Sights and Sounds of Baler

Baler is known as the birthplace of surfing in the Philippines. But there is more to surfing that this quaint town can offer. Here are some examples:

Ermita Hill

Millennium Tree

Museo de Baler

Change Status

I have recently discovered that I am more of an introvert and I opt to live in peace and quiet. Or maybe I  just realize I'm getting old? Haha.

I could say that people started treating me differently after I have passed the board exams. Before, I was basically an unknown figure in our village probably because I was based in Manila for five whole years. But after last year's whole "I'm tired" brouhaha that sent me packing back to Laguna, most of the people I encounter while walking is addressing me as "doc". Despite my urge to run back inside our house, I smile back then make a mental note to ask my mom about who those people are.

Ever since I started working at a hospital near our village, there has been instances when random people come knocking at our door and come up with requests. Requests may be as mundane as asking for prescriptions for medications from me without the proper assessment to the vague as someone asking me to be a guarantor of their hospital bill.

Sometimes my mom would also refer to me as doc whenever she talks about me. I often tell her to cut it out because I feel like I'm being alienated from the rest of my family. 

Please, you guys, I'm still the same old KC so don't treat me any differently.

Help Us Fill Up A Box For Northern Cebu and Capiz :)

The past three days have been very tumultuous as the Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) wreaked havoc upon Central Philippines, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless, thousands of people dead and a lot of properties destroyed.

Since most of us know how greatly devastated the province of Leyte is, I am taking this opportunity to bring some of the other devastated places to your attention since we hear less of these places. Photos courtesy of Task Force Yolanda Facebook Page

1. Northern Cebu

Daanbantayan

Bantayan Island

2. Capiz 

e.g. Roxas City - my daddy's hometown! :(

Ang Panublion

I followed Task Force Yolanda in Facebook because they focus on other places that receive minimal help from LGUs despite the massive scale of damages.

Right now, my mom and younger sister are collecting and packing our old clothes to send to these places. Even my mom's friends are pitching in so we can fill up the boxes that's available at home. So far we have almost filled up a large Speedbox with clothes. I would like to ask you to lend us a hand in filling up these boxes. Right now, these are the things that we are collecting, based on the basic needs:

1. Ready to eat food (canned food, biscuits, bread) 
2. Drinking water 
3. Medicines for cough, colds etc. 
4. Basic toiletries (i.e. soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo) 
5. Clothes and blankets

I would also like to thank my friend Tracy, who helped me out in this by posting Public Service Announcements (PSAs) in various social media to help us gather more relief goods for the victims of the typhoon. There were people who already pledged donations and with that I'm really happy.

You may email me at kristine_cervales@yahoo.com or send me a private message at my Twitter or Facebook accounts if you are interested in helping us fill up a box.

Here are some of the drop off points for donations if you also want to help out Task Force Yolanda:

TOKYO POSH EASTWOOD

3/F Eastwood Mall - Beside Me and You
Please look for Jocelyn

TOKYO POSH ROCKWELL
R2 Level, Power Plant Mall - Beside Draft
Please look for Joanne

ENERGY. / MARA CHUA MANILA
Unit 9-C Scout Rallos St. Brgy Laging Handa Quezon City
You can leave them with the security guard - There's gonna be a box there soon!

CEO FLATS
27 Canopus Street Cor Jupiter St. Brgy Bel Air Makati City
c/o Pauline Alviola

HABI SHOWROOM
Unit 217 FBR Arcade Brgy. Loyola Heights Katipunan Ave
(above Yellow Cab)

Rest assured that your donations will be delivered to the above mentioned areas. Thank you guys!

Ayala Triangle Gardens

Although I like to roam around the metro, I don't like huge crowds so even if I really want to go to a place, just the thought of a crowded area discourages me not to go. But Ayala Triangle is an exception. Well, it took me a lot of willpower to drag my fat arse there on Christmas time but it was worth it. I went there with my sister, Charmaine and my Mommy.

The lights are just so pretty!

My sister and my mom, right there

My mom was so thrilled to see the lights. The Lights and Sounds show start from 6-9 PM and it runs every 30 minutes. Too bad it was raining when we were there and the show got cancelled.

More lights!

We just went to the Convergys Christmas tree to have our pictures taken. Honestly, I've never been there so I don't know what other attractions are there. I was relieved to find restaurants and I was thrilled to find a Wee Nam Kee branch there. I'm definitely going back.

