Free services in Gullas' Halad Pasalamat

CEBU, Philippines - As one way of showing thanks for all the blessings he received, University of the Visayas Executive Vice President and The FREEMAN Chairman Dr. Jose R. Gullas conducted a “Halad Pasalamat” in cooperation with ABS-CBN’s Halad sa Kapamilya.

“Lipay kaayo ko nga daghan ang ni-avail sa atong libre nga services. I would be very happy to do this every year as my birthday gift to the people. No more parties. I hope ang Ginoo hatagan pa ko niya og taas-taas nga kinabuhi ug himsog nga panglawas, so that I will continue to help them,” said Gullas, who turned 78 years old last February 1. (I am very happy that many people availed of the free services. I pray that God will give me a long and healthy life so that I will continue to help them.)

Gullas said that with all the blessings he received - from being a Papal awardee, a Perlas awardee, the opening of his museum, his good health and the international recognition of the UV Chorale – this is his way of giving back to the less fortunate.

“Ang mga Cebuano by nature maloloy-on gyud ta, humok og kasing-kasing. Pasalamat kita nga ang Cebu walay kalamidad sama sa Sendong and we should be thankful to Sto. Niño. That’s why we should help,” Gullas said. (Cebuanos are soft-hearted by nature, let’s be thankful that Cebu has been spared of calamities, let’s be thankful to the Sto. Niño.)

The Gullas’ Halad Pasalamat held at Gullas Medical Center in Banilad, Mandaue City offers 24 different services from non-medical services such as massage, haircut, cellphone repair, reflexology and acupuncture, the National Statistics Office, Philhealth and veterinary services like pet grooming and injections of vitamins and deworming.

Other services were eye examination, blood letting, legal aid and services, drug awareness seminar, basic book keeping, dental services, drug dispensing and patient counseling and medical services like medical consultations for children and adults, random blood sugar testing, circumcision, cervical cancer screening and ECG.

The FREEMAN Foundation headed by The FREEMAN general manager Melandro Mendoza initiated the feeding of more than 700 children.

Meanwhile, 42 students with disabilities have successfully finished their housekeeping and culinary courses under the livelihood program of Gullas and his wife Nena.

In yesterday’s recognition day, the 42 graduates (15 from culinary and 27 from housekeeping) received their certificates from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

TESDA Cebu Provincial Director Buenafe Sta. Rita said that these were the second batch of Gullas’ scholars. Last October, 36 students finished the housekeeping course.

Gullas congratulated the graduates and is hopeful that they will have a better future.  (FREEMAN)