Living in Paradise

Cost of Giving Birth

2011-12-26T01:16:00.001+08:00

I am now on my last trimester, specifically 1 1/2 months more, and I am not finally decided on where I will have the baby - St. Luke's (Global or Quezon City) or Capitol Medical Center.

If money was no object, I would choose St. Luke's hands down. I have seen the facility and it is excellent, aside that my doctor is accredited there. But according to my OB, considering the present size of the baby and the fact that he is in breech position, a cesarean delivery is inevitable and will cost P120,000 (barring complications). She says that Global City has a cesarean package for P98,000 (again barring complications). P98,000 is still within budget, higher than that will cut into emergency money and budget for purchase of other baby things.

Capitol Medical Center has a budget of P80,000 for the cesarean delivery. The down-side for this place is that they don't allow the husband inside the delivery room. The upside is it nearer home, its cheaper, and there is a hotel nearby i can book my mom and brother while waiting for my delivery. Another downside is that I have read a review from a blogger regarding negligence, after making a simple search in google. Although I do trust my doctor and myy doctor can deliver in either so its just a choice on the quality of facilities and staff.

I sure can use some advice from those who had their babies delivered in either. So feel free to comment or e-mail me.

Having A Baby in the Philippines

2011-09-27T23:05:00.001+08:00

I am now firmly into my second semester. The second semester is certainly much better than the first as I am alot able to do house chores now aside from being more focused at work. Also, I have gotten "most" of my focus back. I have started planning on the upcoming delivery -- just four months from now. Possible purchase of new things, i.e. crib, stroller, car seat and baby clothes. I am also on the look out for a bigger place to rent. Our place is getting pretty crowded as it is, so moving out is certainly necessary.

I will also start to write about important things to consider about a child born to a foreigner father -- CITIZENSHIP. What does the Philippine Constitution say and what are your child's options? Just be patient with the pregnant woman though, she has alot on her plate. :)

Excited About the Baby

2011-08-19T09:01:00.001+08:00

Been very busy these last few weeks since we learned we are pregnant. Frankly, it was me mostly struggling to keep my head above water as I try to balance work and all the symptoms that came from being pregnant. In a lot of ways I am thankful I am in the Philippines when I got pregnant. People are a little more forgiving if I miss a day or two in a week because I couldn't sleep for one reason or another, or if I woke up with a feeling like my insides are all topsy-turvy.

But its been a few weeks now since I have taken a few days off work to survive my first trimester, and the symptoms now are a little more bearable than they were a few weeks ago. I have slowly gotten my second-wind trying to finish the workload accumulated in my absence. And now I am better fit to forge forward doing more planning for the baby's arrival.

At present, things are looking pretty well for the baby. He/she is even bigger for his/her age and is really moving alot. I am hoping I do not have to go on bed rest any time soon. But even if I should I have 60 days of (paid) maternity leave and an estimate of at least 4 months worth of accumulated (paid) sick and vacation leaves. So over all, if I really need it, I can be gone from the Office for a total of 6 months (with pay), if I needed it.

Of course, I have other things I need to estimate, like the total cost of my delivery (if it is going to be normal or cesarean). If I have to have some more extra money set aside in case of complications requiring myself or the baby to stay longer at the hospital.

I also need to look for a bigger place for our growing family to stay. Getting a maid now is soon to be inevitable, no matter how much I resist it. Staying at home as a full-time mom is definitely out of the question, so having a reliable maid/yaya will certainly be a welcome relief to me.

Who Are The Compulsory Heirs?

2011-07-02T12:01:00.003+08:00

Before I begin to discuss who are the compulsory heirs, I must emphasize that Philippine law on testate and intestate succession only becomes relevant to a foreigner when 1) the laws of his/her country states that the law where he/she is domiciled shall govern; and 2) he/she is domiciled in the Philippines at the time of death.

Otherwise, all this discussion is rather unimportant to you and will concern only us Filipinos.

First, let us distinguish between what is testate and intestate succession and what is its effect. A succession is testate when there is a will, consequently, when there is no will it is called intestate succession. Compulsory heirs cannot be denied, whether the succession is testate or intestate, and even their designated legitime (share) under the law cannot be changed, notwithstanding the type of succession.

Who are the compulsory heirs by order of preference:

1) Children (legitimate and illegitimate; adopted children are treated as legitimate heirs);
2) Spouse (legal spouse only);
3) Parents (whether adoptive or not);
4) collateral relatives (brothers/sisters/cousins) only in the absence of above.

The presence of a spouse AND child/children, will result in the exclusion of parents.
The presence of parents in the absence of a child/children, will result in the exclusion of collateral relatives.

Let me emphasize, only the free disposable portion may be disposed of by will. Compulsory heirs cannot be deprived of their legal right to their legitime, no matter how much the testator dislikes them. Only by means of their disinheritance through a will can they be deprived of their legitimes, and only for causes expressly provided for by law.

Let us now discuss the distribution of the estate based on who are the surviving compulsory heirs:

Spouse ONLY (without surviving parents or children) - the Spouse shall inherit 1/2 of the estate and the other half the testator may already freely dispose. Article 900 of the Civil Code
Spouse and ascendants (without children) - Spouse inherits 1/4 of the estate, and the ascendants (assuming there are two still surviving) shall inherit 1/4 each, 1/4 shall remain as free disposable portion. Article 893 of the Civil Code
Spouse and legitimate children - Children gets half of the estate and spouse gets 1/4 of the estate; the remaining 1/4 is free disposable portion; if there are two or more legitimate children, the spouse shall inherit equally with the children. Article 892 of the Civil Code
Spouse and only one illegitimate child - Child gets 1/3 and spouse gets 1/3, the remaining 1/3 is the free disposable portion. Article 894 of the Civil Code
The legitime of an illegitimate child who is an acknowledged natural child or a natural child by legal fiction is 1/2 the share of a legitimate child. Article 895 of the Civil Code
The legitime of an illegitimate child who is neither the above is 4/5 the share of an acknowledged natural child. Article 895 of the Civil Code

It will be a longer story to discuss how to divide the share of collateral relatives. But rest assured you don't even have to go there if the top three compulsory heirs are still alive. It is wise then, should you want to give something to your collateral relatives to give them what is left of the free disposable portion after satisfying the above. If there is no will, the free disposable portion shall be divided among the compulsory heirs based on the above.

Will America Be Kinder To My Children?

2011-06-18T14:04:00.004+08:00

As I sit here now with the knowledge that I am almost 6 weeks with child, I wonder to myself about the choice I have been failing to make or the direction I have not taken yet, or whether that option will close finally and open only when we re-file all the papers or when the option to relocate becomes open as a widow. I wonder if by my indecision I am foreclosing choices even for my unborn child.

But really, will the America we know now be kinder to my children? With the healthcare "reforms", higher retirement age and proposed cuts on food assistance to women and children, does my child even stand the chance? Will he/she get a "better" education? Won't he/she be saddled down with student loans just to get this "better" education? Do they REALLY have a better education? Or is that something they just want us to believe?

Here in the Philippines, I got my education in the early 90's at barely P2,000 to P3,000 per semester! I even started out my first semester paying a miserly P800. Of course even the U.P. system has costed more now, but they hardly cost the P100,000 per year on an Ateneo education.

Am I to think that the school system here is not as good as the one over there? When my Aunties who got their medical education here from the best medical and science schools in the Philippines - University of Sto. Tomas and University of the Philippines - are themselves employed by the best hospitals in the US (Mt. Sinai and John Hopkins). How about Engineering? My sister graduated from the best Engineering college (Mapua Institute of Technology) in the country and is now enjoying a gainful employment as a programmer. My Uncle (the first of our clan to get to America) was also a Mapua graduate who went on to own his own construction company in the US.

