More than 2,000 Negrense children with cleft lip or cleft palate deformities have availed of free reconstructive surgery operations conducted by volunteer-doctors and allied medical workers from Operation Smile International, OpSmile Philippines and local partners since 1988 up to this year, a press release from OpSmile Philippines said.

The group headed by Edith Yotoko-Villanueva said simultaneous missions will be held from Feb. 22 until March 3 in Silay City in Negros Occidental, Cebu, Davao and Cabanatuan.

George Yarbrough is coordinating the Philippine missions, including that in Silay to be held at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital. Villanueva who is also the concurrent president of the H.O.P.E. Volunteers Foundation Inc., said at least 131 Negrense and Bacolod patients underwent reconstructive surgery when the OpSmile medical mission was first brought to the country in 1988, the press release said.

More than 150 patients are now undergoing cleft rehabilitation in the program of the H.O.P.E. Volunteers Foundation, in partnership with the Our Lady of Mercy Specialty Hospital in Bacolod City since 2003, the press release also said.

Parties interested in the OpSmile operations may call Dr. Ceres Baldevia at Tel. No. 434-6362, for more information, the press release added*

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SK Bacolod sets convention

The Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Bacolod City will hold its 4th annual convention on the theme "Fostering stronger and more active participation among SK leaders," 4 p.m. Feb. 24, Garden Royale, Goldenfields Commercial Complex, in the city, a press release from the group said.

It also said that the convention aims to promote youth involvement in the barangays. About 500 delegates and guests are expected at the convention. The federation headed by XL de la Rosa is a national outstanding SK winner last year, the press release said. Meanwhile, winners in the 2006 search for outstanding SK chairpersons will be awarded and the hall of fame awards will be presented to those who have won for three consecutive years.

They are Lady Gles Gonzales (Taculing), Michael Hanz Villaster (Handumanan), German Bullolaza Jr. (Brgy. 31), and Udrick Magbanua (Brgy. 39), the press release added.*

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USLS to hold Psycho gab

An inter-active seminar called "The magic of affirmation: Enhancing personal power towards wellness and wholeness" will be held 9 a.m. Friday at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum, in Bacolod City, a press release from organizers said.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Ma. Lourdes Carandang will be the resource person.

Proceeds of the project will go to the Bahay Pag-asa, a rehabilitation center for youth in conflict with the law, and other community outreach projects of the USLS Psychology and Inter-Disciplinary Studies Department, the press release said. Those interested may call Dr. Ma. Gracia Engallado or Rowena Bañes at Tel. Nos. 434-6409, or mobile phone numbers 0920-927-8006, 0920-954-8715, or 0920-908-1586, for inquiries, the press release added.*

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