My Extraordinary B-day ordeal with Andoy

On the night of Sept. 25, b-day wishes started to register in my cellphone and it is also the start of rainfall brought by " Ondoy". I came from the Closing ceremonies of Medicine week at Manila Ocean Park and on our way home, two patients called and are both in labor. My friends in the van that time started to throw jokes on me! Wow Jho blessings! you have patients on your b-day and these rains really means blessings pouring out!

I don't know if i'm just tired from a week long activities of the Medicine week, without mentioning the nightly dance practices for he MVMS anniversary, because I don't feel excited with my b-day at all. So straight from Ocean park, I went to the hospital to deliver the first patient and since the other one is still in early labor, I decided to go home first to get some nap. I had a very shallow sleep and I can feel that the rains does'nt stop and is getting really strong. In the morning (Sept. 26, my b-day) I decided to go back to the hospital to monitor my patient but halfway along our street, people stopped us since the flood waters is already waist deep and our vehicle is impossible to get through. So I called up the Resident on duty that time to call other doctor that could attend to my patient since its impossible for me to come.

Another thing that really brought so much worry for that time is that my son Leigh is not home yet from an overnight stay with a classmate in Montalban. I've been trying to call him but its hard to get through, he texted me and said that someone already took care of them, I replied "where?" and he said, in a church in San Mateo. So I adviced him to stay where he is if its safe there, but after that message, i was'nt able to get any info fr. him anymore.

The rain has'nt stopped and based from what I heard from our car radio(since the electricity is off already) the flood water is getting high and almost all parts of Marikina has turned into a body of water. I started to feel the panic, distress and is desperate over things that I can't do anything.

The hospital again called and said the patient is already in pain, 6-7 cms., still no doctor is available because this time all phone lines are busted and all networks are off. I decided to wade the floodwater and will walk my way to the hospital (abt. 5 kms. fr. my place), my husband and my son Lj said that they will assist me, clad in shorts, rubber shoes and shirt, I placed my scrub suit, cellphone and other stuff in a backpack and secured in a plastic bag to prevent it from getting wet. Levi tied a rope around my waist connected to both of them, then we started to wade the flood waters, its really hard to walk in waters ( now breast deep) because you have to counteract the force of water not to mention the current. We did'nt bother with the debris, dead animals, crude oil, snake,centipede and all the other garbage floating in waters, all I wanted that time is to get to the hospital and attend to my patient.

When we reached the gate of the subdivision, I noticed that the water is already neck deep, since I know the place, I stayed in the walkway since its at least 3 inches shallower. However, when we reached the Robinson's Supermarket I started to walk on tiptoe and I can already taste the water, what I did was to hold on the stalled cars and tried to swim to reach the building where at least we have something to hold on to. There's a Call center beside the mall, we went inside and climb the stairs where there are also stranded people.

I decided not to proceed anymore because it came to my mind that I would be bringing not only my life to risk but also my husband and son as well. As I stayed for a while in that stairs, I took my phone and called the hospital, telling them that I really tried to come but the situation doesn't permit me. One message from my daughter Jay came in, that says to call the house as soon as we reach the hospital, be safe and that she loves us. I felt the guilt of putting my family's life at risk, so I decided to go back home. Levi and I saw so many people submerged in waters, already feeling so cold, hungry and tired, since they've been there since morning. We persuaded them to come with us in our place because it would be safer there, about 25 men came with us, together we stormed the waters, hand in hand, with a stronger current this time and level higher, but at least I know that it will be shallower as we reach home.

It's around 6 pm, and already dark when we reached home and this time, the water is inside the house. I told the people to wash off and I look for shirts and shorts for them to change into dry clothing. My son LJ cooked all the available noodles, egg and rice and feed them. After that, they sat in the stairs and tried to rest. At 9 pm, the rain stopped and I prayed to God not to let the rain pour again. I also prayed non stopped to take care of my son Leigh whom I don't have any communications anymore and to take care of my patient in the hosp. My patient is already fully dilated at around 5 pm and up to this moment has'nt deliverd yet, where in normal circumstances should have been delivered hours ago.

