philippine illini fall-winter 2015

7/24/2019 Philippine ILLINI FALL-WINTER 2015

1/31

Contents(Hyperlinked:(Click on page number to go directly to article or simply scroll down)

2 A Different Picnic (Urbano A. Dauz, MD)Instead of just the usual sumptuous Filipino dishes and games, this years AFPSI Picnic with a Caribbean theme

offered fun and excitement that bordered on pomp and revelry. Photos inside cannot tell the whole story.

Serving the Homeland I

This issue features organizations that serve the Philippines in various ways.They show living and lastingexamples of love at work and altruism worthy of emulation.

6 The PMAC: CME and Medical Mission(Cesar V. Reyes, MD)The first Philippine medical group in the US to be organized, the PMAC serves the Philippines through medical-

surgical missions done by members individually or by the association as a group.

11 PEACE- A Class Act (Carmelo C. Dichoso, MD)Founded in the wake of People Power, the Philippine Economic and Cultural Endowment has a singular

purpose- serving the homeland- and targets the construction of potable water systems as its signature project.

16 Multiplying the Magic of Ten Cents (Cosme R. Cagas, MD)This abridged version of the Dr. Andres B. Lao Memorial Lecture describes how a modest and inexpensive

program of feeding malnourished children in the Philippines grew quickly within a few years.

20 Meet Dr. Bone, CentenarianGrowing up in the rough and tumble of the Illinois prairie during the Great Depression, Chet Bone had to fend

for himself. A working student, he finished Medicine, later to serve man and the profession for 68 years.

23 Three Loves and the Portuguese Soul (Christopher Conner, BFA, MA, LPC)After traveling in Portugal where he saw beautiful landscapes and stayed in fortresses and palaces turned into

hotels, the author distills the Portuguese soul through three love stories and hears it in the countrys Fado music.

26 The Quote that Refreshes (Cosme R. Cagas, MD)A quotation from a Spanish poet on an apartment wall in the third floor in Madrid made the ascent to the last

flight of stairs with a heavy suitcase seem like a breeze.

27 Smitten. Chapter 32 of the WWII historical novel, I Shall ReturnBlack American Lt. Jefferson obeyed his commander to surrender to the enemy. Earlier, after serving as ROTC

Commander at the Silliman Institute, he met a beautiful student at the University of San Carlos, the memory of

whom inspired him to endure captivity. In cruel Japanese hands, could he really survive the war?

30 TheAugust Moon- (Lestrino C. Baquiran, MD)

31 drip drip drip (a graphic poem)- (Cosme R. Cagas, MD)

The ILLINI

Official Publication of the Association of Filipino Physicians in Southern IllinoisVolume IV, Fall-Winter, 2015
http://c/Users/Owner/Pictures/page%201http://c/Users/Owner/Pictures/page%201http://c/Users/Owner/Pictures/page%201http://c/Users/Owner/Pictures/page%201


2/31

A Different PicnicUrbano A. Dauz, MD

Conviviality. Fun. Excitement. Pomp andrevelry. All of these and more were on

display on a cloudy Sunday afternoon duringthe AFPSI Annual Picnic held at the cozy andambient Staunton Fitness Center in Staunton,Illinois owned by Dr. Nic and Kay Pineda onSeptember 27, 2015.

Hang on there. Did I say picnic? The wordpicnic conjures up images of plentiful foodand drinks followed afterwards by doing avariety of activities such as playing parlorgames or having a pickup ball game or so,

chatting with friends for a while and finallydispersing and calling it quits for the day. Notthis one. Similarity to a regular picnic ended

after partaking of the food and drinks.Something else happened. The atmosphere

and tempo of activities changed to aCaribbean theme envisioned, organized andchoreographed by the creative and imaginativeduo Mrs. Elcee Cagas Conner, AFPSI VP, andMrs. Lily Santos, AFPSI Auxiliary President.The contrived imagery, Caribbean inspiredmusic, colorful wardrobe attires requiring anumber of wardrobe changes, as well as avariety of performances and activities elicitedso much fun and excitement among theattendees. The oft-repeated meme never a

dull moment in AFPSI gatherings got anotherboost and rightly so.

Caribbean Matinee Show

Not long after Dr. Nic Pineda, our perennialhost and current AFPSI President, gave hiswelcoming remarks followed by the invoc-ation by Dr. Virginia Dauz, the gastronomiccravings of the attendees was satiated by a

sumptuous lunch of customary Pinoy dishes.Luckily, a backup lechon arrived just in time

a trademark staple of any typical Filipinoparty- thanks to the uncanny anticipation ofMrs. Santos as the lechon being cooked on sitewas absolutely not ready by lunchtime. Inretrospect, this turned out to be the only minor

glitch to the set of well laid plans.

2


3/31

The Association of FilipinoPhysicians of Southern

IllinoisOfficers, 2015-16

Nicolas Pineda, MD- PresidentElcee Cagas Conner, RRT- VP

Carlos Deleste, MD, Pres.-electErica Salarda, MD- Secretary

Grace M. Farinas, BSN-TreasurerVenerio Santos, MD-Auditor

Chris Conner, BFA,MCouns- BM.Cesar Yu, MD-Exec. Dir.

Emma Sunga, MD, Imm. P. Pres.

Board of GovernorsCalixto Aquino, MD

Solomon Apostol, MDClaravel Criste, MDDavid Deloso, MDArnel Garcia, MD

Marcos Sunga, MD

Board of Advisers

Albert Butalid, MDCosme R. Cagas, MDVirginia Dauz, MDEmma Sunga, MDJose Villegas, MD

Evelyn Yu, MD

Auxiliary Officers 2015-16Lily Santos -President

Julie Garcia, Vice Pres.Arlette Amorado, MD-Secretary

Ynna Naguit-TreasurerGeorgina Zurliene- Auditor 1

Vivian Deloso- Auditor 2Freddie Salarda- PRO

Board of Governors

Wilma AquinoAnn ButalidLinda Cagas

Grace FarinasBoard of Advisers

Wilma AquinoElcee Cagas Conner

Mellie ChattoGrace PinedaKay Pineda

Editorial BoardCosme R. Cagas, MD- Editor

Urbano Dauz, MDDavid Deloso, MD

Rebecca Geronimo, BSNVirgilio R. Pilapil, MD

Associate Editors

Office of the Editor

1 Bunkum Woods DriveFairview Heights, IL 62208

[email protected]@gmail.com

3
http://c/Users/Owner/Pictures/[email protected]://c/Users/Owner/Pictures/[email protected]://c/Users/Owner/Pictures/[email protected]://c/Users/Owner/Pictures/[email protected]://c/Users/Owner/Pictures/[email protected]://c/Users/Owner/Pictures/[email protected]


4/31

The festivities soon turned into high gear with thepersuasively funny urgings of the lively emceeduo of Mrs. Conner and Dr. Virgilio Guzman. The

Caribbean-inspired revelry started with a CongaLine Dance by the ladies of AFPSI wearing theircolorful Caribbean outfits. Leading the line andrevving up the uppity tempo of the dance was Mrs.Vivian Deloso, the energetic and lovely wife ofDr. Dave Deloso, former AFPSI vice-president.

