May 29, 2015 Friday
A little over one thousand five hundred (1,500) patients availed of the free medical services including free medicines at the recently concluded medical mission in Pilapila, birthplace of my mother Ka Felicing Tan. The charity project was a team effort of my sister’s high school batch headed by Matet Gavino, the Binangonan Association of Northern California (BANC) headed by Bong and Ayleen Aralar, the Nuestra Senora de las Angeles Parish headed by Father Jeffrey, United Laboratories (UNILAB), and dozens of volunteers, including the parish’s Youth group.
The clinic started as early as 6 am. People braved the extreme heat to avail of free consultation, medicines, dental services, etc. Some had to cross the lake by boat to reach the parish.
They looked so cute together. BFF sila. One of them stood up and started a litany of her ailments. She thought I was one of the volunteer doctors. I wish I were a medical doctor. I am 100% sure I would be an excellent one. Pero baka wala akong pera kasi puro libre sila.
Ang mga punong abala- Matet Gavino, Jaymar Paralejas, and Merlina Gonzaga.
Merlina is based in Hercules, CA and is an officer of BANC.
Daughter of Monet Roque, with her cousin, the daughter and only child of Dinand Vital. These young girls were volunteers too.
BANC received contributions from their generous members living in the Bay Area. The funds were used to buy thousands of medicines for common ailments.
Patients were directed to claim their medicines at the makeshift pharmacy. Not only did they receive free medicines per doctor’s prescriptions, they were also given complimentary vitamins, free toothbrushes and toothpastes, etc. My daughter found a supplier of the toothbrushes, soap, toothpastes after the Yolanda debacle. We included personal care products in the food packs we sent to the typhoon victims.
These medicines are not the more popular brands available in Mercury Drug. These are from India and other Asian countries. The suppliers were recommended by the municipal health doctor who’s an expert in medical missions. For charity projects like this, we get more bang for our money by sourcing cheaper brand medicines.
Paracetamol, BIOGIC.
I stayed at the Pharmacy section kasi this was were the wind was more fresco.
Less expensive alternative brands
Dr. Rose Callanta – Ynares volunteered in the morning but she left at 11 am. Some people mistook me for Rose.
One instance, around 12:30 pm, one guy kept smiling at me and greeted me good afternoon ho. He asked “kumusta po si meyor?”
A——–“Sinong mayor?”
Guy——“Si Mayor Cesar Ynares po. Kumusta na po sya?”
A——–“Ay, hindi ako sa Rose, umuwi na sya”.
Young patient. He has ubo raw according to the mother. Look at his left pupil, it’s not aligned. It’s natural for babies to get cross-eyed for a few seconds. As soon as you see it, cover his eyes so the baby would be forced to close his eyes. When he opens, diretso na dapat ang eyes nya. Kung dukling pa rin try it again. Make him close and rest his eyes for a while. Young mothers must observe, kung dukling pa rin, try it a few more times. Pero kung lagi na lang syang dukling, bring him to the doctor right away kasi baka lumaki na syang duling. Although there are now advanced surgery to correct cross eyes.
Free breakfast, lunch and cold bottled water for doctors, nurses, dentists, lab technicians, and all volunteers, including me.
Free two hundred reading glasses and 25 prescription glasses.
Reading glasses must only be worn when you’re reading. A lot of people think they are prescription glasses. Lalong lalabo ang mata nyo kung suot-suot nyo eh hindi naman kayo nagbabasa.
35+ children had free hair cut from a tricycle driver who’s also a skilled barber
UNILAB brought complete diagnostic equipments.
Libre tuli
Free eye check-ups
Free dental check-up, bunot and pasta.
It was very humid inside the church with 1,500 people. Summer heat plus body heat equals pawis.
Eye refraction—- most number of patients waiting to have eye refraction test.
The old lady’s face turned gloomy after the doctor told her she has cataract and needs an operation.
The tuli section got the least number of patients. Kasi pasukan na daw, ayaw mag-absent sa school ang mga boys. Only 17 had their birdies nipped, Ouch!
Free urinalysis by Calirawa Group. They own a lab in poblacion.
Free haircut
Merlina and Sergio Aragones, active members of BANC in SFO. When I saw Kuya Sering at the medical mission, I asked him to leave right away. “Kuya Sering, bakit ka nadito, ang init-init dito”.
KS—–“Eh pinapunta ako ni Bong”.
A——“Umalis ka na, wag ka na dito, wala ka namang gagawin, ang init dito”.
KS—–“Oo nga , baka ako ma-heat stroke”.
After almost an hour, nagulat ko he’s still around.
A——“Nadito ka pa? Umalis ka na”.
Nagtampo yata sa akin. Isinumbong ako kay Bong, pinapaalis ko daw sya.
Last week, we heard he suffered a stroke. SEEEEEE! That’s what I was afraid of. Sabi ko na nga ba. Ang init-init, dapat wag ng lumabas ng bahay ang mga senior citizens.
700 bottles of cold water were consumed by volunteers and the organizing committee.
The drum still had blocks of ice and icy cold water. I wet my hand towel every now and then and placed it on my forehead, face, next, shoulders, arms, pati sa legs, tyan, back. Ang sarap, ang lamig. One of the ladies noticed me. I kept on going back to the drum, nakatuwad na ako to reach the bottom of the drum. She told me “Sige, mag-swimming ka sa yelo”.
Two guys from TESDA were giving free reflexology.
Matet—- “Ate Annie magpamassage tayo”.
Ayaw ko kasi malagkit yung oil. At saka I didn’t want to be touched, mainit din ang palad nila eh ang init-init nga ng panahon.
Kumpleto, kulang na lang, facial, kulot, mani pedi.
The medical mission was a big success. Maraming natulungan, sana gumaling sila lahat at di na magkasakit. Maraming salamat sa mga volunteers and donors.
I left at two pm.
We stopped at Jhomel Bakery to buy pandesal and pande coco for Edmund.
Wala pa daw. They’re still making them and would be available at 3 pm.
Tila naglaba muna ang panadero.
What a great mission. The organizers and group must be very proud of what they were able to provide to the community. It’s a full service pop-up medical center. Inspiring.
Congratulations for a very inspiring story of service! More power to you and to the rest of medical mission team.