Rising Up from a Fall

My boyfriend once told me that the best or greatest boxer in the world is Joe Calzaghe. He was obviously biased as he's English and Joe was English. I asked him why, and he answered simply because he retired undefeated (i.e. he did not lose a match).

I disagreed; not to his point that Joe Calzaghe is the world's greatest boxer - I did not have much knowledge about boxing to argue about that. I disagreed to the idea that 'greatness' or being 'the best' meant that you 'never lost.' Personally, I feel that greatness can be seen more in people who actually suffer defeats and losses, and yet manage to come back again and become a better person. I believe that rising up from a fall or defeat takes more courage and strength of a person that people who have never experienced a fall or defeat can only imagine. This does not mean to say that winners are 'not great' or are 'weak.'

For the past few weeks, I have been crawling and have been slowly trying to find the strength to rise up again from yet another fall.

How many times do you need to apply for the same position, in the same workplace, but with different circumstances, to get the position? In my case, third time's no charm.

I have been working in the same hospital for over four years now, and having become jaded had led me to aspire to progress and go up my career's professional ladder. I pride myself as someone who wants to keep on learning and developing; always trying to be a better version of who I was yesterday. I thirst for challenges and thrive in pressure. Hence, when I reached the point of feeling like being stagnant in my role as a professional, I felt that for my mental health, I needed to move on.

And so I tried to apply for a higher position. I prayed to God with all my heart, because they said that "ask and you shall receive." But for four instances, God's answer was 'no.'

With every single time that I didn't get the job I applied for, I felt like a candle slowly losing my wax and diminishing a little day by day, until my wick reached it's end and I lost my light.

With every rejection, I still prayed and asked God, 'why?'. But for me, all I heard in return was silence.

I hurt after every defeat and the pain I felt got worse each time.

I normally have bouts of crying for a couple of days and nights. And then eventually, I learn to live with the pain; I move on and forced myself to believe that it's not a 'no' from God but rather a 'not now.'

Until finally, on this third time of applying for the same position, something unexpected happened.

I did the interview, and failed to get offered the position that I applied for. And so I went through my usual phase of moving on. This time it took me about two weeks before I found myself being at peace and accepting of what happened. It was the longest time for me to recover, and find the courage to stand up again and fight life's battles so far in my lifetime.

I spoke to God in my prayer and told Him that I believe that His plans are always way better than ours. And the next day, I got an email from my line manager asking me to give her a call as she has a quick question she'd like to ask me.

I was anxious about what it was. I thought at first that she was going to ask about an update regarding an audit that I was meant to be leading for the department. And so I shrugged the message off and  planned to respond to her the following day.

I called her back and it turns out she was going to offer me the same position but a different post. All the while she was explaining how the post became possible, a question kept running through my brain was 'is this some kind of a joke?' But it wasn't. She gave me 3 days to think about it as she knew I already applied for the same position in other hospitals.

I thought about it for 3 days, and of course, my obvious answer was yes.

But while mulling it over with my family, I was actually in a state of confusion as to what I should do. I told God that I was ready to move on - to other opportunities and even considering moving on to other hospitals even if it meant changing big chunks of my life and stepping out of my comfort zone. And after having me go through all of that pain, self-doubt, self-pity, humiliation, and eventually, acceptance, God suddenly says, 'now is the time, my child'? I simply was shook, and utterly confused.

But to my family, there's nothing to be confused about and that God's will was crystal clear. They believe that it was God's way of testing my faith and wanting me to learn something.

I realised that in all of those job interviews, the reason why this 4th time was different was because this was the only time that I actually became totally at peace and surrendered to God's will after. I didn't just learned to live with pain and humiliation. This time, I actually fully accepted that greater things are yet to come.

Maybe this time, I finally passed the test and so God finally said 'yes.'

This experience taught me that it truly is frightening not knowing what the future holds for us, but knowing Who holds the future makes all the difference.

So find that courage to rise up again and keep the faith. When God closes a door, be prepared for Him to open up windows or even the roof... in His time.

The Day I Kissed You Good Bye

Starting out a new life from scratch in an entirely new country was a dream come true. I can be who I wanted to be, and no one would be able to tell the difference. I can create a new routine, make new lasting friendships, grow in my career, spend hard-earned money, travel and discover, and maybe, even fall in love. There's just literally endless possibilities and opportunities. But, nobody ever said it would be easy.

Because in this human life, everything that's worth having never ever comes easy. All the best things take time; just like fermenting wine or century egg, or that perfectly moldy cheese. Career, friendships, relationships, and self-actualisation - all these require hard work over a period of time.

I never actually had a problem with growing in my career. I've always been open to exploring each open door.

I've always had my family behind me in everything I do. And I have always found it easy to find friends who would be with me through thick and thin.

Self-actualisation practically takes a whole lifetime; or so no one is ever sure.

I guess the only thing that felt like I was missing in this new life is that someone I can share all these adventures with, be crazy with, encounter problems, and still stay. We're caught in that new world when dating has become a battle zone where people like me are placed at a grave disadvantage. It has now become typical for ladies who are independent, career-driven, successful, family-orientated, fit/healthy, funny, and whatever guys these days like from a girl, to be single. It's probably not because the male species have been diminished in numbers; it's just almost half of the males in this world are pricks, the other half being divided into guys who like males as well or are already attached; and the small teeny tiny percentage that is actually available can still be divided into those who we can be attracted to, are too old or too young, or are simply not attracted to us.

But setting all those aside, there is still this thing called cultural differences wherein people like me, who were raised in a conservative type of thinking, when we actually fortunately meet people who like us and we like in return, make things unworkable. Why? Because there are some things that we aren't able to give that apparently people in this side of the world think is essential in every "healthy" relationship.

This made things head on complicated. I felt very conflicted in every sense possible. It was not about joining the band wagon, I guess. There are things I choose not to do not just because I am a Catholic. I choose not to do it just because I respect myself. Period. People in this side of the world need to chill. I have come to the point in this dating life to have zero care whatsoever about what guys here think of me when they find out I still have not done it.

In our culture, we can fall in love and still be in love without needing to do it. As I say, we were raised in a conservative type of thinking. But I think, it's more than just that; I think we're able to appreciate that some things in life are worth the wait, no matter how long that wait takes. I am not saying that there are no sexually active couples in my country. I believe that everything happens in it's own perfect timing, and not just done out of response to bodily/physiological needs. Go ahead, think of it as cheesy, corny, or 'immature.' I think that's where people are wrong; I may lack the experience, but most people in this world have that experience and are still, sadly, immature.

