Are you ready for The Big Hit?

The Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity and the Phi Lambda Delta Sorority
present

This will be a fun-filled event which will not only orient you on what med life is like in the UP College of Medicine, but give you a chance to bond with your classmates and future groupmates as well!

So come and join the fun! Lots of freebies such as Bates Guide to Physical Examination, stethoscopes and a lot more await those who dare enter THE MED MAFIA.

Save the date:
June 11, 2009
5pm, UPCM Grounds

See you there! :D

Regression at the City of Pines

What was supposed to be a 3-day Sagada adventure turned out to be my most unforgettable Baguio experience ever.



This is PHI Class 2010 at their finest, or should I say, most juvenile. :D Just before the start of internship, we planned an overnight get-away in Baguio right after our annual Dagupan trip with the brods and sisses in Dagupan. We were supposed to go to Sagada and do caving and trekking (to Siena's delight, haha), but due to time constraints and the effect of the global recession (yeah yeah..haha) the greatest summer adventure that was supposed to be was reduced to a mere overnight stay in the summer capital.

Read more...

Sorry for the Flood :)

Haha, for those who were overwhelmed by the barage of posts in my multiply, I'd like to apologize from the bottom of my (atherosclerotic) heart. :) They were not meant to be published in your Multiply Inboxes. Di ko inakalang kapag in-en-able mo yung cross-posting to a Blogger account would import old blog posts from blogs in your blogger account. Hehe.

The blog posts were not mine but from Maan's LiveJournal & Blogger way back from Intarmed, and also from the Intarmed 2010 group blog (haha, friends, tignan nyo uli to, ahahaha! Nakakatawa yung mga posts natin!) This was the time when Multiply was non-existent, and blogger/lj/xanga was the "in" thing for the online blogging community, hahaha. :D Uso pa non ang TESTIMONIAL sa friendster, at yahoo mail pa ang gamit ko, wala pa kasing gmail. Hehehe. :)

So again sorry. :D Kung naaliw man kayong mag-basa, puntahan nyo na lang yung mga links jan sa taas. Hehehe.

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On a lighter note, I have revived my own personal blog. It used to be hosted by blogger as Toxicity and Beyond v3.5 but I've later moved my old posts to WordPress instead. Mas Ok kasi ang support and mas madaming customizations. :] Yesterday, I re-organized my blog posts and soon RELAUNCHED my own personal blog at Toxicity and Beyond v4.0 with a more catchy URL http://rald.wordpress.com hehe. :) Iba din kasi ang feeling na you get to maintain a separate blog from your multiply and facebook accounts, may responsibility sa pagsusulat, at mas challenging. :)

Dati, madalas akong magsulat, but med school got the best of me and I later stopped. :( Multiply became my saving grace coz it allowed me to post pictures instead of writing. Hehe. :) Now, in my internship year, sana ma-maintain ko na uli yng blog ko sa wordpress. hehehe. :D Nakakamiss na rin kasing magsulat.

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Today marks our FIRST WEEK as Ob-Gyn Interns! Ok pa naman kami, masayang kasama mga service mates ko, which makes the duty alot easier. :D Tawa lang kami nang tawa sa LR/DR...lalo na dahil may mga pasyenteng reklamo nang reklamo, hahaha.

Hopefully next week makalabas ang service namin. :)

+++

So again, sorry for those who got flooded. :) I erased the posts already so you guys wont be bothered again. Hehehe. =)

The Best of 2008

Ang taong 2008 ay isang napakaespesyal na taon para sa akin.

Maraming mga nangyari

UP Centennial Launching

EUPHORIA: MedGroove & MediRhythmia

Star City Trips 1 (w/ Maan) & 2 (w/ D&G)

Berna's Alternative Careers Party

Substance Abuse Group's Wii Night!

MSC Activities: Pictorial, Kapihan sa Bulwagan, Mediscene, Elections!