After another wardrobe change, the AFPSI womenconsisting of Dr. Evelyn Yu, Mrs. Ann Butalid,Mrs. Julie Garcia, Dr. Emma Sunga, Mrs. LilySantos, Mrs. Elcee Conner, Mrs. Vivian Deloso,Dr. Melinda Barrientos, Mrs. VirgieAbinoja, Mrs.

Wilma Aquino and Dr. Elvie Salarda, attired intheir beautiful skirts and matching flowing veilsperformed a lilting and captivating Caribbean

dance which later turned into an unexpectedfundraiser for a charitable project in Leyte. Asthey were finishing their dance routine, theyrandomly invited surprised and unsuspecting menfrom the audience to dance with them andbeguiled them further to donate for this charitablecause as well. Everyone cooperated willingly andraucously all in the spirit of fun and gaiety.Towards the end of the matinee show a BestCostume award ended as a two way tie betweenMr. and Mrs. Alan & Gina Zurliene and Dr. &Mrs. Albert & Ann Butalid.

Limitations and a High Point

The passage of time exposed the vulner-abilities and limitations of the aging membersof AFPSI as the younger members showedtheir athleticism, flexibility and agility witheffortless ease. Dr. Erica Salarda, about thirtysomething, won the Hula Hoop Contest andthe limber Mrs. Vivian Deloso trumped every-one else successfully limbo rocking her way

under a bar set 3-4 feet high. Any senior mem-ber of AFPSI who watched them cannot helpbut feel the angst and dismay of facing thereality of aging and putting up with stiff andarthritic joints. They just cannot keep up try-

4

ing to bend their knees, hyperextend theirback or shuffle their waist for the hula hoop orthe limbo rock. Poor guys!

The high point of the day? Nothing matchedthe special presentation set to the tune of TheBanana Boat Song sang by Dr. CarlosDeleste and his dancers with our AFPSIfounder, Dr. Cosme Cagas, as the maincharacter. He practically held everyone onedge as he hilariously and realisticallyimpersonated a drunken, one-eyed pirate ofthe Caribbean appropriately attired as suchholding a big bottle of half-consumed Bacardi


5/31

rum, dancing and prancing about amidst a crowdof costumed Caribbean lady revelers. Whatsurprised everyone was his remarkabletransformation from an impeccably dressedattendee who looked dapper wearing a spot-lessblue blazer at the start of the day mingling easilywith everyone. It turned out to be a successful ruse

as no one expected him to be part of the castacting as a tipsy vagabond. You can bet not eventhe strict-looking and stern-faced, mysticalCaptain Hook in the Pirates of the Caribbeancould have suppressed a word of praise or stifle atrace of a smile on his face with the splendidperformance of a fellow pirate.

Popes Visit A Coincidence

Then came the time to say goodbye. All goodthings have to end somehow.

It is apropos to mention at this point that aseemingly providential coincidence in timeoccurred when Pope Francis, who was visitingthis country for the first time, happened toattend the Celebration of Familycommemoration in Philadelphia the eveningprior to our picnic date. In his message to thecongregation then, he lauded the family andits structure and stated in strong terms why

mankind should sustain, strengthen, andmaintain it, paying special emphasis andattention on the very young and on the veryold members, because according to him, theyoung represent the future of the family andthe old represent the living memorial of the

family.

This exhortation holds true with our ownfamilies. It extends to our very own AFPSI aswell because we, too, are a family.

5 Back to Contents


6/31

The PMAC

Continuing Medical Education and Medical Mission

CESAR V REYES MD*

The PhilippineMedical Association in

Chicago (PMAC) was founded on March 27,1961, and preceded the Association of

Philippine Practicing Physicians in Americaand virtually all other Pilipino medical groupsin the United States, by seven Pilipinophysicians led by Isaias Sunga,MD.

.

Dr. Isaias Sunga PMAC Dr. Anita Avila, first woman PMAC president, a prototypical missionFounder and First President volunteer, attends to Tacloban children in January, 2015.

The founding of the PMAC was prompted bymedia news releases belittling foreigngraduates who were dubbed to have hadsubstandard education and poor postgraduatetraining. The fledgling organization diddisprove the negative view of the Pilipinophysicians who came to the United States,specifically Chicago, under the Foreign

Medical Graduate (FMG) Exchange Visitorsprogram. Among the earliest membersincluded Drs. Sunga, Elpidio Gamboa,Vivencio Battung, Jose Manaligod, AndresBotuyan, Helen Yuvienco, Romeo Quiniquini,Nicanor Ligon, Abellardo Pelaez, Deogracias

Esquerra, Leonardo Maguigad, PoncianoGuinto, and Hernan Reyes.

The inaugural election was held on April1961. Dr Sunga was elected first president andDr. H. Reyes vice president. Early on, theyuse the Philippine Consulate at 201 NorthWells as its postal address. The initial

constitution was ratified by 25 new members.

In 1974, the name was expanded to PhilippineMedical Association in Chicago and theMidwest with the admission of Pilipinodoctors from 12 other Midwest states. Laterthe name was changed back to PMAC when it

6


7/31

really represented only Pilipino physiciansresiding in the Chicago area.

When a law passed discriminating against theFMG and a Visa Qualifying examination

requirement added to slow down immigrationand imperil early practices of the Pilipinophysicians, the PMAC under the leadership ofthen President Enrique Villalon successfullylobbied in Washington against these hurdles.A Visa Qualifying examination fund was alsoraised to continue to fight biases against thePilipino physicians.

In 1992, the PMAC Foundation as the tax-exempt arm was initiated by Dr. Sunga. AnitaAvila, MD became the first woman president,followed by her husband Meneleo Avila, MD,making a history as first as wife and husband

to have had own terms as prexy. Emma YeeSalazar, MD, the second woman president, ledthe PMAC at its half-century milestone. In2014, Nida Blankas Hernaez, MD was thethird woman president; while Ramon Lopez,MD served as the 54th president. The currentpresident, 55th in line, is Gerardo Guzman,MD.

Continuing Medical Education

As a legacy, the continuing medical educationactivities was not accredited early on, but thePMAC members patiently continued to havescientific seminars and educational meetingsto update their medical knowledge and to keepabreast with the changing trend in diagnosisand management of old and new diseases. Thefirst scientific meeting was held in August,1966, under the presidency of Max Baldoza,MD, held at the Illinois Masonic Hospital,under the guidance of Dr. Manaligod. Thetopic was Hemodilution Technique in OpenHeart Surgery with Dr. Battung as speaker.The second scientific meeting was held at theRizal Center in Chicago with Nunilo RubioMD, lecturing on Diabetes Mellitus.

