heY! you do not have to read this. pretending I have readers :)
I was in San Fernando town the other day to cover the filing of Certificates of Candidacy of some local officials there. In going to the town proper you pass by the Pitalo Church, famous for its miraculous saint (I think it's San Vicente de Ferrer). We were supposed to stop over to say a little prayer at this church but we ran out of time so we just skipped that "tradition." Anyway, this church of San Vicente is not that grand compared to that in Cathedral (Cebu City) and the Basilica del Sto. Niño, but devotees come here as often as they can in the hopes of getting their prayers/wishes come true through the intercession of this saint. There is a little chapel above the altar of the main church, and here is where people solemnly pray and do their devotions. I swear, because of the place's solemnity you will really feel some kind of a grace or whatever that is associated when you are in this sacred sanctuary. It was two years ago when I first got here. I prayed, then like what I normally do when I'm in a place with some old "artifacts" I wander around and touch things that I can. I do pray in front of sacred icons, too, but like what my Church wants its followers, I pray not actually to the icon but to my God. So anyway, while I was looking around I saw that San Vicente in his most regal outfit complete with a black cape had actually gold chains, diamonds in his vest, and I think there were some gold rings thrown most probably by his devotees to his feet. Wow! If they would sell all those things, they could fetch thousands from them, enough to make another chapel. The chapel of San Vicente, too, is not just an ordinary chapel. Wooden chairs are finely carved, and there were some velvet sofas too. Apart from the donations--in cash and in kind--handed by rich devotees, those who come here can also buy (or have to buy) candles to be lighted before going inside to pray. Talking of church.
Late last year, I had my first too in Birhen sa Regla Church in Lapulapu. It was a week after the saint's fiesta so there was not much people around. I'm not so fond of church visits, I only go when I get invited. In this case, it was a friend who invited me and because I'm such a laagan kuyog dayun ko! Wap-a man sad ko kaadto gud.
We had to ride a motorized boat to get there, so the journey, considering that Lapu is another island that is very far away from my place, was not that bad. We went straight to the chapel of Birhen sa Regla, and I was really amazed by its grandeur. I swear, it was like a small throne room. The wooden chairs are very shiny, and the floor is kind of marble. And the image is, again, adorned with some gold and diamonds. Some riches there, huh?
But all two sacred icons are nothing compared to the Sto. Niño. I don't know if the one placed for viewing is the real one given by the Spaniards to the Cebuano, but it sure looks it. It is again full of jewels. Last time I came to watch it was several years ago and the icon was wearing gold necklaces and its vest was dotted with diamonds. I remember I was transfixed by it the whole time, while in my mind was wondering how could some people be so generous and unkind at the same time. For more than once this icon was (almost) robbed of its expensive ornaments.
My point is I don't like this kind of display of love to the Almighty or to the saints. I've nothing against devotion, I also have my own God. But if only the churches or the chapels be made less grander than what they are now (just like what they were during Jesus' time) and all the money that was spent here should be used to construct home cares then there would have been no homeless in the streets right now. It is just so sad to imagine that while the icon of Sto. Niño in the Basilica regally clothed and all is safely tucked in its gold-plated case, tens of kids in Cebu City alone are sleeping in the streets. I'm sure that is not what God wants it to be. It may be a crime to give alms to a mendicant, but I think I'd rather do that crime than shelling out a single peso of my earning for the church. For what, to be used in building another cathedral? Let’s get real.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
four days after my lipo
first day of work after last week's liposuction (hahaha!). i might as well call it that because i discovered my fats in the tummy area are getting thinner now, the only consolation i got from getting sick. anyway, i havent been out of Talisay since i got out from the hospital last Saturday. and i had no choice but to show up at work today. ive been working since monday though, but we are allowed to email our stories so i dont need to be physically present at the newsroom. so despite the pain i had to drag myself to work. i just could not afford to miss a major political event today: the administration party candidates filed their COCs this morning and in the afternoon was a press conference hosted by one of my big time sources. and too much bed rest is killing me already.
