PHOTOS BY PIA ALYSSA GELLADA, West Visayas State Unviesity Intern
IN A WORLD where healthcare can often feel like a privilege instead of a right, a quiet force of compassion is bringing light and hope to those in the shadows. They are not celebrities or politicians. They are health professionals armed with a big heart. Their mission: to heal without expecting anything in return.
One such mission took place on March 29, 2025 in Barangay Amparo, Pavia, Iloilo, where hundreds of residents queued not for charity, but for dignity, care, and relief from ailments they could not otherwise afford to treat.
The medical mission was organized by Panay News, the No. Regional Newspaper, in partnership with the Daniel G. Fajardo Foundation, Inc. (DGFFI). Among the volunteers were remarkable individuals whose stories of service prove that hope still thrives in the hands of those who choose to give.
A Soldier with a Stethoscope
Lieutenant Colonel Jussel F. Parlan, commanding officer of the Camp Peralta Station Hospital in Jamindan, Capiz under the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, was among the lead doctors of the mission.
With a specialty in ENT and surgery, Parlan could have chosen the comfortable route of a private or government hospital. But his decision to wear fatigues instead of a white coat was no accident — it was a calling.
“My father was a military doctor,” Parlan shared. “Even then, I already saw how much the communities in far-flung areas needed doctors. It’s hard for them to get to hospitals.”
Parlan treats not only injured soldiers but also civilians, especially children, caught in the crossfire between the military and insurgents in Capiz.
Before being assigned to Camp Peralta, he served in Marawi City during the Maute siege and helped in Tacloban City during the devastation of Super Typhoon Yolanda.
“This isn’t just a simple act of volunteering,” Parlan emphasized. “As medical practitioners, we truly want to help people. Not just the military — but also the communities in our area of service.”
Despite the risks, Parlan remains committed to joining medical missions, moved by the pressing need he witnesses every day, especially among the poor who lack access to even the most basic healthcare.
A Young Doctor Fueled by Passion
Just as inspiring is Dr. Ildi Gamboa, a 27-year-old graduate of Iloilo Doctors College who had recently passed the board exam. His youth is matched by his drive—already, he has spent more than four years participating in medical missions.
“In our profession, becoming a doctor isn’t about chasing money. If it were, there are other fields with better pay,” Gamboa said with conviction. “But this profession is all about passion — my passion to help others improve their health.”
Gamboa was especially moved by the worsening public health issues he saw during the pandemic and the rise of diseases like dengue.
“Ever since the pandemic and now with all these health concerns, we see how crucial it is for doctors to go out and serve communities. Medical missions like this are more important than ever,” he said.
A Nurse’s Journey from Antique
From the quiet barangay of Punta Dalipe in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, Jazyl Rico, 23, made the long journey to Iloilo City that morning.
A nurse from Fremont Dialysis Center — one of the mission’s partners — Rico didn’t think twice about volunteering.
“It felt really good to help people, especially those who can’t afford checkups. This kind of service really matters to them,” she said, beaming. “It’s heartwarming to hear their gratitude. That’s what keeps me going.”
While her school only offered a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Rico’s dream was always to work in healthcare. The pandemic, she said, made her even more determined to help the sick.
The Veteran Surgeon Who Never Left
And then there’s Dr. Pacifico Dalisay Jr., whose life is a living testament to enduring service. Now a seasoned thoracic cardiovascular surgeon, Dalisay has been helping in medical missions for more than three decades.
“I’ve been doing this for the last 35 to 40 years,” he shared. “I started my practice here in Iloilo, and from the beginning, I knew it was part of my mission to give back.”
Sent abroad by the government during the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to train in thoracic surgery, Dalisay returned home with a sense of duty etched deep in his being.
He currently volunteers not just in medical missions, but also as Lt. Col. (Res.) Pacifico Dalisay Jr. with the Philippine Army in Barangay Nabitasan, La Paz, Iloilo City.
“This is more than just volunteering. The feeling of having served the community — it’s priceless. That’s why I’ve continued doing this for so long.”
These individuals may come from different places and generations, but they are united by a singular purpose: to serve without expecting anything in return. In a country where many still struggle to access even the most basic healthcare, they are the flicker of light in a sick man’s darkness, the warm touch in a cold system.
In their hands, volunteerism is no longer just a word. It is a lifeline, a gift, and above all, a promise — that someone, somewhere, still cares./PN
