Paying “homage” to a patron of the city

The award conjures an image of a man who's hand is being kissed one after the other by a throng forming a long queue. No, this is not a saintly concern. It is just that people seemed to pay homage to the reality of a man doing apostolic work because as he loves to say-- his heart bleeds for the poor.

That's why when the city government handed down last week the award Patron of the City to Mariano “Mario” Uy, the accolade was never been more fitting and appropriate. The occasion was the 40th charter anniversary of the city. For what else can a grateful city return the favor than giving the recognition he deserves. Some people were almost tempted why not add the word saint after the patron as if he was in the league of living saints.

But that would be an intrusion to the realm of the unthinkable. So forget it. Why indeed does Mr. Uy earn plaudits from the city that almost bordered on reverence? As one Bible passage says: Many were called but few were chosen. And he is one of the chosen few who answers the call of civic responsibility. He chose to be the prime mover of a civic concern dubbed “Botika sa Katawhan”.

Starting out as one of the supporters of the outreach program of City Mayor Dan Lim's wife Sharleen, Mr. Uy took the cue from there and grabbed the momentum by heart. What works to the advantage of Mario is that it helps to be a long time resident of the United States . For 20 uninterrupted years, he was able to cultivate friendship with Filipino doctors. The relationship endeared to Mario the chance of collecting sample medicines from his doctor-friends. Thus started his inkling for medical missions back home using medicine samples. Since then, he became a regular patron of the mayor's wife whenever she conducted medical expeditions in some parts of the city. What started as a routine civic action in the city's barangays metamorphosed into a full blown apostolic project that needs city council backing.

Losing no time, he enlisted the full support of Mayor Lim for his new baby. First, Mr. Uy asked for a permanent shelter of his people's drugstore.. He chose one spot in the unfinished Agora in downtown Tagbilaran for the convenience of his poor clientele. But since the unfinished market is up for conversion into a commercial center, he was told to settle at the back of the city hall. He has no complaint of the alternative site. For now, Mr. Uy is waiting for the actual launching of his project. While waiting for the launching date, Mr. Uy is consoled with the fact that he has already a medicine arsenal that can fill a 40-footer van ready for distribution as soon as his Botika sa Katawhan is off in orbit.

l