If only you were here...

...you could have seen your beloved town Bustos celebrate its 2nd MINASA festival

...you could have cut the ribbon of the MINASA exhibit at the SM event center last
   Saturday then we could have merienda at your favorite Max's restaurant and
   celebrated with us  the birthday of your daughter Mates.

...you could have witnessed the opening of the MINASA festival this morning at the BMA park.

...you  could have listened to your eldest son Arnel made his inspiring welcome speech
   with the
   presence of your whole family

...you could have enjoyed listening the "Bustos Hymn" being played by to the two groups of
   Sto. Nino Brass Band ...senior group that you founded and the junior by your son.

but i know that in spirit you were with us...

...to witness the unveiling of Bustos Gym as it is being named in your honor.

   but knowing you as my father and being a simple man at that... you could have rejected
   the idea of
   naming the gym after you..

   but the Bustosenyos wanted to commemorate your achievements and
   were so grateful for that structure you have built for them.

...it has been two years and it pains to remember that you were gone especially in
   celebrating an event such as this.

...you could have seen your beloved town Bustos alive in spirit once again.

...i miss you papa!

Tugyaw 2012

Tugyaw (Tugtugan at Sayaw) was celebrated today in honor of the feast of Sto. Nino.

A lot of people from all walks of life joined the celebration with dancing in the streets.

Since our hospital was named in honor of Sto. Nino we participated in the said event.

The hospital staff and members of our family joined in the celebration.

Its our way of expressing our gratitude to our patron saint whose guidance and blessing we continously
receive the whole year through.


Viva Sto. Nino!!

Bookish

i love books...

My love for books dates back when I was in high school. I enjoy reading Sweet dreams and Silhouette romance books.

My father influenced me in my love for reading. He used to subscribe to Readers digest and I would scan thru its pages. Same as my mother who  bought us Dr Seuss collection when we were young so we can develop our interest in reading.

Years passed and I concentrated on my academics that I almost forgot my love for books (meant for
leisure : )...it was only after my residency training that my passion is re-ignited.

With more freetime to spare I started reading again.

To this date I have a mini collection of books. I enjoy reading different types of books depending on my moods and likes at the moment. Through the years I have diversified my readings.

They say that with the outset  of ipad and kindles ...books will eventually be phased out. I  felt otherwise  cause nothing is more exciting than holding a book and smelling its pages!!!

With each passing of season I come to enjoy various kinds of books. I even go to second hand bookstores like Booksale and BooksFor Less to scout for  books  which are classic and hard to find.  A favorite pastime is browsing thru the racks of National Bookstore, Fullybooked and Powerbooks during weekends.




When am busy Im just contented reading  small books which are easy to read and carry . I love reading them to my kids. They are food for thoughts. I started with "Life's Little Instructions Book" till my collection grew bigger.

There was even a time when I was engrossed reading history books especially about World War II, Nazis and the Holocaust.

During trips abroad I make sure I buy books about the country I visited so I could know more about its history and culture. I also have travel books so I would know what to visit in a particular area. I jokingly say that if I were not a doctor I'd probably be a tourist agent .

Not to be outdone are some Filipino authors whose works are really classical to enigmatic...I do have a sizeable collection of them...from the popular and hilarious Bob Ong to the religious and charismatic Bo Sanchez to intellectual F. Sionil Jose.

And who wouldnt enjoy fictional books. I was enthralled reading the Twilight series and fell in love with Edward Cullen.

 Its exciting to read  suspense law stories of John Grisham as well as James Paterson.

Lately Id been reading books about the changes am going through...yes...there's even a book for middle- aged woman like me.  Books that would make me realize that age is just numbers.

I even encourage my children to read more. I am very generous in buying them books which they love to read. Rj has a collection of the Wimpy kid series. (true to its title)

Books bring me to places I have never been,  let  me glimpse in the world entirely different from my own, teach me things not learned from school and accompany me to avoid boredom.

A favorite "me" time  is a time spent reading my favorite books.

fortified at 45

im a certified middle aged woman. i think i belong to the generation x (born between 1964-1982)

at 45 i have lived morethan half of my life..and .... maybe...most of the years in my life are behind me rather than in front of me now. gosh...am really old.

though i wish i could bring back time so i could look younger...& prettier...

....the wisdom i have gained through the years is a great reward compared to my carefree younger years. and though life is not always a bed of roses i felt so thankful for having been born with supportive parents and spoiling granny.

high school graduation 1982

learning comes with age...
and i'd like to share some insights about life and a favorite quotes that goes with it.

