Transition: A Tribute To A Beloved Pastor

23 September 2019

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(I went to New York this past weekend to pay homage to a beloved Pastor who is retiring. I was one of the many who was asked to give a short tribute in the program for him. Here’s what I said:)

I met Pastor W at the time of my life that can be described in one word: transition.

In 1997, my wife and I moved to New York City to continue my medical training. Being new to this foreign place, the Filipino church became our instant support group and family. That was the beginning of my close relationship with Pastor W and his family.

The Filipino congregation, still a fellowship or company at that time, was undergoing a transition too. The leader of the core group was leaving for another state, and our arrival was not by chance but considered a Divine appointment.

During our time in New York City, the Filipino congregation moved from a small rented storage-like room to a spacious rented church. It was also during this time that the group was formally organized as a church. I am humbled to be a part of that transition and was even chosen to serve as the first First Elder of the newly formed Filipino church.

In my first hand account, I observed Pastor W as a relentless worker. Always respectful and humble, yet getting the job done. He will do whatever task is needed to be done: he’ll preach sermons, he’ll do visitations, he’ll sing with the church choir, he’ll help clean-up and be the church janitor, as well as some other odd duties outside the job-description of a church pastor. He even helped my family and me moved to a new apartment, all in the real essence of the word “bayanihan.”

After our three years in New York, I finished my training, and that was when we had to undergo a painful transition of visa status change. The transition process took several months, and I was unable to work, and yet I had a family to feed. During that time, the Filipino church adopted and partly supported us. Every church service, Ate Nelly, and some other members would hand me $20 or other amount, and would tell me, “This is for your daughter’s food and diapers.” Pastor W never failed to encourage me during that difficult time and continued to pray for my family and me.

We eventually moved out of New York City and went to California to stay with our relatives, to flee the cruel winter season of our lives. But like any winter it ended, and we were able to transition to our current status now.

I have been out of New York City for 20 years now, and even after several more transitions that I went through, there’s one thing that has not changed: Pastor W remains my Pastor and my friend. Every year on my birthday, or my wife’s birthday, we receive a greeting and a prayer from him. Every year on our wedding anniversary, he’ll do the same. And I’m sure we are not the only ones who get greetings and prayer from him on every special occasion. Because that’s who he is – a minister, a shepherd, and a faithful friend.

As he now undergoes a transition in his life, as he officially retires from the ministry, I want to sincerely thank him for his service. He definitely made an impact on so many lives, and I am among them that he forever touched.

Thank you Pastor W.

Brooklyn bridge (photo taken with an iPhone)

Tampisaw

12 September 2019

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Noong isang umaga, ako’y nagising sa dagundong ng kulog at kalaskas ng bumubuhos na ulan. Balak ko sanang tumakbo noong umagang iyon pero dahil sa malakas na ulan, ako’y nagbatu-batugan at nagbabad na lang sa higaan. Utak ko nama’y nagtampisaw sa mga alaala ng nakaraang mga tag-ulan – mga alaala na matagal nang nakasampay ngunit parang basa at sariwa pa rin sa isipan.

Nagliwaliw ang aking isip noong ako’y maliit na bata pa. Gaya ng maraming bata batuta, ako’y mahilig maglaro sa ulan lalo na kapag maalinsangan. Kahit pa sabihing baka raw sipunin, o magkapulmonya, o kaya’y mapasma, ay hindi namin alintana, dahil sa musmos naming isip, masarap maligo sa ulan. Kung hindi pipigilan ay lagi kaming susugod sa ulan.

Nagbabakasyon kami palabas ng Maynila tuwing buwan ng Mayo noon. Mga dalawang linggo rin kaming lumalagi sa Ilokos Norte, ang probinsiyang pinagmulan ng aking nanay.

Isang araw habang kami ay nagbabakasyon, ay umulan nang todo-todo. Kami, kasama ko ang aking mga pinsan, ay pinayagang maligo sa ulan. Masaya kaming naghabulan sa kalsadang graba, habang umaagos ang malalaking kanal na ang tubig ay malinaw, hindi gaya ng tubig kanal ng Maynila. Dahil mala-batis ang linis ng tubig sa kanal, sinasalok pa namin ito ng tabo, tapos itataob namin ang tabo na may lamang tubig sa aming ulo, habang kami’y sumasayaw at tumatalon-talon sa ulan. Akala ninyo palaka lang ang masaya kapag umuulan?

