
RSU faculty members depart for international postgrad and assistantship program
•August 11, 2022 • Leave a Comment
Welcome to my eWorld…
•August 10, 2022 • 21 CommentsHello to my eWorld!
Well, this is not my first created blog but whatever journals written here will complement with my existing blogs powered by other free websites. Basically, this site will serve as the mother portal of all my personal accounts for easy management – updating, uploading and sharing.
My existing sites feature my interest in photography, travel, reading and writing or something worth exploring. In relation to photography, I included some of the images taken during my travels or just simply interesting places that capture my eyes through my digital camera.
In terms of moving around the globe, I joined several travel sites to share my experiences and provide assistance to other travellers making their future trips memorable and enjoyable, and be able to explore stunning places around the world. I also included my interest in writing reviews with my membership to ciao and dooyoo. Finally, my other accounts from free websites.
For quick links of these pages, just click the subheadings listed or the thumbnails images below:
My World : This section simply focuses on my fascination of Mother Earth – how we could protect and conserve its natural beauty for future generations. This also covers my academic world as an engineer, planner, manager and or an ordinary human being (social and spiritual being).
Travel Blog: Provides a list of my travel journals with images
Trivago: A travel site which I am getting extra income for posting of images, reviews and other travel info
Consumer site: Highlights my membership with dooyoo and ciao where I post reviews of products and services, anything that I want to share with the rest of the consumers worldwide
Atbp: Provides a space for my personal interests and hobbies, something worth exploring
Hope you enjoy reading my blog and please come again and I am happy to receive your comments. Again, click the photo thumbnails below for direct links to the rest of my blog pages. Best REYgards!
Other recommended interesting sites that inspired me to enjoy life and inspired other people to do the same…
Stunning Alberta’s landscape and its Lake Louise
•July 2, 2022 • Leave a CommentJUST A FEW RANDOM SHOTS taken during my short visit to Alberta’s nature jewel – Lake Louise. Being a nature’s lover and first time to visit this breathtaking sceneries while travelling to Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise, it is a memorable trip to Alberta and able to appreciate the things nature can offer in just a few hours’ stay at Fairmont Chateau Hotel.













A jubilant reunion with AITans at Calgary, Alberta
•July 1, 2022 • Leave a CommentAFTER YEARS OF NO PHYSICAL CONTACT (except FB/Messenger), I finally met my former batchmates at the Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand) in Alberta. It was a joyous reunion with these three Filipinos permanently residing in the Canada’s sunniest and most livable city – Calgary. Calgary is a city located in the western part of Alberta where it sits at the confluence of the Bow River and the Elbow River.



I could not even imagine that I was given the opportunity to travel to Canada and had the chance to meet my old friends way back from AIT days. It was brief of hi and hello with tight embraces that somehow reignite our friendship that started in Bangkok way back in the early 1990s. Indeed, my world is getting smaller every day, and never loss hope to travel again in time of this health crisis.
With little time to bond, we just strolled around the city center and visited the beautiful public library of the city. What a a wonderful place to stay and appreciate the awesome architectural interior design of the building.




BCIEW 2022 in Whistler, Vancouver, Canada, 26-29 June
•June 26, 2022 • Leave a Comment





THE BRITISH COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL Education Week provides delegates a venue to network and offers opportunities for future collaborations with Canadian higher institutions.






Photos taken during the first day of the event. Philippine delegates are coming from the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and private higher institutions (HEIs), representatives from the Commission on Higher Education International Affairs Staff, and Embassy of Canada – Manila Office, and top officials of the Romblon State University (RSU).
The complete list of Philippine delegation is available through this link: https://www.bccieevents.ca/bciew22/philippines_delegation






One of the sessions focused on international university rankings – its methodology, scope and engagement, data sets and global visibility.








Dr. Daniel Guhr spoke about the process of university rankings particularly the various indicators or core data used for rankings. Dr. Guhr is the Managing Director of the Illuminate Consulting Group.
PHILARM membership & Congress 2021, 9-10 Dec
•November 28, 2021 • Leave a CommentMY MEMBERSHIP WITH PHILARM was endorsed by a former AIT batchmate who happens to be a senior member of the council. Founded on the 8th September 1989, the Philippine Association of Research Managers, Inc. (PHILARM) is a private, non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and enhancement of the role of managers in improving and sustaining productivity in research.
