RC Makati Partners with Hospital on Wheels for Guadalupe Nuevo Medical Mission

RC Makati continues to expand its community healthcare initiatives by partnering with organizations that share its commitment to providing accessible medical services to underserved communities.

One such partnership is with Hospital on Wheels (HOW), an organization introduced to the Club by Dir. Bom Villatuya. This led to discussions between HOW and Dir. Tony Lopez, who oversees the Club’s Disease Prevention and Treatment initiatives, to explore possible areas of collaboration.

The partnership came to fruition on October 3, 2026, when Hospital on Wheels conducted a medical mission at the Guadalupe Nuevo Covered Court in Makati City, serving 758 patients through free surgical, medical, dental, and optical services.

Supported by the Club, the mission brought together volunteer healthcare professionals led by Dr. Juan “Jim” Sanchez, founder and head of Hospital on Wheels (HOW). The team provided care to residents who may otherwise find struggles with having access to hospitals or afford the cost of treatment, with its mobile surgical facility that allows patients to undergo procedures within their community.

Since its first mission in Quezon City on September 17, 2007, HOW has brought free healthcare to underserved communities across the Philippines. According to its organizational profile, the team has completed 441 missions and performed more than 44,000 surgeries. Its work is guided by the belief that healthcare is a right and that poverty, distance, or lack of facilities should not prevent anyone from receiving treatment.

HOW’s surgical services include the removal of tumors and cysts, hernia repair, cleft lip repair, and other corrective procedures, with most surgeries performed under nerve blocks or local anesthesia. Its broader services include medical consultations, health education, dental care, vision screening, and free reading glasses. These services are made possible through volunteer healthcare teams and the support of donors and community partners.

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After attending the housing turnover and RCC Malasakit oath-taking in Muntinlupa, Pres. Chris Ferareza, accompanied by his daughter Kris, joined Dir. Bom Villatuya, Dir. Tony Lopez, and Rtn. Boy Arteche at the mission. Disaster Relief Chair Nicky Ramos visited earlier in the day to observe the services and support the activity.

The RCM members also met other HOW volunteers, including August Vergara and PP Allan Asi of RC Maharlika Quezon City. Also present was Fr. Caloy Reyes, parish priest of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, where the full-scale mission was held.

Dr. Sanchez gave the Club members a tour inside the Hospital on Wheels bus, explaining how the mobile facility operates and how the volunteer medical team performs surgical procedures within its equipped space. The visit gave members a closer look at how the team brings surgical care directly to patients who need it.

The mission also provided hands-on learning opportunities for future healthcare professionals. Ten surgical residents, eleven medical students, and four nursing students participated, gaining experience alongside the volunteer team while helping attend to patients.

For the hundreds of residents served that day, the mission meant access to medical attention without the burden of treatment costs. Through its support, RC Makati helped HOW continue its work in bringing free care to communities and improving lives, one patient at a time.