Ninth on Ninth

 

Two hours early for my flight considering that the person I will meet at the airport will arrive later in the afternoon pa. Hahaha!! Oh. The scene later that I have in my head reminds me of Love Actually. *grins* 

Bismillahi mashaa Allah. :) 

P.S. 

Blogging at the airport using my iPod. First time. 

Also, it's our ninth monthsary today!!! Ninth on ninth, it is. :) 

Howdy, Pablo survivors?

Our recent medical mission to Tolosa, Leyte wasn't the first time I laid my eyes on the aftermath of nature's wrath. I have seen it exactly a year ago in Cateel, Davao Oriental. I remember having a vivid imagination of how the end of the world would look like, but I pray to be spared from the destruction, my friends and family and down to the 10th generation of my future children. Subhanallah. Only a Great Force can do something like this in a matter of minutes to hours. 

Coconut trees were uprooted and were scattered like matchsticks. :'( 

I wonder how the super typhoon Pablo survivors coped a year since the massive destruction. the great thing about us, Filipinos, is the strength and resilience that we show to the world. We easily move on. Perhaps, God is just testing our character and how much we can endure. But oh, Ya Allah, no more calamities please. I don't wanna see something like this again. :( 

Haiyan/Yolanda

I was given an opportunity to see what looks like a post-apocalyptic scene at Tolosa, Leyte. The ARMM health contingent was the first to arrive in the area. We have seen the sadness in their eyes and heard the mourning in their voices. It was heartbreaking beyond words.

Bangon, Pilipinas. 

The Zambo Mission

What happened in Zamboanga City few months ago stirred the whole nation. Peace and order instability has a domino effect on the society, economy, and ultimately, health status of the people. Hence, when the crisis broke out in Zambo, the IPHO-Lanao del Sur set out for a Humanitarian Mission under the mandate of the DOH-ARMM. Zamboanga City does not belong to the jurisdiction of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) but it is undeniable that most of the affected are natives of the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi which belong to the ARMM provinces. Besides, we need not nit-pick to whom we should offer our help. 

After almost ten (10) hours of land travel, we arrived at Zamboanga City at around 6:00 pm. We had a short briefing with our bosses from the IPHO and with the DOH-ARMM and DSWD-ARMM. 

Some of the stuff we brought were lugged by no other than our big boss. 

When we arrived, some of the establishments in the city were already opened. We didn't feel the tension in the air just yet. Everything seemed normal. 

Our team was greeted by ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman on the first day before we set out to the barangays to do the works. 

We were treated to this tausug specialty called Satti. It's like the Javanese satay minus the peanut sauce. I am not familiar with the satti sauce. It was also served with cubes of rice.  

And then the mission began. 

This ambulance was our makeshift mobile pharmacy, so we can easily pack-up and ran if anything untowards happen. 

At Brgy. Talon-Talon. One of the barangays afflicted with the crisis. It certainly felt like a ghost town upon entering the vicinity. Most houses were locked, small sari-sari stores were closed and you barely see people on the streets. 

Our resident photog. Rocaya. Visit her at www.rocayaaa.tumblr.com because we're friends. Haha! 

While we were doing medical consultations, a smoke hovered above us. It was a signal that a house nearby was being allegedly burnt down by the rebels. We also heard loud exchange of gunshots which obviously signaled us to pack up and leave. Nevertheless, we were able to maximize our services by going from other five barangays in the outskirts of the city where evacuees sought shelter.

Our good friend, Racquel, spent her birthday during the mission. What a great way of spending an important milestone of your life in the name of service. Great job, Racqs! :D 

Doctors at your service. :)

Our experience was a mixture of excitement, fear, adrenaline rush and the strong drive to offer health services. With what was being shown on TV, it was understandable that our parents and loved ones were hesitant in allowing us to go to Zamboanga. But when unconditional service is in your blood, you are always ready to take a leap where you are needed. 

Brush Spa

Guess who just got pampered?!!

Haha! I was reading my good friend Jehan's blog  when I found out about her kikay regimen. I never had an entry about my kikay stuff because they're NOT worth blogging!! Haha! For two years now, I've been using affordable Korean products, particularly the ones from The Faceshop after my former co-intern Patricia introduced them to me.  I also want stuff from Skin Food but they're so pricey!!! Haha! Poorita me. 