Pinupulot din namin ang mga nalalaglag na kamachile dahil sa lakas ng hangin. Hindi na namin kailangan pa itong sungkitin. Sana nga ang mga mangga sa puno ng aking lola ay magkandahulog din, pero kailangan yata ng ipo-ipo bago ito malaglag.

Sa bahay naman namin sa Maynila, konting ulan lang ay baha na kaagad ang mga kalye, kaya sanay akong lumusong sa baha. Hindi namin iniisip ang Leptospirosis, dahil hindi ko pa naman alam kung ano iyon at hindi ko pa rin alam ang spelling nito. Noong nasa medical school na ako kesa ko pa lang natutunan ito, at sa katunayan, may naging pasyente kaming namatay dahil sa Leptospirosis. Sangayon sa history niya, siya ay bumagtas sa baha.

Nang ako’y nasa kolehiyo na, masaya pa rin ako kapag malakas na ang ulan. Hindi sa ako’y sadista at gusto ko ng bagyo, pero dahil kalimitan ay nakakansela ang pasok sa UST kapag baha na, lalo na sa Espanya. Umaabot hanggang hita o hanggang bewang pa ang baha doon.

photo credit: Michael Angelo Reyes

Minsan nang ako’y nasa medical school na, bumuhos ang malakas na ulan maghapon at hindi humumpay kaya bumaha ang buong ka-Maynilaan. Wala kaming masakyan pauwi, dahil mga pailan-ilang bus na lamang ang malakas ang loob na bumaybay sa malalim na baha. Walang rin namang pumapasadang bangka. Kaya lumusong na lang ako sa baha at naglakad mula sa UST hanggang sa amin sa may Balik-Balik. Sa awa ng Diyos nakarating naman ako nang ligtas sa aming bahay, at hindi napatianod o nalunod sa baha, at hindi rin nahulog sa mga nakabukas na imburnal. Wala naman din akong nahuling dalag.

Nang matapos ako sa Medisina, ako’y pansamantalang namasukan (moonlighting) sa isang maliit na ospital sa Plaridel Bulakan, upang makaipon nang konti habang ako’y nag re-review para sa medical licensing exam ng Amerika. Kung maipapasa ko iyon, magiging pasaporte ko siya upang makalabas ng bansa. Sa Plaridel na ako lumalagi ng mga ilang araw, at linguhan na lang akong lumuwas ng Maynila. Trabaho ako sa gabi, at konting tulog at puspusang review sa araw.

Isang okasyon, dinalaw ako ng aking nobya na galing Maynila sa aking trabaho doon sa Bulakan. Matindi ang ulan noong araw na iyon. Kahit na may dala pa siyang payong, ay basang basa siya nang dumating sa aming ospital sa Plaridel. Para siyang basang sisiw. Ako naman ay parang palakang kumakanta.

Habang siya ay nagpapatuyo, at habang kami ay nakaupo at nakadungaw sa bumubuhos na ulan, ay masaya naman kaming magkaulayaw kahit na maiksing sandali lamang ang sa ami’y inilaan. At para bagang awit ni Basil Valdez (may version din si Regine Velasquez), alam namin na kapag tumila na ang ulan ay lilisan na siya upang bumalik sa Maynila, at ako’y maiiwan na.

Pagmasdan ang ulan unti-unting tumitila,
Ikaw ri’y magpapaalam na,
Maaari bang minsan pa,
Mahagkan ka’t maiduyan pa,
Sa tubig at ulan lamang ang saksi,
Minsan pa ulan bumuhos ka
Huwag nang tumigil pa,
Hatid mo ma’y bagyo
Dalangin ito ng puso kong sumasamo,
Pag-ibig ko’y umaapaw,
Damdamin ko’y humihiyaw sa tuwa,
Tuwing umuulan at kapiling ka.

