The Grand Prix Experience: Third Night Shift

BEYONCE CONCERT

My third night shift is over! Hooray!Only seven night shifts are remaining for me here at Yas Island where the first ever Formula One race in Abu Dhabi is being held.

Last night’s shift was busier than the previous two shifts. That was because last night was the concert night for BEYONCE KNOWLES. Thousands of people flocked to the concert venue. I was not able to watch her sing but I got to see the crowd as our service shuttle passed by the main entrance gate on our way to our tent hospital.

The day staff were able to watch part of the concert, as they went straight to the venue right after their shift. Shame, we missed that part of our stay here.

But hey, I came here for work! The action at the field hospital was something I shouldn’t miss. Our patients last night were basically coming from the audience at the concert venue. Apparently, the stores inside the venue ran out of water and soft drinks, and only beers and alcoholic beverages were left on the shelves. So some basically got dehydrated, especially those who were at the venue early in the afternoon. We received patients who collapsed, who had abdominal pains, and even neck pains!

I heard that a famous Arabic band is performing tonight after the Formula One race. I wonder when Aerosmith is performing? Tomorrow, I suppose. I haven’t checked the schedules. But it does not interest me now, coz I can’t watch concerts on these bloody night shifts.

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Night staff early morning snap: Me in brown scrubs

BIGGEST TENT HOSPITAL?

The initial plan for our tent field hospital was a 50-bedded facility, which could treat emergency cases and could do emergency surgery (we have one operating room). This was the picture during my first night shift.

On my second night shift, the bed capacity increased by 40 – so that made the tent hospital a 90-bedded facility. It seemed we are really preparing for the worst case scenario.

Last night when I came in, the field hospital has become a 219-bedded unit! Wow! It’s even bigger than some of our hospitals in Bulacan! two more operating room tables were added. I heard the sheikh wanted to put up five operating rooms and to reach a 250-bed target. Gosh, we are really expecting for a major disaster here! I hope that does not happen. But anyhow, to be part of might-be one of the biggest tent hospital in the world is already an exciting idea.

I’ll see how many beds will be added on my fourth night tonight.

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GOOD MORNING, YAS ISLAND!

Daylight started to scatter to wake up Yas Island! Here’s a play of the morning sun, as it rises on the east outside the sleepy camp of the field tent hospital.

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CARS CARS CARS!

Returning to my hotel, I found this Ferraris parked in front of the hotel. I misplaced one of my Ferraris last week… could this be mine? Hmmm…

While writing this, I’m sitting by my hotel window. Even if the windows are closed, I can still hear from here some buzzing sound coming from the Formula One circuit. It’s like a housefly flying near your ears. The circuit drivers could be practicing at this time coz the race starts this afternoon.

My friends here are planning to wake up early in the afternoon to watch the race. I’ll probably wake up around 3:30pm to beat the crowd. We have to return to the hotel by 6pm to get ready for our fourth night shift. We expect a busy night tonight because there’s half-a-million people on the island at the moment all eager to be expectors of the race along the side.

So that means I have to sleep now. Bye!

Ondoy Victims Need Us

(Repost)
Sagip Kapamilya appeals for more food donation as there have been a lot of clothes that were collected.

For donations, you can drop by at the Sagip Kapamilya Warehouse in 13 Examiner St. West Triangle, QC or at the JUSMAG HQ in Scout Bayora across Rembrandt Hotel.

For more details, contact Sagip Kapamilya at 413-2667 or 416-0387. Look for Ms. Girlie Aragon.

For cash donations, please deposit in the following accounts:

Bank: Banco de Oro, Mother Ignacia branch
Acct name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Acct no.: 5630020111

Routing code for international cash donations
BNORPHMM ABS-CBN Branch

For overseas donations, please contact ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. at 1-800-527-2820 1-800-527-2820
or visit www.abs-cbnfoundation.com to donate online using a credit card.

(pic: englishcctv.com, gmanews.com)

The Wrath of Ondoy

Being away from the country, watching the news on tv for the last 4 nights has been very depressing. It is so difficult to watch how our fellow Filipinos are suffering after experiencing this tragedy. I am glad that my families in Bulacan are safe, but I still feel sad because a lot of people died, and thousands were left homeless.

