Product Review: Celeteque’s SunCare Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15

Posted on June 28, 2018 by JackieClems

I was looking for a carry on, travel size, “more affordable” moisturizer for travel and “hospital duty related” purposes, when I bumped into Celeteque’s Sun Care Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 (sun protection factor or spf is a measure of how much a product protects our skin from the sun’s skin damaging ultraviolet rays) while doing the grocery yesterday.

So it basically covered what I was looking for: it is carry on and comes in an acceptable travel size pack at 50 ml, more affordable at P150.00 (compared to what I’m currently using– Proactiv Oil Free Moisture).

Product comes in neat yellow themed box, representing “sun care” of course! 🙂

Since it has sunscreen, we expect the moisturizer’s consistency to be more like of a sunblock, only it is lighter. Lighter in a sense that i think it has more water as a base compared to sunblock and is way…

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my US visa grant experience

Posted on July 10, 2017 by JackieClems

Hello Monday of July 10, 2017!!!

Yesterday I spent the whole afternoon reading blogs on various people’s US visa application experience. There are a lot of horror stories out there and I just wanna make sure mine won’t be one. 🙂 My mom and my sister had their US Visa back in 2012, I should have had it together with them back then, however I was so into reviewing for my board exams I didn’t bother involving myself. HEHE. But hola, today came and now I have my own story to tell! 🙂

From my review from blogs and from my sister’s stories, I think the US embassy did major changes on the US visa application process. These are the changes I noted:

Showing up on my scheduled appointment, at the embassy entrance (along Roxas Blvd), they will ask you to present your interview schedule confirmation (I printed mine via email), then your passport. And thats it. You are directed to enter the gates.
You have your things/bags scanned. My bag was rechecked for what the lady guard thought was an earphone, (no gadgets allowed inside the embassy –earphones, celphones, tablets etc.) but im sure i didn’t bring one! After rechecking (i think it was just my rolled id lace she mistook as an earphone) I was allowed to proceed.
We were led to the waiting area. Nothing to do here. Just wait, observe (i retouched my make up, hehe) and wait for further instructions to be led in.
Now at the major application process. There were 3 steps:
- STEP 1: Pre-screening: Filipino officers do the pre-screening interview. You are only required to drop your current passport at the counter and nothing else. Filipino man (with a poker face, a little masungit, ;p) asked me the purpose of my travel and my travel history. Then that’s it.
- STEP 2: Fingerprint scanning: A young pretty American girl did the fingerprint scanning. I was asked my name and my birthday. Then the biometrics: scan the left four fingers, then the right, then both thumbs together. Done. Next–
- STEP 3: Interview!!!: OMG the most awaited moment. Judgement time. The queue was quite long. I was giddy, but not nervous at all. Been observing people and overheard some interviews (the officers are using microphones for everybody to hear, i wonder why), seen people got denied (they were given this blue paper and their passports sent back. It was such a sad scene though). Anyway, unlike whats been told me, we were not given numbers and there were no blinking signage on the counters to watch out for. We just queued and the Filipino ushers instruct us on which specific counter to queue again. And they will only require you to present your current passport (no DS160 form with barcode, which was strictly mentioned on the embassy website guidelines). I was particularly observing 2 male American officers who kept on denying people before me, and made a little prayer that I dont get to queue in them. But, God knows why, I was assigned to one of them. Omg. I was still positive though, I can do this. So here’s how my interview went:

Officer: Good morning ma’am. (I was surprised to be called ma’am while on the other side of the window, hehe)

Me: Good morning! 😄

Officer: So what will you do in the US?

Me: I will be travelling for leisure purposes. I want to go to Guam. 🙂

Officer: Have you travelled before?

Me: Yes, I’ve been to Australia, Japan, Singapore and Hongkong.

Officer: What is your job?

Me: I am a doctor. I am a 3rd year resident in family medicine in one of the hospitals here.. and I have another job as a company physician. 😊

Officer: You mentioned you traveled to, Australia, Japan… what else?

Me: Singapore and Hongkong. 😊

Officer: Why are you travelling a lot? (Him with a curious face, as if travelling is not common nowadays. 😜)

Me: (Huh… hard question..brains please work. hahaha) Oh, I do it as part of.. like a hobby, and also to destress. (that’s the best i got??? hahahaha) I travel once a year internationally.

