Tatalon residents benefit from MODE

More than 1,700 residents of Tatalon Estate, a depressed area in Quezon City, were the beneficiaries of a free MODE (medical, optical, dental, evangelical) mission undertaken by the Good Samaritan United Methodist Church (GSUMC) on Quezon Avenue, in conjunction with the Jackson United Methodist Church in California, USA last Feb. 5 and 6.

The US contingent, which brought over medicines and equipment for the mission, was composed of Rev. Paul Cabotaje, Rev. Linda Prendergast, Rev. Josue Florendo, Ken and Jane Boshworth, Norma Florendo, Loida Bartolome, Leonor Ingram and Sharon Gagne.

"We could have spent our 30-day annual leave relaxing in Nevada or Florida, but we chose to come here to succor the needy," Rev. Cabotaje, who once, among other things, drove a taxi on the streets of Metro Manila and later heeded the call of God, said.

Coordinated by GSUMC administrative pastor Rev. Joy Cera, assisted by his nine co-pastors and lay leaders, the two-day mission drew crowds of the needy who availed of free consultation, treatment, refraction, medicines, vitamins and even eyeglasses.

Volunteer doctors from the Chinese General Hospital and the GSUMC congregation rendered their services for free.

The MODE team was composed of Drs. Ben Cabotaje, Benito Tovera, Vicky Potes, Janeca Madella, Rene Santos, Angelica Cruz, Edward Tan, Ruby Tan, Sui Hoc Sy Ferrer, Evangeline Cabuenios, June Avendaño, Ronald Palcis, Pamela Cabotaje, Richard Lariosa, Marissa Pascual, Grace Valdez, Aleli Cabotaje, Dan Miranda, Angie Miranda, Winston Miranda, Dolores Miranda, Glen Paraso, Liza Villaviza, Melanie Manlapaz, Josette Magtoto, Joy Pinlac, Chermyn Guerrero, David Valdez and Yasmin Simon Meribales.

Medicines and vitamins given for free were sourced from local and foreign donors.

The MODE mission moved to Santiago, Isabela and Bayombong, Nueva Viscaya for more charity work. — M.P. Mirasol