Team Medicine goes to Puerto Galera

Summer- just the thought of it puts a smile on my lips.  The endless walks by the beach, the heat of the sun against my skin or simply the thought of taking a break from all the stresses of life makes the idea worthwhile.

This year though, I've had my own dose of the summer heat with my friends from the Medical Department of our hospital.  Henceforth, while the rest of the Philippines go gaga over Boracay, our team has taken another route down towards the Pearl of Oriental Mindoro- Puerto Galera.

Located on the northwesternmost part of the province of Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Galera is considered as one of the most beautiful and well-developed beach resort communities in the country today.  It is a town that has always been close to my heart.

How was my experience there so far?  Honestly, it has been nothing but great. It all started when I and my the rest of the Medical Team met up by the Calapan City Market on the morning of May 1, 2012.  We ate at one of the well-known Panciterias at the area and chitchatted for a while before heading off to our destination.

All set for the trip

Kuya Allan, Ivy, Joel, Rechelle annd Dr. Reyes while waiting for our ride

Say Cheese everyone :)

Puerto Galera here we come...

It took us two long and agonizing hours at the van before we were finally able to set foot on the beautiful shores of Puerto Galera.  We had to look for a place to stay in and prepare some food as we got there. 

Taken at our Inn

As the day went on, we all headed to the beach for some swim.  We played beach volleyball and saw the beautiful sunset.  It was all worth it!

Team Medicine at Puerto Galera

by the shores of Puerto Galera

Swimming during the sunset

Experiencing twilight with my buddies

We all headed back to our inn after that memorable swim.  We had our dinner there and bonded as a group.  As the night went by, the team got some dose of alcohol.  It was really remarkable!

our first night together

on getting some dose of alcohol

bonding by the seashore

Then came bedtime.  It was my first time to spend the night with my Medical buddies and it was really cool!  I couldn't sleep much because of my colds but I was really happy.  Then I dropped by the beach for some walk the following morning.  It was really nostalgic!

Good Morning Puerto Galera :)

Our second day at the Pearl of Oriental Mindoro was fun as well.  We dropped by the same, familiar shore, took a bunch of pictures, bought some 'pasalubongs' and had our last meal together.   

at White Beach, Puerto Galera

Swim, Swim, Swim...

Banana Boat Ride?

Kaiser, Ate Joey, Me and Lemuel

with Lemuel

Thus, the time to bid our goodbyes to the place which has brought us closer together has finally come.  I then took a glimpse of the shores of Puerto Galera for the last time knowing that my experience there is something that will always be treasured deep inside my heart.

 Lovelots,
Maica Angelle

New Year, New 2012

I always look forward to celebrating New Year with my family.  May it be the majestic fireworks display, sumptuous feasts, endless traditions or simply the thought of being with my loved ones that make this celebration worthwhile, every Media Noche will always be treasured in my heart.

Last year, I welcomed 2011 with my family at my grandparents' home in San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro.  This year though, nothing much has changed except that some of my family members had to work and some of my cousins had to celebrate it somewhere else.  Well, as for me, welcoming 2012 is indeed a blessing and I hope that the upcoming year will be good to me too.

My celebration started with the year-end party of the ER (Emergency Room) of our hospital.  Being an ER Nurse for five months already, I would never pass up the chance to attend such event.  Such was held on the eve of December 30, 2011 and ER was never the same again!

The sumptuous feast of the Emergency Room

Exchange gifts it was!

with Mr. Snowman

by the infamous OMPH Christmas Tree

Caselle and I at the party

The ER girls

Kuya Ranzel, Me, Danah and Ate Grace

The ER girls and the candy canes

Party like it's 2012!


Thus, after all of the feasts, unwrapping of presents, non-stop karaoke sessions and endless 'kulitan' with my ER buds, I finally went home to San Teodoro to celebrate New Year.  I was with my mom, dad, brother, uncles, aunts, cousins and grandmother.   I attended the holy mass on the eve of December 31 and went home afterwards to finally welcome 2012. It wasn't a grand celebration but I had fun.

The Feraren clan's New Year feast

I wore something new in welcoming 2012.

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

When the clock struck 12, we had our own fireworks display and Media Noche at home.  I saw a colorful night sky, a happy family and a very content Philippines.  I could not ask for more.

2012 na!

Happy 2012, everyone :)

Lovelots,

Maica Angelle

Christmas in my Heart

There comes the time of the year when Pinoys get gaga over the perfect party outfit, moms panic in preparation  for the infamous 'Noche Buena,' streets get filled with beautiful ornaments, celebrations are everywhere and  that breezy, familiar spirit fills the air.  Christmas has finally arrived.  Need I say more?

Unlike the other ones I've had so far, I had to spend Christmas Eve away from my family this year.  Imagine, I was busy dealing with sickest patients at the hospital when my cousins were at our grandparents' house celebrating.  It was really not the usual celebration I came to know but I'm glad that I was able to use my knowledge and skills to take care of other people on that magical night.  It was amazing!

How was my Christmas this year?  Oh well, I've had a memorable one so far.  I attended tons of parties, ate a lot and took a bunch of pictures.  Plus, I was able to complete the nine Simbang Gabi masses and prepare gifts for my loved ones.  It was just surreal!

Simbang Gabi, Simbang Gabi, Magsisimbang Gabi kami...

taken at the Divine Mercy Chapel, Calapan on one of the Simbang Gabi masses

The first party I attended was the one prepared by the Nursing Service Department of our hospital. It was held on December 17, 2011, on a cold, rainy Monday afternoon when Typhoon Sendong hit the shores of Mindanao.

The girls of Surgery Ward and their winning pose

The (RN Heals) Registered Nurses for Heath Enhancement and  Local Service and their Christmas presentation

The ER (Emergency Room) nurses on a dance number

As always, the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital held its annual decorative competition.  With its theme 'Winter Wonderland,' such competition has kept the spirit of Christmas alive all throughout the month of December.  I feel lucky though that I was able to keep the memory of such competition with me by posing for some pictures during the party.

at the Emergency Room Fireplace

Winter Wonderland at Surgery Ward

at the Christmas village of the Operating Room

Say Cheese :)

with my dear Caselle

By December 19, 2011,  the Overall Christmas party of our hospital pushed through.   I wasn't able to have my pictures taken because my photographer had to take some rest but I had fun.  I watched OMPH Got Talent  by the evening and toured the hospital on its Winter hibernation.  

 
Let's party! 

By the way, I was at the hospital on Christmas Eve but it wasn't that bad because my dear Caselle was also on duty by then.  We exchanged gifts and spent our first Noche Buena together.  I also gave presents to my co-workers and dealt with a number of people who drank a lot of liquor causing them vehicular accidents.  What a bloody Noche Buena it was!  Anyway, I went to San Teodoro on the following day to spend Christmas with my family.

Feraren family portrait

with my cousins

The Feraren clan with our beloved Mamu

twins on Christmas day

my twin sis and her Forever 21 outfit

my cousin Mervyn

me as America's Next Top Model

Mara- Clara?

by the stars

Henceforth, after all the merry-making, nonstop parties, endless pictorial sessions, delicious feasts and memorable 'Simbang Gabi' masses, my holiday ended.  What a colorful Christmas of  2011 it was!  I can only wish that the next ones will be fun-filled as well.  I am really grateful for all the blessings coming my way. It may not be a lot but at least I have with me some special people who will support me all the way.

Lovelots, 

Maica Angelle