Baguio City, the summer capital of the Philippines,  is only an hour ride from where I live here in Pangasinan. When I was a young kid, I frequent Baguio City together with my family, especially during summer vacations. There were lots of fun places to visit then. Places that speaks of nature, beautiful flowers, and [...]

Ever since my child was born, he had this deformity (sorry, he does not want me to say it) that went with him. Yes, it is inborn. The specialist in PCMC (Philippine Children’s Medical Center) where I gave birth recommended the operation when my boy reaches 2 months old. But I just can’t bear the [...]

During the Lenten celebration this past week, I noticed that many of our neighbors were noisy. They shout when they wanted to, sang with their karaoke, listened to loud music even on Good Friday. As I stood on my window to take a view of the highway, many vehicles passed by carrying with them their [...]

When I was a child, my parents do not spend too much (or nothing at all) for my toys. I remember spending most of my free time in our backyard playing with kids my age. During summer vacations, afternoons are spent playing “bahay-bahayan” where we put up tents made of newspaper or old sacks. One [...]

I remember when me and my husband were just starting life together. I was responsible for everything in the house from cleaning the house and the backyard, doing the laundry, cleaning fishes freshly bought from the market, cooking, and all the little things. Life was so simple then and I enjoyed every moment of it. [...]

After the first quarter grade was released in my kids’ school, many who used to be PHLs (Principal’s Honor List) did not make it. The lists from all the levels are conspicuously trimmed down to almost half. It is the result of giving quizzes (sometimes unannounced) in lieu of mid-quarter exams. I had expected it. [...]

Eight years ago today (September 8), I delivered a healthy baby boy via caesarian section at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Quezon City. Why so far when I live in Pangasinan, you might ask. It is because I truly believe in the ability of my OB-Gyne. And in addition to that, most, if [...]

I was in the clinic sitting in my table one morning waiting for my patients to arrive while two mothers were waiting for their medical certificate being prepared by my husband at the other end of the room. While waiting, my husband asked Mrs. L how her children are doing in their line of work. [...]

I am now in the process of preparing everything my kids will be needing for the incoming school year. And while sewing ripped areas of their old uniforms and putting school patches on new ones, I keep on remembering a mother with two kids in the elementary grade. Let us call her Myra. Myra is [...]

I have seen it countless times in my practice as a physician – mothers in distress when their children fell ill. It is inevitable. The burden is just so much, a mother would wish to take the place of her child. I can only give reassurance to these mothers that everything will be okay. I [...]