Over here, my child will never have to fear being bullied as ruthlessly as over there. Nerds are not vilified but respected. They may not be popular but they never belong to the outcast. Over here there is no fear of being gunned down because you can hardly hear of any incident of a kid carrying a gun in the private schools. Over here, I will make sure he/she gets the best education and discipline in any field he/she wants, and I will make certain he/she has a fighting chance for a better life in the future, if that better life ever means going to America (of his/her own choice).

Maybe being here would keep him/her from being such a weakling. He/she should not rely on the government for food, healthcare or unemployment benefits. Over here you just either sink or swim. And I would do everything within my power to make sure he/she has all the potential in the world to do more than just swim.

What does America have to offer really that is better than what we can offer ? Do I really want my children to grow up relying on the government? Is their education really better? Maybe in the next nine months I can really answer those questions with concrete facts, and then I can make the choice.

13 (a) Visa Finally Acted On

2011-06-09T19:58:00.007+08:00

As you very well know getting the 13 (a) Permanent Visa took a longer time than it should have. We filed it on April 11, 2011 and we were scheduled for a hearing on April 15, 2011. But I was scheduled for an operation on the 15th and we didn't get a notice for the hearing until April 14, 2011 noon, on the way to the hospital nonetheless. The only way I could have made that hearing was to physically pull the IV off from my wrist, tell the attending nurses and the guards that I will be back in 2 to 3 hours to settle my bill and be formally discharged from the hospital.

So to make a long story short, we didn't make it for the April 15, 2011 hearing, although I did call the Bureau of Immigration in Makati (BI Makati) ahead of time that we couldn't make it.

The Monday after my operation (April 18, 2011), I called BI Makati to schedule a hearing. They said they would call me whenever a lawyer becomes available for a hearing. Sadly, I never heard from them and I called them at least once a week, only to be told to wait for a phone call.

Finally, just days before the supposed expiration of the 13 (a) probationary (May 20, 2011), I texted and introduced myself FOR THE FIRST TIME as Atty. Claudette Agatep - Granville! Finally a more positive response came to call them up for the scheduled hearing. The next day we came, and everything was short and curt. We were asked to have something notarized upstairs and signed a few papers. (May 18, 2011)

Fast forward, the second week of June and I haven't heard from them. I called the lawyer's assistant a couple of times and all I got was a curt "she is busy, could you please call again some other time." I try to be as patient as I could with my fellow civil servants for the very simple reason that I know how overwhelming government work can sometimes be. Most people want to dispense most civil servants as lazy or bumming on their job, but some of us really do work our ass off. As I used to say in my former job, I have worked for both the private and the public sector; but I have never worked as hard as I did when I was Chief of Legal of another government office. So I tried my best to be patient. But on the side I was already calling a lawyer-classmate from the BI-Main to ask if it was "normal" that it takes this long and if there would be a possible problem. She asked for my husband's name and for the name of the hearing officer. For the likes of me, I couldn't remember the name of the hearing officer, but I gave her my husband's name. I asked my friend if there would be a problem if the visa approval came after the expiration of the 13 (a) probationary, she said that is not a problem as long as you submit the petition for conversion days before the expiration of the original visa. So I relied on her word, as she works there after all.

Today, I decided to google my name for no apparent reason really, just that I do that a great once in awhile to see what I have done in my life. Aside from seeing my blog, and various other articles pertaining to previous jobs and my eligibility, I saw the action on our visa. In Item 212 I saw my name and my husband's name. I just wonder why BI-Makati hasn't called us yet. I can't imagine that the action can be anything other than an approval. So next week, after our Veteran's Affair appointment we are going to BI-Makati hopefully for visa implementation.

Who Shall Inherit

2011-06-08T00:10:00.008+08:00

A marriage involving individuals who are citizens of two different countries can be quite perplexing. But the important rule of thumb here is to determine who had just died, and what the law of his country says (nationality). In some instances, the domicile (where the deceased resided) may apply if the national law of the deceased says that the law of his country of domicile shall apply. This is called renvoi.

To give an example, Mr. Smith died in the Philippines and he is a national of country X. The laws of country X says that the law governing succession shall be the country of domicile (residence) of Mr. Smith. The law of country X states that all of the property shall go to the surviving spouse regardless if there are surviving descendants (children). Philippine law says if there is a surviving spouse and surviving descendants (children), each shall inherit from the estate equally. What law do you think shall apply?

The answer is Philippine law because the law of country X states that the law of Mr. Smith's domicile shall apply.

Why is it important to have a will? Well simply because if you don't have one, probate proceedings will be much more complex and will enrich not your heirs, but lovable professionals like myself -- lawyers. If you have a will, all that will be proven in Court is the extrinsic validity of the will. Another very convincing reason to draft a will (if you don't have one yet), is that it will save your relatives the angst of fighting over your estate. Instead of your death becoming a time of mourning, it can be a time of conflict amongst your family members.

Another alternative I have just recently learned is from a book I was reading by an American lawyer (Madeline Gauthier, "Where there's a Will, There's a Way") is to make use of a Living Trust. It allows certain benefits not available in a Will, which I may discuss in some future time once I have finished my reading in full. :p

In Philippine jurisdiction, other things that may complicate probate proceedings are: 1) if you have properties not within the Philippines, 2) if the will was contested; 3) if you have creditors or 4) a compulsory heir was not included therein.

So who are compulsory heirs? Compulsory heirs are those heirs you cannot leave out in a will or in intestate succession, except in exceptional circumstances. These can be your parents, if you don't have a spouse or children or it can be the spouse and children. In Philippine jurisdiction, the presence of descendants excludes the ascendants. That means if you have children, your parents do not inherit unless you provide a legitime for them from the free disposable portion of your estate.

At this point I will cut it short. The discussion on compulsory heirs is a very long discussion by itself. :) Till next time.

Estate Planning

2011-06-04T20:15:00.009+08:00

In the last month, I have come to realize the value of estate planning, and preparing for ones death, even when one is perfectly healthy in the present times. The death of three different individuals and the legal problems caused by their death was brought to my attention.

Scenario number one involved a very close friend of mine who just recently died of pancreatic cancer. Perhaps holding on to the very last minute that she would live, she did not consider to express her intention (on paper) under what law she wishes to retire. Pass forward a few days after her death, her husband filed in her behalf for retirement under Republic Act 1616. Unfortunately, by then it was too late and all that the husband was entitled to was survivorship benefit and the proceeds of the life insurance. Certainly no longer the lump sum that she could have been entitled to had she decided to prepare on paper that she wished to retire under R.A. 1616. It was difficult to break it to the husband, but I somehow skirted the issue and just granted the request for terminal leave by reason of separation by death.

Scenario number two, an employee had retired (prior to her death) and filed for retirement benefits under R.A. 1616. She filed it before her death, but she died just before she was able to receive it. There was no named beneficiary in the retirement benefit, so her siblings (she having no parents nor children left) went after the P2.5 million worth of lump sum benefit she was entitled to. Now, considering she died intestate (without a will), after satisfying the share of all compulsory heirs (under Philippine law these are the heirs you CANNOT deprive except in exceptional circumstances), the remaining part of the estate would have to be distributed in probate courte.

Scenario number three, my husband's cousin has been living and doing business in Saipan for years. In 2009 he died quite suddenly of a heart attack, leaving no children and an ex-wife. Although I do not know the law in Saipan, I can bet that just like here, considering he died intestate, everything has to go to probate court. His relatives, worried about the business and all its assets going to the wrong person inquired from me what they could or needed to do. I suggested they go to Saipan to oversee the actions of the lawyer who was appointed as Administrator of the estate. They said they can't because they have limited means and are just living off retirement income. Sadly, that case will go on without them and possibly at loss to them, because it will be distributed (if ever) without their knowledge or consent to whoever poses as a creditor. I think my husband's cousin would have been better off preparing a Will to ensure that his estate will not be butchered off between the creditors and other "interested parties" upon his death.

