Sarbey Para sa Taga-Peyups

I am writing a blog as an entry to the "100 Kwentong Peyups", which is part of U.P.'s 100th year celebration. It's turning into an autobiographical sketch and it might take me a hundred years to finish it. Whose story wouldn't when one is lucky to have a new life at UP? So for now, I am posting her a survey that will give you a peep of my upcoming U.P. and Me.



(photo courtesy of the University of the Philippines group in Facebook)

1. Student number?
~ 89-----

2. College? (upon admission or upon graduation??-ami)
~ College of Social Sciences and Philosophy; College of Social Work and Community Development

3. Ano ang course mo? (upon admission or upon graduation??-ami)
~ BS Pschology; BS Community Development

4. Nag-shift ka ba o na-kickout?
~ nag-experiment, mwahahaha

5. Saan ka kumuha ng UPCAT?
~ College of Business Ad, UP Diliman

6. Favorite GE subject/s?
~ History 1, Soc Sci 2, Humanities 2

7. Favorite PE?
~ running

8. Saan ka nag-aabang ng hot babe/guys sa
UP?
~ main library, narra dorm

9. Favorite prof(s)
~ Si Maris Diokno, Neng Magno,sobrang dami... yung iba naging favorite ko na lang nung maging boss ko sila

10. Pinaka-ayaw na GE subject.
~ Nat Sci 1 and 2, Math 17

11. Kumuha ka ba ng Wed or Sat classes?
~ oo pag 7:00 am classes na lang ang natitirang pagpipilian

12. Nakapag-field trip ka ba?
~ sa laguna, rizal dahil sa humanities 2; non-academic related field trips, madami din, hehehe

13. Naging CS ka na ba or US sa UP?
~ oo naman, nung 1 year na lang ako at gagradweyt na

14. Ano ang Org/Frat/Soro mo?
~ UP P______

15. Saan ka tumatambay palagi?
~ sa tambayan namin

16. Dorm, Boarding house, o Bahay?
~ dorms: Kalayaan Residence Hall, Sampaguita Residence Hall, (Narra Residence hall, hahaha)

17. Kung walang UPCAT at malaya kang
nakapili ng kurso mo sa UP, ano yun?
~ Music, mwahahaha... journalism/ creative writing

18. Sino ang pinaka-una mong nakilala
sa UP?
~ si Joyce ng Gen San

19. First play na napanood mo sa UP?
~ Orosman at Zafira

20. Name the 5 most conyo orgs in UP:
- JPIA

21. Name 5 of the coolest
orgs/frats/soro in UP.
~ Kami, syempre

22. May frat/soro bang nag-recruit syo?
~ ang kulit mo naman!

23. Saan ka madalas mag-lunch?
~ CASAA, Rodic's, aristocart sa waiting shed ng Sampa

24. Masaya ba sa UP?
~ wahta kwestion??!!! taga-UP ka ba?

25. Nakasama ka na ba sa rally?
~ yep, Anti-US Bases Treaty, mga SONA, Anti-STFAP

26. Ilang beses ka bumoto sa SC?
~ 3 times out of 5 elections lang ang naalala ko

27. Name at least 5 leftist groups in
UP?
~ di ka talaga taga-peyups kung di mo alam kung ano-ano ito!

28. Pinangarap mo rin bang mag-laude
nung freshman ka?
~ YES! Nung di ko pa alam ang strengths and weaknesses ko, hahaha

29. Kanino ka pinaka-patay sa UP?
~ you'll find out, check out this blog regularly

30. Kung di ka UP, anong school ka?
~ Sa SLU-Baguio tsaka Lyceum sa Dagupan

Pap Smear Test, STD and Cervical Cancer

I’ve been a mom for almost seven years now but my children had their share of regular check-up more than I ever did. I only had two Pap Smear tests and I didn’t even know what the results were of the first one. As long as I am enduring the discomfort, I was contented to let whatever I was feeling to stay that way.

