Philippine Red Cross

Philippine Red Cross joins World Mental Health Day Celebration

Written on October 12, 2023. Posted in Features, News and Events.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) joined the World Mental Health Day (WMHD) Celebration on 10 October by organizing training events for staff and volunteers on Psychological First Aid (PFA) across its chapters nationwide. WMHD’s thrust is to raise awareness about mental health issues.

“We have trained staff and volunteers who provide psychosocial support to people affected by disasters. We are continually training more, so that people will have this needed support available in case a disaster strikes, especially because the Philippines is disaster-prone,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), PFA involves humane, supportive and practical help to fellow human beings suffering serious crisis events. PFA is part of PRC’s package of services provided to people affected by fire, typhoons, earthquakes, armed conflict, and other crises. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PRC operated the national, toll-free COVID-19 Hotline 1158 dedicated to providing callers with PFA. In the aftermath of a crisis event, the PRC sets up child-friendly spaces where trained staff and volunteers facilitate activities for children designed as PFA.

“The PRC interventions in mental health aim to equip community-based volunteers to be able to provide support to people who experience a crisis. It aims to raise awareness of mental health issues and the services available,” Dr. Gwen Pang, secretary-general of the PRC, added.

A scientific brief published by WHO in March 2022 says that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people around the world.

Philippine Red Cross thanks Red Charity Gala organizer Tessa Prieto and Kaye Tinga

Written on October 12, 2023. Posted in Features, News and Events.

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon and Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang expressed their gratitude to Tessa Prieto and Kaye Tinga, organizers of the Red Charity Gala, for choosing the PRC once again as one of the beneficiaries of the show’s proceeds. The Red Charity Gala is one of the most awaited annual fashion and fundraising events in the Philippines.

“We are always grateful for the support of the Red Charity Gala, which is an opportunity for its followers to appreciate fashion and donate to meaningful causes at the same time. Thank you to Tess and Kaye, for bringing together people who care not just for fashion but also for those who need help the most,” said Gordon.

The Red Charity Gala is named after the Red Cross, which is historically the primary beneficiary of the fashion and fundraising event. The 2023 Red Charity Gala was held at The Peninsula Manila, in Makati City, on 8 October 2023. Gordon and Pang represented the PRC in the event. This year’s gala was the 12th show. It featured celebrity fashion designer Ivarluski “Ivar” Aseron. The event was graced by the Philippines’ First Lady, Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos.

“We are thankful of course to the Red Charity Gala for supporting the Philippine Red Cross. They can be assured that the donation will reach our kababayans who are in situations of disasters and emergencies,” Pang added.

Chairman Gordon Welcomes Filipino Hero Ralph Montehermosa, Celebrating Six Years of Lifesaving on Ocean Viking

Written on October 5, 2023. Posted in Features, News and Events.

Philippine Red Cross Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon got a courtesy call on 4 October from Ralph Montehermosa, the only Filipino rescuer with Ocean Viking, a cargo vessel conducting search and rescue activities in the central Mediterranean. The ship is chartered and operated by SOS MEDITERRANEE in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). During Mr. Montehermosa’s latest duty period on the ship, their fleet rescued around 1,000 migrants who experienced mishap at sea. He has been a rescuer with Ocean Viking for six years. Referred to by Chairman Gordon as a hero, Mr. Montehermosa says: “Masaya ako na nakaka-save ng buhay.”

Philippine Cancer Society honors PRC Chairman Gordon as “Man of Exemplary Influence”

Written on October 2, 2023. Posted in Features, News and Events.

Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) honored Philippine Red Cross Chairman/CEO Richard Gordon as a “Man of Exemplary Influence”, for his decades-long service to the country as a humanitarian volunteer and leader, and an advocate of legislation supporting humanitarian organizations.

At a ceremony last Sept. 27, PCS credited Gordon’s exemplary leadership that spanned decades of unwavering commitment to serve. Gordon, who was a past member of PCS’ Board of Trustees, explored a possible collaboration with PCS to help the most vulnerable, specifically cancer patients.

“I am deeply honored by this award from the Philippine Cancer Society. My parents instilled in me compassion for other people, and this award is a testament to how my parents brought me up – having the values of kusang loob, malasakit, and kapwa-tao,” Gordon said

“To our kababayans who are cancer patients, know that there are people who are ready to support you, and among them are the people at Philippine Cancer Society and its donors,” Gordon addressed cancer patients.

The PCS highlighted Gordon’s track record of public service. As Olongapo City Mayor and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman, Gordon led a joint Philippine-American civilian and military rescue effort in the collapsed Central College of the Philippines in Cabanatuan City and the rescue of thousands of college students stranded in Baguio City for reunification with their parents after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Central Luzon in July 1990. Food supplies were also airlifted to the affected populations. Gordon also co-led the rehabilitation operations of Central Luzon after the earthquake.

As Department of Tourism Secretary, he led the rescue of kidnapped tourists at Dos Palmas in 2001. As Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross from 2004 to present, he is at the helm of the country’s premier humanitarian organization, leading not just its disaster responses but also its other services, such as blood collection and dispensing and emergency medical services. As senator, Gordon was instrumental in the enactment of a law that requires media companies to allot more airtime to information on emergencies and responses.

