Monday, October 13, 2008

Brand New Nappie

It has been a few months that I have been quiet...as quiet as a cold cadaver...It is because I had been busy with the operation of our baby angel Nappie.

After the struggles, here is a brand new Nappie, ready to face the world.
Thanks to Sam, Raymond and Mitch,my family (my mother most especially) CHandra and his friends and of course to mg IHG family. I would like to laud the efforts of Dr. Dizon and Dr. Baltazar. The host hospital had been PGH who did a wonderful job on making him a normal kid.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Wish Ko Lang

In my desperation to have Nappie operated soon, I have resorted to writing to "Wish ko lang" of GMA 7.
It was sent last Tuesday September 02, 2008:
Dear Wish ko lang,

Una sa lahat, ay binabati ko ang programa nyo ng Congratulations dahil sa maraming buhay na tinutulungan at binabago.

Ako po si Ruth Pujalte Chase, isang call center employee sa InterContinental Hotels Group.

Gusto ko pong ilapit ang batang nakilala ko sa PGH nang ako ay manganak: si Nappie Gallo Jr aka Dodong. Nagkakilala po kami ng nanay ng batang ito habang kinukuha ko po ang medical record ko sa ospital dahil kailangan po ng HR department para sa SSS benefit ko. Si Nappie po ay 3 years old na tubong Davao. Isinilang po siya na me Hirchsprung's disease ito ay klase ng abnormality nang isinilang siya. Nang baby po siya ay lumabas po ang dumi nya sa bibig. Kaya po ang mga doctor ng isang ospital sa Davao ay inilabas po ang kanyang bituka sa tyan para doon po siya dumumi. 3 taon na po ang lumipas at hindi pa rin sya normal ( kailangan nya po ng 2 operasyon, di makalaro ng malaya, maingat sa kilos para protektahan ang naka expose na bituka at ang kanyang pong ina ay hindi makabili ng colostomy bag dahil sa sobrang mahal. Gumagamit po siya ng improvised colostomy bag gawa sa plastic, tela at plastic na takip ng kape. Eto po ay prone sa inpeksyon. Hindi po
kaya ng magulang nya na ipagamot po siya dahil po sa hirap ng buhay. 7 po silang magkakapatid at bunso nya. Ang kanya pong ama ay empleado ng gobyerno na sumasahod ng P200 pesos a day.

Inilapit ko po siya sa aking mga kaibigan at sa pinagtatarabahuhan po. Sa madaling salita me mga kaibigan po ako sa abroad na nagtulung at nagbigay ng 30k para sa unang operasyon. Saludo po ako sa aking mga bosses at kamanggagawa sa company na pinag ta trabahuhan ko dahil sasagutin ang pangalawa nya operasyon dahil sa kalunos lunos na sitwasyon ng bata. Ang pera pong nalikom at sapat lamang para sa charity ward at hindi sa payward (nagkakahalaga po ng 60k bawat operasyon sa payward versus sa charity ward na 15-20k per operation) wala pa po rito ang mga gamot na kakailanganin ng bata.

Matagal na pong nakapila sa PGH si Nappie Gallo (November 2006). Dahil po ang original doctor niya ay nagmigrate na sa amerika, na endorse po siya sa ibang doktor. Hangang ngayon po ay hindi pa siya naooperahan dahil ang sabi po ng mga doktor sa PGH ay hindi naman critical ang kanyang lagay at uunahin ang mas malubha sa kanya ang sakit.

Hinihingi ko po ang tulong nya na maooperahan ang bata. Bilang isang ina, isang turok sa puso ko na makita siyang ganyan: hindi normal. Alam ko na may magandang kinabukasan na nagaantay sa kanya. Sana po ay maabot niya pa ang araw na iyon.

Alam ko pong wala imposible sa Dios at gagamitin nya pong instrumento ang inyong programa upang mabago ang buhay ni Dodong.

Me link po akong inilakip sa video ni Dodong para po makita nyo mula sa blog ko:

http://soitsme-outofthebox.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html

Salamat po ng marami at pagpalain kayo ng Diyos,
Ruthie
"Laugh when you can, Apologize when you should, Let go of what you can't change, Take chances, Give LOVE and have no regrets. Life is TOO short to be....... anything but Happy! :)"

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Thou Shalt Live Longer!

BE HAPPY and live longer....

PARIS (AFP) - - Keep humming "Don't Worry Be Happy". The 1980s New Age-inspired hit got it right. New research shows being happy can add several years to life.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Happiness does not heal, but happiness protects against falling ill," says Ruut Veenhoven of Rotterdam's Erasmus University in a study to be published next month.

After reviewing 30 studies carried out worldwide over periods ranging from one to 60 years, the Dutch professor said the effects of happiness on longevity were "comparable to that of smoking or not".

That special flair for feeling good, he said, could lengthen life by between 7.5 and 10 years.

The finding brings a vital new piece to a puzzle currently being assembled by researchers worldwide on just what makes us happy -- and on the related question of why people blessed with material wealth in developed nations no longer seem satisfied with their lives.

Once the province of poets or philosophers, the notions of happiness and satisfaction have been taken on and dissected, quantified and analysed in the last few years by a growing number of highly serious and respected economists -- some of whom dub the new field "hedonics", or the study of what makes life pleasant, or otherwise.

"The idea that there is a state called happiness, and that we can dependably figure out what it feels like and how to measure it, is extremely subversive," says Bill McKibben in his 2007 book "Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future".

"It allows economists to start thinking about life in richer terms, to stop asking 'What did you buy?' and to start asking 'Is your life good?'."

Growth in material wealth adds little to happiness once buying power hits 10,000 dollars a year per head, according to such research.

But happiness can be bolstered by friendship and human community, as well as larger social factors such as freedom, democracy, effective government institutions and rule of law.

In Veenhoven's findings, published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, a scientific publication founded in 2000, the strongest effect on longevity was found among a group of US nuns followed through their adult life -- perhaps reflecting the feel-good factor from belonging to a close-knit stress-free community with a sense of purpose.

While the lyrics from the Grammy-award 1989 "Be Happy" hit were inspired by popular Indian guru Meher Baba, nowadays, in more than 100 countries, from Bhutan in the Himalayas to the US and Australia, economists are working to put "happiness" indicators (a new kind of quality-of-life index) into the measurement of growth.

Happiness itself, according to the specialists, is generally accepted as "the overall appreciation of one's life as a whole", in other words a state of mind best defined by the person questioned.

In his paper, Veenhoven first looked at statistics to see whether good cheer impacted on the sick, but concluded that while happiness had helped some cancer patients suffering from a relapse, in general "happiness does not appear to prolong the deathbed."

Among healthy populations, on the contrary, happiness appeared to protect against falling ill, thus prolonging life.

Happy people were more inclined to watch their weight, were more perceptive of symptoms of illness, tended to be more moderate with smoking and drinking and generally lived healthier lives.

They were also more active, more open to the world, more self-confident, made better choices and built more social networks.

"For the time being we know that happiness fosters physical health, but not precisely how," he wrote.

