The Gift of Love: UCSD Key Players Reflect on the Essence of Giving

(Part 2)

The United Catanduanes San Diego (UCSD) and Friends has recently completed its third Medical and Humanitarian Mission this year. Inspired by the theme “The Gift of Love Keeps on Giving,” the week-long program from January 29 to February 3, 2024 rendered medical/dental/optical assistance and gave gifts to over 4,000 deserving recipients in 56 barangays in all 11 municipalities of Catanduanes. It also extended the same services to 74 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in the Virac District Jail.

This laudable achievement can be rightfully attributed to UCSD’s dynamic team. The inspiration provided by its Founder/President, Dr. Oscar Enriquez is complemented by the unwavering support and cooperation of several individuals and groups who share his humanitarian objectives – making up a dream partnership. Truly one for the books.

This post seeks to recognize the powerhouse team, the game changers, and the value creators behind The Gift of Love Humanitarian Mission.

International Donors

In every humanitarian initiative, the role of sponsors and donors in creating an enabling environment is vital. The timely and efficient conduct of the UCSD mission this year was made possible through funds donated by Catandunganons and Friends from USA and Mrs. Salvacion Olfindo Enriquez and Family. The solid backing of the Texan Friends of Catanduanes (TFC) and Standard Family Properties (LCC) merits grateful recognition. Appreciation and thanks should also be accorded to the Standard Medical Clinic of Southeast Texas, Lone Star Standard Medical Group PA, and Dr. Murlidhar Amin.

Their overwhelming support made a lot of difference for thousands of struggling lives.

Provincial Organizers and Coordinators

With proper funding in place, the sourcing of necessary supplies is initiated in the USA. Dr. Enriquez and his hospital staff spend long hours sorting out medicines and various equipment for shipment to the Philippines. The mission founder then keeps close contact with two key people in Virac, the coordination center in Catanduanes.

Virac Vice-Mayor Arlynn Arcilla, in her role as a medical doctor, is a comforting presence during the mission.

Dr. Arlynn Arcilla, by virtue of her profession as a medical doctor and as incumbent Vice Mayor of Virac, is a godsend for UCSD. She reaches out to medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and dentists, and local healthcare providers in the rural areas to solicit their participation in the week-long activity. Dr. Arcilla was present in several mission sites, doing medical consultations with utmost care and attention.

Liaison Par Excellence Biet Tabuzo Pastor with Dr. Oscar Enriquez in one of the mission sites.

The task of coordinating with the religious sector and other professional groups falls on the able shoulders of Biet Tabuzo Pastor. In a Facebook post showing her proudly wearing the official Gift of Love shirt, she said she joined the group not just because the members so generously share their hard-earned blessings with the less fortunate Catandunganons living around small parishes and mission churches, but also because she is impressed by the down-to-earth personalities of their officers and members.  In the same post, she affirmed: “Yes, I take pride in being part of their team, I love and enjoy working with them, and I’m mighty proud to wear their shirt!!” Just like Dr. Arcilla, her commitment does not end with planning and coordinating; she is also an active multitasker at mission sites.

The coordination and mobilization efforts of the humanitarian mission similarly get a helpful boost from Sonia Daag-Santos who facilitates shipments of stocks to Virac, and Manuel Romero who generously allows the use of his Virac warehouse for proper storage of goods and equipment, and his vehicles for transporting goods to designated mission areas.

Religious Sector

The cohesive structure of the religious sector in Virac has worked to the best advantage of The Gift of Love mission since Year 1. In consultation with Bishop Manolo de los Santos of the Diocese of Virac, mission churches and small parishes covering poor barangays outside the población were chosen as activity centers. The parish priests of these churches worked closely with their respective barangay officials as well as pastoral and youth councils in pre-assessing the needs of the community and identifying local residents who will benefit the most from the services of the mission. With the help of local residents and church workers, they prepare the designated venues, repack rice for distribution, and make special effort in preparing meals for the volunteers. The excess supplies that were not used on the day of the mission are left in their care for later distribution in their community.

Bishop Manolo de los Santos receives a certificate of appreciation from UCSD for getting small parishes and mission churches involved in this year’s medical mission.

Just as much as they deserve commendation for their hard work, the parishes are similarly thankful to UCSD for reaching out to the faithful in the indigent areas. In a letter to Dr. Enriquez, Fr. Boyet Gapaz of the San Alfonso Maria Fusco Parish in Lictin, San Andres wrote that they were so encouraged to see that even in the midst of uncertain times and financial inconvenience, there are generous souls that make their support felt in many ways. “We are so inspired and heartened by your generosity and spirit of solidarity to our less fortunate sector in our community,” said Fr. Gapaz in that same letter.

