INFINITELY MORE

14 October 2016 | Ginebra vs Meralco (PBA Governors Cup 2016, Finals Game 4) Araneta Coliseum, Cubao

"Ang ingay n'yong mag-ama!" I would often hear nanay say up until now.

Indeed, our home has never been quiet during games of Ginebra especially when tatay's around--especially when he and ate Micah are together.

That is where I grew up to--to the loud screams and applause whenever the team scores and wins. Tracing back, it started way beyond tatay's Jaworski followed through by ate Micah's childhood fandom over Caguioa and Helterbrand, to this day's fantasy of her getting married to Aguilar. :)))

I've never been really so much of a die hard fan like them but it has always been a dream to watch a game live with them. Kaya sobrang thankful ako for last night, nevermind that I was post-duty at wala pang matinong tulog. :)) It was really, really an amazing feeling pala cheering with the Kabarangays (who probably composed 11/12 of the Araneta crowd. Haha). I was hesitant at first but I found myself rising from my seat countless times and screaming out and clapping hard for the team of the masa. :)

09 October 2015 | Cartel Deli

It started with Richelle volunteering to see me on a day when we’re both free after hearing how stressed I would highly probably be during IM and with Janey telling us in our group chat that she got promoted and, of course, that called for a celebration. Everything was set, in fact, sooner than expected given that it’s a weekend and a Sunday especially.

As it always is (hihi), I decided where to eat and this newly opened neighborhood cafe in Salcedo was my pick. I was initially eyeing Yardstick but when I was looking at their Instagram page, I saw photos of Cartel which they are promoting because they also sell their coffee there and I knew right then that that is where I wanted to go. Hihi.

From PGH, I met Rich and Janey (who traveled from Bulacan together) in Buendia and we set off to go to Makati.

I was pretty confident that we’ll find the place in no time since I’ve been to the village quite a number of times already and Jane works nearby but Makati really has such a weird numbering system (plus Google maps was such a failure this time) that we went circling and circling round the village (read: Rich now officially hates the city because of this. Hahaha), I almost worried that Rich and Janey might get tired and ask to just eat in another place. Hahaha.

After asking, we finally found the cafe which was just near Wildflour (gahd, if I only knew earlier) and, I don’t know with them, but I was too excited to eat because that was already past 2 pm and I haven’t had any real meal for the day yet. Huhu. :))

I ordered their Yardshake, their bestseller that is two shots espresso and one scoop Vanilla ice cream, and their Grilled Three Cheese sandwich. Both were so good and completely satisfying. Rich’s and Janey’s orders were also good except that Rich’s iced white was too bitter (I warned her beforehand. Don’t tell me I didn’t. Haha), she had to ask Janey to pour some of her milkshake over it even after putting some packets of sugar already. Hahaha.

We spent a little more time chatting before finally deciding to leave and look for something else to do. We wanted to do videoke but all attempts of finding a place failed and it was already getting late so we just decided to go home. Too bad. Next time, maybe? :)

25 September 2016 | Snow Panda

It was out of the plan but when Karley said she wanted to have bingsu for dessert, Dulce and I knew we had to go. Hahaha.

We were already full from our Japanese dinner so we decided to just share on one large bowl of coffee bingsu. It tasted good that I really appreciated it even if I was already feeling really sick at that time (like I was shivering big time. Hahaha).

25 September 2016 | Tanabe Japanese Restaurant

Before we kick-off in our IM rotation the following day (and because we miss each other so much), we planned to have this date that Sunday we finished our OR (surgery for me and anesth for them) hits. :))

Right after attending the 4 pm service at Victory, we headed straight to Remedios Circle (nope, we actually still waited for Dulce for almost an hour. Huhu) to have dinner at this authentic Japanese restaurant that Karley remembered Val mentioning once. We’re really clueless about the place and I was not able to do much researching before going so it took us quite long to find it. (Sorry, tummies, we kept you waiting. Hihi.)

Upon coming in, we were led to a semi-private area in the corner of the restaurant and were served with hot tea as we were deciding what to eat there. The bentos were really appealing but they were so pricey I cannot afford to spend so much anymore. (Because I’ve already spent a looooot that week. Huhu.)

