shot April 2, 2009 photos by Jorem and Sheila Catilo
I've always loved photographing children. It's such a joy to be able to capture them whether they're in their most innocent or most mischievous moments. But this experience was different, and definitely one I would never forget.
Last Tuesday, Jorem and I went to the Dr. Jose Fabella Hospital with Rea Gomez-Harrow to shoot some pictures to post on the Moms for Moms site. It was probably the hardest shoot I've ever been through in all my years of being a photographer.
"Are you ready?" She asked, as we walked across the entrance of the ER right after a woman was brought out of the ambulance in a stretcher, her legs stained with blood, ready to give birth. There were pregnant women everywhere - in the hallways, sitting on the steps, walking around just waiting for their turn. I knew I had to brace myself for this.
The scent was familiar. It's only been 6 months since I got out of the hospital after giving birth to our first baby. Had I been there a couple of years ago, it would have been different. But as we walk into what was 4 rooms full of maybe a hundred of bassinets or more, I felt my knees weaken and my heart crumble. I look through the viewfinder and get ready to shoot, but all I see is a blur as tears start to well up. My heart was pounding to the rhythm of infants crying in chorus. I turn my head, three babies are sharing one bassinet while the other had two. One baby's face is already pushed against the other's knee. Can he still breathe? I look the other way and one baby's arm is as thin as my finger. There are tubes and needles, bottles of fluids running through their tiny bodies. Due to the lack of linens, three newly delivered babies share what looked like an old hand towel to keep them warm. Each was labeled with a medicine box cutout attached to their wrists with a string like a piece of evidence. It was hard to believe all of it was real. I knew there were going to be a lot of babies, but not like this. It was beyond what I expected. To say it was heartbreaking would be an understatement.
I've never seen so many babies all in one place at the same time, and seeing them in this condition just didn't feel right. But this is how it's always been in Fabella. Everyday, mothers flock to this place to give birth because it's the only place they can go to. Due to the sheer volume of women giving birth each day, some have to go home a few hours after delivery while others who can't share a tandem bed with 2-3 others to be able to rest. According to a social worker we talked to, some of them don't even want to leave. To them, it's a roof over their heads, a soft bed and regular meals. For their children, it's a far better environment to survive in for their first few days of life.
It's a sad reality to face, but it's real nonetheless. So if these images move you to help, please do with what you can, in any way you can. Feel free to repost, link or contact us about it.
arewethereyet wrote on Aug 11, '09, edited on Aug 11, '09
Do the social workers in Fabella also educate on family planning and stuff? What about a shift in the traditional medical model of care to the midwifery/homebirth/birth center model of care for uncomplicated pregnancy cases? It seems to me that if we shift our consciousness to a more midwife-based model of care, then hospitals like Fabella would be freed up to handle the more complicated cases of pregnancy and newborn/special needs care. I find that in the Phils., midwives are more like nannies and I feel that if we utilize their expertise on pregnancy care and childbirth, it might make more of an impact too. I think you're doing great with what you're doing for Fabella but I'm afraid that it might be just a quick fix. Tipong what happens when the money/donations run out? This is a great start though. I just hope there is something we can do not just for Fabella but for Filipino families in general that will be beneficial in the long run. More power to you!
My heart just broke when I saw the pictures. Tapos iyung mga government officials natin, whether pera nila iyun o hindi... kung makagastos ng pera ganun-ganun na lang! I forwarded this link to my friends. My husband & I are thinking of some of our baby's things that we can donate. We hope that in our own small way, we would be able to help the poor babies that are born in Fabella.
you're doing a great job promoting for these babies' (and future ones too) welfare. how can i help? i have a lot of stuff i can donate for babies. let me know. i'm reposting this too.
i live & work in abau dhabi with my family. this is the reason we only have one child --- mahirap ang buhay. parang bangungot ang mga images. how can we help?
To all those that have posted comments, Thank You for your interest to help our cause. We apologize for the delayed reply. The Jose Fabella NICU is mostly in need of medical equipment and supplies, diapers, linens/blankets and other consumable items. If you have used baby clothes and items, we have another charity-- Missionaries of Charity Alay ng Puso-- where abandoned babies, babies of unwed teenagers, drug addicts, and other babies in dire need of help are placed. We have been collecting items they need (as babies there range from 2 months to children of 11 years or so). Should you have items to donate please contact us and we can arrange for a pick-up or meet-up. Thanks again for all your help.
its really sad to see that the GOVERNMENT is corrupting money that easily and they can easily can get away from it. Well in some way there are some fault there with are fellow filipino that they not doing family planning seeing that they have a problem financially. . Well i hope that our higher government well see this pictures! its really heartbreakin seeing those baby's sharing bed together. :( so sad.
Hi, Yes, please feel free to re-post. However, please do not collect donations. Instead, you may refer anyone who wants to help out to us. There are legal issues kasi for collecting in our behalf. Thanks!
hi there =) i'm writing a press release on the hospital since my client, robert bosch phils. inc., is a benefactor that donates ambubags and phototherapy lights to help counteract jaundice. i think your photos are gorgeous - and they speak so many words - would it be ok if i used them in my press release? you can reach me at anagee@eon.com.ph if you have questions =) thanks and hope to hear from you!