" you reap what you sow " after all the hardships and sacrifices in medical school and the gruelling residency training, i was equipped with knowledge and  experience that made me ready in my chosen field and face the challenges ahead.

bs biology graduate

 this is what i like to instill  in the minds of my children...
"if you study now you will play later but if you play now, you will pay later"

ob gyn resident

"never compare yourself with other people"  i think each person is given a distinct and special talent and how one uses it will make the difference.  what is important is at the end of the day you will say that you did your best in any given situation.

"to whom much is given, much is expected" ...my career had made my life fruitful and id like to share  my talents  ...be it rendering services to others or helping the envirovment. i think each one of us can contribute in our own way to make this world a better place.

 "We never know the love of our parents for us until we have become parents."

Now i know why my mom was strict with us when we were young.

 i love seeing my eldest sons transformation from being tiny naughty toddler to an an  awkward teenager.
i knew the date when my only daughter had her first period and was so excited to tell her about menstrual cycle...and im still looking forward to the day she  will go on a diet.  
i still enjoy the little tantrums of my youngest son for he will always be my baby.

for every hardship and trial that i went thru i always say..."this too shall pass" ....and  "behind the dark clouds is a silver lining". my life had been a series of ups and downs but the crisis i faced made me a stronger  person . the hardships we experience makes life worthwhile if we face them bravely.

through the years...i had experienced the noisy and confusing life of a teenager, read a lot of books and took so many examinations during my medical years,  been through different tasks as a young mother and wife ... but now i enjoy  the calmness of night for it  gives me a chance to appreciate life whether spent with prayer or time with my family.

fine lines and wrinkles may seem visible on my face but i enjoy the respect and admiration
of my juniors though sometimes i find it "insulting?"  when people call me "nanay".
id rather be called "tita".

middle age is another phase in my life and im thankful because i never felt so stable, grounded and  comfortable as i am now. happy birthday to me !!!

for everything there is a reason..and there is a season.

at 45..im energized and fortified!

A-ffort

We celebrated our annual Christmas Party last night at our residence.
We didnt let the rain spoil our night...the show must go on!!!

It was quite different because we had a Miss Bebot Contest just like in Eat Bulaga.
Our contestants were Nursing staff at the hospital.

I was awed with the preparations they did to make this event successul. Thanks to Raymond for making this possible.

Everybody participated as they joined the contestants in the talent portion.

Leo, the ICU nurse won the Best in Talent with his redition of Kuh Ledesma's Sino ang Baliw?
nakakabaliw ka Leo!

I also liked his answer in the Q&A portion.

Lucky, the ER nurse was Shamcey Supsup and he gamely played his part. I liked their dance performance. Thumbs up to you Lucky and your group. You were a real talent!

Mark, another ICU nurse was also a discovery.

Who would have thought that a shy guy like Mark can carry his gown so well with poise ...

Melcris, our OR nuse was also a beauty to behold.

I thought he was the most beautiful and enchanting Bebot that night. I can really mistake him for a woman.

and of course...George, the radio tech was a winning surprise for the night. He could carry himself well the moment he walked on stage.

 From the best in gown to best in national costume ..youre a winner...no wonder he was crowned Ms. Bebot SNH 2011.

To all the participants, I salute you for an unforgettable night.
The five Bebots were all winners in my eyes as they made the night truly memorable.

Im really touched with the hospital employees as they gave their all in this party.
Congratulations and Merry Christmas!!!

21 at 44 (my first half marathon at 44)

its always great to celebrate  "first" times...everything seems to be fulfilling and challenging ..

though id been running for a year i still experience butterflies like when i did my first marathon last sunday...after all ...nothing is as exciting and as nerve wracking  as the first time you experienced it.

til the very night before the run, self- doubts and worries hound me like ...am i really ready for my first half marathon..will i endure the miles...what if my legs give up..

but at 4:30 am i found myself running at the QC Intl  Marathon along the Memorial Circle en route to La Mesa Dam to run my first 21k.... and I made it! whew....wow...aww... t'was really  a big leap for me..im proud , and amazed and it hurts.( my legs!!!)

 my stats can attest to that ...I finished after 2 hours and 44 mins with pacing at 7:44mins/km.  I was at number 702 out of 1050 runners ( all ages , both gender) , not bad ? ...for my age.? i dont care.! although im hoping for a new PR(personal record) in the future.


id like to thank my husband who drove  me to the venue and my children who waited for me at the finish line.

as a reward ,  i bought myself a newbalance singlet for my future run. and a steak for lunch at mercato.

at least before i turn 45 in a few days i ran my first half marathon.!

and hopefully at 45 , ill be able to run my first marathon.

im preparing for my first marathon  come april 15, 2012.
its a lot of running and training for me in the next few months. and hopefully ill come prepared
as this is my next goal .

"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit."
-Dr. George Sheehan