Joy’s Trip To Manila: 2009

The anticipation has built up until Monday, January 26, 2009. The doctors at the Dermatology Section of the RITM are ready, four photographers are ready, and the funds from Debra Australia are ready, the weather was fine, the seas were a bit rough, but passable. It was just a matter of time before Joy would reach Manila.

In the morning of that date, I’ve been in constant contact with Danny, Dr. Vangee Handog, and the volunteer photographers of Digital Photographer Philippines.

SMS Log  (from Danny)

8:30 AM  “d2 n kmi s barko” (trans: the family is now boarded on the ship).  The journey started at Balancan Pier, in Mogpog, Marinduque

9:49 AM “Gud morning po buti po napaabot kmi s barko d2 kami nakapwes2 s my hagdanan puno ng pasahero ok naman po un magina nakaupo s bag n dala” (trans: Good morning.  We were glad that we made it to the ship.  We are seated on the stairs because the ship is full of passengers.  Joy amd her mom are doing okand are sitting on their baggage)

10:44 AM “Sir malapit n po kami s pier” (trans: Sir, we are approaching the Pier)   That’s the Talao-Talao Pier in Lucena City, some 150 kilometers South of Manila

11:02 AM “D2 n po kami s van” (trans: We’re now boarded on the van).  The van is a privately-operated vehicle hat carries anywhere from 10-15 passengers.  There are many of these plying the Manila-Lucena-Marinduque route.

1:03 PM “Nsa my SAN PABLO n po kami” (trans: We are now in San Pablo). San Pablo City is located some 80 kilometers South of Manila

2:33 PM “D2 n po kami s alabang” (trans: We are now in Alabang).  Alabang is the area where the RITM is located

2:45 PM “Sir mali po un pinagdalhan s amin ng dor2dor inulit me po D2 po kami s my ASIAN HOSPITAL s my tapat ng MERCURY DRUG” (trans: Sir, the door-to-door van made a mistake.  We are now at the Asian Hospital, fronting Mercury Drug).  That explains it, as the guard at the RITM gates told me that no patient arrived over the last 10 minutes.  Asian Hospital is located not far from the RITM, so I turned back to pick up the family.

The running account of the rest of Joy’s trip to Manila

Day 1: Warm Welcome at the RITM (January 26, 2009)

Day 2: Tests and Procedures (January 27, 2009)

Day 3: More tests (January 28, 2009)

Day 4: Last day at the RITM (January 29, 2009)

Day 5: At the Mall of Asia (January 30, 2009) (NEW!!!)

Day 6: Going Home (January 31, 2009) (NEW!!!)