The foreigner here with assets locally (in the Philippines) and abroad (in their home countries) would do well to think about how to plan the disposition of their properties upon their death. It must be emphasized that under Philippine law, "intestate and testamentary successions, both with respect to the order of succession and to the amount of successional rights and to the intrinsic validity of testamentary provisions, shall be regulated by the national law of the person whose succession is under consideration, whatever may be the nature of the property and regardless of the country wherein said property may be found." This simply means that in regard to how to "apportion" the property, the national law of the person concerned shall be what governs. This becomes especially problematic in the case when there are real properties situated in one place, and personal properties (e.g. stocks, 401 (k)) acquired somewhere else.

It is a long story I cannot write about in one sitting. :) I will try to sit down to write about it in greater length in some future time when time permits me. :) In the meantime, anyone can pose queries regarding it in order for me to come up with something more succinct. :)

Colonoscopy Finally!

2011-05-28T13:25:00.004+08:00

Last year, we spoke about getting a colonoscopy. For various a myriad of reasons it took until now before we have finally scheduled a colonscopy. Part of the reason was we were scouting for a good doctor - one who is proficient in his profession and yet had a heart. My husband was very disappointed with a certain gastroenterologist we consulted with at Healthway, who gave him the wrong medicine for his diverticulitis problem. We did find a good doctor at St. Luke's, as could be expected, but he pointed us towards the "Cancer Screening Package" that was way over our budget - P45,000 inclusive of senior citizen discount. Since he can never be a "Senior Citizen", you can imagine that the total cost would be more than P45,000.

So we looked around some more, and went to the nearby Lung Center of the Philippines. It was almost by accident that we found Dr. Leticia Guzman who was there only at 9-10 a.m. on Saturday. During November last year, my hubby still had a bulging lump on his left side. I was still concerned as always and the doctor figured out what was partially the problem (apart from diverticulitis). Apparently, my husband had alot of gas collecting in his colon which was causing his left side to swell and bulge. Dr. Guzman asked for a full stomach ultrasound where she herself oversaw the actual ultrasound. So apart from the diverticulitis medicine that she prescribed that was the exact one that the doctor from St. Luke's prescribed she gave us the idea of getting gas pills. Asawa got a bunch of gas pills while he was in the U.S. and that has greatly reduced the swelling of his side.

So now that the swelling and discomfort has subsided, it is now time for the colonoscopy. Seeing as how nice Dr. Guzman seemed (she is motherly and seemed concerned about his welfare) she was, to my husband's thinking, the best choice for the procedure.

We aren't well-off and we have a limited amount of money every month. I haven't set-up my husband with medical insurance yet but I am working on it. But certainly, in the meantime, he is definitely due for a colonoscopy. So I asked,a bit apologetically, how much the procedure would cost -- she said, possibly P20,000 but not more than that. I felt a sigh of relief when I heard that. It may not be inclusive of the room accommodation yet, and I am still a little too shy to ask if that is inclusive of professional fee, but we will see, hopefully it still isn't as big as in St. Luke's.

The hospital where he will be admitted in is at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, also a Center of Excellence. I am praying everything works out. :) I'll keep everyone posted. :)

Continuation of the Pinay's Hospital Experience

2011-05-14T15:50:00.000+08:00

A very heartbreaking but truly instructive part of my surgery happened during the admission part of it. As I had said in an earlier post, my husband was outside in the pews of the admission room, while I spoke with the person who manned the admission section. As I said earlier I came fully prepared, I had read my contract front and back, spoke to the customer service before admission and pointed out what I knew I was entitled to under the contract -- which is P160,000 coverage under my health plan. Any customer service who has the misfortune of talking to me will know, if I ask a question and you give me an answer that I can not find in the contract my short and simple question is -- have you read the contract? Because I have!

At any rate, the Admission Section suggested I stay at the Ward because a semi-private room was unavailable. I pointed out that under the contract I can ask for a room upgrade if a semi-private room was unavailable. So I got what I knew I was entitled to.

Anyway, while signing the papers essentially stating that I am willing to be moved to a semi-private room when one becomes available, I overheard a conversation that the admission person was having with another woman. It appears that Mrs. (I forgot the real name, but let's make up a fictional name) Robinson was having her husband moved from a semi-private room to a ward. Obviously, Robinson is not a Filipino name, unless he (the husband) was born in the Philippines but was left behind by a foreigner. But at any rate, it appears that Mr. Robinson, the husband, is an American retiree, receiving only his Social Security pension. The woman in the Admitting Section asked the wife if she was working and if she had Philhealth coverage such that the husband is covered (at least partially). The answer was a NO. Not only does she and her husband not have Philhealth coverage but she also has no work.

Honestly, I felt sorry for the husband more than I did for the wife. Sorry for him that the meager pension he is living on has to be shared between himself and his wife (who was clearly of working age). Maybe people will call me "mayabang" for saying this, and maybe I am -- I offer no excuse, I honestly have never been without work (except for the 7 months I spent preparing for the bar). But I just felt pinays have to be empowered women even when they are married to foreigners and most especially if you are a pinay who is married to a much older foreigner man. Having a mother myself who is old and has no means to support herself, I can understand that having a much older person to live with carries a huge amount of responsibility. You have to realize that the money they have is meant to answer for their needs when they get older, they are not meant to sustain a family.

Even assuming that it can pay partially to sustain yourself (as a wife) and him, you have to realize that money will not last forever or overcome inflation unless there is some other source of income, either a business or another source of income (like a wife working). If you factor in that it has been two years since there has been a cost-of-living adjustment in the Social Security pension and the dollar exchange has not been going up but infact going progressively down, there has to be another source of income apart from social security pension, and the woman has to play an active part in determining where to find that money.

If you think about the fact that under Philippine law, the spouse is duty-bound to provide support for the husband/wife over any family relation (e.g. you can't run to his kids because under Philippine law it is YOUR [wife] responsibility), then maybe you (the filipina wife) can play a more active role in finding ways and means to help your husband live a comfortable life in the Philippines.

(P.S. Sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings by this post, I just felt it needed to be said.)

Driving Me Crazy

2011-05-14T11:19:00.004+08:00

For those in the know, we have decided to get a car. It was with much trepidation, and a bit of number crunching before I finally came to the conclusion that we can afford it. What with the savings we have realized from the Veteran's Affair contributions to our medicines, I sat down, computed all the numbers, saw how much we were already spending on taxi cabs (for myself to and from work and for him to and from the mall), computed my salary increase for this year, the amount we have also freed up from our monthly expenses for paying debt--- and yes, we can afford the monthly (even on a worst-case scenario). I know paying a monthly is more expensive than paying cash, but it was what we can afford in order to address what I felt to be a necessity now.

I have had enough of contending with cab-drivers who seem to think we (my husband and I) were tourist and don't know how much it cost going to and from places. I have had enough of the long lines in malls for cabs, when I am already exhausted from work and grocery-shopping on weekdays (I particularly found it horrible going just to and from the mall and our place during the holidays - talk about so near, yet so far away) . I have had enough of harassing my husband to get up early so that we can make it on time to the Bureau of Immigration or Veteran's Affair. The pinnacle of it all was when my husband suffered from gout last Christmas and we literally hobbled from Veteran's Affair to the Bureau of Immigration. At one time after lunch we had to take a cab for just the short distance from nearby Jollibee to the Bureau of Immigration. Of course, the recent increase in cab fare flag down rates all the more encouraged me it was time. After all, my Office was just a 10-minute drive to home, it would still be less costly over all than a daily commute by cab.

