Our friend Sister Angelin of the Sisters of Divine Mercy has set up a mission feeding program that supports 200 children daily with at least one meal.
On our recent visit there, a spirited group of children sang their hearts out for us.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Recycle Band
Our friend Sister Angelin of the Sisters of Divine Mercy has set up a mission feeding program that supports 200 children daily with at least one meal.
On our recent visit there, a spirited group of children sang their hearts out for us.
Self-Service Hospital
McCoco here. By now, we are getting used to the way things function in the Philippines. Things might not be super efficient, but stuff gets done. But what happens in life and death situations? What if you get sick and need to go to the hospital?
Actually, there are some fancy facilities here that are enjoyed by the upper class, but I found myself just slightly ill and decided to try out what the everyday folks would use. I did some research that pointed me to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). It's right across the street from the posh Asian Hospital, and shares the same doctors, but the consultation is free. That's right, you can talk to a doctor and there won't be a bill. Still, I recently learned that you get what you pay for. This is the story of the self-service hospital visit.
I started out looking for a doctor early in the morning. Outpatient visits did not start until 1:00 PM, so I needed to come back after lunch. No problem.
I used the extra time to replace my "orange card". This ID card is only valid at RITM, and it's just a piece of orange paper. But without it, you can't get service.
I'd lost my orange card, and didn't think much of paying 20 pesos to get it replaced. The cashier told me to proceed across the campus to medical records for the replacement. This was a walk that I would take many times that day. Card replacement took mere seconds. They simply wrote my name and patient number, the two pieces of info I supplied, onto an orange card.
At 1:00 PM I saw a doctor and got a prescription: one injection and a set of oral meds. This is where the real fun began. I went back to the cashier to pay for the prescription. The cashier asked the pharmacy one window over about the meds. The good news was, my injection would be free. The bad news is, "no stock sir."
No stock? Come on! I need this!
Wait, the tablets are free. We have stock. The injection might be in the other pharmacy. Check there.
I went to the next building and asked their pharmacy. They don't have 250 grams, but they do have 1000. I was welcome to buy the 1000 gram size and only use 250. For this, I need a new prescription.
I returned to the doctor, who asked, "Is that okay with you?" Sure, I want to get better. I got a new prescription and had that filled. Success!
Next, I proceeded to the emergency room where the injection would be performed. The nurse welcomed me in and had my chart ready. But I needed to buy sterile water. Back to the pharmacy I went. But sterile water had a small fee, so I'd have to make another trip to the cashier. It started raining lightly, which made the walk between buildings more interesting.
With my sterile water ready, I returned to the emergency room. The nurse used my newly acquired supplies to perform a test injection in my arm.
While waiting for the test injection to start itching, burning, or swelling, I stopped by the lab to give some samples. I had a receipt proving that my lab work was already paid for, but this only got the sample kit. I needed to have a doctor collect the sample. I couldn't do it myself and neither would the lab technician who sold me the kit.
I found a doctor who would do the job, but she needed sterile gloves, which I'd have to buy. "Get size 7. Size 6.5 is too small," she said.
Back to the cashier I went, this time to pay for sterile gloves. Pharmacy #1 and pharmacy #2 both said "no stock, sir." I went to the central supply room where they only had size 6.5. These would have to do. Surprise! The gloves were 26 pesos, and my receipt only showed a payment of 10 pesos. I couldn't pay the difference there, and did not want to walk back downstairs into the rain to see the cashier. They let it slide. "Next time." Phew!
I found the doctor and got the sample taken care of. She asked if I was married, and offered to introduce me to her cousin. Sensing this was just a polite offer, I politely shrugged it off. "Next time." Then I walked the sample carefully back across the campus to the lab. By now, the rain was pouring down.
I returned to the emergency room to have the test injection reviewed. All looked good, so I got the real injection. And then came the "oh by the way".
The shot left me unable to sit or walk, let alone drive home. It hurt like a mofo. It turns out this is normal, and SOP is to observe the patient for 30 minutes. So there I was, face down with the rest of the patients. I sent about 30 text messages to CocoJoe to pass the time.
At 25 minutes I asked if I could leave, explaining that I felt fine. The nursing staff responded that I was not done yet, but if I was good enough to walk, then I could settle one last thing at the cashier window. She gave me a slip for 70 pesos. I'd already bought half the hospital piece by piece: sterile gloves, a glass vial, cotton buds... what more could there be?
I needed to pay for the needle used to do the injection. Fair enough. It was a new needle and all, which I appreciated. I limped to the cashier one last time, and made my last payment.
All in all, the ordeal cost me about $30 US dollars. That won't even buy a day's parking at some US hospitals. Furthermore, I am pleased to report that I feel fine. The next time I have something minor, I will gladly return to RITM, the self-service hospital.
Actually, there are some fancy facilities here that are enjoyed by the upper class, but I found myself just slightly ill and decided to try out what the everyday folks would use. I did some research that pointed me to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). It's right across the street from the posh Asian Hospital, and shares the same doctors, but the consultation is free. That's right, you can talk to a doctor and there won't be a bill. Still, I recently learned that you get what you pay for. This is the story of the self-service hospital visit.
