Travel To Calbiga and Motiong

This week, I traveled for the first time to Samar to visit two towns: Calbiga and Motiong. From Tacloban, I crossed the San Juanico Bridge and traveled first to Calbiga where, together with the team from Zuellig Family Foundation, we conducted a field visit, a training for RHU staff and a mortality review in the afternoon. I was able to converse with the Doctor and the Mayor of the town. It is a lovely laid-back 4th class municipality, home to the world's second largest cathedral-type caves. Because of the uncooperative weather, they were not able to bring us to their town's best-kept natural wonders. I did promise myself that I should come back and really visit their caves and waterfalls.







After an overnight stay in Catbalogan, I then headed to Motiong where the team did the same activities (except for the mortality review). Motiong is almost similar to Calbiga: mountainous with some coastal villages. There are many villages in the uplands, some of which are quite inaccessible. I was able to talk as well with the mayor and doctor of Motiong and both expressed strong support for health initiatives.




Like it? Share it.

• at 10:45 AM
• written in blood by bayenmd
• 0 violent reactions. React Here.

Read More

Hotel Alejandro: Tribute To The Fall And Rise of Leyte

It was my first time to stay in Hotel Alejandro here in Tacloban, the capital city of Leyte. Leyte island is historical considering the role it played during the World War II. It was in Palo, Leyte when General Douglas McArthur fulfilled his promise of "I Shall Return". When the Americans finally landed in Leyte and were able to defeat the Japanese, Tacloban City became the temporary seat of government of the Philippines. President Sergio Osmena landed with Gen. McArthur that fateful day of October 1944.

Hotel Alejandro was formerly the house owned by Dr. Alejandro Montejo which was later converted by his heirs into a museum. It has survived the troubled years of the Japanese Occupation and housed many refugees who returned to Tacloban after the war.

What is very nice about the hotel is the prized collection of war memorabilias and pictures. It is like a museum inside a hotel or a hotel inside a museum. Pictures of the Liberation of Leyte, Japanese Occupation of Tacloban and portraits of soldiers from both the American and Japanese sides dominate the entrance and lobbies of the hotel. For students of history, this place provides more than just comfort.

It is located along P. Paterno Street in Tacloban City. It has function rooms for all types of occasions. All rooms have air conditioning, cable TV, phone and hot and cold shower. On the ground floor of the hotel is Cafe Teresa which serves Filipino, Spanish and American dishes. Price range of rooms is from 990 to 1600 pesos.



Like it? Share it.

• at 2:30 AM
• written in blood by bayenmd
• 0 violent reactions. React Here.

Read More

Ocho Seafood and Grill

If you happen to visit Tacloban City in Leyte, one place to dine and enjoy fresh sea food is Ocho Seafood and Grill. It is located at Senator Enage Street, Brgy. 54, Tacloban City. During our stop over in Tacloban last Sunday night, the Mayor of Calbiga (Samar) treated us to buttered shrimps, grilled fish and shellfish at Ocho Seafood and Grill. It is a small place but it does not lose its coziness and comfort.

Upon arriving inside the restaurant, you will be brought to the main counter where all the fresh seafood are displayed, where you can choose your dish from squid to shrimps to all kinds of fish, from seaweed to scallops. After choosing your dish, you will be given a number and then brought to your table where you will be asked for your order of drinks.

The service is very satisfactory and the food tastes very good as well. The serve their food quick and the waitresses make sure that you have everything you need.

If you are into seafood, Ocho Grill in Tacloban is definitely highly recommended.



Like it? Share it.

• at 2:00 AM
• written in blood by bayenmd
• 0 violent reactions. React Here.

Read More

Earthquakes and Aftershocks: Negros and Cebu

Right before 12 noon today, while I was huddling with barangay councilors and the Mayor of Cabilga in one of their barangays, I got a call from home in Bacolod City. My wife told me that a strong earthquake hit Bacolod City. I told them to stay safe and to watch the news about the earthquake. I was pretty sure that if it was a strong earthquake, aftershocks would follow. By her description, the quake was strong. My son even told me that he saw the water in our fish pond spilling out of the pool. When we got back to the Visitor Center in Calbiga, I found out that Cebu was also hit. I got another text message saying that the epicenter of the quake was somewhere between Negros Oriental and Cebu. On my way to Catbalogan, I got another text message at around 6pm when a strong aftershock jolted Bacolod.


It was already in Catbalogan when I was able to watch the news about the quake. I will be going to Bacolod this Wednesday and I am hoping to get some news about the aftermath of the quake. So far, according to latest news, around 43 are dead due to the quake.