"Chronic unhappiness activates the fight-flight response, which is known to involve harmful effects in the long run such as higher blood pressure and a lower immune response."

To improve good cheer, he said, there needed to be more research on the impact of residential conditions or on the long-term effects of school on happiness. And studies on job-satisfaction failed to address the question of life-satisfaction at work.

But these findings, he said, opened new vistas for public health.

Governments needed to educate people in the art of "living well", helping to develop the ability to enjoy life, to make the best choices, to keep developing and to see a meaning in life.

"If we feel unhealthy we go to a medical general practitioner," he said. "If we feel unhappy there is no such generalist. We have to guess."

"Professional guidance for a happier life is unavailable as yet. This is a remarkable market failure, given the large number of people who feel they could be happier."

Sunday, August 3, 2008

For all the WOMEN--this is for you


(MAYA ANGELOU'S BEST POEM EVER)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own even if she never wants to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

a youth she's content to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....

a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

a feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

HOW TO QUIT A JOB, BREAK UP WITH A LOVER, AND CONFRONT A FRIEND WITHOUT RUINING THE FRIENDSHIP...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table... or a charming inn in the woods... when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month... and a year...

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Another Milestone


I am at a point in my life where I am making a fresh start.
It feels great to know that I have a choice, yes, this is the choice I am making. It may change the course of my life and my son in the next coming years but we only have one shot at life and we better make use of it.
I have decided to end my relationship with someone so special to me. He is my one great, tough and stubborn love. He was the one I waited at the airport from 12noon till 4 pm...But I did not see him. Now my waiting has ended. I have killed every hope in me that we will still be together in the future. There is no more "US". And it may be sad now, but someday we will both be smiling with the choices we made. We never fought nor quarrelled from the beginning till the end and it's something worth remembering.
It's hard and painful but I must do this to end the long term pain.
Whatever the outcome, I leave it all to HIM.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Poems for my little AJ


MY DEAR CHILD
You are the poem
I dreamed of writing
the masterpiece
I longed to paint.
You are the shining star
I reached for In my
ever hopeful quest
for life fulfilled...
You are my child.
Now with all things
I am blessed.
- Author Unknown

IF A CHILD....
If a child lives with criticism,
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule,
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame,
he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance,
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement,
he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise,
he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness,
he learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and
friendship,
He learns to find love in the world.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Qantas jet lands in Manila with hole in fuselage (it's great to be alive)


I was crying after I have read the news of a Qantas Airline having an emergency landing in Manila afer one of its wings blew and has a gaping hole.

I am stil terrified of flying and I know I must overcome this.

Please read below this wonderful, heart stopping incident where after a few minutes you are able to reflect about life and what really matters.

Passengers tell of 'terrifying' scare on Qantas flight

Passengers on a Qantas jumbo jet bound for Melbourne told how the plane plunged 6,000 metres and debris flew through the cabin in an "absolutely terrifying" mid-flight ordeal Friday.

The Qantas Boeing 747 plane, carrying 346 passengers and 19 crew, made an emergency landing in the Philippine capital Manila after a rupture in its fuselage.

Speaking to AFP at Manila airport and to Australian media, passengers told how the aircraft was left with a "gaping hole" in its carriage, and there had been "explosive" decompression in the cabin.

Melbourne woman June Kane said debris shot through the cabin.

"There was a terrific boom and bits of wood and debris just flew forward into first (class) and the oxygen masks dropped down," she told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"We were told that one of the rear doors, a hole had blown into it, but I've since looked at the plane and there's a gigantic gaping hole in the plane.

"It was absolutely terrifying but I have to say everyone was very calm."

Phil Rescall, a 40-year-old Englishman, said the crew had been very calm and there was no panic.

"The shock came when many got off the plane and saw the hole," he told AFP.

"You see the hole and you realise we were very lucky," he added.

"Some people were crying, some people were pretty shaken when they saw the hole."

Another English passenger, Robin McGeechan, 42, said that despite the bang there was little panic.

"There was no warning, just a big bang and then there was depressurisation of the cabin and the oxygen masks dropped," he said in Manila.

"The engines of the plane never stopped running. so I did not think the damage was serious," he said. "We thought we could just set down and then take off again.

"We were told a door had popped. We only realized that there was a great big hole in the plane after we landed," McGeechan added.

June Kane said the problem seemed to centre on the baggage compartment of the plane.

"I'm looking at the plane now and on the left-hand side, just forward of the wing, there's a gaping hole from the wing to the underbody," she said.

"It's about two metres by four metres and there's baggage hanging out so you assume that there's a few bags that may have gone missing.

An unnamed passenger told the Melbourne Herald Sun's website how children burst into tears after a "quick bang" reverberated through the cabin. She said the plane plunged, then stabilised after about five minutes.

Melbourne man Brendan McClements praised the crew for landing the plane safely.

"The crew were terrific, they did a great job. Everyone gave them a round of applause as we landed," he told the Herald Sun.

Qantas said initial inspections revealed the aircraft had sustained a hole in its fuselage, and it was currently being inspected by engineers.

It said there were no reports of any injuries to passengers or crew.

A Qantas supervisor in Manila said passengers had been taken to hotels in the city. An official said the flight originated in London and had been due to arrive in Melbourne on Friday evening.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

PGH


I was in Grade 5 then, 11 years old representing my little school to that track and field event. Everyday we would get up at 5am, have to be at the track field by 7am. Warm up a little and run and more running, serious running from 7am till 12pm. Have our lunch break and get back to training area by 2pm and get back to our camp at 5pm. My weight dramatically dropped.
The only consolation I get was the thought that I was getting better at what I was doing. And my conversation from other athletes from different part of Narra,Palawan.
I was a dreamer: dreaming of becomming the fastest runner I can be.
But then, my training did not help me during the actual game. I got stupid and had to turn my head for whoever I thought called me. I was not focused at the moment.
This is what I am going through right now. I feel that I am facing this huge wall before me and that I have to climb over that wall to get to the other side.
That wall, my wall is the Philippine General Hospital that, again, said they would operate on Nappie come next year ( no fixed date). Or that he and his mother may return to Davao and have his operation there. Or take the payward.
I am appealing to whoever is reading this: please pray for Nappie to be operated soon because we don't want to wait until he is critical for him to get medical attention.
I believe that what the Lord has started, He will accomplish. I believe that one day, our little angel would be happy and normal finally.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Thank God it's Sunday



Hello, it has been a long time since I have last posted. As you know, at the moment my emotions are ranging : from sadness to joy...and a whole lot of emotions, named and unnamed.
On the much brighter side of things, Nappie will finally be operated. We are just waiting for him to get well from runny nose and a little cough. My bosses, colleagues, the kind hearted benefactors are still waiting for big results to happen. I am praying that it will be soon...
Hmp, Remedios has been diagnosed with a close to TB kind of lung disease. If she could not have proper medical care, she might have it pretty quick. We have agreed to loan her money so she can sell some stuff ( she can't find work because of her condition) to earn money for her family.
I guess so much has happened, a little drama, action and yet big results are still pending.
Oh, my baby boy turned 4 months yesterday. I just love him so. AJ wakes up at 4am and sings. yes, thats right he would make noise that has this melodic sound to it. He's adorable.
I know Sundays are mostly family bonding and church doing.. But I miss a nice relaxing day on the beach...

