REACHING OUT
BAGUIO CITY -- Top cockfight
enthusiasts hereabouts banded up in a three-cock derby-for-a-cause last May 8
at the Shilan Sports Complex in La Trinidad, Benguet, netting P54,155 to be
used as support to indigent patients who have to maintain twice or
thrice-a-week hemodialysis treatment for total kidney failure.
Promoted by sportsman Gilbert
Tanding, the derby drew 20 entries and was supported by top aficionados Raul
Molintas, Eugene Martin, lawyer Rene Cortes, Badong Villanueva, Abe de Castro,
Jolden Acay, Gilbert Sibayan, Tony Boy Tabora and Dr. Edward Dugui-is.
Cortes’ entry “Janica” swept its
assignment to emerge solo winner in the winner-takes-all format prepared by
Tanding and Dugui-is.
Among those who joined were Butch
Dimas with two entries, Dr. Victor Tiong, Baucan Brothers of Pinsao Pilot,
Ricky Acay, Percy Bandonill, Clifford Bangcawayan, the tandems of Amang Cajucom
and Rommel Toledan, and Steve Palangdao and Andot Flores, Eugene Buyuccan and
Ador Kilakil.
Proceeds from the derby will
be managed by a committee led by Tanding and from which will be drawn
support to dialysis patients, prioritized according to their difficulty in
maintaining their treatment.
The disbursements will be subject to
full disclosure through periodic reports to the derby participants and
supporters and through news releases to be published in the local papers.
Over at the Tabora Sports Complex in
Tuba, Benguet, Engr. Tony Boy Tabora, president of the United Baguio-Benguet
Breeders Association also announced a fund P68,000 from the association’s share
from the national “Bakbakan” derby series, also to be used for relatives of
cockfight enthusiasts who are undergoing hemodialysis.
The first beneficiary, a 62-year old
bet-taker or “kristo” afflicted with diabetes, received over P4,000 worth
of medicines. The second, who was recently diagnosed for kidney failure, had
his expenses for medicines worth P2,400 reimbursed. – Ramon Dacawi
Teacher reaches out to mother in distress
BAGUIO CITY -- A lady educator’s own
pain has not blinded her to the suffering of others.
While her husband recently began
life-time hemodialysis treatment for kidney failure, the teacher
took time last Monday to turn over P10,000 to help a young mother cope with the
financial – and emotional strain of
caring for two of her own children afflicted with serious illnesses.
“I couldn’t contact her through the
cellphone number she gave in her appeal for help recently published in our
local papers,” the donor said last Monday, a day after Mother’s Day.
“We just wanted to help,” she said
as she requested anonymity.
She was referring to Marissa
Pasyalen, a 38-year old former overseas worker whose daughter, Desiree,
14, is confined at the Baguio General Hospital for pneumonia and whose son,
Ralph Benedict, 19, is bed-ridden for kidney, heart and bladder problems.
Marissa received the amount last
morning of May 12, using her passport to validate here identity and assuring
that the receipts covering the medicines and other expenses for the treatment
of her children would be submitted to liquidate the donated sum.
Her travel document showed her stint
as a domestic help for three years in Malaysia. She, however, decided to come
home when she learned two of her six children were seriously ill.
“Desiree is back at the Baguio
General Hospital due to pneumonia and complications,” she
explained. “ Ralph had undergone surgery for multiple angiolipoma and is now
confined to a wheelchair for bladder, kidney and heart problems.”
Doctors advised Marissa to have an
oxygen tank ready to help Desiree breathe and be able to recuperate at home
when she would be released from the hospital. The item would cost P11,000.
Ralph Benedict, on the other hand,
was recommended for an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), estimated at P25,000.
Aldrin, the eldest of the siblings
at 23, together with Jemar, 21, works as a construction laborer like their
father, 42-year old Jerry. Mark is 17 and out-of-school, whleAnjay, 11, is in
grade 4.
Those who can help Marissa’;s family
can ring her up at 0948-537-8418. They can visit the family at JD-147 Bayabas,
Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet.
***
Meanwhile, P5,000 from a fund
support of P25,400 raised recently by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Baguio
chapter will be used this Monday for the eighth chemotherapy session of
Mordayne Maslangan, a five-year old girl from Nueva Vizcaya who is suffering
from acute lymphocytic leukemia.
Earlier, P5,00 from the donation
went to the purchase of medicines for Helen Ballesteros Vicente, a 61-year old
widow and mother of nine who is coping with diabetes and its complications.
The VFW members, mostly United
States Navy retirees led by incoming and out-going post commanders Willy
Totanes and Larry Senato, raised the humanitarian fund during their induction
of officers last month.
Chapter member Bob Aliping triggered
the pool by offering copies of “Boba Songs”, a CD of his original folk
and country compositions, saying the proceeds would go to easing the burden of
indigent patients. – Ramon Dacawi
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