The Philippine General Hospital Psychiatric Hematlogy-Oncology Ward

If there is one person that I look up to, it's none other than my mom, Alice Eduardo :). An icon of class and business savvy, she has been a favorite of both high-end society pages and cheapskate tabloids where many has been said about her--- some good, some bad. Yes, she heads one of the biggest construction companies in the Philippines, and she does so with a strong determination to succeed in any endeavor and transcend over life's challenges. But if there is one thing that no feature or press release can ever do justice, it is to describe how gracious and selfless she is as a person.

My mom, my hero. :)
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

One testament of my mom's golden heart is her unfailing support for different advocacies and humanitarian projects that aim to give back to the society. One of this is the founding and construction of the Philippine General Hospital Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Isolation Ward for the diagnosis and treatment of young cancer patients.

My mom with the people behind the Miss World Organization.
The project is supported by Miss World Philippines as part of its “Beauty With A Purpose’’ program.
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

The Inauguration of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Ward, January 2015
(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

Inaugurated in January 2015, the ward provides medical care to some 300-terminally ill children who are sick with illnesses which include severe pneumonia, chronic diarrhea, meningitis, liver cirrhosis, end-stage kidney disease, and complex cardiac conditions, among others.

For many years, young patients with these diseases are mixed with other patients. With this ward, more lives can be saved by preventing infection from spreading and for providing intensive care and treatment to patients who need it most.

Pediatric patients of PGH performing a danee number as a way of showing their appreciation to the
newly constructed PGH Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Ward. (Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

From the words of my mom, "Charity cannot wait. I saw with my own eyes the challenge to provide healthcare for poor children. Sta. Elena is giving back to the community what it has achieved in sustained growth from partnership with the business sector in various infrastructure, property development, and energy projects over the years." 

(Image copyright: Jessica E. Vitangcol)

I can only be proud of my mom for what she has accomplished and done for the benefit of our countrymen and hope that someday, I can follow in her footsteps and equally become relevant to the continual aid of our less-fortunate brothers and sisters. :)

Here's a video featurette of the ground-breaking event that took place a year prior to the inauguration of the PGH Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Isolation Ward in Cory Quirino's show, Thumbs Up To The Good News. :)