Mga ka-BER day kong sikat

Famous People who share the same birth date with me.
Someday I will join their ranks. Naks!

1980 Christina Aguilera (singer)
1978 Katie Holmes (actress)
1970 Earl "DMX" Simmons (rap artist)
1970 Rob Van Dam (wrestler)
1963 Brad Pitt (actor)
1964 Stone Cold Steve Austin (wrestler)
1950 Leonard Maltin (movie and film columnist)
1948 Bryan 'Chas' Chandler (musician)
1947 Steven Spielberg (director)
1943 Keith Richards (guitarist)
1932 Roger Smith (actor, writer)
1919 Anita O'Day (Colton) (jazz singer, films)
1917 Ossie Davis (writer, actor)
1916 Betty Grable (Elisabeth Grasle) (actress)
1916 Douglas Fraser (american labor leader, president of the uaw)
1913 Lynn Bari (Marjorie Bitzer) (actress)

BER-day

When I was a child, I always look forward to the month of December. When the BER-months approach, I'd always put up the Christmas tree myself and have a countdown not to Christmas but to my birthday which falls exactly a week before Christmas.

Today I turn a year older again.
I don't look forward to my birthday anymore.
I stopped my countdowns.
I don't look forward to Christmas anymore.
Bah-humbug!!!
Ebenezer Scrooge lives! Wahehehe!

But, nah, I still look forward for gifts though.

Bulacan-ized

It has been more than two months since I've updated my blog. Had a lot of things coming my way and I'd like to share them with you.

Last month, I started my 3-month volunteer service as a nurse trainee at the Bulacan Medical Center (BMC) formerly Bulacan Provincial Hospital in Malolos City. At first, I was ambivalent because I didn't know what to expect because this was bigger hospital than the previous one I've volunteered for almost a year. On the other hand I was excited about the things that I'm going to learn from these experience and the people (co-nurse trainees, staff nurses, head nurses and of course, patients) that I'd be meeting and interacting with.

Had a weeklong orientation and soon after I was assigned to the Pedia Ward. Had too many admissions as the season became colder and wetter that kids began to get sick of pneumonia. As a nurse trainee, I was expected to perform such tasks as admitting patients, attending to their needs, preparing and administering medication, initiating IVF, blah..blah..blah... The usual things that staff nurses do in the hospital setting. Had a smooth sailing experience there but before my tour of duty ended at the Pedia ward, I soon got sick. I had sore throat and cough. I'd blame it to the lack of ventilation in the area. Thanks to Co-Amoxiclav 625mg BID for 7 days and it was all gone when I soon began my rotation at the Surgery Ward.

The dreaded 11pm to 7am duty was my schedule. I was worried about my circadian rhythm because I had a hard time sleeping during daytime. I thought I won't be able to survive the PM shift but I did sans the Tylenol PM with Diphenhydramine that Mum sent.

At the Surgery ward, I took care of patients in their pre-operative or post-operative state. Endorsement at the beginning of the shift and charting nurses notes by 1 am. Interspersed with it are attending, of course, to patients' needs. By 4 in the morning, it was medication time. Pretty much it was a busy with some periods of calm. In my stay at the ward, thank God, had never experienced a dying patient. Whew!

I learned a lot from my rotation in this area especially in gaining confidence with the nursing skills that I almost forgot with the yearlong hiatus since I graduated and passed the boards. The staff nurses that I worked with were really nice in helping me out. I also learned how to deal with all-too worrying patient's relatives. And I do miss the early morning pandesal that Ate Jolly would bring.

Just as my rotation at the Surgery Ward was about to end, my life as a city-dweller in Quezon City was about to end too. Though home is in Bulacan, I practically breathe, though biologically hazardous to health, Metro Manila. I have been educated and lived in Manila and Quezon City practically all my life and now I had relocate back to my roots in Bulacan. So I had to pack my stuff that I'd need to haul them all over. Then, I also need to get some of my things to a dormitory in Malolos that I'd be staying in 'til January. Just imagine the lack of sleep that I had to survive with and the things I had to arrange just to get my ass back to Bulacan. Thank heavens, it went smoothly as planned.

Anyway, after 2 weeks at the Surgery ward, I was assigned at the OB-ER / LR-DR (Obstetrics-Emergency Room/Labor Room-Delivery Room). In short, where pregnant Bulakenyos give birth. This is one area that I really like. Hmmm...I know what you're thinking but it's not that. Ever since in nursing school, I enjoyed my maternity-pedia classes. My professor, a former BON member, was ever too enthusiastic in teaching us the rudiments of pregnancy, labor and delivery. Coupled with that my clinical internships as a student nurse at the nation's "baby factory" which is the Fabella Hospital.

