http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/ "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 This is a promise I've always treasured in my heart. No matter what, I will always hold on to it. This blog is all about my personal walk. Sometimes my knees are feeble, but my Father keeps me from falling. And when I fall, He never fails to pick me up and walk with me again, hand in hand. Apart from Him, I am nothing. <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://by.lilypie.com/V5L0m7.png" alt="Lilypie 6th to 18th Ticker" border="0"></a> <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://by.lilypie.com/dITvm7.png" alt="Lilypie 6th to 18th Ticker" border="0"></a> <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://by.lilypie.com/n9Zcm7.png" alt="Lilypie 6th to 18th Ticker" border="0"></a> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:35:39 -0000 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:18:51 -0000 http://images.andreaechavez.multiply.com/logo http://andreaechavez.multiply.com 100 100 Bisaya ray makasabot It's joke time. <img src="http://images.multiply.com/common/smiles/teeth.png"> <img src="http://images.multiply.com/common/smiles/teeth.png"><img src="http://images.multiply.com/common/smiles/teeth.png"> TITSER: Pedro, 1+3? PEDRO: 4 mam! TITSER: Very gud! ikaw Juan 33x61? JUAN: Mao na ni, kun lisud na gani ako dayun ang pangutan-on. Pabor2x. Abseni nalang ko oi! * 0 * DONYA:  kay bag-u pa man ka dinhi, gusto ko masayud ka nga ang pamahaw dri alas sais impunto! MAID: way blema nyora...kung 2log pako anang orasa, una nalang mu ug kaun! * 0 * Mommy1: Ano ang pinapainum mo sa baby mo? Mommy2: "Promil" para sa matatag na pangarap...eh ikaw? Mommy1: "Emperador" para sa totoong tagumpay! * 0 * Pedro bumps a foreigner: Pedro: Ay sori Foreigner: Sori too Pedro: Sori3 Foreigner: Wat r u sori for? Pedro: (kala mo bobo ako ha!) sori 5 Foreigner: I think u r SICK! Pedro: hahaha! Sick daw, SIX gani! * 0 * Juan: Dro, asa dapit ibutang ang mga puti na baye? Pedro: Adto sa langit, himuung angel Juan: Ah! kaning akong asawa kay itum man kau? Pedro: Langit japun pero himuung kwaknit * 0 * SINGING CONTEST 1st contestant: Akong kantahun "dahong laya" 2nd contestant: Akong kantahun "d falling leaves" 3rd contes... http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/journal/item/199/Bisaya_ray_makasabot Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:18:51 -0000 5 nights in Bangkok http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/photos/album/77/5_nights_in_Bangkok Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:57:06 -0000 New technology on liver cancer now in the Philippines Getting sick, especially with terminal and rare diseases, can be draining -- in all aspects -- to the patient and the whole family especially when you know there is no available treatment yet in the Philippines.  That's why it's always a welcome news when medical treatments are being made available here in the country, and at par with the treatments abroad.  It can even be better considering the expertise and care of our local doctors. And a big plus, it saves you the cost implications of flying abroad. Recently, The Medical City launched a revolutionary treatment for liver cancer patients called radioembolization. It's the first of the kind in the Philippines. Radioembolization has long been used abroad.   See Inquirer story <a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family: Verdana;" href="http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20080802-152163">here</a> and video <a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family: Verdana;" href="http://www.inquirer.net/vdo/player.php?vid=1350">here.</a> I hope they will also pioneer the diagnosis and treatment for von Willebrand Disease in the country.  http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/journal/item/198/New_technology_on_liver_cancer_now_in_the_Philippines Thu, 7 Aug 2008 23:32:48 -0000 Eheads as anti-smoking advocates!!!!! <img class="alignleft" src="http://images.andreaechavez.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SJAtSQoKCqsAAFVHly01/eheads5.JPG?et=TsAC9J6JgcsGIphmPJVWIQ&nmid=0" border="0">I wish! With the loud whispers going around that a big tobacco company is sponsoring this much-awaited E-heads reunion, my only wish is that this great (dis) band will use their influence for the greater good.  How? By talking about the hazards of smoking on their concert night, no less.  Imagine one smoke-free concert.  That would be double the fun! Great music and clean air (or at least, nicotine-free). I'm sure Eheads have reached a point in their lives (one time or another) when they looked for significance in what they do. This could be that moment. Besides, Ely Buendia should know the hazards that smoking brings.  