CULION

Authors
JUDY MARIPET F. CRUZ-CATAQUIS, RMT
ARTURO C. CUNANAN, Jr., MD, MPH, PhD

Editor
MARIA PERPETUA A. ROSELLO

Layout Artists
BENG FLORIDA-MALABANAN
ERNIE O. MAHILUM

Funded by

The Nippon Foundation

Printed by
ZAB Enterprises
Manila, Philippines

First Edition – May 2011

 LEPROSY PROBLEM ISLA DE CALAMIAN

1577. Fray Juan Clemente, a Franciscan lay
brother, began to aid the poor and the sick who
gathered at the door of his convent.
1603. A leprosarium was built by the Franciscan
Order in the outskirts of Manila.
1632. 130 Japanese “lepers” who were expelled from
Japan were sheltered by the Franciscans
Missionaries.
1768. A Lazaret was constructed by the Franciscans
in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
1784. A decree signed by Governor Basco transferred
the leprosarium to Mayhaligue, the site it now
occupies in Rizal Avenue.
1830. By Royal decree, leper settlements were
established at Manila, Cebu, and Nueva Caceres (now
Naga).
1859. Fr. Felix Huertas managed and improved the
buildings and rectified the administration of San
Lazaro Hospital.
1591. An encomienda existed under the jurisdiction of
Balayan Province.
1622. Three Recollect Missionaries reached Isla de
Calamian (Culion). There begun the Evangelization of
the island. A parish dedicated to Purisima Concepcion
de Nuestra Señora was founded on the eastern coast of
the island.
1636. Corralat sent a marauding expedition of four
joangas under the command of his brother, Tagal.
1637. C o r r a l a t s e n t e n c e d t h e M i s s i o n a r i e s
captured in early raiding expedition. Fray Juan de San
Nicolas was hung and Fray Alonzo de San
Agustin was beheaded.
1638. The Moslems launched another attack as
ordered by Datu Achen of Jolo.
1640-45. Culion was raided by the Muslims. More
raids followed. Several defensive stratagems were set
up including expeditionary forces called pancos contra
moros.
1740. A fortification was constructed by the natives of
Culion. They were relieved from paying tributes or
taxes for three years for this purpose.
1898. The Katipunan rose up in arms against the
Spanish government in Manila. Fearing a repetition of
the Cavite massacre of September 1896 which claimed
the lives of fourteen religious of the Recollect Order,
the Vicar Provincial of P a r a g u a o r d e r e d t h e
missionaries to leave.

1898
Americans established a military government in the Philippines.
Aside from political problems, they were faced with serious health and sanitation problems. With the
Philippine population of about 7,000,000, about 3,500 to 4,000 were “lepers,” the majority found in
the Visayas.

1900
The American Military government identified leprosy as a national public health problem. Its first
measure was to improve the condition of leprosy patients at the San Lazaro Hospital. The
establishment of a leper colony as in Molokai, Hawaii was conceptualized by both American military
and civil authorities particularly upon the recommendations of the Secretary of Interior Dean Woncester and
Director of Health Dr. Victor Heiser.

1901
The American Investigating Committee arrived in Culion, after reconsidering the appropriateness of
Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi, they found Culion an ideal place suitable for a leper colony.

1902
The Second Philippine Commission appropriated an initial budget of $50,000 for the establishment of
Culion Leper Colony.

9 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 9
 1960
Proclamation 223 was issued which excluded 49.95 hectares described as lots 3 and BSM-59 from Culion.
Proclamation 674 was also issued which excluded 298 hectares in sitio Rionabasan from the reservation.

1961
Vice President Diosdado Macapagal visited Culion.
World Health Organization (WHO) delegates came.
RA 3379 alleged to be enacted without executive approval, which separated Bulalacao island from the
reservation and made it part of Coron.

1962
Newly elected President Diosdado Macapagal visited Culion.
Dr. Casimiro Lara retired from government service.

1963
Health Secretary Francisco Duque arrived.

1964
RA 4073 or the Liberalization Law was promulgated. Permits to settle in Culion was issued to non-lepers.
Twenty-four “negative” settlers arrived from Cebu. Dr. Uyguanco, Director of the Bureau of Disease Control,
subdivided the remaining lots in Malaking Patag.

DR. JOSE FERNANDEZ ADMINISTRATION (1965-1967)

1965
The Leonard Wood Memorial was transferred to Eversley Childs Sanitarium in Cebu.

DR. MARCELINO MARIANO ADMINISTRATION (1968-1976)

1968
The Unicef Child Feeding Program started.
Dr. Lara received a Presidential Award of Merit from President Marcos for his outstanding
achievement in leprosy work.
Dr. Herbert Wade died.

1969
A dispensary-clinic-library, an administration building, a Quenset building, a Marcos-Type school buildings
were constructed out of Public Works Fund and Bayanihan labor in Patag.

1971
Fundacion ANESVAD started to support projects in Culion.

1972
The lower “leper” colony gate was demolished.
Some patients were placed on B663 (Clofazimine/lamprene).

1974
PD 384 was issued by President Marcos which reverted Culion into a reservation under the full
administration of the Department of Health.

DR. JOSE SOLDEVILLA ADMINISTRATION (1976-1978)

1976
The Culion Foundation, Incorporated was established.

16 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 16
 2001
RA 9032 was signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo which expanded the area of jurisdiction of the
Municipality of Culion.

2002
President Arroyo visited Culion.
Transfer of Halsey and Burabod was ratified by a plebiscite which was held in Culion and Busuanga
simultaneously.

