The Aeta, one of the ethnic groups in the country, received significant exposure during the 1991 Pinatubo eruption in Zambales, northern Philippines. For several years, they were the grateful beneficiaries of the government and many charitable organizations, as they literally built their life from the ashes.

To Aetas who lived elsewhere, however, charity didn’t come too often. Like for 51-year-old Santoy Balleng who lived all his life in Bataan, another province in Luzon.

“My last medical checkup was three years ago. I could not go to the health center,” he said in between coughs. “Sometimes I have money, sometimes I don’t.”

Santoy is a resident of Banawang, Bagac in Bataan, one of the areas where their ancestors have migrated and stayed. In his village, about ten Aeta families try to survive on farming and odd labor such as construction or house repairs. He does field work to feed himself and his only child. His wife left him years ago.

As soon as Santoy learned about OB’s free healthcare service in their village through local officials last August, he immediately went to the clinic area in the Banawang Elementary School. He brought along some of his neighbors for the checkup. The news was too good not to pass around, he said.

Santoy complained about an intermittent cough that plagued him for years. “I have weak lungs, but I really couldn’t afford to see a doctor.”

Thankfully, OB’s weeklong medical mission brings free consultation and service related to general health, dentistry, surgery and ophthalmology. Santoy brought home medicines while his neighbors brought home free eye glasses and cleaner teeth.

Eight-year-old Babylyn Gabino, a product of Aeta and Tagalog parents, was one of the braver patients of the dentistry department. “I want to be a dentist someday,” she said. She had a tooth extracted while mother Marilou had her eye checked up.

The Aetas were all happy for being given what they needed.

“Thank you for your help,” Santoy said. “This free health check means a lot to us who cannot afford doctors.”

Indeed it is, especially for his people who are sometimes easily forgotten.