Carolina Medical Mission Volume 21, Issue 2 AUGUST 2019 COORDINATOR’S CORNER RETURN TO by Emma Dempsey by Art de Leon, MD

The year 2020 will be an unusual year for the Carolina Medical When I retired from private practice, I was invited by Fr. Nestor Adalia Mission. CMM has been invited to provide free medical services to to provide a medical mission in Bongabong, . I spent two provinces; Oriental Mindoro and . However, this time, several weeks CMM does not have the luxury of inviting all our regular volunteers and was able to to participate. Because of extremely limited accommodations in both examine patients provinces, our sponsors have opted to invite just a select group of and dispense CMM volunteers. In fact, only the medical and dental teams were proper medication. invited. We apologize in advance to those who were not invited. We I also had the had no say in this process since the sponsors did the inviting. opportunity to serve patients from the CMM will provide free medical services to the towns of Bongabong remote towns of & , Oriental Mindoro. Pinamalayan happens to be the Tawas, Carmundo hometown of 6 of our regular CMM volunteers, the Ng family. We & Sigange. This will be serving the was done with Art de Leon, MD, Bongabong Medical Outreach neighboring Mangyan the help of many tribe in Pinamalayan. compassionate local volunteers. Mayor Aristeo Baldos, Jr. will be collaborating with During this outreach, I learned that households from the above- CMM in this Mission. mentioned towns had to travel miles to get clean water for drinking and cooking. Upon sharing this, the Carolina Medical Mission offered In Bongabong, our to raise funds to finance the building of water collection system from sponsor is Monsignor the mountain to the town of Sigange. Fr. Adalia gave his blessings to Nestor Adalia. this offer. Before this system was materialized, he dreamed, prayed Monsignor Adalia is and worked hard to bring to fruition this Sigange water project. a former resident of Fr. Adalia blessing Sigange Water Project theTriangle area in NC. CMM raised the money for materials and the locals put in the He served for a number sweat equity “bayanihan”. Hundreds of local men from Barrio of years in the Diocese of Raleigh at St. Raphael in Raleigh and St. Sigange,Tawas and Eugene in Wendell. He is currently the Apostolic Administrator of the the neighboring barrios Diocese of . Dr. Art de Leon is serving as US Coordinator for provided the manpower. the mission to Oriental Mindoro. Starting from the base of In Palawan, we the mountain and ending are serving the in the midsection of the Municipality of rugged mountain 200+ Culion. The Hikari volunteers formed a single SSP Corporation line, physically passing the Sigange Water Project will be our sponsor materials from one person in partnership to another (literally tons of materials such as wood, sacks of gravels, with the local PVC pipes, etc) to the construction site. government of Culion as The spring box and collecting tank were constructed with the help of a represented by civil engineer hired to oversee the construction at a salary of $100.00. Honorable Mayor Meals were prepared by Fr. Adalia’s parishioners. Finally, in time for Ma. Virginia De Christmas, the Sigange Water project was completed. The water Vera & Dr. Israel CMM visiting Culion, Palawan 2001 was tested and approved by the Department of Health. The 1998 Zantua, OIC of the Christmas gift of precious water became available to Barrio Singage. Municipal Health and Nutrition Office of Culion. Dr. Leilani So-Wiltz What a precious gift! , a regular CMM volunteer from Dallas, Texas will serve as the US Coordinator for the Culion mission. Barrio Tawas and Carmundo homeowners tapped onto the Sigange central line, They bought the PVC pipes to bring water to their homes. Meanwhile, plans for CMM 2021 are underway. We are scheduled to At present, almost every home has potable water in the kitchen and serve the people of Lapu-Lapu, Cebu and Baybay, Leyte. Tess Ferrer- also has indoor plumbing. Having clean water has had a lasting Turner, RN will be the US Coordinator for the Cebu Mission and Josie impact on the recipients quality of life. Spontak will be the US Coordinator for the Leyte Mission. That was 20+ years ago. NOW, I am returning for another medical There is still plenty of work ahead for us in preparation for Oriental mission, My fervent wish is to connect with the people of those remote Mindoro and Palawan. Wish us luck! We can’t wait to get the whole barrios- TO SEE with my own eyes and TO TASTE the “Free Flowing CMM team back together in 2021! Spring Water”. I thank God for His Divine Guidance!

