If you have no money, Die first before you’ll be treated well? Unfortunately, the accident happened when my Korean Friends visited the Philippines and stayed in my home. But I don’t regret every single moment of the period when I was temporarily disabled. I’ve learned so much… Despite suffering from the limitation of physical movements and emotional trauma, it was so frustrating that I had experienced the unforgettable worst-ever hospitalization I had in my own country. i. The SUPER SLOW action of the PGH, Philippine General Hospital. I was rushed to this Hospital because it's so near to my home. I didn't expect that no one would be attending me for my first aid treatment for my broken ankle. I have stayed in this hospital and waited at the reception area for 16 hours but still have not received the treatment I have waited. Here’s how it went so badly on 5th Aug. 2015; 13:00: Registered 14:30: General check-up: Blood pressure, etc… 15:00 Went to the Record Section to check the schedule 16:00 Check-up by Orthodologist 18:00 X-ray 19:00 I Asked to take the X-ray result (but it is still not available, and was advised to retake it at 20:30, but not available again, then advised again to come back at 21:30) 21:30 X-ray result taken 03:00 Received prescription medicine (only this time that I have taken a medicine) 04:00 Scheduled to have the 1st Aide Treatment (or they call it Surgery???). However, the the receptionist told us the Doctor had already gone home and I had to wait until 20:00 for me to be treated. With the pain of my broken ankle, I pitied myself and regretted why I believed the receptionist and the Doctor of this PGH in the first place. Why have I waited that too long and wasted my time before I realized that there are other hospitals around me… So, I decided to move to Makati Medical Center (MMC); thereby, from my arrival to the completion of the treatment, nurses and doctors assisted me well. I arrived at MMC at around 6:00 on August 6th, 2015, and within two hours, everything was completed: check-ups, x-rays, and 1st Aide Treatment (cemented my Ankle for temporary treatment). The plan to Baler Beach was pushed through just after my temporary treatment. It’s another story that I am so excited to tell you later. I am so sad that those who patiently waited with me at PGH hospital have not been treated before I left. Apparently, they are poorer than I am, so they’ve to wait because they have no choice. They have believed every single word of promise from the receptionist/doctor. This is not what I expect in PGH, even it's a public hospital I have high regards to this hospital. However, to what had happened, I believe that in a hospital like this (PGH), or should I say with staff or doctors who do not give importance to their patients, you need to have a solid resistance to pain and lengthy shoe-chord to wait patiently. You even need a second life because I am afraid that before someone would attend you, you’ll gonna die first. I am so ashamed that this kind of hospital was witnessed by foreign visitors who assisted me of the entire process. We were saddened by those patiently waiting to be treated - poor kids and adults. I hope that someday PGH will improve its approach to dealing with patients’ emergencies or normal sicknesses with passion and love. ii. The DELAYED SCHEDULE / LINE-UP for Surgical Operation at Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC). It’s the day when I need to go for an actual surgical operation for my broken ankle. My relatives recommended me to the Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC) because they specialize in surgical operations for bone fractures, etc. Well, it was better than PGH; I was being attended to faster than the “super slow PGH.” however, the problem I got here was the difficulty in scheduling the availability of an Orthopedic Doctor who would be doing the surgical operation on my left ankle is too difficult. They want me to check the availability by next week again. So, I didn’t wait anymore for that “next week” by POC, I just took the result of my X-rays by POC and MMC then brought it at East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC). I was scheduled immediately for the surgical operation, and after 2 days, I was released from the hospital. Hereunder is the diagnosis released when I was discharged from EAMC; Fracture, closed, complete, oblique, displaced, lateral malleolus, left Fracture, closed, complete, transverse, displaced, medial malleolus, left S/P Open reduction, Internal Fixation using plates and screws, lateral malleolus, lef; syndesmotic screw fixation, left ankle; screw fixation medial malleolus, left (August 14, 2015) I am thankful to God that it’s only at this time, after my babyhood ‘till these years, when I’ve been to the hospital. Guys, let's have a healthy lifestyle and save money not for sickness but for our future and emergencies. We can’t deny that if you have money, you’ll be treated well or select a hospital that treats you well. I am sorry, from my experience, that it’s a fact that in a public hospital, you’ll not get close attention and care similar to that in a private hospital. Thanks to MMC and EAMC. If you have no money, Die first before you’ll be treated well? Unfortunately, the accident happened when my Korean Friends visited the Philippines and stayed in my home. But I don’t regret every si... Read more » 5:16 PM
Hidden Spot in Luzon: Baler, Aurora Being in Baler, Province of Aurora - Philippines is a pleasure. A hidden spot, a newly opened tourist destination not only for surfers but also for those who love adventures like me. I learned about this place only from a friend, so I've chosen to discover it along with my Korean friends. It's located 231 kilometers (143.5 mi) northeast of Manila, a five-hour drive. It's a surfers’ paradise because the town’s coast faces the Pacific Ocean, which has strong winds and large waves that can reach up to 2.7 meters (9 feet) tall. Though Baler has more to offer than those places here that we've seen, let me tour you shortly. Beach and rock formations It is challenging to surf, so we've been to the beach. Some beaches have calm waves, though there are areas where the waves are harsher than in Sabang Beach. It is a rocky beach, which makes it more challenging. You'd enjoy seeing the rock formations on the beach. Falls I can't recall the name of these falls, but I heard there's more significant than this called "Ditumabo Mother Falls." We didn't waste our time roaming around. We went to these smaller falls only. We have no chance to go to "Ditumabo Mother Falls" anymore because I had a prior accident on my left ankle. It is the next town after Baler, and the town is San Luis. They told us that going to these falls is a real adventure because it requires me to be physically fit. I was in a wheelchair, so it was untimely for me.. moving to these falls requires an hour-long rocky and rough trek with several river crossings. In my research, the "Mother Falls is an imposing 140-foot (42.67 m) waterfall, fed by the Sierra Madre Mountains". Six Centuries Balete Tree Yes, you read it right. It is a 600-year-old tree—they call it a Millennium Tree! You can climb on it if you want, too. It is located in the town of Maria Aurora, just 30 minutes away from Baler. The height of this tree is around 200 feet (61 meters). Its diameter is measured hand in hand by 50 people circling the tree. This tree is considered the largest one of its kind in Asia. Dicasalarin Cove While on the road, we passed this stunning Dicasalarin Cove, privately owned by the Angaras. The road to this cove is very steep, so you need a four-by-four car. However, you'll enjoy seeing one of the best vistas of Baler (a modern lighthouse) in the cove. Islets It's great walking to the islet and exploring other interesting surroundings. If we have a lot of time, we may spend more time discovering marine and plant life. Enjoy and explore the reefs nearby. Other views, houses that we've stayed, etc... Hidden Spot in Luzon: Baler, Aurora Being in Baler, Province of Aurora - Philippines is a pleasure . A hidden spot, a newly opened tourist destination not only for surfers b... Read more » 1:58 AM