I felt so helpless and desperate , I just prayed and left everything to God. One thirty in the morning, I noticed the water inside the house have subsided, and I presumed that water in the street must have gone lower, so I decided to wade the flood waters again. People inside the house volunteered to guide me and help and they did, together with my son Lj.

I'm determined to get through this time and was successful after an hour of walking and running whenever possible. Luckily, this time I was able to contact Dr. Caballa to assist me and to give the Anesthesia. I didn't bring anything with me, except my cellphone that is wrapped in a plastic to prevent it from getting wet. As I reached the hospital, I'm soaking wet, up to the neck, and not just wet because my green shirt turned into brown and I really stink. I washed off quickly with soap and water and put on the oversized scrub suit from the hospital and mind you, without any underwear on! Chucks!

I did the Emergency CS in no time and THANK GOD! Mommy Ester gave birth to a healthy and very pretty baby girl! I named her ONDAY! One worry down! I still have to check on my son Leigh. I called the house if there is any news regarding him, and THANK GOD AGAIN! my daughter Julliene informed me that he was home at 3 the morning after wading the flood waters also. What a relief!! GOD never left me. This is one kind of a birthday that I can never forget!

But my story never ends here! events came one after the other up to this moment that I'm writing this blog. And Ondoy is the culprit. Until next time.

Jo Olviz Carungay

HELP: Johnel

This letter was sent to me and to Von by Johnel. That I now posted here. We have a brother in need of our help. It is up to each one of us to help as much as we can. There is an existing setup how we can help by sending funds to Johnel it is till up and running. Von still got the accounts that we have used before. Another round is needed to save our brothers life.


Dear Brods and Sis,

Update kita sa sakit ko. I was apparently improving from my LBM which is part of my graft versus host disease (GVHD). This GVHD can either be acute or chronic. Earlier my stool showed improved consistency and volume. Kaso nga lang few days before my discharge nag abdominal pains ako and my stool consistency became watery again. My attending doctors tried immunosuppressants and steroids but to no avail.

Now they are planning to give thymoglobulin. A very expensive treatment. Each vial costs 20K. I need 6 vials each dose based on my weight that is to be given for 4 doses translating to P480,000.00.

Again I am asking for help from our brothers and sister. Even just a little help para naman ma-stretch yung budget namin. Naka-confine ako for almost 7 weeks and you can imagine how much na ang nagagastos namin.

Thanks so much Johnel and Family

WEBSITE

Brods and Sis,

Kung naalala ninyo kaya nag karoon ng BLOG sa Blogger e dahil nawala ang www.mediciomnesduciens.com. Nag try akong bilhin from the registry yung name natin pero masyadong malaki ang asking price just for our name na we paid to be registered. Ginawa ko ang BLOG para maging portal ng lahat ng sites ng MEDICUS na nasa web. Kung mababasa ninyo ang nasa side bar instructions ng BLOG. Iyon ang portal sa lahat ng sites para nga hindi malito and memebrs at magtanong kung ano ang main. Para lang siyang site na nag oopen sa ibat ibang pages (you can just go to the BLOG and then go the site that you want). Likewise para mailagay din ang mga history at kung anu ano pa na tungkol sa MEDICUS.

For the last 2 yrs I was asking for input pero halos wala akong natangap, mabibilang mo sa daliri ang nag respond. Yung lang update nang birthdays sa roster, it took us 2 yrs and still hindi pa rin sumagot ang iba(were are still missing 4 members; ace lino coloma, johana bayucan, rainiel genelsea, and lito jay macaraig) and that was just asking for the birthdays, address, telephone. Hindi biro ang mag collate ng data dahil para makuha lang ang iba send ka sa email, send ka sa friendster, send ka sa facebook at kung anu-ano pa. If babalik tayo sa site na babayaran natin. Hindi lang isa ang bayad noon, mag babayad ka sa registry ng domain, babayad ka sa website design, at mag babayd ka sa mag ho-host ng site. Kung magbabayad ka ng mura hindi rin tayo ma tutuwa sa resulta.

Yung BLOG natin sa blogger, nandoon lahat ng kailangan natin. It was made at that time as a temporary site dahil nga in a few weeks mawawala na ang mediciomnesduciens.com sa web. Naka attach doon ang album natin sa FLICKR, which I am paying for the group every year para maka ulpoad tayo ng lahat ng pictures natin. Yet, since it was made 2 yrs ago, only a few members loaded pictures on it.

