55 Doctors, Medical Personnel Join UST Medical Mission Here

No less than 39 doctors of varied specialties, including 17 from the United States, are among the 55 volunteers for the medical, surgical and dental mission sponsored by the University of Santo Tomas Medicine Class 1980 in Virac this Feb. 25-27.

Dr. Rene V. Reyes, mission coordinator for the Philippines, said that of the delegation headed by US coordinator Dr. Ferdinand Ramos, 38 are from Manila while of the eight of the 12 surgeons are members of the sponsoring UST alumni.

Here’s the composition of the group:

Medicine – Dr. Rene V. Reyes, Dr. Ramona P. Ozaeta, Dr. Peter Yu, Dr. Mansueto Silverman, and Dr. Jonathan Burgos; Anesthesia – Dr. Ferdinand Ramos, Dr. Evelyn S. Ramos, Dr. Theresa M. Alcantara, Dr. Carmelita S. Lunas, Dr. Renato del Carmen, and Dr. Ruby C. del Carmen; OB-GYN – Dr. Zeny Malilay, Dr. Lucia Tiangco, Dr. Lizza Santos, and Dr. Sharon G. Cruz;

Surgery – Dr. Juan P. Sanchez, Jr., Dr. Alex Erasmo, Dr. Ray Malilay, Dr. Norbert Guiab, Dr. Mario Guevarra, Dr. Francis Altarejos, Dr. Briccio Alcantara, Dr. Rene Valero, Dr. Rommer Garcia, Dr. Rommel Menguito, Dr. Arsenio Favor, and Dr. Alvin Jorge; Dermatology – Dr. Guia Favor-Jorge; Pediatrics – Dr. Manuel dela Cruz and Dr. Majurie Tablante; Dental – Dr. Cristina Banzon;

Opthalmology – Dr. Leslie B. Gatchalian, Dr. Efren Laxamana, Dr. Victor Ermita, Dr. Johanna Cervantes, Dr. Teodoro Arcenas, Dr. Denise Polly Chao, Dr. Yvette Santiaso, and Dr. Jay Vicencio;

Nurses/Paramedics – Evelyn Banzon, Laurie Valentino, Mario Valentino, Lillian Schlorrf, Leticia R. Alcantara, Merle Salvador, Jennifer Favor, and Allen Schlorrf; and, Surgical Ven Nurses/Technicians – Rosendo Valero, Reynaldo Calara, Elisa Palmero, Juvy Galang and Tony Miso.

They will be backed up by local volunteers actively involved in the mission: Rotary Club of Virac (Atty Greg Sarmiento, president), Catanduanes Medical Society (Dr. Maricel Nuyda –president), Catanduanes Dental Society (Dr. Rene Pena – president), Kabalikat Civicom (Dr. Aly Romano – president), Eastern Bicol Medical Center (Dr. Wilfredo Santelices - Chief of Hospital and Dr. Mary Alcantara - Chief of Clinics), Immaculate Heart of Mary Hospital (Mrs. Edna Segismundo – President), Philippine College of Surgeons - Bicol Chapter (Dr. Vietrez Abella – Director), Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology - Bicol Chapter (Dr. Joselito C. Urgel – Director), the Catanduanes Tribune, Catanduanes Tourism Office (Ms. Carmel Garcia - OIC), Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Vice Gov. Alfred Aquino/PBM Edwin Tanael, chair of Committee on Health) the provincial government of Catanduanes, Governor Joseph C. Cua, Congressman Joseph A. Santiago, and Virac Mayor Santos Zafe.

source: Catanduanes Tribune - 04 March 2009

Diamonds in the Rough

Diamonds are found among rocky terrains and mountains. Diamonds are hard to dig up and tedious to polish, but shines like no other stone.

The same is said about doctors willing to work in underserved communities with substandard qualities of life in the Philippines.

“They chose a simple life of service over luxury,” said Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity alumnus Dr. Jose Tiongco during his opening address at the fraternity’s “Diamonds in the Rough” (DITR) Awarding ceremony last March 3 in Century Park Hotel, Manila.

Tiongco said that we should be thankful for such doctors. “Sixty-two percent of Filipinos die without seeing a doctor, 88% of doctors and nurses are abroad,” he said.

The three major awardees are doctors from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. All have been progressively helping their communities in terms of the population’s health and well being.

Vietrez Panganiban David-Abella, M.D. is the winner from Catanduanes, Luzon. Mennie Cabacan, M.D. is the winner helping in Eastern Samar, Visayas. Afdal B. Kunting, M.D. is the winner from Zamboanga, Mindanao.

“These doctors’ hearts are big and strong like diamonds. And our search for them is as hard as finding diamonds,” said Lucie Medina from the Rotary Club of Paco Manila who co-sponsored the event.

“It is also the Phi Kappa Mu’s 75th or diamond anniversary,” she added. Thus the name of nationwide search for young, community doctors.

