Mindoro Escapade

Last April 2010, we had a summer escapade in the very island of Mindoro and will just relieve the experience through pictures again.

Day 1 - Pandan Island, Sablayan Occidental Mindoro. The sand is as fine as the sand in Boracay, a perfect place if you want peace of mind. Coral Reefs and fishes are extraordinarily beautiful than in Batangas or in Puerto Galera.  Philippines is oh so beautiful.

We were supposed to visit the Apo Reef but the waves that time were very big so the locals advised us that it's unsafe to go....  next time na lang ulet.

Underwater sight seeing thru the Glass Boat.

Day 2:
(1) Libuao Lake - lake with water lilies and lots of Tilapia (fish).  You can rent a cottage and spend your lunch in here... I wasn't the one paying so I guess the rates might be very affordable.

(2) Colonia Prison Farm - a prison of almost free people. Security is relied into barb wires, there are no escapees anyway and the prisoners don't want to escape because inside is almost a paradise. You can bring and live inside with your family, there are churches and farm lands, you can't ask for more. Cam and phones are not allowed inside so the photos were just taken from the vehicle.

(3) Pesing Park Parola (Lighthouse) - spectacular view of the islands and the perfect spot for the sunset.

The travel time:

                       A bus ride from Cubao to Batangas Pier - 2 hours 

                       Boat Ride (Row-row) - 2 hours

                       Bus ride from Mindoro pier to destination - 3 hours

It was my first time to ride in a large boat (Row-Row) and the experience was awesome!

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Having Break - the Japanese Edition

I had a Japanese visitor few weeks ago and he brought me a gift.  He was just telling me he brought me Kitkat, I was thinking, maybe he doesn't know we also have Kitkat here in the Philippines, but I'm still grateful for the thought.

Anyway, before he left the Philippines he handed me the Kitkat and surprise! it's a different Kitkat... it is Sakura Matcha flavored kitkat and I loved it...

The packaging is really cool, this whole pink thing around the box made me love this the more.
I want to go to Japan to see live Sakura... as in the Cherry Blossoms!

Have a break, have a Kitkat!

VMV Hypoallergenics

Because I have a sensitive skin and I think my blood is so yummy for the insects, I got these dark spots/scars  in my legs and actually became a turn off when I wear shorts or skirts.  I've tried putting on some creams but they made the inflammation worse and I also tried different lightening creams to remove the dark spots but again they are just making it look worse.

I saw this VMV Hypoallergenics website from Patty Laurel's blog and tried the Skin Investment Plan to consult what's best to lighten the dark spots and scars from the insect bites.  After a week or two, I got a response from the VMV representative and recommended some of their products.  In the email, they asked me to let them know if I want to receive free sample of those products recommended to me... (of course, who would not want free products?) or I have the option to choose samples from their website for Php 25 each. :) ... anyway, I just hope that these will finally work on my skin.

It was a joy to visit the VMV Hypoallergenics website because their products are promised to be hypoallergenics and can be used even very sensitive skin.  You can actually Shop by Concern e.g Acne, Melasma, Psoriasis, Aging, etc... and a lot of features available on their website.  

If you also have sensitive skin, try visiting their website... you might find a solution to your problems.  Enjoy!

Remedy to Sunburn

I just got back from a trip in Boracay with my folks in ECB Team and I've been complaining for the pain from my sunburn all through out the trip going back to Manila. Although it's August and is supposedly be the wettest season in the Philippines, the sun never failed to accompany us for 3 days.  We were always out in the beach or in the pool for the entire 3 days and I swear I put a sunblock in the morning before exposing myself in the sun.   My face and shoulders are sunburnt but the most affected area is really my back.  I couldn't recall if I put on a sunblock in my back but maybe I failed to do so because for the obvious reason, I couldn't reach it... my bad and I think it's payback time for ignoring and assuming it will be fine. I've been feeling the pain from my bra straps or anything that makes contact with my skin and even when I tried to lay down last night, it was so uncomfortable so I had no choice but to sleep like a live bug.

photosource

I've been searching the web for some home remedy to relieve the pain but I couldn't find much that would be easy and not so gross to do.  So, I'll stick to these two suggestions:

Moisturize
The sun dries out the skin's surface and causes cells and blood vessels to leak, causing even greater moisture loss. In addition, while cool baths and compresses can make you feel better, they can also end up robbing moisture from your injured skin. To prevent drying, apply moisturizer immediately after your soak. For cooling relief of pain and dryness, chill the moisturizer in the refrigerator before using.

Take an OTC Pain Reliever
Nonprescription pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen can relieve pain and cut the inflammation of a sunburn. Take with food as directed on the bottle, and discontinue use if you develop stomach upset. If you can't tolerate aspirin or ibuprofen, consider taking OTC acetaminophen, which can help ease pain but won't relieve inflammation.

I learned my lesson now and I will forever remember the pain and discomfort due to overexposure to the sun.  :(

Do you suggest any other remedy for sunburn?

Hope he'll be ok soon...

It's been 6 days since my dad was admitted in Manila Doctors Hospital for his knee surgery.  He's been complaining pain in his right knee and the finding was that there's no more cartilage tissue left in his knee.  He had his operation Wednesday and it was successful.  He's been spending his 3rd day of recovery when the doctor said, he needed to undergo another operation since the stitches were accidentally removed and there was a hematoma (blood clotting) inside.

