"Kidnap Me Not"

 "Kidnap Me Not"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

(A Chatgpt experiment)

By the time YuuA heard the familiar whoosh of a smoke bomb and the overdone villain monologue echoing from the rooftop, she didn’t even flinch.

She calmly put down her smoothie, stood up from the café table, and sighed.

“Tuesday already?” she muttered, checking her phone. "Yep. Right on schedule."

The latest batch of kidnappers descended on zip lines, wearing black tactical gear, face masks, and enough unnecessary flair to make a boy band blush.

“YUUAAAAA! Come quietly, or—” the leader began.

She held up a hand, unimpressed. “Save the speech. Can we not do the net again this time? I just got my hair done.”

They blinked. “Uh… we have a hovercraft?”

She sighed. “Fine. Let’s get it over with. But I’m keeping my smoothie.”

Back at their hideout—well, what was left of it after the last rescue attempt—YuuA sat cross-legged on a suspiciously comfy couch, sipping her drink through a boba straw as the new villain squad bickered over restraints and strategy.

“This time it’s different,” one whispered. “We reinforced the doors with dragon-resistant alloys.”

“And we’re not monologuing this time,” another insisted. “No distractions. In. Out. Boom.”

Meanwhile, somewhere over the city, V felt a familiar tug in his chest—the dragon mark on his arm glowing faintly.

“Oh for the love of fire,” he groaned, dropping his book.

“She got kidnapped again?” his roommate asked, not even looking up.

“She let herself get kidnapped again,” V growled, already sprouting wings. “I told her to text me next time. I swear, if they lay a finger on her smoothie this time—”

With a gust of wind and a burst of glowing scales, V launched into the sky like a meteor on a mission.

Back at the villain lair, the goons had just finished high-fiving over successfully locking YuuA in a cage that looked expensive on paper but was probably made of cosplay-grade materials.

Then the wall exploded.

“YOU HAVE FIVE SECONDS,” came V’s voice, echoing like thunder dipped in rage.

The leader turned pale. “Oh god, he’s hotter in person—WAIT NO I MEANT—”

Too late.

The room erupted in chaos. Wind. Fire. A very dramatic tail sweep. Someone screamed “ABANDON MISSION” before tripping over their own grappling hook.

V landed with a thud beside the cage, breathing hard, glowing faintly with residual fury.

YuuA looked up from her smoothie. “Took you long enough.”

“You didn’t text me.”

“I figured I’d give them a head start this time. They really tried.”

He sighed, gently bending the bars like paperclips and lifting her into his arms. “We’re moving. Somewhere remote. Somewhere where ‘kidnap insurance’ isn’t a real thing.”

“I hear the Moon Realm’s nice this time of year.”

“I’m not kidding.”

“I know,” she said, resting her head against his shoulder. “But if they try again next week, can you at least let me finish my bubble tea first?”

He groaned. “You’re lucky I love you.”

“I know.”

And with that, they flew off into the night, leaving behind smoke, panic, and yet another villain organization with a broken budget and trust issues.

Next Tuesday, though?

Well. We’ll see.

"The Hurt Game"

 "The Hurt Game"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

(A Chatgpt experiment)

Min stood by the dormitory window, arms folded, eyes trained on the rainy street below. He could see Minyoung’s reflection in the glass from where she sat curled on the couch behind him, earbuds in, pretending not to care. Pretending not to hurt.

It had started with something small. A comment about her choreography being too “predictable.” She’d shot back that his vocals had lost their edge lately. He smirked. She rolled her eyes. But neither of them backed down.

That was three days ago.

Since then, they’d spoken only in cold glances and half-hearted shrugs. Living together but miles apart.

The rules of The Hurt Game were simple:

Don’t apologize first.

Don’t show it hurts.

Wait for the other to break.

Min typed something in his Notes app. Then deleted it.

Minyoung watched him from the corner of her eye. She hated how he could look so detached when her chest was tight with every breath. She scrolled through their old photos, the ones with laughter and lazy Saturdays. Then she locked her phone and clenched her jaw.

Last night, he left a slice of tangerine cake on the table—her favorite. But she didn’t touch it.

This morning, she’d taken his hoodie from the drying rack and folded it. Left it on his bed without a word. He didn’t acknowledge it.