I started out looking for a doctor early in the morning. Outpatient visits did not start until 1:00 PM, so I needed to come back after lunch. No problem.
I used the extra time to replace my "orange card". This ID card is only valid at RITM, and it's just a piece of orange paper. But without it, you can't get service.
I'd lost my orange card, and didn't think much of paying 20 pesos to get it replaced. The cashier told me to proceed across the campus to medical records for the replacement. This was a walk that I would take many times that day. Card replacement took mere seconds. They simply wrote my name and patient number, the two pieces of info I supplied, onto an orange card.
At 1:00 PM I saw a doctor and got a prescription: one injection and a set of oral meds. This is where the real fun began. I went back to the cashier to pay for the prescription. The cashier asked the pharmacy one window over about the meds. The good news was, my injection would be free. The bad news is, "no stock sir."
No stock? Come on! I need this!
Wait, the tablets are free. We have stock. The injection might be in the other pharmacy. Check there.
I went to the next building and asked their pharmacy. They don't have 250 grams, but they do have 1000. I was welcome to buy the 1000 gram size and only use 250. For this, I need a new prescription.
I returned to the doctor, who asked, "Is that okay with you?" Sure, I want to get better. I got a new prescription and had that filled. Success!
Next, I proceeded to the emergency room where the injection would be performed. The nurse welcomed me in and had my chart ready. But I needed to buy sterile water. Back to the pharmacy I went. But sterile water had a small fee, so I'd have to make another trip to the cashier. It started raining lightly, which made the walk between buildings more interesting.
With my sterile water ready, I returned to the emergency room. The nurse used my newly acquired supplies to perform a test injection in my arm.
While waiting for the test injection to start itching, burning, or swelling, I stopped by the lab to give some samples. I had a receipt proving that my lab work was already paid for, but this only got the sample kit. I needed to have a doctor collect the sample. I couldn't do it myself and neither would the lab technician who sold me the kit.
I found a doctor who would do the job, but she needed sterile gloves, which I'd have to buy. "Get size 7. Size 6.5 is too small," she said.
Back to the cashier I went, this time to pay for sterile gloves. Pharmacy #1 and pharmacy #2 both said "no stock, sir." I went to the central supply room where they only had size 6.5. These would have to do. Surprise! The gloves were 26 pesos, and my receipt only showed a payment of 10 pesos. I couldn't pay the difference there, and did not want to walk back downstairs into the rain to see the cashier. They let it slide. "Next time." Phew!
I found the doctor and got the sample taken care of. She asked if I was married, and offered to introduce me to her cousin. Sensing this was just a polite offer, I politely shrugged it off. "Next time." Then I walked the sample carefully back across the campus to the lab. By now, the rain was pouring down.
I returned to the emergency room to have the test injection reviewed. All looked good, so I got the real injection. And then came the "oh by the way".
The shot left me unable to sit or walk, let alone drive home. It hurt like a mofo. It turns out this is normal, and SOP is to observe the patient for 30 minutes. So there I was, face down with the rest of the patients. I sent about 30 text messages to CocoJoe to pass the time.
At 25 minutes I asked if I could leave, explaining that I felt fine. The nursing staff responded that I was not done yet, but if I was good enough to walk, then I could settle one last thing at the cashier window. She gave me a slip for 70 pesos. I'd already bought half the hospital piece by piece: sterile gloves, a glass vial, cotton buds... what more could there be?
I needed to pay for the needle used to do the injection. Fair enough. It was a new needle and all, which I appreciated. I limped to the cashier one last time, and made my last payment.
All in all, the ordeal cost me about $30 US dollars. That won't even buy a day's parking at some US hospitals. Furthermore, I am pleased to report that I feel fine. The next time I have something minor, I will gladly return to RITM, the self-service hospital.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Manila craigslist
A text message exchange between myself and McCoco, an entrepreneur who has been running his business in the Philippines for four years now, and we have already been talking on a joint project (yay!)
CocoShell:
Do u know where we can find an inexpensive guitar or
keyboard to bring to the children's mission?
or a used one someone will part for cheap and
can bring on the plane tomorrow?
CocoShell:
Do u know where we can find an inexpensive guitar or
keyboard to bring to the children's mission?
or a used one someone will part for cheap and
can bring on the plane tomorrow?
McCoco:
Let me ask. Hang on.
CocoShell:
Great thanks if not this trip we can take it for the next one
...the nuns had just asked.
McCoco:
Makati Cinema Square has used instruments.
I have been looking for a guitar myself ,
so I can make an inquiry when I go next.
Checking to see if I can go today.
CocoShell:
Nice- thanx McCoco!
The store closes at 8, so I can't make it there myself tonight.
I was going to take the friend who recommended the place.
She could haggle in tagalog with me.
But we should have it in time for the next trip.
Good plan- our next trip is in a few weeks so there is time...
just wanted to send out in case u had one in the closet or something-
something good for the kids to learn on.
I've never played guitar in my life.
