Wednesday, May 16, 2012

My GERD and running


In my previous post, I mentioned about me having Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD or acid reflux, is a condition in which the acidified liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up or refluxes) into the esophagus. 


I have tried to run several times around our village and have continued to experience chest pain that hinders me to run continuously. The burning sensation on my chest even radiates to my back and shoulders. I also felt some numbness on my head. It was really frustrating that I cannot even sustain a 500m continuous run. I just have to be contented in doing a brisk walk. In this manner I reduced the tightness that I felt in my chest. Have anyone of you experienced the same?

Last Saturday, 12 May 2012, I finally consulted a Gastroenterologist for medical intervention. I am now on my third day of taking Omeprazole daily 30 min to an hour before breakfast to control the acid reflux from my stomach. I will be taking this for at least a month before going back to my doctor. And as the doctor says, if symptoms persist endoscopy will be needed.  There’s also some diet restriction which includes tomato based foods, citrus fruits, chocolates and most especially coffee.  Eating small frequent meals is also suggested.

Hopefully, my conditions will be better in time for the Unilab Run United 2 which will be held on June 17 at SM Mall of Asia. Swthrt and I will run the 21K category which starts at the Bonofacio Global City and ends in SM MOA.

See you guys this coming June for the 2nd leg of the Run United Series!

Friday, May 11, 2012

It’s more fun traveling Bohol with BFFs


It was a decade old dream of having a vacation together for the Estrella and Ilagan families. Bohol has always been the first choice. It was last December 2011 when God finally answered our prayer and opened up an opportunity for this dream to materialize. Swthrt and Lea had agreed to book a trip to Bohol on the 16 th to 20th of April 2012. We have decided to take a Cebu flight and took a ferry going to Bohol and be back to Cebu on the last day of our trip. In this itinerary we can tour two places, Bohol and Cebu. It was a vacation everyone had long been waiting for.

Day one
Having recovered from an acid reflux incident that brought me to the ER of The Medical City, I was able to join the group bound for Cebu and then to Bohol.  We met at the Terminal 3 of NAIA early morning of April 16. 





Though a little tired and not yet fully recovered, I took advantage of resting while on flight to Cebu. We arrived at Mactan Airport just in time to transfer and board the 10:00am Weesam fast craft bound for Tagbilaran, Bohol. It was at least two hours cruise going to Bohol.  It was an adventure for us and the kids.



Having traveled for many hours, everyone was already hungry. Louie managed to call the hotel staff where we will be staying and then arranged a lunch for us. We stayed at the El Portal Inn in Tagbilaran City. After having lunch, everyone took a rest for the day except Swthrt and Lea who managed to go to Marcela Mall and bought some pasalubong for family and friends.





Day two
Our second day at the island starts with a breakfast at the hotel.  Our itinerary was the Panglao Island tour. First stop was the Dauis Church in Dauis, Panglao Island. An old legend relates that once, when the town was invaded by pirates, the people of Dauis locked themselves into the church. However, they soon ran out of food and water. Then a miracle occurred: a well appeared at the foot of the altar. This same well is still the main source of water for the people living close to the church, and, although the well is only a few meters from the sea, the water is absolutely fresh. The water is said to have healing powers.




We also dropped by at the nearby Cafe Lawis/ Handumanan. Unfortunately, we were too early to taste on their specialties. The café opens at 12 noon but we got to enjoy the scenery at the back of the café.









We then proceeded to Hinagdanan Cave.  One of a must see tourist attraction also located in Dauis. It was amazing that guides have developed a systematic way to entertain and to guide visitors underground. They would know the best spots  to take souvenir pictures.  They have also mastered the settings of different type of cameras that would capture natural lighting of the place. 









A brief stop at the fruit shake stand gave a refreshing feeling after the tour underground. Be sure to bring extra clothes because it could be hot down there. Anyway, if you forgot one, there are souvenir stores around the area. We actually bought some shirts.





We were just in time for lunch before our next stop, the Bohol Bee Farm



We had a short briefing on the farm’s herbs produce and the bees which was the star of the show. The bees were actually European bees and were quite tamed as compared to our local wild bees.




Photo sessions holding the beehive was exciting.







We also had a tour at the farms livelihood area.



After the tour, we all proceeded to the farm's restaurant for our sumptuous lunch overlooking Bohol’s clean waters.  











