Most people would tend to start their summer vacation at the beach, resorts etc… but my boyfriend and I chose to be cultural and nationalistic by going on a walking tour at Corregidor Islands, Philippines. Yes! They (Sun Cruises, Inc. Philippines) now offer walking tour instead of the typical tour riding a Tramvia bus to roam around the island.

That at the back is the Tramvia. Just for the photo.

We were able to enjoy the luxury of being the first to avail the said package thus, we experienced a “couple walking tour” exclusively with our tour guide-slash- “photographer”, Sir Bryan.

I was really interested in visiting Corregidor since time immemorial… My family is a fan of going into museums, walking tours and so I dragged my boyfriend to come and experience something different from the typical summer getaway.

Most would say that availing Corregidor Tour is expensive since you will be paying at around 2,300++ pesos per head for the day tour package and it is already equivalent to you going to Tagaytay with friends or Puerto Galera for that matter.

Some will also say that Corregidor tour is boring since it just deals with history and so exclusive with educational field trips done at school…

That connotation didn’t stop me… and so here I am sharing to you our Corregidor experience…

Before every trip we make, I always do some researching and inquiring online for tips and suggestions— which is a habit now. I am never a fan of calling, I prefer to do transactions on line and I don’t know why.

To start of, I searched the net for Corregidor tour packages… I found the Sun Cruise website but as you know, some websites doesn’t answer to inquiries right away and so, I looked them up on Facebook… Luckily, there they are, actively answering queries and all in their FB page. I added them, messaged them and poof! they did the reservation for me (they also have online reservation on their official website but when I tried it, there were bugs, I didn’t want to have extra charges on my mum’s credit card).

Initially, I inquired on the Corregidor Day tour package that cost 2,200 pesos plus fuel surcharge of 100 pesos for a total of 2,300 pesos per person. It includes a buffet lunch at the Corregidor Inn. It was quite expensive since I am with my boyfriend…

Then a few days after, they launched the Historical Walking Tour that was cheaper and for me, more enjoyable than the restricted tour via the Tramvia. The walking tour cost 1,688 pesos plus fuel surcharge of 100 pesos for a total of 1,788 pesos per head. However, this only has a packed lunch but mind you, the serving was big enough to cover for all the walking we endured.

I was left to pay on their BDO bank account (I don’t know if I should broadcast it here though…) anyway, you can message them on Facebook for that… After paying, you need to send them the receipt for proof of payment… The payment should be made 3 days before the travel date.

Then that’s it, you just need to arrive at the docking area 1 hour to 30 minutes before the boarding time from that matter, its 8:00AM. The docking area is located at the back of Folk Arts Theater, Roxas Boulevard. Click here for the map and instructions on how to get there.

Give your payment slip on the terminal office near the docking area then you will be provided with a sticker for identification purposes and Corregidor map and brochure.

The boat ride to Corregidor took an hour and 15 minutes but can take up to 1 hour and 30 minutes depending on the waves of the sea. The ride was a bit shaky. Be ready with your “puke bag” but the boat personnel will be generous to give you one in case you needed it.

When we arrived at the port we met our tour guide, the original tour via tramvia buses but for us, we were fetched by a pick-up car to the first point of our walking tour.

Of course there are differences between the original day tour package with the walking tour package. For instance, some spots/area in the island were not covered because of time constraints and it was just not included in the package.

However, the advantages outweighed that part. We were able to trek the insides of the island were small barracks, offices and building ruins were located.

We were lucky to spot monkeys, fruit bats, butterflies in the insides of the island (you cannot enjoy that when you ride the tramvia bus)…

We also had the luxury to do bird watching, even saw a hawk (lawin), flying just above the barracks hunting for food perhaps.

The sun was hot but the breeze of the air was fresh and free-flowing, you can even smell the trees. You will not even feel sticky of sweat. I didn’t realize that my skin was slightly tanned until I went home. One thing I enjoyed most, because you can feel that you are away with the city.

With the walking tour, I must say that you have in control of you time to walk around the island with the tour guide… You can take pictures anywhere and pose in any way you want. Sir Bryan even acted as our photographer. Unlike with the original tour, time is limited (heard the bell calling the tourists) plus, you don’t have a competition with other people’s camera on the view you want to have your photo taken (if you know what I mean…)

The tour ended at 1PM and we are free to explore near by sites but there is an optional lights and sound show that we availed which, costs around 150 pesos per head at the Malinta tunnel.

