Common Filipino / Tagalog Phrases that you can use in the Philippines:

Traveling to a country with a different language may be difficult. Here are some phrases you can use:

1. Saan ang = where is

2. ano = what

3. tulong = help

4. magkano = how much

5. banyo = toilet

6. paano (pronounced pa-a-no) = how

7. gutom ako = im hungry

8. punta = to travel, to go

9. ako = referring to yourself, "me"

10. kotse = car

11. kuryente = electricity

12. pagkain = food. also can be used as a verb that means to eat

13. inom = drink

14. alak = alcoholic drinks

15. sakit = pain


Travel tips:

1. It is wise to always carry a card or paper with the address of the hotel or place you are staying at on your person at all times, in case of emergencies. 

2. Most restaurants or shops usually employ a security guard, who can assist you if you are in trouble, need directions, or need help.

3. Most Filipinos can speak english, although not fluent. 

4. Not everyone is trying to help you, watch out for criminals always trying to rob you. 

5. Philippine tap water is not potable. It would be safer for you to buy water or even soda instead. 

6. Always come prepared with smaller money bills, some people would try to stiff you on the change.

7. Try not to deal with anyone thats not in a shop or counter. Many conmen abound in the philippines.

8. If you dont know what you are eating, it may be best to avoid eating it. 

9. Dont believe everything you are told. in case of something suspicious, ask someone in authority about it. like someone in a uniform.

10. Be wary of ATMs, there have been many scams about people trying to steal at ATMS. make sure there arent any devices connected to the ATM, or anything weird looking.

11. Do not drink or eat anything you are not sure off. There have been scams where conmen put sedatives in drinks to take advantage of the tourists.

12. Make sure of how you are going to get to a place before actually going. Research makes the trip more comfortable, and safer. 

13. The Philippines has a lot of exotic food, but may not agree with your tummy. in case of doubt, maybe you shouldnt eat it. :)

14. if you are going out, make sure you know how to get back to your hotel.

15. i would suggest not to travel with alot of money, as this will cause you to be targeted by possible criminals.

16. dont have your foreign currency changed at roadside shops or airports. Research online for the best prices. 

With all the catastrophes happening around us, you've probably thought of making an emergency bag. Here are some good ideas:

1. Flashlight

2. multitool - like a swiss army knife or leatherman tool

3. some form of rope to tie things

4. Identification

5. a small bottle of water

6. first aid kit

7. extra clothes

8. small umbrella

9. tourniquet

10. marker (such as a sharpie or permanent marker)

11. pen or pencil

12. small powerbank with charging cable

13. emergency contact numbers

14. reusable cup

15. toiletries like a travel toothbrush, soap, toilet paper, and toothpaste.

16. condoms - may come in handy to tie things or to carry water or to waterproof electronics.

Common Filipino myths DEBUNKED:

1. Softdrinks will improve diarrhea

This is a popular one ive heard. When with LBM or diarrhea, give them coke to settle their stomach. This is a no-no. The sugar will cause the diarrhea to become worse since, since sugar will draw your body's water into the stomach, causing dehydration.

Do take loperamide tablets instead.

2. Stepping over the legs of a human will cause them to have stunted growth.

This one is a classic. I have no idea where this comes from. and you have to cross over again to remove the curse you have caused. 

Life in the medical field

When i graduated High school, i didn't have a clue in the world on what i wanted to do. 

So i went into the medical field. 

I decided to take Physical Therapy, as they said it was a good pre-medicine course. 

I graduated physical therapy at the then DLSU-UMC campus in Cavite. 

B.S. Physical Therapy is a course where you learn to train the disabled/handicapped and train them to develop their motor skills to be able to become productive again, which involves patients with developmental delays, to stroke patients, to amputees, to plain employees with diseases that hamper their productivity. 

B.S. Physical Therapy is a 5 year course, where the first 4 years are classroom teaching, and the last 5th year is internship at different Physical Therapy centers in the Philippines, thus allowing the student to be exposed to the different conditions and manner of treating them. 

I did enjoy my many years in the Academe, but did enjoy the internship more. It gave face to the muscles, nerves, and diseases that were just fiction in the classroom. The patient exposure made you learn empathy, social norms, and reality. 

After finishing your gruelling 5 years of college, and you finally graduate, you have to face the physical therapy licensure exam. There are multiple review centers that can help you review for the exam, but the best way is to still learn and pay attention the to wealth of information that the teachers impart during the classroom years.

Now here comes the interesting part. 

The PAY.

If you decide to work abroad, specifically the united states, here are some figures for you.

According to https://physicaltherapysalary.org/:

The top paying state for physical therapists is Nevada, with an annual salary of $115,670. 

thats Php 5,899,170 (if the USD to Php rate is 51) a year. 

the second state, is Alaska, with $94,950 or Php 4,842,450 a year. 

This is compared to the minimum wage of Filipinos, which is about 180,000 a year. :)

So definitely a good choice!

Remember, sometimes the good things in life are worth the struggle. :)

Decades since my last post

So, its been years since my last post.

Ive gotten busy with life, in general. Medical board exams, residency training. work. family. the wedding.

Be posting stuff soon. :)