They were both bleeding pride in silence.

Until tonight.

Min walked past her without a glance, heading to the door. A beat too long. A pause. Her voice cut through the room, quiet but sharp.

“Running away again?”

He stopped. Half-turned.

“I thought we weren’t talking.”

“We weren’t. But you always break first.”

He scoffed. “You wish.”

The silence after that was thick.

Then Minyoung stood, crossing the room in three sharp steps. Her eyes shimmered—not with tears, but with a storm she refused to name.

“This is stupid,” she whispered.

He looked at her. Really looked. The tiredness beneath her confidence. The bite behind her words that didn’t taste like hate, but like fear. Like love unspoken.

“Yeah,” he said. “It is.”

But neither moved.

So the game went on.

A hurt look here, a cold word there.

Both waiting.

Both too full of feeling to be the first to fold.

Because in The Hurt Game, whoever reaches out first—loses.

And neither Min nor Minyoung could stand the thought of being the weak one.

Even if it meant losing each other piece by piece.

"Transformations"

"Transformations"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

(A Chat GPT experiment) 

The bell above the door chimed.

Jihoon glanced up from behind the espresso machine, brushing a streak of foam off his apron. It was late afternoon—quiet time. The regulars had filtered out, and the playlist had settled into soft lo-fi. The perfect lull before the rush.

Then she walked in.

She was taller than he remembered—slimmer, too. A different haircut, styled and curled to perfection. Designer sunglasses perched on her head. But Jihoon felt the jolt like muscle memory.

Kei?

Not the Kei who sat beside him in homeroom chewing on mechanical pencil tips. Not the Kei who used to kick his chair when he talked too much about Naruto or sorted his Magic: The Gathering decks by elemental types during lunch.

This Kei had been reborn.

She stepped in like she belonged on the cover of a glossy magazine—and Jihoon knew she had been. He’d seen her before. The rising gravure model whose photos had started trending online last month. A whirlwind of figure, flair, and fierce eyes that stared straight through camera lenses like they were beneath her.

Jihoon hadn’t known what name she used professionally, but now there was no mistaking it.

Kei.

She didn’t see him.

She ordered quietly—just a black Americano—and took a corner seat, tilting her face away from the windows. Trying not to be noticed. But fame, even early fame, has a scent. People pick up on it.

The two guys near the pastry counter didn’t even try to hide their stares.

“Yo, that’s her, right?” one whispered. “From the calendar shoot?”

“No way—she’s hotter in person,” the other muttered, pulling out his phone. “Should I ask for a photo?”

“C’mon. Just be cool,” the first guy said, but neither of them looked away.

Jihoon’s jaw tightened.

When they started inching toward her table, he dropped the milk pitcher into the sink harder than necessary.

He rounded the counter before either of them could say a word.

“Excuse me,” Jihoon said calmly, stepping between them and her. “She’s here to enjoy her drink, not to be bothered. I’m going to have to ask you both to take it outside if you’re not ordering anything else.”

The taller one frowned. “Hey, man. We’re just saying hi—”

“You’re loitering,” Jihoon said, his voice suddenly cold and unreadable. “And she didn’t say hi back. Did she?”

They hesitated, then mumbled something and shuffled out, the door slamming behind them.

Jihoon turned slowly.

Kei was watching him now, brows slightly furrowed. “Thanks,” she said softly. “People like that are getting bolder these days.”

“No problem,” Jihoon said with a small smile. “Happens more than you’d think.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Have we met before?”

Jihoon’s heart skipped.

Her voice hadn’t changed. Still sharp around the edges, but with that undercurrent of quiet curiosity.

“I get that a lot,” he said with a small shrug, wiping the table near her. “I just run this place.”

Kei nodded slowly, then looked out the window again. “Well. You’ve got good coffee. And good instincts.”

He smiled faintly. “Thanks.”

She took a sip of her drink. Winced. “Still too bitter for me.”

He paused.

That same complaint—word for word. She used to say it in homeroom, stealing sips from his thermos when she forgot hers.

Jihoon looked at her for a heartbeat too long, then turned away before she could read his face.

He didn’t tell her.

Didn’t say, You used to call me 'Naru-nerd’ and steal my lunch pudding.

Didn’t say, I had a crush on you that made high school unbearable.

