A New “superbug” CRE, Rapidly Invades US Hospitals

One particularly lethal type of bacteria, known as Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), has become resistant to nearly all antibiotics in the market. In an online article published by the New York Times, at least two million Americans fall ill from antibiotic-resistant bacteria every year and that at least 23,000 die from those infections, putting a hard number on a growing public health threat. Doctors who specialize in infectious diseases have long foreseen and warned that antibiotic resistance might bring us back to the time when people died from ordinary infections. Now, hospitals are hysterical in slowing the spread of CRE through wards. The superbug outbreak brings about a handful of CRE cases throughout the US.

            

Note that healthy people do not usually catch CRE infections. CRE infections most commonly occur among patients who are receiving treatment for other conditions. For short, the people who have been confined in a hospital for quite some time are more likely to catch the infection. These germs can cause infections when they get into the bladder, blood, or other areas where germs don't belong.

How do people really get infected? No worries for the infection is not air-borne. But a person might catch CRE through personal contact with an infected; sick patients, doctors or nurses. He or she may also get the infection from medical devices such as ventilators (breathing machines), urinary (bladder) catheters, or intravenous (vein) catheters. Animals are also carriers of the said infection. There is one case in Virginia in which poultry workers caught CRE. Be warned that not only from exposure to infected animals can you catch the CRE; consumption of contaminated or infected animals may directly transfer the infection to you. So always know what you’re eating!

Here are some tips from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website on how to prevent the infection:

• Tell your doctor if you have been hospitalized in another facility or country.
• Take antibiotics only as prescribed.
• Expect all doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers wash their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub before and after touching your body or tubes going into your body.
• Clean your own hands often, especially:
• Before preparing or eating food
• Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
• Before and after changing wound dressings or bandages or handling medical devices
• After using the bathroom
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• Ask questions. Understand what is being done to you, the risks and benefits.

Do not underestimate this infection for it can be fatal. According to CDC, some CRE bacteria have become resistant to almost all available antibiotics and can be deadly—one report cites they can contribute to death in up to 50% of patients who become infected.

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Palawan Escapade

Last summer, my family and I went to El Nido, Palawan. We traveled via chartered plane from Manila to El Nido. The flight only took 40 minutes. Upon arriving at the El Nido airport, we rode a jumbo, air conditioned jeepney to take us to a motor boat waiting for us at the shore. 

How awesome is this?

Meet my only brother, Dylan.

The boat ride from El Nido airport to the island where we are gonna stay for 4 days and 3 nights, Miniloc island that is, took 40 minutes as I remember. We weren't there yet, but I already saw the island resort from far away. The landscape was picturesque and very calm. A paradise on earth.

Tourists were given a very warm welcome by the locals of Miniloc Island. The staff happily sung the Palawan anthem, complete with musical instruments, costumes and adorable choreography. We arrived at the Miniloc Island Resort a few minutes before lunch time. We checked in on the sea view hotels and our tour guide advised us to eat plenty of food because he was going to take us on a tour immediately after lunch. The food was heavenly. I’m speechless. There were so many dishes served on the buffet table that I couldn't make up my mind on which one to taste first. After eating, we gave our compliments to the chef and headed on to the tour.

It is a mandatory rule on the island to wear life vests before getting on the speedboat or the motorized boat, but since I am a rebel, I did not wear the vest. Haha! Kidding! Along us were two Korean lovers and a Filipino couple celebrating their anniversary. Our tour guide was Kuya Vladimir, who speaks fluent English and Korean. Impressive, I know.

The very first destination for the day was the Cudugnon cave which is known for its beautiful rock formation. There’s like a small Mickey Mouse-shaped hole inside wherein tourists are allowed to take photos as much as they want. 

But flash photography is not encouraged, for the creatures inside the cave might be disturbed. Totally creepy. By the way, in order for a person to enter the cave, he’s going to have to crawl in a very tiny hole first. I’m quite slim so I didn't have any problem at all.

We went to the Cathedral cave afterwards which smelled unpleasant because of the fruit bats living in there. The formation of the cave looked like a real cathedral, though. Too bad we weren't allowed to go inside the cave because apparently, speed boats are forbidden to enter underground caves now because they emit smoke that somehow destroys the ceiling of the cave. We were supposed to visit the Snake Island afterwards but that day was a high-tide; the Snake Island sinks into the waters on a high-tide, therefore not making it visible. So we went back to the island resort and spent the rest of the afternoon kayaking and snorkelling.