Medical/Dental/Optical Professionals

This is one part of the team that seems to grow in number each year. The Catanduanes Medical Society fielded 21 medical doctors to the different mission sites during the week. The Philippine Dental Association Catanduanes Chapter had 20 dentist volunteers in total.

Dr. Ferdinand Que, a Virac-based optometrist was there along with his optical clinic staff.

Dr. Ferdinand Que, providing free eyecare to those in need, one patient at a time.

[Recall that during the 2020 medical mission, Dr. Que became an accidental hero to vlogger Mike Corey, one of five popular video bloggers who call themselves Fighter Boys. While in Baras, Corey developed an eye infection and needed medical attention. The Gift of Love medical mission was going on at that time in one of the barangays and Dr. Que promptly came to the rescue.  A video posted by FinnSnow, one of the Fighter Boys, showing the chance encounter has earned over 165,000 views to date. A good number that works for UCSD as well 😊].

[Recall that during the 2020 medical mission, Dr. Que became an accidental hero to vlogger Mike Corey, one of five popular video bloggers who call themselves Fighter Boys. While in Baras, Corey developed an eye infection and needed medical attention. The Gift of Love medical mission was going on at that time in one of the barangays and Dr. Que promptly came to the rescue.  A video posted by FinnSnow, one of the Fighter Boys, showing the chance encounter has earned over 165,000 views to date. A good number that works for UCSD as well 😊].

Please click here to view FinnSnow’s video.

Working in close coordination with the doctors and nurses were staff of municipal and rural health units. The combined efforts of this group form a strong backbone for the medical mission. It’s an added value that they are all locals and speak either Bicol or Tagalog and could communicate effectively with the patients. No lost-in-translation moments there.  

Civic-oriented Groups

The smooth and orderly flow of activities at mission sites got a lot of help from the men and women members of the Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity and Sorority, The Fraternal Order of Eagles of the Philippines and Lady Eagles Club (through the newly chartered Catanduanes Chapter). They could be seen assisting the disabled, moving stuff and putting them in proper places, helping in different service tables, and serving hot meals to everyone. The APO volunteers put authentic meaning to their motto “Be a Leader. Be a Friend. Be of Service,” and when they take their APO hand sign to their hearts, you know that you’re in good company. The same can be said about the Philippine Eagles (fraternal and sororal), whose guiding principle is service and helping the less fortunate through community projects and other gainful activities. Some medical professionals from both organizations were seen putting their specialization to good use in appropriate consultation areas.

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Foreign and Local Volunteers

Through thick and thin, they are there – the committed and tireless volunteers who travel all the way from the US to reconnect with their province of origin and bring smiles to the faces of the less fortunate Catandunganons. They are joined by volunteers from Manila and Catanduanes in the unified act of sharing their valuable time, resources, and love to benefit the needy. Their stay may be short, but their compassion and charitable acts for the beneficiaries are for the long haul.

Franz Ham at the Meet and Greet and briefing session with UCSD guests and local partners, marking the start of the mission.

Franz Ham is a beautiful example (in many ways than just physical) of a UCSD volunteer. She used to be a constant presence in mission fundraising activities in California, but only got to join as a volunteer last year upon the invitation of Dr. Enriquez. That time she was appointed to be one of the group leaders tasked with ensuring the efficient operation of her assigned team. She reflects on this as a learning experience on being both a leader and team player – a role she played so well that this year, she was also asked to organize the Appreciation Dinner for everyone who helped in the mission. She has this to say about her involvement with the group: “Volunteering gave me a sense of achievement and purpose. As you give your time to help others, you also learn a lot of things. Doing good for others provides a natural sense of accomplishment. I got more joy from serving others. It feels great to receive, but it’s far more joyful to give.”

Many other volunteers like Franz may not be named in this post for lack of print space; but their participation in UCSD affairs will be long remembered by those who witnessed and felt their noble acts of serving and giving. Exception begs to be made in the case of the Enriquez family, a key support system of the UCSD founder in this endeavor: From the 84-year-old Tio Miniong Enriquez, to siblings Rosalie (and husband Veda Pielago); William (who chose to stay in the US this time to look after their matriarch, Tia Vacion Enriquez); Franklin and wife Tusa, and to their pretty daughter Fayanne who can be mistaken for someone just out of her teens. But make no bones about it, Fayanne is a veteran when it comes to volunteering, having been in six similar engagements in the past. My point being that serving or giving has nothing to do with age. It has everything to do with LOVE.

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In the same token, gratitude should be given to those who, through their own selfless capacities, have made the 3^rd UCSD medical and humanitarian mission another tough act to follow. From the drivers who helped transport people and supplies to the mission sites, the church workers who prepared the energizing and festive food for the team members, to those who looked after the safety of everyone during the mission. Simply saying “Thanks” or “Mabalos” won’t suffice for their valuable cooperation.