Didn’t say, You’re even more beautiful now, but it’s your voice I remembered first.

He let her sit there, alone with her coffee and her transformation, while he returned behind the counter.

Maybe one day he’d tell her.

Maybe she’d recognize him when she was ready.

But for now, Jihoon simply watched.

And brewed her another Americano—this time, with just the right hint of vanilla.

"My Love for Bread...And Animals."

"My Love for Bread...And Animals."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

 

My daughter looked at the animal figurine in my hand and asked , "why do you like these dad?" 

The answer to that was a bit easy as this was a Cat figure made to look like bread from the series Animal Bakery 1. It simply reminded me of my childhood where I would open a pack of animal crackers , play with them for awhile and then devour...I mean eat them.

The cute bread figures that resemble animals now adorn some of my prominent shelves in the Nerdlab. And with the addition of Animal Bakery series 2 the shelves are now a little bit crowded.

Oh and my daughter gave me a blind box to open which turned out to be another Bread cat with fish! She said we should sell our duplicates but I could not bear to part with her surprise blind box gift and so I have two bread cats perched on my shelf.

"The Healer"

 "The Healer"

(A Chatgpt experiment)

by 

Virgilio F. De Leon Jr., MD

The clang of sword on shield jolted him awake just as a soldier’s severed head rolled to a stop inches from his feet.

The last thing he remembered was the blinding headlights of a truck smashing into him outside the hospital, just as he was unlocking his car after a grueling 72-hour shift.

Now he was... here.

Where was here?

His senses overloaded: the iron tang of blood, the screams, the clash of steel. Figures in red and green armor fought savagely around him. For a moment, it looked almost festive—like a twisted, violent Christmas.

Then a voice barked above the chaos:

"Healer! Do something!"

Healer?

He looked down. White robes, now streaked with blood. Small red crosses stitched along the cuffs. These weren’t hospital scrubs.

Cleric robes.

This had to be some sort of hallucination. Or one of those full-immersion VR nightmares. It felt too real.

The voice came again—urgent, desperate.

"Healer, we’re falling! Do something!"

He hadn’t slept in three days. He was in no mood to take orders from some medieval cosplayer.

"What exactly do you want me to do?" he snapped.

"Heal!"

Heal? He scanned the battlefield. Most were already dead. The ones still standing looked like they’d be joining the dead soon enough. What was the point?

Then another voice, steadier this time:

"The King placed his faith in you, Healer. Without you, the plan fails."

That’s when he noticed the stench.

Not just blood and sweat—rot.

He’d seen trauma. He’d seen death. But he’d never seen walking corpses. Not until now. They staggered across the battlefield, hacking, biting, overwhelming the living with sheer numbers.

The soldiers around him weren’t protecting the lines.

They were protecting him.

Expecting him to act.

He stumbled back, and suddenly—ding!—a screen popped open in front of his eyes.

A freaking RPG menu.

Name: Delion

Class: Healer (Level 20)

Stats:

STR: 2

DEX: 2

VIT: 25

AGI: 25

INT: 50

Mana: 100

Skills:

Heal (Lv. 3)

Mass Heal (Lv. 2)

Cure (Lv. 3)

Mass Cure (Lv. 1)

Revive (Lv. 3)

Mass Revive (Lv. 1)

Blessing (Lv. 3)

Mass Blessing (Lv. 1)

Dodge (Lv. 2)

Unholy Resist

Poison Resist

Ailment Resist

"The hell...?" he muttered. "Who the hell dumped everything into INT?"

"Healer!" came the cry again. "Now!"

Right. Mass Heal. Worth a shot.

He didn’t know how he knew the chant, nor where the gestures came from. They just... happened. His hands moved in a rhythm that felt carved into muscle memory.

Five seconds.

A glowing seal expanded beneath him, radiating outward in a brilliant wave of light.

As the seal reached wounded soldiers, it knit flesh back together, mended broken bones, and reignited the spark of life in their eyes.

But more than that—it burned the undead.

Where the light touched them, they shriveled. Collapsed. Some roared and lunged, only to be cleaved apart by rejuvenated warriors now fighting like men reborn.

Minutes passed. Then silence.

And as the first rays of dawn broke over the blood-soaked square, the undead were gone. Only the wounded and the victorious remained.