The first scientific meeting jointly sponsoredwith the Chicago Medical Society was held atthe Conrad Hilton, Michigan Avenue, indowntown Chicago. The conference was alsoorganized by Dr. Manaligod, was mostelaborate, and included high-caliber topic likePediatric Cardiology by pediatriccardiologist and professor Rene Arcilla MD ofthe University of Chicago, ElectronMicroscopy of Kidney Diseases by Dr.Manaligod, Pediatric Surgery by Dr. H.7

Reyes, and Missile injuries of the Chest andAbdomenby Dr. Battung.

It was not until in the 1980s, however, underthe leadership of Benjamin Lumicao MD thatthe continuing medical education program wasaccredited by the ACCME (AccreditationCouncil for Continuing Medical Education.Honorio Benzon MD, anesthesiologyprofessor of Northwestern UniversityFeinberg School of Medicine, chaired thecontinuing medical education program until1998. Then Alfonso Estrada MD, acardiologist, took over the continuing medicaleducation committee from 1998 through 2003.Dr. Estrada appointed CME committeemembers who belonged to a wide range ofspecialties, to help develop topics that cutacross different specialties and to fill in thepractice gaps of prospective learners.

The mission of the CME program was revisedand reviewed to update with the ever-changing healthcare environment. In 2003,Leonardo Malalis, MD, an entrepreneurialneonatologist, became the continuing medicaleducation chairman until 2008. Members ofthe CME committee remain essentially thesame, and occasionally new members were


8/31

invited to replace those who quit or retiredfrom their medical practice. Dr. Malalis wasreplaced by Celso Del Mundo, MD who hadserved to 2015 when the ACCMEaccreditation received for another four year

cycle.

The CME is under the auspices of the PMACand funded by supports received from theorganization and the PMAC Foundation.Quarterly meetings are done to assess theneeds of the organization in term ofcontinuing medical education, for educationalpurposes, evaluation of past activities, review

of joint sponsorship applications, for approvaland evaluation of the ACCME guideline forcompliance. CME Committee meetings arealso scheduled any when it is deemednecessary. The committee members are all

active PMAC members and belong todifferent specialties. The members receive nocompensation, including the committeechairman. They are dedicated bunch withmain goal of maintaining a viable program toprovide quality medical education to all thePMAC members and other medicalcommunities.

Publications

During his term as president, Dr. Philip Chuastarted the publication of a monthly PMACBulletin, which later became the PhilippineAmerican Medical Bulletin, edited by Cosme

R. Cagas, MD for many years. After a briefhiatus, the PMAC News is restarted as amonthly e-newsletter with a circulation ofsome 6000 subscribers worldwide.

8


9/31

PMAC mission in Pansol, Calamba, Laguna, in January 2015

Charitable Projects

Other subsequent presidents also developedvarious projects, including the funding of theMaria Project; Leprosarium visits anddonations; free Chicago clinics for indigents; afull scholar at the University of Santo ThomasFaculty of Medicine and Surgery; review

classes for the ECFMG by Procopio Yanong,MD; licensure review for Illinois and otherstate medical examinations; mobile medicalhealth clinic by Pedro Lucina MD; medicalsurgical mission to the Philippines byRolando Casis MD et al; and several otherphilanthropic endeavors.

What have become annual undertakings byevery president in recent several years are theThanksgiving luncheon provided to Pilipino

seniors, indigent and homeless in Chicagoheld at the Rizal Center, and the medicalmission. The latter has expanded toencompass medical, surgical, dental andophthalmological works, is now the PMACbiggest function every year and essentially thehighlight of a presidents term. It is usually9

preceded a few months earlier by the largestfund raising of the organization, and oftenparticipated by the most number of volunteersfrom all over the United States.

In the recent years, the PMAC and its

volunteers have helped the mother country inshort-term free healthcare services to theindigent and less fortunate people who wouldnot have any access to a physician for lack ofresource, in the following venues: 2008 inLaoag City;2010 Iloilo; 2011 Bantayan inCebu; 2012 Vigan City; 2013 Surigao; 2014Maringuque; 2015 Tacloban City andCalamba in Laguna. In January 2016, thePMAC will be serving the citizens ofOlongapo City.

The other aspect of mission works isextending medical education to the localphysicians and physicians-in-training at themission. The PMAC has always endeavored toshare new knowledge and know-howinbalance with patient care. This usually isrealized in a formal continuing medical


10/31

education seminar, recruitment of skilled andexperience lecturers to join the mission works,grand rounds with interns and residentswhenever available, and planned involvement

of local physicians in the surgeries as well aslocal nurses in preoperative and postoperative

care.

REFERENCES

1. Battung VR. History of the Philippine Medical Association in Chicago. PMAC Directory 2013:3-7.2. Del Mundo C. CME Corner series. PMAC News, 2013-2014.3. Reyes CV, Reyes EA. The role of fine-needle aspiration cytology in medical-surgical missions. Acta

Cytol 2009;53:524-526.

*The author edits three monthly e-publications and isthe third recipient of the PEACE Life Achievement Award (2015).

10 Back to Contents


11/31

PEACEA Class ActCarmelo C. Dichoso, M.D.

The decade of the1980s marked a wel-

come chapter in the sagaof the Filipino

physicians who immigrated to America,seeking professional growth and a betterlife for themselves and their families. Itwas around this time that this audaciousgroup of doctors had already establishedthemselves, quite comfortably, in theirrespective private practices and/oracademic appointments, after having beenassimilated into the mainstream of

American medicine. Having benefitedfrom the bounty of the West, they beganto look back towards the country they leftbehind and started asking themselves howto give back. It was also at this time thatthe complexion of events in thePhilippines was profoundly changing withthe rise of People Power, and talk ofnation rebuilding was in the air. It wasagainst this backdrop that concernedFilipino physicians in America, other

Filipino Americans and their friendsinitiated the creation and launching oforganizations, foundations and projectsgeared towards humanitarian endeavorsin the Philippines.

One such organization was conceived byDr. Cosme R. Cagas of Illinois who in

turn asked Dr. Philip Chua of Indiana tobe Co-Founder. It was Dr. Chua whonamed the organization PEACE, thePhilippine Economic and Culturalendowment. Its preamble states that it is a

brotherhood of men and women uni ted

by a common bond of love and concern

for the Phil ippines and its people and for

one another, and through science,

charity and education shall uplift the

human spir it, promote the digni ty of man

and provide assistance to people inneed. So robust was the endorsement ofthe new organization that even before theformal organizational meeting was held inNorfolk, Virginia twelve physiciansalready paid their dues as Life Members.These were: Cosme R. Cagas, MD,Eusebio C. Kho, MD, Daniel Fabito, MD,Leo Pardo, MD, Jose G. Vijungco, MD,Casimiro C. Garcia, MD, Felipe S. Chua,MD, Manolo Apanay, MD, Edgardo

Dujon, MD, Wilfrido Feliciano, MD,Victor OYek, MD, and LudovicoVillanueva, MD.

