1. the
Gazette
The Official Publication of St. Elizabeth Hospital Inc.
V O L U M E I I I S S U E V I I J A N U A R Y — A P R I L 2 0 1 1
INSIDE
2. IDEALISTIC OR
REALISTIC. Read what
SEHI now a PHIC ‘Center for Quality’
writer Levien Ledesma
By NEIL ARINZOL, RN
thinks about it.
3. HIGHTECH. Peek at St. Elizabeth Hospital,
the hospital’s newest Inc. successfully upgraded
equipment. its PhilHealth Accredita-
tion from Center of Safety
4. A LOOMING CRISIS. to Center of Quality last
Help fight against child-
March 22-23, 2011.
hood cancer.
―Nabitin talaga kami as
5. RANT OR Dr. Ladio announced the
RESPOND. Writer Ar- partial result, pero na-
gentina Roma tells us a release lahat ng tension
piece of her mind.
nang sinabi na pasado tayo
sa lahat ng area at nabigyan
7. FROM ABC to CAB.
pa ng 100%‖, says Dr. Jesus REGAL. SEHI amidst a scenic landscape.
It’s the new AHA Adult
CPR Guidelines. Veneracion, Medical Direc-
tor of SEH. A two year re intensive evaluation on the management; human re-
8. DID YOU KNOW? -accreditation was award- six key performance areas source management; infor-
Be amazed with some of ed to the hospital. comprised of compliance mation management; and
the world’s fascinating
facts.
The survey team with patient’s rights and safe practice and environ-
spearheaded by Dr. Anto- organizational ethics; pa- ment.
9. COMEDY CORNER. niette Ladio conducted an tient care ; leadership and
Release some happy en-
Turn to Page 6
dorphins as you browse
our collection of hospital
antics. ‘Fastest’ CT scan in town
By ARGENTINA ROMA, RN
True to its mission of est, not just in General
giving quality health care Santos City but in the en-
to all at affordable cost tire SOCSARGEN area.
and offering the latest Unlike the single and
medical facilities, St. Eliza- dual slice CT scan ma-
beth Hospital recently chine, in which the neigh-
purchased the GE Light- boring hospitals are using,
speed QX/I Quad CT the GE Lightspeed QX/I
scanner. Quad CT scanner is a
According to Engr. whole body multi-slice
Jun Mandal Jr., field ser- machine capable of rou-
vice engineer of GE Philip- tine 0.8 second full-360°
pines, this is so far the rotation scans.
first multi slice CT scan
device, perhaps the fast- Turn to Page 7
LIGHTSPEED. The GE lightspeed qx/I Quad CT Scanner.

2. PAGE 2
EDITORIAL what it means to be „quality‟
We all have probably felt that ty‟ entails a huge responsibility.
sense of disappointment when Now we have to maintain - or even
something that we purchased exceed - those high standards of
does not live up to our expecta- quality health care we have shown
tions. It could be that expensive the PHIC inspectors during the in-
meal that doesn‟t even taste spection. No more incomplete
good, a suite with defective air- documentation, no more medical
conditioning, or even poor ser- errors, and no more slacking off.
vice at a prominent hospital. At
the heart of it all, such is the
Our seminar on total quality
notion of quality.
management has taught us that in
order to achieve quality, we do
Recently, our hospital has
things right the first time. It „s
been acknowledged by the
about having the right attitude at
PHIC as center of quality. As we
work and balancing what is ideal
all know, this has been the re-
from real.
sult of almost a year‟s prepara-
tion by both administration and
The tasks ahead of us may
staff alike. And just as we expe-
seem too much to handle. But like
rienced, it was no walk in the
a gem cannot be polished without
park – it was like going through
friction, achievements of men can-
the eye of a needle.
not be perfected without adversity.
We now think it‟s over, it is
not. It‟s only the beginning.