Hi! I read the magazine article about you and the moms for moms organization that you formed. I want to applaud you for getting more people aware about the state of the mothers and their newborn babies at Fabella Hospital. More than just the donations you give to the hospital, you are able to get people to notice this institution again. Hopefully, they will get more help now. However, to be honest, this is just the tip of the iceberg on the issue of population control and women's health. These women and babies may still be considered lucky bcoz they got proper medical assistance from nurses and doctors. Many out there in the squatters are in far grimer scenarios. kudos to you ladies. Every great act begins with a single step. Good luck.
HI! Thanks very much for your kind words. We agree, this is just the tip of the iceberg. But, as you said, it begins with a single step. We will be announcing our future plans and programs very soon-- for the Fabella hospital, as well as our other advocacies.
dito ako pinanganak, nasusunog pa nga yung katabi ng hospital during that time sabi ni mama, nagmamadali na ang lahat na ilabas yung gamit pati sya nag-madaling ilabas ako.
Hi sis! My heart almost broke into pieces upon seeing this. Dapat sa Fabella ako manganganak since hihingin lang namin sa FIL ko yung pampaanak ko and akala ko CS ako, also to save more money and spend it on baby's things instead. Dahil nahihiya nadin kami if manghihingi pa ulit kami para sa gamit ng baby. Hubby and I went there nung May 3 of this year since malapit na due ko, kaso since holiday wala yung nirecommend ng health center na OB, pinuntahan nalang namin yung available OB at that time. Pagpasok pa lang namin dito, nagsalita na agad si hubby na ayaw daw niya ako manganak dun dahil sa amoy ng hospital(arte) since sanay naman ako sa amoy ng hospital dahil naging student nurse ako before and hindi naman ako maselanan, I insisted na manganak there. While waiting for the OB, may nakita akong mother na umiiyak, then I found out na hinihingan daw siya ng Fabella ng P2,500 ata yun para sa incubator, pero P800 lang daw pera niya that time kaya hindi nilagay yung baby sa incubator. Natagalan pa sa pagproduce ng said amount yung husband niya dahil holiday nga daw at sarado ang mga offices. Now the sad part is pagdating ng husband niya mangingitim na daw yung baby niya...=( Hindi ko na nausisa pa kung ano nangyari kasi nagmamadali na umalis si hubby after namin makausap yung OB. Kapag private patient ka pala sa Fabella, meaning may own doctor ka and no need na mag-wait ng available doctor, 13K ang charge for CS, 8K naman daw kapag normal delivery. 8K sa CS kapag regular patient ka. Pero kahit may own doctor ka, dun padin sa ward nila ang room mo(2-3/bed). Kapag may philhealth lang yung sa airconditioned room nila. Wala pa naman ako philhealth. =( I gave birth nung June 2 sa Ospital ng Maynila, since mas ok daw dun compared sa Fabella. Since Manila resident si hubby, donation lang na Zonrox at powdered soap and may ilang pinabili lang that I will be using, plus mo pa yung post natal meds, wala pang 1,500 yung nagastos namin. Mas malaki pa ata yung nagastos namin sa food dahil nagpadeliver pa kami sa hospital! hehe. Tiniis ko nalang na may ka-share ng bed at electric fan lang yung nasa room, although may tv na hindi naman in-on. Meron naman paid ward, pero dahil akala ko mahal ang bayad dun, nagparegular room nalang ako. Hindi ko naman kasi alam na 2K++ lang pala gagastusin dun. Nakakaawa talaga ang situation sa government hospitals, kahit tuloy nagkukulang kami sa budget ni hubby minsan iniisip namin na maswerte padin kami and nasa tabi padin yung family namin na naasahan namin most of the time.
My opinion is sana dagdagan ng gobyerno yung mga hospitals na "free" talaga or kahit almost gaya sa Ospital ng Maynila. Although tatanggapin ka sa OM kahit non-Manila resident ka, still may bayad padin. I'm reposting this on my facebook sis ha! Thanks =)
I'll spread the word to my friends here in Pampanga. I'm very much willing to help. I have several things that my daugher won't be using anymore and I'd like to know how I can donate those things. Although very few I think some of the children can benefit from them. Booties, gloves, hats etc.
I want to help...It breaks my heart seeing this! I am a mother of a 3 month old baby boy named Lucio. Apaka humbling nya sobra! When I was pregnant, sobrang arte ko, I wanted to give birth na dapat ganito, dapat ganun, dapat yung room ko ganito. Little did I know na may mga babies and moms pala na ganito ang situation. Nakaka-guilty sobra.
Hi. I just stumbled upon this site tonight. I am wondering if it still active and if you are still working on Fabella Hospital. If you are, I'd love to help out. I live in Kuala Lumpur and am in Manila for the holidays until January 10, 2012 and would love to help out as I have so much time in my hands. Please let me know. Email me at crivillarreal@gmail.com because I don't usually check my Multiply site anymore.
