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Sabtu, 24 September 2011

DOH Terminates Nurse Volunteer Programs: A Nurse Volunteer's Point of View


In an intelligent and thought-provoking decision, Department of Health Secretary Enrique Ona issued a memorandum terminating all "Nurse Volunteer Programs", "Volunteer Training Program for Nurses" and all similar and related programs, in all DOH-retained hospitals.

64666926 DOH Termination of Nurse Volunteer Programs

While the memorandum brings appealing images to mind (the end of nurse exploitation, employment for licensed registered nurses, respect for the nursing profession etc.), the only effects of the ordinance that is evident right now is public hospitals being grotesquely understaffed, patients suffering from inadequate care from overworked and burnt out staff nurses and entry level nursing graduates experiencing What-The-Hell-Do-I-Do-Now? syndrome.

Two-Way Street

It's not all bullying, over fatigue and slavery that envelops a nurse volunteers life. Not every registered nurse gathers used bottles in a kariton to sell at junk shops just to have money for hospital training fees. These scenarios get featured in news programs and documentary reports because it is dramatic and controversial. Truth of the matter is, nurses volunteer because they choose to practice their profession rather than apply in call centers, have fake accents and answer calls from strangers. They do it to gain leverage in this highly competitive job market.  Because let's face it, no hospital in their right mind will hire a newly licensed nurse with zero post graduate experience.

Please do not underestimate us. We are not slaves, we know what we are doing and we are aware of the situation in these hospitals. We are not shackled to the nursing station with big metal chains, forced to administer medications under duress and monitor vital signs at gunpoint. We were not dragged into an institution to serve against our will but we do it because we want to and, so far, we see the favorable outcome of honing our crafts and sharpening our skills.

Add to that the priceless feeling of having a schedule to follow, a purpose to attend to, every day. One of the hardest things in life is to wake up at numerous mornings in a row and not be able to know what to do that day or the day after that. Plus, there is the relationship and unique bond that is formed with co-trainees, staff nurses and even patients that no bum, useless, non-"slavery" day could replace.

One thing I could completely agree with, though, is that we should not be paying thousands of pesos for these so-called trainings when we have already offered our brains, bodies and licenses for free. That long-standing custom, Secretary Ona, should be the one eternally abolished but NOT, yes you read it right, every training/volunteer program in the country.

A Dead End

So, with all due respect, DOH Secretary Ona, what do you propose we, unemployed registered nurses, do now? 

With Nurse Volunteerism / Nurse Trainings now prohibited in DOH mandated hospitals and NO ADDITIONAL BUDGET given for hiring needed nursing manpower, every one suffers. Staff nurses are reeling from the sudden influx of additional work load, patients are neglected from lack of care from the preposterous nurse-patient ratio and fresh graduates now have no opportunity to practice what they have learned in college, therefore lessening their chances of getting hired by hospitals due to inadequate experience.

Forgive me for this, but I think the memorandum is a hasty band-aid approach to a long and complicated problem of nurse shortages and exploitation in the country. It was a decision without due thought of the various elements that made the despicable nursing trade of our country what it is today. The problem is a hideous many-limbed menace and cutting of one arm will only make it bleed and stagger.

So, again, if I may ask, seriously, WHAT NOW?

Rabu, 14 September 2011

Numb by Linkin Park (Piano Instrumental)

There is something fascinating about hard core rock anthems transformed into soft acoustic versions, especially if accompanied by the romantic and pristine sounds of a grand piano. 

That said, I have been obsessed with this piece since early 2000's when I first saw a version of it in YouTube. I couldn't believe that a Linkin Park song can sound so melodic and tender, but unquestionably powerful at the same time. I then found a music sheet on the Internet and after doing some alterations (because the author of the sheet probably thought pianists have 3 hands instead of two), proceeded in learning, memorizing and polishing it so it could be fit enough for public consumption.

This isn't really my best shot, but after recording for hours and almost dislocating my right pinky finger after doing numerous faulty takes, this will do.




