Black Saturday 2026

I'm still observing quiet time.

Have a blessed day everyone.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Good Friday 2026

A prayerful Good Friday to everyone 🙏

#BeKind #StaySafe

Holy Thursday 2026

Have a prayerful Holy Thursday 🙏

#BeKind #StaySafe

Annual Physical Exam

Before I take a break for a few days, I wanted to share my experience doing my annual PE at St. Luke's BGC.

There was no traffic, so I arrived 40 minutes earlier than my appointment. We also got lucky and was able to park easily since it was a Sunday. The facility wasn't full too since it was Palm Sunday.

Check-in was easy and we haven't warmed the couch when my 4-hour journey started. I chose the cardiometabolic program and added OB related tests since I'm due. In between tests I had breaks and Sweetie and I had breakfast and lunch at the center. They even had my favorite St. Luke's spaghetti! The medical staff and doctors were friendly and efficient. They just need to review how to assist patients on wheelchairs.

I have to be honest though, the path to the day was rocky. My insurance company promised I could do the APE overnight, but I was only approved for out-patient. They tried to appeal it, but the approver did not budge. 

Reserving a slot wasn't a walk in the park. My doctor's assistant warned it would take a month to book. We went to the center in person and got an appointment. If you have inquiries, it's better to go there as the reservations team isn't very responsive on emails and their system has a lot of glitches. Imagine receiving a cancellation ping on Viber two days before your appointment even though you didn't cancel. They also keep sending annoying reminders for things you've already done. That's where they need improvement.

Overall, I'm hoping they improve their reservations team and system, I wouldn't mind doing my tests there again next year.

#BeKind

Can I Still Save My Mom's Bougainvillea Collection?

The front lawn of my childhood home evolved through the years. From my younger years I remember we had santan plants, palm trees Mom used for fireworks, then a santol tree and then the past decade Mom planted a smattering of plants and she grew a huge bougainvillea tree.

The past few months I saw different varieties of bougainvillea bloom. I've been getting cuttings to try to propagate it. I was told it will likely not survive due to the construction. I've had some success, but I honestly don't know what varieties grew. In my haste, I just propagated them without labels, hahaha.

One has produced flowers and another one is starting to produce flowers too. I think they're the same color though. We dropped by my childhood home today and with the summer heat creeping in, I'm worried the plants might start dying. I got some cuttings again and I'll try one more time to propagate. This time I'm labeling them, haha.

Wish me luck!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Unapologetic

We've been experiencing flooding and sewage issues since because of the newly constructed house beside us. The previous homeowners president was vigilant in flagging them, but the one who took over never even bothered to respond to our formal letters and informal complaints. The new neighbor just kept telling us they relayed the issue to the developer.

With no action, I eventually submitted a complaint to the City Building Official. They came to inspect and they advised to rope in CENRO and the City Health Official. We then submitted a formal 15-page complaint. Both CENRO and the City Health Official also came to inspect. City Health placed chemicals to kill mosquito larvae. CENRO took care of chasing the developer who kept promising they'll fix it.

It was a formal invitation by the Building Official for arbitration and CENRO threatening to charge the developer with violations and suspending their business that finally got the developer to work on the problem. The HOA finally called us after 15 months of complaints. They asked permission on behalf of the developer to work on the sewage issue.

It's a start. We'll only know if their fixes works when it rains hard. I'm glad we pursued this issue to be resolved because it can eventually cause water damage to our property. Be careful of these build and sell developers who are only after profit. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

A Sobering Week

On the way home from the hospital yesterday (after Miggy's gym time), I was thinking about the noticeable effects of the war. 

We were on EDSA when I saw a person lying down on the pedestrian lane. Part of his legs was stretched out on the road and he looked half naked. We were on the inner lane, so I only saw it for a few seconds. I pinged MMDA on X. I was hoping they could check on him since a vehicle can run over his legs. MMDA responded to ask for the exact location, but I didnt see any update anymore.

I said a prayer for the person. I hope he is okay and can get help. Most of us are probably feeling the pinch. We experienced getting more expensive gas today. We used to top up just 1k every other week, but now it's 150% more. Got some groceries also and the increase in meat prices was huge. We paid 4k for a few items and the cashier offered to use points for me to get a discount. Let's all help where we can 🙏

Dear Lord, praying for peace and normalcy 🙏

#BeKind #StaySafe