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Same Time Next Year

Our ever reliable Wikipedia.com will supply the nitty gritty details of this movie, thanks wiki....

Same Time, Next Year is a play by Bernard Slade which tells the story of a couple, married to others, who develop a relationship in which they meet each year at a country inn and spend a weekend together. The relationship evolves into emotional intimacy over the course of 24 years, and they become much more than clandestine lovers. Though they only meet once a year, they become important parts of one another's lives.

The show had a London production at the Prince of Wales Theatre in 1976.

In 1978 it was made into a film starring Ellen Burstyn and Alan Alda. The movie was adapted by Bernard Slade from his play, and was directed by Robert Mulligan. It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Ellen Burstyn), Best Cinematography, Best Music, Song (Marvin Hamlisch, Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman for "The Last Time I Felt Like This") and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.

Exteriors for the film were shot at the Heritage House Inn, a Bed and Breakfast in Little River, California, south of Mendocino. The shell of the cottage was built on a temporary foundation overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Its interior was only skeletal as all interior photography was done on sound stages in Hollywood. After the film was completed, as a thank you to Heritage House, the studio paid for the cottage shell to be relocated to a new permanent foundation, and the interior was finished and outfitted with the studio sets. The "Same Time, Next Year" cottage became so popular as a vacation rental, that subsequently, a wall was built to divide the cottage into two private suites named "Same Time" and "Next Year". The cottage remains popular as a romantic get-a-way and requires advance reservations.

Paul McCartney contributed a title song to the film, though it was ultimately not used, and was released by McCartney as a b-side in the late 1980s.

The play has been adapted by Hong Kong filmmaker Clifton Ko for the 1994 movie I Will Wait for You (年年有今日, Nian nian you jin ri), starring Tony Leung Ka-Fai and Anita Yuen

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Accident


Poem for every woman ( not just physically but at heart) by Julia Alvarez....

Sometimes I think I became the woman
I am by accident, nothing prepared
The way, not a dramatic, wayward aunt,
Or moody mother who read Middlemarch,
Or godmother who whispered, “You can be
Whatever you want”! And by doing so
Performed the god like function of breathing
Grit into me. Even my own sisters
Were more concerned with hairdryers and boys.
Than the poems I recited ad nauseum
In our shared bedrooms when the lights were out.
“You’re making me sick!” my sisters would say
As I ranted on. Whitman’s Sony of myself
Not the best lullaby, I now admit,
Or Chauser in Middle English which caused
Many a nightmare fight. “Mami!” they’d called,
She’s doing it again” slap of slippers
In the hall, door click, and lights snapped on.
“Why can’t you be considerate for once?”
“I am,” I pleaded,” these are sounds, sweet airs….
They give delight and “kept it to your self!”
My mother said, which more than anything anymore
Anyone in my childhood and advised
Turned me to this paper solitude
Where I both keep things secret and broadcast
My heat for all the world to read. And so,
Through many drafts, I became the woman
I kept to myself as I lay awake
In the dark bedroom with lonesome
Sound
Of their soft breathing as my sisters slept.

What's the Greatest Thing I Did for Love?


(This is written by my Kiwi Friend Kerchner Rivera--nice piece mate)

What was the greatest thing I did for love!


For me, the greatest thing I did for love is ACCEPTING the fact that LIFE GOES ON. In this universe, there are no mistakes. Everything is just the way it's supposed to be. IF the relationship didn't work, look for a relationship that will.

When you think of your past love, you may view it as a failure.  But when you find love a new love, you view the past as a teacher.  In the game of love, it doesn't really matter who won or lost.

What is important is you know when to hold on and when to let go.  You know you really love someone when you want him or her to be happy, even if their happiness means that you’re not a part of it.  Everything happens for the best.  If the person you love doesn't love you back, don’t be afraid to love someone else again, for you'll ever know unless you give it a try.  You'll never love a person you love unless you risk for love.  Love strives in hurting.  IF you don't get hurt, you don’t learn how to love.  Love doesn't hurt all the time.  Though the hurting is still there to test you, to help you grow.  Don't fine love, let love find you.  That's why it's called falling in love because you don't force yourself to fall.  You just fall.  You cannot finish a book without closing it's chapters.  If you want to go on, then you have to leave the past as you turn the pages.

Love is not destroyed by a single failure or won by a single caress.  It is a lifetime venture in which we are always learning, discovering and growing.  The greatest irony of love is letting go when you need to hold on and holding on when you need to let go.  We lose someone we love only when we are destined to find someone else who can love us even more than we can love ourselves.  On falling out of love, take some time to heal and then get back on the horse.  But don't ever make the same mistakes of riding the same one that threw you the first time.

To love is to risk rejection, to live is to risk dying, to hope is to risk failure.  But risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is risk nothing!  To reach for another is to risk involvement, to expose your feelings is to expose true self, to love is to risk not to be loved in return.  How to define love: fall but do not stumble, be constant but not too persistent, share and never be unfair, understand and try not to demand, hurt but never keep the pain.

Love is like a knife. IT can stab the heart or it can carve wonderful images into the soul that always last for a lifetime.  Love is supposed to be the most wonderful feeling.  It should inpire you and give you joy and strength.
But sometimes the things that give you joy can also hurt you in the end.  Loving people means giving then freedom who they choose to be and where they choose to be.  For all the heartaches and the tears, for gloomy days and fruitful years, you should give thanks, for you know, that there were the things that helped you grow.

Loving someone means giving the freedom to find his way, whether it leads towards you or away from you.  Love is a painful risk to take but risk must be taken no matter how scary or painful, for only then you'll experience the fullness of humanity and that is love.  Only love can hurt your heart, fill you with desire and tear you apart.  Only love can make you cry and only love knows why.  If you’re not ready to cry, if you’re not ready to take the risk, if you’re not ready to feel the pain, then you’re not ready to fall in love.  There was a time in our lives when we became afraid to fall in love coz every time we do, we get hurt, then I figured that's why it's called falling in love.

What happened, don’t give up! it is just a trial.  After all God will not give you trial that you can't tackle. Have faith and cheer up!

When you decide to love, allow it to grow. When you promise to love, refuse to let it die.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Challenges on Nappie's operation


The Happy Nappy Team is encountering difficulties in getting the exact date of his operation. Apparently, the doctor handling his case is gone and a new one took over. I heard from Nappie's mother that she won't know for sure as to when would Nappie be operated. The doctor/s think that they should prioritize other patients whose condition is more critical that our little angel.
(Sigh) I wish I can do something to expedite the process. I thought that once the funds are available, Nappie's case is close. Right now, we are facing this huge wall in front of us that we must hurdle.
But one thing that makes me have that peace of mind, God would have never allowed us to go this far unless He will fulfill His good plan on Nappie's life. Nappie is His own and He will look after him like a good shephered does to his sheep.
Help me pray for Nappie...

