BAGUIO CITY – One does not need to be a philanthropist, a wealthy entrepreneur or a healthy individual to be able to do something for the welfare of members of the vulnerable and marginalized sectors her or his community but what is important is for one to have the passion to serve and do something good for the underprivileged members of the society.
This was demonstrated by the group that called themselves the Blind Helping Team which is composed of some 30 visually impaired but multi-talented individuals from Visayas and Mindanao that conducted an outreach program cum medical mission for senior citizens from Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, thanks to the intervention and support of the Philippine Mine Safety Association (PMSEA) that provided the needed linkage and support for the successful conduct of the noble endeavor.
For his part, Dr. Al Harvy Galorio, municipal health officer of Salvador, Lanao del Norte, but who is a resident of Lala town, said that his role in the successful conduct of the program by the Blind Helping Team, in partnership with the Center Stage Artist Group and the LBT choir, was giving back to the community which was what PMSEA president and ASEAN Engineer Luis R. Sarmiento inculcated to him 12 years ago in exchange for his scholarship in taking up his medical course at the Mindanao State University in Iligan City.
Galorio, who was a survivor of Typhoon Sendong that battered Northern Mindanao in 2011, said that he gave up his dream to become a doctor following the wrath of Typhoon Sendong and was ready to enroll in another masteral course in wildlife at the University of the Philippines when he was offered a medical scholarship by a good Samaritan in the person of Sir Louie, as what he is fondly called in the mining industry.
He narrated that several months after the weather disturbance, the PMSEA conducted relief operations and outreach programs in the calamity-stricken areas and he was requested by his college teacher who he called ‘nanay’ to help and that is where be meet Sir Louie whom he described as a humble person despite the sensitive position he occupies in the organization and a mining company.
Doc Al claims he was surprised to be approached by Sir Louie at the height of the relief operations and outreach programs and asked him if he really wanted to be a doctor, which he hesitantly admitted, but quickly replied that he already gave up such aspiration because of the difficulties of life aggravated by the effects of the weather disturbance to their family and their source of livelihood.
Despite being a stranger to him, Galorio claimed that he was surprised with the offer of Sir Louie that he will personally help him realize his dream of becoming a doctor since the PMSEA did not have a scholarship program for this profession as what was available was for courses related to the mining industry.
However, he bravely inquired from Sir Louie what was expected of him and the latter replied that he should also help those who are in need in return, no more, no less. The 33-year old doctor was able to complete his medical course and pass the stringent board exam but graduated in absencia because the time of his graduation was when the feared Marawi siege occurred. After graduation, he served as one of the Doctors to the Barrio as part of his obligation for having availed of a scholarship grant from the health department, apart from Sir Louie’s support for his studies.
As a member of the CSAC and LBT choir, he met Lorinel Villondo, a visually impaired pianist and vocalist of their group, who informed him about the desire of the Blind Helping Team to conduct some initiatives that will help their community in whatever form.
Galorio said that he told Villondo alias ‘Dudung’ that the PMSEA is one of those organizations that could be tapped for support and after sending their letter of intent to Sir Louie, he received a positive response in a span of a few minutes that caught them by surprise.
The CSAG and LBT choir took care of providing the entertainment in the outreach program conducted in Maranding, Lala while the members of the Blind Helping Team attended to the needs of the senior citizens who were the target of the said endeavor. Various activities, such as free medical checkup, make over, among others, were provided that delighted the elderly and are now looking for another wave of the program following its ripple effect to the community.
What is important, according to Dr. Galorio, is that the Blind Helping Team was able to send a message that the disability of persons is not a hindrance in allowing them to share to the community their skills and talents for the welfare of their fellow residents.
One of the thrusts of the informal organization is to have the group acquire its juridical personality and expand to other areas in the country and serve as an inspiration for persons with disability to speak out and serve the members of the vulnerable and marginalized sectors of their communities in whatever way.
For his part, Dudung, in a video conference meeting, told the author that they want to send a message to the community that their disability will not compromise their verdant desire to show to the people that they also play a vital role in their respective places and that they could do something, no matter how small, to inspire and motivate others that life is beautiful which must be enjoyed and that they have some people to rely on amidst their difficulties.
He called on other PWDs around the country to replicate their success story to ensure the conduct of worthwhile activities being spearheaded by members of vulnerable groups with the overall support of PMSEA who will serve as the link to those individuals and groups interested to follow their footsteps in the future. By Dexter A. See
