Archive for May, 2008

National Kidney Month 2008

As we spend our day in Trinoma, there’s an exhibit that caught my attention. I seldom checked the exhibit in the mall, neither did I go to the mall to see an exhibit. The banner says National Kidney Institute are giving free kidney check such as urinalysis, FBS (fasting blood sugar) and BP on May 30, 31 and June 1 for first 100 patients to welcome the month of June, National Kidney Month with the theme: 25 Taong Pangunguna Sa Serbisyo Para Sa Kalusugan Ng Bato Ng Sambayanang Pilipino. Kidney health information streamers were displayed, there were lots of people reading the informations on kidney stones, renal transplant and other renal diseases.

Having my tatay (father) as a kidney transplant patient, my auntie (my dad’s sister) who underwent a kidney transplant procedure six years ago, my other auntie (my dad’s youngest sister) currently on dialysis and me having kidney stones for 3 times. Should I need to elaborate more why kidney issues have a soft spot in my heart? Its impossible not to blog about it.

Let me share the activities for the whole month of June in celebration of National Kidney Month:

1. An Exhibit showcasing the different services of the Institute at Trinoma (from May 29 to June 1, 2008) and NKTI (June 2 to 6, 2008)
2. Free Kidney Check on following venues and schedules : at Trinoma, May 29 (3pm – 5pm), May 30 and 31 (10am – 4pm) and June 1, 2008 (10am – 12nn); at NKTI on June 3 – 5 and June 16 – 19 (7am onwards; First 100 patients per day); June 6 and 20 (for NKTI employees and immediate family)
3. Kidney Transplant Association of the Philippines (KITAP) Mini Olympics on June 6 & 7
4. Pediatric Nephrology Activity (artworks of NKTI pediatric patients afflicted with kidney disease) on June 12
5. PA-DRE ( Free Digital Rectal Exam)- Philippine Urological Prostate Health Outreach on June 14
6. FUN RUN, Tree Planting and NKTI Employees Games on June 22 at the Quezon City Memorial Circle
7. Golf For A Cause Tournament at the Orchard Golf and Country Club on June 24
8. Post-Graduate Course in Laparoscopic Urology (Laparoscopic Workshop) on June 25-27
9. Maria Corazon Torres Javier (MCTJ) Foundation-sponsored kidney transplant for an indigent patient
10. Gathering of kidney transplant recipients and donors sponsored by the Kidney Transplant Association of the Philippines (KITAP) to promote camaraderie and inspiration among patients and to recognize longstanding kidney transplants
11. Nurses Forum and Employees Program (sportsfest, awarding of NKTI model employees and fun games) on June 27
12. Search for Outstanding Kidney Transplant Recipient and Kidney Donor
13. Radio and TV guesting organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP) and the Public Information Office(PIO) of the Institute.

My Tatay

My father woke us up and asked me to brought him to the hospital. Being a kidney transplant patient, he was prone to illness and diseases. An isolation room in the hospital is like a home to him. We got used to the scent of hospital, the smell of antibacterial, alcohol, medicine, bleached bedsheets for two years after his kidney transplant operation. In other words, the day is just one of those days.

This time, he had difficulty in breathing. His nephrologist guarded all the possible complications, my tatay (father) is 57. My dad underwent dialysis for almost a year before kidney transplant, my younger sister as the donor. Me, being the eldest failed the matching test for having small kidney stones.

Going back, we went to the hospital with my cousin (tatay is his godfather) and my 2nd son at 6am in the morning. After all the test have been done, we were finally in his hospital room at 9am. He had dextrose and oxygen but makulit to get near the window to see the morning sunshine. He looked like he had asthma attack but he didn’t have asthma. After I finished attending to his needs, I asked him if he felt better. He said yes. I told my cousin that we’re ok and he can go to his work. I told Tatay, I will take a quick nap in a couch beside his bed where my son was sleeping. He said, he will also sleep.

I hug my son and tried to sleep. I can’t sleep, just resting, facing my son. I didn’t stand long with that position, so I changed position so that I can see tatay. I was looking at his face while sleeping when I noticed that there was something wrong with his face. It seemed, he was sleeping but it wasn’t. Tatay… tay… tatay… he didn’t respond, didn’t move. I called the nurses to checked my father, then the room is filled with nurses, residents and doctors.

