LIST | Open groceries and convenience stores schedule during Holy Week 2020

As we celebrate Holy Week 2020 in the comforts of our home, please be reminded of the following schedules of groceries and convenience stores.

These groceries and convenience stores will be closed on APRIL 9 and 10:

Greenhills Unimart

• Open on Apr. 6-8,  11-12: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Landers 

• Open on Apr. 8, 11 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 .p.m.

Robinsons Supermarket - closed on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday

Rustan’s

• Store hours vary per branch, with some open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Apr. 6 to 8 and 11 to 12. Kindly refer to link.

Shopwise and Shopwise Express

• Store hours vary per branch. Kindly refer to link.

S&R

• All S&R branches will remain open on Apr. 8, 11-12: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SM Supermarket

• Closed on Apr. 9; select stores will be open on Apr. 10. Kindly check list. 
• All  SM Supermarket branches will be open on Apr. 11-12.

UP Town Center

• Merkado Supermarket (Apr. 6-8 and 11-12 ): 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
• Healthy Options: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m
• Mercury Drug: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

These grocery stores will be closed on APRIL 10 ONLY.

Metro 

• Metro Supermarket in Market Market, Marquee Mall in Angeles, Alabang Town Center and Ayala Malls Feliz will be open on Apr. 9, 11-12: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Puregold

• Select Puregold stores will remain open on varied store hours this Apr. 9, 11-12. Kindly see the list here.

Santolan Town Plaza

• Mercury Drug - open on Apr. 9, 11-12:7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  
• Town Plaza marketplace - open only on Apr. 11-12: from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Groceries with NO STORE CLOSURES during Holy Week 2020:

All Day - open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Online Grocers 

Fresh Produce

• “Add to cart” option will be disabled until Apr. 9, 3 p.m.
• NO delivery option on Apr. 10.

Always Fresh PH - closed on Apr. 9-12; orders resume on Apr. 12.

LIST | #WalangPasok, Class Suspensions (March 12, 2020)

Updated as of 8:06 PM, March 11, 2020

Here is a list of class suspensions in and around Metro Manila due to the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

METRO MANILA

Metro Manila - all levels (public and private) from Tuesday, March 10, to Saturday, March 14.

CALABARZON

Batangas

• Agoncillo, Alitagtag, Balayan, Balete, Bauan, Calaca, Calatagan, Cuenca, Ibaan, Laurel, Lemery, Lian, Lobo, Mabini, Malvar, Mataasnakahoy, Nasugbu, Padre Garcia, Rosario, San Jose, San Juan, San Luis, San Nicolas, San Pascual, Sta Teresita, Taal, Talisay, Taysan, Tingloy, Tuy - all levels (public and private) from Thursday, March 12, to Saturday, March 14

Cavite - all levels (public and private) from Tuesday, March 10, to Saturday, March 14

Rizal

• Cainta - all levels (public and private) from Saturday, March 7, to Tuesday, March 10
• Rodriguez - all levels (public and private) from Tuesday, March 10, to Friday, March 13
• San Mateo - all levels (public and private) from Tuesday, March 10, to Friday, March 13
• Taytay - all levels (public and private) on Monday, March 9

CENTRAL LUZON

Bulacan - all levels (public and private) from Tuesday, March 10, to Saturday, March 14

ILOCOS REGION

Pangasinan

• Lingayen - all levels (public and private) on Monday, March 9

Sources: GMA News, Rappler, LGU social media pages

HEALTH | Ano ang 2019 Novel Coronavirus at COVID-19?

Madalas itong lumalabas sa news nitong mga nakaraang linggo. Laman ng mga bakita na may novel o bagong coronavirus na nagsimulang kumalat sa Wuhan (sentro ng outbreak o sakuna) at iba pang probinsya ng China ngayon na nakikita na din sa iba't ibang parte ng mundo. 

Minsan na din itong naging source ng panic dito sa Pilipinas dahil sa kakulangan natin ng kaalaman tungkol dito. Sabi nga nila, we fear the unknown. Marami tayong katanungan na hindi pa masagot-sagot dahil mas binibigyang-importansya ngayon ng gobyerno ng China na mahanap yung mga may sakit nang sa ganoon ay maalagaan at mabantayan sila  asagad. Ang suliraning ito ay mas mahirap sagutin kumpara sa tanong na "bakit niya ako iniwan?"