Officer: Alright ma’am. Your visa has been approved. You can expect it in a week.

Me: (OMG!!Its done?) SMILE. Thank you!!! 😆

I was so happy. I de-contained my happiness in the restroom to literally jump for joy. I am particularly proud of myself for doing every step of this application on my own.

Again changes I noted in the application were:

During the interview, no numbers were given to applicants; just plain queueing.
DS160 form was not asked; we are only asked to present our passport. No ID pictures asked either.

**There. Thank you, Lord! 🙏🏻Excited for more travels! ✈️✈️✈️

-Jackie 🌞👸🏻

Let It Go

Posted on May 9, 2016 by JackieClems

When I learned about doing a reflection paper on our first quarter at the Hospital, the first thing that comes into my mind—the biggest thing that had an impact on me this first quarter is the failing health of my closest friend there, Christian. As not everyone might now, we’ve been friends since med school, and when I was in dire burnout with my stressful life in the OPD last year, his presence would always lift me up. Lunch breaks, funny conversations, heart to heart talks with him helped me survive in my first year. Come March 2016, he experienced significant weight loss and continuous fever in a month and had to take a long leave. I was devastated for two reasons:

1. I worry about him— it is cancer. Will he live? How long? Will he make it? I cannot stand to think that I will experience losing three important people all in the beginning of the year. I just had a breakup. Then I lost my dad. Now, will I lose my friend too?

2. I felt alone. He was my best friend in the hospital—the most comfortable one I have. The one you talk with a one liner and yet get your point. That one friend who almost have the same wavelength as yours. Every time I go to work, I look for him, then I realize, he is not there.

The first quarter was rock bottom depressing. The passing of my dad and the recent heartbreak were already so much to bear for me. So much. It was all too heavy already that I felt that I need I have to let Christian go. It was hard, and perhaps selfish, but I have to. I stopped worrying about him, I stopped asking him frequently on how he was and whether he was fine, I stopped nagging him to have his treatments started. For all its worth, I asked my mom to do a mass offering for Christian for a day, but to my surprise, she offered a mass for a week. This, then I told myself, “let go”.

A few weeks ago I went to Japan, and in one of the temples there, candles were sold for a particular reason—for stress, for love, for a job, for depression, for cancer, etc. I bought the last one and lit a candle for Christian, amongst the other candles I have. It was ironic too because as I lit the candle, I prayed to Jesus knowing that I am in a Buddhist temple, but at the same time whispered a little prayer for the elders of the temple to intercede. I crossed my fingers, hoped for the best, then left. Then last week I learned that Christian’s working diagnosis was urogenital TB, and finally he was responding to anti-TB medications. The last thing I know, his continuous fever is gone. I remembered the candles in the temple. Along with my mom’s mass offering, it must had a bearing too.

From this experience, what I learned is that sometimes, we do not have to bear every single problem, we do not have to put all of the weight in our shoulders, we do not have to worry about everyone, about every single thing. Not because we are selfish, not because we do not care anymore—but because before everything else, we need to take care of our own selves first. We need to prioritize our own mental and emotional health. As a good person, sometimes we become selfless, we look after other people, we worry for them, we want to make them okay and happy that in the process we lose ourselves. On the road to loving and taking care of ourselves, we have to let go—of people we love, of people we love but are no longer good for us, of dreams that might not be for us, and in Christian’s case, of situations that we do not have direct control over. All we have to do is to believe and have the peace that if our wishes are according to God’s will, he will give it to us. No begging, no worrying, no pushing. It will happen, it will be given.

-J👸🌞

Today We Didn’t

Posted on April 17, 2016 by JackieClems

I wrote this letter for him 2 months ago, and am reposting it in this page now. I am not sure why, but perhaps I just want to preserve the good memories. Despite the hurts, the secrets, the lies, and the truth that perhaps I will never know because he never gave me the right to know anyway. Today, little by little I can feel that I am starting to learn how to let go, and I know that that is a good thing.

