Obsessive Wish to Arrive

In our obsessive wish to arrive, we often forget the most important thing, which is the journey.
-Paulo Coelho (The Pilgrimage)

Life is too short

Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don’t and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it.

Nobody said that it’d be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

reposted from Nina

Pharmacist = tindera ng gamot?

"Pharmacist? ano yun? diba yun yung nagtitinda o tindera ng gamot?"

Is there still hope on how can we change this kind of thinking and stereotyping pharmacists, especially here in the Philippines?

I was so appalled when I so this ad:




I would like to ask my pharmacist friends, former professors, faculty members and pharmacy practionioners out there. Are you guys earning this little? Very little that can't hardly make a living here in the Greater Manila Area. What can you buy with 4000 pesos? Can that feed you and your family?

I studied pharmacy in college and part of my disinterest to the profession is the compensation. I will be a hippocrate if I say that I was dying to earn the degree and not to be paid well. Here's a salary report on how much Filipino Pharmacist are getting.

Pharmacy and Nursing are among other professions that are being neglected and are underpaid here in our country. Antonio Luna, one of our national hero is a licensed pharmacist. I believe this is the time to take steps to uplift the profession, the morale of the practitioners and revitalize the spirits of students and the youth that are planning to get the degree.

Pharmacist is listed in the Highest Paying Jobs - Ten Hottest Careers in the US.

Pharmacists: Pharmacists are health professionals practicing pharmacy. Pharmacists generally cater to the requests for medicines from a prescribing doctor and then supply or dispense the medicine to the patient. Pharmacists also counsel the patients as to the proper use, and any side or adverse effects of the medicines. Today, pharmacists also participate in a disease state management and therefore manage drug therapy.

Pharmacists ranked 11th Jobs That Pay the Most with $53.00/hr; $110,240/yr. Pharmacist are listed with Surgeons, Pilots, CEOs, Orthodontics, et al. To see the complete list click here

How come Filipino pharmacist are not getting what is proportional to what it's American counterparts? There's no need to glamorize the pharmacy profession, pharmacy is indeed a noble profession and an important member of the health care team.

Consider the serious effort you need to make taking up pharmacy. Pharmacy is never a no-brainer course. I've heard of a study that you need an above average IQ to take up Pharmacy. But thats not the point. After you study, you need to review and take the board exam. Look for a job to gain experience. I have pharmacist friends working abroad as Pharmacists, and it's no easy feat.

A few weeks ago, I saw on TV, a government-labor rep discouraged high school students on taking up nursing, for there's a great amount of surplus on this profession, and suggested to take Pharmacy instead. As he said, Pharmacy is well paid abroad compared to nurses. Which is true, however, not all can and wants to go abroad.

For me, the presence of the Pharmacy profession in the Philippines is not imminent and well received.

Is there anyone to blame? This issue has been lingering the corridors of universities since my college days. But it clearly shows that this issue is not yet addressed. There's Philippine Pharmaceutical Association (PPhA) and The Philippine Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, are they aware of this? I'm sure they do. But I wanna see some action, on how they fight against the stigma and obstacles that pharmacy students, graduates and practitioners face in the real world.

Bagasbas Beach

Bagasbas Beach, Daet, Camarines Norte, Philippines

Bagasbas Summer Surf Festival

Bagasbas Summer Surf Festival, Bagasbas Beach, Daet, Camarines Norte


April 4-5, 2009. registration starts 8am



What it is:

Surf Clinics

Have your first taste of surfing, that incomparable feel of walking on water, and it will get you stoked! You’ll be clamoring for more after this… one session will never be enough.

Upon registration, you will be given a time slot for your session. Hold on to it, check-in at your hotel, change and head to the beach. While waiting for your slot, the beach activities are guaranteed to keep you pumped with beach adrenaline!


Sport Climbing

Check out the National Climbing Competition or go face to face with the climbing wall! The country’s best climbers are flocking from all over the Philippines to join the Sport Climbing Association of the Philippines’ National Selections. If you want to be inspired, then this is it. If you want to check out how inspired you are, then go over to the interactive side of the climbing wall and try the wall for yourself!


Beach Ultimate Frisbee

Dive into the sand or watch the pro’s do it. The Philippine Ultimate Association will be holding a special invitational tournament for the top teams in Ultimate Frisbee. Catch high flying action on the beach, and better yet, learn the skills as the pros hold clinics on the beach… FOR YOU. It’s not hard to learn, and before the week end is over, you’ll be joined up with other newbies for a special starter’s game J


Beach Volleyball

Dig and dig as the spikes force you to get down and dirty! Beach volleyball needs no intro, as one of the classic beach sports since the 80’s. My suggestion, form a team while it’s early, call the assigned coordinator from Progressive Volleyball Center below and assure yourselves of a slot before they run out! Clinics to learn the sport? Yes we will hold them if the 2 courts won’t be filled with competitive games J



How much to join?

Ok be ready for this… it’s P500. What you get:

1. One surf session, inclusive of board rental and instructor
2. One event shirt
3. The right to officially enter your competition of choice
4. The right to officially enter the other competitions
5. The right to join the clinics offered
6. One pair of MOJO slippers
7. A great beach party with Coffee Break Island pumping reggae and ska beats into the summer night
8. All in all, a GREAT DEAL!