Monday, June 30, 2008

Back to Normal


As you know, I just got back from a long,wonderful holiday from Boracay with my family. I had a great time. The highlights of these long-awaited vacation are: for Gregg and AJ to meet for the first time (father and son) and to simply celebrate someone's bday.

Gregg who fondly calls me " an old crow". He is the father of my son, AJ.

At first Gregg doesn't know how to react to his son, seeing him for the first time. It was those occasion that I as a mother did not force my partner to hold Aj and show his fatherly affections. My son's first reaction seeing him, hearing his Dada's ( as we fondly call him) voice made him cry to the top of his lungs. He isn't used to seeing and hearing and being with a man. It must have been a shock to the poor little AJ.I know that time will be the determining factor as to when they will trully bond. I was surprised when Gregg thanked me for not pushing him to AJ. I guess I knew him that much that I let him do things out of his own. He is doing a great job being a father. Now that he is in HK, he said he misses his son terribly esp. AJ's funny (filipino) nose. They are a great sight (father and son laughing together). I love them.

(Thank you to my mother and Ate Tin for looking after AJ whenever Gregg and I would go out to swim. This vacation would never been that wonderful without the two of you.)

As for Gregg's birthday, I got him his favorite Cinammon Rolls with that little blue birthday candle. He is a cinammon addict that he hates anything chocolatey (even coffee). He does not smoke and rarely drinks. He is definitely at the prime of his life and I always wished him happiness. To follow his bliss. Wherever it may lead him and to whoever arms...

Right now I am facing a handful of to-do things:

1. Nappie is still waiting for the schedule of his operation. One doctor from the PGH said that he will study his case (his former doctor had fled the country for a greener pasture somewhere else which I don't blame him/her).This doctor who took over Nappie's case commented that his condition is not as critical compared to the other indigent patients. It also never escaped my ear when he recommended that Nappie gets a private doctor so he can be operated ASAP.
I think it is not fair that they are taking Nappie's plight with such reluctance. Are they waiting for the boy to be critical before assisting him?
I am thinking of writing to the Director of the hospital or getting the attention of the media (e.g. Imbistigador) to expedite his operation. We have the money donated by kind souls like Sam, Chandra and his friends, Tien and my InterContinental Hotels Group company and those volounteering their time to assist the boy and his family.

2. Remedios Alano is still on que ( eye problem) to be operated on both her eyes. She does not work at the moment and takes care of her grandchild. During weekends, she washes clothes to earn extra money.

3. I did'nt know that making surrogacy possible and legal for both Vehnessa and Bill takes a lot of research and hard work ( not to mention patience). Whew! I did'nt know that it requires so much work until I did my initial research on this.

Well, I will be back to work tomorrow. I can't wait to bond with the "hot momma's".

Have a great day and please, if anyone out there is reading this and has someone to recommend or has an idea or suggestion, please leave a comment or email me at celebrate_zoedio@yahoo.com or sms me at +639052706676.

Also, Happy birthday to Anne. Thank you for trusting me to write the essay. I am happy that you liked it. I hope to get more writing assignments in the future (hehehe seriously).

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Love


I just got back from Manila after more than a two weeks stay in Boracay. I felt refreshed, my strength is renewed. My baby AJ is very healthy and enjoyed the fresh air of the province as well as the stress-free environment of Boracay.
I had a great life in Boracay. I was with my family. This is pure, simple hapiness
But coming home to our Manila apartment, I felt pangs of loneliness. How I wish I can make time stand still and be with my family forever.
But I had to say goodbye for now to life's best. Right now what I have to do is focus on the things I need to accomplish for Nappie, Remedios and Vehnessa.
Same time next year perhaps?

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

The Babymaker


Vehnessa (*not her real name) has her youth, her healthy uterus, a lot of free time and an empty pocket.
Bill (* not his real name for security purposes) is married to an Asian. They're doing pretty well overall in terms of finances because he works as a Professor in a university in the States but his life long dream is to have his own child. His wife is too old to bear a child and he is frowning with the idea of adoption. Their marriage goes pretty well and having a child will just be a bonus.
Bill and Vehness are both strangers but one thing will connect them for eternity: their future baby.
But Bill's wife made it sure that he will not sexually touch Vehnessa but the doctors in Manila will do it for them.
Vehnessa is willing to do it for P300,000.00 once the baby is handed to Bill.
I have known Vehnessa all my life and she is the one I recommended to my partner Gregg who happens to be Bill's former colleague at work.
Right now both parties are in the process of looking for a Filipino lawyer to make everything legal, next step would be the suitable hospital that has the technology to do this for them.
Anyone who knows a good lawyer that has knowledge on this area, please shoot me an email at celebrate_zoedio@yahoo.com (please no lawyers that would rip off Bill, we don't want anyone who has a predator attitude towards this thing).

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

The day Lorna cries in front of Daboy

I was crying a river when I started watching (the) "Passion of The Christ". The movie depicted the last few painful hours of Jesus Christ on earth...and now my heart goes out to Ms. Lorna Tolentino as she was there until her husband's last breath....

kindly click the link below to know more how our "idol" said goodbye to the world and his family:

http://www.pep.ph/news/17822/Lorna-Tolentino-reveals-the-moments-she-cried-in-front-of-Daboy

Monday, June 9, 2008

10 Things Young Filipinos Can Do To Help Philippines


The Philippines is stuck as a third-world country. It hurts to know that fact..
One time, as I was at the ICA (Immigration Department of Singapore)I did not intend to eavesdrop an Indian lady talking to someone on her phone. She went "...so pathetic...That's why I HATE Third-World countries!!" Our eyes met, and I swear, I wanted to force that cellphone down her throat (exaggerated tone!).
We,as a Developing Nation, can do so much to improve. There is so much to be done and the task is too big for the willing few. If we would break the big work into realistic, smaller tasks, and if everyone would share his time,effort, or whatever is in your hands, WE CAN MAKE A BETTER PHILIPPINES.
The essay below of Harvey S. Keh is very timely.

1.Stay informed and updated about what is happening in our country. It’s so easy to stay in our comfort zones and just turn a blind eye on what is happening to our country especially if we aren’t directly affected by these problems. Find time to read the newspaper, watch the news on TV, surf the internet or listen to the radio.

2.Organize discussion groups among your friends and peers to discuss current issues in our country. Don’t be apathetic and encourage your friends to also know more about what is happening to our country. By talking about these issues, you are able to make more people aware and ultimately be made more vigilant against rampant corruption in our government. The government is just waiting for us to stop talking about these major scandals such as the corruption-laden ZTE Broadband Deal, Hello Garci and the 1 billion peso Fertilizer Scam, let us not allow them to get away with it by ensuring that these issues are very much in the minds and consciousness of the general public.

