St. Luke's Global City Maternity Package

Having your third child, you'd think would be such a breeze. Don't get me wrong having a child is indeed a very special blessing.  An additional family member makes it more fun and challenging.  Bringing up a child is indeed a full time job and entails a lot of responsibility.  Hat's-off to our parents for taking good care of us.

My wife gave birth to our first 2 kids via a Cesarean section, not by choice but by circumstance.  Thankfully, both deliveries were successful without complications. As the days wind down and We are nearing the delivery of our 3rd child We can't help but feel excited at the same time worried about the cost of a Cesarean Section delivery. Every year the cost of maternity care has gone up dramatically. Our first child was born at Manila Doctor's Hospital on 2006 and We ended up paying about Php 70k+, inclusive of professional fees, less Philhealth of course.  Our 2nd child was born at The Asian Hospital in Alabang last 2010. We ended up paying Php 100+, inclusive of professional fees, less Philhealth. Though they offer a maternity package, our Ob-gyne does not like using the medicines included in the package. Expecting an huge increase in the maternity cost We decided to look around for other options.

Thankfully, there is a package available at St. Luke's Medical Center Global City called the WeCare Medical Package.  For Php 98K you can avail of the package w/ 2-Bed Standard (4 Days).  For Php 94K you can also avail of the package w/ 4-bed Standard (4 Days). The WeCare package includes:

a) Use of the delivery room.
b) Post-operative Care.
c) Room and Board accommodation for four (4 Days).
   * However, please note that newborns are roomed-in with the mother.
d) Post-delivery medicines and medical supplies.
e) Medicines and medical supplies for the baby including vaccines such as:
   * Vitamin K
   * BCG
   * Hepatitis B
   * Eye ointment
f) Ancillary services for the baby such as:
   * Newborn screening
   * Hearing Test
g) Professional Fees:
   * Obstetrician
   * Anaesthesiologist
   * Pediatrician

Note: The above package rate must be paid before expected delivery date and at least thirty six
(36) weeks into the pregnancy.

The equivalent Philhealth amount will be computed and deducted after discharge assuming that
there are no additional items consumed.


St. Luke's Medical Center
Rizal Drive Corner 5th Avenue & 32nd Avenue,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines
Tel. No.: (632)789-7700
http://www.stlukesmedicalcenter.com.ph/

The Avengers @ SM Muntinlupa

It must have been a long time since We've gone out and seen a movie.  I can't actually remember the last time We've seen movie.  It's very surprising to see that a lot has changed over the years. Besides the cost of seeing a movie, the technology itself and the whole viewing experience has changed dramatically. Gone are the times when 3D Movies were just shown at selected cinemas and getting a ticket was such a hassle.  Now 3D Cinemas and Movies has become the standard for the ultimate viewing experience. As they say now a days, if it ain't in 3D, it ain't worth seeing.

Since it was a holiday yesterday, We got a chance to catch The Avengers on the big screen.  Though We originally wanted to see The Avengers in 3D, there were too many people lining up to see the movie.  To avoid the long lines We've decided to just watch The Avengers in 2D @ SM Muntinlupa.  Though not as glamorous as the more well known malls and cinemas, the Cinemas @ SM Muntinlupa are relatively new and clean.  For Php 140, We got to see The Avengers in action. Though not as stunning as the 3D version, the visual effects were so good that they looked great, even on 2D.  We took the 11 A.M. 1st screening time, to avoid the long lines.  True enough, We were greeted by a mass of people waiting outside to get their turn at seeing the movie.  Had fun with my wife, the story's plot was not too heavy and worth seeing another time in 3D.

It seems that Access Cards are now in use, instead of the conventional ticketing system.  More cost effective and environmentally friendly as the Cinemas can recycle the cards.  One time viewing per entry also applies.

Check out The Avengers movie schedule here...

Sunday's, Family Day, and The Feast @ Festival Mall Alabang...

My wife and I used to be active members of our local YFC groups at school. It was through our participation in YFC that We first met. All through-out our college years, We were active member of YFC. But work, family responsibilities and daily schedules has greatly reduced our participation. With 2 small kids and another one on the way our interaction with God has also been reduced to daily prayers and going to mass.

Sunday is a very special day for us. As a family We always look forward to our Sunday's. It's the only day in the week were We get together as a family.  It's also the only day in the week were We give 100% attention to the family and opening of our computers and working from home is considered a no-no.  We usually spend our Sunday's going to mass then visiting our parents or eating out together. We were raised as catholics and of course We want to bring-up our children to the catholic faith. Since our kids are still young to go to school and Sunday school is not available in our community, We searched for a group where We could bring our kids so they could interact with other children while learning about the catholic faith...

