Is it a merry christmas?

With all that has happened – the 57 people butchered mercilessly in Maguindanao, the poor factory worker who was beheaded needlessly, the VP of Basilan State College being abducted, the 48 people held captive by the Perez clan – is it right to call this Christmas merry?

Andal Ampatuan Jr. is in jail and Maguindanao is under martial rule. Here’s a great question for PGMA and her advisers: why put Maguindanao under martial law?

There are only two things that require a call for martial law: invasion and rebellion. Are the paramilitary followers of the Ampatuans so hostile that their so-called uprising can be considered rebellion?

The crime of rebellion or insurrection is committed by rising publicly and taking arms against the Government for the purpose of removing from the allegiance to said Government or its laws, the territory of the Philippine Islands or any part thereof, of any body of land, naval or other armed forces, depriving the Chief Executive or the Legislature, wholly or partially, of any of their powers or prerogatives. (As amended by R.A. 6968).

Not that they are not hostile, but just like what Sen. Santiago said, maybe PGMA is just looking for a reason, anything, to make that decision. And after that, what else could stop her from putting the country under martial law too?

Then again, if PGMA is indeed not planning to put the country under martial law and if the Ampatuan followers were found to be planning a rebellion, then the Ampatuans would most likely be jailed for rebellion and not for murder. And considering that the punishment for rebellion is a bit lighter than murder, then the Arroyo administration is doing the clan a huge favor. I mean, where would PGMA be if not for the Ampatuans who orchestrated her win during the last elections in Mindanao?

Above all this, I believe PGMA’s desire to become Pampangga representative for 2010 is just awful. Her addiction to power is to us like breathing air to survive. The scariest part of it is that once she gains a seat in Congress, the Constitution may become endangered.

Another legitimate concern is the outpour of candidates for the 2010 elections. And again, as with all the previous elections, the main theme for this one is to choose the lesser evil. Everyone wants to become president and everyone is out there saying bad things about each other. Where is their delicadeza? I have always liked Mirriam Santiago but its her ‘balinmbing‘ qualities that makes me think twice.

Maybe there is something to look forward to this Christmas like that coveted QT with family and friends and maybe a vacation for a couple weeks; but when January comes, I bet its all going to be headaches and heart attacks. With the 2010 elections looming ever so near and the case of the Maguindanao massacre seeing no justice in sight yet, the prospect of having a happy new year is another question in my head.

But for what its worth, this Christmas can be merry if you can make it into one.

First Sem

Medicine is like a monster that eats flesh: the sort that eats everything and leaves nothing behind, no bones nor clothing. It devours all your capacities but even then, it still wants more. It haunts you in your sleep, while you eat , when you breathe, and even as you walk or talk. If you try to run from it, it will come to you more swiftly than the wind: there is no escaping it. And even if you deny it, it becomes a part you.

Medicine brings about paranoia when exams draw near or when you receive your grade in a small and gray sheet of paper. The moment you get your hands on it, a surge of mixed emotions will cause your heart to pump blood thrice as fast. In a matter of minutes, you would go from pale to red and your instincts tell you to tear the paper at once. But when your eyes scroll away from the major subjects, the minors save the day and you put off tearing it to a another day. Once your heart rate becomes normal again, you realize that the red markings in your majors are not as bad as you thought. This time, you sigh and you decide to keep the paper for real.

Until the next exam that is.

Medicine demands time and the patience to learn its secrets. More so, it also needs someone who is willing to go through hell just to carry its name. It needs someone with a desire to learn and an even braver soul willing enough to undergo drastic remodeling from a student to a healer and scientist. It needs someone with a heart, most of all, and the dedication to humanitarian service.

And for that, I hope that medicine will find me able.

Surviving the unexpected

Back in 2006, the bus that I was on got robbed by ten to fifteen armed men.

Just last night, I almost drowned for wanting to STUDY on a Saturday.

It was not raining when I left my apartment for school. I arrived in the histology lab at around 9 am and only a handful of my classmates were there as many of them were in the gross lab. Class 2013A eventually grew in number as time passed. Since the histology lab had all its windows closed, I was not aware that rain was pouring ridiculously hard outside. One by one, I noticed that my classmates were coming inside the lab drenched from head to toe. It seemed obvious that the rain was getting heavier and I dared not ask since I was consumed with my slides.