PHI Feb Riot @ Padi's SM MoA

Pagkalma Nights (kung saan naging HAREM ang Pagkalma, haha)

Last Full Show: The Phi Year-end Party 2008

Intarmed Centennial Graduation (at last!!!)

UP MedChoir US Tour (San Francisco, Michigan, New Jersey-New York, Washignton DC, Las Vegas, Alcatraz)

Ge & Maan's 4th Year Anniversary & US Vacation (New Jersey-New York & Los Angeles)

Clerkship ('nuff said)

Phi Kappa Mu Diamond Year Activities (DITR, Wheelchairs)

E-Heads Reunion Concert

M+K's Boracay Wedding

Despedida ni Mei

PHI Halloween Party

Everynight inuman @ Koi! Hahaha.

Birthday with Blockmates! (aylabyu guys!)

Palarong Med 2008 (Over-all Champs again! Oh Yeah!)

UP Cherubim & Seraphim Reunion

PHI Activities (Grand Sis Night, Verdict, One Big Phi, Pacquiao Riot, Phisiklaban, Diamond Ball, Christmas Party, more inuman!)

MedChoir @ Binangonan

Weddings 1 & 2

Maramags Christmas 2008

at marami pang iba!

Marami ring lugar na napuntahanDavao, Clark Field, Nasugbu, Nagcarlan, Cutud, Baliwag, Laiya, San Fo, Michigan, New Jersey-New York, Washington DC, Las Vegas, Alcatraz, Los Angeles, Boracay, Binangonanmga bagay na ngayon nakamtan

iPod Nano 8GB

Canon Rebel XTi/400D (yeaaahhh!!)

Acer Aspire One Netbook (TechTools mula sa frat para sa lahat ng Clerks and Interns!)

at mga pagkakataong hindi ipagpapalit kailanman

Phi Kappa Mu Diamond Year

Makasama si Dean sa kwarto at masabihang "Inumaga ka na nang uwi kagabi a..." after late-night partying in Davao. Hahaha!

Huling araw bilang MSC Chairperson

Meeting many brods in the states

Spending your 4th Anniversary in the US (and watching Wicked!)

Maiwan ng eroplano sa HK Airport (hahaha, tanga kasi)

Magpuntang US mag-isa

Uminom ng beer na P300 at lasapin ang bawat patak (bawal umihi! haha)

Magparty sa New York sa kasgsagan ng kalamigan

Sumakay sa 5 rollercoasters sa loob ng 8 oras

Magkaroon ng 13 consults! (kadalasa'y wala) sa UNANG DUTY bilang Clerk sa Psych

Makaranas ng dalawang pasyenteng nag-code, 5 minuto ang pagitan, magkatabing kama, pareho mo pang pasyente! (Neuro clerkship)

Makapag assist sa dalawang kasal at makapagshoot din on the sidelines

Makakita ng nagpepenetinsya, first hand, at matalsikan ng dugo sa kamay

Malasing at mahulog sa swimming pool (at hindi masira ang cellphone!)

Malasing at mahulog ULI sa swimming pool (at finally masira ang cellphone, wahaha!)

At para sa lahat ng ito, ako'y nagpapasalamat sa Iyo, sa aking nanay at tatay, mga kapamilya, kapuso (sorry, ABS-CBN ako, hehe), at kaibigan. Talagang napasiya at napasaya nyo ang aking taon! =D

Manigong Bagong Taon sa Inyong Lahat! Nawa'y mas maging masaya at makabuluhan ang 2009 para sa ating lahat!

Dahil Benign si Ants: The UP Med Survey

1. What's your favorite Duty Status?

Definitely the REHAB 7x POST DUTY status! Hahaha. Kahit na sa Rehab man yun, ok lang. At least you've got a week of no duties! Weee! 

2. Where's the best place to study in UPCM / PGH?

I don't study. Haha. Joke lang! I have to say Pagkalma Park, dapat walang nakatambay! Hahaha. Just bring OFF LOTION/DRAGON KATOL dahil humongous ang mga lamok. May WiFi pa, electric fan, at table! Pwedeng matulog, kumain at may CR na malapit sa student lounge. Hehe. Try it especially in December, naka-christmas light lang, romantic pa yung place. Hehehehe. You can't study there though p'ag umaga at hapon, makikipagkwentuhan ka lang! 

