GLORIOUS LENTEN WHEELCHAIRS – April 16, 2011 –
It was a beautiful sunny afternoon when Fr. Roel N. Desamparado delivered the inspiring thanksgiving mass for the less fortunate PWD’s (People with Disabilities) of Talisay City, Cebu. The awarding of the 15 donated Wheelchairs was through the kind and compassionate efforts of Dr. Manuel Chua Chiaco Jr, a famous Thoracic Cardio Surgeon from the Philippine Heart Center & the Makati Medical Center and the noted beautiful, intelligent Cardiologist & Internist from the mentioned hospitals, whose roots are from our very own beloved Cebu, Dr. Sharon Maries Alfon Lacson. Both doctors collaborated with HANDS OF MERCY, a faith based, non-profit outreach organization that caters to the welfare of our most neglected sector, the PWD’s (People with Disabilities) in the province and city of Cebu, Philippines. The state of the art wheelchairs came from the UP College of Medicine Fraternity, PHI KAPPA MU who for the past years tied up with the world-renowned Ambassadors for Mobility, FREE WHEEL CHAIR MISSION in California, whose unfaltering corporal works of mercy has touched and changed thousands of lives all over the globe. The Deaf & Mute community tediously assembled the wheelchairs the day before and seeing them assist their fellow brothers & sisters in Christ was indeed a very inspiring and touching vision to behold.
Without any conditions, Mrs. Norma “MingMing” Gullas, one of Cebu’s chosen few great icons of impeccable good taste, immediately took care of facilitating the free use of the Talisay City Hall premises with snacks and drinks for the affair. The ceremony was graced by the officials from the Talisay City Hall, Honorable Congressman Eduardo R. Gullas, who has fathered good governance, honesty, and dignity for the past 3 decades now & is confident that his fellow constituents in Talisay City Hall will uphold the legacy of his good values in serving the common interest of the people. Honorable Mayor Soc Fernandez, whose God-fearing morals and values has earned him the unbeatable Mayor title for the past three consecutive terms, Vice Mayor Allan Bucao, a young handsome promising politician whose warm sincere charismatic approach will enthrall his visitors with his on the dot action. The active councilors present were, Digul Gullas 111, Dennis Basillote, Rodi Cabigas, Choy Aznar, John Burlas, & Celapio Cabuenas. The City Administrator Ritchel Bacaltos, PDAO Joey Alburo, City Treasurer Emma Macuto, Arturo Bas, & DSWD Felipa Solana were also among who graced the awarding of the wheelchairs. Mrs. Nancy Mirafuentes, one of the pillars of HANDS OF MERCY and full time Servant of the LORD, rendered the beautiful song of Psalm together with the angelic voices of the HANDS OF MERCY choir.
The highlight of the ceremony was the impromptu speech eloquently delivered by budding philanthropist, Madame Yvette Marie Alfon Simon, 1972 Mutya Ng Pilipinas beauty queen titleholder, who was the key instrument in connecting all of us together to facilitate the donated wheelchairs to Cebu. We would like to extend also our sincerest gratitude to all the kindhearted Samaritans who has helped us in delivering the wheelchairs free of charge safely to Cebu and the sumptuous meat rolls and ice cream given during the day itself. Mr. Bob Gothong of Gothong Southern, Mr. Bebot Castillo of IPI, Mr. Cedric Santos of Pylos Advertising, Madame Yvette Marie Alfon Simon, Sonie de la Cruz of Foodbev International/Papel Lapiz Crayola Foundation, Mrs. Rosalyn Chiongbian, and Mr. Rene Ledesma of Evergreen Shipping Agency, our sincerest gratitude!
Last but not the least, we would like to thank our one and only Heavenly Father, Savior, Master, King, Provider, JESUS CHRIST for using each and everyone of us to do HIS purpose to reach out to our less fortunate handicapped community who desperately need our help, love and empathy…………………
