Operation Tuli benefits over 90 boys in Talisay

MORE than 90 young boys from Barangay Poblacion Ward 4, Minglanilla, Cebu were circumcised for free last April 22, 2018 at the barangay’s multipurpose hall during the 3rd Annual Operation Tuli of the Free and Accepted Masons initiated by the Talisay Sugbo Lodge and the officials of Barangay Poblacion Ward 4.

Dr. Jesus Ravanes, along with his staff, brought nine of his medical students from the Cebu Institute of Medicine to carry out the operation.

Dr. Ravanes has been our mentor in this project for the past years and our group Alpha Mu Sigma Phi has always been supporting the projects of the Masons as our contribution to the community,” said Dr. James Yungco, one of the students of Ravanes.

“This is our third year of doing the project in this barangay and we are glad to see a number of children coming over in order to be circumcised. Last year alone, we have operated almost 100 patients,” Ravanes said.

Oliver Solijon said that more patients were served last year but this year’s operation was faster due to the cooperation of stakeholders.

Lodge member and counsel Rey Gealon helped pacify the boys who were scared of circumcision.

“Bisan sa atong ka busy, we could always find time to share what we can. Even our presence would mean a lot,” Gealon said.

This year’s Talisay Sugbo Lodge Head Elorde Talisic said that it has been a tradition of the Masons from District VII to do outreach programs as part of the brotherhood’s obligation.

“Since the inception of the Talisay Sugbo Lodge last 2015, Operation Tuli has become our pet project and we intend to make it an annual activity,” Talisic said.

Talisay Sugbo Lodge is one of the newly established Lodges in the district by Past Grand Master Alan Purisima last 2015 through the stewardship of David “Kuya Boy” Odilao.

The preparation of the event was managed by this year’s Lodge 2nd higher ranking member Douglas Alesna and 3rd higher rank member Kimhe Chan as well as the officers, petitioners, apprentices and fellows of the Lodge.

“We are also happy that we were able to secure medicines for the project from the Provincial Government, thanks to the request of Barangay Captain Kelvin Paul Unabia who tirelessly followed up on those medicines at the Capitol,” Alesna said.

Aside from the Operation Tuli, Talisay Sugbo Lodge petitioner and physician Ronald Loyola also gave free dental services to the residents.

“I have been doing this outreach project for the past several years but this is the fist time that I merged this (dental mission) with Talisay Sugbo Lodge’s Operation Tuli especially now that I am a Lodge petitioner,” said Loyola.

After each operation, the patients were treated to ice cream.