He almost died of heart attack a year or so ago.  I've heard that Ely used to be a smoker. But granting that he never smoked, the second-hand smoke alone that he got during gigs could be a big factor for his illness.  (Of course, we know that second-hand smoking is just as dangerous.) According to the Department of Health, smokin... http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/journal/item/197/Eheads_as_anti-smoking_advocates Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:10:38 -0000 Fear factor in Batanes: the Itbayat saga <a href="/photos/hi-res/76/17"></a>It was the scariest ride of my life -- the 3-hour boat trip to Itbayat, the northernmost island of the Philippine archipelago. I heard many stories about Itbayat and my good friend Vic swore one could only fully appreciate Batanes if you visit Itbayat on a faluwa, no less! And so off we went on a faluwa. A faluwa is a small motorized boat which is more like a hull. There are no seats. Everyone, as in everyone, sits on the floor -- sometimes skin  to skin. Once we got inside, the boat crew handed everyone a plastic bag. I guess everyone was assumed to throw up during the trip. Weird, I thought. <a href="http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/76/5"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.andreaechavez.multiply.com/image/5/photos/76/300x300/5/Itbayat-2-7.jpg?et=VLM3H6pCwSqxkOgTQklRWw&nmid=106694415" border="0"></a> Our trip to Itbayat happened a few days after 'Frank' ravaged the rest of the country. While some elderly Ivatans assured us that the sea was already "calm" by then, I guess their degree of calmness differed from mine, I belatedly realized. Our journey began at 8am. The waves were kinder when we departed from Basco. But still, it was gigantic compared to the waves of Tanon Straight in my... http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/journal/item/196/Fear_factor_in_Batanes_the_Itbayat_saga Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:02:57 -0000 A young lady named Sofie <a href="http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SIUuagoKCqsAABiZUvY1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.andreaechavez.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SIUuagoKCqsAABiZUvY1/sofie.JPG?et=Fh5ECwZr4LTkYh3tSwJ8aw&nmid=0" border="0"></a>(Sofie - in printed black sleeveless - with friends at Ella P.'s birthday. Photo grabbed from <a href="http://iceprincesscutie.multiply.com">Ysabel</a>.) We had a quiet dinner last Wednesday to celebrate Sofie's 12th birthday. Our dearest Ate is now a young woman, turning prettier and prettier every year. I have fond memories when we welcomed Sofie to the world 12 years ago. Because of difficulty in pregnancy, I decided to go home to Negros where my side of the family is based.  Before I went home with Ben, who was then only a year old, I got confined twice at Capitol Med for bleeding and false labor. Sofie was then less than five months in my tummy.  With Ben born six months and three weeks, we were anxious of another premature birth. And so the hubby and I figured out we would be better off in Negros where help from the family was very easy.  Few days after our arrival, I got confined again at the district hospital in my hometown for premature labor. With Ben's history, the OB-Gyne decided to send us to Dumaguete w... http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/journal/item/195/A_young_lady_named_Sofie Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:32:18 -0000 Itbayat, Batanes http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/photos/album/76/_Itbayat_Batanes Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:18:43 -0000 Sofie's 12th birthday Dinner at Cafe Ten Tita's Gateway Mall to celebrate Sofie's http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/photos/album/74/Sofies_12th_birthday Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:11:51 -0000 Ex-tobacco farmers say no to tobacco planting If they have a choice, most tobacco farmers would rather plant other crops. This is what we found out in our interview with tobacco farmers in La Union. In fact, one barangay in Aringay town have shifted 100 percent to corn farming. http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/photos/album/73/Ex-tobacco_farmers_say_no_to_tobacco_planting Sun, 20 Jul 2008 06:30:10 -0000 OUR HEALING JOURNEY... In 2007, our youngest daughter Star was diagnosed with von Willebrand Disease, a rare bleeding disorder also known as pseudo-hemophilia. It is an inherited disorder that impacts the blood's ability to clot properly. As a group, bleeding disorders like von Willebrand and