Category Archives: In My Opinion

My Couple Of Days At St. Luke’s Medical Center Bonifacio Global City

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I would just like to share to the world my wonderful experience here at St. Luke’s Medical Center – Bonifacio Global City. Why wonderful? I never experience this kind of service from other major hospitals I’ve been to in the past. What sets this hospital apart in my opinion is that even though I look like a pauper compared to the other patients here, I get the same kind of service as they do.

I think I should start from the shuttle service they provide to patients and patient’s companions. I took a ride from MRT-Ayala Avenue to St. Luke’s in one of their fully air-conditioned and comfortable shuttle services, it was a Hyundai Starex Van. First off, the driver was very courteous and friendly, engagingly conversing with me. The ride was comfortable and relaxing, taking my mind off the tests that I am about to undergo.

Upon arriving at the main lobby, I went to the information and I didn’t even have to be the one to ask because the receptionist beat me to it, greeting me with a “good afternoon sir, how may I help you” which kind of surprised me because in other hospitals I feel like no one wants to attend to me.

On to the Heart Institute. When I arrived there were lots of patients inside waiting for their turn and even though I had just entered the room, I was again given the same greeting I had at the information desk. I already made my appointment a couple of days before and I was an hour early, I waited for my turn and though it came 20 minutes late it was understandable with the number of patients waiting that day being a Monday. When I was called for my 2D-echo Doppler exam, the nurse was very accommodating and friendly even laughing at my jokes which made me comfortable. Same thing when it was my turn to have treadmill stress test, the two nurses were very friendly and was explaining to me the what the test is and how it goes. I was kind of nervous about not being able to complete the test, not being in shape for two years now, but somehow how I was being attended to helped a lot.

Next stop was x-ray and CT scan. Service was fast and efficient, actually I was surprised that it was done in such short period of time and like the other departments, the nurses was very helpful and friendly. I still have pathology tests to undergo but I needed 12 hours of no food and drinks so I scheduled it on the following day. Shuttle service was still there available for patients and I took it to take me back to Ayala.

Next day I submitted specimens and had blood extraction for the other tests and as usual the nurse who was very professional but still friendly. The guy was efficient just one prick of the needle and there goes my blood samples in test tubes. Talk about fast.

Now I am waiting for my tests results and also my doctor’s appointment, I am passing time listening to beautiful piano music while writing this piece.

So if ever you needed to have medical tests and procedures done and you have the budget for it, I would recommend going to St. Luke’s Medical Center – Bonifacio Global City. Apart from their high tech equipments and top-notch doctors, their staff and nurses are class acts.

Mayor Binay and DILG Secretary Robredo Clash Over Laperal

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Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Makati Mayor Junjun Binay engaged in a verbal tussle on Thursday at the site of a violent clearing operation in the city where bottles and teargas flew, and men with knives were arrested. – GMA News Online

In my opinion, Secretary Robredo shouldn’t have question the action taken by Mayor Binay demolishing the structures erected by the informal settlers at the Laperal Compound, Guadalupe, Makati City. I am not questioning his right to do so, being the appointed Secretary of DILG, but out of respect to an elected public official questioning his actions at the very site of the demolition and while emotions are high make the action highly questionable. I also agree with Mayor Binay that the city government should be the one to set the deadline and not the other way around.

I don’t know if what Mayor Binay stated is true about dialogues were made beforehand and if there were it seems that an impasse was reached since the informal settlers chose to battle it out with the demolition team. The city government has declared the location as dangerous and I don’t know if Secretary Robredo has background information about Laperal compound and how many times fire broke out of that place putting lives and properties of not only those living inside the compound but of those business establishment and residences near the place. Probably because of these events the city government of Makati declared the place as danger zone. If the city government headed by Mayor Binay didn’t took this appropriate action and another fire broke out this time with a number of casualties, they would probably be blame for not doing anything.

Sources has also intimated that indeed a syndicate is operating within the Laperal compound, asking the settlers to pay for rent and electricity but these amounts being collected does not go either to its rightful owner or the electric company. So it is indeed highly probably what Mayor Binay said that it was also the same syndicate that was pushing these people to put up a fight. It is also highly commendable what Mayor Binay is doing now and his father Vice President Binay nearing the end of his term as mayor of moving the informal settlers of the city to relocation sites and giving the land to its rightful owner. I have no information on how other cities do it, but Makati doesn’t just move the informal settlers to relocation sites, I hear they receive a small monthly stipend which if true should be replicated by other cities.

