A Mile A Minute

8 Ways to take care of our mental health during the COVID-19 Pandemic

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 12:14:00 +0000

During this era of the COVID Pandemic, it would be easy to overlook our mental health which is essential in order for us to hurdle this unprecendented situation. In this video, I share to you ways on how to take good care of our mental health. Click the link here.

Reflections 101: Easter Sunday in Not-So-Ordinary Time

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 11:43:00 +0000

This Easter Sunday will always be memorable to me.

Not only because I spent it here in the hospital - I have spent many Easter Sundays at work, with colleagues who are also far from their families and loved ones. There may be a twist to this scenario today though. Some of my colleagues are unsure about when they would finally have the chance to go home to their families due to the prevailing community quarantine.

Not only because we were served good and really delicious food today by the hospital kitchen. Food donations from anonymous donors also arrived just in time for lunch. In behalf of my colleagues, I would like to say thank you from the bottom of our full hearts (and stomachs).

Free and delicious food never fails to make hospital workers happy. That is one surefire tip I can give to anyone who is planning to impress someone from the medical profession. Free and delicious food ranks first, and a luxurious sleep after a satisfying body massage would come as a close second. In our present scenario, I believe, an adequate supply of face masks, face shields, PPEs or Personal Protective Equipment, and isopropyl alcohol would come as a surprising fastbreaking third on the list.

I guess it is pretty obvious why this Easter Sunday would be a memorable one not only for me but for all of us. This year’s Easter Sunday happened to fall on this distasteful and unprecedented not-so-ordinary time.

Easter Sunday for me always ignited thoughts of celebration because it symbolizes the victory of Jesus Christ over death. When I was a child, I always looked forward to that one Sunday in a year when we would go Easter Egg hunting in the church grounds. Those were happy memories for me specially when I would finally find an egg.

Now that I am older, Easter Sunday took on a new meaning for me. The Resurrection of Christ is the basis of our Christian Faith and it stands as proof that Jesus Christ is God. A God with a pervading presence that transcends the realms that is beyond this earth, and even beyond human understanding.

But how can we celebrate when we are beset with utmost grief and sadness? When our psyches are dominated with fears and worries? How can we celebrate when we ourselves are not our normal selves and are not allowed to be the social creatures that we are?

It’s like wanting to scream for joy but you can’t be loud, you can’t even utter a word or even smile. It feels like your mouth is stuffed full with cloth until you choke. You can’t even stand and jump in exhilaration and throw your hands into the air out of glee because your entire body is tied to a chair or maybe, to a tree. Disgustingly excruciating.

Inspite of this depressing circumstance that we are finding ourselves in today, I still wish that we will never cease hoping that deliverance from this trial is on its way.

Today may be unrelentlessly marked by 50 deaths in our country due to COVID-19 (the Department of Health just released its update), but may we always remember that every Good Friday comes with an Easter Sunday. Just as the death of Christ was followed by His Resurrection, we will soon rise up from the ashes brought about by this dreaded disease which has claimed numerous lives, not only by bringing about death but by putting all our lives (and even the global economy) on a standstill.

Just as no empty tomb held Jesus Christ for a long time, we shall not be held bondage for so long by the tombs created by our worries, our fears, our problems, and by any catastrophic event in our lives. We will all get through this, not only through concerted human efforts but most of all thru God’s will and power, and of course, thru His love.

I pray for strength, endurance, resiliency, and unwavering hope for all of us, and these I wish most of all to those who feel unimportant and forgotten through all this this chaos. Do remember, that we are all loved. The reason for this Easter celebration is both a resonating truth and living proof of that love.

New Places to Visit When in Cebu

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 14:38:00 +0000

Places evolve. That is my realization during the long time I have stayed in Cebu City. I have considered this place my second home for almost two decades now and it took on a lot of changes right before my very eyes in that span of time.

When I was a child, we regularly visited Cebu since it is my father's home city and we would visit my grandparents who were living in the southern part of Cebu Province. Our trip would not be complete if we would not drop by the malls then. Gaisano Metro felt like heaven for me and my sister, specially when we spend all our time on the rides, and do a little shopping too.

Fast forward to many decades later, though malls of our younger days like Gaisano Metro still maintain a strong following, its close competitors are not far behind, namely the SM and Ayala Malls. Going for a Cebu trip may still include shopping in these famous malls but a lot of attractions are drawing a lot of crowds too.

If you are planning to visit the Queen City of the South one of these days or in the coming summertime, you might want to include these places in your itinerary.

1. 10,000 Roses

These are artificial LED roses that light up from dusk till night. This is the very first of its kind in Cebu City, built about less than five years ago. The roses shine brightly during evening so visitors usually flock during the night. Make sure to set your cameras or phone camera to night mode when you take pictures. It is about an hour away from the airport, since the roses are situated in Cordova, Cebu, so you may visit this first before proceeding to Cebu City. There is also a cafe nearby where you can while away the time and enjoy the beautiful ocean view and the view of Cebu City just a few miles across the place. By the way, there is an entrance fee that one has to pay in order to view the roses, but do not worry, the fee is very affordable.

Photo by Shing Camps

Photo by Shing Camps

2. Sirao Flower Farm

Fondly named as the mini-Amsterdam of Cebu, the Sirao Flower Farm is situated in the mountainous barangay of this city. One would totally be in awe that these mountains nestle such a beauty or, shall I see beauties because of the countless flowers. The easiest way to get there (aside from hopping into your own car) would be by taking a habal-habal from JY Square Mall in Barangay Lahug. The habal-habal drivers would charge at least a hundred per head per way. Prepare yourself for a mountainous ride that may be bumpy along the way. Aside from that, upon reaching your destination, get ready to enjoy the breathtaking view of a lot of flower farms and the greenery of the mountains as well. Truly, a breath of fresh air away from the city. The farms again collect a meager entrance fee, which is actually nothing compared to the view that you will enjoy.

3. Temple of Leah

How would you feel when someone loves you so much that he or she built an extravagant structure to show the world his or her love for you? Well, we may not be able to know how Leah would answer that question, but the Temple of Leah was built exactly for her - Yes, Leah - by her husband. The temple was built last 2012 as a symbol of the endless love and devotion of Teodorico Adarna to his wife of 53 years, Leah Adarna.

I had my picture taken at the lobby of the Temple, probably one of the most instagrammable spots in the area, right infront of the grand staircase that leads to a statue of a woman, sitting on her throne - an image inspired by Leah, of course.

The Temple of Leah is a rising favorite as a pre-nuptial shoot venue. But whatever purpose you will have for visiting the place, surely you would feel the love. It is suggested that the Temple of Leah be your side trip when going to the Sirao Flower Farm. People visit the flower farms first, which are more uphill in location, then stopover at the Temple on their way down and back to the city.

4. Simala Shrine

Let's head down south, this time. When you feel wanting to have a moment with God and Mama Mary, this one is the place to be, The Simala Shrine.

Nestled in the Hills of Lindogon in Sibonga, a town in the southern part of Cebu Province, this shrine is simply breathtaking for so many reasons namely, the scenery it offers, the intricate architecture and woodworks of the structures in the shrine, and most of all the evident serenity that surrounds the place especially that it provides a unique venue for one to be one with God. To ask for blessings and guidance in your trips and endeavors, to ask for special favors, and most of all to give thanks for the many blessings you received and favors granted, you might want to pay a visit to the Simala Shrine.

During my first visit to the shrine, what amazed me was the collection of crutches left behind by patients who used to move around with the aid of this ambulatory device. They donated their crutches after they have been healed and are able to walk again. There is also a collection of pens, pencils, graduation photos, and letters of thanks from students who successfully passed their licensure examinations after praying their petitions to the Blessed Virgin.

Photo by Shing Camps

5. Baywalk at the City of Naga

Photo by Shing Camps

Lastly, take a walk at the baywalk at the City of Naga and enjoy the soothing breeze breathed out by the sea. You also get to enjoy views of cargo ships sporadically spread in the canvass created by the blue waters, or views of the planes that occasionally fly over the area. All day and all night long, there is no chosen time, whatever time you decide to visit the baywalk, I assure you it is always the best time. The sea and the baywalk is beautiful both in daylight and at night. You can also treat yourself to the gastronomic delights offered by restaurants nearby.

That's about it. You may want to add these places to your Cebu visit itinerary soon.

Enjoy and take care.

Silver Linings: Favorite Moments in Residency Training and Beyond

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 23:56:00 +0000

An article I read in the New York Times somehow transported me to a warehouse of memories in my psyche.

As I looked around the "warehouse," I came upon a box which was in an almost forgotten corner. It was neatly covered with duck tape all over, and labeled "RESIDENCY TRAINING" with a red marker. I bend down to take the box, and for a few seconds, embrace it, like a long-lost lover.

Doctors who underwent residency training for a chosen subspecialty know fully well that the period of residency is one hell of a rough roller coaster ride.

I am one of the millions who can attest to that - being one and a half times a medical resident. Actually, I don't take full credit at all because every soul who underwent training can attest to that. Except maybe for an elite few who just got very lucky in this stage of their medical life.

That New York Times article made me look back, and yes - scavenge inside that box - for good memories I had during residency training.

One may ask, as quickly as a knee jerk, "Naa diay?!" (Are you sure, there are good memories?!). I will answer to that, "Naa ra man pud." (Somehow, there are good memories during residency training.) - with a smile to match.

I consider these moments as "silver linings," - an old idiom that gained popularity lately, thanks to Miss Universe 2018, our very own, Catriona M. Gray - that we hold on to amidst the sea of dark gray clouds or adversities and trials which are the currencies of residency training.

When one is subjected to such a stressful environment and lifestyle, I can truly say, the little things count - a lot.

My family was a witness to my ordeals then. There was a time when I would air out my sentiments to my sister, and on the following day, when I, - drained from all the day's work - went home to our rented pad, she opened the door for me and shouted with extreme excitement, "Tadaaaann...!!!" --- showing me that our mother had flew in unplanned just to comfort me and encourage me to go on, and to hold on.

There were times I would deliberately ask my mother - I remember sending her a text message in the middle of a sea of ECG tracings I had to finish reading - if I made the right decision of starting residency all over again, instead of trying out my luck in the Land of Milk and Honey. My mother would encourage me the way only a mother could.

I remember, a fellow resident once asked me if I ever had the feeling of quitting every month. I answered her, "Yes I do have that feeling - everyday."

However, not all days are bad, there were days when the sun shone so brightly into my soul that I felt I was in the right place and in the right time indeed.

It is actually true when you hear doctors say, a simple thank you from a patient, creates magic in the life of a literally and emotionally-beaten physician, even though for just a few moments.

