Jaycees and the medics

Among the existing worldwide civic organizations, the Junior Chamber (Jaycee) International (JCI) is undoubtedly one of the best training grounds for future leaders both in government and private sector. This is an objective assessment coming from a non-Jaycee like me mainly based on the obvious fact that in our midst right now are so many Jaycees and former Jaycees who have carved out careers as outstanding leaders in the field of politics and governance, business and other social and professional endeavors because of their exceptional brand of patriotism, excellence, competence and commitment.

Obviously Jaycees acquire these leadership traits by simply living up to their inspiring Creed that: “(1) faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life; (2) the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations; (3) economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise; (4) governments should be of laws rather than of men; (5) earth’s great treasure lies in human personality; and (6) service to humanity is the best work of life”.

More remarkable in this movement is that it recognizes exemplary achievements that are worthy of emulation not only from among its ranks but more importantly from among all Filipinos. Thus it first conceived the TOYM award that has been institutionalized as the most credible and highly popular award honoring outstanding young men and women below 41 years old whose dedication to work has made significant contribution to the advancement not only of their profession or calling, but of public welfare and national interest. Indeed it can be said that our country has been blessed with so many of these TOYM awardees.

To be sure, even among its ranks are people with outstanding achievements and contributions to the country and to the Jaycee movement itself. In recognition of these achievements and contributions they are conferred lifetime membership in the JCI and aptly dubbed as JCI Senators. Of the millions of members and former members, only 60,000 have so far been conferred the JCI Senator award. The national organization of JCI Senators in this country is the JCI Senate Philippines (JCISP), which in 1988 conceived in partnership with Insular Life Assurance Co. Ltd., “The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Award to institutionalize public recognition of men and women, 41 years of age or over, whose exemplary achievements are also worthy of emulation like the TOYM awardees.”

Last year the JCI Senate then headed by Senen Quiambao, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) under Secretary Francisco Duque III launched another laudable project that truly reflects and gives meaning to the Jaycee Creed and the Jaycee deep sense of patriotism. This is the “The Outstanding Filipino Physician” (TOFP) Award. The project was conceived primarily to arrest the continuing exodus of Filipino doctors for greener pastures abroad and to address the deteriorating state of the medical profession and plight of the Filipino doctors so that they can be encouraged to remain here in the service of their countrymen. It was the brainchild of JCISP Secretary General Art Zurbito Jr.

For this year 2008, JCISP President Carlos G. Co fittingly designated JCI Senator Melandrew T. Velasco, a professional media executive and noted Ramos family biographer, as the TOFP chairman. Joining the JCISP as institutional sponsors and staunch supporters of the project are: PCSO whose chairman is the amiable, very able and always ready to help Sergio O. Valencia, himself a past president of JCISP and active in many Jaycee projects; and Philhealth Insurance Corp. through its EVP/CEO Lorna O. Fajardo. Both Valencia and Fajardo are also members of the Board of Judges headed by PMA President Rey Melchor F. Santos. In charge of the search committee is JCI Sen. Joel Sarmiento while JCI Sen. Hermin Arceo headed the screening committee.

And so last September 29, 2008, in a glittering program chaired by JCI Sen. Adonis B. Samson at the Manila Hotel, the following doctors of medicine were honored as The Outstanding Filipino Physicians for this year: Lorenzo Rommel G. Carino, the now famous heart surgeon who became known as the “miracle doctor” for successfully undertaking delicate and high risk surgical procedure on rare cardio vascular disorder and 1,300 open heart surgeries, 30% of which were for free; Victor Romulo G. Dumaguing called the “rain or shine doctor” for serving mountain folks in the Cordilleras and establishing the Medics on Mission; Egidio P. Elio, the urologist who organized and led the Philippine Urologic Manpower Program for public health and sustained delivery of medical services for indigents in depressed rural communities; Elvira L. Henares-Esguerra, who has made a name for herself and her country as the “Joan of Arc for breastfeeding” for her unmatched advocacy of breastfeeding and her impact on pro-life, earth-friendly parenting and environmental protection; Mark Richard C. Kho, the first and only Filipino surgical oncologist who chose to return home and use his medical expertise for his countrymen; Anthony C. Leachon, the expert advocate and proponent of universal and preventive health care, better known as Health Education Reform Order; Leonor I. Cabral-Lim, a neurologist-epileptologist who conceptualized and implemented a national program to control epilepsy anchored on volunteerism; Rimando C. Saguin, the multi-awarded world class orthopedic surgeon who spearheaded the continuing project that provides surgical rehabilitation to indigent Filipinos and medical-surgical missions to the less privileged in the countryside; Blesilda de la Rosa-Salvador, the OB-GYN doctor who made her mark as health educator through mass media with her “Dra. Bles at your service” program; and Edward H.M. Wang, another orthopedic surgeon who instituted and pioneered on the method of unmatched bone transplants, tumor incision and reconstruction previously unheard of in Philippine medicine.

These physicians may have taken different paths and achieved excellence in the pursuit of their medical careers but their common exceptional trait is their love of God and country by remaining here and using their expertise for the health and well-being of Filipinos especially the poor — thereby exemplifying the TOFP theme: “serving and caring for our countrymen are the best works of life”. A grateful nation thus salutes these outstanding doctors and congratulates the Jaycees for recognizing their works and honoring them.