Malakas pa rin ang buhos ng ulan at tumatabing pa rin ang maiitim na ulap sa bagong silang na umaga. Pero kailangan ko nang bumangon at kailangan nang pumasok sa trabaho. Hanggang sa muli na lang ulit ang aking pagtatampisaw sa mga alaala ng kahapon.

Aking pinagmasdan ang aking katabi. Mahimbing pa rin ang kanyang pagkakatulog. Pero alam kong kahit tumila pa ang ulan, kami ay magkapiling na at hindi na namin kailangang magpaalam pa.

Magdadalampu’t limang taon na palang bumubuhos ang ulan.

(photo taken with an iPhone)

Down the River

3 September 2019

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It is September once again and Labor Day weekend here in the US heralds the unofficial end of summer. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, we should expect a “Polar Coaster” this coming winter. Meaning, it will be freezing, frigid, and frosty.

So my friends and I went for an adventure last Sunday to take advantage of this fleeting summer. Did we go biking? No, done that. Hiking? No, done that too. We went kayaking!

I have never done kayaking before. I have been in a canoe a few times, but not in a kayak. The only “kayak” I have gotten into before was the search engine for cheap flights and hotels. Our group, three teams of father and son, were mostly first-timers, except for the one who planned this trip.

We went to this little Iowa town to meet our guy who would provide our equipment. We then drove through a winding dirt road and came to one access boat-ramp by the river where we parked our car. Then we were taken by a truck, with our rental kayaks, a few miles up the river where we were dropped off to start our journey.

The river was relatively quiet with only a gentle current. No big scary drop-offs, just a few rapids. Since it was also the end of summer, several portions of the river were shallow, so shallow that you could get stuck in some rocky portions.

It was the perfect weather for being outdoors that afternoon. Not too hot, nor too cold, and the water was cool and inviting for a swim, if in case your boat tipped over.

When we were dropped off the river, we were told that we were going to paddle 5 miles down the river to the station where we parked our car. We were given landmarks to watch out for. We were told that when we passed the first bridge, that meant we already travelled 4 miles. And when we passed the second bridge, that meant our destination was only half a mile away. If we missed that access ramp, we could end up paddling for several more miles to the next access ramp (or to Missouri?), so we had to be vigilant.

After some time paddling, we got the hang of it, and were able to drive forward, instead of going in circles. For me, a kayak was much easier to maneuver than the other paddle boats I have tried. It can be tiring though, yet it is a good work-out for the arms.

It was a great adventure to travel down the river. We saw several herds of deer drinking at the river bank. There were lots of birds flying above us and we even spotted a bald-eagle. There were fishes swimming around us, and thank goodness there were no piranhas or alligators in this river. There were other smaller creatures, like water-striders that glided across the surface and dragonflies that zipped above the water. We also passed some people fishing and saw two men who set up a camp in a secluded area of the river.

We stopped once to take a break and to take a leak. While resting, we also ate some snacks and took a drink of water (no, not river water, we’re not that adventurous). We tried our skills at skipping stones on the river as well. My son proudly said that he was able to skip a stone almost 20 times. Though that may sound impressive, the world record is 88 skips, so it was not even close.

We were enjoying our time together, leisurely paddling and floating down the river, but we got really excited when we saw the first bridge. Maybe it was reassuring to know that we were making good progress and that we were nearing our destination. After that, it did not take us long to pass the second bridge. It took us a little less than 3 hours to cover the 5 miles. Not bad at all.

The last mile of our trip seemed to have more rapids, which made us go faster, but I got stuck on the rocks in one of those rapids. And no amount of paddling or maneuvering could get me free. So I got out of my boat, waded in the river, and pulled my kayak out of the shallow waters.

When we reached our destination, two from our group took an unintentional swim as they were getting out their kayak. Or maybe they really just wanted to cool off before we pulled our boats up the boat ramp.

It was an exhilarating experience, and what a nice way to end this summer. Our arms may be aching, but our hearts were swelling with joy. We enjoyed it so much that we promised that there would be a next time.