i want to go to the mall later this afternoon but with the state i am in, i don't know if i could survive it there. i'm still obviously ill. the medicines for the UTI are working well, but for the peptic ulcer, i'm not so sure since i have been taking those prescribed medicines the pain is still there to wake me up in the middle of the night. what right does this pain have to disturb my sleep? please, tell me!!!
oh, sanity!
oh, coke!
i want to go to the mall later this afternoon but with the state i am in, i don't know if i could survive it there. i'm still obviously ill. the medicines for the UTI are working well, but for the peptic ulcer, i'm not so sure since i have been taking those prescribed medicines the pain is still there to wake me up in the middle of the night. what right does this pain have to disturb my sleep? please, tell me!!!
oh, sanity!
oh, coke!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Goodbye, coffee!
No more coke, coffee, or anything that’s not good for a sickly tummy. Well, only for the meantime while I’m taking my medication.
It’s really bad. I was having my snacks at the hospital canteen yesterday while waiting for the results of my tests (CBC, urinalysis and amylase lipase—for the pancreas chuchu) when everyone around me was having Coke (and my mother had RTO). Hmp! I’ve been without it since Wednesday, and I just have to abstain from drinking cola or I’ll die. I only had ice cream, at least I was allowed that, and some hopia. At home, they feed me lugaw and oatmeal. I've never liked them. But do I have a choice?
It’s my stomach. I was diagnosed with peptic ulcer (is it the same with acute gastritis? I was still groggy when the doctor told me their findings then) plus UTI. So, illness these days comes in pairs, huh?
Some of the three tests were to find out if I had appendicitis. I was really praying it wasn’t that ‘cause I hate operation. I so hate it! So when my cutie of a doctor told me they had to rule that out, I was like, yeyy! Even if the pain was still excruciating like the first day it started, what he said was like music to my ears.
The pain started Thursday night. I was at Holiday Spa for a coverage early that night and was served one of their “healthy foods,” green mango shake. The taste was okay, but I don’t think I would try it again. The thought of having another one is just too nauseating. When I got home that night I was already experiencing the pain I call hyperacidity. Took two tablets of Kremil-S, but the pain just became more intolerable as the night wore on. I started puking, self-induced, to hopefully let the gas out or whatever was causing the pain inside but I just woke my mother up. Then there were already two of us—she massaging the painful parts of my body while I was trying to get some rest--who had no sleep. I was still wide awake when morning came, even saw the sunshine through my window, but that was no consolation. The pain was still there. Bad!
Thursday, I did not work. I slept throughout the day. But on Friday, I was already committed to cover an event in Plantation Bay so I had to go there despite the pain. It was only yesterday that I finally gave in. My mom was very insistent from the very start that I should see a doctor. I already talked to my doctor, a friend/boss from college, and was given a free consultation (she's really an angel). When the medicine she prescribed me didn't work out well, I went to our company doctor. Another set of medicines, but there was no relief at all.
So, I had to get to the hospital or I’d be dead. I’m not actually scared of dying, it’s just that I still have a lot to do. And what about my family, they sure will miss me. :) And the pain, that no matter how I lied to my mom telling her it had become tolerable for a while I still could not hide the fact that it was not yet. I walked like an old woman suffering from osteoporosis. Get the drift?
I was also curious as to what my illness was. For three straight days I had abdominal pains, no appetite, and was a bit weak(I was always sleeping those past days). The two doctors who consulted me had been suggesting I should undergo some tests but I was too adamant ‘cause I was sure the pain would just go away if I took some antacids or whatever they would give me for it. Very wrong!
