I can say that yesterday - May 4, 2010, marked another milestone in the growth of Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital in its health care services to the people of Iligan City and nearby provinces.  Why?  Because it just inaugurated the following department/services:

• Plaridel C. Atil Renal Center  (Third Floor, Annex Building)
• Animal Bite Center (Emergency Roon)
• Additional Newly Furnished Private Rooms (Third Floor, Annex)
• Water Tanker/Fire Truck for community service

The affair was attended by presidents of its sister hospitals (Bacolod Adventist Medical Center,  HW Miller Sanitarium and Hospital, Manila Adventist Medical Center, and Gingoog Sanitarium and Hospital).  Actually all presidents were invited but maybe our invitation came in late  so it was already impossible that they can fit it into their schedules.  Several specialists were also around including  Sanofi Personnel (Mindanao Region) made the program more memorable.

The program was held at the 5th floor of the Annex Building  and was formally started by the welcome speech of Dr. Wilper Taylor Generator, the MSH VP for Medical Affairs and was followed by Dr. Edgar Claude A. Nadal , MSH President as he shares of history of the Renal Center and newly built and furnished private rooms.  Two singing groups graced the affair – the Sthenichords and the group from Gingoog Sanitarium and Hospital.   Sir Joel Y. Dalaguan, the former President of the hospital,  and who also just arrived with his wife from their missionary post in Afriday (Kendu Aventist Hospital)  gave the inspirational message.

After the litany and dedicatory prayer, the group went down for the ribbon cutting.  First to the fire struck and collection car, then to the Bite Clinic, then back to the third floor for the Renal Center and private Rooms.  The cutting was headed by Dr. Yvette L. Nadal, assited by Dr. Abel Gomez and Mrs. Elizabeth T. Dalaguan.

After the program, the visitors were ushered back to the 5th floor for a sumptuous lunch.

Personally, i look forward to the affair for days because I was sure i would have a chance to click my camera.  I was hoping though that it would happen on a Sunday so that i can host an entry for Weekend Memoirs.  But even though it was not a weekend affair, i still had a nice time taking pictures.

Let me share some:

– the third floor nurses’ station -

- signage of the Renal Center just before you enter the room -

- the additional brand-new machines for the renal center -

- a candid shot of one of the new private rooms – (each room got different motiff)

- the other side of the room -

Each private room have two beds of the same height and a private bath and comfort room.  It has a TV, a ref, a bench, and center table.

- the water tanker and the collection vehicle -

- this is the area of the Animal Bite Clinic inside the ER -

- MSH Admin with some of the very important visitors -

oppss one is lacking there .  Where is Sir Castillo?

Well, he’s in this photo now.   The last guy to the right.

The morning started so bright but just before noontime, the beautiful rain fell.  It cooled the ground.  And everyone was happy!

99% of the visitors were from distant places.  Some have plane to catch and some have 5 hrs travel to make.  So after lunch, they parted with a smile on their faces.  For those who were on duty, we all went back to our offices – tired but satisfied of the outcome.  Not really perfect i think.  There were still some bloopers but it can be overlooked.

More post related to this event will be posted later.

Tags: Animal Bite Center, Bacolod Adventist Medical Center, health care personnel, health care provider in Iligan City, health care services, HW Miller Memorial Hospital, iligan city, Manila Adventist Medical Center, Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital, Plaridel C. Atil Renal Center, sunshineforlife

The sixth engagement of Operation Smile – International with Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital began yesterday, April 26, 2010. I should have made this post yesterday but due to 8 hrs power interruption I just took the time now.

The big people of Operation Smile International, Operation Smile Philippines, Kiwanis International and Kiwanis Iligan City were around together with the team of of nurses and doctors.  I just love the motto of OS – “Helping the World One Smile at a Time” while the Kiwanis have the motto of “Helping the World One Kid at a Time.”

Our HR, Engr. Nestor Molleda welcomed to the stage the Kiwanis – Iligan City President, Mr. Roy Trinidad for his short introduction.  Then it was followed by the response of our president, Dr. EA Nadal  and Mr. Roberto “Bobby” Manzano, president of the Operation Smile – International (Philippines.)  Lt. Gov. Leah Alagar of Kiwanis Philippines gave a very short speech.  Then each of the member of the team were introduced.

The day was very bright and there was power interruption most of the day but it did not dampen the spirits of those who were in-charge of the screening and registration.   Why would they when their more than a hundred patients (there was a very long queue of them) didn’t feel like it was so hot.  The patients were just excited in their line waiting for their turn to be called.

Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital through the president, received the plaque of appreciation from the OS – International.  Kiwanis Iligan City also received the same plaque.

That’s the banner hanged around the tent put up to accommodate the registration.