Floating down the river,

Pinoytransplant

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(*Photos taken with an iPhone; I was ‘brave’ to bring my phone in this boating trip, knowing that my phone might take a swim.)

Follow the Sunflower

26 August 2019

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A couple of weeks ago, when we were coming home from a week-long international camporee, we happen to drove by a sunflower farm here in Iowa. We were unaware that there’s a sunflower field here. Since we were all tired from the camping, we did not go down to check it out, but promised ourselves that we’ll come back and visit it some other time.

Last Friday, after we helped our daughter get settled back to her dorm, we trekked down to the sunflower farm, which was less than an hour drive from our daughter’s university.

When we arrived at the field, we were a little disappointed, as the condition of the sunflowers has passed its peak. Summer after all, is almost ending and plus the heavy rains earlier in the week did a number on the sunflowers. In fact some of the sunflowers had already fallen to the ground.

Since the state of the farm was not that picture perfect anymore, the $3 entrance fee had been waived, and instead a box for voluntary donation at the gate was placed. It was also free to take some flowers home.

I have to say though that overall, peak or past their peak, the sunflowers were still a beauty to behold.

I noticed something peculiar as well. I always heard that sunflowers always face and follow the sun from sunrise to sunset. This phenomenon is called heliotropism. However in this field the flowerheads were actually turned away from the sun as they were facing east, though the sun was already starting to descend in the west. Why?

I asked one of the farm attendant and she told us that young sunflowers follow the sun across the sky, but when the plant mature, the stalks become stiff already so they lost their ability to turn. So the mature sunflowers face east permanently the rest of their days.

Isn’t that like people? When we were young, we were impressionable and we follow rules without questions. But when we get old, we become “stiff neck” and become pasaway (hardheaded).

Speaking of pasaway, here’s one:

watering the sunflowers

Don’t worry, I did not really “water” the sunflowers. It was all for photo effects.

For some reason while I was on this field, I had this certain Beatles song playing in my head. Maybe because I know that the sunflowers follow the sun:

One day, you’ll find
That I have gone
But tomorrow may rain, so
I’ll follow the sun
Yeah tomorrow may rain, so
I’ll follow the sun.

From the sunflower field of Iowa,

Pinoytransplant

(*photos taken with an iPhone)

Fallen Nest

23 August 2019

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Few days ago, we experienced a strong summer thunderstorm. After the storm, our yard was littered with fallen leaves and broken tree branches. Then we saw this on the ground under our front yard tree:

It is a bird’s nest. We picked it up and placed it at our front porch. We did not find any eggs around it nor birds that might had inhabit this nest. The strong winds must have knocked it off from the tree branch.

Looking at the intricacies of the nest, I felt bad for the birds that owned it. They may have woven it for a long time. They may have occupied it and was their home for a while. I hope they are safe and unharmed. They must have flown away and maybe are busy building another nest somewhere.

Maybe we also have worked for something for a long time. Maybe we have invested precious time and efforts to accomplish something special. But some strong storms in life knocked off our nest and it came crashing to the ground.

But you know what? It’s just a nest. We still have our lives. We can still rebuild. We can rise again. We again will fly.

“Only in the shattering can the rebuilding occur.” Barbara Marciniak

Biyaheng Langit

20 August 2019

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(Eksaktong limang taon ngayong araw na ito ang nakalipas nang aking ilathala ang artikulong Paglalakbay sa Alapaap. Isa lamang pong pagbabalik-tanaw……..)

Paglalakbay sa Alapaap

Alapaap.

Iyan ang aking nakita, sa pagdungaw ko sa bintana. Muli akong nasa himpapawid. Lumilipad. Naglalakbay. Pabalik sa aking lupang sinilangan.

Isip ko ay lumilipad at naglalakbay din. Ngunit hindi tulad ng eroplanong aking sinasakyan na mapayapang tumatahak sa mga alapaap, ang biyahe ng aking isip ay maligalig at matagtag.

