All-Around Pinay Mama

Thank God I Got My UST Alumni Card!

June 07, 2014

Teachable Moment: Humility

June 06, 2014

I can't move on until now. I'm still affected of my experience last Tuesday.

To keep myself updated about Ate Esperanza's condition, I call National Kidney and Transplant Institute on a daily basis.

I mentioned on my comment on A Mom's Call for Financial Aid to Extend the Life of Her Ailing Daughter that on Wednesday at 8:00 AM, Sir Ethan of NKTI informed me that the patient was still under their care and they were waiting for the doctor's order. He was not aware if Ate Esperanza would be transferred to East Avenue Medical Center or not. The patient would like to refuse their medical assistance. She chose to have her dialysis on Friday and stay at home thereafter.

Yesterday afternoon, I tried calling the Emergency Room twice but nobody was answering my call. I called again at 11:00 PM to check if the patient was still admitted.

I was sick worried about the family. They didn't have money to cover the hospital expenses.

I waited patiently on the line. I felt relieved when a lady picked up the phone. Here was our conversation.

I: "Hello, good evening po! I am SJ Valdez. I would like to ask if a patient named Ma. Esperanza Galindez is still under your care."

Lady: "Ay, sandali lang po at tatanungin ko."

I heard that she asked her companions.

Lady: "Wala na siya rito, discharged na."

I: "Ah ganun po ba? Would you know, Miss, if she was transferred to another hospital? Did she go home? I'm sorry, Miss, I know that you can't disclose the patient's details or diagnosis on the phone. I would like to know kasi wala po talaga silang pera. I am not a relative of the patient. My mom and I were just there to meet them last Tuesday when she was sent there. Pasensya na po for calling up very late."

Lady: "Hindi ko kasi alam dahil kate-take over ko lang. Basta nakalagay dito sa computer, discharged na siya."

I: "I was able to talk to Sir Ethan, Miss. Naaawa kasi ako sa patient dahil wala talaga silang kapera-pera..."

Before I finished talking, she cut the conversation.

Lady: "Doktor ako, doktor ako, sige..."

Then she hang up. I was shocked. I was so polite to her. Maybe she was pissed off because I didn't call her DOCTOR or DOKTORA. I felt sad and a little disappointed. Would it make her less of a person if she wasn't called by her title? I treated her with respect. She should have told me that she was a doctor when she answered my call so that I could address her according to her preference. How would I know that she was a doctor? I was not there in the first place.

I can't imagine how she treats other people especially if they are indigent or uneducated. I feel sorry for her. Why is it that some people give so much regard on titles? I called her Miss. I talked to her the way I should talk to anyone regardless of age or status in life. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to ask her name.

All the NKTI nurses, social workers, and doctors that I met last Tuesday were all humble, kind, and compassionate. I hope that lady doctor would not destroy the good reputation of the institution.

When Ross woke up this morning, I thought of sharing my experience to him. I invited him to sit down and listen to my story. He said that he was also shocked and disappointed.

I: "Anak, hindi ba, Papa and I told you that you should talk to other people with respect regardless of who they are? Rich or poor, educated or uneducated, young or old alike, you should not be arrogant. Prophet Muhammad said, 'The best of people is the one who humbles himself; the more his rank increases.' Calling a janitor 'Sir' or a waitress, 'Ma'am' is the proper way to address the person. Will it make you less of a person if you do that?"

Ross: "No, Mama. I hear you and Papa call the taxi drivers and janitors 'Sir'.

I: "There's nothing wrong if you call a doctor or even the president of the Philippines 'Sir' or 'Ma'am' because still it's a form of courtesy. Don't be like the doctor that I spoke with last night, huh? If you become rich or famous someday, be humble. Live the same lifestyle that you used to. Don't be concerned with titles. All of us are equal in God's eyes despite the fact that the society or other people sometimes consider that titles and achievements measure the value of a person. It's improper. Let's face it, Anak. This is reality. But don't be like them. You have to know how to mingle with people from all walks of life. Don't belittle other people. It's not acceptable!"

Ross: "Yes, Mama. I'll remember that."

I believe that someday, my son will remember all the things that I say.

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Best Places to Shop for School Materials + My Recommended Brands

May 31, 2014

Mommies, are you still planning to do your last minute school materials shopping? I have here a list of best places to shop and my recommended brands for your kiddos.

