Woe to 'The Quill'

Woe to the school publication that broke my expectation! You disappoint me.

I've worked hard for my articles and this is what I'll get? It's very insulting on my part that I may not have the time to visit the publications office frequently but my articles don't deserve rejection. I mean, why? I don't know how my nonexistence would affect that tremendously. Yes, the editor-in-chief tried to send a message when I just read it about months later. That's how busy I am. Don't you have the heart to understand how important is my internship than any other?

My heart sank as I scanned the school paper up to its last page, I saw no article of mine. How could this be when I even passed four articles (including a poem)?

Looking at those articles on the mag, it makes me sick. What supposed to be a school publication turned into a newspaper, exposing politics' dirty tactics, our president's shortcomings and the like. Yes, we can't deny our incessant clamor for justice, but to fill almost half of the mag on the same topic, aren't you fed up with these things? These things were already discussed from the previous issue.

You keep on talking about student involvement when there's only one article featuring students in the campus. The rest were writers' viewpoints. Where is that? Aside from the colored print, there's nothing eye-catching with it. Nothing that makes a student don't want to miss a single page.

It's a shame no one cares about the school publication anymore when there are many talents in the university. Yet you guys, didn't make an effort to recruit. Add to the fact that I should have gotten more issues during my years of being a Southwesterner because we pay for it every semester. I thought you need more workforce but I guess, you have your own STANDARDS. Standards in to which I don't know what it is. Hello, couldn't you be nicer to your new recruits?

Well, I lost my last ticket. I lost my chance of imparting my ideals to the Southwestern studentry. It's really a slap on my face that I wanted to help but you kicked me out for an unacceptable reason. I'll not be surprised if one day this school organ will face its downfall. I don't know what's in the school organ but I do hope they'll change for the better. If possible, they may be willing to open for suggestions. May you cultivate the legacy given by previous members of The quill because those were the best years. All in all, you disappoint me. 

My Independence sentiments

from gmanews

Happy Independence Day Philippines! Or shall I say Happy 117th birthday Philippines!

As the whole nation commemorated this historical date that changed our lives as Filipinos, I salute our ancestors for fighting and even shed blood to fight for freedom from the tyranny of the Spanish government.

June 12, 1989 was the date that marked a biggest spot in the Philippine history. This was the Proclamation of Independence in Kawit, Cavite when Emilio Aguinaldo first waved the Philippine Flag. 117 years had passed and we now enjoy the freedom our heroes had fought for so long. For that span of time, so much have happened, from colonization of other countries to People power and to several Presidents who promised a progressive Philippines, I think we Filipino people still struggle for freedom, but this time not from the Spaniards but from the clutches of our VERY OWN CORRUPT GOVERNMENT! 

Today, it is with disappointment that the current administration failed to do what they had promised: to lead us to the 'tuwid na daan' (right path) which made the country even worse. Instead celebrating the Independence day with peace and honor, some of our fellowmen rallied trying to call the attention of our President for various matters.

from interaksyon.com

So much with politics, I know Filipinos are strong and brave. It runs in the blood. What was once a fighter, always a fighter. I know the Philippine government is not the only one responsible for this. It is also us Filipino citizen. The change we've been dying for cannot be made possible by one person alone. We have to take part of it. If only our ancestors were alive, they'll not be  pleased with today's situation. 

We don't want to put our heroes' efforts in to waste. We still have to combat the problems in our society but as we are going forward, we always hope for a leader as strong as Lapu-lapu and as clever as Jose Rizal, who could be the solution of our country. But the challenge is: who would that be? Who's your bet this coming 2016 Presidential elections huh? (Hmmm..just joking)

Again, Happy Independence day Filipinos! We may always have that flaming patriotism. May we continue to say I'm proud to be Filipino!

from cnn

Trivia: "Lupang Hinirang" is actually just our second national anthem.

The very first Philippine anthem was titled "Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan," which national hero Andres Bonifacio commissioned in 1897. He requested musician Julio Nakpil to compose the anthem when they were encamped with Katipunan troops in the vicinity of Balara in November 1896. Despite the presence of Bonifacio's version of the anthem, President Aguinaldo, upon his return from Hong Kong, met with the composer Julian Felipe on June 5, 1898 and asked him to compose a national hymn.

