On May 16, 2018, at the La Trinidad Municipal Gym, TCC conducted a very special kind of medical mission intended to address women’s health care issues drew a total of 75 women whose ages ranged from 20 up to 70 plus. They had their breast cancer and cervical cancer screening and check-up. Aside from them, 24 young boys were circumcised and two older males examined for prostate cancer.
This very rare type of medical mission was anchored on educating the women on the causes, characteristics, and prevention of such chronic illnesses. According to Dr. Ruth Taguiling, the prime mover of this medical mission, the Philippines has the highest incidence of both types of cancers in Asia. Therefore, there is a great need to educate our women so that they will be able to understand this scenario better. It is in this context that she, and other OB-GYNE specialists like Drs. Grace Doromal and Sharon Marcial embarked on this novel project.
As Dr. taguiling said,”maymayat met a nga ikkan tayo isuda iti bassit nga lecture tapno maamwan da dadduma nga facts and figures. Jak kaya jay common nga medical mission nga kitam lang jay pasyente, damagem anya marikrikna na, tapos ikkam agas. Saan nga kasjay ti masapul tayo.”
Other doctors who came over to help were Drs. Cristina Marrero, Caroline Balangay, Yolanda Purad, and Darwin Henry Galuba. Since Dr. Galuba is an urologist, he was the one, together with Dr. Marrero, an anesthesiologist, who circumcised the boys and examined the two older males for prostate cancer signs. The internists, would-be medical doctors, were also on hand to assist in the procedures. They are: Jellico Asuncion, Michelle Manding, Lynette Ritos, Inna Donato, Michelle Tamayo, Elijah Quinto, Adrian Ang, Carlo Ramos, Ralph Cosue, Ferdinand Laguatan, Ariane Hazel Sanchez, and Jerah Angway.
Why many doctors and internists? Dr. Ruth added,” when I asked my doctor-friends who can come and support me in our medical mission, these were the ones who agreed to come, pro-bono, because they feel that have to give back to the community.”
TCC nurses, who are also volunteers, include Aeryll Jasmin Lapnawan and Juvie Egsan. They were on hand to provide medical as well as manual assistance to the doctors. With them were the Good Care Kids (scholars of Dr. Ruth for whom she dedicated her 50K run last year) namely: Jaren May Pucayen, Evonne Veraluz Perez, Jhon rey Castillo, Karl Marc Manginga, and Brenna Rose Perez. They were joined by six TCC scholars, namely: Jhoane Hazel Guanso, Analyn Baloc, Cecila Basatan, Frauline Bentayaon, Brandy laoyan, and Reymond Tambogon. Arriving early, too, were there friends of Grace Marcos of TCC-Montreal who are until now members of the Baguio Junior Police – Raquel dela Rosa and Joyce Sotelo.
It could be noted that this medical mission is an activity under Project Takkay. Since coming up with an overhauled program dealing with charity, The Cordillera Binnadangan Connection Inc., otherwise known also as The Cordillera Connection – Philippines, launched its PROJECT TAKKAY last April 15, 2018 during the Concert for Life 25 in La Trinidad, Benguet.
Project Takkay, spelled out as Project TCC Assisting Kids Keen on Academics and Yen. was originally designed to assist the immediate families of TCC beneficiaries, especially in terms of providing scholarships and livelihood programs. But it has branched out to embrace assistance also to preschools, elementary schools, orphanages, and other non-beneficiaries. It could be remembered, too, that TCC, through Dr. Camdas, in 2011 through 2013, had been conducting medical missions in the far flung areas of Kabayan, Bokod, and Kibungan.
For us, this is the real meaning of charity – for all in need and for all indeed.
To sum up, Dr. Grace Coloma also said,”I feel happier doing this, Manong Greg.”
To anyone who would like to take part, donate, volunteer or support our next medical mission, kindly send us a message at info@thecordilleraconnection.org or send a text to our TCC-Phils President on mobile +639086146030.
Article written by Gregorio C. Taag. Photocredits: Dr Ruth Taguiling, Aryll Jasmin, and Gregorio Taag
THE CORDILLERA CONNECTION 