Divisoria

If you live in the northern or southern part of Metro Manila where public transportation is accessible and you have three kids and above to shop for, I recommend Divisoria. Many people find the stuff on the streets of C.M. Recto and nearby malls very cheap but when you go to the heart of Divisoria, you'll find more stalls that offer cheaper supplies.

Here are the streets where you can find producers, wholesalers, and retailers of different local and imported brands offering factory prices.

--- umbrellas, shoes, bags, socks, uniforms, underwear, handkerchiefs, towels, rain coats, boots, clothes: Juan Luna Street

--- fabrics, uniforms, and clothes: Ylaya Street

--- wrappers, microwaveable plastic containers, boxes, lunch boxes, paper bags, plastic wares, packaging supplies, home wares: Juan Luna and Sta. Elena Streets

--- ribbons, native products, costumes, sewing and crafting materials: Tabora Street

Note: There is a small "eskinita" or "pasilyo" on Tabora Street near Wellmanson where you can find good quality school uniforms and scrub suits.

--- baking supplies, fruits, hair and fashion accessories: Carmen Planas Street

--- wholesaler of school supplies: Sto. Cristo Street

Here's the map for your reference courtesy of www.smartparenting.com.ph.

If you are not familiar with Divisoria, you may also download the DIVISORIA GUIDE APP on iTunes to have an access to offline map that covers all the streets of Divisoria and where and how to score the best deals.

Website: www.divisoriaguide.com

Photo and Info Credits: http://www.nognoginthecity.com

Pros: When you go to these streets, you'll save so much compared to the malls, stalls, and street vendors along C. M. Recto Avenue. The vendors selling on the streets or "bangketa" get their goods from the wholesalers whose stores are located on the above-mentioned streets. Be patient. It will be a long walk but you'll save more. The best part is you can haggle. You can purchase the items almost half the price compared to shopping malls and other bookstores. There are more shops to choose from. If you wish to buy shoes and bags from a reputable brand, there are nearby malls like Lucky Chinatown, Tutuban Center, or Robinsons. Food stalls and restaurants are accessible too.

Cons: It's very difficult to shop during weekends and holidays. Go there very early. Shops open starting 8:00 AM. Please don't bring very young children. Kawawa sila kasi mainit at maraming tao. I don't recommend bringing your own car due to lack of parking spaces. If you still want to bring your own car, there's a parking area behind Tutuban Center Mall.

SM Savemore , SM Malls, Robinsons Malls, National Bookstore

Pros and Cons: If you have one or two kids, you don't have to go to Divisoria kasi sayang ang pagod. They offer "Best Buy" or set items which you can save more too. It's a little pricey compared to Divisoria but here you can bring your kids along because it's much convenient to shop and air conditioned.

All the things you need are placed under one roof. The prices are higher compared to Divisoria but there are many reputable brands to choose from. All you need to do is to be a wise and practical spender. Avail of their promos and special offers to save more.

Some of My Recommended Brands:

Bags

HAWK

It's expensive to be very honest but it's durable. My son will use his 3 year old Hawk bag this school year. When washed, it looks like brand new again.

Shoes
GIBI, WORLD BALANCE

Uniforms

Pants and Skirts: Colours, Canadian Club, Campus

Blouse and Polo: Campus

These brands are long lasting at hindi naghihimulmol.

Pencil and Coloring Materials

FABER CASTELL, MONGOL, and CRAYOLA

The quality is very good, lasts longer, and produces nice outputs. For preschoolers, make sure to purchase jumbo pencils and crayons since their fine motor skills are not that developed yet.

Ballpens and Markers

PILOT, STABILO, ARTLINE, FASTER, & PANDA

Paper

HARD COPY, ADVANCE, BEST BUY @ National Bookstore, LOW PRICE STATIONERY @ SM

Notebooks

SPRING LEAF, STRADMORE, AVANTI, ADVANCE, STERLING, GREEN APPLE, CORONA

Clearbooks

SM School Supplies Sections offers cheaper clearbooks starting at Php49.75. When you buy them from Divisoria, they're cheaper.

Do the following to be safe and avoid overspending:

- Eat a heavy meal.
- Bring big eco-bags.
- Bring a small toiletries kit.
- Bring your own drink and snack.
- Carry a list of what you need to buy.
- When going to Divisoria, don't bring expensive valuables and gadgets or wear jewelry.

Hope this list helps, Mommies! If you have your own ideas and recommendations, feel free to comment under this post. Thanks!