At First Came Our Unity, The Rest Is History
Written by: Bryan Alfred Estacio De Guia, RN
Marikina City, Philippines (April 15-28, 2009) — I CAN STILL REMEMBER THE ‘FIRST’ TIME I ENTERED THE HALLS OF ISDFI AND HEAR THE ‘FIRST’ “HI” FROM JM GOING TIPTOE UPSTAIRS THE MOMENT I GRIPPED THE STAIRCASE FOR THE ‘FIRST’ SESSION. “What a nice welcome,” I remarked. Well, you just can’t tell how somebody out of the hand-picked pros spit the first spark of the story that lives on — the tale of the 26 bright young people who took part in the history of diabetes education.
The class comprised 7 Registered Nutritionist-Dieticians, and 19 Registered Nurses. They are mostly sent by doctors to play the role of Prometheus (mythical character who brought fire from the gods to mankind) — as such they would perpetuate the spread of diabetes education all throughout the land.
THE CAST
Take my big brother here, Mike Bacabac, RN — a very bright and frenzied lad. But let me tell you, He’s an avid ISDFI volunteer who’s got the edge on all clinical skills known to diabetes care. By far, he’s got the most experience to the toughest scenes of diabetes care — any question on how a gangrenous foot smells? Go ask him! But I just can’t figure out how he sustained his sky-high fervor for the entire day (I’m serious). He’s totally amazing!
Abigail Atanacio, RND. She’s got all trades of real-life scenes in the world of community nutrition. She’s got the unique ability to verify theories in the context of the real world. I know she’s amazing, but that’s not all; she never ran out of sensible thoughts!
Thierry Asturias, RN — “buen bonita tu aura…” I really don’t know what that is, but this gal is my partner in crime: We handled the same patient but she’s got more than charm to get things done. She’s got all her senses when working things out for her client. She has the diligence to stay foot until the end of the task.
Toni Benabese, RND. That’s my dad! He’s a diligent nutritionist who had the gift of writing things down for future reference — he never missed a single important detail. And all his notes are always useful! Indeed, every bit of it.
Pinky Bueno, RND, Joy Piñon, RND, and Melissa Cabacungan, RND. It’s a trio of silent gals, they’re always discreet, but wait until you hear them spread their thoughts, their insights are cool!
Tess Catacutan, RN and Corinne Ualat, RN are my “two-some hot mama’s.” They’re not usually picky when it comes to tasks, they face everything fearlessly! They are head nurses who came all the way from Pampanga just to heighten their specialty. But beware, they can make you laugh ’till you burst when you’re with them, but let me tell you, they are sweeter than what you think: they could easily sense what I needed before I even know that I need something. Fascinating!
Now meet the “CARDIO-BOYS:” a team of singing folks with amazing: Regz Capua, RN, Eman Diaz, RN, Melvin Mari, RN, Lem Ramal, RN, RM. They can sing out loud and capture the single ladies in a melodic serenade. They’re not singing bees but they’re even sweeter than honey! Not to mention, they’ve got brilliant knock-knock jokes handy!
Jenina Duatin, RND. She’s very reserved at a glance, but on the second thought, she makes a fine comedienne. Also, she’s got a keen sense of discernment: how you feel inside no matter how you mask it with a smiling face. A mother’s sense? Perhaps.
Anzaira Roxas, RN, RM, and Ahn Sacro, RN, RM, are two sophisticated gals who had the unique ability to rationalize everything until they come up with something new. Also they make fine counselors from themselves through their affectionate touch. Also, they are nice to be with: no dull moments.
Rizza Sampaga, RND — a dietician with measuring cups across her head! I once thought she’s a nurse ’cause a nice white cap would suit her. But she exclaimed, “I’m a dietician!” Then I said, “Alright, at least you can wear measuring cups instead, it fits you beautifully.”
Haidee David, RN, Liziel Galanque, RND, together with Hasmin Sescar, RN forms another trio of discreet pixies. But they are really nice people! You can tell by the way they talk and ask you questions when you’re seated next to them.
Mae-An Rivera, RN — a.k.a. “Marian Rivera.” She’s a wonderful gal to sit next with — for one thing, she can break punch-lines slide after slide in each presentation. Well, perhaps that’s her way of picking up the stacks of information and clinging it to her neurons! Then, if that’s her way, I’ll be sitting next to her each time. But I don’t want to her to administer my injections: she makes scary faces with creepy eyes while holding the syringe — you go get the picture!
Alvin Dela Cruz, RN is a silent guy who can’t get enough of staying home so he threw himself to join the club of contenders for the best tickle bone. Indeed, he’s very discreet but wait ’till you get closer: he’s got plenty of funny ideas inside. You know what they say, “silence knows no bounds.”
Ian Recolizado, RND. He’s really assertive and although he doesn’t speak much about himself, he’s a man of actions. You can easily discern what’s on his mind by just reading his actions. But I’m impressed by the way he openly shares anything you ask about him. He just won’t say it on the first place — go ask him.
Ed “Daddy Ed” Mabalot, RN. He’s kinda… serious…(I guess). But on the second thought, He’s got a clown in him. He can make everybody laugh by acting normally. It’s quite uneasy to transcribe how he acts but you may just go look at him for the clear picture! For real, he acts just fine — but he can mysteriously tickle anybody to laughter.
THE RENDEZVOUS
The Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation, Inc. (ISDFI at Marikina City) turned out to be the home where we all started. On the very first day, we all met at the lobby without uttering a single word or even a harsh word to anybody, everybody’s a stranger, everything’s uncertain — but that didn’t last, the long-sitting silence was broken by the astounding “hi” to new aqcuaintances. Then, we paced our way to the second floor to start writing the story of young men and women for diabetes education.
Well, we do have bits of differences: some came from La Union, others from Pampanga, Pangasinan, Bukidnon, Zamboanga, and from other regions across the archipelago. We even speak different indigenous dialects from their respective origin. But otherwise, we speak the same language in diabetes care. “For one thing we’re one, and for the same thing we can make a difference in the life of one” — isn’t that amazing? Country folks are in unison in making a difference in client care.
And so, that’s how it all started. We came from the first encounter, expectant of the best things to come — and all went exclusively fun!
