A blast

Close friends have been asking how my brother, who took the Bar Exam last Sunday, is doing, if he has, by any chance, been injured by the explosion that left many wounded, some limbless, thanks to the mindless bomb throwers who did not, for any second, think that lives were at stake. The answer is that he is doing well, he is safe and is enjoying reading his books and catching up with his tv series. Thank you for your prayers and concern. Praise be to the Lord for His protection.
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Playing Dr. House

Last Tuesday I had the privilege of representing my class in the College's Clinicopathological Conference (CPC). It's a big academic gathering, one that I personally look forward to because it reminds me so much of Dr. House, only this time it's for real.

It goes like this. A weird true-to-life medical case is given, with detailed history and physical exam findings, management and treatment, and the progression of the patient's condition. Usually the patient ends up dead. But for what reason? Could the death have been caused by a single disease or a combination of diseases? Could the clinical manifestations have been due to a rare disease or a common disease with a very weird presentation? No one really knows, except the people from the Department of Pathology who have done the autopsy.
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I'm a grown man

While I was looking at a Christian story book for children at the Manila International Book Fair, a tall, Caucasian lady in her twenties approached me, "Is that for your daughter?"

A part of me wanted to tell her, "Why, yes. She has just turned five."

Pets

I went to Cartimar Market this afternoon to buy something for a research project. I was with Casti Castillo. Carlo de Guzman willingly dragged himself with us because he didn't want to go home yet, and he knew the place quite well, having been there a couple of times. We were pleasantly surpised that the guy knew how to commute.

I'm kidding, I'm kidding, Carlo!
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Holiday

It's 6 am, and I'm on my way home after studying at McDonald's. Just before I turn right, I see a van packed with people. They wear light clothing and sunglasses tucked like headbands. There are food trays and bags. They sound like children on a field trip: hysterical with excitement, laughing and talking with a restlessness that could only mean one thing—they're going swimming. It's a good thing other people actually make something fun out of the holidays while the rest of us are stuck doing things that are supposed to matter.

The Bar

Rarely does the Bar Exam not take its toll on the people who take it. The test is tough, long, and tiring. Passing is the lowest among the licensure exams in this country, which explains the hype that surrounds the process. With the hype inevitably comes the pressure.

My brother is taking the Bar for the next Sundays of September. It started yesterday.

My father's here to support him, cook his favorite meals, and cheer him up.
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Meeting students from other med schools

I had the privilege of hosting the program of the NCR-wide meeting of medical school Christian organizations last Saturday. I was able to interact with other students and hear them testify of God's faithfulness.

The place was packed with students from Far Eastern University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, St. Luke's College of Medicine, Our Lady of Fatima College of Medicine, University of Santo Tomas, University of the East, and UP College of Medicine. Some were like me, too: groggy from weekend exams. We had games, singing, praying, and eating.

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My favorite pharmacological principle

There's this principle doctors follow in prescribing medications: use treatments in the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time necessary.
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The wee morning hours

A slow, quiet flipping of the pages of the Bible. A glorious humming of church hymns before the break of day. A satisfying, home-cooked breakfast I haven't tasted for the longest time.

My father's in town.