SCH-MATI celebrates ten years of existence

The celebration started with a motorcade.  Wow, what a scene! More than twenty motorbikes with balloons and several cars/vehicles including an ambulance filled the streets of Mati. It was, indeed, a breathtaking scene – a clear manifestation of appreciation and acknowledgement of the services of SCH-Mati.

After the motorcade, the guests gathered for the Holy Eucharist. His Excellency Most Rev. Bishop Patricio Alo, DD, presided over the celebration, with concelebrants Fr. Ivo Anselmi, MI, and Fr. Dietmar Weber, MI, the Provincial Superiors of Philippine Province and German Province respectively.

Other Camillian confreres – Frs. Evan Paul Villanueva, Bong Pamintuan, Angel Crisostomo, Boy Guinit, Tex Rico, Manny Tamayo (Germany), Bro. Paulo Han, MI (Taiwan), Bro. Mars Digal, Schs. Augustinus Sudarnato and Mushtaq Anjum. – graced the event also.

More than two hundred guests joined the celebration.  Notable was a good number of Essen-based Filipinos who came with Fr. Weber and Fr. Manny.  They have been working in Germany for many years now. They are part of a “personal parish” in the Diocese of Essen, of which Fr. Weber is the appointed chaplain, with Fr. Manny as assistant.  This year, they included the visit to Mati in their vacation itinerary.  

Significantly, 19 diocesan priests lent their presence too. Members of the Lay Camillian Family were also there. Camillian sisters, Virgie, Ning-Ning and Lea were at the forefront of the whole celebration whereas the volunteers from CBHP silently worked at the background for the success of the event.

The Bishop appreciated the involvement of the Camillians in his diocese. He talked about the accidental? incidental? or providential? presence of the Camillians. He concluded that their coming to Mati happened indeed through the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

After the thanksgiving Mass, which was quite an awesome ceremony, the program proper began at around 10:30 AM, with Ms. Olive Limeno and Fr. Angel V. Crisostomo, MI as emcees. Mrs. Custodio, Hospital Administrator, gave the welcome remarks, which was followed by a video presentation on the history of St. Camillus Hospital. Thanks to the generous help of some of the high-tech personnel, the presentation enabled the guests to get glimpses of how a dream came true.

Bishop Alo, Fr. Ivo and Fr. Weber then gave their messages which conveyed deep appreciation and gratitude to the Camillians and the hospital administration. Fr. Weber mentioned that in Germany, Mati is the second most famous city after Manila. Upon hearing that, the audience broke into thunderous applause.

To bring more life to the program, the students from Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology presented a cultural dance. Beautiful indeed!  And messages did not end there; Honorable Mayor Michelle Rabat and Honorable Congresswoman Thelma Z. Almario gave their messages too, expressing appreciation of the quality services by SCH-Mati.  Mayor Michelle said that she can sleep soundly because of the presence of SCH.

One of the moving moments was the recognition of the 18 pioneering employees. The hospital administration acknowledged their untiring and committed services for the past ten years. The ceremony was coupled with trivia questions about the history of the hospital.  Dr. Severo Arnao, Medical Director, then introduced the hospital website and launched the “Pusong Kamilyano” CD (please see related article).

Fr. Bong Pamintuan, MI, Hospital Director, gave the closing remarks.  He thanked the Provinces of Germany and the Philippines for their constant support and congratulated the hospital staff and medical personnel.  After the ceremonial wish, lunch was served and the much awaited raffle draw came in as the ‘desert.’

The Employees’ Night was another big affair. In the evening, the professional singers of the band rendered several songs, and some students expressed their gratitude through dance.

That evening, Fr. Ivo’s favorite milk flowed.  Red wine was served to toast not only the anniversary of SCH-Mati but also the electoral victory of Fr. Ivo’s candidate to the post of Prime Minister of the Italian Parliament.

So, Fr. Tom, we expect your favorite milk to flow also ten years from now. But the donation will come from the land of Bush on that 20th anniversary celebration. Until then, good bye!

The release of a CD album containing original song compositions of SCH-Mati personnel was part of the celebration of the hospital’s tenth anniversary last April 15.  The songs were the entries in the Hospital Theme Song writing context held in June 2007.  The album title “Pusong Kamilyano” was the winning entry, together with “A Hundred Arms That Care.”

A noble purpose gave rise to the idea of compiling the songs.  Wanting to assist the indigent patients of SCH Mati not only medically but also financially, the hospital personnel decided to produce and sell the album.  Proceeds will then be used to help the poor sick.

Orders and donations can be coursed through St. Camillus Hospital of Mati Foundation, Inc., National Highway, Madang, City of Mati 8200, Davao Oriental.  Contact numbers are: Phone – 63 87 3883682; Fax – 63 87 3883802.