Bicolanos have a more apt way of expressing gratitude. We say “Diyos Mabalos.” It translates to “God will Repay,” and this goes to everyone who contributed, in big or small ways, to The 2024 Gift of Love Medical and Humanitarian Mission.

The Gift of Love 2024: UCSD Key Players Reflect on the Essence of Giving

(Part 1)

In my blog post about the 2023 medical and humanitarian mission organized by the United Catanduanes San Diego (UCSD) and Friends, I detailed how my experiences as a volunteer left such feel-good memories and meaningful takeaways. That 2023 stint got me so excited at the prospect of joining the mission’s next staging in 2026, following its triennial schedule.

Then, out of left field, the news came that the next mission is happening not two years from now, but this year from January 28 to February 3. In light of this surprising turn of events, the questions “Why?” and “How?” had to be asked.

The answer to the “Why?” question turned out to be providential: The UCSD cup runneth over!

UCSD President Doctor Oscar Enriquez disclosed that the decision to conduct this year’s mission came after a close friend of his, another doctor in Texas, donated a hefty amount to the group’s cause. His generous friend had a simple message in relation to the donation: “Take care of the needy and God is with us.” The generous endowment, when added to the surplus funds from the 2023 mission, was a compelling factor in this year’s conduct of the third Gift of Love humanitarian event.

His resolve to give it a go was likewise prompted by this quote from the great essayist, Ralph Waldo Emerson:

The good doctor says that he always pays heed to similar ‘birdie whispers’ (I call them spiritual tweets) that seem to pop out during serendipitous moments; and so far, they have not failed him yet. The UCSD president had the same intuitive experience in San Diego some years back, while he was trying to think of a proper catchline to go with the mission’s objectives. That light-bulb moment gave birth to the theme ‘The Gift of Love.’

As to the “How” part, the 2024 Gift of Love Medical Mission opted to use the same strategy adopted for its previous outreach programs. It will be recalled that during its first UCSD humanitarian mission in 2020, the group was restricted from conducting its activities in central Virac owing to the pandemic scare. It had to resort to a solution akin to the doctrine that says “If the mountain won’t come to Muhammad, Muhammad must come to the mountain.”  

The UCSD volunteers were divided into teams and were assigned to different mission churches representing the 11 municipalities of Catanduanes. This alternative entailed massive planning, fundraising, organization, mobilization, and collaborating with foreign and local partners, not to mention the taxing on-the-ground work during the week-long conduct. Yet, it turned out to be a course of action that yielded more beneficial results and therefore served as the model for succeeding missions.

Thus, this year, designated teams rendered services and gave gifts to pre-selected beneficiaries in all 11 municipalities of the island, in venues particularly chosen for their accessibility and convenience. Services were clustered into free medical checkup, dispensing of medicines, dental services, eye checkup, OB/GYN consultations, distribution of free reading glasses, soup kitchen, and giving gifts to both young and old beneficiaries. The mission was capped by distributing gifts, as well as providing medical and dental services to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Virac District Jail on February 3. The group likewise donated a hospital bed and a stretcher to the Eastern Bicol Medical Center (EBMC) to replace the damaged ones at the hospital.

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Two days before the Catanduanes mission, UCSD conducted a similar initiative in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga. The outreach program benefited 200 locals who received pails containing rice, kitchen essentials, and fresh tilapia bought from a nearby fish pond. Including fresh catch in the goodies pack was another ‘first’ in UCSD’s book of gift giving. In addition to the gifts, the Betis beneficiaries were also treated to filling snacks and drinks during the event.

Given an inspired and charismatic leader, the clear objective of serving the needs of the underprivileged sector, plus benevolent donors and sponsors, any humanitarian endeavor needs collaborators who share the same purpose and commitment to run its affairs seamlessly. In this aspect, UCSD has a distinct ace up its sleeve: the combined strengths of its hardworking team members, generous foreign and local partners, dedicated organizers/coordinators/facilitators, and the all-out support of religious, local government, and civic organizations.

Part 2 of this story will focus on these groups and their unique contributions to fostering a culture of compassion, charity, and sharing of one’s time and resources for the good of the needy — all of which represent the core values of ‘The Gift of Love.’

Happy Island Fashion Statements

Where does fashion figure in your order of priorities? Is it, like in my jaded case, somewhere near the bottom? If so, join me this once: let’s take a step back and look at it from a different perspective. Perhaps, fashion is not just a trendy and fleeting subject after all.

I visited Catanduanes, my home province in Bicol, late last month to attend to some family interests. One task led me to the provincial capitol, where I was greeted by a showcase of formal wear that turned out to be especially designed for candidates of the Ginoong Catandungan and Binibining Catandungan 2023. The two searches were among the events that highlighted the 78^th Founding Anniversary of Catanduanes, now tagged as ‘The Happy Island’ after being known as ‘Land of the Howling Winds’ for quite some time. The outfits were put together for public viewing, days prior to the hosting of the pageants on October 21 and 22, 2023.