At present, my husband drives me to work. First, let us make it clear, I have all the intention in the world to learn how to drive. Although I must admit that with the way my husband drives (he was a surprisingly GREAT first time driver in Manila), it is a bit discouraging to even attempt to try. He has been able to weave in and out of Manila traffic without as much as a dent on the car, that it scares me to even try it once with him as my "instructor/backseat driver". Admittedly, I am a backseat driver when he drives, and he says that half of the time I lead him astray! LOL! But really, I am still better than nothing because at least I know the general directions, it's just that I never paid any attention at all before with the no-left turns, no-u turns and one ways, and that is what leads us astray.

I know I need to learn to drive for the following reasons: 1) its cheaper because he doesn't have to drive back home and drive again to the Office to pick me up in the afternoon; I can just drive to work, park, and go home with less gas consumption; and 2) if he is unable to drive for medical reasons, then I can drive. A week after we had the car, he suffered again from gout. I had to take a cab to and from work again for at least a week before he can drive again. There also may come a time that he is incapacitated for some reason and I have to rush him to the hospital. Also I want to be able to drive my mother to her check-ups without having to drag my husband out of the house for that. All these reasons are compelling enough to force me to drive.

So I started my first "driving lecture" last week. It was on highway driving and at least I got to understand what some of the lines on the road mean and what to do in case the car screeches to a halt for some reason. Pretty soon I will schedule my actual driving lesson, I am certainly looking forward to it.

While I only have a student's permit, my husband already had his foreign driver's license converted. Take note that a foreigner can only use his foreign driver's license 90 days upon arrival. We were already on our 45th day I think when we had his foreign driver's license converted. It is certainly much easier than getting a non-professional driver's license since for conversion you are not required to take a test. However, you can only get the conversion at the main office of the Land Transportation Office at East Avenue (and I read on the internet District Offices and NOT satellite offices like the ones in the mall, those are just for renewal). The requirements are, as follows:
1) Medical Certificate (get that at the accredited clinics near the LTO)
2) Drug Test (also at the accredited clinics near the LTO)
3) photocopy of passport showing bio info and latest arrival date
4) photocopy of ACR card; and last but not the least
4) photocopy of foreign driver's license.

The medical/drug test cost P400 over all. The filing fee with LTO cost P618 (approximately P700), I think. It took an hour or less to have the medical/drug test. It also took an hour or less to process. But I must admit, the processing time for us was short also because my cousin was in the Licensing Section. :p But I would like to believe that if it was just a regular Joe, it still wouldn't take more than 2 hours at least.

The Kano and Pinay's First Hospital Experience

2011-04-16T11:55:00.001+08:00

This is not my first hospital confinement, but it is certainly the first time I will have such an invasive treatment done to me. It's just a D & C, but its a big deal for me since I have never been under anesthesia, and never had anything "intrusive" inside of me as this operation felt like it would result in. But just like the average "micro-manager" as I was, I already had all the paperwork ready in a clear folder, for my "bantay" (the trusty Kano Asawa) to hopefully peruse upon. I vaguely remember telling him all the needed paperwork is in the clear folder, but I guess my mistake was not going over them one by one (I guess I failed there as a micro-manager). :p On hindsight, I think it would have been better if I had a step-by-step instruction written on paper for him. As telling him my instructions, in the midst of him watching T.V. just didn't register to him quite easily.

For the majority of the pinays out there who have a big extended family who can look after them when they are sick, this would not pose a problem for them. On the other hand, for me this is a big problem, my relatives are not available on the weekday of the surgery. The majority of my relatives are in the U.S. and for those who are here, all of them are working, and I didn't want to impose on anyone to go on leave from work to help me. For my nearest of kin, my mother is too old to look after me, I would be worrying about her if she were staying with us in the hospital. My brother on the other hand has to look after my mother.

To make a long story short, it was my Kano husband who was my sole "bantay" for the operation. Anyway, my attitude was, as long as I was lucid I was willing to do all it took to get me in the hospital and out of it afterwards.

We came in around after 12 noon. I went to the admitting section, with my husband in tow. I told him just to wait in the pews outside the admitting section room. On hindsight, I should have brought him in and kind of walked him through the entire procedure. I had a health card so there were some things that were needed before my admission: 1) the Letter of Authorization (LOA) from FortuneCare clinic (which was made two weeks before the admission); and 2) Admission Order from the doctor (the doctor called the nurse's station at the oby gyn for that). I didn't need the LOA with me for the admission, but it should be ready before the admission for the Liason Officer to see.

In the Admitting Section, I was informed that my covered room (semi-private) was not available. She asked if I wanted to be in the Ward, I said no. I said I wanted a private room if a semi-private was not available. I knew before going to the hospital that I can get a room upgrade, without cost to myself, if no room for which I was covered was available. So I signed a certification to the effect that a semi-private room was not available, and I was willing to be transferred to a semi-private room if one was available.

I was given 3 philhealth forms (one to be accomplished by my office, another by the doctor, and I guess the third one by the hospital upon discharge). I already had the CS Form 1 (Philhealth form accomplished by my office) ready, signed and on hand. I also had to accomplish a general information form for the hospital.

So we were brought to my private room (room amenities included T.V., refrigerator, aircondition, bunk bed for the "bantay" and a toilet and bathroom). Unfortunately, the only private room left had no window, but that was fine by me.

In the room I changed into my scrubs. A few minutes after, someone took my temperature and blood pressure - all normal. Next was my IV; that though was not a very pleasant experience. I didn't think the nurse who did it was proficient in it. My veins are too small, and I think she didn't put the thick needle in correctly. I should have asked someone else to do it, when she began by saying to herself (too loudly) "let's hope we can do this correctly" (in tagalog). My eyes were closed (I'm afraid of needles) and couldn't really tell anyway even if I saw it, if she did it correctly. But the fact that it hurt long after she stuck it in, and that blood started oozing out after should be an indication that it was done poorly.

So after that unpleasant experience, we waited for the operation that started at 6 p.m.. I told my husband to go to the nearest Chowking (outside the hospital) to get something to eat before the operation.

Before 6 p.m., a nurse and hospital aide came to get me for the operation. I changed into a different scrub (my husband calls it the "slice and dice" scrubs). My husband came with me up to the elevator and then just outside the operating room. Before I went in, Kano Asawa kissed me and I told him to pray for me. :)

Inside the operating room, I saw my oby. She asked if I was ready, I said "can I say no?" :p I think the question was just meant to be rhetorical. :p Then came the anesthesiologist, who said just to relax and she will just inject the anesthesia through the I.V. and I would be asleep through the whole procedure.

As soon as she stuck the needle through my I.V., I was gone and fell asleep almost instantly. I awoke already in the Recovery Room, and felt it was sooo surreal; like I just woke up from a dream. I didn't even felt like I had surgery (but later I found out that feeling was premature).

I was whisked away to my room, with my sleeping Asawa in his bunk bed. I was moved to my bed and was just happy it was all over. I learned from my husband that he was asked the CS Form 2 (Philhealth form for the doctor to accomplish) and he didn't know which was which. So they, the nurses just got one from their own files. My husband fed me my hospital food, which was really not as good as what he (my husband) ate from Chowking. :p

A few hours after the operation I did start feeling a twinge of pain. I was tossing and turning in my bed, and by the time the nurses came in to give me pain killers, I almost jumped for joy when they told me what I was getting. Before it finally kicked in, I did start feeling a headache and felt nauseous, and did throw up a little. When the pain killer started to take effect, I finally fell asleep.

TO BE CONTINUED

Hospitals in Metro Manila

2011-03-20T21:22:00.006+08:00

No, Bobby is not going to get hospitalized. He isn't back yet, and won't be here until the last day of March. I will be hospitalized very soon, over a minor diagnostic/preventive procedure. Strangely, when the doctor first told me I was going to be confined for it, I was actually happy (I don't know if that is the right description for it). I remember telling the doctor how I can finally use my health plan after having it for five years.