PRC Chairman Gordon sees Subic as Asia’s cargo or humanitarian hub

Written on September 29, 2023. Posted in News and Events.

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon proposed to the aviation industry to create a humanitarian air system, as he pushed for Subic to be considered as a cargo or humanitarian hub in Asia.

Sharing his insights on strengthening the role of the aviation industry in humanitarian assistance at the 2023 Aviation Summit, Gordon said: “Speed is the name of the game. When people are suffering, needing all kinds of support, time is of the essence.”

Gordon elaborated that the Philippines can be the cargo or humanitarian hub for Asia to meet the logistical needs of a disaster response, including transporting aid workers. He recommended that Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) be used as a cargo and humanitarian hub not just for the Philippines but for other Asian countries. He believes that SBIA would be an ideal place to preposition goods and facilitate rapid deployment.

Gordon welcomed the aviation industry’s interest in learning how it can have a stronger role in humanitarian response as he shared that at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the PRC had to use chartered planes to have the Covid-19 testing equipment and reagents shipped to the Philippines from China. He added that the PRC had a hard time finding planes that would deliver generators, tents, and other equipment and supplies donated for the earthquake survivors in Türkiye and Syria through the PRC.

He said that SBIA is not operational at the moment, but it would be a wise decision to reuse it and recoup the country’s investment in building it.

The two-day inaugural summit was co-organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA), and the Department of Transportation (DoTR).

Philippine Red Cross leaders attend Southeast Asia RCRC meeting, forum in Cambodia

Written on September 27, 2023. Posted in News and Events.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Secretary-General, Dr. Gwen Pang, and three (3) Red Cross Youth leaders represented the PRC at the 20th South-East Asia RCRC Leaders Meeting on September 21 and 22 and 2nd Southeast Asia RCRC Youth Forum on September 17 to 20 at Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The South-East Asia RCRC Leaders Meeting allowed the leaders in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement to discuss and decide on issues of interest to the Movement in the region.

Dr. Pang discussed the PRC’s climate action interventions, as well as its challenges in reducing the vulnerability of communities in the Philippines to disasters. Her discussions include Early Warning System and Early Action Protocols, Anticipatory Actions, Nature-based Solutions, Climate Change Education, Food Security, and Waste Management and Circular Economy.

Meanwhile, RCY Lenice Joy Orocio from PRC Capiz Chapter and Camille Baring from PRC Rizal Chapter, with the assistance of PRC Governor Jay-ar Gallos, presented their solutions and prototypes to their identified challenges (i.e., different thematic issues: disaster resilience; climate change; youth engagement; Protection, Gender, and Inclusion; and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) within the Movement during the leaders’ meeting.

Along with other RCRC youth leaders from Southeast Asia, they formulated these solutions and prototypes during the Southeast Asia RCRC Youth Forum on the preceding days.

PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon has long recognized the vital role of youth in the decision-making process at all levels of management, governance, and service delivery. Hence, the PRC has numerous programs to strengthen youth participation within the organization.

“We provide a seat for the youth at our table. Youth involvement, be it at the global or community level, allows our Movement to create a forward-thinking culture. We have to capacitate them, hear their voices, and include them in every step,” said Chairman Gordon.

PH Red Cross, partners organize Health Caravan in Angono, Rizal

Written on September 18, 2023. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Health Caravan continues to reach people with primary health care services through its Health Caravan. On 09 September 2023, the PRC Health Caravan drove to Angono, Rizal. The outreach program, held at Angono Municipal Gym, provided health consultations to 209 people through eight volunteer medical doctors and two volunteer nurses.

“The Health Caravan is our way of reaching people who, otherwise, find it challenging to access primary health care services because of logistical concerns, such as the distance of their homes to the health facility,” said PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon.

During the outreach program, 40 persons with mobility impairment and senior citizens were also given wheelchairs, while 120 persons received eyeglasses. Hot meals were served to those who participated in the event. Fourteen volunteers from RC143, the PRC’s barangay-based volunteer network, assisted in organizing the event.

“Marami sa ating mga kababayan ang pumupunta sa aming mga health caravan para makakuha ng medical services at iba pang serbisyo, kagaya ng first aid education, Covid vaccination, pati na rin mga libreng gamit, kagaya ng eyeglasses,” explained PRC Secretary-General Dr. Gwen Pang.

Present in the event were Angono Mayor Jeri Mae E. Calderon and Angono Municipal Councilors Dokdok Villanueva and Elena Ibañez. The initiative was in partnership with the Rotary International, Church of Latter-Day Saints, and Local Government of Angono, Rizal.

A brainchild of Chairman Gordon, the PRC Health Service has reached thousands of persons across the country with medical consultations and other health services.

Gordon, PH Red Cross continue inspiring path set by Amelia Gordon

Written on September 6, 2023. Posted in Features, News and Events.