11


12/31

Editorial. Phil Am Med Bull, July 1988

Potable water is lacking almost everywhere:

50% of rural folks are not served with potable

water

17% draw water from creeks or rivers

47% from inconvenient sources

37 from shallow wells that dry up in thesummer

To have a grasp of how to operate in thePhilippines, PEACE officers journeyed tothe country and conferred with a cross-

section of the populace including ordinarycitizens, leaders in various fields andgovernment officials. This resulted in theformation of a sister organizationchristened PEACE Philippines and thecrystallization of the building of artesianwells throughout the Philippines as the toppriority project. It was recognized that

there was a dearth of potable water insitios, barrios, towns and even some citiesexposing the population to the spread of

water-borne diseases. An Editorial, TheNeed for Clean Water, elucidating thisfact was widely received and appreciated.

As PEACE membership grew, PEACEChapters were founded in SouthernIllinois by Dr. Reynaldo Gotanco and inWest Virginia by Dr. Rano Bofill.

Fundraising

A decision was made not to usemembership dues for the construction ofartesian wells. The money for this purposeinitially came from donations fromphysicians and other concernedindividuals. Later, additional funds camefrom a variety of fundraising activities. Afundraising committee headed by Dr. LeoPardo arranged for Rico Pelaez ofCagayan de Oro to perform a guitarconcert in Springfield, Illinois and for

noted pianist Joselito Pascual from Manilato tour the USA and give pianoperformances. Early on, two Singing forPeace events were staged by amateurswho themselves remunerated PEACE fortheir participation. In 2013, A Singing for

the Philippines presentation was success-fully orchestrated by PEACE and the SI-MO Chapter of the University of thePhilippines Medical Society in America,in cooperation with the Association ofFilipino Physicians in Southern Illinoisand the Association of PhilippinePhysicians in America.

During the presidential tenures of Dr.Lestrino Baquiran and Dr. Antonio Abiog,

golf tournaments sponsored by PEACEgenerated substantial revenues. Othersources of funds have come from lotteriesand auctions held by the ladies of PEACE.A tax-exempt organization, PEACEwelcomes donations from all quarters.

12


13/31

The first flow of wateris a celebration of lifeand thanksgiving

Lucban, Quezon, 2014 Tacloban, 2014 Ozamis City 2015

Artesian Wells

The construction of each well or watersystem is normally triggered by a proposalfrom an individual or group of individualswho will essentially supervise theprogress of the project and develop asense of responsibility for the projectssuccess. The Commission on Filipinos

Overseas had been instrumental incertifying the safety and drinkability ofthe water produced by these wells. Otheragencies and organizations such asPEACE Philippines, the PhilippineReconstruction Movement, localgovernment entities, rotary clubs and

foundations have invaluably contributedto the success of this project.

PEACE-funded artesian wells vary inshape, size and depth, from the simplestjetmatic to medium-sized wells, and toregular deep wells costing a few thousand

dollars. PEACE has also subsidized theconstruction of elaborate water systemsthat allow water to be piped into schoolbuildings and homes supplying wholebarangays. Each well or water systembears the name of the person or groupwho donated the money through PEACE,

13


14/31

PEACE members attending annual meeting 2013

and a picture of the finished product is sent tothe donor. At the time of its 25th SilverJubilee, PEACE had constructed more than

500 artesian wells and other more elaboratewater systems.

Other Charities

Although the building of artesian wellsremains the paramount preoccupation ofPEACE, it has extended its humanitarianreach to other areas in need of assistance.These include a program for immunizationagainst measles in orphanages in GreaterManila led by Dr. Daniel Fabitos APPA-PMA Medical Aid Assistance in coordination

with PEACE Philippines, as well as theraising of funds to assist victims of naturalcalamities. For instance, PEACE raised morethen $22,000 for the earthquake victims inCentral and Northern Luzon. Funds were alsoraised for those affected by the MountPinatubo volcanic eruption and the flooding inCentral Luzon and the Bicol region.Additional projects initiated by members andofficers of PEACE are Education for

Philippine Children through TV by Dr.Rolando Sineneng;Breast Feeding Promotion

by Debbie Bocar; the DADS Foundation;assistance with the building of homes for the

poor (Gawad Kalinga); a Free Medical Clinicin Taguig, Rizal; and projects defrayed byUST Medicine Class 57. Together with theDADS Foundation, which was established byDr. Cagas and his brothers, PEACE hasconstructed a Barangay Stage in Matanao,Davao del Sur, a covered pathway at anelementary school in Oroquieta, Misamis

Occidental, contributed to the construction ofthe DoaSalud Village in Digos, Davao delSur, the Christ UM Church in Kabacan, NorthCotabato and water systems in OroquietaCity that allow water to be piped into homesin two barangays. These structures clearlybear the name of PEACE. DADS F. has alsogiven substantial cash awards to outstandingteachers in Oroquieta. During a meeting lastyear, it was agreed upon that scholarships,feeding of school children and dental healthinitiatives be added to PEACEs charitable

activities. This year, it approved a breastcancer screening project.

Awards

In 1996, PEACE as an organization was arecipient of the LINKAPIL AWARD. In

14

the earlier years after its founding, mem-bers who donated at least $3000 were

.


15/31

PEACE officers for 2015-17. Pres. Urbano Dauz is second from right

recognized with a certificate and a medallion.The first was Dr. Nilda Ante who donated$5000.00. Others included: Dr. Casimiro C.Garcia, Dr. Lestrino Baquiran, Dr. Cosme R.Cagas, Dr. Rosario Laserna, Dr. AntonioAbiog, Dr. Oscar Laserna, Dr. Carmelo

Dichoso, and Dr. Paul Sambat. Later, PEACEawards were expanded to include:

Humanitarian of the Year Award: 2007 Eusebio C. Kho, MD; 2009Manuel Cacdac,

M.D. and Fe Cacdac; 2010 Daniel E. Santos,MD; 2011 Jesus Ho, MD; 2013 - AugustusSoriano, MD; and 2014 - Ramon Suarez, MD,Nenita L. Suarez, MD, Engr. Roberto Kiamcoand Benita Kiamco, MD; Family of the Year

Award: 2008 Drs. Philip and Farida Chua

and Family; andLifetime Achievement Award:2011 - Lestrino Baquiran, MD; 2014 Virgilio R. Pilapil; MD, and 2015 Cesar V.Reyes, MD.

Incumbent Officers

President- Urbano A. Dauz, MD, President-Elect Arachelle B. Jose, MD, Vice President -David M. Conner, MD, Secretary -Engr. DjienSu, Treasurer -Elcee Cagas-Conner, RRT,Auditor- Cesar G. Yu, MD, Immed. PastPresident Augustus P. Soriano, MD.

Governors: Conrado Abinoja, MD, Calixto F.Aquino, MD, Arch. Penn Baluyut, Enrico T.

