Zamboanga Peninsula Mission Hope Channel in partnership with Paragon ’93, a nursing batch of Mountain View College, celebrated its 4th anniversary with a medical outreach in Parang, Sulu. The team, composed of 14 nurses, 3 medical doctors, healthcare professionals, and Hope Channel volunteers traveled to Parang, Sulu to serve its residents on June 5, 2024.
Services rendered and gifts offered were: tuli (36), dental (327), medical (300+), haircut (30+), eyeglasses (323), free meals for kids (290), school supplies (300), hygiene kits (300), blood typing (71), and soya and corn coffee (100 pieces).
Playing a pivotal role in the outreach are several stakeholders: Philippine Army’s 1101st “Gagandilan” Infantry Brigade commanded by BGen Mario Jacinto; 41st “Partner for Peace” Infantry Battalion commanded by LTC Ray De Lima; LGU-Parang headed by Hon. Mayor Alkhadar T. Loong and represented by Mr. Abubakar T. Loong, Parang Municipal Administrator; and ZPM Vice President for Finance Pastor Ronald Hazel B. Ramos.
The outreach derived from numerous meetings and negotiations, months before, between ZPM’s Communication and PARL departments, 1101st Gagandilan’s Capt Ceasar Guyguer, and 41st Partner for Peace’s 1Lt Vilmer Pascua.
Words of welcome from Major Rodel Balatbat, Batallion EX-O 41IB 11ID, PA, in a short program before the main medical event, put the visitors in Parang at ease. Equally comforting are the messages from Administrator Abubakar Loong, Pastor Ronald Ramos, and BGen Mario Jacinto, PA.
“Kami ay nagpapasalamat dahil kahit hindi tayo magkalahi, magbibigay kayo ng serbisyong medical para sa mga taga Parang,” said Sir Abubakar Loong. “At talagang nagpapasalamat po kami sa mga sundalo dahil noong unang panahon talagang magulo ang buong probinsya ng Sulu pati dito sa Parang. Welcome po kayo rito.”
“Natutuwa po kaming maghatid serbisyo sa inyo,” enthused Pastor Ronald Ramos. “Hindi biro pumunta rito. Hindi namin maintindihan ang lengguahe rito. Yet we’d like to break barriers and build bridges instead. Ang serbisyo hatid namin, sa simpleng pamamaraan na maintindihan ng lahat, serbisyo na nararapat sa inyo, ay hatid namin na may pagmamahal. At sana tanggapin din ninyo na may pagmamahal para ang experience ay maging may kabuluhan.”
From Commander BGen Mario Jacinto: “Maging grateful po tayo sa mga taga Paragon at Hope Channel dahil nandito po sila para magbigay serbisyo sa atin. Kami sa military, we’re wishing na yong service na binibigay namin ay magbigay ng freedom sa lahat. Freedom para sa mga bisita natin na makapunta rito, makapagbigay serbisyo. At kayo na taga Parang, magkaroon ng freedom na magawa yong mga gusto nyo, madevelop ang sarili nyo.
“Magtulungan po tayo magkaroon ng peace and order dito sa Parang. Pag may peace and order, maraming pupunta rito, para tumulong sa atin. Pag may peace and order, development will follow, friendship will follow. Sana pagdating ng panahon, ang Parang makilala sa mga mission na tulad nito. At sana ma-attain natin ang vision na ito,” BGen Jacinto said.
Paragon’s Rechille Realse, serving as team leader for her part, said, “We chose the name Paragon, meaning model of excellence, for our 1993 nursing batch in Mountain View College. That’s why our medical team now is called Paragon ’93. We also have created our motto, ‘To live the most, and live the best.’
“We have done 5-7 medical missions so far, in consonance with the Seventh-day Adventist Church mission of healing the sick and helping the needy. Over the years, Paragon ’93 medical team has added new members as more batchmates and friends had heard about the project and wanted to join in with their time and resources.
“One basic part of our medical outreach is health education, adapted from NEWSTART, which follows the acronym START NOW—sunshine, temperance, activity, rest, trust in God, nutrition, oxygen, and water. The listeners to this part of our program has inspired and prompted us to continue this activity,” said Ma’am Realse.
“It’s wonderful to witness how this initiative brings hope, healing, and love to those in need,” observed Pastor Marvin Cedron, ZPM Health Ministries Director.
May the vision of peace, order, and development continue to flourish in Parang, and may Paragon ’93’s commitment to excellence inspire others to serve with compassion and purpose.
Hope Channel would like to thank the following individuals for their contributions to the success of the outreach:
- Roselyn Senas Pacardo, RN, HRD of AMCC Iligan
- Hosea Barnuevo, RN, clinical instructor at MVC
- Alma Araniego Laig, RN, sanitary inspector II of LGU Sison, Surigao del Norte
- Jennifer Godoy Sullano, RN, entrepreneur
- Joseph Orayle, RN, sanitation inspector of LGU Sen. Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat
- Rechille Encina Realse, RN, clinical nurse of Stanford Healthcare, California, USA
- Jessie Cordero, RN, sanitary inspector V, LGU Calamansig, Sultan Kudarat
- Evalyn Mondejar Lecciones, RN, clinical coordinator, AMCC
- Joylyn Boniales Valenciano, RN, businesswoman & entrepreneur
- Larry Valenciano, RN, businessman & entrepreneur
- Lenie Edrolin Jamellarin, RN, senior operating room nurse and endoscopy nurse, AMC Valencia
- Melvin Porquillo, RN, nurse III pollution control officer, Agusan del Sur
- Jessie Oclarit Celestial and Neil Ando.
- Armina Juliano, businesswoman & entrepreneur
- Allan Juliano, businessman & entrepreneur
- Dr Rexie Belloga, MD
- Dr Jan Razil Alolod, MD
- Dr Rafael Antonio Paz, MD
- Dr Marvin Milallos, DMD
- Dr Melody Mae Bollong, DMD
- Dr Crystal Faith Bollong, DMD
- Dr Nathanne Ralph Hayag, DMD
- AJ Aganeo, RN
- Eunice Bacsarpa, RN, hemodialysis nurse of AMC Valencia.
- Mary Joy B. Ramiso, RMT