AUGUST 2019 1 www.CarolinaMedicalMission.com MY DREAM...MY LEGACY brethren you do it unto me". That's the legacy we are leaving here on by Leilani So-Wiltz, MD earth.

On the last day of CMM 2019, our beloved General Coordinator, I'd like to thank God for the strength and confidence He has given us Emma Dempsey and I were talking casually, catching up with the to continue His work; to Dr Fred and Annie Ng for guiding us all these latest of CMM. She mentioned years; my best "fren", Drs. Art and Rose de Leon for inspiring me in that Cebu 2020 was moved to innumerable ways; Emma Dempsey for doing more than half of my 2021.During this conversation, responsibilities and to the 30+ compassionate volunteers (too many I told her of my dream- that my to enumerate) and last but not the least, our sponsor, the Hikari SSP last medical mission would be in Corporation, headed by Loel Losanes and our Philippine Coordinator, Culion, Palawan. She left while Luna Losanes Sombrano. With all of us united, under God, CMM I started seeing patients. A few 2020 Culion, will be a success. minutes later, she was back, telling me that the next medical CMM SURGICAL IN PINAMALAYAN, OR. MINDORO CMM 2019 Zambales mission could be in Culion. She by Godofredo Ng, MD said, “CMM doctors, who planned to retire after the CMM 2019, were thinking of joining, one last time". While visiting my family in Pinamalayan,Oriental Mindoro, I’ve had She said I would be the US Coordinator and started enumerating all the opportunity to do yearly surgical mission with the help of my the guidelines, timelines, responsibilities in coordinating a mission. At family, namely the late Robert Ng MD†, Eloisa Mambil MD, Joyce Ng first, I couldn't believe what she was saying. I didn’t know whether to DMD, Mignonne Ng MD, be happy? excited? or apprehensive of the fundraising responsibility. Adonis Ng DVM, Marivi She didn't even give me a chance to answer yes or no. She presumed Ng MD and Tony Ng MD. it was a yes. I know God will always be with me and guide me along Our hospital venue, the the way. Pinamalayan Doctors Hospital was provided Why Culion (known as a Leper Colony), Palawan? I really don't know. by the Robert Ng Family. I had been asking that question so many times for the last 3 years. During the missions, the My first encounter with a leper was when I was around 8 yrs old. entire Ng family gets Mauro had reddish bullous lesions on his nose, ears, cheeks etc and involved running errands, he came to our house almost everyday .We gave him food to eat and feeding the entire surgical CMM Surgical 2013 Pinamalayan water to drink. After he had left, my mother, a nurse, would ask the workers and making sure helpers to clean everything that he touched with alcohol. My second we have everything we need. It is a big family reunion whenever I visit encounter was during CMM in Bohol. My assistant nurse told me, “that Pinamalayan. man holding a child has leprosy”. I didn't pay attention to what she said because I want to treat my patients equally. I continued seeing Over the years, I have invited several CMM team members to provide patients, one brought by his mother had 1-2" ulcerated wound on his their services to the poor of Pinamalayan. Ophthalmologist Michael lower leg. I gave antibiotics and advised on how to clean it. When Sison once traveled with us and performed cataract surgery. Many they left, my nurse told me that the father of the child has leprosy and elderly patients who regained their sight returned to the hospital was just seen by Dr. Art de Leon. I went to Art to tell him about our the next day to say thank you and goodbye. They brought him a patients, took a bottle of alcohol, whole bunch of bananas and a dozen eggs as a token of their deep rinsed our hands and said God appreciation. An elderly patient who before surgery could not see bless us. said, “now I can see your face and everyone around. Thank you Doc!” That was a very touching moment for all of us. Culion was a Leprosarium in the early 1900. I read that "it The Municipal Mayor of Pinamalayan, the Honorable Aristeo A. was abolished in the 80's and Baldoz, Jr. and CMM volunteer Eloisa Ng-Mambil, MD invited us to was declared leprosy free in serve the Mangyan community. 2006 by WHO". My daughter corrected me, "It was curable Mangyan is the generic name for the eight indigenous tribes on the Culion patient 2001 but not completely abolished". island of Mindoro. Each tribe have their own tribal name, language, She was right. In 2014, I joined and customs. The Mangyans were the first to inhabit Mindoro. They a medical mission to Culion. As expected, a big crowd welcomed us. are estimated to comprise 10% of the Mindoro population. In the midst of them, the medical director was able to pick up a case of leprosy, a fisherman. He was admitted, confined and treated with CMM will provide medical multiple drugs for 6 weeks. At the end of the day, we were given a tour & dental services to the of the Sanitarium with fewer than 10 patients. They were cured, not Mangyan of Pinamalayan, contagious but unwanted, with no place to go. Oriental Mindoro, the Taw-Buid, on January 18, Then, I went to the hospital and met the new patient. My MD friend, 2020. The CMM physicians also a volunteer, placed her arm around his shoulder and whispered will refer patients with comforting words. I truly admire her compassion. Later we met an surgical problems to the MD/Jesuit priest who celebrated a special Sunday Mass for us. Upon CMM surgical team for pre- screening, and possible questioning, he mentioned that he travels by boat everyday, from The Mangyan of Oriental Mindoro island to island, sometimes in the midst of a storm, to attend to the surgical intervention. spiritual needs of the people. A great sacrifice and truly admirable. Now I came to realize, maybe they were the ones who inspired me of I am thankful to God for the many blessings of family, friends and my dream. God knows we gave our best in serving the poorest of the colleagues, my “boosters” the last 26 years of my mission work, poor of our beloved ."Whatsoever we do to the least of our enabling me to function well.

