SENATOR MAR ROXAS yesterday sponsored the consolidated version of the Quality Affordable Medicines Bill, which the Senate has ratified immediately after. "We are hopeful that this will lead towards the lowering of prices of medicines. This is not the be-all and end-all towards providing the people affordable and quality medicines and healthcare, but certainly this is an important and major first step," he said.

The said act did not contain the House versions' proposal to include a 'generics only' provision and the creation of the drug price regulatory board (DPRB). It was earlier reported that the House will not push for the 'generics only' provision but it was only a few days ago when word had spread that the draft to be presented to the bicam conference committee did not include the DPRB as well. As such, the new act encompasses that the President, upon the recommendation of the Health Secretary, is the only one who has the power to dictate the price of medicine when and where it is needed.

The Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008 has already been ratified in the House of Representatives and the Senate and only awaits the signature of the President GMA. The new act is hoped to be signed by the President before Labor Day, which is tomorrow, to serve as a 'gift' to Filipino workers.


Transcript of Senator Mar Roxas' speech on the adoption of the bicam report on the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008.

back in the office. Long weekend's been long gone and over. BUT, the fun and dancing under the sun feelings still linger. haha. this weekend had been one of my most productive (as in helping in the store productive) and fun (as in partying, drinking, and videoke-ing) weekend since i've started working. Anyway, here's a chronicle of the events that transpired. It's a long post. hehe.

Friday evening. Aia's birthday celeb. I met up with Luv and Jaemie in KFC at the RCBC Plaza. By some stroke of faith, I saw my brother with his officemates and are also eating at KFC. What a coincidence huh? Anyway, Dwigt and Tin soon arrived. We ate and chatted, laughed like we weren't in a public place (read: ang mga kwentuhan, bargasan, at tawanang sa LB na nakasanayan). After the aparently long wait for Apple, we headed off to Aia's place at Pandacan. My gawd! It's like so far! At gudlak naman kay Dwight, ang guide na nangiiwan! haha. anyway, we saw Aia's mom again. Been a long time. Then we partied with her housemates and some friends from LB. Videoke galore! I went out to talk on the phone for a while and when I came back, the alcoholic aroma of the smashed Gran Matador greeted my nose. We had to buy drinks again, this time, it's GSM, Iced Tea, and Sprite. Mix courtesy of me. hehe. Well, they said they didn't get drunk but who cares? We did party the night away anyway! hehe.

Saturday. F*ck it. We all went to bed at around 2am. And i woke up by 5am. Is there any fairness left in this world? haha. I needed to go back to Boni to get my stuff and then head home to Tarlac. The travel sucks. hehe. I only slept for about 2hrs coz it's so uncomfortable. I dunno whta's wrong with that bus. Anyway, I got home at about 11am. And then, I had to go and tend the store from 12nn and close at 6pm. Good thing there's a TV in there. hehe. and in fairness, pinagawa na ni mama na parang office yung sa may cashier part. Tas naka-aircon at one-way mirror. Para siyang si Big Brother. haha. Anyway, twas kind of a lousy day. hehe. And I slept early.

Sunday. I was forced to wake up by 9am. sino ang gumigising ng 9am kapag weekends?! Grrr. Kasi naman, Mama and Gary is set to go to MOA to meet Tita Au and Tita Leah. Gary will be staying in Laguna for about three weeks. And so, bantay na naman ako, as alaways. Buti na lang, by 2 or 3pm, my friend Meme went by the store and extended an invitation for the wedding of the sister of our friend Maan. So, after I closed the store at 530, I freshened up, waited for my father's permission (yes, nagpapaalam ako!!!) and set off to meet my friends at Meme's. Wala na ang newlyweds sa reception. And it's not a big handaan either. It's a simple and traditional province kasalan, with the crepe papers shaped like flowers and twisted as it stretches from an end to another. So colorful! With the handweaved palm decorations.  Anyway, we ate. And 'videoked' the night away. Of course, there's also drinking. hehe. My first time to drink red horse again (umiinom po ako talaga. hindi po ako nagmamalinis. haha). The next round is a mixture of gin, 'cuatro cantos' to be specifc, and I think orange juice. baliktad ang trip nila. dapat nauna ang hard eh! Anyway, I went home at 11pm, thinking that I'm about to be dead coz my father is probably wondering why I am not yet home. But, alas! Wala pa rin xa sa bahay. hehe. Kaya ayun. My ass is saved!