3.Share your thoughts and opinions to the public by writing Blogs on what you think about these current events and national issues. Many Young Filipinos maintain Livejournal, Blogger, Friendster, Multiply and Facebook accounts and these can be used to make many other Young Filipinos aware of what is happening to our country. Use these internet tools to post and promote statements by credible institutions and individuals on the current state of our country. You can even make a video blog expressing how you feel and sharing your thoughts. Whether you are Pro-GMA or Anti-GMA, it doesn’t really matter as long as you are able to take time out to think critically and share your thoughts with others. Visit my blog and read my thoughts at http://filipinochangemaker.blogspot.com

3.Support the Sumilao Farmers. Its been more than 10 years now since they held a hunger strike, they walked more than 1,500 kilometers last year to bring public awareness to their cause and they still don’t have their land. Pres. Arroyo met with them and promised to give them back their land but two months have passed and nothing has happened.
Ruthie says: from what I have seen on the news, PGMA has given them the right to roam and till the land they are fighting for with tears and blood. So hooray to this!

4.Take a Stand and Join activities that will promote greater Truth, Accountability and Reform in our government. A good friend of mine once told me that even if we replace our President nothing will change in our country unless we put into place policies and mechanisms that will ensure Truth, Accountability and Reform in our government and its leaders. Examples of such are the lifting of E.O. 464 which bans any Cabinet member from appearing before Senate hearing without the President’s consent and revising the Government Procurement Act to ensure greater transparency in the use of taxpayer’s money. Billions of Pesos are lost to corruption every year and that money can be used to send more students to school, build homes for the homeless and provide quality healthcare to every Filipino, will we just allow this to happen?

5.If you can, don’t leave the country. Many of our best minds like our teachers are leaving the country in search of better opportunities and the effects are already showing in our public schools where there is a lack of highly skilled English, Math and Science Teachers. I totally understand and don’t blame those who come from very poor families which decide to work abroad to provide a better quality of life for their families, some of them may have no other choice than to leave. But for those that have a choice and live a relatively comfortable life here, then I hope you can consider staying and working here to contribute towards moving our country forward. For those who decide to leave, I hope you don’t forget to give back to the Philippines by helping send a poor but deserving student to school or sending books that our public school students can still use.

6.Register and Vote. In my conversations with my students, they told me that many of them failed to register for the last elections. Their reasons varied from being too lazy to stand in line to not being interested at all to vote. Our right and duty to select our leaders is one of the main pillars of our Democracy and if many of us fail to exercise this right properly or exercise it at all then we have no right to complain about how bad our leaders are. In voting we are given the opportunity and power to select the right leaders that will help solve our country’s most pressing social problems in the fields of education, health, shelter and employment.

7.Write letters to your Congressmen and Local Officials. Many of my friends always complain about the services that our government provides and yet when I ask them have you brought these complaints to the proper authorities, they just shrug and say no. If we want something to change with how our country is being run then we have to tell our leaders what we think they should do. Remember the reason that they are there right now is because we voted for them and at the same time they are spending money from the taxes that we pay, so I think we have the right to engage them by informing them about our stands on certain issues.

8.Volunteer your time and Share your skills for causes that are bigger than yourself. According to studies on what makes people genuinely happy, being able to help and take part in causes that are bigger than yourself is one of the most fulfilling and happiest experiences. There are so many non-profit organizations and foundations that are currently doing their own share in helping change the Philippines but for them to reach more people and do more good work, they often need volunteers who can commit time to help in their activities. For example, Pathways to Higher Education-Philippin es needs volunteer tutors who can commit 2-3 hours a week to help poor but deserving public high school students gain access to quality higher education. Another example is Museo Pambata which looks for volunteer tour guides and storytellers who can help in entertaining and educating children who visit the Museum. You can visit the Pathways website at http://www.pathways philippines. org or call them at (02) 4266001 local 048.

9.Pray, Reflect and Act. Take time everyday to pray for our country and ask God to lead you towards what you can best do to help our country. The challenge here is that we just don’t end with prayer and reflection but rather our prayer and reflection should lead us towards doing something concrete in helping our country. I have always believed a Faith that does not do Justice for the poor and powerless is nothing since for us to be truly called Christians then we need to follow the example of Jesus Christ who not only preached social justice but more importantly lived this out in his way of life.

10.Pass this on to your friends. If you think this email can help many other Young Filipinos to actively take part in nation-building, then I hope you can pass this on to your family and friends.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Paalam Daboy (Goodbye Daboy)


("Patay na si Rudy Fernandez..." My officemate greeted me with the sad news as if we are all related to him. Yes, we are related with him in a way. Hindi ka Pilipino kung hindi mo kilala si Daboy. Definitely the entire Filipino nation bonded with him the moment he started his showbiz career. I grew up watching him on tv, movies and I would say that He is one of the pillar of the Philippines showbiz industry.


And I started hitting the search engine if there is any truth to the news. Lo and behold! i had to pick my dusted fallen heart from the floor because it is indeed.)

MANILA, Philippines — Movie actor Rudy Fernandez succumbed to periampullary cancer at his home in White Plains, Quezon City at 6:15 a.m. Saturday. He was 55.

Fernandez had been battling the disease for more than two years.

The action star passed away five days after he was brought home from the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, where he had been confined for a month. He and wife Lorna Tolentino celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on Sunday.

He suffered a seizure on Wednesday but refused to be taken back to the Cardinal Santos Memorial Center in San Juan City.

His close friends, Sens. Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla, broke the news to media minutes after his death.

His wife and other friends were with him as he passed away, Estrada said.

Fernandez’s remains lie in state at the Heritage Park in Taguig City. Interment plans will be announced later.

Revilla told the Inquirer that Fernandez had suffered from internal bleeding for several days. He also said Fernandez was glassy-eyed most of the time and had difficulty recognizing people.

Revilla said that while he was on his way to the Fernandez home at 9 p.m. Friday, the veteran actor’s blood pressure had plummeted. Fernandez’s manager, Lolit Solis, also told the Inquirer that he was reduced to murmuring instructions to his wife. The actor would wince at the lightest touch.

Fernandez, born March 3, 1953 in Manila, started appearing in movies at age three in a film directed by his father Gregorio Fernandez, Luksang Tagumpay in 1956, according to the CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art. But his actual movie career started in 1970 under a Sampaguita Pictures contract for the film entitled “For Your Mama.”

Fernandez’s entry in the action genre came in 1976 in the biopic of a notorious criminal, “Bitayin si Baby Ama,” a box-office hit that established him as a big name in Philippine movies for the next three decades. His words was etched in local cinema parlance with the line, “Trabaho lang ito, walang personalan,” in the 1992 movie “Markang Bungo,” which is another biopic, this time of a Baguio City cop Bobby Ortega. He also played Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Gen. Victor Corpus, former actor Eddie Fernandez and politician Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo in blockbuster films.

He starred in 65 films throughout his career, the last being the 2002 film “Huli Mo, Huli Ko.” He had since appeared in the television docudrama “Kasangga,” the sitcom “Da Boy and Da Girl,” and the soap “Twin Hearts.” His last project, “Atlantika” was aired in 2006.

He is a winner of two FAMAS best actor trophies for the 1984 film “Batuigas...Pasukuin si Waway” and the 1988 “Victor Corpus” biopic and one Film Academy of the Philippines best actor plum for “Batuigas.”

The Philippine Movie Press Club recently gave Fernandez the 2008 Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award.