Just for kicks I checked the Manila craigslist "free items" section.
Of course there isn't one. Just plain doesn't exist!
Meanwhile the Seattle craigslist has a free guitar
case listed 1/31. Syempre.
nako na man
Oh wait, Seattle craigslist has an ad.
"willing to pay someone $25
to take this old piano, scrap wood, and clothes."
Dangit! I see another free hot tub!
Nothing hurts like a missed opp in hot tub world.
I'm crying on the inside.
What's the name of the town you are staying?
Uhh... Bonifacio global city in taguig
No I meant on the mission.
where fishfind resort is located.
I'm checking for internet access.
Catarman- Fishville resort
Fishville!
Oh wow. There is a free section after all.
And in it, I find an interesting offer.
"I am a professional American offering to take you out
and buy you all the shoes, clothes, perfume you want,
and maybe a little jewelry."
CocoJoe is so busted.
"All I ask in return is on the day I will photograph you feet."
This is tempting.
The person running the ad doesn't say
specifically that he wants women's feet.
And I take pretty good care of my paws.
What sicko does that?
Haha - do it- respond already.
My email address is too precious.
Make up a new one- gandafeet@yahoo
LOL!!!
silkypaa@yahoo
That's wrong and funny at the same time.
Bwaaaahaha
 |
| Wow, it's for real- I had to look it up and it's for real... |
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Bio-hacking in CocoBurbia
It was the evening before our flight to Manila: sitting across a dinner table in a San Francisco restaurant The Bulletproof Executive gave us some advice on how to bio-hack our bodies and minds. He shared some great tips on how to change our diets to upgrade our biology and mental performance, keep us strong, AND even make us smarter... with a line up like that why wouldn't we try it out?
One of the interesting take-aways, was that our grain-fed, animal-based diets are actually the cause of most of the maladies affecting our health. It's an interesting idea with widespread implications considering virtually all dairy products come from grain-fed cows and we eat grain-fed beef. The good news is that by simply switching to grass-fed foods, we can solve much of the problem, you just need to know where to look.
Another idea that seems counter-intuitive is that we can lose body fat and gain mental acuity by consuming the right kind of fats. That includes grass-fed dairy and our friend virgin coconut oil (cold-pressed). During dinner, we were quite surprised when The Bulletproof Executive pulled a stick of grass-fed butter from his pocket. That's when we figured we should give it a try.
The Bulletproof Executive suggested that we put a stick of grass-fed butter and virgin coconut oil in our morning coffee instead of cream and the body fat would begin to fall away. More importantly, our cholesterol would improve and we would become smarter. Sounds too good to be true, right??
Since we were about to depart on our adventure, we decided to run the gauntlet and give his bio-hack a try. The steps to the detailed diet are at his website, and the first week we started with adding half a chunk of grass-fed unsalted butter and a spoonful of cold pressed virgin coconut oil to our coffee and all natural hot chocolate in the mornings. In the Philippines the only grass- fed brand is Anchor from New Zealand, and in the US it is Kerry Gold from Ireland.
We'll post our recipe for Liquid Cookie at a later date, but the basic ingredients are unprocessed chocolate, unsalted Anchor butter, cold pressed virgin coconut oil, Anchor culinary cream, and a teaspoon of muscovado sugar. We drink this at breakfast and then are not hungry until around 4pm. We then have a small fruit or vegetable snack or protein drink.
So far, so good. We have both lost 7 pounds of body fat, have lot's of energy, and feel great.
P.S. We're not selling anything, just passing along our first experience at bio-hacking...
Thursday, February 2, 2012
First overnight
My godmother had graciously offered her home in the province to stay while we got organized with permanent living arrangements. January 24th was my first morning to wake up in the Philippines, where I slept in a room with open windows and without air conditioning. It was 4:30 AM and the early activity bustle of roosters crowing, someone sweeping the street with a hard bristle broom, the tricycletas beeping to attract riders, the shouts of street vendors, and the smell of burning leaves was a difficult thing to stay asleep to - but I soak in the sounds and scents of a place I now call my second home.
We asked for a simple breakfast of fresh fruit and when we got downstairs the table was set with mangoes, finger bananas, pan de sal, farm fresh eggs, beef tapa, and baked camote from the garden. You'll be seeing lots of food pictures in this blog because Filipinos eat six meals a day: breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, merienda (afternoon snack,) dinner, then evening snack.
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| Fresh bananas and mangoes, the sweetest flavor of both only experienced here. |
Monday, January 30, 2012
We're in Manila, switch
...Work all day, work all night...
We arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 5:30 on Monday morning (Happy Chinese New Year!) and the club music was already pumping in the airport. It is fair to say that Filipinos love music and karaoke, and the opening verse was a play on words to the song We're in Miami, Trick... Our first day was immediately filled with business meetings, organizing our communications (i.e. buying an iPhone, load, and internet access cards) and getting some domestic and office items in place like food and supplies.
 |
| Outside the international terminal at the MNL |
 |
| Jeepney in Makati |
"How many Filipinos can fit in a jeepney?"
"How many?"
"Oh, one more."
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