Its Secretariat is located at the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources, Research and Development (PCAARRD) Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna.On the other hand, PHILARM invites researchers to its 5th International Research, Development and Extension (RDE) Management Congress and 30th National PHILARM Convention on December 9-10, 2021 via Zoom (with registration fee).
For details: https://web.facebook.com/philarm.losbanoslaguna
Official website: https://philarm.webs.com/#PHILARM#PCAARD

47th Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) National Convention and Technical Conference, 26-27 Nov 2021 (Virtual)
•November 24, 2021 • Leave a CommentSnapshots of PIEP’s National Convention 2021
•November 7, 2021 • Leave a Comment
The National Convention provided participating EnPs additional information on environmental planning education in the country, open distance learning; career progression and specialization program; environmental researches; case studies that showcased best practices on environmental assessment, cultural preservation and local administration.
PIEP 30th National Convention, 5-7 Nov 2021 (Philippines)
•November 2, 2021 • Leave a Comment
The Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP), a non-profit and the only PRC accredited professional organization of licensed Environmental Planners, will be holding its 30th National Convention thru virtual on November 5-7, 2021, with the theme: “Addressing Social Justice thru Smart, Inclusive and Livable Communities.” This year’s convention will feature local and international speakers who are expert in their respective fields of practice in urban and regional planning. PIEP will also celebrate on November 8th – the 2nd Environmental Planning Day in the Philippines and the World Town Planning Day. #PIEPNatCon2021
Fullybooked on Sale, 25-29 June 2021
•June 23, 2021 • Leave a CommentFULLYBOOKED MIDYEAR ONLINE SALE, 25-29 June 2021. Hurry up and check it out! https://www.fullybookedonline.com/. Other goodies are up for grabs during the sale period:Get one (1) free limited edition tote bag from Penguin Random House when you shop from 12 mn to 1 am on June 25, 2021. Get one (1) free discount card for every single order of Php3000 and above. And as always, get free shipping for orders Php799 and above! #bookaklatlibro#brainPH

NDLTD launches J-ETD in April 2021
•April 9, 2021 • Leave a CommentThe Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) launched its first ever electronic scholarly journal that focuses on an important part of the knowledge creation cycle – theses and dissertations. The Journal of Electronic of Theses and Dissertations (J-ETD) is an open access, peer-reviewed journal currently hosted at the Scholarworks@UAEU repository of the University of the United Arab Emirates (UAEU). Interested researchers, faculty and students are invited to submit papers that will cover both theoretical and practical applications, and some of these papers to be considered in this e-journal will be conference papers presented at the annual ETD symposium sponsored by NDLTD.
Fortunately, I will be involved in J-ETD as a volunteer – a member of the technical support staff. Another opportunity for networking and collaboration. Who knows, the annual ETD International Conference will be held in the Philippines and the Romblon State University will host it in 2024. See you then!

By the way, I am a member of NDLTD since 2018 and one of the lucky members to receive a travel grant to attend the ETD Conference 2018 in Taipei, Taiwan. I also presented a paper about my preliminary work on having a database management for undergraduate theses in the College of Engineering and Technology submitted from the period between 2001 to 2018.
World Book Night 2020
•April 23, 2020 • Leave a CommentWORLD BOOK NIGHT 2020, 23rd April. I feel nostalgic today that the World Book Night will be celebrated, not only in the UK and Northern Ireland but around the world. Nine years ago, I was one of the lucky chosen participants for the launching of this wonderful event in the UK/Northern Ireland. I got free 48 copies of Sarah Waters’ book, FINGERSMITH.
What is the task of the bookgiver? I have to distribute the books on the night of 5th March 2011 (the original date) the 48 hard copies, either you give it to your friends or any stranger you meet in the street. You can even leave the books in public places like train station, coffee shop – a place for everyone to grab the book.
The main goal of the World Book Night is a celebration of great writing and the power of books and the pleasures of reading. Fingersmith was one of 40,000 copies printed of each of the 25 brilliant titles selected for World Book Night 2011. That’s 1,000,000 books to be read and enjoyed and then shared. Be part of the reading revolution. Well, after reading it, you can share it or leave it in the wild for others to read it.
I do wish that someday, this kind of event will be done in the Philippines or even in my home province thru my #brainPH project. Well, with the “Libro on the Go” launching today in Tabing Dagat (Odiongan, Romblon) somehow commemorates my first ever international book sharing event in the UK/Northern Ireland, nine years ago. With the 11 books to be shared today, is something to replicate what I did on the night of the 5th March 2011 in Belfast (Northern Ireland).