I had this one patient who was a little more extravagant in his thank-yous to the point that he promised to design my clinic once I graduate from residency training. He is an architect by profession. This same patient gave me a giant Toblerone chocolate from abroad - the biggest I have ever seen in my whole life - which he safely kept beside him while he was lying in his bed.

He was just transferred to the regular ward that time after a few days of being confined in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to a life-threatening heart attack. I was in my first year of training then (I only saw him at the Out-Patient Department and at the Emergency Room when he came in for attacks of asthma) so he was not under my service, but a nurse told me he was looking for me so I decided to pay him a visit at the ward before I go home.

I don't know if it was just me but I saw his face brighten when I entered the room, and like a quick reflex he reached out for something on his side, inside his blanket, which made me think he was hiding something there.

True enough, he was. He was actually reaching out for a big bar of that chocolate, which he handed to me with a big smile. He told me that he safely kept the chocolate there since his family and visitors were eyeing on it. That act of thoughtfulness for me was indeed both adorable and touching.

In my second year as a medical resident, this fond memory somehow gives me a good feeling for honing and trusting my clinical eye.

There was this female diabetic patient who presented to the Emergency Room (ER) for body malaise. She has a background of erratic intake of medications and initial blood sugar tests taken at the ER revealed elevated blood sugar levels. I then insisted that she be admitted. Unfortunately, the patient was hesitant about admission. It is actually the rule (probably an unspoken rule and consensus among patients) to resist admission than to submit to it. I gave the patient enough time to decide, while waiting for the results of the other laboratory tests. Eventually, she gave in, and I, along with her family could not be more thankful that she agreed to be admitted.

Laboratory test results showed she was having a heart attack, and if she decided to go home, well it could be that she was ultimately going home to her final destination.

What is special about this experience is that I became good friends with the patient's family after this important event in their life when they almost lost their mother. I haven't seen the patient for quite some time now, but her daughter updates me about her and I send my best regards to her as well. Last Christmas, I received another big package chocolate from the patient's daughter who is based outside the country - such remarkable thoughtfulness even when we are on the opposite sides of the globe.

More than and beyond those chocolates, what is more important is the bond we have created, a bond that could last a lifetime. It feels good when we unexpectedly make good friends at work.

In my last year as a medical resident, my favorite moment is when a brilliant neurologist simply told me, "Very good," when I told her what I did for the management of her patient. Those are just two words - two words that sound ordinary for many but those words were BIG and HEAVY for me, coming from an esteemed member of her specialty and coming from one of the rockstars in our field. She is not the strict type, this consultant, in fact she is very pleasant, but she is not also the type who frequently praises the residents if they or we have done good. I thought at least before I graduate, she appreciated my management, and it feels good to be appreciated and recognized for your efforts even in that simple manner.

Now that I am a consultant, proudly serving the government, (which is an entirely different experience for me because I have been trained in and worked for a private hospital since I started) my favorite so far involves this stroke patient.

He is a teacher, particularly of the native tongue or dialect. It was just unfortunate that his stroke affected his speech that it became badly slurred, Rhat even us adults had a hard time comprehending it. How much more for his students? If that was not disheartening enough, half of his body was also paralyzed.

I was worried and I felt for the patient - he had his family to feed. The best I can do for him, aside from prescribing his medications and encouraging good compliance, was recommend an ample time of rest or leave from work, and also of course, hope for the best for him, that eventually he recovers from his stroke, so that he could get his life and career back on track.

Forward to a few months after, I was again at the ICU, and there was this man who came in and asked about securing a medical certificate. I answered his query but I also threw back a question asking him about his diagnosis. He immediately reminded me that he was my patient, the language teacher who got a badly slurred speech after getting a stroke. His speech was perfect!

I then asked him about his paralyzed limbs and he extended his arms briskly into the air to proudly show his limbs have regained their normal strength. It was symbolic for me when he did that - raise both his arms up high in the air - it was like a silent but meaningful act of reverence to The Guy up there. The ICU air was filled with sighs and gasps of happiness and exhilaration from the nurses and me when we finally recognized him. I will never forget that moment.

I know that I am still a relatively young consultant. I am sure I will encounter more cases in the future, part of those will be memorable because they are pleasant ones, and others will be memorable because, uhhmm they may be filled with a lot of lessons both in life and in career practice.

It might be that my favorites now will be overtaken by new and better favorites in the near future.

I can only look forward to that, with God's grace and favor. All for the patients who find their way to me as they seek for care.

The Crossroads in a Physician's Journey

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 15:56:00 +0000

Replying to one of the emails/comments from one of our readers, Jesselyn, in The Tipster: The Idiot's Guide to Residency.

***************

Good afternoon po Doc. :) I recently passed the board exam (March 2018). And I still can't believe that I am already a licensed doctor. During med school I already had the idea of going to Internal Medicine with an interest in Nutrition and Allergies. But right now, I feel like a blank piece of paper. I don't know what to pursue for residency. It seems like I always doubt myself in pursuing such a busy, stressful and demanding training. I do admit being a sickly person (asthma, allergic rhinitis, menstrual problems, so on and so forth). My place is like a pharmacy bec. I have a lot of medications. Some of my seniors would even ask me why did I enter this field knowing my health condition is quite poor. Being a doctor wasn't really my first choice bec. I was thinking that my health might not be able to cope up with the stressful environment as a physician. But when my late grandfather told me that he wishes me to enter medicine, I took a chance. I made a promise to myself that for every year that I pass med school, I shall continue my craft to be a physician. And so I did. But in between those success in passing are the days and even weeks that I am not feeling well. I even had instances where my allergies flare up during exam days, and I had no choice but to take medications. Sometimes I find myself sleeping during exam. Our Dean would always tell me that I am incapable of being a good doctor and just quit. But for every time I get through these exams and hear the words "thank you" from my patients, it lights up my eagerness to be a doctor. I accidentally found your blog po Doc while I was scrolling down at Google search for what should I do in choosing residency training. I have read a few articles just now and I was really inspired. I hope to hear from you po Doc. God bless po :)

I have posted it here so it can reach more readers.

**************

Hello Jesselyn!

I am so sorry that it took me quite a long time to finally reply to your comment.

First of all, I would like to thank you for taking time to read my entries. It does not matter that you found this blog serendipitously because that is how most readers found their way here. LOL! What matters is that you have found a companion, a confidante, as you begin your journey as a physician. There is nothing better than touching a person's life and I believe that somehow in my own little way, I have touched your life, and that is more than enough to inspire me to go on nurturing this blog.

Second, allow me to congratulate you for passing the physician licensure boards. Congratulations, Jesselyn! You made it! It is undeniable, it is on paper, and the PRC can give proof that you are a licensed physician! This victory, this triumph, definitely cancels out all the discouragements you have encountered before earning your license. Do not waste time dwelling and fretting about what has been said to you then, those comments might have propelled you to where you are now and that's it, those comments have served their purpose, which is to challenge you so that you can prove them all wrong. So again, congratulations! Our journey as physicians is actually not without trials and frustrations (sorry to break your bubble with that) but those tribulations will only mold us to become better individuals and able physicians who can deliver quality care for our patients. You've surpassed all those hurdles in health, in the people around you, etc., it would not be impossible that you will overcome other trials in the future. Hard but not impossible. Besides, that is life, Jess. We will only stop encountering challenges once we join the flatliners. So congratulations again, and rejoice! Life throws lemons at you because you are alive and it knows you can make lemonade out of it.

I could still remember that very first morning after the night when I knew I passed the medicine boards. The sun emanated an unusually pleasant glow. The meal I ordered at McDonald's tasted differently in a good kind of way, and lastly, I could not hold my smile. That's how victory felt and maybe, tasted.

Now, as we enter this milestone, we are beset with a lot of choices, like multiple decks of cards laid and neatly arranged in front of you, each card almost silently screaming at you to take it.

Well, how do I help you with this.

This may sound cliche or cheesy but in this aspect, it would make sense - I say follow your heart. If you decide to go into a particular specialty for training, be sure it is the specialty that you see yourself practicing in the future. You have to set your eyes on the doughnut and not the hole. The journey to the finish line will be very challenging, I tell you, ( I found myself crying almost everyday when I was in training) but just think of your goal and your purpose. Just remember that short-term pains will lead to long term gains. However, let me emphasize that as much as possible, avoid setting money or being rich as your primary motivation. Of course, as doctors, we are assured of at least a comfortable life, but it is different when your mindset is, you wanted and indeed you became a doctor because you wanted to be very rich. In my honest opinion, money as a motivation, will easily make you dwindle and wither specially with the harsh reality of this profession - the almost unattainable expectations from your patients, your colleagues, and the workplace in general. This mindset which is mainly centered on money will easily lead you to the thought that anyway, there are other ways to earn big bucks, and even bigger than practicing to be a doctor. In other words, commitment is the key here. A consultant once told me that just do what is right, just give everything your best, and money will follow.

I hope this helped, Jess. God bless you in your journey and who knows, by chance, we would meet somewhere sometime soon in one of our conferences.

Mabuhay ka!

What’s your excuse?

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 17:18:00 +0000

The woman in the picture, carrying her newborn child was referred to me for medical clearance for surgical procedure. In the middle of my interview with her, my attention was diverted to the man in the picture, who was sitting at the foot of the bed. He was in fact, her husband.

I even looked closely (yes,like, literally) to check if I was seeing what I was seeing then. Both of his eyes were blind. His right eye had a dominant opaque lens and it exhibited a right-sided nystagmus. I asked as politely as I can and he told me he has been legally blind on both eyes since the age of six as a complication of measles.

In layman’s term, legally blind would mean he cannot even perceive light on both eyes. Pitch black.

I went on to ask him what he does for a living, and he said he makes cabinets and furniture. I was even amused how he is able to pull that off considering that he has to mark his measurements on wood and cut the wood too. He just smiled and said it may sound unbelievable but that is what he does and his smile was beaming with pride when he told me that the products he builds and puts on display does not stay idle very long and are sold out after a few days. He also accepts other errands that would give him pay after a day’s work.

What struck me even more was the absence of even the slightest hint of bitterness in this man. He was smiling most of the time when we were talking, not because of embarassment, but simply because he had long accepted his reality and is at peace with it.

He even mentioned something to the effect that his mother probably forgot to have him vaccinated against measles when he was young. He ended that statement with a soft chuckle, giving me the impression that that does not matter a bit at at all. That is small stuff now.

He is at peace, even if he does not run out of trials, to add to his condition. His wife of 22 years just gave birth to their newborn baby boy, their 7th baby (7th heaven?) - adding to the six small mouths he already needs to feed - not including his wife’s and his.

