As the UMED team chanted "Baguio, here we come," so did La Niña answer "Welcome UMED!"

All set for the First Regional Outreach Conference in Pediatrics, UMED started off from UNILAB as early as 5 in the morning of August 22 to avoid the expected heavy traffic up north. Weather was fine from Manila to La Union allowing for enjoyable sight-seeing and short stops along the way.

However, as the team neared Marcos Hi-way, drizzles began to fall; soon the light rains turned into a heavy downpour. It warned the group of La Nina's presence as their van trekked the zigzag roads through almost zero visibility that made cars switch on their headlights to avoid imminent road accident. Finally the UMED team reached Baguio City safe and in high "that was cool" spirits, despite the brewing signal no. 2 storm.

The facilitators, Drs. Ma. Cecilia Ama, Jo-Anne de Castro, Lester Deniega, Margaret Lu-Fong and Melba Masigan; the CME force of Pediatrica, Messrs. Robert Theodore Romero and Kerwin Tarroza, and UMED Executive Director, Dr. Edgardo Ortiz, arrived shortly after, also safe and sound and raring to conduct the "wet event."

Ever optimistic that UMED can hurdle all obstacles, everyone predicted that the North Luzon Regional Outreach Conference in Pediatrics would push through.

True enough, just before lunchtime of August 23, the rains suddenly stopped as if by divine intervention. The participants started coming in and by the time the conference opened, 63 doctors have filled the ballroom of CooYeeSan. Surprisingly, not only invited MDs from Baguio but even those from Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, La Union, and Benguet came, unfazed by the heavy rains and even some floods.

Beyond expectation, considering the inclement weather, the regional conference covering Childhood Immunizations and Rational Antibiotic Use in Pediatrics pushed through successfully. Judging from the feedbacks gathered - the participants were very satisfied with the conference; the content and interactive format of the small group discussions were very much appreciated; and the facilitators were highly applauded.

The learning event closed fittingly with a mass, followed by a special fellowship dinner complete with ballroom music that not only cooled the participants' nerves but even steered their heels to an interesting night of dancing. /elf

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