Me and Mommy

Despite the hullabaloo, there are other places in the Gardens that have lights that are as pretty as those in Ayala Triangle Gardens. You just need to walk around and appreciate the surroundings. Not to mention, I didn't even notice the crowd.

We were supposed to take my grandmother there but my dad is in his kontra-bulate mode so it's such a waste that Mama did't get to see the lights. There's always next year. :)

Yuletide Greeting

Merry Christmas!

From our family, to yours :)

Twenty Six Awesome Years

Nothing beats celebrating your special day with those people who are close to your heart.

I turned 26 last December 21 and I was so happy because my parents went to Manila just to spend time with me on my birthday. Although my brother, sister and cousin were with me in our unit, I wanted us to be complete because it's the first time in years that Daddy was home for Christmas. Not to mention, I may be spending my birthday away from them in the next years to come so I had to grab the chance that I can still celebrate it with my family. 

On duty, I prepared a little something for my group mates and the Surgery residents. 

Photo from Khat's Instagram

Photo from Bebs' Instagram

From Doc Diego

When I was asked by the residents about how old I am, I proudly say that I'm already 26 years old. Before, I used to be shy about my age because I have issues about my extended adolescence. Now, it's just a matter of understanding that that's how life in med school goes and that every year added to your age is a blessing. I'm lucky that I get to see the sun rise day after day while there are some people who would do anything for that. Not only that, an added year means another 365 days of learning that can mold you to be a better person. Being proud of my age affirms that I am truly blessed and that I'm thankful to be alive.

Looking forward to more years of awesomeness!

Laguna - Quezon Road Trip

In a miracle of all miracles, I was able to have a long weekend off, thanks to FCH rotation. In order to make the most out of my free time, I decided to take a little adventure by going someplace we have never been to. We wanted it to be somewhere near so we decided to look for that place in our own province. I read about Bato Springs in Brgy. San Cristobal in San Pablo, Laguna so we decided to go there on November 3, 2012.

We set off at around 6AM in order to avoid traffic and the crowd. We easily found the place because Mommy knows how to get around San Pablo. Bato Springs isn't that popular but I must say that the place is amazing and the view is spectacular. Not to mention, the place is clean and the atmosphere is so serene.

Note the entrance fees

Cottage area by the modern, tiled pool

The tiled swimming pool

The place is perfect for family and barkada outings. As you walk along the area, you'll notice how clean the water is. We were told that the water used in the pool came from a stream that originates from Mt. Banahaw so expect that the water will be really cold. 

One of the biggest cottages in the area

The waterfall that doubles as a massager

Pardon the blurry photos because the camera's lens kept fogging up when it's submerged underwater. Also our hands were trembling because it was cold. 

Zark's Burger Madness

I've seen that Facebook photo in which there is a crazy queue in front of the Archer's Nook Building in Taft Avenue. I asked my brother, Christopher, about it. He then told me about this great burger place called Zark's Burger. With every description of each burger he tried, I grew excited. I can feel the LDLs sticking to my arteries. Hrhr. And it's decided, we're going to try it! And it's a pretty good timing that our sister, Ate Richie is on a holiday.

Just reading the description for each burger already clogs my arteries. Loljk. Here's the menu and see for yourself:

It's divided into the Minor League and Major League Burgers. Simply put, Minor League Burgers do not include fries and drinks while the Major League is inclusive of fries and drinks. 

Our New Family Picture...

From one of the too many May 6, 2012 entries. I tweaked this entry a bit because I wanted a little introductory shizz for my brother-in-law and my relatives.

Now that the eldest of Ricardo's Tres Marias is married, it's only fitting to have a new family picture because we should include our new family member. Meet our Kuya Joseph. He and Ate Richie got married last March 30, 2012 at Singapore. They have their own reasons for that so let's not meddle with it. And now the pictures:

After the solemnization rites...

...at Mr. Punch at the Mint Museum of Toys

At the Esplanade

At the Merlion Park

Again

And I'd like to introduce to you the extended family from the Cervales and Oville clans who were present at the wedding.

Left side (L-R): Tita Neneng, Ronnel, Lola Nita and Lola Corazon
Right side (L-R): Goria and Gorio Auntie Guritte and Gomer

It's our first time to travel abroad as a family and I found myself reeling in sentimentality. Hrhr. I hope that we could do this again sometime. :)