Amidst all that, he maintained a positive mindset, confident that they will surpass all these trials and that the Almighty will not forget them and forsake them. He was kind of worried though if ever they would need to stay longer in the hospital. A longer hospital stay would mean a loss of opportunity for him to earn for his family. Now that gives us more than a hint of the diligence, perseverance, and sense of responsibility that this man has.

I may not exactly be super duper pious but I concluded our conversation by blessing him and wishing him well. Here is a man deprived of his sight since childhood but does not consider it as a hindrance to work hard for his family. His disability did not even succeed in crushing his hope for a better life for him and his family.

He may be blind, but his eyes which have long become strangers to light, are radiating with a lot of positivity of the almost blinding kind.

He is an inspiration.

Now, what’s your excuse? What’s our excuse?

Note: Photo taken with permission. It shows in their smiles, doesn’t it? :D

To go public, or not?

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 03:54:00 +0000

I was more than delighted to receive an email recently from one of my readers. I am posting it here hoping to enlighten more doctors, specially the young ones who are finding themselves at a crossroad in their career path.

********

Good day po, doc. I have read your blogs regarding residency and I just want to ask you questions lang sana if it's okay. I just passed the board exam last march 2017. I've been moonlighting na ever since. I plan to go on residency by Jan2019. I'm planning sana to take IM. I wanted to try applying in private hospitals in Manila but medyo takot ako na baka di ko masustain ang mga needs ko with only limited salary. I cannot depend on my family naman. Kaya option ko n rin magpublic hospital para at least bigger ang pay. May I know what residency did you go into? And if private or public hospital ba pinili mo? I just want sana to at least have an idea. Thank you, doc! - Nicole

********

Hello Nicole!

Thank you for taking time to visit my blog and read my entries. At least, in my own little way, I can be of help specially to budding physicians like you.

I had my residency training in Internal Medicine in Cebu Velez General Hospital in Cebu City. It is actually the base or mother hospital of my alma later, Cebu Institute of Medicine. It is a private hospital, and I admit, the pay is a bit meager compared to that of public medical institutions, therefore I had to make a few adjustments particularly with regards to my expenses.

Actually, my pathway to residency, and to finally completing it, was quite unique in the sense that I went into residency twice.

The first time I went into residency, I was a total newbie, fresh from passing the boards, with barely any savings at all.

The year was 2006. Still high after nailing the licensure exam and oozing with desire to be independent and to take a load off my parents’ back, I moved out of the apartment I rented when I was a medical student. I knew that my monthly salary of... (drumroll please).....

Php. 12,000.00, would not be able to support my simple lifestyle (yes, simple, no kidding!) so I chose to avail of the free board and lodging offered by the hospital.

Free lodging meant we had our own rooms at the upper floor of the hospital, free water and electricity - not a bad offer at all, except that the upper floor above ours, was where the owners of the hospital live, and when we went down one level, it was already our workplace, our battle grounds - the wards. Still not bad. No transportation expenses at all in going to the workplace. Those were minor, almost negligible hurdles compared to the challenge called residency.

Free board meant free food from the hospital dietary - still not bad because we would occasionally have lechon kawali, pork barbecue, freshly-squeezed kalamansi juice (yes, healthy!), and I am a fan of a number of the dishes they serve even if I have been their customer for half a decade. At least I could brag and say, there is such a thing as free lunch.

I finished the first year in residency but decided not to continue to the next level since I decided to try my luck with the USMLE. I spent four years working for my American Dream and during that span of time, I moonlighted in another private hospital in Tagbilaran City in the beautiful island of Bohol.

It was during my moonlighting stint that I was able to get hold of a relatively large amount of money that I did not encounter in my life - not really in the million levels but pay was never better than I have known since I started my career then. I was able to afford stuff that I wanted, on top of my needs. It was also during that time when I brought for myself my very first investment, a life insurance from Sun Life. I am proud of that achievement and I consider that as one of my remembrance purchases during moonlighting - something that will outlast that gig of mine. When the time came that I had to go back to residency, I had to face the fact that adjustments had to be made once again.

Presently, I am an employee of the Philippine government, since I am affiliated with a DOH-retained hospital in Mindanao. I can say compensation is quite satisfactory.

For you, Nicole and for budding doctors like you, I have enumerated the following points, which I believe are major issues that need to be considered in choosing which hospital to train

-- private or government-owned. "To go public, or not?" -- that is the question that we all hope to answer.

1. Work load -- To establish a baseline idea,residency is like a vampire that only desires to suck out all the life and blood out of you. Do not get me wrong here. I favor residency training as long as your circumstances would allow. I am not trying to scare you or discourage you from going into training but at least I want to give you an idea of what you will soon be getting into. In my own humble opinion, work load is a little bit - just a teeeeeeeeeeeny weeeeeeny bit - forgiving in the private hospitals. In the government hospitals, aside from your designated job description as resident, you might find yourself also doing a lot of scut work, like pushing wheelchairs, extracting blood specimens yourself, sending specimens to the laboratory, and other stuff like that. I even hear testimonies from fellow physicians that they go as far as buying stuff like IV catheters for their patients using money from their own pockets. Government hospitals, specially the referral centers, are always flooded with patients, it's like there is a party at the Emergency Room every single day. You have to prepare yourself for that reality in case you go for the government hospitals.

2. Compensation -- Dito naman bumabawi ang mga pampublikong ospital. A lot of doctors nowadays are finding themselves in government hospitals because of the very attractive compensation. The government gives 13th and 14th month pay, that's one month of your salary that is tax-free. There is what we also call Philhealth sharing among the hospital

employees, wherein we receive our share of the Philhealth earnings of the hospital. Sharing could be at least Php 5,000.00 every month, that is on top of your monthly salary, monthly laundry allowances, uniform allowances, hazard pay, and many others. I knew all about this when I started working for a government hospital. In this case, all your efforts and sleepless nights actually pay off as you find yourself laughing as you pay a visit to the ATM machine to check on your salary. In the private hospital where I trained we only had the 13th month pay

to look forward to, and a modest love gift from consultants, which both come in December, that's all.

3. Conducive learning environment -- Now this would not depend on the hospital but this one last issue depends on you, the main player of the game. Just ask yourself, in which environment will you find yourself at the peak of your learning. In which environment would you feel more motivated to work and learn at the same time. Remember that residency is all about learning the ropes before we go into the real world. It is all about learning skills, developing good habits and clinical practices, and sharpening our clinical eye. Which environment will bring out the best in you?

To come up with a decision, consider each issue carefully and just be honest with what you feel about it. Remember, you are at the receiving end of the outcome of this major decision you are going to make. Be kind to yourself first, so that this kindness will radiate on to your patients, whether they find you in a private or a public hospital.

I wish you all the best and I hope that somehow this has shed some light to your queries.

********

Keep the e-mails coming, dear readers.

Thank you.

Why doctors are a special bunch when it comes to building financial wealth

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 13:29:00 +0000

It is a well known fact that we physicians only start to earn in the later stage of our lives, compared to the general population. This is primarily because we spend around ten years of our lives in school trying to earn our medical degrees, that does not yet include the years spent in specialty and subspecialty training.

When we come to think of it, most physicians actually get to start or embark in most milestones in life rather late - we earn our medical licenses at about 25 or 26 years old (I for one, earned my license when I was 26 years old), some start to build their families and have kids at around 28 years old to 30 years old, and most importantly, we start building our financial future around this age also, or maybe even later than that, like me.

So why are doctors a special bunch when it comes to building financial wealth?

1. We bury ourselves in our medical books while our counterparts start earning. After graduating from college at around 20 years old, we are in for the journey of our lives, as we jump from the pot to the fire by the time we enroll ourselves in medical school.

I remember the first week of class in medical school when our biochemistry professor then told us that in order to survive medicine, we have to live, breathe, eat, and sleep medicine. It was short of saying that in order to earn our medical degrees, focus and determination are on the topmost list of the requirements. Grit would be an appropriate word. One has to have grit in medical school, to withstand all the challenges that the course encompasses. Of course there were sunny days, there were eureka moments that instantly reminded us of our reasons of why we were where we were back then. (I think I just created a tongue twister right there.)

Back to our topic of building financial wealth, while our high school batch mates were already starting to earn, we were still beginning to achieve our dreams of becoming doctors.

By the way, since our educational system has recently implemented the K-12 system, this only means that the incoming batches of medical students will come in two years later - or older - than we did during our time.

2. Even when we have earned our medical licenses, we continue to bleed ourselves dry as we slave ourselves away while on training for our chosen specialty. We almost jumped over the roof when we knew we passed the board exams. It was such a nice feeling, knowing that from that time on, we will be addressed as "Doc" and all our efforts in medical school have finally paid off.

However, passing the boards is just the start of another rollercoaster ride since our journey does not stop there. Residency is next in line, as we choose and decide whether we want to be pediatricians, internists, obstetricians, or surgeons. Read more about entering residency training here.

By the time we step into slavery - I mean residency - our counterparts have already established their niches in their careers. We earn our first salaries when we go into residency but compensation is only about 20,000.00 (at least during my time of training and maybe that has increased a bit now) in Philippine currency, still exclusive of taxes.

In this day and age, imagine what life a monthly compensation of Php. 20,000.00 would give. That does not include taxes, and contributions to PhilHealth and SSS.

A single physician-in-training who is self-supporting and living alone and far away from home, has to do some tight budgeting with that amount, and try to make it sufficient to pay for rent, gas, decent clothes, laundry, food, and yes - coffee. During our time, books would have to be included in the list but with the advent of e-books that would not be much of a problem.

In my case, I availed of the free board and lodging offered by the hospital during my (first) stint in residency.

There are some resident doctors who are blessed enough to have their lifeline still active, with continuous financial support from their parents. However a vast majority of the resident doctors' population are striving - or may be starving - to make ends meet. This is actually a challenge because the prevailing notion is that once an individual has passed the phyisician licensure exam, it is almost always equated to having a lot of money, almost instantly, like magic! But hell, no, I am sorry to disappoint you guys, it is not always the case.

At this stage the new physician is at last and at least earning but he or she is either under-compensated or the cash-on-hand is just enough for the rookie doctor's basic needs. The common priority therefore at this time is to make ends meet, rather than setting aside a certain amount for savings.

3. Others who chose not to go into training start earning a lot of bucks but... Moonlighting is the term coined for physicians who are working as doctors in certain hospitals but are not under a specialty training program. Moonlighting is a very attractive option for new doctors specially that it offers a good take-home pay, sans the psychological, emotional, and physical battery that goes with residency training.

   However, for someone who has just started earning and has a lot of wants, saving might still be on the last part of the list.

          The newly adapted ideologies of the young generation today, particularly YOLO and FOMO, can also, in a way hamper these young individuals from starting their journey to financial freedom.