Dulce and I both had a bowl of gyudon while Karley, I think, had katsudon and we shared on a plate of California maki (which should never ever be gone when I’m dining on a Japanese food place. Haha).

s/p Surgery Rotation 29 August - 25 September 2016 

It was one month worth of being on-call the whole day to assist on operations ranging from simple appendectomy to the soul-crushing long hours of CBDE even in the wee hours of the morning to all sorts of surgery imaginable in GS 1, 2, and 3 aside from the usual monitoring and SIC works in the wards. The call room was such a safe place for us except when the telephone rings because it always means an alay has to go up for another OR assist. :)))

It was one month worth of duty nights in the SOD (Surgeon on Duty) in the ER charting, attending to, and managing patients coming in with various complaints sometimes as simple as superficial cuts and bruise and sometimes as bloody and gory as multiple injuries secondary to exciting but most of the time irritating stories of mauling, fall, vehicular crash, stabs, gunshots (or caustic ingestion) presenting with cut muscles and bones already showing up and patient either screaming in pain or with an already decreased sensorium. 

This is where I first experienced suturing a live human being--all by myself and unguided. It was so memorable because I did it on a patient with multiple, nasty head lacerations who was slightly drunk and a little uncooperative, too. (I hope I did good and I hope he’s well now. Hehe.)

We don’t know what’s with Surgery but time in it was so much slooooow. I kinda loved it (especially the food during weekly conferences. Hahahaha. Because, hey, only surgery feeds us and it’s not just a so-so food. They’re all good, catered food) but I’m glad we’re done with it. I guess Surgery’s just not really for me. And I still have to find my med niche. 

Tinker Tales: Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan at 25 23 September 2016 | Ayala Museum

I wasn’t able to come during the opening of the Ang INK’s exhibit (when admission was still free) because I was too tired from the hospital works. Still, I knew I had to see it so I made time for it in despite being busy in the hospital. (Plus I sensed that the forthcoming month will be very, very stressful to me that I had to load up on good and artsy vibes in hopes of keeping my happy meter up.)

Thankfully, I had a free morning during our Trauma week that I was able to singit a trip to Makati to see this finally. Hihi.

23 September 2016 | Habitual Coffee

It was my first time travelling to Chino Roces in Makati and my research about the cafe’s location was apparently not enough so I got a little lost searching for this cafe and I had no handy internet to help me up at that time. I didn’t want people to know where I was at that moment, too, so I didn’t bother using my lifelines/message my friends for help in directions. :))

I was so close to giving up because it was nearing 10 am at that time and I had a 1 pm hospital conference to catch but just when I was about to turn back and just head to Ayala, I saw its unassuming facade (with the mighty ‘h’ on its glass door) upon peeping in to an obscure warehouse just beside the construction site I inquired from.

It didn’t take me long to order because I knew even before going what I wanted to try from them: their Berry Nut Ricotta Waffle (which was the reason why I quickly shifted from my plans of going to Yardstick) and a glass of their iced flat white (because it’s a coffee shop and they’re a known champion to coffee competitions internationally so I just had to try their coffee).

The coffee, unsurprisingly, was great so I wouldn’t talk about it much. Hihi. But that waffle, ah, that waffle, it was really, really, really good. It was so delicious as it was so beautiful. Adorned with blueberries, almonds, pine nuts, and edible flowers on top of that sweet ricotta cream, I wasn’t quite sure anymore if what I ordered was really a food or a garden of sorts. Aaaaah. :)

21 September 2016 | Big Daddy’s and Bo’s Coffee

Right after seeing lola (which was just literally a matter of second, huhu, before their car leave for home), ate and I spontaneously decided to go to SM Manila to have snack (and, of course, window shop). I really didn’t bring any money at that time but yey because the food (and the other things we shopped) is on her. Hihi.

19 September 2016

The last time he went home, I told him I want see the sunrise but we never got to do it because of school until an opportunity came last Sunday when I was almost unexpectedly able to come home. :)

We agreed the night before that we'll wake up early and start walking at around five but it didn’t happen. Tatay was still sleeping a quarter past five and it seemed unthinking of me if I asked him to get up. He finally got up at around 5:30 and most likely seeing that I was sad that we wouldn’t be able to catch the sunrise, he did what was unthinkable for me, he rented a tricycle with the little money he brought with him and asked the driver to bring us to the bridge in Tawiran. We still failed to catch the sunrise but it was one sweet act from my dad.