2003
BCCL (Busuanga, Coron, Culion, and Linapacan) District Health Insurance System was implemented in
Culion.
La Inmaculada Concepcion Church was renovated by the Jesuit Fathers (Fr. Gabriel Jose Gonzalez, S.J.).
No new case of leprosy from Culion was diagnosed.

2004
SMART Telecommunication Company installed cell site.

2005
The Local Government of Culion celebrated its 10th Anniversary.

2006
Culion celebrated the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first contingent of “lepers.”

DR. VALERIANO V. LOPEZ ADMINISTRATION (2006-2008)

Improved management system.
Initiated health policy reforms.

DR. ARTURO C. CUNANAN, JR. ADMINISTRATION (2008-Present)

Strengthen the delivery and execution of healthcare policies.
Improvement in hospital infrastructure and equipment.

2009
R.A. 9790 was signed by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo converting the Culion Sanitarium
into the Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital and appropriating funds thereof.

18 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 18
Earnest Colonization and Evangelization

As the Adelantado, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was laying the foundations of Castilian rule in the Philippines, then
known to the Europeans as Felipinas, after the name of His Majesty, King Philip II of Spain, the missionaries were
busy sowing the seeds of Christianity. No time was wasted “for the scepter and the cross.”

In 1622, by virtue of an agreement made by the Augustinian Bishop of Cebu , the Reverend Fray Pedro de Arce, 1

with the then Captain-General of the Archipelago, Don Alonzo Fajardo de Tenza, the Recollect Order took charge
of the evangelization of the islands called Cuyo, Calamianes , and Paragua. The first Recollect expedition was
2

composed of three priests and one lay brother. Fray Juan de Santo Tomas headed the apostolic journey which
included Fray Francisco de San Nicolas, Fray Diego de Santa Ana and Brother Francisco de la Madre de Dios.

First Fruits
Although the inhabitants of the islands lived under the harness of Muslim chieftains, the Missionaries converted
the greater part of Cuyo and Agutaya without much difficulty.

That same year, due to the zeal of the Missionaries to spread Christianity, three of them reached Isla de Calamian 4.

The inhabitants then were still blinded in idolatry. They had barbarous customs, had no civil bodies and lived in
scattered groups. After slow and gentle persuasion, the missionaries were rewarded with many baptisms and were
able to gather the natives in one place where they could be placed “under the bell.”

The Recollects founded a parish dedicated to the Purisima Concepcion de Nuestra Señora on the eastern coast of
the island. The natives were peaceful and respectful to the authorities. They were engaged in the trade of jars and
salt but much more interested in the nest business. The nests were difficult to gather and not without risk but it
was a profitable occupation. They also gathered wax from honeycombs and sea slugs from the extensive reefs.

Battle of the Cross and the Crescent

But the progress and peacefulness of Culion was not to last long. The Evangelization of Mindanao, the land of the
followers of Mohammed triggered the so-called “Moro Raids.” In June 1636, Corralat (Kechil Capitwan Kudrat),
an infamous chieftain of Mindanao, who had previously been defeated by Fray Agustin de San Pedro justly dubbed
“El Padre Capitan” sent a vindictive raiding expedition against the Christian communities sprouting in Palawan.
In one night the Muslims completely destroyed the towns, which had taken many months, even years, to build.

The Muslims continued to harass the missions by making constant raids while the Central Government continued
to show no interest in checking the piracy. The missionaries had to put up the defenses of the towns committed to
their care. The Superiors of the Order thus decided to construct fortifications under their own expense.

1The diocese of Cebu, under the patronage of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, was created by Pope Clement VIII on 26 August 1595 where Palawan was then included until the diocese of
Jaro, under the patronage of St. Elizabeth, was created on 17 January 1865 and recognized by Pope Pius IX on 27 May of that same year. On 10 April 1910 Pope Pius X created the
Apostolic Prefecture of Palawan, separating it from Jaro diocese. In 1955 Pope Pius XII elevated Palawan to its present Apostolic Vicariate status. Palawan was completely handed over
to the diocesan priests with Bishop Espiga's retirement in 1987.

2The northern portion of the province where the Spaniards first established their authority. In 1591, Calamianes was an encomienda under the jurisdiction of Balayan Province now
known as Batangas. The Calamianes Islands were later organized into a separate province. The large island, which was called Paragua, remained under the control of the Sultanate of
Borneo. It was only before 1719, that the King of Jolo ceded his dominion in Paragua to the King of Spain. Paragua and Calamianes were later fused into a single province.

29 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 29
Construction of
Fortifications

Around 1740, Fort Culion was constructed as

a defense measure against the Moro raiders.

It was placed on a great rock that extended to

the sea. With fortified walls, it enclosed the
top of the promontory, forming a square: a
bulwark of solid and hewn coral rocks
encompassed the three sides and a church
and a convent enclosed one side. It had some
turrets where artilleries were strategically
placed. It was the magnificent military art of
Fray Juan de San Severo, O.A.R.
FORT CULION
Constructed by the natives of Culion to protect the island from
Moro invaders. They were relieved from paying tributes or
taxes for three years for this purpose.

Ardous Journey to Peace and Prosperity

From 1745 to 1750, in his interim capacity as Acting Governor of the Philippines, Fray Juan Arrechedera, O.P.,
ordered the making of the best cannons to aid the missionaries and the people against the Moro raiders. But the
Moslems did not cease attacking the Christian communities. Their repeated assaults forced the missionaries to
give up these missions. However, through the persistent petition of the Real Audiencia, the missionaries had to
stay put. They continued to do what they could with what they had.

