Medical Mission in the Philippines: Final Thoughts

We returned from our medical mission trip in the Philippines nearly six weeks ago, so I've had plenty of time for reflection.

Starting with the numbers:
• 28 team members
• 9 days to set up, operate and pack up
• 133 major cases performed; 120 minor procedures
• $2500 contribution/volunteer for the opportunity to serve

Glad I packed:
• Rain parka
• Bug juice
• Old clothes, including my Birkenstocks
• Starbucks VIA
• iPhone

What surprised me most:
• The biggest international news we heard was the death of Whitney Houston

What I would do next time:
• Pack more gifts for people who showed us wonderful hospitality
• Take useful items for children we encounter - like toothbrushes or pens (rather than candy with wrappers that add to the litter problem and encourage begging)
• Buy more pearls

What I missed most:
• Safe drinking water
• Flush toilets and toilet paper
• Hot showers
• REAL showers of any temperature

What impressed me most
• How happy the Filipinos are with what we would consider to be very little
• The gratitude of those we helped - no sense of entitlement whatsoever - and the trust they placed in our medical team
• The wonder of Cipro!
• How much I take for granted

One More Day in Manila

After leaving the island of Samar, we had another day in Manila before continuing on to the United States. We did a little souvenir shopping at Balikbayan Handicrafts and at Greenhills Shopping Center, home of the famous Pearl Market. Rows and rows of vendors were ready to make jewelry of all kinds using pearls of all kinds - South Sea, Freshwater, and Tahitian - all at bargain prices and custom-made in a matter of minutes.

But the highlight of the day was a belated Valentine's dinner at Hotel Shangri-La's highly-rated restaurant Red. We packed only casual clothes for the mission trip, so I was a bit worried that the restaurant would take issue with Tom's lack of a sport coat or tie. Not surprisingly, the hostess checked with the manager before seating us. Tom was fine - the hesitation seemed to be with my Birkenstocks.

It was a quiet night, and there was plenty of room, but the manager seated us off to the side and close to the kitchen. Nonetheless, our table was lovely. We opted for the chef's 10-course tasting menu and then immediately asked for the sommelier. I knew we were off to a great start when he recommended Craggy Range Chardonnay - one of our favorite wines from New Zealand.



Dinner was exquisite, and I was especially impressed with the "Light Green Pea Veloute." I quizzed our waiter about the fabulous sauce, so he offered to introduce us to the chef. William Tan was young, charming and happy to share his culinary secrets. Chef Tan also didn't seem to be particularly bothered by my Birkenstocks.

Thanks Giving

At the conclusion of our 9-day medical mission, the team received multiple expressions of gratitude from the people of Laoang. Mayor Madelaine organized an especially memorable send-off luncheon, complete with a pig roast buffet, musical entertainment, handmade gifts, and recognition for each and every team member.

After the celebratory lunch at the hospital, we finished packing up ISM equipment and supplies. Some of the gear was boxed and stored for future Philippine missions. Some supplies and medications were left with the hospital, and leftover toys were delivered to teachers at the elementary school. All of us donated scrubs and clothes to people who needed them more. Ten days ago we arrived with 19 huge bags and 5 large cases of equipment and supplies; only 4 duffle bags of instruments would be transported back to the United States.

We gathered our personal belongings, thanked our local hosts, and then met the rest of the team at the boat landing to leave the island for the last time. Vans awaited us on the other side of the channel to drive us back to Catarman where we checked into a motel to freshen up. An evening celebration awaited us!



Northern Samar Governor Paul Daza opened his mansion and treated us to a fabulous lobster feast. We were joined by members of the Rotary Club of Catarman, and together we thoroughly enjoyed the air conditioned banquet hall and the dancers who entertained us. Governor Paul made a point to meet every member of the mission team and gave his personal thanks to all of us.

As an expression of gratitude, Tom and I presented our Coeur d'Alene Rotary Club flag to members of the Catarman Club - true partners in our international endeavor.

A Better Beach Within Reach

Mission team members relished our day away from work and the time we spent on the beach at San Roque. But in fact an even prettier beach was in our very own backyard in Laoang.

Later in the week, Cheryl and I took a 10-minute tricycle ride to the white sands of Onay Beach for a brief break from our recovery room and instrument sterilizing duties. The beautiful beach overlooking Laoang Bay was lined with coconut trees and loaded with seashells and beach glass.

The spot we walked was restful and peaceful - except for some occasional karaoke musical stylings arising from one of the nearby beach houses. After collecting our fair share of washed up beach treasures, we made a couple of pit stops.



It seemed poetic that one of the stops on the way back to my instrument-cleaning cell was the Laoang Jail. Despite the signage, we talked our way into the jail yard to chat with the guards in order to get the lowdown on the lowdown.

Pecking Order

Every morning roosters begin a non-stop chorus of crowing from 2:00 on. And on and on. With a rooster in every yard, there is absolutely no need for a snooze button, let alone an alarm clock. Perhaps this is why cock fighting is alive and well in the Philippines.

Illegal in the United States, this blood sport between two roosters is a popular Sunday gambling activity among Filipinos. It seemed only fitting that my day off from cleaning bloody medical instruments should include watching a bloody cock fight.

The bird competitors are bred for increased stamina and strength and conditioned like professional athletes.


Sharp 4-inch steel razor blades are attached to the roosters' legs, and then the birds are revved up to fight.

The event takes place in an arena with a cockpit. The betting is fast and furious before the bell rings and the fighting begins.




The cocks that don't die are treated by an on-site bird doctor so they can live to fight another day.

Day Off

Halfway through the mission we left Laoang, packed into vans, and drove to San Roque for a day off from work. The vans deposited us at a footbridge that eventually led us to the beach resort of Mayor Avalon (the distinguished gentleman in the tank top).


Rotarians from Catarman joined us for a terrific pig roast and all the trimmings.


The beach was a three-ring circus, with fishing, boating and body surfing going on at all times. Intermittent rainfall failed to dampen our spirits - everyone was ready for a break from Tan Memorial.











A large group of children was entirely mesmerized by Karen - thinking they were in the presence of singing sensation Shakira. I told them I was Kate Middleton, but nobody bought it.

A few of us ventured back across the footbridge to walk around the village and through the Sunday market. Like Laoang, there were plenty of vendors and shops but seemingly very few customers.


The day's agenda also included a trip to the cock fights, but that deserves a blog post of its own.

Day In/Day Out