More mission and post-mission pictures

More pictures of the Candelaria, Zambales mission are available. Check-out the two links on the top right-hand sidebar. These include some post-mission pics as well as some off-mission pics of our host/s in Zambales. These collections should not be seen as the 'official' photographic documentation of the mission only.

P.S. I enjoyed viewing the beauty salon, post-mission, pre-departure pics and had a ball tweaking the bad lighting off them.

Ode to PAGASA

Dear Kaibigan,

Many thanks for the generosity of your hearts and continued faith in the democracy of healthcare for all individuals - the PAGASA mission had the Gift of witnessing the magnitude of compassion firsthand. Be assured that support DOES translate into the revelation of a basic, unifying dignity among ALL human beings, either here or in Malabon, Candelaria. The healer can be healed by healing.

Some Post-mission Notes [Tiny]

The 2008 mission was the first time I went onsite after staying behind the scenes (in the comfort of the city, you might say) in prior years. Having witnessed and participated somewhat in the actual work of the mission, there are a few observations that probably can be considered in future missions.

1. The Crowds. Oh yes the crowd. We can't blame them. The unavailability of medicines, and their cost whenever available, and the inconvenience of seeking medical help due to the cost of the commute and the distance of it all make an onsite medical mission a 'must go.' Because of this, the limited time operating time for each mission will always have the potential of disappointng people who have queued for so long and not get to see a doctor. This year, those who did not get to see the doctor at least had their blood sugar (not FBS) and blood pressure checked. An effort to try to not disappoint them which probably had a salving effect.
   
   This can now be avoided. Because this year, we know how fast a doctor can process a patient—about 12 patients per hour, or 5 minutes per patient. In operations research terms, the working speed of our doctor is where our critical productivity path lies. If we had more doctors, then the effects can be reasonably expected to be just about arithmetical.
   
   So, if we know how long we are going to operate in an area, we more or less know how many patients can be actually seen by a doctor. Which means, a prior announcement can be made as to how many of the 'early bird' queuers can be seen on mission day with a certain number waitlisted. If other tests/services can be administered in greater volume, then a suitable announcement about that can be made as well.
   
   This way, we maintain a level of intellectual honesty and avoid disappointing people who were looking forward to seeing a doctor but who had to be turned away due to physical constraints.
   
   
2. Meds. Through the years, we more or less have an idea of the meds that are in demand and those that are not although things do change. For example, Lipitor was not as hot as the previous missions. However, vitamins, and the basic over-the-counter meds literally flew out of the boxes. Moving the meds to the site is also the biggest logistical task because as it was done this year and in prior years, the meds moved with the mission personnel. And a lot of them were still in their bulky physician's sample packaging.
   
   I suggest that these be repacked into those large thousand-pill bottles, if possible in the US. Drop a label or stick it on and ship via air or sea to arrive in enough time for us to pre-position them in the site. We will take care of import formalities including customs of course.
   
   Seal all bottles/boxes to be opened only when mission volunteers arrive on site.
   
   
3. Let's be Self-contained. This is the spirit of the medical mission. We go into an area, do our thing and hope we leave an impression. We cannot move making assumptions about what resources government should or would not have in the area. We have no control over how government decides to allocate and distribute its resources. Precisely, we aim to fill a void that is unserviced by government.
   
   
4. Resources do not have to be US-centric only. Given time, credentials, mission documentation, a lot of donations can be generated in-country. Pagasa Medical Mission has a gtrack record. But little to document that it does. I dare say that with a proper mission folio to present to companies in the Philippines, in-country resources have the potential of matching if not exceeding US-donations—at least in quantity. The high quality meds will always be a standout from US donors. But all the large companies have large corporate social responsibility budgets and a few encounter a dearth of organizations through which these resources could be channeled. For example, the members of the Japan–Philippines Chamber of Commerce need only to be asked and there are a few hundred of them. This year, transportation was a problem we did not solve until 48 hours before. It would ave been so easy with the help of Ito-san, the President of Toyota Philippines for example.
   