Gaining the title „center of quali- daryl panerio
“What is real is
Idealism vs. Realism in Health Care
By LEVIEN LEDESMA, RN
that there are
All jobs entail differ- what is ideal. But how as time constraints and
thousands of sick can we practice what is lack of material and hu-
ent kinds of responsibili-
ties. A company could go ideal in a world full of man resources. This is
people cramped
bankrupt over a miscal- realities? when realism proves its
inside culated figure, a building This situation is most point.
or a bridge could col- troubling for us new Health care profes-
dilapidated
lapse because of an inac- nurses. We are armed to sionals learn in school
hospitals which curate projection, and a hit the hospital floors when to use sterile tech-
child’s mind could be with what we learned in nique and when to use
have more forever corrupted be- college. Idealism is the clean technique. We
cause of wrong infor- only option; realism is learn in real life that in
patients than
mation taught. With sort of out of the ques- lots of times, clean
cotton balls in health care providers, a tion. We must give pa- works just as fine. Some-
life could simply be put tients the best care pos- times certain situations
their jars …” to an end because of in- sible and that means compel us to deviate
effective delivery of care. practicing what is ideal. from what is ideal, and
In order to avoid these The thing is, ―ideal‖ is
mishaps, they say we not always achievable Turn to Page 6
GAZETTE must always abide with because of factors such

3. VOLUME II ISSUE VII PAGE 3
Pulmonary Department‟s Newest Additions
By DESIREE JOYA GO, RN
The Newport C250 Air
GEM 3500 and C250 are Compressor, the fifth addi-
not robots from the sci-fi tion to the hospital’s artificial
movie, Star Wars; rather respirators, is an ideal air
these are the newest addi- source which provides high-
tions to St. Elizabeth Hospi- flow capability and whisper
tal’s equipment under the quiet operation.
Pulmonary Department. Due to its necessity and
Recently, the hospital demand, the ABG machine
acquired the GEM3500, the and mechanical ventilator
new ABG machine, which were purchased in an effort
could provide Arterial Blood to continually provide our
Gas results for as fast as one customers with fast and reli-
minute. ABG testing is main- able services. Indeed, SEH HIGH-END.
ly used in pulmonology to continually commits itself to
(Above) GEM 3500.
determine gas exchange lev- provide clients with safe and
(Right) Newport C250
els in the blood related to up-to-date equipment in the
lung function. most cost-worthy way.
New ambulance runs more services Clinical Lab OPD on a new face
By MA. LEDA EMERY YUMANG, RN By MADELAINE TORRIJOS, RN MAN
St. Elizabeth Hospital Incorporated recently With the intent of being able to provide excellent
acquired a Nissan Urvan ambulance unit through and quality health care using the latest medical facili-
the initiative and immediate approval of the Medi- ties, St. Elizabeth Hospital, Inc. has been continuously
cal Director, Dr. Jesus C. Veneracion. improving and augmenting its services and amenities.
The newly purchased ambulance is fully Just recently, a separate out-patient department
equipped with automated external defibrillator, of the clinical laboratory has been built. The vibrant
portable suction machine, cardiac monitor and in- color of orange toned by shades of brown greets cli-
tubation set for Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life ents as they enter the room. Situated in front of its
Support services. It has a 15 passenger capacity previous location, the room now serves as their recep-
along with a multi-functioning bed stretcher and tion area where results are released, requests are giv-
will cater distress call within and outside the city. en and specimens for various tests are taken.
―This is another feather on a cap for us. Hope- The CT scan room has also been enhanced and
fully with this and the other ambulance, we can be remodelled. At present, the ultrasound room, the
of service more to our community‖ says Ronald echocardiography room and the heart station are also
Limon, RN, Emergency Room supervisor. being refurbished – all in order to bring that cozy feel
of a hotel room inside the premises of the hospital.