Farinas, MD, Wilfrido C. Feliciano, MD,Ramon G. Lopez, MD, Nicolas C. Pineda,MD and Ramon Suarez, MD. Advisers:Lestrino C. Baquiran, MD, Nelson D. Bocar,MD, Carmelo C. Dichoso, MD, Virgilio R.Pilapil, MD, Daniel E. Santos, MD, andRolando S. Sineneng, MD.

Commentary

Twenty nine years ago, Dr. Cosme R. Cagas,who has started four other foundations,conceived the idea of PEACE, a purelycharitable organization that is virtually devoidof the ever lurking specter of politics andshored up by genuinely humanitarian men and

women eager to mitigate the suffering of ourdisadvantaged compatriots in the Philippines.Through his leadership, tenacious dedicationand perseverance, and with the assistance ofstaunch and innovative officers and membersof the organization, PEACE has touched insalutary ways the lives of many Filipinos with

its principal Artesian Wells project as well asits other various altruistic endeavors whichcontinue to multiply. These are tangible andunimpeachable accomplishments with long-term benefits -- a feather in the cap of anorganization that does not thrive on empty

rhetoric.

With the continuing infusion of new well-meaning and enthusiastic officers andmembers who share Dr. Cagas passion forliving life for others, there can be optimismabout the future.

15 Back to Contents


16/31

Multiplying the Magic of Ten Cents

DR. ANDRES B. LAO MEMORIAL LECTURE

Bisaya Medical AssociationOrlando, Florida June 14, 2014

(This article is an abridged version of the

Dr. Andres B. Lao Memorial Lecture shown above)

Cosme R. Cagas, MD

Visiting the USfor the first time in 2009, myyoungest brother Rio spoke before theBelleville (Illinois) Rotary Club at theinvitation of Rotarian Dr. Enrico T. Farinas,Jr. His topic: The Magic of Ten Cents.

Whats so magical about $0.10? Impressed, amember in the audience, right there and then,cut a check for $150 as donation. More thanimpressed, I resolved to do more.

Better than Christmas Gifts

To put the subject in perspective let me give alittle background:

Since 2001, Mrs. Patricia Dunn, a member ofthe Christ United Methodist Church ofFairview Heights, IL had been giving meschool supplies, clothing, toys, dolls and shoesthat I shipped out to the Philippines inBalikbayan boxes. Timed to be distributedthere at Christmas time, the recipient childrenand teenagers and their families had been verythankful for the yearly gifts. After hearing Rio

speak, I spoke with Pat and husband JimDunn. Jim had been most responsible in the

building of our sister church called ChristUnited Methodist Church (Upper Paatan,Kabacan, North Cotabato), named after ourvery own church in Fairview Heights (Rev.Shane Bishop, Senior Pastor). I convincedthem to convert the funds she spends for theannual Christmas gifts as well as the money Ispend for the Balikbayan boxes to start a newproject in an elementary school.

The Magic

As president of the Rotary Club of Digos(Davao del Sur), Rio adopted as one of his

projects the feeding of children in Igpitelementary school, the feeding being given

16


17/31

five times a week during school days. Beforethe start of the program Igpit kids had beenknown to score badly compared to other

schools in the district. After a few years of thefeeding program, they ranked among the topperformers! (which only proves that one

cannot think with an empty stomach!). Howmuch did it cost the Rotary Club? Believe it ornot, only $0.10 a meal! Thats about $20 per

child per year. In 2013, four years later, thecost stayed inexpensive at $0.118 per meal or$23 per child per year.

Cooperative Effort

The Feeding Program has been a cooperativeeffort of the Rotary Club, the community(Barangay officials), the school, especiallythe teachers and the parents. Supervision is

done by the Rotarians, marketing by theteachers and cooking and serving by theparents, the mothers in particular. (Someschools also grow vegetables).

Modest Start

With Jim and Pat as co-chairs we at ChristPhilippine Missions, in 2009, the same yearthat Rio spoke before the BellevilleRotarians, started out with 100 recipients inBarangay San Miguel also in Digos, Davaodel Sur using Rios pioneering work in Igpit,as model and involving the local church todo the evangelization. We named it MimisKitchen in honor of Dominic Lucmayon, a

devoted worker of the Digos City UnitedMethodist Church. As it develops, Patannounced she was giving more to theprogram and we immediately createdanother center in a different school, calling itPatsKitchen, at my suggestion, to recog-17

nize this kind and generous lady who givesnot only to the Philippines but everywhere,which the church senior pastor the reverendShane Bishop calls, down the hall, aroundthe corner and around the world.The following year, Rev. Jeffrey Bealmearwho used to be Associate Pastor at Christand then Pastor at Aledo United MethodistChurch (Aledo, Illinois) convinced his

congregation to start a feeding program for100 of their own and we at Christ addedanother 25 recipients at Mimis kitchen.Because of my observation that virtually allchildren that I examined during a medical


18/31

mission suffer from dental caries, I recom-mended to the board to add dental healthprogram. Today all children in the feedingprogram also receive two toothbrushes and ajumbo sized toothpaste (cost-- $4.00 per

dental kit).

In 2011, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Heitkamp (whotraveled with me and Rev. Shane Bishop tothe Philippines in 2007) and the JourneyUnited Methodist Church also began a feedingprogram in a fourth elementary school.

In 2013, as we at Christ expanded ourprogram, Rev. Bealmear who had visited thePhilippines twice with me (2009 and 2111)

and now Pastor at Metropolis UnitedMethodist Church (Metropolis, S. IL) inspiredthe men and women there to feed all 79

students at the small Cosme Cagas MemorialElementary School in Dullan Sur, Oroquieta,Misamis Occ. Mrs. Anne Olson has takencharge of the Aledo program and her churchhas increased their sponsorship to 125

including the provision of dental kits. FinallyJim Holloway of the Grace CommunityBaptist Church (Trenton, IL) donated half hiswages to the Christ Philippine Missions, a partof which was allocated to feed another 29children. Meanwhile the local Rotary Clubhad changed its area and left Igpit withoutsponsor. Mrs. Buenaventura Magbanua, aretired school teacher who taught there longago supported the program there last year; thisyear DADS Foundation (Cagas brothers) has

assumed the responsibility with Mrs.Magbanua supplying the dental kits.

18


19/31

The Feeding and Dental Health programs 2013 are summarized below:

Sponsors Feeding Dental Kits

Christ 268 375

Aledo 125 125Rev. Heitkamp 78/125Jim Holloway* 29/125DADS F. 100 100Metropolis 79 79

Total 679 679

(*of the Grace Community Baptist Church, Trenton, IL)

The program reaches many children at littlecost. Because of many donors and helpersworking together, it has been possible to

replicate the pioneering work of Rio and theRotary Club of Digos. I thank Rev. Bishop forinitiating the Philippine programs in general,Jim Dunn (a passionate advocate who go onspeaking engagements with me and who hadaccompanied me to many places in thePhilippines (three times starting in 2006) and

Pat Dunn, both devout and benevolent souls,Rev. Bealmear, Mrs. Anne Olson, numerousindividual donors, workers for Christ, both in

the US and the Philippines, too many tomention here.

