CAUSA Medical, Dental and Surgical Mission

Cervantes, Ilocos Sur
January 30 - February 2, 2011

The beautiful Mountains of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur

“La gratitude est la mémoire du Coeur.”

     This is the most famous quotation from French Ecclesiastic Jean Baptiste Massieu.  It means, “Gratitude is the memory of the heart”. This indeed is the basis of the Medical and Surgical Mission by the Cervantes Association, USA (CAUSA) last January 30 to February 2, 2011 in the upland municipality of Cervantes.

The Almachar family with Hon. Jeremias C. Singson

Trivia on the Almachars

         Mr. Demetrio Almachar, Sr., a zarzuelista from Ayusan Norte, Vigan, Ilocos Sur, became an Administrative Officer of Bessang Pass Memorial Hospital in the late 1960s.  With his call to serve this far-flung district hospital and as he value much his family, he decided to bring in his wife Precentacion, and his children in Cervantes.  The children spent their childhood in Cervantes and hence, have adapted to the culture and way of life of the town.  The children have completed both their elementary and secondary education at Cervantes.  They took up their college in Manila and after successfully taking up medicine course, the children migrated in the United States where they have started another migratory life with the whole family.

Hon. Jeremias ‘Jerry’ Singson on medical mission

Cervantes Association, USA (CAUSA)

        The Cervantes Association, USA (CAUSA) was organized in the United States whose most members are the doctor-children of Demetrio Sr.  With the life and memory the Almachar children have embraced in their young years, they have deemed necessary to extend back their gratitude to the people of Cervantes.  CAUSA head, spouses Dr. Steven and Mrs. Nelia Almachar-Baron, initiated pooling of resources among members for their planned medical and surgical mission in the Philippines.  With the mutual generosity of the Almachars and the CAUSA, they have brought in 46 balikbayan boxes of supplies and medicines exclusively for the mission.

Hon. Mayor Benjamin Maggay with Hon. Jerry Singson

The Mission


     Last January 30, the municipality of Cervantes conducted 3-day medical and surgical mission.  Medical and OPD consultations were conducted at the gym of the municipality, while dental and surgical operations were held at the Bessang Pass Memorial Hospital.

The mission is a collaboration of various partners, to with:

1. Principally, the Cervantes Association, USA (CAUSA);
2. Local Government of Cervantes headed by Mayor Benjamin Maggay; 
3. Baguio General Hospital (BGH) headed by Dr. Pablo Candelario;
4. SLU volunteer nurses headed by anaesthesiologist Dr. Berna Grace Hanwell; 
5. Private Sales Representatives headed by Ms. Luchie Rojo; 
6. Bessang Pass Memorial Hospital and Gabriela Silang General Hospital doctor, nurses, administrative staff and technical personnel; and
7. The Jerry C. Singson Foundation, Inc. and the Committee on Health and Sanitation of the Province of Ilocos Sur

The medical and OPD consultation at Cervantes Gymnasium

The Almachar kin and cousins are the following:

1. Mrs. Nelia Almachar-Baron married to Dr. Steven Baron
2. Mrs. Edna Almachar-Agnen
3. Ms. Adelina Almachar
4. Mrs. Estelita Almachar-Gullick
5. Mrs. Felicidad Almachar-Stewart
6. Mr. Jaime Almachar
7. Mr. Demetrio Almachar, Jr.
8. Mr. Nonato Almachar
9. Mr. Medarlo Almachar
10. Mr. Amador Bondad

Mrs. Nelia Almachar Baron and Dr. Steven Baron

       Aside from the usual medical, dental and OPD consultations from the specialists, among the cases dealt were: 1. Gall bladder stones; 2. Kidney stones; 3. Hernia; 4. Thyroid (Goiter); 5. Extraction of Mass of the Ear, Neck, Chest and Legs; and 6. Audio-related (ear).

For more CAUSA photos, click on Cervantes