My most recent Pap Smear test was a different story. Yes, I did notice some abnormal discharges and pain after giving birth to my son a year ago. I assumed it was only because of having tubal ligation. I thought that my system has been naturally disrupted. Until I noticed that my vaginal discharge was getting thicker and more frequent. There was discoloration too and only because I am a cardholder of a health insurance company did I finally decide to have my annual check-up. Good thing, Pap smear was included in the services.

So on the day of the check-up, the OB Gyne asked me how I was feeling and I said, “I’m okay. No problem”. Then she asked me to lie down for the procedure and she immediately knew that there was something wrong. “You have a lot of discharge. I’ll have to I.E. you. I think there’s something wrong in your cervix.” I got nervous and even though I have experienced the IE several times before, it was still discomfiting to feel the OB’s finger probing inside me. What’s more, it hurt. When she was finished, she showed me her gloved hands, “May gasgas ang cervix mo. That’s why you easily bled during the IE.”



(Photo is from www.mydr.com.au)

Her findings was, I have bacterial infection but we had to wait for the Pap Smear results to know what bacteria has infected my cervix. My mind was turning too fast, where could I possibly get the infection? Was it contagious? I didn’t really know because it was my first time to have that illness. The OB didn’t elaborate on my health problem she just wrote down, cervicitis. She repeated the need to see the results of the test. Problem was it will take one week. So what I did was turn to Google and search cervicitis. Instead of finding peace of mind, I was scared even more. Did I contract STD? Will my cervicitis lead to cancer? We’re not rich, how can I raise funds for my operation if ever I have cancer? What will happen to my children if I die? It was mental torture…

To ease out my suffering, I talked to my colleagues who comforted me by telling me to just wait for the results. I also brought it up with my husband who assured me, in a joking manner, that it is not STD because if there is one last man standing who is monogamous, it would be him. Sure… sure.. So I just tried to focus on my work because I was about to give a training in research and documentation in Isabela Province three days after my check-up.

When I came back from the training, I immediately went back to hospital where I had the tests. I gathered the results from the laboratory and went straight to the OB Gyne’s clinic. She was not there because she was doing her rounds in another hospital. I felt frustration creeping inside me but the secretary was so accommodating and said she’ll just call her boss and read the results over the phone.

The findings: it was normal bacterial infection. Not STD bacteria. She said it was the kind that thrives in our outer vagina and if unchecked, it manages to get into the cervix. Now that was also a cause that’s written in one my google searches but perhaps I have the knack for dramatics, so I focused on the more controversial causes. My illness was not life-threatening, my own OB Gyne said. I will just have to use suppository medication for a week and come back for follow-up check up. I also later found out from the doctor who was in-charge of reading all my test results that my urinalysis showed that I had Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). She said that it could be the cause of my cervicitis or the other way around. No matter what, she prescribed antibiotics for one week and a repeat urinalysis afterwards.

All’s well that ends well. I now fully realize the importance of a regular reproductive or even general health check-up. Of course, it was good that what I had was not what I imagined it was but it will be much better if I didn’t have any illness at all.

Between Taking It Easy and Going For The Gold

I already posted this blog in November last year but I submitted it to Pinoy Moms Network's The Parenting Blog. I had to remove it for a while and wait for it to get published there first. The good news is, it has been APPROVED and POSTED here making it my very first PMN The Parenting Blog article.

Below is the original version in it's original context. Happy reading:

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Ever since my eldest daughter entered school, it has been my dilemma to whether take it easy on her or to do my very best to help her get the gold. And by getting the gold, I meant figuratively and literally. Karerin eka nga.

There were three recent events that compelled me decide once and for all, what my stand is on this question. First was, when I received her report card for the first quarter and received news that she slipped to third honors. She was most outstanding prep pupil last year and that was equivalent to being first honors. Next was, when she joined the Nueva Ecija Private Pre-elementary and Elementary Schools Association (NEPPEESA)Quiz Bee (Science category) in the province's First District. Finally, when she was one of the candidates for Little Miss United Nations in her school last October 27.

SAYANG!

Sayang is one word that best described all three situations.

"Sayang, third honors ka na pala."

"Sayang, number six ka sa quizbee. Top five lang ang makakasali sa provincial level."

"Sayang, kulang ka sa praktis sa Ms. UN."