A roar of triumph echoed across the battlefield.

He stood frozen, chest heaving. Then someone reached for him—too fast.

He moved without thinking.

One blink and he was behind them, effortlessly dodging like a man half his age.

The figure turned—revealing not a man, but a striking woman. She removed her helm, revealing windswept hair and a sharp, noble face. Her red armor shimmered, trimmed with silver, marking her rank.

"Forgive me, Healer," she said, bowing her head slightly. "I was told you dislike being touched. I merely wanted to thank you."

"I consider payment thanks enough," he muttered.

But something was off. His voice—gravelly, aged.

He caught his reflection in the polished surface of her breastplate. Wrinkled skin. White hair. Aged hands that had just cast a spell with the speed and fluidity of youth.

This didn’t make sense.

How could he move like that?

How was he here?

Who... was he now?

And what the hell was coming next?

Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: “Parating”

 Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: “Parating”

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Patient: “Nurse meron ba kayong gamot sa parating na sakit?”

Nurse: “May ubo o sipon po ba kayo?”

Patient: “Ah…parating”

Nurse: “lagnat po meron?”

Patient: “ah parang parating din.”

Me: (intayin na lang natin kapag andito na sila baka malayo pa pangagalingan)

"After dinner Convo with my wife: Sound Cloud"

 "After dinner Convo with my wife: Sound Cloud"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Hanie De Leon: Mahal may bago yung Funko na Bitty Bots! Robots na malaki tapos may kasamang maliit na robot! Andun pa nga yung favorite transformer mo.

Me: Favorite transformer? Sino dun?

Hanie: “Si Soundcloud ba yun?”

Me:  Sino? 

Wala pa kami Soundcloud noon hahahaha.

Transformers ko OG. Naabutan ni Misis Beast wars na hahaha

Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: "Busta Rhymes"

 Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: "Busta Rhymes"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

A patient came in for fit to work:

Me: Good evening po , Doc De leon po ako. Ano po ang reason kung bakit kayo umabsent?

Patient: (Hingang Malalim Let's Go!) KASIPODOCNUNGUNAOKNAMANAKOKASOLANGPARANGMAASAMANAYUNGPAKIRAMDAMKOKAYADINAKOPUMASOKMUNATAPOSYUNGLALAMUNANKOMASAKITTAPOSYUNGKASUSKASUANKODINTAPOSNILAGNATNAKONGSOBRAAKALAKOKATAPUSANKONAKASOANDITOPADINAKOBUTINALANGKAYAAYONPOOKNAMANNAAKOKASOMINABUTIKOPONAWAGMUNANGPUMASOKTAPOSAYUNPOANDITONAAKONGAYON.

Me: Mukhang nasobrahan po tayo ng kape ah.

Patient: (Hingang Malalim ulit)

DINAMANPODOCPEROOKLANGPOTALAGAAKOSALAMATNGAPOATNAKABALIKNAAKOPEROBAKAMAMAYAPOUMINOMAKOALAMNIYONAMANPOSATRABAHONATINPANGGABIKAILANGANGISINGTALAGAKAYAMAKAPEHAHAHAHPEROOKNATALAGAAKODOC.

Me: Sige po Fit to work na kayo. Mukhang di na talaga masakit lalamunan niyo.

Patient:(Humingang malalim)....

Me: (Handing papers) Ok na po. 

(Akala ko mabubugahan ulit ako ng bars eh)

"Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: New drug pa din!"

"Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC:  New drug pa din!"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Upon checking our trackers Nurse Dwarde Arreciv discovered a new drug.

Bioglue.

I can see the commercials now.

“Para dumikit ka sa buhay. Bioglue!”

"And now for a Random Memory: Balls of Pain"

 

"And now for a Random Memory: Balls of Pain"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Way back in the past I took a bath and my normal soap was not available. So I used our own Papaya Soap. We used to manufacture that soap back in the day. I used it all over my body. At first it was ok until I felt that it was stretching my skin. I had felt that on my face but also on my balls. I told my mom about it over dinner.

"Ang tindi nung sabon Ma , feeling ko pati yung mga kulubot ng itlog ko nabanat."

And my Mom who normally does not laugh at comments like that cannot help but laugh. The kind of uncharacteristic uncontrolled laugh. 

