PAGES GIFT OF HOPE TO CHILDREN FOR TWO DECADES
Benz Cueto, (United States Navy (Retired)) Director of Administrative Operations
The secret of longevity of any voluntary organization is the assurance that its vision and mission will be pursued and carried out through the years, that there will be continuity in its programs and activities and that future plans and projects will also be drawn up and implemented. This is precisely the thrust of the Philippine American Group of Educators and Surgeons (P.A.G.E.S.) and the very reason for its longevity. And this is also the reason why each PAGES team member voluntarily donates their time, talent and treasure and conducts annual mission to help the needy and less fortunate children of the Philippines.
The 20th Medical and Surgical Mission of the Philippine American Group of Educators and Surgeons (P.A.G.E.S.) with its program Operation H.O.P.E. (Help Other People Excel) is something special in nature. For the third consecutive year, it was held at the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center (ONMMC) from February 13-19, 2010 sponsored by Mayor Alfredo S. Lim of the city of Manila and his staff headed by a very energetic but a very compassionate leader and Mayor Lim’s Chief of Staff, Ricardo De Guzman. The mission was uniquely special in that it commemorated PAGES 20th anniversary mission since inception in February 1991 at the same ONMMC.
PAGES Mission at the ONMMC were nothing short of extra-ordinary in that it provided no cost surgeries to 138 indigent children and young adults from Manila. The well orchestrated planned action by the ONMMC mission coordinators namely Dr. Isaias Cando, Medical Director, Dr. Cecille Cuaresma-Cruz, Chief of Clinics, Dr, Malaya Capulong, Chief Administrative Services and Dr. Sherwin Salvador, ENT Chief produced additional patients from other nearby metro Manila cities and municipalities and several patients from the provinces of Bulacan, Zambales, Pampanga, Tarlac, Cavite, Nueva Vizcaya, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, Legaspi, Cagayan, Isabela including Marinduque. The Marinduque Association of Eastern Seaboard of America (MESA) and the Rotary Club of Marinduque North (RCMN) sponsored the bringing of patients from across the ocean coming from different towns and barangays of Marinduque. The Marinduque “Mission of Love” as referred to by its coordinators was spearheaded by Steve Sosa of MESA, RCMN’s Past Presidents, Nilda Jamilla and Lina Leynes and current President Nes Espino with the assistance of the officers and members of the Marinduque Rotary.
Simultaneously, and during the week-long mission, the team of professors and educators from distinguished institutions from America were able to conduct Operation Excel (The education program of PAGES). The team of educators led by Dr. Benjamin Rigor and Dr. Elmer David, PAGES Clinical Director and Pediatric Director respectively; and PACU Nurse and Educator Ms. Eden Trinidad were able to teach the latest methodology and technology to the hospital staff, nursing students and other medical and non-medical professionals from the hospital registry. Subjects like Basic Life Support, Adult and Child Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, Pain Management and Basic Human Errors in Medicine were taught at the jam-packed Audio Visual Room of the ONMMC. The newly designated PAGES CME Director, Dr. Sonny Novales whose responsibilities include that of Operation Excel Director has almost single-handedly coordinated the educational seminar with maximum success and was appreciated by all the attendees.