At around 12 noon, Ivie and I decided to go home since (1) we were finished with the histology slides and (2) because we wanted to eat and then go home straight. As we were rolled the ends of our pants up, a classmate warned us that the water was already knee deep and that even the parking lots of the school and the hospital were getting flooded.

Afraid to get wet, we decided to just eat in the hospital cafe located in the basement floor of the medical and school building. The cafe was just several feet away from the parking lot and from the wall that separates UERM from Pasig River. Some of our classmates were already eating and were seated near the door. As we were lined up, a man in front of us shouted that the wall had collapsed. Almost immediately, all the people stood up and ran towards the door. The frenzy of seeing several cars being hurled at each other by the strong current was enough for everyone to panic. Of course, during times like this, one should not panic but even I was alarmed because the cold and murky water was rising fast. As I reached the door, the water was already at my thigh. I was helping an old woman walk towards the stairs when it suddenly hit me that I did not know how to swim. I felt chills running up my spine when I saw that we were still 6 to 7 meters away from safety and that I could not do anything for the old woman to quicken her pace. After much unnecessary pushing from the people behind us, I saw Christian held out his hand for me and with one big pull, I was safe.

Ivie and Fionna were waiting for us to go up the stairs. Everyone hurried up the third floor to watch in horror how the river consumed the school with  her leptospirosis infested water.

We spent the night at the hospital in the PBL rooms. Honestly, I was not hungry at all but realized the need to stuff my stomach for fuel so I gladly ate whatever crackers the kind doctors and interns gave us to feed on. I could not sleep the entire night. Though the rain had ceased to pour, I cannot erase the thought that when I would wake up, there is a huge possibility that the water may have risen to the 3rd floor. And if that happened, I would really, really freeze in my tracks. But of course, nothing of that sort happened and I was glad that when I woke up, the water had subsided.

We got home safe, me and my classmates. We traversed the street together and parted ways, ironically, happy: happy that none of us got hurt and happy that we got through the ordeal as a whole.

I only pray that those who need help the most will exactly get what they need. And may I also implore the admin people of UERM to fix the break water and to make sure that it is STRONG and TALL ENOUGH to withstand situations like this.

How Medschool Changes You

Lately, a lot of people have been asking and cursing me about my decision to enter medschool. And it amuses me to watch how their jaws drop, their brows go up or their mouths form a sharp angle whenever I tell them about how I decided to ’shunt’ my previous plans of going into law for a possible career in oncology or in research. They would always shake their heads or pat me on the back and often look sad, thinking that they are doing me a huge favor by looking sympathetic to my fate.

To make it clear to everyone, I am not sad; in fact I am ecstatic to have made this decision all on my own. I will not put my decision against other people nor blame them for this. In fact, I should be thanking them for pushing me to take this road. And I should be giving myself a standing ovation for not crying and whining and losing sanity over this. I should bake myself one nasty creamy chocolate cake for deciding to choose medschool.

But then again I should thank those people who worry about me and my sudden ‘departure’ from law. Those who knew me from undergraduate would ask me endlessly or torture me if needed just to get me to say ‘I’ll be in law school someday’. To those who are planning to have me abducted and then subjected to ridiculous psychoanalysis, I’ll have you know that it will be for nothing. The closest thing I could ever get to law is when I marry a lawyer. And let it be known that I am not high from any hallucinatory drugs while typing this. Nor is someone sticking a knife at my throat at any point while making this entry.

And to those people who are so trusting that I would be able to make it to law school (too) someday, I’d have to say thank you for your confidence but I do not think that I will be able to do that (anymore). Breathe guys, take it in. I am already at peace with it and I think you should be too (insert emoticon here). So stop pestering me about going to law school after med school. Because I just might.

Joke lang.

I am all for medicine and for all of humanity. May God’s blessings be on me (and you).

111th Independence Day

I agree with Justice Puno when he said that we should not celebrate Independence Day. Its not because I belittle what our heroes have fought long and hard for but because I see that the country is still in shackles and enslaved by a corrupt woman president. It seems superficial to commemorate our Independence when we are being plagued by bad governance and an onslaught of evil public officials. What scares me the most is that if Con-Ass or House Resolution  (HR) 1109 does happen in full circle, the entire country would have to suffer under PGMA for an indefinite number of years. If this happens, I think everyone would have wished they never let Erap go.

Does it not occur to the government that almost everyone is totally pissed off with their pursuance for Con-Ass? To amend the Constitution is not a bad thing but to do it before PGMA steps down is just ridiculously suspicious. Go here to see the Matrix House Proposed Charter Amendments as drafted by the House of Representatives in 2006.