4. PAGE 4
CHILDHOOD CANCER
A Looming Crisis By Levien Ledesma, RN
B
which works to increase survival ness does not only focus on medical
eing diagnosed with rates of children with cancer by re- management, but also includes the
the Big C is one of ducing abandonment of treatment psycho-social support for the child
the most dreadful and reducing the number of chil- and the whole family. You will be
news a patient could receive from dren diagnosed at an advanced touched by some families’ efforts in
his or her doctor. Cancer is not a stage. making their children live as normal-
mere disease. It almost always in- ly as possible (just like in the movie
Fortunately, childhood cancer is My Sister’s Keeper). Kids with cancer
volves prolonged hospital stay, ex-
treatable if detected early as are unable to engage in “normal”
pensive medical treatment, and
preached by experts. We are talking play unlike ordinary kids. Some chil-
emotional distress. Adults afflicted
about such persistent signs as lumps dren even die during their weakened
with this disease experience lots of
in the abdomen, head, neck, glands, state by simply acquiring a cold that
physical, social, financial, and emo-
unexpected fever, weight loss, has evolved or getting hurt in a
tional stress. Children with cancer
bleeding, pallor, fatigue, and aches game. Letting them play outside (as
share the same.
in the bones, back, fractures, head- kids should do) will only increase
Childhood cancer has become aches or change in balance, gait and their chances of acquiring infection
as real as any other disease in the behavior. The treatment of this ill-
Turn to Page 6
country. Available statistics confirm
that childhood cancer has been in-
creasingly snatching the lives of chil- SEHI joins fight against child cancer
dren yet these deaths could have
By DARYL PANERIO, RN
been prevented if all children had
equal access to diagnosis and treat- In its fight against cancer in ―The MPPCN program utilizes all
ment. Some cases reported in the children, the Mindanao Pediatric available resources so that children,
Cancer Care Network especially the indigent, can have access
country were already too late for
(MPCCN) has chosen St. Eliza- to cancer care and treatment,‖ says
medical help. Different factors may
beth Hospital Inc. as one of the Matela.
have caused the delay such as lack key healthcare facilities in Minda- Currently, there are only two
of awareness, financial crisis, and nao to serve as a satellite triage satellite facilities of this kind in Minda-
seeking help from traditional heal- or referral center for pediatric nao: The Davao Regional Hospital
oncology care. and the St. Elizabeth Hospital Satellite
ers.
Dr. Maria Christina Domin- sites. The Central Unit is based at
To address the need for action go, a pediatrician, is the desig- Southern Philippines Medical Center
for the growing number of cases in nated Site Coordinator for the (SPMC) Children’s Cancer and Blood
SEH Satellite. Together with Ms. Diseases Unit (CCDBU).
the country and worldwide, many
Karla Suzanne Matela, a pediatric This latest endeavor of St. Eliza-
foundations have mushroomed to
oncology nurse, they are en- beth Hospital, Inc. in partnership with
help children through their fight trusted to provide immediate Mindanao Pediatric Cancer Care Net-
with cancer. One is the World Child assessment, treatment, and care work aims to provide help and better
Cancer, a very supportive institution or necessary referral to those care for cancer pediatric patients who
children who are suspected to may one day be the future leaders of
have cancer. our community.
GAZETTE

5. VOLUME II PAGE 5
RANT OR RESPOND
W
By ARGENTINA ROMA, RN
e are living in a country which I believe efforts. Worse, when pessimism
is forever struggling. It is an irony that gets in the way, one only then
Filipinos live in a sea of poverty and there’s never a thinks of two options - leaving in
single day that the papers never tackle about crisis search for better hopes or gloomi-
when we are living in a land so blessed. ly staying. But if we only widen
Whenever people look back to the roots of the- our perceptions, we don’t only have two cynical choic-
se difficulties, every soul always just seems to point a es, we have countless upbeat alternatives.
finger on the government. Everyone just seems to It all begins with passion. Love your work. As hard
raise an eyebrow on how crooked the authorities as it may seem, find a dose of inspiration as you carry
have used their power and how biased they set the out your duties. Forget about the monetary rewards
policies of the land. This is imminent in all the unend- or the promotions from your employer. Do things for
ing rallies and protests in the street. The angst of the service. Enthusiastically work and have in mind that
people is evident in the photographs and stories. I you become a blessing neither to just one poor spirit
don’t undermine their criticisms. Yes, it may be true, nor to the institution but also to the world. Think of
but if we look closer at the whole scenario. It is not how you aid in inspiring others with the thought that
the government alone. I believe that we all play a we are all capable of excellence despite pressures.
