By Michelle Fe Santiago
The Kabayan Cancer Support Group (KCSG) held its first general assembly, acquaintance party and induction of its new set of officers on Thursday at the Inn & Go Kuwait Plaza Hotel. The KCSG is a non-profit Filipino community organization founded on Feb 7, 2015 with its prime mission to help Filipino cancer patients to lessen their emotional burden by providing them with emotional, financial and spiritual support.
The event commenced with the singing of the Kuwait and Philippine national anthems respectively followed by a prayer led by KCSG founder and former President Marcelino Mallari.
Newly elected KCSG President Bernadette Sotelo Gayares welcomed all the distinguished guests that included Philippine Vice Consul Charleson Hermosura who attended the event on behalf of Charge d’Affaires Moh’d Noordin Pendosina Lomondot, Welfare Officer Eduardo Bellido, KCSG benefactors and friends.
“We would like to thank everyone who has been supporting the Kabayan Cancer Support Group in its advocacy in helping our cancer-stricken kababayan. To the Philippine Embassy, the POLO-OWWA, groups and individuals, your help, big or small means a lot to our fellow Filipinos who are battling cancer,” stated Gayares who has been with the KCSG since its inception.
The KCSG with around 55 members at the onset, has now more than 70 members who are mostly Filipino nurses, medical technologists and radiology technicians working at the Kuwait Cancer Control Center (KCCC).
Vice-Consul Hermosura inducted the new set of officers led by Gayares, Vice-President Demosthenes Abat, Secretary Theresa Arquisola and Suzette Aguilar, Treasurer Leah Quibol and Francisca Baculna, Auditor John Laguisan and Arcie Tagalag, Press Relations Officers – Enrique Macarandang, Judy Domingo, Marilyn Bocalig, Lovely Lorianne Ruiz, Robbie De Guzman, Paolo Caymo, Roselle Quibuyen and Agnes Zulueta.
“Congratulations to the newly inducted officers of the Kabayan Cancer Support Group. Carry on with your noble mission of helping our fellow Filipinos afflicted with cancer,” stated Hermosura as he lauded the group.
Meanwhile, Bellido expressed the POLO-OWWA’s full support to the group in all its endeavour.
“Rest assured that we will be here to extend all the assistance that you may need and let’s work together,” he stated.
Some cancer survivors like Ana Del Mundo and those still battling cancer such as Virgilia Nodos Capangpangan and Pazjade Gale Ascalon gave their testimony and how they have coped and been battling with cancer respectively and how the KCSG has helped cancer patients like them.
A video tribute to KCSG member Marian Velasco who succumbed to cancer recently was also held during the event.
To lighten up the mood, infusing some entertainment were some singing champs such as Jumel Carvajal, Jennifer Uy, Maroel Guarin and Melanie Panesa Vergara from the KCCC Laboratory while a Muslim dance was performed by Ms Ayesha.
Guest teenage performer Peter Daniel Carvajal serenaded the crowd with his mellifluous voice as he invited everyone to his debut concert on Oct 26 at the Marine Museum at the Radisson Blu Hotel and proceeds will be donated to the KCSG. The event hosted by Maxxy Santiago, Virginia Balistoy and Judy Domingo was highlighted by the candle lighting ceremony and capped with a sumptuous dinner.
The KCSG thanked all its benefactors and handed certificates of appreciation to the Philippine Embassy, Philippine Chef Society led by Chef Tony, Association of Filipino Optometrists in Kuwait, PINDOT, Washoku represented by Chef Rhon, Max’s Restaurant, Jollibee, Kout Food Group, International Optique, ABK Bank represented by Ivan Beltran, Dampa Lounge, KLIK represented by Job Rejante and Ana Del Mundo of ADM International Manpower Services.