Cockfight aficionados raise P54,000 for kidney patients

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.

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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