Elective guide to Bacolod, Philippines - Med-Co

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“Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated,
world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with
the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to
grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind
and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. T his will change
you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.” – Mark Jenkins
“All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits
better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And
if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.” –
Samuel Johnson
Nicknamed the City of Smiles, Bacolod City was, until a few years ago a sleepy, agricultural town
dedicated to the production of sugarcane. An ambitious mayor, along with a lot of overseas investment
put paid to that image, and the city has exploded since.
At the start of the last decade, in influx of Japanese, Korean and Russian investors came to Bacolod
bringing truck loads of yen, won and rubles. Since then a number of large call centres have sprung up.
This in turn has led to renovations of local hospitals and infrastructure, as well as construction of a
brand new international airport. There has only been one international flight from there so far (to
Moscow), but hopefully more will follow now Bacolod can handle larger planes. As a result of all this
investment, a large number of amenities have sprung up, from high quality hotels, bars, restaurants
and nights clubs, to museums, nature reserves, historical sights and spa resorts. Do not be fooled by
the modern areas, however. There will be times in Bacolod that will remind you that you are still in a
third world country. A large percentage of the population still live in abject poverty, surviving on a
dollar a day or less. This brings with it all the medical, social and cultural problems associated with
poverty - poor health, poor sanitation, crime, prostitution and malnutrition.
Despite this, you will be hard pushed to find happier, more welcoming
people.
At Med-Co Global Exchange, we want you to have the most memorable
elective experience possible, make lifelong friends and never forget
this place or the people, and hopefully someday return!
Culture differences can sometimes be challenging, but always try to
keep your cool, we think that is the best advice you can be given when
travelling. Things are done in a different way and you can go crazy
trying to work out why. Accept it and learn to love it. Of course, as in
anywhere in the world, you must always practice a degree of caution
and common sense. Hyderabad is generally a safe place though and as
will be times you will encounter situations that may come as a shock
but just remember that it is all part of the experience…
We look forward to sharing the adventure with you!
Dr Luke Turley
Medical director and co-founder
After the long years at medical school, you have earned a break. Electives give you the chance to
explore parts of the world and see things that you have never seen. As such, we pride ourselves on
sourcing elective locations off the usual tourist route. These locations are handpicked by our staff
members to provide exciting new opportunities and adventures. This was the reason for choosing
Bacolod. With endless things to do, such as trekking, diving, historical tours and going on a mini
safari looking for endangered species in the mountains, you will never be bored in Bacolod!
However, we recognise that the elective is an essential part of your medical course, and many
As such, we have designed
our placements from the ground up to give the best possible educational experience. We have
personally vetted all hospitals and met the doctors who work there to ensure they are of the highest
standard.
Unlike many electives, we are with you from booking until you return. On your arrival at Bacolod,
our representative will be there to collect you and bring you to your accommodation. Waiting for
ingredients. The following day, our Philppines representative will meet up with you again and give your
group an induction talk, followed by a quick tour of the local area, pointing out the best shops,
restaurants, etc before taking your group out for a welcome dinner at one of our favorite local
restaurants (included in elective cost).
come and meet you. Following a welcome introduction, you will be given a full tour of the hospital
introduced to all the doctors you will be working with.
From a day-to-day basis, no one at the hospital will ever ask you to do procedures you do not feel
shadowing junior doctors, observing and assisting in theatre and attending clinics. You are also
invited to all in house educational sessions. We have also arranged a weekly group session for
elective students. This will give you the opportunity to meet elective students from other hospitals
and share your experiences. A local junior doctor will come to these sessions (normally held in the
conference area of our accommodation) to help with any medical questions and guide you through
interesting cases.
Our representatives, both clinical and social, will be available throughout your elective for any
problems or questions, as well as being there to sort out any day to day issues.
We hope that our electives give the best possible mix of both medical education and
“extra-curricular” experiences. We are constantly looking to improve, so hope that even after the
elective you will stay in touch. We have built lifelong friendships with our Philippines partners, and
hope you will too.
