Monday 21 February 2011

LIQUOR A FAVOR?

VICTOR ANGLO

“Gin makes my life complete”

Francisco “Rudy” Villanueva – AG&P Warehouseman – “My father-in-law was addicted to Gin (liquor). He never knew what’s coming. Now he is in agony and I can’t do anything to stop the pain”

The time Mr. Anglo visited Dr. Michael Cayetano was the day AG&PFI was recuperating the loss of a cancer patient from Gulibay, Bauan, Batangas who the foundation assisted for several months before demise.

Victor Anglo, a 54 year old, ex-AG&P warehouseman, father to three (Jimmy, Jennifer and Jason), an ex-barangay councilor for 8 years of Manghinao, Bauan, Batangas and a good provider to Mrs. Teodora the wife, was diagnose with unknown cause of weaker bones, diabetes, multiple organ disorder and a incised patient on cholecystectomy.

Around the later months of 2010, Victor was diagnosed by Dr. Berberabe of the St. Patrick’s Hospital to have stones in the bladder. According to Dr. Berberabe, Anglo’s pain in the abdomen was caused by cuts on the contracting walls of the bladder from sharp edges of calcifying stones inside his body. This has to be extracted through cholecystectomy - a surgical removal of the gallbladder. It is the most common method for treating symptomatic gallstones and a major abdominal surgery in which the surgeon removes the gallbladder through a 5-7 inch incision. Patients usually remain in the hospital overnight and may require several additional weeks to recover at home.

How much did Mr. Victor Anglo spend for the operation? P75,000.00 plus. To how the family gathered the money to pay for the operation was already miracle to them because Victor already sold almost everything he had a year before the operation. He was a total bankrupt and a dissolved patient.

Three years ago, Victor had two huge houses in Bucal, Manghinao, Bauan, Batangas. He supports three children, his children’s children, children’s schooling and daily groceries. He was well respected for his outstanding community service being a popular barangay councilor and adviser to tanods (local security unit). His equity to popularity is his generosity. He is known to be a great host and a good compatriot (magaling makisama).

He has always time to give any gentleman a toss for a glass of tonic and gin. The routine made him addicted to liquor as time passed.

2009, sudden green liquid spurred from his anus, followed by unbearable abdominal pains, which held Victor aback and made him bed ridden for several weeks. At first, Victor was too proud to go to the doctor. He was even prouder to accept his illness. He rather preferred going to quack doctors but after all measures were exhausted Mr. Anglo decided to consult a physician.

He spent allot finding impossible cures for his ailment. He practically lost everything in self medications and travels. By the time he went to Dr. Berberabe, he was already broke. Anglo could not literally stand up anymore.

His wife, Teodora, worked days and nights shifts in markets and open side streets to sell “kakanin” (street food) to sustain Victor’s medication. But Teodora’s futile quests to augment expenses were not enough for the Bladder operation. He then resolved to beg for both food and medical assistance from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes (PCSO), government medical institutions, co-government employees and politicians. His last straw was to undergo cholecystectomy which afterwards only worsened his abdominal pains. Whether from the operation or his attitude, Anglo was diminishing faith in self and the Lord.

Francisco “Rudy” Villanueva, son-in-law to Victor, an active AG&P warehouseman, in their frustration, decided to approach the AG&P Company of Manila Foundation, Inc. as a last recourse. Mr. Renato M. Alarcon, AG&PFI Executive Director, accommodated Rudy by appointing Ben S. Aclan (Community Relation manager/Marketing and Information Manager), Shirley Alialy, Rosulo Carag and Doctor Michael L. Cayetano to assist, in whatever means.

Dr. Michael immediately invited Mr. Anglo to the AG&P Satellite clinic for a check up then followed by series of consultations and medical assessment for days. Medicines like Mefenemic Acids, Glimmer (Glimmerite), Norizel, Vitamins and the like were given to the patient for free by the foundation. Regular counseling was also facilitated by AG&PFI to help the patient surpass any psychological anguish.

The AG&PFI, through Dr. Michael Cayetano, endorsed Mr. Anglo and Rudy to Senator Pia Cayetano where a guarantee letter to the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center was made readily available for the patient’s clinical MRI and CITISCAN. The foundation has to be in the senate several times just to meet the honorable senator to discuss the patient’s condition. The foundation was not relenting in following up with the Public Assistance Office and HIMEX of JRRMMC so that Mr. Victor Anglo would be able to smoothly process documentations without delay in his medical tests.

After several weeks of continuous check up with AG&PFI, AG&P Clinic and Dr. Michael Cayetano, Mr. Anglo recovered weight and is now able to move freely without much pain in the abdomen and bones.

What is fascinating about the story is how Mr. Anglo fought the deadly addiction to his vice. Being Alcoholic with Gin has brought the patient misery physically, morally and spiritually. There is an AG&PFI who supports those in need and in most desperate times AG&PFI has the solution… it starts from SELF.