Halad serves thousands

CEBU, Philippines - To thank the Lord for the many blessings, a fruitful life, and for a still energetic body, The FREEMAN chairman Jose “Dodong” Gullas provided non-medical and medical services yesterday to thousands of the less fortunate.

In partnership with television station ABS-CBN’s Halad Kapamilya program, Gullas held the fourth “Halad Pasalamat” at the Gullas Medical Center in Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City.

The outreach activity is part of the week-long birthday celebration of Gullas, who is turning 80 next month.

“I am so thankful and I am happy nga daghan atong mga kaigso-onan ang nangari (that many of our brethrens came). I hope and I pray nga hatagan pa ko og taas nga kinabuhi sa atong Ginoo, para mapadayon pa ta ni (God would give me a long life so I can continue this),” said Gullas, who is also the University of the Visayas’ executive vice president.

ABS-CBN’s dyAB radio station manager and The Freeman columnist Leo Lastimosa observed that more and more patients avail of Halad Pasalamat’s services each year.

“Mas nidaghan ang (More were able to) ni-avail ug mas nidaghan sad ang ang mga (of and there are more) services nga gihatag karon (offered now),” he said.

Rexty Picardo, UV-College of Nursing dean and the overall event in-charge, said that for this year, 40 non-medical and medical services were available.

He said a hundred Gullas Medical Center students volunteered for the event, whose services include medical consultation, eye and dental examinations, blood sugar/uric acid /cholestoral screening, deworming, pap smear, ECG, bloodletting, tetanus toxoid immunization, and veterinary services that includes de-sexing of cats and dogs.

Non-medical services include haircut for men and women, reflexology, accupressure, massage, computer and cellphone repairs, legal consultation, demonstration on how to make liquid dishwashing/powdered laundry soap, as well as seminar on how to make vaporub/manzanilla and herbal cough syrups.

Government agencies like the National Statistics Office, Home Mutual Development Fund, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office, Philippine Health Insurance, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also joined.

The Freeman Foundation likewise had a feeding program spearheaded by The Freeman general manager Melandro Mendoza, who personally prepared and cooked pospas (rice porridge mixed with chicken and spices), which was good for around 3,700 people.

Many of those who received services expressed in person to Gullas and his wife Nena their thanks.

Also yesterday, around 30 UV students, faculty members and non-teaching staff availed of the confirmation rites the couple sponsored.—/RHM (FREEMAN)