For more information about the World Book Night 2020: https://worldbooknight.org/
The Mushroom Hunters by Neil Gaiman…acknowledging women in the fields of science and history
•April 16, 2020 • Leave a Comment
THE MUSHROOM HUNTERS
Science, as you know, my little one, is the study
of the nature and behaviour of the universe.
It’s based on observation, on experiment, and measurement,
and the formulation of laws to describe the facts revealed.
In the old times, they say, the men came already fitted with brains
designed to follow flesh-beasts at a run,
to hurdle blindly into the unknown,
and then to find their way back home when lost
with a slain antelope to carry between them.
Or, on bad hunting days, nothing.
The women, who did not need to run down prey,
had brains that spotted landmarks and made paths between them
left at the thorn bush and across the scree
and look down in the bole of the half-fallen tree,
because sometimes there are mushrooms.
Before the flint club, or flint butcher’s tools,
The first tool of all was a sling for the baby
to keep our hands free
and something to put the berries and the mushrooms in,
the roots and the good leaves, the seeds and the crawlers.
Then a flint pestle to smash, to crush, to grind or break.
And sometimes men chased the beasts
into the deep woods,
and never came back.
Some mushrooms will kill you,
while some will show you gods
and some will feed the hunger in our bellies. Identify.
Others will kill us if we eat them raw,
and kill us again if we cook them once,
but if we boil them up in spring water, and pour the water away,
and then boil them once more, and pour the water away,
only then can we eat them safely. Observe.
Observe childbirth, measure the swell of bellies and the shape of breasts,
and through experience discover how to bring babies safely into the world.
Observe everything.
And the mushroom hunters walk the ways they walk
and watch the world, and see what they observe.
And some of them would thrive and lick their lips,
While others clutched their stomachs and expired.
So laws are made and handed down on what is safe. Formulate.
The tools we make to build our lives:
our clothes, our food, our path home…
all these things we base on observation,
on experiment, on measurement, on truth.
And science, you remember, is the study
of the nature and behaviour of the universe,
based on observation, experiment, and measurement,
and the formulation of laws to describe these facts.
The race continues. An early scientist
drew beasts upon the walls of caves
to show her children, now all fat on mushrooms
and on berries, what would be safe to hunt.
The men go running on after beasts.
The scientists walk more slowly, over to the brow of the hill
and down to the water’s edge and past the place where the red clay runs.
They are carrying their babies in the slings they made,
freeing their hands to pick the mushrooms.
Coffee break with Katsushika Hokusai
•February 15, 2020 • Leave a CommentCOFFEE PAINTING. Two years ago, I bought this coloring book, Floating World – Jaspanese Prints by Andrew Vigar at the National Bookstore. Tagged at Php645.00 (US$13), this art book contains 22 woodlock prints which can be colored using ink or pencil, then teared-off, have it frame and hang on the wall.
I do coffee painting, instead of pen or colored ink, I transformed it using the coffee granules. The first masterpiece I replicated is the work of Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) entitled, ” Peonies and Canary, c. 1834. This design was from an untitled series known as “Small Flowers.” Hokusai designed of birds and flowers which depicts harmony in nature.
Big Bad Wolf Book Sale in Manila 2020
•January 21, 2020 • Leave a CommentTHIS IS MY FAV EVENT to start my 2020 exciting. To be held at the World Trade Center on February 14-24, a 24-hour book sale for people like me who love to read and buy some of the coloring artworks by Johanna Basford. I bought a dozen of her pull-out coloring books in 2017 which become my hobby – to color them and sell them with a frame!
America’s Got Talent: The Champions 2020 – Another Filipino shines!
•January 14, 2020 • Leave a Comment
2020…new vision with new mission in life!
