Advocatus Diaboli : September 2024

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

TAGAW

TAGAW For Bicolanos, "tagaw" means lizard or "butiki" in Tagalog. But in Cebuano tagaw means the situation of being "in extreme wonder" of something new. But why is TRYSH or REESE , who turns 14 on October 1, fondly called Tagaw?

The pet name started when she was about four months old and we took her to Tagaytay City for the weekend. Having stayed since birth in the confines of their Condo unit, she was awed by the wide world outside. that she was obviously sleepy she tried to keep her eyes open and cried wildly whenever the bus stopped for traffic. She just wants the bus to go on so that she can watch everything.

It was also her restrictions in the condo, while the parents were at work, that she became English speaking for hearing nothing all day but the TV and her yaya was also fairly good in the language.

Growing up, she questions things, like why the small Mama Mary is outside while the big Mama Mary is inside the Antipolo church, or why a man before Jesus, in a mural at the UP Chapel, is washing his hands. And when there was a second collection in the church she asked the collector "Again?"

It was also why we now call the second collection the "again". She wants everything to be in order or all should follow what others do, that in one Sunday mass at St. Jude she scolded some who don't hold hands and close their eyes during the recitation of The Lord's Prayer.

We both love going to the malls, later with her brother Bugoy. It's always her request that we spend some hours at the mall. One time she sat beside me and said, "I want to go to the mall." I asked what she would do in the mall. She said she wanted to play and buy something. I asked her again, "why, do you have money?" She pounded my tummy and said, "No, but you have."

She's inquisitive too that as a three-year-old I took her to my Office and she would seriously look into papers given to me for signature. Soon she'll be 18 and hinted that she wants her debut in Paris. Well, when we were in Tokyo she told me that when she grows up and has a job she'll take us back at her expense to Japan.

How I wish she had never grown to be the young lady that she is now.

Even the joys of growing old with the grandchildren are fleeting moments too.

HISTORIA DE LA FUNERARIA MÓRTOLA Ciudad de Cababaran, Agusan del Norte

It was founded in 1971 by a Spanish - Filipino Gentleman, Cesar Mortola y Dagani, and his spouse Asuncion Cabonce Maraunay at Asis Corner Rara Streets in Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte, the first funeral parlor in the locality that it has become one of the City's major reference points. The word "funeraria" to motorela (tricycles) drivers means La Funeraria Mortola (LFM) as passenger destination. Presently, businesses along the area would cite LFM as the reference point of their establishments' location.

Another funeral parlor followed later whose present owners under a new business name are now in partnership with LFM to share resources and limited operations as of May 2024.

Another mortuary service branch opened in Cabadbaran at the turn of the Century but closed down recently.

The original mortuary chapel built in 1971

The newly renovated chapels

After 20 years of operation hiatus, La Funeraria Mortola, by a new closed and limited family partnership, is back in operation to provide compassionate care in memorial service with modern conveniences at equitable package rates.

The new partnership among 2-second and 3 third generation descendants of Cesar D. Mortola has kept the name La Funeraria Mortola in honor of its founder and to have a continuity in the quality of business tradition that is dedicated to continual improvement and updated with the needs of the times.

The founders, Cesar D. Mortola and Asuncion Maraunay-Mortola

The logo comprising, a stylized dove symbolizes its commitment to achieving greater heights, compassion, and peace. It also epitomizes universality as La Funeraria Mortola will serve all from different faiths, both Christians, Muslims, and other Catholic denominations.

The Funeraria Mortola Family after completion of the renovation of its mortuary chapels will be happy to serve the people of Agusan del Norte better with the best.

Chapel A, Tranquility. Soon will be Chapels B - Serenity, and C-Dignity. Lamps made from nito, a minor forest product endemic to Bicol Region are used.

Airconditioned chapels are optional

GARDEN OF PEACE. A touch of modernity in the frontage. A miniature garden, for a sense of calmness and the promise of eternity.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our previous personnel, clients, and the public who trust in LFM and welcome us back.

Thank you so much too to our suppliers, creditors, and friends.

Monday, September 16, 2024

GOD'S BLESSINGS IS ALWAYS WITH INCONVENIENCE. (My Journeys With Life's Inconveniences)

God's blessings are always with inconvenience, least we forget that our faith was founded on passion, death, and resurrection.

To pee and poop is one of the blessings taken for granted by many until its painful effects are uncomfortably felt. Not being able to pee for three days is very painful, and more painful is the insertion of a catheter. Still, it is a relief to be savored when stocked urine is drained out.

Last April I was diagnosed with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH), also called prostate enlargement. At first, I thought it was just a "bus-aw" or "balisawsaw" after I sat on a hot car seat.

When I had a check-up, I was no longer allowed to go home until a complete check-up was done and tubes were inserted. I agreed hoping that at least for the night I'd be able to rest. But it wasn't a staycation as now and then nurses would come in to take vital signs, draw blood, or give pills. The results were tolerably okay, except for the BP which they have amazingly addressed in no time.

Another medical specialist was called to check on me. She arrived late but had probably read the lab results sent by email, which unpunctuality is a reason for me not to be worried. Otherwise, if I'm in bad condition she would hurry up.

It was only the following day that I was discharged with the orderlies insisting that I be taken to my car in a wheelchair. Many onlookers were amused when I took the driver's seat instead and drove away. Though still feeling wobbly, the next day I was off for my Good Friday black and white photography project - "Et Lux In Tenebris Luces (And Light Shines in the Darkness)."

Lenten Photoshoot Project

On my appointed check-up the following week I was recommended for operation. Of a second opinion, another Urologist prescribed further medications instead. , But after a week I was apprehensive that synthetic medicines may harm my kidneys so I looked for some alternatives.

Having something attached to my body to be painfully reinserted or changed every two weeks, which in one emergency case at midnight it has to be reinserted in a gas station like having a change oil was not easy. It was an inconvenience at first to have what I call "my power bank", but shortly I was able to adapt and even considered the accessory a convenience. A friend said that my catheter was better than her husband's colostomy bag.

While on medications and a plastic accessory attached, my life continued normally. I was able to take long trips, drive, watch concerts, and attend socials, and I felt lucky when I saw at a wedding reception a guy with a portable oxygen concentrator.

Though I got used to it, I also wondered if ever I would still be weaned from that bag without undergoing surgery until somebody recommended an organic-based prostate supplement which was effective on his father. I gave ProstaGenix a try, which TV Host Larry King had good reviews of, and indeed after a little over two weeks of taking it 3X a day I was able to pee with the catheter removed. I still take it as a precautionary measure but on a limited dosage.

The supplement has no manifest side effects on me, but beforehand a nurse had taught me a technique so that I would have no difficulty controlling my bladder once the tube is removed. I called it a "potty training". For several days I had some uncontrolled minimal urine flow which was addressed by a panty liner.

ProstaGenix, for about 100.00 USD for a 90-pill bottle was effective for me. Would-be buyers are however cautioned on bogus sources and not to fall for FB ads.

Of course, "pray, hope, and don't worry".

My "normal" activities/travels while on catheter and medications. If I was able to enjoy the tours, then able-bodied citizens may well enjoy the trips to the southern parts of the country.