Palarong Pambansa in Puerto Prinsesa

I, together with my fellow councilors from NCR, had the privilege to represent the local government of the National Capital Region at the opening parade of the annual Palarong Pambansa in Puerto Prinsesa last April 20, 2008. The opening ceremony was a huge spectacle with thousands of the best young athletes all over the Philippines ready to bring home medals for their own region.

It was such an honor to lead our NCR athletes and coaches, as they march down the stadium. With almost 7,000 athletes and 8,000 spectators, it was such an experience walking down the freshly applied track oval donned in our blue and gold colors! The speakers kept on echoing the announcement: “The defending champions, the National Capital Region. They are the team to beat!” over and over again … giving our athletes enough confidence and more reason to give their best! Simply surreal.

“The fact that you are already here to represent our region, you are already winners. The best of the best athletes in NCR, and surely you shall prove that you are also the best of the best in our country! Always remember that it doesn’t matter how many times you win, or how many medals you get. What matters more is that you worked hard and gave your all in every competition that you get into. Represent NCR well. We are all proud of you!” – Excerpt from my speech for the kids, the night before the opening.

It was my first time in Palawan by the way. Though I wasn’t really able to use that trip for leisure and enjoy their beaches, I still had so much fun nevertheless! I will be back Palawan … soon!

Top picture (L-R) Councilors Bong Suntay, Bolet Banal, Lex Ibay, Wency Lagumbay, Dante De Guzman and Iyo Bernardo. Middle picture: QC Councilors with Deped Secretary Jesli Lapus and Puerto Prinsesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn. Bottom Picture: With our beloved district supervisors in Q.C.

From Boys to Men

(Disclaimer: Consent was obtained from the patient, as well as his parents,
to take and post this photo online and in the newspapers.)

Summer season means vacation, beaches and relaxation for most of us.

For doctors however, summer time is tule time!!!

For the past few weeks, I have been going around the city jumping from one surgical mission to another, offering my services as a physician to all my politician friends who are sponsoring surgical missions left and right. Aside from my own projects, I have been traversing districts, and even cities, cutting and stitching ‘em tiny soldiers … turning them into generals! … At the rate I am going (or cutting!), I just might consider joining the “bandwagon” and run for Vice Mayor of Quezon City! (wahahahaha! NOT!)

But seriously, joining surgical missions is one of my favorite activities even when I was still a medical student. Since I learned how to circumcise, I make it a point to volunteer in all the missions that my sorority participated in. Now that I am a full fledged non-practicing physician (ha!) … I still make it my duty to participate in all these Tule projets, and even volunteer to help out my politician friends with their projects. This is more of Doray the physician in me than Doray the politician.

All the time and effort invested in helping out in missions is worth everything knowing that this minor procedure would mean a lot to a little boy’s life…

A calling … of turning little boys into men.