Monday. "6:15 na. 6:30 ka di ba? Bumangon ka na dyan." Yan ang sbai ni Papa sakin kahapon. Eh pag xa ang nagsasalita, napapabalikwas talaga ako. Ai grabe. Ayun. puyat puyatan ako. tas nagbukas ako ng maaga. Hai. Mama arrived around 9am. I got off the store by 11am coz there are a lot of customers. I don't know why coz it's a normal market day naman. Anyway, me and my friends are celebrating Meme's and Wilson's birthday swimming somewhere. hehe. We all met up at Meme's house, where most of my friends already are waiting for the other people to arrive. When the party was complete, we headed and searched for a resort. After three choices, we ended on a relatively small one. But it's a nice place anyway. Medyo nag-alangan lang kami kasi may sign na sabi eh: "Bawal ang anumang ALAK o nakalalasing na inumin." Eh kamusta naman ang dalang wine, whisky, at fundador?! Buti na lang at kalahi nila Meme ang may-ari at we are nice-looking and peace-loving people (weh?! di nga?! haha) kaya napapayag namin xa. Itago na lang daw namin pag umiinom kami. hehe. Kaya ayun. Lunch galore na. Adobong manok at inihaw na tilapia. Delicious! haha. Swimming at kwentuhan galore maghapon. Boy-sighting ang mga vekluh! Occassional inom-inom na palihim. and a whole lot more. hehe. I have a tan line na! Wahaha. May i-i-itim pa pala ako. haha. We did some pictorial chorva na rin. (Just dunno when wll Cindy upload it. hmpft!) And as the afternoon sun sets and the twilight has taken over and with lesser people around, we played songs from Meme's phone and partied. We danced over the bridge, at the platform before the slides, in the pool. Everywhere! Ang lalandi ng mga bakla! Nahawa tuloy kami! (Chos!!!) haha. Pero masaya talaga xa! And, sa loob ng shower room while making banlaw, unang beses, as in the very first time, na nakakita ako ng live and actual na hubad na katawan ng isang babae!!! (Di ko sasabihin kung sino. haha) Shocking! Kasi naman noh, nakapanty at bra oo pero ang hubo't hubad, nevah! haha. Ayun. Uwian na. Pag-uwi namin, naglakad kami. Tas wala lang. Ang sweet kasi. Yung isang gayla na kasama namin, kasama niya bf nia. tas holding hands sila while walking. Nakakatouch lang. *sigh* tas yun. Hiwa-hiwalay na ulit. Without knowing kung kelan ulit ang next na happening. huhu. Twas really fun though. One helluva weekend!

SIDENOTES:
Tuesday morning: Traveling sucks! I mean, 330 ako gumising. Para maaga makabalik Manila. Kasabay ko si Jacq sa jeep pabalik ng Tarlac. Kaso we parted na sa station kasi di niya keri ang lamig ng aircon bus. Sabi niya: "Mamamatay ako dyan girl!" kaya ayun. She's working na sa Dau eh. Same company as Mommy Daisy. Anyway, kaasar talaga ang traffic. From orth Edsa to Boni, one hour na. Grrr. Tas naligo pa ko at kumain kaya eo. I'm sooooo late. tas ang una ko pang inatupag ay magblog. haha. BAD EMPLOYEE! Anyway, let's all have a great week ahead!

This is me. Welcome to my world.

Start:	Apr 27, '08 12:00a
Location:	Los Banos

Yep. I'm turning 21! Hurrah! Hello Emirates!

Start:

Mar 6, '08 12:00a

The Philippine Glaucoma Society pioneers the observance of the first-ever World Glaucoma day on March 6 2008 with the aim of educating the public on glaucoma which is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. It is also the leading cause of irreversible blindness and it's prevalence is rising. Globally, the number of cases is expected to rise from 60 million in 2010 to 80 million in 2020.

World Glaucoma Day is spearheaded in the Philippines by the Philippine Glaucoma Society and globally by the World Glaucoma Association and World Glaucoma Patient Association.

For more information on this event, do not hesitate to call Roy Espiritu at 811-1861 or 09196067006 or email roy@pinoypiper.com

This video is a teaser presentation for the QEFF. This video is set to encourage advocacy and support for the film festival and to increase awareness on the current health system of the country.

If you are interested in watching the films, documentaries, and narratives included in this film festival/amateur film making competition, just go to UP Diliman's Cine Adarna from Feb 18-20 at 5pm to 9pm. Admission is free.

Yes we can. Three powerful words that tells us that we will be able to achieve change and peace. Three words giving us hope for a better tomorrow. Lyrics of this song was from the speech of Sen. Barack Obama's speech in New Hampshire. Though politics will remain a crappy, crappy world, when you hear politicians or people promising you hope, inspiring you to do good and create change, you just can't help to believe. If Obama wins, may he walk his talk.