At the hospital, there were three tests at first but the results showed less signs to conclude the type of sickness that hit me, so the cute doctor ordered I should take one more test for hepatitis. Hepatitis??? I was really surprised he could suggest I had it. He was saying there are four types of hepa, and one of them is hepa b, which you can get—among others--from having sex with someone infected by the disease. Oh, God! My mom was listening, and I was close to saying, “Doc, I haven’t been there. Utang buot!” But he ended his litany by saying, “But I’m sure you don’t indulge in those things…??” Definitely, NO! Do I really look it??? He-he!
When the result of the fourth test came I was still sleeping in my bed that the doctor had to wake me up to tell the news: negative!
So it was all UTI (I’m not even sure of this one) and peptic ulcer that caused the bullshit pain. The pain is still here but at least it’s not that bad anymore. I’m really glad I will never have to go through any operation (not even if Dr. McSteamy is doing it). I hate needles and scalpels and anything that is painful, period.
While I’m recuperating (and since peptic ulcer is peptic ulcer) I have to change my lifestyle. No coffee (I haven’t had a cup of it since Thursday), coke (it’s really not fair!), fruits, and all the good stuff. The price I have to pay….But only for a while.
It’s really bad. I was having my snacks at the hospital canteen yesterday while waiting for the results of my tests (CBC, urinalysis and amylase lipase—for the pancreas chuchu) when everyone around me was having Coke (and my mother had RTO). Hmp! I’ve been without it since Wednesday, and I just have to abstain from drinking cola or I’ll die. I only had ice cream, at least I was allowed that, and some hopia. At home, they feed me lugaw and oatmeal. I've never liked them. But do I have a choice?
It’s my stomach. I was diagnosed with peptic ulcer (is it the same with acute gastritis? I was still groggy when the doctor told me their findings then) plus UTI. So, illness these days comes in pairs, huh?
Some of the three tests were to find out if I had appendicitis. I was really praying it wasn’t that ‘cause I hate operation. I so hate it! So when my cutie of a doctor told me they had to rule that out, I was like, yeyy! Even if the pain was still excruciating like the first day it started, what he said was like music to my ears.
The pain started Thursday night. I was at Holiday Spa for a coverage early that night and was served one of their “healthy foods,” green mango shake. The taste was okay, but I don’t think I would try it again. The thought of having another one is just too nauseating. When I got home that night I was already experiencing the pain I call hyperacidity. Took two tablets of Kremil-S, but the pain just became more intolerable as the night wore on. I started puking, self-induced, to hopefully let the gas out or whatever was causing the pain inside but I just woke my mother up. Then there were already two of us—she massaging the painful parts of my body while I was trying to get some rest--who had no sleep. I was still wide awake when morning came, even saw the sunshine through my window, but that was no consolation. The pain was still there. Bad!
Thursday, I did not work. I slept throughout the day. But on Friday, I was already committed to cover an event in Plantation Bay so I had to go there despite the pain. It was only yesterday that I finally gave in. My mom was very insistent from the very start that I should see a doctor. I already talked to my doctor, a friend/boss from college, and was given a free consultation (she's really an angel). When the medicine she prescribed me didn't work out well, I went to our company doctor. Another set of medicines, but there was no relief at all.
So, I had to get to the hospital or I’d be dead. I’m not actually scared of dying, it’s just that I still have a lot to do. And what about my family, they sure will miss me. :) And the pain, that no matter how I lied to my mom telling her it had become tolerable for a while I still could not hide the fact that it was not yet. I walked like an old woman suffering from osteoporosis. Get the drift?
I was also curious as to what my illness was. For three straight days I had abdominal pains, no appetite, and was a bit weak(I was always sleeping those past days). The two doctors who consulted me had been suggesting I should undergo some tests but I was too adamant ‘cause I was sure the pain would just go away if I took some antacids or whatever they would give me for it. Very wrong!
At the hospital, there were three tests at first but the results showed less signs to conclude the type of sickness that hit me, so the cute doctor ordered I should take one more test for hepatitis. Hepatitis??? I was really surprised he could suggest I had it. He was saying there are four types of hepa, and one of them is hepa b, which you can get—among others--from having sex with someone infected by the disease. Oh, God! My mom was listening, and I was close to saying, “Doc, I haven’t been there. Utang buot!” But he ended his litany by saying, “But I’m sure you don’t indulge in those things…??” Definitely, NO! Do I really look it??? He-he!