Other groups can follow the Digos model andreplicate and even multiply the magic formany malnourished children.

19 Back to Contents

Malnutrition in the Philippines (9-2015)

1. Filipino children suffer from Sub-Saharan levelsof malnutrition.

2. International studies show that the Philippines has theninth largest proportion of stunted children. One of threeFilipino children under five suffer from stunting.

3. One in four children sometimes skip meals and as many as1.5 million sometimes go a whole day without a single meal.

3. Sometimes families hide children out of shame that theycannot feed them.

4. Filipino men average height is 53inches, one of the shortestin Southeast Asia (Thai men average height 57).

(Source: Filipino Reporter, Sept. 4-10, 2015)


20/31

Meet Dr. Bone, CentenarianCosme R. Cagas, MD

Even at the ILDDS, Department of Human Services, where physicians enjoy work until theirlate 80s or early 90s, usually after retiring from clinical practice, Dr. Ernst Chester Bone holds

a record worthy of a Guinness.

Work Ethic

Growing up at the rough and tumble of the Illinois prairie as a teenager during the GreatDepression, Chet Bone had to fend for himself. Jobs were not to be found and his father, a realestate broker, didnt earn much during those difficult times.

While attending Illinois College, he worked for board and lodging, delivering cream and eggsearly in the morning. He bought wheat stalks (straw), baled and sold them to a paper company.Soon he employed crew of five to do the physical work, paying them $1 per day therebylaunching himself as a budding entrepreneur when gasoline cost $0.13 per gallon and corn thesame per bushel.

Finding no suitable job after finishing college (AB, 1936), he accepted the only position offeredhim, teaching chemistry and physics at his Alma Mater for which he earned $1,035 per year. Thecollege elevated him to become director of admissions (1938-43) while Chet pursued a mastersdegree in education (completed 1942) at the University of Illinois. A biology teacher urgedyoung Chet Bone to aim for medical school, a study that took three full years (1943-46) without

any vacation, just a few days off for Christmas. He paid $30 per month for board and lodging.

Medical Career

After internship at the University of Illinois Research and Education Hospital in 1947, Dr. Bonewas back in Jacksonville, Illinois where began his romance with medicine. He scrubbed for20


21/31

general surgeon Ellsworth Black for four years, an experience that permitted him to tackle anycondition at his office and the hospital. At last count, he had delivered 4500 babies.

Dr. Bone served briefly with the US Navy Medical Corp ((1951-51). In 1954, Dr. HD Scott, Jr.joined him until 1989 when Dr. Bone retired from clinical practice to start as medical consultant

of the Illinois Department of Human Services until his full retirement on March 15, 2015 at anage just past 100. That is a period of 68 years as working physician!

In the last few years before retirement, Dr. Bone came to work with a walker. I asked him whymedicine and why he worked this long.

I love people, I love interacting with them. Work keeps me cognitively active. Besides,I enjoy the flexibility I taketime off! He considered it a joy to see caring people.

As to his longevity, it helped that his father lived 80 years and his mother 93. He never smoked,had occasional whisky and even that he quit 30 years ago because of arrythmia.

Dr. Bone didnt justdo and thoroughly enjoy medicine, he was a physician leader. Among manyother positions in organized medicine, he was a charter diplomate of the American Board ofFamily Practice, a charter fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, a member ofthe Illinois State Medical Society, serving these organizations in a number of committeepositions and president of the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians and the Morgan-ScottMedical Society.

Entrepreneur and Community Man

His early experience as an entrepreneur, which was forced upon him by necessity, and havinggrew up in one, led Dr. Bone to own and manage a farm for 30 years (1950-80). He was one ofthe founders and directors of the Lincoln-Douglas Savings and Loan Association and the FirstNational Bank (both in Jacksonville) and later served as a director of the Elliot State Bank and aMedical Preferred Provider Organization.

Dr. Bones service to the community maybe gleaned in part from the positions he had held:medical director, MacMurray College Health Service and the Barton Stone Christian Home;trustee Passavant Area Hospital Association; elder of the First Presbyterian Church; member,Angus Society, Jacksonville Hall of Fame, Jacksonville District #117School Board, StateEducational Advisory Council, National Board of Directors of the American Korean Foundationand many others.

Athlete and Entertainer

A big and tall man, Chet Bone played basketball. While attending college he graciously acceptedthe position of coach to the basketball team called Flaming Arrows of the David Prince JuniorHigh School.

21


22/31

Dr. Bone is third from left (photo circa 2004)

Former Illinois Congressman Paul Findly recalls with nostalgia Chet Bones rich, strong andexpressive voice as a singer for the Double Octet, a group of male college students. Whiledoctoring, Chet regularly sang with the Passavant Follies. Every Christmas the DDS Section Fphysicians and psychologists treat the entire staff with a luncheon. At the conclusion, Dr. Boneused to entertain with his jokes, a skill that he had honed as a stand-up comedian.

Accolades

Spending a long lifetime of service to profession, community and humanity, Dr. Ernst Chester

Bone received many awards of recognition, among which are: Illinois Physician of the Year, 4-HState of Illinois Alumni Recognition Award, and Outstanding Older Worker Award of the Stateof Illinois.

Some of the testimonials heaped upon him on his 100thbirthday follow:

A name easily recognized to mention follows praise and positive reviewKayla HurtMorgan Countys most admired citizen, a friend of allPaul FindlyOne living hero among usPaul BradburyFriend, mentor, gentleman, role model. His presence commands respectDavid Faulkner.

I worked with Dr. Bone for 13 years. During this time it had been my pleasure to know him.Always humble, he greets with a soft voice, a ready smile and a warm handshake. Dr. Bone is agiant among men.

22 Back to Contents


23/31

Three Loves and the Portuguese SoulChris Conner

Sitting in the Clube de Fado, an intimatenightspot nestled in the heart of Lisbon, one

can hear the heart wrenching songs of loveand loss etched upon the Portuguese soul. Ona balmy summer night, Lisbon breathes awhisper of past loves, of stolen kisses andpassionate farewells around every turn of itswinding streets. One of the oldest cities inWestern Europe (predating London, Paris and

Rome), Lisbonshistory stretches back acrossthe centuries, a history filled with

romance and tragedy. When my familyannounced our summer trip to Portugal, Iselected three works for study, stories whichwould transport me through Portugals pastjust as I traveled to her shores. Within thesethree works, I found three loves that cut to theheart as deeply as that haunting Fado music.

