Discovering your potential thru AIESEC, a global student organization

During my early college years in a university when I was still not connected to the healthcare field, a student organization caught my attention. It was very visible in that university and the members always had activities.

That organization was AIESEC.

AIESEC is a global platform for the youth to discover their true potential. It is a non-profit organization run by students and recent graduates of institutions of higher education. When you talk of AIESEC, you associate it with leadership and management.

Watch the video below to know more about AIESEC...

Cool, isn't it? Perhaps you want to join this group. If there are still questions regarding this group, just visit the following links...

AIESEC website

AIESEC Cebu Facebook page

Email: rhyle.sayat@aiesec.net

RAFI, greening back Cebu, then the Philippines

Recent events have shown the vulnerability of the Philippines to the ill effects of climate change. Flooding and landslides have done considerable damage to life and property in various parts of the country. And the effects are worsened with continuing loss of forest cover.

According to the environmental science news site Mongabay.com, the Philippines lost a third of its forest cover between 1990-2005 endangering not just humans but more especially the indigenous wildlife that depend on it.

Luckily, an organization from Cebu is bringing back the green in the environment, taking the lead, not just in preserving our forest but in making them --- the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. or RAFI.

RAFI is a family-based social development foundation founded by Don Ramon Aboitiz in 1966. It began as a philanthropic undertaking supporting the causes of charitable groups. 

Continuing what Don Ramon started was Eduardo, Don Ramon’s son, who institutionalized RAFI, making it a people-oriented, social development organization.

RAFI's vision is “Touching People, Shaping the Future” and it is working towards “elevating lives through a comprehensive approach that champions best practices in community development. RAFI has five focus areas of its programs and services, namely, Microfinance and Entrepreneurship, Culture and Heritage, Leadership and Citizenship, Education, and Integrated Development.

The GREENIN Philippines Program of RAFI which stands for Generation Redemption and Expansion of Natural Resources Initiatives Philippines Program is geared towards the advocacy of protecting and rehabilitating the environment with Cebu as starting point. This program includes tree-planting activities however they are not of the traditional kind.

For one, the program uses native trees for forest development to help restore the country’s natural heritage, native wildlife species and local endangered tree species.

Prior to tree-planting, potential areas are surveyed and studied to determine which tree species would likely succeed to grow. With running as a sport currently popular in Cebu, tree planting activities have been preceded by a fun run.

To ensure that the planted seedlings grow to become forests, post-planting activities and follow-ups like the Run to Take Care were done with the guidance of forestry experts and the cooperation of local government units, volunteers and those who originally planted the seedlings. Others like Adopt-a-Mountain and the Tree that Binds, a social networking approach that gives “tree owners” the chance to communicate about their tree growing activities and progress are lined up as well.

For its efforts in restoring the health of the environment, RAFI has tapped various sectors of society.

It partnered with local government units (LGUs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), schools, youth leaders, hotels, mountaineers, bloggers, and business groups among many others to help develop forests in areas under the program. And many have responded to the call.

To support the forest development initiative, native tree nurseries are established where seedlings are maintained not only in RAFI’s main nursery but also in qualified satellite nurseries in the localities. These nurseries become sources of quality native tree seedlings for the different tree planting activities.

To encourage wider participation of the public in the conduct of seedling production and subsequent planting in the barangays even outside Cebu, RAFI has tied with the Department of Interior and Local Government’s Billion Trees Program. And RAFI continues to look for more partners in this particular advocacy as they upscale this collaborative program nationwide.

RAFI's advocacies including that for greening is worth the support of the students and the youth sector.

To know more about RAFI and its other projects and initiatives, visit http://rafi.org.ph/.

Cebu Blog Camp 3: Being Part of a Community

I have joined Cebu Blog Camp in the past. What is nice about the blog camp is that you get to meet other bloggers. I belong to Cebu Bloggers' Society and Cebu Blog Camp is an occasion where I have the opportunity to meet bloggers outside the Cebu Bloggers' Society. It makes me feel that I belong to a big community of bloggers.