You cannot blame someone who has just held in his or hands a 5-digit salary that is at least amounting to 30,000 pesosesoses, to finally buy the latest mobile phone he or she has been eyeing, or that G-shock watch of his favorite color, or to finally go to that dream destination whether that is inside or outside the country.

   It is a fact that there is a lot of money in moonlighting. Those moonlighters are the rich bunch in the line of rookie physicians. Yes, they are already starting to earn big time but building financial wealth or maybe even thinking of retirement are among the least of their priority.

   To moonlight, or not to moonlight? Read more here.

4. Even when we are done training in our specialty and subspecialty, we realize even more that it is a dog-eat-dog world that has been waiting for us at the finish line. A doctor who has just graduated specialty and subspecialty training will finally take a breath of exhilaration. He or she is about to start the rest of his or her life as a medical practitioner.

Another biting reality will reveal itself during this stage. The physician who has just started practicing realizes that money does not come easy. This is at least for the majority of new physicians who have not inherited a practice from their relatives. There will always be exceptions to the rule you know and these lucky ones are that. Good for them.

One has to spend and count hours, and even days, sitting patiently and painstakingly at the clinic to wait for patients. While I do this at the clinic, I keep reminding myself, "This is a waiting game." Repeat three to four times a minute.

I am going to tell you a secret. You know what I do inside my clinic while I wait for patients? I organize my tasks. I am really into To-Do Lists and so while waiting I check my progress, and tick off the items in my list that I have already accomplished or completed, or in the case of my monthly bills, those that I have already paid. There is still one thing that I love to do though while waiting for patients -- of course this one will just place a close second to sleeping while waiting.

I cut a lot of paper. I cut old magazines and recycle them into envelopes. Actually I have made a lot of recycled envelopes already, that I am thinking of donating them to the church so they can be used as offertory envelopes. Their recycled lives would at least be spent for the greater glory of God. So can you imagine now how many hours I have spent inside the clinic waiting for patients?

However, whether you like it or not, the waiting will soon be over. To put it in another light, there are days that are not spent waiting.

There are always firsts, like the day when your first patient walks into the clinic. Then you get to earn your first professional fee. Oh, what a joyful moment that was! I felt like dancing round and round, and at the same time jumping, while holding my secretary's hands.

5. Financial management is never taught in medical school. This is very true. Maybe medical school administrators can invite resource speakers who will speak to us about financial management. It would also help if resource speakers on taxation would also be allowed to speak to medical students, or if not to those newly-minted physicians, so it would not come as a shock to them, how much they have to pay for taxes, how to get a TIN, and if they really need to employ the services of a book keeper or accountant.

If you are like most physicians (or any other individual regardless of profession) who have not yet started building your financial wealth, do not be disheartened. It is not too late to start. I tell you, I have been there – got into a credit card mess, brought all the gadgets that I want during my moonlighting stint, and there was a time when I barely had savings – but I was able to rise above all that, and I believe that you can, too.

Hoping to share more to you soon so that you will be inspired to start building your financial wealth and secure your future. Together let us all aim for financial independence and eventually, aim to achieve financial freedom wherein we would not have to work for the money at all, but our money will be working for us.

I tell you, that is very possible.

Love and light!

Clever ways to spend the money you earned in moonlighting (Last of 2 Parts)

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 05:11:00 +0000

To continue...

Second unsolicited advice would be, spend your money wisely. You did not earn your money sleeping. In fact, you had to lose a lot of sleep and grow heavy eyebags beneath your eyes to earn those bucks.

It is only right to be clever and wise in spending the money you earned in moonlighting.

Your hard-earned money should at least be distributed into five categories:

(1) Tithes. God will give you back according to what you gave and even more. As written in the Bible, in Malachi 3:10, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessings that there will not be room enough to store it.

(2) Parents. Give back to your parents (even if they do not ask for it), as a way of thanking them for everything they went through during your medical education. They were with you during your journey in medical school - they too were stressed when you were stressed with your duties at the hospital, and they cried and laughed with you through it all. The value of utang na loob (debt of gratitude) is deeply ingrained in the Filipino culture, and it would not hurt us if we give back to those who supported us all the way.

(3) Savings. Save whenever you can and when you can. Every peso counts. There will come a time when you will be tired of moonlighting and you will eventually decide to go up the next level which is residency training. Learn a lesson from the ant who works hard to save for the rainy days. Residency is most of the time not sunny (in terms of the pocket) and so you should prepare for those days.

(4) Investments. Investing your money will always be a good idea. They say, the best time to invest was yesterday - but you were not yet earning then - so the next best time to invest is today - I mean now, that you have your own money. There are quite a lot of investment tools that are available at present - mutual funds, UITFs, traditional and variable life insurances, and there's the stock market too. I availed of a traditional life insurance during my moonlighting stint. I consider that as my achievement, as well as a remembrance of my career in moonlighting. The gadgets I bought during those days had been outdated, some have even grown useless, but my insurance still lingers - in a way because I am still paying for it until now because it is up for 30 years payment - most importantly, it continues to be an assurance that I am protected and my family won't be left hanging if ever something unexpected happens to me.

(5) Things and Travel. Buy the things that you need and some of the things that you want. Travel to places that you have always wished to explore. Go out on an adventure. Unwind. The millenials have a word for this - YOLO, which means You Only Live once - which is quite true. You deserve a reward once in a while for all your efforts. Getting that latest phone model would probably inspire you to work harder. As for me, I bought myself a DSLR camera and a laptop when I was moonlighting. The former, a want, because photography is one of my hobbies, and the latter, a need, because when I bought the laptop, I already decided to go back to residency the following year. Reward yourself after a day's work like pigging out with friends in your favorite restaurant, watching a movie, or visiting a recreational theme park in your area.

If you decide to choose the moonlighting path, I have no objection to that. Whatever makes you happy. "Kung saan ka masaya," as they say in Filipino.

Follow your heart. Just make sure that you have your career plans in check all the time and you know where you are headed to.

Comforting words from Liz Gilbert, and more...

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Tue, 02 May 2017 11:48:00 +0000

Elizabeth Gilbert, the famous author of the bestseller, Eat, Pray, Love, wrote something beautiful on her Facebook Page.

I am sharing her post right here, because it is too precious not to be shared, specially that I know it will make a difference in your life, the way it did in mine.

Wherever we are in our lives right now, whether we are smiling with the sun, or weeping under gray clouds, Liz's words will give us an idea, where to run to when we feel we are treading a downhill course, when we feel that the climb is too steep for us that taking just one small step feels like carrying iron balls tied to our feet through chains, and how to heal ourselves, when we are deeply wounded.

"Go to the Water"

by Elizabeth Gilbert

Years ago, when I was going through a really hard time, a friend of mine who was a naturalist gave me some beautiful advice about how to best take care of myself.

He told me, "When an animal in the wild is injured, it has only two strategies for how to heal itself: It can rest or it can go to the water. Right now, try to do as much of both as possible."

Rest.

And then go to the water.

Drink the water. Submerge yourself in the water. Touch the water. Look at the water.

Then go back to sleep.

Repeat as necessary, until healing occurs.

Sometimes, I forget these two magical principals, how to rest, and how to go to the water.

Then I get overwhelmed by life's challenges, and I trick myself into believing that I need a much more complicated cure than your average wounded animal. And sometimes I do need a more complicated cure, I guess.

But not usually.

Usually sleep and water will do the trick.

It always reminds me of that Isak Dinesen quote: "The cure for everything is salt water: tears,sweat, or the sea."

This morning - after a good night's sleep - I went to the water. Here is a photo I took this morning of my feet dipping into my old friend, the Atlantic Ocean. She has never let me down yet, and she didn't let me down this morning either.

(That said, when the ocean is not available, a long hot bath will work. Or a cold shower. Or standing naked under the garden sprinkler, which has been known to change the energy of a day as well! As a final resort: Just drink 8 ounces of the stuff...whatever it takes. Get thee to the water, people.)

Just rest, and go to the water.

It's all gonna be alright.

That's what the water always tells me, anyhow.
And I believe in the water.

:)

ONWARD, and be good to you,
LG

On the other hand, I believe we should also go to the water when we are at our happiest. Personally, the beach for me represents a treasure trove of memories. There, in the beach, I was at my happiest, and in those moments, I was surrounded by family and friends, people I love and who love me back at the same time, no matter what.

Mama took this photo while I was testing the cold waters of Miami Beach in Florida.

A realization dawns on me that "water" will always have a role in both our happiest and saddest moments.

We shed tears when we are sad, yet we drink and try to drown ourselves in our merriment when we celebrate. Well-wishers applaud a newly married couple who drinks wine together during a wedding reception. In a gathering or celebration, there will always be someone who would lead and want to make a toast.

The situation may be different for others who cry and drink at the same time during moments of despair.

We go out of our way, brave distances, in order to bask in scenic beaches. While others visit the beach to reminisce memories of a lost love, or to simply forget the cruelty of the world, and yes, to heal.

We are even forced to drink bitter concoctions or syrups or suspension, to achieve cure and freedom from illness.

Athletes and athlete-wannabes sweat hours of training, not minding the sacrifices they have to make, and the indescribable discipline they have to maintain and adhere to. Yet, when they sweat in the very day of the race, their sweat couldn't be more sweet. It is in fact the sweetest of all especially when they reach the finish line.

Water, therefore, is not only essential in maintaining life. It plays an intrumental role in every aspect of it.

Get thee, therefore, to the water.

Frolicking at Patong Beach in Phuket.

Reflections 101

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 08:24:00 +0000

Have you ever led someone by the hand and guided him or her to enter through the gates that guard the boundaries that define the person that you really are?

It seemed then that you were under a mystic spell that made you reveal yourself so easily to that person, not worrying a bit about the reality of rejection, and most of all, not worrying about the reality - and the risk it accompanies - that opening yourself to him or her is actually exposing your vulnerability - the softest part of you where he or she can easily stab with a dagger anytime he or she decides to, and be sure that hitting that spot will instantly drain all the life that is left in you.

As for me, I did. I’ve been there.

And it hurt a lot. It hurt too much that I could not even begin to figuratively describe the pain of betrayal.

I have picked up the pieces from the experience though.

I have learned not really to regret but instead, to be cautious the next time I decide to open up to someone. Moreso, I have learned to really choose the right person to open myself to and reveal the feelings I have deep within. That is the harder part, though. The act of opening up to someone is like giving that someone a present, a gift. That present is a part of yourself, a vulnerable part of you that that someone could break. It could also be like handing that person a gun, and allowing him or her to aim it at your heart, but trusting that person that he will never pull the trigger. I think Spongebob said that.

When one opens up, it is like giving up a part of yourself to someone. That is why choosing the person to reveal yourself to is actually the hardest part because, it is easy to give up something, but it is not easy to find the person worth giving it up for.

