So what if the sand was black...

The sand was black.

The sky turned dark and rained a bit.

The waves were high and strong.  Locals announced a storm brewing.

This year, the Pharmacy faced gigantic waves.  It felt like watching my daily fix of teleseryes, but this time all happening within our own confines.  At one point, the thought of worthless time and effort came to mind, and I thought of letting go.  But with J. Bond's force and persuasion, I stayed on. 

Good thing I did.  Otherwise, I would have not witnessed and captured this touching, meaningful and powerful moment.

Yes, the sand was black.  It may have rained.  The waves were high and strong leaving us with aches and itchy backs.  But I have realized that challenges are nothing as long as we stand tall. Hand-in-hand.  And, together.  Thanks to my 5-man team for the reminder.

I am happy and more in-love with the Pharmacy Team.  They have definitely grown, even amidst jokes and laughter.  J. Bond and I have never felt so at home. 

 Finally, we have a TEAM.

When in Baguio...

For the 3 times I've recently been to Baguio, not only do I....

Nag J. Bond

Feel amazed with the sights along Kennon Road

Enjoy the cool weather

Eat unhealthily

Shop!

Rub elbows with MP

But, I do a bit of research and work as well.

My next goal for the Pharmacy, to grab a space such as this. 

There are 2 Generika branches within the commercial hub of Baguio, one along Session Road, and the 2nd, right behind the wet market.  I prefer the 2nd area.  Busy and filled with action.  A few meters away from this bag shop too. By the way, I thank Generika Baguio's franchise owner for accommodating my ambush "interview".  I must have caught you by surprise. More power to us!

Next week, I'll see you again Baguio =)



ALAGA KA sa GENERIKA

To my dear TEAM:

I know competition sucks.  Our originality is always put to a test.  And yes, copycats do exist  so as we learned last year, last month, last week, yesterday and just TODAY. A fact that exists in retail life.  But more than anything else, always remain true to yourself. You and I know who we are. What we stand for.  How we care. And, how we serve.  So be proud!!!

                                                                     Kudos... from "Mother Bhe"

Photos of Oplan Healthy Teeth 2011

Thank God no crying happened, not like last year.  Dental patients this year came prepared and well psyched  for pain.  *Haha.  Nevertheless, dentists and dental works freak me out.  But our patients loved this group of dental students who willingly rendered service for free.

A joint project of Generika Bahayang Pag-asa and

Emilio Aguinaldo College School of Dentistry.

Registration.

And, the early bird that grew and continues to thrive in the Pharmacy's backyard.

The Pharmacy's pantry, where I usually spend my days.  On regular days, this is where the staff and I hold meetings, have our lunch or relax during breaks.  But on days with medical missions, the place becomes packed with patients. 

The scene by the driveway.

Prophylaxis station.   

Tooth extraction station.

A special demo by the dean (my friend).

The feast  at 2pm.  Thanks for accommodating the extension. 

We ended at 1:30pm instead of 12 noon.

Thank you once again to my dear friend, Dean/Dr. Jun.  Your students are the greatest! :)  Til the next Dental Mission in 2012. 



Then and Now

Lately, I have been asked by family and friends how I spend my days as an early retiree.  Controlling myself  from shouting out loud FABULOUSLY FREE, I often reply with a rundown of activities from Monday to Sunday.  Most often, I receive a mix of responses. A stunned response upon hearing my jampack list of things to do even as a retiree...or a dreamy reply of wanting to be in my shoes someday.  Well, one thing is for sure.  My Tuesdays are my Saturdays and Sundays combined.  And the rest of the days fall under a weekday. Busy, oh yes but in a much rather fulfilling sense.  I am my own master and my own slave!

I think the inquisitive minds (*haha) are nothing but curious.  So here's a bit of comparison of what was then and now...

THEN

Let's start with events.  Ayala's delegation in its first ever participation in the Makati Day Parade.   Despite the long wait, the end-to-end fashion walk along Ayala Avenue (with floats, characters in costume and celebrities) and the rain that poured mid-walk, I ended high that day...for having survived everyone's whines and complaints.  *Hahaha.

NOW

Medical Missions, my Monday and Saturday events from the day I retired.  This morning's medical mission held at Molino 5's barangay focused on children, while next week is solely for senior citizens.  In this event, I am fulfilled yet emotionally involved.  It is a fulfillment to give and to provide services for the benefit of health.  But it truly breaks my heart to witness firsthand the aches and pains by most especially those in need.   Nothing like the whines and complaints I got from Makati Day Parade's delegation.

THEN

Lunch-ing around Greenbelt's casual dining restos with my closest girls in the office. Missing them right this moment.  But yes, this happened often :)

NOW

There's no such thing as casual dining resto from where I spend my days regularly.  The discovery of street food joints, like the Buy 1 Take 1 hamburgers of Angel's Burger, is marvelous, tasty and cheap.   Sarap!

