SYNERGY DECEMBER 2020

SY N E R GY ISSUE No.04 VOLUME 09 A SEASON OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE The strength and support of our people is what pulled us through a truly difficult time. As the year ends, we are grateful for the people who have selflessly given back to the community and the people who need it the most. A Quarterly Publication of St. Luke’s Medical Center - Resource Development Group

EDITORIAL BOARD Arturo S. De La Peña, MD, FPCS, FACS Benjamin S.A. Campomanes, Jr., MD Olivia B. Yao EDITORIAL TEAM EXECUTIVE EDITOR Kara Ortiga CREATIVE DIRECTOR Edric dela Rosa ASSOCIATE EDITOR Niña Bautista EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Jude Trinidad THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY YOU MAY CONTACT US FOR YOUR DONATIONS: ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTER - RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT GROUP 5/F, St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City 32nd Street and 5th Avenue (+632) 789-7700 extension 5076 and 5077 8/F St Luke’s College of Medicine - William H. Quasha Memorial 279 E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City Website: www.stlukesfoundation.org.ph E-mail: [email protected] For comments and suggestions, please call Niña Mirrela C. Bautista ReD – Fund Development Officer Tel. No.: (632) 789-7576

December 2020 HEROIC FEAT It has been an incredibly challenging the work that the Foundation does is a year for us all. As it comes to an end, reminder that no one deserves to be left and the holiday season draws near, it is behind or forgotten. indeed a season of bittersweet reflection. On the bright side, I am proud of what We have made it through the year our community has become—a great because of the generosity, kindness, support system for one another and a and selflessness of our donors. It is strong health institution for the country. inherent for Filipinos to care for a fellow, I am filled with hope that we will our kapwa. For this and many more, we embrace the new year with higher spirits. have many things to be appreciative for. I hope that you find joy and peace this This last quarter has seen us Christmas season and that your homes continuing the good work that we do, are filled with warmth and love. Stay safe able to reach out to those who are most and healthy. in need especially amid the pandemic. With a particular focus on our student Arturo S. De La Peña, MD, FPCS, FACS beneficiaries, we have aided those in President & CEO the education sector. After all, in our St. Luke’s Medical Center mission and vision, it is not only equal President, St. Luke’s Medical Center access to healthcare that we seek to Foundation, Inc. provide, but also equal access to quality medical education. By donating 200 tablets to four public schools, the Foundation was able to help students who have to study from home but don’t have the means to do so. The tablets went to children of scavengers, garbage collectors and special education students. The Surgery Reception and Pre- Anesthesia Risk Evaluation and Stratification (PARES) was named after Roman T. Yap, a kind-hearted businessman with many contributions to Silliman University. The donation was made by the RTY Foundation, Inc. for the benefit of indigent cardio patients. Aside from this, we are happy to report that the Bayanihan Community Adoption was in full swing, offering several online workshops and lectures on relevant issues that can help the community members. And a funding grant from Pfizer Inc. has also allowed the Foundation and the Resource Development Group to engage in a research project on breast cancer. These times are a testament not only to our force as individuals but to what we can do when we work as a community. The Medical Center is at the forefront of this global health crisis, but SY N E R GY 01

December 2020 STRENGTH OF COMMUNITY DESPITE THE PANDEMIC, THE ST. LUKE’S QUEZON CITY COMMUNITY PROGRAM GOES FULL BLAST. Though the pandemic has stopped aspects of Bayanihan Program was the speaker during the old normal life in its tracks, it has not yet these events. extinguished the inherent bayanihan spirit of the Filipino people. As the rainy season is upon us, an online lecture on “Common Rainy Season The Bayanihan Community Adoption Diseases” was held On October 8, 2020. Program organized by the St. Luke’s This talk focused on the identified seasonal Foundation, the St. Luke’s Nursing Care community diseases alerted by the Group of Quezon City, and the Department Department of Health such as typhoid of Social Welfare and Development remains fever, dengue and malaria, among others. in full swing. Nurses MD Y. Basco, Stacy Gale Idul, Janna Macapagal-Cayco, and Richard R. Calingasan During September to October, the groups headed this workshop. launched a series of health advocacy initiatives to address some issues relevant for Other topics included one on “Food the adopted community in Barangay Baesa, Safety and Hygiene” and “Pinggang Pinoy,” Quezon City. tackling healthy food preparations, safe food handling and food storage. Using Zoom, parents from the community were able to share the difficulties they The Bayanihan Community Program are facing in a gathering called “Usapang started in August 2018 and is a continuing Malasakit sa Pandemic.” This was followed initiative and community empowerment by a discussion entitled “COVID-19 Updates program for 30 underprivileged families and The New Normal for Parent Leaders,” of Barangay Baesa in Quezon City. These where coping tips and guidelines were families are also beneficiaries of the DSWD presented. Mr. Richard R. Calingasan II, MAN, 4Ps program. During these times, its RN, Clinical Nurse and Educator and Head of important to stick together. 02 S Y N E R G Y