Yung mga existing sites ng MEDICUS, was made separately by different members from different batches on different years. Pinag sama-sama ko ito sa BLOG. I think kaya dumai ito dahil sa "lack of communication between members" hindi ma-dessiminate sa members kung ano na ang nagawa. Sa palagay ko sa bawat batch nandoon yung feeling na parang kulang may nakikita silang need na hindi na sa-satisfy. Walang paraaan para makita ang iba dahil hindi nga nasabi na meron tayong ganito. Ito nga ang nag prompt sa akin to make the BLOG, para pagsama-samahin ang different sites into one page. Dahil nga sa yahoogroup pa lang we have 3 groups na MEDICUS, sa friendster 2, sa hotmail 1, sa MSN 1, bukod pa sa geocities.
I did the 1st sa yahoogroup noong 2000 hoping na makita ito ng mga brods and sis at magkaroon ulit ng communication kung mag hahanap sila sa internet. Ginawa ko yung 1st, dahil noong dumating ako dito sa America alam kong maraming brods and sis dito pero di ko alam kung saan hahanapin. Walang way to communicate sa mga brods at sis na nasa ibat ibang lugar. This was followed by geocities that I tried to build pero di ko nagawang ma up. Then si Robin na mas may alam sa geocities ang gumawa noon, noong students pa sila. (Geocities will now disappear this coming October, as yahoo will shut geocities forever).

Sa ngayon we are not paying for anything. Kung may kulang sa BLOG para gawing portal then say so and if possible gagawin at idadagdag. Limitado lang ang pwedeng gawin sa BLOG. We are limited to the allowed templates, we cannnot re-design the templates. So far incorporated sa blog ang chat box sa bottom part ng page, links of all the sites sa side bar, flickr for the depository ng pictures (unlimited), slide for the guest book, photobucket for the slide presentation and uploadable post, videos from youtube, message box and shout box on the side and other RSS links that we have interest on. Meron din doon na address na I tried to make as current as possible. Ito ay naka incorporate sa Gmail ng group (kailangan ng password at sign in name to see). Forumer was added per request kay Gerald. Dahil we may have discussions na ayaw nating makita ng iba. Sa ngayon I am trying to incorporate sites ng mga brods and sis (like their personal blogs or business at clinics sites) para nga maging isang one stop shop for MEDICUS members. So far nandoon ang link sa personal BLOG ni Mila, Christine at yung sa add ng clinic ni Archie (para sa mga .... walang buhok).

As for security ng site, noong unang ginawa ang yahoogroup open siya sa public at anyone can become a member. Robin changed that and made it moderated para nga hindi mapasok ng iba (kasi nga may nag aalok na ng aircon sa atin doon at one time, ngayon nag request na naman na pumasok at mag aalok ulit yata ng aircon pero na block na ng moderator). Ngayon each application ay kailangan ang approval from the moderator this is after asking their name, batch, at proof na brod or sis natin sila.

If we are going to design our site with our name and inputs, who is going to maintain it or update it? Do you think we can incorporate all of these sa possibleng website na yun?. Kung makikita ninyo ang ibang sites na magaganda, ito ay dahil may specific IT tech na nag me-maintain noon. Noong ginawa ni Robin yung geocities site natin nagka problema kung sino ang mag tutuloy after Robin left. At nag mag graduate na nga si Robin wala nang sumunod, wala nang nag update. Nung ginawa naman ang www.mediciomnesduciens.com through Jeff para lang siyang naging message board masyadong static at hindi naging adoptable (everytime na may request for any change kailangan na makausap ang designer for the change at madalas hindi rin mapalabas ang gusto natin due to a very limited space). Dahil sa maliit ang alloted space yung mga picture na naunang na upload, nabura lahat at hindi na na retrieve. After a year nawala na sa internet yung site, dahil na rin sa walang budget. Kung mag ba-bayad tayo ulit ng site, can we maintain paying for it? Dahil ang style diyan, mababa sa 1st year (as low as 5$ sa GOdaddy.com) then going higher every year. Meron namang nag aabang kung mag e-expire na ang registry at kukunin nila (snipping) at kailangan mong bilhin afterwards sa kanila at a much higher price (usually bidding).

