Thursday, October 3, 2013

ZAMBOANGA CRISIS 2013: DEFENSE OFFICIALS IN CMZ

Day 16. September 24, 2013.

After the roller coaster of emotions in Zamboanga City, ranging from panic to depression to compassion, everyone in Ciudad Medical Zamboanga had a heyday this Day 16 for some unusual reason!
The main reason why three of the highest officials in the Philippines (in relation to Defense), DILG Sec. Mar Roxas, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Emmanuel Bautista's presence in CMZ was to visit and give support to the injured soldiers admitted in here.

After their rounds, the CMZ Execom led by President Dr. Joven Monsanto and CEO Atty. Jhihann Natividad together with CMZ Vice-President Pedro To had a short informal meeting with them and their party on where the DILG and AFP can also be of help to CMZ, and where CMZ requested continued security. CMZ also expressed our great appreciation for our soldiers and we shared that among the injured soldiers we have talked to, we see a pattern of optimism, courage and high morale.  
DILG Sec. Mar Roxas, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Emmanuel Bautista
with CMZ Execom

Asst. Secretary DILG and Alaminos Mayor, Hernani Braganza as part of the Defense party with CMZ group
As soon as the meeting was done, we, of course, took the chance for a photograph with them.


What was interesting was that Sec. Roxas requested the people seated to now give chance to the photographers!

Since the meeting was done at the CT/MRI section, the Radiology staff (who were our photographers) were the first to have their light moment!

But what was more fun was outside of this room, where everyone (okay, mostly girls!) had their picture taken with Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP public affairs chief!!!... and also with ABS CBN's George Cariño and GMA 7's Ian Cruz.
with Lt. Col. Zagala === from Aileen and TJ's FB posts!
with George Cariño and Lt. Col. Zagala === from Almalyn's FB posts!
George Cariño said, CMZ is Kapamilya pala, kasi may "Kim Chiu" kayo dito!!! ...discovered na si Mona A.!

with  Lt. Col. Zagala and George Cariño=== from Almalyn's FB posts!

with GMA 7 Ian Cruz and ABS  George Cariño === from Aileen's FB post!

Staff and patients/relatives joined in with the photo-op of which they were also so willing to oblige. The staff considered this the first "Stress Debriefing" session. I am thinking, even Lt. Col. Zagala is showing such a sincere smile since this may also be his first light moment during this Crisis!  

But, Shine (and Angel!) found someone else!
The Defense Party proceeded to a Press Conference within CMZ with national television groups: ABS-CBN, GMA 7 and TV 5.




On the way out, Sec. Mar Roxas passed by the Emergency Room and thanked the ER Doctors and staff. Of course, not to be missed are the photo opportunities (again!).
There was another Press Conference outside of the CMZ Emergency Room.


We, then, took the time to also thank the Military Medical and Nurse Corps for our partnership and for the courage and commitment of our soldiers. 

To our soldiers...in the so many days, we have also felt so depressed on your plight, we are happy now, that today, we are able to share with your most Senior Leaders, our utmost gratitude to you and our salute to you, that against all odds, you have maintained courage, optimism and heroism throughout the Zamboanga Crisis!
Also with this day's events, somehow, in our little way, Ciudad Medical Zamboanga has achieved its Vision of being a hospital with performance excellence that is nationally recognized... by sharing our humble service to our country's heroes!

19 comments:

  1. I would probably ask for their photos too if I was in your shoes, hehehe. The soldiers deserve the best treatment there is available. They are our modern day heroes!

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  2. i hope the soldiers here in the Philippines will be given more attention and appreciations because serving our country in exchange of their lives is such a heroic deed! XD

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  3. Good to know that the stand-off there is over. I really wish that Muslims and Christians there can co-exist peacefully. Our prayers are with you all!

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  4. One good thing with the Filipinos, even they are in the middle of such crisis, they still managed to take photos with the celebrities. Problems are being set aside even for the mean time.

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  5. Glad to see smiles on your faces. You guys need these light moments. God bless!

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  6. It's nice to see cheerful photos floating around from Zamboanga despite the crisis. So glad everything is over and will continue to be in the days to come.

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  7. I thank God the the crisis is finally over. the people can start rebuilding their lives. Thanks to the soldiers who defended our beloved city our beloved people.

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  8. thanks God that the crisis is finally over, i salute the soldiers who fought for Zamboanga

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  9. Finally the crisis was over. I hope the people can easily recover from the damages and the loss.

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  10. Thank God. Alhamdulillah. I'm glad to see smiles from everyone :) Mar Roxas in the house, woooooottt!

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  11. You got a lot of photo ops ha! :) I'm glad that crisis was handled very well.

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  12. kudos to your documentation efforts. i think that somehow, it lifted the morale of those soldiers to see those VIPs visit them.

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  13. I'm glad to see so many people smiling in the photos! Just shows how resilient we really are. Kung ako rin anjan, t'yak magpapa-picture din ako! :D

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  14. Nakakaboost talaga ng morale ang pagbisita ng mga highranking officials. Glad to see Charm in your photos as well. I miss her and happy that everyone in Zambo can still smile and be happy.

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    1. Yes, Charm is our CFO...and she is also busy sharing her time and goods with the evacuees!

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  15. Good to know that the crisis is finally over and everything is back to normal.

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    1. Just sad that Zamboanga City is now suffering from continuous rain and flooding!!!

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  16. I'm glad the every back to normal, and its uplifting seeing those smiles on photos. I'm sure soldiers feel so special..thanks for the update:)

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  17. i'm genuinely happy to see those smiles in your faces. glad that the crisis was over. but at the same time, i'm saddened by the latest news that zamboanga's currently flooded. i hope and pray that all these will pass, soon. God bless you all!

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