At first blush, the array struck me as nothing short of glitz, meant to enhance the candidates’ self-esteem and confidence while dazzling the audience with all those sparkly ‘borloloys’ or embellishments. I’m glad I decided to take a closer look; each creation came with a description of the design, the name of the designer, and details covering the design inspiration.

Given a proper venue and purpose, fashion, I now agree, can bear great significance. Many of the creations on display at the lobby reflected the traditions and cultural ethos of the different municipalites of Catanduanes. They highlighted the essence of how Catandunganons want to be perceived by the outside world.

I was pressed for time and could not take photos of all the displayed pieces, but here are some of them – starting off with the stylized Barong Filipino designed for the Ginoong Catandungan contestants representing the different municipalities of the Happy Island:

This design uses the abaca pinukpok fiber produced in Baras to honor the abaca farmers of Catanduanes, which is hailed as the Abaca Capital of the Philippines.

This ‘UMASILHAG’ creation for the Gigmoto candidate is in recognition of the island’s silent heroes: the para-UMA (farmers), para-SILA (fishermen), and paraHAG-ot (abaca strippers). The carabao-inspired back accent is a tribute to their hard work and perseverance, while the loincloth is an ode to tradition and ethnicity.

This design for the San Andres (former Calolbon) contestant features an image of Our Lady of Sorrows painted at the back. The religious icon is believed to be miraculous and draws droves of visitors to the Batong Paloway chapel where it is consecrated. The stylized ‘salakot’ or ‘calo’ is a symbol of the unity that binds Calolbonganons, which is celebrated annually during the Buruniyogan sa Calo Festival in November.

The gowns for the Binibining Catandungan contestants turned out to be variations on a theme: the color purple, diamond patterns, beads and crystals, flowing lines, high slits – were variably used to depict courage, power, resilience, and similar strengths that define Catandunganon women in these challenging times.

On pageant night, team San Andres bagged the Best Designer award for this creative rendition by Calolbonganon designer Mikko Dolores for Ms. Rheana Rose Chavez.

I dare say that the inspiration for the gown – with its call for women like Rheana “to make unpopular decisions, challenge the system, and write new narratives” is a true winner!

Here’s to fashion as a celebration of creativity, substance, and relevance!

The Gift of Feathers

(Banner image was sourced from Unsplash. The other photos are by the author.)

I cannot recall when I started collecting them. The very first one presented itself to me some years back while I was going up the stairs inside our home — a small and dainty white feather resting on one of the steps.  Until now I have no answer as to how it could have flown in. We have no feathered pets nor any house item that has feathers in it. The only possible explanation was that it could have entered the house through an open window, from a bird that lost a feather while flying outside. I picked it up and kept it as a memento.

The same experience happened at least twice at different times – clueless me finding feathers on the stair steps. On different occasions, I saw a few more pieces while taking leisurely walks outside or while going out for some errands. In those exact moments of sighting, I had no questions nor qualms about picking them up. I just felt a certain lightness and joy at finding something so delicate and beautiful, randomly, in unexpected places.

Some of my earlier gifts together with a prayer accompany me every day

Sometime this year while on a tour in Siquijor, an island known for mystical healers, a similar experience took on a special meaning. Our son who arranged the trip hoping to practice his newly acquired diving skills, fell ill throughout our stay – leaving us little choice but to make it a true staycation and be content with what was immediately accessible within our rented lodge. On our last day on the island, while he was fit enough to travel back home, my anxiety was real so I prayed for everything to go smoothly.

As we were leaving the resort, I saw a feather on the ground, near a shrub with beautiful flowers. I knew then that everything will be fine. And yes, we made it home safely despite the unfriendly weather and my son still a bit indisposed.

Once, while revisiting my feather collection, one got blown away because I forgot to switch off a whirling electric fan. Despite my earnest effort to find it, I couldn’t, and just had to let it go; but I felt so low at losing a treasure. That same day, while going out for some transactions, I found not just one, but two bird feathers along my path — a quick turnaround to replace what I just lost.

Just last week during a quick trip to my home province in Bicol, I chanced by these three treasures after a short walk along the shore.