Mula nang ako’y lumisan ng ating bansa, dalampung taon na ang nakalilipas, ay maraming beses na rin naman akong nakapagbalik-bayan. At lagi sa aking pagbabalik ay may bitbit itong galak at pananabik. Galak na muli akong tatapak sa lupang tinubuan. At pananabik na makita muli ang iniwang pamilya’t mga kaibigan.

Kahit nang ako’y umuwi noong nakaraang Nobyembre bilang isang medical volunteer para tumulong sa mga nasalanta ni Yolanda, ang naramdaman ko’y hamon na may kahalo pa ring pananabik. Pananabik na makapagbigay ng lunas at ginhawa sa mga kababayang nasakuna ng bagyo.

Ngunit kaka-iba ang pagkakataong ito ng aking pagbabalik. Walang galak. Walang panananabik. Kundi pagkabahala sa kakaibang bagyo na aming sasagupain.

May katiyakan naman ang aking patutunguhan. May katiyakan rin ang oras ng aking pagdating at paglapag sa Maynila. Ngunit hindi ko tiyak kung ano ang aking daratnan. Hindi ko rin tiyak kung gaanong kaikling panahon pa ang sa amin ay inilaan.

Pero ganyan daw talaga ang buhay. Walang katiyakan.

Hindi ko sasabihing hindi ko batid na darating din ang pagkakataong kagaya nito. Ngunit katulad ninyo, ako’y nagnanais at umaasa na sana ay malayo pa ang takipsilim. Sana ay magtagal pa ang tag-araw. Sana ay hindi pa matapos ang awit. Sana ay mahaba pa ang sayaw. Sana……..

Subalit tanggapin man natin o hindi, ang lahat ay may hangganan at may katapusan.

Maraming bagyo na rin naman ang aming pinagdaanan. At kahit gaano kalupit ang hagupit ng unos, ito ay nakakaya ring bunuin. At kahit dumadapa sa dumadaang delubyo ay muli rin namang nakakabangon.

Hindi lang bagyong kagaya ni Ondoy o Yolanda ang aking tinutukoy.

Ngunit kahit gaano pa kaitim ang mga ulap na kumumubli sa liwanag, at kahit gaano kalakas ang sigwa na yumayanig sa pagod na nating katauhan, at kahit gaano pa kahaba ang gabi, ay ating tatandaan na lagi pa ring may bukang-liwayway sa kabila ng mga alapaap.

Atin na lang ding isipin na sa ibabaw ng mga alapaap ay palaging nakangiti ang araw. Sa ibabaw ng mga alapaap ay laging mapayapa. Sa ibabaw ng mga alapaap ay walang nang bagyo. Walang nang pagkakasakit. Walang nang paghihinagpis. Walang na ring pagtangis.

Malapit nang lumapag ang aking eroplanong linululanan. Malapit na rin akong humalik muli sa inang-lupa na aking sinilangan. Muli rin akong hahalik sa mukha ng aking ina na sa akin ay nagsilang.

Sana ay magkita pa kami. Sana ay abutan ko pa siya………..bago siya maglakbay sa ibabaw ng mga alapaap.

**********

Post Note: Nagpang-abot pa kami ng aking ina. Ngunit iyon na ang aming huling pagkikita, sapagka’t dalawang buwan matapos nito, siya ay nagbiyaheng langit at pumailanglang na.

Ebolusyon ng Wika: Tadbalik Edition

8 August 2019

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Limang taon na pala nang aking kathain ang artikulong “Ebolusyon ng Wika” sa blog site na ito. Marami na rin naman ang sumilip dito. Ngayon, dahil may panibagong interes sa ating katutubong wika kaya naingganyo akong isulat ang sunod na akdang ito.

Ang popularidad ng bagong Meyor o Yorme ng lungsod ng Maynila na may makulay na pananalita ang dahilan kung bakit may ibayong taginting sa ating wikang Pilipino.

Siguro naman ay nakakasakay na kayo sa mga katagang binibitiwan ni Yorme Isko Moreno. Bukang bibig niya ang mga terminong etneb (bente), posam (sampu), takwarents (kwarenta), kodli (likod), gedli (gilid), wakali (kaliwa) at nanka (kanan). Ito’y mga salitang baliktad o kaya’y tadbalik.