Its like the House is scrambling in every direction to keep Her Shortness in power. They would also like the House and the Senate to jointly vote for the amendments in the 1987 Constitution. If the House and Senate should merge, there is an overwhelming probability that we get turned into PGMA’s Parliamentary wonderland.  But the House cannot say that they are co-equal in a bicameral legislative body. The House is laden with PGMA fans while the Senate is the only remaining shield the people have against her evil plans. So as long as the Senate stands guard, we are still safe.

I have nothing against a parliamentary system but what worries me is that no good thing could ever come out from an innately corrupt President and her Government even if you change the system of governance. If the same Trapo people will stay in power, then expect not a grain of change. That would be asking for too much.

If power and stolen wealth is what these uber supportive Representatives stand to lose by not letting PGMA become Prime Minister, I often wonder if PGMA is the devil and if these Solons have already sold their souls to her in return for keeping her in power.

These are the Representatives who support Con-Ass and PGMA:

ABANTE, BIENVENIDO M. “BENNY” 6TH District Pandacan
ABLAN, ROQUE R. JR Ilocos Norte, 1st District
AGBAYANI, VICTOR AGUEDO E. Pangasinan, 2nd District
AGYAO, MANUEL, S Kalinga Province
ALBANO (III), RODOLFO T. Isabela, 1st District
ALFELOR, FELIX R. JR. 4th District, Camarines Sur
ALMARIO, THELMA Z. Davao Oriental, 2nd District
ALVAREZ, ANTONIO C. Palawan 1st District
ALVAREZ, GENARO RAFAEL M. JR. Negros Occidental, 6th District
AMANTE, EDELMIRO A. Agusan Del Norte, 2nd District
AMATONG, ROMMEL C. Compostela Valley, 2nd District
ANGPING, MARIA ZENAIDA B. Manila, 3rd District
ANTONINO, RODOLFO W. Nueva Ecija, 4th District
APOSTOL, TRINIDAD G. Leyte, 2nd District
AQUINO, JOSE S. (II) 1st District Agusan del Norte
ARAGO, MARIA EVITA R. 3rd district, Laguna
ARBISON, A MUNIR M. Sulu 2nd District
ARENAS, MA. RACHEL J. Pangasinan, 3rd District
ARROYO, DIOSDADO M. Camarines Sur, 1st District
ARROYO, IGNACIO T. 5th district Negros Occidental
ARROYO, JUAN MIGUEL M. 2nd District of Pampanga
BAGATSING, AMADO S. Manila 5th district
BALINDONG, PANGALIAN M. Lanao del Sur, 2nd District
BARZAGA, ELPIDIO F. JR. Cavite, 2nd District
BAUTISTA, FRANKLIN P. Davao Del Sur, 2nd District
BELMONTE, VICENTE F. JR. Lanao del Norte, 1st District
BICHARA, AL FRANCIS C. Albay, 2nd District
BIRON, FERJENEL G. Iloilo, 4th District
BONDOC, ANNA YORK P. Pampanga 4th District
BONOAN-DAVID, MA. THERESA B. Manila, 4th District
BRAVO, NARCISO R. JR. Masbate, 1st District
BRIONES, NICANOR M. AGAP Party list
BUHAIN, EILEEN ERMITA Batangas, 1st District
BULUT, ELIAS C. JR. Apayao Lone District
CAGAS (IV), MARC DOUGLAS C. Davao Del Sur, 1st District
CAJAYON, MARY MITZI L. Caloocan, 2nd District
CAJES, ROBERTO C. Bohol, 2nd District
CARI, CARMEN L. Leyte, 5th District
CASTRO, FREDENIL H. Capiz, 2nd District
CELESTE, ARTHUR F. Pangasinan, 1st District
CERILLES, ANTONIO H. Zamboanga Del Sur, 2nd District
CHATTO, EDGARDO M. Bohol, 1st District
CHONG, GLENN A. Biliran, Lone District