This afternoon, while reading Jeh's blog, I suddenly thought of cleaning my makeup brushes but I don't know how to do it without ruining their fragile strands. So I sought help from HERE.  

According to Lauren Conrad, here’s the right way to deep clean your makeup brushes…

You will need:
• A shallow bowl
• Gentle clarifying shampoo or baby shampoo
• Your sink
• A lint free cloth

Instructions:

1. Begin by running your brushes under lukewarm water, rinsing out all of the residual makeup. Try to focus on the actual bristles while avoiding the part of the brush where handle meets the head, as this can loosen the glue over time
2. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and a squirt of shampoo, and gently swirl your brush tip in the water. If you need to, you can also swirl the brush in the palm of your hand to work up a lather.
3. Rinse the brush tip under running water once again. Repeat steps two and three until the water runs clear from the brush,
4. Use a cloth to wipe your brush clean, reshaping the bristles as you go.
5. Lay your brushes flat on a cloth to dry.

And there you have it! Your makeup brushes will be as clean a whistle. It’s also worth mentioning that there are specially formulated brush shampoos on the market. A gentle clarifying or baby shampoo will do the trick just fine though.

I just did what the instructions said and voila!! my brushes were as fresh as a lady out of the shower and they smelled like my hair. Haha! 

Get that sickly bone working, my love! C'mon!

Knowing that your better-half is down with a potentially fatal disease and you cannot do anything to alleviate his discomfort is such a downer. Really. This long-distance relationship is taking its toll on both of us. If I could only turn back the hands of time, I shouldn't have applied for the First Gentleman Foundation to get that scholarship so I won't get into the Doctors to the Barrios Program so I can take care of my love. Oh Regrets, get off my thoughts.

Ever since I got married and having acquainted to the obligations of a wife under the Islamic law, my life plans were shaken. Instead of pursuing residency right after the DTTB Program, I have decided to join my husband in his Post so we can start a family and stay there until he gets recalled back in 2016 . Diplomats live a rather flexible life and being married to one means I need to adjust my selfish life priorities and go with the pliability. A two-year long distance relationship is too much to take. We're married for six months now but two-thirds of the whole time was spent on BBM (blackberry messenger) and Wechat. Well, thanks to the power of technology for keeping us in touch every single day despite the distance and the difference in time. However, physical presence is still A MUST for every married couple. No amount of BBM-ing or Wechat-ing can be compared to physical presence. If we are physically together, we can just sit and sip our coffee in silence, do our things individually but still feeling a sense of tranquility. We need to be together to fulfill our obligations to one another. That's the very essence of our marriage---to be together through thick and thin, in sickness and in health. And sadly, I breached it. Being far away from him especially now that he's sick gradually kills me. I take commitments seriously so when I committed myself to the DTTB Program, I stick to it even though I thought of leaving it a hundred times to fly to Nigeria. It appears to him as if I chose my work over him, but the truth is, I cannot leave a commitment just like that. The same feeling of loyalty and faithfulness I have for him. I tell him over and over again that immediately after the DTTB Program, I am all his. 100% his. InshaaAllah. 

God knows how much I terribly miss Jabar. This post can get mushy but he's the answer to my prayers.  He's the perfect person to tone down the hidden harshness of my character and at the same time he brings out the best in me. We share the same values but with contrasting educational background (he's a CPA and I'm a physician), our minds are wired differently. I love that I learn a lot from him, especially on the business side which I totally lack knowledge of, in the same way that he learns a lot from me. I miss how he delivers his tambay jokes which cracks me up almost instantly. I don't know if its just the hormones during the first phase of marriage but Jab never bored me out. I can talk to him all day and night without a dull moment. Or am I just like that to everybody? Haha! 

Breakfast at Grand Men Seng Hotel, Davao City. March 2013.

Oh c'mon Love, stretch your spine and shove those malaria parasites away!!!! Get here ASAP so I can boast my newly-learned cooking skills and we can do endless foodtrips!!!

Malaria Strikes!

Malaria is a parasitic infection that is endemic in tropical countries including Nigeria, where my husband Jabar works. He was having chills two days ago and low-grade fever accompanied by body malaise. I was already contemplating on malaria but I was in denial initially. This is his second bout of infection so he must have known the symptoms. He was telling me it could be malaria, I told him to observe it for 24 hours and have supportive treatment first. Forty eight hours later, his symptoms didn't relent so he took blood smearing test for malaria. His result is (+2). Subhanallah! Confirmed. 

Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by infection with Plasmodium protozoa transmitted by an infective female Anopheles mosquito. It has a high mortality rate if untreated but has an excellent prognosis if diagnosed early and treated appropriately. Apparently, uncomplicated cases of malaria in Nigeria does not call for immediate hospital admission. In fact, Jabar bought the meds (artemether/lumefantrin or Coartem) over-the-counter.

How do we prevent malaria? I've been constantly reminding Jabar to always put on Off lotion and use mosquito nets when he sleeps. But he can be stubborn sometimes, even feeling invincible. The only way to prevent is by wearing protective clothings, using insect repellent lotions and sprays and using bed nettings soaked in insecticides (yes, they are commercially available). Drug prophylaxis can be taken by travelers to places with high malarial endemicity. Presently, no vaccine has been approved to prevent malaria but scientific studies on the vaccine is already on its way. 

Jabar finished his first day of treatment (treatment lasts for 3 days with a total of 24 tablet intakes) and is experiencing the worst side effects---headache, dizziness and loss of appetite. And I feel so bad that I'm not even there to see over and take care of him. If I could have the power of teleportation, I would do so in an instant. :( Right now, I can only offer my prayers and making sure that he's taking his meds on time. 

Please get well soon, my love. 

The Complainant

This is perhaps normal for people who extended their adolescent stage and woke up one day, forced to act like an adult, and thrown into the world of the unknown. It wasn't normal for me to complain for the things happening in my everyday life, I grew up to accept all the tiny bits thrown my way. And then all of a sudden, boom! the opacity of life disappeared and I got to see through it and saw the crippled form in everything. Here are the list of things I complain about almost EVERY SINGLE DAY.

1. My brothers' messy stuff thrown all over the house.

I hate it when upon arriving at home, they'd leave their bags at the sala, used (and smelly) socks on the floor, and leaving their shoes wherever they feel like taking it off. Why the hell can't they just bring their stuff inside their rooms because I seriously do not care if their rooms looks like a storm had came to pass. Just please spare the sala. 

2. The unruly pedicab drivers in Marawi City.

Oh, Marawi City. I love my homeland, no doubt, that's why I struggled and did my best to get pulled out from Maguindanao and transfer my area of assignment here in Lanao del Sur to be able to enjoy the cool weather and the company of my family. BUT, everyday I am bombarded with unpleasant sights and experiences making Marawi a loathsome place to live in. For one, the unruly, choosy and abusive pedicab drivers. Our main means of public transpo here are pedicabs and jeepneys. They know nothing of road rules and etiquette. Oh, almost everybody here including jeepney drivers and even owners of private cars. Pedicabs are like parasites that infested the entire city (the cityhood of this place must be revoked) and even creeping into my beloved MSU. There are NO traffic lights and NO policemen to regulate the flow of the traffic. Sometimes, you can see policemen standing under the shade, watching the cars go by or try to regulate the traffic by waving their uncoordinated hands causing more knotting of the traffic. 

3. No proper disposal and collecting of garbage in Marawi City.

 Wherever you go, it is impossible not to notice mountain of stinky garbage and even spewed on the roads catching attention. I sometimes wonder where are the people that we have voted for public office. Where are those who promised to give their public service? Why are they not doing something about this? And why are the people so irresponsible to be just throwing their wastes wherever they want to? No shame, at all?  

In my own home, my father taught us since we were kids to separate our trash into biodegradable and non-biodegradable (true!!!). The biodegradables are thrown into a pit at our backyard and the non-bios are either recycled, burnt or sold to junk buyer passerbys.  

Our beloved public servants, how do you feel when you go out of your house and greeted by the stench of trash at the corner of your street? Do you just look and drive past it? No concern at all? 

4.  About my job as a Doctor to the Barrio in ARMM. 

I can probably write a whole novel about my job but let me start on how the DOH central office made us contractuals instead of having plantilla items which was enjoyed by senior DTTBs. Being on a contractual status bereft us of the benefits that we deserve including hazard pay in which we are fully entitled of. Our workload has no difference with that of our seniors, the only difference is that we are being treated unjustly by the agency which is supposed to take care of us considering that we are being fed to the lions in the geographically isolated areas in the country. 