Start:	Feb 18, '08 5:00p
End:	Feb 21, '08
Location:	Cine Adarna, UP Diliman / Philam Life Auditorium

Amateur film making competition spearheaded by Mu Sigma Phi fraternity form the UP Manila College of Medicine. Feb 18-20 will be the screening of documentaries, short narratives and experimental films with topics/stories centered on health and Philippine society. Feb 21 will be the gala/awards night.

Admission is free. Tickets can be obtained at the venue or for sat reservations, call or text 09174917179, 09054289036, 09276991147 or email at qefilmfestival@yahoo.com.

Start:	Feb 13, '08
End:	Feb 15, '08
Location:	Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, Quezon City

13th Joint Annual Convention

"Resolving Controversies in Hypertension, Atherosclerosis and Dyslipidemia"

Start:	Feb 11, '08
End:	Feb 15, '08
Location:	Freedom Park, UPLB

February 11
100+ UPdate (Unending Persistence in Defying State Abandonment of Education)

February 12
UPrising Cost of Education

February 13
Juan dela Cruz and the Deathly HaLAWS: 9372-464-1017

February 14
Of Struggles and Love AfFAIR

February 15
En Route: The FAIRwell March

I know, accounting sucks for most of us (well, it sucks for me coz I sorta suck in it. hehe) but if it's our life who needs some balancing and debit credit things, why not. I got this e-mail from my Tita Mel (living in Virginia). I just thought I'll share it with you guys.



Our Birth is our Opening Balance!
Our Death is our Closing Balance!
Our Prejudiced Views are our Liabilities
Our Creative Ideas are our Assets
Heart is our Current Asset
Soul is our Fixed Asset
Brain is our Fixed Deposit
Thinking is our Current Account
Achievements are our Capital
Character & Morals, our Stock-in-Trade
Friends are our General Reserves
Values & Behaviour are our Goodwill
Patience is our Interest Earned
Love is our Dividend
Children are our Bonus Issues
Education is Brands / Patents
Knowledge is our Investment
Experience is our Premium Account
The Aim is to Tally the Balance Sheet Accurately.
The Goal is to get the Best Presented Accounts Award.


Some very Good and Very bad things...

The most destructive habit......................Worry
The greatest Joy...............................Giving
The greatest loss................Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work...............Helping others
The ugliest personality trait.............Selfishness
The most endangered species.........Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource...............Our youth
The greatest "shot in the arm"..........Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome.................Fear
The most effective sleeping pill........Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease............Excuses
The most powerful force in life..................Love
The most dangerous pariah..................A gossiper
The world's most incredible computer........The brain
The worst thing to be without................... Hope
The deadliest weapon.......................The tongue
The two most power-filled words..............."I Can"
The greatest asset..............................Faith
The most worthless emotion..................Self-pity
The most beautiful attire......................SMILE!
The most prized possession................Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication.....Prayer
The most contagious spirit.................Enthusiasm
The most important thing in life..................GOD

Giornale Medico (Medical Journal)
I'll be using this title for every medical event or conference that i'll have a chance to write about. Including updates in the world of medicine and health. Esp tips to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So stay tuned. :D Work is still toxic these days so I'll have to postpone posting of my articles coz i haven't written them yet. haha.

PressCons
I was out today covering two press conferences, one with the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) in their weekly health forum. The topic was the film festival in health (organized by Mu Sigma Phi fraternity of UP Manila College of Medicine) and one with GlaxoSmithKline, in connection with their launch of a certain drug for advanced breast cancer (details of both will be posted in Giornale Medico, soon). Back in the office, I drafted questions for tomorrow's interview and wrote the article on childhood cancer. Hai. I pity the children.

Now, it's dinner time with ate nix and afterwards, 27 dresses with Jed. Great day!

This is me. Welcome to my world.

hmmm. coz i can't get my head in the right moment, i explored my mp3 player/flash disk, which contains most of my academic projects and college stuff. i got interested with the one saying final paper. i thought it was the one for my college writing class under sir mercado but voila! it was my final paper for Psychology 1 class (i think twas 3rd yr, 2nd sem) under prof. nino jose mateo (who later on became my Social Psychology professor too). anyway, it's pretty nice to think back on the things you used to believe then and how much, if ever, you have changed after the years.

The Blessing

            “It is because you are determined not flawless, that you attain perfection.”

            Before we left the Brahma Kumaris Center for Spiritual Learning in Tagaytay, each of us was asked to pick one bookmark that has a specific blessing from the center. This was what I had unknowingly picked.

