Remembering and honoring Camille

A fundraiser mounted by the Helping Women and Others (HWAO) Foundation for the lobby area of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Central Block building became a window to fondly remember one of the organization's founding members, Camille Santos-Samson.

Camille passed away in June. It was her birthday on Sept. 26, and the day of the fundraiser was her wedding anniversary with Manny Samson. In his speech, Manny moved many of the guests to tears as he recounted Camille’s last days, and her fervent wish to do something for this specific PGH building. This was because back in May 2021, during the fire that broke out in the building, she was a patient recovering from open surgery. Thanks to her nurse, Camille got out—after going down seven flights of stairs with her IV still attached, and being driven home by the said nurse. This kind of service and dedication from the staff, as well as the move to institute stronger safety systems, were strong reasons for Camille to support PGH—something her “sisters” in HWAO were ready to make happen, in her name.

The evening was truly something special and intimate, as it was family and friends gathering together in what most resembled a reunion, and not just a charity event. Libet C. Virata, chairperson of HWAO, along with Manny and PGH Director Dr. Gap Legaspi, was certain that Camille was smiling down on them that night.