Being Well. Being Free: a fight with Dengue Fever.

I thought it was the end of my world – or I just categorically over reacted.  My platelet never increased as I gulped liters and liters of Absolute mineral water, Gatorade, cans of Del Monte Pineapple juice and whatever available liquid there was. I was a good patient. I followed all the advice – even not really paying attention to my 8-hour sleep just to give way of visiting the comfort room for a regular liquid release.  Plus the every 12-hour blood retraction for an almost non-ending platelet count.  Not to forget the dextrose that each drop seemed like eternity.  I was battling with low platelet count due to alleged Dengue Fever.

It was turmoil but I had no reason to rant over.  I knew that with me at New Sinai Hospital was a bunch of sick people who were not only suffering from sickness but also with boredom. The 4-day stay seemed like eternity but it also gave me a lot of reasons to thank for and realization beyond my comprehension.

BEING SINGLE AND HEALTHY and LOTSA MONEY.

People who are born with single blessedness issues should take care of themselves. I know parties are part of the cycle but health should be on top of it. It is really hard and “self pitiful” to be in a room – not really welcoming and battling with the thought of when will the Lord of Health grant you your wish of enjoying the sun again.  Friend may send you messages of speedy recovery, true friends drop by for an hour and when the visiting hours close – you then start to feel alone and lonely.

PRIORITIZE YOUR FAMILY.

In times of need – whom you gonna call? Family. Friends may have the sweetest text message but the mother’s touch is so magical – an extension of God’s healing power.

FIND A PARTNER.

 Ha ha ha. This just came out after watching movies from the cable ready t.v.  At least a partner will always file for a vacation leave – just to be with you.  I mean – a mother’s touch is magical and healing but a partner’s hug is more than the heater.

Being Well – Being Free!

Although – I made a lot of promises like hearing mass on Sunday, making good and being good – my battle with the big D gave me another reason to celebrate Life with Sante’s Barley Pure. This is my companion in battling the Dengue Fever. It helped me increase my platelet count. With a little push from my sister-in law, from 95 – my platelet rose to 200. I knew miracle took place and God made Barley the instrument.

With my – a Dengue Survivor – Sante Pure Barley is my new companion – my supplement. Why not try it! 

Being Well is Being Free!

Liliw Laguna: Home to nice Flip Flops and Espadrille

Just some pieces of
nice espadrilles

The facade of San Bartolome Church

“NICE SHOES WILL TAKE YOU TO NICE PLACES.”  Upon hearing this from a Koreanobela, Boys Over Flower, it stopped me from visiting thrift shops for a good pair of shoes. But it gave me ample time to wait for the next SALE season. 

Further to my piece on Laguna Loop, before heading to Liliw, Laguna, the group stopped at the San Bartolome Church.  As per Filipino tradition, a short visit at any church will guarantee a safe travel. But I think I hit two birds with one stone (cliché as it is.)  I found a treasure in Nagcarlan Church.  As per my reading - The architecture of Nagcarlan Church is Baroque. Its facade has a semicircular arched main entrance flanked by semicircular windows. Its bell has Muslim-inspired crenellations. The embellishments of the facade and the side entrances are distinctly Baroque and this impression is enhanced by the play of light and shade among the architectural details which include tall pedestals which lift the columns on the second level, fenestrations and columns of varying number and length. These details alter the church's otherwise stolid rectangular structure. (en.wikipilipinas)

The captivating altar of San Bartolome Church. 
 Holy and nifty.

After the thank-yous-for-the-blessings and please-keep-this-trip-safe prayers, we left our hopes and prayers to all the saints we met and greeted. With renewed spirits and strength, Liliw, Laguna seemed a good breather

“Liliw is a 4th class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. It is one of the highland towns forming the southern extremity of the province  It has a total land area of 88.5 sq. miles. Bounded on the northwest by Sta. Cruz; northeast by Magdalena; on the east by Majayjay; on the west by Nagcarlan; and on the south by Dolores, Quezon, Liliw is perhaps best known for its cold water spring resorts, native homemade sweets and a sizeable shoe industry that rivals that of Marikina City.”  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liliw,_Laguna)

A dose of espadrilles for summer.