Going back to my stint at the OB-ER/LR-DR of BMC, I really sank my teeth into it by admitting patients, monitoring pregnancy induced hypertensive mothers, initiating IVF with the all-too difficult to insert Gauge 18 cannulas, assisting in delivery, preparing and administering IV meds, etcetera. Though there were many student nurses who were also there to learn and of course, gain the required DR cases; I learned a lot from it as my confidence level as a nurse got a notch higher. Thanks of course to the staff nurses who were supportive and really did a lot in helping me out in the area.

Just as I was getting a hang of it at the OB-ER, I am now assigned at the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and again, assigned in the PM shift with the vortex of the holiday season right smack into it. Argh! Another round of assimilating into the ICU culture and am hoping that it'll be as exhilirating as the previous areas.

By January, I'd be in the OB ward where postpartum mothers (those who gave birth) are confined and finally at the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit).

Hopefully by February, I'd be able to apply as a staff nurse at the Rogaciano Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria which is just a few minutes away from my "new home." But I'm also keeping my hopes high with my scheduled panel interview at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

But for now, quid pro quo, learning and serving.

Chris Brown/Rihanna Concert tickets out

Finally got tickets for the Chris Brown and Rihanna concert on November 16.

Dubbed as the "biggest concert of the year", the Rihanna and Chris Brown Back-to-Back Concert shall feature their Grammy Award winning hit songs. The concert starts at 8pm at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field in Taguig City. Ticketworld has just released the tickets for the concert today and they have great offers for early birds.

Ticket pricing until October 31
PLATINUM PhP 8,240.00
GOLD PhP 3,090.00
SILVER PhP 1,545.00
BRONZE PhP 309

Ticket pricing from November 1 to November 16
PLATINUM PhP 10,300.00
GOLD PhP 5,150.00
SILVER PhP 3,090.00
BRONZE Php 618.00

For ticket inquiries, call (+63 2) 891-9999 or visit Ticketworld.

Raves: "Boyce Avenue"

Saturday evening and surprisingly nothing good to watch on television. So was just surfing the net and hoping that my serotonin levels dozes me off to sleep.

As I was updating my iTunes playlist, my cousin asked me if I have heard a guy's version of "Bleeding Love". I said, I'm familiar with the Leona Lewis song because my neighbor in Manila would always sing it over at the videoke everyday. So just imagine the horror I've been getting into by just unsolicitingly listening to my neighbors vocal histrionics.

Anyway, a guy doing that song? That I have yet to hear. Then he told me that this band also did acoustic versions of Alicia Keys' "No One", Jordin Sparks' "Tattoo" and Black Eyed Peas' "Where Is The Love", Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris" and One Republic's "Apologize." That really piqued my curiosity as I also love listening to acoustic songs. So I searched for Boyce Avenue over at YouTube and watched how amazing this Florida-based band is.

Boyce Avenue came together in 2000 and consists of the Manzano brothers Alejandro (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Fabian (guitar, vocals), Daniel (bass, percussion, vocals), and later Stephen Hatker joined in as drummer.

Since their performance over an audience of 350 at a Florida high school and finishing their college degrees (Fabian pursued architecture while Daniel has a Harvard Law degree), the music bug still caught up with them. In 2007, they joined and were honored in songwriting competitions and after taking yet another hiatus to write, produce and record additional singles, their debut album, "All You're Meant To Be" was released in March 25, 2008.

I have yet to listen to their album but it will soon follow through as I've been downloading Boyce Avenue's acoustic renditions such as Colbie Caillat's "Realize", Rihanna's "Umbrella", Justin Timberlake/Madonna's "4 Minutes", U2/Mary J. Blige/Beatles' "One" and "Let It Be" medley among others.

I know Filipinos will love this band as we are suckers for acoustic performances. I'm hoping that a producer will bring Boyce Avenue over to Manila for a concert soon.

But for now, I'm still having their songs from their Acoustic Sessions lined up in my iTunes and I'm not yet sleepy.

xxx

Boyce Avenue's physical album is available worldwide exclusively through www.campuscustom.com/boyceavenue, while the download versions can be found on iTunes/ Amazon.com/ Rhapsody/ Napster/ eMusic.

Visit the Boyce Avenue Official Site for more information.

"Tulo Laway" faces off with "Hopia"

Today, defending champion San Beda Red Lions tries to sustain the 3-peat championship as it faces off with the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Bombers for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 84th season Senior Basketball crown.

As we shall witness the cheers and jeers of each teams resonating across the Big Dome, I have been wondering why we, Bedans, were always mocked as "Beda Tulo Laway" and JRU as "Hopia!!!"

"Beda Tulo Laway!"

Pinoyexchange forum members shared some insights to the taunting remark against Bedans. One explanation is that "tulo laway" (drooling) is a mockery against the Chinese people as they have been labeled as "Intsik beho, tulo laway." "Beho" which means viejo or old man who usually is a peddler or a vendor. As for the ptyalism, Chinese have been known to be industrious people who work really hard early in the morning and then take naps during midday when business is slow. As mandibles are relaxed during sleep, drool oozes out of their mouths.

