Visitors among those served during 8th Halad Pasalamat
Sixty-three-year-old Warlinda Cuevas came to Cebu to have herself checked. She had difficulty breathing and experienced chest pains.
Because she could hardly pay for her medical expenses, she only had herself checked at a government hospital. As luck would have it, however, she was would get medical attention twice.
Yesterday, before her scheduled trip back to Negros this week, Warlinda availed of free medical consultation from the Jose R. Gullas Halad Foundation.
“Mapasalamaton kaayo ko sa Ginoo ug pagbuot niya kini nga makaabot ko ani sa dili pa ko molarga. Ako pud gani ni gipanabi sa ubang tawo tungod kay mahal gud ni sa hospital pero diri, dili ka kinahanglan mobayad,” she said.
For its eighth year, the “Halad Pasalamat” was held at the Gullas Medical Center in Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City.
An annual activity, the “Halad Pasalamat” offers medical and non-medical services for free.
Yesterday's activity attracted people from Bohol and Leyte. Warlinda herself availed of acupressure and massage therapy.
“Dako kaayo akong pasalamat sa mga tawo nga nagpaluyo ani tungod kay libre ra intawon. Kon sa hospital pa, dako na guro kaayo ko'g gasto ani. Daghan kaayong tawo natabangan ani ilabi na sa mga kabus,” she said.
Jose “Dodong” Gullas, The FREEMAN chairman and executive vice president of the University of the Visayas, said the program is intended for the less fortunate.
“That is my intention – to serve the poor. The rich ones do not need this one because they can afford, but for them, this is given for free,” he said.
“It is my dream that if I can plant and engrave good deeds for the less fortunate here on Earth, maybe in heaven, there may be blessing… Pray that I can continue to walk further, for health to shine brighter, so that I can continue this one,” Gullas said.
Yesterday's activity is among the series of activities Gullas has prepared before he celebrates his 84th birthday on February 1.
Last Thursday, hundreds of school children, as well as students and employees of the University of the Visayas received the sacrament of confirmation through the initiative of the JRG Halad Foundation.