In the 1860’s, when a Spanish survey commission reported the richness of Palawan’s resources, Governor General
Rafael de Izquierdo started to show interest and proposed a scheme for the development of Palawan3. The politico-
military government of Palawan, with Puerto Princesa (former Puerto Asuncion) as capital, was founded. To
overcome the reluctance of the would-be settlers the Governor General offered them various concessions such as:
facilities in the acquisition of tools and instruments for their chosen jobs, exemption from payment of the tribute
for a period of ten years, and the reduction to the minimum, for the same period, of the taxes on cultivated
territories. The strategic setting of a naval district at Puerto Princesa put an end to the Moro raids. The province
progressed rapidly. Finally, Culion, like the rest of the province, was able to enter a period of peace and prosperity.

3Known to the Chinese as Palan-yu in 982 A.D. Also called Pa-lao-yu by Chao Ju-Kua (Superintendent of Maritime Trade at Fujia province) in 1280 and Pulaoan by Antonio Pigafetta
(Italian chronicler of Magellan’s voyage) in 1521. During the entire Spanish colonization the Spaniards called the island Paragua because its shape is similar to a closed umbrella, the
name that appeared in all documents. On June 28, 1905 by Act. No. 1363 by the Philippine Commission the province was renamed Palauan or Palawan. (Eulogio B. Rodriguez, “Names
Under Which the Philippines Has Been known at Different Times in History,” Philippine Education Magazine, Vol. XXV (1928).

31 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 31
 Links to the Past...
Aside from the Church, the remaining
links of Culion to its Hispanic past are
the former residence of Juzgado de Paz
de Culion, which is now occupied
by retail stores, and the ruins of Fort San
Pedro.

Culion, being the principal village of

Provincia de Calamianes, was one of the
most progressive settlements in
Palawan during the Spanish Era.

Highly regarded by the Spanish

Government, Claudio was granted the
privilege to use the “Spanish Royal Coat of
Arms” in his seal of office. His residency in
Culion attested to the island’s primacy in
Calamianes.

Claudio Sandoval Y Rodriguez, Juzgado de Paz

de Culion in the late 1800’s, and his wife,
Evarista Manlave de Sandoval The family was also
18th Century Culion-made jar
engaged in the “nest
business” as
evidenced by the
weighing scale, which
is now in the possession of
Mrs. Erlinda Salas-
Jovellanos, Claudio’s
great granddaughter. Dona Evarista’s personalized
Fort San Pedro was a hidden garrison where
envelope
Spanish soldiers trained...

36 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 36
In May 1768, when the Jesuits was expelled by the King of Spain from all Royal
Dominions including the Philippines, their land in the district of Sta. Cruz passed
to the Franciscans, with a provision by the Spanish authorities that a Lazaret
would be constructed. A decree signed by Governor Basco in 1784 and approved
by King Carlos III in 1785 transferred the leprosarium to Mayhaligue, the
site it now occupies on Rizal Avenue. In succeeding years, this institution had to
pass through difficult periods due to lack of funds. The building was not sufficient
and the hacienda, mismanaged, did not provide enough to support the sick. In
1859 Fr. Felix Huertas managed and improved the buildings and rectified the
administration, and by the end of the nineteenth century, San Lazaro was well
established and had adequate means of support. The old San Lazaro Hospital
was at that time up to the middle of the 19th century, the only main hospital for
lepers.

In 1830, by royal decree, ‘leper settlements’ were established at

Manila, Cebu, and Nueva Caceres (now Naga), in which some
400 leprosy patients lived. Only those who were in such advanced
stages of the disease as to be loathsome to the public were
segregated. Even though not allowed to live in the same houses as
the healthy, frequently they were permitted to mingle freely with
people in the markets and other places. Friday under Spanish
rule was ‘lepers’ day, when the afflicted walked the streets
seeking charity. If alms were not forthcoming, they would squat
patiently in groups in front of a residence or alongside a ship. No
effective guard was maintained at Cebu, where at one time whole
parties of patients left the hospital and settled down in nearby
towns. San Nicolas and Opon, which became the foci of leprosy,
were in all probability two points to which they fled. Supposedly due to this early laxness, two-thirds of the
Philippine leprosy patients came from Cebu as shown in early census in Culion.

Essentially, the missionary leprosy work consisted in providing shelter and other bare necessities, besides
spiritual consolation and guidance, and even that was done in only a few places outside Manila. There were
certainly no conscious public health objectives, but the humanitarian, Christian effort, which continued through
the vicissitudes of invasions, conflagrations, and other calamities in the country. Interest in leprosy itself was
apparently limited to exceptional individual initiative. This was the situation at the time of the American
occupation of the Philippines.

The Establishment of the

Culion Leper Colony
Soon after the Americans occupied the
Philippines in 1898, they were faced not only
with political problems involved in annexing
the Philippines, they found itself buried with
serious health and sanitation problems. Less
than a month after the capitulation of Manila
in August 1898, the American military

39 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 39
In the early 1920’s, Emergency Hospitals for patients who were undergoing treatment were put up.

Emergency Hospitals

In 1926, Aguila, a gigantic replica of Philippine Health

Service (PHS) seal, was constructed by the patients as a
tribute to Philippine Health Service. It highlighted the
20thAnniversary Celebration of Culion (1926).