There are a number of good hospitals in Bacolod. Your elective pack should contain details of which you are attached
to. All of them cover the main specialties, and because of the way the health system works, most consultants work
at two or three of them. All of our local partner hospitals have outreach programmes taking excellent
heathcare services into the surrounding community – you will be able to join in with these visits
and therefore see a very different side of medicine as practiced in a rural setting whilst being able
to return to the comfort of your city based accommodation in the evening if you so wish. You will
join the busy medical teams and participate in both day and overnight shifts. As in the UK you will
be closely supervised and will not be asked to work at an inappropriate level. All of our hospitals are
very involved with medical training and so are used to having medical students on the wards.
The Government Hospital
Officially called The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, but everyone knows it
as “the government hospital”. Officially 350 beds, but during dengue season they manage to fit
in up to 500 patients.
Most of the routine specialties are covered at the hospital, including A/E and paediatrics. Unlike
many hospital in the Philippines, care here is free, although patients are expected to contribute to
the cost of food and medication is they have the means to do so. At other clinics it may only cost a
here is a God-send for many.
If placed at here you will have the opportunity to stick with one specialty for your whole elective,
here also work at the private hospital, as well as participating in rural outreach programs so they will
make sure you get the best possible exposure to as many clinical settings as possible
The Riverside Hospital
600 bed hospital is located around a mile from the Government Hospital and most consultants work at
It is now one of the most popular and most respected hospitals in the Visayas, and houses a large
nursing school.
Most specialties are covered at the hospital, including some of the more advanced sub-specialties.
This hospital also participates in the rural outreach program and provides mobile clinics on the back of
a truck.
Accommodation
So, where will you be staying? We have a good sized, recently built apartment block in central
Bacolod very close to the Government Hospital and about 20 minutes from the airport by car.
The apartments are well furnished, with individual bedrooms and communal living and cooking
space. . The block is gated with a permanent security guard to make sure you and your possessions.
stay safe at all times. A cleaner will help you keep your apartment clean and tidy and launder your
sheets and towels. You can also ask for your clothes to be laundered and ironed too for a small
additional fee.
You will soon feel part of the local community and will be able to buy your essential provisions at
the many small shops close by. Home is in easy walking distance of the busy shopping area on
Lacson Street, and within a few minutes walk of some of the best restaurants (as well as KFC).
You need to be prepared for power outages that hit the city from time to time but that s just one
of the facts of life in the Philippines.
by a friendly English face.
-
Luke’s Top T ip
Watch out for the water. Water that comes out of the tap is not safe for drinking. Make sure you
keep a supply of bottled water for drinking, washing salad and fruits and brushing your teeth.
Water is readily available from all local general stores. There are plenty of local supermarkets
nearby for food shopping at reasonable prices, with many western products available.
Just remember to check the seal on water bottles before you drink them.
Luke’s Top T ip
Mobile phone SIM cards - If your mobile phone is unlocked, you can buy SIM cards from almost
topped up) that many people just buy a new card each time. As such, be preparaed for friends you
make to change their mobile number as often as they change their socks!
Unfortunately, there are currently no direct flights from the UK to anywhere in the Philippines. There
are a number of places you can fly via:
Emirates fly to Manilla or Cebu via Dubai
Etihad fly to Manilla via Abu Dhabi
Cathay Pacific fly to Manilla or Cebu via Hong Kong
The other (often cheaper) option is to book flights to an Asian hub such as Hong Kong, Singapore,
Brunei or Malaysia via one of the bigger airlines such as Virgin, British Airways, Cathay Pacific or
Air Asia then fly the last hour or two via a local airline such as Zest, JetStar, Cebu Pacific, Philippine
Airlines or PAL express. All have regular flights from Hong Kong or Singapore at prices that the larger
airlines cannot beat. Most of these sell you a basic ticket then you choose how much baggage you
want and pay depending on weight.
Once you get to Manilla, Cebu or Clark (which is the newer Philippine hub) Bacolod is only another
30-45 minutes onward flight. Internal flights in the Philippines are dirt cheap, meaning weekend
get-aways are available at pocket money prices. At the time of writing, the Cebu to Bacolod route is £8
each way.Unfortunately, the airport lounges tend to be a bit basic, so unless you like coffee, noodles
or smoking, bring a book! They are, however, clean and well air conditioned.
Luke’s Top T ip
Airport taxes are not included in any flight tickets, as you will be
required to pay at passport control. At the time of writing, internal
flights are 200 pesos (£3) and international 750 pesos (£11). Cards
are not accepted, so make sure on your way home you have enough
cash left over. As the terminal fee counter is in the passport hall, the
local Med-Co representative will not be allowed that far in to help
out if you haven't got the cash!