I can sense a certain rhyme but still at sea regarding the reason behind these feel-good occurrences. Let’s admit it:  one of the fastest ways to find answers these days is through AI. Here’s what openai.com has to say:

Finding feathers in unexpected places is often seen as a symbol or omen in many cultures and belief systems. While the specific meaning can vary depending on the context and personal beliefs, here are some common interpretations associated with finding feathers:
1.   Spiritual Connection: Feathers are often considered a sign that angels, spirits, or loved ones who have passed away are watching over you. It’s seen as a symbol of their presence and protection.
2.   Guidance: Some people believe that finding feathers can be a message or a sign from the universe, guiding you in a particular direction or offering reassurance that you are on the right path.
3.   Freedom and Ascension: Feathers are associated with birds, which are free to soar through the skies. Finding feathers can symbolize the desire for freedom, spiritual ascension, or breaking free from limitations.
4.  Comfort and Support: Feathers are soft and gentle, and finding them can be a sign that you are being comforted or supported during a difficult time.
5.  Synchronicity: Some interpret finding feathers as a form of synchronicity, suggesting that you are in tune with the universe or that you are aligned with your life’s purpose.
It’s essential to remember that the meaning of finding feathers is highly personal and can vary from person to person. Some individuals may not attribute any special significance to it at all, while others may find great comfort and meaning in these small, unexpected discoveries. Ultimately, the interpretation of finding feathers is a matter of personal belief and can be a source of inspiration and positivity in one’s life.

If you have experienced these synchronicities like I’ve had, here are some insights you might want to check out:

https://my.astrofame.com/clairvoyance/article/feathers-meanings

Finding Feathers on the Ground and Path: 9 Spiritual Meanings

Love and light to you, dear readers!

Things I learned about love (thanks to a medical mission)

The United Catanduanes San Diego (UCSD) and Friends is a nonprofit charitable group based in San Diego with partners, members, and avid supporters from different parts of the USA and the Philippines. Founded by Virac-born Dr. Oscar Enriquez, UCSD organizes and conducts medical and humanitarian missions to benefit remote areas of Catanduanes. Dr. Enriquez is an internal medicine specialist in the USA and owner of Standard Medical Clinic in Port Arthur, Texas. Aside from his great strides at UCSD, the benevolent doctor also unfailingly donates to other projects that reach out to the needy in Cagayan de Oro City and Bukidnon. 

For its outreach program in Catanduanes, which is traditionally held in the love month of February, the group has appended “Gift of Love” to its mission title.  I had the chance to volunteer in this year’s program and although I was not able to participate in all its activities, yet on those days that I did during the week-long run from February 13 to 17, I realized that the organizers couldn’t have chosen a better tag line.

Here’s sharing how I see UCSD expressing love in the context of charity, compassion, and sharing one’s blessings with the less fortunate.   

Love is contagious

Through the years, UCSD has widened its influence to include not only the family members, friends, and colleagues of Dr. Enriquez, but also his American patients. With his compelling charm, Dr. Enriquez does not have to try hard to win support from others. The group enjoys the backing of generous sponsors including Dr. Murlidhar Amin, a cardiologist from Texas; Bob Spencer and The Rotary Club of Greater Chino Hills; Waraynon Initiative Network; and friends from all over the USA. In Catanduanes, it has strong partnerships with the Diocese of Virac, medical professional groups, local government units, and the youth sector.

Other members are just as dedicated and committed, and with the circle of friends expanding, the act of contributing to a worthy cause does not need a hard sell. Love grows and glows. UCSD has got it made.

Love is persevering

UCSD medical missions operate on a three-year cycle, with the first two years dedicated to fundraising, procuring medicines, medical supplies, various essentials, and sending those goods in batches to the Philippines. The storage, sorting, packing, and related logistics including overall planning and transportation services are handled by facilitators in Catanduanes. Religious groups and local health units are instrumental in qualifying needy recipients and preparation of venues. Even before the actual start of the mission on the third year, arduous work, coordination, and mobilization had been at play in pursuing its objectives.

Love transcends all barriers

Torrential rains notwithstanding, the Gift of Love medical mission went on in several places on the island.

Catanduanes is composed of 11 municipalities, with the farthest point up north entailing more than two hours drive from the provincial capital Virac. Similar missions in the past were conducted solely in the capital town. During the onset of the pandemic three years ago, UCSD had to resort to a different strategy to reach out to all the municipalities, leaving no one behind. The same operational plan was followed this year, with teams starting out early morning to their designated activity centers. The rainy weather at this time of year on this island facing the Pacific Ocean posed some challenges on the road and on mission sites, but these did not dampen the enthusiasm of the dedicated team workers.

Love knows no age

Tio Miniong Enriquez manning the Optometry Services section.

I am no spring chicken and at times I had doubts if I could sustain the energy to go about the required tasks during the long hours. Seeing 83-year-old Tio Miniong (Herminio) Enriquez, a retired accountant, ably assisting at the Optical Services section, promptly eased my apprehensions. Nonagenarian Tio Guimoy (Guillermo) Lizaso and his wife Nelly, still sprightly despite the years, flew in from California to do their part for the mission; they are generous donors and constant supporters of UCSD.  My takeaway: When the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, think love. It works like an elixir.