As quoted by my sister "It's ok papa"

Today is his 2nd operation at 2 pm and the doctor said it will only take 30 minutes.  The nurses got him in the room at 1 pm and we expect him to be back at 4:30pm the latest including 2 hours in the recovery room.   It was already 6pm but no news yet from the doctor or the nurses.  We tried going to the Operating Room and the Recovery Room but the nurse said, the operation is still on-going and they will inform us when he's transferred to the recovery room.  Another 1 and a half hour passed, we tried again asking what is happening but there's still no news.  Until now, it's already 8:15 and we are now worried.  We are praying that my dad can handle the operation, that he'll be safe and recover soon.

Health and Wellness Plus!

Some of the reasons why it's great to work in my new company are the programs and perks they prepare for the employees.  They are investing in making their people in check with their fitness and in health, community and environmental services.

In fact, today was the program for free health analysis: Body Fat Analysis, Blood Sugar and BMI Check.  Of course I didn't miss having all these analysis and below are the results:

The results are quite good news except for the Body Fat, i can't imagine I still have these excessive fats knowing that I am already exerting more effort in exercise.  This maybe caused by the STRANDED days of purely eating and sleeping... To my dismay, I think I really need to double my effort in opening my sweat glands and do more exercise to lose these fats.

In parallel, we also have a Blood Donation Drive...  I tried donating blood before in my previous company but because of my newly pierced ears, I wasn't allowed to donate.  This time, though I wanted to try again,  I opted not to donate since I am reserving my blood for my Dad's operation this coming Wednesday since I am the only one with the same blood type as him in the family (Blood Type: A+), just in case he'll need a blood transfusion.

And, the best part for today's activity was the free 15-min back massage.  They made the ambiance of the room the same as the spa with matching scented candles and very soft background music.  I wanted to stay longer but SNAP! I totally forgot I was still in the office.  It feels really good after the session and if there was no queue I would like to have another round or stay in the room for a while and  have a nap... #Sarap!

A very gloomy day

I was so happy that finally the flood already subsided and Mr. Sun kissed my skin today.  Though I have an approved Vacation Leave for today (filed for the supposedly Boracay Trip for the ECB Team), I opted to go work because I am quite guilty on "not so fully utilized me" working from home from the previous days.  I'm happy greeting my Boss a happy birthday and seeing my colleagues doing "kulitan" again and I started scribing the "Things to do" for today.

I went out for a field call and visited my previous company.  After my 2 meetings there, I dropped by my good friend's cube and had some exchanges of hugs and hellos.  I've known Rose since Intel Days (2006) and we transferred to Onsemi right after Intel closed its facility here in the Philippines.  We were lunch buddies, text-mate, phone-mate and I became close to their group though we are from different departments.  Before I left for 3M (my current company), she got married and got pregnant a year after.  We were so happy to know that she was bearing a baby boy and a baby girl - a TWIN!!!

5 months old - Baby Miguel and Baby Sophia

Every time I have schedule meetings in Onsemi, I usually drop by her cube if time permits and hold her tummy or just wave and send flying kisses if I am with my sales or with my boss.  On the 5th month, she was advised by her OB to stop working and have a bed rest because the baby girl is quite small and needs to be very careful.  On the 7th month, she experienced spotting, and knowing that they are first time parents, they didn't know what to do.  So she called up her OB and then was rushed to the hospital. The OB said, she's already at 4cm so she is already in Labor, she in fact didn't experience any labor pain... she was CS to ensure both babies will be safely delivered, they were named: Antonio Miguel and Sophia Marie

The twins since they're only 7 months old in her tummy need to be incubated.  The vent support is needed since the lungs are not yet fully developed.  Miguel is bigger than her sister Sophia.  Mommy Rose was discharged from the hospital after 4 days and the twins were left in their incubators. During the evening, the hospital called her up about something about Miguel.  The couple rushed into the hospital and then they saw the oxygen level of Miguel dropping until it reached 50, 40, 30, 20, 10... then zero.  The doctor said, they'll still try if the baby will still respond on the medication, but the couple saw that the chest of baby Miguel was already bluish from the attempt of reviving him.  The couple was given a choice to continue or to give him up. It was so painful seeing their little boy like that and knowing the baby suffered enough, they decided to give up.

Sophia, the smaller one has somehow survived for few more days.  She also suffered oxygen saturation the same as his kuya Miguel.  It was so painful for the couple especially for Rose.  She couldn't understand why this happened to them, she got lots of questions and all are "WHYs".

Two weeks after another friend lost her 4 month old boy due to "Meningococcemia."  The doctor said, the boy must have gotten the virus from one of the visitors from his Christening (4 days back).  It was also very unexpected.  The mom was also so hurt and no one can console her.  Rose however, though still mourning for her babies tried and all her questions was thrown back to her.  She didn't know how to answer for she herself don't know the answer.  She felt she needed to be strong for this other mom, and Rose finally found the answers to both their questions.  "It was God's decision, they are now safe in heaven, etc."...  Until now, the other mom is still holding on to Rose, she needs more consoling from her and Rose is becoming even stronger for her.

...Rose got back from her maternity leave before end of July.  I saw her several times but didn't ask anything related to the twins.  Today, when I visited her in her cube, she felt I was avoiding asking her about the twins.  She opened the topic by showing me their pictures and alas! my tears were already flowing.  She was so strong, she didn't cry even while sharing me the journeys of her two angels.  She's optimistic that they are in the good hands of God.  Their faith to God became more stronger... I'm happy that they are still willing to try again.  May God bless Rose and her husband.

... Going back to the office, I needed to stop by the gasoline station in SLEX.  I couldn't stop crying and I am feeling so sad remembering the pictures of the twin. The rain suddenly started to pour down and everything became so gloomy afterwards.