21st Mission Report
Benz Cueto, (United States Navy (Retired)) Director of Administrative Operations

The 21st Century as often heard from personal interviews everywhere in the world projects an era of significant importance.   In the minds and hearts of the Philippine American Group of Educators and Surgeons commonly known as PAGES and their program Operation H.O.P.E. (Help Other People Excel), the term 21st  by itself  is referred to as the start of a new decade in the service of the less fortunate Filipinos with congenital birth defects and other facial deformities. For this group of good Samaritans it also means completion of two decades of charitable and humanitarian endeavors nationwide.

For the third consecutive year, the 21st PAGES Mission was held at the Rizal Provincial Hospital (RPH), Morong, Rizal from February 4-12, 2011 sponsored by Gov. Casimiro A. Ynares, III, M. D.  As early as nine months prior to the surgical and medical mission, the RPH Staff led by the very energetic and personable leader, Dr. Bong Zafra organized the promotion and gathering of patients from the entire Rizal province.  The province-wide notification produced 109 patients where approximately 85 percent were cleft palate patients requiring a not-so-simple surgical procedure utilizing twice as much time to operate compared to that of a cleft lip surgical operation.

The team of compassionate and tireless professionals from the Rizal Provincial Government (RPG) spearheaded by Mr. Ramon Henares, Executive Assistant to the Governor and Economic Enterprise Office (EEO ) Head in partnership with Dr. Iluminado Victoria, the Provincial Health Officer were instrumental in the tremendous success of the PAGES 2011 Mission. Together, this awesome duo devised an uncomplicated Plan of Action and Milestone (POA&M). From the EEO, Governor’s Office, Provincial Information Office (PIO), Provincial Social Welfare Office, Tourism Office, Motor Pool Division and Provincial Security Division, these skilled group of experts worked together diligently  to achieve the POA&M culminating in a very successful PAGES mission.
Special mention goes to Mr. Anthony Mateo and Mr. Russell Villanueva both coming from the PIO whose “can do” attitude is truly commendable.  Not to be outdone were the total dedication of the Motorcycle Escorts led by Mr. Roel Celes and Rudy Santiago; Vehicle Drivers Eddie Mesa, Rodelio Villanueva, Jobel Lagrimas, Norman Cuyong, Jerry Ancheta and Roderick Cenir. These “unsung heroes” of PAGES 2011 Mission endured the frequent long hours and the constant ever changing daily transportation requirements for PAGES without complain throughout the weeklong mission.
On the PAGES side, the weeklong mission was also a total success.  Firstly, on account of the demonstrated dedication and commitment of all the volunteer missionaries from the Philippines, United States, United Kingdom, and Indonesia who performed surgeries on the children; Secondly, owing to the generosity of donors who contributed financially or donated medical equipment and/or medical supplies from various parts of the world; and Thirdly, from the host sponsors who ensured that accommodations, meals, land transportations and other mission essential requirements were unselfishly provided to the PAGES organization.

Particularly worth mentioning is the decision of PAGES leadership to send an advance team early enough to sort the supplies, set up the hospital, calibrate all machines and screen patients days ahead prior to the main team’s arrival.  This management action paid dividends and proved effective in patients scheduling and systems check workups and flow patient charts.  In so doing, PAGES were able to start surgery on Saturday, February 5, 2011 instead of Monday, February 7, 2011 and were able to maximize the surgeries to the children, much to the delight of the parents and the community as a whole. On Monday, February 7, 2011, the PAGES team was officially welcomed by Governor Ynares and the entire Rizal Provincial Government employees during their flag raising ceremony at the Provincial Capitol grounds.  On PAGES behalf, Dr. Bob Flint, PAGES Director of Surgery represented the team with his own inspirational speech followed by Dr. Nic Nicodemus, PAGES Director of Anesthesiology receiving a plaque of appreciation for PAGES from Governor Ynares.  An ensuing group photo of PAGES with the Governor took place before the team was excused and was sent away to the RPH to resume the normal surgical operations.    
The PAGES Team wake up at 5:30am every morning, have breakfast at the hotel and then rode the bus to the Morong Hospital to start surgery on the patients, a grueling toil of 10-12 hours each day.  On Wednesday, February 9, 2011 the team had a well deserved   day off touring the municipality.  First stop was the YAB Design in Angono.  It was founded in 1990, and owned and managed by a Dutch National.  YAB design produces handmade decorations, mainly out of polyester resin reinforced with fiberglass.  The company specializes in life size figurines of all kinds from human to animals and fantasies, among others.  Second stop was the Bianco Family Museum, Angono.  The famous family of painters welcomed PAGES to their private museums housing a vast collection of their art works.  The head of the clan, renowned artist Jose “Pitok” Blanco had obviously handed down to his wife and children his creativity and talent.  From the museum, next stop was Club Manila East, Taytay.  Inaugurated in May 1999, its main attraction is the Fantasy Lagoon featuring a thrilling three-loop giant slide and sun-screened pool for those who prefer a mild tan.  For the sports enthusiast, it has wide pools, basketball courts and vast boating place and a kid wading pool.  A cabana for day tour or villa room for overnight stay is available.  Other facilities and amenities to enjoy or take a rest and relax or just have some fun and entertainment are also available.

From Club Manila East, the Municipal Mayor of Taytay, George Ricardo Gacula, III welcomed PAGES and hosted a lunch at the Municipal Hall of Taytay.  The day tour ended at Thunderbird Resorts where the team continued to enjoy the “Fun in the Sun” amenities of the resort overlooking the breathtaking view of Laguna de Bay.  Some team members had remaining energy left enough to be able to participate in a game of golf in the beautifully landscape 18- hole golf course complete with world class service and amenities. 