"Puwedeng pang sales pitch. Kung yung itlog nga kuminis....mukha mo pa kaya."

And she laughed even more. 

I miss laughing with you Ma.

(Kasalanan mo ito when Life gives you Tangerines!)

"EDH Deck #176 - Kotis Porcelana"

 "EDH Deck #176 - Kotis Porcelana"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Edh Deck #176 - Kotis Porcelana deck where my goal is to make opponents pale with fright as I grow Kotis and steal more and more of their respective decks.

Ever since I opened this guy in the 2nd pack of my PR kit I dreamed of building an EDH deck around him and the current batch of Sultai cards with renew is just the thing. Putting in tons of counters on Kotis from the grave with the renew mechanic or simply just giving him flying and +1/+1 with that blue aura or simply equipping him.

In the PR I was not able to cast anything much but I look forward to one day growing a humungous Kotis and slap someone with it in the face. Dick metaphors aside this will be fun.

"The State of Magic: A Casual's perspective."

 "The State of Magic: A Casual's perspective."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Yesterday while having dinner I told my wife and daughter that Magic The Gathering will have a collab with Avatar. Meaning that in addition to Spongebob and Lara Croft you can now have Aang in your deck.

“Ano na ba nangyayari sa magic? Di ba dapat kayong magalit kasi may sarili namang products ang magic di ba?  Mga worlds na sa magic lang. Puro na lang sila cross overs.”  My wife said.

Having been exposed to MTG through me  for more than 2 decades what she said reflects the sentiments of a lot of players. Sure some might like these universes beyond things but things are getting way out of hand now. Pretty much that a set of reprints to start the year barely even registers as a blip in the interest of players. 

The Last Airbender thing might be a hit as many are still life long fans of the original series. Though the loss of focus on actual mtg worlds are beginning to worry me now.

"My MTG Life: A Special Treat. A Tutor in a pack!"

 "My MTG Life: A Special Treat. A Tutor in a pack!"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

One of the ways I give back to my MTG community is by helping answer medical questions from time to time. And while I never ask for anything it is a pleasant surprise when a shop notifies you that someone bought a pack for you.

That was the treat in of itself. The special guest Grim Tutor(which I have been eyeing since Foundations spoilers) was just icing on the cake. 

I was explaining to my daughter how difficult it is to pull this one card and it made our trip to Greenhills even more special.

"MTG X FF: Where is Final Fantasy 8?"

"MTG X FF: Where is Final Fantasy 8?"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

So I watched that mtg podcast where the panel was basically outgushing each other about how they love Final Fantasy and how their will be something for everyone.

And guess what there were cards from FF1 and they even mentioned FF16. Fan favorites from all over. All except from the time I really got into this game series. The glaring omission of anything from FF8 rakes me up a bit. 

Granted that this is the initial salvo for FF x MTG teasers and the product probably has more teasers before it’s eventual June 13, 2025 release date but just glossing over FF8 still bothers me somewhat.

I knew that there was some ill feelings toward this particular part of the game from the junction system to the more mature themes so and so but even now is it still that hated? 

That is why no one should speak in absolutes. For people who say they love all of the series equally the omission speaks volumes.

"Ugin: A Colorless Menace emerges."

 "Ugin: A Colorless Menace emerges."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

So Wotc has confirmed that the second Planeswalker appearing in Tarkir would be Ugin and this is quite a lot for a 7 colorless mana. 

Although this would imply that in order for you to maximize this might end up putting it in a colorless Eldrazi or Artifact deck. 

It is a 7 mana removal for colored permanents. And makes all of your colorless spells extra potent as another removal option. Talk about making it relevant in the existing Eldrazi decks. 

Ugin enables all this too , don't have spells to cast? He let's you draw a card or if you already have a spell to cast he can then give you 3 colorless mana to cast that colorless spell!

And that ultimate ability of his? Which will take about 3 turns assuming you are not proliferating this guy...well it will let you fetch all of the Eldrazi titans and cast them for free....so you get to have all of those ETB benefits from all 9 of those guys. Better you you might even add an Akroma's memorial into that mix so you could attack with all the tentacles that you have and annihilate someone....

Oh so much fun.

"Broodcaller Scourge: A Real Dragon Menace."