In 1930, the Leonard Wood Memorial Laboratory,

now the Culion Museum and Archives, was built for
the purpose of conducting scientific research on
leprosy, in honor of Gov. Gen. Leonard Wood.

67 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 67
A remarkable achievement was the construction of roads through “bayanihan” (community participation) effort
going inland along the upper and lower trails along the ridge to Guitna and Pilapil.

“Bayanihan Road”

A fill below the east-side cliff in the

colony was made mostly through
voluntary labor, for what is now the
Raymundo Playground, named after
Dr. Jose Raymundo – Chief of the Colony
from 1932 to 1947.

Raymundo Playground

In the 1930’s, Culion was a veritable

little town, teeming with activities, and
with facilities, commodities and
comforts such as 24-hour electricity,
ice, a water system, a theatre, a club
house, large bakeries, fourteen shops
of fair size engaged in the selling of dry
goods and general merchandise, two
photographic studios, one ice cream
parlor and restaurant, one shoe
factory, one silversmith’s shop and
small shops. Culion could be compared
with many larger towns around the
Philippines.

The Colony Proper in the late 1940’s

68 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 68
 “MANCHURIA”

On March 25, 1932, Good Friday, a group of rebellious leprosy patients headed by four men named
Crisologo, Veron, Ariola, and Bernardo, raided the Hijas de Maria Dormitory and abducted, apparently
with consent, some of the girls. It was called “The Lepers’ Riot” or “Manchuria” named after that historic
northeastern region of China that was forcibly taken over by the Japanese in September 1931.

The Reds, as the rebels were called, “…want reformation so that the girls might be more free…the men had
threatened to burn all the women’s dormitories, to force the women to leave them.” goes the Sisters’ diary.

Dr. Kierulf who was the Chief then, tried to cool down the gangs of “desperados,” as reports called the men,
but to no avail. They were too desperate to be stopped. The tension lasted for more than a month until
sixteen members of the Philippine Constabulary arrived from Puerto Princesa on May 14.

On May 18 at 7:00 p.m., the leaders, fifteen in number, together with the eighty-six women and girls who
cooperated with them left aboard Bustamante. They were transferred to Cebu together with some negative
patients.

Before leaving, the leaders even branded the other “lepers” as cowards for not having set fire the Colony.
They were banished from Culion to other leprosaria.

HIJAS DE MARIA DORMITORY

80 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 80
Birth of CIFECO (Culion Ice, Fish and Electric Company)

Michael Whalen, an American patient, organized the Culion Fishing Company in 1915. Their catch increased after
acquiring a small launch. Soon they needed ice to preserve their catch! The following year a small ice-making plant
was installed. The company then became the Culion Ice and Fish Company.

At first, all stockholders were patients. To widen its operations, this company engaged in supplying electricity for
Culion in 1918. But it needed the services of outside engineering skill. An American engineer, Mr. H. Cranston
undertook the task of supplying and supervising the installation of the machinery. When his job was over the
company couldn’t pay him the price agreed upon, and asked him to accept stock in the company instead of cash
payment, which he accepted. The CIFECO was a manifestation of patients ingenuity and partnership for
development. It was an example of true empowerment of people affected by leprosy.

CIFECO Building (encircled)

In earlier years, patients were not allowed to possess build-up

boats to discourage absconding but Michael Whalen, with his
spirit of entrepreneurship obtained permission to acquire one.

108 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 108

 She lived a simple life with a ready sincere smile for everyone. She may
be an ordinary person yet she touched and changed the lives of many…

Her name is Fe Ferrer Cruz, born on November 1, 1939 in Culion,

Palawan. A unica hija of Flora Buensuceso of Bulacan and Jose Ferrer
of Bicol who are both victims of leprosy. When Fe was born, she had to
be submitted to the Balala Nursery but a blessing in disguise that the
nursery had no vacant crib for her. Jubilant her parents were, they
took her home and grew up to be a soft-spoken, loving, and charming
child.

But the father’s love and embrace had not stayed long with Fe. During
the war, when famine plagued Culion, her father with some friends Fe in one of her apostolates
went to a nearby island to buy food. While on their way, her father died of heart attack. And because they
were in hiding, there was no other way than to bury him in a place not known to Fe and her mother.

In 1946, Fe again faced another crucial trial in her life. She was enjoying then her childhood with her mother
who like her was a mother of big heart. Dr. Lara, that time, made an advocacy to put in “safety” the children
of parents with leprosy. Though Fe was safe of the disease, she had to be forcibly brought to Welfareville
Institution in Mandaluyong together with other children of her age. Deep loneliness and worries bothered
her. She was just consoled by her sibling to her father in Manila who took her out every Friday.

In 1954, Fe returned to Culion and never again came back to Welfareville. She continued her schooling in St.
Ignatius High School. In 1956, she joined Ms. Culion Popularity and won as First runner-up. After she
finished secondary, she took up units in Education at St. Mary’s College in Quezon City and taught
Kindergarten in St. Ignatius Academy, her Alma mater, where she met Alfredo that ended in marriage in
1961.

As a loving wife and mother of two children, Fe left her teaching career and devoted all her time taking care of
them. Soon as her children became grown-ups, Fe ventured again to work as a Nutrition Aide in the Feeding
Program of the Jesuit priests. Later on she worked as a government employee of Culion Sanitarium where
she became a friend and adviser of her colleagues.

