LEADERS use their wings to fly

These are some of the things expected of leaders.

People are generally obedient to set rules if instructions are clearly given.  Leaders don't even need to give task assignments.  They just need to make sure the whole team has the same vision and that we are all moving towards the same direction.

Don't play favorites but use carrots or sticks.  Be generous with praise.  Be private with correction and criticism.  Give more emphasis on merit than connections.

Nobody is perfect.  Leaders need to lead by example exhibiting honesty and humility.  Asking for help is the best way to gain trust.

Sometimes you feel that keeping quiet and inhibiting oneself from making comments and expressing opinions is the best way to keep the peace, but it's like ducks in a pond:  above the water everything is calm and still, not realizing that underneath the tranquility, all the hidden negativities keep paddling where you can't see or hear them.  Better to be out in the open about one's feelings, thoughts and emotions compared to repressing and losing one's voice.

 

Labor and Delivery

Doing what I love doing - being part of the miracle of bringing in new life into the world.  It's like riding a bicycle.  You never really forget the skills and maneuvers, like outlet forceps delivery.  It's muscle memory!  It's a bit sad that this skill is slowly disappearing, but happy for mothers whose labor can be expedited without much harm to mother and baby if done properly.

Happy birthday Kalia!  You're a gift from God!

Ikigai

 

World AIDS Day 2025

 

📢 Key Messages for HIV Awareness and Control in Cebu

These messages focus on life-saving treatment, access to services, and overall wellness.

1. Treatment Works: HIV is Not a Death Sentence

 * Antiretroviral Vials (ARVs) are provided for free by the Philippine government through DOH-accredited HIV Treatment Hubs in Cebu (e.g., Kaambag Clinic at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center).

 * Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U): Once a person living with HIV (PLHIV) consistently takes their ARVs and achieves an undetectable viral load, they cannot sexually transmit HIV to their partner.

 * The Goal: With consistent treatment, PLHIV can live long, healthy, and productive lives, and prevent new infections.

2. Know Your Status: Testing is the Gateway to Care

 * Testing is the First Step: HIV counseling and testing is the crucial first step to accessing comprehensive treatment, care, support, and prevention services.

 * Confidential and Accessible: Centers and community-based organizations offer free, confidential, and safe testing and counseling.

 * KAAMBAG Clinic is open on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays, Fridays from 6:00AM to 10:00 PM.

 * Prevention and Protection: For those who test negative but are at high risk, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is available in Cebu's treatment hubs and clinics as an effective prevention method.

 * A Call to Action: Cebu officials and health advocates are normalizing testing, urging Cebuanos to get tested and integrate it into routine health check-ups.

3. Live Long and Strong: Healthy Lifestyle and Adherence

 * Adherence is Key: Taking ARVs daily, as prescribed, is the most important factor in achieving an undetectable viral load and maintaining good health.

 * Holistic Wellness: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle (good nutrition, exercise, and mental health support) is vital for PLHIV to live long, productive, and fulfilling lives.

 * Erase Stigma: The commitment to a healthy life and the success of U=U helps in reducing the stigma and discrimination that remain significant barriers to prevention and treatment in Cebu.

Minimum compliance

 

My mother spoke some harsh words to me that shocked me to my core, that I did not know how to communicate well.  I was actually not practicing non-violent communication because she felt that i needed to be always right.  

I heard this as well from colleagues who said to my face that I didn't know how to listen.  Worse is that I was described as a leader who always needed validation.  So insecure. So needy.

Today, the phrase that stuck to my ears is that "I am not in the same boat as the rest of the team."  It had to reach this level of severity that I had to endure the humiliation of mutiny. I have somehow failed in connecting with my team so make sure we were aligned with the same targets, a bitter pill to take.  Such a humbling experience.

My first instinct is to quit, realizing that I did not have the moral ascendency over my team.  I had a smalled tight-knit group of trusted leaders, but they failed to convey these concerns directly to me until the tension spilled over and the team needed courage and strength in unity to confront me with their concerns 

I've never been one to settle for minimum compliance, but I've learned during my masteral courses that "DONE is better than perfect."

76th Philippine Hospital Association Annual Convention and Exhibitd

Attended the 76th PHA Annual Convention and Exhibits at the Manila Hotel with the rest of the EXECOM members.

Surgery: it's like riding a bike

Soon as I arrived at the airport, I rushed to the hospital because I had a patient with ovarian new growth in complication, and we had to do remove the ovarian mass, the uterus and the contralateral ovary.  I realized that even after a long time bot doing surgery, I still know how to operate.

The next night, my pregnant patient who was term, was supposed to have routine non-stress test.  In the end, it was her doctors who got stressed because the baby's heartbeat dropped 70 beats below the baseline, and we had to do an emergency cesarean section.  Just like my midnight operation the night before, it was the same team: same anesthesioiogist, same scrub nurse, same circulating nurse, different patient.  I realized that I still know how to do cesarean section!

There is muscle memory and once you learn it, you know it for life. It's like riding a bike!