But now that the whole idea of it is starting to dawn on me, I am slightly scared of the first really invasive thing to be done on me. It is a minor operation but an operation nonetheless. I will be under anesthesia, but being under anesthesia only makes me think that it will be painful, otherwise, what is the need for my being under anesthesia, right?

At any rate, I told the doctor I will wait for when my husband gets back to the Philippines, before I undergo the operation. One thing you really need to remember about being hospitalized in the Philippines, is the need to have someone next to you when you are hospitalized. Not for the "moral" support, but more to have someone run the errands of paying for the bills, talking to the doctor, and even in some hospitals, buying the medicine. When a patient receives medicines from the hospital's pharmacy, it usually has the "hospital rate" which is different from the rate outside. Further, your medicine will be dependent on your room rate. So the more expensive your room is, the more expensive everything is -- the medicines, the diagnostic procedure and even the doctor's professional fee. So in some instances, most people choose to just buy the medicines prescribed by the attending physician, buy it outside the hospital from the nearby pharmacy and save in the total cost of hospitalization. In my case, I don't need to worry about it, as long as I choose to stay within my covered room rate. I read my contract and it said if I choose to upgrade, I pay an extra 30% on everything. So I decided I will stick with my semi-private room rate, after all I will only be there for a day. Also after going down the list of who could accompany me: 1) mother too old; 2) brother too shy; 3) best friend too busy with her law firm work, I am left with the ultimate choice of waiting for my husband. I just have to prepare all the paperwork for my husband before we go there like the Philhealth form and all lab results.

The next question was what to use for the hospitalization: 1) my health plan or 2) my office's P60,000 hospital benefit. If I got the Office's hospital benefit, I would be limited to only one hospital (Capitol Medical Center) and I am limited only to P60,000. But I don't suppose it would cost that much, but who knows. The good thing is that hospital is near us, so in that regard it is more convenient. If I choose my health plan, I have higher coverage (P160,000), although I am limited to a semi-private room (which is what I am covered for). I also have several choices of hospitals, including Capitol Medical Center. So I ended up choosing my health plan.

So next question was WHERE to get hospitalized. The doctor I had already consulted with is accredited with Victor R. Potenciano Medical Center which is in Mandaluyong, far from us but not terribly, but far nonetheless. If I go to a different hospital, I will not get the doctor that I want, which is already the one I had consulted with. So, I asked my husband, he said to take the doctor I am most comfortable with. Also, after I looked up the hospital I realized it was a better choice for being a "Center of Excellence" as rated by Philhealth.

If you are interested in knowing what hospitals are rated as among the Centers of Excellence in Manila and other Regions, here they are.

When I looked at some of their OB packages (no I am not pregnant yet), and what I have heard so far from those who have been hospitalized in St. Luke's or Capitol Medical Center, I realized how disparate hospitals charge are and yet sometimes, they have all the same doctors. Well, I just made a mental note of how much lesser their OB packages are. Maybe someday. :p

Re-focussing my Lenses

2011-03-03T18:46:00.000+08:00

I am back after a long hiatus brought about by a mixture of general busyness and just a need to re-evaluate the purpose of this blog for me. As most everyone who has the opportunity to read my blog knows, I am a working woman. Although I do not have children, I nonetheless have other responsibilities on the homefront, like caring not only for my husband, but likewise for my 75-year old mother whose responsibility of care I share with my brother. So on weekends, I divide my time between them (my mother and brother) and my husband. On top of that, I do bring home work occasionally so that is an additional demand upon my time. Needless to say, I am busy.

On the other hand, in the times where I do not have either of the above to think about, I feel a little aversion to doing anything which requires deep thinking (like research and writing of a nature I do at work). Simply put, I have a slight aversion to writing about anything "legal" or researching on anything legal, since I spend 40 hours of my week doing just that. Nonetheless, I do love to write and have some other blog which is wholly personal. This one is a mixture of it, but honestly this one is more "objective" if you can call that.

But rest assured, I will still write something that hopefully will be of some value to someone wanting to move to the Philippines. I will resist the inertia and come-up with something worthwhile. You will have to forgive me though, because honestly the one reason it takes me awhile to even write is because I am cautious about putting-out any "legal" or even "factual". My job at the Office is exactly that and ever since I realized that anything I say is seriously taken into consideration and becomes a basis for legal action/policy it makes me more... well, a little "crazy". I get more "detail-oriented" and fuss over every small thing. Well, my husband would say it's more my predisposition to being a control freak.

Anyway, I am rambling... Thanks for those who read my blog. :) I appreciate it. I am sorry I was gone for awhile.

Firecrackers and Other Ways to Spend the New Years In the Philippines

2011-01-08T20:16:00.002+08:00

For as far as I can recall in my childhood, using firecrackers to greet the New Year has been a very big part of the NY celebration here in the Philippines. As children I can remember, we only had lusis (that firecracker that kids just hold and spew bright light --- not to be mistaken for the sparklers). My father had an special fondness for meeting the NY with firecrackers so I grew up having even just the lusis, sparklers and watusi. Eventually when we got older, the lusis, sparklers and watusi was replaced by super lolos, sinturon ni judas and other more powerful firecrackers. Although by this time, I did not participate in the "festivities", I certainly did not go against "tradition".

Over time, as I got older, I developed asthma, and the fanfare of the NY tradition just got totally lost on me as the "smog" the day after only constantly reminded me why I just hate firecrackers.

Oh there were some moments of inspiration, when my cousins and I were in my teens, and a cousin who lived in the U.S. visited for the holidays, that we decided to set-up a sound system in the garage and blare music all night long. It was fun and we invited our neighbor/friends for a disco party.

Eventually there were yet other alternatives when we moved out of the suburban life. When we moved to a neighborhood that was predominantly composed of policemen or ex-policemen, shooting their guns in mid-air appeared to be their alternative. Now at that point I thought to myself I just jumped from the frying pan into the flame! I feared a bullet would tear across the roof or the glass window and hit me or my relations! Aside from the fact that living in a neighborhood with row houses next to one another makes it easy to hear a myriad of noises (turned-up T.V. or radio) blasting at midnight! Somehow it does beat the morning "smog" though.

This year, our first year to live together for almost a year as husband and wife, we decided to make it special and different. We decided to hole up in a nice posh hotel in Makati, with a cocktail buffet (all you can drink liquor and all you can eat pastry, bread and other knick knacks like pesto pasta, kabobs, etc.) and a breakfast buffet. We also had a room upgrade for the additional price of the breakfast buffet and our room was at the 24th floor right next to the Executive Lounge where you can just come in for overflowing coffee/tea and cookies at ANY TIME!

The place still had a homey feel to it as most of the guest were families spending their NY apparently like we were, hiding from the smoke. There were old couples even wearing face masks around midnight. :p There were children playing in the lobby and some enjoying a dance with the sexy singer performing for the guests at the bar. Since most of my relatives are already in the U.S., I guess it is as close to being with relatives as I could have.

Overall, it was a great kick-off for the year, our first "almost" whole year together (February 12, 2011 will be the official whole year). I turn 40 this year... and our fifth year as a married couple! I am sure the year will pose problems just like the previous year but I look forward to this year as the year I break out of my comfort zones. May it be a GREAT year for us all!

Of Veteran's Affair and Healthcare In the Philippines

2010-12-11T22:28:00.002+08:00

Here in the Philippines, if you do not have the money to address your health concerns you could very well just die with your eyes open, waiting for death to come knocking at your door. No assistance can be expected from government and the Philhealth share on the contribution is, in my opinion, laughable.