Being a DTTB is worse due to the mandatory political ties in implementation of  the health programs but it is worst in ARMM. I am sorry to say this and to frustrate each and everyone who, like me, was very hopeful in trying to initiate change in the community. It appeared to me how powerful politics is, not just in the political arena per se, but in public agencies as well. Life in the Philippines revolves around dirty politics but worst in ARMM.

Almost a year later, being a doctor to the barrio is far from the fulfilling job I expect it to be. I was pulled out from my area in Maguindanao due to the erratic peace and order situation (political war) and I was subtly ousted by the local chief executive himself (aka Mayor) after defending my staff on our absence at the RHU during the heat of the midterm election period where firefight encounters occur almost everyday. Truth be told, nobody wants to risk his life for a nonsense reason (read: political greed). That untoward incident deserves a whole entry. Nevertheless, I got transferred to Lanao del Sur (Alhamdulillah!) in the comfort of home and of my family. I am still waiting for my next deployment. 

One year left for DTTB and I can plan my life again with my love. :)

               

Look at you, poor thingy. 

How you've gathered inch-thick dust and  cobwebs. 

I haved missed you so dearly. 

Love,

Aziza

Doctor-ing to the Barrios

Two years after being a First Gentleman Foundation Inc. (FGFI) scholar under the Doktor Para Sa Bayan Program and eventually earning our license as physicians, it's payback time. As beneficiaries to the scholarship, we are supposed to render service as community doctors through the Doctors To The Barrios (DTTB) Program of the Department of Health. Together with the Pinoy MD Scholars, we were deployed in the doctorless municipalities all over the country, from Batanes down to Tawi-Tawi, to fill in the lack of health specialists in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA). Entering the program is like hitting THREE birds with one stone. For one, I need not confuse myself after boards if I have to directly go on to residency or do some moonliting jobs. I already have a job at hand waiting for me with a relatively good compensation. Second, alongside with being a DTTB is a Master's Degree program at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP). Our Master in Public Management Major in Health Systems and Development (MPM-HSD) aims to prepare and mold us into the role of a health leader that we are in our community. Our classes at DAP occurs every six months for two straight weeks until the end of the DTTB program when we are expected to have an Action Plan and Project (APP) in lieu of the thesis required for a masteral degree in other institutions. Third, during the whole deployment time, I get to hold my own schedule leaving me a lot of time to spend at home, to be with my family and friends, and do the things I love. Had I went on to residency, I don't think I will consider getting married yet due to the incredibly tight schedule demanded by the training program. DTTB time is more like me-time for two whole years before proceeding to another phase of my career which is the residency training. 

October 2012. First CME (Continuing Medical Education) at DAP before deployment. A photo of the Habagats (DTTB Batch 30. Us.) with Former DOH Secretary Dr. Alberto Romualdez and the academic officials of DAP. 

With DOH Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona visiting the new members of his workforce. Driven by our ambitions, we were still full of idealism and vigor. We were so excited to be in the field, to impact changes, to educate, inspire and motivate people. We were yet to experience what is really happening down in the field. 

After several deliberations with a huge twist of fate, I was assigned to the far-flung municipality of Talitay, Maguindanao.  It seemed to me like I got into an another dimension with people who share the same religion but with a different culture and language. Everything turned out to be what I wasn't expecting. Being a DTTB in ARMM with a non-devolved health system is far from what was being taught to us at DAP. I cannot find a single hole to fit in what I had studied in the master's class.

With my PHN, Ma'am Rizza who accompanied me to Hon. Mayor Sabal's residence during the signing of my Memorandum of Agreement with the LGU. Yes, ako pa ang naglakad ng MOA ko. Something that should have been done and prepared for us by the DOH-ARMM or the IPHO at least. Well, this is how we roll here in ARMM. And yes, if you have something to lobby for to the local chief executive, don't go to the municipal hall. He's not there. He's at the comfort of his home. 

January 7, 2013. First day at work. What I have highly appreciated being a DTTB though is the staff. They are a whole bunch of dedicated workers who, despite the meager salary and being taken for granted by the local government, they still do justice to their work. The RHU-Talitay now has one doctor, one public health nurse, three regular midwives, one RN Heals, two RHMPP and another two MECA (Midwife in Every Community in ARMM). We have also have Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) who work voluntarily without any allowance from the LGU. 

