HWAO, PGH, and Camille
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL
The other week saw the HWAO (Helping Women & Others) Foundation mount a fund-raising evening for the Philippine General Hospital, in memory of one of HWAO’s founding members, Camille Santos-Samson. Camille passed away in June, and the night became an opportunity for family and friends to remember how much Camille will be missed. Her birthday was the previous week (Sept. 26), and the night of the event was her wedding anniversary with Manny Samson (Oct. 2). Held at the Polo Club’s Main Lounge, Manny couldn’t help but recall that this was the very same venue where their wedding reception was held.
If you recall the fire that broke out at the PGH Central Block building in May of 2021, Camille was confined at the hospital at the time, having undergone open surgery for her cancer affliction. She was among the hundreds of patients who had to be evacuated, literally walking down seven flights of stairs with her IV still attached, assisted by her nurse. In his speech, Manny recalled how he was on the way to get her when she rang him, saying that her nurse who had her car parked at PGH would be taking her home. Thanks to the quick thinking and dedication of the PGH staff, there were no casualties that night – and even the premature babies and those under neonatal care were successfully brought out of danger.
DR. GAP LEGASPI, beside the portrait of Camille Santos-Samson.
When Camille spoke to my sister after the fire, she told Libet (chairperson of HWAO), she couldn’t believe how lucky she still was, and that God was still looking out for her. Not only did she safely evacuate, but she had a nurse who could drive her home – and let’s remember that this was during the height of the Covid health crisis. The seeds to do something for that particular building at PGH were planted, and Libet even joked Camille that she could be the poster girl for the future fundraiser; and Camille loved the idea, exclaiming, ‘Talaga!’
Manny was especially touched with how the members of HWAO never forgot that fervent wish of Camille, a wish that because of her recurring sickness, she never got around to focus on. As Libet mentioned, it was bittersweet to be standing there and see the support this HWAO project for the PGH was garnering, while missing Camille’s presence – as she called the HWAO board to join her on the stage.
THE PRESENT Board of Directors of the Helping Women and Others Foundation; (from left) your columnist, Liaa C. Bautista, Marga A. Zobel, Tang Singson, Libet C. Virata, Elena Coyiuto, Gina Aboitiz, and Bettina Osmena.
Dr. Gap Legaspi, neurosurgeon and longest standing medical director of the UP-PGH spoke about the special relationship PGH had with Camille, and how he’s always been grateful for the efforts of the private sector in augmenting what can be done at the hospital in the name of free healthcare for the disadvantaged. The new Chemo Prep Room was one of the earlier projects of HWAO, and it meant doubling the number of patients who could be administered chemotherapy on any given day.
FIRST LADY, Liza Araneta-Marcos, with the Santos and Samson families.
Architect Dan Lichauco of ARCHION explained where the funds raised that evening would be going to. When the fire broke out, that the hospital lacked updated safety systems became a major concern. Funds were raised to upgrade the elevators, such that big fans are now pumping air into the elevator shafts, and they are no longer fire traps and can be used for evacuating patients. Secondary systems mean that during a fire, doors can be closed as safe areas of refuge with air pumped, until such time that assistance can be deployed. It is these areas of refuge by the elevator lobbies that the funds raised would be directed to.
The evening was very different from the usual charity fundraisers. This night was focussed around Camille and her family, and it was more like a reunion – with people moving between tables, to say hello to old friends they had not seen in years. It was that kind of night, one that was festive and celebratory, yet intimate, and also with a serious eye on why the evening was happening in the first place.