3. Where's the best place to study outside UPCM / PGH?

I don't study nga e. Hahaha. Hm, sa Starbucks (UN Ave) nga siguro. Konti tao, may mga plugs for the laptop, hehe.

4. What's your favorite medical "instrument"?

The ever-reliable stethoscope. Iba pa rin ang nasasabihan ng "Doc, nilagay nyo lang yang stet nyo sakin, pakiramdam ko magaling na ko..." WOOOOOOOOHHHH!!!! (and the steth actually distinguishes you as a medical student from the other staff dressed in white. Pag wala kang steth, 90% of the time, iba ang matatawag sayo...hehe.)

5. 30 minutes before class/duty/rounds start. Where do you eat?

Pwedeng breakfastival, pero that's mostly on a post-duty day. I eat at Ministop before going to a benign class/duty/SGD. Pag toxic kasi, I'm *usually* late, haha, kaya I run from ROB to PGH in 2 1/2 minutes (yes, timed yun ok.) And then I eat sa PGH Charity or pag ginanahan, sa Pay. Hehe.

6. Favorite "Opening Speech" in presenting a patient or a tour of duty to the team/consultant/etc?

I have to agree with Ants:
OB-Gyn. "I was the first Obstetrician on duty and during my tour of duty I had 10,000 admissions and no unresolved cases" 

After a month in OB (with great service-mates and residents), summary rounds became more benign and benign until we finally said goodbye to LRDR and OBAS! Hehehe.

7. Favorite lecture room?

Kung sa College, nothing beats BSLR-E! Malamig na siya ngayon with new air con units at may overhead LCD projector na rin! Hehe. And memories of freshman year are still engraved in those walls. =D Pero the best lecture hall in PGH would have to be the new Audi in Ophtha. As in WOW, nasa Pilipinas pa ba ako?

8. Best DETOX in the world???

Pwedeng egg white? Hehe. (Watusi?!) A good bath and sleep. Bow. 

9. Favorite medical book?

Madami rin kaming pinagdaanan ng NEW Harrison's ko, from sleep-less duties in IM, and the sense of impending doom come Endorsements come! Hay...hehe. Therefore, I answer, HPIM 17thed! =D
 
10. Standard speech when introducing yourself to a patient?

"Hello po! Ako po si Dr. Abesamis. Iinterbyuhin ko lang po kayo at eeksaminin mamaya, ok lang po ba?" Then I usually ask him/her where she lives thus establishing rapport. Tsaka na yung real stuff, kwento lang muna. Hehe. Yan ay KUNG may oras. Kung wala, hala! diretso na!

OBAS:

"ADMISSION! Hoy misis! Ilabas mo yang kamay mo baka pati baby mo matusok ko!" -Pag ang nanay ay dumating ng 4AM at mahimbing ka nang natutulog dahil CODE BLACK amf!!!

11. Powerpoint or Paper? Which is better?

Powerpoint, coz I'm a visual person. \m/

12. Any medical bloooopers?Ü

Haha, eto na lang, para walang dawit, just GO FIGURE: 

 2 syringes + Furosemide + Cefuroxime = a duty night of fun and laughter!

+++

Salamat Ants! Ang saya sagutan nito! Probably our co-clerks would have a field day of answering this! Hehehe! =D

Happy New Year everyone!

The Price of Silence - BIGKIS-UPM

The Price of Silence

A little over a year has passed since Cris Mendez’ brutal death in alleged initiation rites, the University once again finds itself victim to another senseless act of fraternity violence. BIGKIS-UPM unequivocally condemns the blatant atrocities that occurred between the Tao Omega Mu (ΤΩΜ) and Sigma Kappa Pi (ΣΚΠ) fraternities at the College of Arts and Sciences.

