hilwai

hlwai - (v. an ilongo word meaning the freedom to move around) On june 16, 2007, me and my crew were on our way to one of the far-flung island of the Philippines, Romblon. It would be my first time in the province but I was not as excited as my other trips because of the 10 hour RORO ride from Batangas Port.

But I had no choice. It was my story assignment. We arrived at 2am and spent few hours at the hotel until morning. At 8 am, we finally met our contact, Kuya Jasper. He was disabled, tied to his wheelchair. He is the project manager of Hilwai.

I never fully understand what Hilwai ship is all about, until we went to Looc, Romblon. It was a bumpy ride, but worth it. The small town was a landscape, blue sky, mountain and sea, and docked at her port, was the ship that launched a very unique project in the country, Hilwai.

Hilwai is the name of the boat that transports orthopedic services to remote islands in the Philippines like Romblon. It was manned by 12 crew including Kuya Jasper, physical therapists and ortho technician. They offer rehabilitation and give artificial limbs or prosthesis to the most poor Persons with Disabilities (PWDS) in most isolated provinces. "It's service delivery. Instead of these people going to the hospital or to Manila, we go to them," kuya jasper says.

I could only imagine life in remote provinces, but it is a sad reality. People do not have access to medical health care. Public transport is difficult. With these, people do not bother to seek medical care with small injuries, leading to aggravated health condition .. or disability. Not to mention, accidents that happen in their workplace or in the community.

But if government could not afford to provide medical care to disabled persons, thank God there is Hilwai.

"They are like angels who came from heaven," said Ate Susie Bantang. Her daughter Patricia was born with incomplete limbs. She never thought that Pat would be able to walk again, but thanks to the artificial legs given by Hilwai, it was like a miracle.

Inside the boat, Kuya Elmar, Hilwai's orthopedic technicain, gave our team a tour. He was also disabed. His legs were paralyzed after a grenade blast in Zamboanga. Now, he could only walk with crutches. But this did not hinder him from helping diabled persons like him, "masayang makatulong sa mga taong katulad ko na may kapansanan!" Onboard was the makeshift workshop where kuya elmar and his assistant do the ortho devices for their patients.

Although we are not part of the team, we were able to go with them on their mission. That day, we went to Santa Maria and documented how they do their limbs measurement and casting. And I could share the happiness in their heart, seeing the happy faces of their beneficiaries as they give the artificial legs. Of course, more bliss to see them walk like they were "complete" again.

NOT THE USUAL EMERGENCY STORY
The story of Hilwai is too light for an Emergency Story, probably boring. But in my four years stay at the program, this is one of the happiest coverages that i ever did.

It feels good to see service-oriented people, who would sacrifice their personal lives to reach out to people in these isolated islands. And after every week of featuring people in despair with their illnesses, it was a relief to see smiling people because of real help, delivered at their doorsteps!

Full Story of Hilwai, tonight at Emergency after Saksi :)