88 Cebuanos get free cataract surgery

CEBU, Philippines — The launching of Project:100 Cataract Surgical Mission at the Cebu City Hall has restored both sight and hope for dozens of Cebuanos.

Held under the City’s Hospitalization Assistance and Medicines Program (CHAMP), the initiative brought together civic and medical partners to provide free cataract surgeries and eyeglasses to underserved residents of Cebu City.

“They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, but they are also the windows to life itself,” said Mayor Nestor Archival.

“To see is not merely to look — it is to live fully,” he added.

Project:100 screened 174 patients, of whom 88 qualified for cataract surgery—a near-complete fulfillment of the program’s 100-patient goal.

In addition, 84 individuals received free eyeglasses, each pair offering not just clearer vision but renewed confidence and hope.

Though 12 patients short of its original target, organizers said the spirit of Project:100 remains strong. Plans are already underway for a second wave in 2026 to help more Cebuanos regain their sight and dignity.

The activity was made possible through the collaboration of the Office of the Mayor, the Sangguniang Panglungsod, CHAMP, ACES Eye Referral Clinics, Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, CharityVision, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Leading the medical team was Dr. Victorio Naranjo Cajita, Cebu’s first vitreoretinal specialist and longtime volunteer surgeon. Alongside fellow doctors, Dr. Cajita paid a courtesy visit on Archival following the procedures, reaffirming the city’s commitment to inclusive healthcare.

Special recognition was given to Janis Redulla and Stephen Casio, Country Managers of Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, whose unwavering support made the mission possible.

The ACES Eye Referral Clinics team—Dr. Lorenz Robert Ong, Paolo Manuelle Cachin,  Lorelie Camu, and  Marie Christine Dospueblos Loremas—was also commended for their expertise and generosity.

Globally, cataract remains the leading cause of reversible blindness. Doctors explained that a single surgery—lasting just 10 to 30 minutes—can restore not only vision but also productivity and independence. For many patients, this mission marked the beginning of a new chapter.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through its humanitarian arm, has supported similar missions across the Philippines, echoing the same spirit of unity and service that defined Project:100.

CHAMP and its partner clinics will soon release advisories for follow-up assessments and future surgical schedules. Residents are encouraged to contact CHAMP or ACES Eye Referral Clinics for screening and eligibility.

“As we move Cebu City forward,” Archival said, “Project:100 reminds us that when communities unite with compassion and purpose, lives are changed, light is restored, and the world becomes a little clearer for everyone. Because when we help others see better, we see the world better too.” — /FPL (FREEMAN)