I am not condemning people who are doing it. I am all for those who do it out of love. And I'm not saying I wouldn't want to do it. As I've said, some things are worth the wait, and for me, this is one of those things. I just choose to wait for when I finally feel like it is the right time, with someone I am deeply head-over heels in love with. Because why share that most special moment of my life with someone I don't even have feelings for? Why share a part of me with someone who doesn't love me? No, I will definitely not. I'm going to have to be selfish in that sense.

Why can't we try to be together without putting sex in the equation? Shouldn't it be much more worth while to fall in love even without that yet? And then when the time comes that we actually do it, I'm pretty sure it is going to be one of the greatest moments of our life.

That's why I am kissing you, all the guys who can't or are unable to wait, good bye. This is me not settling. This is me still choosing my morals over some one night leap of faith thing that we're not even sure is going to last the next day. This is me choosing to love myself more than the players of this game. This is me giving tadhana another chance.

Uncertain

For the longest time after my most recent heartbreak, here comes that phase when I know that I've finally moved on but is quite unsure as to what I want to do next.

As I moved into a new chapter in my life; new country, new work, new life, I realize how lonely I am. I know in myself that I am looking for that 'great feeling' again. I miss having those butterflies in my stomach, the eagerness you feel when you see his name pop up on your screen, that warmth you feel when he's next to you holding your hands. Basically, I want to fall in love again. But the problem is I'm not sure if I have what it takes to take that plunge again.

I remember my friend using cliff diving as a metaphor for falling in love. She said that the first time she did it, the anxiety she felt prior to the jump was overwhelming that at one point it would make you want to turn and run the other way. But then, she found her courage and she jumped from the cliff. And she said that the fall and then the contact with the water - essentially the whole experience, was so much worth everything she went through before the jump. And so she climbed up again to try and make another jump. She thought to herself, it probably is no longer as scary as the first time since now she's got experience, she basically knows how it feels and what to expect. But while standing on the same spot and looking down on the same way she's going to fall, she said she felt the same amount of anxiety and uncertainty as though it was her first time jumping. Well, if I'm going to be asked, it kind of looks a lot like love to me.

Now, I am on that same spot, I am looking down from the cliff. But I'm not sure at all if I'm prepared for everything this jump entails - the feelings, the stress, the consequences... I'm not sure I have what it takes to be able to survive this jump. I want to jump, but I don't think I know how anymore. It sounds so easy but it's like I've been so accustomed to being single and so comfortable with myself that the idea of entering into a relationship with someone frightens me. I feel like I just 'can't do it.'

This ambivalence is making me feel so lost. I want to fall in love again, but I don't. I try to rack my brains to look for a possible solution for this grid lock. And then an idea sprang to my mind. I thought, maybe someday, someone will come into my life and would make me feel like, "Hey, this is it. It's time to come out from under the rock and live above the surface again." Maybe, that's how it's going to be - someone, who would just be himself, would finally make me brave again - brave enough to overcome the anxiety preventing me from taking that leap. Maybe someday I'll try again. But, I hope it comes sooner.

Fly: I Want to Fall In Love Again

Walking inside the Citadel in Hue

I was having an ordinary and rather uneventful night. I just finished having dinner and was famished because I also just finished working out. As I was having dinner, I decided to watch a movie called The Age of Adaline. It tells of a story of a girl who accidentally became immune to aging. She lived a life of being always on the run so that people would not notice how she doesn't age a day. She never told anyone about her condition, and so she never settled down or loved another man aside from her deceased husband because she was afraid that people might find her and do things to her. And then one day, she meets a remarkable man who made her realize that she doesn't want to run anymore. Fortunately, another accident happened, and as if the heavens finally heard her prayer, she regained her ability to age.

I have been in love with the same person for more than a year now. And although it pains me to admit, he doesn't feel the same way. It was one great heartbreak because it was one of those sad 'almosts.' Almost in love. Almost together. Almost. I have been trying to move on from these feelings, trying to forget. But for some unknown reason, if I'd just encounter even the slightest, minutest, most unremarkable detail that could ever trigger any memory involving him, it would unfortunately make me fall back to his gravity again. And I would start over again, I would start from scratch. It's as if it is an unending nightmare, a vicious cycle.

I have done all that I could to distract myself. I tried to live, or so I believed I lived differently. I partied, and I partied hard. I drank, and I drank a lot. I even did things that I thought I'd never do even in my wildest dreams. I wrote. I hurt. I traveled. I cried. And then I wrote again.

Until one day, I woke up and realized that I am no longer hurting. I no longer miss. I no longer crave. I no longer remember as much as I do. And I believed that I have moved on. But sometimes, I still do feel that he's still the most special person in my heart. And that is what pains me, still...

So that's why I want to fall in love again. I want to feel the rush of blood into my face making it burn up and all red as I catch a glimpse of him. I want to feel the strands of my hair on my back stand as I hear his whispers in my ear. I want to chase those butterflies in my stomach as we held hands. I want to see his soul as he sees mine while we stare at each other for hours doing nothing. Hell, I even want to have my heart broken again, if that's what needs be.

But ultimately, I want to fall in love again... and this time, not with the same person who broke my heart. I want to find love in another person who would make me believe that it is still worth feeling, that it is still the best feeling. I want to fly and not be afraid to fall. To believe that there's someone who would actually be there at the bottom to catch me after the great fall.

Yes. I would love to fall in love again.

That Thing Called Tadhana

I just got home from a client's house, where I provided occupational therapy service for about an hour. I was really tired and I felt like not having dinner and just going straight to bed. But today, I have jogging or Nike Training Club session inputted as part of my Project Summer Bod. So I willed myself to changing into running clothes and dragged myself to the University. I usually jog for about an hour around the grandstand. The first 3 laps for warming up included jogging the three legs of the grandstand at a fair pace, and then doing brisk walking for the 4th leg. This is then followed by 10 laps of nonstop jogging around the grandstand at a slow pace. And then for cooling down, I do 2 laps of leisure walking, still, around the grandstand.

 

During my 1st lap of leisure walking, I was about to pass by a guy drinking from his water bottle. When I was almost in front of him, he started walking at a pace similar as mine so that he was walking just a few steps ahead of me. This went on for about the whole length of 2 legs of the grandstand. I was even singing some lyrics of Coldplay's The Scientist while I was walking leisurely behind him. By the time I was about to be at the same level as him, I decided to overtake him since I felt like he might think I was following him.