In 1999, Alfredo passed away. Fe and her children were in unfathomable mourning from the loss of a husband
and father who himself spent his fruitful life serving people as lay minister, teacher and administrator. With
what Alfredo started, Fe continued. She managed the St. Viator Educational Program without any
administrative experiences, yet her love for children, for education, and for the poor enabled her to give its
recipients the hope, the smile, and the courage to reach for what they were aiming for, until she died from a
short illness on May 12, 2010.

She may have left Culion earlier but the memories, the unconditional love and service, the generosity she
sewn in the hearts of people will forever be cherished.

Fe as 1st Runner-Up in
Fe with her father Fe in St. Ignatius High School
1956 Ms. Culion

120 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 120

 Mysteries Unveiled

“Unclean! Unclean!” From thousands of years ago in ancient

Egypt that warning cry echoes down the centuries. And for
thousands of years, humans have been virtually helpless
against leprosy. For more than three millennia, this most
vicious tyrant of the human race evaded identification and for
more than a century after its identification, it still tyrannizes
human beings.

No one exactly knows where leprosy comes from. What we

know is that it has been with us from the beginning of
recorded history. Its origin was all in the form of myths. The
earliest accounts were from Egypt found in Egyptian Ebers
Papyrus, about 1350 B.C. But ancient records were not
precise; we could not exactly say that it was leprosy for many
diseases were mistaken for it. Primitive attempts to control
the disease included harsh regulations, “destroy leprosy by
destroying the race of lepers.” Leprosy was even regarded as a
direct punishment for sin - “Alone and without the camp!”
That sums up the history of the unfortunate “lepers.”

We also know that leprosy is no respecter of persons. Among its victims were kings and high figures in the
church. More than one “leper” sat on the throne in Europe. It is also known that
leprosy does not occur in areas in which there is no “leper,” a fundamental fact on
which early sanitarians built their policy of segregation. But other than that,
until the advent of modern medicine, sheer fantasy, legends, and myths
dominated lay thinking in regard to this disease. The superstitious stigma that
ignorance had perpetuated through the ages causes infinitely more sufferings
than the disease itself.

So much agony, so much damage has been done before leprosy slowly unveils its
mysteries…What really is leprosy?

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. M.

leprae was discovered in 1871 by the Norwegian physician Gerhard Armauer
Hansen, after whom the disease was subsequently named, but it was not until these “rods” had been stained by
Neisser in 1873, that Hansen reported his findings.

Leprosy usually affects the skin and peripheral nerves, but has a range of clinical manifestations. The disease
is classified as paucibacillary, or mutibacillary, depending in the bacillary load. Paucibacillary leprosy is a
milder disease characterized by few (up to five) hypopigmented, anaesthetic skin lesions (pale or reddish).
Multibacillary leprosy is associated with multiple (more than five) skin lesions, nodules, plaques, thickened
dermis or skin infiltration, and in some instances, involvement of the nasal mucosa, resulting in nasal
congestion and epistaxis. Involvement of certain peripheral nerves may also be noted, sometimes resulting in
the characteristic patterns of disability. In most cases of both paucibacillary and multibacillary disease, the
diagnosis is straightforward, but in a small proportion of cases, suspected without anaesthetic patches require
examination by a specialist to look for other cardinal signs of the disease, including nerve involvement and

131 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 131

 a positive laboratory test (the slit skin smear), if reliably available.

Among communicable diseases, leprosy is a leading cause of permanent physical disability. Timely diagnosis
and treatment of cases, before nerve damage has occurred, is the most effective way of prevention disability due
to leprosy, effective management of leprosy complications, including reactions and neuritis, can prevent or
minimize the development of further disability. The disease and its associated deformities are responsible for
social stigma and discrimination against patients and their families in many societies. The mode of
transmission of the leprosy bacillus remains uncertain, but most investigators believe that M. leprae is spread
from person to person, primary as nasal droplet infection. The incubation period is unusually long for a
bacterial disease, generally 5-7 years. The peak age of onset is young adulthood, usually 20-30 years of age;
disease is rarely seen in child less than five years old. While humans are considered to be the major host and
reservoir of M. leprae other animal sources, including the armadillo, have been incriminated as reservoirs of
infection. The epidemiological significance of these findings is unknown, but is likely to be very limited, except
perhaps in North America. Unlike tuberculosis, there is no evidence to suggest that an association exists
between HIV infection and leprosy. BCG vaccination is known to have some protective effect against the
disease.

Hansen identified the bacteria which is about on

thousandth of an inch long:

M. leprae, viable M. leprae, dead

(Solid) (fragmented)

The Evolution of Leprosy Treatment in the Philippines

There was no recorded treatment of leprosy in the Philippines during the pre-Spanish time, the high stigma and
prejudice attached to the disease have forced patients to hide and lived in pitiful conditions. Some patients have
secured treatment from “herbolarios” (local medical men) where herbs and local plants were applied to skin
lesions. There was no reported data regarding these modalities.

During the Spanish regime (1575 to 1897) there was no recorded leprosy treatment in the Philippines, but
activities were centered mainly on charity and care of patients by the religious like the Franciscan Order through
the establishment of leprosy hospitals and leprosy stations or centers, notably the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila
and leprosy stations in Carettas, Cebu and in Nueva Caceres, Bicol.

132 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 132

As early as 1958, leprosy control program in the Philippines have been integrated into the general health care,
with treatment of leprosy patient be given under domiciliary care or services. This is anchored on:

• 16 traveling and 6 stationary skin clinics complemented by 102 nursing attendants deployed all
over the country.
• The skin clinics had its own operating budgets unfettered by regional and provincial control.
• The operations of the skin clinics were supervised and controlled at the central level by highly
competent staff that provided technical support and did periodic reviews of the control activities
with strong statistical services.

