Pure probinsya vibes and 195 kilometers away from Manila, Unisan, Quezon was the site of the 11th deployment of CFC ANCOP’s mobile clinic, on June 7, serving 186 locals, some of whom would be getting their ECGs for the first time.
“They are happy receiving the services. [It’s] been a long time since they have received health services…Some are glad to get prescription glasses and get their [teeth] extracted,” shared CFC ANCOP Health Coordinator Jam Rubillos in an interview.
‘Uni-sancti’
In total, the medical mission, sponsored by CFC ANCOP, CFC Quezon, and the Uriarte family, was able to provide 253 services/diagnostic tests to locals from several barangays:
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- X-Ray – 22
- ECG – 48
- Eye consultation – 63
- Blood Test – 42
- Dental consultation – 78
Surprisingly, Unisan’s name comes from the Latin “Uni-sancti” or holy saint and according to records was probably named after Friar Pedro Bautista, a one-time missionary to Unisan who would later on be martyred in Japan.
Power failure, non-stop rain
While the town is a testament to Spanish colonial influence, today, it continues to lag in terms of social development and equity.
This made Unisan ripe for a visit from ANCOP’s mobile clinic.
Jam describes the town further: “[The] area is very remote. Communication (reception/signal) for coordination was a great challenge, plus the problems, as well, with the electric power in the area.”
In spite of obvious challenges, the medical mission held at Brgy. San Roque, Unisan enjoyed the full support of the local CFC who came despite the non-stop rain over the weekend.
Notably, the following were also present to make the 11th deployment of the mobile clinic successful:
- Jun and Jean Uriarte of the CFC International Council
- Dental team, headed by Dr. Ros Aquino and 12 non-CFC dentist volunteers
- Myelin Agramon, a clinical optometrist and a CFC Quezon member
- CFC Quezon Area Governance Team, headed by Vic Yamamoto
- CFC Quezon ANCOP Head Pedrito Reyes
The med mission had its hiccups, but that didn’t stop the team from serving the community.
“Total blackout on the mission day, raining, as well, all weekend, but the mission went on successfully,” Jam shared.
