Friendly Care Clinic-Shaw

Before I proceed to spill the story about my TTC journey, let me show you first the clinic that I diligently went to every Saturday for my OBGYN's appointment.

Photo Snagged from Friendly Care Clinic FB Page

So what is Friendly Care Clinic?
"FriendlyCare Foundation, Inc. was founded in 1999 with the vision of becoming a vehicle for greater private sector participation in the delivery of basic family health services including family planning and reproductive health services." ~ adapt from their website.

Friendly Care Clinic is an ambulatory clinic that has 6 branches and the nearest to my place is the one in Shaw Blvd in Mandaluyong City. It's right across from Lancaster Hotel. You will never miss this clinic due the color of the building. From Shaw MRT Station, you can ride a jeepney from Star Mall going to Quiapo. Then on the right side you will spot this building. On my case, I don't take a jeepney anymore since it's a walking distance from Star Mall.

Upon entering you will need to proceed to the information desk to fill out a form. Depending on your concern or the doctor you have an appointment with, they will give you a number card with corresponding color after giving the filled out form in the information desk.

Information Desk

Now all you need to do is wait for your number to be called in nurse station. Since they have color coding, on my experience I'm holding a green card. The last time I went there, I was green card #20. It was last Saturday and there's a lot of people. I have to wait for more than an hour for my number to be called. Or could be a nurse fault in duty since she didn't call my number at all. From #19 she called # 22. I have to approach another nurse to call their attention that my number is not called. So when going here, keep your ears open.

People waiting for their numbers to be called

Nurse Station

Once your number is called at the nurse station, you need to present your HMO card that is if you have one. Otherwise you just need to tell them that you'll be paying in cash. For HMO card holders like me, they will give you LOA. After that they will take your blood pressure and your weight. After your HMO approved of your consultation, you can proceed to your respective doctor's office together with the forms. The number given to you will serve as your number in queue for your doctor's appointment.

Another waiting area near the OBGYN's clinic

Dra. Angela Aguilar is quite a famous OBGYN doctor herself. She specializes in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. A lot recommended here when I was doing a research since she charges the cheapest versus the two other OBGYN Infertility doctors. As expected a lot of people are waiting for her. Most of her patients will go to Friendly Care as early as 7am just to have their names enlisted and have a number below 10. I wish I can do that but my travel time is 1 hour and that is the quickest I can get.

After the consultation with the doctor, you will need to go back to the information desk and present the forms that was given to you in the nurse station. The information desk will check with the HMO if they will cover the consultations or lab tests. If you are given a go signal that everything is okay, you can proceed to the Cashier which is in the Pharmacy section. If not, you will need to go back to the nurse station for them to encode on their database the cost of consultation/lab tests you need to pay. On my last visit, the Trans-V ultrasound was not covered since we are trying to conceive. Good thing it only costs Php 500. If I'm not mistaken Trans-V ultrasound costs Php 1k-1.5k.

Pharmacy and Cashier Area

After paying your bill, you will be given a receipt. That is if you pay in cash. I'm not sure about the procedure when it comes to credit cards. For HMOs once they approve your consultation and lab tests, you just have to show in the cashier the forms and you're good to go. No need to wait for a receipt.

I'll be back in this clinic next month. I'm not sure if it's a good news or I have to be patient again with the procedure.

Belo Medical Clinic 20% Off Promo

I've been meaning to blog about this promo since February 13 but I always end up forgetting it. I do hope that you can still avail of this promo and make reservations on the nearest Belo Medical Clinic in your area.

Until February 28, 2013 only!
Photo Credit: Belo Medical Group FB page

I got interested in availing the Powerpeel+Cleaning promo. I've read a lot of good reviews about Powerpeel and bottom line is Diamond Peel doesn't comes close to what Powerpeel does. Those who've tried it vouched that it really makes your skin looked fresh and radiant after the procedure. No dull skin!

The last time I had my facial cleaning was in December so it's been 2 months since the last time my face got cleaned. Having a facial is not really a must for me though it will be nice to take extra care of your skin especially at my age.

I gathered all my guts to send an email to Belo Medical inquiring about the promo. They replied to me after a week and I want to share to you the ongoing rates for the Powerpeel and Facial Cleaning. Please take note that the rates given to are dated February 13. So it might change in the next coming months or quarter. It is best to email them for the updated rates.

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Glycolic Peel Cleaning
Minimum Php 1, 200/ session
This treatment makes use of different concentrations of fruit acid applied on the skin to unroof pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and exfoliate dead skin. The concentration may vary from 20% to 70% depending on the need by the patient. Recommended for oily and acne-prone skin, glycopeel cleaning can be done every week and the treatment lasts for 30-45 minutes.

Honey Almond Cleaning
Minimum Php 1, 200 / session
An aromatic honey almond scrub gently exfoliates dead skin and is perfect for those with dry and sensitive skin. This treatment takes 30-45 minutes and can be done every two weeks.