So who do you contact?

For the surf session, just come to the beach and sign up on the spot ( details on getting there below )



For official entry into the tournaments:

Sport Climbing : Crissie Malay 0915-9949004, Mackie Makinano 0927-7385492

Beach Ultimate : Ipe Borja 0917-8832223/ 0922-8666232

Beach Volleyball : Ariel Joaquin 0917-5315849/ 0922-2342982



For help on directions, places to stay at the beach or in town:

Camarines Norte Tourism Council: 054-7213087

Edgardo “Boy” R. Reyes, Prov Tourism Officer: 0916-5783096

For general Email inquiries, contact bagasbas.summer.festival@gmail.com


FAQ’s on Bagasbas Beach:

1. How do we get there? Which is better, to take a public transporation or take our own cars? Frankly, we feel it's too long for a drive and we'd rather sit back and relax. Is there a public transpo that we can take from Manila? If so, where and how much would this cost? Other suggestions for transportation?

The best way to Daet, Camarines Norte is by bus.

I always take Superlines, with the terminal at Cubao along EDSA, southbound between Times and Aurora Boulevard. The trip is 6 hours minimum, but the bus ride of Superlines has A LOT OF STOPS. The buses aren't new, but the fare is cheaper (P490 aircon) than the posh Philtranco, with terminals in Pasay and Cubao newer buses with the highest fares at P650 (Gold Service, check out the toilet facilities on board the bus)

For Superlines, there are only 2 trips 9:00pm and 9:30pm. Both trips reach Daet at around 6am. ( this is best for the event, so you get to check in and reg early on Day 1 ). TRAVEL TIP: reserve and purchase seats a day before or in the morning of your trip to avoid running out of seats.

Call Philtranco for their scheds for more details. They leave at 9pm as well, and don't stop much, thus arriving in Daet at 4am. So I usually don't take them so i don't have to check in < yeah, call me a cheapskate! :) >



PHILTRANCO - cubao (02)722-7567, pasay (02) 851-5420,daet (054)721-4350

SUPERLINES - daet (054) 571-2225, cubao(02)414-3319


When you get to Daet, tell the tricycle drivers to take you to Bagasbas Beach. That should be P50 for the trike, special trip, you can load the trike up to 3 pax

If you want to drive, prepare for a 370km road trip :)

> print out the map from google map
> Compute your gas. the crucial gas station is in Gumaca Quezon, before the zig zags
> I strongly suggest a diving buddy, or 3 of you to split the drive


2. I need a list of places where we can book accommodations.

Canimog Hotel 440 - 2029 / 721 - 5318l
Daet Hotel 571 - 2512
Daet Apartelle 721 - 5520 / 571 - 2693
Diamond Motor Lodge 571 - 2136 / 721 - 5527
Dolor Hotel 721 - 2167 / 440 - 7070
Nathaniel Apartelle 440 - 3395 / 721 - 1362
Pinoy Hotel 440 - 0410
Regine Joy Apartelle 721 - 1420 / 721 - 5250
Royal Orchids Hotel 605 - 0066
Sampaguita Tourist Inn 571 - 2258 / 440 - 8585
Travellers Hotel 440 - 1521
Travellers Inn 721 - 2993
Hebris Pent hauz 721 - 2373
Irish Travel Lodge 440 - 6151
Labo Apartelle 585 - 2405
Mines Hotel 721 - 1403 / 571 - 2734
Mega Star Hotel 721 - 1600 / 605 - 0024
Habibi Apartelle CP 0921 - 9759770
Villa Mila Hotel 721 - 5107
Auro Hotel CP 0921 - 2240461


3. Where exactly is the registration and event site

The event is at Bagasbas Beach, Daet, Camarines Norte. The registration will be at the beach.

4. I want to camp to save on lodging. What kind of crowd would you think will be coming

A lot of students and yuppies. A big market of this event are the college kids on summer break. The local government will provide a secured area for campers, with access to toilet facilities and fresh water. There will be minimal cost though for use of toilet and shower.

5. What kind of entertainment will there be at night time? Any bands that we know?

My best part, I dream of chill out music from 4pm till sundown, with a smooth changeover into slow reggae, picking up speed into fast paced reggae and ska J. DJ Anna will take the booth for sunset gigs and Coffee Break Island will make a strong finish. Other bands want to come, just making final deals.


6. What are the costs to expect?

Reg P500
Food for 2 days (lot of carinderia and restaurant choices there or bring your own baon)
Lodging, depending on your booking (free if you want to camp)
Transpo by bus P980 round trip ( on Superlines )


7. Who is spearheading this event?

The Provincial Government of Camarines Norte: 054 7213087
Power Play Events Management: 02 932-7273


8. Can I pass this around to my friends?
YES!

Reposted from SlickSurf

Who find treasures?

Only those who find life find treasures. (The Alchemist)

Coldplay vs. The Killers

I have a favorite band, it's Coldplay. But now I'm not sure. Maybe for the mean time.

I'm Twisted

I think I'm twisted. With all the flip and turns happening right now in my life. I can't focus. I have so many questions, can't find the answers. I can't sleep. I don't like drama, but I get into it. I'm bored.