Halad Pasalamat

CEBU, Philippines - Every year that we celebrate our birthday is a blessing from God. Which is why when I celebrated my birthday last February 1, I pondered on the many blessings that my family and I have received.

I am grateful and humbled that the Lord Almighty has showered His blessings on me – good health; a loving and caring wife and family; the honor of receiving awards such as the Papal award and the Perlas award; the chance to share music with Cebu and the world through the UV Chorale which has achieved national and international status by winning in competitions like the MBC National Choral Competition and receiving awards like the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ Ani ng Dangal, as well as the establishment of the Halad Museum, the first of its kind in Cebu to feature Cebuano music and artists; and the chance to share the Gullas family legacy through my memoir To Never Forget.

Instead of gathering friends and family to celebrate my birthday this year, I decided to share my blessings with people who need it the most and those who have less in life. With the help of my good friend Leo Lastimosa of ABS-CBN, and The FREEMAN and Banat News, the Halad Pasalamat in cooperation with ABS-CBN’s Halad sa Kapamilya was held last February 4 at the Gullas Medical Center.

Some 1, 500 people from the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay, as well as neighboring islands and provinces came to avail of the different services offered during the Halad.

The Gullas Memorial Hospital, the UV College of Nursing and the UV College of Pharmacy provided free medical services, while the UV College of Dentistry provided free dental services; The Philippine National Red Cross was there too, to take charge of the bloodletting activities; H.P. Acebedo provided free eye-check up; those with pets availed of the free veterinary services from the Cebu City Veterinarian.

The UV Law School provided free legal consultation and notarial services; the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority provided free cellphone repair; the UV Public Employment Services Office conducted a job fair while the UV College of Commerce and UV College of Criminology conducted seminars on bookkeeping and drug awareness.

The FREEMAN Foundation was able to feed over 700 beneficiaries and there were also people who availed of free massage, reflexology and acupuncture, as well as haircut services.

It was a good feeling to be able to share the blessings that the Lord has graciously showered on me and my family. Those who shared their time to serve others also felt the same way. Indeed it is nobler to give than to receive.

My friend Leo Lastimosa asked me during the event if I would continue holding the Halad Pasalamat and I told him that God-willing, I will, every first Saturday of February so that I can share my blessings and touch the lives of others.

To those who came and shared their services and to the many beneficiaries who attended the Halad, daghang salamat, for making my birthday celebration more meaningful.  

Jose “Dodong” R. Gullas would like to thank his partners

In this event:

Dr. John Paul K. So, Dr. Allan Aresteo V. Bibera, Dr. Letecia F. Abinuman, Dr. Benjamin P. Delgado, Dr. Rosita Charbonneau, Dr. Remedios Bacasmas, Dr. Ma. Lucila E. Ilano, Dr. Ellaine T. Nielo, Dr. Bede J. Ilano, Dr. Michelle K. Villegas, Dr. Neneth G. Suarez, Dr. Bernardina B. Regner, Dr. Leopold G. Lucero, Dr. Roy D. Lastimosa, Dr. Ferdinand P. Kionisala, Dr. Alvin Buranday, Dr. Clarissa Mae D. Derecho, Dr. Joseph Lim, Dr. Harem P. Deiparine, Intern Goren Reyes, Intern Hussein Paul S. Dimatingkal, Intern John Rey L. Sanchez, Intern Jovelyn Tan, Intern Fenelyn Sy, Intern Artin Zarei, Dr. Maricel Ednilan, Dr. Emelyn Conga, Dr. Mae Lani Rivera, Dr. Alice Utlang, Dr. Jessica O. Maribojoc, Dr. Richard Duites, Dr. Jennifer A. Laurente, Dr. Darwin B. Abadilla, Mary Jane B. Dayondon, Regina A. Mosqueda, Marvie B. Albino, Arnel T. Saballa, Maricos S. Bacalso, Edgar M. Babatid, Suzette A. Galingagling, Dina Marie P. Cinchez, Marie Beatrix S. Elias, Anna Mae C. Paqueo, Naomi T. Garcia, Alberto M. Anadon