 "Broodcaller Scourge: A Real Dragon Menace."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

This time around they basically made enchantments out of the dragons in Tarkir. Yes they have flying and massive bodies but they also do more things now. Imbued with more magic as they come out of the Dragonstorm.

This guy in particular can come down and even with it not having haste will have an immediate effect on all of your dragons. I like this one because when a dragon you control hits another player you can take note of the damage, maybe 6 damage and then you can put a permanent with a mana value less or equal to that damage. 

So anything for 6 mana is free. Maybe another dragon you have been holding back in your hand. Maybe another land for the turn. This guy really adds value.

Oh and if you have 3 dragons that can manage to hit 3 different players then you are looking at 3 different permanents coming down on your side of the board. It won't make you everyone's favorite but you probably won't mind as you will be significantly ahead in the permanents department.

Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: “hmmm”

 Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: “hmmm”

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Patient came in asking: “Nurse meron po ba kayong gamot sa histamine”

Nurse: “Anti-histamine po for allergies yes meron po.”

Patient: “Salamat. Ano po lagay ko sa chief complaint?”

Nurse: “Allergies po. Yung unang sinabi niyo sa akin.”

Patient: “ah salamat po”

Upon checking what the patient wrote down…

"One Night. A Cute interruption."

 "One Night. A Cute interruption."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

As I was preparing for work earlier Aven knocked on the bathroom door , "Dad open up , I got to show you these!" So there I was in the middle of brushing my teeth and Aven was presenting a crocheted chicken at the palm of her hands. "Look Dad , It looks dumber and dumber the more you look at it. Look!"

And she was right. It was cute and dumb at the same time. Next came the flurry of art prints , some were funny meme like things and a print of her favorite musician Hozier. Then the stickers which she prided in herself for getting for free when you bought enough stuff from the artist of a particular booth.

Then the ADMU key chain that seemed pretty unique to me. And I had to laugh at the thought that all of these things represented Aven's unique tastes and personalities. That we have let her grown to the point where she knows what she wants and knows where to find them. I smiled. (The toothpaste foam reaching the edges of my mouth)

She was practically skipping away with her chicken openly saying how happy she was with this haul. I closed the door and continued brushing my teeth.

"Papeo Signature Cheesecake: Like Angels dancing on your tongue."

 "Papeo Signature Cheesecake: Like Angels dancing on your tongue."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

So one weekend we decided to accompany our daughter Aven to a place called The Corner House so that she could enjoy going around the open booths and shops of that place.

Before going around we settled on a place for lunch and that place was Papeo. Can't miss it as it is very near the elevator when you arrive at the ground floor.

On display were these cheesecakes and I was instantly drawn to them. Gutom lang ba? But after having some of the great food in Papeo I wanted something sweet to reward my dieting! 

And let me just say this:

This Creamy Cheesecake from Papeo is just what you need on your next cheat day! Eat it while it is still cold and creamy. Di mo pagsisihan. Promise.

Let the hints of lemon and cinnamon linger in your mouth as the velvety cheesecake melts on your tongue. If you can only load up on sugar once in awhile then let this be the one.

I might have hated The Corner House for it's rough corner parking lot but this Signature Cheesecake is well worth the risk of scraping my car. 

"Baguio Sunrise"

 

"Baguio Sunrise"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I

I guess it will never be

The day exactly as it was

The moment my eyes laid on it

before it even became alive

II

On a a sea of clouds ablazin

An orb of orange slowly rising

Spreading it's warmth on the cold morn

And on the souls that have always sought

III

Emblazoned there as I stood

The flames of the new day

And the hope of a better

much better days ahead.

Quezon City. April 30, 2025

"On Another Hot April Day..."

 "On Another Hot April Day..."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I still dislike it every time this day(April 23) passes by each year. The years have dulled the pain a little but I know of the loss that cannot be replaced. The heat is still oppressive which reminds me even more of those last days.

I still hear her gentle and not so gentle advise at times. I still half expect my phone to have some message from her of something she wanted done. Or to maybe gossip about something. Or maybe just an update of who died , got married , will be separating or who is currently in a war with who. I used to find that all funny. 

This was a typical morning for her. Writing on her worn old notebook. Plans. Lists. Pangsingil ng utang or even a gift to buy or a dress to buy for someone's wedding. And this is forever one of my memories that as I run not to be late for med school will be her most favorite time to chat. She would talk about so many things , part of which now I understand as a Dad whose daughter is also rushing for school at mornings. 

