Duterte endorses Gordon/Bloodletting at tennis club

It was a big event – the commissioning on May 9 of M/V Amazing Grace, the country’s first and only humanitarian vessel which the organization will use as ambulance and disaster response ship. Its launch is the high point of the celebration of the PRC’s 70th anniversary.

“The ship is the realization of our vision to establish the PRC as the foremost humanitarian organization in the country, capable of delivering timely humanitarian services that save lives and restore the dignity of the most vulnerable,” said PRC chair and CEO Richard Gordon.

The vessel, Gordon continued, will ensure that life-saving services and goods will reach affected population in the fastest possible time and in the most efficient manner possible.”

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I was twiddling my thumbs as I listened to President Duterte’s message at the launch and commissioning of M/V Amazing Grace. What a pleasant surprise that it was not peppered with his famous (or infamous?) expletive, “ P ……” Instead it was sober, sentimental, and, more surprise, surprise, addressed Philippine Red Cross chair/CEO Richard Gordon, as “the incoming President of the Republic of the Philippines.”

So, on May 9, 2017,  at the Philippine Navy headquarters on Roxas Boulevard, two launches were made: one, of Amazing Grace, and two, Chairman Gordon’s endorsement by President Duterte – not necessarily in that order.

The ruddy-faced president shared “a very profound experience” in his life as former mayor for 23 years of Davao City. “As government officials, we are not new to disasters, man- made or natural and we deal with (them) almost every other day. There is a fire, we have to get up from bed go to the fire scene then start mobilizing your men and you stay there until you are satisfied that everything is in place. That is how we lived as local officials.”

But nothing, he said, can beat the shocking onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda. When he learned of the impact of the typhoon, he was devastated. He asked the news bringer how many died, 300, 200? No, sir, thousands of bodies lay in decay. That night he mobilized 10 doctors and 10 nurses, all male, and they moved to the sites of decayed bodies and structures blown to smithereens. “I told them bring as many alcohol as you can because I said we are not foreigner or alien to this kind of event.”

When he looked at the gulf of Leyte, he could not see a single boat in the water, and when he saw bodies everywhere, “I cried twice.”

“When the tragedy of Yolanda struck our nation more than three years ago emergency responders faced the formidable task of reaching the devastated areas due to lack of transport facilities and heavily damaged infrastructure. We learned our lesson. I am therefore happy to join you today, as we launch this state- of-the- art PRC relief and recovery ship known as the Amazing Grace that can dock on any port or beach.”

The president, oops, called upon PRC “to take a more active role in the efforts to obtain peace and order in our communities. Be vigilant not only in assisting our people from natural and man-made calamities, but also in initiating programs that would complement our fight against illegal drugs, crime and corruption. May this ship serve as a concrete reminder to all of us that above all we must prioritize the safety, the well- being and the welfare of the people.”

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Responding to the call for blood donations to meet the requirements of people in need of blood, the University of the Philippines Diliman Tennis Club sponsored a bloodletting session in cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross over the weekend. The activity was an initiative of PRC governor and co-chair of the disaster management committee Saeed A. Daof, and supported by UPDTC president Narciso Nario, a retired Sandiganbayan justice and club members who include court judges, doctors, priests and ministers, educators, entrepreneurs, engineers and communication specialists and students.

PRC Secretary General Oscar Palabyab commented on the success of the bloodletting session and called for participation of volunteers in a fund-raising fun run in July. Lending encouragement to volunteer donors were Regent Nelia T. Gonzalez, and family planning advocate Ben de Leon, and Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association president Fred Pascual and chair Thad Liamzon, and Inner Wheel Club president Teresita Tumangan. In appreciation of efforts of volunteers, art gallery owner Elizabeth Tagle, Regent Gonzalez and Tumangan sent over snacks for the volunteers and guests.

Governor Saeed expressed hope that more civic organizations will support the PRC drive to hold bloodletting sessions to replenish its Blood Bank to meet the requirements of people in times of emergency. “I was pleased to see a good number of students hobnobbing with construction workers from the DCMI construction firm. Our own tennis players put aside their rackets to donate 450 cc of blood. Some said they’re willing to participate in a similar activity after three months. May their tribe increase.”

I take my hat off to the PRC medical staff that for eight long hours, conducted the blood extraction on volunteeer donors. Sheryll Tonete, MD, was the team leader, and Ardel Brecinio and Glaiza Chavez, the phlebotomists. Other staffers were registered nurses Jenica Villanueva, in charge of registration, and Micaella Franchezca Torres and Hansel Sentones of blood typing/hemoglobin check; Abigail Roan Santos, RMT, technician; Buboy Ventura and Celestino Esquivel, aides, and Jun Pena and Alfred Beltran, drivers.

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One of Gingoog City’s respected and loved personalities, former Judge Potenciano R. Delos Reyes Jr., passed away on May 9.

He served as chair of the Gingoog City Tourism Council under Mayors  Mike Paderanga, Ruth Guingona and the present mayor, Marie Guingona. He also served as chair of the Gingoog Water District. He taught law subjects at Christ the King College, Gingoog City Colleges, and Bukidnon State University (BSU). He told me he loved teaching.

He is survived by his wife, Cecilia de Lara, called “a hostess with the mostest,” for serving memorably delectable lunches especially during the town fiesta, which falls on the third week of May. It will be sad not having her husband around during this year’s fiesta. But his memory will forever remain; he was such a kind and helpful man.

Also surviving him are his daughter, Ma. Cecilia Lilith Codera who is married to Engr. Arnel Codera and son, Ronald Alain James Delos Reyes, married to Flordominey Sabines, BSN, RN, and grandchildren Arnel Enrico Paolo Codera, Lymel Francis Miguel Codera and Rafael Carlos Dominic Delos Reyes.

My thanks to my brother Warto and his wife Vee, and niece Jekjek Torrevillas Ellana, for providing me information about the judge.

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