That 'somebody' and me

Love songs make me fall in love for unknown reason. I don't know what's in me but I keep on listening to old melodies. I may not have that certain someone yet but at the back on my mind, I keep on imagining that someday, I will open and give my heart to that someone and we will live happily ever after. I hope so. Well, that's just a pure imagination but in reality I don't know what kind of life lies ahead of me. I don't even have a blossoming relationship with anybody and honestly I'm not interested at this moment. For now, I enjoy being single and I'm busy loving my family and friends and start building up my dream.

My colorful illusions of that someone to every song that I listen, even though his face seems so vague but he never gets out of the scene. 

I believe that if ever I can't find that somebody here today or tomorrow, I hope I can find him in the afterlife. He may not be that perfect prince everyone's been looking for but I hope he's the one with the pure heart that would love me for who I am.

Lesson learned before Jaja left..

You have to know about this. You might be the next victim.

Yesterday, I and the rest of the household were sad as we bid goodbye to one of our housemate, Jaja. Jaja stayed almost a year with us but she has to leave for a better opportunity. Her new workplace is far from our home so she has to live with a relative near there.

At around 2 in the afternoon, she left the house with a smiling face as she promised to visit us some time and we wished her a safe trip. After that, we went on to what we were doing. My mother continued cleaning, father still played computer games and me and Cherry went to rest after a long trip (we just came back from the province). Really, I didn't expect something to come up. I was about to fall asleep when I suddenly heard Shiralee telling mom that Jaja's money (the one thousand peso bill) was fake! What!? After hearing that, I opened my eyes and went upstairs.

Luckily, Shiralee was able to check her phone on an instant. There, Jaja texted her she was not yet on a bus because the money my mother had gave her was a fake. Unfortunately that was the only money Jaja had. We told her to go back here immediately.All or us were confused and things started to come out. How come mom's money was a fake when it came from a pawn agency? Surely a reliable pawn agency won't gave you a fake money since they have their own money detector. Second, along with that money was given to auntie and how come auntie was able to spend it? We keep on speculating until we suspected that maybe she was victimized by today's modus operandi.

We waited for Jaja to come back and minutes later, a crying her was knocking at the gate. We quickly paid the cab she rode and led her inside. We asked her what happened and she told us that she went to buy some fruits near the terminal (because her aunt said so) and just as about she handed the one-thousand bill to the vendor, the vendor immediately declared it's fake! We were shocked and awed as she showed the money already torn into pieces (the vendor tore it)! Just as we touched the money, it's just a plain paper! It's just printed and the seal and security marks were just pasted. Jaja was all throughout fooled by the vendor because mom remembered her money was not as old as the one Jaja presented.

It was so sad as we saw Jaja crying with regret. It wouldn't have happened if she just went straight to the bus terminal. Mom can't give her the same amount so she just gave a right amount that could get her to the province. Wiping her tears and convincing that everything will be ok, Jaja decided to leave and catch the last trip going to her hometown,

Poor Jaja. Tsk. Tsk. But how did that swindlers did it? Actually, we didn't know but maybe that as they received Jaja's money, they have already the fake money clutched in their hands . Jaja recalled that the vendor called another guy to check it. They maybe exchanged it with the fake one.

We couldn't go back to the store and investigate further and so we let the situation pass and serve as a lesson. A lesson that we have to remember everytime we transact money, big or small. If this situation happened to me, I wouldn't be able to sleep a night regretting. I'm a careless person too. That's why that in order for us not to be fooled, we should be mindful with our belongings. Check the money we have and if possible, choose where you spend your money. This modus operandi is spreading across the country and not only this, bad elements are everywhere. You just don't know when your unlucky day is so being watchful is a must. I guess it was not Jaja's day at all.

This MedTech student has just Graduated!

MAY 22- In my four years of putting a lot of effort to college, here I am reaping the fruits I've sown. Finishing the degree of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology (Medical Laboratory Science) in Southwestern University is the major accomplishment I've reached so far! Thank you Lord!

The four years I've spent including the internship had created wonderful memories and experiences though I'm not saying I didn't go through a lot of sufferings and sacrifices. It's worth everything I've felt throughout my college life. Right now, I couldn't believe I've graduated and survived. It's still fresh on my memory the time when my parents enrolled me in the university and passed the entrance exam. Back that time, I have little knowledge of what's this Medical Technology is all about until I understand the whole of it as I journeyed.

