‘I am PGH’ and other interesting events
Commentary
By Ellen Tordesillas
A noble project was launched last week and three noteworthy events are coming up next week.
Last Wednesday, “I am PGH” was launched to raise money for P100 million endowment fund for the PGH Medical Foundation that helps indigent patients of the Philippine General Hospital.
On Sunday, Feb. 3, there will be a “Takbo para kay Sta. Teresa”starting at 6 a.m at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Shrine Parish on Broadway, Quezon City.
Edith Burgos, who is helping in the publicity of this event said, “Takbo Para kay Sta. Teresa” is one in a series of events leading to the commemoration of the 500th birth anniversary in March 2015 of the Carmelite Saint Teresa of Avila, master of prayer and first woman doctor of the Church.
Registration forms are available at Mt Carmel Shrine; Royal Sporting House branches in Robinsons Padre Faura, Alimall Cubao, and Glorietta; at the Reebok Store at Festival Mall in Alabang and the Shoe Shop in Alabang Town Center.
For more information, please call (02) 904-8758, Smart 0929-2948888; Globe 0917-8530904; Sun 0933-6088580.
On Wednesday, Feb. 6, tenor Arthur Espiritu, the second Filipino to have sang at La Scala in Italy, will hold a “The Poet Speaks” concert at the Ayala Museum Feb. 6, at 7 p.m., with Najib Ismail on the piano.
Espiritu has a hectic schedule with his commitments in the United States and Europe. This is a rare opportunity to listen to him. With Espiritu, it’s always fine music at its best.
On Thursday, Feb. 7, Chit Roces-Santos will launch her book, “Personal Space and other essays” at Powerbooks, Greenbelt 4.
Chit writes a weekend column for the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
In the book’s introduction, Lorna Kalaw-Tirol describes Chit’s style of writing as “Rmma Bombeck, Nora Ephron and Helen Gurley Brown. She said: “That’s quite a fascinating mix, but that’s how versatile and multifaceted Chit’s writing is. Like Bombeck, she writes about family life and homemaking with hilarious candor and amusing common sense. Like Ephron, her wit is sharp, at time cutting, always delicious. And like Gurley Brown, her takes on sex are delightfully saucy.”
The book is made more interesting by the illustrations of husband, Vergel. (This is another talent of Vergel not known by many.) Musician Paulo Santos is expected to be at the launching.)
More on “I am PGH.”
PGH as we all know is the Philippine General Hospital, the People’s hospital.
PGH is part of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. In terms of quality of doctors and nurses, PGH is superior.
What makes them admirable is their unselfish dedication to their profession and service to the people.
Being a government-funded hospital, PGH is always financially challenged. That’s where the PGH Medical Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit organization established to help the PGH achieve excellent health care for its indigent patients. It serves as a conduit of donations coming from various civic-minded individuals, corporations, foundation and other funding agencies.
The head of the PGH Medical Foundation is Dr. Gregorio T. Alvior, who never tires of thinking of ideas to raise funds.
In “I am PGH”, PGH means “people (who) give hope.”
Alvior said in his message in the Foundation’s website, said “ Philanthropy is not a monopoly of the rich, but an act resulting from deep concern for others; for the fortunate; for the underprivileged; and the marginalized who have little hope. It is a manifestation of gratitude from those of us who are privileged, and fortunate enough to be in a position to share. The PGH serves a segment of our population who needs our support.”
That’s the rationale for the P100 donation. One does not have to be rich to be part of “I am PGH”
JB Baylon, vice president for communication of Nickel Asia, who has joined Dr. Alvior in this commendable project said, “We seek to encourage Filipinos everywhere and anywhere to donate P100 to the PGH Medical Foundation to help support the over 600,000 Filipinos, mostly indigent, who walk through the doors of the PGH - what I call the "Peoples' Hospital" - every year, seeking hope.”
JB said basketball coach Charles Tiu has started the ball rolling with his P100. Charles brother, basketball star, Chris, who is out of the country, is expected to match his brod’s P100 donation.
JB thanked Dina Lopez “who has shown what Pinoys abroad can do - donate US$ 3 to the campaign. “
He said “P100 may not seem like a big sum to some of us, but, taken together, it will mean a whole lot to those who have absolutely nothing and yet have to face the challenge of overcoming a major health crisis in their life or in the life of a loved one.”
At the launching, there were already companies and organizations who have come in as partners, among them: Nickel Asia Corporation and its subsidiaries, Media 2Six, to the Public Relations Students Society of the Philippines -UP Manila Chapter , Pilipinas2020-UP Diliman Chapter.
The Southridge High School Class of 1987 and 1988 turned over a cheque for P130,000.
You can also say "I am PGH.” Deposits can be made into the BPI PGHMF current account no. 3281027793.
For inquiries email: iampgh1907@gmail.com.