Dahil sa lumaki ako sa panahong nauso ang mga salitang kalyeng ito, kaya’t parang masarap muling mapakinggan ang mga katagang ito. Para bagang pagbabalik tanaw na rin sa lumipas na kahapon.

Aaminin ko, hindi po ako mahilig magsalita ng pabaliktad. Siguro dahil sa taga-Bulakan ang aking lahi, mga dugong Balagtas at makakata, kaya’t medyo “purist” o dalisay kaming mag-Tagalog. Hindi naman ibig sabihin ay nag-babalagtasan kaming magsalita sa aming tahanan.

Ngunit sa aba ko, sawing kapalaran,
Ano pang halaga ng gayong suyuan,
Kung ang sing-ibig ko’y sa katahimikan,
Ay humilig na sa ibang kandungan.
(hugot mula sa Florante at Laura ni Francisco Balagtas)

Naiintindihan ko naman po ang mga salitang pabaliktad. Lalo na kapag nasa kalye ako, kagaya nang kapag kami ay nagbabasketball sa kalsada, mariringan ko ang mga kalaro ko na nagbibigay ng direksiyon pagnaglalaro: “Sa wakali mo, sa wakali mo!”

Pero dehins ako magiging tapat kung sasabihin kong hindi ako kailan man nangusap ng salitang kalye. Dahil minsan isang panahon ay naisama rin naman sa aking bokabularyo ang mga salitang ermat, erpat, tsekot, lespu, goli at olats.

Use olats and goli in a sentence: Olats ako sa kagwapuhan ni Richard Gomez, pero tatlong goli lang ang lamang niya.

Sinasambit din naming madalas noon ang salitang tomgu (gutom) o “Tom Jones.” Example: “Pards may makakain ba tayo diyan, kasi Tom Jones na Tom Jones na ako.” Hindi ko po ikakaila, miyembro po ako noon ng isang frat – farating gutom.

Bakit ba mahilig magsalita ng pabaliktad ang mga Pilipino? Meron pa ngang libro na inilathala si Bob Ong na ang pamagat ay “Bakit Baliktad Magbasa ng Libro ang mga Pilipino.” Baliktad ba talaga ang takbo ng utak nating Pilipino?

“Kung hindi mo alam kung sino ka, paano mo maipagmamalaki ang sarili mo?” (quote from Bob Ong , Bakit Baliktad Magbasa ng Libro ang mga Pilipino.)

Ang pagbabaliktad ng salita sa aking pagkakatanto, ay nauso noong 1970’s, nang sumikat ang Hippie culture. Dito sumabog ang mga mapagrebeldeng ideya. Tulad nang pagpapahaba ng buhok ng mga lalaki. Pati babae, nagpapahaba rin ng buhok – sa kili-kili. Nagrerebelde sila kaya ayaw din nilang maligo. Hindi po ako nakisali doon. Siguro dahil sa pagrerebelde, kaya pati salita ay iniiba nila. O kaya nama’y gusto lang nilang gawing mas makulay ang ating wika.

Noong panahon ding iyon nauso pati mga kantang may salitang pabaliktad. Pumatok noon ang kanta ni Mike Hanopol na “Laki sa Layaw, Jeproks.” Ang Jeproks po ay baliktad ng salitang project. May kanta rin si Sampaguita na pinasikat noon, ito ay ang “Nosi Balasi” na ang ibig sabihin ay ‘sino ba sila.’

Mga ilang dekada ang lumipas, pero may mga baliktad pa rin mga pananalita. Noong 1990’s ang Eraserheads naman ay naglabas ng kantang Bogchi Hokbu – na baliktad ng Chibug Buhok. Ito po ang sample ng kanta, tignan ko kung masasakyan ninyo:

Wanga tenants ng reksli,
Toing takans na toyi,
Napha oyats ng nengmi,
Nananakirima,
Bangbangbangalalala,
Tastastasbobona,
Bogchi Hokbu.

