Written By: Jose Robert Reyes
With the continuing pandemic bringing surmounting challenges to communities worldwide, a group of De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ) alumni stood steadfast and resilient in the COVID-19 vaccination program at DLSZ. Both Alabang and Vermosa Campuses are vaccination centers that have become a vital cog in vaccination rollouts south of Metro Manila.
At the helm of the vaccination efforts at DLSZ is acting Barangay Captain of Barangay Ayala Alabang (BAA), Dr. Lester Suntay. Doc Les, as he is fondly called, accepted Punong Barangay duties after its incumbent barangay captain fell ill. Doc Lester is steadfast in leading the vaccination efforts as he is always in constant communication with the City Health Office of Muntinlupa. A pediatric surgeon by profession, Doc Les looks over the public health efforts in Ayala Alabang and conducts surgical missions all over the Philippines. He finished high school in DLSZ in 1991. He finished his pre-med degree at De La Salle University (DLSU) and his medical degree in Perpetual Help College in 2000.
At the onset of the vaccination rollout program, Doc Les needed a strong medical team. Although there were many notables, another alumna that stood out was Dr. Abigail Pia Laurel Suntay– Doc Les’ significant other. Doc Abi was in charge of designing DLSZ classrooms to meet the requirements of a vaccination site. She also spearheaded efforts in sending email blasts and making Google forms to make vaccination smooth as possible. Doc Abi graduated from DLSZ in 1991 and secured her medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in 2000.
In addition to the Suntays, there is the mother-son Tiu tandem. Dr. Adeleen Salom-Tiu, the physician-in-charge of BAA, communicates regularly with the Muntinlupa City to ensure that the vaccination proceedings follow the requirements of the local and national government. Dr. Tiu graduated from DLSZ in 1992 and had her pre-med degree in DLSU. She completed her medical degree at the Jonelta Foundation School of Medicine. She has also involved her son, Lian John Tiu, who graduated from DLSZ in 2020, right when C-19 became a pandemic. Lian has been working at the receiving and registration stations. He is currently taking BS Statistics at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.
Next on the list of DLSZ alumni helping out in the vaccination drive is BAA Vaccination Committee Coordinator, Louis Sumcio. Louis graduated from DLSZ in 1997. He handles BAA’s vaccination database while making sure that vaccination records are maintained and monitored. An alumnus of DLSU, Louis is perfect for the role as he is a Computer Science graduate. Currently, he runs his own construction business.
Then there is Dr. Liz Cordova who graduated from DLSZ in 1999. Dr. Liz is in charge of coordinating vaccination deliveries and updates. Through her, the community has its ample share of vaccine allocation. She makes sure that the medical team in charge is in sync in terms of paperwork, vaccine allocation, and vaccination schedules. Doc Liz was at the start of the vaccination drive when the barangay had to initiate pre-registration and information dissemination. She is a constant source of moral support as she patiently pacifies the community’s apprehension on vaccines. Doc Liz completed her medical degree in UST in 2007.
Another prominent figure in vaccination efforts is BAA Kagawad Pat Bocobo. Pat graduated from DLSZ in 1998. Definitely an active body, Pat has taken the lead in communicating with the vaccination team the requests, queries, comments, and suggestions of the residents. DLSZ’s Athlete of the Year and Football Captain in 1998, Pat is the operations manager of transport company DNS Transport. He also chairs several committees in BAA including Transportation and Disaster and Risk Management. Pat earned his BS HRIM degree from De La Salle-College of St. Benilde.
Last but not least is one of the youngest among DLSZ alumni who have had a hand in vaccination efforts. He is the Sangguniang Kabataan Kagawad Diego Herrera who graduated from DLSZ in 2014. Diego holds a psychology degree from DLSU in 2018 and was set to complete his flying units from the Philippine Airlines’ flying school. He is at ground zero at vaccination rollouts as he works with the MunCoVac youth team in ensuring that all vaccines are accounted for.
DLSZ takes pride in seeing its alumni actively participate in probably one of the most challenging moments in our lifetime. To these alumni, it is not just coming back home. Moreso, they come back carrying in their hearts, the Lasallian tradition of faith (religio), zeal for service (mores), and communion in mission (cultura) to perform their roles, duties, and responsibilities as Barangay Ayala Alabang’s leaders in public health and community service.
Note: Mr Jose Robert Reyes is an English teacher in Junior High School and the president of the DLSZ Independent Teachers Union. He is one of the active volunteers for the MunCoVac Vaccination Center in the DLSZ Alabang Campus.
BAA Sangguniang Kabataan Kagawad Diego Herrera (DLSZ 2014)
at work in registration for MunCoVac center in DLSZ Alabang.
Musician Bamboo poses after getting his COVID-19 jab
with Dr. Adeleen Salom-Tiu (DLSZ 1997)
Dr. Lester Suntay (DLSZ 1991) and Mr. Louis Sumcio (DLSZ 1997) pose
with former President Fidel V. Ramos after vaccination.
Mr. Jose Robert Reyes with BAA Vaccination Committee Coordinator Mr Louis Sumcio (DLSZ 1997) and fellow MunCoVac volunteers at DLSZ Alabang Campus.
BAA Vaccination Committee Coordinator Mr Louis Sumcio (DLSZ 1997)
at work with Dr. Adeleen Salom-Tiu (DLSZ 1991).
