Esteemed for its long and rich history of excellence in leadership and public service, the Upsilon Sigma Phi celebrated 97 years of outstanding existence, by renewing its passion for service with “Upsilon Cares: Free medical, dental, optical and surgical mission” last November 14,2015 at Barangay Kabulusan, Pakil, Laguna. The activity, a collaboration of the fraternity and the Provincial Government of Laguna, provided free medical and health care services, including provisions of medicines and eyeglasses, to more than 2,000 underprivileged residents of barangays Banilan, Dorado, Casa Real, Matikiw, Casinsin and Kabulusan of Pakil. Almost a hundred resident members and alumni from the Upsilon Los Banos and Diliman/Manila chapters joined forces in conducting this public service initiative.
Upsilon alumni doctors Dr Renato Dario, Dr Ian Ezpeleta, Dr Francis Rabara, Dr Jegar Catindig and Dr Sean Aquilino collaborated with the other doctors and staff of the provincial government medical team in dispensing various medical assistance, consultations and minor surgery, while around twenty Upsilonian health sciences students from UP Manila also assisted in dental and medical checkups. Barangay government officials of Kabulusan said that the event was an impressive breakthrough as it was able to help a phenomenal number of the underprivileged in the area and was an important contribution to Pakil’s aim of providing better social services to the public.
Upsilon Cares provided medical consultation, dental (tooth extraction), minor surgical procedure (warts removal, cysts (sebaceous, lymphoma), boils, circumcision), optical (eye screening) and pap smear services to the residents of Pakil. Also, laboratory procedures such as ECG, FBS/ RBS, urinalysis, cholesterol test, and uric acid test were available for free usage by the residents. The event aside from giving free medicines and eyeglasses, had food, games and toys for kids while they waited and provided even free haircut for all.
This initiative for service was spearheaded by Fellow Clark Banaag, who hoped that the outstanding efforts leading to the success of this activity can be replicated in years to come, as he believes it not only made a difference in the lives of Pakil residents, but also developed camaraderie and civic consciousness among fraternity members, something that the fraternity holds as one of its core values. He also acknowledged the invaluable help of Fellow Vincent Soriano, whose efforts and contributions were vital in the success of the activity. Governed by the anniversary theme “Transcendence: 97 Years of Living the Imperative of Service”, Upsilon Cares truly affirms the fraternity’s proud lineage in Philippine public service with initiatives that include the Upsilon-Gawad Kalinga partnership in 2005 which resulted in the establishment of 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities within 7 years."
