Pasalamat - the gratitude of a big giver

CEBU, Philippines - Today Dr. Jose R. Gullas holds his pasalamat luncheon, his way of expressing gratitude to the many people who had supported his various outreach projects in the past year.

Dr. Gullas, who is dearly referred to by his staff and subordinates as "Sir Dodong", has been doing charitable work for many years now. His response to recent natural calamities like the 7.2 earthquake in Bohol, which also affected Cebu, and the super typhoon Yolanda were significant.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, Sir Dodong mobilized his people both at the University of the Visayas, where he is Executive Vice-President, and at The Freeman, where he is Chairman of the Board, for quick and concerted relief initiative. Relief goods that included food packs, clothes and household wares were immediately delivered to the victims.

The same kind initiative was repeated for the victims of the Yolanda, which hit less than a month after the quake, causing untold damage not only to Leyte and Samar, but to northern Cebu as well. Most notably, Sir Dodong committed to financially support the repair of the ruined church in Tapilon, Daan Bantayan.

His other outreach projects include sponsoring the Catholic confirmation of a good number of individuals and, most recently, on January 30 this year, the mass wedding of 59 couples. Sir Dodong is a devout Catholic and, with his wife Nena, is actively involved in religious events and celebrations at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino.

In his grand Halad Pasalamat -Year 4 last January 25, Sir Dodong gathered various professionals to render volunteer service to the community. People came in throngs for the free medical, dental, and legal services, and for such other services like haircut and cell-phone repair. 

The man's heart for service also extends to culture and the arts. The Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum along V. Gullas Street, in the city's historic Parian district, was established purposely for the safekeeping of Cebuano art mementos, especially in the line of music. Among other things, the museum houses musical instruments belonging to past and present Cebuano music greats.

Dr. Gullas' Pasalamat luncheon takes place at the MGB Social Hall of The Freeman building; attended by the doctors, lawyers, officials of government agencies, as well as all others who had participated in his charitable undertakings. Between 200 and 300 Halad volunteers have been invited.

It is rather unexpected for a known big giver himself to be the one to express gratitude. But, the polite person that he is, Sir Dodong finds it necessary that he makes it known to those who supported his community projects how deeply he appreciates their help. (FREEMAN)