It will be good using our own name, and having our own site and maintaing our site the way we wanted it to be. I dream of that one day, and I have a lot of ideas for the site, but can we sustain it? Remember it will cost us a lot of money every year adding to our budget needs.

agp

Brothers in Chicago

It is difficult to start a new life in a country that you never grew up with. You have your ideals of a better life to be, but starting a new life in a foreign country is not easy. Epecially if you have your family back to where you came from. You always feel that you where alone. It is not easy if you are by yourself braving the snow that you've only seen in your freezer before. Shoveling ice that freezes your bone just to get to work.

When I came in the US I knew that I have some of my brods and sis living here in the US. At that time there is no way of knowing where they where. No MEDICUS BLOG, No yahoogroup, no way of telling where they where. This was year 2000, but luck would have it that in one of my mall visits I saw a familiar face sitting right in front of me. It is Sam Sales, a brod, from then on I was connected to my family.

We have 2 brods that came in the US and ended up in Illinois. One is Gilbert that I have no inkling was planning to go to the US and Laverne that for want of giving a better life to his children decided to come and brave the cold and freezing place.

I did not know then, that I was a friendster buddy of Gilbert's son. His son told me that they where in Illinois, not knowing that we have brods there in the same batch (Vincula Concordia). Laverne passby Los Angeles on his way to Chicago and was informed that Manny lives in Chicago and a contact number was given. It turns out to be a small world as Laverne's friends was also a friend of Manny's wife. Then I told Laverne that Gilbert was also in Illinois and another contact number was sent.

Here are the pictures taken when the 3 Viculits met in Chicago. With your brods you'll never feel alone.

Brothers in Arms

Lumibao Hair Center

LUMIBAO HAIR CENTER ads at 88db service portal

Dr Archie Lumibao opens a Hair Restoration Clinic in Quezon City, last month. The opening was marred by a storm and only several sis from Dum Spiro Spero was able to attend. He was bored with all the shopping and drinking that we used to do and decides to go back to our native country. Apparently to help the people in need of his specialty. You can contact the number on the picture for a free consult. He used to work at the Hair Institute in Beverly Hills, California for several years where he learned this specialization. Several Hollywood celebrities were clients of Dr Lumibao.

This is a good news to our brods who have vrying thinning hair problems (eg. airstrip, moon walk, monk, diver, etc) perhaps you can talk to archie and maybe there is a solution to your problem.

Below is our picture before angels and demons was released as a novel. Archie showing his true colors. (for info: this part is supposed to be a joke)

Peewee's Cebu Visit

This pictures were sent by Peewee after her month long vacation in the Philippines. She went to Cebu and dropped by our Founding Chairman's Medical Office and then went to lunch afterwards. Peewee (Muriel), Angel and Marisse went to lunch and it is probably good as everyone's smiling.

Medical Mission Schedules

sent by: Harold Nanquil

The following are Medical Mission schedules sent by Von. Those who can attend join the missions. I wish I could.

1. May 4 and 5, medical and surgical missioncauayan isabela, c/o Pinky Abogado-Puruganan (see email for tel #), PNOC sponsor aalamin pa ang transportation, board and lodging, OC frank - (see email for tel #) and OC leslie garcia (see email for tel#) coordinating

2. May 17, to confirm kung combine medical and surgical mission manila jockey club, c/o Jef Lee mod 179 (see email for tel #).

3. May 23, surgical mission Camarin Quezon City, c/o Larry Lianko mod 299 (see email for Tel#)

MAY 18 TO MAY 29, COMPREHENSIVE EXAM NG MGA ACTIVE

sa mga bakante sa mga araw na ito at interesadong mag-attend, pls contact yung mga names sa taas at ako rin Von Megino (see email for tel#)

At Fort Bonifacio Circa 90's

I could not remember the year but it was back in the early 90's when this picture was taken. I was 80 pounds lighter then. The air was cool and there were festivities everywhere, and so are we. It was the induction of incoming officers of MEDICUS (i think, if my Alzheimer's brain is not misleading me). As usual due to budgetary constraints it becomes a problem where to hold the induction. Good for MEDICUS our brod Dino offers his place, it was in Fort Bonifacio.