The surgery continued on Thursday and Friday.  At 8:30am on Thursday, February 10, 2011   the education component of PAGES as in Operation Excel commenced with two of PAGES PACU Nurses Lecturers, Karley Mariano taught subjects in Anatomy and Physiology of a cleft lip and cleft palate patients.  The other Nurse Lecturer, Stef Villamizar taught subjects like Pain Assessment on Post Operative Patient and Nursing Considerations in a Recovery Room and Floor Area for a Post Operative Patient.  The newly implemented and documentation in the recovery room and also the redoing of the orders for the PACU and post surgical floor was a total success.  The charting proved easy to use and was very helpful for all the staff nurses during the mission and likewise to all the participants. The jam-packed dining area of the hospital attended by approximately 30+ nursing participants, 75 percent of whom were 4th year nursing students from Tomas Claudio College in Morong, Rizal, Far Eastern University in Morayta, Manila and Arellano University in Pasig City while 25 percent were hospital staff nurses including heads of nurses from different hospitals in the Rizal province.   At 10:00am the same day,  simultaneous with conducting surgeries on patients, the other component of PAGES as in the Operation Grace Gift Giving was held at the Gymnasium of Morong National High School, Morong, Rizal.  The Department of Social Welfare headed by Ms. Evelyn Zapanta coordinated the selection of 500 indigent families from the towns of Baras, Teresa, Cardona and Morong, Rizal.  The care package consisting of rice, sardines, noodles, milk, mineral water, canned tuna, butter cookies, saltine crackers, and school supplies were given to each recipient by the RPG Team headed by the First Lady of Rizal, Mrs. Andrea Bautista Ynares, Thunderbird Resorts Inc Chief Gaming Officer, Mr.   Sean Thomsen and PAGES Chairman and Founder, Mr. Vid Figueras.  It was a heartwarming sight seeing the happy face of each beneficiary carrying two handfuls of packages heading out for their own homes.   “What an awesome and refreshing sight,” so says Mr. Benz Cueto, the overall coordinator of PAGES Operation Grace Gift Giving Program.  Seen alongside Mr. Cueto were PAGES Philippines Volunteer and Operation Grace Assistant, Ms. Evyn Fugoso and so she claimed her “Golden Girls Team” of Ms. Maur Fulgencio, Ms. Lita Diaz, Ms Brenda Gutierrez and Ms. Armisela Cueto who was instrumental in the preparation and packing of the 500 care packages two days earlier. The food donations and financial contributions came from PAGES and its supporters namely:  Dingdong Dantes and his Yes Pinoy Foundation, Philippine Academy of Esthetic, Arnold Clavio’s iGAN Foundation, Pagkakaisa Masonic Lodge 282 of Las Pinas City led by Worshipful Master Mr. Arnel Pilapil, One Health President and CEO Mr. Ricardo IV. D. Fulgencio who is also assigned as PAGES Philippines Mission Coordinator and Thunderbird Resorts Inc of Binangonan, Rizal.

PAGES last day of surgery ended early on Friday, February 11, 2011 to make room for the all out packing of remaining equipment and supplies that PAGES will use for the next mission.  The other remaining supplies earmarked for donations to the RPH for their own use were also identified and given to the hospital. That same evening, a Farewell Dinner Ceremony was held at the poolside of Thunderbird Resorts.          PAGES was   serenaded by a Cultural Group Ensemble who magnificently uses empty bottles as their music instruments to the crowd’s delight.  A short program thanking all the participants of the PAGES 2011 Mission followed while a musical band played hip-hop and modern music all night long as PAGES team joined their own fun dancing the night away.  The importance of supply collecting and storing cannot be over-emphasized as it is considered an integral part of any mission.  Two individuals though geographically separated thousands of miles away had almost singlehandedly organized the supply collection and storage evolutions in the United States and the Philippines.  For their selfless dedication and total commitment in the performance of their assigned duties,  Mr. Lamberto Villanueva of Livingston, New Jersey, PAGES USA Supply Director and Mr. Jerrick Fulgencio of Manila, Philippines, PAGES Philippines Supply Director received a certificate of appreciation from PAGES during the farewell dinner ceremony.  Much to the delight of the audience, Dr. Elmer David, PAGES Director of Pediatrics and Dr. Cally Dean, an Anesthesiologist from the United Kingdom even belted a duet of an old favorite called “Endless Love.” It was indeed an “Affair to Remember.” 
After the mission, equipments and medical supplies worth several millions of pesos were donated by PAGES to the RPH through the Rizal Provincial Government for their own use.  
We will be remiss if we do not emphasize the role of Thunderbird Resorts Inc through the generosity of Mr. Raul Sueiro, Vice President for Asia and European Operations.  Without his full-pledged support both financially and in-kind and without the help of all his hardworking staff, the mission could not have become a reality.  Particularly worth mentioning  is the meticulous attention to detail to all of  PAGES mission requirements that were initiated and flawlessly executed by Ms. Kata Agmata, Thunderbird’s Corporate Communication Manager.    From the accommodations of the advance team, the full lodging complement of the main team, the daily servings of breakfast and dinner,  the absolutely elegant and fascinating farewell ceremony celebrations and the preparation and delivery of the care packages for the Operation Grace Gift Giving, she had without a doubt executed a marvelous job worthy of praise and emulation.
In summary, the phenomenal hands at work of PAGES had once again come to pass.  109 children were given fresh new faces of hope, a new smile and eventually a better life.  PAGES thank the parents for their wholehearted trust bestowed on each surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, nurses and support team personnel.  PAGES also thank everyone for the warm hospitality, for the delectable food served, for the fun and laughter each day, for the story told, for the friendships earned and more importantly for the continued and unending support.  It has and will always be an enriching and lasting memory for the PAGES Team in the coming years and beyond.