Abella’s leadership

Abella’s community in Virac, Catanduanes has a population of over 64,000, but only has two physicians.

“Being a doctor in the community, I am empowered to be the leader,” she said. Being thrown to a leadership position was not one she chose, but openly embraces.

In the communities, she said, doctors are given “instant respect.”

Because people look up to Abella, she said she has the power and people’s support to solidify different organizations to improve the overall quality of life in Virac.

“It is possible that everyone improves together,” she said.

She has organized various literacy programs, Cataract missions, anti-drug campaigns, a breast cancer group and a lot more. She is doing a lot but her main project is the blood drive.

“There is so much we can give from ourselves, donating blood is so simple. But above anything else, in giving, I have to be the best person I can be to serve others well,” Abella said.

By Maria Althea Teves, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak | 03/08/2009 6:04 PM
as of 03/08/2009 6:05 PM

Source: ABS-CBN News - Diamonds in the Rough

The PRA Business Guide

As a general rule, anyone regardless of nationality may invest in the Philippines.


However, foreign nationals enrolled in the Retirement Program are, under the Authority’s existing Implementing Investment Guidelines, permitted after a holding period of 30 days from the issuance of the SRR Visa, to convert their time deposit/s into active investment/s in any or a combination of the following investment areas, to wit:

1. Purchase or acquisition of a condo unit anywhere in the Philippines;
2. Long-term lease of house and lot for a period not shorter than 20 years; and
3. Purchase of golf or country club shares.

Investments by PRA retirees outside the PRA program using other funds separate and distinct from the qualifying dollar time deposit may be allowed depending on the business structures of their choice e.g. sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or branch office subject to compliance with existing laws and the Foreign Investments Act.

Foreign ownership of up to 100% is allowed for export enterprises. Export enterprises are defined as those businesses wherein at least 60% of output is exported.

For domestic market enterprises, foreign ownership is allowed up to 100%, except for specific areas listed under the Foreign Investments Negative List. Under the Negative List, investment is limited up to 40%.

For more information on domestic market enterprises (without any export activity) and/or registering a business as a sole-proprietorship under the Foreign Investments Act of 1991 please visit the Department of Trade and Industry website at http://www.dti.gov.ph.

If you will be joining a corporation or forming one; please visit the Securities and Exchange Commission (http://www.sec.gov.ph) or the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (http://www.peza.gov.ph) websites.

If your products is at least 70% for export or if the activity is among those listed in the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP), please visit the Board of Investments website at http://www.boi.gov.ph

RETIREE INVESTOR

Once an applicant decides to invest in the Philippines, we can assist in the following:

1. Pre-processing & Evaluation of the application for the conversion of the dollar time deposit into an investment;
2. Annotation of the PRA restriction on the title representing the investment with the Register of Deeds (RD);
3. Processing and Approval of the investment application within five (5) working days.

Investment Areas for Retirees

1. A retiree can choose to invest their required deposit through the following means:urchase of a condominium unit;
2. Long-term lease of a parcel of land or house and lot;
3. Purchase of proprietary shares in golf or country clubs.

NOTE: For former Filipinos, purchase of a lot not exceeding 5,000 square meters in urban areas or three (3) hectares in rural areas to be used for business or other purposes.

DEVELOPER

The Philippine Retirement Authority is always looking for new partners that would assist in its efforts to provide world-class services to its resident-retirees, as well as developing the local retirement industry.

The PRA is currently looking for partnerships with the following: Hotels, Condominiums, Condotels, Apartments, Resorts, Housing Facilities and Retirement Facilities with or without Caring Services.

Once the appropriate requirements are met, feel free to send the application form along with the documentary requirements to:

Marketing Department
Client Relations Division,
c/o Ms. Lyn Carbonnel
4/F Citibank Center,
8741 Paseo de Roxas,
Makati City, 1207
Philippines

Source: PRA: Philippine Retirement Authority - Retirement Program

RELATED LINKS:

• Japanese Retirement Village in the Philippines - The Philippines is being eyed as a prime medical, health care and retirement destination for Japanese. According to studies, one out of four people in Japan will be aged 65 by 2020, from one out of six in 2000...
• Smiling at Life in Catanduanes - Peaceful, remote, laid back and rustic. Inhabitants of this small communities often are relatives and have kins working overseas or perhaps migrated in other places...

Botika Ng Bayan

The countdown for 2009 is nearing and many would be probably thinking and planning of what business to start next year. And a week ago, someone asked me about Botika Ng Bayan. So I am posting the program mechanics as reference.