   But to do this, we need a portfolio. We now have pictures and a video. I am willing to have the patient records for this year and even past years 'crunched' so that we get to extract information from the data they contain. Even if the data is old. We will still end up with a collection of bell curves that might prove to be a revelation. But we would not know it until we get our hands dirty. Please send these slips of paper back to Manila where I can 'outsource' it and have it encoded and processed. You guy probably already know how good we are back here at outsourcing.
   
   Perhaps too good?
   

Day -1: Road trip to Candelaria, April 3 [Tiny]

With six of the jumbo-sized balikbayan boxes [balikbayan: Returning/visiting Filipino expatriates and their children] stuffed with all sorts of meds plus personal luggage to schlep the 250 kms (about 155 miles) to Candelaria, Zambales we needed three SUVs.

A rented Toyota Revo, my friend Irma's Toyota Previa, and my ever reliable but ever thirsty Ford Explorer had to do. Fitting people was not a problem. There was enough space for the 14 souls making the trip but cargo space was still at a premium and Niña's forgetting to unload a fully stuffed super XL-sized trash bag of our weeks' laundry at her Lola M's house for the lavandera to "process" did not help.

Finally underway, we were the last to push off, held back by a last minute 'adjustment' by Auntie B, Anna's mom. The agreement with the drivers of the other two vehicles was that being the fastest vehicle (and probably the most reliable) I would hold up the rear of the train in 'Badong' (a Ford Explorer, made in Canada, imported to Japan, and imported into the Philippines after being rescued from a Japanese materials recovery facility).

Apparently, not a good day for driver comprehension, the two vehicles scoot on ahead and disappear in Metro Manila's very organic traffic flow (Anna's & Stefan's description). Not really unexpected as Auntie B had to make a filing deadline at the Iba, Zambales Hall of Justice before 3 p.m. (200 kms/120 mi away yet).

We tool around through the NLEX (North Luzon Expressway - a nice tollroad, quite world-class). I was looking forward to saving about 45 mins of travel by going through the new toll tollroad that links the Clark EcoZone (Formerly Clark AFB of the USAF) to SBMA (Subic Bay EcoZone, formerly Subic BayNaval Base of the USN) but the signage was not up so rather than risk losing time, we took the regular route through Pampanga and Bataan province.

We hit SBMA at about 11:30 a.m. decided to do a late lunch in Iba instead. We discovered that we were way ahead of everyone as Auntie B and Uncle A in the lead car decided to try to hit the new highway which turned out to be closed so they had to double back. Auntie B left her mobile phone inside Badong so there was no communicating with them. John F and León B and Maria in the Previa were in touch via J's phone and they were following Auntie B.

We all meet up in Iba, the capital of Zambales province which itself is a long sliver of land hugging the northwestern coast of Luzon Island. At this time of year, Zambales is known for its beaches (fairly clean and unspoilt with black volcanic sand beaches in the mainland, and white, fine coral sand in the outlying islands) and mangoes (called Manila Super Mangoes, the fruit is a bright yellow, with a thin, flat, slightly hairy seed in between two cheeks of succulent yellow flesh. It is very sweet at this time of year and hyperglicemics are well advised to take care lest it cause their blood sugar to shoot up and turn them into insufferable monsters.

From Iba, its a short 40 minute drive through thin traffic on a winding mountain pass. Some 80 kms later we are in Candelaria. The first step is the Town Hall where a streamer was up to announce our presence. We also discover that it was fiesta time in Candelaria, a festival of thanksgiving in honor of the town's patron saint, San Vicente Ferrer whose feast day is April 5.

Being fiesta time, they had a flea market going in town and I thought I had a bargain when I picked up a pair of Speedo board shorts, and two IZOD walking shorts for a total of the equivalent of $3.00. But Niña topped this with a pair of faded denim cutoffs from ZARA for what turned out to be $0.11!

Madame Mayor happened to not be in her office for the how-are-you, and how-do-you-dos so off we went to our first billet at the Dawal Beach Resort, which was exactly 250 kms from the center of Manila.