•January 1, 2020 • Leave a CommentSoutheast Asian Games (SEAG) 2019, Manila, Philippines, 30 Nov-11 Dec 2019
•November 28, 2019 • Leave a CommentPhilippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP) 28th National Convention & 50th Anniversary, 7-9 November, 2019, PICC, Philippines
•November 6, 2019 • Leave a CommentPICE 45th National Convention, SMX, Pasay City, Philippines, Oct 28-30, 2019
•October 28, 2019 • Leave a CommentPhilippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) 45th National Convention, 28-30 October, SMX Convention Center, Pasay
•October 27, 2019 • Leave a CommentPhilippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP) National Conference, 7-9 November 2019
•October 14, 2019 • Leave a Comment60th Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Anniversary Celebration 23-25 October
•October 4, 2019 • Leave a CommentA poetic mind: Kapag Nalaman Mo Rin…
•September 19, 2019 • Leave a Comment
KAPAG NALAMAN MO RIN…
Isusumpa mo rin ako
Sa bato, itataga mo
Bawat pagkamuhi’t galit
Na pilit mo’y iwawaglit
At mahirap ikukubli
Pag-ibig, balikan muli.
Tulad din nang mga nauna
Pusong uhaw, pinaasa
Nangako na maging tapat
Subalit ito’y di sapat
Sa pag-ibig ko’y bigay
Sa’yo lamang, tanging alay.
Isusumpa mo rin ako
Damdaming di magbabago
Ang lihim ko’y di dahilan
Na tayong dalawa lamang
Tulad sa dating pag-ibig
Sinta, ika’y iniibig!
“Kapag Nalaman Mo” A book review
•September 18, 2019 • Leave a Comment2019 PIP-TRIP Zonal Orientation for SUCs, Tagaytay City, Philippines
•September 17, 2019 • Leave a CommentTalk Series #2: Seminar on Earthquake Engineering & Disaster Risk Management, 22 Augus 2019, Romblon State University
•August 20, 2019 • Leave a CommentSeminar on Earthquake Engineering and Disaster Risk Management, 22 August, Romblon State University, Philippines
•August 12, 2019 • Leave a CommentTaiwan Education Fair, 11 August, Megamall, Philippines
•August 12, 2019 • Leave a Comment8.11.19. MANDALUYONG CITY (PHILIPPINES). Some of Taiwainese universities visited Manila to encourage Filipinos to pursue higher education and graduate studies in Taiwan, offering full grants/scholarships. One of the participants, National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism (NKUHT) is offering affordable short term course in hospitality, “Summer Camp” being done every July.
Cinemalaya 2019: August 2-13, Philippines
•August 7, 2019 • Leave a CommentThis year’s full-length indie films that will grace the festival next month include Kim Zuñiga and Sandro Del Rosario’s “Ani,” Joji Alonzo’s “Belle Douleur,” Maricel Cabrera-Cariaga’s “Children of the River,” Throp Nazareno’s “Edward,” Edwardo Roy Jr.’s “Fuccbois,” Theordore Boborol’s “Iska,” Arden Rod Condez’ “John Denver Trending,” Leilani Chavez and Danica Sta. Lucia’s “Malamaya,” Sheryl Rose Andres’ “Pandanggo sa Hukay,” and Xian Lim’s “Tabon.”
The essence of forgiveness and healing… a true story
•August 5, 2019 • Leave a Comment(NOTE: I want to share this inspirational story of a colleague of mine that despite his injuries after a vehicular accident, he was able to forgive and accepted that he will no longer be a hundred percent of himself. With full confidence that even if God gave him an 80 percent of a new self, he will strive to perform a hundred percent quality of that 80 percent that the Lord gave him.)
Thank you for the healing…thank you for the forgiveness…
On the 24th of March 2019 at about 8:00PM I met a vehicular accident. I was changing lanes when the motorcycle headlight I estimated was still far suddenly appeared in front at breakneck speed with horns blasting. A moment of hesitation had me caught on my side instantly snapping my left femur and also lacerating my left ring finger. The momentum was so strong that it threw me far from my motorcycle and I landed on my left shoulder blade before my head hit the pavement. I passed out and when I came to I asked for the driver who hit me afraid that he died in the collision. It must have been long before I came to as the onlookers have already brought the driver to the hospital. When my cousins who were near recognized me they at once called an ambulance that brought me to the Romblon Provincial Hospital (RPH).
At the RPH, the doctor ordered for an x-ray of my head and femur. Luckily my head suffered only minor concussion and had no crack but my femur snapped in two. It was a clean break as my cellular phone that was in my left pocket bore most of the impact. Were the phone not been there, a more serious injury might have happened. A cast was made on my left leg and rendered it immobile. The resident physician sewed up my lacerated finger but was unable to connect the tendons and muscles that were severed. At the emergency room I was relieved to learn that the driver who hit me was stable and safe; so do with his rider. I stayed overnight at the RPH. My wife was determined to bring me to Manila the following day as the orthopedic surgeon at the RPH was due on the 5th of April yet.