            We were then asked to read the blessing aloud, in a circle with the other students who came in the trip with us. I can’t be sure that what the others have picked holds true for them. As for me, I believe it is.

            They say that nobody in this world can ever be perfect. We even joke on the saying “practice makes perfect, but nobody’s perfect, so why practice?” It may seem a little stupid or outrageously funny. But then again, this would still be true for some people.

            I want my life to be perfect. But it can never be. There are things in life that we just have to accept as imperfect or not-quite-perfect. That’s the way “the greatest force” have designed it. Maybe it is so we can still take time to turn to “the greatest force” in times of our direst need.

            Even if this is the case, I still believe that life can achieve its full potential, that a person can actually reach the highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: self-actualization. I have always believed that in this life, there is one purpose that we have to fulfill, that we have to achieve. It should be attained no matter how difficult or impossible it may seem.

            The Brahma Kumaris Center believes that everybody has a purpose in life. We may not know it yet, but in time, we we’ll be able to realize it and we will then direct ourselves to the path that will help us reach that goal. This can be done through meditation, reflection and always having a positive outlook in life and the things that are happening.

            For the whole day at the Center, I have let myself listen to Tita Merle, in her lecture and instructions. Not because I am “required” and supposed to listen but because I felt that the lecture would help me in understanding more about my life and the way that I have lived it for the past years.

            The people in the center believe that the human being is composed of two “things”: the human body, which is what they term as mortal part, and the being, which is energy. They said that just like in physics, energy, in this point of view, can’t be created nor destroyed. Thus, the conclusion that the being is immortal and eternal is believable.

            It’s kind of confusing actually. In class, at the very start of the regular meeting, it was pointed out that the science of psychology does not believe in the concept of the soul. The only ones studied about are the mind, body and emotions. In the Center, they believe that every human being has a soul, and that it also needs to be nurtured just like the body.

            Well, I believe that there is a soul, or its concept equivalent. Maybe it was influenced by Richard Bach’s “The Bridge Across Forever”, a book that relates the story of Bach’s and her wife’s experiences in astral meditation, astral projection, soulmates and stuff. Or maybe, it was something that I have learned through the years of living. If we’ll think about it, there really isn’t much to lose if we’ll believe in what the Center believes too. In fact, they follow simple guidelines and learn a lot from it.

            They believe in the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. They, just like Dada Boda, are vegetarian and health-conscious people. They said that if you eat vegetables, you won’t experience the pain that the animals experienced during the time that they are slaughtered. Quite logical isn’t it?

            Second, they believe in doing good things to our fellow people. They want to propagate fellowship and good will among the people. Fostering a healthy relationship with the people around us is something that we should do, to attain peace of mind and happiness. Also, they believe that we should throw away waste thoughts and negative thoughts. Stop thinking about the could-have-beens of our life and instead focus them on greater things in the past, present and the future. I can’t see anything wrong with it.

            Lastly, something that really struck me is their belief in the power of meditation. Tita Merle asked us to try it and follow her guide. It felt really good and relaxing. It is a very good way to release our anxieties and forget about the problems that are stressing us. To be honest, I really enjoyed the part when we started drifting away, guided by the voice, to the place that makes us most happy. After the session, I have really relaxed and I was able to feel very light, very stress-free and very peaceful. That is something that doesn’t come to a lot of people often.

            In the afternoon session, the lecture continued till the time that we are to pick our blessings. My blessing, I believe, is quite appropriate for me. I have to admit that I have flaws and that I am imperfect. As I’ve said, I don’t know if perfection is really achievable anyway. But one thing I know, I am determined to get to my goal and to find my life’s purpose. As of now, I can’t be sure what my life’s purpose is. But I would like to believe that like Tita Merle, my purpose in life is to be happy and to make others happy.

"The purpose of life is impossible to define, for there is too much to do: one has to love, one has to learn, and live. In the end, there is but one simple explanation: The reason to live is to find its purpose."

This is me. Welcome to my world.

First off, I don't really rant in blogs. I don't vent out my anger and my frustrations over the internet. Emotions like happiness or sadness and the likes, oo. But anger? nah. or maybe sometimes. but never the scorching anger kind of type. So, if you are reading this, or intend to read it, bear with me. *deep breaths muna. baka ako ma-hypertesion*

Now. I am not angry. I am frustrated. Like very frustrated. Minutes ago, I was so in the mood. I attended a press conference (at Annabel's restaurant) where I ate a lot (like eat-all-you-can-no-one-will-stop-you kind), got a free "My Child Matters" baller and T-shirt, and learned a lot about childhood cancer here in the Philippines and why Filipinos should be aware of it. I even got the chance to finish watching "No Reservations" and halfway of "Ratatouille" during the back and forth trips. I was so much in the mood that I even started writing the news about the press conference. I planned to post that article here so that other poeple will know about cancer in children. But no. I got distracted. So much so that I can't focus and I can't think of what to write. (I'll still post the article, just not today coz I know I can't finish it with this state I am in. Maybe by Monday.)

