Free Heart Bypass c/oPhilHealth's Z Benefit Program

After less than a year of waiting, finally, my dad had his bypass surgery last month. 

What Is A Heart Bypass?

Now, coronary artery bypass surgery, which is also called coronary artery bypass graft or CABG (pronounced as “cabbage”) by most doctors, is a major operation that saves thousands of patients suffering from severe heart disease.

PhilHealth Z Benefits 

Unfortunately, not everyone can afford this procedure. The Philippine Heart Center, a heart specialty hospital run by the government, offers heart operation packages for as much as 500,000 pesos to 700,000 pesos, depending on how many arteries are affected – a fortune for an average Juan like us. 

But thanks to PhilHealth’s Z Benefits, their newest health benefit package, my dad had his all expenses paid. For a moment, I felt happy I paid my taxes. :D

All thumbs up after the operation

"We need to aggressively reduce household out-of-pocket health care costs, especially in times of catastrophic illnesses that may or even further push Filipinos into poverty,"

– PhilHeath President and CEO, Dr. Eduardo P. Banzon.

Getting his strength back. Dad at  Philippine Heart Center's Intensive Care Unit

Medical cases that can be covered by PhilHealth’s Z Benefit:

• Childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Heart disease

Who are qualified to avail this benefit?

• PhilHealth members under the Employed sector
• PhilHealth members under the Employed Sector
• PhilHealth members under the Individually Paying
• PhilHealth members under the Lifetime Member Program
• Sponsored Program and Overseas Workers Program members including their qualified dependents.

For more information on Z Benefits, visit http://www.PhilHealth.gov.ph

The Power of Prayer: This piece of paper was given by Luigi, my dad's first attending nurse.

Philippine Heart Center

My family’s experience with dad’s bypass at the Philippine Heart Center was really good. For starters, they were the one who suggested that we make an application to PhilHealth’s new program. 

My family. :)

Compared to other hospitals, I believe it’s the only competent specialty facility with an army of experts here in the country that offers the most affordable rates and additional social assistance to qualified patients. From doctors (at least majority of the ones I saw while we were there), nurses, maintenance people, to security guards, everyone there’s just full of heart – always smiling, polite, very concerned, and all that.

After eight crucial days in the hospital, my dad is now on his road to recovery. Of course, all of this wouldn’t have been possible, if it weren’t for our biggest backer ever, the Lord Almighty. From the smallest details to biggest road blocks, He helped us all the way.

To God alone be the glory! =)

Product Review: Marie's Poster Color

Using poster colors bring back old memories from Art school, as it is the water medium we use for our most of our plates (what we call our art projects), back in college. It's the best medium to use especially for beginners. You can use it as a "wash" or very transparent-like watercolor strokes.

However, you can also use it like gouache or acrylic if you want thicker and richer colors. I remember one of my professors in Art school telling us that the perfect consistency of poster paints should be like that of a hair conditioner.

(c) ArdentArrianne.blogspot.com
This is a Philippine Kingfisher using poster paint. To see my version of this in oil pastel,

For this particular piece, I used Marie's poster color in tubes that I bought from National Bookstore. I was initially a little hesitant to buy it because back in college the poster paints we use come in little jars. I'm more familiar with DONG-A, Sakura, and Reeves as brands for poster paints. It’s a first for me to encounter a Marie's poster color.

It's usually more known as brand for acrylics and oil paints. However, I think it's a good purchase. The pigments are very rich like acrylics. It’s also very convenient for a travelling artist, since you don't have to carry the whole jar set anymore whenever you need to paint.

How to Transfer Content from One Blog to Your WordPress Blog

I’ve been having a lot of bloopers with my blogging life lately.  Creating too many blogs and then ending up wanting to transfer all contents of one blog to a different blog (just because I think the other sounds cooler) to name a few. If you're like me (yes, if you're fickle-minded, too), then this post will absolutely be helpful for you.

How to Export Content:

1. Open the source blog (the one with the content you want to transfer).
2. Go to Dashboard.
3. Look for Tools.
4. Choose Export.
5. Select All Content option.
6. Click Download Export File button.
7. Save the file to your computer.

How to Import Content:

1. Open the destination blog (the one where you want your content to be).
2. Go to Dashboard.
3. Look for Tools.
4. Choose Import.
5. You will then be asked to choose a system to import. If you’re transferring content from a WordPress blog, like me, select WordPress.
6. Upload the export file.

And there you have it. You now have all your content where you want them to be.  :)