role on why the nation is sinking. Be grateful you have your job. With the increasing
Oftentimes people choose to rant when hurdled unemployment rate, others are living like a bum at
by complex circumstances. Like complaining over the home. They don’t have a single cent to feed their
sharp thorns that the roses have, most of the time we child’s growling stomach nor to afford lavishness.
grumble each time we never had things the easier Entertain all the faces of life’s beauty. Be positive
way around. We frequently count our discomforts whether you are a nurse, a medical doctor, an office
more than our blessings. We often insist change on staff or a part of the housekeeping. There may be days
how others should live their lives. We often seek for when you work with difficult people. Instead of losing
effortless perfection. We often place the blame on your self-worth or your tolerance, think of them as
what is uncontrolled like fate. The truth is, we are the blessings. Whenever you had an exhilarating and dis-
ones creating our own realities. tressed time over a day’s work, think of them as op-
In the workplace setting like the hospital where portunities for growth. Every time you endure this
things may seem unpredictable and chaotic, there are type of situations, your character is strengthened and
days when you suddenly forget all the reason to you earn an ounce of wisdom.
struggle. There are days when everything just seems Do remember that all the good things you do may
to become a routine or maybe moments you will be sometimes be unrecognized. A warm tap from your
surprisingly stuck into something awful. Sometimessupervisor, a touch from your co-worker and a smile
one may even catch oneself teary eyed after receiving
from the patients may be the best reward we could
a whole lot of complaints from bosses and clients.get from our vocations but situations may not always
You seem seeped out of all your patience and energy
be like fairytales that end up with happily ever after.
There are times that we will not be
It all begins with passion. Love your work. As hard able to reach everything that is ex-
pected of us. But whether compliment-
as it may seem, find a dose of inspiration as you ed or not, just choose to be productive
rather than to entertain pointless negati-
carry out your duties.
vism.
This life may stone us with unending
trying to achieve the demands of your job descrip-
combats but let us always believe that we could all
tion. One may no longer feel inspired with all the
choose to give a better response. If everyone could
challenges and every task may mean another minute
just stop being reactive and be challenged to become
of exhaustion. One may whine how toxic the condi-
proactive amidst all the dilemma then maybe we could
tions are. It is the time when you start to question
get through this tight spot.
whether the situation that you are in is worth all your

6. SEHI now PHIC “Center of Quality”
PAGE 6
From FrontPage
which the assessment summary.
quality of Documents were sub-
healthcare ren- mitted to the Philhealth
dered by Phil- Regional Office (PhRo)
health and its and both institutions
accredited in- agreed on the schedule
stitution and of the survey.
professional
―First, we conducted
healthcare
a General Assembly pat-
providers can
terned after benchbook
be measured.
and then formed differ-
The bench-
ent committees to assist
book has 237
us in complying with the
indicators and 51
set standards‖ says Ms.
of which are core
Evelyn Filoteo, RMT, SE-
(Above) PHIC indicators to achieve.
HI Quality Assurance
In keeping with its The accreditation Officer.
inspectors make
mandate of ensuring qual- started after St. Elizabeth
one of their ity healthcare for all ―We don’t aim for
Hospital, Inc. complied
members, the Philippine passing only the accredi-
rounds at the with the self-assessment
Health Insurance Corpo- tation but we are also
and survey forms con-
ration developed the Phil- striving for excellence,‖
Emergency sisting of self-assessment,
health Benchbook which she concludes.
Room. survey tool, score sheet
serves as a yardstick in and benchbook self-
Idealism vs. Realism From Page 2 Childhood Cancer From Page 4
these situations often happen.
What is real is that there are thousands of sick people and heavy bleeding when wounded. They are
cramped inside dilapidated hospitals which have more pa- just unable to “run around” or “mess around”
tients than cotton balls in their jars (sad but true in most with children their own age. When they are
public hospitals). Unavailable medications, unsanitary envi- under treatment, attending school is deferred.
ronment predisposing patients to nosocomial infection, Generally, kids with cancer are alone for ex-
understaffed departments – these are just some of the
tended periods of time.
things that exist in the real world.