hemophilia are rare. For a long time, it was believed that bleeding disorders only affect men. But in 1926, Finnish pediatrician Erik Adolf von Willebrand, discovered a different type of hemophilia that equally affects men and women. Our Star started to nosebleed when she was a month old. We had sought a number of specialists but they could not pin down the cause of her frequent nosebleedings. Finally, after seven (7) long years of doctor-hopping and countless blood tests, we found the answers -- defective platelets. Because von Willebrand is a rare disease, not too many health practitioners are aware of its symptoms. In fact, my mother bled to death during a very minor operation simply because the condition wa... http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/links/item/21/OUR_HEALING_JOURNEY... Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:58:07 -0000 Batanes part 3 http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/photos/album/72/Batanes_part_3 Tue, 1 Jul 2008 03:00:31 -0000 Batanes sojourn... http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/photos/album/70/Batanes_sojourn... Tue, 1 Jul 2008 01:48:31 -0000 Learning from the Ivatans of Batanes <a href="http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SGhxTwoKCqsAAG4@x1k1"></a><a href="http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SGh4mAoKCqsAAHFULk01"><img class="alignright" src="http://images.andreaechavez.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SGh4mAoKCqsAAHFULk01/IMG_1689.JPG?et=SqqMrRzvuWfBeoaELgiC7A&nmid=0" border="0"></a>I just came back from a week-long trip to Batanes. It was a tiring but very enriching trip. My body still aches from the uphill walks and the unbelievable 3-hour trip in the high seas to Itbayat -- the farthest inhabited island in the northeastern part of the country. But the biiiiigggg waves was peanuts compared to our "landing" in this coral island. (This will be in another blog.) So much have been written about Batanes. But you cannot completely comprehend the superlatives until you immerse in their culture. Then you'll understand that<a href="http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SGhxTwoKCqsAAG4@x1k1"></a> some superlatives are understatements. I want to share an article I wrote for PDI which came out last  Sunday.  We have so much to learn from the Ivatans. This is just one aspect of their culture. I hope to share some more in the coming days. <a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080629-145400/Ivatan-of-Batanes-share-secrets-of-survival-in-typhoon-belt">Ivatan of Batanes share secrets of survival in typhoon belt</a> By Andrea Trinidad-Echavez Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 01:58:00 06/29/2008<a href="http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SGhxTwoKCqsAAG4@x1k1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.andreaechavez.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SGhxTwoKCqsAAG4@x1k1/IMG_1663.JPG?et=E%2Bnga%2Cr8t7Ws5e0sKPZryg&nmid=0" border="0"></a> ... http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/journal/item/194/Learning_from_the_Ivatans_of_Batanes Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:06:41 -0000 Batanes These photos are just from Batan Island, the main island of Batanes. Wait 'til I get to Itbayat, the farthest inhabited island in the northeastern part of the country. Itbayat is only about 56 nautical miles away from Lanyu in Taiwan, nearer than Batanes is to the mainland of Luzon. More photos to come. http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/photos/album/66/Batanes Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:20:07 -0000 Imagine a world without Filipinos Thanks to my on-line friend and brother Kaloy, for sharing this wonderful article.  This made my day. (photo by <a href="http://kaloypanahon.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SFbIpwoKCtsAAEu1DDE1">Kaloy</a>.) Imagine a world without Filipinos <a href="http://www.arabnews.com/?page=13&section=0&article=110923&d=16&m=6&y=2008">Abdullah Al-Maghlooth | Al-Watan, almaghlooth@alwatan.com.sa</a>   Muhammad Al-Maghrabi became handicapped and shut down his flower and gifts shop business in Jeddah after his Filipino workers insisted on leaving and returning home. He says: “When they left, I felt as if I had lost my arms. I was so sad that I lost my appetite.”<a href="http://kaloypanahon.