CHUNG-LAO, SOLOMON R. Ifugai, Lone District
CLARETE, MARINA C. Misamis Occidental, 1st District
CODILLA, EUFROCINO M. SR. Leyte, 4th District
COJUANCO, MARK O. Pangasinan, 5th District
COQUILA, TEODULO M. Eastern Samar, Lone District
CRISOLOGO, VINCENT P. Quezon City, 1st District
CUA, JUNIE E. Quirino, Lone District
CUENCO, ANTONIO V. Cebu City, 2nd District
DANGWA, SAMUEL M. Benguet, Lone District
DATUMANONG, SIMEON A. Maguindanao, Lone District
Dayanghirang, Nelson L. Davao Oriental, 1st District
DAZA, NANETTE C. Quezon City, 4th District
DAZA, PAUL R. Northern Samar, 1st District
DE GUZMAN, DEL R. Marikina City, 2nd District
DEFENSOR, ARTHUR D. SR. Iloilo, 3rd District
DEFENSOR, MATIAS V. JR. Quezon City, 3rd District
DEL MAR, RAUL V. Cebu City, 1st District
DIASNES, CARLO OLIVER D. (MD) Batanes, Lone District
DIMAPORO, ABDULLAH D. Lanao Del Norte, 2nd District
DOMOGAN, MAURICIO G. Baguio, Lone District
DUAVIT, MICHAEL JOHN R. Rizal, 1st District
DUENAS, HENRY M. JR. Taguig, 2nd District (2nd Councilor District)
DUMARPA, FAYSAH MRP. Lanao del Sur, 1st District
DUMPIT, THOMAS L. JR. La Union, 2nd District
DURANO (IV), RAMON H. 5th District, Cebu
ECLEO, GLENDA B. Dinagat Islands, Lone District
EMANO, YEVGENY VICENTE B. Misamis Oriental, 2nd District
ENVERGA, WILFRIDO MARK M. Quezon, 1st District
ESTRELLA, CONRADO M. (III) Pangasinan, 6th District
ESTRELLA, ROBERT RAYMUND M. ABONO Party List
FERRER, JEFFREY P. Negros Occidental, 4th District
GARAY, FLORENCIO C. Surigao Del Sur, 2nd District
GARCIA, ALBERT S. Bataan, 2nd District.
GARCIA, PABLO JOHN F. Cebu, 3rd District
GARCIA, PABLO P. Cebu, 2nd District
GARCIA, VINCENT J. Davao City, 2nd District
GARIN, JANETTE L. Iloilo, 1st District
GATCHALIAN, REXLON T. Valenzuela City, 1st District
GATLABAYAN, ANGELITO C. Antipolo City, 2nd District
GO, ARNULFO F. Sultan Kudarat, 2nd District
GONZALES, AURELIO D. JR. Pampanga 3rd District
GONZALES, RAUL T. JR. Ilo ilo City
GULLAS, EDUARDO R. Cebu, 1st District
GUNIGUNDO, MAGTANGGOL T. Valenzuela City 2nd District
HOFER, DULCE ANN K. Zamboanga Sibugay, 2nd District
JAAFAR, NUR G. Tawi-Tawi, Lone District
JALA, ADAM RELSON L. Bohol, 3rd District
JALOSJOS, CESAR G. Zamboanga del Norte, 3rd District
JALOSJOS-CARREON, CECILIA G. Zamboanga del Norte, 1st District
JIKIRI, YUSOP H. Sulu, 1st District
KHO, ANTONIO T. Masbate, 2nd District
LABADLABAD, ROSENDO S. Zamboanga del Norte, 2nd District
LACSON, JOSE CARLOS V. Negros Occidental, 3rd District
LAGDAMEO, ANTONIO F. JR. Davao del Norte, 2nd District
LAPUS, JECI A. Tarlac, 3rd District
LAZATIN, CARMELO F. Pampanga, 1st District
LIM, RENO G. Albay, 3rd District
LOPEZ, JAIME C. Manila, 2nd District
MADRONA, ELEANORA JESUS F. Romblon, Lone District
MAGSAYSAY, MARIA MILAGROS H. Zambales, 1st District
MALAPITAN, OSCAR G. Caloocan, 1st District
MAMBA, MANUEL N. Cagayan, 3rd District
MANGUDADATU, DATU PAKUNG S. Sultan Kudarat,
MARANON, ALFREDO D. III Negros Occidental, 2nd District
MATUGAS, FRANCISCO T. Surigao del Norte, 1st District
MENDOZA, MARK LEANDRO L. Batangas, 4th District
MERCADO, ROGER G. Southern Leyte, Lone District
MIRAFLORES, FLORENCIO T. Aklan, Lone District