Nonetheless, the Philippine society itself provides for its own safeguards – that is, FAMILY! It is said that you often know how much loved and unloved you are if you have many relatives that will come to your assistance in time of need. In the case of being a parent, you know whether you have raised your children well, if they are, on their own, willing to foot the bill for your illness. If you are neither, I guess you are just out of luck, because the government would care little or not at all if you died.

On the other hand, Article 294 of the Philippine Civil Code requires support to be given in the following order: (1) from the spouse; (2) from the descendants of the nearest degree; (3) from the ascendants, also of the nearest degree; and (4) from the brothers and sisters.

Notwithstanding, hardly anyone files a case for support (except for child support) owing to the expensiveness of having an on-going court case. Thus, a great majority of the indigent can go unsupported for years until they would die from neglect. Which makes me wonder if a case for elder abuse and neglect can ever prosper here. In the end of it all, its going to be all about family.

Which brings me to my husband (not that I consciously think of him as elderly, although he is a card-carrying Senior Citizen of the USA), he is certainly more fortunate. To those who have expressed concern and sympathy for his plight in the last few months, I am glad to tell everyone he is doing much better. We had already gone to three gastroenterologist ever since he had his stomach problem. We had a whole abdominal ultrasound just two weeks ago (can't have a colonoscopy first until the inflammation goes down) and the doctor said there doesn't appear to be an abcess. It appears that he has a gassy stomach that causes certain parts of it to spasm and bulge occasionally. At this point, he does not feel any discomfort anymore, but we are still closely monitoring it as his left side still bulges occasionally.

Brought about by the expenses we have incurred over the past months due to various a sundry of minor ailments, I have taken it upon myself to find out what sort of healthcare he can receive from the U.S. government. Before he came here, I had already come upon the information that he is entitled to health benefits from the U.S. Veteran's Affair, since he is receiving a service-connected disability pension for a disability that is rated 20%. He sustained a back injury during his time in the U.S. Navy, which necessitated a major back operation. But really, his health ailment now is not service-connected.

My initial communication with a call center agent of the U.S. Embassy led me to think he is not entitled to any non-service connected benefit at all with the VA Regional Office here in the Philippines. It took me awhile to question that statement, after conferring with Dave Starr I thought I would give it another try. So I set up an appointment with the VA Regional Office in Manila.

Since we still lived a "traffic" away from Pasay City where the VA Office is located, and considering further that he had to be at the VA Office before 8 a.m., we booked a hotel near the area to save us the hassle of rushing to get to our appointment on time.

I initially thought it was next to the U.S. Embassy, but the map that they sent us helped me see that it was certainly more than a few blocks away from the U.S. Embassy. It was in between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Economic Processing Zone Authority. From the outside, I couldn't even tell that it was a U.S. facility in the Philippines. But the security measure inside certainly reminded me of the U.S. Embassy as we had to go through a metal detector and had to leave our camera and cellphones.

There I learned that my husband is entitled to some kind of "primary care" benefit - meaning the V.A. health facility will look after his general health, ensuring that his general health is addressed by consultations with various specialist. Although the health benefit here in the Philippines does not cover hospitalization for non-service connected disability and it does not cover also special diagnostic treatments like CT scans and colonoscopy, the really cool thing for me was they fill-up prescriptions! If you can recall, we are spending a small fortune on medicines especially for accupril. So getting them to fill-up our prescription is a really big thing for me and will at least clear-up that budget allocation so that now it can be used to address diagnostic treatments not covered by V.A. and other minor surgeries like cataract surgery perhaps or dental implants. If we ever need a major surgery we can go to the U.S. for that where he is entitled to full medical benefits with V.A. facilities. Other than that, he got his pneumonia and tetanus vaccine, and will get his flu vaccine on January. Over-all the visit with V.A. lifted a weight off my shoulders.

If there is any lesson I have learned from the experience is always to question what anyone says about something (in this case the V.A. entitlement). The truth was I already knew in my heart he was entitled to something even in the USVA RO in the Philippines, but I listened to someone else tell me he wasn't. I had done enough of the due diligence to do research on the internet on official websites nonetheless, that I should have known I was right and someone else was feeding me with wrong information.

Dividing My Time

2010-12-03T06:41:00.001+08:00

I have not written here for quite awhile. Sadly because I have just been too busy trying to wrap this year up and get ready for next year. But inspite my busyness and my inability to maintain this blog, readers of this blog may see me very soon in yet another blog. Bob Martin's Living In the Philippines. I would like to believe that that one is more an act of public service more than anything, and this one is a venue for my endless rantings and my incessant need to write. In this blog site I have full freedom over its literally and intellectual content and even in the extent of how I want to indulge in some occasional melodrama.

However, if my mental acuity will permit it and if I can stay awake after a busy day of nothing but mental work, I may still write about something informational and of a legal nature. But rest assured that most of my articles here would be more of a personal nature.

Anxious but Looking Forward to 2011

2010-11-20T09:38:00.002+08:00

I wonder if you people know of any other person who plans their 2011 in November of 2010. I guess I am one of the few I know of. I got my 2011 planner and have already penciled out some plans for February 2011. The most significant of this plan is my husband going back to the U.S. to take care of some things and one of those things include the Affidavit of Support.

We finally figured out what to do next (on or own, no U.S. immigration lawyer) after a phone call to the National Visa Center, which incidentally you cannot get them on the regular office hours. (U.S time that is). They are as busy as hell! :p We did however get to them one morning in the Philippines when we just got up and decided to try our luck calling them.

At this point, I am collating all the information on what documents we would need for the AOS, and whether or not we would meet the 125% poverty threshold or we need to get joint sponsors. I have kind of casually tried to add up the figures in my head and it looks like we will be able to make it. I just need to get the updated papers on the 401 (k) and the private retirement and I would have a more concrete idea on whether we can make it.

I already got the requirements for the renewal of my husband's ACR, having just fulfilled the first week requirement on the publication. The total cost for the publication (for two successive Mondays to qualify for the two-week publication requirement) was P876.40. I didn't pay a single thing for the police report (take note of this if you ever need a police report from your local police station) and I didn't pay a single thing for the notarization of the Affidavit of Loss (it's usually between P50 to P100) as I had it notarized by a friend (thank God for friends who are notary publics). :) I do, however, owe her dinner one time.

We plan to visit the Veteran's Affair clinic before the month ends to get a new I.D. and to file the renewal for the ACR at the Bureau of Immigration. I am persistent to have his ACR card renewed for two reasons: (1) for the possible new ACR card next year when his 13 (a) probationary visa expires; and (2) it has the ECC (emigration clearance certificate) in it, something he needs for his flight back to the U.S. I want him to be ready with his Veteran's Affairs card before he leaves so that he can just fly in to the U.S. and have his health concerns addressed as soon as he lands.

I am still working on his "To-Do List" there and the timeline involved to finish everything so that he can be either back in time for the filing of a 13 (a) permanent visa OR my going to the U.S., whichever comes first. At this point, even in my vacillation on going there, I am just leaving it up to God. My one concern is really to be where it would be best for my husband and his health.

It is hard to tell for sure what is best for us, I can only hope that whatever we choose to do that the Lord will help us along the way.

Is Food Expensive In Metro Manila?

2010-11-06T12:28:00.004+08:00

A few days ago, my husband and I got into this discussion while doing our nightly walk around the condominium compound. We were on the discussion on why he thinks we are better off going back (to him) and just plainly going TO America for me (remember that I have never been there). He said that the cost of living over here is expensive, using as an indicator the cost of food. He says, over there, there are coupons that could save us so much money in buying food and that, among other things, over there fresh milk is in abundance, unlike over here where the fresh milk don't even taste anything like the ones over there. I remind him that the only reason the food seems to cost more over here is that we are buying products average filipinos do not even consider "necessary". Average filipinos don't even buy fresh milk, most make do with instant milk.

