Philouise’s Weblog

Science High spirit remains alive!

Yesterday, I got a message from Manang Beulah that Emmett Asuncion needed 4 units of blood. Since I was mobile it was only in the evening that I was able to send the alert through various sites and text messages.

I had a slow morning because of a personal predicament, I fell last Sunday and my leg and ribcage is still hurting, so was not able to do much. It was in the afternoon that I remembered and  I texted Mng Beulah for update and she responded that there was still no blood donation yet. That was when we exchanged a barrage of text messages and calls with Manong Ramon Dacawi, Philippine Red Cross and YMCA Disaster Team.  Manong MonDax (that’s what we call him) called up the Baguio Red Cross and was told they blood in Baguio not yet screen as there are no reagents and so they were contacting their Benguet counterpart. By 3:30 he got notice that they can get from Benguet and so he headed to Benguet Red Cross with the agreement that he should present the blood donor’s card. So we contacted Rex Ludaes, of the YMCA disaster volunteer group for the member cards.  By 4:30 he was still in Benguet waiting for the call from Baguio Red Cross to release. Finally, they were able to get two units of type O blood that was required by Emmett. With that release, we still need one unit as required.

The spirit remains to bind us together as we respond to the needs of Emmett, the co-founder of UB Science High.  Thanks to Manong Ramon for that positive response, thanks for Manang Beulah, who remains to be at his bedside, to the science High alumni doctors, nurses and medical staff who monitor him, to those who continue to give updates and all those who continue to pour financial, spiritual and other support. All connected from the first batch to the newest. Manong Ramon is from class 1964, Manang Beulah from class 1969, we were in class 1974, Neil Ambasing is of a more recent class and we could list others who are actively monitoring our beloved Emmett. The Science High Spirit continue to spread.

To some of those who went to visit him, they would not return a second time, as they said they want to remember Emmett as he was before – strong, formidable, energetic and alert. Some would not want to see him in his pain and in his helplessness. Yet, some would brave it and drop by at his hospital room, bring flowers, books to read, give cards, medicine, medical supplies and other things that he need at this time. I have accompanied some of you as you handed these, likewise with some who came to pray and share stories with him. All is not lost, the memories of the past and now will remain with us.

I wanted to just say thank you but I got carried away, rambling…

We need at least one more unit of type O+ of RBC for Emmett. Please bring to BGH.

(Philian Weygan, 10:00 pm June 3,2009)