I just miss you Ma. And even if this day never passes I always will.

"The Opus Mall Couch Experience"

 "The Opus Mall Couch Experience" 

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

So I was in Opus Mall on one of the comfortable couches in front of the foot locker. I was massaging my neck while sitting dab smack in the middle as it was the only available spot on the couch. The other people left and a family moved in,  flanking me on both sides , they we are all eating Ilaoilao, the yoghurt thing. On my right was a Mom and a kid on her lap and on my right was a small boy and the Mom's best friend also with a baby of a few months old on her lap. From a casual observers point of view I might have looked liked a part of their family! "Bakit wala akong ilaoilao(Yawyaw)???

It got even more awkward when they started talking about their plans in life...with me in the middle.

Mom on my right: "Girl , tuloy ko na ba yung balak ko?"

BF on the left: Anong plano girl?

Mom on my right: "Kaso May trauma ako..."

BF on the left: "Anong plano nga?"

Mom on my right:"Yung sa Boracay girl, sa Hainan kami magstay nabook ko na.Yung may viral video nung mga lasing dati."

BF on the left:"Yun naman pala."

Mom on my right:"Eh kasi girl paano kung may mga lasing na naman ulit?"

I was almost tempted to say: "Girl, ituloy mo na. Kailan mo pa itutuloy yan? Malalaki naman na ang mga bata. You deserve a vacation!"

Buti na lang tumawag yung asawa ko kasi may ipapakitang sapatos si Aven sa Converse...

Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: “Dagdag palaisipan”

 Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: “Dagdag palaisipan”

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Part of my work is to interpret and make recommendations regarding results of the company annual physical exams.

I literally go through hundreds of them and from time to time I encounter things like this. Sinus Rhythm? Sa Pap smear?

Didn’t take too long to figure that there was a very tired and sleepy   worker cut pasting results.

Oh and this patient was a guy. He didn’t even need a pap smear!

"Be the peace that someone deserves"

 "Be the peace that someone deserves"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

My wife has a very hyperactive mind. It is always preoccupied with something for next week or next month or even years down the line.

It comes with the nature of her work but also in the 2 decades that I have been with her it speaks to who she is as a person of drive and ambition. 

So it is normal for her to have trouble sleeping. I expect that hand or hug at my back whenever I am home. A clear signal that she needs to talk or mostly for me to listen.

And 90% of the time it is about how she can’t sleep because of this or that reason which is mostly negated by her sleeping on my chest a few minutes after venting.

All I do is listen. I sit still. I don’t need to solve her problems because she can. Maybe I buy her chocolates when she requests it hahaha. 

Be that one person who can calm others. It does not need to be everyone. It just has to be the people who matter most.

"Meanwhile in a Certain Starbucks in Greenbelt: My name is…what?"

 "Meanwhile in a Certain Starbucks in Greenbelt: My name is…what?"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Barista: May I have your name for the order sir?

Me: June like the month.

Barista: Thanks Jim.

"The Last Flame"

"The Last Flame"

(A Chat GPT experiment)

(A story idea from Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD)

The stars knew him as V — the last of the Creation Dragons, ancient as silence, powerful as storm. His wings once stirred the cosmos, and his breath forged suns. But now, only one thing stood between him and ascension: the Orb of Eternis, hidden among the Maidens of the Yuu clan.

He found her on the seventh moon of the blossom cycle. YuuA. The youngest of the Maidens. Bright-eyed. Reckless. Stubborn. Alive in a way V had long forgotten to be.

The rule was ancient and cruel.

A Dragon must love the Maiden. Truly. Deeply. And if he severs that love after taking the orb, he is claimed by the universe — never to return, never to rise again. Only dust. No rebirth. No legend.

For one year, they circled each other like comets. At first, out of duty. Then curiosity. Then something far more dangerous.

YuuA laughed at his solemn silence. Dared to tease the last of his kind. Taught him how to dance barefoot in temple gardens. He showed her how to hear the voice of stars.

She was his first sunrise. His final weakness.

And she loved him back.

When the day came, the moon was full and trembling. The Elders prepared the ritual, the Orb glowing softly in YuuA’s hands. She knelt before him, head bowed, voice steady.

