Doctors, dentists, nurses trek to Nagpana Aetas
The medical missionaries who went to Nagpana. Second
from right standing is tall man Rev. Dr. Ben Barredo III.
At center standing with inverted cap is Surgeon Demy Tedon.
Fifteen kilometers away from the poblacion of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, through muddy and rough road, is the small colony of Nagpana Aetas, ancestors of the first aborigines of Panay island. One Saturday morning, October 28, medical doctors, dentists, nurses, social workers, pastors and church workers trekked to the area. Upon arrival they were graciously greeted by the smiling Aetas of Nagpana. Aeta Pastor Jessie Elosendo of Severo Elosendo Memorial Church opened the service with a prayer followed by a short message of Rev. Dr. Ben Barredo III of the Messiah Bible Church at Fine Rock Hotel. Brief testimonies were given by the medical missionaries as to the reason why they came to the Nagpana colony. Dr. Demy Tidon, a surgeon by profession and Pastor of the Jesus Reigns Forever Fellowship in Iloilo City said that he took time from his busy schedule because he loves helping the Aetas. Dr. Shiela D. Gumabong told the happy smiling residents that she loves to help the downtrodden and sick brothers and sisters in Nagpana. Dentist Warren Bolaño, Nestor Baticos and Antonio Barnales, chorused their desire to help Aeta children have healthy teeth. Nurses Marivic Lascano, Joy Joy Regalado, Christian James and Charity Joan Barredo and Midwife Aiza Pagdato came to the Aeta place to assist the medical doctors in administering the medicines and treating the sick.
Children line up for dental treatment.
The two medical doctors diagnosed the ailing Aetas numbering 200 and the common sicknesses were dizziness, coughing, hypertension, fever, flu, back pain, tuberculosis, goiter, etc. The dentists examined the children's teeth and extracted decayed teeth of 20 children. A 2-year-old to upon seeing the dentist pull a decayed tooth of his playmate hid in his mother's arms and later disappeared. Many young Aeta children were far from the reach of candy stores and that's the reason why only a few children had poor teeth. A grade four girl told us that their teachers always remind them to brush their teeth morning and evening.
Dentist Solano Baticos and Barnales
prepare injection for a waiting Aeta
woman.
Adriana Ganancial, 58-year-old Nagpana midwife finished her 2-year midwifery course through the help of Engr. Timoteo Consing. According to her, there are only 2-3 deliveries a month. The lone woman midwife of Nagpana sadly related to us that seldom does a medical doctor sets foot on the Aeta colony to check the health of the residents. Although millions of pesos had been reportedly set aside by the government for the amelioration of the cultural minority, the Nagpana Aetas included – there are no electricity, health center and running water in the colony. The neglected Aetas get their water from the mountain spring. As compared to barangay Lipata, some 4.5 kilometers from sitio Nagpana, there are more people and agricultural activity in the Aeta colony. The Aeta farmers produce first class "malidu" rice. Old women and young girls weave "nito" (black rattan-like vine) into native bags, wallets, necklaces and rings. Men make bows and arrows out of local materials and the product is displayed at Robinsons Mall.
Dr. Sheila examines an elderly woman
while nurse Charity Barredo looks on.
Jovita Evangelia, 80 years, Sony Cabayao, 78 years, Modesto Elosendo and Alejandro Pacodic, both 88 years old are happy that the missionary doctors, dentists and nurses had climbed the Nagpana sitio to treat the sick, give them medicines, rice, clothes and candies for the children. Elderly residents told this columnist that for more than three months now, no medical doctor has visited their place and the visitation of the Messiah medical missionaries is really a blessing from God. In Matthew 25:40 of the Bible, Jesus Christ said, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did this to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to me."
A nurse takes the blood pressure of
an elderly.
Associate Pastor Karen Mae Barredo of Messiah Bible Church bade goodbye to the Nagpana patients and residents. She facilitated the distribution of rice, clothes, medicines and other goodies. The beauteous lady minister promised that the medical team will visit them again next year. This writer is saddened by the fact that elementary education in Nagpana is only up to Grade four and the school children have to hike more than ten kilometers daily to attend Grades V-VI in the nearest school. There is no means of transportation from Nagpana to Barotac Viejo proper except for one tricycle that plies the area once in a blue moon.
Talented Nagpana high school graduates pursue higher education in Barotac Viejo or in Iloilo City's institutions through scholarship grants given by well-to-do patrons.
After 6 hours of intensive check-up and treatment of more than 200 patients including children, the exhausted but happy medical missionaries motored to barangay Tinori-an, Barotac Nuevo, shortly before sundown where they took their late lunch and supper at Barredo's resthouse under heavy rain and thunderstorm.