Things to consider when travelling with senior citizens

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 14:58:00 +0000

When we were young, my mother took my sister and I to a tour in some of the tourist spots here in the Philippines. She even would multi-task as mother and office worker when she took us to her out-of-town business trips.

I could not really say those instances awakened in me the love for traveling, however it sparked a desire in me and in my sister to give back to her by bringing her also to places she had never been.

Now in her senior years, my mother had visited a few countries other than the Philippines, and she also visited new tourist destinations in our country, as well. During our trips with her, I have realized that traveling with a senior citizen is something out of the ordinary - an adventure on its own, aside from the destination itself.

Striking a pose at the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car and Village in Hongkong.

Unlike us young adults and millenials, senior citizens may not be as agile as before and mood swings might also be a challenge for some. That thought was a light bulb moment for me and so I decided to come up with this article.

1. Comfort should be king. This should be first and foremost in travelling with our folks. Comfort should be on top of the list when planning for trips, from accomodation to travel time, and mode of transportation to take. In the planning process, they should be asked whether it would be comfortable for them to take a 4 to 5-hour bus ride to a certain destination, like travelling from Puerto Princesa in Palawan to El Nido for instance, or would it be fine with them when going to a certain destination entails transfers from plane to bus to boat, such as in Boracay.

This reminds me of my latest trip to Boracay with my mother. It was ages since I last went to that paradise and while I was on the plane, I was trying to recount where to go next and what ride to take once we land on Caticlan Airport.

Good thing the flight attendants were selling these tickets for bus and boat transfers to the island. I admit it was quite pricey (Php 800.00 for a ticket per way per person), but I could not be more thankful and relieved that I bought tickets for us. Travelling was a breeze and we did not need to line up. The guide just told us where to go next and which van to hop into. I could line up for hours to save some bucks but I could not allow my mother to stand for long hours because she has problems with her knees on prolonged standing and in walking long distances.

Comfort could come at an exorbitant price but that is nothing if that comfort is for our folks, right?

Obligatory inflight photo with Mama taken when we were on our way to Boracay.

2. Safety is a close second. Once you enter your hotel room, take time to survey the place and warn your folks whether, for instance, they need to watch their steps in getting inside the comfort room, or whether they need to keep their head low when passing through the door that leads to the balcony. Safety considerations may also include avoiding places that may have issues with insurgencies or security, and the like. You might want to schedule your travel to those places some other time. Nobody would want to be caught in a crossfire, you know.

3. Make use of privileges of senior citizens. These privileges include being prioritized to board first on the plane, or having seats specially designated for them, or being allowed to skip a que, or simply having the comfort of being transported on a wheelchair by airport personnel.

4. Make sure to pack and bring their maintenance medications, blood pressure apparatus, and glucometers. Going on a vacation does not mean that they also have to take a break from taking their medications and from monitoring their blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

5. As much as possible, meals should be on time. Always bear in mind that our folks do not have iron stomachs like ours which could endure ultra-delayed meals. Sometimes some folks might be too shy to say that they are hungry so sometimes the best indicator is they become quiet, or worse, they become grumpy. Spare yourself from their "wrath," and avoid reaching that point where the signs are flashing in neon lights right in front of your face.

6. Simply lounging at the beachfront is happiness. For these bunch who are in the prime time of their lives, travel may not necessarily equate to adrenaline-pumping experiences. They are quite past that. Join them as they simply enjoy watching the sunset, or watching the waves as they kiss the beach over and over again.

Mama and Me simply sitting on the powdery white sand beach of Boracay

7. They might not be able to do a lot of walking. Most trips usually entail walking. Ask your folks in a nice way if they want to bring along a portable wheelchair. I say that with emphasis on nicely because they might be in denial that they are not as agile as before and you might strike a sensitive chord when you ask them that. An alternative would be to buy them those pricey slippers called FitFlops or Crocs. My mother's rheumatologist actually advised her to have those for her osteoarthritic knees.

8.Ask them what places they want to visit. Lastly, ask them what places they want to visit. In that way, you will be making their dreams come true, all expense paid by you of course. Now you might want to start working and saving for that like, right now (?) 😀 Good luck!

Going wacky with Mama at the Upside Down House in Phuket.

Only in the Philippines: The Skylab

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 12:30:00 +0000

You would probably think the Skylab is a laboratory built high up in the air - the sky.

But it isn't.

I do not even know how it earned its name on this side of the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao. In the Visayas, it is more known as the habal-habal.

It is actually motorcycle with appendages in the form of wood, added or attached to its sides, for the purpose of accomodating more passengers. The Skylab or the habal-habal, could accomodate as much as 10-12 persons, sometimes even 15, including the driver. That is a very far cry from the average of three persons that the motorcycle is designed to accomodate. Overloading would be such a poor term to describe it, but we all have to face the truth that the skylab is a product of the Filipino's ingenuity. That's the part I love most.

The skylab has been such a useful means of transportation for quite a long time now - in my rough estimate, in the past 10-15 years - for most Filipinos specially those who are living in the outskirts of major business areas. To put it simply, it is the most accessible and affordable means of transportation for those who are living in the remote areas, especially in the mountains, where no buses dare brave to go, because of the indescribably rough roads and the distance. Where the buses can't go, the skylab takes you there.

Friends, meet the skylab.

Side view.

Front view. Notice the kicker, the invitation to ride -- "Dali na! Sakay na! (Come on over, ride on!")

And finally....

Yes, that is me on the sklylab, with Manong, the ultimate photobomber.

Thank you for dropping by! 'til next time.

Last and Final Serving: The Road to Financial Freedom - Simple Ways to Save Money (Last of 3 Parts)

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 15:09:00 +0000

It took quite a while before I was able to serve you this last helping. Finally, here it is, your last serving of tips that will lead to the road to financial freedom.

11. Walk when you can. It's good for your heart and your pocket, too.

12. Make the most out of freebies. Sometimes, there is such a thing as free lunch. Make the most of it but take caution not to become a freeloader.

13. Set up automatic transfers. These day, banks offer automatic transfer services that facilitate transfer of money from and between your accounts. Some banks offer this service wherein they automatically deduct, say Php. 500.00 from your payroll account, so that you have already saved even before you got hold of your salary. Sometimes, or maybe I should say, most of the time, it takes a lot of effort and emotions for us to set aside a small amount of our earnings for our savings. If you automate your transfers, you are spared of this effort and unnecessary stress and at the same time you have saved already for rainy days.

14. Be faithful in sending your car to the shop for maintenance and oil change. A long life for your car would mean a lot of savings for you since you would not be pressured to buy a new one if your car is still in good running condition.

15. Sleep on it. I practice whenever I feel like I want to buy something expensive. Before I make the big purchase, I test myself and sleep on it. After one or more nights have passed and I still have the same desire for that expensive item, that's the time I go ahead and buy the item.

16. Learn to cook. I call this surival cooking. When someone asks me if I know how to cook, I would answer, "Yes, survival cooking!" Fried dishes would be on top of the list. Aside from that, you can surf on YouTube for other dishes that you might want to cook. Once you have mastered cooking a dish, try cooking for more than one mealtime so you can pack some for your meal at the office.

17. Eat out less and when you eat out bring home the leftovers. The least amount you could shell off when you eat out would be around Php. 400. You can already buy a lot of stuff from the grocery with that amount. Strive to eat out less. Reserve eating out for dates with your loved one, or for special occasions. You may also decide to eat out only once or twice a month like every pay day, but still alloting a certain amount or budget for that. Don't be ashamed to bring home the left overs. Food left untouched are disposed by restaurants straight to the trash.

18. Examine your bill at the restaurant first before you get your cash or card to pay for it. I don't know why but I was ashamed to do this before. Eventually I have learned to overcome that embarrassment specially when I knew that examining your bill once the waiter hands it to you actually saves you some bucks. Try it.

19. Compare plane fares from different airlines before finally booking your ticket and book early too. These are the times when being an early bird have its rewards. Being diligent in comparing plane fares also gives you a lot of savings too.

20. Unplug your appliances. I am out of my apartment most of the time. When I started to unplug my appliances when I am not in my place, I noticed a considerable decrease in my monthly electric bill. Unplugging my appliances is part of my checklist of things to do before going out of my apartment. This rule however does not apply to the refrigerator.

21. Floss. Don't just do this because it's part of personal hygiene but also because you love your teeth so much that you can't afford to lose them to caries. You would be shocked to find that dentures actually cost a fortune. So go ahead and make your day, floss it, like you mean it!

22. Visit your dentist every six months. Recent studies have proven that poor oral hygiene leads to heart disease. Imagine having dentures and having to maintain taking daily medications when you get old. Isn't it such a repulsive or disappointing scenario? A scenario that you could actually stop from coming true by showing up at your dentist's clinic every six months for dental cleaning or prophylaxis. Of course, emphasizing the importance of brushing your teeth is an understatement.

23. Prepare your grocery list before going to the grocer's. Making your list before you go to the grocery would save you a lot of time trying to remember what else you need to buy. Since we are all about saving money, try your best to stick to the items on your list, but still be kind to yourself. Maybe you can treat yourself to one bar of yoir favorite chocolate - just one item of indulgence, like maybe one pint od ice cream. If you are the strict type to stick on your budget, then maybe you can just bring just the exact amount of money you have alloted for your grocery items.

24. Don't do the grocery when you are hungry. You would tend to pick up a lot of items that are not on your list.

25. Sleep with the lights off. Doing this will take a big chunk off your monthly electricity bill. Aside from that, it helps you give back to the environment.

Now that we are still far from our twilight years, we all have this tendency to think that we deserve to enjoy life using our hard earned money. YOLO - You Only Live Once - that is, according to the millenials. There's also this thing called FOMO or Fear Of Missing Out.

I don't also mean that you have to deprive yourself of the good things in life just so you could save. I suggest that we all strive to strike a balance between saving and spending.

One of the mantras I live by in saving money stems out from a statement said by a very good friend more than a decade ago. I admire the skills this friend of mine has when it comes to managing her money.

We were just starting to earn money as doctors then. We used to receive our salaries in cold cash. One pay day she asked me if I count the bills that the cashier gives me during payroll time. She said she does that every time - count her money, that is - before going out of the business office.

I told her I don't do that. I just claim my envelope and I don't bother to count my money because I am embarassed to do that. However, she emphasized to me that I should take time to check if the salary written in my payslip matches the number of bills inside the envelope which bears my name. She assured me that the cashier would definitely understand and would not mind at all. Besides, she said in our dialect, "Wala bya ni nato gikatulgan atong kwarta." (We worked hard for the money and we did not earn it by just sleeping.)

I consider that as one of the turning points in my financial life. She could not be more right.