Micropeel Cleaning
Minimum Php 1, 200 / session
The micropeel scrapes off the dead and dull layer of the skin to uncover new, fresh and glowing skin. It is ideal for patients with dry skin and blotchy pigmentations. This treatment takes 30-45 minutes and can be done every two weeks.

Botanicals Cleaning  
Minimum Php 1, 800 / session
The Botanicals Cleaning makes use of an all-natural exfoliating scrub to gently remove skin impurities and smoothen skin texture.  It is ideal for all skin types.  The treatment can be done every 2 to 4 weeks and takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

Powerpeel
Minimum Php 2, 800 / session
With the Power Peel skin treatment program, you can see immediate changes in your skin with noted improvement in age spots, fine lines and flaking skin. This unique approach exfoliates dead and dull skin and stimulates the production of fresh new skin cells and collagen. It is the ultimate advancement in non-invasive, non-surgical skin conditioning and can even reduce appearance of stretch marks and acne scars. You may need two to twelve treatments depending on the area treated. Treatment sessions are spaced 1-2 weeks apart.

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Imagine the discount that you will get if you avail of the 20% off discount! If ever I will pursue my plan to avail this promo, I will go for a Honey Almond Cleaning+Powepeel which amounts to Php 4,000 on regular price. If I apply the 20% off then it will be Php 3,200!

Ohh, how I wish to splurge right now to experience the Powerpeel+Cleaning! Is there a possibility that the Belo Medical Group will extend this offer?

St. Thomas More Academy

We've been eyeing this school for our youngest sister. We decided to transfer her after this school year since the present school she's attending to is a little bit far from our home. Though it offers an affordable tuition fee, the commute and the mandatory extracurricular activities amounts to the same expenses my other sister will be spending in private schools within our area.

St. Thomas More Academy in Pag-asa Molino

actual school ground

Last Saturday, I accompanied my sister to take her entrance exam on this school. All  you need to do is filled-up an application form, pay the Php 200 entrance exam fee and of course bring a 2X2 valid ID picture to be attached to the application form and you're set for the entrance test.

Accounting Office

This is the school's accounting office which happens to be the area for the entrance test. There's two cubicle at the end where the exams are being held. I waited for an hour for my sister to finish the exam. The test itself is an IQ exam and you get the result within the same day. After my sister submit her test paper to the examiner, we waited for 5-10 minutes for the paper to be checked. Dear sister got a score of 52 out of 80. Not bad at all though it's been a habit of mine since when I was a student that whenever I get a test result, I always compute for the mistakes that I have.

We were given a stub where my sister is given a stub, a proof that she's ready good to go for enrollment. We have to wait for her report card though and accomplished other requirements on the list in order to do that. Furthermore, we are also considering another school so for the time being will take our time to decide.

Here's some useful information about the school, should you be interested to consider them for your child, cousins, nieces. nephews, etc.

ADMISSION:
* Entrance test is required to be admitted.
* Schedule of Entrance Test (Mon-Fri from 8:30am-4:30pm and Sat  from 8:30am-11:30am)

Requirements:
- Testing Fee of Php 200
- STMA Application Form (you can get this from their Accounting Dept)
- Original Report Card (Form 138)
- NSO Birth Certificate
- Photocopy of Baptismal Certificate
- Good Moral Certificate (Highschool only)
- 2 pcs. 1X1 IP Picture

SY 3013-2014 Tuition Fees

Cash and Semestral Payment 

Quarterly and Monthly Payment

St. Thomas More Academy's Best Features

For more inquiries please contact:

Mrs. Grace C. delos Trinos (Preschool and Grade School Dept.)
(046) 477-1183

Mrs. Mary Anne C. delos Santos (High School Dept.)
(046) 477-1217

Mrs. Jasmin Y. del Moral (Annex Mary Homes Subd.)
(046) 484-3726

Pizza Hut's Love Feast

You want to celebrate Valentines but tight on the budget. No worries! Pizza Hut is offering two Love Feast you can choose from. This is an exclusive offer for dine-in customers until February 28, 2013.

Love Feasts!

I actually sent this promo via email to my husband but not to celebrate Valentine's day but to celebrate his birthday which is next week! I'm pretty sure that he will chose Feast 2 because of the chocolate dip. He is a sucker for anything sweet while me loves bread.

Isn't it great where you can spend less and be practical while sharing a special moment with your loved one?

Hearts and Flowers

This is the most anticipated day of February. Valentine's Day! After being married for 5 years, I took this day as a regular day. My husband is not the kind of guy who will give you flowers or chocolates on any special occasions. He gave me cake last year for my birthday but flowers? Nah! He told me before that flowers are a waste of money and it will wither eventually. So I'm not expecting any flowers any time soon.

Meanwhile, for those who wants to woo or impress their special someone by giving flowers you might want to check out this guide for your reference to express exactly how you feel. Oh yes! Flowers especially roses have different meanings depending on their colors so do your research now.

