If you google “Illustration” and “Pinoy” you’d probably find my site as one of the first entries… but that will soon change! (And it’s my fault.)

IllustrationPinoy is a group blog for Pinoy illustrators and the Philippine illustration scene.  It features news, events, jobs, gigs, opportunities, inspirations for the would-be and professional Pinoy illustrator.  Have a look and tell your friends!

Our old Mitsubishi Lancer GLXI took a trip to Diamond Motors to get a 15-point checkup last Wednesday. It’s got a nasty bump on its rump. Besides that, its transmission is shot and its radiator’s full of dirt. It had problems with the alternators and air condition as well. Plus it waste a lot more gasoline than necessary.

The gentleman who handed me the lowdown on the auto’s ailments told me the transmission alone would cost more than the car’s value.

That old car is my father’s favorite. I believe they share similar predicament.

My father’s now has vicious-looking bedsores on his rump. His brain is damaged from hydrocephalus and because of bouts with infections, his temperature is high. Other patients have come and gone from the hospital, but he remains.

We don’t have the hundred thousands to spare. Otherwise we would fix our car, we would fix our dad. Each of them old and too expensive for our family to keep running.

My internet connection and landline were restored March 10. I had called from day one (February 11) of the disconnection and the Globelines service people only arrived March 10 even after I had phone their service people. Apparently I had to CANCEL an OLD REPORT & FILE A NEW REPORT instead of having their call center people make “followups.”  Oddly I am still being told to pay Globelines 3/4 of the bill when for practically 98% of the time I had no dialtone or  connection.

In the meantime, my dad has been in the hospital since March 3.  First because of a fractured femur, then for complications which include bleeding in the brain, blood infection, pneumonia, and now anemia and bed sores.

Cardinal Santos charges way too much.  Meronem, a drug prescribed to my dad costs 3000Php at a drugstore - at Cardinal Santos they have it at 5000Php!!! Not just that, but even the price on items such as syringes and gloves are ballooned exorbitantly!  It’s nice that they have nuns visiting patients, but not whilst the hospital sends your bills to heaven!!!

It made me think twice whether I’m making enough money.  Whether or not what I’m working on now is going to support me in my old age.

Many people had to chip in and continue to chip in for the biggest expense of my father’s  (very expensive) life.  Me and a pair of my cousins have already donated our blood to the hospital blood bank to drop costs down for my dad. As of this time, we’re looking for 6 more guys below 50 to donate!

I try to busy myself with work, but such a traumatic financial experience has me asking myself & God a lot of questions.