After overtaking him, I started thinking to myself, as I always do, how I am growing old real fast. I said to myself that I am already 24 years old, and that if I wanted to be married by 29 or 30, I should have started having a serious relationship by now. I was talking to God, and asking Him what his plans are for me. I started to feel panic welling up on the pit of my stomach, because up until now, I don't really have anyone whom I can consider as someone I'd spend the rest of my life with. 

 

During my 2nd lap of leisure walking, at the same spot where I almost passed by the 'guy', I was looking up at the sky, and enjoying the view of the stars, which is a rare view here at the city, what with all of the smog and cloudy skies. While I was singing some lyrics of Coldplay's A Sky Full of Stars, somebody tapped my left forearm, and I jolted. I immediately took off the earphones and turned off the music. It was the 'guy' from before.

He said, "Hi! I don't usually do this. But, can I ask you a question?" Flabbergasted, I replied, "Oh, ok. What is it?"

 

He said, "I just noticed from earlier, but are you perhaps following me around?" If it was somebody else without the cute face, I would have been offended. But I couldn't get myself to feel irritated. Instead, I felt kilig vibes all the way, what with all of the cuteness in the way he said it. So I said, "Umm, no, of course not! I was just doing my cooling down. In fact, it's my 1st lap of leisure walking."

He then said, "Oh, man. Really? You were just really doing some cooling off? I mean, cooling down?" He looked disappointed but in an amused kind of way. "Oh, well. by the way, I'm Dave." I was shocked, but I shook his hand as I was introducing myself, "Lara."

And then he went on by asking me about where I live, why do I allow myself to be tired if I've got classes the next day --- to which I answered that I don't have classes anymore, and then he figured that I was already a graduate. And he was really amazed and shocked that I was not a freshman, that he thought I was kidding. We talked about my job, and from which high school he graduated from. We talked until we finished one lap of my leisure walking. And then, he said, "Listen, if ever you're gonna be doing this again, can I jog with you?" I jokingly replied with a smirking face, "Well, can you keep up?" He laughed and said, "Okay, now, I'll be the one to boast. I was actually a football athlete during high school. So now, I'll ask you, can you keep up?"

He asked for my number. But for some unknown reason, I replied that I have not my mobile phone with me. He thought I didn't want to give him my number, so I told him in a hurry, "Okay, okay. I'll get your number." And then he gave me his number, we shook hands again, and we parted ways.

I was supposed to go home at a leisure walking pace, but with what happened, I couldn't stop myself from running. Because I couldn't believe that what just happened really happened. I never really thought that "tadhana" is something that plays a role in my life. But even though it's just for one night, and it's prolly not something big as well, it made me realize that sometimes, life doesn't just gives you lemons, it taps you in your hand and hands you out a lemonade --- something you're not expecting, but something that might be, JUST MAYBE, even better.

Different Circumstances

I look at my room...

And I panicked at the time on my clock. It read nearly 6am. I'm supposed to be walking for school and am supposed to have already bought my lunch for my fieldtrip. So I gathered all my things in a hurry and went to set out for a journey. It's Saturday, and it's the 14th of February. Though it is still the wee hours of the morning, people are starting to emerge from the streets of Dangwa, carrying flowers. I was on high spirits since you don't always get to have a field trip when you are in RS. It is a trip towards a day of meditation and reflection with God, towards Monasterio de Tarlac, for our Theology subject organized by Ma'am Q. I went straight to the meeting place without stopping to buy my lunch since I was scared that I might be left behind by the bus. As I arrived, there was only a handful of my classmates on board the bus. I was actually disappointed because I didn't get to buy my lunch just to hurry to the meeting place. So I decided to go buy lunch. However, Ma'am Q already arrived so I can no longer go because she's already instructing us to board the bus. So I've no choice but to board and find a nice place to sit with my friends. The day went on, we arrived there at around lunch time. Good thing my friends packed up enough lunch for us to share. We had our liturgy, a time for medication, and picture taking. Then we went to our classmate's home in Tarlac, where we had some snacks. We then headed back towards UST and arrived there at around 9pm, I think. When I got home, I made myself smile so that I'll show my date that I'm not too tired to go out on a dinner date... with her. I opened our room, and my sister was singing and listening to her cellphone's radio.

I said, "Let's go eat dinner."

We went out to McDonald's Lacson. And as a gift for my sister, I paid the bill. We took out and decided to eat our simple Valentine's dinner at home.

(BSFAM photo (with me at the middle) taken at Monasterio de Tarlac) 

I look at my room...

And I see my stuff scattered in my sister's bed. My cellphone rang, it is 2 in the morning. My sister just sent me a text message.

"Where are you? Aren't you going to fetch me?"

I keyed in a short response, "On my way."

This has been me and my ate's situation ever since last year. I sort of wanted to fetch her from work every time her shift ends, either very late in the evening or very early in the morning. I went out of my room and told our land lady that I'll be going out to fetch my sister (even though we aren't allowed to go out during late hours). Upon hearing that I'm going out, my dorm-mates decided to come with me, because an opportunity to go out at the wee hours of the morning is once in a bluemoon, and besides, it is the morning of the V Day. Dangwa, where the gate where I'll fetch my sister, will be flooded with people who would want to buy flowers earlier and not get the hassle to buy it later during the day. It would be a sight to see; all the flowers and their fragrances, and the faces of the people who would want to buy them for their beloved: a sight that is once in a bluemoon indeed... So we all went out, regardless of the reaction of our land lady. And what we saw was just like what we imagined. The energy was too much that even though you're not one of those persons who'll look forward to this day, you'll get your spirits high up. And feel something good inside yourself... Then we fetched my sister, and after taking a short look around, we went home...

I look at my room...

And I look at my cellphone's clock. It reads 6am. I forced myself to get out of bed and get ready for school. Somehow, I feel down in the dumps just thinking of what's in store for me today; I've got two 7am quizzes in Occupational Therapy 3, two paperworks, and one powerpoint presentation due today. It pains me to go to school and go through this day, to think that today's the 14th of February. Ugh. How I dread this day.  My sister's abroad and unlike the other two F-14ths that I've had for the last two years, this year, I ain't in a high spirit. It's like energy's been drained from me. Two years ago, it wasn't like this. But times have changed, time continues to change everything, and the circumstances are different. And what you'll learn is that life goes on, and it isn't going to stop for anybody; that everyday,

it's funny that nothing changes, but when we look back, everything has... 

And we can only hope that they do for the better. I guess what's new with me this time of the year is that I have learned to trust, hope, and believe that everything happens in accordance with His plans.