When the result of the fourth test came I was still sleeping in my bed that the doctor had to wake me up to tell the news: negative!
So it was all UTI (I’m not even sure of this one) and peptic ulcer that caused the bullshit pain. The pain is still here but at least it’s not that bad anymore. I’m really glad I will never have to go through any operation (not even if Dr. McSteamy is doing it). I hate needles and scalpels and anything that is painful, period.
While I’m recuperating (and since peptic ulcer is peptic ulcer) I have to change my lifestyle. No coffee (I haven’t had a cup of it since Thursday), coke (it’s really not fair!), fruits, and all the good stuff. The price I have to pay….But only for a while.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
something old and lifted
Both dead. A six-foot alligator protruding from the mid-section of a 13-foot Burmese python that ate it.
This is actually an old piece of news. I remember watching it in CNN more than a year ago (?), and while the news was being aired a co-worker commented, "ambisyosa! wa jud niya gi-menudo!" Hahaha!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Harry Potter update
British actress Emma Watson likely will return as Harry Potter's pal Hermione Granger for the final two films, despite conflicting reports, the report said.
"We're extremely confident that Emma will be back for films six and seven," a spokesperson for Warner Bros. told Zap2it.com Monday.
Rumors had been circulating that Watson, 16, had tired of her role as Potter's brainy sidekick, Hermione.
Daniel Radcliffe recently signed on to continue his role as the Harry Potter in the final two films. The sixth, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," is scheduled to begin filming in the next few months.
J.K. Rowling's final hardback installment of the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," is scheduled to be released in bookstores in July.
lifted from here
Sunday, March 18, 2007
these past few days
a few days ago my phone died. well, almost. i was recharging it when it went off and some "chinese" words appeared on the screen. oh my, patay! cant afford to lose it now, im almost broke. and i dont have plans to buy a new phone. but fortunately, it came back to life again when i "restarted" it. thank you. ayaw na pagbinuang celfona ka, wa jud tay budget rong panahona, mailisan jud kag di oras og 3210. nah!
last night, a friend texted asking me to join her in her misery. i was so sleepy then (went home from work at almost 9PM) so i asked our common friend if she could just join her instead. but she was also not feeling good that night. then i phoned this sad friend's dad to tell him his daughter was in this place, alone, and blah blah...i was quite worried what she might do to herself, judging from her voice when i called her up she was not in good shape, and i was trying my best to make her father bring her back home. but the dad, i later on discovered, was actually the reason why she wanted to get drunk that night. oops! i really had no idea. her "hunk" of a dad nagpabadlong nasad diay. hasus! mayo nalang wa niambak sa dagat iyang anak, kay nah!
so ang nahitabo, because we did not meet up last night, we just went out today. nikaon, nagpaso-paso sa Talisay, then nangukay sa ukay-ukay. and there i discovered naa diay ukay-ukay nga brief...?!! ug panties sad. ngeek! wala lang.
end of story.
last night, a friend texted asking me to join her in her misery. i was so sleepy then (went home from work at almost 9PM) so i asked our common friend if she could just join her instead. but she was also not feeling good that night. then i phoned this sad friend's dad to tell him his daughter was in this place, alone, and blah blah...i was quite worried what she might do to herself, judging from her voice when i called her up she was not in good shape, and i was trying my best to make her father bring her back home. but the dad, i later on discovered, was actually the reason why she wanted to get drunk that night. oops! i really had no idea. her "hunk" of a dad nagpabadlong nasad diay. hasus! mayo nalang wa niambak sa dagat iyang anak, kay nah!
so ang nahitabo, because we did not meet up last night, we just went out today. nikaon, nagpaso-paso sa Talisay, then nangukay sa ukay-ukay. and there i discovered naa diay ukay-ukay nga brief...?!! ug panties sad. ngeek! wala lang.
end of story.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
feeling high like cleopatra
Premonition
Sandra Bullock, Julian McMahon
Reviews are not good :( still, I'm gonna watch it.