We condemn this act, especially the assault on duly-elected student leader Jigs Tenorio (CAS-SC Chair), and the injury to innocent bystanders. The level of indiscriminate brutality from fraternity conflict is palpable: the hostility has not spared the highest representation of the CAS students and has even spilled over to include innocents in the conflict.

We call for the end of the propaganda war. The circulation of fliers is counterproductive to any peaceable resolution of conflict. It is petty and small-minded to resort to this proxy war. If there is cause to be found, justice is to be found with the appropriate authorities, not with the court of public opinion.

The flyers of ΣΚΠ are particularly disturbing. They claim that they “have been pushed too far”, and they “have to draw the line somewhere.” Violence cannot be justified by any reason. We challenge their claim to remain “committed to the primacy of peaceful settlement of disputes”. To prove their word, we demand that they turn over the perpetrators and masterminds to the authorities to face the consequences of their actions. If ΣΚΠ is as honorable as they claim, they must prove it by not coddling those who committed such criminal acts. Likewise, ΤΩΜ must refrain from escalating the violence by engaging in a peaceful resolution of conflict and refusing to retaliate.

Violence of any kind has no place with iskolars para sa bayan. Fraternities and sororities exist for the development of the responsible leadership in the community, the nation and the world. Such acts do not befit honorable fraternities: they belong to gangs and hoodlums, not in the university of the people. It is they who are the barbarians.

This cycle has persisted because of our tolerance. We, the students of UP Manila, should not condone this culture of violence, but instead condemn it. The student body cannot afford to be silent on this issue. The university should not be a warzone where the students’ academic progress is placed at risk.

The UP administration must provide swift justice and punish those involved. The university must never tolerate such blatant acts of violence. The administration must demonstrate its political will in ensuring justice is served. We call on Prof. Doroteo Abaya of the Office of Student Services, founder of ΣΚΠ,, to demonstrate impartiality in handling the case. Such barefaced disregard for the rules of the university should not remain unpunished.

We call on both ΤΩΜ and ΣΚΠ to cease their mindless conflict. The cycle of aggression will not end unless both parties are willing to place the true ideals of brotherhood and service above those of a misguided sense of pride and brotherhood. We challenge the student leaders from both sides, CAS-SC Chair Jigs Tenorio from ΤΩΜ and USC Councilor Ian Manalang from ΣΚΠ, to place the mandate of their office and the students’ trust and rise above a misguided sense of fraternity loyalty.

We invite the other fraternities to prove their moral ascendancy and sign a pact disavowing all forms of fraternity violence on campus. Together, they must provide the lead in ridding the university of rumbles, hazing and coercive recruitment.

We call on the students to join our voices in the condemnation of this act, and be constantly vigilant against further violence. It is in our silence and our tolerance of a mindless culture of brutality that such atrocities have thrived. UP Manila must demand that fraternities stay true to the university ideals of leadership, service and excellence.

How many more neophytes have to die, and how many more must be injured before we say enough is enough? We must remain silent no longer. Let the voices of the iskolars para sa bayan be heard.

END THE VIOLENCE NOW!

Bigkis ng mga Iskolar para sa Bayan tungo sa Makabuluhang Pagbabago

Diamonds in the Rough - They're Out There

Too often we have heard of the problem of health care in our country, phrased and rephrased in terms of the exodus of doctors and nurses, the substandard allocation of the national budget for health, and even legal matters concerning medical practitioners. It would seem that the Filipino doctor is enmeshed in troubled times, and nothing more.

Now more than ever, an uplifting message about the Filipino doctor is needed, one that shows he is also capable of heroism and selflessness for his countrymen.

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH is the Nationwide Search for Outstanding Young Doctors in the Community Setting. It is a search for unsung heroes in the medical field today: those who choose to serve the ones who need it most, by immersing themselves in the depressed, neglected, under-served communities in the country.

The Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity of the UP College of Medicine and the Rotary Club of Paco, along with our partners: Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), Philippine Medical Association (PMA), ABS-CBN, The Philippine Star, and Cebu Pacific Air, are now calling for nominations for this very momentous search.