Farewell to Madison & Limay Volunteers (04/06/08)

Farewell luncheon at local sponsor Olivia's fine home. Run-in batian [meet and greet] with her nanay {mother] upon entering for the indoor Comfort Room [slang for restroom]. Spectacular spread - oh.. it's the leftover from the last night's pistahan guests (as we all heard about it). Divine dessert of buko [coconut meat] salad made only from fresh papaya, piña, young coconut and a light cream; plus local suman [sweet sticky rice dessert] with again, mangga [mangoes: it is prime mango season]. And for the final bow, a round of good-bye pics in front of the PAGASA banner, the usual teary goodbye...hugs, kisses, halik halik balik[kiss kiss return] ... "come visit us anytime" and the team is on its way, with the Escalers-Maria (sabit) heading North towards Pangasinan, and the TinyMobile and Minivan rental heading South back to Manila.
hanggang sa muli!*


[*'til later]

Day 3, Candelaria

A lifetime in one day, thus the hangover from it all.

JohnFunk leaves on 6AM Victory Liner to Pangasinan. Meanwhile, the Ednave-Defensor-Manalo compound has been astir since 5A, Auntie B.’s usual hour of bangon [wake-up], and 1 hour past Auntie M.’s first meds. M&D: plastado. Kuya T, Niña, plastados. Out of the signature Philippine generosity, none makes the first run to the single CR (lights now operational!) for the much needed morning bath. Enter Ate Nida from the Escaler bahay kubo; Ivy, & Seth in tow. Dad goes out to graze the bukid [farmland] grounds, mind flooded with ideas. Quick PAGASA pow-wow : 6:30A Mass. It is pistahan {a festival in commemoration of St. Vincent Ferrer} -- too many crowds. (and the HEAT!) Besides, Leyon wants to pass up on the Mass plan. OK, no Mass. Later na lang when we get back to Manila.

Pack up soundtrack:

ligpit, hanap, balot…
ligpit, hanap, balot…
hanap, ligpit
hanap ligpit
hanap ligpit balot..
hanap*
hanap hanap
ligpit ligpit
hanap ligpit balot
karga!

[Break for Coffee and Pan de Sal at the Escaler Kubo]

Karga hanap
Balot balot
Ligpit ligpit
Balot balot
Ligpit
Karga!
ALIS NA {Time to GO]

[*hanap=to search for; ligpit=to arrange/put away; balot=to wrap/pack; karga=to load up/to carry]

So.. next: Breakfast at Sonya’s, the Barangay school Principal. An newly-reno antique Spanish home, spectacular spiral staircase with bamboo handrail and detail. Menu: A Filipino-American buffet breakfast with longanisa[sweet breakfast sausage], itlog[fried egg], pansit[noodle dish]; the local white bread, sliced American cheese and of course, the ubiquitous mangga. And duhat[looks like native grape but really more like a black cherry because it has a stone like a cherry but tasting quite different from both–sweet with a hint of tannin]!

off to the San Roque site (same as Fri), re-configured for inside the Barangay Hall. The PAG-ASA clockwork ticks in and clicks, fully charged. Nida had to exclaim "Did you notice Anna, something different today? Everyone is happy!" (JF absence implicated, still without mention). Everyone is groggy from the karaoke all-nighter ...the poor caged up tuta [dog] barking nonstop...the hazy-lazy, subconscious and magical aura that is a personal Philippine Dream - amounts to a very laid back, summer-paced work ethic. Notable: Leyon shamelessly masks himself before performing BP of a TB patient; Minor surgery - the barangay Polis woman needs some SERIOUS (like,eeew) wound clean up; patients-in-waiting all lollipopped with dum-dum giveaways. But everyone was all smiles by 2P, after the last local volunteer got their medical look-see, and the ASCO pharmaceutical perks were distributed. A RESOUNDING smile.

