2020 has been a very challenging year for everyone. Despite this, PMA New England continued to help those in need here in the US and in the Philippines. We could not have done this without you. On behalf of PMA New England, I would like to sincerely thank all of you - our members and volunteers for your ongoing support and kindness.

Below are the PMA New England Activities/Events in 2020:

- Medical mission: Taal, Palawan, Manila

- Medical Tent donation to PGH

- Medical Tent, masks, gloves donation to Fabella

- Donations to the victims of typhoon Ulysses in Cagayan (blankets, mosquito nets, banig, tetanus vaccines, etc)

- COVID-19 Webinar series

- General Assembly via Zoom

- PMANE Wellness Program for the homeless : Thanksgiving give-away

Christmas give-away

- Health care kit and food donation to St. Francis Homeless Shelter

PMANE 2020 Montage.mov

We had another successful educational forum featuring Filipino frontliners and COVID-19 survivor on May 9, 2020. 

                              Moderator: Ms. Trishia Lichauco

                                                   

Panelists:

Reiner See, MD;  Lozel Greenwood, RN; Cristina Banson, RN; Brian Tan

                

Guest consultant: Maria Batilo, MD

                                                   

PMA New England's very first educational online forum was a success!

This webinar series entitled "PRIMARY CARE SERIES- ASK YOUR PCP ABOUT COVID-19" was very timely and offered relevant information to the community. 

Hosted by: Antoinette Antonio, news anchor of WCVB Channel 5                 

Panelists: Dr. Grace Perez-Lirio, Dr. Candy Buencamino Francisco, and Dr. Richmond Ramirez

             

You can access the recorded webinar by clicking on the link below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qdKsZgEhZg8L0L6o3czjUFyZ_Hv6Kebn/view?usp=sharing

The PMA New England Mission Team has completed 4 successful mission in the Philippines last February 2020. We would like to thank all our donors for your undying support. We would not have done it without you! Thank you for the bottom of our hearts!

February 14, 2020: Taal relief drive for victims of Taal volcano eruption in Balete, Batangas

February 17, 2020: Medical and Dental Mission, Calibangbanga, Linapacan, Palawan

February 22, 2020:  Medical and Dental Mission, Tinajeros, Malabon, Manila in coordination with the Malabon-Navotas Medical Society

February 28, 2020:  Medical Tents Donation to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Manila

PMA New England Philippine Missions February 2020 v2.mp4

More than 80 PMA members, guests and golfers took part in the 2nd PMA New England Golf Tournament last August 5, 2017 at Crosswinds Country Club in Plymouth, Mass. With a forecast of scattered thunderstorm, it turned out to be a perfect day for golf and Crosswinds’ beauty was in full display. Golfers returned to the clubhouse after 5 hours of play, for a Lechon Fiesta, awards presentation, and raffle drawings.

The foursome of Dr. Ron Bugaoan, Dr. Jose Cerezo, Bob Gallager and Steve Ashekian were the tournament winners. One of the biggest highlights of the day was the hole-in-one made by Jun Cruz at Zaharias Hole number 6 (Par-3, 124 yards). Gras Awatin won the other closest to the pin award, while Brian Barone was voted the longest hitter of the tournament measuring a whopping 320 yards!

“It was an amazing day to play golf, on a fantastic golf course and celebrate a Lechon fiesta with family and friends” said Dr. Ollan Ona, this year's tournament chair. “This is all for charity and support to PMA New England and its outreach programs".

PMA president Dr. Grace Perez-Lirio, thanked Crosswinds, the golfers, PMA officers, members, interns, volunteers, and sponsors for a “highly successful” event.

“There were a few wrinkles here and there but overall it went very smoothly, especially with the weather cooperating. Lots of help coming from our organization and that’s what it takes to be successful,” she said.

Dr. Perez-Lirio thanked the major sponsors Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Boston, and AyalaLand, and the many other sponsors that included: Dario and Grace Lirio, Dr. Miguel L. Zialcita, Dr John and Madeleine Capino, EXP.trek Education Xperience Partners, New England Psychiatric Consultants, Cora Holbrook, CMAC Services, Acutis Diagnostics, Drs. Ollan and Cathy Ona.

The winners of the grand prize raffle giveaway of 2 pairs of Red Sox tickets donated by Dr. Bugaoan, were Dr. Ed Carandang and Ching Talamayan.

Finally, Dr. Ona reminded everyone to mark their calendars for another tournament next year.

TOURNAMENT and LECHON FIESTA PHOTOs [https://junvalenciaphotography.pixieset.com/pmagolftour2017/]

Recently, PMA of New England Secretary, John Naranja, MD, JD was interviewed on "Community Matters" WCUW Community Radio 93.1 FM.  Dr. Naranja remarked on a number of topics, to include how he decided to become a physician, how he decided to become an attorney, and how the disciplines are similar.  He also discussed the inspiration that came from his father, who immigrated from the Philippines, and was one of the early pioneer Filipino physicians who came to the United States to live the American Dream.

To listen to John's full interview: http://www.wcuw.org/communitymatters/CM.041317.John%20Niranja%20Jr.%20MD%20JD.mp3

The Philippine Medical Association of New England hosted its Spring Gala: A Celebration of Heritage, Humanity & Hope at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston, MA on March 18, 2017. The event honored Dr. Sidharta Gangadharan and Boston University medical student Veronica Fuller and featured performances by the Boston College Heightsmen and dancer Rita Thorne.

https://vimeo.com/210163828

https://www.improper.com/photos-parties/philippine-medical-association-of-new-englands-spring-gala/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdM8x-Dlk-A

The PMA New England is forging partnership with St. Anne’s Free Care Clinic in Shrewsbury. On its 20th year, the clinic provides medical services free of charge for uninsured or underinsured children and adults, every Tuesday. Project Freeware was born out of several months of discussion led by Drs. Margarita Castro-Zarraga and Gene Del Rosario. 

Starting Oct. 1, 2016, PMA annual membership dues for 2017 can be renewed and the first 40 registrants will receive a free PMA T-shirt. Benefits include member discounts and the opportunity to participate in international medical missions. Renew/ sign up online at pmane.org.

On Saturday, Aug. 6, PMA hosted its first ever GolfTournament at the Crosswinds Golf Course in Plymouth,  Mass. The event was organized by Drs. Ron Bugaoan, John Naranja, Ollan Ona, Grace Perez-Lirio and Miguel Zialcita. Funds raised from this event directly support the organization’s projects and initiatives through PMAcares.

The teams gathered at the Clubhouse for breakfast and headed to the driving range for the opening remarks.  9 teams played all day under clear skies.

Congratulations to Ravi Bhoge, Rameses Incarnacion, Art Puruganan and Mayo Toleran who won first place.

In addition, PMA held a raffle with Brian Dempsey winning 5 out of 9 items, which included box seats for two to a Red Sox game in September.

The event was made possible by hole sponsors and major donors. All in all, the players said that they enjoyed the tournament and are already excited for the next one.

According to GolfCom Chair, Dr. Ollan Ona, the event was a huge success.  “Hopefully, we can keep it going ,” tourney participant  Vic Cipriano said.