Air soft was just gaining grounds in the Philippines then, and Dino had a Beretta 93R pistol that was always with him (shooting his batchmates when ever someone gets off from the car in rapid fire). Curious in what we can find at Dino's house at Fort Bonifacio we decide to ransack the place, like kids on an Easter egg hunt. These kids ended with these arms in our arms and decided to pose for the camera.

This was the good times that I was with ANIMO AB INITIO (273.Arsenio D. ALCANTARA 274.Arman D. ARQUILLANO 275.Johnel M. CANDAVA 276.Dennil P. DELA PAZ 277.Victorino T. DE LOS REYES 278.Orrick Vicente D. FELIX 279.Dino Anthony P. FLORES 280.Alberto D.J. GABRIEL 281.Aldrin B. INDANAN 282.Jesson Q. MEGINO 283.Omar S. NASRALLA 284.Robert Neil V. RANGEL 285.Allan P. TUPONG), with laughter and friendship given to someone who just crashed in to a party. Accepting an older brother and sister (archipips, holding an M16, looking mean) that they never met.

I remember Johnel then, he was young like his batch mates and me. He was quiet and ready with a smirk or a smile on his face. He seldom make noise but ready to give a hand when needed. Now, he needs our help. Being brods and sis that we are, it is our duty to do so. Johnel did not asked us for help, but we know he needs it. I think we do not have to think if it should be given. Cesar wrote in his email that "It is an obligation on my part to help a brod or a sis who is in need of my help". Like Cesar I also believe that it is my obligation as a brod to do so. I hope that all of us feels the same, and will do our best to help a brod in need. Johnel might not have a blood relation to me or to us, but he is part of my family and our family.

April 14 is fast approaching and Johnel's situation cannot wait. Easter is fast approaching and this is our cross to bear. Our prayers (to what ever or to who ever you pray) during this season can help Johnel, but more so if we can help financially.

To those who could and would, In behalf of Johnel, from the bottom of my fatty liver.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

(GOD, Jehovah, Allah, Yahweh, Buddha, Osiris, RA, The Force, etc will remember what you did)

agp107

UPDATE: Medicus Cap

We have an ongoing fund raising for the active members for current projects at MCU. This is a MEDICUS cap that we are selling here in the USA, several members have sent their checks but we are still waiting for the others to send theirs. The First recipients in CA got their cap yesterday 12/14/08. For those out of state I will mail them to you (just got the caps last Friday 12/12/08) just give me time. 1st batch mailed(1/2/09), 2nd batch mailed (1/15/09 pero di pa nagkikita si Max at ang cap niya hangang ngayon nakabaon pa yata sa yelo 2/6/09), 3rd batch mailed (2/3/09). Thanx to Cesar Dayahan, Robbin Bacolor, Lyn Navarro-Farmer, Odette Quinto-Uy, Thani & Mel Magtoto, Edwin Chua, Peewee Muriel, Sam & Mae Sales, Elvis Verzo, James Centeno, Allen Lumanog, & Monette Soriano got your checks. Complete accounting will be sent through our group email.

agp

An Accident

February 12, 2009, We received an email from Joanne Santiago:

brods and sis,

Our sis janis and brods gian and princy had a vehicular accident last weekend, lets pray for their early, recovery.... tnx... mod353

This is the story from Bing Bunuan sister in law of Dr Bermie Alejandro

Princy and family ... Gian, Janice and pamangkin plus my sis-in-law Bermie and BF Gilbert went to Manaoag last feb 7 daw and on their way home ... an accident happened. Bale convoy daw sila ... Princy and family in one car, while others mentioned on the other car, driver nila si Gian. Medyo nawala lang daw sandali si Gian sa paningin ni Princy dahil may sumingit na bus between them. Princy just thought na nakasunod pa rin si Gian, however taka na lang daw sya coz super bagal na daw sya to wait for them pero wala pa rin sila, only to find out, may accident na pala. Nag turn turtle sila, tumama daw yung gitna ng roof sa isang tree, nahati at dun nauntog si Bermie. My poor sis-in-law died on-the-spot.

