AMA Tulong Sa Bayan Goes North

Just about to finish their weekend binge, the St. Augustine Schools and Colleges AMA Tulong sa Bayan Medical Mission Team joined by Marketing Head Ferdie Sia set foot once again, this time to Don Leon-Francisco Maramba Elementary School in Brgy. Bonuan Boquig, Dagupan City in Pangasinan, a heavily distressed area caused by the resurgence of Typhoon “Pepeng”.

Taking the responsible stage this time was St. Augustine College of Quezon City of School Director Tina Que. This ever-reliable medical mission team of 4 nurses and 18 students did not start early morning. They started the night before. And as the whole team of SASN COO Darwin V. Dominguez arrived at the mission site at about 3 AM of October 12, 2009, no second was dissipated as everyone started preparations for the medical mission that was to be covered by GMA Network 7 through their morning show, “Unang Hirit”.

At exactly 5am, the play court of Maramba Elementary School was filled with residents of the barangay and the first patient has registered. The unwavering support of doctors Evelyn Senatin and Jose Mendoza cannot go unnoticed. They only stood up for a 5-minute breakfast as they were both glued to their seats for 5 long hours when they rendered medical treatment, advice and support to all 376 men, women and children who cued for medical assistance. Dr. Jess Canto, a Kagawad also gave medical help while Brgy. Captain Alfredo Quinto Jr. commissioned other barangay officials to assist in the conduct of the mission.

As people lined up to register for medical assistance, I chanced upon a woman who should be in her sixties. I wanted to ask how she was but before I could do so, just upon looking at her eyes, Atchi (term for “Ate” in Pangasinan) Conching said “ Mabuti sir dumating kayo. Salamat sir. Masakit paa ko. Hindi ako makalakad. Hanggang dibdib kasi inabot dito”. I then allowed her and her two other companions not to fall in line and go ahead. All told, the common denominator of the day were the words “SALAMAT PO”.

The residents in Brgy. Bonuan Boquid may have gone through two relentless lashings by “Pepeng” but the resiliency in them make them the true survivors during these times. Their warm smiles, the earnest gestures of thanks and the honest sighs of relief in their faces make our medical missions truly a rewarding and memorable experience.

It was long way back. We were all eager to reach home and we can truly say, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!