********

02/9/16
7:00pm

Dear Twin,

You didn’t call me today. Its the first time in 10 weeks that you didn’t call me on my way to work, with the sun beaming on my face. We didn’t get to ask each other simultaneously– “hello?? asan ka na?”

I didn’t text you today. I didn’t get to ask you, “how are you?” or “whatchudoin?” I didnt get to update you on how some people in the office pissed me off, on how some people made me smile. On how ordinary but great my day went.

You didn’t text me today. You didn’t get to tell me how stressed or toxic you were at the hospital, how your friends visit you often, how you saw her with her new haircut, how good or bad it went with your colleagues.

Today you didn’t get to ask me, “What should I eat for lunch? Chicken or spaghetti?” “How do I print this stuff?” “How do I unzip this file?” “What phone will I buy?” “Should I do this or not?”

Today I didn’t get to tell you to enjoy your day, to take it easy on your works, to take some rest, to get enough sleep, to drink your medicine if you feel sick, to study well or go to bed early.

Today you didn’t check on me. Like, “Where are you na?” “Who are you with?” “Youre going out? With whom?” “Who said that to you, girl or guy?”

Today I didn’t send you pick up lines from aldub. “Twin peanut ka ba?” “Twin taxi ka ba?” “Twin fireworks ka ba?” You loved those didn’t you twin?

Today you didn’t get to rant and tell me how tired but happy you are after a long day manning the ICU and ER. Or how you feel sick or cold. And I didn’t get to tell you “Everything’s gonna be fine.Hugs!!:)”

Today I didn’t send you mushy quotes with the ❤. You didn’t get to tell me “aww sweet mo”.

Today we won’t sleep together. I wouldn’t hear your laidback voice telling me “sleep na tayo ha” or “wag ka kasi madaldal twiiin.. nag aaral ako.”

I missed you today. And I will miss you tomorrow. And the next day. And the day after. And the day after that.

Thank you. For 10 weeks I found a bestfriend, a confidant. Someone who listened and put up with me even how boring I am.

Perhaps one day I’ll bump into you– in one of the malls in Manila? In a subway in London? Or in the streets of New York? Where in the world will I find you twin? 😦

Me? I am just here. I never left.

*********

“Love has become a question of not “if” but “when”. And “when” has a lot of beautiful potential.”

Letter to my Daddy

Posted on March 31, 2016 by JackieClems

03/31/2016
5:40 pm

Dear Daddy

It is the last day of March, the last month that I get to see you. You passed away 5 days ago, in your sleep. I was at the hospital, i got busy taking care of other patients, you may think I forgot about you, but I trust myself that I didn’t. It was a good Friday and I kept on calling our house to check on how you were, that even Mommy got tired of my calls. I checked if you drank you meds, I checked if you were okay, and I thought you were, but you were not.

Perhaps its been lingering in my mind that this day will be near. I remember that time (Wednesday) when you were helplessly fighting us restraining you to have your IV cannula inserted prior to your OR. I held your arms, you were very strong. As I restrained you, I stared into your eyes, deeply, trying to send you a message. Daddy I love you, Daddy goodbye is near. Perhaps I knew. Perhaps I knew that time.

1 week prior I took a selfie with you before I go to work. At the back of my mind i thought that that could be the last pic I would take with you. And I was not wrong. It was indeed our last picture together.

I remember when you were in pain, and you would call me “Jack! Jack! Help me!” Im sorry. Im sorry if I didn’t embrace your suffering a hundred percent. Ive been thinking of reasons why. Perhaps I am not good with suffering. But one thing I am sure of is that I hated to see you suffer. I remember I asked Mommy, “why does this need to happen to you?” I think you didn’t deserve it, Daddy.

When i was a kid, i always feared that this day would come. This day that you would actually leave us. My most vivid memory of you happened when I was six. Me with my sisters and cousins were playing at the park in Mandaluyong– come the time that we have to go home all of us kids need to jump in a high boulder to get to the parking lot. The boulder was so high i couldn’t manage to jump, and yet everybody forgot me. Everyone left leaving me alone. That was the time I remembered you. I walked past what I know was your favorite spot in the park and I saw you there– when you saw me you were a bit surprised– you said “O Jack! Andyan ka pala..” Then you held my hand and accompanied me to the parking lot, then home. I felt so alone that day daddy, but guess what, when everybody left me, i found you, and you brought me home.

