One Sunday in Bellarocca Resort-2/13/11

At the conclusion of the 7th Medical Mission of Love, 55 missioners from US, Canada and Marinduque treated themselves with an overnight stay at the world famous 5 star Bellarocca Resort and Spa at the southern end of Marinduque island. Our day started with assembly at the Masiga Airport in Gasan. We were then transported by van and after one hour we reached Lipata, Buenavista. Then we were transported by a rubber speed boat and in three minutes were in the island- felt like I was in Santorini Island in Greece. We were greeted with singing/dancing welcoming our arrival and given a lei of bougainvillas. We proceeded to the orientation room where we had a refreshing drink. At 9:00AM MI,Inc had a "recap" meeting discussing the pros and cons of the whole week of humanitarian work to the poor and needy in this 4th class province of the Philippines. Then we were free to do anything we want until 4:00PM. Some avail themselves with the aqua sports, others play golf, most of us just relax and enjoy the magnificent view of Mt Malindig and the mainland from the balcony of our rooms. In my case, I spent the whole morning updating my blogs, reading my 500 e-mails that accumulated the whole week. The previous week we spent giving free medicines in the public courts in the six towns of Marinduque. It was very hectic and exhausting and I wished we had a one day break. A few of our missioners got sick. At 4:00PM, the bishop of Boac, Most Reverend Rey Evangelista officiated a catholic mass just for us. At 6:00PM we had a our buffet dinner and Valentine dance also attended by the bishop and his assistant. The food was excellent as usual specially the salads and dessert. At 10:00PM, the evening ended with attendees saying thank you to the officers of MI, Inc for a successful mission of Love and to all non-Marinduqueno guests. I personally acknowledged the staff and employees of Bellarocca for their excellent service and for the 50% discount the resort gave us. Again, thank you to the doctors, nurses, dentists. pharmacists and all non-medical support missioners who contributed to the success of this mission of Love, 2011. I looked forward to see most of you in Chicago in August 4 to 7, for our election of officers and reunion. Thank you MACUSA and Ms Ching Jao Manalo for inviting us to your event this August. Pictures of this one day affair in Bellarocca can be found in my FaceBook account. The time of your life that you have touch the lives of others is the time that you have really live.

Last Day of Medical Mission-Torrijos, Marinduque

Statistical Team in Action with High School Students at the Marinduque National High School
Yesterday, was the 6th and last day of MI, Inc Medical Mission of Love in Marinduque. Talking to the nurses AND SURGEONS at the provincial hospital, they approximated THAT about 250 minor surgeries and about 25 major surgeries had been performed by our three surgeons in five days. In addition, the ophthalmic team headed by Dr Raymond Sulit had performed about 25 surgeries.

The total patients seen in the six towns is about 6000. This number is an estimate. The correct and exact number will be released by the Statistical Team, headed by Marita Jao and ably assisted by Lito Quiazon and David E. Katague. The team were also assisted by 45 high school students( data entry). The students worked up to almost midnight last night to complete data entry of the patients seen in Torrijos as well as the medications prescribed. At the end of the day in Torrijos, most of the leftover drugs ( non-prescription) were just distributed to more than 200 patients that were still waiting in line to see a doctor without any paper work. Thus this number will not be reflected in the statistical report that the statistical team will submit to MI, Inc.

Most of our physicians and dentists had already gone back to US. Some of our missioners got sick due to our hectic schedule. There was no day of rest as in previous missions. As usual food and merienda were in abundance. Our lunch was donated by the Mayor of Torrijos, Gil Briones. The meriendas were donated by three families with relatives residing in the US.

Our dinner was sponsored by our young and handsome Congressman Allan Lord Velasco at his beach resort in Poctoy, Torrijos. After a delicious buffet, the congressman had photographic sessions with all the missioners. There was a short dancing session with a live band and a couple of singers. I heard that this is the same band and duo singers that also performed at the Bellarocca Resort-next in our schedule. Photos of this last day are in my FB account. Watch out for my pictures of our Valentine and Dinner Dance to be held this evening in this resort. I am writing this blog in the Computer Room of this 5 star resort. The missioners were all tired but deep in their hearts they are happy for they have touch the lives of their poor Kababayans here in Marinduque. As my favorite saying states: THE TIME YOU HAVE TOUCHED THE LIVES OF OTHERS IS THE TIME THAT YOU HAVE REALLY LIVED.

Selected Photos from the 4th Day of the Medical Mission of Love, Mogpog, Marinduque

Above are selected photos during the 4th day of MI, Inc Medical Mission of Love in Mogpog as well as photos of the Statistical team with Marinduque National high school students. The Statistical team using the Access Software is headed by Marita Jao and assisted by Lito Quiazon and David E Katague. Note that David E is the son of this blogger. David E is a mission volunteer from Fair Oaks, California. About 45 high school students are involved in the data entry (of patients seen and medications prescribed and given to the poor in the six provinces of Marinduque). Except for Santa Cruz, all the five towns of Marinduque,( Boac, Gasan, Buenavista, Mogpog and Torrijos) welcomed the missioners with open hearts ,hospitable spirit and attitude. Santa Cruz municipal officials first said yes, then later said no and then change their decision to "yes" at the last minute after officers of MI, Inc showed the town officials the statistics of the number of patients served by MI, Inc from the previous mission, 2006 and 2008. Today is the mission in Santa Cruz. My wife and I decided not to serve and volunteer our time and energy to the poor of this town, based on the incident above. If we are not welcome why forced ourselves to the town whose officials do not appreciate our humanitarian efforts.