This is the shirt logo for the OS – International in cooperation with the Kiwanis Club and MSH.

The OS – International cater to patients with cleft palate and cleft lip problem.  I really wish i took a photo of one before operation and then the aftermath.  But i was too embarrassed to ask one patient yesterday.

Tags: helping the world one child at a time, helping the world one smile at a time, iligan city, Kiwanis Club, Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital, Operation Smile International, outreach

Last night it rained and i didn’t know it rained slow all night because i woke up to a foggy morning (not in the dorm) in the distant hills.  I even took pictures of it because the view is not always like that.

See this pic, the sky is thick with greyish clouds so i said to myself that it’s not going to be a very hot day.  Yesterday, when the Operation Smile started, the sun was sizzling.  Plus the situation where we didn’t have electric power from 9 am until the afternoon.  I bet it was an uncomfortable situation at the registration area but i saw the patience not minding the heat because i know that they were looking forward  that their patient will be fixed.

This afternoon, it rained from time to time but at a little bit past 5 pm it rained so hard as in hard.  I imagine myself running outside in the rain and have my photo taken but it’s impossible so i just continue beating my treadmill time.  I was also sweating lots so i still look like am drench in the rain.

As of now, the world outside is cool.  Very cool.  I am hoping that tomorrow, it’s going to be like this so that the hours from 9 am to 5 pm will just be a bit comfortable.  That’s another 8 hrs of no power in the daytime during office hours.  It’s really a big strain on our bulk of work plus the fact that it is so hot because we still have the el niño weather.  I now really look forward when the summer heat will be over.

Again, I thank God for the rain.  Am sure it gave a smile on the farmer’s face today.  We are not farmers here at our end but we are happy because it made our environment cooler.  I bet God knows that it was so hot already so He sends the rain.

Tags: iligan city, msh college, Operation Smile - International 2010, power interruption, rain

Since we are experiencing the El Nino phenomenon, to have rain is really a blessing.  It fell like like puppies and kitties yesterday but i can see the plants and the grasses smiled.  When it started, the ground gave out that dry land smell which is an annoying to those who are asthmatic but to the farmers and to those who are praying for rain – it was a great smell!

This morning, the sky looks so clear blue and the sun is hot.  I am going up to the dorm later to check out my laundry am sure they are dried right now.  They were dried yesterday but i forgot to pick them out at noon.  I remembered them when the rain made them damp with coldness again.

Here are some photos of the wet ground and smiling plants:

this is how the sky looks while it rained

I thought of splashing in the pools of water but changed my mind coz i might get sick.  Good thing it did not flood.  But if it rained that much for 2 hours or more for sure the water pools will be so deep.

- I think the flower i smiling.

Tags: el niño phenomenon, iligan city, life, summer 2010, sunshineforlife

At last CE was over!

MSHC Batch 2010 is called S’envoler meaning Soaring High.  Their theme is: “Godliness is paramount over all virtues and expertise in the pursuit for successful career”.  The program started with Pinning for the seniors on Friday morning, followed by the Consecration Service Friday evening.   Consecration & Thanksgiving Ceremony was done Saturday morning followed by the Tribute to Parents in the afternoon.  Usually graduation is held on a Sunday but not this time.  Sunday’s program was the Recognition and Graduation was held on Monday in La Salle Academy Gym.

The following persons graced the momentous events:

Mrs. Jacqueline G. Polangcos, a professor of the College of Nursing (Graduate and Undergraduate Programs) of Adventist University of the Philippines inspired the graduating nursing students during the Pinning Ceremonies, Friday morning at the Tibanga SDA Central Church.

In the evening, Pastor Jerry C. Patalinghug, the Director of Youth AMICUS &  Urban Evangelism of the South Philippine Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventist gave a wonderful message for the seniors as well as the parents of the graduates.

Elder Aner A. Tero, the President of the Northern Mindanao Conference of SDA inspired the seniors with his animating message.

For the Recognition program, Pastor Algier C. Ravelo, the head chaplain of Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital graced the occasion with his short but very unforgetable message.

The graduation ceremony was inspiringly graced by Dr. Bernarda C. Lleno, the Chief Education Program Specialist of CHED – Region X .  Her message was enough to really inspire the S’envolians.

Photos?  Not yet uploaded.

(it took me two days to finish this post because every time am working on it, the power will just automatically off.  now am so happy to click on PUBLISH and i have to do it now before the gonna cut the power again)

Now…graduation days are over!

Tags: events, iligan city, Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital College, MSHC 14th Closing Exercises

The  other day i took a pizza quiz because i was sort of craving for pizza.  There is a pizza place around here in the city that sounds famous yet never been there yet — not until last night.  I heard they served the biggest pizza one could ever see (although not as big as the one Guinness Records).  So i tagged along with some friends last night in going to Calda.  And this is the pizza that we had:

This looks big but there is still the biggest to this.  Possibly as big as this table.   If you look closely it is made up of two kinds of toppings.