If you know a doctor who:

• Is a Filipino citizen 40 years old and below

• Is a duly licensed medical practitioner under the Professional Regulatory Commission of the Philippines

• Have actively served in the under-served community for which he or she is nominated for at least five (5) years
  

• Is currently practicin

  g in the said community

• Have not been recognized by any award-giving body with similar objectives
  

• Have not been charged with any misconduct involving moral turpitude
  

• And not be related to any members of the Phi Kappa Mu or its partner agencies up to the 2nd degree

Then NOMINATE him/her by going to http://diamondsintherough.ph to download the application form! (Or see attached file or click here)

The Diamonds in the Rough (DITR) has three Major Award Categories: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. One physician will win for each region, each receiving PhP 100,000 worth of total prizes. The community of each DITR winner will also receive PhP 100,000 worth of prizes, to go to any sustainable projects supported by the DITR winner. Awarding will be held on December of 2008.

Deadline for nominations is on November 15.

All nominations shall be addressed to the DITR Secretariat and can be submitted or mailed to the following addresses:

Diamonds in the Rough
P.O. Box 778
Manila, Philippines, 1099

Salamat Dok: Current Affairs and News Office

Ground Floor, ABS-CBN Sgt. Esguerra Corner,
Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City

Nominations can also be directly sent to info@diamondsintherough.ph or

diamondsintheroughsearch@gmail.com, with all pertinent documents scanned.

Again, all entries must be received by Phi Kappa Mu in the UP College of Medicine or any of our partner agencies on or before November 15, 2008.

Criteria for judging are available at the DITR Website http://diamondsintherough.ph.

For more information, email info@diamondsintherough.ph or diamondsintherough@gmail.com.

Let us work hand-in-hand in finding these diamonds in the rough as finding them would be a feat truly worth celebrating!

They're out there.

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Photos from the Diamonds in the Rough Launching Program at the Century Park Hotel:
http://rald03.multiply.com/photos/album/153/Diamonds_in_the_Rough_Launch

PHI KAPPA MU 75th Anniversary Mass

This coming August 23, we commemorate this momentous occasion that happened 75 years ago, the foundation of a strong and everlasting brotherhood, the Fraternity of the College of Medicine - Phi Kappa Mu.

In the past years, we have commemorated this event with a mass celebrated at Pagkalma, and a lunch served for the brods. But as we celebrate our DIAMOND YEAR, we'd like it to be extra special.

We're having our Anniversary Mass at Magallanes Village Clubhouse, Makati City. The mass will start at 6:00PM and we're having dinner afterwards. Homilist for this mass is Br. Antonio Roberto G. Sian, SJ (PHI 1990a), and celebrant for this mass is his batchmate at the Jesuit novitiate, Fr. Xavier Olin, SJ. The UP MedChoir will also accompany us in this celebration.

Family and friends are invited!

Para sumikat ka...

CASTING CALL for upcoming UPFI Thesis Film,
ONE HUNDRED PERCENT directed by GERSON ABESAMIS

on AUGUST 9, 1 to 4 PM at UP Diliman, College of Mass Communication

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT ICE at 09176411101.
Ok? yehey! Hope to see you there!

ONE HUNDRED PERCENT

One Hundred Percent is a short film about a man (Ricky) who can see happiness percentages on top of people. Because of this strange ability, his life becomes dictated by these numerical values - getting obsessed with obtaining the perfect state (hence the title 100%). The 25-minute short is a representation of how different elements of society and technology dictate to people what happiness should be.