Talitay is a 6th class municipality consisting of 9 barangays with a population of approximately 12,000. The main source of livelihood is farming and fishing. Poverty, similar to other ARMM municipalities, is a normal thing here. As far as I am concerned, I don't see how the local government or even the regional government is helping the people improve their livelihood. Parang kinalimutan na sila ng mundo. Seriously. 

Houses are made of light-weight materials. You don't see a decent house here. Bahay lang ni mayor. I don't think this only happens in Talitay. I've been to several municipalities in ARMM and I have seen and observed the same thing. 

This is our RHU, this is where I work. Most days of the week I only stay here. I don't do frequent barangay visits due to the unstable peace and order in the area. My staff are always on the look out for my safety. FYI, this was a former rebel den (I guess they still exist here) so a gunshot or two isn't surprising at all. Or even seeing a half-naked man with a rifle gun hanging on his shoulder. 

In spite of being geographically isolated, we have a decent Rural Health Unit with a room for the MHO. That's me. :)

This is what we traverse everyday----unconcreted, bumpy and muddy road to Talitay. Um, I wonder where do the IRA goes? Isn't this a major project supposedly?

After six months of being here, I feel like I have been drained despite having done none at all except seeing patients at the RHU everyday. It's difficult to implement health programs in an area with an erratic peace and order, highly politicized, unsupportive local government and with people who are passive and contented merely by selling their coconut produce for a few cents. These are people who are being chased down by midwives and nurses to get their children vaccinated or to have their sick family members be seen by a doctor at the RHU. With mental passiveness comes poor-health seeking behavior. That is difficult to address but as health workers, we keep on giving them health education in our hope that maybe someday, their attitude towards their health will change. 

After six months, I honestly have the urge to give up. I would either proceed to residency or fly to Nigeria to be with my husband. I seriously do not know yet. My life is at suspension at this very moment. Plus, there is a high probability that I will get transferred in Lanao del Sur (yay for that!! close to home!!) so I will be back to square one. 

And oh, I missed the hospital. I missed having real patients. I don't wanna deal with politics or with politicians anymore. Le sigh. This isn't supposedly how I should end an entry on my supposedly noble work. But honestly, I cannot feel any nobility in what I do. I feel so strangled and limited in my work by a lot of factors that all the idealism in me vanished in a span of six months. I lost hope for the health system in the same manner as I lost hope for the country. Everytime I hear politicans speak, I hear all lies. I don't think I can stay here for long, I am only waiting for the passing of time so I can live the life of a real doctor saving lives and be a wife.  

On another news, I miss my person. :)

Caught unaware at BenCab.

It's been two weeks since he left. I cannot believe that my first ever relationship would be a long distance one. An enormous test of strength and character. We need to keep ourselves busy to become oblivious of the passing of time. So long, my love. Be back soon. :)

Meet and Greet with the Aetas. :)

One of our subjects in our Master's program at the Development Academy of the Philippines is Social Marketing in relation to Health Systems. We conducted a practicum in the form of a medical mission at different far-flung barangays here in Luzon. Two groups went to Bulacan and the other two at Pampanga. After the activity, we were tasked to submit a reflection paper. Here's what I wrote. 

The recently concluded medical mission as part of our HSD Practicum under Social Marketing was something I wasn’t personally prepared for. Per instruction, we were only told to bring our stethoscope, sphygmomanometer and diagnostic set. Nevertheless, being a doctor to the barrio and having conducted multitudes of medical missions in our respective areas, we somehow know already how to do about it. Upon orientation, doubts and queries as to the intention of the medical mission slowly dawned on me. The relevance of the activity in relation to social marketing was a bit blurry, especially the timing of the medical mission now that it is election time. My idea of a social marketing practicum would be that, we, the students are the ones who would create or think of an activity by coordinating with different stakeholders to partner with. In the medical mission that we did, everything was laid down to us requiring only our presence and our service so I don’t see the essence of doing a practicum when we’re already honed in doing medical missions. When the specific flow of the activity including deworming and vaccination were raised to us, people began grunting because those services were already being given by the RHU. But we still went with the flow by waking up as early as 1AM to go to our respective areas.

Our patients patiently waiting in queue. 

