End of the Year Report 2013 - 4th Quarter

And so this is the last quarter, will be off to downtown Dumaguete for some last minute buys. I guess Captain and Tenille's "Do That to Me One More Time"  in the background is enough motivation to finish my end of the year report.

UPCN will host the EAFONS 17th International Conference in Feb 2014, just some work with deans of CHED COEs and CODs (UERMMC, UST, Silliman U, St. Louis U, SPUM, SPUP, San Pedro College-Davao, Cebu Normal U) and ADPCN at the 2013 ADPCN October Conference.

My classmate Ate Elish visited from Canada. Many things were discussed during the meet-ups, one was raising funds for some good things. In pic are classmates (from L to R) UP-PGH's Dr. Gian Carpio, Ate Elish, CM MD-PhD stud MacMac, and Me.

Awake for work at 2:30 am during the PM GE Consultation Workshop in Tagaytay! In pic is Botanist and badminton friend Jasper (far left), Director of Sentro ng Wikang Pambansa Odessa, Me, Ma'am Nati of Bio Dept, Jen, Andrea of Dept of Behavioral Sciences, DPSM Guy, Carl of DSS, and CAMP College Sec Ms. Joyce .

I always have the habit of visiting my former bosses, being a workaholic has its perks. In pic NORSU CNDPAHS Dean and former Silliman U CN Dean Dr Dalisay Dumalag, Me, Midwifery Dept Head Ma'am Emmi, College of Law Dean Atty Pearl Estacion.

November was conference and workshop month for me. This was during the advanced course on ethics in research organized by the UPM- National Institutes of Health.

This one is on thesis writing and mentoring, organized by the National Graduate Office for the Health Sciences.  Dr. Ludy Tejero, is UPCN's incoming dean, currently sits as Head of the Research and Creative Writing Program of UPCN as well as NGOHS Director.

And this one is for Information Officers. Oh I'm glad that I'm quite techy. In pic are UP VP Popoy de Vera, CECSP Head Prof Merle Mejico, and UPM Chancellor Dr. Manuel Agulto.

And this is a forum on the use of the teleserye as a vehicle for social change. Oh yes, I go everywhere. In pic are writer Suzette Doctolero of MHL, Encantadia; Direk Joey Reyes, and Dr. Trinidad Osteria.

And to end my November, the 6th National Nursing Research Conference in Baguio City.

In pic are from top (L to R): Me, Jessa & Angela of Class 2013 (my research advisees who are also presenting), PJ, bottom row: Maan, TP Head Prof. Luz Dones, PNRSI Pres Dr. Caster Palaganas, CEU Dean and former PNA Pres Dr. Tita Barcelo, Not, and my student and future Bb Pilipinas Julie. These pics are hers. =)

December was about trips again. This was in Expo in Singapore. Nice place to shop, awesome products on sale!

Then went to Phnom Penh in Cambodia for their bridging program. We are helping them shift from Associate Degree to BSN as WHO Collaborating Center.

As I was travelling alone, I mostly did selfies except this one were I asked my tuktuk driver Tilo to take this shot. This one was in the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, it had striking similarities with the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

Then dropped by Bangkok, had to do selfies because I was alone for this trip. They were ousting their Prime Minister so I preferred to stay indoors during daytime. Did I really have to qualify that it was during daytime?

And finally went HOME...to the City of Gentle People... Dumaguete City

Reunited with old friends who also went home. In pic are CPA and BSP's Ben2, Me, Metallurgical Engineers from UPD Manay and Dan2, and dear friend and RN Lan2. Manay and Ben2 were my classmates way back Elem days at St Paul College Dumaguete.

Former workmates (from L to R)  Dept of Agriculture's Ma'am Belai, Mr/s. Aranas, Ma'am Sue, NORSU university nurse Alex, Balikbayan Jai, Pharmacy Dept Head Mrs. Analiza Bais, NPA Clarabelle, Me, and Caryl. Most of us have already left NORSU for greener pastures and it's good to see them again.

And of course my family, or part of it. In bottom pic are from L to R: Me, my niece Dan2, my mom NORSU Director for EVOC and Continuing Ed & CIT Asst Dean Prof. Jessie Cecilia Leyva, my youngest brother JR who is in HS, and my dad Erwin (yes, all males in our family are named Erwin) who manages his sugar cane plantation and other farm animals during his spare time. My sisters are in the US and my elder brother is in Saudi. So I'm technically, the only adult offspring left here in our beloved country.