This year, I expect to meet more bloggers and would-be bloggers. It is a holiday and the number of people appreciating social media even more (including blogs) is becoming larger.

And of course, the topics are always interesting. This year the topics center around the theme "Building Blogging Communities".

Included in tomorrow's program are the following topics:

• The Rise of Google Communities - Fleire Castro
• E-commerce and the community - Clarissa Briones
• Community Branding: Globe Tattoo Community - Coy Caballes
• The Extraordinary Individual - Anthony Gomez
• Empowering your Community - Ruben Licera Jr.
• Becoming a Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur - Janette Toral

Be part of a community. REGISTER NOW here ---> http://www.cebublogcamp.com/the-event/registration/

Join the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Cebu Run 2012

The above is the singlet for the GK Cebu Run 2012. Cool isn't it? But what is more cool is if you really get to join this running event on November 25, 2012 with the gunstart of the first category at 4:30 AM.

Perhaps you have heard of GK or Gawad Kalinga already. It is a "global movement that aims to build communities for the poor". There are currently 16 GK communities in Cebu and over 2,000 communities all over the Philippines.

In taking part of this run, you can help more communities and spread awareness of GK's cause.

The run will be held in Parkmall, Mandaue City with several categories like 3K, 6K, 12K and 21K with registration fees of P300, P400, P500 and P600 respectively. Below is the GK run route map:

Be a hero and run for a cause. Run for GK Cebu! Registration is from 1:00pm to 8:00pm daily at RUNNR, Ayala, right across Timezone/Sbarro, and TOBY’S, U/G Floor, SM, beside ACE Hardware.

You may check also out the fbpage at www.facebook.com/gkceburun2012 for more information.

Social Good Summit Cebu on September 22: Using Social Media for Social Change

Social Good Summit organized by Mashable is a 3-day conference from September 22-24 with a shared goal of "unlocking the potential of new media and technology to make the world a better place, and then to translate that potential into action."

In Cebu City, the Social Good Summit Cebu is organized by the Cebu Bloggers Society and will be held on September 22, 2012 from 8:30 AM to 12:00 NOON at the Marcelo Fernan Cebu Press Center, Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City. The focus of the discussions is using social media to bring about social change as well as promote responsible use of social media.

This local event will be highlighted by talks or discussions which may prove useful especially to students who among other groups are more commonly engaged in social media. Topics include "State of the Social Media Scene in Cebu", "Social media Responsibility Defined", "Inspiring Change through Blogging and Social Media", "Social Movement via Social Media", "Impact of Social Media Influencers in Social Media" and "Social Media Engagement, Ethics and Legal Issues."

Another highlight also will be the launching of Cebu Bloggers Society's "ActNow Campaign", a special website where anyone could make a difference headed by CBSi Outreach Committee, Jaysee Pingkian.

For those interested to participate in this event, you may register here.

Let us use social media for good. Attending this event is a good start.

August 2012 Physician Board Exam Results Released

The PRC has just released the results of the August 2012 doctors' or physicians' licensure exam with most of the top ten examinees coming from University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila) and University of Santo Tomas (UST).

Top ten as posted in the PRC website

Among medical schools in Cebu, Cebu Institute of Medicine got the highest passing rate at 98.28% with 57 board passers (based on what was released by PRC) followed by Cebu Doctor's University College of Medicine with 93.02% out of 43 total examinees.

It is to be noted that some exam takers may have filed an application to take the exam but did not actually take the exam which could affect the passing rates mentioned.

Search for Most Outstanding CIM Alumni or MOCA 2012

by: Henry Yu, MD

The Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) in its objective of seeking to give recognition to exceptional and outstanding achievements of its graduates is now accepting nomination for the Most Outstanding CIM Alumnus Award (MOCA) .

 

The MOCA Award envisions to give recognition to the alumnus whose exceptional achievements in the art and science of medicine fall under any of the following categories:

1.     The achievements are widely perceived to have benefited a large segment of society or the community.

2.     The achievements are unique in nature and have contributed to the better understanding of a disease and/or its control.

