Families across seven barangays in Rizal, Palawan organized around their health priorities on May 30-31, bringing 1,258 community members together for Medical Mission from the Heart’s second year.
The communities of Ransang, Punta Baja, Culasian, Iraan, Candawaga, Bunog, and Campong Ulay coordinated transportation, childcare, and scheduling to access comprehensive healthcare services at Lionheart Office in Barangay Ransang. This multi-barangay collaboration nearly doubled participation from last year’s 649 individuals—a 94% increase demonstrating growing community ownership of the mission.
Families drove impressive growth across services:
- 303 medical consultations for preventive and specialized care
- 362 dental procedures—a 176% increase reflecting community priority on oral health
- 79 eye examinations addressing vision care needs
- 51 safe circumcision procedures for young men
- 121 children engaged in educational activities through Kids Corner programming
- 316 haircuts providing accessible personal care
- 26 pets vaccinated supporting community health
Each number represents families who organized around their wellness, traveled distances, and invested time because healthcare matters to them.
“Life does not begin when you discover your purpose,” said actress and Gabay Kalingang Foundation trustee Shaina Magdayao during the opening program. “It begins when you use it for the greater good.”
That purpose showed in every aspect of the mission. Parents accessed medical care while children participated in book reading, storytelling, and creative activities nearby. Community members from different barangays connected over shared health goals. Neighbors coordinated rides and watched each other’s children.
The AFP Western Command provided medical professionals, logistical support, and security coordination, while community volunteers guided families through service stations and ensured smooth operations. This partnership model maintains community leadership while delivering professional medical care.
“This may be the last day of the mission, but the work doesn’t end here,” said Cecille Chang Moeller, Gabay Kalingang Foundation trustee, during closing remarks. “Once you’ve seen the need and felt the joy of giving, you carry that with you. Every person we meet deepens the meaning of this mission. So let’s keep saying yes. Yes to showing up, yes to walking this path together. Mission by mission. Heart to heart.”
The comprehensive approach addresses families’ full wellness needs—from emergency dental care and preventive checkups to children’s education and even pet health. Community members shaped service priorities, resulting in expanded dental capacity and new veterinary programming based on their feedback.
Medical Mission from the Heart thrives because communities like these seven barangays take action. Families prioritize their health, organize around their needs, and create the foundation for sustained healthcare access. Partners like Lionheart and AFP Western Command support community-driven initiatives rather than impose external solutions.
Mission from the Heart Year 2 was co-organized by Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC) and David, Edna & Martin Sutter in partnership with JC Premiere, Landers, Da Casita Vista Homes, and IVO Philippines.
Gabay Kalinga Foundation commits to returning annually, building on the trust and partnerships families have established. The mission’s growth trajectory—from single-barangay participation to seven-community collaboration—demonstrates what happens when communities own their health journey.
Tuloy ang pagkalinga. This represents an ongoing relationship built on community leadership, mutual respect, and shared commitment to wellness. The mission succeeds because families make it their own—one community at a time, from heart to heart.
Mission from the Heart delivered an estimated ₱2.2 million worth of healthcare and educational services, removing financial barriers while honoring community priorities and leadership.
