Thursday, September 22, 2011

PATAS’ first try of blood donation


It was a quite stormy day to donate. It rained as if there is no chance for me to go out. I saw this as a clear sign that I must not go. But then I must go since I promised someone that I will be there to guide them on how to get to the meeting place.

I went out of the house on the time when the rain seemed to quiet a bit. It’s really annoying when it rains in this country. Nevertheless, I made it to Robinsons Galleria just to find out that I am the only person there. I was thinking most probably people will be late.

And indeed they were late. People came in one by one, until we were able to gather about six people. The last of who must be named —Jay-R.  He was quite apologetic for coming late. We waited some more minutes at MiniStop and decided to head to Medical City.

We arrived at the Medical City despite the rains and small numbers we had gathered. We must push through no matter what.

We went straight to the Blood Bank but the reception was empty. We ended up waiting there while making comments on that noon time talent show and how stupid it is.

It took ages before I noticed that no one seemed to come out to receive is despite me giving a prior notice. So I went to the hospital main lobby to ask why there is no receptionist in the Blood Bank. I was told they are undermanned at that time.

We got all screened first. The five of us were rejected. One had an operation ban, one had menstruation a few days back, one is underweight, and one just donated blood almost three months ago, while the last one can’t donate because of high blood.

There was still one hope for the group to donate—Jay-R. It was his first time to donate blood, the person we had almost left out because he came in late. Then Jay-R passed the screening to his dismay. He said this was a frame-up.

His blood was tested first but before he had the needle in. He called for us for help. It was a funny thought for me. Jay-R a big man scared of needles. I was laughing hard as he held the arms of another of us, like a kid on a dentist trip. And he passed this blood screening as well.

Wow, one guy passed the test and will be letting some blood out. We told him that about 6 liters of blood will be taken out of him since we can’t donate at that time. He was quite scared and I think disappointed. But our hero braved it all. Kinda.

He went in for his blood letting with one of us. He was that scared of the needle. I never dared to go in to check him out. I don’t want to stress our only hope. He was said to be biting his shirt as the needles went in. And it was all finished.

A group activity with a lot of people clicking attend ended up with a chance donator. I am proud that somehow he was able to muster that little strength he had just to give some blood.

Now there will be a second attempt for this. If you are reading this, please try to muster the strength and the will to let out some blood as well.

Thank you and hope that when you click attend. Make sure you come or even just say I will not be able to make it. 

Beauty Pageant Wannabes

So Miss Universe 2011 happened once more. It is another milestone in the eyes and minds of many Filipinos. Many will stay glued even sleep early just not to miss to momentous event in History. Many beauty parlors will close, work leaves to be done, meetings canceled just for the opportunity to watch scantily dressed women on size-one clothing.

People will gather themselves and the whole family just to watch their bet, this or that Country. They will observe and critique every moment that happens. They will point out mistakes, great moments, dresses, the way contestants walk, everything. Suddenly the country is transformed into fashion experts, beauty consultants and logic experts of every field even grammarians.

This would be great if people only apply the same thing with how they deal with life and how the politicians are running this fucked up country.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

PATAS KYR at the Victory Church (Robinsons Galleria)


It’s been two months since I lost my need to go to Church for a Mass. That was quite absurd since I have been going to Church since I was 7. Then now I must wake up and go to a Church.

Sunday was a lazy time for me to wake-up just to go to a worship service to a group of people I have always idealized as heathens and heretics. The weather was fine and so I decided to get myself ready to go by bus with a friend. It was a long travel by bus. I hate traveling by bus.

We went straight at the stall, I mean the “Church” because it was already past 11 AM. There were seats outside the Church with some people. I assumed that the Church is already full. So we decided to ask if the Church was indeed full. Luckily and a polite woman told us that there are still more seat inside. Then I wondered why people are opting to stay outside and watch the pastor talking on the screen.

So we went into the “Church.” It’s very spacious and yet it is almost full of people. There are people posted to guide you to empty spaces.

The pastor kept on talking as we found our spot. He was standing in a stage with instruments for a band. Seems legit I say for a bar, I mean a Church. At least it was more lighting than a bar has. He had two projectors at his back showing us his topic and sermon. He was dressed quite casually, I mean smart casual. Like a yuppie would. And he gave his sermon in English.

I turned my gaze to the Churchgoers. It seems they are indeed ready for their shopping. They are dressed in many ways, some decent and some just seems to belong to bar atmosphere. They just sit there listening (I hope so), or just staring at the Pastor. And for the first time I realized that no one brings their Bibles to Church. What an abomination to an evangelical setting.

The Pastor was talking about Grace. He talked about grace in the post-modern way conceivable. You can take his words with different meanings. How convenient is that? He talked and talked while I sighed and made side comments to the dismay of people near me. I didn’t care; I was busy evaluating their service and worship. I was able to open my Bible to Ephesians. That was the only page I will open for the rest of the service.

In the end the whole sermon was boring and uninteresting. Though I pricked up my ears when I heard the Pastor saying; that if you get a Nokia 5110, one must surely throw it away. That was the most annoying thing I heard. I mean if you give that to a poor person you will get a big thank you.

Anyways, the sermon ended with a prayer and a song. They sang a different version of Amazing Grace in keeping with the topic. The band started to sing the song again and again while people sang with them with some hands raised. And that was it. The typical thing you see at TV here with less emotions and crying.

Then it all ended as if the movie ended. All got up and all was clean. That left with me with lots of questions and wonders.

This is not a good place to look for God. This is not also a place for the poor. This place is made to make you feel better and to console you that you have done your obligation to go to Church. It was a real disappointment compared to even a Catholic Mass.