LEAD ROLE:

Enrique/Ricky

48 years old

Filipino

Businessman / Company Executive

Handsome, tall, fair skinned

Rich, popular, smart

Can see percentage numbers on top of people's heads

Obsessed with the number

Methodical and structured life

Self-aware, people pleaser

Peg: Albert Martinez, Mark Gil, Joel Torre

SUPPORTING ROLES (3-5 sequences/scenes) :

Josephine

45 years old

Filipino

Wife of Enrique

Beautiful, long hair, demure

Meek, pleasant looking

Trophy wife

Peg: Angel Aquino, Chin-chin Gutierrez, Agot Isidro

Nicole

18-20 years old

Filipino

Daughter of Enrique

Fair skinned, normal looking

Shy, wallflower

Eric

10-13 years old

Filipino

Son of Enrique

Fair skinned, good looking

Hyperactive, bright

MINOR ROLES (1-2 sequences/scenes) :

Eduardo

70-80 years old

Filipino

Father of Enrique

Has no speaking lines

Should be willing to be shot inside a coffin

Lilia

65-70 years old

Filipino

Mother of Enrique

Quiet, gentle

Marissa

40 years old

Filipino

Sister of Enrique

Talkative, youthful

Young Ricky

20 years old

Filipino

Good looking, tall, a little skinny

A little shy

(1970's sequence)

Art and Jepoy

20 years old

Friend of Young Ricky

Filipino

Funny, comedic, loud

(1970's sequence)

Girl 1

20 years old

Filipino

Acquaintance of Young Ricky

Beautiful, model-esque

(1970's sequence)

Girl 2

20 years old

Filipino

Acquaintance of Young Ricky

Lanky or chubby

(1970's sequence)

Doctor

45-50 years old

Male/female

Wise, respectable

Nurse

25-30 years old

Female

Naive

Hospital Patient

Any age, any gender

Masa looking

Businessman

50 years old

Male

Should look rich and successful

Manang

40-45 years old

Cheery

EXTRAS (1-2 sequences/scenes, no speaking lines):

College Teachers/Professors

10-15 people

For college graduation scene

College Students/Grads

50-80 people

For college graduation scene

College Students/Friends

20-25 people

For college party flashback (1970's era party)

Should have 70's looking hairstyles

Family/Friends/ Mourners

20 people

For wake scene

Different age groups

Office Employees

5 people

Shouldn't look like college students

09176411101 ICE IDANAN for more info

Rald Goes to the States - Chapter 3: The Morning After

Currently in Royal Oak, Michigan, near Detroit. Reci, Eliza and Ate Mae V and I are staying at our foster parent/brod Dr. Josef Cortez, Phi 96B, and his wife Stella. Si Ate Mimi and Kuya Karl ang nagtake ng wedding photos nila. It's a small world after all. =)

It is the morning after our FIRST concert last night. Everything's still surreal. I can't believe that we're done with our Michigan concert! Parang kailan lang, nagpapractice kami 20 hrs a day sa San Francisco, and now, tapos na! We actually sounded great, and everyone was singing their hearts out. Buti na lang maganda yung acoustics sa church na kinanatahan namin. Effortless ang pagkanta. Hehe. :D

The audience loved it. But I still think we really need a lot to improve on, pitch and rhythm wise. Hindi pa kasi yun ang full potential ng tour group. Gaya nga ng sabi ni Ate Dia, "we can do better!" And I'm hoping ganun ang mngyari sa New Jersey concert namin.

For our classmates in NY-NJ area, sana makapunta kayo sa Jersey City concert namin on May 2, 7PM, sa Our Lady of Mercy Parish, 40 Sullivan Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305

We also had some PHI HIGH kagabi as 3 brods were there to watch us! Brods Josef Cortez, Ryan Pangan and George Pujalte. May isa ding sis but we didn't get to meet her kasi she had to go home early. We had a picture taken (with 7 other medchoir sisses), pero sa cam pa ni Dada, kaya tsaka na yung pic. Hopefully in outher UPMASA chapters that we'll visit, mas marami pa kaming ma-meet na brods and sisses!

There will be alot more performances in this tour. Last night was only 1 of them. But I'm happy and fulfilled with last night's performance. Masaya ang feeling, hindi frustrated. Sana I get to feel that feeling again in the days to come. =)

Next stop, Jersey City, New Jersey!!!