We worked hard to earn what we are earning today. Saving money is a way of valuing all the sleepless nights we spent in college (and in medical school), and all the physical and mental and emotional exhaustion we had to go through to finally arrive to where we are today. That goes for everyone, not only for doctors - because whatever you are doing now for a living, I know you started somewhere down below. We all did.

The Tipster's Second Serving: The Road to Financial Freedom - Simple Ways to Save Money

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 16:41:00 +0000

For your second serving towards the road to financial freedom.

6. Withdraw from your own bank. Surcharge fee for withdrawing from other banks' ATMs could reach to around Php. 7-15.00. Remember, every peso counts. Just think of the health benefits you give to your heart each time you decide to walk that two blocks where your bank's ATM is located. Probably there's a view to enjoy too, on the way there. Thinks of ways to make the task lighter. Your heart - and your wallet (or even your eyes) - would give you a pat on the back for that.

7. Try not to withdraw from your bank account at all. Now this may sound confusing but what I really mean to say is that, if you still have enough money to last you for the day, or for the week, try not touching your money in the bank. This has something to do with Average Daily Balance (ADB) which the bank computes at the end of the month. This is at least for savings accounts. The bigger your ADB, the bigger your monthly interest.

Others prefer a different strategy. They set aside cash enough for a week or maybe a month, so that their money in the bank goes untouched for quite some time - until they use up their stash, that is. If you prefer this strategy, just make sure you have a safe and protected place to store or hide your cash.

8. Deposit your coins in your bank account. Sounds like we're getting more serious about bank accounts here. Anyway, Are you one of those people who keep a piggy bank at home with all your loose change in it? Some would even choose just to save 5-peso-coins or 10-peso-coins. I used to do that - with an emphasis on the past tense.

I used to challenge myself to fill my piggy bank - a 2-liter empty bottle of mineral water - to the brim, with 5-peso and 10-peso coins. It would take me a lot of months to do that and what an exhilaration those milestones would be for me that time. Recently, although I still use the same piggy bank, it is not anymore my goal to fill it to the brim like before. As soon as I feel that I have a lot of coins - maybe filling a quarter of the bottle - I immediately deposit it in my bank account, so that my money could earn for me, no matter how small. I could only shake my head thinking about the number of months I have allowed my coins to "sleep" in the piggy bank. Again, lesson learned. Let us all allow our coins to "sleep" in the bank this time, safe in our savings accounts, and earning for us.

9. Bring packed meals to work. I do this each time I have the chance to cook. Sometimes, I just cook rice and then I just buy viand at the canteen. Packed meals are a great way to save.

10. Buy clothes at the thrift shop. I started to be a frequent customer of thrift shops when I was a medical resident-in-training when I have to skimp a lot on my budget. Until now that I have graduated from training, I still find time to go to my favorite thrift shop. In fact, I have left my contact number in one shop because they send messages to their customers each time they have new stocks or new arrivals. That's quite a strategy right there to maintain their customers' loyalty.

I realized that being able to have an eye for good clothes or items in the thrift shop is a skill that one develops in time. I was not really good in choosing stuffs before but in time, I have developed my skill. Actually, if you just look closer and strive to be patient in scanning through the items they are selling, you can see that items in the thrift shop are actually made of good quality. If you are lucky enough, you might even get branded items at a very good bargain price. My family and friends are amazed when I tell them that which stuff I bought from the thrift shop. Aside from buying cheap quality clothing, the way you carry yourself counts a lot too.

To be continued.

The Tipster's Road to Financial Freedom: Simple Ways to Save Money (1st of 3 Parts)

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 16:05:00 +0000

I am not exactly a miser but I believe there are many ways to save money that most of us often overlook.

Looking back now, I wish I had saved all the money that passed through my hands as fast as the speed of light. However, that is all in the past now and there is no use fretting about it at all. What's important is I have taken the lessons of the past with me.

A lot of people say, how much you earn does not matter at all. What matters is how much you are willing to set aside - which I believe is true. It may sound impossible, but actually, it is indeed very possible to live below your means so that you can set aside a certain amount of your income.

Now talking about living below your means - lifestyle, that is, - I gladly share to you just a few tips that may help you make the most of your hardly earned peso. These may just be small stuff, probably just making you save a few centavos, but I tell you, every peso counts.

1. Avoid the coffee at the deli. Overpriced coffee is indeed flavorful on the tongue but most of the time it stings your wallet or your pocket. Just do the math yourself if you indulge in one cup of overpriced coffee every week. Let's say a cup of your favorite coffee at the deli costs Php 150.00. Thats just the minimum price of coffee in those shops right? Make that four cups in a month, that's a whooping Php. 600.00 - probably enough to cover the meals of a struggling family of four in the city in a one week period. Imagine the savings you gain if you cut that habit of ordering that venti ice mocha frappe, non-fat milk, no whip cream.

   However at this point, you might want to argue with me and say, "Hey, I deserve to have this cup of coffee from Starbucks after a day's work!" Well, I won't object to that either. If you cannot totally cut on your overpriced coffee, at least minimize it or consider it as a treat or reward for yourself when you decide to have one.

   As for me, I order one at Starbucks - my favorite hot mocha, grande - once in two to three months. I am not kidding. I admit, I have a favorite flavor from each coffee shop - White chocolate mocha, ice-blended from Bo's Coffee; Hot (as me) Cafe Americano from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. I also have tasted all the coffee jelly variants from all coffee shops and for me the best of them all comes from Krispy Kreme. But still, I rarely get those coffee twice in a month. The rest of the days, I rely on my all-time favorite 3-in-1 Nescafe coffee, the classic flavor. When I am at the office, I feast on the unlimited coffee.

2. Use your debit card in your purchases. Unless I want to maintain my Average Daily Balance (ADB) from my savings account so that my account would earn me a higher interest at the end of the month, I usually use my BDO debit card in my purchases, specially at the grocer's. The primary reason why I use my debit card is it actually gives me a lot of savings. First, it saves me from the hassle of looking for coins that the cashier usually asks for to make her life easier when it comes to giving you your loose change. Second, it allows me to pay exactly to the last centavo, nothing more, nothing less. That point something in the amount due actually makes one's life harder, and it can make you poorer too. Take for example, your total bill is Php. 1032.82 and you hand the cashier a total of Php. 1050.00 in paper bills. You can't expect her to give you an exact change of Php 17.18. It is probable that she would only give you Php. 17.00. I know that 18 centavos would not make you dirt poor, but you are only making the owner of the grocery richer! That 18 centavos is still important. Nobody would even hand you that (not even your parents), unless you do labor or service in return.

   So make it a habit to go cashless. Really, it saves you a lot of hassle and money.

3. Avoid buying bottled water. Bottled water costs at least Php. 10.00. You could save a lot if you just bring water at home using your tumbler. Be sure to use BPA-Free containers.

4.. Use public transportation. Ride the jeepney, why not? I used to ride the taxi each time I go to the airport (I would shell out a maximum of Php 220.00 as I travel from the heart of Cebu City to Mactan Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City. Recently however, SM Prime Holdings have this MyBus buses going around Cebu City, with their stations in SM malls.

     You have to purchase a card so that you can ride on the buses. The card costs Php. 200 pesos, and that is already consumable. Their routes include: SM City Cebu to the Airport, Airport to SM City Cebu, SM City Cebu to SM Seaside. They also have routes to Talisay and Minglanilla from SM Seaside. The ride from one point to another only costs Php. 25.00.

   Last month, I was patting myself on the bank for saving a lot on my transportation expenses. I hopped into a taxi going to SM City and paid the driver Php. 86.00. I then hopped into MyBus going to the airport, paying only Php. 25.00. That is a lot of savings, right?! Lucky for me, I got my MyBus card from my colleague who gave it to me for free.

5. Open a bank account a few days before the last day of the month. I did that when I opened my savings account. In a matter of days from opening your account, you will already be earning interest from it. Talking about making your money work for you. :-)

(To Be Continued).

'Tis the season of celebration - again!

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 17:34:00 +0000

I would like to send my warmest congratulations to the successful examinees who nailed the PSBIM 2016! You made it guys!

Here is the link to the complete list of successful examinees, the newly minted
Diplomates in Internal Medicine.

Photo credits: Katrina Paz U. Campomanes

Only in the Philippines: Britania, The Beautiful

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 17:21:00 +0000

I have only been to Britania Islands in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur, last January, but still, until today, I am drunkenly spellbound by the beauty of the place.

I am not sure what to call or aptly describe this type of intoxication but you can call it a long-lasting high, and definitely it is something that I would not want to recover from.

Going to Britania has actually been an overstaying entry on my bucket list of places to visit, so when my colleague brought up the idea of going there, I said, “I’m in!” faster than I can say my own name.

We reached Britania after about an hour on the road from Tandag City, the provincial capital. We dined and stayed overnight at La Entrada Resort and Restaurant, and went island hopping the following day.

On arrival at La Entrada Resort and Restaurant. Smiling for the camera while waiting for dinner to be served.

Definitely I am not a morning person but I successfully dragged myself out of my bed to say hello to The Britania Sunrise.

All set for island hopping.

We took the island hopping package of nearby McArthur’s Place, just a stone’s throw away from La Entrada. At McArthur’s Place, we paid Php. 1,500.00 for a four-hour island hopping trip to four of the 24 islands and islets of Britania, scattered on Lianga Bay. (La Entrada offered us the same price for island hopping but only good for three hours.) The randomness on which each island and islet was situated in relation to each other, not to mention their uhmm sizes, or land area, is already a sight to behold in itself. They were like flowers randomly showered by a flower girl on a carpet-laden wedding aisle.

Too beautiful not to be photographed. A selfie with the islands and islets.

At McArthur’s Place.

We visited four of the 24 islands and islets in Britania, namely, the Naked Island, Hagonoy Island, Hirog-Hirog Island, and Boslon Island.

First stop is Hagonoy Island. It was a simple yet a beautiful island. I wanna say, it is virginal, forgive the pun, but one can really tell that it is untouched and unspoiled by the complexity of modernization – and I love it that way. Truly, beauty in simplicity. I did not expect to find vendors in the island, but yes, there were vendors indeed! If there is one tip I can give you if ever you decide to visit Britania, bring some money when you go island hopping. The vendors were selling souvenir items and most of all, boiled sea shells and it was my first time to eat those. The “saang” is slow cooked initially with sea water, according to “Manang” so that the animal living in it would not hide deep inside the shell, or else, you would not be able to eat it at all. After pulling out the meat from the shell, we soaked it in native white vinegar and oh my, they were delicious!