BEWARE OF THE ROADS. The local driving test is worryingly simple. To get a licence you must
first get a paper stamped to say you have had a lesson. Then you take a 30 minute true/false test,
then prove you can drive 100 m in a straight line then 100m in reverse. Test done! Despite this, there
are many unlicensed drivers on the road.
Officially, they drive on the right, however lanes seem very flexible and people invariably move to the
emptiest bit of road, no matter what side. Speed limits are frequently ignored, as the police do not
have enough petrol in their tank to chase you. By far the biggest problem, however, are the jeepnees
and tricycles, as they will frequently just stop in the middle of the road or swerve to the other side to
pick up passengers without warning. Most are in poor condition with broken lights, no tyre tread and
little breaking capacity. They are, however a very cheap way to travel if you are brave enough, costing
only a few pesos.
Jeepnees each travel a set route between two points, going back and forth. The two destinations are
printed on the sides of the vehicle and the same vehicle does the same route each day. Most are
owned by the driver and make only a small amount of profit each day despite the huge number of
passengers they pick up. In some parts of the country, the drivers are very proud of their vehicles and
customise them to show off their personality. Less so in Bacolod where profits are tighter. To hail one,
just wave and they will swerve across any amount of traffic to get to you. Have exact change, otherwise
they will try and count change whilst weaving in and out of traffic. Taxis are a lot safer, and in Bacolod
they are nearly all painted white. Fares start at 40 pesos. There are buses, however these only tend to
travel between towns, rather than routes around town. They are all bright yellow with "Ceres liner"
printed on the side. They are cheap, frequent and air conditioned.
Luke’s Top T ip
Karaoke is not a hobby here, but a lifestyle. There are even
tv shows and radio stations devoted to it. As a foreigner
you will likely be pulled over to give it a try, but they will
nearly always choose you the same English song Hotel California, so best learn the words!
There are a couple of museums in Bacolod.
The museum of Negros aims to teach you the history of the island since first colonisation by Magellan,
whilst the Museum of Sugarcane, well, you get the picture.
In the centre of town, just behind the government hospital, is the Negros Forrest and Ecological
Foundation. More of a traditional zoo, they have examples of some amazing local creatures, many of
them exceptionally rare. Donations are used to fund conservation and breeding projects. This is
perhaps the last place in the world you can see the Visayan leopard and Visayan Warty Pig.
The "old house" is a 150 year old house of a Spanish plantation owner. It was occupied by the
Japanese during the war as their local head quarters then burned down when they left. Just the shell
remains, but this is still well preserved and a popular location for wedding photos. It is rather
amusingly nick-named "the Taj Mahal of Negros". It is still a nice day out with a great al fresco
restaurant, just don't go with grand expectations!
water flume and a number of swimming pools for all ages (including a pirate ship for kids of all
ages to explore).
Santa Fe Resort. - Near the centre of Bacolod, this is a nice place to escape for Sunday lunch. They
also have a pool and spa facilities, as well as hosting the Bacolod gun club for those who wish to try
their hand at target shooting with a range of pistols and rifles.
Mambucal resort - About 20 minutes from the centre of Bacolod, this resort boasts hot natural springs,
caves to explore, zip-wires, rope bridges across the valley and waterfall, as well as a number of
restaurants and shops. It is very easy to get to from Bacolod, but if you fancy a little break, it is cheap
to rent one of their villas for the night.
Punta Bulata - The white beach and spa resort of Negros. About an hour bus ride south of central
Bacolod, this resort boasts SCUBA, snorkeling, kayaking, boat rides to the local marine reserve, health
spa and guided hikes to the local limestone caves and nature reserve. Beachside villas start at about
£30 a night, up to £70 for larger villas that sleep 6.
Mount Kanloan - The highest peak in the Visayas. This dormant volcano is a hotspot for thrill seekers
and spiritualists alike. Local companies organise treks to the peak, but allow a couple of days for the
trip. For those not keen to go all the way to the top, there are loads of interesting hikes and river
walks. There are rumours that people have found gold there, so keep your eyes peeled.