Day 2

The second day of our trip was my favorite. We went island hopping, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and hiking. Our first stop was the Entalula Isalnd. Definitely the most breath-taking beach I have ever seen. Fine, white sand, clear waters and great food. 

We went to the Snake Island after lunch and headed on to the big and small lagoons. From the motor boat, we kayaked our way into the small lagoon. I was paired with my sister Gale. We were very competitive against the other teams. Haha! There were few fishes and corals but the view was amazing. Just being inside the small lagoon was priceless. Fresh air, soaring live stones, clear water and all that.

On the other hand, in order to get in the big lagoon, we needed to ride a speed boat because it was 80ft deep. According to Kuya Vlad, our tour guide, there were even sharks beneath us. But they were reef sharks, definitely harmless. Kuya Vlad took us snorkelling outside the big lagoon after the tour. At first I was all panicky because it was my first time to swim in a vast 80-feet deep ocean; looking at the deep blue part of the waters made me real uneasy because who knows? A shark might be lurking in there, but just like Kuya Vlad said, “It’s all in the mind.” 

When I saw the colorful corals of different shapes, and the fishes swimming around me I felt like Ariel, The Little Mermaid. The experience was soothing and calming. It made me appreciate my mother country even more.

Day 3

We started our third day in Palawan by visiting the other nearby resort, which is the Lagen Island Resort. We ate breakfast there, took a swim and had fun playing table tennis, foosball and pool. 

We went to Dibuluan beach afterwards to eat lunch. Dibuluan beach also had white sand, but not as fine as Entalula’s sand. Food was great too; you have to try their smoked salmon. I tried parasailing but I failed. Wind was too strong and the board was too heavy for me. Next time, maybe. The day ended with the sunset cruise over Bacuit Bay, minutes away from Miniloc. We took pictures for memories as we watched the beautiful sunset.

Day 4

As I chowed down my stack of pancakes, I realized that it was my last day in Palawan. Every 8 in the morning, tourists can feed the jacks near the shore, so we did. I thought they were tiny, colorful, cute, little fishes but they were not. They were not! They were huge, silver (black when hungry) and quite vicious. I heard that they once attacked a tourist as she tried to feed them. The tourist ended up in a nearby local hospital with injuries. Anyway, we fed the jacks and headed to Shimizu Island for snorkelling and fish feeding. 

By Lunch time, we went to a private island and had lunch. We had the whole island to ourselves. Now, how cool is that? There was a cave in the island so we explored it and we took as many pictures as we can.

All ours!

The staff of Miniloc Island is so sweet! They always leave
messages and candies on our beds before going to sleep.

Overall, it was a great experience. Food was great, locals were lovely and the view was simply one of a kind. The Philippines definitely is a beautiful country. I can say that it is the perfect getaway for families, couples and friends. 

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Basic Skin Care Tips

Hey there! I stumbled upon a beauty article this morning and I thought, hey why don't I post something similar to this one? So, here's a quick guide on how to have healthy skin without spending too much. 

Disclaimer: I am not a skin expert or anything, all of these are things I learned from beauty gurus on YouTube, my forever idols, Michelle Phan and Bubzbeauty. Subscribe to their channels! I have been watching their tutorials since first year college and I tell you... They are awesome! They helped a lot in my epic transformation. Hihi! Any who, some are from personal experiences and the rest are from Captain Obvious. Haha!

A fair complexion brings a radiant glow and beauty to a person. But how exactly can you have flawless skin without going to derma clinics? Here are some tips for healthier skin:

1.      Prevent sun damage

Protect yourself from the sun because it could be very harmful to the skin. Intense exposure to the sun can give you wrinkles, skin problems and other signs of ageing. Much worst, it can cause skin cancer. That’s why whenever you go out on a trip (very important for outdoorsy people) or when you’re going out, don’t forget to use sunscreen. If you’re headed to the beach or a theme park, bring a sunscreen with you of at least SPF 15. Reapply when needed and especially when you’re swimming. I recommend The Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock. 

I used it when we went to El Nido, Palawan last summer. It is definitely much better than the previous sunblocks that I have tried before. It has this light and smooth mixture unlike other sunblocks that are gooey and sticky. Plus, it's very affordable. I think I got three bottles for P500 at the SM Department Store. 

For those who wear makeup every day, get into the habit of choosing BB creams and foundations that come with SPF. But avoid wearing high SPF foundations or creams at night time or if you have a photo shoot because your face might appear super shiny in the photos. Also, always seek shade. The heat of the sun is not as healthy as it was before. Avoid the sun between 10AM and 4PM; it is the time when the sun’s rays are most harmful.