Just after the show, you need to get back to the docking area at 2PM and head back to reality once again— Manila.

The walk was long and tiring but enjoying the island with your love was all worth it.

If you wanted to go to the beach, ride the newest attraction—ATV or do kayaking, I think you need to avail the overnight package.

We arrived at Manila before 4PM. It was still early and so we decided to go to Harbour Square walking distance nearby to enjoy some ice cream and enjoy the manila bay before the sun set.

Oh, before I forgot you need to be ready with sandwiches/snacks, water and extra shirt… wear comfortable shoes and as much as possible wear pants. You don’t want to end up having scratches and sore toes from hiking… You can also bring umbrella, caps or hats… but we just used our sun glasses.

Thank you Sir Bryan and Sun Cruises for the wonderful tour.

3 months ago…. I was loaded with paper works, modules and homeworks…

For my second year, 1st semester, I took up Nursing Administration and Cardiovascular Nursing. Booooy! Those subjects made me think twice to pursue this degree or not.

I got busy in interpreting ECG strips that I interpret to be “just scribbles”… Got stiff neck and hand callus once again from sitting and answering long exam questions I don’t know where to get answers… I submitted homeworks, which are 1-2 inch thick or probably a 50-100 pages… Honestly, coffee was the source of EVERYTHING. Thank you CAFFEINE!

I thought I wouldn’t survive the first semester. Now is the start of getting things done “SERIOUSLY”. The past few semesters in UPOU were a happy-go-lucky one.

3 months ago… All my hard work got paid off… I GOT EMPLOYED. Finally, by the hospital I spent 1.5 years of serving… THANK YOU LORD! Thank you that they have seen my efforts and abilities to be called “STAFF NURSE”… Though my status is just “on-call”, it is okay compared to working for free.

3 months ago, I earned new friends from work, from school and got reunited with my old friends…

3 months ago, I have written several incident reports… for some reason that I am not really the “reason”…

3 months ago, I am not asking my mom for allowance… and THAT made me proud of myself…

3 months ago, I lost 3 pounds… after looking at the mirror, I saw my puffy and bulging eyebags and concluded that all the things I eat magically absorbed by my eyebags.

3 months ago, I was super busy adjusting to what was happening with my career and studies and love as well…

3 months after, here I am blogging and telling you all… I will still continue in what I do now… Let’s all hope for the best!

In 2 years that I have been in UPOU, it’s just last July 16, 2011 that I have experienced a first face to face discussion for MAN. Graduate school is different from the undergraduate one mainly because you are not treated as someone novice but as someone with a specialty (Cardiovascular Nursing). I was also delighted to see my classmates again and met new ones. We were more than 20 (i think) and some came from provinces.

Seating at one corner of the classroom, I felt uplifted because Dean Balabagno stressed out that we are not “just” a nurse. It was very timely because I was feeling low of myself due to problems I have encountered recently with my hospital duty.

Our discussion was free flowing that tackled modules 6-10. All the posts from our classmates before me covered the discussion perse. What amazed me was how she integrated all the topics in one simple activity she told us to write our parameters in dealing with high risk, acutely ill, chronically ill and rehabilitative clients then from there she took off. I was like “Oh, nasa module 7 na tayo… ambilis…”. She patterned our discussion with the nursing process.

Risk factors (modifiable and non-modifiable) identification is important because each individual is unique. A middle adult compared to old adult has a better compensatory mechanism. She said that when a patient walks in, you will already know that “Ah, this is a cardiovascular patient!” due to his physical appearance and with general survey.

Dean also said that we must be aware of our own blood pressure, our BMI, waistline, waist-hip ratio as well as with our respective family especially if we know that we already have risks. Cardiovascular disease is preventable with proper health teaching, clean living (no smoking and alcohol drinking), exercise and nutrition.

We must be equipped with the competencies a cardiovascular nurse must possess. Critical Thinking, good assessment (history taking and physical examination), knowledge of anatomy and physiology, the capability to detect normal to abnormal findings, collaboration with the doctors for diagnostic exams, updates with the current management/treatment for each cardiovascular disease, applies evidence based practice in nursing like the bio-behavioral techniques in coordination with the government’s program to combat these problems, ability to conduct health teachings appropriate for the level of our clients and a holistic approach to patient care.

