108 kids with cleft lip, palate undergo free surgical repair

CEBU, Philippines - At least 108 children born with cleft lip and cleft palate and their families celebrated a new beginning as they became beneficiaries of the 18th year mission of Operation Smile Cebu.

Elly Rose Catubig, 22, of Barangay Tisa, Cebu City said she was very happy that her seven-month-old son Arvy was able to avail of the reconstructive surgery yesterday at the University of Cebu Medical Center (UCMED) along Ouano Avenue, Mandaue City.

"Dako kaayo akong kalipay nga usa akong anak nga naka-avail sa surgery," Catubig told The FREEMAN after her son's operation. If not for Operation Smile, each surgery would cost around P30,000 to P50,000, which Catubig said she could not afford.

Dr. Vivina Chui, one of the pioneers of the Operation Smile Cebu, said the operation would only last for 45 minutes for cleft lip and one and a half hour for cleft palate.

"Our motto is safety of our patient," Chui said, adding that they do rigid screening before they conduct the operation and follow up the patients afterwards.

The mission in Cebu is undertaken in cooperation with the Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung Charitable Foundation Inc. (MSYCFI), which has been hosting the Cebu Mission since 1998.

Dame Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung, chairman of the foundation and who serves as one of the board of governors of Operation Smile, said there is no stopping her from helping children to bring back their smiles.

"Hangtod dili pa mahurot og opera ang atong mga bata nga aduna'y deperensya, dili sab ‘ta mohunong og pagtabang," she said.

"I feel for the mother everytime I see a child nga ingon niana nga aduna'y deperensya. Mapasalamaton ‘ta sa Ginoo nga normal atong mga anak ug apo hinungdan nga motabang g’yud ta," she added. (FREEMAN)