3.     The achievements are of lasting significance and have resulted in changes in current perception of medical practitioners.

4.     The achievements represent years of dedicated service.

5.     The achievements are recognized by his/her peers either locally, nationally or internationally.

6.     The achievements are shining examples to all alumni and students of the Cebu Institute of Medicine.

 

Any individual, public or private entity, organization and association, may nominate one or more alumni for the award by filling up for each nominee the nomination form which is available at the Dean’s Office, Cebu Institute of Medicine, Cebu City. Any alumnus of CIM may be nominated. For further details, you may call: (032)-253-7412 or (032)-253-3124.

PSMID Midyear Convention 2012 in Cebu A Success

More than 300 people comprised of nurses, medical technologists and physicians including municipal health officers and other doctors from various parts of the country attended the successful 9th PSMID Midyear Convention held last July 5-6, 2012 at the Waterfront Cebu Hotel.

The theme of the convention was "X-pose of X-plosive weaponry against X-tremely dangerous bugs". It was hosted by the PSMID Cebu chapter.

In the superhero-inspired convention, the topics included (but was not limited to the following):

• Batman Begins: Community-acquired infections in metamorphosis.
• X-Bugs First class: Multi-drug-resistant bugs
• Mystique: Cutting Edge Beauty (Dealing with Infectious Risks in the Quest to be the Fairest)
• The Avengers: Tackling HIV Chronicles

Speakers from various specialties and locations include Dr. Mediadora Saniel, Dr. Jaime Montoya, Dr. Roentgene Solante, Dr. Elizabeth Nuqui, Dr. Raul Destura and Dr. Michael Lloyd Towns among many others.

One of the highlights of the convention was the presentation of the latest figures in Cebu regarding HIV and the "Creative" Session on Pediatric Infectious Controversies and Dilemmas.

Unilab Ideas Positive Finalists undergo social marketing bootcamp

Here is an update of the Unilab Ideas Positive this year.

12 finalists have already been chosen with seed money of P100,000 each. In preparation for the implementation of their respective projects, teh finalists underewent a social marketing bootcamp at the Unilab Bayanihan Center in Mandaluyong City recently.

The teams are the following:

1. Focusing on the problem of malnutrition through fun and innovative ideas are: 
   1. Team Five for Life (Metro Manila), 
   2. Tamang TEAMpla (Metro Manila),
   3. Team Kabataang Katipuneros (Iloilo City) and 
   4. Team Green Label (Davao City)
2. Focusing on the improvement of hygiene practices of native settlers are:
1. Team Ba (Baguio City)
2. Team FNEC (Bicol)
3. Taking on the challenge of environmental preservation and care:
1. Team Protogenia (Batangas)
2. Team W.A.Y.A. (Iloilo City)
4. Seeking to establish cleanup efforts for their rivers are:
1. Team Matalaw (Batangas) and 
2. Team JEYTUDITUSI (Cavite)
5. Developing water-filtering systems are:
1. Team Bang (Cebu) and 
2. Team Transit (Cebu)

Social marketing bootcamp

As part of their learning adventure, the students spent time with the country’s best industry

practitioners: social marketing guru Dr. Ned Roberto, social entrepreneurs Mark Ruiz,

Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, Jayson Lo, Krie Reyes-Lopez and Chit Juan, and creative and

communication strategist Peachy Pacquing. Dr. Ivanhoe Escartin of the DOH National Center

for Health Promotion gave the students an overview of the country’s health and wellness

landscape. 

Meanwhile, social marketing consultants and academicians Harvey Keh, Ma.

Christine Reyes and Dr. Sylvia Claudio, among others, dug into the implementation details

of the students’ projects to ensure smooth rollout. Social advocate Jay Jaboneta and award-

winning director Jim Libiran also inspired the participants with their stories of their own

advocacies.

The teams were also brought to the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Enchanted Farm in Bulacan to witness

social marketing and innovation in action, led by a talk by GK Founder and President Tony

Meloto.

Previous Unilab Positive Ideas winners also shared about their bootcamp and project implementation experience.