Our group was assigned to Brgy. Nabuclod, Floridablanca, Pampanga. I never expected the place to be that far, perhaps because of the idea that Pampanga is a nearby province. To my surprise, it took us almost four hours to reach the area and much more I was surprised upon seeing the Indigenous People (IP) we would be providing health services for. During the whole activity, I believe there was inadequate coordination with some partners. We were told primarily that we will conduct it in a school for proper compartmentalization, however, we were informed when we were already there that we cannot utilize the school rooms due to a prior commitment. We conducted the medical mission in an open space where there is, well, a perfect view. There were notable flaws but we were able to manage. The number of patients did not meet our expectation, in fact we were expecting more. In other words, our services were not maximized. 

A typical Aeta family. Most of them are farming their lands to sustain their  basic needs. Some of them are able to go to school but rarely finishes high school until they get caught up in what seemed as "natural course of life"~~~having kids. 

Doctors at work. 

I was asleep inside the bus for most of the travel time so imagine my surprise upon opening the curtain to see this body of water greet my sleepy eyes! Lol! Yes, we crossed a "little" river to reach the area. 

Doctors to the Barrios and a member of the army who made sure of our security in the area. Thanks, Sirs! 

During consultation, I asked my patients if they have sought consult at their RHU prior to our arrival. Most of them have not been seen by a doctor due to the distance, their RHU is located at the town proper which is quite a number of kilometers from them. I can relate their situation to the patients I meet at my area of assignment in Talitay, Maguindanao. It was my first time to meet the Aetas and was pleased by their behavior around us. Unlike with other med missions I attended, the Aetas are not demanding as to the services we offered. They listened to our health advisories and participated in our "dagdag kaalaman" games. They seemed to be compliant patients as well. :)

 We may have been "forced by circumstance" to do the mission, but being too rational made us overlook the positive impact of our presence among our Aeta friends. There are instances when we should put our personal clamors aside and look at things at different perspective. Only then we can fully understand what is going on around us from a macro level. At the end of the day, all of my doubts as to the intent of the medical mission vanished leaving me with a fulfilled heart and a sense of joy. It was really nice to meet our Aeta friends. :)

P.S.
I owe you an article on my DTTB (doctors to the barrios) experience. It's been six months since I signed the contract with the Department of Health. :)

The Best Half

Hello there. Yes, I'm still here constantly thinking of blogging and after countless attempts, I finally mustered the courage to gather photos and hit the keyboards. Now don't blame me if this post consumes your time because I shall post a lot of photos to make up for my absence----uncollaged photos, these are. Heehee. Well, nothing philosophical, just some what's-going-on-with-my-life entry. My relationship with this blog is like an old friend with whom you kind of lost in touch with but you perpetually think how they've been but preoccupation with current important stuff eats your time and then you accidentally bump into each other somewhere down the road and go back to being good friends again as if time never passed. :)

So, since this entry is mainly about how my life has been and to give a sequel to my recent post about my wedding frets, well....here. Yes, I got married last March 9!! *insert kilig smile here* One of the most enormous mystery of my life is now revealed. 

Officially misis. (c) Doc Saino

With our families. (c) Val Candole

Back in my singlehood days, the man I'm going to marry has always been a mystery I never knew when to happen. Never did I expect that he will come around the time I was reviewing for the board exam, the most unlikely time to flirt around. Haha! It was a typical Meranao parental set-up, but lucky us, we find each other suitable for a spouse. Well, primarily I didn't think of it THAT way when I met him. We have a common first cousin (we are also blood related, his father is my third degree cousin on my Mom's side) who introduced us. But apparently, prior to our personal introduction, he met up with my parents first to subtly ask if he can  visit me. They (him and my cousin) visited me at the review center after a long negotiation, I was so much under pressure of passing the boards I need not anyone to bother me. But I give in to my cousin's plea, I sure didn't know he's with him. We had a relatively good conversation over dinner that our first meeting didn't end there. I learned that he's a CPA who works with the Philippine Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria as a finance officer. Since he was on a vacation and was scheduled to go back to work few days after our meeting, he frequented his visits without my cousin. No resistance came from me thinking that he's leaving soon and I must admit I enjoyed his company. I thought his last visit would be the last and when he leaves, no further communication will occur. I was wrong. Even we were continents apart, his overseas phone calls became persistent and regular until I find myself expecting it almost always. I kind of get used to it, and while I was driving myself crazy studying for the biggest exam of my life, he acted as a shock absorber listening to my rants and, in his own little ways, comforted me. While those things were happening, his parents were also communicating with my parents about the two of us getting married. It took time before everything was settled and I had to ask myself a hundred times if I want it too. Our parents obviously do. I prayed hard and asked for signs, and when I felt that my questions were answered, I wholeheartedly accepted the marriage. Choz. Andami ko pang chorva e 'noh? Obvious naman na like ko din siya. *winks*

In retrospect, I love our lovestory. Yes, I'm a fan of my very own lovestory. Haha! We are not boyfriends/girlfriends, but we allowed fate to work everything for us. There wasn't too much obstacles along the way making our story run smoothly. Everything I was praying for were answered. Alhamdulillah.