Because I Said So
Diane Keaton, Mandy Moore
It's funny.
---
i’m feeling high. It’s the mochaccino, crazy! and, i only had a few hours of sleep last night. Is this how it feels when you are high on drugs? I'm wondering.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Really???
this is straight from my gmail account. i thought i was already spared from receiving this kind of spam mails when i shifted from yahoo. but i was wrong.
Hello,
SAVE up to 50% on your pharmacy with our shop!
Viagra from $3.35 per pill
Cialis from $3 .75 per pill
what is Cialis, anyway? educate me, please.
Hello,
SAVE up to 50% on your pharmacy with our shop!
Viagra from $3.35 per pill
Cialis from $3 .75 per pill
what is Cialis, anyway? educate me, please.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
somebody's workstation
that somebody is me. don't worry, folks, we are moving to the new building next month and i'm pretty sure they have allotted me a new cubicle. a new place to turn something into like this...in a space of, say, one week? hahah! okay, i'm not alone in this crime. jasmin r. uy, who sits here too, is my accomplice. now, you can kill us both. :P
by the way, i’ll be bringing with me all the stuffs you see here to my new workstation. Yeah, the papers, this antique PC, my mug, and whatever you see dangling here. Why, do you think I have the courage to throw them away? No way! Pa-auction ra ni nako puhon. Hahaha!
Friday, March 09, 2007
last times...
(from cleng...)
1. Last person you’ve seen before you
slept: everyone in grey's anatomy (3rd season). i was watching it before i went to bed.
2. Last person you were texting with:
feebee or jute. i forgot.
3. Last person you hated: i cant remember.
4. Last person you dreamed of: i dont think i had a dream last night, pwerte nakong haguka, sensya na.
5. Last person you cheated on: i am very honest. :P
6. Last food you really enjoyed
cooking: syet! di ko magluto kay im such a disaster in this department. palabha nalang ko ;)
7. Last vanity accessory you can’t do
without: a hanky
8. Last movie you watched: the pursuit of happyness
9. Last item you bought something worth
over 500: a pair of jeans
10. Last time you attended mass:last sunday
11. Last time you got sick: a few days ago. hyperacidity, whatever!
12. Last time you kissed: hmmm...as in?!
13. Last perfume/cologne: i dont wear anything scented, im allergic...
14. Last time you cried: last night while watching grey's.
15. Last time you really laughed: last night, again, tungod sa grey's. i'm hooked.
16. Last time you got drunk: taud-taud na.
17. Last time you had a loooong bath: water is life, i cant afford to waste it. mao na di nalang ko maligo. nyahaha!
18. Last time you broke soomeone’s
heart: whoa! i dunno. i'm very kind and gentle. kill me!
19. Last time you trimmed your nails: this morning
20. Last time you e-mailed: minutes ago
1. Last person you’ve seen before you
slept: everyone in grey's anatomy (3rd season). i was watching it before i went to bed.
2. Last person you were texting with:
feebee or jute. i forgot.
3. Last person you hated: i cant remember.
4. Last person you dreamed of: i dont think i had a dream last night, pwerte nakong haguka, sensya na.
5. Last person you cheated on: i am very honest. :P
6. Last food you really enjoyed
cooking: syet! di ko magluto kay im such a disaster in this department. palabha nalang ko ;)
7. Last vanity accessory you can’t do
without: a hanky
8. Last movie you watched: the pursuit of happyness
9. Last item you bought something worth
over 500: a pair of jeans
10. Last time you attended mass:last sunday
11. Last time you got sick: a few days ago. hyperacidity, whatever!
12. Last time you kissed: hmmm...as in?!
13. Last perfume/cologne: i dont wear anything scented, im allergic...
14. Last time you cried: last night while watching grey's.
15. Last time you really laughed: last night, again, tungod sa grey's. i'm hooked.
16. Last time you got drunk: taud-taud na.
17. Last time you had a loooong bath: water is life, i cant afford to waste it. mao na di nalang ko maligo. nyahaha!
18. Last time you broke soomeone’s
heart: whoa! i dunno. i'm very kind and gentle. kill me!