Looking forward to implementation

In the next six months, all 12 student teams will be implementing their projects in their

respective communities, mentored by social marketing practitioners from around the country.

From the 12, the five most successful youth teams in project implementation will advance to the

finals for a chance to become the Unilab Ideas Positive 2012 grand winner.

For more information on the event and each team’s progress, visit www.Facebook.com/

Unilab.IdeasPositive and www.unilabideaspositive.com.

“Unilab Ideas Positive was developed to create meaningful change towards the nation. We

seriously take our role as a health and wellness company in building the nation, which is the

reason behind the nationwide expansion of the program this year,” - Unilab Ideas Positive program lead Barry Barrientos.

Reasons why you should consider buying a Nokia Lumia smartphone

No question, Nokia is a global leader in mobile communication and has become part of millions of people's lives. It is known for durable mobile phones also like the iconic 5110. With the entry of smartphones, Nokia has also started to adapt while still offering quality Symbian lines of cellphones.

Nokia's latest line of mobile phone is the Lumia series of smartphones, a Windows Phone and there are many reasons why you should consider buying this phone:

1. It's more fun with Nokia. (The design and the colors, especially). The Lumia series has a distinctive profile with finely beveled metallic edges. It has just the right thickness and size and comes in colors of magenta, cyan, white and black. Browsing in the web is convenient as theya re equipped with Internet Explorer 9. Nokia Lumia 710 is a trendy unit that features swappable covers and changeable homescreen colors.
2. The features considering the price. The Nokia Lumia 610, which is the entry level smartphone for example, has a suggested retail price of just Php 10,980. At that price, it already provides intant access to social networks and brings contacts from various social networking and email accounts into one place. It also comes with Nokia Maps and Nokia Drive which doesn't need the internet for it to be useful.
3. The large display and sensitivity of the touch screen. The unit responds well to touch unlike other smartphones and the display is clear. The Nokia Lumia 800 for example, features a 3.7-inch AMOLED ClearBlack curved display blending seamlessly into its sleek body.
4. Large internal user memory of 16GB for the Nokia Lumia 800 plus SkyDrive storage of 5GB.
5. Instant-share camera experience wherein media like images and videos can be shared to your social networks in just one click and in as fast as 20s seconds. Not to mention the Carl Zeis optics technology in Nokia Lumia 800.
6. Availability of plans. The Lumia 800 is avaialable to Globe subscribers, free at Unlisurf Plan 1799. Lumia 710 with Smart postpaid data plan 1000.
7. The chance to fly all over the Philippines for free with Nokia Lumia. If you buy from May 18 to June 15, 2012 at a participating slect Nokia, Globe, Smart stores and retail outlets nationwide, you can have a chance to explore the country AS MUCH AS YOU WANT without having to worry about spending a large amount for the airfare. Yes baby. You have the chance to win unlimited Philippine Airline (PAL) flights.

Mechanics for the contest:

1. One you have your Lumia, retrieve its IMEI number by typing #*06# on your homescreen. 
2. Then text I CAN LUMIA /
   / and send to 2960 for Globe and Smart subscribers. This will serve as your entry to the grand electronic raffle on June 17, 2012 where 100 lucky Nokia Lumia users will win UNLIMITED ROUNDTRIP PAL flights within the country!

For more information, you may visit www.nokia.com.ph or www.facebook.com/nokiaphilippines.

SRP for Nokia Lumia is Php 10,980. For Nokia Lumia 800 is Php 23,500. The Nokia Lumia 900 is set to arrive in the Philippines in June 2012.

At least 22 Museums and Heritage Sites participating in RAFI's 2012 Gabii sa Kabilin on May 25

You got it right, 22 museums and heritage sites.

Each year, there are more of them participating. Thus there is more to look forward to in this year's Gabii sa Kabilin or Night of Heritage.