And there goes my 2013. I  lived the simple life. And I owe it to having enjoyed my childhood, thanks to my family. We didn't have much but my parents taught me to appreciate the little things around and  to work hard. And that's probably why I work hard while not getting too aggressive in reaching for the stars. After all, we are all passers by in this world, so live the life, enjoy, remove all the negative emotions, and make others feel happy. We only live once. For me, it is not the number of achievements that will measure how you lived your life, but the number of true friends you made in your lifetime. In my day to day work, I do not  treat work as a boring routine of toxicities, but rather an avenue to make friends. One can complain about almost everything in  the world, the traffic, workplace issues, corruption, the government, waiting time, lovelife and even the color of your skin, and  how unfair it can get, but hey, that is life. You either cope with it, or KYS and GTH.

And in as much as I don't look back and always move forward, goodbye 2013 and thank you for the memorable experiences. And most of all, I have to thank God for the peace of mind and the strength to endure this wonderful year called 2013.

-wi
P.S. I have to work hard for that 6-pack abs in 2014!

End of the Year Report 2013 - 3rd Quarter

I've read somewhere that one of the things one often regrets in later life is not staying fit. This is one of the yoga classes, I often meet Dr. Sheila Bonito (left) here and in Zumba Class.

And my students noticed that during duty, I always have a bottle of either Powerade or Gatorade. Hydration comes handy during home visits. #N105 duty. Much work has to be done with our TB patients though.

Ma'am Leggs invited me for this, 2013 Gerontology Nurses Association Conference. I had to endure my lecture with my nose clogged and TB-like cough. Had to leave the conference immediately after as my respiratory status warranted more rest. =)

Another hosting spree for the Oathtaking of Class 2013. Still 100% for UPCN in the Nurse Licensure Examinations since foundation. Guest of Honor was BON Betty Merritt, still one of the most passionate speakers, in the 3 occasions I was MC with her as guest of honor and speaker: UPCN Class 2005 Recognition Day, NORSU BSN Class 2009 Candlelighting, and UPCN Class 2013 Oathtaking.

  

Joined the march against the pork barrel system in August. Filipinos should love the Philippines more. Corruption is a manifestation of lack of love for our country. In the countries I have visited, I often see their flags flying amid the dark blue sky in almost every corner. Not much in the Philippines.

Started to play badminton after 13 years? Nice cardio to lose those fat. Too bad I always end up eating more! =) And also I have injured my toes, until now my nails are blue. I need to buy better fitting shoes then.

Phase 2 of RN HEALS Research, with PI UPCN Former Dean Peng Tuazon, POC's Rose Ramos, Abby and PJ in September. PJ missed the best food in town as he needed to go back to Manila earlier. Met also my friend PNA-NegOr Chapter President MJ Pueyo who is from Iloilo City; and also BSP's Ben2 who I haven't met since our DSHS Class Reunion.

N119 Seminar with DOH- NEC's Junie and LCP's Panch (Stuart), September 2013. Panch's love story was featured in MMK in October portrayed by Paulo Avelino.

Visited my former boss, YC President Dr. Trinidad Osteria. I worked under her in 2005, 2006 and in 2010.  Aside from other issues, one of the main topics was GMA's top -rated soap My Husband's Lover.

Groupie with my PHPE classmates at the CPH!

End of the Year Report 2013 - 2nd Quarter

April is usually UPCN Foundation Day. Made this exhibit with the students highlighting their activities on health promotion and health education across the lifespan. On display are works from N107 by Class 2014. I must admit I am one hell of a demanding teacher, but at the end of the day, I am happy with what my students are able to do. For 2014, I promise to reduce sermon time by half (wink). Had the highest teaching load during this semester, but I enjoyed it.

This was taken during our data gathering for RNHEALS Research in Iloilo City. Of course, we were not gathering data on the beach. The schedule was quite tight. I have always been a people person so the field is really my place in town. I can only imagine how busy April was for me.