I am thinking of bringing my family out there in the future.  For sure the kids would love it.

Tags: Calda, foods, friendship, iligan city, pizza trip, places

I woke up as usual this morning but took more time to do the chores, cook breakfast, and having breakfast. It’s because it’s another non-working holiday in the Philippine calendar, so it’s another long long weekend because of the New Year’s day. I am looking forward to Monday because everyone will be back to work. I miss an office with people. Hehehe

Today, something unforgettable happened. Not a nice one and it’s a lesson learned. I become a victim of theft. I discovered it when i was about to pay some purchases. I placed the money in my coin purse and it was not inside my bag anymore. It was impossible that the wallet fell while i walked around. My bag got no slash. I was not yet accepting that i was a victim. I told the cashier that am going out and check at the first place i was before the malling. – But it was not there!

My bag is black. So at the first look of the purse, it can’t be denied that it is a purse. Good thing they did not also aim for my big black wallet and the digital camera.

Luckily i still have loose change in my main wallet (the one with pertident ids and atm cards) so that prevent me from panicky and act scared coz i had enough fare to get home. That new mall (Chinese mall) was the newest in town so i really took time to have a “me” time and go around the 3 floors. Just like what i used to do in China when i have time. Just go around but not buying anything. But today i was buying some kiddie stuff that i will need tomorrow so i need to find means to secure that certain amount. Good thing there’s more than enough balance in my bdo account so i took a couple of hundreds.

On my way home home, my mind was in tug of war if i should tell my mom about it. Not that i want it to be secret but i hate hearing “i told you so” stuff…but realized abit later that i can’t just keep my mouth shut. Hehehe. She was kind of shock when i told her but i then said that at least someone will be blessed with that little amount. But i believe in karma and that it will go down the generation. Poor family! My mind is in struggle to curse but good thing i still managed not to curse because i know God is always good and will provide all my needs.

Tags: iligan city, life, theft experience, Uni Top Mall

Last weekend was a busy one.  But on the last day i had the chance to go on city tour.  Two places were on the list.  The first one was Agus 4 and from there, we went to see Maria Christina Falls, the outlet of the water that runs the hydro power plant which supplies electricity throughout Mindanao and Siquijor island.

It was my fourth visit to Agus 4 in Balo-i but first for my daughter.  Though it was my fourth time yet, every visit is a wonderful visit because there’s something new to see.   It was my sixth visit to the falls and the last one was in October 2007 during the AHPA Convention also.  This time, so much has improved because they converted the entrance into a Nature Park so it means it made the Maria Cristina, the landmark of Iligan City, more accessible to the public.

There is no entrance fee to enter the park but the group must have a valid identification then all can go in.

-Dimple’s first visit there -

- the tourists –

- distant view of the falls -

- the viewing deck -

The convention including the tour officially ended after lunch.  Dimple and I went home to the dorm and i guess we slept 3 hours. We were so tired because of the late night before that Sunday.

Monday was still a holiday so it was our time to make a our Christmas tree and belen using materials found in the office.  So, we come up to this:

I am glad i made this shot because our tree does not look like this again.  My officemate made it into another form and it’s not yet done so i havent’ taken pictures yet.  Our belen is not yet done so maybe next OWM i will be sharing it here.

If you decide to visit Iligan City, drop me a line and let me know so that i can bring you to some beautiful spots in Iligan.

I hope everyone is having a beautiful weekend!

Tags: arlene collado, iligan city, maria cristina falls, photography, places, sunshinelene

It was a raining week when i moved into the dormitory so the skies that time was mostly grey. One afternoon, when the sunset tinted the sky with orange, i have to grab my camera and make a shoot. I am also about to catch the rainbow but failed as i still have to pick the camera from my room.

Here’s the my sky viewing window. Located right at the dormitory lobby, fourth floor of the Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital Annex building.

I could take a seat in one of the couches and look beyond the window with my mind wondering as far as North Pole. hahaha

Now rainy week is over but i got a few of those grey skies during my first week in my new extension home.

Tags: gray clouds, iligan city, MSH College dormitory. rainy days, sky view

I miss weekends like this – where we forget the stress of work.  It’s only time like this that we get to laugh our hearts out.  Cheers for our friends like what we used to when we were young kids.  It’s moments like this when the kids in us take some time to be out.

Some of the “caught in action” shots during our faculty and staff  SPORTSfest last year. I belong to this team – the Orange team.

Some of us at the end of the game – I think we bagged second.

Tags: iligan city, msh college, photo hunter