For me, it's all worth it. Although I didn't graduate with honors but to see my parents happy as I went up to the stage is much more any medals could give. Through them I didn't give up and didn't lose hope that I can get through this. They didn't give up on me especially the times when I need financial support. I'm so thankful they are at my side on those times when I think I would fail. My family as well as my friends gave me the courage to go on and never surrender.

success together with my family

Again, I would like to thank all the people who were with me throughout my journey. My professors who were part of molding me to become an equipped medical technology student and to Southwestern University that made my dream possible. The road was indeed steep and rocky but you guys made it easy for me. I thank God for the blessings and his guidance. Right now, I'm proud to say that I successfully completed the four year degree course of Medical Technology! I did it! Yehey!

Next step: To pass the medtech board exam. I can do this! (With God's grace...Hopefully!)

Happy Graduate,
Cindy

EXCLUSIVE INTERNSHIP PHOTOS!

medical technology curriculum

This is for the senior high school students who wish to take medical technology in college. Get ready to tackle these major subjects!

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY I

Description The course deals with assays of physiologically important substances found in the blood. This involves the knowledge of analytical methods and instrumentation and an evaluation of the accuracy and precision of the procedures using statistical techniques. Principles of the methods, chemical reactions, effects of physical variables on the reactions and purpose of each reagent used are emphasized. This course will give more emphasis on the detection of biomarkers used for the diagnosis of human diseases. Clinical significance of each biomarker and methods of measurements will be discussed 

CLINICAL HEMATOLOGY I 

Description This 4-unit course deals with the study of blood as a tissue and the pathophysiology of the cellular elements of the blood. The course plays emphasis on specimen collection and handling, laboratory safety and quality assurance. Moreover, routine manual laboratory procedures and red blood cell and white blood cell abnormalities are also discussed.

BACTERIOLOGY 

Description This is a 5-unit course that covers the morphology and physiology of bacteria, rickettsiae and other significant atypical bacteria, and their role in infection and immunity. Emphasis is made on their isolation and identification and susceptibility testing as an aid in laboratory diagnosis

PARASITOLOGY 

Description This 3-unit course is a study of animal parasites which are of medical importance to man especially those commonly found in the Philippines. Emphasis is given on the characteristics of parasites from the point of view of morphology, life cycle, epidemiology, symptomatology, pathogenicity, laboratory diagnosis of their specific diseases, distribution and life cycles as well as preventive measures against infection.

IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY (BLOOD BANKING) 

Description Blood Banking (Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine) deals with the study of immunologic principles applied in blood group specific antigens and antibodies and its application in transfusion medicine. It also deals with mechanisms of blood typing and crossmatching, antihuman globulin testing, detection and identification of antibodies, screening of donors for blood donation, bleeding techniques, preparation of blood components and blood products, their storage and disposal with emphasis on quality systems. Blood banking is focused on training students to develop critical thinking in addressing concepts of blood processing and usage. Moreover, the course provides understanding to resolutions provided to discrepancies and problems arising therein. At the end of this course, the students are expected to demonstrate different immunohematologic principles employing old and current technologies; analyze common laboratory errors occurring during pre-analytical, analytical, post-analytical phases in blood processing; develop dexterity in blood specimen handling and processing in different laboratory exercises; and critique actual cases in transfusion medicine.

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY II (ENDOCRINOLOGY, TOXICOLOGY, AND DRUG TESTING) Description The course is a continuation of Clinical Chemistry 1, which deals with the quantitative measurement of biochemical substances in body fluids such as blood, urine, sweat, synovial fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, amniotic fluid, and gastric fluid. This involves the knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts and principles of their metabolism, laboratory analyses, and pathophysiology. It also provides understanding on laboratory mathematics, instrumentation, specimen collection, and processing. Quality assurance and laboratory safety are given due emphasis. This course will give more emphasis on the detection of biomarkers used for the diagnosis of human diseases. Clinical significance of each biomarker and methods of measurements will be discussed. At the end of this course, the students are expected to demonstrate mastery of knowledge and skills in the measurement of biomarkers used for disease diagnosis; apply accuracy and precision in generating and analyzing laboratory results; and exemplify excellence in performing laboratory analyses.

CLINICAL MICROSCOPY I 

Description This is a 3-unit course that deals with the study of medically important parasites, specifically those commonly found in the Philippines. The course places emphasis on the biology, lifecycle, morphology, pathogenesis, epidemiology and laboratory diagnosis of each parasite. Moreover, preventive and control measures against parasitic infections are also discussed. At the end of this course, the students are expected to discuss the biology and morphology of each parasite; the important aspects of the life cycle of each parasite discussed in class; identify the important diagnostic stages of each parasite discussed in class; the different diagnostic procedures used to identify these parasites; demonstrate the proper technique in performing the common tests used in medical parasitology; discuss the diseases associated to each medically important parasite; discuss the epidemiology & the different preventive and control measures for each medically important parasite.