I look at my room... sigh, and get back to work.

- LMG

I wrote this last V-day 2011 to honor time and the change that accompanies it.

Rush Hour

Running late? Well, the Philippines is probably the worst place you could ever be if you are. Every once in a while, or for most people, we find ourselves rushing to catch the time, even though no one probably ever did.

In the Philippines, a commuter has lots of forms of transportation to choose from. We have, what I've always thought to be an original from the Pinas, the "jeepneys," which I was already in high school when I found out that it wasn't. It is in fact a remnant of when the Americans were at war with the Japanese years ago. The Americans used it for transportation during the war and then after the war, they left the used jeepneys here in the Philippines. Jeepneys are long open vehicles with 2 side entrances up front, one for the driver and one for passenger/s, and a rear entrance for loading/unloading passengers to the jeepney. Jeepneys are cheap means of transportation with only specific routes that they follow. But they don't have "jeepney stops"; drivers just stop whenever a passenger says "para", "sa tabi na lang", or similar notions to tell him to stop, such as knocking the roof of the jeep. This is what makes it convenient since you can stop directly where you need to go, but this also causes instant traffic. It usually has a capacity of around 20 passengers. A modification of the jeepney is a multi-cab, which is actually pretty much the same as the former, except it is shorter and only run for shorter distances. For both transportation means, you usually either give your fare directly to the driver or if you're seated farther away from the driver, you ask the other passengers to pass your fare to the driver. On special instances, there's a booth where you're asked to fall in line to pay for a chip that's equivalent to your fare or a conductor asks for your fare.

Another popular means of transportation is the petite tricycle. From it's name itself, it has three wheels. It is a means of transportation made up of a motorcycle attached with a sidecar. It has a capacity of usually around 4 to 5 passengers. They are like taxis, except they are open and they are not metered. Instead, the driver usually has a fixed price per destination. A modification of this means of transportation is the pedicab, which is pretty much the same as a tricycle except it is not run by a motorcycle, but by a bicycle, and it is also cheaper. However, tricycles go for the extra mile while pedicabs are just for shorter distances.

A third means of transportation is the bus. The buses we have here in the Philippines can be either open or air-conditioned. And just like the ones found abroad, the buses here have specific routes and bus stops, although the latter isn't actually strictly implemented since the buses here can actually stop anywhere that's not specifically prohibited. Buses can operate provincially or only within the city or a specific area. In each bus is a driver and one or more conductors, with the latter being the one issuing tickets and collecting fares from passengers. Some buses have television set for entertainment, while others only play music.

For some places here in the Philippines, we have boats or barges for transportation. While here in the metro, we have the light rail transit, the Manila Metro rail transit, and the Philippine national railways. All of which are trains with specific train stations where they issue tickets for one-way travels or tickets with stored value.

But for a common commuter like me, jeepneys would have to be our best friend. As was mentioned earlier, they are cheap, fast, and convenient in such a way that they can stop wherever you want them to. But the latter is actually one of the reasons why we have instant heavy traffic here in the metro. And for that, for me, here are the top 5 reasons why it's not that fun to commute in Manila during rush hour.

5. Overtaking Anyone

 Overtaking is a driving act involving a rapid maneuver to get ahead of another vehicle in front. Here in the Pinas, it is very rampant especially in the provinces where there isn't much strict implementation of traffic rules. It is good in such a way that one can actually use this maneuver to get ahead of slower vehicles especially when one is in a hurry. But it is also a hassle to commuters alike since during rush hour, everyone is simply impatient and would want to overtake anyone just to get to their destinations. Indirectly, it causes more accidents, which can potentially result to traffic jams, which in turn, aren't easily resolved since I'm quite sure that 99% of parties involved in such accidents would say that they weren't at fault for the accident, except when so much evidence is at hand.

When you look at it within the context of life, we people tend to overtake those in front of us. We may have reasons for doing so. Sometimes, it's right to do so: because we are better than those before us and it comes naturally for us to overtake them and lead the way. Sometimes, it's wrong: because we tend to think that there is a hierarchy and that those walking at the back tend to be the weaker/lower ones, and so we try to overtake those in front. But for me, there are times that we should be content on where we are and try to be patient, for in the end of the journey, it matters not who finished first, but rather, who was able to do the most on the way there.

4. Swerving

 Swerving is a driving act which can be likened to suddenly changing one's mind while on the midst of doing what he has already decided upon, i.e. swerving is suddenly turning and changing one's direction while doing a turn to the right/left. Indirectly, it also has a potential to cause accidents, which would now cause the traffic to go haywire. It is a really common mistake that causes one to get an instant ticket from traffic enforcers, especially here in the Philippines.

When you look at it within the context of life, swerving is something that we usually do at times when we are having doubts on whether or not we are doing the right thing at that very moment while we were doing it. But for me, sometimes, it's not the decision that makes it right or wrong, it's always up to us to make whatever we've decided to do, the right choice, because all of the time, we have an option to do so.

3. Parking Anywhere

Here, there, everywhere. People would park their vehicles wherever space would permit. It is good in such a way that if you were really in a hurry and you needed to park your car, you can do that in front of the establishment and signal that you're in hazard. But it is such a hassle especially when the parked vehicle causes the road to become too narrow for others to pass easily, or it takes up half of the lane, causing traffic because it would now serve as a block to other vehicles passing through especially when the car is parked near an intersection or a street curve.

When you look at it within the context of life, we have moments of being parked at certain points in our lifetime when all we can ever do is to sit quietly, stare blankly in space, and not be able to think or do anything, but just stare. We may have these kinds of moments, we black out anywhere. But we should always try to start our engines again and never give up, for as long as we have life in our body, we can live. Sometimes, it is okay to rest if we must, but make sure to make it quick and move on.

2. Beating the Red Light

Yes, this could be one of the most violated traffic rules ever. I mean, as a commuter, this is really helpful if you're in a hurry and all you want to make the driver do is to make the vehicle fly past the stop lights! It is certified that PUVs would really stick their necks out there just to catch that yellow light. But this is such a pest because it has a high propensity to cause accidents.

Not just accidents, it can also cause blockage to the intersection when the PUV tried beating the red light but then, gets stuck in the middle of the intersection because the lane is still packed with other vehicles because of another stop light in the proceeding intersection, and this is one of the most common causes of heavy traffic here in the Metro.