With the above-mentioned realities, it does not mean We should see the faces of these cancer-
that we can give the kind of care less than what the pa- stricken children to fully appreciate what has
tients deserve. It is essential for the health care providers been said in this article. Like what World Child
to learn how to improvise, depending on the availability of Cancer’s motto says, “No child should suffer.”
resources. It is imperative that we try to give the kind of And St. Elizabeth Hospital Inc. supports that.
care that is ―ideally possible.‖ We need to be innovative
and ingenious while bearing in mind the patients’ rights. A sick child’s struggle to put on a smile de-
An idealistic attitude would not hurt a bit, and a real- spite the pain reminds us that hope, even
istic attitude always proves to be helpful at times. And though how meager it already is, never runs
we’ve learned that in providing care to patients, it’s nei- out. Together with the foundation and other
ther absolute Idealism nor realism that should be fol- medical institutions, let us continue to support
lowed, maybe it is something in between. the fight against childhood cancer and not let
that hope go to waste.
GAZETTE

7. VOLUME II ISSUE VII PAGE 7
AHA 2010
ADULT CPR Guidelines
A-B-C is for babies.
By GLYCA MAE DELFIN, RN
A
Here is a step-by-step guide
for the new CPR: 6. Pinch close the nose of the
1. Call for help or ask someone else victim. Take a normal breath,
to do so. cover the victim's mouth with
yours to create an airtight seal,
ccording to statistics, 2. Try to get the person to respond;
and then give two, one-second
about 250,000 people if he doesn't, roll the person on his
breaths as you watch for the
die each year outside of hospitals or her back.
chest to rise.
from coronary heart disease and
3. Start chest compressions. Place
thousands of others drown or are 7. Continue compressions and
the heel of your hand on the center
choked. Despite decades of wide- breaths -- 30 compressions, two
of the victim's chest. Put your other
spread education and course offer- breaths -- until help arrives.
hand on top of the first with your
ings, the survival rate for out-of-
fingers interlaced. People who die outside hos-
hospital cardiac arrest remains a dis-
pitals can be saved if someone
mal 6 percent or less worldwide. This 4. Press down so you compress the
nearby is willing and able to im-
fact prompted the American Heart chest at least 2 inches in adults and
mediately perform CPR until pro-
Association to simplify the steps of children and 1.5 inches in infants.
fessional help arrives. Further-
CPR to make it easier for lay people ''One hundred times a minute or
more, the life that CPR could
to remember. even a little faster is optimal.
help save is most likely that of a
The goal of CPR is to push oxygen 5. If you've been trained in CPR, family member, friend or neigh-
-containing blood to the brain and you can now open the airway with bour.
body when the heart fails to do this a head tilt and chin lift.
vital job. Done effectively with mini-
„Fastest‟ CT scan...
mal delay, CPR can double or triple
the survival rate in people who suffer From FrontPage
sudden cardiac arrest. But in order
for it to be effective, it must be start- This scanner is a wide-bore system that is easy to operate and fea-
ed as soon as the victim collapses. tures predefined protocols that performs a wide variety of applications
For every minute without CPR, sur- fast and efficiently while delivering exceptional comfort to the patients.
vival chances fall 7 to 10 percent. With these new features, it would be easier to handle claustrophobic
Last October 18, 2010 a new and restless patients, lessening their fear and trauma.
guideline was released by the Ameri- This CT scanner has the power to tackle 3D imaging as well as dis-
can Heart Association recommending
play different images simultaneously in real-time. The scanner allows
that the three steps of cardiopulmo-
many exams to be performed in seconds, and can reconstruct multiple
nary resuscitation (CPR) be rear-
ranged. The new first step is doing slice thickness from just one data acquisition. It is designed to produce
chest compressions instead of first optimal image quality, image reconstruction, filming, archiving, network-
establishing the airway and then do- ing and display.
ing mouth to mouth. The new guide- In addition, images can be printed on a compact disc for perusal by
lines apply to adults, children, and the patient or the medical consultants—a feature uncommon for most
infants but excluding newborns. The CT scanners.
new way is C-A-B -- for compres-
sions, airway, and breathing. The key The speed and fast acquisition time of the CT scanner will provide
to saving a cardiac arrest victim is increased comfort and satisfaction not just for patients but also for the
action, not assessment. physicians as well.