AUGUST 2019 2 www.CarolinaMedicalMission.com CMM 2020: ORIENTAL MINDORO & CULION, PALAWAN DONORS We thank all our benefactors and sponsors for their invaluable support. CORPORATE BENEFACTORS Leilani So-Wiltz, MD Carol Cloonan & Katie Madariaga Blessings International Adelaida Wylie, RN Hannah & Rally de Leon Blue Cross Blue Shield NC Emma & Steve Dempsey, DVM Duke Raleigh Hospital SPONSORS Esperanza & Johnny Emperador GlaxoSmithKline Estrella Ang Maita & Andrew Encarnacion C.M. Herndon Foundation Belen & William Brattain Lourdes & Henry Estrada Hikari SSP Corporation Bright Horizon, LLC Adelina & Emily Ewing MAP International Chews United Methodist Church Margaret Fleischhauer, RN Microsoft/Benevity Arlene Chua, MD***** Vicky & Louis Gadrinab Network for Good Arlet & Ricky Chua Angelita Ng & Chris Huff Oriental Store LLC Vicky Chua Sony & Francis Jao PAANC, Inc. . Sheryll & Jay Dimanlig Ellen & Peter Kramer Realo Discount Pharmacy Jayne & Bill Fiero Kimberly & Michael Laws Nelcar Gadrinab, MD Chona & Muck Libago INDIVIDUAL BENEFACTORS Vicky & Louis Gadrinab Tita & Orlando Madarang Danilo Bernardo, MD Holy Infant Golf Association Rose & Gerry Madrazo Imelda Bernardo , MD Imelda Garcia, RN ***** Gloria & Haryo Marsosudiro Gigi Cabrera, RN Sony & Francis Jao Nancy Massey Jose Chua, Jr Onelia Jose, MD, RN***** Patricia & Jeffrey Massey Stephen Chua Hai & Ernie Madarang, MD Elena Mayo, CRNA Tessie Chua Sean McLean Linda & Tim McGloin Naomi Corpus, CLSII Faustino Naldoza, Jr., MD Amy & Wency Mendoza Rafael Corpus Anita & Fred Ng *** **** Carmen & Harry Mosher Art de Leon, MD Elysha & Dan Nichols Ramon & Ma. Luna Navarro , MD Rosemary de Leon, MD William Olivito Anita & Fred Ng, MD Ruth de Leon, ASCP Richard Quinlan Cindy Ng Emma Dempsey Yvonne Reonal Glennie & Alex Ng Steve Dempsey, DVM JP & KL Riedy Onelia Jose & Joseph Ng Lourdes Estrada Jinky & Rich Rosselli Evella & Lieu Nguyen Henry Estrada Samaritan Health Center** Quynh Hoa & Tuan Nguyen Brian Fulcher, RPh Anita & Antonio Tan Rosie & Santos Ocampo Ben Galang, CRNA Anita Tolentino, MD Cristina & Raymond Ordanes Amy Gregorio, RN Bernice & Barry Vogel Joy & Alan Palomares Carol & Ken Horn Revelina & Ed Panganiban Dollie House *in memory of Dolores Farrales-Espino, MD Dalisay Quiambao Msgr. Gerald Lewis **in memory of Jade Rayala’s Father Lilia & James Redder Ernie Madarang, MD ***in memory of Manny Inocencio Clarita & David Rhoades Hai Madarang, RN ****in memory of Isidora C. Sevilla Susan & Fidel Serna Almeida & *****in Kind Donation Margaret Smith Jason Manumaleuna*** Susan Smith Nancy Massey 80TH BIRTHDAY OF Aurora & Roger Sprague Carmen Mosher ROSEMARY DE LEON, MD Nora & Dick Tapales Harry Mosher July 5, 2019 Maureen & Joseph Tikvart Anita Ng (in lieu of personal gifts Rosemary & Art de Tess & Robert Turner, MD Fred Ng, MD Leon’s children & their families requested a Estrella Ventura, CRNA Cindy Ng donation to CMM Oriental Mindoro 2020) Priscilla & Frank Wiggins Glennie & Alex Ng Vicky & Ricardo Ang Mina & Patrick Yang Onelia Jose, MD, RN & Mercy & Ed Ashford Joseph Ng Cora & Paulino Balatbat List as of August 20, 2019 Kyong Lee & Elizabeth & John Barrow We apologize for any inadvertent Peter Ng, MD Perlita & David Barrow errors or omissions. Edna Pojol Kerry & Randy Cain Ricardo Pojol, MD Carmen Castaneda, MD Margaret Smith Claro Chua Rosie & Chris Tikvart Li-Wong Tan & Eddie Chua Tess Ferrer-Turner, RN Tessie & Jose Chua, Jr. Robert Turner, MD Wyda & Loree Chua Estrella Ventura, CRNA Linda & Lin Church, MD