Love is never perfect

Despite earnest planning and preparation, some glitches are inevitable. In one such case, one team ran short of medicines and other supplies. The closest team had to travel to the affected site for the required reinforcement. In another case, one group just got swamped with more help seekers than they could handle. The opposite scenario of having too few cases to attend to at one barangay, called for a regrouping of manpower. All these served as lessons to be considered in future missions.

Love is a commitment

The mission ended last February 17 and many of the Gift of Love advocates have flown back to the USA. Their local counterparts have sprung back from that gruelling week. Overall, around 4,000 Catandunganon residents of 60 barangays in all 11 towns benefited from the mission. The health concerns of many women and children were given due attention. Thousands of residents received free consultations and prescribed medications, dental services, food packs, hygiene kits and reading glasses, among others. The same services were extended to some Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Virac District Jail.

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  So many needing help, so little time.

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  Crowds were effectively managed.

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  Pre-listed beneficiaries were assigned numbers and referred to proper health consultants

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  Checking for vital signs prior to medical consultation

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  At the Pediatrics section

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  An Obstetrics Section volunteer attends to a patient

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  Dental Services registration

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  A volunteer dentist at work

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  A volunteer doctor issuing prescription after evaluating a patient

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  UCSD founder Dr. Oscar Enriquez looking after medicine distribution at a mission site

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  Local residents enjoying belly-warming soup on a cold, rainy day

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  Kids enjoying their soup

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  Bonding time for father and kids

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  Candies for the children

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  New slippers for the young…

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  … and the young at heart

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  Beneficiaries got food packs aside from free consultations and medicines

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  Gift packs include hygiene kits, rice, rubber slippers, among others.

But for this group, the end of one mission marks the start of the next one. The reboot is on. Soon, UCSD will be spearheading new awareness and fundraising initiatives through its various partnerships.

And the love cycle continues.

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Love, actually

February 14, 2023. Valentine’s Day.

Heart images, roses, love symbols everywhere. You know, everything that shouts out LOVE – of the romantic type, that is.

Where I chose to be and how I spent this day speaks of another type of love. I am referring to ‘agape’ which, in contrast to romantic love, extends to the love between God and men and therefore reflects one’s love of his fellow men. This is manifested in acts of charity, compassion, and unselfish love for others. Agape, without question, is the highest form of love.

I take this to be the most apt term for what the United Catanduanes San Diego (UCSD) and Friends, has adopted as its reason for being. UCSD is a nonprofit charitable group that organizes medical and humanitarian missions to benefit the remote areas of Catanduanes.

For five days starting February 13 this year, this group composed of US-based professionals with roots from Catanduanes, volunteers from the island province and other places, and a host of other kindred souls, gathered and organized themselves into teams to fulfill the mission of sharing the Gift of Love to all 11 municipalities of Catanduanes.

Underserved barangays outside of the población were designated as activity centers taking into account their accessibility to other nearby barrios. In close coordination with mission churches and local parishes, beneficiaries were pre-selected based on their needs, to ensure a faster and more efficient flow of activities.

Day 2, with the Sicmil team

The second day of the mission brought us to Sicmil, a barangay in the municipality of Gigmoto, while another team was posted in Mayngaway in San Andres. Getting to Sicmil from the provincial capital of Virac takes about two hours through winding roads that provide a view of rolling hills, verdant mountains, and beaches. UCSD president Dr. Oscar Enriquez, regards the travel route as something similar to Maui in Hawaii; but he quickly qualifies that the Catanduanes version is even better and more scenic. He fondly refers to the place as “his Maui.”

The UCSD mission stop in Sicmil shows the extent of preparation, attention to details, and coordination among different groups that went into the final implementation of a long and exhaustive process. It mirrors how similar teams assigned to different barangays would go about their activities for an entire day.

Pre-listed beneficiaries are given priority numbers and referred to proper section.

Patients are triaged and checked for vital signs.

Medical consultants evaluate cases and make recommendations;

patients are then sent to pharmacy services for available OTC medicines.

Volunteer dentists perform appropriate dental procedures.

Women/expectant mothers are referred to the OB-GYN section for reproductive concerns.

The Pediatrics section provides consultation and OTC medicines for children.

Optometric Services handle requests for reading glasses.

Gift packs consisting of hygiene kits, rice, slippers, and other essentials await both seniors and children.

Hot soup and sweet treats are provided for all.

OTC medicines are dispensed by licensed practitioners.

Personal Sidelights

My memories of the 2023 UCSD-Sicmil stop will always include meeting Esmeraldo Tawat, a 93-year-old resident of Tinago (some six kilometers away from Sicmil). Tang Esmeng, despite his age, is remarkably sharp; he remembers the month, day, year – and even the time of his birth! He was there to get some help regarding his vision problems. With him are some of his  children and grandchildren – three generations of a family that received gifts of love from UCSD.