GENERAL PATHOLOGY AND HISTOPATHOLOGIC TECHNIQUES Description The course is divided into four parts. The first part deals with the introduction of basic pathology that focuses on disease process, correlating the etiology of disease with the course of development of anatomic and clinical changes brought about by the disease, cellular adaptation, neoplasia, and an overview of the post-mortem examination (autopsy). The second part deals with the study of the Histopathologic Techniques essential in the production of histologic slides for the microscopic diagnosis of disease processes by H&E including special staining procedures. The third part consists of exfoliative cytology which deals with the study and identification of cell samples from gynecologic (cervicovaginal or Papanicolaou) cytology, non-gynecologic (body fluid) cytology, and cytologic techniques. The fourth part deals with the special techniques including basic immunohistochemistry, application of diagnostic tumour and molecular markers, and the role of the frozen section in clinical and pathology practice. At the end of this course, the students are expected to discuss the basic concept of disease formation; explain the physiologic changes brought about by the various diseases; discuss step-by-step procedure in tissue preparation; recognize the concepts of quality assurance program in Histopathology laboratory; demonstrate the necessary skills required in the preparation of slides for microscopic examination of tissues frm fresh state to mounted state; apply the knowledge acquired about diseases in daily living; and practice the value of honesty, critical thinking, empathy and value for life in the Medical Technology profession

CLINICAL HEMATOLOGY Description This 4-unit course deals with the study of blood as a tissue and the pathophysiology of the cellular elements of the blood. This course deals with the study blood as a tissue and the pathophysiology and the mechanism of coagulation and hemostasis, with emphasis is on laboratory diagnostic procedures.

IMMUNOLOGY AND SEROLOGY Description Immunology deals with the study of the stucture and functions of the immune system, as well as the characteristics and properties of antigens, antibodies, and their interaction in humoral and cellular responses. Serology deals with the detection, identification and quantitation of antigens, antibodies, and other immune factors in the serum. It deals with the basic concepts of antigen-antibody and their interactions. Special topics on Immunopathology, such as Hypersensitivity Reactions, Autoimmune and Immunodeficiency Disease, Tumor Immunology and Transplantation are also discussed. Likewise topis on quality control and assurance and laboratory safety practices are discoursed. At the end of this course, the students are expected to correlate the basic concepts of Immunology and Serology and be able to distinguish the antigen, antibody as well as antigen-antibody complexes with the use of different diagnostic techniques not limited to classroom set-up. The students must be able to relate theoretical concepts and case studies to actual practice of clinical immunology necessary for competent public health care delivery. Also, students must be able to design a tool for the diagnosis of infectious diseases and develop a novel technique relevant to the advancement in the field of medical technology in order to adapt the knowledge gained in clinical immunology and in community works to ensure incorporation of Thomasian ideals and utilize the advances in medical laboratory science in responding to global issues.

SEMINAR I Description This course covers some topics and developments in various medical technology sections. This course will give more emphasis on the special topics and advances in Clinical Chemistry, Immunology and Serology, and Hematology. At the end of this course, the students are expected to exhibit mastery of knowledge and concepts in the major disciplines of Medical Technology; identify the different special tests performed by clinical laboratory professionals in Clinical Chemistry, Immunology and Serology, and Hematology; and apply their knowledge during internship.

COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH Description This is a 5-unit course that deals with the study of the foundations of Community and Public Health that includes Epidemiology, Demography, Health Education & Promotion, Environmental and Occupational Health and Tropical Medicine in the context of Medical Technology Practice in the Philippines. The course places emphasis on the application of these basic public health concepts in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of a community health development plan based on the prevailing health problems in the community (in compliance with the CHED MEMO ORDER No. 14 series of 2006). At the end of this course, the students are expected to discuss the basic principles and concepts of Public Health; discuss the implication of Public Health concepts on its subdisciplines, namely: Health Education & Promotion, Epidemiology & Demography and Environmental & Occupational Health; conduct a comprehensive community assessment leading to relevant community health problem identification & prioritization; and implement their proposed community health intervention strategies to improve the health of their target community.

NOTE: I took this curriculum from the Universiry of San Tomas- College of Medical Technology..this can be downloaded thru their website http://www.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/PHAR-Present-BSMT-Prospectus-w-Descriptions.pdf