before you and yet choosing to tell him to get the expensive brand from you….how can this not be insensitive?…and if the patient’s condition worsens and he dies and he is his family’s only chance…..how is this not criminal?

To all patients…..these multi-national drug companies will continue increasing the prices of their medications if we continue being foolish….”The Generic Law” not only to give us a more affordable alternative, but also to force these companies to lower down their astronomical prices….please don’t buy them to increase one’s social standing….branded drugs are not branded bags, and Generic drugs are not counterfeit bags….they are true, they are BFAD approved and they are effective.

After I saw the patient, he asked about the consultation fee, and he said, he had so little money left, so I said, what a lot of doctors have said before….”just pay what you can afford, while still being able to buy the medicine.” I may not become rich, in this profession, but I sleep well at night.

I refrain from writing something like this, as I would not like to hurt or even alienate my colleagues in this most noble of professions. I say most noble, because we have been awarded this most miraculous gift of being God’s instrument in healing the most precious of His creations. Let us use the gift well, let us use it as it was intended to be…..to help God’s people!

This Dilemma….it should not even exist…..there shouldn’t even be a choice….as physicians, we treat people, not just write prescriptions, we go the extra-mile, we make sure that at least they can finish our treatments…..and this should be regardless of their social status and our personal needs!

GOD BLESS ALL PHYSICIANS!
GOD BLESS OUR PATIENTS!
GOD BLESS EVERYONE!

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My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: MERALCO Insults Our Intelligence Once Again

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: MERALCO Insults Our Intelligence Once Again: MERALCO insults our intelligence once again..... Two or three days ago, the whole of Metro Manila was shattered by news that MERALCO ...

MERALCO Insults Our Intelligence Once Again

MERALCO insults our intelligence once again.....

Two or three days ago, the whole of Metro Manila was shattered by news that MERALCO will increase their rates, their highest increase so far, this year.....the reason given is that there is a shortage or a deficiency in some of their power sources or providers....so aside from not really having a choice, we accept their reasoning with some apprehension.

Well, today we, personally, were hit by 4 brown-outs, and it's just 7 p.m. now. The first one was about 15 minutes, the second one 3 hours, the third one, 30 minutes and the fourth one, 15 minutes...so all in all, a total of 4 hours, so far!

When I called their hotline, this was the answer given by...due to power shortage or deficiency in some of the plants, there will be a rotation of brown-outs for 3 hours at most, for each location....well, we've had 4 hours already.

This is my humble take on this standardized reason......poppycock and flimsy at its best!

When MERALCO surprised us with the sad news of an increased in power rates, and the reason behind it.....I assumed it was to make-up, or to fix the problem whatever it was.....they probably need more money to do whatever has to be done, again, "to fix the problem" and to prevent brown-outs.......but if we're still going to have daily brown-outs of at least 3 hours....then why the heck are we paying them more.

If you remember several years ago, at the height of the daily brown-outs, we were all surprised that despite the brown-outs, we were paying more for electricity,......for electricity that we never got to use. Are we suppose to expect this again......more brown-outs and higher power rates.

Their brilliant spin-masters will give us a highfalutin answer that will make it sound acceptable....but really all you need is enough common sense and an above average or even average head on your shoulders, to realize that they are pulling our legs once again and are out for obscene and insensitive profiteering!

We call on the government, esp. the Department of Energy to look into this...if we're going to have brown-outs anyway, then don't allow them to increase the power rates.

MERALCO....this is insulting, this is cruel, this is insensitive, this is actually criminal! SHAME ON ALL OF YOU...YOUR WHOLE BOARD AND YOUR NEW STOCK HOLDER!!!!

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: IT WAS ALL THAT I NEEDED TO HEAR

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: IT WAS ALL THAT I NEEDED TO HEAR: Last night before coming home from work, I passed by a Fast food restaurant to bring home some food for my family including my parents....

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: MORE REASONS TO SMILE.....

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: MORE REASONS TO SMILE.....: Last Friday....I and my wife went to school to enroll our 3 kids, we were late by a few days, because I was sick and my wife couldn't l...

