Ospital ng Makati: Health Care for the Urban Poor

The Makati Health Programme (MHP) was designed to provide residents of the city of Makati with monthly incomes not exceeding PhP8,000 (US$156) access to quality health care. The cost of health care in Philippine urban centers is so prohibitive that it is beyond the reach of citizens belonging to this income bracket. Also included, as programme beneficiaries are the elderly and city government employees including public school teachers, policemen and firemen. Makati is one of the few cities in the Philippines that provide subsidized quality health care to its constituents.

The local government of Makati has as its private sector partner the Makati Medical Centre. The programme has two non-governmental organization (NGO) partners: the Ospital ng Makati Foundation and Bagong Ina ng Bayan.

The program has given beneficiaries the opportunity to avail of services such as major surgeries in one of the best private hospitals in the Philippines. In 2000, 50,042 cardholders were treated at the Makati Medical Center, with total billings of PhP170 million (US$3.3 million). Under the terms of the expenses sharing scheme, the city government of Makati shouldered PhP96 million (US$1.9 million), and Makati Medical Center, P74 million (US$1.4 million).


The DeSales group helped the staff at the hospital tend to their patients.

Chinese NEW YEAR Party: EAST Meets WEST

The DeSales team celebrated the Chinese New Year with Chinese friends here in the US. A fun New Year party, new friends, and a continuing effort for global understanding. The folks come from many places: Mainland China, Taiwan, Hongkong, Dominican Republic, Philippines, and the US.

Happy CHINESE NEW YEAR! At DELICIOUS Restaurant, Chinatown, MANILA

Happy Chinese New Year! February 7, 2008. The YEAR of the RAT!
Chinese calendar has been in continuous use for centuries, which predates the International Calendar (based on the Gregorian Calendar) we use at the present day which goes back only some 425 years. Current year is Year 4705 by the Chinese calendar. Since 2008 is the Year of the Rat, any one who was born in the Year of the Rat is now either 1 or 13, 25, 37, 49, 61, 73, 85 or 97 years old.


We went around Chinatown to experience one of Manila's oldest district. The place is indeed a feast to the senses, all sounds, colors, and smell are all there! Quite a stimulating place.


Jeepneys line the street across the DELICIOUS RESTAURANT. We decided to have lunch at this restaurant which is considered to be one of the old establishments in the area. The place is casual and unpretentious, and food was most satisfying.

BORACAY: Exploring the Island

Lovely FLOWERS in the PHILIPPINES

Lovely tropical flowers in the Philippines. These blooms are found practically anywhere in the islands.