Heart of hearts

The First Gentleman admits he nearly gave up the ghost not too long ago, but fortunately, he  survived. In talks with friends and the media, he expressed that in his heart of hearts, he is  grateful for his new lease on life. How share this new life? How share this blessing? To begin with, having  poor heart  patients suffering  from congenital heart disease, rheumatic heart and defective valves undergo surgeries and  receive free post-operative care and check-ups during their recovery period at the Philippine General Hospital.

The patients are Patricio Dongon, 7, whose mother is a sales lady; Catherine Manglo, daughter of a factory worker; Rangell Moog, 29, jobless; Richard Raposon, 14; Michelle Salanga, 16, whose father is a pensioner; Damien Sian, 2, son of an assistant chaplain and a teacher at Central Philippine University, and Conrado Tubog, whose father is a construction worker.

Indeed, these patients are blessed, particularly in times of crisis like ours, where every peso is hard to come by and can buy only a packet of ice candy.

Mike Arroyo’s helping hand has not been heralded, but helping these seven afflicted patients has been in the news lately. Also, perhaps in recognition of his weakness for giving assistance to the needy, particularly in  health intervention, some stories have filtered to media. Prior to these, nothing, if at all, has been written about his giving donations of a host of hospital equipment to PGH.  

The seven’s heart surgeries are Mike’s “gifts” to patients on his 62nd birthday. The program is appropriately called “Bagong Puso Galing sa Puso.”

The program was announced during the presentation of the First Gentleman’s Foundation’s third batch of medical scholars two weeks ago in Malacañang. This batch  is made up of students finishing two years of their medical studies at the University of the Philippines and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila under the Bagong Doktor Para sa Bayan project.

The scholarship assistance was first launched during the FG’s 60th birthday in 2006, with 20 scholars as the first beneficiaries. This was followed by the second batch of 20 last year, and the third, this year, with 22 scholars. The original target of scholarship beneficiaries was 60, but two were included in this year’s batch as a result of their writing the FG letters about their having to quit medical school due to their parents’ being in dire financial straits. The FG was moved to  take in the two applicants.

The scholars are given free tuition and other material benefits. According to FG Foundation executive director Juris Soliman, “The only commitment requested by the First Gentleman from each graduate is a service payback of two years to any underserved post assigned to them by the Department of Health.”

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There is yet another FG Foundation program. This is the Bagong Espes-yalista Para sa Bayan, made in collaboration with the PGH and the Department of Health. Ten grantees are now taking subspecialty courses. The grant is awarded to doctors who have been working in government institutions for at least two years, and upon finishing the subspecialty training for two years, they are to pay back the government by serving in underserved areas for every year of grant of fellowship.

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Then there is yet FG Foundation-PGH cooperation, the Doctors to the Barrios program, which provides incentives to government doctors serving in under-served communities. The incentives include a training package in any Asian country, including a round-trip ticket and allowance of P100,000. Medical bags are given the beneficiaries too.

The Bagong Doktor, Bagong Espesya-lista and DOH-Doctors to the Barrios have a budget of P21,230. The First Gentleman says funds for these projects come from the private funds of the FG Foundation, not from government funds. 

Dr. Carmelo C. Alfiler, PGH director, has always had good words for the FG, whose financial assistance has enabled the institution to render much-needed surgeries and treatment.

At the launching of the Bagong Doktor ng Bayan program, Health  Secretary Francisco T. Duque thanked the FG for investing in the project, “which is very relevant, amidst the state of the medical profession today. This development goes hand in hand with the strong focus of the DOH on addressing the biggest and the most notorious disability of our health system — the increasing lack of doctors and highly skilled workers against a backdrop of persistent disease and poverty and a growing need to improve the lives of 87 million Filipinos.”

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Because of the huge turn-out at the 100 Nudes, 100 Years art exhibit, the University of the Philippines Alumni Association is extending the show for another day — today — at the Mandarin Oriental Suites, Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, QC.

Atty. Gari Tiongco, UPAA president and regent, said the exhibit brought an average of 300 visitors a day, and 500 on opening day. To date, more than P1 million worth of art works have been sold, as have nearly all of the 120-page full-color coffee table book costing P2,000.

The grand showcase features paintings, sculptures, drawing and prints celebrating 100 years of Filipino artistry. Featured are the works of nine National Artists: Napoleon Veloso Abueva, Fernando Cueto Amorsolo, Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, Cesar Torrente Legaspi, Vicente Silva Manansala and Guillermo Estrella Tolentino, sculptor of the UP Oblation.

Yesterday, an On The Spot Nude Sketching/Painting Session with acclaimed artists of the UP was held in the same venue. These were announced as Bencab, Cheloy Dans, Gig de Pio, Cris Cruz, Boy Valino, Jess Abrera, Nik Ricio, Adi Santos, Dans Dasco, Romy Carlos, Janice Young, Ben Infante, Angel Cacnio, Ding Hidalgo, Pyt Santos, Aileen Lanuza, Neli Dolorico, Jonah Salvosa, Bim Bacaltos, Benjie Cabangis, Nonoy Gamboa and Mars Custodio.

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