Hagonoy Island. Beauty in simplicity. (Photo courtesy of Shiela U. Campomanes)

The “saang” and me. (Photo courtesy of Shiela U. Campomanes)

More “saang” please. My fellow doctors and I enjoying the saang with native vinegar. (Photo courtesy of Shiela U. Campomanes)

After filling ourselves up at Hagonoy Island, our next stop was the Naked Island. If Hagonoy Island was virginal, well this one is uhm, naked, yes – definitely 100% pure and heavenly patch of fine white sand you can enjoy.

Taking a walk on the Naked Island. Hagonoy Island on the background

(Photo credit Ivy Matildo-De Jose)

Going wacky on the Naked Island. (Photo courtesy of Shiela U. Campomanes)

I had to take a picture of our sunny-natured boatman. The guy in the middle of the photo below. He is the story behind our wacky photo on Naked Island. We asked him to take our group picture, and when he did, we were on the verge of dispersing when he said, “Wait! Kanang wacky! (Let me take your wacky photo!) Mabuti pa si Manong, may wacky pang nalalaman. Talo kami, ah

Our boatman, smiling for the camera while pulling the ropes of the boat.

(Photo courtesy of Shiela U. Campomanes)

Our boatman, displaying his expertise.

Next stop is the Buslon Island. Most merchant’s are here probably because this is the common pit-stop of all tourists to take a dip in the pristine waters of Britania, before they hop on to the next stop which is the Hirog-Hirog Island.

Gifts of the sea. Sea urchin and sea grapes for sale on Buslon island.

(Photo by Shiela U. Campomanes)

After four hours which seemed like breeze, our tour of the Britania Islands was concluded. I felt I could not get enough of the islands and its waters. As we drove back to the city, I had one thing in mind – I am definitely coming back to Britania. That’s for sure.

How to get to Britania Islands: Britania Islands is in the town of San Agustin in Surigao del Sur. San Agustin is around a 6-hour bus ride away from either Davao City or Surigao City, and a 3-hour bus ride from Butuan City. One can also go there by taking a 1-hour plane ride from Cebu City to Tandag City via Cebu Pacific. Cebu Pacific flies to Tandag City three times weekly. From Tandag City, you can take a 1-hour bus ride to San Agustin, the home of Britania Islands.

When you plan to visit and have questions, you can always ask me anyway. My email is shingcamps@gmail.com. Enjoy!

Last Mile on Your Road to Becoming a Diplomate in Internal Medicine

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 13:31:00 +0000

Now for the last serving of tips on becoming a Diplomate in Internal Medicine.

3. Understand the distribution of the exam questions. Whether we like it or not, we can't deny the presence of the Big Four. Whether we love to study the Big Four, we have no choice but to do so. I am referring to the four major specialties, namely, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Infectious Diseases, and Gastroenterology. Make sure you allot ample time to these specialties because they comprise a big chunk of the coverage of topics in the exam. I think that goes without mentioning that it's the Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine that is our "bible" for the diplomate exam. You should digest the book over and over again, from its front cover to its back cover.

4. Go back and stick to the strategies that have worked for you in the past. Review your notes. I presume you have accumulated a substantial amount of notes during your residency. Answering questions is also a very good strategy for the PSBIM. The more you answer questions, specially the multiple choice type of questions, the more you get used to it, and it would be such a breeze for you once you sit in for the real thing on the exam day itself. You get used to the exam type, you have your own way around the questions. It is a different type of mental exercise, answering questions or multiple choice questions, as compared to plain reading of the textbook. When you answer questions, it is another way of knowing if you really got the gist of the material. Although still, I have to say this - just keep on reading your book. When you feel like you can't go on, rest for a few minutes if you may, but after that keep on reading. No matter how little you might read, it could mean a big thing, the tipping point towards making, or (I hope not) breaking the exam. So just read on. It will do a lot of good for you than bad.

5. Lastly, I know you don't need to be reminded of these basic stuff but I think they might be worth mentioning. Book in advance for your hotel stay on the day of the exam. I booked for my hotel two months before the exam and I laud myself for booking in advance because the hotel got fully booked really fast. I checked in at the hotel five days before the exam and did my final phase of intensive studying there, inside my hotel room, only ordering food from their restaurant. Sometimes, I would order from nearby fast food chains.

Survey the exam venue. We did that the day before the exam to familiarize ourselves with the place. On the day of the exam itself, go to the exam venue early, at least an hour before the exam would be preferable.

Be determined to get a good night's sleep before the exam. Sleep early if you can. I know that could possibly be hard to achieve considering all the anxiety you have with regards to the exam, but be determined to sleep well and comfortably the night before the exam.

Have a good and sumptuous early breakfast prior to the exam. Buy yourself some snacks the day before the exam, something that would make you happy while you munch on it, no matter how the exam goes. That would give you more good vibes during the exam.

Lastly and most importantly, pray. Our efforts would be nothing without the guidance of God, the Ultimate Physician.

As this series comes to a close, I wish you well for your coming diplomate exam, dear doctor. Taking the exam is the only way to go. I was once where you are now and there are a lot more who walked this path, and made it. Without a doubt, you will make it too, with persistence, faith, diligence, focus, and wisdom.

In advance, I extend my congratulations to you.

Only in the Philippines: Breathtaking Palawan

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 07:52:00 +0000

When I stepped into the paradise called Palawan, I was not able help myself but be awed by God's amazing creation. Pristine waters, beautiful rock formations... my jaws almost dropped.

Appreciating God's creation is a way of thanking Him.

Looking forward to visiting more places like these. Looking forward to seeing a little bit more of Paradise.

Photo by Shing Camps.

Caption This III

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 06:30:00 +0000

Happy new year, everyone!

My first entry for 2016 is a photo I have taken during the last quarter of 2015. I am sure that at one point or another in our lives, we have all felt the same way as this cat, in this big world of ours.

A famous person once said though, that there should be a balance between fearing the future and believing in the best.

A blessed and prosperous 2016 to all of us.

The Tipster's Second Serving: The Road to Becoming a Diplomate in Internal Medicine (2nd of 3 Parts)

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 05:25:00 +0000

To continue, on your quest to becoming a Diplomate in Internal Medicine.

2. Define your game plan. I particularly mean your strategy in studying. Do you plan to do self-study, or are you planning to enroll in a review course?

There are three review courses for the Philippine Specialty Board in Internal Medicine (PSBIM) that I know exist here in the Philippines. One is in Cebu City and the other two are in Manila.

Crackin' D Boards is the one based in Cebu City, spearheaded by a very able mentor-neurologist, Dr. Toom Vatanagul. One thing here, I was not paid to write about Dr. Toom's Review course. Perhaps he would not even know that I wrote about this but I would not hesitate to say that he is one of the best lecturers on this side of the country.

I only listened to his lectures during Post-Graduate Courses that I attended while I was a resident in training. However it was during those lectures where I saw for myself how palpable this guy's enthusiasm is for teaching.

I believe his enthusiasm extends even beyond the walls of the lecture hall or the four corners of the classroom (I believe he also teaches in medical school). I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Toom (as he is fondly called), during my stint as a Junior Consultant in one of the hospitals in Cebu City. Even without me asking, he would willingly explain what he sees (which my not-so-trained eyes could not see) on the CT scan (usually Brain CTs) plate. He would share his insights on the course of the patient's medical concern, what to expect with the disease, and why the patient is manifesting his/her symptoms.

With all that, I think it goes without saying that with Dr. Toom, you have a seasoned lecturer/mentor/teacher and therefore, who else could do a superb job to assist you in reviewing for the PSBIM? If you are based in Cebu City or places nearby, you might want to consider enrolling in Crackin' D Boards. It will be their second year in holding a review for PSBIM. The debuted this year for PSBIM 2015. The schedule they offer is fairly flexible, appropriate for reviewees with families, or those who need time for self-review while on the course itself, and lastly, for those who are working on the side. It is a fact that reviewees have mouth/s to feed, sometimes aside from their own mouths. This reminds me of a Department Chair who told his graduates to ask their parents to sponsor them while they are reviewing for the boards. Maybe that was said partly in jest, but I think the message he actually wanted to convey was he wanted them to focus their efforts on the review. Focus. I could not agree more to that. Anyway, after you have nailed all the exams you need to take, as what one of my consultants told me, the money will follow.

The first of the two review courses for PSBIM which are Manila-based, is the Dr. Marcelino Imasa's PSBIM Review Course which is being held at the Manor Review Center, in R. Papa, Sampaloc, Metro Manila. Dr. Imasa is an internist who has ten years of medical practice under his belt before he finally decided to go into Oncology Fellowship, which he recently completed. To add to that, Dr. Imasa has been a known and respected review lecturer for the Pharmacy Boards, as he also topnotched the said licensure himself. I think this review course is not as promoted or known specially in the provinces. I heard about this review from a very good friend and she had good feedback about it, as Dr. Imasa is an eloquent lecturer and is just so brilliant, he is very much willing to share his knowledge and help the reviewees pass the exam with flying colors. The review course is usually held during January and lasts for three weeks. For inquiries, you may contact the secretary, Sir Arnold, using this number 0916-3020982. For those who are not Manila-based, and are interested to take the review course, the review center is actually situated in a building with a dormitory in it, the MMG Dorm, and for inquiries, you may call (02) 736-2870.

The second Manila-based Review Course for the PSBIM is at UP-PGH, which usually lasts for one week and therefore is ultra-intensive, I would like to say. I am sure most of the reviewees have a friend or two who have heard about this review and maybe you can share some of the details concerning this review. That would be much appreciated.

So that's it for the second mile of your road to becoming a diplomate in Internal Medicine. Will be back for the final mile very soon.

Merry Christmas, everyone! Enjoy the holidays!

7 Simple ways by which we can give back to nature

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 14:34:00 +0000

The fact that climate change is a very important issue, specially now that world leaders are meeting up in Paris for the summit for climate change, I think it would be timely to share a few simple ways that we can all do to give back to mother nature.

1. Lights off. This is in contradiction to what Alma Moreno suggested when she was interviewed by Karen Davila on ANC's Headstart. I admit that I am not able to turn the lights off all the time (because I easily doze off when I lie on my bed, or, yes sometimes I am too lazy to get up from bed once I am on it) but lately I am trying really hard. Aside from this act helping to lighten your electric bill, it helps conserve energy too. It also helps your body maintain its circadian rhythm.

2. Turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth. Just let the water flow when you need to. Don't waste that precious resource by just letting it flow from the taps then straight down the drain. Just think and realize that if we keep on wasting water, it might not flow out from that faucet ever again.

