July 06
Compiled by Dr. Ed Cabigao

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URGENT! Elections Coming Up
August 19  (Saturday) is FILAMemphis Election day.  The 4th Biannual Election of Officers will be held at Freeman Park in a potluck picnic event starting at 11:30 a.m.  You have to be a paid member by July 15, 2006 to be able to vote.  (No flying voters allowed. No dead voters will be admitted to the polling place nor will they qualify as absentee.)

A qualified candidate must be an active, paid member for 2 years prior to election date.  The COMELEC will be in-charge of the elections, including receiving and screening nominations for eligibility.  Deadline for nominations is August 7, 2006.  Absentee ballots will be sent automatically to members from California. If you plan to vote in advance as an absentee voter, you need to notify Andy Eugenio or any member of the COMELEC (Dr. Hermie Balderrama, Dr. Avelino Reyes, Dr. Connie Babu, and Beth Tyus). Deadline for returning absentee ballots is at midnight on August 18. Send or email your nominations to Andy Eugenio (eugenio1@aol.com ) . For complete election rules and regulations, go here.

Educational Fund – It’s Now or Never
July 31 is the deadline for submitting applications for the FILAMemphis educational fund. This grant is open to all youth members who graduated from high school and are college-bound. To qualify, parents should be paid members in 2005 and 2006. Applicant should submit acceptance letter from a college or university, and an essay about the meaning of FILAMemphis in your life.  Members from California are also qualified to apply for this grant. Please call asap any officer for an application form.

Family Day Recap
June 10 - Family Day Picnic was celebrated in Freeman Park with a potluck picnic.  Fr. Jun Villanueva made a surprise appearance to the delight of the community and gave the blessing to open the feast.  Food, drinks, and fellowship were plentiful.  The signature game was hilariously played by the men while the women played Maria went to Town.  The new fund-raising game was the Dessert Walk featuring Pinoy desserts made & lovingly donated by members.  It was an interesting picnic.  Thanks to Maita Velez & Harry Guinocor for hosting the games, and to all who brought food and donated prizes especially the Dessert walk donors.

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Dateline Sariaya - Mission Accomplished
On a rainy night on June 17, mission volunteers assembled at the NAIA arrival section and were transported by a chartered bus to Ouan’s Worth Farm Resort in Lucena, Quezon, our home base during mission week.  It was almost 3 a.m. when we unpacked our bags and hit the sack.  We started the next day with a breakfast meeting followed by hospital set-up and patient screening in the afternoon.  Evening found us in Sariaya where Mayor Connie Doromal hosted the welcome reception.  Entertainment was unbelievable as the nationally-acclaimed school rondalla ensemble performed a 30-minute medley of popular Pilipino music- they are the best!  Dance numbers were lively and captivating - capped by the beautiful dancers handing out ice cream treats to the beat of “Mamang Sorbetero” - oh so memorable! The home-grown teacher’s garage band played rock and roll sets during dinner- some numbers were inviting enough for some people to hit the dance floor, while most were Maalox moments.

The jeepney ride to and from Sariaya was quite an experience. It was both bumpy and airy. The ride made us all feel more connected with mother nature and her indigenous odors. Our mission in Sariaya was to begin. The next 5 days were grueling and exhausting as we went on to accomplish our goal of delivering high-quality medical care to our needy countrymen from Sariaya .

Medical clinics were held in 5 different locations in Sariaya ranging from an open coconut field to an ornate building.  Temperatures were hot and humid.  Volunteers were:  Dr. Dinia Cruz-Reyes, Dr. Avelino Reyes, Dr. Michael Mostyn, Dr. Edith Khurana, Dr. Pat Avila, Dr. Estrella Avila, Dr. Nancy Catarroja, NP Nora Shaw, Nina Izsak, Pat McCaw, Clair White, Renato Moraga, Rex Cariaga, Gina Cariaga, Mya Santos, Ariela Izsak, Alex Izsak, Nica Cabigao, Leon Izsak, Celine Izsak, Lolita Freeman, Camille Mamaril, Aileen Calzado, Nick Calzado, Neil Calzado, & Barret Folk…

Major surgeries were done at the newly-renovated Quezon Memorial Hospital OR suites.  

Volunteers were:  Dr. Olivia Cabigao, Dr. Connie Babu, Dr. Linda Gage-White, Dr. Joel De La Paz, Dr. AJ Gan, Dr. Manny Ng, CRNA Eugene Carolino, Mariles Santos, Rudy Mamaril, Eva Mamaril, Lilia Cariaga, Joe Carolino, Steven Quiseng, JR Villocillo, Arlene De La Paz, Nessie Calzado,  Lourdes Ducedec, & Nina Batac.

Minor surgeries were performed at the Sariaya Rural Health Unit by the following volunteers:  Dr. Ben Izsak, Dr. Ed Cabigao, Dr. Doni Santiago, Andrew Cabigao, and Louie Cabigao.

Eye surgeries were done at Santos Clinic in Malolos, Bulacan by Dr. Sabino Santos, Jr. and staff.
Photos & Videos by Scott & Benny Quiseng.
Trouble-shooters were Nestor Calzado, Jimmy Villocillo, Lito Villocillo, and Fred McCaw.
Food /Refreshment coordinators were Dobbie/Cynthia/Geddy Tan

The farewell reception was held at the Ouan’s Worth Resort.  The next day, we were treated to a relaxing beach picnic at the new Pueblo de la Playa resort in Pagbilao.  The sand was powdery white and the water was salty aqua.  Everybody enjoyed kayaking, jet skiing, and beach volleyball.  This was a fitting end to a most fulfilling week.  Thanks for the memories!

Final Stats:      
Medical patients treated- 2,563
Minor surgeries done-  162
Major surgeries done-  50
Eye surgeries done-  27

Congratulations to our Graduates – Class 2006
Kyle Bagay
Bolton High School
Will attend University of Memphis

Andrew Cabigao
MUS
Will attend St. Louis University

Razelle Conopio
Millington HS
Will attend University of Memphis

Claudine Nayan
St. Agnes
Will attend University of Memphis

Mya Santos
St. Benedict
Will attend Rhodes College

Joey Babu
Graduated from
De Paul University

*The building of a multi-purpose cultural center has been a hot topic of discussion among FILAMemphis members. Click here to follow the discussions and find out what's going on. If you have an opinion to share, feel free to call any of your favorite officer or send your email to the webmaster.