She also discussed the possible nursing diagnosis for each heart disease. She said that we should familiarize ourselves with DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) and JNC VII. She added that health teachings for the client should be family based approach for better compliance.

With our study session, I was pressured to read a lot because I was behind chapters that were discussed. I felt that being a nurse has a big responsibility especially that we are the frontliners to our clients both well and with health problems.

Tip for exam: We should know the assessment parameters for each disease tackled in module 6-10, rationale behind or pathophysiologic rationale and how is it measured or elicited. She said that narratives will be included and our FMA1 is a form of review. (That is why I am planning to answer it before the exam.) Good luck and God Bless to us!

That thing that sprouts in places where you least expected… Looks like a pimple at first that’s why you ignore it but after days… It becomes bigger and painful, with redness and pus inside… You don’t know what to do with it and you’re too shy to tell anyone because of that “invasive” spot. Little did you know that it spreads in some other places that is very uncomfortable… you can’t walk, you can’t talk about it and just bear the pain inside…

Here comes Online Doktora…

Online Doktora is a Filipino podcast that discusses and explains topics concerning overall health and wellness. Your ONLINE DOKTORA, Anna Katharina Garcia-Peña, RN, MD, MPH, will always be ready to answer your questions about health and wellness. All podcast episode is in Filipino (Tagalog) format that made it unique and listener friendly made for Filipinos here and abroad. You can also e-mail her for your questions and get the chance to be aired in her next episode…

Going back to the issue above… listen and be aware… (Click the link below)

http://www.bncast.com/onlinedoktora/paulit-ulit-na-pigsa/

Just a brief background of the host…
Anna Katharina Garcia-Peña is a registered nurse and a licensed physician in the Philippines. She also holds a Master of Public Health degree and an undergraduate degree in Psychology. She is currently a university professor teaching nursing courses.

And Yes, She’s my mom!

Catch her at www.annakatharinamd.com and www.onlinedoktora.bncast.com

All the things inside me and the things I’ll tell and type about will be used against me, if not for now… maybe there will come a time… (I hate being careful and contained)

Anyway, my mum just offered to increase my weekly allowance because she saw the bitterness consuming my well-being… Who would decline with that right? But I did. My weekly allowance is enough for my daily expenses and other expenses besides that (you know what I mean…)

I will be 22 years old this July and still I can see no fulfilment in what I am doing… My mum said “Ano bang pinapagkaabalahan mo?…. Pagboboypren?” (Perhaps my mum will have read this post eventually…) I think besides “whatever-you-call-what-I-am-doing” yes, I am majoring in my “love” life. LOL!

And then after all this “thing” that consummate me… then I turned back to Facebook and Twitter… I saw this

Do I really just have to wait and see? Or am I being trying hard to appease people who doesn’t even notice?

I have read the sentiments of others who feel the same… I think all it takes to end this is guts to really tell how you feel…

Today… I am updating my resume… but who cares?

Click here to begin praying “Ang Bagong Daan ng Krus”…

Click here to begin praying “The New Way of the Cross”…

You might also want to listen to Tagalog podcast of Word of God (Ang Salita ng Diyos) according to the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. You can click here.

God Bless Us All.

In UPOU-Master of Arts in Nursing major in adult health nursing, we are required in our major subject (N260- Adult Health Nursing) to attend a 3-day clinical practicum at Philippine General Hospital by the end of the semester.

Since February, I was getting bored with what I do at work in our institution… It was like “the-same-old-cases”… Same environment… In simple terms, everything was a ROUTINE— boring routine. Then came March that gave all the DIFFERENCE. My first ever clinical practicum at Philippine General Hospital saved the month. I was very excited because “being a nurse” in PGH is a one-of-a-kind experience, plus the fact that I was assigned to the BURN UNIT. It was s actually one of my motivations in continuing my studies at UPOU.

I don’t know what to expect but to just seize the moment to finally meet my classmates, professor and apply what we basically have studied for the semester.

We were tasked to accomplish a comprehensive nursing history and physical assessment (without looking at the chart) for the first day, make a nursing care plan and do implementation the second day and to do evaluation and follow-up on the third day.