"NDRRMC said northern parts of the Negros Oriental registered severe damages in structures. A barangay hall also collapsed and cracks were also found in government and commercial buildings, roads and bridges in Guihulngan City. There were some"surface cracks" as well in RSB Building, Abellana National School, and in St. Vincent Gen. Hospital in Cebu City, NDRRMC said." (Yahoo News)

In times like this, we need to teach ourselves, especially our children, what to do when an earthquake happens. Here are some tips on what to do during an earthquake:

"In MOST situations, you will reduce your chance of injury if you:

DROP down onto your hands and knees (before the earthquakes knocks you down). This position protects you from falling but allows you to still move if necessary.

COVER your head and neck (and your entire body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby, only then should you get down near an interior wall (or next to low-lying furniture that won't fall on you), and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.

HOLD ON to your shelter (or to your head and neck) until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around.

Trying to move during shaking puts you at risk: Earthquakes occur without any warning and may be so violent that you cannot run or crawl; you therefore will most likely be knocked to the ground where you happen to be. So it is best to drop before the earthquake drops you, and find nearby shelter or use your arms and hands to protect your head and neck. "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" gives you the best overall chance of quickly protecting yourself during an earthquake... even during quakes that cause furniture to move about rooms, and even in buildings that might ultimately collapse.

The greatest danger is from falling and flying objects: Studies of injuries and deaths caused by earthquakes over the last several decades show that you are much more likely to be injured by falling or flying objects (TVs, lamps, glass, bookcases, etc.) than to die in a collapsed building. "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" (as described above) will protect you from most of these injuries.

If there is no furniture nearby, you can still reduce the chance of injury from falling objects by getting down next to an interior wall and covering your head and neck with your arms (exterior walls are more likely to collapse and have windows that may break). If you are in bed, the best thing to do is to stay there and cover your head with a pillow. Studies of injuries in earthquakes show that people who moved from their beds would not have been injured if they had remained in bed." (Taken from Earthquake Country Info)










Like it? Share it.

• at 9:17 PM
• written in blood by bayenmd
• 0 violent reactions. React Here.

Read More

Missing Cozumel: Sun, Sand and Surf

I miss Cozumel. I must admit that I have made Cozumel, Mexico my second home last year when I was working abroad. How can you not love Cozumel? The weather is warm, the food is cheap and the beaches are beautiful. Every week, the ship would dock in Cozumel and I would have barely 6 hours or so to enjoy my favorite quesadillas at Noname Bar, skype back home and even enjoy the sights at the beach.

During the Tom Joyner cruise, we had a chance to stay overnight in Cozumel. So along with some of my friends, we decided to rent a jeep and drive around the island, beach-hoping.

Every week, I would also do my grocery in Cozumel since it is cheaper than Wal-mart in Galveston, Texas. Right across the Mega-mart is a beach resort which most of the crew of the ships would hang out. It has free wifi and has a pool. For food, there are many options. There are at least two Filipino restaurants in Cozumel and two Chinese restaurants if you are into Asian food. Of course, Mexican dishes are served everywhere.

Of course, you can't leave Mexico without a tan, a snapshot of the Mariachi singers and even some cheap shirts. It was in Cozumel where I had the rare opportunity to swim and play with dolphins. It was really an exciting experience. How I wish I can go back to Cozumel.


Like it? Share it.

• at 5:00 AM
• written in blood by bayenmd
• 0 violent reactions. React Here.

Read More

Mixing The Old and New In Cartagena

Among the few cities I was lucky to have visited in Europe, Cartagena is one of those that I really liked. It's almost like you are walking on the borderline between the old and the new. The ship docked in Cartagena around early morning so I got off the ship and decided to walk around alone the city. I was also trying to find a decent cafe where I can grab a warm coffee for breakfast. I then found two of my Spanish friends already enjoying the sunshine of Cartagena.

We decided to walk around and visit some of the places such as shops and parks.

I then decided to go inside the museum and visit a Roman amphitheater excavated in Cartagena. Cartagena used to be occupied by the Romans (Carthage). The museum was filled with Roman artifacts.

By around lunch time, I decided to take a break from walking and grab some pasta and soft drinks. The streets were already filling up with tourists. I was able to meet some of my friends who were also walking around the city trying to find a decent place to eat.

Cartagena is definitely beautiful. I was lucky that we almost had a full day to walk around the city. I hopefully do want to come back to Cartagena.


Like it? Share it.

• at 9:49 PM
• written in blood by bayenmd
• 0 violent reactions. React Here.

Read More

Dancing To The Same Tune

Here's my compilation of great flash mobs around the world. Wouldn't it be nice to see everyone just dancing altogether? I think that's an answer to the many wars and conflicts that we are witnessing around the world.























Like it? Share it.

• at 10:03 AM
• written in blood by bayenmd
• 0 violent reactions. React Here.

Read More