Two years ago, she entered Kindergarten not knowing how to hold a pencil. I was very strict during the first quarters. When I saw tears rolling down her cheeks when I get mad at her for not writing the ALPHABET correctly, I decided to take it easy. The results: she was one point away from graduating in Kindergarten with honors.

"Ay, sayang naman." Those in the know remarked. "Binayaran mo na lang sana." They even said.

Now, of course, knowing Trinity, she doesn't actually give a damn about all these things. Well, she does at first, but she's never one to cry over spilt milk. In fact, she hates milk. She'd rather have a Milo drink or Nestea Iced tea.


What I mean is, at her age and personality, there is not much pressure for her to get top awards. Good if she does, try again next time, if she doesn't. Now, here is when my different mommy personas collide. On one hand, I commend her for achieving these things that I have not achieved when I was her age. On the other hand, I and most everyone else, see her full of potentials. I think it wold be unfair to her if she doesn't get all the assistance that she needs to flourish even more.

Take the academic standing and the quiz bee for instance. Unlike the first two years of her schooling, I have not been able to monitor her studies this year. More because of work-related reasons rather than my quest to avoid pressuring her. Her studies (and contest)were between her and her teachers. My husband and I get into the picture only on weekends before exams. After all that's been said and done, it's SAYANG when she manages to reach only the lower levels of the academic ladder. At one point, some would say, it's just fine because she has been studying and making it her own. But for some, it would exactly be their point. If she can do good on her own, she could have scaled greater heights had there been more support. As my sister texted back when I told her, Trinity placed sixth in the Quiz Bee:

"Sayang naman.Kulang lang yan sa review."







Decisions, decisions

So now I take a stand, decisions have to be made.I am her mom, and it is my sworn and natural duty to assist her achieve her full potentials. And by the powers vested upon, she has no other recourse but to obey!

Nah, I won't go back to yelling and hitting her hands with pencils like I used to some time ago. I hated myself for that. And I wonder, is it a parent's thing to become physical when it comes to children not studying according to their standards? Anyways, whatever the reasons, it's bad just the same.

Five things in my mind to guide me guide her (and my other children) when it comes to giving one's best shot:

1. Be decisive. Would I want to let her take it easy and do things in her own sweet time or should I nudge more and instill in her the value of hard work to earn higher awards/ blessings? I believe that whatever my decision would be, I should stick to it to be more more consistent with how we (her and I) deal with her achievements or endeavors.

2. Regain my personal discipline. From grade 1 to second year high school, I have been a very studious and orderly pupil, I was bordering on obsessive-compulsive behavior. I learned to take it easy in junior high and let everything go in college. The results, I became a crammer and still am, professionally and domestically. In a way, the attitude has rubbed on my children. Sometimes, if I tell Trinity to review, she'll reply that there is enough time in the morning because the exam is in the afternoon. Talk about having a brilliant kid! And a joyfully exasperating one just the same.

3. Instilling the concept of time. As in "A Time for Every Season". At this age, I do not believe in asking, errr, commanding her to prioritize her studies. I would rather develop in her the understanding of doing things in their own time. I think it's best to allocate time for every activity: playtime, TV time, study time, until it becomes a habit.

4. Think of studying or practice as a game or an entertainment. That way, both of us enjoy what is often considered as something to be taken seriously. Play acting would be really fun.

5. Lastly, explaining to her, in children's terms, the cost and benefits of doing well in her studies and in whatever competitions that she may join. For example:

"Anak, mag-aral kang mabuti para ma-first honor ka uli. Kasi pag na first ka, may discount ka sa tution fee. Pag may discount sa tuition fee, madadagdagan pambili natin ng Jollibee."

To which she will most probably reply:

"E kung pandesal na lang bilhin natin. Wag nang Jollibee. Pwede na ba akong maging fourth honor?"

Travel in the Philippines

I am a Lakbayan C+ traveler.

I found this in Noemi's blog. I had to retake the quiz because I got it all mixed up at first try, I got an A+ grade then, hahaha.

Try it! It's fun to look back at all the places one has visited in the Philippines.

My Lakbayan grade is C+!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.