When you look at it within the context of life, we always do this, trying to make it through each finish line we encounter day by day by day. It's as if, it is the only thing that matters; trying to finish as early and as fast as we can. But this should not be the case in our lives; we should not be hurrying to end each day as if we're never going to get old. Instead, it is better if we try to make the most out of each moment, no matter the circumstances. Because, when you think about it, this is our one and only life, and it is ending one second at a time.

1. Stopping Anytime

I've seen one sign posted on the back of a jeepney driver's seat which says:

(Please hold on: Sudden stop is sometimes necessary)

I know that what it says is right... at times. But, it is also wrong most of the time - if you put it in the context of traffic. Here, it would instantly cause heavy traffic because almost all of the PUVs do this; be it for loading or unloading passengers, buying water bottles, rags, cigarettes, etc from street vendors, etc. As I've said earlier, it is really convenient because it let's you get off at exactly the point where you want to. But sometimes, I believe that it would be really so much better if PUVs would follow the concept of bus/jeepney stops. Yes, it would be a hassle to walk some distance from the stop to your destination, but then again, if you look at it within the context of life, it is better to stop at the point where it is right to stop than to have to stop somewhere you think is right but is totally wrong.

These are the reasons why I love and hate to commute here in the Metro, especially during rainy season. But, hey, don't get me wrong, I still love the Philippines no matter what. It's just that since we love something, we would want to see it in a better place someday.

One Night with the King

Sometimes when we awake from a very beautiful dream, we have the urgent compulsion to write everything that we can remember about that dream before it becomes as vague as a moment in our life from what seemed like a couple of lightyears ago. And just like awaking from a very beautiful dream, I write this story before I forget. For moments like one night with the king is something I should remember for a lifetime.

Every year, people come and go. Hell, everyday, people do come and go. For life is like a great terminal where people wait for their respective buses/vehicles for transport. Once on board, some busy themselves with work, others watch and enjoy the ever changing scenes from the windows, some would sleep or rest, while others do a combination of such. But regardless of what one was doing, everyone's worried about the journey, and how fast they can get to their destination. Some would want to speed up the journey, while others wished they had taken the longest route. Everyone anticipates the destination, but no one really ever wants to get there first. Time plays with everyone; speeding up during the happiest of times, and slowing the hell down during the lowest of the low times. But whatever detour we might encounter on the way, everyone keeps on going. Sometimes, because the sceneries in our windows do not change for the longest time, we start to think that they wouldn't, and then we just keep on going and going until we finally reach a point in our journey when we forget where we are going, as well as the reasons why.

This year, everything was about beginnings and endings. Every month, we encounter these two. Every rotation, we see new, and sometimes even old, faces. We learn, we experience. We remember, we forget.

Of course, we tend to remember more those moments that made an impact or those that were significant  for reasons we can or cannot say. This dream was one of those moments. And these are what transpired.

As if for some unknown reasons, the rain poured it's heart out and flooded the streets of the Metro. Thus, resulting to heavy traffic in almost all of its roads making it one hell of a way to end a week for commuters. That day was supposed to be significant since it was supposed to be the day when the protagonist, A, would graduate from a very significant rotation of her life, The H. However, because of the flooding, A never got to the rites on time. Luckily, there was an after party and that was where all the moments happened.

The party was a combination of booze, food, great company, games, "fun," and swimming! A never thought she'd enjoy herself since her two best buds were unable to come. Nonetheless, making the most out of the fee that she paid, she constantly tried stopping herself from sighing all throughout the night. It's not just because her two best buds weren't unable to come, but it was because she was seeing someone she knew she could never have, and that was in itself too upsetting, that's why she kept on wanting to let out a good sigh.

She kept on convincing not just other people but also herself that she was having a good time. She laughed with others, swam on the pool, ate good food, and drank lots and lots of liquor. Until she finally broke through the net that her killjoy mood has enveloped her with. She finally decided to just do whatever she wants to do. And one of her first thoughts was... to try out one great drink from a very "adorkable" server, C. She considered her moves and what she would have to do for her to reach her goals that night. But she could think of none that aren't involving having herself look like she was trying real hard. Until an opportunity came knocking in the form of a hunk, D.

D put his left UE around her and asked her why she liked C so much. She knew what was happening in an instant so she just went with the flow and told him, surprisingly, the truth... that she herself doesn't know what made her have this so much puppy crush with C. And then they talked about the drink C's been serving, and A said she wanted to give it a try. So D guided her to the server, and then, strike one.

Strike one: drink an unknown drink for the first time, down it in one gulp, and then tell the person serving it "good job!" WTF? Well, that was what happened. A couldn't help herself, so she took advantage of the situation. So the next thing involved a camera, and two shots with one of them having C's right UE around her. Amazing how fast things came about.

And, then, nothing again for hours.

But then, the heavens sent another hero, in the form of E, with his cards! Playing cards was really fun, especially if you add a consequence for the loser: the classic truth or dare. The moment I played with my mates, I knew something would be up. We had a few rounds, and then F came, and in an instant I knew things would get crazyyy! The second time I lost was to F, and the deed that I had to do was follow C outside as he takes a walk with 7 others. And then, strike two.

Strike two: run after him, then slow down while approaching him, and then say, "I was sent here?" Ok. WTF? And then, walk for around 20 to 30 minutes. Initially, awkward... but then, we shouldn't forget who our protagonist is, this is A we're talking about. So, she took the liberty to rack her brains for topics and then she thought, "WTH? Just be yourself. Give it out on the open; whoever you are. And then all they have to do was whether they take it or leave it." So she started small talk and then that was strike two. The moment she came back from that walk, she knew everything's changed. For strike two was what she has wanted all this time... a chance to talk seriously about things, and to level up the surface on which both of them walk. It was over for her, she wasn't expecting anything more to happen. Except, another round of games, but this time with C, gave her strike 3.

Strike three: who would have thought that a game of cards would be this much fun? Except there were dire consequences at the end of each game, that our dear A strived and tried her very best so that she does not lose against C. Because at the end of the game, it all came down between her 2 aces, and his single card. So she won, and he lost. WTH. And the consequence was... something she would never have anticipated, that she even tried to avoid it by going to the shower area and pretend she was looking for someone. But when she came back, all she could ever do was accept whatever happened.

One night with the king was a book telling a story of a girl who was sent to the King's chambers to please him for a night so that maybe in the morrow, she might be chosen to be the next queen. But instead of pleasing the king with her body, the protagonist spent the whole night talking and amazing the king with her thoughts on life, war, kingdoms, and love.