December 2020 PIN YOUR PINK RIBBONS THE FOUNDATION BREAKS NEW GROUND IN BREAST CANCER RESEARCH. Breast cancer in the Philippines Once completed, the team will remains one of the highest in both present the results of the study in incidence and mortality. It accounts varied forms, including a public forum, for 15% of all new cancer cases and a roundtable discussion, a research 8% of all cancer deaths annually. presentation and a research paper. This long tradition of breast cancer The project is carried out through a prevalence will be given new light, as funding grant from Pfizer Inc. the St. Luke’s Foundation embarks on its latest medical research venture “Demographics, Clinicopathologic Features and Outcomes of Breast Cancer Patients in a Single Tertiary Hospital in the Philippines.” The research project will collect pertinent data and information from the record and experiences of St. Luke’s Medical Center. It is a joint project of St. Luke’s Medical Center – Global City Cancer Institute, through its principal investigator and medical oncologist Dr. Marie Belle Francia and the St. Luke’s Medical Center Research and Biotechnology Division (RBD). Last September 23 at the Evelyn D. Ang Cancer Referral Center in SLMC- GC, Dr. Francia with Dr. Mark Pierre Dimamay (RBD-OIC), Olivia Yao (St. Luke’s VP Resource Development Group) and Jude Trinidad (Foundation Manager) were on hand to present the project’s Memorandum of Agreement. SY N E R GY 03

December 2020 HIS LASTING A new legacy facility has been named LEGACY after Roman T. Yap, a kindhearted businessman who was remembered THE ROMAN T. YAP LEGACY for his generosity and humility. Yap FACILITY WILL BENEFIT made significant contributions to INDIGENT HEART PATIENTS. the well-being of Silliman University, where he held a position as a board of trustee chairman emeritus. The 04 S Y N E R G Y

December 2020 donation is made in Yap’s name and is located at the 3rd Floor of by the RTY Foundation, Inc., and the Main Hospital Building in St. received by the St. Luke’s Medical Luke’s Global City. The donation Center - Resource Development will be used for the Medical Social Group in February 2020. Service Program to benefit indigent cardiovascular patients. The facility is used for Surgery Reception and Pre-Anesthesia Risk Evaluation and Stratification (PARES) SY N E R GY 05

December 2020 THANK YOU ST. LUKE'S MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION 06 S Y N E R G Y

December 2020 CLASS IS IN SESSION 200 TABLETS ARE DONATED TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE TO STUDY FROM HOME The children of scavengers and City were given tablets as well. These garbage collectors are among are children whose parents make a those that benefited from St. Luke’s living by taking care of mausoleums Foundation’s donation of 200 tablets, in the North Cemetery to help students who are forced to study from home but lack the right “Lubos po akong nagpapasalamat sa access to internet or technology. ibinigay ninyo sa aking tablet. Malaking tulong po ito sa aking pag-aaral, ito Acknowledging this issue, the po ay aking ginagamit sa online class,” Foundation reached out to these says Matteo Virtucio, a 3rd grade students by providing them with student from the Pres. Corazon C. tablets that they can use in their Aquino Elementary School. Matteo’s studies. Tablets were given to 70 family cannot afford such gadgets high school students from San Isidro because his mom is a single mother National High School in Rodriguez who is raising three children. Rizal, located near a dump site area. Shekinah Dalida, a 10 year old Tablets were given to 40 students student also benefits from using with special needs from the Batasan the tablet. “Ito po ay napakalaking Hills National High School in Quezon tulong po sa aking pag-aaral lalo City. Children of families who live near na po sa sitwasyon ngayon na kung the Payatas dumpsite and study in saan ang aming pag-aaral ay nasa President Corazon Aquino Elementary bahay lamang at malayo sa aking School in Quezon City were given 40 mga guro. Ang tablet na ito ay gabay tablets. And 50 students from the San para mapalapit sa aking guro sa mga Jose Elementary School in Caloocan kaalaman na ibibigay nya sa amin.” SY N E R GY 07

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December 2020 LOCKDOWN STORIES STORIES OF SURVIVAL AND STRENGTH. We talk to some members of the community most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to find out how the crisis disrupted their lives, what adjustments they made, and how they were able to overcome the challenges. It is through stories like these that remind us that we are not alone. PRINCESS AMABELLE MAURICIO, We were very worried every day, but gladly the tests were negative. THIRD YEAR FOUNDATION SCHOLAR, Sometimes he goes home with food that was donated to their hospital, ST. LUKE’S COLLEGE OF MEDICINE and that would be our meal for the Like all students, when the pandemic day. I’m very proud that my father is a hit, Princess had to stop going to frontliner.” She shares that her dad is school. Engaged in learning fully one of the motivations and inspirations online, this was not an easy feat. “It for her. “From this experience, I have was difficult for me to study at home. learned that life would give you I usually study at the library because it unexpected obstacles, we may have keeps me in the zone and productive trouble getting past it at first, but with when I’m seated properly at a study determination and help from our loved table,” says Princess, but shares that ones, we will thrive and get through it she was able to design a nook in her together. Small tasks every day goes a home to study. long way when working at home.” She says the pandemic has given her and her parents the space to talk about things they didn’t discuss before. “My dad was assigned to the COVID ward as a nursing aide at the Lung Center of the Philippines. SY N E R GY 09