Before we go, we drop by at the farm’s store to buy some of their delicious produce using honey.




For our last stop, we went to enjoy the white sand beaches of Panglao Island. We all had a great time.










Day Three
After breakfast,  we were all ready for another adventure. This time we were headed for the countryside tour. This includes the visit at the famous Chocolate Hills and the Tarsier Conservation Area.



Our first stop for the day was at the Blood Compact Monument in Tagbilaran. It represents the Sandugo  (blood compact) between Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Raja Sikatuna in March 16, 1565. According to our Driver/Guide, that was not the actual place wherein the blood compact was held but it was somewhere in the town of Loay. However, the monument was placed in Tagbilaran probably for easy access to tourist visiting the city. But with its current location, it needs further development to be more attractive for tourists. One thing to look out was what we call the “snipers” or the photographers who would take pictures of you and after which they would sell you the printed copies for 100 pesos each that would go down to 50 pesos each just before you leave the place. The pictures were good though with the layout and designs but what is annoying is that they would seemingly force you to buy them.






We also had a brief stop for picture-taking to one of the great spots along the highway overlooking the clean waters of Bohol.




Our next destination was the Tarsier Conservation Area in Loboc, Bohol. Here we took a glimpse of the world’s smallest primate, the Tarsier of Bohol. A briefing before the tour was held. 




Tarsiers are nocturnal animals and must not be disturbed at their natural habitat. Before, tarsiers were made as pets by some shop owners along Loboc river as tourist attractions but it was later banned by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It was found out that tarsiers can be highly stressed when held and captured and they have the tendency to commit suicide. Today, the conservation area helps in protecting the tarsiers.















Following next was the world famous Chocolate Hills of Bohol. Along the way we passed by the Shiphaus. It was a house in the shape and form of a ship. 


The Chocolate Hills are the main attraction of Bohol. Estimated to be from 1,268 to about 1,776 individual mounds, these cone-shaped or dome-shaped hills are actually made of grass-covered limestone. There were lots of theories and legends on how these hills came about but for whatever it may be this is surely an amazing site to behold. It was a wonderful creation from God.















On our way back, we dropped by at the Man-made Mahogany Forest stretching in a two-kilometer stretch of densely planted Mahogany trees located in the border of Loboc and Bilar towns. It was only the four of us who took some time to have our jump shots taken with the forest as our backdrop.







Another brief stop along the way was the Sevilla Hanging Bridge crossing the Sipatan River in Sevilla, Bohol. This bamboo bridge with steel cable reinforcement is becoming an adventure tourist spot with tourists crossing the two bridges with a span of around 40 meters each. Be prepared  though for a 20 peso toll fee to cross the bridges.








After the short adventure, off we went to the Loboc River Cruise for our lunch. There were four restaurants that cater the cruise to choose from. Menus are posted on big tarpaulins. We decided on the second restaurant and bought the ticket for the buffet meal which costs 300 pesos. Another 100 peso fee was charged  which covers the maintenance and security fees while cruising along the beautiful Loboc River. This for me was one of the best parts of the trip even though I was not able to eat as much as I wanted to because of my stomach’s acid reflux.























Following the wonderful river cruise was a visit to a Butterfly Farm and Xzootic Animal Park for a picture- taking with the Burmese python.









Finally, we took a look at the second oldest church in the Philippines, the Baclayon Church.






Our day ended with a frustrating early dinner at an over-rated Sugba Tula Kilaw  (SUTUKIL) Food Haus.




Last day of the Bohol trip
After having our last breakfast at El Portal Inn, we had some picture-taking for souvenirs and everyone was set for another ferry ride going to Cebu City.












Cebu trip
Upon arriving at the Cebu Port, we took a van going to M Suite where we will be staying overnight before heading back to Manila. 






After checking in our baggage and had a lunch at Shakey’s at the nearby Robinson’s Gateway




we then hired another van for a city tour visiting the Magellan’s Cross in Cebu City







and the Lapu-Lapu Shrine in Mactan.




We end the day with a dinner at the Cebu Ayala Center at Bigby’s Café and Restaurant.








Last day of the vacation
The whole trip was truly a wonderful experience and would be cherished for a long time. The vacation has come to an end and everyone was tired but thankful for the opportunities God gave us to have this trip. God was really gracious.










Our flight was slightly delayed going back to Manila but we were all very happy to be back home!







Praise the Lord for the wonderful time we had in this trip!