September 4th marks the birth anniversary of a remarkable figure in Philippine history, the incomparable Mrs. Amelia J. Gordon. Revered as Olongapo’s pioneering female mayor, Amelia’s enduring legacy shines as brightly as her lifelong commitment to children, adoption, and humanitarian causes, which earned her the prestigious Pearl S. Buck International Woman of the Year Award, a distinction shared by only two other Filipino women.

A beacon of compassion, Mrs. Gordon profoundly impacted the lives of countless individuals, adopting more than 50 children and establishing the Boys Town and Girls Home in Olongapo City. These sanctuaries provided shelter and hope to orphaned Filipino children of American descent, etching Amelia’s name in the annals of philanthropy.

Beyond her maternal endeavors, Amelia J. Gordon played a pivotal role in her son Dick Gordon’s journey, who would later become a prominent figure as the Philippine Red Cross Chairman and CEO. Her devotion to humanitarian causes was exemplified by her role as the founder of the Olongapo Chapter of the Philippine National Red Cross.

Amelia’s legacy was not confined to her philanthropic endeavors. She valiantly championed Olongapo’s quest for independence from American rule and played an instrumental role in the city’s elevation to cityhood in 1966. Following the assassination of her husband, James Gordon Sr., in 1969, Amelia became the city mayor, displaying her indomitable spirit and compassionate heart.

During her tenure as mayor, Amelia competently managed Olongapo City during the tumultuous period of the Vietnam War when it served as a recreational refuge for American soldiers. Her strong leadership ensured peace and security for the city’s inhabitants.

Driven by her humanitarian principles, she launched one of the city’s most significant housing development programs, affirming the human dignity of Olongapo’s burgeoning population. Her political acumen culminated in her election as Assemblywoman to the Batasang Pambansa in 1984.

Even in her retirement from formal politics, Amelia remained devoted to serving her fellow Filipinos, actively contributing as a Red Cross volunteer. She spearheaded blood donation programs and led relief operations in response to disasters, including the Cabanatuan earthquake and the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.

Amelia’s achievements and dedication garnered her more accolades, including the Silver Humanitarian Service Cross Award from the American Red Cross, the Gold Humanitarian Award, and the Doña Aurora Aragon Quezon Medal award from the Philippine National Red Cross. She was also honored as a Gintong Ina Awardee and received the Philippine Centennial Commission Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award.

Today, as we commemorate Amelia Gordon’s birthday, we celebrate not just a date on the calendar but a timeless legacy of humanitarianism that continues to inspire generations. Dick Gordon and the Philippine Red Cross carry forward her torch, ensuring that the spirit of compassion and service blazes brightly in Olongapo and beyond.

Philippine Red Cross volunteers, assets on alert as Typhoon ‘Goring’ intensifies

Written on August 26, 2023. Posted in News and Events.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is in the midst of preparation as Typhoon Goring (international name: Saola) placed several regions in Northern Luzon under Signal No. 1. PRC’s rescue and relief assets, equipment, and volunteers are ready to move in anticipation of the possible development of the storm into a typhoon category on Saturday (26 August).

Food trucks, water tankers, and payloaders are in place and can be mobilized instantly. Ambulances, generators, and rescue equipment have similarly been pre-positioned in vulnerable areas.

PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon assured that PRC’s chapters and RC143 volunteers are prepared to be mobilized, adding “Northern Luzon is still reeling from the impacts of Egay and Falcon. Landslides can be expected to occur in this region as it experienced massive amounts of rain during the past weeks. Along with other lifelines such as food, water, electricity, and telecommunications, our payloaders are prepositioned in case landslides, fallen trees, and other debris will block roads and hamper our relief and rescue operations.”

PRC Secretary-General, Dr. Gwen Pang said that the PRC chapters in other parts of Luzon and Visayas are also prepared to respond as Goring is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, which will also cause occasional rains to the mentioned regions.

Philippine Red Cross sends first aiders, gives hot meals to CDO families affected by fire

Written on August 23, 2023. Posted in News and Events. Leave a Comment

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) attended to 100 individuals, or approximately 20 families, whose houses at Purok 5, Brgy. Tablon, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, were razed by a third-level fire last Monday morning, August 21.

Through its Misamis Oriental-Cagayan De Oro Chapter, the PRC deployed an assessment team with two personnel and a service vehicle with three first aiders to assist the families who lost their houses after providing hot meals, such as arroz caldo.

PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon expressed concern for the affected families who had to evacuate. He reiterated the importance of PRC’s ongoing efforts to train at least one first aider in every household for emergencies such as this.

“The reason why we are pushing to have a first aider in every community, school, and home is because they will serve as the first responders during emergencies. Other forms of assistance will require time to reach the location of the incident, but if the first aiders reside within the community, we can deliver immediate medical attention and prevent loss of life,” he emphasized.

PRC Secretary-General, Dr. Gwen Pang said it is important to instill discipline in everyone to avoid accidents such as the recent fire in Cagayan de Oro as she urged the public to observe fire safety precautions to prevent indoor and outdoor fire incidents.

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