It will be from 6 PM to 12 midnight. With one ticket just worth 150 pesos, one can choose to visit any of the following cultural heritage sites or museums:

1. Aboitizland Heritage Pocket
2. Alternative Contemporary Arts Studio (ACAS)
3. Ayala Center Cebu Cinema and The Terraces
4. Basilica Minore del Santo Niño through the Santo Niño de Cebu Augustinian Social Development Foundation (SNAF)
5. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Museum
6. Cathedral Museum of Cebu
7. Casa Gorordo Museum
8. Cebu City Museum
9.Cebu Normal University (CNU)
10. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
11. College Assurance Plan (CAP) Theater
12. Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple
13. Fort San Pedro
14. Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum
15. Mandaue City Plaza
16. Museo Parian sa Sugbo
17. Museo Sugbo
18. Plaza Independencia
19. Sacred Heart Parish Church
20. University of San Carlos Museum
21. University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Rizaliana Museum
22. Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House


Museum goers can choose to ride a tartanilla (Pinoy horse-drawn carriage) or buses designated for the
event which is paid for already by the same 150-peso ticket.

I am sure this will be another exiting edition of the Gabii sa Kabilin which will not feature the usual museum exhibits but also local food and music among many other heritage items.

So what are you waiting for? Everyone, tourist and Cebuanos, especially the local youth and students should grab this chance to know Cebu more. Reserve a slot now.

LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PARENTS

Guest post by:  Dr. Henry Yu

April 26, 2012

 

 

Dear Parents of the Graduates,

 

Today, I join you in thanking God for this significant milestone in the lives of your children, as graduates of the Cebu Institute of Medicine. 

Truly, the road to becoming what your children are today has never been easy. I am a witness to that. It entailed long years of study, rigid academic training and discipline, lots of stresses, burn-outs and fatigue brought about by a smorgasbord of exams that they have to hurdle in order to be able to graduate.

 

As you look back to your children’s medical journey at CIM, give time to pause and ponder and realize that it is only in looking back that you will come to appreciate and put value to what they have gone through, to what they have done, to what they have achieved, and be happy about.

 

Today is indeed a reason to celebrate. And I share your feelings of joy, pride and fulfillment – of seeing a dream come true. I am one with you in thanking God Almighty for giving your children the honor and privilege of finally finishing their M.D. degree. To God be the glory.

 

Again, I join you in this celebration of a lifetime. Congratulations. Godbless.

 

 

Very sincerely yours,

 

Henry L. Yu, M.D.

Live, Work, Play at the NEW Ayala Center Cebu

Want to discover the new look of Ayala Center Cebu while getting the chance to win cool prizes like a 3 days 2 nights trip for two to Hongkong Disneyland?

Then here's how:

The promo is from April 25 to May 13, 2012 and is open to Cebu residents currently residing in Cebu, Philippines.

Pictures of the winners will be posted on Ayala Center Cebu's Facebook album named "Live Work Play Grand Winners".

The rest of the detailed mechanics is in this link or go to Ayala Center's Facebook Page.

GT Cosmetics has a new celebrity endorser

GT Cosmetics is an emerging proudly Cebuano company offering a line of beauty products that leave women, mostly students, wanting for more.

Among their best sellers are the GT Bleaching Soap and the GT Carrot Soap. These are products that my wife also uses and she is satisfied with them.

And GT just keeps getting bigger and better as it is sold in big stores and malls and is expanding its operations to areas outside the Visayas.

College students are among their loyal customers and word of mouth has helped perhaps with consumers satisfied with the products' results. No wonder that beautiful college students were among its early endorsers.

During the Visayas Blogging Summit last November 2011, participants lined up to have a picture taken with GT's College student endorser, a very lovely lady with GT (Gandang Tunay) characteristics.

This year, GT is taking one step higher by introducing its first celebrity endorser. Clue?

She recently played a lead role in a local indie film.

She is a weekend TV show host and occasionally has appearances in a morning TV show.

She is none other than....

PHOEBE KAYE FERNANDEZ!

 Phoebe Kaye was introduced to the media last March 30, 2012 as GT Cosmetics' first celebrity endorser at Cabalen Restaurant SM City Cebu.

Isn't she the perfect fit for GT Cosmetics?

Velez graduate tops the March 2012 Medtech Board Exams

I am all smiles again. Wow!