I'm just so frustrated. So f*****g frustrated! DAMN! I don't know what really frustrates me though. Is it the prospect of not going somewhere over the weekend? Not spending good times? Not seeing people? Or is it because other disturbing thoughts at the back of my mind are finally finding the chance to come out in the open and make me think about them. *I pity my keyboard*

Come to think of it, I don't have the right to rant. I am in a far better situation than other people. And yet, I can't help to not to. I know, there are a lot of factors to consider and all. It's just taht I really wanted this weekend to happen like it should. I really wanted this break. I want it. I need it. Badly. And it's hard. Thinking that you have set aside all other things just to make way for it. That you have been excited since you were told. That you have been thinking and imagining about it so much that you want the work days to end. That you have been talking about it. That you are so f*****g excited that you just couldn't hide it. That you're energy and happiness level is reaching it's maximun only to dive to its deepest yet. And yes, there remains that thought that maybe it'll push through. That maybe it will happen. That maybe, people will realize how one could possibly feel. That after breaking the news and spreading another one, it will be okay again.

But no. It doesn't work that way. It doesn't just become okay. You don't easily get back from down under to sky-high. It ain't that easy. You will go. Because you wanted to. You'll still be there. But it wouldn't be the same. You don't have the adrenalin rush anymore. You're not pumped-up and loaded. Instead, you're upset. Frustrated. Disappointed. Not just because of other people. Because of yourself. Because you let your excitement and expectations get you. And maybe, that is what really frustrates me.

This is me. Welcome to my world.

Just got back from an interview with an ER physician in Medical City. Still not wanting to prioritize and DO my job (it's an excuse called the writer's block), I found this survey courtesy of my batchie eips. Interesting way to reminisce.

two years ago as of today…                        

How old were you?
♥ 18.

Where did you go to school?
♥ up los banos. certified elbizen.

Where did you live?
♥ Unit G7, Whitehouse Apartments (with mamees Sarah, Dona, Verna, Ivy and Deidei)

Where did you hang out?
♥ devcomsoc tambayan, cpark, abode, isis cafe (wala pa sa taas ang bar non db?)

How was your hair style?
♥ straight long hair (start of my long hair days :D)

Did you wear glasses?
♥ rarely. black oval ones.

Who was your regular-person crush?
♥ kay Wookie. then dumating si Jed ulit. hehe.

How many tattoos did you have?
♥ never had one. henna pwede pa. hehe

How many piercings did you have?
♥ just two. the normal ones. mejo sarado pa nga ata nun eh. hehe

What car did you drive?
♥ haven't. always wanted to but never got the chance to learn.

What was your worst fear?
♥ that i would fall for Wookie and that he wouldn't feel the same. hindi ko matapos thesis proposal ko.

You been arrested?
♥ nah. good girl here.

Had your heart broken?
♥ hindi pa. soon after ata. haha

Had braces?
♥ nope.

Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter?
♥ was single. and about to be bitter. hehe

**HA HA HA!!! LETS SEE WHAT YOU ARE NOW!!

How old are you?
♥ 20.

Where do you go to school?
♥ working girl.

Where do you live?
♥ Novaliches. with mamee sarah and sometimes batch joyce and my bro, Adrian.

Where do you hang out?
♥ ELBI (whenever I can, I always go back), TriNoma, starbucks TriNoma or Greenbelt (with Soc peeps usually) and Allegro Plaza or Waltermart Makati (every Friday lunchout with officemates)

Do you wear glasses?
♥ nope. but I will soon. I think I need to.

What is your hairstyle?
♥ wavy (read: magulo) na lagpas balikat (so lame!)

Still talk to any of your old friends?
♥ of course. we always see each other every week, if not every two weeks.

Who is your current interest?
♥ si Jed. hehe

How many piercings?
♥ still two. i hope di pa sila sarado. hehe

How many tattoos?
♥ none. still. maybe i wouldn't have one.

how's driving?
♥ never learned. manngagawang Pilipino sa FX at MRT.

What is your biggest fear?
♥ not stay long with current company and career. fail my parent's expectations.

Has your heart been broken?
♥ yeah. February of 2007.

Single/Taken/Married/Divorced /Bitter:
♥ Taken. There are bumps in the road but nothing we can't handle.