FIFTY years, 130 missions less the pandemic years, 68,821 patients operated on. These numbers do not include the daily referrals, consultations, and free operations at their three-story building along J.P. Cabaguio Avenue in Davao City. That’s Maharlika Charity Foundation Inc. (MCFI) established on 2 May 1973 by that generation’s most known Davao philanthropist Desiderio Dalisay Sr.
Humanity’s generosity and charity are the secrets to sustaining such a massive medical mission for half a century.
“Being generous is like when you give something very important to you because you value that friend, you love that person. It’s like saying this is a precious thing I am giving to you. But being charitable is giving something that a person needs,” MCFI president Dr. Benedict Edward P. Valdez said in an interview at the Maharlika Center last 3 May 2023. “There’s a lot of generous people and a lot of charitable people and that is how we make a difference in our modern-day struggle.”
Celebrating half a century of service is the Maharlika stalwart, Dr. Rizal Aportadera, who has become Davao City’s icon in medical charity works.
People from all walks of life gave what they can to jumpstart Maharlika in 1972. “One organization with some 300 members gave an initial contribution of P910, a Mania visitor P40, an electric shop proprietor sent in P50, a Yoga teacher from India gave P100. Even schoolchildren gave up their merienda for a day and donated P1.00 each. And a noted philanthropist opted for a life subscription. One bank opened a Maharlika Account,” the brief history of the foundation reads. This was 1972 when the average exchange rate was at US$1: Php6.67. One peso at that time was already a generous “baon” for schoolchildren when most had between 25 to 50 centavos.
There has been a steady inflow of support of all kinds: cash, food, clothing, transportation and shelter, and even old furniture. Help extended are always welcome, and thus Maharlika has doctors giving their free service during missions.
Among the long list of medical practitioners who have shared their time and expertise to Maharlika are:
[] Opthalmologists: Maximino S. Libre, Jr., Elvira C. Embalsado, Maricel Q. Luzano, Edward J. Soriano, and Ricardo B. Torno;
[] Surgeons: Bernabe P. Mendoza, Antonio B. Feliciano, Robert B. Bandolon, Rolando A. Chiu, and Benecio L. Adona
[] Medical Specialist: Amy T. Adona
[] Internist: Bernard S. Chiew
[] Pediatrician: Geraldine S. Ugdoracion
[] Dentist: Carlos T. Capitan II
[] Anesthesiologists: Mark Gil T. Dela Cruz, Kenn Hussein T. Mamontuan, Joseph G. Beltran, Janneth P. Mata- Chan, Fereve S. Pacatan, Martha O. Montaño, Jan Moncette Therese H. Obispo, Aubrey Joy B. Bareng- Macaspac, and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Vice President Carlito I. Kho.
Most of these volunteer doctors are fellows or diplomates of their specialization.
Also celebrating with Maharlika last May 2 and 3 were officers of the Philippine College of Surgeons-Surgery in the Underserved Regions and for Education Commission (PCS SURE) led by its Commission Director Dr. Beda R. Espineda, chairman Dr. Marcus Lester R. Suntay, who is also president of the World Surgical Foundation Philippines, and PCS Regent Dures Fe E. Tagayuna. The surgeons were in town for the PCS Mid-Year Convention held at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang. The PCS-SURE recognized Maharlika’s decades of service to the underprivileged during the 78th Annual Clinical Congress held at Edsa Shangrila Hotel last December 2022 and is now partnering with Maharlika to learn how to sustain such charity work, which SURE is also embarking on.
Dr. Tagayuna, in an interview, acknowledged the vast experience Maharlika can share with them to bring medical surgeries to those who cannot afford such costly procedures. She also acknowledged Maharlika’s inclusive manner of welcoming volunteers and tapping local doctors who have been doing surgeries on residents who are in dire need of such medical services.
On the other hand, Valdez acknowledged the foundation’s service awardees pointing out that they only have gratitude for their staff who stayed on with them. The service awardees were Janice U. Costes, Isandra Z. Babiera, Eriberto Manito Jr., Shiela S. Lamban, Hayde Marie N. Jainar, and Elwyndasol C. Rañon.
Awarded as well are the groups and individuals who have journeyed with Maharlika and shared their resources with the foundation. These are:
Mercantile Corporation of Davao with no less than Johnny and Linda Ferrazzini attending, RJ Homes, Louie L. Brodeth, Leticia S. Averion, Aktiv Multi Trading Co Phils, Inc., Trust Hardware, Ansuico, Inc., Soworthy Marketing, Kudos Trucking, Global Impact Phils. Foundation, Inc. with its founding director Amy Muranko Gahan attending, Denprime Home Equipment & Accessories, Inc., and Smile Train.
Also recognized were those who provided Maharlika the much-needed transport for their missions. They are: Danilo Narciso, Jay Michael Arupa, Allan Saluage, Rolando del Valle, Jr., Sergio Nagal Jr., and Cesar Moneba Jr.
There are thousands of others who have given their share through the half a century of Maharlika, many have already passed on, others remaining in the background.
Beyond just celebrating the sustained medical mission works of Maharlika, its 50th Foundation Anniversary is a silent testimony to the generosity and charity of the Dabawenyos.
*The main support of Maharlika projects and operations rests upon the greatness of mind, heart, and spirit of the vast majority of the more than one million citizens of the Greater Davao,” its 50th Anniversary story reads. SAE