Tuesday, December 21, 2010

San Esteban Aloha Medical Mission

San Esteban, Ilocos Sur 
December 21, 2010

      A medical mission knows no bound. It never sets a limit on time, space or source. It is always ready and accessible when the need calls for it. And the people behind it are always supportive and willing to extend their gracious and helping hands whatever, wherever and whenever. One of the best time a medical mission is done is during Christmas Season when the needs of the indigents were fully provided for, medically and financially.

The San Esteban Aloha Medical Mission Banner.
    In line with the vision and mission of JCS Foundation, founding Chairman SP Member Jeremias C. Singson fully supported the recent SEAM (SAN ESTEBAN ALOHA MEDICAL MISSION) headed by Dr. Ben Galindo, President of the SEAM with the corroboration of the JCS Foundation and the LGUs. The SEAM is now on its 10th year anniversary last December 18-26, 2010. It was also a tribute to the late Lilia Elaydo Edralin, wife of one of the fund drive coordinators, Mr. Rey Edralin.

   On December 21, 2010, 9:00 in the morning, the JCS Foundation led by SP Member Jeremias Singson, headed to the Municipality of San Esteban, Ilocos Sur. The group proceeded to the covered court besides the municipality building where the medical mission was held and met the whole medical mission team. Five barangays were the beneficiaries on that day, namely: barangays Apatut, Villa Quirino, San Rafael, San Nicolas and Poblacion. The following day, December 22, the next beneficiaries were barangays Cabaroan, Ansad, San Pablo, Cappi and Balia.

Dr. Ben Galindo, President of the SEAM Team, was also the attending Physician for the Medical Mission.
     The medical mission created a rather joyous and festive ambience with all the excitements and cheers of at least 700 crowds. Aside from the ongoing check ups and free distribution of medicines, continuous raffles were drawn with a prize ranging from $10 - $50 to the delight and joy of the beneficiaries. Used imported clothes were also freely given to the indigents. 

SP Member Jeremias C. Singson picking one lucky number during the raffle draw.
      The medical mission was boosted with the presence of State of Hawaii Representative John Mizuno (Dist.30); Representative Rida Cabanilla together with other volunteers like Dr. Ben Galindo, SEAM President and attending Physician; Cesar Calo, Vice President; Lourdes Calo, Tessie Abad Guinto, Treasurer; Mel Europa, PRO; Manuel Badua, Elsa Badua, Rey Edralin, Isabael Edralin, Pepito Eala, and nurse Emily Eala,, all from Hawaii. Philippine volunteers included Drs. Florence Ramirez, Annie de Guzman, Johnny Galindo, Diana Lim, nurses Elmar Galindo and Melva Galindo, and the San Esteban Municipal Health Team. 

SP Member Jeremias C. Singson posed with Representative John Mizuno and SEAM Team.
     913 patients and still counting were registered on that day for diabetes, pediatric, general check up for the elders/senior citizens. The mission took a break for a sumptuous lunch, which was served by the good Mayor Chester Elaydo and immediately resumed after lunch.