Just one Board Exam ago, I have a former student who placed second in the medical technology boards whom I interviewed for Yahoo Philippines Cebu Kini blog.

Then a graduate of my medical school alma mater, Cebu Institute of Medicine took top 2 in the latest Physician Board exams.

Then I have another former student in Velez College ranking top one in the March 2012 Medical Technology Board Examinations out of the 533 who passed. He is none other than Vincent Edouard Anthony Retardo Gullas of the famous Gullas clan. Congratulations to him and the Gullas family!

Press Release: CBSI@4 - It's More Fun in CBSi

“Individually, we are a drop.  Together, we are an ocean.” ~ Ryunosuke Satoro

There is only one blogging group in Cebu that continues to thrive in reshaping the online publishing norm in the locality, and introduces a new form of media to the locales, bringing citizen journalism and independent online publishing to the next level.  Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc. empowers the common people to know their rights and capabilities toward information dissemination which also changes the way they consume them.

A Simple and Fun Dinner for CBSi’s 4^th Year of Promoting Cebu

Cebu Bloggers Society Inc. will be celebrating its 4^th anniversary on February 11, 2012 at Azkals Sports Bar and Grill.  This dinner celebration is a get-together party among old members and new ones.

CBSi has grown from a mere bloggers’ group to an incorporation headed by leaders who organized huge social media events like Visayas Blogging Summit and online celebrations like World Bloggers’ Day.

In its 4^th year, CBSi is still true to its commitment to the Queen City of the South – promoting the Cebuano culture and the city’s diversities both offline and online.

In lieu with this year’s theme – It’s More Fun in CBSi, the organization aims to bring more fun to its members by creating events and activities that would benefit them as bloggers and as individuals.

Fun and Bonding through the Years

Since CBSi’s creation four years ago, there have been countless testimonials from members published on their blogs on how great and fun it was spending time and working with the growing CBSi family.

From attending the US Election Watch on 2008, being interviewed in radio and TV shows, to organizing and doing outreach activities like helping the poor fire victims through gift giving and staging a mini-concert, teaching students in mountainous areas on how to use a computer to feeding the less fortunate and abandoned elders and children.  It’s always more fun and heartwarming doing all these activities with the CBSi family.

“Cebu Bloggers Society Inc. is more than an organization for me, it is a family of different kinds of people but of the same bloodline, blogging. In CBSi, we don’t see each other as competitors, instead as brothers and  sisters who might need help in their corresponding fields or who can help the family (organization) grow into a more organize and respectable blogging institution. As a founder, I am so blessed that CBSi has gained such name and is patrionized by members who make working in the group more fun and enjoyable.”, stated Mark M. Monta, Founder of Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc.

Aside from outreach activities, and fun-filled events by invitations, CBSi has also organized various events that tighten the bond between its members like the Wild CBSi Camp Out in Busay, World Bloggers’ Day Offline Celebration here in Cebu, the CBSi 2010 Election Coverage, the Filipino Blogosphere and Political Participation Forum, and most recently the 2^nd Visayas Blogging Summit, one of the largest social media summits in the country.

CBSi, along with its current set of leaders and active roster of new and old members, will be more visible in Cebu’s online scene, rocking 2012 and the blogosphere, enjoying one another’s company while having more fun and glam.

Cebu Bloggers Will be Checking In at Azkals Sports Bar and Grill

Azkals Sports Bar and Grill’s foursquare map on February 11 will surely be filled with black dots as members of CBSi would simultaneously check in for their 4^th anniversary dinner celebration.  The whole CBSi gang would surely love to fill their foursquare page with fun photos and comments.

Visit Cebu’s newest and coolest hang out place at Treehouse Bldg, Ramon Aboitiz St, Cebu City. (right next to backgate of St.Theresa’s College). They are open Mondays through Thursdays at 4PM – 1AM and Fridays to Saturdays at 4PM to 3AM.  For reservation contact them through these numbers: +639153433251 / +63 32 2391967, or email them at azkalssportsbarandgrill@gmail.com.

Visit their Facebook Fanpage here.