19. Last time you trimmed your nails: this morning
20. Last time you e-mailed: minutes ago
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
at the crossroads
a cup of mocha latte and a piece of bagel with butter and cheese something. the latter, among other combinations like bagel in hot tomato sauce, etc., is served in NY Bagels something resto in Crossroads Banilad. that's a few minutes away from Ayala Center. the bagel looks small, but it's heavy on the stomach. and the price is just right. P49 and P59 for the bread and hot drink, respectively.
margarita. served in K1 for only P98.
what's my point? i'm just bragging my photography skills. nyahaha! wa raba.
Monday, March 05, 2007
benefits of coffee
Do you know that a cup of coffee a day reduces the chances of developing cirrhosis of the liver by 20%...and consuming 4 cups a day, 80%?
According to Wikipedia, recent studies show that drinking coffee is good for our health as it kind of cures cirrhosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
I said "kind of" as such studies have yet to be verified whether these benefits are linked to caffeine. But a consistent finding on coffee's relation to medicine reveals that coffee has been seen to have caused the reduction of diabetes mellitus type 2 to coffee drinkers. Whatever that is, I'm sure this is a good thing for us coffee-drinkers.
But the very best thing in coffee still lies in its power to keep us alive and kicking. Whatchyathink?
Friday, March 02, 2007
bored.
V- You are not judgemental
A- U have a nice ass
T- You're loyal to those you love
S- Easy to fall in love with
K- You are really silly
I- You get hyper easily
A- U have a nice ass
B- Good all around person
C- You're wild and crazy
D- You have one of the best personalities ever
E- Damn good kisser
F- People adore you
G- You never let people tell you what to do
H- You have a very good personality and looks
I- You get hyper easily
J- Everyone loves you
K- You are really silly
L- You live to have fun
M- Success comes easily to you
N- You are absolutely beautiful
O- You are one of the best in bed
P- You are popular with all types of people
Q- You are a hypocrite
R- Extremely sexy
S- Easy to fall in love with
T- You're loyal to those you love
U- You really like to chill
V- You are not judgemental
W- You are very broad minded
X- You never let ppl tell u wat to do
Y- One of the best bfs/gfs anyone could ask for
Z- Always ready
got bored and saw this one from someone's blog, so there! wait, the A-thing? that's really funny. i just wish it were, y'know! and the "I," hyperacidity siguro. :)
A- U have a nice ass
T- You're loyal to those you love
S- Easy to fall in love with
K- You are really silly
I- You get hyper easily
A- U have a nice ass
B- Good all around person
C- You're wild and crazy
D- You have one of the best personalities ever
E- Damn good kisser
F- People adore you
G- You never let people tell you what to do
H- You have a very good personality and looks
I- You get hyper easily
J- Everyone loves you
K- You are really silly
L- You live to have fun
M- Success comes easily to you
N- You are absolutely beautiful
O- You are one of the best in bed
P- You are popular with all types of people
Q- You are a hypocrite
R- Extremely sexy
S- Easy to fall in love with
T- You're loyal to those you love
U- You really like to chill
V- You are not judgemental
W- You are very broad minded
X- You never let ppl tell u wat to do
Y- One of the best bfs/gfs anyone could ask for
Z- Always ready
got bored and saw this one from someone's blog, so there! wait, the A-thing? that's really funny. i just wish it were, y'know! and the "I," hyperacidity siguro. :)
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