Photo Credit: WeddingsatWork

If my husband decided to give me flowers, I would like to have a combination of red and white roses. Or would it be nice if he has a bouquet of all colored roses on the left side? Me, wishful thinking.

First day of Lent

Photo Credit : www.jucoolimages.com

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! It's officially the Year of the Water Snake and just like the past Chinese new years, I always looked up for my Chinese Horoscope and the predictions of Feng Shui experts. Hehehehe.

Cool! Google is celebrating CNY with the game Snakes :)

I bought last Thursday a Nian Gao (tikoy) from Eng Bee Tin. It's a 4-in-one package in small sizes of tikoy (glutinous rice cake) with flavors such as Ube, Pandan, Sweet Corn and Strawberry.

Php 280 for 4  pcs .of  Nian Gao

Colorful Tikoys

From Wikipedia - Niángāo, Year cake or Chinese New Year's cake is a food prepared from glutinous rice and consumed in Chinese cuisine. While it can be eaten all year round, traditionally it is most popular during Chinese New Year. It is considered good luck to eat nian gao during this time, because "nian gao" is a homonym for "higher year." The Chinese word 粘 (nián), meaning "sticky", is identical in sound to 年, meaning "year", and the word 糕 (gāo), meaning "cake" is identical in sound to 高, meaning "high or tall". As such, eating nian gao has the symbolism of raising oneself taller in each coming year (年年高升 niánnián gāoshēng). Also known as rice cake. This sticky sweet snack was believed to be an offering to the Kitchen God, with the aim that his mouth will be stuck with the sticky cake, so that he can't badmouth the human's family to the God of all Gods (Yu Huang Da Di).

If only I knew this piece of information, I should eat tikoy every Chinese New Year and maybe I'm 2-3 inches taller compared now. Hahahaha!

Let's start the luck right now. Maaaa....can we start frying the ube tikoy now and served it for breakfast???

Now or Never

If you noticed, my 2008-2009 blog entries were more personal unlike the past 2 years where I'm refraining to divulge too much information about myself and my family as I'm trying to protect our privacy. Past scenarios and experiences led me to do so.

But since this will be a start of a new journey for me and my husband as a married couple and I'm sure a lot of people have been here in our situation and there's a possibility that there will still be couples in the future who will have a hard time conceiving, I decided to come out of my cave and document everything for me to remember the whole journey and to share my experience in hopes that it can clarify any speculations and wondering that married couples have in mind like us. In short, we are clueless!

Later, I'll be seeing an Obstetrics and Gynecology doctor specializing in infertility. This will be the very first time that I will seek consultation concerning my chances of having a child. The past consultations that I have with an OB/GYN is for a different purpose and that was 2-3 years ago. At that time the findings are nothing to be worry about. I can say that they are all mild issues.

I've been asked many times by my friends, relatives, in-laws, etc. as to why we don't have a child. Initially it was by choice. Given the situation we have back then where I'm the only one working and the husband being unemployed, having a child is not our priority however things have changed now so we decided to have ourselves checked. My body clock is ticking and I'm aware of it though it took me some time to consider really seeking a specialist.

Wish me luck and hopefully my "visitor" won't be dropping by anytime soon today!

Subic Grand Seas Resort Valentines Promo

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Good thing that I decided to check my twitter updates yesterday and found this tweet:

A Lovely Deal!

Me and my husband were not the type to celebrate Valentine's Day. I'm not sure why but I'm more ecstatic in celebrating his birthday which falls in February so we just celebrate the two occasions every year but with more emphasis on his natal day.

I've been racking up my brain on where will we celebrate his birthday and this promo couldn't be more perfect as I'm craving for a well deserved R & R. I'm sure my husband needs this as well as he spent more hours working than usual for numerous projects. Both of us need a break from work and this should do the trick.

I'd say, this is a nice deal that shouldn't be miss! Now I have to convince my husband if we can avail this offer. He can be a KJ (kill joy) sometimes. I hope my target date will still have vacant rooms once hubby said yes (crossing my fingers).

To avail this promo and make a reservation go to Subic Grand Seas Resort.

My Perk-Me-Up Song

It's Monday again and I'm trying very hard not to get lazy but I can't help it. The weather is so nice during the dawn that makes you want to crawl back to your bed. Sigh!

So in order to wake me up from this laziness, I want to share my favorite song for this month. Hopefully until 2013 ends it will still be my top song. I'm sure you are all familiar with this music especially if you watched the film The Perks of being a Wallflower.

I've been playing this song over and over again since yesterday. Thank you for earphones otherwise my husband and neighbors will probably be annoyed of this song and throw a fit! Just joking. So far our neighbors have been very kind and considerate.

In all honesty and I'm not being biased, you will never actually get tired of playing this song 100x in a day.

Hit the play button and you'll be the judge.

 

 Let's enjoy the rest of the week, shall we?