In response to MHAM CM’s aim in establishing a community-based Nutrition Resource Development Center to partner communities, an early Community Christmas party dubbed as “Pasko sa Kabukiran” was celebrated in Barangay Calidngan Covered Court, Carcar City last November 30, 2016.
The whole day event includes the Launching and MOA Signing for the Nutrition Resource and Development Center and the Shoe Box Project initiated by the Student Council which is also the APMC-SN Service Project of the Year Award 2016.
Well-attended by residents in Barangay Cadlingan including school children, the whole day affair with a festive pre-Christmas celebration was part of MHAM CM’s Community Extension Services’ institutionalized programs with its main thrust to put health in the hands of the people, particularly in Barangay Calidngan.
Started at eight thirty in the morning, a Free Medical Clinic was one of the services MHAM has provided to cater the needs of the local residents with 100 slots for adults and another 100 slots for children as well during the whole morning. Twenty-four dedicated MHAM CM doctors assisted by selected aspiring physicians most of whom from the Student Council made the Medical Team in full force- a gesture and act of dedication and profound service to the partner community.
As one of the community entry activities, the whole day affair was also in cooperation with the Carcar City Sangguniang Panlungsod and the Calidngan Barangay Officials.
While the rising cost of healthcare combined with food inadequacy in rural poor and upland areas, a doctor’s visit is remarkably indebted by every Calidngan local who availed the free medical services. Among them was an 87-year old Demetrio Ricarte who suffers from kidney problem for quite long years. Using his bamboo cane with such determination to avail the medical opportunity, Mang Demetrio traveled from Purok Banyo, a three-kilometer distance from the Calidngan Covered Court.
Medical Mission recipient: 87-year old Barangay Calidngan resident
“Nalipay gyud ko’g daku karong adlawa kay tiaw bay kami ang giari sa libreng pagpangunsulta ug natagaan ko ug libreng tambal. Sukad masukad karon pa mi nakasinati nga adunay niari namo maong daku gyud akong pasalamat sa Ginoo ug sa mga nitabang namo” (I feel so happy today knowing that we were the ones being visited for free consultation and I was given free medicines. Eversince, this has been the very first time we were visited and I am very grateful to God and to all the people who helped us), said this grateful recipient.
Mr. Jarvis Prochina during the event
According to Community Extension Services Consultant Mr. Jarvis Prochina, the Nutrition Research Center is primarily intended in response to malnutrition issues especially in rural areas. “This is a very humble beginning for the program in response to proper nutrition and education particularly to mothers as generally are often key link between family health concerns. Normally in the rural areas, mothers used to cook sauted vegetables which are not palatable to children and this is just one of the many concerns for improper nutrition. Children must be given nutritious foods and at-home mothers must ensure a balanced and healthy lifestyle in the family”, said Prochina in an interview.
The Community Christmas celebration initiated by the Community Extension Services together with the Student Council was one of the many ways of reaching out to the less-fortunate in addressing nutrition and food security problems in the province. A native of Barangay Calidngan himself, MHAM IT Consultant Mr. Francisco Bacalla took the initiative to make Calidngan as one of the recipient-communities for community extension programs, aside from providing a parcel of land to be used for the coming Community Project Center.
Gracing the event in the afternoon was the Launching and MOA Signing for the Nutrition Resource and Development Center led by Mrs. Elma Aznar-Sierra whose presence made the event more meaningful amidst her busy schedules. She was joined by MHAM CM Board of Trustee and Auditor Dr. Carlito Astillero, Dean Dr. Arlene Diaz, SC Governor Datu Nar-Jhun Salik, Carcar City Councilor Rogelio Montesclaros and Calidngan Barangay Captain Mr. Ignacio Ochia.
Launching and MOA Signing for the Nutrition Resource Development Center in Barangay Calidngan, Carcar City, Cebu: (L-R) SC Governor Datu Nar-Jhun Salik, Dr. Arlene Diaz, Mrs. Elma Aznar-Sierra, Carcar City Councilor Rogelio Montesclaros, Dr. Carlito Astillero and Calidngan Barangay Captain Mr. Ignacio Ochia
It was immediately followed by a christmas carol with the Calidngan Day Care pupils and a Caroling Contest participated by Purok Proper, Pinanuyakan, Kamari, Pit-os, Lunas and Virsaros carolers. Each participating team received Php 500 and two winning groups chosen by Dr. Jose Oclarit, Dr. Jan Michael Lao, Dr. Carlito Astillero Jr., Dr. Antonio Fabular and Hon. Rogelio Montesclaros as judges received Php 1000 each. Purok Proper and Kamari emerged as winners.
Let the Christmas Carols begin…
To complete MHAM’s mission of the day, the Shoe Box Project initiated by the Student Council concluded the event with much delight from a thousand children aside from the feeding program prepared for them. An APMC-SN Service Project of the Year Award this year, the Shoe Box Project is well-cooperated by all MHAM CM students as part of their charitable project annually headed by the Student Council officers. A thousand boxes for a thousand children made this Service Project of the Year Awardee worth dedicating and remembering.
In addition, there were also twenty-five separate gifts given to twenty-five selected families in Barangay Calidngan through a raffle draw. On the other hand, a 10-year old Joy Locsin and her 6-year old younger sister Ellyza Marie Locsin also received special gifts with lit on their faces, bringing home their early Christmas presents.
SHOE BOX PROJECT leaders: Give way to the Student Council officers in their unwavering mission…
The Locsin siblings with their early Christmas presents…
Hosted by MHAM HR Consultant Mr. Pedro Pañares, the “Pasko sa Kabukiran” was one of the most-signifying and fulfilling mission this year rooted from MHAM CM’s vision and mission to reach out to the less fortunate, much more in a season where Christ is the main reason for the celebration. (Ana Liza L. Abao)