THEN

Acting goofy with the girls right in front of the big boss's office.  

NOW

This morning's medical mission with the Pharmacy girls and Molino 5's Kagawad Vilma.  Gone are the goofy days, but the talk while at the midst of a medical mission keeps me alive.  All about love and happiness.  *Hahaha.

So to family and friends who asked, hope that bit of info helped.  My days I believe run on the same busy mode and still with a semblance of what was then, but with a much more meaningful sense NOW. Nothing has changed with the beading by the way --- then and now, it happens after my day's affairs.  Aside from Chunky Beads, here's what's coming soon...

 Cheers!  Have a great week ahead of you :)

Flood Go Away. I'm going to Quiapo next day.

This is what J. Bond passed through on his way home Monday night ....

What usually takes a 45-minute travel from work to home (inclusive of traffic), took 3 hours because of floods brought by the strong rain early that night.     Of course, J. Bond arrived home pissed.

Yet, I was oblivious to such occurrence as I was too engrossed on the ongoing drama at Mara's wake ---scene after scene heated arguments, supported by heart wrenching face slapping, culminating to non-stop crying.  Then, a miracle happened just last night.  Mara rose from the dead.  Fans are rejoicing most especially me.   *Haha!  As expected in Filipino Telenovelas! But, I confess I am addicted to it. 

  

Despite my attempt to speed up the sympathetic finally-your-home hug and immediately return to watching Mara Clara, I missed the latter part of that night's episode.  The photos of the flood shown by J. Bond as soon as he arrived home entailed me to bump-off the show and re-think of next day's Quiapo trip instead.  There was no way I would commute to Quiapo in this flood, I thought.  A rainy day would  not be  a hindrance to make a trip to Quiapo.  I'm well-prepared and geared-up for rain, including that gooey garbage I always accidentally step on in Quiapo.  But with flood, I definitely won't manage.

In the morning,  luck was on my side.  Great! The sun was up.  The flood gone.  And so, I went.  Not for beads.  But for a toy bird.

Obviously, I became  hooked on birds after my encounter with a pigeon and ducks during Monday morning's Bahay Kubo medical mission. But, I prefer the colorful-toy-kind rather than the real chirpy flying ones. *Haha.  With Generikid coming soon, purpose of this first for the year Quiapo trip  was to buy  a bunch of multi-colored toy birds that first crossed my path in one of my bead splurging visits last year.  These birds are one of our colorful prizes for the participating kids, but  I'm thinking of live chicks too.

This bird flies high by the way.  As the lady in the photo demonstrates, wind the winding stem found near the head of the bird.  Then, let go.  On another note, I am amazed with the background images of this photo - kalesa, jeepney, colorful balloons of the street vendor and, Mang Inasal.  It has captured the symbolic images that are only found in Manila, Philippines =)

See!  It really does fly high.  I tried flying one at home and damaged it after so many attempts.  I need MORE practice.

 My loot for the Generikids!  I'm excited.  Soar high!!!

Happy Valentines Day!

Everyone I came across today looked like as if they were high on drugs floated on air. Bitten by the Valentine bug, I thought.

En route to the Pharmacy at 6:30am, roses, teddy bears, heart shape stuffed toys, chocolates were scattered around streets and sold in shops.  Couples, I noticed, walked extra slow with  huge smiles on their face and outwardly enjoyed the scent of love even in  hi-speed, polluted thoroughfares.  Instead of bookmarks, tucked in school books were single stemmed roses meant for school flames. 

I love Valentines Day. The only day in a year that LOVE and PEACE exist everywhere.  And as I look back, I am lucky to have enjoyed the thrilling pleasures that come with Valentine's Day.

But today,  the customary celebration took a different turn. I chose to spend this day with those in need of cheer, attention and care.  Those who I believe dream to celebrate, but are deprived and would rather spend their dwindling means on necessities that would heal or prolong the life of their loved ones.

The Pharmacy did its first-ever free doctor's consultation at a local health center this morning. Only 20-30 patients were expected, but close to a 100 came and celebrated Valentine's Day with us :) 

Health tips, discount coupons, and medicines (vitamins and prescribed medications) were our Valentine's Day gifts to patients.

Students from a nearby school were accompanied by  teachers for vitamins.  These students were specifically handpicked due to lack of proper nutrition and stamina.

The consultation area where Doctor Alvin attended to quite a number of emergency cases.

We ended at 1pm, an hour beyond our expected end time of 12nn.  Hungry and tired, but with a sense of  thrill that is tremendously fulfilling. 

I hope that our little way have brought cheer and tinged hearts on this day. Even just a bit. 

Happy Valentine's Day!