Pero ano nga ba ito at ano ang naidudulot nito? Ang 2019 novel coronavirus o 2019-nCoV ay isang bagong uri ng coronavirus. Ang coronavirus ay isa sa mga mikrobyong dahilan kung bakit tayo nagkaka-sipon. ng

Ang pinagkaiba lang ng 2019 nCoV sa mga coronavirus na karaniwang nagdudulot ng sakit sa atin ay hindi pa natin masyadong natutukoy o nalalaman kung papaano ito gumagalaw o umatake sa katawan dahil nga bago ito.

Image Courtesy: Wikipedia

Ang alam lang natin ay nakakapagdulot ito ng iba't ibang sintomas na may kinalaman sa baga o lungs natin gaya ng ubo, hirap sa paghinga, tsaka lagnat. Dahil sa mga sintomas na ito, ang nakikitang epekto nito'y para kang may pulmonya o pneumonia. Ang opisyal na tawag sa sakit na ito ay COVID-19 o coronary virus disease. 19 kasi nitong December 2019 nadiskubre ang sakit na ito.

So, 2019-nCoV ang nagdudulot ng sakit na COVID-19. Okay? Malinaw na?

Karamihan sa natatamaan ng sakit na COVID-19, batay sa current data na mayroon ang China at ang World Health Organization, ay nakakaranas ng mild symptoms (ubo, lagnat na kusang nawawala) lang kung kaya't napapauwi sila matapos maadmit sa hospital ng maraming araw. 

Sa ngayon, nasa 2% ng mga nagkaka-COVID-19 (o dalawa kada 100 taong may COVID-19) ang namamatay sa Wuhan, kung kaya't yung mga taong may sintomas na binanggit sa itaas na nanggaling ng China (hindi lang sa Wuhan ha, pati na rin sa Macau, Taiwan, Hong Kong) ay kailangang matingnan ng doktor. Mas magandang maaga silang magpakonsulta para maagang malaman kung positibo ba sila sa 2019-nCoV o COVID-19 virus at mas tumaas yung chance na maagapan yung paglala ng pulmonya ng mga ito. Early detection is key. Karamihan sa mga namamatay ay mga matatanda (elderly) o di kaya'y may kasamang iba pang pangmatagalang sakit (sakit sa puso, immunocompromised).

Pero papaano nga ba natin maiiwasan ang pag-laganap ng virus na ito? Paano ba maiiwasan ang hawaan? Basahin ang mga payo sa ibaba. 

Image Courtesy: DOH

Please, wag na wag niyong kalilimutang maghugas lagi ng kamay. Ito ang pinaka-importanteng advice na dapat sundin. Sa paggamit ng sabon at tubig sa paghahand wash, mas mapapanatiling malinis ang ating mga kamay na siyang pangunahing parte ng katawan na ginagamit natin sa araw-araw na gawain.

Image Courtesy: DOH

Maraming nagtatanong kung kailangan nga ba nating magsuot ng face mask. Ang mga sumusunod lamang ang higit na nangangailangan ng face mask. Pakitingnan po ang susunod na infographics.

Ginagamit ito ng mga pasyenteng positibo sa nCoV para hindi sila makahawa sa mga kamag-anak nila o sa mga mag-aalagang nurse, doctor, at staff. Proteksyon din ito ng mgo doktor at mga kamag-anak ng mga pasyenteng may COVID-19 para di sila mahawa, Tandaan na maaring makahawa ang pasyenteng may COVID-19 sa  pamamagitan ng pag-ubo within 6 feet. Kung malayo ka naman sa kanya all the time at hindi ka laging exposed ay ibigay na lamang ang face masks sa mga kamag-anak niyang nagbabantay.

Iwasan nating maghoard ng face masks dahil kawawa iyong mga pasyente, kamag-anak nila, at mga doktor, nurse at iba pang nagtratrabaho sa loob ng ospital. Sa kasalukuyan, wala pang naitalang bagong kaso ng COVID-19 sa bansa. Sa tatlong nagpositibo nitong nakaraang buwan, isa ang namatay at dalawa ay na-discharge na.

Image Courtesy: DOH

Ngayon, kung isa ka sa mga dapat magsuot ng face mask, heto ang mga tips kung papaano ang tamang pagsuot ng surgical face mask.

Image Courtesy: DOH

Makakatulong din na ugaliin ang proper cough etiquette nang sa gayon ay makaiwas din tayo sa paghawa ng ubo o sipon sa mga kasama natin sa bahay o sa trabaho.

Image Courtesy: DOH

Kung may mga katanungan, maaari po lamang ay magcomment kayo sa ibaba o i-message ako sa Facebook. Sana'y nakatulong ito kahit papaano. Salamat po. 

