Photos from Metro Manila Shake Drill

Published on Inquirer Libre July 31, 2015

Philhealth makagagaan sa pagharap sa kanser

AHMC Presidente at CEO Andres Licaros Jr. proud na pinapakita ang logo ng bagong ACI

DIEGO MARIANO, INQUIRER

SANA maraming Pilipino ang mag-Philhealth,” sinabi ni Dr. Joven Tanchuco, Asian Cancer Institute (ACI) Chief Medical Officer, sa araw ng pagtatag sa kauna-unahang Asian Cancer Institute (ACI) ng Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC) sa Pilipinas.

Hinihikayat ng ACI ang mga Pilipino na magpa-insure sa Philhealth bilang paghahanda sa anumang hindi inaasahang problemang pangkalusugan, lalong lalo na sa sakit na kanser, o “Big C.” Hindi lingid sa kaalaman ng pamunuan ng AHMC ang hirap at gastos ng pagpapagamot mula sa sakit na Kanser.

“Dalawa lang ang pinangangambahan ng mga tao sa tuwing malalaman nilang mayroon silang kanser, una, gagaling ba ako diyan? At pangalawa, baka naman maubos ang kabuhayan ko diyan,” ani AHMC Presidente at CEO Andres Licaros Jr. Dahil sa dalawang rason na binanggit ni Licaros, nag-isip ang AHMC kung paano matutugunan ang pangangailangang pang-medikal lalong lalo na sa kanser ng mga Pilipino, at ito nga ang pagtatag ng ACI upang tugunan ang mga problemang ito sa mabilis at makabagong pamamaraan.

Ang makabago at mabilis na pamamaraan na ito ay ang pagpapakilala ng “multi-disciplinary care” o ang paggamit ng iba’t ibang disiplina ng medisina sa paglunas ng sakit at ang pagbili ng mga makabagong kagamitang pang-medikal mula sa ibang bansa, mga kagamitang wala pa sa Pilipinas sa ngayon. Ayon kay Dr. Enrico Tangco, special projects coordinator ng ACI, “We hope to increase the cure rate, the quality of care for the patient, and the quality of life of the patient.”

Sa multidisciplinary care na ito, hindi lamang iisang doktor ang susuri sa pasyente kundi isang grupo na nagmumula sa iba’t ibang disiplina ng medisina para sa mas wastong pagsusuri ng sakit. Sa bagong tatag na ACI matatagpuan ang pinakabagong kagamitan pangmedisina mula sa ibang bansa tulad ng TomoTherapy HAD-H at ng Brachytheraphy.

Ang iba sa ospital na ito ay ang kanilang uri ng pag-aaruga, na kung saan ipadarama nila na hindi nag-iisa ang pasyente na kailangan ng isang “team” upang labanan ang sakit na kanser, kasama na rito ang mga aktibidad na kasama ang pamilya ng may sakit tulad ng yoga, laughter at aroma therapy, at alagang ispiritwal, pati na rin ang pagkain ng mga pagkaing herbal at masustansya.

Sa mga serbisyo ng ACI, maaring masabing hindi mura ang mga gamutang ito, bagama’t ayon kay Licaros “kailangan din naman naming i-maintain ang mga kagamitan… at iexpect nila na may babayaran talaga. Ang presyo ng mga serbisyo namin ay sapat lang.” Mayroon ding foundation ang AHMC upang tulungan ang mga kapus-palad na gustong magpagamot pero hindi sapat ang kabuhayan upang maipagpatuloy ang na mahal gamutan.

Bagama’t may foundation ang AHMC, hindi ito sapat upang tugunan ang lahat ng kapus-palad na may sakit na kanser. Kaya hinihikayat nila ang mga Pilipino na mag-avail ng Philhealth, malaking tulong na rin sa mahal na gamutan ng sakit na kanser.


Published on Inquirer Libre July 29, 2015

6 Pinoys Advance to GT Asian Leg

Pasay City, Philippines - Plaques of Success.The photo shows the top 6 racers that will compete in the Asian leg of the GT Academy in Silverstone, U.K. From L-R Jof Cox ( Driving Specialist and GT Academy Specialist ) , Nicki Hewson ( events manager ) Raphael Miru Lesaguis ,Luis Cachero ,Terrence Aldrich Lallave, Jose Gerald Policarpio, Daryl Brady, Joel Agojo, Marlon Stockinger ( Filipino-Swiss -Louts F1 Junior Team race car driver and mentor) Antonio Zara ( Nissan Philippines In. President and Managing Director) SJ Huh (NPI General Manager for Marketing )

DIEGO MARIANO, INQUIRER

SIX lucky racers were qualified to compete in the Asian leg of the GT (Gran Turismo) Academy and reach the checkered flag in Silverstone, United Kingdom, in August 2015.

From the 15,000 virtual racers from Metro Manila, Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan De Oro, and from the 30,000 virtual race trials in 25 live events during the three month run of the event, only 20 lucky racers outraced the thousands of virtual racers and only six racers made it to fly to U.K.

Since the launch of the Nissan GT Academy last March 25, the six finalists—Raphael Miru Lesaguis, Luis Cachero, Terrence Aldrich Lallave, Jose Gerald Policarpio, Daryl Brady and Joel Agojo—have also been through “different challenges, not only driving challenges but also physical, mental, and personality challenges,” Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI) President Antonio Zara explained.

The physical challenges tests the fitness level of the finalists include push ups, planking, and sergeant jump. Driving challenges, which include drifting, tested the driving skills of the finalists, while personality tests included a panel interview with selected members of the media. Simulator pods where it all started was also included in the challenges.

After all these challenges, some drivers thought there was still much to improve in their transition from virtual to reality. “More on training, on driving, more on physical aspect, more on driving kailangan paulit-ulit lang ’yon. Kailangang gumaling, ma-improve ang kailangang maimprove. Sa ngayon, ang kailangang ma-improve ’yong physical ko. ’Yong driving nai-improve naman ’yan, pero ’yong physical… kailangan talagang maimprove,” said Daryl Brady, a freelance I.T. race driver developer, and one of the six finalists.

These challenges prepared the six finalists who will race against each other, together with other Asian representatives from Thailand, India, Japan and Indonesia, but this time using a real race car. “The final top six candidates who successfully hurdle all these challenges can look forward to flying to the Silverstone Race Circuit in U.K. and compete in the GT Academy Asia Leg,” said NPI General Manager for Marketing Huh.

Swiss-Filipino Marlon Stockinger, Lotus F1 Junior Team driver, said, “while I am happy to share my knowledge and experience in racing, nothing beats the contestant’s determination and drive to succeed in this demanding sport.” He will also serve as the coach and mentor of the six finalists.

“We’re happy to be giving aspiring racers and gamers the opportunity to turn their dreams into reality,” Zara said.

Nissan Philippines helps fasttrack the dreams of more potential Filipino racers to race in the international racing arena.


Published on Inquirer Libre July 17, 2015