On the other hand, I actually think we have enough food for just a two-person household. Our monthly grocery bill is at P8,000, while my mother and brother's grocery food bill is just half that of ours -- theirs is P4,000 a month. Of course he makes a point about how we have healthier meals. Although I also remind him, we waste food much more. :p We have things in our refrigerator that has been there for months, while theirs run out every month. :p

We buy our groceries alternately from two stores - SM Hypermarket at SM The Block and Landmark at Trinoma. Our average weekly grocery bill is at P2000, sometimes more, sometimes less.

Here is an example of prices at Landmark Trinoma as of November 3, 2010:

Rebisco 360G (wheat crackers) 63.10
SABA 425 G (canned mackerel) 41.30
SABA Pink Salmon 58.70
Ocean's Best (canned tuna) 29.85
Meadow's Fresh Milk (buy one take one) 114
Skippy (peanut butter- no fat) 144.90
Rejoice Shampoo (360 ml) 149.40
Listerine Mint (250) 133.15
Coke Light 48
Fried Chicken 155.60
Chicken Wings 106.60
Fresh Slice Mushroom 110
Tarragon 13
Gardenia Whole Wheat Bun 45
San Remo Spinach Fettucine 81.65
Cream Cheese 101.60
Hi-Fiber Wheat Bread 67

I didn't include the produce (vegetable and fruits) which we usually spend from between P300 to P500 a week's worth. It's healthy, I admit though. :) But only if we get to eat it before they spoil.

Cost of Being Cheap

2010-11-02T16:42:00.003+08:00

I have to confess, I am kuripot. It is the Ilocano in me that makes me stingy with money. Also, I have known how it is to be hungry and needy at one point in my life. Life has been kinder to me since then but it has certainly made me more prudent with money. My Asawa always says I have only one criteria when buying/considering anything -- PRICE! It is funny but partly true.

So why am I talking about this now? Well, because there was a lesson I learned just a weeks ago when my husband and I visited the doctor. Since I had been worried sick about his diverticulitis, I have decided that the best place to go is what most people perceive to be the best hospital this side of Metro Manila -- St. Luke's Hospital in Quezon City.

We went to Dr. Conrado De Castro and he prescribed Ciprofloxacin and Flagyl. Apparently, the earlier doctor prescribed the wrong medicine, an antibiotic not specifically meant to address diverticulitis! You can say nonetheless that we were disappointed. Considering the earlier doctor was also a gastroenterologist, it is a bit disappointing to think she didn't know what should have been a basic prescription for a basic ailment.

So, even though the colonoscopy from the said clinic/medical center is cheaper, we are thinking of two options 1) getting a colonoscopy from St. Luke's or 2) going to the U.S. for a colonoscopy from VA health facilities (my Asawa has a service-connected disability of 20%).

When we asked the doctor, however, how much a colonoscopy package would cost (doctor's fee and use of hospital facilities), he said that they have a package that covers not only colonoscopy but other procedures. They are a bit pricey and at present not within our price range, but in 1 to 2 months, I think we can afford it. As long as my husband's condition does not worsen within that time, we can consider getting a colonoscopy (plus other procedures) from St. Luke's.

We are particularly interested in the Cancer Screening Package for 60 year old and above. The break down of procedure is as follows:

LABORATORY STUDIES
CHEMISTRY

Blood Chemistry (CHEM 1)

Glucose (FBS)
Creatinine
Uric Acid
Cholesterol
Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Triglycerides
HDL
LDL/VLDL
SGPT/ALT
Alkaline Phosphatase
Total Bilirubin
Total Protein (A/G Ratio)
Creatinine Phosphokinase
SGOT/AST
LDH

SEROLOGY

Alpha Fetoprotein
Cancer Antigen 125 (for female only)
Carcino Embryonic Antigen
Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9
PSA (for male only)

CELLULAR IMMUNOLOGY

HPV-DNA Test (for Female Only)

HISTOPATH

Pap Smear (for Female Only

MICROSCOPY

Fecal Occult Blood Qualitative

X-RAY STUDY

Chest X-ray (PA)

BREAST EXAMINATIONS

Mammography
Breast Ultrasound

ULTRASONIC EXAMINATIONS

Gall Bladder
Liver
Kidney
Pancreas
Spleen
Prostate (for Male Only)

ENDOSCOPY

Colonoscopy

RATES:

Inclusive of Professional Fees

(Net of Senior Citizen's Discount)

Male 44,700

Female 49,400

Responsible Blogging

2010-10-21T13:25:00.002+08:00

Yesterday, while at work I was pouring over an extremely long Decision, and a friend of mine (also a lawyer and belonging to the same office) called my attention over a Manifestation that cited a Civil Service law/jurisprudence from a blog. I was surprised, certainly, since the one who wrote the blog was a colleague of mine from my former office.

I went to look at the blog and found out that he clearly stated in the title of the blog itself that it is unofficial, but the lawyer who saw the said blog site conveniently forgot to state that in his pleading. Very unethical if you ask me, but it lead me to thinking about my blog and instances when I have interpreted the law. While I cite the law, in some instances, there was one blog post that I endeavored to interpret the law. This was different from other blog posts, which although they dealt with the Law, I cited the source and was careful to quote it verbatim. So I already deleted that one blog post that I interpreted the law.

My job now primarily revolves around giving legal opinion, and I have gotten more cautious about it. I have been burned before, one when I was too eager to please someone or one when I was thinking this is how so-and-so would want me to render this opinion. And I have realized in the end the ultimate responsibility falls on the person whose signature is on the paper.

So now I digress, the simple lesson I learned from my friends experience is to be careful in blogging or giving out my opinions even in comments on other blog sites. Opinion is cheap but the price it would cost the fool hardy person who follows you is not worth the momentary elation you got from thinking you were so smart.

So now I will endeavor to write my disclaimer soon... In the meantime, I reiterate Caveat Emptor.

Health Woes ... Again!

2010-10-20T20:36:00.000+08:00

After about a month of my husband's stomach problems, even after having gone to the doctor for antibiotics. We are on the look-out again for a better doctor. It is not that we distrust our present doctor, maybe it is just because she doesn't seem to feel the same urgency I feel right now -- that there must be something else that can be done other than to wait. Although she did say that the next step may be an IV drip so that my husband can get the antibiotic intravenously. And now I am beginning to think about how much it would cost us for the hospitalization.

The problem is, my husband has no money apart from his pension and most of it is eaten up on living expenses and medication (P8,000 worth monthly on maintenance medicines), so certainly he does not have money extra for hospitalization. He has money tied up in the US on his 401 K and private pension, but how soon will it even be possible to get to them. Ultimately I will need to come up with the money in the mean time. It would set me back by a few thousand pesos and if the ailment is as bad as my worst-case scenario, ultimately, not even I may be able to afford it. I would need to bring him to the US or I hope the US immigration will let me.

But I know it is better to address it now, while the symptoms are just fresh. I would just have to accept the reality that it has to be done.

Considering that I have a health plan that covers me for P80,000, the office can cover me for P60,000 and I even have a half million critical illness insurance, how I wish it is remotely possible to transfer all these benefits to him, for him to enjoy. But sadly I can't.. and I can only hope we can address his problems before they get worse.

Health Concerns .. The Continuing Saga

2010-10-05T19:23:00.000+08:00

Being into around nine months in my husband's stay in the Philippines, the MAJOR (MAJOR) concern is still and will always be his health. Now don't get me wrong, my husband is not disabled, or incapacitated in any way, but he certainly has health issues that require constant monitoring, and thus an equivalent allocation in expenditure.