Despite the huge financial and human resources allocation with the support and cooperation of religious and
NGOs working with leprosy after many decades of different strategies from segregation to domiciliary treatment
and care, the number of leprosy cases is still the same and even increasing and program management is
deteriorating. NLCP –DOH 1987, identified that such failure in leprosy control particularly in the last 3 decades
stemmed out from the following causes:

• Administrative –

During the period of decentralization and integration, leprosy control had the lowest priority. The specialized
leprosy control units were aligned with the regional health offices which oftentimes such units operated
independently of central guidance and direction, since the Division of Sanitaria due to dwindling budget,
inadequate staff and re-organization lost its technical supervision of the peripheral units.

• Logistical –

Case finding and regular treatment activities were progressively curtailed as the budgets of field units became
scarce and whenever available diverted for other purposes when the operating units lost its financial controls. As
the funding became scarce, the supply of dapsone became irregular, too, the maintenance of transport for
monitoring and evaluation purposes likewise deteriorated. The competition for funds was brought by the
ballooning budgets for the 8 sanitaria and the strengthening of the Dermatology Research and Training Center.

• Technical –

Hiring practices in the regional and provincial health offices to fill up vacancies in the sanitaria and skin clinics
ignored the criteria of competency, potential and aptitude. Personnel development to strengthened new and old
staff is non-existent. There was irregularity in submitting reports from the field unit to the central agency; some
even had stopped reporting for the last decades, thus making the leprosy statistics and registry inaccurate and
incomplete. There was a backlog on patient review contributing to an increase of prevalence rate, doubting the
decline in case detection rate as a true picture in the field or the country in general resulting from either little or no
activity at all in terms of case finding, much more with other important leprosy services .

This was the scenario of the leprosy control program prior to the national MDT implementation in 1988 - a
situation that needs an overhaul, needing a rational leprosy control program, an urgency to contain the disease
and thereby prevent dreaded complications of disabilities with resulting dependency and barren lives.

148 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 148

The “Leper” Priest
On September 2, 1910, Fr. Jose Tarrago, S.J. arrived. He showed particular interest in catechetical work. He
established the Apostleship of Prayer, the Sodality of Our Lady, and the Cinco Llagas. He also established the
Congregacion Mariana during the year of his arrival. On the 30th of August 1913 he founded the congregation of
Angelitos for boys and the Congregantes for the older later on.

In 1915, Fr. Tarrago noticed some strange spots on his skin, which he suspected as leprosy. He presented himself
to Dr. Oswald Denny, the Chief of the Colony then, for a test. After taking samples, Dr. Denny forwarded the
smears to Manila. When the test proved positive for leprosy Fr. Tarrago was summoned by Dr. Denny and was
ordered to transfer to the “leper” section of the colony. Fr. Tarrago had a hard time telling the decision to their
fellows in the convent, Fr. Barber and Bro. Murray. Yet after supper, he calmly told them that said decision.

His belonging’s were later brought over into his “leper” hut, and his room in the chaplain’s residence was
promptly disinfected. He did not again return to the non-“leper” section. Meanwhile he received Holy Communion
with the “lepers” and he continued visiting the hospitals. Fr. Tarrago did not say Mass until July 11th when
special vestments and a chalice were provided by the Sisters. He resumed ordinary chaplain’s duties; but without
administering Holy Communion and Viaticum, since he couldn’t come near the altar. On June 7, 1916, thereafter,
the Blessed Sacrament was conveyed to the side altar so that he could from there distribute Holy Communion.

In June 1917, Fr. Tarrago was declared cured and left for Manila on the 30th of that month. He stayed in Manila
for a while and went to China to join the mission there, but not as Fr. Tarrago but as Fr. Aragones.