3. Make as much use of papers, newspapers, and magazines, before throwing them away. I don't usually throw papers unless I have used both sides. Cutting used papers into smaller sizes, the size of Post It's, would also be another way of making the most of these materials, in case you need to quickly grab a paper to jot down an important detail or reminder while you are in the phone. You can scribble your to-do-list on these paper cut-outs too. Recently, I made envelopes out of old magazines. I usually keep a stack of small envelopes for coins and bills, when I pay my cleaning lady, give my church offering, and etc. Aside from saving the environment from a lot of trash, this saves me at least 15 bucks. 15 bucks is quite big enough, that's a roundtrip jeepney ride already here in Cebu City. Fifteen bucks is quite big enought, you don't earn as much as 15 bucks in one time in an average savings account (it will take you at least a year to earn that in an ordinary savings account, provided also you deposit hundreds of thousands into the bank, thus an emphasis on average) and most of all, nobody would give you that amount in one time, even when you go begging on the streets.

These are the envelopes I made out of old magazines. I used the rightmost envelope as pattern.

4. Go paperless. From making use of excess paper to no paper at all. Since my job entails me to travel, I usually check-in online a two or three days before my flight. I then save a soft copy or a photo of my boarding pass on my phone after checking in online. When I arrive at the airport, I just show the photo to the security officer who then allows me to put my bags on the conveyor belt of the x-ray machine. When I get to the check-in counter, I just hand in a valid ID and I tell the in-charge that I have already checked online. I am then given my boarding pass, the size of a grocery receipt, then I am good to go. I have been doing this for around two years already. This may not be entirely paperless but when you come to think of it, when you print the boarding pass yourself, yiu use at least two bondpapers. Thats already around 20 boarding passes printed at the airport check-in counter.

Most merchants also offer e-bills these days. Grab their offer. You have nothing to lose. E-bills save a lot of trees and would save you a lot of clutter too. I receive e-statements for my post-paid phone bill. That way I can access my bill online anytime, and not cringe and hate myself each time I forget my to bring my phone bill.

5. Pull the plug. Of course, I don't mean euthanasia. Of course not that, not in a million lifetimes. What I mean is, each time you leave the house, try to unplug everything that you can. (An exception to this would be the refrigerator which needs to be plugged in all the time.) Aside from conserving energy, records show that unplugging saves you at least15% from your electric bill. I have noticed quite a slash in my electric bill since I have practiced unplugging each time I leave my place.

6. Recycle paper bags and plastic cellophanes. I guess this is self-explanatory. Make the most of the lifespan of these stuff. Use them until they are near-rotten and can't hold nothing no more.

7. Buy products that support environmental organizations. I was pleased to find out that my favorite tissue roll supports an environmental organization, particularly, the Haribon Foundation. I will continue to patronize products that give back to the environment.

I know these are simple tips, and there are a lot more tips out there, and maybe you have heard these tips before. I, too, have heard of them before but I admit I need a lot of reminding. At least we all can start from here until all these will become our way of life. Until giving back to nature will be our way of life. After all, this is the only Mother Earth we got. Need I say more?

The Tipster's Road to Becoming a Diplomate in Internal Medicine (1st of 3 Parts)

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 06:37:00 +0000

After my long and arduous journey on the road of Medicine, I passed my Diplomate Exam in Internal Medicine last March 2015.

I thought it might be good to give back and share some tips to those currently taking on this very rocky road to becoming a certified internist.

First, approach the bull head on. That is the very first thing to do. Work on your mindset. Failure must not be an option. This is a fundamental step because this will fuel you up and motivate you to review for the exam - a task which is actually easier said than done.

We have to admit that as we age, no matter how nerdy/studious/diligent we are, or no matter how nerdy/studious/diligent we believe ourselves to be, it just takes more and more effort to study compared when we were younger. I know that hurts but most of us are a few years shy of 30 when we take the diplomate exam, right? I say "most" because a modest percent are past the age of 30 already upon taking the exam.

For one, let's admit it, your or our energy starts to dwindle. It may be harder to burn the midnight candle this time. All those 24-hour duties tantamount to sleep deprivation, poor food intake and nutrition, indescribable stress (and I mean stress in all aspects whether emotional, physical, or psychological aspect) must have taken their toll on your body. Just make sure to make it up by taking your vitamins, eating nutritious meals, and most importantly getting more than enough sleep to make up for sleep debt.

Second, you are beset by a lot of distractions more than ever. By now, at least 50% if not a majority of examinees have a growing family which means attending to the kids - and okey, to the spouse - may be an additional chore to the already tall order to review for the boards. I even know of a fellow internist who was so pregnant and a few months away before her EDC when she was reviewing for the exam. But anyway, for those with kids already, the presence of the kids itself already poses a challenge because they are cuddle and hug magnets personified. They can easily lure you to set aside your Harrison's for a few minutes, then a few hours. You can't help it. Subconsciously, there might be the desire to make up for lost time too.

Definitely I am not going to tell you to stop all interactions with your loved ones. After all, your family is your source of strength, inspiration, love, and happiness. Just budget your time wisely. Sit down for review when the kids are sleeping or when the kids are in school, or when the spouse is at work.

For parental duties like sending and fetching them to school, helping them with their homework, and attending PTA meetings, I am sure you that you can count on your other half to help you in that department. I am sure the other half would be willing to help for the sake of world peace.

If all else fails, last ditch option would be to lock yourself up in one of the rooms in your house so that you can be all by yourself, of course with your best friend, Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. I know of a mom who did that. She was a nurse in the United States and had to take another exam there, but the common ground here is that she has the same type of distractions. The problem there was that the kids still kept knocking at the door calling out to mom. Thank God that mom friend of mine still passed her exam in the midst of all that.

Second last ditch option would be to get out of your house. Flee from the source and abode of the distractions. Stay in a friend's house who is also reviewing for the boards, or stay in a hotel or an affordable hostel or pension house, if you have enough funds for that, or go to a study center, or simply study in the school library. The coffee shop may be another option for study venue, if you may. For me, to be present in an environment where you see everyone else studying, is a motivation itself. Interestingly I know of a colleague who stayed in a friend's house to do self-review for the boards. No one except the caretaker was manning the house and so she had all to herself a perfectly conducive place for study.

Another distraction would be your livelihood itself. You may be fresh out of residency and you might not have a steady source of cash flow and so you have to go on duty to fill the mouth/s you feed. I personally experienced this. Of course, I know that you know the solution to that - good ol' time management. Allot a certain number of days to go on duty and make a living, and dedicate the rest of the week to your review. If you cannot take time off from your work, you might want to employ the strategy of some examinees. They worked their butts full for three months or four months until their cash buckets overflow with enough cushion that would support them after the months of hard work. After that three or four months they undertake a duty sabbatical.

For those who have taken the exam before and did not make it, don't dwell on past failures. Learn from them instead. Make past failures as your launching board to success by holding on to the lessons you have gathered from that sad experience of failing the exam. You may already have hind sight wisdom by this time which points you have missed to work on like, allotting only a small amount of time to review some subjects, or the lack of time itself, and not sitting down at all to review. Work to correct on those points but don't forget also to further strengthen your weaknesses.

It must be clear deep inside yourself, the purpose of why you are taking the exam. Like our physician licensure exam after graduating from medical school and completing post-graduate internship, the diplomate exam is the next go-to after slavery, uhhmm, residency in Internal Medicine.

Of course you can practice as an internist without taking or passing the boards,but wouldn't it be nice to be recognized by the society of internists? Wouldn't it be nice to be finally certified? During our oath taking last May at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at the Resorts World Manila, it was mentioned during the ceremony that being a diplomate is a symbol of scholarship in this chosen specialty.

Now that the boards are due barely four months from now, people you know will surely ask you, "Are you taking the boards next year?" Answer with a resounding "Yes!" and just deep inside you, (so as not to appear over confident and assuming), whisper and follow that with "- and I am going to nail it."

That is the correct and ideal mindset. The mindset of a winner. Everything then follows.

Reminders to Self

noreply@blogger.com (Shing Camps) — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 12:45:00 +0000

Are you familiar with that morning feeling, when you just don't feel like getting out of bed? When you feel like spending a few more minutes under the sheets? When you wish that you never needed to get up from bed at all, and wish that you never had to go to school or to work that early? When you wish that you were born with a golden spoon in your mouth and you could just live the good worry-free life?

Guess what? I get that all the time, too! Okay, maybe almost all the time.

I hate mornings. Really, I am not a morning person since way back when. Maybe I would learn to love mornings if they did not start that early at all.

However, this career I chose, most of the time, calls me to rise up from bed early. Sometimes, especially during residency, I did not need to get up from bed at all because I have been up all night looking after a critically ill patient, or calls from the Emergency Room come every hour or every half an hour, just when my sleep phase is about to enter the NREM Stage.

Aside from the career factor, though I have only my dog's mouth to feed, I have bills to pay. I need to work or else I would starve, and Cody's supply of munchy bones too, will be cut off. I think about these things to help me get out of bed, to help myself overcome that dread and sometimes disgust I have for mornings. I tell myself, "Unsaon na lang." (Don't get me wrong - I love the fact that mornings are like a new lease in life. I am thankful to God for waking me up to new day. It's just that, can I just thank him for waking me up, then go back to sleep? I have set the alarm anyway?)

Anyway, uugghhh, the morning wins. All the time.

However, there are more reasons aside from those I have mentioned above. There are dreams to fulfill. There are lives to save. There are challenges to be met. Sounds heroic, but these reasons actually form the very core of our lives and our very existence.

In one of my clinic duties in one of the call centers here in this city, I saw a small piece of paper neatly tacked on the wall. It was a small piece of paper with a big and heavy message written all over it.

You Have To Do the Hard Things

(Author Unknown)

You have to make the call you are afraid to make.

You have to get up earlier than you want to get up.

You have to give more than what you get in return right away.

You have to care more about others than they care about you.

You have to fight even when you are already injured, bloody, and sore.

You have to be unsure and insecure even if playing it safe would seem smarter.

You have to lead even when no one else is following you yet.

You have to invest in yourself even though no one else is.

You have to look like a fool while looking for answers that you do not have.

You have to grind out the details when it is easier to shrug them off.

You have to deliver results when making excuses is an option.

You have to search for your own explanations even when you're told to accept the "facts".

You have to make mistakes and look like an idiot.

You have to try and fail and try again.

You have to run faster even though you are out of breath.

You have to be kind to people who have been cruel to you.

You have to meet deadlines that are unreasonable and deliver results that are unparalleled.

You have to be accountable for your actions even when things go wrong.

You have to keep moving towards where you want to be no matter what's infront of you.

Sounds like a mantra for medical residency, right. I wish I have read this when I was in 'slavery.' However, the reminders above could be our daily guide to everyday life too. For me two statements would aptly summarize everything. First is, walk the extra mile in whatever you do. Second is, never give up.

Once in while it is good to be reminded, motivated, and lifted up. It gives us a little more strength to endure, more fervor to chase our dreams and our goals, and maybe, a simple reminder can give us a little more will to live.