Mass of the Holy Spirit
The year 2015 marked the third annual celebration of the Order of Malta Philippines’ Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Order of Malta Chapel in R. Hidalgo Chancery. It is a day when we honor and thank the numerous volunteers who worked with the Order of Malta in the various charitable activities we engage in.
Attended by members of the clergy of the Archdiocese of Manila, the Eucharistic celebration was officiated by Rev. Fr. Manuel Abogado III who heads the Archdiocesan Healthcare Ministry. The highlight of this month’s events was the Papal Visit of His Holiness Pope Francis from January 15th to 19th. The Order of Malta Philippines was invited to participate in this endeavor under the CBCP Commission on Health Services Chairman, Most Rev. Patricio A. Buzon, SDB, DD, Bishop of Kabankalan. Rev. Fr. Abogado served as the Executive Secretary for the Papal Visit Health Services.
After months of preparations and in collaboration with our partners and beneficiaries, the Order of Malta worked together with 125 volunteers and various hospitals to provide First Aid and Emergency Health Services in the Manila Cathedral, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and at the Quirino Grandstand. They were San Juan de Dios Hospital, Manila Medical Center, San Martin de Porres Charity Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, Mandaluyong Medical Center, and St. John of God Polyclinic. Our medical teams were headed by Emergency Medicine specialists Dr. Carlos Gundran, Dr. Nerissa Sabarre and Dr. Jusie Marie Montes. Other volunteers’ team heads were Dr. Dieter Demmel, Dr. Fetalvero, Dr. Abrenica & volunteers from the San Lazaro Hospital, Philippine Society of Emergency Medical Technicians and the Order of Malta Philippines’ staff headed by Cecille Piňones. Pilipinas 911 headed by Ruel Kapunan also provided first aid and ambulance services.
In recognition of selfless service and unwavering commitment given by our volunteers, certificates of appreciation were given last January 24th by the Order of Malta Philippines’ President Dr. Leopoldo Lazatin, Hospitaller Mina Carag – Harada and Rev Fr. Abogado. We are truly thankful for the successful collaboration and once again we express our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to all volunteers.
Typhoon Yolanda Volunteers Recognized
Also awarded on this day were Certificates of Recognition given by the Department of Health to all volunteers who assisted our brothers and sisters in need after Typhoon Yolanda hit the Visayas Region on the 8th of November 2013. “The Unsung Heroes: Thank You Yolanda Responders” event was held last July 25, 2014 at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City with Secretary of Health Enrique Ona, MD, leading the awarding ceremonies. Present were the numerous non-government organizations, private foundations and various international agencies that participated in emergency and relief operations. The gathering of humanitarian aid agencies, workers and volunteers were cited “for the ardent passion in the provision of health emergency response to the survivors and victims of Typhoon Yolanda defying danger and embracing hardships for the value of life and preserving its dignity”.(MCH)
