Team Building and Strategic Planning

written by Mikee Pasaporte

The Ruth Foundation team building and strategic planning was held last May 14-16, 2015 at the Hills at Silang. Our staff, consultants, hospice care providers and core volunteers were given the opportunity to come together to be refreshed, enjoy each other’s company, share ideas and brainstorm for tactical plans for the rest of the year.

Big steps, small steps, leaps and jumps for the win.

A decent jump shot for the win!

1…2…3.. game on!

Time to think and strategize.

Main session

Brainstorming at its best

When Words Fail, Music Speaks

written by: Mikee Pasaporte

Music is known as the universal language. We had the opportunity to witness how music literally breaks boundaries and can even be used to share the Foundation’s advocacy.

From L-R: Allan Lagat (Uppercase), Zai Ramos (Bayang Magiliw Productions), Mark De Leon (Uppercase), Lira and Mikee(The Ruth Foundation), Grace, Joey Giagonia (Uppercase), Jason Alba (Uppercase), and Kyle Andre Saliva (Uppercase).

Benefit Tour

The Ruth Foundation for Palliative and Hospice Care was chosen to be the primary beneficiary of Uppercase Band’s 2015 album launch last April 29 through May 3, 2015, in various bars in Parañaque, Makati, Taguig and a mall show in Cavite. For every Php 200 donation to the Foundation, an Uppercase CD was given. These donations were for purchase of pain medication and other basic needs of the Foundation’s patients.

At Checkpoint Rockbar in Paranque

At V-Central Mall Molino

A Cause Close to the Heart

Mark De Leon of the band Uppercase came back to Manila last January 2015 from Toronto, Canada to look for a foundation that could benefit from their band’s Manila album tour. He was the primary caregiver for his mom, who had pancreatic cancer and who enjoyed listening to their music. He believes that she would have wanted them to give back to the cause of caring for those patients going through the end stage of the cancer journey. Different indie bands shared their music during each event and were also given the opportunity to learn about hospice care—with the idea of having care being top priority, when cure isn’t achievable.

TRF visits Saguijo

At Saguijo

An Experience to be Grateful for

From experiencing the Philippine’s hot weather, traffic and crowded areas, this trip has been memorable for the band, since this is the first time that they were given the opportunity to come to the Philippines as a complete 5-piece band.

The Ruth Foundation would like to thank the members of Uppercase Band, Bayang Magiliw Productions, Sharkboy Productions, Ensaymada Man Productions and MudHoney Productions, and all those who were behind the scenes in support. Thanks again to all those who made this possible.

Sharing TRF’s advocavy at 278 Apache

Performing at Checkpoint Rockbar

For more information about the band and their events, check their website uppercaseband.com

Soft- Launch: Leadership For HOPE Certificate Program

written by: Mikee Pasaporte

Last Friday, March 13, 2015, The Ruth Foundation in partnership with the Philippine Society of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and the Philippine Cancer Society, soft-launched the Leadership For HOPE Certificate Program. Among the fusion of attendees from different fields that evening were professionals from the medical field, pharmaceutical field, the academe and frontrunners of various foundations here in the Philippines.

This certificate course program serves to strengthen core competencies among primary and secondary health care providers by equipping them with knowledge and skill to extend care within and beyond the hospital setting.

Dr. James “Jim” Cleary, a palliative care physician at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and the Director of Pain and Policy Studies Group at the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Center for Pain Policy and Palliative Care, shared his thoughts on the Gaps in End-of-Life Care with the group.

A challenge was posed by Dr. Mae Corvera to the group to cap it off: a challenge to join efforts through partnerships, participation and sponsorship, towards a greater good — a greater goal of making hospice care education and training available to more potential hospice care providers.

The HAPPY ROOM Project

In 2013, The Ruth Foundation’s Happy Room Project benefited some sixteen indigent patients from Cavite and Muntinlupa. TRF staff, nurses and volunteers worked together to transform the patients’ bedrooms or personal living spaces which were often dark, decrepit, and unsanitary. The work involved thorough cleaning, minor repairs, the installation of new and cheerful curtains and often times even bathing and grooming of the patients. The project embodies the truth that even in these small ways, a patient’s quality of life can be improved, and their dignity can be restored. Follow-up visits have been scheduled and a new batch of beneficiaries of the Happy Room Project are being identified for 2015.

Caring Carols: 2014 Gift Giving

Our Christmas Gift-Giving started in December 2013. We would go to identified patients enrolled in The Ruth Foundation’s program and give them a small token– Danish cookies in a tin can. This year we followed through with this Christmas tradition, but with a sweet addition of singing Christmas carols. The song Thank You, Ang Babait Ninyo, was chosen and rendered by Nurse AJ, Nurse Emma, our volunteers and the OJTs of Trimex Colleges. This activity is a small way of sharing the blessings that The Ruth Foundation has received throughout the year from generous benefactors.

Trimex OJTs with Nurse AJ singing Christmas Carols

“This small act of kindness reminds them that they are loved, cared for and that the true meaning of Christmas is HOPE. Hope for comfort; hope for healing; and hope that, through their life’s journey, they are not alone.” – Nurse Carlo