Buwan ng PagKalMa

Written by Clar Gonzales, Phi '10

by Clar Gonzales, Phi '10

To celebrate 32 years of service, the Phi Lambda Delta sorority, together with the Phi Kappa Mu fraternity, celebrated “Buwan ng PagKalMa” last August. Since its establishment in 1979, PagKalMa (Pagkalinga sa Kalusugan ng Mamamayan) has been at the forefront of service for the Phi community. Various projects geared towards the underserved have been led under PagKalMa through coordination with different organizations, barangays and distant provinces. As dedicated and compassionate future doctors, the sisses and brods have been able to develop themselves in different aspects through these service activities. This year, Phi has decided to extend the weeklong celebration into one whole month.

The month started out with the Buwan ng PagKalMa (BNP) exhibit launch, “Salu-salo Para sa Serbisyo,” at the UP College of Medicine (UPCM) sidestones. It was held on August 12 from 12:00-1:00pm. An opening invocation was led by sis Maria Loudes de Castro (Phi ’10) and brod Ashraf Tawasil (Phi ’10), followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony in front of the exhibit led by brod Jon Paolo Pineda (Phi ’08B). The brods and sisses then gathered together at PagKalMa Park to enjoy a sumptuous lunch.

The BNP exhibit was headed by Sister Mercury Adrianne Carmel Cabrera (Phi ’10) and brod Abraham Cruz (Phi ’10). “Salu-salo Para sa Serbisyo” was headed by sisses Maria Raisa Katrina Fontanilla (Phi ’10) and Bea Natividad Gulmatico (Phi ’10).

One of the many new advocacies of the sorority this year is education for and about the deaf community. In line with this, “Defy the Barrier: A Sign Language Seminar,” was held on August 9 in Room 105-107, Paz Mendoza bldg. Guests from different organizations in the Philippines were invited, namely Mr. Rey Alfred A. Lee (President) and Mr. George Lintag (Secretary) from the Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD), as well as Ms. Febe Sevilla from the Philippine Deaf Resource Center. The sisses and participants from different colleges learned about politically correct terms for the deaf, what PFD is, and several techniques on how to communicate with the deaf. It was such a fun, learning experience and everyone who attended couldn’t wait to use their new knowledge in the clinics.

“Defy the Barrier” was headed by sisses Everly Faith Ramos (Phi ’10) and Cecileen Anne Tuazon (Phi ‘11A). The event was sponsored by Sisters sanitary napkins and Goldilocks bakeshop.

Being students of the UP College of Medicine, a great way of giving back is by helping out hospitals in the Philippines. Cornea Donation and Organ Donation Pledging was held at the UPCM sidestones on August 4 and 5. Cornea and eye donations were directed to the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines whose main office is found at the Sentro Oftalmologico Jose Rizal Building of the UP PGH. Organ donations were for the Human Organ Preservation Effort of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, in cooperation with the Renal Disease Control Program and Philippine Information Agency. “Lifeline: Operation Blood Brother” was another event held last August 10 at the UPCM sidestones. Despite being rescheduled due to a storm, the blood drive was able to collect 30 bags of blood, which was given to the PGH blood bank.

The Cornea and Organ Donation Pledging was organized by the Phi Kappa Mu fraternity and “Lifeline: Operation Blood Brother” was headed by sis Nika Reyes (Phi ’10) and brod Jayson Panganiban (Phi ’09).

Pedia storytelling at the PGH Cancer Institute (CI) was held on two days of BNP. The story “Ang Kwento ni Maring Marumi” focused on the moral lesson of having good hygiene, and the starring role of “Mari” was portrayed by Cecileen Anne Tuazon (Phi ‘11A). The first performance was held on August 3, 12:00nn at the PGH CI pedia ward. The second was held on August 26, 12:00-1:00pm at the PGH CI lobby, sponsored by Hon. Dr. Dorothy A. Delarmente-Bagting, (Phi ‘00B, Class 2005, SSE 2004-2005) in celebration of her birthday on August 28. Jollibee lunch was distributed to the patients and their parents after the storytelling.

Pedia storytelling was headed by sisses Maria Angelica Gamo (Phi ’10) and Jean Hansel Mendoza (Phi ‘11A).

The Sinagtala Home for the Boys has been the adopted community of the Phi Lambda Delta sorority for several years now. Last August 13, sisses visited Sinagtala in Quezon City to hold a dental check up. Dentists from the Philippine Dental Association San Juan chapter, in cooperation with the UP Manila College of Dentistry, came to perform tooth extraction and fluoride cleaning for the boys.

On August 27, a medical mission covering six barangays of the district of Hon. Dr. Dorothy A. Delarmente-Bagting was held. It focused on check up for the elderly and was made possible by the Ministry of the Elderly and the Physical Fitness Movement of San Pedro Bautista. Free tests were performed such as ultrasound and ECG reading, blood sugar tests and BP readings. There were also free optical consultations, where new eyeglasses were given, and a facial cleansing station. Chicken lugao and egg were given to the patients after their consultation.

The medical mission was done in cooperation with the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity, Sis Ching Sta. Maria of Santuario de San Pedro Bautista, Kgd. Vicente Uy of Brgy. Del Monte and several other sponsors. The Office of Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice-mayor Joy Belmonte also gave full support to this event.

“Buwan ng PagKalMa” was spearheaded by Sister Caritas Shayne Fajutagana (Phi ’09) and Senior Guardian of the Temple Ardynne Martin Mallari (Phi ’08B).