UDH. I miss!!

The decision leaving the hospital i worked in was never easy. Who says it was easy? Who says it was easy to leave my work friends for almost 3 years?that i love and cherished? Who says it was easy leaving the work almost all Filipino Nurses in the  Philippines are dying for? Who says it was easy leaving the work i always loved and worked hard for? It was never easy. It was heart crushing when i needed to leave UDH. a place i can call my second home.

The decision to go here in Doha was never abrupt. I started planning this together with my sister-in-law last year, October to be specific. If i was really driven that time, I could have gone here earlier, like December. but aside from my family and my friends, I held back because of my Hospital. I worked in the Hospital November of 2009 where i started as an IV therapist completing the required cases. Although i had completed my cases already in the first day, It didn't hinder me to go to the hospital for a week. I envisioned myself working in the hospital. So even i was just an IV therapist then, I also done some volunteer work :)) I remember that day like it was just yesterday. From duty those times were Adrian de Jesus, Elmo Bagaoisan, April Licudo, Annie Mendaros, and Gino Lagmay (who i can say were my firsts professional friends)..then maybe the Supervisors noted that, so one day they offered me the Volunteer contract and the day after i became an official UDH volunteer Nurse.

I didn't know what's with the hospital but i just couldn't absent. I have loved working there. Then it came the time when some volunteers bids goodbye. It was eye-opening that we cannot be volunteers forever. So after six months of Volunteering, I requested for a Certificate, then I received an "accidental" call from the supervisor. After all the hard work, I became a Staff on July 2010.

It was not easy being a Staff Nurse in a Hospital who lacks Nurses. It is an ideal to Multitask. But just being a staff, the title itself, was like a prestige that i could not resist. We cannot remove the haters of course. I don't know if it was bitterness, insecurities, but being a staff in a quite,early time i became the object of ridicule with the other volunteers. But i did not, Never, give them a fart. I worked hard for it. i deserve it.

The time flies very fast that i didn't even notice that i celebrated one year in the Hospital in November 2010.  Then 2 years in 2011. Many volunteers came and go. Many Staff also came and go.

(NOTE: The dates were not all evidenced. That's what my memory serves me. The VICE, just my perception)


I remembered Mr. Tom John de Guzman, the youngest male staff that time who left February of 2010. Replacing him was Ms. Jinky Nepalis

I remembered Ms. Maoime Fernandez, the witty Nurse who left the hospital on March 2010, replacing her was Mr. Arman Mejia.

I remembered Ms. Hanni Villar, the fearless, who left last June 2010, replacing her was yours truly.

I remembered Mr. Leonard Caoile, the furious, who left last June 2010 replacing him is Ms. Angel Castillo

I remembered Ms. April Licudo, who became a staff March 2010 and left the hospital August of the same year, Replacing her was Ms. Ritchelle Fronda (for a week), then Ms. Jossie Bucaloy (for a week) and Ms. Hazel Nievera (for two weeks) then the management just removed Ms. Licudo's item.

 I remembered when Ms. Melody Aquino bids goodbye for a while last August of 2010 and went back early in 2011, and then left indefinitely later of 2011. replacing her was Ms. Donna Bruno.

I remembered Ms. Karen Mercado, who served the hospital for one year as a Volunteer, then another year as a Staff. She left last March of 2011, She was replaced by Ms. Irish Eustaquio.

I remembered Ms. Ana Margarita Romatan, who was In sometimes, and Out often times, but her persistence prevailed and now she got her item of her own.

Then there was Ms. Jinky Nepalis who left for abroad on July 2011, She was replaced by Mr. Jimmy Ignacio.

I remember Arman Mejia, who left that hospital on September 2011, replacing him was Mr. Calvin Valdez

Then there was Ms. Florida Gabriel, who left last October of 2011, She was replaced 6 months after by Mr. Marco Estonillo.

Then the back to back leave of Ms. Herlene Tolentin on November 2011, and Ms. Faye Alvarez, and Ms. Hazel Nievera on December 2011. The items were dissolved.

Then I, left the Hospital 10 days ago. Was relieved by Mr. Adrian de Jesus.

Why did i recall of this. wala lang trip lang haha. No seriously. These are the people who i cherished and who i shared experiences with. These are the people who didn't get afraid to take chances, and answered the what ifs? What if we take our careers to the next level?and for me it's always been better to take the risk than being safe, at all. I don't have a clear vision of what will happen to me here in Doha, but one thing i am proud of,that I WAS NOT A COWARD DOING NEW THINGS. It was just sad that the hospital is getting bigger and wider. It is getting equipped. so i just thought of that as a sacrifice for a better tomorrow!

One hospital friend of mine asked me "naabutan mo si ganito, si ganyan" i answered "yes, yung ano..." It made me realize that i'm getting older as there are many volunteers come and go. I was hungry for professional growth, that's why i decided early.

I miss the People of UGH, The Canteen, The Manongs ang The Manangs, the volunteers, The Supervisors, My colleagues, The Admin People, The Chiefs. The Doctors. There are no regrets staying with the hospital for almost 3 years. It was nice working with great people, and the salary is just secondary.

Thank you for making me feel that i am loved and that i am supported in every decisions i make. To those people i have argued with, Lets all move on from the past and let's start helping each other with prayers. Lets not forget that we have once became a family in UDH. To the volunteers who they felt was unwanted, or bullied, or gone toxic with me. I am Sorry sincerely. I just want you to feel atleast the reality that not all people will like you, not all Supervisors will give you a smile or hug you. It was a training. and thank  you for not taking it seriously, Trabaho lang po.


Till we meet again, Don Amadeo J. Perez Sr. Memorial General Hospital, a.k.a Urdaneta General Hospital, a.k.a Urdaneta District Hospital.. Thanks po, ug,xander  (parang referral lang)