Selected Photos-2nd and 3rd Day, Medical Mission of Love, MI, Inc

Above are some of the photos that I took on the second day of clinical and dental operations at the covered court in Buenavista. Some of the photos were taken at the Boac Provincial Hospital and Covered court today.

Yesterday, my heart melted and I cried when more than 300 indigents were sent home with out any medicines after forming and lining for 4 hours since there was just too many in line. Only 1000 patients can be accommodated from 8AM to 4PM. MI, Inc do not have enough physicians volunteers this year, compared to 2006 and 2008, when we had twice as many physicians volunteers. In addition, one of our surgeons, canceled at the last minute, so our major surgical operations were definitely hindered. Luckily, we have two surgeons who are working in the outpatient clinic. The good news is that Ophthalmic surgical operations are in full swing under the able direction of Dr. Raymond Sulit. Interns from UST ( Sukob Group) are again with us this year. This group is doing an excellent job in the Ophthalmic Section of the MIssion

As my thoughts for the day addressed to all our missioners"

THE TIME YOU HAVE TOUCH THE LIVES OF OTHERS, IS THE TIME THAT YOU HAVE REALLY LIVE!

Watch out for more pictures for our 4th day in Mogpog, and our 6th day in Torrijos. Our 5th day is scheduled for the town of Santa Cruz. However, I do not feel wasting my time and energy to a town that will not appreciate our efforts.

First and Second Day-Medical Mission of Love, Marinduque, Philippines

The first day of the 2011 Marinduque International Mission of Love ( 7th) started with more than 1000 patients lining outside the public court of the Gasan Municipal Court as early as 7:30AM. Later on the day another 500 more indigents were willing to wait for 3 to 4 hours before one of our 7 physicians and 20 nurses as well as about 25 pharmacists and another 50 support personnel missioners( crowd control, registrations, statistics, reporters etc) from US and Canada were able to serve their medical needs and avail themselves with the free medicines, vitamens, etc..during this first day of our 7th medical mission to my poor but beautiful island of Marinduque.

Simultaneously, hospital operations at the Boac Provincial Hospital ( both minor and major surgical operations as well as ophthalmic surgery operations) also had a chaotic start. As expected the first 4 hours of hospital operations was chaotic. But later on the late afternoon, about 45 minor surgeries and 25 ophthalmic surgeries were performed. Special thanks to our two outpatient surgeons, Dr. Al Manahan from Dallas, Teaxs and Dr. Mendiola, and of course to all the local hospital personnels that supported this operations. Today, major surgeries are scheduled at the Hospital. Clinical operations is in Buenavista- the town were the 5 star Bellarocca Resort is located. Above are some pictures I took. The whole album is on my FaceBook page. Watch out for a more detailed account and my personal impressions of this humanitarian project, very close to my heart.

Redwood National and State Park, California

The Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) are located in the United States, along the coast of northern California. Comprising Redwood National Park (created 1968) and California's Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks (dating from the 1920s), the combined RNSP contain 133,000 acres (540 km2).[2] Located entirely within Del Norte and Humboldt Counties, the four parks, together, protect 45% of all remaining Coastal Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) old-growth forests, totaling at least 38,982 acres (157.75 km2). These trees are the tallest and one of the most massive tree species on Earth. In addition to the redwood forests, the parks preserve other indigenous flora, fauna, grassland prairie, cultural resources, portions of rivers and other streams, and 37 miles (60 km) of pristine coastline.

In 1850, old-growth redwood forest covered more than 2,000,000 acres (8,100 km2) of the California coast. The northern portion of that area, originally inhabited by Native Americans, attracted many lumbermen and others turned gold miners when a minor gold rush brought them to the region. Failing in efforts to strike it rich in gold, these men turned toward harvesting the giant trees for booming development in San Francisco and other places on the West Coast. After many decades of unobstructed clear-cut logging, serious efforts toward conservation began. By the 1920s the work of the Save-the-Redwoods League, founded in 1918 to preserve remaining old-growth redwoods, resulted in the establishment of Prairie Creek, Del Norte Coast, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Parks among others. Redwood National Park was created in 1968, by which time nearly 90% of the original redwood trees had been logged. The National Park Service (NPS) and the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR) administratively combined Redwood National Park with the three abutting Redwood State Parks in 1994 for the purpose of cooperative forest management and stabilization of forests and watersheds as a single unit.

The ecosystem of the RNSP preserves a number of threatened animal species such as the Brown Pelican, Tidewater Goby, Bald Eagle, Chinook Salmon, Northern Spotted Owl, and Steller's Sea Lion. In recognition of the rare ecosystem and cultural history found in the parks, the United Nations designated them a World Heritage Site on September 5, 1980 and an International Biosphere Reserve on June 30, 1983.

Note: This is No.22 of a series of articles on national park in the US.