We stayed on the bridge for probably an hour just sharing stories and talking about random stuff. When the sun got high, we decided to start walking home. We had a nice walk, stopping in some moments to pick wild flowers or to buy food (e.g. pandesal, Spanish bread, and soft serve ice cream) which seemed too good along the way, until my foot shoveled (yes, not just stepped on) quite a large amount of dung. Huhuhu. :)) It was one stressful moment for me but tatay started laughing hard and I couldn’t help but just laugh along with him. Huhuhu. :)) We ended up riding a tricycle again because there’s nothing we could do about my soiled slipper and we did not want each other to walk barefoot. :))

DNA (Disciple Na Ako) Network Gathering 18 September 2016 | Tree of Life UMC

Ang sakto lang talaga na nakauwi ako on a day that this youth network gathering was scheduled. Ni hindi ko nga alam na may ganito pala kung hindi lang sinabi ni Richelle na magspi-speak s’ya dito when I asked her to attend the vesper service with me sa church nila Janey.

I came just when the opening praise and worship was about to end, just in time to hear her share her personal story of being discipled and discipling in turn. And I couldn’t help but reminisce myself as she went about saying the joys and struggles of her discipleship and think of how the nine could be ten and the ten be nine...when I almost left.

18 September 2016 | Papi’s

There’s this newly opened cafe in Malolos which interior, more than the food, really interested me. One of the rare times, I must say. :)) It was nothing unique, actually; not too much of a hipster even, but the neat placement of things--from the leaf wall decor, to the wide windowpanes, to the polaroids, to the chalkboard menu, to the jars of goodies and the display of pastries was really something pleasing to me.

The cafe was tucked in a corner of a small boutique (Boufe PH) with only three small round and a short counter table for its customers. It was no place for quiet and longer stays. 

Their bestseller (and the product which they were actually first known for) was their milkshake + artisanal doughnut combo. I ordered a vanilla milkshake and a blueberry doughnut to go with it. Tastewise, there wasn’t really anything special in it but it’s forgivable for its price of Php 155.00, anyway. I just liked how their food was simply presented--on a classic milk bottle instead of the overused mason jar, topped with only one stuff unlike the other which are loaded with so much stuff.  

18 September 2016 | Museo ng Republika ng 1899

After parting ways with Paul (my med school classmate who’s also a Bulakenyo) who I went home with, having some time to spare, I decided to pay the museum housed in Barasoain a visit. 

It presents major points in our nation’s history, highlighting majorly the establishment of the first Philippine Republic (also known as the Malolos Republic) in 1899, ending the revolution of Filipinos against the Spanish reign. 

Museo ng Republika ng 1899, according to articles, was a modernized museum featuring a lights-and-sound presentation of historical events. Unfortunately, this wasn’t available during my time of visit. The displays, nevertheless, sufficed to still provide substantial information. :) 

17 September 2016 | Le Petit Souffle (Century City Mall, Makati)

We were only supposed to try (and endure the long line for) the overly hyped Japanese cheese tart in the newly opened Pablo which is very near our place but things happened and we went spontaneously for a lunch at Le Petit in Century City Mall in Makati--one costly Uber car ride away. :))

The place was magical or maybe I just had so much dreariness from PGH that such was its impression to me. Looking at the menu, the four of us (yes, excluding Paul who frequents the place) couldn’t help but laugh out loud and let out humorous remarks as to how pricey the foods were, e.g. making fun of ordering “Just Mac and Cheese” (emphasis on “Just”) or would the price change if we only order “Just Mac” and no cheese or the “Add Sunny Side Up Egg” (that by itself costs only 20 Php), adding it on nothing. Huhu. :))

After long minutes of fooling around (and even thinking of backing out), we finally gathered ourselves, settled, and ordered. I had their Squid-Ink Rice (fresh seafood, shimeji mushroom, and soft scrambled egg on delicious squid ink rice), Sha had the Chicken Pomodoro (fusilli, seared chicken breast, basil and fresh mozzarella topped shaved parmesan), Mikee had the Just Mac and Cheese (macaroni with sharp cheddar, mozzarella with shimeji crimini and Hungarian sausage, topped with seared foie gras), Paul had the best tasting and our group’s favorite Pork Bourguignon (redwine-stewed pork leg served with fragrant Japanese rice and furikake sunny side up egg), and Mario, he had the pitiful plate (huhu) of Vegetarian Soba Pasta (soba, shimeji, zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper in a shoyu sauce).

