The Members, Church of God International (MCGI) received the highest recognition at the Dugong Bayani Awards 2019 of the Philippine Blood Center and the Department of Health (DOH).

For the eighth consecutive year, MCGI received the Jose Rizal Award for having the highest number of blood donors in the country.

The Jose Rizal Award is awarded to organizations who were able to donate 2,000 bags of blood in a year.

According to the DOH, the MCGI was able to donate 5,801 bags within a year which is the highest for 2019.

“Alam naman natin na iyong ating ginagawa ay [upang] hindi tayo maghabol ng pagkilala ng tao kundi ang mahalaga, makatulong tayo sa ating kapwa tao na nangangailangan, (We know that we are not doing this for the recognition but what is important is we are able to help our fellowmen in need)” according to MCGI representative Danny Navales.

The DOH has also awarded different government agencies, private sectors, and individuals who had huge contributions to the agency’s blood donation campaign.

“Voluntary blood donation is very important kasi ang dugo, hindi natin iyan nama-manufacture. Nakukuha lang natin ang dugo sa donasyon ng ating kapwa tao (because blood cannot be manufactured. We only get blood from our fellowmen),” according to Philippine Blood Center Medical Officer III Dr. April Charlotte Andal.

The DOH continues to encourage the public to donate blood.

The MCGI regularly conducts blood donation drives at all Ang Dating Daan Coordinating Centers across the country and abroad. This is part of the advocacy campaign of Brother Eli Soriano and Brother Daniel Razon of helping people in need.

“Kailan pa man at tayo’y binibigyan ng Panginoong Dios ng mabuting pagkakataon ay makaaasa ang ating mga kababayan na patuloy pa po nating palalaguin o pagyayabungin pa ang ganitong pagtulong sa kapwa (As long as God is giving us the opportunity, rest assured that we will continue to help others),” Navales said.—AAC (with reports from Vincent Arboleda)

There isn’t much darkness during the night of festivities as lights of various color illuminate every street and city parks.

Crowds gather with their loved ones to celebrate the holidays, it was very unlikely to find someone celebrating alone.

But there are those who are celebrating alone. There are those who are not celebrating at all.

For years, Jun Lusano has been alone living under a footbridge. Everyday, he would either work as a jeepney barker or ask for alms on the street just to get by. Sometimes, a day would pass with nothing to fill his stomach.

“Sa magdamag hindi ako makatulog dahil walang laman iyong sikmura ko pero ina-ano ko nalang po na nandyan po Siya, hindi Niya po ako pababayaan. Tubig, laging tubig nalang po ganoon nalang ginagawa ko (I could not sleep all night because of hunger but there is hope in me that He is always there and He will not forsake me. I just drink water, that’s what I do),” he said.

Televangelist brother Eli Soriano has urged the public to think of the people like Jun amid the festivities.

“Kahit iyong pinakamahirap na tao sa kalye may kaluluwa po iyon. Mayroon po silang damdamin, nasasaktan, nagugutom. Kahit gaano kahirap ang tao, mahalaga po sa Dios iyan. Kaya utos ng Dios lingapin ang mahihirap, ang mga babaeng bao, ang ma ulila. Iyan po ang misyon ng Ang Dating Daan sa buong mundo (Even the people on the street have souls. They have feelings, they also feel pain and hunger. No matter how poor a person is, they are still important to God. That is why it is God’s commandment to care for the poor, the widowed, and the orphans. That is the world mission of The Old Path)” he said.

Soriano also stressed what the Bible states: “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord.”—AAC (with reports from Joan Nano)

SINGAPORE – Singapore Red Cross has accorded more than 1,600 blood donors as well as community partners in a recognition ceremony on June 29, 2019.

The SRC made the recognition as a gesture of gratitude in celebration of the 16^th World Blood Donor Day.

During the occasion, the SRC was pleased to announce that more than 29,000 patients benefited from a total of 116,000 blood units donated by more than 73,000 active blood donors last year.

During the ceremony held at Downtown East, the SRC together with the Health Sciences Authority (HAS) accorded 21 champion blood donors with the Medal for Life Award, the highest honor given to blood donors who have contributed more than 200 blood units.

The annual ceremony also recognized some of the 35 corporate and community blood-mobile organizers for their invaluable contributions to the growing blood donors’ pool in Singapore.

The Members Church of God International (MCGI), as among the blood-mobile organizations, received its third Gold Award for sharing a total of 500 blood units last year.

“We thank GOD for every opportunity to do good. MCGI Singapore shares the love by donating blood. It is a continuing act of the church thru the leadership of Bro Eli and Kuya Daniel. We thank the Singapore Red Cross for being our faithful partner through the years,” expressed MCGI’s Representative Robert Navoa.

The group has been an active partner of SRC in its blood donation drives for years now and it is constantly encouraging the public to join them in this noble endeavor.

“Nananawagan (kami) sa inyo na samahan po natin ang ating mga mangangaral sa paggawa ng mabuti. Ang pag-donate ng dugo ay isa sa kabutihang itinuturo sa atin, (We call on your support to our Preacher’s advocacy of doing good. Donating blood is one good deed being taught to us,)” said Oli Caraan, an MCGI representative.

“Sa ngalan po ng MCGI blood mobile organizers sa Singapore nagpapasalamat po kami una sa Dios at inaanyayahan po namin ang aming mga kababayan na patuloy po suportahan ang Red Cross sa Blood Donation Drive (On behalf of the MCGI blood-mobile organizers in Singapore, we thank first God for this and we encourage our compatriots to continuously support Red Cross in its blood donation drives),” added Archie Federico, also of MCGI.

Blood donation is a very important task for the community, according to Benjamin Williams, the Secretary General and CEO of Singapore Red Cross.

“If we do not have sufficient blood then the important things like essential medical services may be hindered so we are always constantly encouraging people who are healthy to donate blood. In particular, in the case of Singapore and many countries, we want to encourage young people to donate blood,” he said.

Singapore is an aging population, he noted, and as a person ages, he or she is not able to donate blood that’s why he emphasizes on the importance of constantly encouraging young people to donate, especially those in their healthy age of 16.

“We have a long journey of blood donation and it will help to ensure that the country has a safe and adequate supply of safe blood,” Williams concluded.

Aside from being one of Singapore’s blood-mobile organizers, the MCGI also renders different public services for Filipinos and foreign nationals alike including free international calls to the Philippines for overseas Filipino workers, free blood pressure checkup, free vitamins and computer lessons for OFWs.

The group is also engaged in various wellness programs for senior citizens in Singapore in cooperation with the NTUC Health from which, the MCGI is expecting to receive another recognition come July this year. – with details from Annie Mancilla | UNTV Singapore