More PIANO recordings and back story here:

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Minggu, 04 September 2011

Top 10 Rules for Boyfriends


No.10 NEVER CHEAT. This is self explanatory. And yes, cheating includes being "best friends" with a girl you've just met last week. At the same time, if you do stay faithful, DO NOT parade your fidelity like it's some rare feat of undying love. Please be advised that faithfulness in a relationship is a GIVEN and not an elusive trait that should be treated with utmost gratitude and reverence.

No.9 ALWAYS offer to take your girlfriend home no matter what. Even if it's high noon and the sun is at its brightest and the criminals of the country are probably still hibernating in their mission control centers, do accompany her home. She needs to know that you do this because you really are concerned about her safety and wants to spend every available time with her and not because you fear the wrath of her parents if she arrives home late without a chaperon. 

No.8 If you both don't have work or class and your girlfriend asks you to go out with her, do not make excuses that you're a) exhausted b) don't have money c) have a basketball game later and d) doing the laundry. Her invitation just means she's willing to sacrifice her free day to be with you in expense of being rested in preparation for another week of backbreaking work. Make time. Make every EFFORT to be with her.

No.7 If your girlfriend asks you to write her a love letter, write her a goddamn love letter. It doesn't matter if you're not the sentimental scrapbooking type of guy or have horrendous grammar, just do it. It doesn't have to be pretty nor poetic, it just has to be real and heartfelt. And even if you are illiterate, she will appreciate crudely drawn symbols on a tissue paper, trust me. All you need is a pen and paper, it's not that hard.


No.6 NEVER ask for stuff that can be bought with money during gift-giving seasons like Christmas or birthdays. This includes looking at expensive items at the department store and hinting that you are in desperate need of them. If ever she asks you what do you want for your birthday, the correct answer would be, "Your love is all I need," (or some sweet cliched derivative of that) and not, "A new cellphone."

No.5 Appreciate her interests, talents and accomplishments. If she writes an article that garnered good reviews and became semi-viral and you're allergic to reading, swallow up your manly pride and READ HER WORDS. If she likes hanging out in bookstores and you get hives when standing within 3 meters from a book shelf, have patience and understand her passions the same way she doesn't complain when you take her to numerous athletic stores she has no interest in while looking for some gadget she knows nothing about.


No.4 A) Do random romantic acts of affection. Once in a while, buy her a gift for no apparent reason. Post on her Facebook wall, text her cheesy quotes, show up in her workplace out of the blue and accompany her home. Tell her you love her everyday, not because of routine, but because you mean it. SHOW HER how much she means to you, not because she wants you to, but because you want to make her happy and her smile lights up your world.

B) If your girlfriend asks you to call or text her at least once a day, please take note that this number is the bare minimum. It doesn't mean that if you do meet the quota, everything is fine and that she's extremely happy that you've somehow managed to allocate 30 seconds of your precious time and spend P1 load in her honor.

No.3 NEVER let the woman pay for anything, even if she insists, even if her bank account is fatter than yours. If you go out on a date, make sure you pay for everything, including the transportation, movie and dinner. A woman looks for a good provider, and one of the worst things that could happen is you asking your girlfriend for the 16-peso Jeepney fare in front of numerous passengers. If money is a problem though, make sure you compensate by being the sweetest and most caring lover she has ever known. Money does make the world go round but love is still far more powerful than pieces of paper that could buy stuff.


No.2 Be the Prince Charming in every fairy tale that she has ever watched. Be the Noah Calhoun of her Allie, the Mr. Darcy of her Elizabeth Bennet., the Romeo of her Juliet. Love her the way Severus Snape loved Lily Potter. These may be fictional characters but women dream of their stories and wish they would happen in real life. Make her fantasies a reality and she will offer you everything that she's got.

and the No.1 Rule for Boyfriends is...

No.1 Realize all these before it's too late.


**Photos taken from Tumblr.