I just wish that our country recovers soon from this tragic event. My prayers are for the Filipino people.

These are some videos I got from the internet. (Credits to youtube users Gomanio, Initiate360, Skateboxx, and Carbotot).

Typhoon Ondoy!

Metro Manila and other areas in Central Luzon is badly hit by typhoon Ondoy today causing massive flooding in many areas. At this time, 42 have died, 20 are missing in Rizal, and 41,200 people are in 92 evacuation centers(abscbnnews.com).

Let’s say a little prayer for those affected by the storm.

Excellent Coverage by ABS-CBN

As much as I wanted to become part and witness yesterday’s funeral of one of the greatest Filipinos ever lived – President Corazon Aquino, my hands were tied to being an OFW in another country. For me, it was history taking place and I want to be there.

But thanks to the modern times, the latest technology allow Filipinos from across the globe to watch as-it-happens, the latest in the funeral of the late president. ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel made it happen by providing live feeds from the Philippines.

The whole day, I was just sitting in our living room, watching on TV, as the coffin was moved from the Manila Cathedral to Manila Memorial Park. It was my first time to watch a funeral like that – the people on the streets were fervent with their emotions and the full military honors given at the memorial park was so moving.

I should say, ABS CBN did a very good job in covering the entire event. The cameras were strategically and artistically placed and the live studio anchors and field reporters did a splendid performance. I was so amazed by how they were able to plan all these before-hand with such little time to prepare. It was an excellent coverage, and thousands of Filipinos outside the Philippines who watched it on TV via The Filipino Channel surely appreciated this effort by the broadcast company.

Kudos to ABS-CBN and the people behind this. Thank you for keeping the Filipinos around the world updated. It was as if we never left our country.

Thanks, Tita Cory

President Corazon Aquino (January 25, 1933 - August 1, 2009)

I was 10 years old during the 1986 EDSA Revolution.  I did not have a clear grasp of what’s happening in the country that time, but I was already a witness to the nation’s history in the making. School classes were suspended for several days so I was basically left to watching tv and listening to the radio.

The Filipino people were binded by the courage to fight against dictatorship and won democracy through a bloodless revolution led by the then politically inexperienced homemaker and mother of five, Maria Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. Since then, I realized her contribution to the contry’s reshaping and to the freedom we are enjoying up to this time.

President Aquino served as the 11th president of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992. She is, not only the country’s, but Asia’s first female president. Her administration was not the best, but she gave all her effort to keep the nation intact, after a very bad regime. What was more impressive was she was able to surpass several attempts to take away her leadership and maintained her power and fortitude.

She inspired the whole world and several other people power movements from across the globe started to fight against being oppressed and for freedom.

President Aquino’s awards and distinctions are numerous and include: Woman of the Year Time Magazine, the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award, the United Nations Silver Medal and the Canadian International Prize for Freedom (wic.org).

She makes me so proud to become a Filipino. Her contribution to the country’s history can never be quantified. I think she deserves full honor and respect on her passing today. Thanks, Tita Cory. May the country continue to carry the inspiration you are leaving behind.

Condemn Glorietta Bombers

The death toll has reached 11 now, after another victim died recently in a Makati hospital. More than a hundred were injured. These are the casualties of the recent Glorietta Mall blast last Friday afternoon.

Included in the list of fatalities is a nursing student from RTRMS Makati Medical Center named Janine Marcos. A dream to become a nurse – to be able to care for others – ended in a pointless way. The others who passed away must have their own dreams, too, for themselves and for their families, and are all gone now in an instant.

While the authorities are still investigating on the real cause of the incident, I can not help but think that this could be another terrorist attack to innocent civilians. Most of the time, the people behind such acts harm people who are not even connected with whatever their pleas are. They direct their anger and revenge to innocent people, who are just trying to make a living in a decent way. They only prey on people whom they know they can pick on, because the people they are infuriated with are difficult to face. These bombers are cowards then.

Let us condemn this act of terrorism, destabilization and unreasonable attack against innocent lives. Nothing can bring back the lives of those who perished. I just wish that justice be served the soonest possible time.

Let us also pray for the soul, and for the families of those who died and were injured.

Have a safe week ahead.