All of the girls in the kingdom wouldn't have dared to do the same thing as she did if they were in her place. But then, that was what made her so special. Because she was the only one who liked the king so much that she thought of the most special way to please him. She wanted to make him feel that he was safe and that he can be anyone that he wants to be whenever he's with her.

Sometimes, we would do everything or anything for the people that we love. And we would know for a fact who are these people that we would give up everything for, because these are the people that we would spend endless nights thinking about, and imagining that someday, maybe someday, they'll see us and then appreciate us for whoever we are, and who we can and will be.

I want those moments. I envy A because she had moments like those.

For sometimes, it's not the world's greatest riches that are the most important. Sometimes, simple chances to be with those you love can become the greatest treasure one can ever have, because these are the treasures that one can never buy.

- Keso

One Night of Solitude

Every now then, we get to the point in our lives when we just have to stop, shut out the world and be only with ourselves; be it inside our own bedroom listening to music, or just having a random stroll wherever our feet take us.

These times of being alone make us think and even talk to ourselves, to listen to what our minds are trying to say; like a reality check. We might even start to laugh or possibly cry, or both. During these times, we're free; free from everything and free to do anything. Sometimes, we choose to be alone. While other times, being alone chooses us.

There are people who experience moments of "emptiness"; like there's a hole inside you or that feeling that you're hollow and that you just can't seem to be filled by anything at that very moment. You may find yourself wandering around, not knowing where your feet might take you. But just walking and not thinking about anything in particular, just some random thoughts; like constantly switching channels of a television.

Sometimes, we're able to figure out the reason why 'alone' chose us or why we chose to be alone. And sadly, sometimes we don't; we just snap out of this reverie and keep moving forward.

Solitude; a state or situation of being alone. A night of one can put you at ease or at times, make you even more anxious. Life has always been so complicated, but there are just times when everything seems too complex and we're left standing at crossroads, not knowing which path to choose and what action to do.

When we think about it, being alone doesn't necessarily mean that we're lonely. I believe that being alone is more of a choice of state or situation while being lonely is more of a feeling or emotion. Sometimes, it even takes more courage to be alone than to be with others. Unless of course, those others are trying to kill you.

Some people take this time of solitude to be able to step back and look at the bigger picture. Life is happening at all the corners of this circle world, and only a few people would stop brisk walking or running to cut lines in MRT in a hurry to go home, go out with friends, or go to school/work. For the few people who would actually slow down and try to take in details from their surroundings, the buildings, the people passing by, the trees, the sky... Sometimes, these are the people who are able to take pleasure in even the simplest, minutest details. At times, they can even be surprised; like seeing things for the very first time even though they've been passing that same street or corner for a very long time. This could be because they're the ones who would take time to appreciate these details' worth. For others who are always hurrying up to get to the next destination, they might find time to be exactly speeding up, matching their pace.

Every once in a while, we tend to have these nights of solitude. But instead of speeding up, take advantage of these moments and try slowing down. Maybe we'll see life around us, and it'll feel like everything else is also slowing down. After all, this is our one life, and it is ending one minute at a time.

By hurrying in life, not only do we fail to see the beautiful sceneries around us, but we also tend to lose sense of where we are going and the reason why.

Surviving the Howling Winds of Habagat

To say that 'the Hagupit (wrath) of Habagat was extreme' is an understatement. First of all, it's not even a storm to begin with. It refers to the southwest monsoon, a weather pattern that usually happens in the Philippines during the months of May to October. During this period, tropical storms usually lambast the country, which can result in up to heavy flooding in large areas of the Metro and small towns or cities in the provinces.

This year, the winds of Habagat got tangled up with the rains of a passing storm, Gener. The storm kind of enhanced the winds of Habagat through an upgrade, i.e. torrential rains. This resulted to a week's worth of classes gone, thousands of Filipinos evacuated from their homes, and a 3-day flooding of huge areas of Southern Luzon.

On the midday of the 6th of August, Monday, 2012, I received an infoblast from the CSC of UST saying that classes have been suspended effective by 12 NN. I was actually overjoyed, since I was really feeling lazy that time. But I totally didn't expect it as well to happen. I mean, never in my wildest dreams did I ever actually think that I'd get to experience such a number of suspension of duty hours during my internship year. It was crazy to begin with.

Nonetheless, instead of going back to UST, I headed straight home so that I can rest since I was feeling a little tired that day. During my jeepney ride enroute to Lacson, I suddenly felt the urge to go back to Tayuman and do some groceries. But since I was really feeling too lazy, I decided against it; a mistake which I just came to realize after the flood was about 4 inches from reaching our dorm's 1st floor.

Picture a chilly night when you're warmly tucked in your bed, with the electricity still on, meaning there's still internet, and everything was just perfect, except for the fact that your tummy aches because it's got nothing to eat since lunch time.

Being a person with a really big appetite, I was craving for food the moment I knew that it was the only necessity which was running out quicker than the downpour of the rain. The only stocks of food left on my drawer were noodles that needed cooking. Unfortunately, our gas run out the afternoon before the flooding began. Luckily, I had my dorm buddies with me during the storm. What we did was, we pooled all our resources together and we ate to our heart's content during the 1st night; a mistake that we only came to realize the day after when the rain would not stop pouring and the flood levels are still rising in most parts of the Metro.

It actually came to a point in time when we were all so hungry that we were trying to call McDonald's delivery and beg for them to deliver food to us. But we were turned down every single time.

We then decided to eat small portions of what was left of our resources during the 2nd day so that in case the rain would not stop until the middle of the week, we would still have some food to eat until it stops. However, during the third day, we were all so very hungry that we had to have my brother go out and brave the flooded streets of Espanya to buy food for us in the Trabajo market near our dorm.

This time around, we decided to pool a different kind of resource, money. We realized that we had plenty of them but that realization has also made us come to understand the saying:

After the last tree is cut, the last river is poisoned, and the last fish is caught, only then will man be able to realize that he cannot eat his money.

It was actually very fitting to this 3-day flooding experience. If I have experienced such during the lambast of Ondoy, I would not have had such very favorable conditions. Comparing my experience during the Ondoy onslaught, we had no food with us, no electricity, no water, no bathroom, we've nothing. I then realized how lucky I really was that my Habagat experience was not interchanged with that of Ondoy's. I was also very lucky to have my dorm buddies with me during this time because they were really resourceful; who would have known that 5 eggs, an onion, and 2 potatoes can actually fill 5 stomachs? It was amazing how man can problem solve at times when there seems to be no other choice but to do such.