8. PAGE 8
did U know?
BIG HEART
The heart of a blue whale is the size of a small car.
Burn that calorie!
Doing jumping rope for one hour can burn you
400 calories whereas playing basketball
Better than coffee can burn you only 380 calories. Are you a
sleepy head? Worry not. Sleeping for an
Apples are more effective in waking you up in
hour can actually burn you 90 calories.
the morning than caffeine.
Who says it’s ‘three’?
Nowhere in the Bible does it say there were three wise men – Matthew 2:1
only says: “Magi from the east came to Jerusalem” and later they present
three gifts.
Contagious Habit
55% of people yawn within 5 minutes of seeing someone else
yawn.
More than enough
A square piece of dry paper cannot be manually fold-
ed in half more than 7 times.
Hard to kill
A cockroach can live for nine days without its head. It dies because of hunger—not because of its
missing head.
Golden Opulence Sundae
The most expensive desert in the world is served at Serendipity 3 in the Upper East
Side of Manhattan. It costs $1,000 or P45, 000 (If $1= P45) and was credited by
Guinness Book World of Record as the most expensive dessert in their 2004 re-
lease. The dessert is made up of 5 scoops of Tahitian vanilla ice cream, Madagas-
car vanilla, 23K edible gold leaf, and Amedei Porceleana, the most expensive
chocolate in the world.
GAZETTE

9. VOLUME II ISSUE VII PAGE 9
They say laughter is the best medicine. So why not start your day
with a healthy dose of hospital anecdotes?
Defective Straw
When a nurse was serving snacks for hemodialysis patients, one old patient Viral Chicken
complained after having a hard time sipping.
Watcher 1: “Sin-o pasyente mo?”
“Usa man ning straw?” the patient grumbled. “Dili makasuyop sa kape.” Watcher 2: “Bata ko nag-chicken pops.”
The nurse smiled, then replied, “ Nay, stirrer man gud na.”
- KC
- Erick Von
Unwanted Coffee
Long-time Lovers Whose Blood Is It?
Two watchers talking.
A nurse was interviewing a patient‟s watcher. In one nurses‟ notes entry, it
was written: W1: “Ipa-xray daw to si kuya.”
Nurse: “Nay, unsa civil status ni tatay?”
W2: “Ngaa man daw haw?”
Watcher: “Dugay naman kami mag girlfiend kag boy- “Blood confusion started;
friend” monitored pt. for reactions.” W1: “Nagsuka bi siya kagina
- Ms. Gina - Chloe coffee bean. Kaduha gid.”
Labor Seduction
By Mouth
A conversation accidentally heard from a watcher and a mother who just had a delivery.
Nurse: “Doctor, may i clarify
Watcher: “Kumusta ang labor mo? Paspas man?”
your order for diet? Low salt
Patient: (with all the facial expression) “Grabe kasakit! Dugay-dugay tana magawas. Kapila low fat po?
pa ko GI-SEDUCE ni doc para lang muggawas si baby.”
Doctor: “Yes.”
- Kathleen F. Nurse: “P.O.?”
Do Not Resuscitate -DJR
Scared Situation
Nurse: "Doctor, Mr. L's blood
A patient was very anxious when the doctor told him
pressure is now 86/55."
he needed incision and drainage. Later, a nurse ap- Faithful
proached him to have him sign a consent, he asked Doctor: “Ok, start dopamine.”
“Nurse dili ba na siya delikado ang I&D?” An elderly woman and some
Nurse:“Uh… Actually, doctor,
others were rushed at the ER
“Okay ra man na sir. Dili man na kaayo kumplikado the relatives had already signed
due to a vehicular accident at
nga procedure,” the nurse replied. DNR.”
a nearby locality. All of them
“Bitaw noh,” said the patient feeling relieved. were identified except for the
- Doc Roj
elderly woman who was lying
“Sir, naa unta koy papirmahan nimo,” the nurse went in a stretcher, bloodied, and
on. “Consent ni siya nga in-case naay mahitabo nimo Aging Recovery
eyes closed with both hands
sa OR, Dili ka na namo kargo.” A 40 year-old patient was hos- neatly placed on her stomach.