Dra. Berminda Alejandro was a senior radiology resident at Tondo MediCal Center, about to graduate this september, and planning to get married by December. 10 years anniv nila ng BF nya last feb 13, 1 day before her burial. How ironic.

I was able to talk to Gian and Princy who attended the burial last saturday. Ok na si Princy but si Gian, I could still see in him na di pa talaga sya fully recovered psychologically. The grieving family told him to undergo therapy ... which just shows na naiintindihan sya. Besides, its really an accident. Sino nga naman kasi ang magkakagustong mangyari yun.

Janice is still in Delo. (s/p closed reduction of her femoral fracture, shoulder dislocation, tarsal bone fractures, and other injuries from Leisly) wasnt able to drop by na coz we went home the following day.

Janis dear, get well soon, ok. Kaya mo yan... nakaya mo hirap sa medicus... yan pa kaya? Gian, I know what you feel but don't blame yourself ok. nangyari na din yan sa akin (total wreck din tho less traumatic) and up to now, may phobia pa rin ako... We really suggest you and Janis to undergo therapy para mas mabilis kayo maka recover.

Kaya, mga brods and sis... ingat lagi sa pagda drive...

NB: Just a little favor ... please help us pray for the soul Bermie.

Thank You.

Bing Bunuan

This is a tragic accident that no one wants to happen specially to our love ones. To the family of Dr. Bermie Alejandro, The MEDICUS family conveys our deepest sympathies to you, and rest assured that Bermie is in our prayers.

To our Brods, Princy and Gian and Sis Janice, Life goes on. Give your self time to grieve, time heals all wounds they say. Let your injuries heal, then move forward in life. Nothing that you do now will change anything that happen, perhaps Bermie would like you to continue with your life stronger as you overcome her loss.

Laverne in Chicago

We met with Laverne a couple of days before and he said he will be staying in California until January. Then he suddenly showed up on internet (email) that he is already in Chicago making Halo Halo. I just wish he got more time here, to show Los Angeles to him. He arrived at a time that everyone is busy due to the season's activities. We even told him how cold it would be in Chicago at this time of the year (there was a time that the windchill is at -37F).

In Chicago it turns out to be a small world. Manny knew where Laverne is staying and know the people personally becasue it his wifes friend. So here is their picture when they met at that time. Both looked to be so cold.

agp

Laverne Stop Over

Cesar called me and said that Laverne dropped by on his way to Chicago. I was reading email from Laverne and he is going to Chicago with a stopped over in Los Angeles. His family persuade him to spend the holidays with them in Los Angeles since his job would not start until 3rd week of January. It would be very cold in Chicago with no relative in site on Christmas and New Year's day.

Laverne decides to spend the Holidays in Los Angeles and the following day Cesar pick him up from his uncles house and call some Brod's. So that sunday (December 14) I picked up Elvis and went to Cesars house. Cesar ordered lunch at Salo Salo, together we pick it up and ate lunch. We then spend the whole afternoon talking about the good old times, with the seniors giving advice to our Brod.

In the picture (above), all of us were wearing the MEDICUS cap that I just got that friday (december 12) from the manufacturer. It look good and serve as a badge for us. To my brods and sis I will be mailing it (the cap) to you just wait. I do not want to be with the Holiday rush at the post office so I am waiting till January to start mailing it.

agpineda 107

2008 California Reunion

In 2007 there was a MEDICUS gathering held at Cesar's house at Riverside, Ca. In that gathering a BLOG was started. This BLOG was seen by MEDICUS members and noticed that there were several members in the US mostly in California and in the adjoining states like Nevada and Arizona. Several suggested to have a long overdue reunion (monette, peewee, jopye). It has been years since we saw each other, face to face. The most members in one place was during James birthday in 2002 and all of these were from California. I mentioned this to Cesar and agreed to organized and held one. The suggestion was Las Vegas, for there were several members there that includes Monette, Thany & Mel, and James and there was a lot more activities to begin with. This was considered and pondered but then, we have to take into consideration that most of our brods and sis were in California. A lot of members do not have enough time for the whole weekend to spare. Some were even on duty the night before the set date for the reunion plus the commute between the states and finally the cost becomes a deciding factor. In the end it was decided that it would be held at Cesar's house at Riverside. It has a bigger space and can hold a lot of people, it has a pool and the view at sunset is stunning (i have seen this the previous year 2007). We call everyone we know to be informed of the plan 3 months before so that they can settled their schedules ahead of time.