Related story
Marinel Cruz and Gerry Plaza

Save a tree. Don't print this unless it's really necessary.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Happy Nappie Team


A bone to the dog is not charity.
Charity is the bone shared with the dog,
when you are just as hungry as the dog
.- Jack London

I just had faith when I published Nappies story on my blog a few weeks ago. I approached few people that I know have the heart and willing to help. Thank you Sam (also Chandra) for being there from day 1. Your hearts were brocken into pieces when you heard about the boy's story. And I had no doubt that you want to see Nappie healthy and well pretty soon. And not only that Remedios will have her sight finally after Nappies operation. Thank you for your generosity. Sam, you should have your own kids soon because I know you will be a very good father if not the best.
Also sa you Tien ( I know you want anonymity). I know we have the same heartbeat when it comes to helping the poorest among the poor filipinos, not that I have an improved life but because I had been there half of my life and I know how it feels and tastes kung ang ulam mo sa tanghali ay instant noodles na may halong malunggay o isang kilong dilis na papaksiwin at uulamin sa loob ng 3 araw. Ikaw naman Tien ay sinilang na blessed na and it humbles me that someone like you is selfless when it comes to sharing your resources. Im sure your wife is so proud of you.
Salamat sa IHG family for being so supportive. There is so much love for Nappie. You are simply the best. Salamat sa HR (Ms. Gigi and her staff), Jill, Tara, Ms. Eds, Weena, Abi, Thessa, TM Malen, Ced Jordan, Arby, SA INYONG LAHAT.
Malapit na operation ni Nappie....Yahhooooooooo!!!
God bless all these kind souls, may good karma follow you and engulf you wherever you go.
Watch out for a brand new Nappie!!!!SOON!

Keep on loving one another as Christians. Remember to welcome strangers in your homes. There were some who did that and welcomed angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:1-2


Save a tree. Don't print this unless it's really necessary.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Philippines: A cheap place to live (and die!)

I would like to share this article by Ma. Elisa Osorio of "The Philippine Star" dated May 21, 2008. The moment I have laid my eyes on the teaser, I knew I had to buy that Sunday newspaper which I normally don't just give away my precious P20.00.
Every Filipino should read this kind of stuff and be aware what we are going through as a nation and where are we heading if we do not change our ways.
Kape muna habang binabasa mo ito:

Despite soaring prices,the Philippines is the SECOND cheapest place to live among the 55 economies surveyed by a Swiss-based think tank.
However, despite the low cost of living and the relatively high gross dometic product (GDP) rate posted by the country, Filipinos' purchasing power remains low, according to the Institute of Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY).
"It's still cheapest to live in the Philippines," Dr. Frederico Macaranas, executive director of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Policy Center, said in a press conference yesterday."(But) the purchasing power of the people did not increase. This reflects the MALDISTRIBUTION OF INCOME."
The survey showed that the Philippines ranked 54 out of 55 in terms of GDPper capita.
The Philippines likewise lagged behind all other countries in terms of public spending in education.
The country ranked last in terms of pupil-teacher ratio.
"The Constitution states that then highest share of government expenditure must go to education, but more is alloted toward the servicing of debt," Macaranas said.
As such, the major challenge of the country is to pursue education policies that will in turn help develop a global competitive workforce, he added.
The Philippines has increased its level of competitiveness against other nations as it climbed five notches in the world competitiveness scoreboard.
The country ranked 40m out of 55 countries in the 2008 edition of the WCY, better than 45th rank a year ago.

For more serving of this, please check:

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/crossroads/king/DevelQualityLife.htm

Save a tree. Don't print this unless it's really necessary.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Movie for the Soul



It's Saturday.
You deserve a break.
Don't forget a cup of hot mocha ( forget the calories!) or really cold soda, or fruit juice. And the best of all times--buttered popcorn.
I am sure that you have heard this movie, it's good to be reminded when we have forgotten timeless movies with life changing stories.
This should have been reshown on the big screen because of its timeless story: LOVE IN THE TIME OF WAR
( Ano kaya ang Pilipinas kung lahat ng tatay ay may pusong katulad ni Guido?)


LA VITA E BELLA or BEAUTIFUL LIFE ( Wikipedia.com)

The movie made the Cannes Film Festival in 1998, winning the Grand Prize of the Jury. It then went on to win Academy Awards for Best Music, Original Dramatic Score and Best Foreign Language Film. Benigni won Best Actor in both the foreign film category and overall for his role. The film was additionally nominated for Academy Awards for Directing, Film Editing, Best Picture, and Best Original Screenplay.

Life Is Beautiful (Italian: La vita è bella) is a 1997 Italian language film which tells the story of a Jewish Italian, Guido Orefice (played by Roberto Benigni, who also directed and co-wrote the film), who must learn how to use his fertile imagination to help his son survive their internment in a Nazi concentration camp.

Title

The title derives from Leon Trotsky's last testament; while in exile in Mexico, expecting to die shortly from high blood pressure (or from agents loyal to his rival Joseph Stalin), Trotsky wrote,

"Natasha has just come up to the window from the courtyard and opened it wider so that the air may enter more freely into my room. I can see the bright green strip of grass beneath the wall, and the clear blue sky above the wall, and sunlight everywhere. Life is beautiful. Let the future generations cleanse it of all evil, oppression and violence, and enjoy it to the full."


Plot

The first half of the movie is a whimsical, romantic comedy and often slapstick. Guido (Roberto Benigni), a young Italian Jew, arrives in Arezzo where he sets up a bookstore. Guido is both funny and charismatic, especially when he romances Dora (Italian, but not Jewish; portrayed by Benigni's actual wife Nicoletta Braschi), whom he steals – at her engagement – from her rude and loud fiancé. Several years pass, in which Guido and Dora have a son, Joshua (written Giosué in the Italian version; portrayed by Giorgio Cantarini). In the film, Joshua is around five years old. However, both the beginning and ending of the film is narrated by an older Joshua.

In the second half, Guido, Guido's uncle Eliseo, and Joshua are taken to a concentration camp on Joshua's birthday. Dora demands to join her family and is permitted to do so. In an attempt to keep up Joshua's spirits, Guido convinces him that the camp is just a game – a game in which the first person to get 1000 points wins a tank. He tells Joshua that if you complain for hunger you lose points, while quiet boys who hide from the camp guards earn points. He convinces Joshua that the camp guards are mean because they want the tank for themselves and that all the other children are hiding in order to win the game. He puts off every attempt of Joshua ending the game and returning home by convincing him that they are in the lead for the tank. Despite being surrounded by rampant death and people and all their sicknesses, Joshua does not question this fiction both because of his father's convincing performance and his own innocence.

Guido maintains this story right until the end, when – in the chaos caused by the American advance drawing near – he tells his son to stay in a sweatbox until everybody has left, this being the final test before the tank is his. After trying to find Dora, Guido is caught, taken away, and is shot by a Nazi guard, but not before making his son laugh one last time by imitating the Nazi guard as if the two of them are marching around the camp together. Joshua manages to survive, and thinks he has won the game when an American tank arrives to liberate the camp, and he is reunited with his mother.