Further afield:
Borocay - This is the playground of the adventurous Philippino. Water sports rule here with sailing,
snorkelling, scuba and windsurfing all available at low cost compared to Europe. Jet skis are popular
here and easily available to hire. The hotels are clean and nice and the water crystal clear. This is a
popular spot, so prepare to meet national celebrities getting wary from it all. Frequent visitors include
Willy Revaille national heart throb, singer and gameshow host, Anne Curtis the supermodel, and tv
presenter and model sisters Ashley and Alodia Gosienfiao.
Cebu - Beach resort with plenty of scuba and boat rides available. Fewer western tourists here as it
caters more for the Japanese and Korean market but some great wrecks and reefs to dive.
Dumaguete - The poor mans Cebu. Less developed, but as such less crowded. My favorite dive site!
Manila - Shoppers paradise. Get all the latest trends and gadgets, albeit a year or so after Hong Kong.
Hosts the country's biggest mall - SM Mall of Asia.
There are a number of large malls in Bacolod. The three main ones are:
SM, Robinsons and Gaisano. All three have similar shops, usually the bigger Philippino chains such
as National Book Store, Watsons Pharmacy, Jegabytes computers, etc. They also have all the normal
chain restaurants and each has their own large department store
. big name
888 Chinatown is the newest mall, although it is made up of individual stalls rather than
There are many individual shops around, but by far the best are:
Bong-Bongs - This shop sells all of the local edible specialities, such as dried mango, durian chews,
butterscotch tarts, etc. Ideal for those with a sweet tooth. Branches are all around Bacolod. Great for
take home gifts.
ANP Showroom - on Lacson Street. Selling a variety of local handicrafts, Masskara masks and
souvenirs.
Merci - All over town. Similar to Bong-Bongs, but with a great selection of cakes
Munsterific - All over town. This is the chain “corner shop” that you will see everywhere. Sells
everything from toothpaste and chocolate to beer and cigarettes.
The University Courtyard - Hosts a selection of cheap clothes shops, bars, beauty salons and
the latest Manga.
your patients. This is a lesson you should heed throughout your career, but especially in a strange
environment with a different health system. We have tried to summarise the most important tips for
elective pack:
Before you go.
Make sure all your vaccinations are up to date. The current requirements and recommendations
will be encosed in your induction pack.
If you are taking any medication, including the pill, make sure you have enough for the entire
Take a sterile travelers pack containing needles, syringes, iv sets, gloves, and dressings. These
are available on the shop area of the global exchange website, or through all reputable
pharmacies.
Make sure you arrange travel insurance covering medical costs and repatriation if necessary.
When you are there:
Keep well hydrated. It is very easy to become dehydrated in a tropical country. Water is best and
try to avoid alcohol during the day time.
Use only properly bottled or sterilised water. Check the seal of any bottle you are given. If you
must resort to tap water be aware that this may not be as sanitary as you are used to and you
should sterilise it yourself. There are a number of ways to do this, such as boiling or using
sterilising tablets.
pens that sterilise using UV light. They take 30 seconds per 500ml of water and are even
effective if you are using them on water from puddles in the jungle! They are not cheap, but
will sterilise about 10,000 litres of water before they need replacing.
Mosquito bite prevention is vital. Even if you are taking anti-malarial drugs you can still catch
diseases such as dengue for which there is no vaccine. If you have not brought repellant with
you, the most effective available in the Philippines is a brand called “Off”. It also contains
moisturiser and aloe Vera for sensitive skin. Plug-ins are also easily available.
Safe sex is vital. STIs are rife in Asia, particularly syphilis, multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea,
herpetic warts and HIV.
No matter how tempting it appears after a few beers, avoid getting tattoos whilst away due to the
amount of hepatitis B, C and HIV around.
35 degree heat.
When you get home:
If you get any symptoms suspicious of tropical disease, do not put off going to your GP. Tell them
where you have been. This information is important for up to 12 months, as malaria in particular
can take this long to manifest itself. Diarrhoea is also common, so take a stool sample, as there has
been an increase in cases of shigella, campylobacter and amoebic dysentery, all of which require
antibiotics.
Often neglected by doctors is their own mental health. It is important throughout life to have a good
work life balance. All too often, doctors suffer burn out as they have concentrated on work,
neglecting the fun things in life. As such, we want you to get the most out of your trip,
educationally, and in terms of life experience. So, work hard, but climb the volcano, whitewater raft,
word of English. Have an adventure.