11 September 2016 | Sagittarium Archery Range (Sct. Borromeo, Quezon City)

Matagal na talaga naming planong mag archery na dalawa. Right after firing/target shooting pa lang which was already more than a year ago, ay napag-usapan na namin ito. We even started scouting for a range nearby and started canvassing for hourly rates. Pero ang mahal rin pala kaya ang sabi namin ay mag-iipon muna kaming dalawa.

Kaya noong nakita ko sa Facebook itong “99 pesos for 15 arrows” promo ay inaya ko na s’ya agad and set it on one post-duty weekend. Buti na lang rin talaga at pwede s’ya. :)

Few blocks away lang ito from Sgt. Esguerra where we had lunch. Kayang-kayang lakarin for probably 10 minutes pero buti na lang rin at nag tricycle na kami dahil ramdam kong maliligaw kami sa marami-rami ring liko kung naglakad kami. Haha.

Puno ang range pagdating namin. Pang 66 na rin yata sa list noong dumating kami at ilang batches pa bago maisalang. Buti na lang, habang naghihintay ay nakausap namin ang Philippine archery icons na sila Mr. Fred and Mrs. Rose Valdes who have been playing the sport, competing, training and coaching both locally and internationally for long years now. Sobrang inspiring and accommodating nila. :)

When our turn came, to save time, hindi na ulit inulit ng owner and coach ang instructions because he was assuming that we already heard it from the batch that went before us. Nakakahiyang sabihin na I zoned out at the latter part pero buti na lang at all ears itong kasama ko kaya bukod sa personal coach naming dalawa eh nakapagtatanong rin ako sa kanya. Hahaha.

I missed big time on my first shot and it was followed by several misses more (sorry na, post duty, wala pang tulog. Haha) but when I got the hang of it, I was able to shoot quite good and hit the yellow target once or twice. (Not bad for a first, right?) Too bad, though, I only have a few arrows left, then. 

Nag-enjoy talaga ako. Mukhang burgis nga lang pero ang sarap ulit-ulitin. Malay mo, dahil dito, magka-sport na ako, finally. Hahaha.

11 September 2016 | Mom & Tina’s Bakery Cafe

Before heading to the range, we decided to have lunch first at this bakery cafe which I’m not sure anymore if I first heard from a friend or from Kris TV. :))

It was well past 1 pm when we arrived but the place was still brimming with large groups and families (thank God there’s still a table left for us) that I almost felt out of place that there we were only two at that time. Not. :))

The place was too vibrant and cozy and was very much reminiscent of a country style living room, furnished with wooden tables, sofa chairs, and rustic decors. Gee, it was the kind of home (or restaurant) I would love to have. It was indeed perfect for a Sunday family lunches and get-together. :)

I ordered sun-dried tomato pesto (that surprisingly came with ground walnuts that made it all the more delicious), lychee shake, and prune cupcake (which taste is very much similar to Galaxy, a cheap childhood favorite candy bar). Rio, on the other hand, ordered meat lasagna (which was so rich and creamy, I couldn’t help but dig my spoon on it from time to time, Hihi), strawberry shake, and chocolate swirl banana cupcake. Our food was so good both of us liked it so much. :)

08 September 2016 | Mitsuyado Sei-Men (Blue Bay Walk, Pasay City)

After attending the postgrad course in surgery and before going back to the hospital to do our SIC works, our team did something pasaway (shhhhh) and detoured to Blue Bay Walk to have lunch. (Yup, we traded the free lunch at Diamond Hotel for this. Huhu. Goodbye, money.)

Mario suggested this Japanese restaurant and even though I’m not too big on Japanese food, I didn’t dare argue because I was on the mood to try something different that day anyway. 

Going inside, I loved the place immediately. It was amazing. I loved how it perfectly set the mood for a Japanese dining experience and how mere sitting there actually felt like walking in and being in the streets of Japan. 

UP-PGH Department of Surgery Postgraduate Course 08 September 2016 | Diamond Hotel, Manila

The Department of Surgery, where our block is currently rotating, held a three-day postgraduate course in Oncologic Surgery and as rotators, we were required to attend the event on our post-duty day.

Aside from learning a lot (nuks) about the advancements in this field and sitting with the greatest surgeons in the country, our team was just all too giddy about the fact that we went out to be somewhere else on a day when we’re supposed to be inside the hospital. #simplejoys of #clerkship Hahaha.