Directed by Roberto Benigni
Produced by Gianluigi Braschi
Elda Ferri
Written by Roberto Benigni
Vincenzo Cerami
Starring Roberto Benigni
Nicoletta Braschi
Giorgio Cantarini
Giustino Durano
Editing by Simona Paggi
Distributed by Miramax Films (USA)
Release date(s) 20 December 1997
23 October 1998
6 November 1998
26 December 1998
12 February 1999
5 March 1999
8 April 1999
Running time 116 minutes
Language Italian, German, English

(On Nappie JR: Salamat sa mga officemates ko Ms. Tara, Weena at sa aking IHG Family salamat sa suporta kay Nappie. Kaisa nyo ako na isang araw magiging normal na siya. Katulad ni Joshua ,this little boy is fighting a battle, hindi man nya alam yun dahil it was what he grew up with from the very start. Let's help him put an end to Hirschsprung Disease. Good, innocent souls should be spared!)

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Singapore Stint



My body was shivering.
My heart was beating so fast and loud that I felt I was about to collapse.
Singapore's temperature was humid, it was 3pm in that clear afternoon.
I just saw the red/maroon car came to a halt infront of the French Restaurant.
Any minute, a man and a woman would come out. I was alert, I have to swallow that magical stone without delay to turn myself into that Mythical superwoman before they cross the street and reached the place where I was.
They are my chef boss and lady boss: kind, understanding, hardworking. A beautiful couple.
I know why lady boss had to work like a mad dog one week after her ceasarian section operation on her third child and why did my chef boss use every minute he had in the kitchen making sure that they are ready for a big crowd? Wasn't the Nepalese kitchen helper careful of his every movement? Like me, it had to be impeccable to avoid scolding from my boss.
One slack evening, while the couple was talking behind the counter, I heard that they have spent Sing $312,500 ( P10 M) putting up that small, cozy French Restaurant along Siglap Road in Singapore. That amount was their lifesavings. Their 3 children, the 2 Indonesian yaya's are depending on every dollar that they bring home to maintain the lifestyle of being a Singaporean Chinese. If they lose it? everything would be lost and suicide is an option.
I greeted them, smiling,part of my being impeccable. I knew in my heart they were smiling: the alfresco area's set up was done with all the tables, chairs, table clothes, plates and cuttleries, candles. I did it all by myself. Liza and Annette were absent. Liza just walked out the other night. Anette? she didn't have a working Visa. That was illegal and scary. She can be jailed anytime if caught. But Joe ( the agent) said that if anyone would ask why we are working there without a pass (working visa or pass), we are to lie that we are simply helping out the owners and that no money involved. Friends help out each other without expecting anything in return. He said that. It's a lie but we had to. No one survives outside the Philippines being a saint.
It was 9 o'clock in the evening. Only 7 tables were taken. Not bad. An old american and a lovely chinese woman was taking table number 4. No ring in thier hands. They seem to be enjoying the night as the lady was eating her salad like a cat. A small eater.
I was attentive to their every facial expression. I took very good care of them making sure that when I opened the champaigne, the cork would hardly pop and create a sound,their water goblets refilled. I think I did good because the guy gave me $15.00 (P450.00) as tip.
The clock was ticking. Less than 4 hours we will be closing the store and what a joy because I can sleep at least 8 hours. If I am lucky. Having luck meant the captain not showing up at 12 midnight to drink his favorite bottle of red wine with fresh oysters dipped in an expensive balsamic vinegar from Italy that he brought to the store one night. This guy is a power tripper. I heard he works as a pilot for Singapore Airlines and he's got a 5 figure salary. He doesn't look bad although he is as tall as me: 5 feet 2 inches tall/short. It's a wonder because his father is a British Ang-Mo (red skinned in Chinese) and his mother is chinese.
Why do I dread the thought of having the captain as our last guest for the night when I know he will hand me at least $100.00 (P3,000) as tip for being his lousy waitress?
Life in the Philippines was a far cry from what I am experiencing in the Lion City. Racism is in the air from day 1. I will not deny that it was because of money why I did an exodus from what I was enjoying in the Phillipines. I want more, for myself, my family, my future. But after 7 months of back breaking hardwork,16 lbs lost,good pay,5 hours of sleep every night, 16 hours of work with no restday for one month. Money is no longer an issue--I can just quit anytime.
Money is no longer my master.

(On Nappie Gallo Jr.:
Let us pray without ceasing for Nappie/Dodong and turn our noble intentions into reality. I thank my officemates because they are one with me in our desire to see this 3 year old boy having a normal life like our kids...one of these days it shall come to pass--that's my conviction and faith. If you have any suggestions on how we can come up with the 60k for his 2 operations, please shoot me an email or simply post a comment. Thanks--Ruthie)

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Kind Souls


To laugh often and much
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends
To appreciate beauty
To find the best in others
To leave the world a little better, wether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition
To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived
THIS IS THE MEANING OF SUCCESS (by R.W.E.)


For all the kind and generous souls (sharing Nappie's story to your circle of friends), thank you from my heart:
Brian Gorrell who asked me how he can help Nappie
S.P.F. ( my Singaporean/Chinese friend who wants to go anonymous)
Chandra ( Singaporean/Indian friend who works nonstop at the Changi Airport)
Kelvin (SPF's friend who is touched by Nappie's struggle)
For Reginald Ford who said he emailed Oprah and other talk show hosts in the US for help
For you Anonymous who would share this information to his/her friends
I know in my heart that our efforts would never go futile. Help is getting close.
I assure you that we will never rest until Nappie's life is normal.
One of these days, we will all see how healthy Nappie is.
Because you have lived, one life has breathed easier.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Beautiful Tuesday

I have never imagined composing something so personal, so intimate and allowing almost everyone to read it. I thought of myself as a very private person, like for instance, if you ask me about sex I would blatantly tell you that it is something sacred and intimate-done by two people inlove,united into one unified soul( no offense to some--thats why i don't get it when they do it threesome-animals are to be lauded because I have never seen three dogs do it at the same time nor cats nor birds--some promiscuous people even videoed themselves doing it and having the whole world as their audience) not until a certain strong unnamed emotion propelled me to glue my bum to the chair and start tinkering the computer. Some might call it PMS-ing, or could be another side of me wanting to reach out.
I guess I still have that old school values that time and season won't able to bend.
After 30 summers, five tragic blind dates set up by concerned friends, and thanks to myself because I have found my groom because of a whirlwind courtship and marriage which i would name as Katrina, after 2 wisdom teeth and 8 different jobs, and some brocken dreams--here I am--still amazed by adulthood and the gamut of emotions and wisdom it has to offer.
I have to be honest, after going to two neighboring countries because of a travel package rate so low because SARS had just hit the territories ( courtesy of my beloved partner). I still have within me that personified atlas-wanting to be where there is civilization, culture, a new set of delicacies, seasons, landscape, architecture. You name it, my feet can't just have enough. Thats why another part of me gets green with envy when I hear colleagues,peers who go to the different corners of this world to fulfill their destinies. But is the picture I am seeing says it all? What is the big picture all about.
Here is what struck me just yesterday, I know I have to say this or else, had a ruthless hitman turn my body into an organic fertilizer and had my organs donated or sold-nobody would have heard this and then perhaps, had maybe his/her first smile genuine smile for the day: I THINK EVERYONE SIMPLY WANTS TO BE LAUDED OR TAPPED ON HIS SHOULDER or BE GIVEN A BEARHUG FOR LIVING HIS LIFE (not judged nor labelled) AND BE VALIDATED FOR DOING A JOB WELL DONE (life itself keeps on evolving, it never stops at a certain phase-it has its own mind and paths to take). From my heart and soul, i want to tell you whoever you are (that includes me) and which part of the globe you are : GOOD JOB! NEVER STOP BELIEVING-CAUSE YOUR BELIEF FOLLOWS YOU .