“I give it willingly,” she said. “My heart is yours.”

He looked down at her, every breath a war.

He could take it.

Become eternal.

Become everything his ancestors dreamed and demanded.

But—

He saw the lines that would one day mark her face. The gray that would touch her hair. The soft ache of age, of years lived fully. And he saw her surrounded by children, by joy, by life.

And none of it would be with him.

Because the moment he took the orb, her heart would be bound — and his would be torn. Dragons weren’t meant to love and let go. Not without consequence.

And so he did the unthinkable.

“I will not take it,” V said, voice trembling. “I choose you. I choose your life.”

YuuA’s eyes widened. “You’ll be lost. The stars will take you.”

“I know,” he said. “But they’ll take me knowing I loved something enough to let it go.”

He touched her face one last time. “Live long. Laugh often. Burn bright.”

And then he stepped back.

The sky fractured above them. The stars wept fire.

And V—Creation’s final echo—turned to dust, carried away by the winds of time.

YuuA clutched the orb to her chest, knees sinking to the earth.

The world lost a dragon.

But the universe, for a moment, knew what it meant to love completely.

And remember forever.

"And now for a random memory: Rest"

 "And now for a random memory: Rest"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

This happened pre-pandemic where a patient came in and demanded: 

“kailangan ko lang magpahinga ng apat na oras Doc”

“Apat na oras? Eh kalahati na ng shift mo yun? Bakit ka pa pumasok kung magpapahinga ka lang?”

And the look on my face is how you imagine it to be.

"Kotis, The Fangkeeper: Macho Manning through the competition!"

 "Kotis, The Fangkeeper: Macho Manning through the competition!"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Kotis, The Fangkeeper has been high on my list since I was able to see it in the previews for the set and I was happy when I opened him in a pack. 

An Indestructible 2/1 that has an ability that lets you cast things for free when you deal combat damage. Another auto-include in my PR deck and the reaction that opponents had when I was able to get him out on the board is priceless. Reading that Indestructible up top. It reassured me that I had a durable blocker and I can have a reliable attacker. 

However I was only able to activate this ability twice. I got me a pair of 2 mana cost blockers! And the one time I was able to equip a Dragonfire Blade on him for a discounted rate of 1 colorless mana since he already has Sultai colors. Alas I got nothing of value that swing and lost but the EDH player in me was rejoicing! I got to do something that I have not been able to do for the first time! 

And Kothis will be a new project of mine. There are tons of things that can make him bigger and well connect better , Auras that make him fly , Whispersilk Cloak that gives him shroud and just let him past defenses.

And  the thing with Indestructible creatures is that you can just Damnation the board and he would just stand there with all that equipment and auras and swing to his hearts content while all the other creatures end up in the Graveyard. Time to brew.

"The Cake Confusion"

 "The Cake Confusion"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

And now a funny story about this cake. I paid for it about a week ago(Aven sourced it hahahah) and thought that it would be delivered to the house. So I was wrong about that. 

So on that Saturday morning with sleep still in my eyes Aven informed me that I had two minutes to get up because we will be picking up the cake ourselves! From previous experience it meant driving somewhere far like Bulacan or Ateneo to get these cakes so I mentally steeled myself, planned for the drive, even chose the smaller car for those small alleyways that we always find ourselves into.

So there I was caffeinated and dressed, Aven as my navigator. “Sige anak tell me the address…31-A…and when she told me the street it was oddly familiar. I was thinking of the inner streets in Malabon at this point but it turns out the bakery was a mere 5 minutes from our house! Within the subdivision! I could have walked from the house but then again it was still quality time with Aven who has been missing me a lot lately.

Maybe next time I will just check the address early before all the prep hahahah

Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: "Drugs"

 

Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: "Drugs"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Patient came in declaring: "Puwede po bang humingi ng drugs?"

Nurse: "Ano po bang nararamdaman niyo?"

Patient(After hesitating):"Di po ba puwedeng humingi lang ng drugs?"

Nurse: "Kasi po need namin malaman kung ano ibibigay sa inyo..."

Patient: Ah wag na lang.

Me: Parang ang need niya ata eh yung drug sa kanto makukuha eh

(Iba ata yung pagkakaintindi niya ng Drug Free Company)