The day starts with a call from Annie to what time I'm going to pick her up (just woke up at the call 0945) and told her after I got the "kakanin" that I ordered at 10:00 AM. Soon Art was calling me, he was already there at Riverside and no one was there except Cesar. I picked up Annie after I found my way to her apartment (sorry but i got lost in West LA, with a GPS) and then we where on our way.


At Riverside Art was the first to arrived at 10:00 AM. I arrived with Annie at 12:20 PM followed by Robin and his wife, Peewee Muriel and Terry. We were hungry and ate lunch after arrival. We started talking about how we end up being a MEDICUS and our old times at MCU.

One by one the members came Monette and family, James, Edwin and family, Mel and Thany, Vic, Cepo, Jopye, Elvis and family, Sam and Mae, Joli, and Aileen and family. We've talk of old times and how boring our medicine school days would be without MEDICUS, our activities, practical jokes and the camaraderie. We also have some guest from other batches that were MCU graduates (88 & 84). They talk of how they find MEDICUS and its members then (we all came from one school regardless of our organizational affiliation when we were students). Everyone enjoyed meeting each other and talking about old times.

The younger generation listens to the activities of the older ones, they also have their own story to tell. We reconnect and plan on networking to help each other out. We also plan of future activities. Until it was time for Robin to leave (he have another reunion to go to). We ate, drink, be merry and chat for hours. We have a lot pictures taken during sunset and through out the reunion. Then Terry and Jopye left followed by Joli. At 12:00 midnight, one by one the members said their goodbyes. A few were left to stay overnight at Cesar's house (alex, sam, mae, james) and some at Bel's house (art, me-an, vic, and monette). (Bel is our guest, a batch 88 she lives a few blocks from Cesar without knowing it.) We've agreed to meet again for breakfast at 08:00 AM the following morning at Cesar's house.

At 08:00 AM, breakfast was prepared and again we started talking about the old days and our life as it is, over breakfast. After breakfast we said our goodbyes at the breakfast table and walk outside. Outside, we started talking again and said another set of goodbyes and started walking to the gate to leave. We ended talking again at the gate. At 10:00 AM it was really time to leave as some were still on duty that night. Some had to travel back to Nevada. It seems that we have not enough time to talk and tell our stories.

We miss some of the members like Rodel, Chi, Joan, Jon, Del, Willy, Rey Daclison, Aida, Vince, Burt, Sam Bangug (New York), Manny Sunga(Chicago), Manette Bunyi (Florida), Gemma, Odette (Washington), Reyshelle, Jewelie, and Ellen. I hope that we will see them next time. Some of them wanted to come but due to unforeseeable circumstances they were not able to make it.


This is a picture of every member that was in the reunion. There were several videos made and posted to YouTube (you can watch it at the bottom of the BLOG). I hope that by now everyone saw it.

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A Visit

I went to visit MCU during my vacation and met some of our brods and sis. I never met them before (except for one) and I do not actually know them. But all of us were Medicus. We mingle and talk like long lost friends. I did not stay for long but seems that I know them for a long time. I think this is one of the reason that Medicus was founded. If it is just MCU to go back to, I probably would not visit. But it is our frat-soro, brod and sis that we go back to.

I tried to take some pictures of the campus but the security guards would not allow me. They asked me to get permision from the administration first. I could not possibly do that, even if I wanted to. This was due to my hectic schedule, I only had a few minutes to spare. I do not have enough time to go through the bureaucracy. I only have the time to get a quick shot of our bulletin board, our tambayan, and the parking lot. I also took some photos of our brods and sis that I met on that very short time at MCU Hospital. I uploaded the pictures to my smugmug account, and here is the link for all to see (you can also download it in its full resolution). The pictures were not edited and some were too dark and not nice to look at (they were dark and uneven it is just a small camera that i took it with). I will try to do some tweaking and perhaps upload better ones (when I had the time). I will try to upload it too to our Flickr account after I'm finished with all the editing that I wanted to do (hopefully i can do it before the year end).