Atty. Paterno G. Acabodillo, Atty. Joselito M. Alo, Atty. Kit S. Enriquez, Atty. Moreno A. Patindol, Atty. Jose Wayne C. Lawas, Atty. Delfin Quilaquil, Atty. Rosario Evelyn S. Singco, Dr. Joy Cortes, Dr. Xavier Solis, Dr. Arcturus Villaver, Dr. Anthony Duene Dabon, Dr. Cheryl Melanie Ruiz, Dr. James Flores, Dr. Nancy Lagumbay, Dr. Gertrude Cordavez, Ms Julie P. Dahlberg of JMountain Purified Drinking Water, TESDA – Director Buenafe Sta. Rita, DOLE, Cebu Pharmacists Association, SAHAR International Trading Corp., Calmoseptine, Ms Noralyn Maglente, Just Right Pharma, TAKEDA, Prime Drug, Servier Philippines, Hovid Pharmaceutical, Pharma Tree, GETZ Pharma, GX International, Jeanelle’s Pharmacy, LRI-Therapharma, INVIDA Philippines, Nine Sisters Pharmacy, Ajanta Pharma, Philippine National Red Cross, HP Acebedo and Adult and Child Optical/Dr. Michael Cotia, Mcwell Cubito, Dr. Mary Jean M. Olofernes, Mr. Melvin Judaya, The Freeman Foundation, NSO Cebu Provincial Office, Mr. Violeta K. Binarao, Jinkee J. Minguito, Nestor N. Nullar, Mr. Boy Cañedo, Jemen Mahilum, Catherine Su-od, Chloe Picos, Ma. Jesusa Millanes, Melinda Rositt, Mirasol Abella, Herbinizer Arellano, Melvie Surban, Maryfine Laping, Grace Ceniza, Jossel Sarentas, Clarita Bejoc, Gerum Bejoc, Rene Odulio, Marco Garidos, Teresita Kaindoy, Ermelindo L. Millanes, Juanita B. Ator, Luisa Dolorosa, D. Buque

Engr. Claro Celerio, Vicente Gullas Memorial Hospital Staff, Gullas College of Medicine, UV College of Law School, UV College of Pharmacy, UV College of Nursing, UV College of Dentistry, UV College of Criminology, UV College of Business Administration, UV PESO and DOLE, Phil Am Outsourcing, Erlinda Alducente, Allan Leodegario G. Pilones, Nedda Consuelo C. Yuson, Miraflor S. Cañedo, Jayme N. Jubay, Daryl V. Panerio, Flor Y. Ventura, Elena B. Catana, Leonila D. Torrefranca, Melvin Alfred Pepito, Mona Liza M. Villajuan, Marilyn D. Blando, Ned Jarvis Destura, Nestor Cariman, Arnel V. Gelbolingo, Irish Arong, Nieves Dorner, Jorendel Alesna, Darwin B. Banagan, Melchora A. Canonigo, Rex C. Bentulan, Jemeler B. Armamento, Washer S. Rangaig, Rafael P. Abella Jr., Calixto L. Sabellano

Blessel Jane Baron, Cristina Uy, Ma. Grace Sanosa, Romel Oporto, Gerry Requitillo, Joecyl Gimenez, Audie Bacasmas, Herbert Lacandazo, Glen Fortunado, Diana Manatad, Marlon Catoy, Charmelagne Cuevas, Mary Jane Rile, Ma. Teresa Gabon, Arunaifa Balindong, Cristuto Bascon, Proceso Bomediano Jr., Ivan Buenconsejo, May Desiree Joy Bonocan, Filomeno Villaverde Jr., Dr. Elena Mapula, Herogenia Cabusas, Manuel Taneo, Norhaya Bansil, Katherine Zabate, Danilo Borres, Richard Domugho, Ingrid Sonsona, Fe Altubar, Ma. Jasmine Vales, Jose Gesto, Benedicto Cobarde Jr., Rosa Gene Muller, Prospero Victorino Cabahug, Mary Jane Panugas, Davemark Augusto, Reynaldo Berdin, Robinson Dacula Jr., Gregory Anton Millan, Elisa Medez