The following day we arranged for a trip to Manila via 2GO. Knowing that the ship was strict in taking in patients we took off the dextrose that was connected to me and made me appear well with only a cast troubling me. We nearly got rejected but the on-board nurse had us on a separate accommodation. The journey went well until we reached Batangas where I already had a slight fever. An ambulance took us from the port to Sta. Teresita General Hospital, a hospital near the Philippine Orthopaedic Hospital recommended by my cousin doctors. At the Sta Teresita I was again x-rayed to check my leg and for clearance of the other organs like the lungs that might affect my operation. Tuesday morning the doctors checked on my condition and had me cleared for an operation on Wednesday morning. Luckily the cardiologist was not around in the morning of Tuesday but arrived 11:00PM. When he checked on me he was surprised that I was cleared for an operation the following day when he heard something crackling in my chest; not from the heart but from the lungs. When they checked on my vital signs they were surprised: my oxygen saturation was only 51% and my blood pressure shot up to more than 200 over another high number. When the doctors ordered another x-ray they found that my lungs were full of fluids and the image was far from the image taken in the morning. They surmised that I regressed into ARDS; an uncommon complication but a life-threatening situation.
My cousin doctors who were with me all throughout recommended that I be sent to UST Hospital and referred me to a pulmonologist who was also an Odionganon. An ambulance whisked me to the UST Hospital. Along the way, I vomited 3 times and was almost in delirium. I was uttering incomprehensible words and telling my wife I can’t take it anymore. My wife who is a fighter boosted my spirit by telling me I would still care for our granddaughter and teach her how to swim yet. With these, she told me later, I somehow managed to fight on.
At the UST Hospital emergency room, doctors checked my vital signs and having found my oxygen saturation was very low, a respirator was attached to me. My O2 saturation improved and I felt better. We were admitted to my room Wednesday. It was supposed to be at the ICU where the plan was to put a tube in my lungs and drain the fluid but since there was no vacant room at the ICU I was placed in the Del Carmen ward – a place for critically-ill patients. I was coughing blood and phlegm for the next days but my condition was improving. By this time the edema in my left shoulder started to appear as a manifestation of the trauma I got falling from my motorcycle. By Friday my lot improved and when the ICU was made vacant with me as next in line a kind lady doctor ruled out the ICU as it would only weigh down on the finances of the family. However, my respirator was still attached to me. Over the weekend my condition further improved and when the x-ray showed my lungs have cleared, I was scheduled for my femoral operation Wednesday morning. By this time my fracture shifted a few inches even if there was traction applied to it. The shift may have caused internal bleeding necessitating blood transfusion. The doctors ordered 3 packs of A-negative blood – a rare blood type. Luckily one Red Cross branch had a pack ready in Caloocan and another one in Pangasinan. The third pack came from our student at the RSU-CET who voluntarily gave a piece of himself for his mentor.
Wednesday morning, at 6:30AM, I was brought to the operating room for my fracture. The operation took 9 hours. Anesthesia was applied to my armpit for the wound on my ring finger that had to be repaired; on my thigh and spinal column, for my femur. I felt numb but was awake the entire operation. I felt the tapping while the doctors drove the titanium nail through my femur. As they wheeled me to the recovery room, I heard the anesthesiologist say the operation was successful. I heaved a sigh of relief but I knew it was not over yet. I was finally brought to my room at 8:30PM. In the evening I could not sleep as student nurses kept checking on my vital signs on an hourly basis. This was on top of the regular nurses administering medicines and getting test samples of my blood. The struggle to sleep was real as every time a knock on the door was heard I was awakened. This may have weakened my resistance as I caught pneumonia five days after the operation just when we were about to be cleared for going home. The doctors again put me under the respirator and had to administer antibiotics for another 12 days. The few days extension was a blessing as my scrotum which was traumatized by the impact had by now swollen, blackened, and appeared herniated. Fungal growth appeared as lesions around it due to the diaper I wore before operations. A urologist doctor examined the area and cleared it of any serious injury but prescribed cortico-steroid for the fungus. My wife nursed it back to health and it returned to its original state. The will to go home was by now strong in me so we asked the doctors if we could go home Monday of the Holy Week. The doctors consented with the precaution that we should bring oxygen and that we had to be accompanied by a nurse who would administer medicine on board. By Monday, 22 days after I was brought to Manila, we finally sailed to Odiongan. I felt a lot better because my pneumonia was getting better. I also had a few sessions with the physical therapists and I managed a few steps before I left the hospital. We arrived home early Tuesday morning thankful to God that I made it thus far.