Candelaria

Day 2: @ Candelaria, Barangay Pinagrealan a true PAG-ASA spirit challenge. All levels were challenged, but confronted with utmost grace as possible. Even through the mad rush to move out of Dawal Resort, the crowded beach at 6AM, right through John Funk argument #1 in defense of Nida; busting a Barangay cop for using a stick on a severly undernourished as-kal [stray street dog]; JF argument #2 in defense of allowing the poorest of the poor Barangay citizens be screened even just for Blood Pressure and Diabetes; the Bahay Kubo* accomodation fiasco for Maria… now, we are all camping together – Ednave-Defensor-Manalo Nipa Hut deluxe – a rare consequence of being sequestered out of the overbooked Candelaria Pistahan.. not a single vacancy!
*Philippine nipa hut.

@ NNT Hotel

A Dad suggestion (no kidding): Japanese breakfast, complete with Japanese TV (NHK International)! And a Japanese menu. Turns out to be: miso soup, catch of the day (shake [sha-ke] =salmon) with shredded radish, koshihikari rice in a bowl; and in order to get the coffee (always Nescafe) – a plate of toast, butter, jam and ham. Mogi-tsa, an unsweetened iced tea served in lieu of water and preferred that way by the Japanese guests, comes with the Japanese menu. Call from M: coming from Proj.8, will be here by lunch.
and then.. beckoned by the Wanderlust – an excursion, and in Makati! It’s been ..how many years? With Maria, and good for 2 complete blocks
both Dad and Maria, mid-morning nap.
off, to nose around for the closest Church, while doing the best possible to absorb and record all signs of Life along the way. “Who wants to come along?” the wanderlust ist fur Alle .. das Liebste Herz ist sehr Gross…ja! (continuing soundtrack: the Haydn)

On Board!

Prelude: MSN-MSP

Almost out the garage door to Dory’s loaded supervan, a call from up North that takes this breath away…
Agreed pick-up EAT from Mendota, 6 boxes packed, taped, strapped – lock and loaded: 9:30A. actual: Dory, Bill and Maria here @ 9A. Boxes done, plus 2 – no, make that 3 ‘maletas’ [the Balikbayan box equivalent of suitcases] while still in the wake of poor Pikaso’s early A.M. vet call for just 2 more vaccination requirements, please; before checking in to the (charming!) Old Stone Pet Lodge.
@MSN Dane County Airport
A resounding WOW. In time for NO check-in lines @ the NWA counter. Maria checked in and out of sight. M&D and retaso [tagalog metaphor: a couples’ “leftover material”;)] a most jovial office session @ the DC lounge, pre-security. Spontaneous letter/hand-written text, as suggested by M. destination: up North.
Gate 11: joviality, cont.
Oh yes… must be mentioned – ride to the airport was a baptismal one (you know what I’m talking about right? You know who you are… this is for YOU)
The rain came AFTER the luggage loading, in the safety of a shared vehicle. Encore! Wieder.
NW 4765 delayed by big surprise, weather in MSP. Ok, fully installed now.

3AM Reiki Recharge (compliments of Maria)
Imaginary phone call to f&f – thank you for flying the friendly skies ! Welcome, welcome to the country most affectionately referred to as the smiling heart of this great EARTH. And at 82 degrees F! Checked in to room 901 of the NTT Hotel in Makati, along with Dad and Maria. Leyon (first late and MIA in NIA): checked in with cousin; Mom, Uncle Ado, Auntie Buen in Fairview, check; Kuya Tina and surprise Nina! Back home. Check. Just until tomorrow’s packing session here – 9 A.M. .. and this heart smiled as NW19 landed tonight.. home, again!

Check in, check out, check in check out Check CHECK check – installed, landed – HERE.
Now –
PLEASE JOIN US

Packing Session #2: Lipitor galore - a list

Present: Glenda, Deb, Leon, Maria, Anna, Monita
Instructions written on yellow pad labels on each box, by Dr. Manalo:
The consolidation of Lipitor, 10 mg and 40 mg from blister packs and 30-count bottles into larger pharmacy-sized containers.
Recycling - sorted by: bottles, lids, foil seal, cotton filler, and 'do-not-eat' preservers; blister boxes, cartons.
Supplies: snack-sized ziplocks, sandwich bags, freezer ziplocks, kitchen bags, garbage bags; packing tape to make the check-in sized boxes (Balikbayan box; i.e., within FAA size restrictions)