IT WAS ALL THAT I NEEDED TO HEAR

Last night before coming home from work, I passed by a Fast food restaurant to bring home some food for my family including my parents....

I knew they were all waiting for me.....

When I got home I prepared the food for everyone and watched them eat.......

I sat beside my wife as we shared our food....

then I proceeded to tell her about my bad work-night.....

I said, all I expect is for everyone to live up to the deal or to the promise they made with me...but it seemed to me, that it didn't matter to them...I may end up losing a lot and they don't seem to care.....

then my wife just rested her beautiful head on my shoulders and kissed me and she said..."Thank you for the food! Look at the kids, they are all asleep now, it's not the food they waited for....they waited for their dad!"....

it was all that I needed to hear....

I immediately closed my mouth and ceased my complaining....

as I've been reminded quite often by events unfolding, and by friends,....I am truly blessed with the sweetest family that loves me very much!.....

so I clean up the mess for the food, then I kissed all of them......

then I prayed....

asking the Lord for help 

and thanking Him for the best gift of all...

my family!

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: MORE REASONS TO SMILE.....

My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: MORE REASONS TO SMILE.....: Last Friday....I and my wife went to school to enroll our 3 kids, we were late by a few days, because I was sick and my wife couldn't l...

MORE REASONS TO SMILE.....

Last Friday....I and my wife went to school to enroll our 3 kids, we were late by a few days, because I was sick and my wife couldn't leave the house as well. So it was due to the courtesy of several people that we were able to enroll quite easily, Miss Carol, who's always very accommodating, and the teachers who were helping at the Registrar's Office, in particular, my oldest daughter Nicole's Chinese teachers. After helping us, they had these kind words to say to us...."We are attracted by your relationship and we admire it...we see you at the chapel and at school together." We just smiled and said thank you so very much!

As we were leaving school, I put my arms on her shoulders, and we said, "We may not be rich, but to have some people admire our relationship and our family, is not only flattering, it is most humbling!"

For the past 2 weeks, today, still included, I have had a hard time with my health, particularly, problems with my teeth, which has aggravated my cough. I couldn't eat for more than a week. I pitied my wife , as aside from cooking and doing everything for the family, she also racks her brain to find me something I could eat, that would not hurt my teeth....like making soup and soft food.....then she would also buy cake for me.

The other person that I really admire, is my 84 year old dad who's the one helping my wife in the kitchen. My mom and my children do their share as well, but it has been my father who has worked in tandem with my wife in the kitchen....Their relationship has improved by leaps and bounds, and I can only feel more blessed by it.

Sometimes I expect, at least, words of concern from people I deeply care for, and when they don't come, I am genuinely hurt, but then I only have to look at the people who have shown deep love for me, like my beautiful wife, my sweet kids and my wonderful parents....then there are my friends here at FB who have continued to pray for me and for my family, and have sent messages with warm words of concern and inspiration.

Then at work, I was still feeling weak, and in pain, but I needed to work for that 2 nights, then when I got there....well, let's just say, that after a few hours I was beginning to predict the worst, only to be saved and helped by other people, from whom I did not expect too much.

I have learned, that apart from God, I should not expect anything from anyone...so I am not hurt or disappointed......and then when the beautiful words and gestures come, I am blown away by the kindness and the generosity.

At any given time, I have had so many things on my mind, problems, quite a lot of them, but I still manage a sincere smile because I am never too boorish, too depressed or too arrogant, to realize that I have been so blessed by God....He has surrounded me with my loving wife, Dinah, who continues to sacrifice for me, the sweetest kids who don't ask for too much, and great parents who continue to love me and show concern for me....then I have warm relatives, old friends, batch mates, and new friends here at FB who take the time to read my posts and say a few lovely words as well......then there are my kid's teachers, not only Mary Nicole's Chinese Teachers, but her English teachers, and Niccolo's teachers as well, and Lizzie's teachers too...for their wonderful concern and comments.

So while there are several reasons to be depressed or even angry at times, there are infinitely more reasons to be happy and to smile!

Have a blessed Sunday my friends!