The SM Foundation Health and Medical team, led by its Executive Director, Connie Angeles, honored the medical and non-medical volunteers for Gamot Para sa Kapwa medical-dental missions, which started in 2001.
The special guests have been active volunteers for two years up to as long as 17 years. As Angeles thanked them, they likewise expressed their gratefulness for having the privilege to serve with the Foundation.
They said what truly fulfills them and makes them come back as volunteers is when patients—especially the senior citizens and PWDs—sincerely thank them. They added that they are particularly moved when they volunteer at medical missions after natural disasters. Most of them have already pledged to join the upcoming medical missions for the victims of super typhoon Ompong.
Dr. Rosalina Cuenca, a dentist volunteer, always comes with her two volunteer dental aides—Genesis Caguiat and Janellsa Jarito—who were also recognized by the Foundation. Cuenca had started volunteering after she retired in 2013 and has never stopped since.
Serving for years before she got married, Dr. Ma. Mercedes Agustin went back to volunteer with SM again after her children had grown up. “I wanted to go back. I am proud to be part of SM Foundation,” she shared.
Dr. Carmie Chua agreed, saying that when people ask her what she does, she always talks about her practice and being a “proud volunteer of SM.”
Dr. Lyn Cequena, a volunteer since 2008, is a breast cancer survivor. Even during her battle with the illness, she never forgot about helping SM Foundation. Inspired after SM recognized their efforts, she wrote a poem to express the happiness she felt volunteering with SM Foundation for 10 years.