I remember how you accompany me on my way to school to UP via commute. You would teach me where to alight in the jeepney on the shortcut to UP gym. I remember how proud you were of me whenever you introduce me to the nurses during your HD. You would tell them, “Anak ko, si Jackie, doctora yan!”

I will miss buying you polo shirts and colorful shorts, and slip ons. I will miss you telling us “ingat!” before we go to work. I will miss pushing your wheelchair when you are about to take the holy communion. I will miss our eat outs during Sundays. I will miss you, and mommy will do too, and suzy and tetchie, and gab, kuya mike, even marj and kuya ver.

Daddy if there was anything, you were a good father. Thank you for looking after us. Thank you for raising me and my sisters. We wouldn’t be who we are now if not because of you, your love, your sacrifices.

Goodbye daddy. Forgive me for my shortcomings. I may have not been the perfect daughter, or your perfect doctor, but you know that in behalf of the family, we did care and loved you until the end. I know you are in a happy place now, free of pain, free of suffering. Hug Jesus, Mama Mary, and the angels and saints for me. Until we meet again.

I love you,
Jackie

A Letter to my Dog

Posted on March 30, 2015 by JackieClems

March 29, 2015
11:58 pm

Cindy,

Cindy at Doggie Run 2014

You have always been a good dog, never bit anyone, never hurt anyone. You loved us unconditionally.

That morning of March 27, 2015 I woke up and saw you in the 2nd floor near the gate to the stairs. I hugged you. It was a very good hug–I remember it felt like all my sadness and stress went away that very moment. Now I just realized that indeed that hug– that special feeling that I felt on that particular hug– thats your way of saying goodbye to me. I always hug you, a million times, but our last hug felt different. For a second I felt genuine joy, peace, all my sadness and stress gone. I now truly believe in miracles, in true love, in true connection, in intuition. You taught me that– you made me feel that.

My last sight of you, you were on the floor in Mommy and Daddy’s room, you were lying on Mommy’s comforter. You were heavily panting, but still with that smile on your face. I’m sorry that I fail to realize that perhaps you were already in distress that time, but I will remember, I will always remember my last sight of you– I vividly remember seeing your 2 front paws, your arms rested in front of you, you have always had that poise.

I’ll miss you! I remember your baths every Sunday or any time that I’m at home. I remember how I see

Cindy at Tiendesitas

you sitting just outside the door of the CR in the 3rd floor waiting for me to finish my bath. I remember you going up and down the stairs– your favorite spot on the stairs going to my room, how you scratch your face on the plants on the rooftop, how I take away the fleas in your back so you won’t get itchy, how you come to me when I call you so you could have a tap on the head or a scratch on your back. I remember when you cry cos you want to go down yet the door is closed; how you scratch your paws on the door when you are knocking, how you visit me downstairs when I’m having my pedicure done, how I carry you, how I hug you, how I kiss you when I go home and you barking and welcoming me; how you fail to wake up lately when we arrive just because you’re already old; how I refill your bowl of water and you drink on it; how I refill your bowl of dog food and eat on it; how we keep our chicken bones from the restaurant so you’ll have pasalubong, how I carefully keep all the left over bones from my lunch so you’ll have pasalubong when I go home.

The latest Petexpress doggie run I had the intuition that it might be your last; and indeed it was. I’m regretful that I wasn’t able to join you because I can’t, but you know how much I wanted to be with you that time.

Cindy and me, 2005

I remember the day you came, April 26th on my 18th birthday. You were small as a towel, the last time I carried you, I realized how you got big and heavy. I carried you for the last time in your coffin going down to the 1st floor.

It breaks my heart whenever I remember the txt message that Suzy sent me telling me you were dead; I just can’t believe it. It breaks my heart remembering that day– in the morning I saw you smiling, I hugged you, then in the afternoon we buried you. I just can’t believe all of those things happened in just one day.

The day you died, we smelled you, and you smelled good– you smelled sweet. They say that is because you were a good dog. You are.

