What’s At The Back of QI?

I am 42 years old. In my youth, QI (Quezon Institute) meant a place where all the convalescing tisikos (tubercular) were confined, and lest you inhale their infectious collective expiration, one holds one’s breath whenever you pass that stretch of what was then called España Extension. And mind you, it was not a short stretch, for QI sits on approximately 15 hectares.

Through the years, we became witness to its gradual decay as little money was apportioned for its upkeep and indigent patients could not well be charged the necessary rates to maintain it. However, in the 90s, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office rented a portion of the compound and the place got its long overdue facelift.

Last February 26, 2005, my UST High School class of 1980 held its Silver Jubilee, the most successful by far in attendance and enthusiasm. The last year and a half witnessed successive events cooked up and gamely participated in by its members, from videokes to sorties to Tagaytay and Jala-Jala to badminton tournaments to sponsoring career talks, endless bienvenidas and despedidas for visiting classmates, gift-giving and outreaches, to a most colorful e-group and an equally colorful website. The passion is boundless, the bonding enviable, and the reunions endless. We marvel amongst ourselves as to how we are able to keep the group happy together and functioning as a team considering the middle-aged egos we carry with us.

But what turned out to be the most remarkable part of this mid-life bonding was waiting for us at the back of QI.

But what is at the back of QI? At the back of QI is a haven hosting very sick and very poor children, mostly stricken with cancer, receiving chemotherapy while far from their poverty-stricken homes in the provinces. This is a half-way home to provide a refuge while the children undergo treatment. It is called the Child House.

In our many visits, we have discovered, to our happy surprise, that this place is more than a pit-stop for its transient patients but a place of healing, if not of the body, then of the soul. Child House is a place of rest where compassion and dedication thrive, and ironically, where hopes, smiles and dreams flourish.

What makes the place magical in spite of its misery? The children, of course! Their smiles and optimism will shame our jaded indifference. Don’t give them pity, but share their unshakable belief that they too deserve a bright life before them–or at least a good shot at it.

Often life is wasted on the non-essentials and we fail to appreciate its value, while these kids battle for life itself. Yet even this mortal struggle can not take away the child-ness in each one of them, and therein lies their charm and magic. Infirm and frail though they may be, they emanate a healing force to everyone who finds their way to their refuge. Beware of these kids: they will win your heart.

Last March, our class begun our mission outreach at Child House–and we are hooked. At first we merely offered palliative help by supplying them with milk, diapers and other necessities. Gradually, however, we could no longer close our eyes to the dire need for medicines and sponsors for their costly treatments.

The case of one child, aptly called Mercy, was brought to us: she had acute lymphocytic leukemia coupled with Down Syndrome. She opened the door for us to take a closer look at the plight of the others, opening the doors of opportunity for her fellow patients to be succored and opening wide the door of generosity latent in most of us, moving our group to seriously consider adopting this community and providing holistic help. Funds will always be in short supply, need will always overwhelm available resources, but love abounds and it is the best medicine.

On the average, our batch mates are 42 years old. I am 42. It’s a cliché that life begins at 40, and it is a cliché most likely because it is true. Along EDSA was a huge billboard for a cosmetic surgery clinic featuring gorgeous singer Zsa-Zsa Padilla. It declares: "42 never looked this good". I am 42, and I declare: "42 never felt this good!"

For more information, contact Dr. Rachel Rosario at the Child House, tel 414-2421.