After the wedding, we had to make the most of our time together because he would be leaving again for Nigeria. We traveled around Mindanao from Marawi City (our home base) to Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Davao City, Cotabato City and back to Marawi. During those travels, we slowly revealed the quirky and fun sides of each other. In him, I found the best travel buddy! :) 

Sipping his durian frappe in a non-beachy outfit under the sun at Samal Island, Davao City. 

Who goes to Davao without devouring durian, huh? Good thing we both love durian!! 

A month later, we fled to Manila to work on some of his papers at DFA main office while I also took a leave from my work to be with him. During one mundane afternoon, he suddenly thought of going to Baguio, telling me that he's been living in Manila most of his life but never had a chance to go the Summer Capital of the Philippines. As wanderlusts that we both are, we took the bus and off we go relying only on the internet for directions.

Overlooking the City of Pines at the terrace of SM Baguio.

The first name of the hotel that appeared on the search engine was Casa Vallejo which is located at the Upper Session Road. We checked in without thinking twice and off we walked down to main Session Road until we reached Burnham Park. I'm the kind of traveler who keeps an itinerary either in writing or in mind, while hubby goes for absolute spontaneity. We walked around wherever our feet brought us. 

Burnham River at night. 

Night market. 

We woke up to this chilly environment. I felt like I was in a non-tropical country. 

Waiting for our breakfast at Hill Station.

Energizing ourselves in preparation for a loooong day ahead.

Typical Baguio sights.

Our first stop was the Strawberry Farm at La Trinidad, Benguet. We were both excited to hand-pick strawberries that we did it like it was not our first time. Haha! 

From there, we went straight to Camp John Hays for lunch and did some window shopping. 

Since it was his first time in Baguio, it's a must for him to see Mine's view Park. 

Another must-have is a photo with the Igorot natives at Baguio Botanical Garden. Look at the oldies so cute with their peace-out hand sign!! :) 

Per Ate Diane's suggestion, we visited Tam-awan Village which reflects the culture of the different northern tribes. We had a lot of fun taking each other's photos. Haha! 

A typical Kalinga hut.

From the native Tam-awan Village, we drove to another mountain called Tuba in Benguet to visit BenCab Museum which houses modern sculptures and paintings. 

Our eyes feasted to these beautiful works of art contemplating on how they were made and the emotions of the artists who did them. 

"WAG MO DAMDAMIN ANG MGA BAGAY DAHIL ANG MGA BAGAY WALANG DAMDAMIN". 

Terracota.

I'm sorry I have a bad camera. :( 

At the basement of BenCab is a cozy restaurant called Cafe Sabel....

...which opens to this magnificent view! The most romantic place EVER.

What we loved about Cafe Sabel is that their food were purely 100% organic. They're preparing their herbs from a nearby garden that they maintain. We had minty pineapple frappe and mouth-watering basil pesto pasta which were both absolutely delicious! :)

From BenCab, we hurried to the bus station and went back to Manila. It was just a quick but worthwhile trip. We visited most of the must-see places in a day and a night. Greeaaaat!!! Looking forward to a lot more travel sprees with you, Jab! :) Inshaa Allah. 

Alhamdulillah for all the blessings that God has given me. I am truly grateful beyond words. Ya Allah, thank you for my family, my friends, my work, the travel opportunity with my husband, and thank you for bringing Jabar in my life. Please shower us with more of Your blessings as we walk Your earth worshipping You alone. With him, there's nothing I can ask for (handsome and intelligent children na lang. haha!). 

As of speaking time, he's now back in Abuja immersing with his work while I also do the same to shun missing his presence. I can only pray for God to give us strength to stand the distance and courage to face our future together. In God's perfect time, we will be together again. :) For now, BBM and Facebook na lang muna kami. Hehe.