Teacher therapy

I have been wanting to write about this issue for days, actually since the death of my cousin, Elena. 

Elena died on Wednesday, August 13, 2008.  I should say she died not because of her ailment, but she died of poverty! 

Elena had been suffering from profuse bleeding for four months before she finally expired.  She could not got to the doctor simply because she didn’t have the money to pay for the doctor’s consultation fee.  At least, this is what my aunts had told me. 

Elena had four children, all still very young:  aged 8, 7, 2, and 1.  They are left to the care of their good-for-nothing father!  I hope they would be left to the care of their lola, my aunt, at least.  Somehow relatives could donate food, provide shelter and clothing for the children.

Elena’s remains could not be scheduled for burial yet.  Why?  Because the family doesn’t have the amount to pay for the hospital bills where Elena breathed her last.  Without the payment, the hospital would not release the death certificate, the only piece of document needed for the burial to be processed.

When Elena died, my heart broke for the kids that she left behind.  And my question was:  did she die of her ailment or of poverty?

When Elena was still alive I learned that she did the laundry just to fend for the four little souls who depend on her.  She had been bleeding but could not complain.  Her request to be brought to the doctor, I guess, was too late.  The doctor told me that her hemoglobin was too low despite the five bags of blood transfusion.  When she got to the hospital, she was diagnosed to be pregnant not of a child but of certain creature which the doctor termed kyawa.  After two and a half hours of surgical procedure, the doctor called for me and told me that their prognosis of the creature found in her womb was not the initial kyawa but a cancer!  The doctor immediately requested for histopathology of the specimen, but the result would be available after 7 days. Today is the 7th day.  Whatever the result is, it would give everyone a peace of mind, somehow.

Now, Elena lies in state at their small house in Fairview.  I told the family I can only help as much as I can.  They need to do something to help those who are helping them at the moment.  They can seek help from SWA, DSWD and PCSO. 

Hay!  Poverty.  Is it a choice or a destiny? 

The candle which I lighted for Elena’s soul during the feast of Mary’s assumption. In my office. August 15, 2008.

I have been wanting to write, but I don’t know where to start…

I have been so busy with the preparations for the birthday celebration of my classmate & friend, Ariane Macalinga Borlongan.  I volunteered to help him out in the preparations.  I understand that he’s living alone, and thus no one here in Manila could help him. 

Ariane is turning 21 on August 8, and he’s finishing the academic requirements for his doctorate degree in Applied Linguistics.  What an achievement!

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Richard, my nephew whom I send to college, has just texted me of his school requirement.  It’s expensive! 

But nephews bring certain joy. Today, I have two.  They are almost two decades apart, but they sure are good friends.  Richard is seventeen, and Brown is five. I am smitten by Brown’s smile.  I must admit I miss him!

It is going to be my second month in belly dance class.  People have been noticing certain changes in me  - from my protruding tummy to a bit controlled one and  from being cranky to a more pleasant one.  The latter is a comment coming from my administrative assistant, no less, being the person that I get to have a close encounter with every day in the workplace.

With these positive comments comes the question, “where do you study belly dancing?”  And I enthusiastically reply, “At the Peak Performance Dance Studio and Fitness Center.”  So let me tell you about my dance school.

Peak Performance Dance Studio and Fitness Center is owned and managed by Ms. Jill Ngo-Crisologo.  Aside from belly dance, it offers other fitness activities like yogilates, hiphop aero, flamenco, jazz, striptease, hawaiian, ballroom, and others. 

Besides its range of physical fitness exercises, Peak Performance has the homey atmosphere, too.  To say that it has the most accommodating and friendly staff is an understatement.  I guess the staff there has got the attitude of Ms. Jill, who herself is very pleasant and friendly.  Apparently, she treats every client like a family.  One can never feel being out-of-place even though he/she is a beginner in any fitness class.

Unlike other fitness center, Peak Performance does not require its clients of membership fee. Instead, clients are given the option to pay per visit, or they may opt to get the “peak pass” which is offered in a discounted price as compared to the pay-per-visit fee. I dare say that Ms. Jill and company see to it that you get your money’s worth every session. 

Peak Performance is located in Quezon City, Philippines.  It’s along Roces Avenue near Amoranto Sports Stadium.  There are two ways to get there: 

• If you are from Quezon Avenue, you may walk from there till you reach the plaza.  Then, take the street to your right after the plaza until you reach the building where Peak Performance is located. 
• If you are from Cubao, take the route going to Pantranco, and turn left before you approach the plaza, and go straight till you reach the building where Peak Performance is located. 

For more information, you may click this link http://peakperformance.asiapad.com/