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SFbIpwoKCtsAAEu1DDE1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.kaloypanahon.multiply.com/image/2/photos/upload/500x500/SFbIpwoKCtsAAEu1DDE1/Mechanic.JPG?et=%2CpTeeCE8F4gDab9sTExVOQ&nmid=0" border="0"></a>Al-Maghrabi then flew to Manila to look for two other Filipino workers to replace the ones who had left. Previously, he had tried workers of different nationalities but they did not impress him. “There is no comparison between Filipinos and others,” he says. Whenever I see Filipinos working in the Kingdom, I wonder what our life would be without them.Saudi Arabia has the largest number of Filipi... http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/journal/item/193/Imagine_a_world_without_Filipinos Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:36:40 -0000 Bonifacio High Street http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/photos/album/64/Bonifacio_High_Street Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:31:33 -0000 The beauty of Sta. Ana, Cagayan North Santa Ana, Cagayan is home to breathtaking places - from pristine blue waters and fine sand, to rolling hills and enchanting colonial structures, to mystical caves and endearing people. It is dubbed as “Untouched Paradise”, “Gateway to the Pacific”, “Game Fishing Mecca”, “Luzon’s Last Frontier” and “Marine Sanctuary”. Indeed, paradise by any other name is still paradise. -- What's On & http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/video/item/18/The_beauty_of_Sta._Ana_Cagayan_North Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:03:37 -0000 Von Willebrand disease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Easy guide to understanding von Willebrand http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/links/item/20/Von_Willebrand_disease_-_Wikipedia_the_free_encyclopedia Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:10:10 -0000 The "Other" Bleeding Disorder What is the most common inherited bleeding disorder, the one that affects many millions of people around the world, and up to two million in the United States? You may be surprised to hear that it is not haemophilia. It is von Willebrand disease, a related disorder that few people have heard of, unless they have it or know someone who does. Why is such a common illness such a secret? Perhaps because the disease is usually less severe than haemophilia, it has not generated the kind of publicity, educational efforts and support that other chronic illnesses have. In fact, it is often so mild, it is not diagnosed at all. Some people live with the disease for many years before getting an accurate diagnosis. For more severely affected patients, this lack of knowledge has caused real suffering. http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/links/item/19/The_Other_Bleeding_Disorder Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:10:15 -0000 Death from von Willebrand disease Ever since we found out that von Willebrand Disease runs in our family, we have been doing, though in our own little way, an awareness campaign to let people know what this disease is.  I've been blogging and writing about our journey with von Willebrand.  Everyone in our family -- my husband, children and siblings -- have been sharing it as well with people in their circles.Because Star seems to be "normal" except for her frequent nosebleedings and lately, vomitting of blood, we really didn't find any urgency to be part of a bigger group.  Until two weeks ago. While we were waiting for our turn for Star's transfusion, I made chit-chat with others in the doctor's clinic. Most of the patients, I found out, were afflicted with leukemia. The parents -- about five of them -- knew each other.  Apparently, they have a support group and they "borrowed" medicines from each other.  "We have to order the medicines abroad," one mother told me. Fortunately, she said, the... http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/journal/item/190/Death_from_von_Willebrand_disease Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:15:13 -0000 Random photos in Sta. Ana... http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/photos/album/62/Random_photos_in_Sta._Ana... Tue, 3 Jun 2008 03:20:55 -0000 Close to 100, this Filipino still works <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/SENCFwoKCqsAAEYMDDs1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.andreaechavez.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SENCFwoKCqsAAEYMDDs1/P1000075mod.jpg?et=U9w3h2Y5D%2C%2CQ49JGo8GskQ&nmid=0&nmid=98973137" border="0"></a>It's not everyday that we get to read or hear stories like this. This was written by my good friend Jude Marfil-Schwalbach for her profile writing class in Harvard. Read on and be inspired... ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA -- ON THE PHONE, the security guard at the office of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is adamant: “Sir, you have to come down here to sign in your guest.” He hangs up and turns to the guest, saying: “Is Mr. Bacani sick? How come his voice sounded kinda scratchy?” “He’s not ill,” the visitor replies. “He’s just old -- 97, actually.” “What?” says the guard, gaping. “Call him back. Tell him it’s okay.” Then he pulls out his walkie-talkie. “Tell him I’ll find somebody to take you up there.” Alberto S. Bacani -- “Bert” to his family and friends -- works on the ninth floor of the EPA building. At 97, he is probably the oldest person working in any federal agency. (As a matter of policy, the US Office of Personnel Management refuses to divulge information about the age of... http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/journal/item/188/Close_to_100_this_Filipino_still_works Mon, 2 Jun 2008 00:48:17 -0000 Sta. Ana, Cagayan: Paradise of the North Sta. Ana is like my second home. This is one of the Philippines' best-kept secrets. :-) Beautiful is an understatement. Check out again for more http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/photos/album/61/Sta._Ana_Cagayan_Paradise_of_the_North Sat, 31 May 2008 14:06:01 -0000 Our worse days may be our best I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. (2 Timothy 2:10) If only Job had known, as he sat in the ashes, troubling his heart over the thought of God's providence, that millions down through history would look back on his trials.  He might have taken courage in the fact that his experience would be a help to others throughout the world. No one lives to himself, and Job's story is like yours and mine, only his was written for all to see.  The afflictions Job faced and the trials he wrestled with are the very things for which he is remembered, and without them we would probably never have read of him in God's Word. We never know the trials that await us in the days ahead. We may not be able to see the light through our struggles, but we can believe that those days, as in the life of Job, will be the most significant we are called upon to live. Robert Collyer This is an excerpt from Streams in... http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/journal/item/186/Our_worse_days_may_be_our_best Mon, 26 May 2008 05:49:27 -0000 Kindness abounds -- THANK YOU! To all who reposted my post and forwarded my email, THANK YOU! Indeed, kindness abounds. Through the forwarded posts and emails, we were finally able to get in touch with an importer who helped us secure the blood factor that Star needs. It turned out that Koate and Alphanate are from human plasma and both are regulated products. We cannot buy any of the two ourselves. They can only be acquired through a hospital or a hematologist. God willing, Star will be able to have her transfusion by Monday. To all who prayed with us and gave words of encouragement, THANK YOU! It is the prayers of others that makes us strong amidst difficult times. I believe all things work together for good and surely God has a reason for allowing this bleeding disorder in our family. This is a hereditary disorder which caused the life of my mother. Thankfully, with the modern technology, Star may be able to live a "normal" life. Please keep Star in prayers. She is a bit scared about the transfusion. But she is excited ... http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/journal/item/185/Kindness_abounds_--_THANK_YOU Sat, 24 May 2008 00:26:52 -0000 Help! Star needs blood transfusion Hi everyone! Anyone who knows anybody working with Bayer or any pharmaceutical company that sells blood by-products? Or where we can buy blood factors Koate or Alphanate? Koate and Alphanate are anti-hemophelic concentrates that can help regulate the clotting factor. Our 9-year-old daughter Star needs to have blood transfusion ASAP to stop her frequent nosebleeding.  As I have shared in my past posts (<a style="font-family: Verdana; " href="http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/journal/item/131/Is_there_a_bleeder_in_the_house">here</a> and <a style="font-family: Verdana; " href="http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/journal/item/88/God_is_good_all_the_time">here</a>), Star has a bleeding disorder called Von Willebrand Disease. It's a genetic bleeding disorder where the platelets are either defective or not functioning well. Lately, Star has been nosebleeding more frequently again, and unlike in the past, there are now  big blood clots. This afternoon, there were about four of those. Thankfully, results of her CBC and platelet count today are good. No anemia. Platelet is high which means her "good soldiers" are fighting.  But her bleeding has to be addressed, otherwise, it will lead to more complications. However, Koate... http://andreaechavez.multiply.com/journal/item/184/Help_Star_needs_blood_transfusion Thu, 22 May 2008 11:56:02 -0000