Some beneficiaries who got to experience being served by the medical mission for the first time approached me to express their appreciation and thanks for the goods and services they received during the day. Amused by being addressed as ‘doctora,’ (perhaps owing to the white vest I was wearing that had the UCSD logo) I had to explain that I was a mere cog in the wheel and that appreciation should be accorded to those people who dedicated so much time, effort, resources, and love to bring the project to reality.

Lourdes Peňola, a middle-aged mom, promptly replied, “Diit man na tabang o dacula, ga-pasalamat ako sa tabang ninyo sa samuyang mga nanga-ipo.” Her words, spoken in the local dialect, pulled at my heartstrings. She said that help, whether big or small when extended to the needy, is something to be thankful for.

Standing close to her was her sister, another housewife with her youngest child in tow. She had this to say: “Ang pasalamat ko sa Diyos buda sa tabang kang mga tawong pareho ninyo.” (My thanks go to God and to the help of people like you.)

The validation sounded so good and inspiring.

Hope to experience this again in 2026.

Haikus and Blooms

For the past several years, I have found so much pleasure in posting different cover photos for my Facebook page.

Last year, it was all about character strengths and how they contribute to experiencing fulfillment and happiness in daily life.

The year before that, I shared images and popular quotes about each month.

For 2022, I combined haikus and blooms to reflect on the beauty and significance of 12 tropical flowers commonly found in the Philippines. Of course, each one deserves more than three lines of tribute, but for now, and just to end this year on a cheerful note, I am sharing all of them here.

I started 2022 with a haiku on the lotus flower as a symbol of resilience and the quest for enlightenment.

In April, childhood memories came back with the santan flower. May was tinged with political color, and despite dashed hopes, summer came with sunflowers to nudge us to the reality that we can remain cool in hot weather.

The haikus for the next five months speak for themselves.

My December cover features the poinsettia, and how it reminds me to be grateful for what a great and blessed year this has been!

No reason to be lonely in Panglao

There are at least two versions on how Panglao island in Bohol province got its name. One says that Panglao was derived from the word “panggao” or “panggaw,” a native fishing device. The name evolved from “panggaw” to “panglaw” and finally to “Panglao.” The other story points to a historic event in 1803 when Spaniards came to this island and named it Panglao after the word “mapanglao” (alt. mapanglaw)  or a lonesome place.

With regard to the second version, Panglao has clearly shaken off its ‘lonesome’ connotation as it has, through the years, developed into a major tourist attraction known for its white sand beaches and fabulous diving sites. Recently, however, it has received some bad press owing to a complaint posted by a netizen involving overpriced seafood during an island hopping tour. The incident led to the closing of food stalls on the island in question (Virgin Island) – a move that certainly made many vendors unhappy or ‘mapanglaw.’

We were here around the same time that this contentious issue happened. In our case, though, we had no time for island hopping. Our limited stay allowed us to take a countryside tour instead; yet, the experience left some pretty good memories of the island that will last for a long while — and make us want to come back to see more of what we missed on our first visit.

Here’s showing why:

Somewhere near, a lovely beach awaits.

Where we stayed (Henann Resort, Alona Beach), a small stretch of public beach was just a few steps away, perfect for a quiet stroll or just chilling out on lounging chairs by the shore. Truly, a much-needed change of scene after two years of pandemic lockdown.

Panglao offers a glimpse of a rich historic past.

Blood Compact Site

Driving through Tagbilaran City, we stopped for a look-see at the site of the Blood Compact in 1565 between Spain’s General Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Datu Sikatuna, a native chieftain of Bohol. This is regarded as the first peace treaty between two nations of different race and religion. The peace treaty is commemorated here every year through an annual celebration called the Sandugo Festival.

(Other sources, however, point to the blood compact between Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and Rajah Kolambu of Limasawa 44 years earlier in 1521, challenging the Boholano record.)

Baclayon Church

This church dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is widely regarded as the second oldest stone church in the Philippines. The foundation of the church is believed to have been built in 1595. It was declared a National Cultural Treasure and a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the National Museum, respectively. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List of the Philippines but had to be delisted because of the damage to its bell tower caused by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in 2013.

The magnificent church features 18^th and 19^th century images and altarpieces on its main altar and two side altars.

Inside the shrine, we bowed our heads in silent prayer and looked up to the ceiling in awe and appreciation of the paintings done by artists from different parts of the Philippines.

Clingy butterflies, wide-eyed tarsiers, harmless pythons…

After being holed up with furry feline friends at home for the past couple of years, it was such a thrill to see (and touch) other members of the animal kingdom. In the wildlife sanctuaries that we visited in Bohol, we spent some awesome time with butterflies that didn’t fly away at the sight of people.