NAVA, JOAQUIN CARLOS RAHMAN A. (MD) Guimaras, Lone District
NICOLAS, REYLINA G. Bulacan, 4th District
NOGRALES, PROSPERO C. Davao City, 1st District
OLAñO, ARREL R. Davao Del Norte, 1st District
ONG, EMIL L. Northern Samar, 2nd District
ORTEGA, VICTOR FRANCISCO C. La Union, 1st District
PABLO, ERNESTO C. APEC Party List
PANCHO, PEDRO M. Bulacan, 2nd District
PANCRUDO, CANDIDO P. JR. Bukidnon, 1st District
PICHAY, PHILIP A. Surigao Del Sur, 1st District
PIñOL, BERNARDO F. JR. North Cotabato, 2nd District
PUNO, ROBERTO V. Antipolo City, 1st District
RAMIRO, HERMINIA M. Misamis Occidental, 2nd District
REMULLA, JESUS CRISPIN C. Cavite, 3rd District
REYES, CARMENCITA O. Marinduque, Lone District
REYES, VICTORIA H. Batangas, 3rd District
ROBES, ARTURO G. San Jose Del Monte City, Lone District
Rodriguez-Zaldarriaga, Adelina Rizal, 2nd District
ROMAN, HERMINIA B. Bataan, 1st District
ROMARATE, GUILLERMO A. JR. Surigao del Norte, 2nd District
ROMUALDEZ, FERDINAND MARTIN G. Leyte, 1st District
ROMUALDO, PEDRO Camiguin, Lone District
ROMULO, ROMAN T. Pasig City, Lone District
ROXAS, JOSE ANTONIO F. Pasay City
SALIMBANGON, BENHUR L. Cebu, 4th District
SALVACION JR., ANDRES D. Leyte, 3rd District
SAN LUIS, EDGAR S. Laguna, 4th District
SANDOVAL, ALVIN S. Malabon-Navotas, Lone District
SANTIAGO, JOSEPH A. Catanduanes, Lone District
SANTIAGO, NARCISO D. (III) ARC Party List
SEACHON-LANETE, RIZALINA L. 3rd district of Masbate
SEARES-LUNA, CECILIA M. Abra, Lone District
SILVERIO, LORNA C. Bulacan, 3rd District
SINGSON, ERIC D. Ilocos Sur, 2nd District
SINGSON, RONALD V. Ilocos Sur, 1st District
SOLIS, JOSE G. Sorsogon, 2nd District
SOON-RUIZ, NERISSA CORAZON Cebu, 6th District
SUAREZ, DANILO E. Quezon, 3rd District
SUSANO, MARY ANN L. Quezon City, 2nd District
SY-ALVARADO, MA. VICTORIA R. Bulacan, 1st District
SYJUCO, JUDY J. 2nd Dsitrict, Iloilo
TALINO-MENDOZA, EMMYLOU J. North Cotabato, 1st District
TAN, SHAREE ANN T. Samar, 2nd District
TEODORO, MARCELINO R. Marikina City, 1st District
TEODORO, MONICA LOUISSE PRIETO Tarlac, 1st District
TEVES, PRYDE HENRY A. Negros Oriental, 3rd District
TUPAS, NEIL C. JR. Iloilo, 5th District
UNGAB, ISIDRO T. Davao City, 3rd District
UY, EDWIN C. Isabela, 2nd District
UY, REYNALDO S. Samar, 1st District
UY, ROLANDO A. Cagayan De Oro City, Lone District
VALDEZ, EDGAR L. APEC Party List
VALENCIA, RODOLFO G. Oriental Mindoro, 1st District
VARGAS, FLORENCIO L. Cagayan, 2nd District
VILLAFUERTE, LUIS R. Camarines Sur, 2nd District
VILLAROSA, MA. AMELITA C. Occidental Mindoro, Lone District
VIOLAGO, JOSEPH GILBERT F. Nueva Ecija, 2nd District
YAP, JOSE V. Tarlac, 2nd District
YU, VICTOR J. Zamboanga Del Sur, 1st District
ZAMORA, MANUEL E. 1st District, Compostela Valley
ZIALCITA, EDUARDO C. Parañaque, 1st District

I cannot really say that PGMA is a genie because she is not nice, she does not grant everyone’s wishes for free and she definitely does not have blue for her skin color.

Technically speaking, PGMA MAY NOT RUN FOR PRESIDENCY; that is if Con-Ass does happen. Because once she steps down, she could then run for Congress and be the country’s first Prime Minister. So when her camp says that she will not run for presidency, believe them.