I realized how this flooding was not very far to the storms that we experience within ourselves. I mean, we could have all of the characteristics/strengths/traits (the food me and my dorm buddies had), but if we fail to use these efficiently, we won't be able to outlast the storm, and we would die. If we had not these companions (my dorm buddies) to help us get through these storms, we may not last even for a single night. If we had not these blessings, then who are we?

It's just really a simple change in perspectives to see things in our lives differently... and maybe things would not seem too complicated as they seem. Life after all is already too complicated, why make it even more complicated? :)

Untill the next post!

- Keso

Relatively Short

Day 2 at Singapore couldn't have been any shorter. We spent the whole day having a taste of the fast-paced life at SG; touring around 3 institutions that provide OT services, commuting like a sir, and being fascinated at how OT ala Singapura is.

To save money, me and my friends ate breakfast at our room.

Breakfast (but not in bed) at V Hotel

Tipid Bfast at V Hotel

We first headed to the Institute of Mental Health, then proceeded to the KK Hospital and later to Nanyang Polytechnic. Read more about our journeys there at my post --- Occupational Therapy Ala Singapura.

What's cool about SG's MRT is that they have this 'reserved seating', which is really strictly implemented.

Reserved Seating

Checking out the photos

After the OT tour, we decided to head straight to the shopping capital of SG, Bugis Street. We first headed to Sim Lim Square where our friends bought 2 brand new iPads. The place was like the 'Greenhills' of SG; full of gadgets and other techy stuff for cheaper prices.

Then our group divided into pairs at Bugis where clothes and shoes abound. It's actually like the 'Divi' of SG. To much of my amazement, the clothes and shoes sold there are almost the same as those sold at Divisoria.

After around 2 hours of window shopping, our group met up at Bugis junction and took shots at the Bugis Square with our trophies, i.e. shopping bags.

Mela's Shopping Trophies

AC at Bugis Sq sign post

If you look closely enough at AC's pic, you'll see that a little to her left is a fastfood chain that I know everyone knows by heart, McDonald's.

Le Me and Mela

After taking some shots at the place, we all decided to feed our stomach and headed towards the food lane I think near Raffles Place.

Walking the streets of SG

There were so many choices. What's more is that the restaurants all have fun names.

Fat Bird SG

Porn's SG 1

Porn's SG 1

In these two pictures, we were actually making fun of AC since she deliberately pointed out how 'cute' was the name of the establishment behind her.

Street (full of) Food at SG

Unfortunately, we all decided that we don't want to spend 500 hundred pesos (if you convert from SG dollar) on a single meal. So we went back to the Bugis Square and settled to eat at Mos Burger.

Le Me and AC at Raffles

We were all new to the fastfood chain, so we trusted their menu and ordered their house specialty, which was a Yakimiku rice burger. We thought that it was a burger with rice. But when the order came, we were surprised with what we saw. It was really a burger made of rice. I mean, instead of having buns/bread, two cohesive buns of rice held a piece of lettuce and teriyaki beef in place.

Mos Burger

Yakimiku Rice Burger

A taste of Yakimiku Rice Burger

Since we were all persons-with-big-appetites, we initially thought that we will be disappointed because  the burger won't be able to satisfy our hunger. It didn't, but in all honesty, it tasted awesome. It just so happened that we wanted more because we were too hungry from all of the walking and commuting that we've been doing all day. Some of my friends even ordered a separate set of rice to compensate. But really though, it did taste great. After we've had dinner, we went back to V hotel to rest.

For me, our second day was actually relatively short-lived. I mean, we spent most of the day hurrying around from one institution to the next and at the end of the day, we were all so very tired. Everything felt like a blur since our style today was just 'come and go', literally. What it made me realize was how I didn't want my life to be just like that; just coming and going; just passing by. I want to have many of those moments in my life in which I get to stop and listen to the wind's whisper, appreciate the view, and take a really good look at it, smell the fresh air, and feel the cool breeze and warm sun on my skin. I don't want to live by my life so fast that in the end, I'll just feel tired and have a feeling of uncertainty; that feeling of whether or not I have lived at all.

"One does not simply live life in fast-forward. We have to live in the here and now, and not in the then and the will."

So, enough said about such sentiments, looking forward to SG day 3 tell-all!

Til then.

- Keso

Occupational Therapy Ala Singapura

To say that occupational therapy (OT) has many faces is an understatement. For one, being an occupational therapist requires one to be a very resourceful person; a person who is very flexible; and one who almost always ‘thinks outside the box’. Thus, it is only inevitable that the practice of such profession can be very much distinctive in different cultures and parts of the world. Having said this, it has been such a wonderful experience to be able to see a side of occupational therapy from an entirely new perspective: the Singaporean view.

Our short but very productive visit to Singapore included visits in 3 different settings offering OT services, and a school: Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), Institute of Mental Health (IMH), KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKWCH), and Nanyang Polytechnic, respectively.

Khoo Teck Puat Hospital

The first day was dedicated to the visit in KTPH, which is the newest public hospital in Yishun catering to people who live in north Singapore. Aside from the newer and better facilities and equipment, at first glimpse of the hospital, one would easily mistake it for a huge resort or a hotel because of its modern take in architecture; incorporating “greeneries” into its buildings, resulting into an ambiance of ‘being healthy’ and at the same time ‘being closer to nature’. This for me was one of the hospital’s most striking characteristics. The greeneries kind of give you a feeling of being ‘at peace’. And this in turn was supported by the head OT’s statement, that they “believe in making the patients feel like they are not in a hospital but in their natural habitat; more like being at their own bedroom at home, so that they are more motivated and encouraged to have a positive attitude in battling their condition.” This is very much OT-ish, when you think about it, we OTs would want our clients to engage in occupations that they value in settings that are, as much as possible, very similar to their own workplace so that participation in the sessions is promoted.

Little 'Pots' of 'Green' Gold

At Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, 'green is the new white'

It’s a resort… wait, what?

Another thing that I liked about KTPH is that patients could go directly to OT and not need any referrals from physiatrists. This is, for me, very efficient and thus would only benefit the patient since it saves precious time from being wasted. The hospital also has their own ABLE studio which caters to the needs of not just PWDs, but also those people who are somewhat limited in their participation in occupations due to some reasons beside impairments, by providing a wide variety of assistive devices and equipment that are fun, user-friendly, and would facilitate engagement in occupations. Another thing that I envy about OT practice in this hospital, beside from being multi-disciplinary, was their intensive use of environmental modifications. We can also apply this in the Philippines, but more on just adding or removing a couple of items at home. But in Singapore, they kind of are able to really modify the home so that it would support the client in the best possible way.