2.      Cleanse your skin

If you wear makeup all the time, always remember to wipe it off gently with a clean cloth and cleanser before you sleep. Or better yet, get rid of stubborn makeup by using a facial wash. I have three skin care products in my bathroom which I cannot live without. The Olay Clarity Fresh Cleanser, Celeteque Facial Wash and St. Ives Exfoliating Apricot Facial Wash. 

One thing you should know is that the process of exfoliating is really important because it removes dead skin. But it is not recommended for you to exfoliate everyday -- unless you want to look like a glistening vampire. Over-exfoliation causes forehead shine and even skin flaking, so two to three times a week would do. I don't know anything about combinations of skin care products but these three work wonderfully for my skin. Blemishes rarely appear on my face and I don't have oily skin as well, so I guess it is a good combination.


Sleeping with makeup on is a big no-no! Moisturize every morning or every night to rejuvenate the skin and give it a fresh look. They say skin care products work best during night time so try applying your favorite moisturizer before going to bed. I am currently using a face spray moisturizer from Korea, it's called Aqua Moisture - Moisturizing and Soothing Facial Mist. I got it from my very close friend, Yee-Gi.

3.      Watch out for external elements that can cause skin ageing

Pollution has been a problem here in the Philippines since time immemorial. If you don’t own a car, you pretty much don’t have a choice but to use public transportation for travelling. Believe it or not, chemicals and fumes that PUVs and private vehicles emit can get into your skin. To prevent this, always bring with you facial wipes and facial sprays to cleanse your skin while travelling. Don't forget to choose hypoallergenic ones, in case your skin is ultra sensitive to skin care products. 

4.      Live a healthy lifestyle

I guess this one is pretty self-explanatory. Quit smoking and eat a healthy diet. Elements that cigars contain are very harmful not just to the skin but to the internal organs. Also, try to have a balanced diet. Eat plenty of green, leafy vegetables. Lessen intake of soft drinks and junk food. Instead, drink natural juice nectar and lots of water. 

These are my favorite brands. Good for 
the skin and body detox. Try to look up 
@detoxifybar and @theskinnyjuiceryph 
on Instagram.

It took me a long time to stop from drinking soft drinks. Now, I am proud to say that I can control the urge. I have been practicing this for almost two years now. Another factor that can cause skin ageing is stress. So try to relax more and get plenty of sleep to regulate blood circulation in the body.

5.      Clean the devices/other things that may come in contact with your skin

Get into the habit of cleaning your mobile phones regularly. Germs spread like wildfire in your gadgets and you don't even know it. It can be transferred to your skin as you talk to someone on your cell phone. Also, clean your makeup brushes/applicators regularly. Make sure that they are squeaky clean whenever you apply makeup. 

6.      Hydrate your skin

Drink plenty of water. Water helps eliminate toxins in the body that can cause damage to the skin.  Drinking plenty of water may prevent dry skin.

7.      Change your pillowcase often

You may not know it but your pillowcase may carry germs too. Combination of hair products and facial oils on the pillow case may cause blemishes. A lot of silk pillowcases are now available in online shops. It's what most celebrities use in my observation. So try this one too. Trust me, you'll sleep like an angel!

8.      Never pick at blemishes

Don’t squeeze out your zit. Infection and scarring may bring permanent damage to your pores. Just eww!

9.      Good hygiene

Take a shower everyday. The temperature and weather here in the Philippines are factors that increases microbes on the skin. So take a bath regularly, use soap, facial wash or scrubs to exfoliate your skin. 

10.  Drink vitamins

Vitamins A, B, and C are essential to the skin. Vitamin E helps improve the skin when applied externally. I drink Ascorbic Acid and Enervon regularly. Aside from it's health benefits, vitamin Cs and multivitamins help me stay alert and active in class. I drink Ferrous Sulfate too because I am anemic. If I don't, my face would look so pale; it helps in regulating the blood circulation in my body. Multivitamins are available at any grocery stores.


If you have naturally radiant skin, you wouldn't have to wear cosmetics all the time. You can go out without makeup and still feel confident and beautiful. So yeah, that's pretty much it. 'Til the next post, buh-bye!

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The Best Café in Town

One of the perks of being a Liberal Arts student is definitely getting to learn the editorial stuff. This November, our block (COM41) will be releasing our very own Magazine entitled Chill, so watch out for it! It's not out yet, but maybe I can show you the magazine in some other entry. Anywho, I am the head layout artist of the whole thing and I almost died for the love of Editorial Management. I pulled consecutive all-nighters, I skipped a lotta meals and travelled from places to places just to give justice to this magazine. Shout out to our dearest professor, Ms. Congee Gomez, without whom we couldn’t have survived the semester.  