With the foregoing I would like to make an appeal to parents. While it is now tempting to gift our children with motorcycles brought about by very liberal installment terms, please think twice before you do so. Your child could have been in my place and may not have survived the ordeal, let alone the cost of hospitalization. Let us keep minors off the streets as they are the ones most vulnerable to accidents. If your child is of the right age and could already be bestowed a driver’s license, please make him/her fully aware of the traffic regulations and of his/her responsibility as a driver. Odiongan has a speed limit within the town proper and if properly followed, we could all advocate for safer Odiongan streets. Above all please do not let your kids drive drunk or under the influence of any substance.
A note of thanks. When God gives us trials He makes sure we could all go through it with help that He also provides. Above all He sent me a wife and daughter who were patient enough to care for me. He sent me the best physicians headed by Dr. Lanzona. My cousins Drs. Fajutagana were also there for me. He also sent me good Samaritans to aid our financial woes, my family, inlaws, relatives, co-workers and past co-workers, brods and sisses in the fraternity and sorority, classmates and friends in college and elementary, professors in college, and even extended friends of my daughter and the Governor’s family; I would have to thank you personally or in socmed. He also sent me friends who offered prayers and well wishes that He also heard. I learned from my wife that even multi-denominational groups have offered prayers and intentions in my behalf. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. On the day we were about to be discharged, a nun offered prayers for me, she started, “Lord thank you for the healing, thank you for the forgiveness..,” I broke to tears and stopped hearing the prayers after the second word realizing how such a sinful man like me could deserve so much grace from the Lord. If this was my Passion for the atonement of sins, then I gladly accept and be thankful about it.
Happy Easter everyone! I am now home and on the road to full recovery. I knew I could no longer be a hundred percent of myself but if the Lord gives me an 80 percent of a new me, then I hope and pray that I could perform a hundred percent quality of that 80 percent He gave me.
Book Review: “Dared to Survive and Recover” – an inspirational story
•August 1, 2019 • Leave a Comment“Straightforward accounts of becoming a true-believer in the power of prayers! Coupled with faith in Divine Being and optimism to overcome obstacles in life, this inspirational book brings us to a level of self-realization that living a life gives us a fulfilling state of existence with a purpose; and able to acknowledge the best qualities in us in times of adversities.”
HONESTLY, I don’t read much of inspirational or autobiography type of books. The last book I have read (and this was recommended by a good friend) was the funny but heart-warming story of Trevor Noah – a South African comedian who tells his personal life while growing-up during the time of Apartheid in South Africa.
Few weeks after reading this book, I found out that my former boss was having a book launch. After years of no communication, I reconnected with her via FB – inquiring about her debut book. After a few exchanges of messages, we decided to meet-up and finally got a copy of her book entitled, Dared to Survive and Recover.
Unknown to me, sometime in 2011 she suffered a fatal hemorrhagic stroke, a few months before I first met Doc Alma Madrazo after finishing my PhD program overseas when I visited her office for a job interview. I did not have any suspicion of her serious medical condition. What I only knew that time of my visit was, I saw her “alalay” in the office minding of her needs! When I successfully got the job and directly reporting to her, she started telling me of her on-going therapy and why someone has to be with her all the times.
“This book also reminds us to be courageous, be patient, be thankful and always enjoy the moment that life would bring ever day!”
Going back to her book, I bought two copies, one with a personal message written on it and the other one bears a signature of her. We had a late lunch and we chatted happily on what we have done after we parted ways when I decided to resign from the company that she manages and also the things she has done after her retirement.
The book was written in such a way that a reader can easily follow through. Doc Alma (as close friends call her), immediately recalled her ordeal of the stroke and the events after that unexpected state of survival, and eventually towards recovery. Reading her story. it seems that she directly talking to you (as reader) – as if she is engaged to tell you on how she became part of the “statistics” of people suffering from hemorrhagic stroke in the country. It is not that she wants “sympathy” from us as readers but, she wanted to reminds us that “life” is so “fragile” that any time it will end up suddenly without warning.