A short stretch displays an array of shoes stores. Although I heard nice shoes stores in Marikina, but this Liliw is just one spectacular display of Filipino talent and ingenuity.  Alighting from the van, a kesong puti vendor effortlessly sold me his wares and clueless on what to do with the keso (so affordable at P35 per pack), i accidentally left it while scavenging for my size.

And since summer is inevitable, the picture of espadrille is so engaging not to mention welcoming. Originally priced at P450.00 – a good talk with the tindera would end with P300.00.

Well, a good smile is always the best accessory.  And a good smile just landed me a nice pair of espadrille.  Now,  I am ready for summer.  

More Photos of the short trip (day tour actually)

The entrance of San Bartolome Church.



This piece of art showcases heaven and hell.

Gela, my Persian co-teacher is so amazed

that she thought of "converting" to Christianity.





The Laguna Loop ended with visiting Mer-Nel's Cake Shop
in Los Banos, Laguna.
If you are tired with the perennial sight of Buko Pie,
then don't ever dare go home without a box from Mer-Nel's.



                                                

Laguna Loop: Now on with the First Pit Stop, the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery

“A TRAVELLER’S ITCH” - A SUDDEN THOUGHT THAT POPPED UP WHILE MY BOSS DISCUSSED WITH ME THE POSSIBILITY OF ASSISTING THE STUDENTS IN THEIR LAGUNA LOOP/INTEGRATION/OUTING:  A REFRESHING WAY TO END THE SCHOOL YEAR.

Although I had been to Laguna for so many times (not to mention my brother lives in Cabuyao) and my friend Sandie is from Rizal, Laguna, out of inquisitiveness, I checked the itinerary if I could spend the whole trip slumbering. Well, they had an underground cemetery and Liliw, Laguna before heading to Los Banos. 

The underground Cemetery was new to me. Although I had seen cemeteries before but with an underground one was something made me attracted. The trip was ok with tolerable volume of traffic when we reached Alabang.  After a short stop at Starbucks, SLEX (the students are hell crazy with it), I opted to get my lowly supply of caffeine from Jollibee.

First pit stop: Nagcarlan, Laguna.

Nagcarlan is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. It is 21 kilometers northeast of San Pablo City, or 99 kilometers south of Manila, Philippines.  So, the 99 kilometers is translated to 2 hours of road trip.  It was drizzling and the clouds were not too blue for my lenses. But it never daunted my spirit to get awed. Truly, the beauty of the cemetery begins at the gate: “An arched gate leads to the chapel built into the cemetery's inner wall.”

“The Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery Historical Landmark is a fine example of Spanish colonial architecture. Built by the Franciscan Friar Vicente Velloc in 1845, its octagonal grounds are enclosed by a wall decorated with wrought-iron grills and stonework meant to look like drapery.” (http://www.nhi.gov.ph)

The chapel is not that big. I mean don’t expect too much on the dimension.  Just allow yourself to get immersed with its history.   “This underground section of the cemetery played an important role in our history.  Throughout the Revolution of 1896 and the Filipino-American War, our fighting patriots used the crypt as a secret hideout, gathering here to plan their moves or to seek shelter.  Similarly, it became a safehouse for guerillas during the World War II.” (same source)

Now, that is history overload.  But don’t be depressed.  The pasalubong at the entrance of the chapel, delectable and affordable, offers a door to present times, just in case you undergo 1896 homecoming romanticism.

Now…on to the next pit stop, Liliw, Laguna.

TRAVEL TIP: 

 The Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery Historical Landmark is located in Nagcarlan a mountainside town of Laguna. The landmark is open for public viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday. For inquiries please contact the NHI central office at telephone number +63 2 5249952.