In search for advertisement clients, I visited a quaint coffee shop near my place. One of my recent discoveries. The café is called Sugarcube café & lounge. It just opened a few months back, and if you are from around here (Imus, Cavite), do visit this place! 

Here's a photo of the café's facade. You can also see the huts at the back. If it's your anniversary or something, you can book a reservation for a romantic candlelit dinner. It's for free!

Last February, my boyfriend surprised me with this 
simple dinner set up in this café.

I fell in love with the place after seeing it and meeting the crew. The café is in a pretty much serene and secluded area; it is located at Bayan Luma, Imus. It is owned by a friend of mine, Ms. Annabelle Kamantigue. She's really nice, so if you get to meet her, say hello for me. I actually do some print ads for them and I am their photographer as well, so yeah. I basically dine there for free. Haha! The cafe is open every Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 10pm. Sugarcube is WiFi-centralized, it has this calm ambiance with dim lights and good music. Ahh, perfect for the lovers out there. Haha!

Sugarcube’s best seller frappuccinos are Mocha Chip and Strawberry. The word in town is that their frappes taste like Starbucks’s so I had to taste it for myself. Indeed, the word in town is true! Their strawberry frappe has this creamy texture combined with a mildly sweet whipped cream on top and the frappe itself oozes with rich strawberry flavour.

  

The frappe is served in a venti drink size (591ml) at P115 while Starbucks have their venti frappes at P150. It definitely is a must-try. Plus, it is reasonably priced. Sugarcube also offers sandwiches and pasta. I suggest you try their BLT (Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato) and Tuna sandwich which cost at around P90-P100.

They serve Chicken Alfredo and Spaghetti at P110 that comes with stuffed garlic bread. For the yuppies, signature coffee lattes and espressos are served at P40-P70. They also have Mango and blueberry cheesecakes. 

  

Sugarcube is open for parties and events. Actually, a cinemalaya indie film starring Mara Lopez and Krista Miller was shot in Sugarcube just this August. The lounge is cozy, the food is great and the service is truly good. So if you want to chillax and have a good time with friends, drop by at the best café in town!

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Unnecessary Intro

Ola! I am Bree, the Little Mademoiselle. First things first. Is Bree my real name? No. Please let me reintroduce myself. I am Denise Gabrielle Abad Almera. A mouthful, I know. But GAB is fine. I attended college at De La Salle University – Dasmariñas, took up Communication Arts with a course track in Advertising. Phew! I’m twenteen (shining bright since ‘94), and I hail from the Republic of the Philippines. A true Filipina by blood and heart. I recently started working for an Ayala company, Alveo Land Corp., as a Sales Development Associate. Basically, we plan and organize events for Alveo employees. Our goal is to keep them happy at Alveo. :) 

So... Why Bree? I don’t know. Just cause. Haha! I drew it from my second name, Gabrielle. Gay-bree-yell. Haha! It’s kinda like the nickname I wish I had. And… Why Little Mademoiselle? Well, prolly because I am the epitome of the word little. Haha! Kidding. But no, really. Little Mademoiselle because I am a very petite lady. What is my height? That, my friend, I will not reveal. Haha! In my dreams I am 5’9”, though. I wish I had supermodel legs that would go on forever but… what the heck, right? Nobody’s perfect. So, why Bree Vendredi? Vendredi is the French word for Friday. Who doesn’t love Fridays? I have a thing for Fridays. Let’s just say I met my dream guy on a Friday and we went steady on a Friday, too. Two years after we met. Ah, blame it on fate’s design… The culprit! Haha! Ooh, so much cheese!

Anywho, I love love love love love love cosmetics, clothes, shoes, jewelry and all the other girly stuff you see on Tumblr. I love food. I love shopping. Typical, huh? I love mermaids. I'm cray cray over vamps, too. Especially hotties like... the Salvatore brothers. Hihi! I love to sing. I love dancing. I'm into photo and video editing, digital art.  I love travelling. I love taking pictures and whatnot. So if you dig the same stuff I do, we’ll definitely get along home girl! Haha! Thank you for viewing my page! Feel free to leave comments. Have fun! 

http://lookbook.nu/gaberoo

http://instagram.com/_gaberoo

https://twitter.com/_gaberoo

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