PBA Legends USA News > PBA Legends Medical & Dental Mission

by Ronnie Nathanielsz

After months of coordination PBA Legends USA Foundation’s medical and dental mission to Antipolo and Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija on October 25 and 26 is ready to roll.

That’s the assurance of PBA Legends USA Foundation’s hardworking secretary general Rufino “Ruffy” Ignacio from his home in Washington State.

Ignacio informed www.insidesports.ph that the Foundation is providing funds for the medical-dental supplies and medicines for the program. The Foundation Grand Reunion benefit games conducted last March in California resulted in the capability to fund the mission project.

From Hawaii , Abe King, Jr., President and Chairman of the Board of the Foundation, is scheduled to arrive in Manila on October 22 for the mission. Ignacio said “ Abe will take a break from his job as production manager of a coffee plantation in Kona owned by the Schreiner family.”

Foundation Vice President Rey Santos will fly from Seattle to Manila to help with the mission.

King, renowned for his power rebounding as a superstar on the glamour team Toyota in the PBA which earned him the title of “King of the Boards” said that “at long last, we former PBA athletes, as a group, will have the opportunity to show our concern and love for the less-endowed and poor kababayans in the Philippines . This is the least we can do after all the years of support the people have given us. We have plans to conduct a number of medical-dental missions in other depressed areas in the country. We look forward to grant of scholarships to enable poor but deserving students to study in college. Other activities include low-cost housing through Gawad Kalinga, food drive, and the like.”

“Imagine, si Abe pa ang naging leader ng PBA alumni athletes, an about face of sort, really quite astonishing,” whispered Sonny Jaworski to Francis Arnaiz and Ruffy Ignacio before the game in Union City in California last March. “Tutoo yan, si Abe pa na aming ‘bad boy’ nuong araw ang nagkapunyaging maitayo itong aming Foundation,” added Rino Salazar, a contemporary of Abe with Toyota .

The Antipolo mission will be conducted in cooperation with Mayor Victor Sumulong who strongly supports the project and has enjoined the city medical staff, doctors, dentists, and volunteer nurses to serve. Former Tanduay standout Alex Marquez, now Councilor and chairman of the health and social services committee of the council, is coordinating the multifarious activities. Alex has listed some 1,500 prospective patients strictly selected on the basis of need. Ignacio reported that Marquez “anticipates there will be more drop-ins on the day of the mission. And that is the reason that inputs by way of complementary medical supplies, and services of other doctors, dentists and nurses may be necessary.” Prospective volunteers are requested to call Alex Marquez (697-0804 or cel l 0917-812-0470).

The Antipolo mission will be graced by former PBA athletes who will provide moral support and comfort to the patients and volunteers. The athletes will gather in a designated place in Cainta at 8:00 AM and drive to Barangay De la Paz covered court in Antipolo, the venue of the mission.

Legendary coach Baby Dalupan will join the athletes in Antipolo. The athletes are Abe King, Sonny Jaworski, Caloocan Vice Mayor Tito Varela, Manny Paner, Ramon Fernandez, Alan Caidic, Atoy Co, Philip Cezar, Bogs Adornado, Alvin Patrimonio, Vergel Meneses, Ronnie Magsanoc, Manny Victorino, Roderick Racela, Gerry Esplana, Arthur de la Cruz, Jerry Codinera, Hector Calma, Bong Alvarez, Jojo Lastimosa, Freddie Hubalde, Chito Loyzaga, Frankie Lim, Leo Isaac, Cris Calilan and others.

From Antipolo, the Foundation staff will motor to Cuyapo the next day. Waiting on Sunday will be some 800 pre-identified patients, indigents all. Mayor Amado Corpus, Jr. of Cuyapo has commended the Foundation for such a laudable project.The Mayor and Foundation Vice President Rey Santoshave listed eight dentists from the Philippine Dental Association and six doctors and nurses from the Cuyapo municipality to serve the people. Some PBA athletes will likewise attend the C