An albino python was so cool with being petted by visitors. We were awestruck by the flying lemur and bright-colored hornbill. And of course, the iconic tarsiers of Bohol.  Clinging to tree branches and blending in with the surroundings, it was so easy to miss their tiny form – but oh, those eyes!

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Refreshing drive through the Mahogany Forest

On the way to see the famous Chocolate Hills, we drove through a two-kilometer stretch of road lined with towering mahogany trees. This man-made forest was part of a reforestation project to address the problems caused by slash-and-burn farming and to ensure proper water supply to the Loboc River. Full implementation of the project started in 1958 after years of delay owing to insufficient funding.

The Mahogany Forest is a favorite stop for tourists (us included) who want to savor the cool and breezy vibe while posing for souvenir photos!

The call of the hills

We had to cross out some items in our itinerary for the day, but there was no way we would miss climbing 220 steps for a view of the famous Chocolate Hills. But up we went and it was all worth it!

The conical, almost symmetrical hills are such a refreshing sight, inviting questions as to how they were formed. There had been several attempts to explain their origin – including volcanic activities, tidal movements, and geologic shifts. Going past these theories, Chocolate Hills have been included in the National Geological Monuments of the Philippines (along with Taal Volcano, the sand dunes of Ilocos Norte, etc.) and is being proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The hills merited the name ‘Chocolate’ because their grass covering turns brown during the dry season. We visited in rainy August and saw them blanketed in lush green grass, and I like them better that way. Green is generally associated with nature, harmony, and many other beautiful things – a lot of which we experienced during our brief stay in Panglao.

133 years ago today

(Originally posted under Facebook Notes on August 19, 2011. Today is the 144th birth anniversary of Manuel Luis Quezon, first President of the Philippine Commonwealth).

Kaunting bato, kaunting semento – monumento. Who hasn’t heard of this playful saying before? But for truly great men and women, cement and pebbles just won’t make the grade. The Quezon Monument at the historic Perez Park in Lucena – consisting of a larger-than-life size bronze statue standing on marble base – is one beautiful symbol of greatness, not only of the person being honored, but also of the little-known heroes who helped shape the structure.

The statue was built out of one-centavo bronze coins donated by young school children all over Quezon Province. The collected coins were sent to Italy where they were melted and molded into its current form by an Italian sculptor. Conceived in 1950, the monument was finally erected in 1954 at the expansive Perez Park, a popular historical destination in Lucena. A marble wall inscribed with President Quezon’s “Message to My People” serves as a perfect backdrop.

The full text of the message follows.

Message to My People

My fellow citizens: there is one thought I want you always to bear in mind. And that is: that you are Filipinos. That the Philippines is your country, and the only country God has given you. That you must keep it for yourselves, for your children, and for your children’s children, until the world is no more. You must live for it, and die for it, if necessary.

Your country is a great country. It has a great past, and a great future. The Philippines of yesterday is consecrated by the sacrifices of lives and treasure of your patriots, martyrs, and soldiers. The Philippines of today is honored by the wholehearted devotion to its cause of unselfish and courageous statesmen. The Philippines of tomorrow will be the country of plenty, of happiness, and of freedom. A Philippines with her head raised in the midst of the West Pacific, mistress of her own destiny, holding in her hand the torch of freedom and democracy. A republic of virtuous and righteous men and women all working together for a better world than the one we have at present.

                                                                                            –   Manuel L. Quezon*

*born August 19, 1878

What are your Character Strengths?

(Banner Photo Source: Dreamstime)

In the midst of the pandemic lockdown last year until recently, I turned to online courses to keep my mind off unproductive thoughts. The ones I completed provided valuable takeaways, but I want to mention three that left such meaningful and lasting impressions: “The Science of Well-Being” (Yale University), “Resilience in a Time of Uncertainty” (University of Pennsylvania), and “Positive Psychology” (University of Pennysylvania) – all from the Coursera platform.

All three had substantial discussions on the virtue of character strengths and how developing them can help us experience fulfillment and satisfaction in our daily lives. Recognizing our unique character strengths and applying them in our personal activities could hold the key to creating better versions of ourselves.

From the 24 character strengths listed by The VIA Institute on Character, I chose 12 and used them as subjects for my Facebook cover photos, after adding related quotes from well-known personalities.

For the first-half of 2021, I posted cover photos for Optimism, Love, Kindness, Perspective, Humor, and Faith.

From July to December, I shared quotes about Humility, Gratitude, Creativity, Leadership, Integrity, and Enthusiasm.

By compiling all of them in this blog post, now I only need to click once to be reminded that happiness and well-being, indeed, can be taught and learned.

Should you want to know what your character strengths are, simply click here.

You may also want to consider registering for any of the courses I mentioned through Coursera.

“You cannot dream yourself into a Character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.”

— James A. Froude