HEALTH | Am I Depressed? Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Filipinos are known for their resilience and perseverance. This is mostly represented by the large number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) deployed worldwide, the majority of which are trying out different jobs just to send money home for their families to live better lives at the expense of lost bonding time and homesickness.

Image Source: healthbuzz

This resilience, however, plays like a double-edged sword not only for OFWs who in some occasions,just accept the fate that being far away and losing their comfort zone are what it takes to give their families a better life, but also for young students subjected to external stress-inducing thoughts like the influence exerted by peers, the need to succeed in life, the aim to be independent, the urge to give back to parents.

Resilience entails self-control at its peak height with a running disadvantage of emotional wear and tear.

The young generation, tayo na maraming pangarap sa buhay, has felt the need to keep things to ourselves in one way and on the other, has resorted to social media posting rather than talking it out with the people close to us. Yup, marami sa atin ang nagpopost ng galit natin sa mundo via Facebook or Twitter. At some point, kahit na yung mga hinanakit natin tinatago na lang natin, pati mga failures at disappointments natin sa sarili natin pati na din sa iba, has taken a toll on us.

Image Courtesy: Adrian Hillman (Getty Images)

Because the notion of resilience is embedded in our society, na "sila nga nakaya, ikaw pa kaya," or na "wag ka ngang ganyan, hindi ka dapat malungkot kasi may iba pa diyan na mas naghihirap sa atin", it is harder to detect the real number of people who have depression. Minsan, kailangan natin sabihin sa ibang tao mga hinanaing at problema natin. Kailangan talaga natin ng mga makikinig sa atin, kasi masarap sa pakiramdam na may (mga) taong nandyan para satin kahit lang sa minutong nakikinig sila satin.

Opening up is key to getting the help that we need in order for us to feel better. But the question is, ano nga ba ang depression? Paano malalaman if depressed ako?

If you feel sad or miserable most of the time, posibleng may depression ka. To know if you need to go see a psychiatrist, you may be feeling at least five (5) of the following sa loob ng hindi bababa sa two (2) weeks.

 Una, nakakaramdam ka ba ng alin man sa dalawa?

• depressed mood (hindi mapawing kalungkutan)
• lack of pleasure or interest (yung mga gusto mong gawin dati, hindi mo na magawa o wala ka nang interes na gawin

Kung oo, napansin mo bang nagkaroon/nakaranas ka ng mga ito (at least 4) sa mga nakaraang linggo?

• weight gain/loss (pagdagdag o pagbawas ng timbang nang hindi sinasadya e.g. hindi dahil nag-diet, o dahil masiba lang talagang kumain simula't sapul pa)
• insomnia/hypersomnia (natatagalang makatulog o hindi makatalog sa mga oras na dapat ikaw ay tulog na, o di kaya'y sumosobra ka sa tulog na napapansin na ito ng mga kasama mo sa bahay)
• slowness/agitation (aligaga o hindi mapakali, o pwede ding sobrang bagal kumilos, to a point na wala ka nang natatapos na gawain)
• fatigue/loss  of energy (matamlay, walang enerhiya para gawin ang mga bagay-bagay na araw-araw mong ginagawa, o di kaya'y mas gusto mo na lang na nakahiga ka buong araw at ayaw mo nang bumangon)
• feelings of worthlessness or guilt (para sa iyo'y wala kang kwenta o di kaya'y sinisi mo sarili mo lagi kung kaya't ganoon na ang kinalagyan mo sa buhay)
• reduced ability to concentrate/focus or indecisiveness (hindi makapagdesisyon nang maayos, atras-abante sa pagdedesisyon, o di kaya'y hindi na makaaral, kaya bumabagsak na hanggang sa puntong ayaw nang pumasok sa school)
• recurrent thoughts of suicide/death (bigla na lang sumasagi sa isip mo na tapusin na o kitilin na ang buhay mo)

Image Source: Pinterest

If you feel at least five (5) of the ones mentioned above for at least two (2) weeks, please seek help. Consult a psychiatrist. It will also help if you share it with your family or close friends. 

Remember that you matter. 

Your existence matters. You were born for a purpose in this world. You may not seem to understand what your purpose is right at this moment, but trust me, your life is worth celebrating. You are needed by people. 

You just somehow fail to realize it 'cause in the body-talk sense of it, hindi balanse ang mga kemikal sa utak mo and the doctor can help make you feel better and give you more clarity as to why you're here on Earth. 