161 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 161

 The faithful disciples of Jesus, “soldiers” of St. Ignatius, noble and unselfish servant of Culion...
Fr. Manuel Valles, SJ - 1906 – 1911
Fr. Thomas Becker, SJ - 1908 – 1909
Fr. Jose Tarrago, SJ - 1910 – 1917
Fr. Pablo Cavalleria, SJ - 1912
Fr. Raymundo Peruga, SJ - 1912
Fr. Thomas Barber, SJ - 1912 – 1916
Fr. Felipe Millan, SJ - 1916 – 1926
Fr. Francisco Rello, SJ - 1917 – 1923
Fr. Pedro Vigano, SJ - 1920 – 1921
Fr. Juan Mariano, SJ - 1926 – 1931
Fr. Francisco Rello, SJ - 1926 – 1940
Fr. Hugh McNulty, SJ - 1931 – 1937
Fr. Carl Hausmann, SJ - 1937 – 1940
Fr. Anthony Gampp, SJ - 1942 – 1944
Fr. Pedro Verceles, SJ - 1946 – 1948
Fr. Anthony Gampp, SJ - 1946
Fr. Pacifico Ortiz, SJ - 1946 – 1947
Fr. Joseph Maxcy, SJ - 1948 – 1949
Fr. Walter Hamilton, SJ - 1947 – 1952
Fr. Joaquin Vilallonga, SJ - 1949 – 1962
Fr. Pedro Dimaano, SJ - 1952 – 1956
Fr. Anthony Gampp, SJ - 1955 – 1957
Fr. Robert Rice, SJ - 1955 – 1959
Fr. Robert Fitzpatrick, SJ - 1957 – 1960
Fr. Isias Edralin, SJ - 1959 – 1963
Fr. Maximo David, SJ - 1960 – 1965
Fr. Luis Castillo, SJ - 1960 – 1970
Fr. Ignacio Ma de Moreta, SJ - 1965 – 1977
Fr. Angel Ma. De Moreta, SJ - 1967 – 1973
Fr. Javier Olazabal, SJ - 1971 – 1988
Fr. Rodney Hart, SJ - 1971 – 1974
Fr. Mariano Santiago, SJ - 1973 – 1974
Fr. Samuel Escaño, SJ - 1974 – 1982
Fr. Maximo David, SJ - 1977 – 1984
Fr. John Chambers, SJ - 1984 – 1987
Fr. Estanislano Lagutin, SJ - 1987 – 1992
Fr. Simeon Reyes, SJ - 1988 – 1992
Fr. John Chambers, SJ - 1992 – 2000
Fr. Antonio Moreno, SJ - 1993 – 1994
Fr. Dario Miguel Saniel, SJ - 1994 – 2000
Fr. Ramon Katigbak, SJ - 1995
Fr. Anthony Pabayo, SJ - 1996 – 1997
Fr. Domingo Macalam, SJ - 2000 – 2003
Fr. Gabriel Jose Gonzalez, SJ - 2000 – 2003
Fr. Dario Miguel Saniel, SJ - 2003 – 2005
Fr. Sigmund de Guzman, SJ - 2003 – 2005
Fr. Florge Michael Sy, SJ - 2005 – 2010
Fr. Rogel Anecito Abais, SJ - 2005 – 2008
Fr. Lester Mara-mara, SJ - 2008 – 2009
Fr. Xavier Alpasa, SJ - 2009 – present
Fr. Marlito Ocon, SJ - 2010 – present

AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM

172 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 172

JESUITS IN ACTION
 One may not anymore walk in the aisles and corridors where patients and the “white ladies” used to go but
behind and within those hospital wards and dormitories, those silent structures reverberate the persisting
images and echoes of the early “white ladies” as they served and expressed their undying Christ-like love and
care to the “lepers” of Culion. But the lasting imprints and legacy that will last in the passage of time are in
the hearts and minds of the people of Culion. What these “white ladies” have made - transforming lives,
generations after generations, giving life to the fullest, accepting the fate with humility and dignity, to rise
from the ruins of leprosy and to keep the faith in communion with God to the end would be forever a part of
Culion. Within the walls now crumbled and faded, within the dark alleys, hospital wards and aisles where the
early patients had stayed will come jubilant and thunderous voices of thanks and praises and all together with
the present Culion population and say – “WELL DONE, WELL DONE SISTERS – GOD BLESS YOU ALL
AND THANK YOU!”

SISTERS OF ST. PAUL WHO WERE ASSIGNED IN CULION:

Sr. Sidonie Bureau 1906 Sr. Corazon Adriatico 1962
Sr. Calixte Christen 1906 Sr. Aniceta Ochoa 1965
Sr. Marie du bon Pasteur 1906 Sr. Eusebia de Jesus Villanueva 1965
Sr. Therese 1906 Sr. Marie Gregoire de Van 1967
Sr. Damienne Lelievre 1909 Sr. Clotilde Gumban 1967
Sr. Lucine 1909 Sr. Elizabeth Borromeo 1968
Sr. Clotilde 1916 Sr. Alice Eneoferio 1969
Sr. Joseph Collin 1919 Sr. Marcelina Palmes 1970
Sr. Felomina 1922 Sr. Ma. Loreto Mañalac 1972
Sr. Marguerite 1922 Sr. Mary Marthe Orencio 1972
Sr. Maura 1922 Sr. Ma. Del Carmen Supe 1976
Sr. Paula 1922 Sr. Esperanza Rodriguez 1976
Sr. Gilbert 1922 Sr. Lucie de Jesus Villacil 1977
Sr. Raymond 1922 Sr. Ma. Seraphim Atacador 1978
Sr. Pilar 1922 Sr. Dolores Garde 1981
Sr. Caridad 1922 Sr. Emeline de Jesus 1981
Sr. Visitacion Molines 1922 Sr. Elisa Baynas 1982
Sr. Lucina Ac Ac 1924 Sr. Mary Ignatius dela Rosa 1994
Sr. Felicitas Paddayuman 1934 Sr. Yolanda Bernardino 1984
Sr. Donatienne de Marie Bourriaud 1934 Sr. Macrina Gresos 1986
Sr. Dominic de Jesus Matienzo 1937 Sr. Vivina Init 1986
Sr. Josephine Cayabyab 1938 Sr. Aurelia Narag 1986
Sr. Calixte Daganta 1946 Sr. Felicie Agdepa 1989
Sr. Gloria Maria Yu 1948 Sr. Adelaide Batugal 1989
Sr. Eulalie Ramos 1948 Sr. Rosalia Tumulak 1989
Sr. Lorenza Torres 1950 Sr. Estelle Divinagracia 1989
Sr. Zepheryne Paguigan 1954 Sr. Jesusa Ferenal 1989
Sr. Jovita Bajo 1954 Sr. Rebecca Calumpang 1992
Sr. Frederick Marie Pangilinan 1954 Sr. Fely dela Cruz 1996
Sr. Francis of Assisi Abugan 1954 Sr. Hipolita Collado 1996
Sr. Michaela Diad 1954 Sr. Evangeline Alba 1997
Sr. Maria Luisa Montenegro 1955 Sr. Victoria Toboada 2005
Sr. Michael du Sacre Conesa Agan 1957 Sr. Linabeth Abelaña 2005
Sr. Antoinette de Joseph Bengzon 1957 Sr. Regina Cobrador 2008 - present
Sr. Lutgard Ramirez 1957 Sr. Mauricia Hofeleña 2008 - present
Sr. Theodelinda de Marie Parto 1958 Sr. Nilda Caparanga 2009 - present
Sr. Isidore Lacaron 1958
Sr. Cleopas Abola 1959
Sr. Mary Allen Guarin 1959
For 105 years, the
Sr. Theodore Bangalando 1959
Sisters continue to
Sr. Celine dela Precentacion Raquerro 1959 roam and make their
Sr. Norberta Joseph Ponce 1959 presences felt in most
Sr. Teresita del Nino Jesus 1961 profound yet
Sr. Mary Cyprian Montevirgen 1962 simple ways in
Sr. Ma. Trinidad de Jesus 1962 Culion!

