A Noble Mission (posted 01-27-10 at gift2life.ning.com)
In 2006, Dr. Cristina L. Santos, a Breast Cancer Surgeon, went to Bliss, Bgy. Tabe, Guiguinto. Bulacan purposely to look for a place which she intends to develop into a haven for people with breast cancer.
Little did she realize that she was destined to discover something else because right beside the old Bulacan Provincial Hospital which she visited, she passed by another old structure which aroused her curiousity- what is it, what and who are inside it. She knocked at the gate and was gladly ushered in. Doc Tina found out that that place is the House of Friendship and there she met Sis. Maria AngelinBongcawel, SDM, the Directress. Children with cerebral palsy whose ages range from 2 to 16 years old are its main beneficiary.
With genuine passion of helping others, especially the less fortunate, their conversation lead to another and not long after that, Doc Tina promised to go back to bring whatever help she can and that started her gift-giving mission to this community.
WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS. As early as mid-December, Doc Tina has already started with her solicitation campaign for toys and clothings (old and new). She did not expect gifts (and more gifts) would come in. Tita B (the very supportive mother of Doc Tina) and her friends not only gave cash donations. They also sent mini-pillows, drinking mugs and stuffed toys. And not only that! One of Tita B’s friends even made her teenage children (Mark 1, Mark 2, Eda, Eunice, Annabel, Reggie and I) may participate in the gift-giving mission. What benevolent gesture! These children are not only there for theoccasion per se but for them to see the realities of life, making them understand that they can also devote a little of their precious time helping people like these.
As Christmas season is known to be a busy month and everybody is preoccupied with shopping and partying, the Gift2Life staff and volunteers seemed unaffected by all of these. Most of us hardly had enough sleep, some have to leave their houses early not being able to sip a cup of coffee just to be able leave on time and yet no one complained!
We all felt the presence of the Holy Spirit because everybody was so happy and excited to be in Guiguinto soon.
THE REAL ENCOUNTER. We arrived safely at the House of Friendship by 9am. I’m sure each of us (mostly first timers in that place) is wondering what is going to happen next.
The very amiable Sis. Angelin met us and introduced us to her staff who were all very busy moving to and fro but one thing that caught my attention was seeing the children with cerebral palsy in a group!. I have seen a few before ut never did I experience seeing so many, more so hobnobbing with them and it is really so heartbreaking!
As the group was unloading the gifts and preparing for the program, I had the chance to talk to a father who was carrying her two year old daughter.
I asked him how she acquired it. The father told me that she just had high grade fever which lead to convulsion. They brought her to the Phil Gen Hosp, was confined for a month and was ruled out to have cerebral palsy. While talking to the father, the girl had seizure attacks and I saw from my very eyes how her tiny and fragile arms and legs twisted, her mouth bubbling with saliva and her eyes focused upward. I did not know how to react but how I admired the father because when he noticed my looks, he was the one who appeased me by saying “It’s okey, it will only take a few seconds. We are used to it.” This is the reason why my wife and I take turns in working. If she’s at work, I stay home for the kids (they have 3) because we really cannot be away from them at the same time. Their meager income could not support their basic needs. Worst, their daughter’s medical check-ups and medicines are not taken care of. Despite their situation, I could see from the face of the father that he still has high hopes.
On the other side, I approached another patient. Karen is sixteen years old. While asking her mother how it started, I noticed Karen was having tantrums. She doesn’t like to wear shoes and her mother forced her to. I told the mother “Pakialis nyo na lang po, okey naman po kahit wala, basta masaya siya.” (Please remove the shoes, it really doesn’t matter I think she’s happier without.) And Karen smiled at me, reached out for my hand but I was a little frightened because when I offered mine, she grabbed it and wanted to put my hand into her mouth. Then her mother told her to stop and behave. She covered her face. I looked at her from head to toe. While the mother kept on narrating something which I did not understand because I was paying more attention to Karen’s physical looks, I noticed her long nails and unbrushed teeth. Although the mother kept on wiping Karen’s powdered face, they still need to be updated on hygiene issues.
How I wish I had more time to talk to some parents about their children but the program has already started.
CALL TO ORDER. Even Doc Tina deserves a respite, not literally, but at least she will be working behind the scenes this time. She was busy making guidelines for the activity and meeting other guests.
The Gift2Life group went in full force – Warren manning the technical system, Doods on the camera, Geleen for spot photos and later on the peace and order of the crowd, Dulce, Boots (a new member who is from the Christ the King Ministry Celia and Letty for the gift booth. Obet and Marlon saw to it that the gifts were properly piled up while our nurse Debbie and her friend Teacher Arlene anchored the program.
Obet lead the Opening Prayer, followed by yours truly for the Opening Remarks. The presence of the following were duly acknowledged; Dr. Teody de los Reyes, Dean of College of Nursing, Dr. Yanga Colleges and Eng. Marcial Añac of the Rotary Club of Guiguinto. (Sis. Angelin informed us that the Rotary Club owns the building that the House of Friendship is using for its mission.) We were also told that Guiguinto Mayor Isagani Pascual pledged a monthly support of five (5) cavans of rice. His wife joined us in the festivities a little later.
It was nice to see Vangie around. She managed to come despite her hectic schedule. Nanay Solita and Nanay Nenita (relatives of Celia who have interesting experiences about breast cancer) were there too.
Games went on, participated by the able cerebral patients themselves and their families. Glenda Garcia (a TV actress typecasts for villainess’ role together with her son Carlo) brought the house down by dancing with a patient to the tune of Papaya. She also donated cash and boxes of ponkan and apple. In her inspirational talk, she assured Doc Tina and Gift2Life Organization of her unwavering support in its mission.
Another fun-filled game was the Deal or No Deal mastered by Arlene and participated by patient Rex and his mother. The PC-conceptualized game was prepared by Warren.
By two o’clock in the afternoon, we were running out of games but there are still plenty of gifts left so we decided to just entrust it to Sis . Angelin. Their soup kitchen is clearing up, after serving non-stop meals to the patients and their families but a simple meal was also prepared for us- pancit, menudo, boiled tilapia, noodle soup and a vegetable dish. Thank you very much!
We would like to thank Sis Angelin, her staff and volunteers for accommodating Gift2Life Organization. It has been another wonderful experience and we look forward to seeing them again next year, God willing!
Last but not the least, we would also like to extend our profound gratitude to the kindness and dedication of the following Gift2Life staff and volunteers-Debbie, Obet, Geleen, Warren, Doods, Letty, Celia, Gigi, Marlon, Vangie and Dulce for their time, efforts and dedication, her husband Ferdie for the smooth ride and moral support, to Boots and Arlene for your time – we hope to see you more often in our future advocacies. You have not just touched the lives of these people but also gave all of them positive meaning and hope.
We are sure that this is just the beginning and we expect to spread goodwill to many more people, from different places in different time.
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