News & Events

Cancer Warriors Climb Naguilian; Receives Warm Welcome

A sight drizzle accompanied the Bike for Life team as they pedaled courageously through the unknown terrain of Naguilian.  Undaunted by the chilly mountain air, the slippery roads and the steep climbs, the team of 7 males and 3 females relentlessly pushed their way to the very top.  Upon entering the city limits, they were met and reinforced by a combined team of 20 bikers led by Henry Padilla of the Baguio Northwall Bikers and Ryan Maurera of Baguio Benguet Cyclists.  The Cancer Warriors were also welcomed to Baguio by its founding partner PLDT and local supporters; PLDT executives were headed by Mr. Raul Alvarez, VP Marketing and Mr. Mar Marzan, PLDT Baguio Exchange Manager.  Philippine Information Agency Regional officers, members of the local media, UCCP Baguio and a team from the Cordillera Association of Regional Executives (CARE), led by its President, Regional Director Au Quiray, of the Commission on Population.  A press briefing and interview followed.

In the mid afternoon, a forum on cancer awareness was hosted by St. Louis University College of Nursing, through the efforts of Professor Ludivina Ramos.  An overflow audience of 360, composed of junior and senior nursing students from St. Louis, government employees representing 25 government offices and local NGO members of CORD attended the forum.  Melissa Domingo, daughter of a cancer survivor and now local volunteer assisting cancer patients in the Baguio General Hospital shared her challenging but fulfilling experiences as a caregiver and volunteer.  Dr. Amelia Mapagu, a UNESCO consultant and founder-President of Medical Assistance for the Poor (MAPS), gave an overview of cancer and the predisposing factors/key causes.  James Auste inspired the audience and moved them to tears as well as jubilation as he shared his own journey and the victorious stories of children fighting cancer.  He energized the crowded room with the fire of his passion as he committed to keep on fighting and be the voice for poor kids battling cancer.