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A Little Prayer

Just recently Jay Abrigonda called me up with some sad news, to my surprise I learned that Johnel Candava's father was in St. Lukes ICU unit for over a month now and in critical condition.

Johnel's father is suffering from a surgical condition called Necrotizing Pancreatitis, which is diagnosed radiographically by intravenous contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen.

Jay told me that Johnels' father had undergone 2 surgeries already,which is understandable because the treatment for Necrotizing Pancreatitis is open or semi-open necrosectomy and either scheduled repeated laparotomies or open packing, which leaves the abdominal wound exposed for frequent changes of dressing and drainage through surgical drains.

Just imagine the surgical stress his father is experiencing, so to all brods and sis PLEASE GIVE A LITTLE PRAYER for his relief and fast recovery.

Those who want to contact Johnel, our brods and sis can call him and give support through his cell phone - 09178500679.

Gerard Vergel De Dios
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The following is Johnel's letter to brods and sis:

My Dear Bros & Sis,

In behalf of my family, thank you for prayers and words of encouragement.

My father had undergone 3 surgeries already to remove necrotic tissues from his pancreas. We do not know when the last surgery will be but it will depend on his clinical status. At present his blood pressure is unstable which requires inotropic support. His sensorium is down. The bleeding parameters are prolonged. He is bleeding from NGT and he had bouts of hematochezia. A clinical picture of sepsis. In short the prognosis is poor at this time. We do not know if our loving father will recover from his suffering. I and my family miss him so much. We long to see him awake smiling at us.

Bros and Sis, please always remember that life is so precious. Life truly is very short and we live only once. Find time to remind your loved ones how much you love them.

Again, thank you very much for your support.

Johnel

MOD Animo ab Initio 275

Christmas Spirit

It is another year in a foreign country. I missed the Christmas spirit in the Philippines. Ang magulong midnight sales, sa Greenhills at sa kung saan saan, na kadalasan ay nauuwi sa pagbili ng hotdog on a stick. Ang mga rides sa may Manila bay, ang pakikipagsiksikan sa Tutuban at kung saan saan sa paghahanap ng murang pang regalo. Ang mga kakaibang regalo sa ating mga monito at monita. Ang mga taong kahit walang pera ay masaya na ikutan ng ikutan. Ang simbang gabi na kahit kailan ay hindi ko natapos simula lamang at ang katapusang misa. At higit sa lahat ang nalalapit nating 25th year Anniversary celebration, tuloy Christmas party at New Years party. How I wish na sana ay makapunta at makainuman kayong lahat. Batid ko rin na ang ating ibang kapatid na nasa ibang bansa ay nais na makasama at makasalamuha ang lahat na mga utols na pupunta. Sa lahat ng mga Brods at Sis nasa Pilipinas o nasa ibang bansa. Isang masayang pasko sa inyong lahat. At para sa lahat ng utol simula sa Founding members hangang sa pinkahuli sa listahan HAPPY 25TH Anniversary sa ating lahat. Nawa'y dumami tayong lalo at lalong lumakas ang kapatiran. Mula sa isang utol na nagmumukmok at walang kainuman ngayong pasko.

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Medicus SoCal gathering

On November 4, 2007 Medicus members in Southern California held an impromptu get together. The Chairman of the Internal 1984-85 (Edwin Chua) came for a visit coming from Taiwan. Our brod Ceasar also held a belated birthday for him and his kids, thus making them the host of the event. Seven members with their families were there; Ceasar Dayahan, James Centeno (who came all the way from Las Vegas, Nevada), Edwin Chua, Elvis Verso, Chi Juico, Muriel 'Peewee" Manuel and yours truly Alex Pineda. The event was really nice, specially if you met someone you have not met for more than 20 years. Like long lost brothers and sisters we get drunk until the sun came down. A new slide presentation was posted above the post but you can still watcth the old slide show by clicking on the active link. Hope you'll enjoy it like we do.
AGP 107

*you can also click the active link it will take you to YouTube for the video*