At the completion of the mission, a plethora of concerted talents and exceptional performances impressively branded the PAGES 20th anniversary celebration held at the Manila Hotel on Saturday, February 20, 2010. Dubbed as “Be One of Us” celebration, PAGES welcomed everyone present that evening to enjoin and support its humanitarian and charitable endeavors. The event was attended by past and current mission hosts, mission sponsors, distinguished VIP and guests, movie and television personalities and theatrical performers nationwide who all contributed to the overall success of both an entertaining and monumental event. Despite the very short time allotted for promotion and the very limited available resources, the festivities still magnificently drew an amazingly huge crowd that ensured the event’s unprecedented success. The contributors to name a few were: Cesar Montano who acted as emcee of the evening, Dingdong Dantes, designated as PAGES Ambassador, J.R., Geneva Cruz, La Diva, Valerie Concepcion, Lloyd Mara and Jennylyn Mercado. The serenade of love songs rendered by the blind pianist named Alan Gonzales maybe considered a crowd’s favorite and definitely was an added attraction to the audience. The event was a huge success as a testimony of the continuous commitment and sacrifices of each PAGES team member in providing no cost reconstructive surgeries; other medical programs and non-medical related services since inception to approximately 8,000 indigent Filipino children for the past two decades. The inspirational messages coming from distinguished guests and speakers in the like of Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, Ambassador Preciosa Soliven, PAGES Philippines Chairperson and Dr. Martin Bautista (Senatorial Candidate and a representative of Senator Noynoy Aquino of the Liberal Party) was an added highlight of the evening. Likewise, Dr. Cielo Adajar, PAGES Event Director, Mr. Benny Antiporda, PAGES Director of Fundraising, Mr. Lito Fugoso, PAGES 20th Program Coordinator and Mr. Jarvey Belo, PAGES Souvenir Journal Director completes the list of “unsung heroes” of the 20th anniversary who for without them and their selfless motivation and dedication the event would not have been possible.
The second half of the 20th Medical and Surgical mission was held at the Rizal Provincial Hospital, (RPH) Morong, Rizal from February 21-26, 2010. The mission was sponsored by Gov. Casimiro “Jun-Jun” Ynares of the Rizal province who himself was a medical doctor and probably the reason why health and human services is one of his top priority in his governance. Particularly worth mentioning is the unselfish dedication of the Rizal Mission Coordinator, Mr. Mon Henares, Executive Assistant to the Governor and EEO Head who ensured that the constant changing mission schedules and details are executed without experiencing major problem. Not to be outdone was the splendid performance of the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Iluminado Victoria and Dr. Virgilio Zafra, Chief of Clinics, RPH. whose daily interactions with the visiting missionaries were considered “second to none.” It was the second consecutive mission for the province where 101 indigent child patients consisting of 59 cleft lips, 38 cleft palates, 3 ear lobes repair and 1 removal of facial hypertrophied sebaceous gland. Like in the previous mission, the PAGES team stayed at the breathtaking and beautifully located Thunderbird Resorts, Binangonan, Rizal overlooking Laguna de Bay courtesy of its CEO, Mr. Raul Sueiro and his staff under the superb leadership of Ms. Kata Agmata, Corporate and Communications Manager. From February 21 until February 26, the PAGES team diligently worked 10-12 hours each day to maximize the surgeries to many registered patients mostly coming from different towns and barangays in the Rizal province. On February 25, Operation Grace (The gift giving program of PAGES) was held at the Morong National High School where 1000 poor families selectively chosen by Department of Social Welfare Division from different towns of Rizal, majority of whom are recent Typhoon “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” victims. The “care package” consisting of rice, sugar, ready-to-eat noodles, biscuits, soap bars, toothbrush and toothpaste were each provided to the beneficiaries. On Friday, February 26, a Farewell and Fellowship ceremony were held at the pool area of the resort where everyone was accorded a sumptuous dinner complete with wine and various delectable desserts. During dinner, a group of high school students entertained the crowd with love songs and native cultural dances while Governor Ynares of Rizal province, Mr. Sueiro of Thunderbird Resorts and Chairman Figueras of PAGES exchanged pleasantries throughout the evening and announced each other’s vision insofar as possible future medical and surgical missions in the province.
After the mission at ONMMC and RPH, majority of remaining supplies and various medical equipment worth millions of pesos were voluntary donated by PAGES to both hospitals for the use of indigent patients for their community. All told, the 239 children and young adult patients were given a new hope in life free from ostracism and negativism from the society. Needless to say, PAGES is glad that they were able to contribute greatly to their new beginnings with the hope in continuing to foster community awareness to lessen if not totally eradicate the dreaded disease of cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial birth defects nationwide. 