The author Bertrand Bookstore (open since 1732)

In 1579, when the poet Lus de Camespublished his epic Os Luciadas, thePortuguese Empire was at the height of its

power. An immense navy carried gold, silkand spices to Lisbon from colonies thatspanned the known world. Cames carried hismanuscript across the empire in histravels, writing all the while, from Goa toMacau and finally back to the land of hisbirth. The poem tells a fantastical version ofexplorer Vasco de Gamas sea voyages, in astyle clearly modeled on Virgils Aeneid.However, Gamas adventures provide littleopportunity for dalliance and the Portuguesesoul demands a love story. So Camesdigresses, much as Virgil wrote of Cleopatra,to tell the tale of Portugals doomed Queen,the posthumous royal consort Ines de Castro.This legendary beauty married the crownprince Pedro in secret, only to be assassinatedat the whim of her cruel and disapproving

father-in-law. As the story goes, upon herhusbands eventual ascent to the throne, Ineswas unearthed from her tomb to sit beside him

on the throne as courtiers paraded past to kissthe ring on her skeletal finger and payhomage. At his own death, King Pedro wasburied in an tomb adjacent to his lost bride,facing her even in death, so that he maybehold her once again at the time of judgment,when the dead risefrom their graves.

The 17th century saw Portugal fight a longand bitter war for Independence from theirWestern neighbor, Spain. Desperate to liberatetheir country, Portuguese rebels turned toFrance for support. The arrival of a Frenchregiment in Beja, Portugal, would give rise toanother enduring love story. In 1669, thepublication of five love letters, from aPortuguese nun named Mariana Alcoforado

23


24/31


25/31

Seteais Palace interior Seteais Palace maze

blossoms where the mountains meet the sea,still adorned with the same palaces and

gardens where the melancholy Carlos wouldhave wandered, hoping to find his beloved.During my stay in Sintra, my family and Ilodged in the Seteais Palace. As described inthe novel, this ducal residence was abandoned,still lying in ruins during the 1880s. But newlyrenovated, we could enjoy the past broughtback to life, see those once dormant gardensfull and lush, hear music playing within thoseonce silent halls. Carlos found the setting asad sight, reminiscent of his own internal

emptiness, but now the same place bustleswith visitors, each room restored to its formersplendor. In the end, having lost Maria

Eduarda, Carlos confides to his friend Ega thathe finds nothing in life worth striving for. And

yet, as the novel closes, Carlos and Ega beginto run, laughing, hurrying to catch one ofLisbons famous streetcars. The possibility ofhope, tantalizing and elusive, stretches outahead of them. Like Pedros dream of a reunion with Ines at the final judgment, likeMarianas lettersenflaming hearts far beyondher convent cell, the hope for humanconnection never dies.

In those Fado songs, still sung in the cafes of

Lisbon, we hear the voices of a love that laststhrough time, across centuries, even beyonddeath itself.

25 Back to Contents


26/31

GleaningsThe Quote That Refreshes

Cosme R. Cagas, MD

Winding downour (my wife Linda , daughter

Elcee and grandson Christopher and me) tripof Spain and Portugal this summer (2015)where we stayed in castles, fortresses orpalaces turned into hotels, our last stop, theday before going home to the US, was Madrid(this was our second trip of Spain). By thistime, because Elcee has the weakness ofshopping at local stores with the lame excusethat goods are cheaper there or could notbought anywhere else (sometimes true orpartly so), our luggages were the heaviest than

at any other time during the trip. To top it all,of all places, of all times, Elcee, who made allthe arrangements, reserved an apartment nearPlaza Mayor ( for a different experience andbecause we are having dinner with Evelyn

Pardo and her husband there where the

bullfighters dine).

The taxi took us to an address, which Ithought was the apartment. But no, it was onlythe office where we were given the keys. Noworry, said the lady who accompanied us,its only a couple of blocks. So we pulledthe suitcases (in my case plus a shoulder bag)along the side walk. The couple of blocksturned out to be six blocks. And that was theless laborious part. Our apartment was on the

fourth floor and there was no one to help ushaul our luggage up. I had to stop at each floorto take my breath. Linda upbraided me fortarrying too long on the third floor. I pointedto a quotation on the wall to her and to Chris:

Although the name of the author of thequotation was barely legible, I knew that thethird part of the name was erased or hadfaded. I told Chris, who is quite

knowledgeable on the arts and worldliterature, it was a quotation from FedericoGarcia Lorca. I challenged him to furnish thelast word as I translated in English

When life presents you reasons for crying,

show that you have a thousand and one reasons to ___?

Chris quickly provided the last wordsmile!

Reading the quotation made my day.Somehow the suitcase seemed lighter; theascent up the last flight of stairs a breeze.

26 Back to Contents


27/31

Smitten(Chapter 32 of the historical novel, I Shall Return)*

Cosme R. Cagas

Wainwright assigned to Sharp all command except that

on the fortified islands on Manila Bay. But Homma insistedthat all troops surrender. Sharp and the regional commandersinitially refused to obey Wainwrights order to surrender but

once convinced that the helpless in Corregidor might beslaughtered if they didnt, they too waved the white flag. Many,

however, parted with their commanders to organize guerrillagroups.

It seems appropriate to tell at this time thestory of an American soldier who chose toobey a direct order to surrender to the Jap-anese because you will hear more of him as

this story unfolds.

Unable to sleep, Lt. Jefferson ruminated on hislife and how he came to be at the Old BilibidPrison in Manila. His mind haunted him withexistentialist-type questions.

Had I made the correct decisions in my life?What if I had listened to my parents way back

home in East St. Louis pleading me not toleave them in 1937? Why did I respond to my

Presbyterian pastor who announced the needfor a senior cadet officer at Silliman Institute

and arranged for my appointment there? Whywas I so eager to take the first available

Pacific Clipper flying to a strange and

unknown land halfway across the globe? Whydid I obey my commander when it seemed out

of character for me? I could be watching

baseball in St. Louis this very hour instead ofbeing bitten by bedbugs in this miserable,

God-forsaken place!

He first believed that it was all his fault. Hehad always been a non-conformist and as faras he could remember he did what othersgenerally didnt like to do. And he knew hewas head-strong and at times driven bypassion instead of by reason. And although he27

was not particularly religious, he was sosmitten by a sermon one Sunday that thefollowing week without his parentsknowledge he transferred his church

membership from the Southern Baptist Churchin his home town of East St. Louis to thePresbyterian Church in nearby Bellevilledespite that he was the only man of color inthat congregation. Since then he became adevout Christian with Kierkegaardan leap offaith and passionate commitment.

Rethinking, he decided that his life had notbeen that loathsome after all. His decisionsthat seemed to be rash at first blush were not

that bad at all. Being a Japanese prisoner ofwar now was really the worst in his lifeshistory. Moreover, compared to hundredothers, he was well off, one of the relativelyhealthy POWs. Many developed bloodydiarrhea when Manila got flooded resulting insewer backup at Bilibid, the most mal-nourished among them succumbing to amebicdysentery; many had recurrent fevers, chillsand shaking from untreated malaria; and stillnum-erous others were maimed, decrepit or

swollen with beri-beri-- virtual walking deads.He believed that God would see him throughthis physical, mental and emotional trial. Andthen there is the matter of predestination. Hefinally decided that up to that point in his life,it had been God who helped him make thedifficult decisions or that God had made thedecisions for him, he was not sure now which.