Make the move. Seek help. :)

P.S. If you feel you're not yet ready, you may want to try talking to some stranger online via 7cups. It helped me go past the darkness I was stuck in, several months ago. 

HEALTH | On Schizophrenia and Psychosis

Have you ever met someone who sort of hears voices which other people do not hear? Or someone who sees things that we don't usually see? These are called hallucinations and may point to a mental disorder. Essentially, a lot of them fail to understand what is real and display social behaviors that sometimes other people don't understand.

Sila yung mga nakakarinig o nakakita ng mga bagay na hindi nakikita ng iba. Sila din yung minsan ay may mga paniniwala na mahirap maiwasto gaya ng paniniwala na may laging nakaabang sa kanila o di kaya'y sila ang pinakamakapangyarihang tao sa mundo.

Image Courtesy: DailyStar.co.uk

A while back, our lecturer taught us about schizophrenia being one of the psychotic disorders that some Filipinos have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. One regional survey even found a prevalence of at least 4% in that area; that's relatively high versus the 1% prevalence worldwide. If we come to think of it though, 1% of the Philippine population translates to around 1 million battling schizophrenia. 

And that's just not it; others suffer from other mental disorders too including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and substance-related disorders.

So, ano nga ba ang psychosis which we see in schizophrenics?

Psychosis is the impairment of specific domains including emotion, perception, and motor function. That's why a lot of psychotic patients tend to be less emotionally stable, perceive things we don't see or hear, and sometimes turn violent and exhibit disorganized behavior.

Note, however, that they did not want this. We need to help them. Kailangan nila suporta natin. Hence, early diagnosis while still young is a must para hindi pa lumala ang kondisyon.

Usually, a parent may seek a psychiatrist's help for his/her child if:

• for young school boys - tend to be lonely, anxious or have discipline problems (palaaway, may imaginary friend, etc)
• for young school girls - tend to be withdrawn socially and isolated

The first psychotic episode is the most critical, since aggressive treatment needs to be done to prevent further decline in the individual's capacity for functioning (or productivity) in society. It's also important that families of those with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders always ensure their adherence to medications because almost all patients relapse if their medications are discontinued during treatment period. 

We also do not want relapses to happen because the more relapses they get, the lower their level of functioning they'd end up with. As much as possible, gusto natin na magawa pa nila mga bagay na nagagawa ng madaming tao tulad ng pagliligo, pag-aalaga sa sarili, pagtratrabaho at kung anu-ano pa.

The Department of Health (DOH) has included mental health issues under the spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases. However, I think that it needs to be given more emphasis and placed in a separate category. This group of disorders needs to be allocated more budget since individuals who face these types of disorders tend to end up having difficulties living their life.

Always remember that everyone needs love and care. Hindi lang yung mga mayayaman. Hindi lang yung mga matatalino. Hindi lang yung mga may kakayahang makaintindi at makaalam kung alin ang totoo sa hindi.

So, let's stop the stigma and guide them (and their families) so that they'd be able to fit in this world too without having to worry about being judged or discriminated.

HEALTH | What happens to your body when you die?

It's almost Halloween, a reason why people are now talking of horror stories, employing scare tactics, and joining parties to celebrate it differently. Cool nerds and geeky kids lol out there may want to have a taste of what's horrific and gruesome in this post.

What actually happens to our body when we die? Ano ba nangyayari sa atin kapag namatay na tayo, except for the fact that we return back to dust?

Here are two cool sources for awesome people out there who are interested in knowing the process of human decomposition. Just click to enlarge!

Image Courtesy: Business Insider

So, konting Tagalog-English summary lang:

• In a few seconds, bagsak temperature ng body natin hanggang umabot sa 25 C.
• In a few minutes, dahil hindi na tayo humihinga, bumabagsak oxygen sa katawan natin. Kapag wala ng oxygen, namamatay yung cells at unti-unting nasisira.
• In several hours, mag-popool yung dugo natin sa pinaka-mababang parte ng katawan natin kapag nakahiga tayo dahil sa gravity. Lalabas din poop natin and ihi kasi wala ng muscles na magko-control sa puwet and ari/pwerta natin. Maninigas din katawan natin.
• In several days, mag-aamoy patay na tayo (like masangsang level) dahil may mga chemicals na nagleleak out dulot ng bacterial processes (at ano pang mga ginagawa ng iba pang mga living things hehe). Yung mga enzymes na mismong tumutulong na magdigest ng kinain natin ang mismo na ring nagdidigest sa sarili nating katawan huhu.
• In weeks, mga bugs naman ang makikihati sa katawan natin -- maggots to be specific. Pati earthworms. Mangingitim din tayo or purplish and pakonti-konting natatanggal buhok natin.
• After at least four (4) months, buto-buto na lang tayo with konting parts pa na natitira, if lucky hehe.

