2008 Travels

I am rekindling various places I've been year long. The quantity of travels may not match the number of travels i did in 2006 and 2007 but this year's travels have personal and significant importance not mention the diversity and variety of travels:

February
6-8: Mendez, Cavite

This is the first CHITS encounter for the AMIGA and MAGNAMARTE Inter Local Health Unit of Cavite. 20-plus attendees were able to experience using CHITS for the firstime.uOur group is composed of Doc Eloy, Kuya Endo, HR and darth_ali.






20-22: Dakak, Zamboanga del Norte, 1st Joint Critical Care Rural Physicians Conference

Sponsored by the Ateneo de Zamboanga University School of Medicine and Rural Health Physicians of Canada, our group was invited to present on the health informatics track specifically on CHITS. Kudos to Dean Cristobal and Dr. Macrohon. Dakak is one hot and exotic beach and perhaps better that Boracay!







March:

22-25: Roxas, Capiz, CHITS Training

A training session for the Capiz CHITS users was conducted to introduce the use of CHITS Query browser. Also with our group is Max Hennenmann, Grace Allana and Shainur Premji. This is the first time that we were able to walk in Baybay beach at night time.





April: GIS Seminar Cavite

17-18: Island Cove, Binakayan, Cavite

DOH-IMS invited Dr. Steve Ebeemer of World Health Organization to conduct a workshop on GIS in Health. Dr. Ebemeer did a great discussion in showing that GIS is just a tool or technology. The effectiveness of the GIS is as good as the quality of the data that are coming while considering the relevance of spatial and time data. I am wondering how is almisa doing nowadays?? :D




May:

8-13: Batanes

What can i say? This is the best place that I've been to. Batanes is simply a heaven on earth. If Batanes is a wine, it will be Tequila. Exotic and long-lasting. I could spend the whole day sitting at the top of the hills watching migratory birds in the sky while reflecting on the beauty of the Pacific Ocean. We've been there to conduct CHITS deployment for Basco and Uyugan. Batanes is simply captivating!









August: Boracay, Aklan

25: I was supposed to stay at Roxas City for my two-month health informatics work for CHITS but the whole Provincial health Office will be going to Boracay. This is something that one cannot missed: a free trip to Boracay! During the brief Boracay stay, i was able to view its famous blue waters with white. And lots of bikini-clad Koreanas!


August to October: Capiz

The stint in Capiz was intended to upgrade CHITS version based on the new FHSIS standards. The stay also includes visits to Dumalag, Cuartero, Tapaz, Sigma, Panay and other parts of the Capiz. Worthwhile visit i must say. Definitely, there will be a next stint within this year. I miss eating sea shells with Gold Eagles beer while watching the sun sets at Baybay beach.










November:

18-22: Ateneo De Zamboanga University, Zamboanga City

Together with Dr. Alex Gavino, we conducted a training of trainers for the ADZU SOM. Led by Dr. Bernie Macrohon of ADZU, the team of ADZU did a demonstation training for the potential end-users of CHITS. The visit in Zamboanga exposed me to the Muslim culture and somehow, made me think that Islam is a great religion. We're toured around the city by Dr. Macrohon, Genner and Vic, while providing us historical perspective of each places. From Mayos Climaco's legendary story to gold barter trades to the sumptuous sati to the Yakan weaving village. the Zamboanga memories are just unforgettable.









22-28: Penang Malaysia

After departing Zamboanga by 7AM and arriving in Manila by 9AM, i am bound to leave for Penang, Malaysia by 2PM. This is one of the weekends that have surge my adrenaline to an all-time high. Mission in Penang: INCOSSH 2008 and yours truly was assigned as one of the presenters. The whole Pinoy contingent was sponsored by International Open source Network and we're billeted to Holiday Inn then to Bayview Hotel. Conference comes, we met various health informatics practitioners around the globe while forming some collaborations. After the conference, I transferred from Bayview to YMCA Penang.


29-29: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A side trip was scheduled for KL as part of the extended stay in Malaysia. I need to see again the Petronas Twin Towers. Too bad, I wasn't able to join the tower tour. It takes 5 hours of bus ride to travel from Penang to Puduraya bus station in KL. Along the way, one can see the green scenery of Malaysian mountains and citywide skyscraper light along the Penang bridge.