View from one of the rooms

At KKTPH, they believe that simulating the atmosphere one has on her own bedroom may help facilitate the client's recovery.

Garden at the top

A garden in the forest; secluded on top of one of the buildings is a garden where patients are encouraged to engage in horticulture.

The second day was very fast-paced, ala-Singapura style, having to visit 3 places in a row. The group first went to visit the huge IMH at Buangkok. There are many good things about IMH. First of all, the hospital’s facilities are strikingly beautiful and do not give a hint of being a mental institution. What I really loved about this center was their program, OcTAVE (OT: Activities, Vocation and Empowerment) that aims to support clients to get a job, be reintegrated and live independently in the community. The idea was to have partnerships with different establishments offering different job opportunities, such as carpark attendant, service crew, healthcare assistant, call centre agent, and general worker, among many others. It’s really beautiful that vocational rehabilitation is firmly established and clients are really given opportunities to return to the work force without being discriminated against. Another unique program of the institute is REACH (Response Early Intervention and Assessment in Community Mental Health) in which OTs are dispersed in the community to help promote mental health and prevent psychiatric conditions, such as addiction, from occurring to adolescents as well as adults. And the last point about IMH is that we were given hearty snacks after the orientation, which of course, is a plus point, even though the group kind of got lost on our way to the main lobby.

IMH Welcomes UST

IMH welcomes University of Santo Tomas OTs

IMH Lobby

We got lost inside IMH

(Not much pictures were taken at IMH since they politely asked us not to take any for the sake of the clients.)

Next stop for the day was at KKWCH at the junction of Bukit Timah and Kampong Java Roads. The group divided into groups and took a cab from IMH to KKWCH. The hospital’s architecture of course differs from hospitals here in the Philippines, but not that entirely different. As the name implies, this hospital focuses on women and children’s health. The group got to view a short presentation about OT in KK hospital and a small view of the process that they follow. What I really liked about this hospital was their dedication to promoting health to Singaporeans; especially since OT practice in pediatric setting is just a rising trend in Singapore because the elderly heavily populates the country state. The group was only able to see few glimpses of rooms where OT services are given since therapists generally travel to satellite centers for sessions. But we got to have our second batch of snacks, which was obviously not a waste of time for us, so that would mean a plus point for this stop.

KK Women's and Children's Hospital

KK's address at SG

Group Photo with the OTs in KKWCH

A quick photo with the Singaporean OTs at KKWCH, lah!

The last, but definitely not the least, stop was at Nanyang Polytechnic at Ang Mo Kio Avenue. We were kind of really hyped about this last visit since it’s the only educational institution that we are going to visit. So meaning to say, it’s an entirely different thing, because for the past visits, we were looking at different OT practice settings. But now, we’re going to look at how different OTs are produced, ala-Singapura style. The campus itself already gave us that ‘wow’ effect. It was huge, modernized, and very preppy. The façade of the main lobby kind of gives you the feeling that you’re in a mall. The campus was divided into buildings, each housing different schools. The group kind of had a difficult time in trying to find the office for school of health sciences. An OT professor got to show us a short video presentation about the institution and we were toured around the area for OT students. The classrooms were spacious, not entirely different from ours, but what I noticed was they have natural lighting since they have wide glass windows with no blinds or tint. What was striking was how different the professors conduct their lecture sessions. During the visit, we get to have a short glimpse of a class having their lecture about, I think, the art of sleep. The students were wearing shorts, and they weren’t seated in standard classroom chairs. Instead, they were seated in beds and they were in different positions as they listen to their professor up front. It was really different from our conventional lecture sessions. Their computer laboratory looked very conducive for studying; it was full of natural lighting since the lab also has wide glass windows without tint or blinds, and people can actually see each other, as compared to our computer lab filled with large cubicles.

Feeling like University Girls at Nanyang Polytechnic

OT Mini-Garden

I actually envy NYP OT students since they have their own OT garden where students are encouraged to grow their own plants all for the sake of having the students develop a sense of 'nurturing or caring for others' which would somehow translate to their genuine care for clients when they start practicing OT. They also have a very spacious campus library, which was kind of different from ours, since students can actually eat while they study, or they aren’t entirely required to stay quiet as they do. On the contrary, they are encouraged to study in pairs or groups so that they are able to gain different insights on a certain topic and not just get caged in their own. Also, aside from the fact that they weren’t wearing uniform, they don’t address their professors as Ma’am or Sir. On the other hand, the professors themselves encourage the students to develop a sense of professionalism even though they call each other through their first names. The OT professor emphasized that they don’t want to instill to the students that they “are their professors, they are only students, and that they should just listen to us.”

Photo with the NYP Instructor

My least favorite site we visited was at KK hospital, but not because it was a worthless visit. It was also a totally enriching experience, but since we kind of arrived late, we actually spent the shortest visit there, and there were not much to tour around since they conduct services mostly in their satellite centers. Nonetheless, I was really inspired with their devotion to their practice in pediatric setting, resulting to a success in one of their community-based programs, which would be escalated to the national level. I actually had goose bumps as they told us the story of their program’s success. The program aims to train other people in screening for children at school who might need OT services. At the same time, the people that they train are also trained on how to teach other people what they have learned. It was a huge project, and it was really nice that they set up such.

My most favorite visit would have to be at NYP. It was an entirely different process of honing OTs. After the tour, I was even able to actually envision myself studying in that institution or living in Singapore for that matter. For me, if I would be given another life to live in this world, studying in NYP wouldn’t be bad at all. But of course, right now, I don’t regret having to study in UST; I love my own, and I’m a proud Thomasian OT at that.

All in all, it was a really great opportunity to see a different side of the OT story. OT management really must be culturally relevant so that the needs of the clients are better addressed. Thus for me, it is not really shocking to see a whole new world of OT in Singapore. After all, the OT that we saw in Singapore was the same profession anywhere else in the world. It would just differ on what are the things or the values that matter to the people that we give our services to. The visits were more of ‘enlightening’ or ‘enriching’ in the sense that we were able to see how OTs work in different spheres and in different parts of the world. It actually gave me ideas and made me want to put up my own clinic, or if God permits, my own hospital in the future. It showed me how noble this profession really is; from helping clients return to their optimal functionality to preventing disengagement from occupations secondary to disability. It made me realize the future profession, to which I am heading as I write this paper. And I daresay, every peso spent, every bead of sweat given off and every step taken during walks in SG, were all well worth it.