28/31

He moved on to thinking of more pleasantthoughts.1*

He had come to love the country so much thatbefore mid-1941 when his contract with the

institute was to expire, he chose to join theUnited States Army requesting a Philippineassignment. Before reporting for duty, he tooka terminal leave visiting the sprawling comer-cial center of the Visayas, the old City ofCebu, where the best thing that really hap-pened in his life until then occurred. Bychance he met this young, charming andbeautiful student at the University of SanCarlos, the Philippinesoldest school thatbecame a university. He cherished every

minute when they spoke together. She hadgiven him attention as if he were the only manin this world. He had met many beautifulFilipinas before but they only saw his color oracted as if he was invisible or so transparentthat they could see through him. He thought,this particular girl saw him as a person, as hereally was, so that the color of his skin did notmatter. He believed that when she politelydeclined his invitation for dinner, it was notbecause she didnt like him but becausePhilippine ladies at that age simply didnt goon a date. He was sure that she meant it whenshe offered her soft and delicate hand for agoodbye handshake and said, I hope we meetagain! She didnt seem to mind his holdingher hand much much longer than the custom-ary time usually considered socially accept-able. He had carefully folded and kept herletter written on linen paper between the pagesof his King James bible. He read and reread itmany times over because it gave him theinspiration to see through the difficult daysand the thought of seeing her again after thewar was just tantalizing, challenging. Hevowed to move heaven and earth to win herlove and make her his wife.

____________________

28

The sound of Japanese guards shouting joggedLt. Jeffersons reverie. When it was quietagain, he recalled his days after Silliman.

Entering the army as first lieutenant, his

instructions were to report to the Davaogarrison. Except for a few including a sergeantall those under him were Filipinos, themajority of whom were new recruits. Barely afew months after his arrival, after heavybombing, the Japanese landed in Davao onDecember 19- 20, 194.2*

Most of the Filipino soldiers ran away seeingthe futility of the fight. A number rejoined sothat an army of about 500 took the long and

arduous trek to Del Monte to connect withGen. Sharp.

The easier route would have been throughsouthern Davao because there was a highwaybeing constructed between the city and Digos,and from there the Sayre Highway was openclear through Cagayan de Misamis. But theJapanese had already occupied the area southof Davao where they shortly established aseaplane base.

They had to cross and scale heavily forested,unchartered, and sometimes steep mountainsof the Mt. Apo range that were without roadsor even trails. They lost one man who fell intoa deep gully. They had to hack their waythrough dense and matted undergrowths andhad to contend with hunger all day and coldand rain especially at night. With heavy rainsometimes came landslides and flash floods.On crossing rivers or streams blood-suckingleeches hang on tightly to their bare skin orunderneath their trousers.3*

All told it took them more than one month toreach Del Monte. In contrast, today the routethey covered, now with well paved roads,could be traveled by car in eight hours.


29/31

The headquarters at Del Monte bustled withwar preparations. But there was some time tosocialize. Lt. Jefferson met Capt. Tugas oneday at the mess hall. Upon learning that thecaptain came from Misamis Occ., the lieu-

tenant requested him to carry a letter to thelady student with whom he was smitten withlove. Although Capt. Tugas told him that hedidnt know when hed be back to WestermMisamis, he agreed to carry the letter. Theenvelope bore her name with address atDagatan, Oroquieta, Misamis Occ. Capt.Tugas said he knew her family.

Lt. Col. Hilsman command was reassigned toNegros. For Lt. Jefferson, the short annals of

his Philippine travels, travails, and adventuresonly a few months long, had come fullcircle.4*

In answer to an inner restlessness and tur-bulence, with the help of a former cadetofficer, Jefferson sneaked into Silliman atnight. Using a flashlight, they searched namesof graduates with the same address as his ladylove in the librarys yearbooks, starting with1941 down. To their disappointment, not allyearbooks bore the addresses of the alumni.They then searched for the list of registrantsby year. That job was quite formidablebecause since its opening at the turn of thetwentieth century, the institute (university by1938) had enrolled hundreds of students.

Nevertheless after three hours, they foundone! That happened to belong to my father, aphysics major, the records showed. He wrotein pencil my fathers name beside his ladylovesand their common address at the inside

back cover of his bible, the only material itemhe owned that the Japanese guards didntcovet.

__________________

Negros was divided into five sectors eachunder a battallion commander. The officerswere released from central control but underHilsman. When the commanders receiveddirect orders from Sharp to surrender theirforces, all, including Hilsman resisted it at

first. Their feelings and responses echoed thepain of command and onus of responsibilitythat King, Wainwright and Sharp before themhad to bear and suffer in making their fatefuldecisions.5*

So, thats how I ended up in this crowded,

stinking, mouse-and-bed-bug-infested place!Jefferson muttered to himself. Is this the resultof disobedience to my parents?He decided itdidnt matter then. Opening his bible, he wasat once thankful that he still could read thefine prints despite the poor lighting. Turningto the Book of Job he found the answer to hisquestions and more: Nothing happens in thisworld without God at least permitting. Gods

always in control!

(Hard copies available from the author,www.outskirtspress.com,www.amazon.comandwww.barnesandnoble.come-books form Outskirts and Amazon for only $3.00. Chapter notes are omitted in this reprint)

29 Back to Contents
http://www.outskirtspress.com/http://www.amazon.com/http://www.amazon.com/http://www.barnesandnoble.com/http://www.barnesandnoble.com/http://www.barnesandnoble.com/http://www.barnesandnoble.com/http://www.amazon.com/http://www.outskirtspress.com/


30/31

The August MoonThe August Moon

Under the August moon

I saw you againWithout the bright lights

Mostly moonlight.The same smiling face

Now, more shifty, less eye contactPortending, after apologies, excuses,

Small to and fros,Nos, maybes,

What cannot yet be,What might never be.

I would still see your faceWere the moon to go dark

Were I to go blindWithout benefit of touch

Of your cheeks, your noseThe eyelids around your eyes

Your so distant lips.Full, new or crescent moons

Will illumine you.

Why does your face persist, why do you?Why this desire?

I must try to forget youStore feelings that know only accepted pain

In the cloud of loveWait for their download

A kind bombardmentDrops of relief

Released by you.

Lestrino C. Baquiran, MD.

(Reprinted with persmission from the Filipino Reporter)

30 Back to Contents


31/31

dripdrip

dripfromalea

ky

fauce

tove

rtim

etime

tim

\ e

MAKE A RIVER OF PUREWASTE

Cosme R. Cagas, MD

(Revision of a poem originally published in Our Twentieth Centurys Greatest Poems, 19 82)

31 Back to Contents

philippine illini fall-winter 2015

Documents