TRAVELING to a place is always fun, especially when one is looking forward to help people with their medical needs. Medical missions may not deliver a lot, but giving medical assistance to the less fortunate to have an eye or a dental checkup means so much to them.
Eleuteria Cabrera, 85, of Barangay Castuli, Macabebe, Pampanga, is one of the beneficiaries of the medial mission. She said it has been a routine for her to go to the Datu, Angeles, David, Mallari Memorial Foundation Inc. (DADMFI) medical mission since it started in 1998.
Cabrera has been a regular of the medical missions since she cannot afford to have her eye checkup, she is one of the many beneficiaries of free eye glasses. She said she is very happy that there are still people who are happy to help without asking anything in return. “It’s not only me, it’s the whole barangay of Castuli who celebrate yearly because of this medical mission. It’s like a fiesta, the only difference is it is a medical thing.”
The DADMFI was conceptualized by the late physician Jesus A. Datu, who served with the rank of commander in the United States Navy Medical Corps.
While assigned at the Subic Naval Base in Olongapo City, Datu saw the plight and living condition of the Aetas in Zambales and thought of helping them.
Datu brought solicited medicines and his physician friends from the US, during his vacation trips to the Philippines, his former classmate doctors in the country and his close relatives to the underprivileged countrymen for the medical-dental missions. This was his way of helping his countrymen who needed help owing to their financial and social conditions.
Datu saw the opportunity that this activity would also bring his relatives closer to each other and would start the annual bonding reunion of the clan members. Thus, the foundation was formed and its incorporators were elected.
Since then, the foundation has yearly been providing diagnostic and therapeutic medical services to Aeta tribesmen to help uplift their well-being and, thus, improve their ability to serve their families, as well as their community, thus, making them responsible citizens.
Yearly, an estimated 250 patients from the four barrios in Castuli, Macabebe, Pampanga, are smiling; children are happy in hope to avail themselves the services of the medical mission.
Retired Lt.Gen. Christie B. Datu is now serving as the corporate secretary of the foundation. Following the footstep of his ancestors, he managed to continue what his predecessors, have started and improved it in his own little way with the help of all the board members.
The soft-spoken retired Air Force fighter pilot told the BusinessMirror that it is a privilege for him to help others who cannot afford to have a medical checkup. “This is somewhat giving back to less fortunate, and I hope this will continue and set as an example to others.”
He added: “This is the first time that we let the media cover our labor of love for others. You can see how we are warmly welcome in the area.”
“The queue [of patients] may be long when we arrive the place, but they are undoubtedly optimistic of the success of the medical mission.”
The happiness they bring to the people of Castuli, Macabebe, Pampanga, is unmatched, and to the physicians, dentists and other medical professions, who volunteered to render free service, a simple smile and thank you is the thousand word of love given back to them by the people.
As we were leaving, an old couple, Nicolasa and Vicente Bustos, approached me and thanked me for the medical mission. The couple said it is a relief to have a free supply of medicine they needed most, Datu added.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes