Save a Heart Save a Life

Thanks to the generous support of many fellow RC Manila Rotarians, two more babies of indigent families are on their way to Aster MedCIty in Cochi, India for life-saving open-heart surgery.

Very early Monday morning (3:00am!), the families of baby boy Elijah Alpire and baby girl Abby Rae Vito headed to the Bacolod airport for the first flight out to Manila. On landing, they claimed their baggage and I met them in a van with driver, contributed by Rtn. Ray Davis. We took them to the Picasso Luxury Serviced Residences, to drop off luggage, with rooms provided compliments of owner Rtn. Manny Blanco and HII GM, RC Makati Salcedo Rtn. John David Y. Cruz. Then we whisked them off to BLS International Services for India Medical Visas, courtesy of BLS owner, RC Makati EDSA ASP Jagmohan “Robin” Tamber and our own Rtn. Ambassador of India to the Philippines, H.E. Ld Ralte.

After submitting the applications, we proceeded to Aster DM Philippines, to meet country head Joyce Sacao-Alumno and “Save the Little Hearts” Foundation coordinator Janice Orda. Joyce treated us to lunch. Then we took them back to Picasso for a short rest. Late in the afternoon, we returned to BLS to pick up the visas. Then we headed directly to “The Wine Museum Hotel and Restaurant” where the ever-generous Dir Bobby Joseph provided a sumptuous feast, starting with delicious appetizer “Gambas Al Ajilo,” then Bobby's Famous Fried Chicken, Crispy Toro, Paella Colonial, and more. Yum! The families and I were joined at dinner by Joyce Sacao-Alumno, Rtn. Tong Payumo, Rtn. Johnny Chotrani, and donor Pareek Shawshank. It was ten pm when we dropped them off for their rest.

In the morning, our patients and families enjoyed breakfast at Restaurant Pablo, courtesy of Rtn. Bobby Lim, Picasso's Food and Beverage Partner. We picked them up and took them to NAIA for the flights to Cochi, via Kuala Lumpur. They arrived after midnight and surgery is scheduled today and tomorrow.

As before, all the expenses on the ground at the world-class quaternary care hospital are provided free to the families by the Dr. Moopen Foundation. Manila Rotarians provided all the travel expenses. Budget airline tickets were purchased courtesy of donations from Rtn. Andy Derossi, PD Oscar “Oca” Del Rosario, Rtn. Felicito “Tong” Payumo, and PD “Abe” Pascual. Through Johnny Chotrani, we have also received a donation from non-Rotarian Pareek Shawshank. Commitments for future children have come from Rtn. Jun Hallare and Rtn. Spkr. “Joe” de Venezia.

Beyond those gifts, we have a need to raise funds for twelve more children at P50,000 each, or P600,000 in all. If you can consider a gift to save these deserving yet very poor children, please make checks in any amount payable to “RC Manila Foundation, Inc.” Thank you,

SAA Lance, Co-chair RC Manila Save-a-life Committee and Co-chair RC Manila Foundation Committee.