My 3-day clinical practicum was not easy for I have been assigned to a patient who had 45% total body surface area burn. He was intubated, considering his other contraptions, bedridden and restless. It was a challenge for me but I think I was able to get through.

I experienced to do wound dressing to a burn patient, which is new for me. The staff of PGH was very hospitable and kind to share with us their experiences and teach us especially in dealing with these kinds of patients.

My clinical practicum at PGH is like a fuel that made my system/engine start and keep on going. It was indeed a “Something new” experience. It was what I needed after all. Thank you to Prof. Rita Ramos, PGH staff and most especially, my “virtual-classmates-came-to-life” LOL.

The highlight of the season!

P.S After the wonderful experience, the dreaded clinical portfolio is next. I was in my highest toxicity level in making a cqse study for my patient. Fortunately, I was able to submit and so finally I can say…

HELLO SUMMER!

Number 1- I am a SHE.
Number2- I have a VAGINA.
Number3- I just am A GIRL.

It’s true. Being a girl sucks and I think being in OB Ward is a redundancy in life already.
I am a novice nurse and I SOOOO want to learn something different other than the female reproductive system.

NO. This blogpost is not against anyone or anything. I actually have learned a lot with the 8 months that I have been assigned there. I have nothing against the people or the institution etc…

At this time, I just want to explore my options and hope that OPPORTUNITIES will be opened for a volunteer like me. Uhmm… perhaps a rotation or an employment opportunity? YES! :]

So here I am blogging about it just about now.

There were a total of 29,711 (35.25%) passers out of 84,287 who took the Nurse Licensure Examination last December 2010 given by the Board of Nursing according to Professional Regulation Commission.

Here’s the list of the successful examinees

NLE RESULTS DECEMBER 2010 –

Congratulations to the New Registered Nurses!

Enjoy and savour the feeling. As the real challenge of being a professional nurse and staying as a “NURSE” will commence.

You might also want to read about this.

The oathtaking ceremony of the successful examinees in the said examination in Manila will be held before the Board on Monday and Tuesday, March 14 and 15, 2011, with morning (8:00 A.M.) and afternoon (1:00 P.M.) sessions at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

Oathtaking tickets for the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby regions will be available at the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) from February 28, 2011. (Click here on how to go to PNA)

Online Priority number is required to avail of tickets. (This is new. LOL) Please logon to http://www.nurseoathtaking.net.

Please go to BON website: www.bonphilippines.org for the regional schedules of oath taking ceremony.

God Bless!

Check if they are nurses… if they are. This post might give answer to your query.

The “BLACK-OUT” is in support for AYNLA’s (Alliance of Young Nurse Leaders & Advocates International Inc.), a national registered organization of nurse leaders & advocates in the Philippines—- Nurses Black-out campaign 2011.

This is for every nurses’ endeavour, cause or advocacy…

They came up with the advocacy particularly to utilize social media as a tool for nurses’ rights awareness building, initiate social & mass mobilizations in relation to the protection of nurses’ rights and to garner support from individuals, organizations and communities to end all forms of discrimination and abuse to nurses in the workplaces and communities.

Increasing number of nurses has always been a problem (or shall I say, is becoming a crisis) but why just now? According to PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) our country already produced 200,000 unemployed and underemployed RN’s in the year 2010.

It is ironic that the Philippines is one of the top exporter of their own skilled, professional nurses but the country, itself is lacking of many nurses to take care of the communities and the society.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities acknowledge their shortage of nurses but fails to hire more because of proclaimed budget constraints. This leaves dozens of nurses flooding in workplaces other than in the field of nursing like call centers.

Many new nurses, wanting to gain hospital/clinical experience as a presumed key to international employment, offer their professional nursing services to the hospitals without getting paid. [Please insert my name here...] —Yes, we are called “Volunteer Nurses” “OJT Nurses” “Nurse Trainees”… And yes to the fact that we pay for a “3-month” or “6-month” hospital experience.

This campaign period is from January 01 – 11, 2011. I know it’s a bit hard to change your profile picture to BLACK but it is for a good cause so why not join the cause?

VOLUNTEER NURSE AKO KAYA BLACK ANG PROFILE PICTURE KO… XD