PS. I am simply humbled because good souls like Brian Gorrell himself (fondly called B.) got back to me and expressed his willingness to help Nappie. Also, some of my friends in Singapore expressed their desire to help. I have informed Nappie's family that once the money is ready, we shall proceed with his operation without any delay. ( I can't wait to see that smile on Dodong's face because he's got his anus finally!)
And to all the skeptics, I want you to know that not a penny will be misspent as I have 51 year old widowed-laundrywoman named Remedios Alano next in line to have a cataract operation at the same hospital. She has 3 kids: all of them are working even her youngest 12 year old girl who stopped schooling works as a dishwasher in a kitchenette just to bring food to the table. I will feature her on my blog one of these days.
Yes, the list never ends.
I will never get tired of having the desire to help because this is the very essence of life.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Anus for Nappie JR.

The red sausage thing you see is Nappie's rectum: exposed, prone to accidents.

He has Hirschsprung's disease. Hirschsprung's disease, or congenital aganglionic megacolon, involves an enlargement of the colon, caused by bowel obstruction resulting from an aganglionic section of bowel (the normal enteric nerves are absent) that starts at the anus and progresses upwards. The length of bowel that is affected varies but seldom stretches for more than a foot or so.

I remember the day I came to know about Nappie Gallo Jr. I was at the medical records section of the Philippine General Hospital waiting for my turn to get my certified true copy of my recent operation last March. To kill time, I was chatting with the people, bored like me.

So there was this somber looking woman in her late 30's or early 40's. She told me about her boy Nappie. Nappie is 3 years old. Unlike any normal children, his movements are limited: he can't enjoy play to avoid accidents especially in his middle part of the body, he can't enjoy food that may later cause constipation, he simply can't enjoy life.

Like any normal kid with all the body parts intact, Nappie was born without an anus/rectum. When he was an infant his stool actually came out of his mouth because of his non functional rectum. Doctors made no choice but to make an opening in his stomach in order for him to have any semblance of a normal life. Still, Nappie has to undergo two surgeries: abdominal sugery to create a new rectum and anus.

But how can they do it when his father earns P180.oo per day in Tagum, Davao as a construction worker and there are 7 children and 9 mouths to feed? We may chide them for lacking wisdom by having 7 children, Nappie being the youngest. But the fact still remains "mahirap ang maging mahirap sa Pilipinas" ( it's hard to be poor in the Philippines). It has brocken my heart many times that "Philippines is working againts its people". Mahirap maging Pilipino ( It's hard to be a Filipino). You are being denied of basic maedical attention, and of all the basics for our existence. Much worse is the case of Nappie Jr. The family knew they could not afford the P60,000 pesos worth of medicines and other hospitals needs for the operation. They are on the charity ward which means the doctors fees are free. We all know that they can't rely on the government. That is why they are here: cyber space to look for people who would be willing to help them.

His mother makes a makeshift colostomy bag every one to two days (P300 to 400 a piece) of lid of nescafe coffee, garter, clean cloth, plastic. But how long will this last? She has to leave her husband and 6 children in the province to seek help in Manila for Nappie. They have been in Manila since October 2007 and until now no help is evident.

Until I met her. Until you have read this.

(I personally emailed Brian Gorrell for help as I have admired him so much, his gut and spunk. Like him, I also want to start a new life, somewhere else not here in the Philippines for obvious reasons. Same reason that every Filipino encounters, daily, every minute, everywhere except the Gucci Gang and those vultures in the goverment seat).

I can't wait to see Nappie finally normal. Until he undergoes 2 operations, and i can smell how his stool stinks coming from his anus, my life is on hold. Until then will I be able to go to Singapore to start a new life.

You may contact the folowing:

1. me celebrate_zoedio@yahoo.com

2. Amelie Gallo (Nappie's Mother)/Leony Canete (Nappie's Aunt)

129 F. Zobel St.

Makati City Poblacion

Landline: 870 4184

Mobile: +639282303152

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Help, I lost AUS$70,000

I have lost not just my entire savings of AUS$70,000 or more than P2.8 M (depending on the exchange rate) but my life which I am picking up the pieces little by little...
Along with the lost money was my lover...and half of my heart died that moment...I lost my faith in humanity, but it was just for a moment... For when my soul embraced this cluster of islands and islets, I lost its grip on me... How can you restore my faith when disbelief reigns?...When will you resurrect my trust when it's as cold as a corpse?...

It's not about me but for someone who lost so much because of love.

This is for you Brian Gorrell. I know that a part of you is mourning because your life was changed 180 degrees when you set foot in the Philippines because of DJ Montano and his sweet promises. I pray in my heart of hearts that life will always be good to you and surround you with sincere and caring people. I pray for more strength both in body and spirit as you go on with your joys and battles in this life. May Canada embrace you warmly not just in summer but throughout the year, may you be greeted not just with smiling faces but with rejoicing hearts.

Mabuhay ka at katarungan sa ipinaglalaban mo!

To know more about Brian Gorrell, please visit his blog at http://delfindjmontano.blogspot.com

Thursday, May 15, 2008

My father had 6 wives

Moses and King Solomon would have been proud of my dad's track record: 6 wives and 12 children. Who would think that my my father of diminutive height and average looks had had 6 wives. To my knowledge, he wasn't rich nor of superior intelligence. Why did these women fall into his trap?
Indeed death has a funny way of connecting strangers...my father's sad death on May 25, 2006. It was something that did not surprise me, nor made me shed a tear. I guess the only emotion I can name then was the feeling of regrets(ssssss)--an abyss of regrets if there is such. He could have lived his life a little different, not the way I have predicted it. Please don't hate me, or judge me If you can sense indifference. Life is not what it is at a glance. It has a history, a present and a future.
Let me not sidetrack you to the theme of this message. A few days passed that rolled into weeks, then into months---another family surfaced claiming that they are legal children wanting to meet us. I was dumbfounded...What should I say? "Long time no see, welcome to the family!"
Well, death has a funny way of introducing these people to me and their life stories that I have yet to unfold. If death has a funny side, I don't want to ever see it's serious facet. This I am sure, the only thing I want to meet, is contentment in closing my father's book along with his demise, for now let me have my peace in this comforting closure.