Not yet grossed out? Then watch this video provided by Vox.

Video Courtesy: Youtube channel Vox

Hope you learned a lot today, guys! Take good care of your bodies ('cause nobody will take good care of it once we're dead)! :))

HEALTH | (VIDEO) How vitamins work

For sure, there was at least one point in your life where you asked what vitamins are for. Or simply put, how do vitamins work? Why do some people take multivitamins? What vitamins are important in our everyday lives?

Image ScreenCap: Youtube channel TED-Ed

Well, this animation brought to you by Youtube channel TED-Ed explains the answers to your questions. In this video, you will understand the ways in which vitamins work. Mas maiintindihan mo kung papaano gumagana ang mga vitamins sa katawan. Ano nga ba ang role ng mga vitamins na ito?

Just watch the cool science video below. And don't forget to share it with your friends too!

Video Courtesy: Youtube channel TED-Ed, Ginnie Trinh Nguyen

A Youtube commenter ZestyManifesto listed down some of the general roles of certain vitamins (A, B, C, D, E, and K). Here are what each vitamin is for.

Water Soluble (dissolves in water)

Vitamin B Complex - Convert food to Fuel 

Vitamin C - Healing Wounds and Forming Scar Tissue 

Lipid (Fat) Soluble (can pass through lipid membranes)

Vitamin A - Makes White Blood Cells for Defense 

Vitamin D - Gathers Calcium and Phosphorus for Bones 

Vitamin E - Antioxidant for Damaged Cells 

Vitamin K - Score ability to Clot Blood

Hope you learned something new today! Araw-araw, binibigyan tayo ng pagkakataon na matutunan ang mga bagay na hindi pa natin alam. For the love of learning!

HEALTH | Table of PhilHealth Premium Contributions 2016

Almost every person in the world who mostly pays for hospitalization bills from out of his/her pocket knows that health should be a priority in life. 

Image Courtesy: www.studentlendingworks.org

Illnesses and accidents are not picky. These can happen to anyone. And the damages, not only to the state of the person but also to the financial status and the well-being of the whole family, should be minimized. Hence, some governments look for ways to help the people it governs manage their health and wellness.

Especially for a country like the Philippines, the home of one of the most hygienic people in the world, people hate getting into accidents, being afflicted with diseases, or losing someone to year-long battles. It's just too costly --- physically and mentally. Although unwanted circumstances like accidents and deaths bring Filipino families together, these are just not the way Pinoys would want to be reunited with their loved ones.

The Philippine government has steadily sustained its health programs that aim to cover everyone and not just the poor. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, PhilHealth, is a tax-exempt government-owned and and government-controlled corporation (GOCC) which was tasked to provide a national health insurance program for all. The presence of PhilHealth clearly defines the notion that the healthy is capable of paying for the sick and the wealthy, the fortunate can subsidize those who can't, as well as all contributors are assured a healthcare safety net.

The PhilHealth categorizes contributors into different groups, namely formal (employed), indigent , retiree, non-formal, and OFW. Except for outpatient primary care which only applies to indigents and OFWs, all beneficiaries can avail of the following services at lower (subsidized) fees: catastrophic coverage, inpatient care, catastrophic coverage, ambulatory surgeries, outpatient treatment for malaria and tuberculosis, and maternal deliveries. Please visit the PhilHealth website for a complete list  of the healthcare benefits.

This 2016, PhilHealth released its table of premium contributions (seen below) which serves as the basis of all PhilHealth contributions of the employed, self-employed, OFWs, sponsored, and individual paying members. 

Image ScreenCap: PhilHealth

For those who are employed, 50% of the contribution, which depend on their salary bracket, will come from their employer. There are 28 salary brackets (ranging from a monthly salary of 8,999.99 Php or lower, to a highly 35,000 Php) in the PhilHealth contribution table, each with a different premium to be paid.

Based on the table of monthly premiums, "Kasambahay" or household helps who receive a monthly salary of less than 5,000 Php will have their contributions fully shouldered by their employer.

For all land-based Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), they have the choice to pay their premium either annually (2,400 Php) or semi-annually (1,200 Php). 