- DSP pitalized due to some condi-
Alarmed, an ER personnel
tion that caused her face to immediately went by her side
Breathing Techniques swell. On the third day, during and tried to see if she was
the nurses’ rounds, one of my conscious but there was no
During one of our rush hours at the ward where I am
fellow nurses led her to be- answer. Again and again the
a nurse, I heard one of my fellow nurses trying to
lieve that she was finally re- personnel tried to wake her
calm a hyperventilating patient. “Madam, I want you
up.
to breathe in and out,” she intoned. “In and out— covering when she excitedly
dahan-dahan lng po—in and out.” announced, “Hala mam, dili At last, the woman opened
Anxiously, the patient, still out of breath, replied, “May na kayo hubag imong nawong one eye, irritated, and an-
ibang paraan pa ba?” kay nanggawas na ang imu- swered, “Paghilom usa dong
hang mga wrinkles.” kay nagapangadyi pa ko.”
-Anonymous
-Visual Vanity -Frances Y.

10. THINK ABOUT IT! Editor in chief: DARYL PANERIO, RN
Associate Editor: LEVIEN GAIL LEDESMA, RN
The Starfish Story Managing Editor: CZAKEI FAYE PATIÑO, RND
By LOREN EISLEY
O
Circulation Editor: JOANN SIENES, RN
ne day a man was walking along the beach News Editor: NEIL ARINZOL, RN
when he noticed a boy picking something up
Features Editor: FRANCIS JOSEPH FAELDONIA, RN
and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you do- Layout Artist: DARYL PANERIO, RN
ing?”
The youth replied, “Throwing a starfish back into Juvie maY bonifacio
the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I
don’t throw them back, they’ll die.” Photojournalist: Carlotta garcia
“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are
miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can’t make a difference!” Editorial Consultants
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked
up another starfish, and threw it back into the MARIA HELENA VENERACION-GARCIA , MD
surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said… &
“I made a difference on that one!”
RONALDO VENERACION, MD
The Scorpion Moment Contributors/Researchers
T
MANUEL CABANGBANG, RN
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
MADELAINE TORRIJOS, RN
here was this Hindu who saw a scorpion FRANCIS FAELDONIA, RN
floundering around in the water. He decid-
ed to save it by stretching out his finger, but the MAE LOMBOY, RN
scorpion stung him. The man still tried to get the
scorpion out of the water, but the scorpion stung FRANCES NOELLE YAPHOCKUN, RN
him again. KATHLYN CHLOE FONTANILLA, RN
A man nearby told him to stop saving the scor-
pion that kept stinging him. MA. EVELYN FILOTEO, RMT
But the Hindu said: "It is the nature of the
scorpion to sting. It is my nature to love. Why BENJAMIN TORRIJOS, DVM
should I give up my nature to love just because it
ALLAN FENEQUITO
is the nature of the scorpion to sting?"
Don't give up loving. MARK REUBEN ARAT, RN
Don't give up your goodness.
Even if people around you sting. ERICK VON FREDELUCES, RN
Smile’s Encouragement
The GAZETTE
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
A
All Rights Reserved.
friend once told me a story about a man who had grown
tired and weary of his life. One gloomy day, he decided to
jump at a nearby bridge to commit suicide. While on his way,
he told himself that if ever he would meet one smiling person on
the way, he would turn back from doing his foreboding task.
But the story did not end as to whether the man had com- St. Elizabeth Hospital Inc.
mitted suicide or not. However it posed a single question—one National Highway
of those uncanny questions that pop out in the mind every now Cor. Santiago Boulevard
and then, “If that man had met you, would he have continued General Santos City
on his task of jumping off the bridge and commit suicide?”
(083) 552-3162
Well, would he?