Pero hindi po henerasyon ng mga Hippie ang pasimuno ng pagbabaliktad ng salita. Kasi, panahon pa ng Kastila ay binabaliktad na ng mga Pilipino ang salita o pangalan. Hindi kayo maniwala? Siguro naman ay kilala ninyo ang isa sa ating bayani na si Marcelo Del Pilar. Ang kanyang ginamit na pen name ay Plaridel, na galing sa Del Pilar. Petmalu si Del Pilar ano po?

Maliban sa mga salitang baliktad, meron ding mga salita sa bokabularyo ni Mayor Isko Moreno na pamilyar sa akin dahil naging bahagi rin ito ng aking wika noon at kahit hanggang ngayon. Isa rito ay ang salitang ‘tolongges.’ Nasaan na kaya ngayon ang mga tolongges kong kabarkada noon? Kung inyong aalamin, noong 1981, ay may isang pelikula si George Javier na ang pamagat ay “A Man Called Tolongges.”

Pero meron din namang mga kataga is Yorme na ngayon ko lang narinig. Ngayon ko lang nakilala is ‘Eddie’ at si ‘Patty.’ Pero ang mga ‘Spiderman,’ dati ko na silang kilala. Sa katunayan tatlong tiyuhin ko noon ay mga lineman ng Meralco, kaya galit sila sa mga Spiderman.

Hanggang dito na lang po muli. Lodi ko si Yorme, at bilib pa rin ako sa ating wika, talagang astig pa rin ito. Sana more werpa sa atin na nagsasalita ng wikang Pilipino. Mabuhay! O haymabu?

(*inilathala para sa Buwan ng Wika)

Bugging Critters

1 August 2019

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Since it’s summer, I have been spending some time outside sitting in our front porch. In fact, that’s where I prefer to read as I prepare for my Boards (read previous post). I am taking advantage of the warm season while it last.

But while I am studying, I have been distracted by some critters, and I cannot help but take photos of them.

One morning, I was bugged by this little bunny (above photo). I thought I heard it say, “Hey, what’s up doc?” Maybe it was only in my head as I was thinking of another famous “bugs” bunny.

Moments later, another rabbit passed by the driveway and he seems to be exchanging stories with the squirrel (photo below). Maybe they were discussing what they want for breakfast: “I crave for a 24-carrot delight,” said one. “I go wild for nuts!” said the other.

There were also lots of birds, and they were noisily chirping around as if they were intentionally disturbing me. It was alright by me for I can’t hush them anyway. “Ssshhh, this is a study area.”

Here’s a cardinal at the bird bath. He seems to be contemplating if the water is cold and if he should take a bath. “To bathe or not to bathe.” But he did eventually.

Below is a mother deer and her fawn. The fawn was taking a drink at the bird bath, “Mmmm, taste like a cardinal punch.” “Oh, don’t drink that!” warns her mother.

I took the photo before I got out to the front porch, but they scurried away the moment I opened the door.

Lastly, there were other critters that were buzzing around me, including bugs that bite. Bzzzzz….”Ooohh, happy meal!” They left their marks on my legs, which I am annoyingly scratching now.

Damn critters!

Rx: Sleep

29 July 2019

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This year is quite hectic for me. Besides the load at work and other responsibilities, I also have to renew 2 of my 3 board certifications. That means I have to study and pass my board exams to keep my certifications.

The governing bodies of Medicine wants all the practicing physicians to be updated and competent in their field of expertise. After all the discipline of science and medicine is ever evolving and what may be true some years ago, may not be applicable today. That’s why doctors have to take regular scheduled exams to maintain their qualifications.

Most of the medical specialties need re-certifications every 7 to 10 years. But now, they are introducing an option of taking the test every 2 or 3 years. More frequent test, oh fun!

The first exam I had to re-certify for this year is for my Pulmonary boards. I am relieved to say that it is past and done. I took my re-certification exam last May, and for 4 months before the boards, I devoted at least 30 minutes a day for review. It must have been worth the efforts for I’m proud to say that I passed it. I’m good for another few years on this sub-specialty.

The next exam to tackle is this coming November. It is for my Sleep Medicine boards.

I took a break in studying the month of June. But this July I’m back to the books again. I’m allotting half an hour (or more) every day for study.

