The name “Ondoy” will linger in the minds of most Filipinos for a long time. Sounding like a fragile child’s name, Typhoon Ondoy was otherwise. It brought sheer havoc to our lives as it brought about the worst rainfall and flooding in decades in Metro Manila and surrounding areas. Vehicles tumbled up like toy cars and many residents were helpless on top of house roofs and the devastating scenes were not pleasant to look at.

But the relentless rains only brought the citizenry together. Like clockwork precision, the people of the entire nation showed utmost resiliency in helping each other. One of the country’s top educational institutions, the AMA Education Systems (AMAES) was quick to respond to the call of the citizenry. AMAES Chairman Amable R. Aguiluz V and its President & CEO Dr. Amable C Aguiluz IX, initiated the “ AMA Tulong sa Bayan” project.

Through round-the-clock medical missions, executives, countless volunteer doctors, nurses and students of the AMA family went a mile longer and started providing aid and relief to the severely affected areas in the country. “ It’s a tremendous feeling! You feel intense happiness in helping people in need.” “Yes, I don’t feel tired. I want to help the people.” A volunteer student and nurse respectively said.

“While the scenes surrounding the medical missions was not something we wanted to see, I find so much fulfillment in what I am doing”, School Director Romy Hipolito said. “When people come here in droves needing medical aid and attention, so much grief, worry and anxiety are in their faces. But once they are given the relief and care they need, you can almost feel the resurgence of hope in their faces and the sincere “Thank you” in their eyes.

Packs of medicines and first aid supplies plus the untiring and supportive efforts of the AMA contingent made the series of medical missions successful. The regular flow of the much needed medicines enabled our fellow Filipinos to take the medications in time. Over-all, the volunteers were simply remarkable especially the heartfelt sacrifice of the students. Where do we help next? is the most common question one would always hear.

And while we all look forward to better times in the next few days, AMA will always be willing and able to serve our population in need.