Mu Sigma Phi Sorority, Inc.

by Jen Chavez µΣΦ ‘15

A sunny day was made even livelier by the smiles and heartwarming welcome from the ladies of Barangay Fort Bonifacio, as the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority headed to Taguig to provide both laughter and learning for the whole community.

As participants reach the Beacon School covered court, they eagerly go through stations to register, as well as have their body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP) and peripheral bone scan checked. With sisses Isabel Nabor µΣΦ ‘14, Mel Caraan µΣΦ ‘15, Jen Chavez µΣΦ ‘15, Agnes Cubillas µΣΦ ‘15, Frances dela Cruz µΣΦ ‘15, Jaimee Palanca µΣΦ ‘15, Patti Cruz µΣΦ ‘16, and Mikki Miranda µΣΦ ’16 guiding them through the process, it was not long before they were settled to actively listen to the engaging discussion on breast and cervical cancer, and osteoporosis and how to use their BMI, BP and bone scan measurements in health assessment by the Sorority’s Health Education and Literacy (HEAL) directress and Mu Health Caravan adviser sis Bootsie Ruaro µΣΦ ‘76. Indeed, the morning was fruitful and fulfilling.

The women of Barangay Fort Bonidacio register to participate in the one-day Mu Health Caravan event.

Before the lecture, sisses take the participants’ blood pressure measurements.

Kagawad Lara was the first one to have her bone density taken using the peripheral bone scan.

Participants were given health tips using the Mu Health Caravan primer

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The ladies raise their flags in response to the questions during the quiz.

After everyone took a break for a sumptuous lunch, a game was conducted to prepare the participants to what was to happen in the afternoon. The activity aimed to test the retention of knowledge, a necessary step in realizing the Mu Health Caravan’s goal of empowering women to make informed choices for their and their family’s health. Aside from the excitement of affirming one’s learning, it also provided participants a means for clarification and emphasis of information.

The mood then became lighter as the undergrad sisses lead everyone to stress management activities including joint exercises, a short talk on ABAKADA for Stress Management and Sayuntis. The belly-dancing activity not only taught them dance steps that can keep their body fit but also provided the opportunity for the ladies of Barangay Fort Bonifacio to strut their dancing skills and to take over the dance floor. In everyone’s delight, the participants broke into groups and competed among one another in a fun-filled dance-off.

The participants stretched their hips during the joint exercises.

Barangay Fort Bonifacio gave it their all during the fun-fliied dance-off.

Culminating the activity was the awarding of Plaques of Appreciation to Barangay Leaders who made this event possible, namely Chairman Lino Cayetano, Kagawad Helen Lara and Kagawad Alan Oliman. Certificates of Participation were also given to those in attendance. The photo ops that immediately followed reminded everyone that the day and everything that happened in it was worth remembering…and worth doing again.

Mu Health Caravan heads Agnes Cubillas µΣΦ ‘15 and Mel Caraan µΣΦ ‘15, as well as Service Committee Chairperson Frances dela Cruz µΣΦ ‘15 and H. E. A. L. Directress/Mu Health Caravan adviser Bootsie Ruaro µΣΦ ‘76 pose with the organizers from Barangay Fort Bonifacio.

The Taguig leg was another success for the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority’s Mu Health Caravan.

The Mu Health Caravan, with the theme “Women Empowerment and Literacy through Health Education (W.E.A.L.T.H.), aims that every Filipina is equipped the necessary information to make important choices about their health and their family’s well-being. Lectures on issues such as cervical cancer, breast cancer, obesity, aging, menopausal syndrome, proper nutrition and stress management are tackled by doctors who are experts in their respective fields. As of the present, it has been to nine locations (Tarlac, Bataan, Pasig, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Ilo-ilo, Iligan, and Taguig) to give valuable health education customized to the needs of these communities. In the future, the Mu Health Caravan hopes to widen its target to include children, adolescents, and the elderly. For more about the Mu Health Caravan and the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority, please visit www.musigmaphi.com/sorority.

See more pictures of Mu Health Caravan (Taguig)