As faith would have it, somebody introduced us to The Feast in Festival Mall Alabang.  Aside from the celebration of the Mass during Sunday's, they also have a short prayer meeting sponsored by the Light of Jesus Family were you could learn about how you could improve your relationships and the way We look at our lives.  And the also have a Kids Feast for your kids.  So for 3 weeks now, My Family and I have been going to The Feast at Festival Mall Alabang, and it has been a welcomed experience for our family. Going to 

The Feast every Sunday has closer not only to God, but also as a Family. We encourage you to bring your own Families to The Feast at Festival Mall Alabang, it's truly an enriching experience.

Starting March 10,2012 The Feast @ Festival Mall Alabang will be having a new schedule:

Every Saturday:
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Saturday Feast
7:30 pm  - 8:30 pm Anticipated Mass

Every Sunday:
10:30 am - 12:00 nn First Session
12:00 nn - 1:00 pm Mass
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Second Session
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Mass
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Third Session


Check out The Feast @ Festival Mall Alabang
2nd Level, X-Site Entrance, Festival Mall,
Alabang, Muntinlupa City

Living a Healthy Life is a committed choice

I used to take pride in having a fast metabolism.  I could eat anything and do almost any physical activity without even breaking a sweat.  I could play an entire basketball game without being substituted.  Having a 28 inch waist line is a good index of my former physical stature.  But age does have its way of catching up on us.  From 110 lbs., I gradually grew to 165-175 lbs.  My weight gain may not be much for some, but for someone whose weighed less than 100 lbs. most of my adult life the extra weight is quite a burden.   I forgot to take care of myself, I stopped exercising, I ate too much and drank too much of the wrong foods.  It wasn't until I reached the age of 30 that I decided that I didn't want to live like this.  I was diagnosed with pre-hypertension and classified as OB2 on my BMI.  At first I thought of it as a funny joke.  I used to tell myself that it's normal for people of my age to feel this way.  But I found out otherwise.  I felt always tired and sluggish.  I experience all sorts of body pain.  Even going through a flight of stairs became more of a challenge than a daily routine.  Pill popping with all sorts of headache and pain reliever became part of my daily routine and no matter how much sleep I have, I still seem to be always tired. Then I would make a life changing decision that would change my life and the way I live for the rest of my life.  The birth of my second child came with additional responsibility.  If I was having trouble raising one child, how much more 2?  Then I made a committed decision not just for myself, but for my family that I would live a healthy life.  But don't get me wrong the results didn't happen overnight.  It took me almost 2 years to reach my ideal body weight.  There was no magic formula, just a series of steps and rules I set for myself to achieve my goals.  Here are some of the steps I took on my way to a Healthy Life:

1.  I cut down on eating processed foods and drinks. If it's stored in a can, it's definitely not for me.
2. I refrain from drinking alcohol and soft drinks...
3.  I reduced my intake of fatty and oily foods. I try to take in more fruits and vegetables than I usually did.
4.  I don't each junk foods...
5.  I reduced the amount of salt and sugar intake from my diet...
6.  I drink plenty of water whenever I can...
7.  I reduced my pork intake, I normally eat fish and chicken...
8.  I go to sleep early before 10 P.M. and wake-up early around 5-6 A.M. the next day...
9. I walk to wherever I want to go, whenever I can...
10.  I try to get some exercise as much as I can...

As you can see the steps I took in living a healthy life are not new.  I didn't force it upon myself to do it all at a time.  Gradual steps I took daily led me to a healthy and fruitful life. The how is no longer important, if you have a strong enough why.   As of my last annual Physical test, I am now within my normal weight of 150-153 lbs. with no signs of hypertension.  I am living proof that change is possible. I was able to do it so can you...

Technology, the Internet and how Santa made my little boy cry...

Technology and the Internet have played a very important role in shaping the World as We know it and the way We will see the future. No longer is the Internet confined within the 4 corners of our homes and offices. but is now virtually everywhere.  The Internet is now part of our daily lives and has become an effective tool which joins family and friends together even to the far corners of the world. 

Recently, I came upon a website called the Portable North Pole TV (www.portablenorthpole.tv). The website allows you to make a personalized Christmas message for family and friends this Christmas season, personally given by the one and only Santa. The website allows you to make messages for both kids and adults in a fun and whimsical manner.  You can either choose to place someone on Santa's naughty or nice list.  I had loads of fun creating personal messages for my family and friends. Placing them in the naughty list made for lots of laughs as the messages were both witty and funny.  Out of curiosity, I decided to make a personal message for my son and decided to place him on Santa's naughty list.  I wanted to see how much effect Santa has on my little boy.  It was funny the first half as my son fully believed that Santa would grant him his wish this Christmas.  However, as Santa told my son that he was on the naughty list, tears began to flow on my little boys eyes.  Good thing Santa told him that it was still early and he still had some time to get to Santa's Nice boy list. I guess Santa's still got his magic, may it be on person or through the Internet.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All...