It happened 10 years ago, today is Tatay’s 10th year Death Anniversary. Time flies so fast, my memory still remembers every details of that day. I miss him so much… my family just came home from Loyola Memorial.

National Flag Day

I went to Manila City Hall and Pag-Ibig Office in Lawton, Manila upon my mother’s request. I noticed some Philippine flags on the way and also saw banners placed on public walls. Too bad that it was impossible for me to took snapshots of those banners for security reasons. Anyway, the words “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” was printed inside the flag, on the lower right side of the flag, an estimated font size of 35% of the size of the flag. I did have negative impression seeing those banners. Whose behind this? “Makabayan” (nationalistic)? Or OA (over acting)?

Tomorrow is May 28, National Flag Day in the Philippines. At my age, I still remember my Social Studies lesson in elementary and high school regarding respect to our flag. According to wikipedia, here are the prohibited acts:

It is prohibited to deface or ridicule the flag, to dip the flag as a salute, or to add additional marks of any nature on the flag. It may not be used as a drapery, festoon, tablecloth, as a covering for objects, or as part as a costume or uniform.

Several commercial uses of the flag are prohibited, including using the flag as a trademark or for commercial labels or designs. It is forbidden to use the image of the flag on merchandise, or in any advertisement. It also may not be used as a pennant in the hood, side, back and top of motor vehicles;

The flag may not be displayed horizontally face-up, or under any painting, picture or platform. It may not be displayed in “places of frivolity”, defined in the Flag Code as marked by “boisterous merriment or recreation”.

How come Lito Atienza forgot it by placing the words “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” in the flag banners. Makabayan or OA? Whatever explanation he have, it is still a bad example to young filipinos. Good thing that my 7 year old son didn’t saw the banners. Year 2010 election is near, I won’t forgot that. They should clear all those banners with “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” print immediately and the hard earned money of Filipinos gone to waste again.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean Underground River

Have you watched PBB Teen Plus journey to the underground river, the famous Puerto Princesa Subterranean River? I’ve just posted two days ago an update article of the Seven New Wonders of Nature, I’m glad the local government of Palawan is promoting the underground river. Imagine, as I’ve wrote my first article regarding Tubbataha Reef, the Subterranean River was listed in 200th+ place, the underground river is now in top 77 (10th place) in 1 1/2 month of promotion of Mayor Edward Hagedorn.

He invited Pinoy Big Brother staff for them to see the beauty of 8.2km river under a mountain and the second longest in the world and drains into the South China Sea. The Subterranean River National Park is a protected national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site just like . PBB flashed the website for televiewers to vote. Click here to vote, don’t forget to confirm your email.

See for yourself a video from youtube.

Upon watching the island adventure and underground river boat ride of PBB, I remembered the time when we went in Huyup-Huyupan Cave in Bicol, there were lots of bats and stalagmites too. If the underground river has Holy Family, Huyup-Huyupan has Mama Mary and infant Jesus.

Tubbataha Reef On 7th Place

My sister brought home a newspaper from the market, its not a popular newspaper but an article caught my attention. I was looking for the newspaper now but it was accidentanly thrown away by my niece. Anyway, the article states as far as I remember, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is urging Filipinos to vote for Mayon Volcano of Bicol as one of the “Seven New Wonders Of Nature”.

I don’t know if GMA is aware that Philippines have other entries for Seven New Wonders Of Nature other than Mayon Volcano such as Tubbataha Reef in Palawan, Chocolate Hills of Bohol and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan. I don’t have anything against GMA’s intention of having Mayon Volcano to be included to Seven New Wonders of Nature but it would be better if she promote all four entries.

As of this writing, Tubbataha Reef is on 7th place (29th place last 3/10/08), Chocolate Hills on the 9th (42nd place last 3/10/08), Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park on the 10th place and Mayon Volcano on the 31th place(not listed on top 77 last 3/10/08). Wow! Pinoy bloggers really did their assignments on promoting our entries. This article is a friendly reminder, I hope you could make a follow up article on Tubbataha Reef and other entries. December 31, 2008 (closing of votes) is seven months from now, I don’t think we should stop but encourage more votes from Filipinos around the world. If you haven’t vote yet, please vote now, don’t forget to confirm your email otherwise your vote will not be counted. You could view the live ranking here.

Go, Pinoy!