For all self-employed and individually paying members who have monthly income of  P25,000 and below, they will pay an annual premium of 2,400 Php. Meanwhile, those who earn more than P25,000 monthly will have to pay 3,600 Php per year. Payments can also be done semi-annually or quarterly.

Those under the Sponsored Program category, their annual premium of 2,400 Php will be partially or fully subsidized by their respective sponsors (could be an LGU, private entity, legislator or a national government agency).

HEALTH | What are the blood types? Why is it important to know about your blood type?

Accidents happen all the time. And for what it's worth, it is definitely essential to get to know about your and your loved ones' blood types. Pero, what are the blood types? And why is it important to know about your blood type?

Image Courtesy: Interactive-Biology.com

In general, there are four (4) blood type: A, B, AB, and O. There are two components to consider when talking about blood transfusion. First is antigen, and second is antibody.

Kung iisipin natin, parang ang A antigens are the keys (susi), and anti-B antibodies are the doorknobs with matching "machine gun" to kill any foreign object. Kapag ikaw ay may type A blood, nakabantay ang anti-B antibodies mo against B antigens (na matatagpuan malamang sa type B blood at pati na din sa type O blood). Ibig sabihin hindi ka pwedeng tumanggap ng type B blood kasi it contains B antigens na sisirain lang ng anti-B antibodies ng dugo mo.

What will happen if the anti-B antibodies attack the B antigens in the blood that you received? The B antigens (bilang ikaw ay type A na pasyente na tumatanggap ng type B blood) will be attacked (via "machine gun" bratatatat hehe as mentioned above) and destroyed by your B-antibodies, may clog your blood vessels, and eventually cause blood clot (o barado sa ugat). Yung condition dito ay acute hemolytic transfusion reaction.

Okay, so here are some of the basic rules:

1. A person with A antigens in their blood is said to have type A blood. Type A patients have anti-B antibodies. So, they can only receive type A and type O blood (check number 4 below).

2. A person with B antigens in their blood is said to have type A blood. Type B patients have anti-A antibodies. So, they can only receive type B and type O blood (check number 4 below).

3. A person with A and B antigens (yup, both) in their blood is said to have type AB blood. Type AB patients have no antibodies kaya pwede silang tumanggap ng type A, type B, type AB, or type O blood. This is why they are called universal recipients.

4. A person with no antigens in their blood is said to have type O blood. Type O patients have A- and B-antibodies, kaya hindi sila pwedeng tumanggap ng blood other than type O. Pero if you will notice, from 1 to 4, people with type O blood can give to any of them. This is why people with type O blood are called universal donors. Sila yung dakilang pwedeng magbigay.

These are the four (4) basic types of blood. Pero, may specific pa na classification sa kanila. And the specificity of the blood type all depends on the Rh factor, another antigen found in blood cells na ipinangalan sa Rhesus monkeys. Yung pag-assign ng whether or not merong Rh factor sa dugo mo is either (+) or (-). And it is important kasi pwedeng atakihin ang dugo mo kung ibang Rh factor ang meron ka.

Donors with Rh (-) antigens can give to either patients with Rh (-) or patients with Rh (+) antigens, while those with Rh (+) antigens can ONLY give to patients with Rh (+) as well.

So, to apply what was learned (refer to the table above), we will compile everything up. Ang pinaka-universal donor talaga ay yung mga type O (-) patients. Compatible ang dugo ni O (-) sa lahat ng blood types. Si type AB (+) naman ang pinaka-konti ang pwedeng mabigyan; in short, kahit gaano man ka-deep yung intensyon niya na magbigay, hindi talaga pwede. Luckily, may tinatawag na blood swap/exchange sa blood banks hehe. Ang mga may AB (+) ay pwede lang talagang magbigay sa kapwa AB (+).

Ang pinaka-universal recipient naman ay si AB (+) kasi kaya niya tumanggap ng dugo mula kahit na sinong walang sakit. Now, if hindi mo pa din naintindihan, do watch the video below.

Image and Video Courtesy: Youtube channel Thoughty2

In case you still don't get why you need to know what your blood type is, the real reason why you should know about your blood type is so that you'd be aware of what blood type you need. Oo, may mga high-tech gadgets na ginagamit to detect your blood type at an instant. Pero sa mga probinsya at malalayong lugar, bihira ang ganyan, kaya importante din na alam mo kung ano talaga blood type mo. Kasi kung mali ang blood type mo, mali din ang dugo na maitratransfuse sa iyo. And you wouldn't want that case. Promise.