Everyday Concepts

A few days back I had an exposure of our very own Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) New Operating Room. It's been a while since I landed in this area. After the infamous canister-related incident, the VSMMC Operating Room (OR) has changed a lot. One of the more obvious changes is the OR expansion into the ground floor.

Unlike the previous OR, the new one comes with a stunning look. It's visibly clean and truly something you can really appreciate. I've been through some government special areas before and I can really say that this fresh facility is something you won't expect from a public hospital. It's neat interior and segregated layout is splendid.

Going into the deeper details, the new OR theaters have established their own wash rooms and work area. This would really prove to be convenient for personnel and would largely contribute to proper segregation of instruments used. Another obvious change is the introduction of a unified hamper for soiled linens. Recovery rooms and nurse's station were upgraded and enlarged; computerized systems were introduced for proper patient tracking. Proper ventilation and lighting were properly emphasized in the new facility. This is pretty much obvious if you'd compare it to the old, gloomy OR. Other details like improved instrument setup and announcement boards add to the boost of the area. On the architectural side, the finishes were quite appealing. Granite finishes on floors and counters largely add to its presentable factor. Other professional utilities were retained in the setup.

Overall, the new VSMMC OR is something to look and work at. It maybe just a government funded facility but it's score can be on par or even exceed other private setups. Kodos to the Philippine government for making such an effort on improving our vital healthcare system!

Labels: health

Last night, I had an overtime in the provincial hospital; After that was done, I was finally able to head home. It was already way pass 12 o'clock and I thought that I may be able hit the sack in an hour. On my way home, I decided to stop over at my friend's apartment and pick up some work that he needed help with. I thought to myself -- might as well pick these up, so I can work 'em in the morning.

I spent a few minutes discussing with my colleague on the plans of how we're going to handle the said work. While doing so, I took a glimpse at the hallway and saw a crowd starting to build up in the gate of his apartment. With my curiosity, I took some time and checked it out. To my surprise, it was my car being towed by the CITOM Contractors!

To my own defense, I approached the towing contractors and asked why my car was being towed?! From what I knew overnight parking is a city ordinance in the city of Cebu (you can't park in the road after 12 o'clock) BUT your car can't be towed if the owner is there -- only a citation ticket should be issued (CITOM orientation). I tried to reason out with them and hopefully come up with a resolution...however, the two contractors just pointed me to the paper they posted in the wall which was about my car being towed.

Well, I suddenly noticed...there was no T/E (CITOM Traffic Enforcer) with them?! This is clearly illegal apprehension. I know that only enforcers can issue tickets and not those private contractors...But without any delay, the two personnel left with haste and didn't even bother listening to me...bringing along with them my car. I even overheard 'em talking to the walkie talkie -- "Sir, the owner is here..what should we do".

I tried to call the CITOM office and they told me that their crew always has an enforcer to implement traffic rules. Well, this was not true in my case.

Today, I processed the release of my car from the impound lot and filed for legal action against the enforcer for his negligence.

My tip for you guys out there who will have an experience on this one --- Stay calm. Try to find the enforcer and kindly reason out with him in a decisive but respectful manner. If the enforcer is not there on the incident, then you have every right to resist it!

Labels: city

With the growing popularity of generic computer accessories today, a review on such products would really come in handy for consumers. Generic computer product reviews are very difficult to find and so I've decided to make one.

A few months back, I've been looking for a cheap optical mouse to temporarily serve me while I find a proper replacement for my broken A4tech mouse. And so, I went over to a local computer shop and found this black generic mouse - the Apec Optical Mouse. Without any delay, I purchased the mouse and immediately used it.

The look was quite ordinary for this Apec mouse. It has a black and sleek exterior with a medium-size middle click button. The control was not really as smooth as compared to a high-end mouse (like what graphic artists use) but still it's optical and manageable.. There might be a slight difference when you're using a branded product but it's really negligible on this one. Basically I just laid it on a smooth mouse pad and it's all ready to go.

After months of using this product, I say it would be most appropriate to comment on its performance after hundreds of gaming hours. I wasn't really expecting too much from this product; however this mouse has stood the bashing times that me and my brother share when we're gaming. On the side note, the middle click button is quite sturdy. As compared to Cd-r king mice, it wasn't broken (I've had alot of cd-r king mice which end up breaking the middle click button).

As a summary, the Apec Optical Mouse may just be a generic mouse but its lifespan is really impressive. Sturdy and reliable, I think this changed my view on generic computer accessories but like I said before, it can't compete with the branded high-end products but it does what it's supposed to do --- and that's good enough for me.

Labels: computer

Last night my girlfriend and I was planning to visit one of our favorite local spas. Once we got there, we were disappointed when the receptionist told us that the next available room for couples would take almost an hour. My girlfriend really wanted to get her back done since she works in a bank and sitting on the teller cage for hours would really end up on her back. So, we decided to find another alternative nearby.

Walking around the Fuente rotunda in Cebu city, we saw an ad which directs us to another spa which offers Thai massage -- Tonton Body Massage Spa. Without further questions, we decided to try it out for ourselves.

Upon entering the spa, we noticed that the place was so empty. Apparently, there were 2 floors on the spa. The ground floor was for foot massage primarily and the upper floor was designated for the other services which include body massage. Well, as we went up.. it was the same thing, the place was quite empty. We didn't really mind it since we really need our back done.

Took us a few minutes before we got ourselves handed down to our masseurs. It was the usual, got our feet washed and cleaned before any other thing. One thing that bugged me on that one is that the place where we got our feet washed is adjacent to their supplies. Well, that isn't a problem with me but in my years of taking up architecture...I have learned that the "back of the house" (supply room, utility, etc.) is not supposed to be viewed by the public...or in this case, by us, the customers. This is the first time I noticed this in the different spas that I've visited so far.

Well, skipping that one... we were directed to our spot. Believe me, there were a lot of beds available but we had to be placed in the last ones. It was the usual curtain partitions which separate one bed from the other. But another thing that hit me was that the place looks like an emergency room. I mean, the curtains looks like the ones you see in the hospital. Heck, the orientation itself pretty much looks like it. Also, there were no aroma scents or Thai calming music (which you hear usually in a spa) in the place where we assigned to. And here's one more thing, I noticed our spot got too many clocks (I counted 3) and none of them are even working. These things are not very noticeable but this would really add flavor if you're running a spa.

On to the massage...Well, everything was quite normal. Nothing new to expect here. Just the traditional Thai body massage that you get from the others. There was one thing I don't like though...when the masseur was doing my back, I feel like I was being choked. Not that I'm complaining or something but I mean...I don't get this on other spas...must something to do with their pillow or positioning...I was just really uncomfortable when that was done.

Well, after trying out Tonton body massage, my girlfriend and I both complained of shoulder aches...I don't know if this is normal for therapeutic effects but I certainly haven't experienced this in other spas.

Overall, Tonton Body Massage is something I would not recommend for you guys. The place needs alot of improvement; and certainly there's alot better spas out there which can get you better service and fulfillment for your Php 200.

My rating --- 1 star out of 5!

Labels: massage