After we buried you I went back to the hospital because I’m duty. I was crying in the car the whole way. Marjorie said that the moment I got down from the car, she smelled something fragrant, something sweet, something that smelled like your cologne, and it lasted for about 2 minutes. Techie said it was you, you stayed with me on the car on the way back to work Cindy. And I believe that.

Although you’re not here anymore, I know that we gave you a good life, and that you know that. Like I always say, for me you are always brand new, I never got tired of you.

Cindy’s 12th birthday at home

They say that when a family gets a new baby the dog gets forgotten, but when Gabbee came, we proved it wrong. You were loved the same way, nothing has changed.

Your plates, your glasses, your shampoo, your cologne, your dog food, your mat, your leash are all still here. Whose gonna use them now Cindy?

I love you. I’ll miss you. I’ll never forget you, everyday. I know you’re in heaven and if dogs can pray I know you’ll be praying for us.

I’ll see you in the afterlife. I’ll see you in heaven. I hope you wait and welcome me when I finally get to heaven, much as like how you welcome us every time we get home.

I love you Cindy, farewell. I’m glad that at least you didn’t suffer much, I know you loved us and we loved you.

Thank you Cindy, you’ll be in my heart always.
I love you.

❤ Jackie

Cindy at home after Doggie Run 2015

Cindy at doggie run 2013

Baby Gabbee with Cindy

My family with Cindy!!

Cindy at Pet Express store in MOA

Cindy and me, 2014 version

Cindy celebrating her 11th birthday

Yellow flowers for Cindy

Product Review: Celeteque’s SunCare Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15

Posted on December 30, 2014 by JackieClems

Product comes in neat yellow themed box, representing “sun care” of course! 🙂

Pea sized amount on the skin

Cream spread on the skin

You apply a pea size or any enough amount on your face, glide and spread it (make sure you don’t put too much) and voila! In a matter of seconds, you’re skin gets hydrated, sun screened, and it settles just perfectly without the sticky feel. The cream feels supple and natural, its like its not there at all.

Comparing it with Proactiv’s Oil Free Moisture, it has basically the same good qualities, except that Celeteque’s Sun Care Moisturizer is scented, Proactiv is not. But comparing the price difference (Proactiv costs P900.00), Celeteque’s Suncare is a steal. 😄

Its a 5 star for me. Will definitely restock with this one! 👍

—-
Skin health tip: Moisturizers, lotions, hand creams, emollients — they are a must. It keeps the epidermis (the superficial part of the skin) hydrated, therefore preventing its dryness. Notice that dry skin is a precursor for several bacterial and fungal related dermatitis. Remember that the primary secret for healthy skin is hydration! So keep those creams and lotions closer! ❤

There are truths in our games.

Posted on August 6, 2014 by JackieClems

Recently I’ve been fond of answering those catchy, witty survey questions that has been circulating on facebook. I have some hesitancy on answering them because obviously these surveys are made just for fun. However, I was able to answer a few good ones where I see some truth on the results. Here are some:

1. Question: How Other Perceive You:

I got: “The Beauty.” Beauty is power. Despite having an amazing personality, you are noticed and remembered for your stunning looks. Physical beauty inspires respect and admiration and you definitely have many followers. — I would gladly accept this answer! haha!

2. Question: What Classic Novel Describes Your Life?

I got: “Pride and Prejudice.” Independent and brash, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice could have been written about your life! Your intelligence and stubborn nature has brought you to where you stand today. And to say you surprise others on a daily basis would be an understatement. In your mind, nothing is impossible–and if anywone chooses to stand in your way they simply become another obstacle. You believe you were meant to do great things, regardless of race, sex or religion — and nothing of the sort will ever stand in your way. — I love this novel!! And would gladly agree with the description above. 🙂

3. Question: How Do Men Perceive You?

I got: “Cute.” You are the girl who guys look at and automatically have some sort of attraction to. You are girly and fun and always polite. A lot of the time you’ll play hard to get but you secretly probably have a crush on the guy too. — There is truth in this. haha.

I find these surveys sensible. So maybe some Psychology graduate authored the surveys, but do choose which surveys to answer. Because the others can be a total waste of time! 🙂