February 2016 Featured Volunteer: Flip Carlos

TRF’s Volunteer of the Month for February 2016 is Florencia “Flip” Carlos.

She has been with The Ruth Foundation since 2014 and is a reliable member of the volunteer pool. She consistently shows up when she is scheduled for visits and speaks her mind for the greater good of the team.

Q&A with FLIP

How did you come to volunteer for TRF?

I actually learned about TRF even before it was established. Nanay Ruth* mentioned it to me when Doc Mae was still brainstorming plans to put up the foundation. I’m glad that nanay Ruth was still alive when the foundation started.

I began to volunteer at TRF just after I retired.

What were your expectations as a volunteer?

To be of value to the community and be relevant to the society.

Describe the activities you volunteered for. Why did you choose them?

Home Visits. While it may be tiring at times, it gives me a sense of accomplishment that I am able to help mankind and be of service even in my senior age. I also learned a lot on the different aspects and kinds of illnesses.

What are your key reflections/lessons? How has the experience changed your life?

Every person needs care in one way or the other. As a person ages, he/she becomes vulnerable and sensitive. With the home visits experiences I had, I begin to understand more of the sensitiveness being a senior.

Thank you Flip!

*Nanay Ruth is the mother-in-law of TRF’s president and CEO, Dr. Mae Corvera. A compassionate social worker, her great deeds of service serve as inspiration to the team. She was a great encouragement to everyone at The Ruth Foundation until she passed away in 2014.

Hope for the Holidays

Written By: Mikee Pasaporte

A 47-year old patient of ours, welcomes the holiday season with more hope than usual. He started off with immense weakness on all his extremities on the right side of his body due to a stroke. In comparison with his condition last month, he can now move his right hand, sit on his wheelchair and is improving with his speech.

He is a husband and a father. He has not given up. He has chosen not to give up. He is a fighter.

His family supports him. They are the reason he can still give that lopsided smile despite his current condition.  He is resilient. He represents those who are still willing to be the best they can be. He represents HOPE.

There are many just like him. There are many out there who haven’t lost faith in getting better, in feeling better, and in being a better version of themselves. There are many of those who haven’t given up. There are many of those who aren’t affected much by the chaos surrounding lab results that may change your life and give you a horrible prognosis. Call it good days and bad days, but regardless of what we may label it, they are our days. This is the season to give tribute to those who still have hope and still fight for it.

Merry Christmas and God bless!

TRF’s 2015 Christmas Party

There’s More to Christmas
- Unknown

There’s more, much more to Christmas
Than candle-light and cheer;

It’s the spirit of sweet friendship
That brightens all the year;

It’s thoughtfulness and kindness,
It’s hope reborn again,

For peace, for understanding
And for goodwill to men!

Merry Christmas, from all of us!

Pinoy Laughter Yoga

Written by Mikee Pasaporte

The opportunity to grab a Level 1 Laughter Yoga Certification Course was made available at Asian Hospital and Medical Center last November 21, 2014, in partnership with The Ruth Foundation. This was led by Master Pinoy Laughter Yoga Instructor, Mr. Paolo Trinidad.

Some topics discussed were:

• techniques to facilitate laughter yoga in both hospital and office settings;

• facial and mouth exercises to enhance good laughter; and 

• self-care regimens

Mr. Paolo Trinidad sharing his knowledge on simulated and real laughter

Laughter Yoga session during the TRF Open House last August 2015

Reasons to Give Thanks

Written by: Mikee Pasaporte

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”- J.F. Kennedy

It is that time of the year when the word “Thanksgiving” floods our social media. Though here in the Philippines, Thanksgiving Day is not a holiday or an event most families celebrate. It is difficult to be thankful for things we do not want to happen in our lives; circumstances like illness, loss of a loved one, accidents and so forth, but I would like us all to take this time to embrace the concept of being grateful.

Read this with me:

I am grateful for the air I breathe, the water I drink, the food I eat, the roof on my head, the clothes on my back, and the tons of extras I call “necessities”.

I am grateful for family and friends, who have stuck with me through thick and thin.

I am grateful for health, maybe it hasn’t been optimal the entire year, yet I am still alive.

I am grateful for being able to dream without limitations and having the courage to pursue it.

I am grateful for everyday miracles. The vehicular accident that barely missed me; my phone not slipping into the bathroom sink; getting away from the stove as soon as the oil flies in all directions and many more ^_^

I am grateful for freedom to practice religion.

I am grateful for smiles I get when I feel down. That random person who holds the door open. That random person who says “Hi”.

I have written some of the things I am grateful for …the simple things in life that we take for granted.

How about you? What are you grateful for?