I give Secretary Robredo the benefit of the doubt that his action was meant to put an end to the violence that was happening and he only have the welfare of both sides in mind, looking at hindsight he should have been the “bigger man” and asked Mayor Binay for a private talk and not in front of the media. If that is indeed is intention, I commend him for that but probably next time do so behind the scene as to not put your intention in question.

No Relief In Sight

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As the Philippines enter 2011 its citizens is being inundated by price hikes starting with toll fees, fuel prices to the latest government-approved cab and train fares. These came about when more people are experiencing hunger according to the latest SWS survey. The kicker here is the government not doing anything about it reasoning out that these price increases are long overdue. It may be overdue but don’t do it all at once. Comparing it to a dam that is about to overflow you don’t open the gates at full but gradual or you risk drowning the people. That’s what is happening to the country right now. People are drowning from all these price hikes and the government seems not at all doing anything about it.

Taking the easy way out

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Not taking responsibility for our actions. This is what the RH bill when passed into law would be promoting to the nation. People can be promiscuous and not think about the consequences of their action. I guess this was the result of the many years that this country and society has been doing, passing the blame.

Just recently as seen on the IRRC interviews of those involved in the Manila Bus Hostage incident, no one would outright take responsibility. It was Noynoy, after a few days of probably waiting for his men to do so, took sole responsibility. No one wants to accept that what happen was a series of blunders made by police, local and national officials and even the media that contributed if not resulted to the death of those tourist. Why blame me? That was the resounding outburst of those implicated.

I am also curious as to the timing of lawmakers wanting the RH Bill certified as urgent by Noynoy. Some quarters are linking it to the Americans since it came out right after Noynoy’s arrival from the US. Though I think there may be more to it than meets the eye. I think it still has something to do with creating a smokescreen for all the issues that is confronting the new administration.

Noynoy arrived from the US with his report to the people that he has secured investments from the US that will give jobs to the nation. Hohum, heard that before from former presidents but until now millions are still jobless. It didn’t masked the nation’s need for answers to the result of the IRRC report, jueteng involvement of Cabinet members and 100 days in office but nothing good to report.

Out of the blue, RH bill was pushed into the limelight by lawmakers and lately by someone who wants to be noticed. Now everyone has forgotten about heads rolling for what had happen at Quirino, no one is shouting anymore for the resignation of Cabinet officials implicated in jueteng. Even the media is now in the clear seeing that this angle can divert the nation’s attention away from their action that led to the deaths of those tourist.

Who will benefit from the passage of the RH Bill? First, the lawmakers who have billions in pork barrel that would have created jobs and feed families but instead funneled into projects that are questionable. Instead of putting the blame on these corrupt politicians why there is still poverty in this country, they want us to believe that it is because of overpopulation. Tell that to countries who government endorses artificial contraception and even abortion but still have a significant number of their population without jobs and homeless. Second, would be those corporations that would get fat government contracts to provide the necessary means for artificial contraception. I bet they already have lobbyist in the halls of our government institutions. Lastly, official who would get big commissions for those fat contracts.

What about the citizens of this country? All we are going to get is false pretense that if we reduce the number of our population, poverty will be a thing of the past. A congresswoman just said that there is 1 billion pesos war chest that the government has for contraceptives. I thought as Noynoy said, pera na san napunta, the government has no money. 1 billion pesos for condoms and pills. Wow! How many jobs could that have created, that would have resulted to food on the table? 1 billion pesos. How many classrooms could it have built?

I have been hearing all along during the campaign period that reason they would vote for Noynoy because a fruit does not fall far from the tree. Do you think if Cory was alive she would allow that bill to pass?

Taking responsibility, that is all it would take to address the issue of poverty. We started it during the elections when we took it upon ourselves to make it clean. Let us not fall again into the old trait of ningas cogon. Let us make it our responsibility to make our leaders tow the straight line. Let us make it our responsibility to pay our taxes and make sure that those taxes work for us. Sooner or later this actions will translate to government having more money for its projects that would create jobs, classrooms and books for schools, and food for those who don’t have it.