by: Cyril Conde

The Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc., Bicol Chapter organized a lecture series on common microbial organisms and human parasites, and distributed hygiene kits to children at risk and victims of domestic violence last October 3, 2015 at the Penafrancia Shrine, Naga City. This is the first activity for 2015 of the Bicol Chapter. A demo-lecture on hand washing and proper brushing of teeth was also carried out.

Hygiene kits containing soap, soap case, nail cutter, cotton buds, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, fine toothed comb, rubbing alcohol, baby powder and betadine antiseptic were handed out to ten girls and women who are victims of domestic violence and thirty children at risk. The victims are housed in HABLONDAWANI under the guidance of Good Shepherd Sisters at the compound of the Penafrancia Church in Naga City.

PSM Bicol President Maria Aurora A. Conde gave the lecture on common microorganisms while PSM Bicol Recording Secretary Sarah Querubin gave the talk on common human parasites and conducted the demo-lecture on proper hand washing.  Ms. Donna Magno, PSM Bicol Business Manager, also gave a lecture on personal hygiene. Finally, a video presentation of proper brushing of teeth, courtesy of Dr. Louse Roces-Rastrullo of Roces Dental Clinic in Naga City, was presented.

After the talks and video presentation, there were parlor games organized by Ms. Donna Magno and PSM PRO Alice Naag. Other PSM members who helped in the distribution of food and hygiene kits to the children and women were Dr. Remy Renegado, Dr. Agnes Salvadora, Malou Camposano, and Mary Elaine Toledanes. The Master of the Ceremonies was Ms. Alice Naag.

As a response of gratitude to the PSM group, the children and women sang a song of Gods love to the benefactors. Sr. Mary Milagros R. Santos thanked the group in her talk, expressing that the activity manifests hope and the love of God.

The sponsors for the event are the following:

ROTARY CLUB MANDALUYONG CENTRAL THROUGH MR. ORLAN M. BIBARES (PRES.)
MAY BANK PHILIPPINES
RURAL BANK OF IROSIN, INCORPORATED
 ASIA BREWERY INCORPORATED (BEER NA BEER, MASBATE CITY)
ROCES DENTAL CLINIC (DR. LOUISE ROCES-RASTRULLO)
 LIFELINE DIAGNOSTICS SUPPLIES INCORPORATED
ROSEMARIE AZURIN
MARIAFE AZURIN-CABUSAY
AGNES B. SALVADORA
GERALDINE DE JESUS
RAMONA RENEGADO