As for Bedans being Chinese, San Beda isn't densely populated by Filipino-Chinese as it has been founded to be a school for Spanish mestizos because of its proximity to the old rich communities of Arlegui and of course, Malacañang. But through the years, San Beda College has evolved to cater to different Filipino ethnicities.

The forum reader surmised that the "Beda Tulo Laway" jeer was a product of the idiocity of Beda's opponents as a futile attempt to sound like Beda's Indian Yell which goes "Heyum kim kum kawa".

Another is that San Beda was an exclusive school for boys in the Mendiola Consortium having been surrounded by girls or co-ed schools like Centro Escolar University, La Consolacion College, College of the Holy Spirit and San Sebastian College. Before San Beda became co-ed recently, which I, my brothers, and Bedan batchmates didn't like the idea plus moving the elementary and high school departments to a remote place in Rizal.

Anyway when Beda was still San Beda, there was a walkway between the driveway and the Junior Football Field (where a building stands there today) where Bedans would sit around, wait for their classes or sundo, leave their things there or play at the covered basketball courts, our college kuyas would sit there and wait for the CEU and LaCo colegialas walk through to get to the school's swimming pool for their P.E. classes. San Beda used to rent out the swimming pool to other Mendiola schools which don't have the facility. I just don't know if they let other schools use the pool until today. But did they even bother to worry about what floats and what's in that pool? Hehehehe. So where were we? Oh, so we, Bedans would sit there, gawk and stare as the CEU and LaCo girls parade their way to the swimming pool from the driveway, down to the drummer boy and infront of the high school building and off to the quadrangle then to the Senior Football Field then to the pool. Just imagine the number of prying eyes of the Bedans savoring the presence of girls. Hence, "Beda tulo laway!"

But gone were those days since San Beda opened its doors to girls and had to revise some lyrics (I guess) of the Bedan Hymn, overhaul the student handbook, and create more ladies room. I remember when my mom would come fetch me and my brothers, they were only about 2 ladies room where she can go to.

Hopia!!!

On the other hand, JRU's monicker is "Hopia!" Word has it that the 80 Shaw Boulevard campus was a former hopia factory. I don't know if it's an urban legend but it has always been said about them during NCAA games. I even remember when Beda and JRU had a game in that filthy Rizal Memorial Coliseum, someone threw hopia in the court.

But things has evolved as JRU tries to change the embarassing remark of Hopia to H.O.P.I.A or Highly Outstanding People In Action.

Of Red Lions and Bombers

San Beda College "adopted the Red Lion emblem from the ancient Scottish/English heraldic symbol, the Red Lion Rampant." San Beda College which was named after the Venerable Bede of England, naturally chose the heraldic symbol of the ancient Scots/English for courage.

While Jose Rizal University adopted the Bombers nickname supposedly from the World War II bombs that were once stocked in the school during the Japanese occupation. Hence, the JRU bombers.

As the Red Lions come face to face with the Bombers at the Araneta Coliseum for Game 1, we will see who goes home with the hopia or magtutulo laway for winning the game.

"Worlds Within" on GMA 7 or ABS-CBN?

Filipino fans of Korean novelas will soon witness the team up of Hyun Bin (Kim Sam Soon, Snow Queen, A Millionaire's First Love) and Song Hye Gyo (Full House, Endless Love: Autumn in my Heart) in "Worlds Within".

The 16-part Korean drama is about "overcoming the complications that arise from unspokern barriers" as Bin portrays a fledgling director, Jeong Ji-Oh while Song also plays a director, Joo Joon-yeong.

"Worlds Within" is Hyun Bin's comeback to the small screen after 2 years. His last was the romantic comedy hit "Kim Sam Soon". On the other hand, "Worlds Within" is Song Hye Gyo's return to television after "Full House" (with Korean superstar Rain) which was released 4 years ago. Both were aired on GMA-7.

"Worlds Within" was filmed in South Korea and on location in Singapore. It will feature the sights of Sentosa island, Singapore River, and Orchard Road.

The cast had a press conference in Singapore last week and revealed the poster for the drama which will be aired in South Korea on October 27th and in other Asian countries by November 2008.

Neither GMA-7 and ABS-CBN 2 has confirmed if they bought the rights to air "Worlds Within" from KBS2.

Methink that it's good to see Song Hye Gyo and Hyun Bin back on the small tube. I guess, GMA-7 should shell out some money and buy the TV rights for this Korean drama because they've been having a disappointing program line-up lately. Thank God, that horrendously stupid Filipino version of "Ako si Kim Sam Soon" will soon end on GMA 7. While ABS-CBN has been working hard on their line up, too. Methink that ABS-CBN's "Three Daddy and One Mommy" is funny and entertaining.