“...her “renewed” faith in God somehow brings her back to life – motivated to regain her strength and able to enjoy life to the fullest…”
Every page of the book tells us her optimism in life and became a true-believer in the power of prayers! It takes courage and strong determination to survive and recover, eventually be able to appreciate the things she love to do after that fatal condition. Aside from having an excellent team of medical people and family members who love and helping towards her fast recovery, her “renewed” faith in God somehow brings her back to life – motivated to regain her strength and able to enjoy life to the fullest which some of pages of the book showed images that after her stroke, she managed to travel again with her husband and children – enjoying being a mother, grandma, a wife and a devoted professor to her students.
Interestingly, Doc Alma also shares some of the highlights of her professional achievement particularly prior to her stroke. Being an achiever during her younger years, she became active in sharing her knowledge and expertise towards protecting Mother Earth. With her involvement in various environmental projects both locally and abroad, she is recognized as one of the empowered women in the energy and environment sectors. Indeed, she is blessed with intellectual prowess and beauty that any lady could wish for.
As a final note, Doc Alma emphasized through her book that life is not always a bed of roses, but we have to balance our life with healthy lifestyle, able to manage a stressful career; and not to forget to be thankful and enjoy the moment that God is giving us every day! And most importantly, her story reminds us that the strongest force to counteract adversities is PRAYERS!
Dared to Survive and Recover is written by Dr. Alma Bella Madrazo, PhD and it is now available at CentralBooks at Php450.00. Click the image of the book to purchase online.
BookFace: Dared to Survive and Recover, a strong faith to survive miraculously by Alma Bella Madrazo, PhD
•July 17, 2019 • Leave a CommentThe book is a personal account of Dr. Alma Bella Madrazo (my former boss/colleague) when she suffered a hemorrhagic stroke*** sometime in 2011 that brought her to a state of coma (deep unconsciousness) for more than a week.
Miraculously, she recovered and able to work again and enjoy the things she likes to do, as if she did not undergo this fatal condition. As quoted from the book cover, “…Every part of this book mentions about strong faith as the main driver of my recovery. Faith in everyone who helped in my journey to recovery and faith in God’s healing power to cure me physically and spiritually.”
*** A hemorrhagic stroke is when blood from an artery begins bleeding into the brain. This happens when a weakened blood vessel bursts and bleeds into the surrounding (source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317111.php).
The book will be launched on the 20th July 2019 and eventually it will be available at Fully Booked High Street in BGC (Taguig City) Fully Booked in Rockwell (Makati City), and Fully Booked UP Town Center (Diliman, Quezon City).
2019 Taiwan-Philippines University Presidents’ Forum, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
•July 7, 2019 • Leave a CommentTaiwan Education Fair 2019, 10-11 August, Mandaluyong, Philippines
•July 7, 2019 • Leave a CommentDetails for another year of visa-exemption for Filipinos travelling to Taiwan is extended until July 2020, CLICK HERE. Additional information for the Taiwan Fellowship Scholarships 2020 is open until July 20, 2020. CLICK HERE for the requirements for the said fellowship.
Legend Hotel Pier 2, Kaohsiung Taiwan: One of its kind accommodation
•July 6, 2019 • Leave a CommentI BOOKED THIS ACCOMMODATION THRU Agoda website. Surprisingly, I got it at a cheaper price. This is my second time to Taiwan but first time to Kaohsiung – southern tip of Taiwan – quite opposite end of Taipei. I was in Taipei last September 2018 for a conference. Indeed, one of its kind – clean cosy accommodation with wifi connection, a beautiful lounge with all the amenities for relaxation for young and adults, free flowing coffee and tea, and with self-service laundry area!
Legend Hotel Pier 2 is ideal place for both family and solo travellers. It is affordable especially for a short stay in Kaohsiung. The hotel is just few minutes away from the train station. Well, I love to walk even with heavy luggages on both hands, I still managed to reach the hotel in my own pace of walking as I also enjoying the environment. Still need to confirm this, but someone told me that few meters away from the hotel, maybe 10 minutes walk, I have to visit the old seaport area as one of the tourist attractions nearby!
So far soo good after spending a night here…looking forward to seeing more of the city landscape and what other interesting things it can offer!
I just want to share this note posted at the bedside…very interesting reminder to guests while enjoying the company of strangers in the room!
Dorm type accommodation is based on the concept of community to share, make friends but also “compromise” to reach harmony which may in some ways sacrifice your individual habits.
Waste No More: 5th PSHWM | CE-WM 2021, Philippines (Virtual), 2-3 December
•December 1, 2021 • Leave a Comment
For details: https://pshwmcewm.wixsite.com/pshwm-cewm2021