Eligible Applicants

• Non-government organizations (NGOs) and cooperatives
• Trade and labor unions, employees’ associations
• Corporate foundations and religious groups
• Senior citizens’ and women’s groups
• Sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations

Pre-Qualification Requirements

• Valid and current registration, either as a cooperative with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), a foundation or association with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a workers’ association with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), or any organization authorized and certified by a duly recognized agency.
• Minimum revolving capital of PhP 500,000.00 for the project, as evidenced by a certification issued by an authorized Bank.
• Valid government licenses, business permits, etc.
• Proposed location plan or vicinity map.
• Capability to comply with the documentation, technical and other requirements of the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) in the filing of the application for a License to Operate (LTO) as Drugstore, including the availability of the services of a licensed Pharmacist.

Japanese Retirement Village in the Philippines

The Philippines is being eyed as a prime medical, health care and retirement destination for Japanese. According to studies, one out of four people in Japan will be aged 65 by 2020, from one out of six in 2000. Now is the best time to set up the retirement village for Japanese as baby boomers will start retiring in 2007.


Several notable Japanese companies have already initiated building medical and retirement havens in the Philippines. These include Sanyo Emeritus Co. Ltd., a joint venture between Sanyo Electric and Emeritus Corp. of Seattle, which provides "assisted living" services in the US and Canada; as well as Tokushukai Medical Corp., Japan's largest hospital chain, which is putting up a $100 million, 1000-bed hospital in the Philippines, targeting elderly Japanese citizens.

The Philippines is highly regarded because of its mild climate enjoyed by Japanese, its close proximity to Japan, the high quality of the Philippines' healthcare workforce, and the significantly lower cost of living.

Cost of living in Japan is 60 percent higher than in the Philippines. This means the retirees can enjoy their pensions more than those staying in Japan. By moving to the Philippines, they can spend half of what they would pay for rent at home in Japan and live in seaside resort mansions with guards, swimming pools, tennis courts and spacious bedrooms.

We are currently looking at developing our 100-hectare premium property into an exclusive Japanese retirement village. The property is located right beside a premier golf and leisure estate having four (4) 18-hole championship golf courses designed by the world renowned golfers, Isao Aoki, Andy Dye, Nick Faldo, and Greg Norman and is frequented by many Japanese executives and businessmen.


The prime property is only 15 minutes away from two major commercial malls as well as leading universities. It is conveniently located midway between Makati, the financial and urban center of the Philippines, and popular tourist destinations such as Tagaytay, Batangas and Laguna. Retirees will be half an hour away from the cool highlands of Tagaytay which overlooks the famous Taal Volcano and Taal Lake; an hour away from the beaches and famous diving spots of Batangas; as well as the mountains, hot springs, and lakes of Laguna.

We envision the Japanese retirement village to be a place where retirees can keep an active, meaningful, and fruitful lifestyle with modern houses and amenities, sports and recreational facilities, medical, health and care-giving services, educational, training and business centers. The retirees will be able to participate in many programs and activities such as gardening, cooking, ballroom dancing, pottery making, painting and other activities.

We are looking for a Japanese partner who would like to go into a joint venture to develop our property into an exclusive Japanese retirement village. We are looking for a partner who can handle the sales and marketing of the project in Japan and who would provide conceptual designs and specifications according to the preferences of the Japanese market.

Interested companies/investors may send their letter of intent and company profile to us. Please see "More Info." for our company profile and contact details.

Source: Japan External Trade Organization

RELATED LINKS:

• About Geotourism - Geotourism is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents...
• Duplicating Puerto Galera - Puerto Galera is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. It is the northwesternmost municipality in Oriental Mindoro...
• Smiling At Life In Catanduanes - Peaceful, remote, laid back and rustic. Inhabitants of this small communities often are relatives and have kins working overseas or perhaps migrated in other places...

Smiling At Life In Catanduanes

Possibly, many are wondering why am I posting maps of not often heard remote villages in our island. Peaceful, remote, laid back and rustic. Inhabitants of this small communities often are relatives and have kins working overseas or perhaps migrated in other places.

What makes these characteristics interesting to me is, these villages and municipalities can be a potential retirement destination for both foreign or local retirees, once promoted and develop as a retiree's haven. It is projected that this retirement program would be a US$40B industry by 2015.

Retirees often are in the twilight of their years and would pose no harm to our security, people and environment. And could be of help in our community by hiring caregivers, drivers, gardeners and househelps. They would not crave for expensive and heavily calorie laden foods, but instead, more on organically grown fresh vegetables and fishes, to which our friendly farmers and fishers can provide.

Maybe, there are some former residents who migrated and wishing to start smiling at life in Catanduanes.

RELATED ARTICLES:

• Barangay Manambrag - This is Manambrag, a barangay of San Andres (Calolbon) Catanduanes. I never gone to this place yet but it looks like a small peaceful village. According to August 2007 Census, she has an overall population of 2,582.
• The PRA Business Guide - As a general rule, anyone regardless of nationality may invest in the Philippines. However, foreign nationals enrolled in the Retirement Program are, under the Authority’s existing Implementing Investment Guidelines, permitted after a holding period of 30 days