AUGUST 2019 3 www.CarolinaMedicalMission.com “There is no expiration date on hope!”

CMM SCHEDULE 2020-2021 BONGABONG & PINAMALAYAN, ORIENTAL MINDORO Art de Leon, MD, Sponsor/US Coordinator Fred Ng, MD, Sponsor & Surgical Coordinator January 14-19, 2020 Antonio Ng MD, Pre-screening of patients Eloisa Ng-Mambil MD, Pinamalayan Doctor’s Hospital

CULION, PALAWAN January 21-27, 2020 Leilani So-Wiltz, MD, Sponsor & US Coordinator Rosita Sy, Liaison, Supplies & Transport Coordinator

CMM SURGERY IN NUEVA ECIJA February 2020 Nimfa Yu, MD, Local Coordinator Anita Ng, Logistics & Supplies

LAPU-LAPU CITY, MACTAN, CEBU 2021 Tess Ferrer-Turner, RN, US Coordinator TBA BAYBAY, LEYTE Josie Spontak, US Coordinator

PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE SERVING THE LESS-FORTUNATE IN THE PHILIPPINES

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The Carolina Medical Mission is a humanitarian project of the non-profit Philippine American Association of North Carolina, Inc. (PAANC), a 501c (3) organization. Mail your tax-deductible contribution to: Carolina Medical Mission-PAANC 1309 Spring Forest Road Culion patient 2001 Raleigh, NC 27615 To learn more, please visit our website www.CAROLINAMEDICALMISSION.com SERVING ORIENTAL MINDORO & PALAWAN IN 2020