As you know, a few months ago, I attempted to get my husband into my health plan. I was fully aware that most of his pre-existing conditions would not be covered (i.e. he had a nephrectomy because of renal carcinoma around 1992, a back surgery, and a high blood pressure). These are things I am fully aware of, but my only purpose in getting him into my health plan was to ensure that any other medical conditions brought about by his stay in a new land, can be addressed if it ever happens. I wanted to be able to ensure that he is well taken cared of if let's say he contracts dengue, meets into a traffic accident, etc. But apparently, because of old-time pre-existing conditions (his nephrectomy is more than 20 years old!), he was declined by my health plan.

I really get irritated with health insurance, they always want to insure those who hardly need it. I for one have had my present health plan for the last six years, and I have never once gotten hospitalized. They wouldn't even cover pregnancy if I ever should get pregnant. Honestly, their declining my husband is really what I just needed to look for another health plan that would offer better coverage for myself, and will allow coverage for my husband even to a limited extent.

With all these health concerns, I always adhere to the maxim that prevention is better than cure, thus, we spend on whatever diagnostic procedure is required to ensure that all his health conditions are well-monitored. Which brings to mind the necessity of budgeting for diagnostic procedures and medicines apart from the maintenance medicines. Since my husband has no medical coverage, there is also a need to have emergency medical money to cover for medical expenses. My estimate is the safe amount would be around P100,000. They would cover for any emergency medical expense but would certainly not cover such things as a heart bypass which I heard would cost from half a million to one million pesos, depending on the hospital you want to have the operation in.

Another matter that has come to my attention, is the excessive sugar in the Filipino diet. My husband doesn't have a high blood sugar, but since he lived here, his blood sugar has gotten slightly elevated. I think it is primarily due to most of the Filipino food products containing sugar. Although my husband carefully reads the ingredients in anything he buys, apparently some of the information in the products are misleading. I guess you can say there isn't really any truth in advertising here! :p

At present we are working on getting a colonoscopy. But we have had to wait until his colon relaxes (he is in a liquid or easily-soluble diet for a few days) and the inflammation subsides.

In this regard, I am beginning to think we have to seriously think about going back to the U.S., if only to ensure that he would get some form of assistance for his medical conditions.

P.S. On the VA health plan, unfortunately only his service-connected disability is covered. Non-service connected health concerns are not covered in the Philippine VA centers.

LOST

2010-09-27T20:13:00.003+08:00

No, this is certainly not about the series on T.V. I don't even watch any T.V. show regularly to know what is happening there. This is about the consternation with, yet acceptance of the fact that my sweet, loving and totally adorable Asawa Pogi lost his ACR card! :p (Do you note the tongue-in-cheek way I said that?)

After weeks, if not months of actually trying to find time to do these errands, it is a bit disconcerting to think that we actually have to do it again. Sadly, the procedure in getting the replacement ACR card is even more laborious than the first one, which only required twice a visit to the Bureau of Immigration, and the first visit can even be done once you get the approval on your 13-A visa.

What also makes it a bit heartbreaking is knowing that the card is valid only for this year, considering that it gets renewed next year when he gets issued a permanent resident visa under 13-A. Sigh... I guess that's life.

Here are among those required to get an ACR card:

All registered aliens, including their dependents, who have been duly issued paper-based ACRs are required to replace their ACRs with the hi-tech microchip-based ACR I-Card.

All aliens who have been duly issued immigrant or non-immigrant visa and all other aliens who are required to register under the Alien Registration Act are required to register and apply for the ACR I-Card. They are the following:

Native-Born

Permanent residents under:

a. Section 13 and its sub-sections

   b. Republic Act Nos. 7919 and 8274 (Alien Social Integration Act of 1995)
   c. Executive Order No. 324 (series of 1988)
   d. Note Verbale No. 903730 dated Sept. 17, 1990 between Philippines and India
   Temporary residents under:
   a. BI Law Instruction No. 33 (Series of 1988)
   b. BI Law Instruction No.13 (Series of 1988)
   c. BI Law Instruction No. 48 (Series of 1988)
   d. BI Memo Order No. ADD-01-038 (series of 2001)
   e. BI Memo Order No. ADD-02-015 (series of 2002)
   Temporary visitor under Section 9(a), PIA –one who is coming for business or pleasure or for reasons of health if his stay exceeds six (6) months
   Treaty trader under Section 9(d), PIA
   Temporary student under Section 9(f), PIA
   Pre-arranged employee under Section 9(g), PIA
   Such other aliens as may be required by law to register
   For those who are required to register but exempted from immigration fees, they may opt to avail of the ACR I-Card subject to payment of the card fee.

The requirements for the re-issuance of a lost ACR Card are the following:

Duly filled-up application form
Letter request
Affidavit of Loss
Police Report
Publication ( two consecutive weeks )

Take note that the above ACR card also serves as the Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC), Re-entry Permit (RP) and Special Return Certificate (SRC) of the holder upon payment of the required fees.

The Upside and Downside to Close Family Ties

2010-09-23T23:44:00.000+08:00

My mother is the eldest child of a big family (12 children) born in the province of Bicol. Ten of the children were girls (my Aunties) and my doctor Auntie used to say that they all went to Manila because their father (my grand father) didn't want to send them to school because they would only get married and get pregnant later on. They all relocated to Metro Manila and went on to finish College producing one lawyer, one doctor, one architect, one civil engineer (an Uncle who went on to build his own construction company in the U.S.), a nurse, an accountant, and several teachers.

My mother was and still is very close to her family my Aunties. And I grew up being at one time also close to my cousins. We spent our childhood together playing games in our Auntie's house, and had really nice All Soul's Day, Christmas and New Year's day celebrations.

When my father decided to leave my mom and us (my sister and brothers) sometime in College, it was my Aunties who took the cudgels of sending us to school. I have to admit, my graduating from my undergraduate course was due in large part to the financial support my family and I received from my Aunties.

During law school, their financial support to my mother who was then a public school teacher, also helped me spend for my law school. If not for them, I would have been forced to support my family myself with what little I earned from my first jobs.

At any rate, my sister graduated Computer Engineering and is now working in the U.S., and my other brother is now in a big pharmaceutical firm as a supervisor. Life has been kinder to us since then.

On the other hand, my cousins receiving the full support of my rich Aunties, are at present unemployed and receiving unemployment from the U.S. government. But really, with their mother owning a construction company here in the Philippines they really don't need to burden the U.S. government with their inability to get a good job, either there in the U.S. or here in the Philippines. It is just that they are used to living-off their wealthy mothers that they don't seem to know any other life than that.

I often wonder when they will crawl out of their mother's wings and realize that there is more pride from learning to become independent and earning your own money. It is even more heart-warming to be the one GIVING the money than being the one taking it, but they seem to have gotten used to this set-up they think it is normal and there is no other life they can live apart from that.

One other cousin of mine got pregnant at 18 just right after a really expensive debut that her mother threw for her. Now, 28 she can choose to leave her children to her mother who is now in the U.S. and remain unemployed for God knows how long, because "her mother and every other relative in the U.S." will take care of her children.

And how about my other cousin who is herself a lawyer. First thing she did with her salary is buy a car on installment and her mother now "semi-retired" is kind of "forced" to work some more as a consultant in order for her children to continue to live the life they have grown accustomed to. She also accompanies her mother (or maybe persuades her mother) to go to these extravagant out-of-the-country trips, so that someone can pay for her way.

And just to be fair and not to make it sound like all the bad apples are in someone else's family, how about my unemployed brother who has not held a job since maybe 5 years ago, and even then he could hardly keep that job. He has gotten so used to my being around and financing the family's expenses that he has relegated himself to the reality that I will always be there to provide for him even in his old age.

The reality of it all, all these individuals are running under the notion that there will always be some family who is going to cover their sorry asses and take care of them no matter what. No matter how silly or stupid the choices they have made in their lives, someone else is going to answer for their mistake and poor choices.