The food in Iloilo City definitely added pounds to my weight. Yeah, work hard, and eat harder. With our RA Milan, SPU-Iloilo's Ms. Marian Sotelo, and Asst. Prof. MJTC Valera. Had to be back in Manila for the Commencement Exercises and my interview at the Spanish Embassy for a Schengen Visa. I left my flat iron at the hotel and my iPad at the van during this trip.

And yes, the annual UPCN Faculty Development workshop. From L to R:  Abby Candelaria, Me, College Sec Assoc. Prof. Leggs Manahan, and Not. This was in Kimberly Hotel, Tagaytay.

Still at the Faculty Dev't Workshop, the last swim of  Vanne as Ms. Manila, now Mrs. Maderal effective December 2013. From L to R: Me, NSC Chair Kieth Serrano, Vanne, and Not. Aside from swimming, we also played table tennis with UPCN incoming Dean Dr. Ludy Tejero. Too bad that did not bring me more defined abs. 

My presentation on the State of Aging in the Philippines at the United Nations International Institute on Aging, Republic of Malta, May 2013. My visa came a week before my trip and UPOU's Dr. Sheila Bonito made me a guide to Malta. It was a lengthy trip from Manila to Dubai, Dubai to Larnaca (Cyprus), and finally Malta!

This is a beautiful country, met new friends and learned more about the world. Bongu! The training program was attended by delegates from  Russia, Moldova, Macedonia, Malta, Tunisia, Indonesia, India, and China. It was also my first time to eat rabbit here. 

Meeting Pope Francis up close, before my camera went empty batt. One cannot describe the feeling of being in front of the Pope. This experience was the highlight of my 2013. Afterwards, I went on a city tour with my friend UPCN's Len Iellamo who was on vacation that time. Buongiorno Italia!

I was planning to go to Paris and make a European Tour but my schedule did not allow.  I had to be back for the upcoming enrollment. Next stop, Singapore! June 2013. My friend Edu was back in the Philippines for vacation, he works in the Sultanate of Oman as a psychiatric nurse.  

Singapore, Singapore and Singapore, with friends and former NORSU CNAHS Faculty: NUS Hospital's Jai and  Edu. We went to Sentosa, Universal Studios, Marina Bay, etc., etc. This is another beautiful country, though the cost of daily living is like Europe for me.

Just went to Kuala Lumpur because of this and then I'm good. So we had to take the bus to KL. I preferred the tourist bus which was very comfortable than the trip by plane back to SGP. We meet new friends in KL but we missed to make a pic with them or got their FB accounts.

That same day after arriving from SGP, we headed to Baler, Aurora. And of course, my third Baler Surf! My friend UPM-SHS's Mike Samaniego is always our host when in Baler. 

And to close this quarter, my 20th birthday. Oh yes, I'm just kidding. In pic, Edu, UPCN's URA & my classmate Maan Santos, classmate & currently MD-PhD Student Mac Abaca, Not, Len, and Ms. Batalla. 

Oh, I almost forgot about enrolling for my Doctor of Public Health!

And finally, the UPCN Fire Drill. This is part of my work with the University Health and Safety Committee. We practiced the day before the drill, and we had a good laugh with what happened. The practice finally paid of with UPCN having the fastest drill conducted among the participating colleges and units. 

End of the Year Report 2013 - 1st Quarter

I used to write my end of the year report with a serious air but now I will try to do it as light as possible. 2013 for me was primarily meeting a lot of people and new friends. In January, Seton Hall University-New Jersey, visited UPCN. Its president was Filipino, one of the firsts who held such post among major universities in the US.

SHU students visited communities handled by UPCN in Manila and San Juan, Batangas. This pic is with VCAA Dr. Joji de Luna, also learned that she was from Bohol after she answered in our vernacular when she heard us and an SHU student speak Cebuano. 

The students of INHA University-South Korea visited us on the same week as SHU. So I had to run to and fro for these two visits. 

In February, we attended the Alfonso Yuchengco Policy Conference which discussed re 4Ps. This was really insightful for me. Attended this conf last year also when my friends Ai and Maricris were still part of YC.

Oh this is another hosting spree, Candlelighting Ceremonies for Not's advisory class at UPCN in Feb. Haven't graduated from being the MC, name the occasion and I've tried it. Downside is you get to eat less because of being tired with all the blah blah. 

First of many workshops for the year. Speakers were speaking Japanese, and the translation was done right there and then. All the lectures were done thru teleconference, and it was very efficient.