Come to think of it, this might eat up some of my time for training for the annual half-marathon that I do in October. Should I just skip the half-marathon this year? Though I think I should still do my regular 2 to 3-mile run to keep me from getting too flabby.

Should I take a break from blogging too? Nah! Blogging is actually my relaxation.

I was on 24-hour duty the other day, and it was a busy call. It was not until 2 o’clock in the morning that I went to bed in our hospital call room, only to be called several more times during the remainder of the night, or should I say early morning. One particular ICU patient that I admitted around midnight was so sick, that he died 6 hours later despite our best efforts to keep him alive.

By the way, my other sub-specialty is Critical Care (ICU Medicine) and my Critical Care boards re-certification is due next year. That means I will be studying again for next year. Who said you’re done taking test after you graduate from school?

Anyway, I was off the next day after my 24-hour call. I decided to do some “light” reading to prepare for my Sleep Boards. My brain may be half-awake, but I was resolute to stick to my schedule. But do you know that according to research, dolphins can have half of their brain asleep while the other half awake? Maybe I was trying to be a dolphin.

It so happened that when I opened my reviewer, the chapter I was about to read was about sleep deprivation and its ill effects on our health. Wasn’t it so ironic? I was studying about the bad effects of sleep deprivation, and I myself was sleep deprived!

I stopped reading. I put down the book and did the best thing. I went to sleep.

(*photo from the web)

The Unconquered Hill

24 July 2019

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There are places that are hard to conquer because of their natural physical barrier. Like the Masada in Israel, a fortress on top of a rock plateau 1400-feet high. This was the last foothold of the Jews against the Romans. Or the Maeda escarpment, which is a 350-foot high ridge in the island of Okinawa, Japan. The Americans lost hundreds of lives trying to capture this place, a story featured in the movie Hacksaw Ridge.

But I am not really going to talk about battles or wars today. The unconquered hill that I was alluding to was a hill in a bike route. Yes, no shedding of blood here, only sweat for it’s just a bike ride.

I participated in the RAGBRAI*, which is a popular annual week-long bicycle ride across the state of Iowa. This was my second time to join this event.

Before you really get amazed on my undertaking, I want to let you know that I only rode for one day, and not for the whole week. And I chose the day with the shortest route too, which was only 40 miles. I say only 40 miles, because on the other days, the course ranges from 60 to 88 miles.

see my shadow taking photo?

I did not train much for this bike ride. Since I run at least 2-3 times a week and can run 3 miles comfortably, plus knowing that I have finished several half-marathons in the past, I was confident that biking 40 miles should not be a problem at all. After all, I am reasonably fit, right?

When I run for the half-marathon, I usually train for at least 2 months. But the only preparation I did for this bike ride was I performed a 5-mile exercise in a stationary bike at a gym a week before, and I rode a 10-mile road test 2 days before the real event.

That was a mistake.

My cardiopulmonary function may be alright, and my determination is like titanium, but I overlook one thing. Riding a bike uses a different set of muscles than running.

So on one of the steep uphill climb, I felt my quadriceps muscles cramping and almost giving out. They were not trained to pound on the pedal for that long. As you probably know, running uses more of the hamstrings and calf muscles, not so much in cycling.

We stopped for a while after that grueling hill, and sat at the side of the road to give my cramping quad muscles a break. This bike-ride is not a race anyway. You can do it at your own pace, and can stop several times if you want. In fact, stopping to sample the foods being sold along the way and hanging out in the small towns we passed through was encouraged.

bikers and bikes taking a break

I made it through the 40 miles ride in one piece, and without keeling over. No bruises, no fractures. Only fractured confidence.

On the bike course of that day, the last leg was a couple of hills. I don’t know why they chose a steep hill for a finish after already pedaling 40 miles and passing so many hills. But since we were already within the vicinity of what was considered the end of the route, we skipped the last hill climb and called it a day.

the last hill of the course

We then phoned for our ride to fetch us at the street before the last hill – the last unconquered hill.

**********

(*RAGBRAI- Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa; photos taken with an iPhone)