BULALAKAW - Pandan Antique Newsletter
Official Publication of
Pandan Antique Foundation and Pagtatap Foundation, Inc.
A PART OF THE LEGACY
By Mitzi G. Alojipan, Philippines
Photography by Chinkin CorunaI joined the MANGGYAN (Manggagamot ng Bayan) medical mission in the summer of 2002, the year I turned 18. Although my father invited me to join his medical team as soon as I entered high school in 1997, I had my reservations because an additional responsibility, such as Tatay watching over the short attention span of a 13-year-old kid during the mission, was the last thing I had in mind. I figured that 18 was the perfect age for me to start immersing into a more intensified level of socio-civic activity; thus, I joined the MANGGYAN.

I remember being afraid during my first MANGGYAN mission experience. All I knew then was that I wanted to help, but I did not know how I could specifically be of help. I was a mere student volunteer, the youngest and the most unspecialized in the team. I kept on telling Tatay how worried I was, that I might be a burden to them instead of being a catalyst. I did not want to be identified as a "sacred cow" volunteer. I definitely did not want people to think that I was there simply because I was the daughter of the head of the medical mission team. Photography by Chinkin Coruna

Tatay saw through my worries and smiled at me. He assured me that as long as I kept an open mind and was willing to help out and work, everything would be okay; there would always be a place for people like me in their group.

My first assignment was in the Pharmacy Department. I worked side-by-side with the amazing Air Force ladies, friends of Tita Vicky Seron. They worked like a well-oiled machine. I immediately saw their system and how they seemed to make it easier for everyone, especially to rookies like me. I learned so much from them that in the first few hours of my assignment, I was able to classify various medicines, identify medicine brands, and memorize which rows the cardiology, Photography by Chinkin Corunapulmonary and pediatric drugs were arranged in the make-shift pharmacy. Soon enough, I gained my self-confidence, knowing that I was somehow contributing to the success of the mission. I was happy that I was a part of something, and that in my own little way I was able to help them out.

The next day, I was transferred to the Dental Department since there was an influx of volunteers in the Pharmacy Department. I was initially assigned to wash the dentists' dirty instruments. Then I was promoted to assist with tooth extractions and eventually did the tooth extractions myself under direct, professional supervision. I immediately got the hang of it and enjoyed the experience that I spent the rest of my mission days with the Dental Team.

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