186 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 186

 THE LITTLE SOULS OF CULION, INCORPORATED (LSCI)
By Belen F. Anis

In the mid seventies, Rev. Fr. Joseph Taschner, an Austrian missionary of the Society of the Divine Word assigned
in Vigan, Ilocos Sur went to Culion to visit a patient who was the father of a college student he was helping in the
Northern Province. It was then that he saw and was touched by the pathetic plight of the hansenites and their
families. Known for his charitable work, many of these families sought help for the education of their children
especially those who were capable of pursuing college education in Manila. An equally good number also sought for
housing assistance, especially after the whole island was destroyed by a killer typhoon. Since then, he has been
extending substantial assistance to a growing number of individuals and families of the hansenites in Culion.

Aware of the Herculean task he has undertaken for the people of Culion, he shared among his humanitarian
friends and acquaintances in Manila his desire to put into a more permanent and stable basis all his efforts to
provide assistance to the deserving patients for temporal help. The first attempt was conceptualized to make all
this as the social apostolate of the Legion of Little Souls Philippines; a spiritual movement promoting the spirit of
littleness or humility as a way of life, in which
Fr. Taschner was also responsible in bringing to
the Philippines.

In 1986, however, a move was made to separate

the Culion mission work from the Legion of
Little Souls Philippines for better operation. It
was deemed proper to make it independent
while promoting the same spirituality for the
Culion residents. Thus, the Little Souls of
Culion, Incorporated (LSCI) was organized as a
non-stock, non-profit corporation to uplift the
spiritual and temporal needs of the patients and
their families.

In its years of existence, the Corporation

struggles to maintain its mission activities
focused on the Catholic Christian Living of the
hansenites, the main thrust of which is the
wholesome and proper education of the
deserving children of the hansenites which
deemed important for the growth of the
community as a whole. Its vision is to bring
about young professionals who will take upon
themselves the responsibility to help their own
needy families and be able to spiritually,
morally and socially contribute in building Fr. Taschner with LSCI scholars in front of

Culion into a self-reliant community. Little Flower Mini-Ice Plant.

The ice plant was started in 1986, the income of which had been for
the educational expenses of the students being sponsored in Culion.

199 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 199

On July 15, 2002, a plebiscite was held in Culion and Busuanga simultaneously with the election of barangay
officials and Sangguniang Kabataan representatives. This resulted in the ratification of the transfer of Barangays
Halsey and Burabod (Abud-abud) to Culion and the creation of Barangay Carabao for the Tagbanua indigenous
cultural community of Culion, which is the only existing barangay of its kind in the country.

CULION BARANGAYS
- Balala
- Baldat
- Binudac
- Burabod
- Carabao
- Culango
- Galoc
- Halsey
- Jardin
- Libis
- Luac
- Malaking Patag
- Osmeña
- Tiza

The Local Government Unit took over not only Culion’s local affairs but the task to pursue Culion’s journey
toward economic stability, social awareness, moral uprightness, growth and progress through clean politics and
dedicated leadership.

From a Sanitarium to a General Hospital… Mission Accomplished!

R.A. 7193, a law converting Culion Sanitarium into a municipality, changed the political and administrative
organization and system of the island. However, such law did not end the sanitarium’s vital role in public health.
Instead, it is able to respond to the constantly increasing health needs of the people, which Culion Sanitarium
could not provide since it existed solely for the eradication of leprosy.

On November 19, 2009, after 12 years of lobbying in the congress, the R.A. 9790, “an act converting the Culion
Sanitarium in the Municipality of Culion, province of Palawan into the Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital
and appropriating funds thereof” was approved. This new mandate has now made official the long time function
of Culion Sanitarium as a general hospital on top of it being a sanitarium catering the health needs of the island
municipalities of Culion, Coron, Busuanga and Linapacan up to El Nido, Taytay and Cuyo, establishing itself as
the end referral hospital in Northern Palawan and the core referral hospital of BCCL (Busuanga, Culion, Coron,
Linapacan) Inter Local Health Zone. Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital has also a functioning public health
unit, implementing DOH thrust and programs supporting RHU in the BusCuCoLin Inter local Health zone while
at the same time taking care of the remaining people affected by leprosy through custodial care and acting as
leprosy referral hospital in the province of Palawan and the region validating diagnosis, managing complications
and training.

206 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 206

 in case-holding workload, leprosy services (diagnosis, treatment, prevention of disabilities,
disabilities, disability care, rehabilitation) have to be sustained for decades to come.

B. Potent /Available Chemotherapy – MDT (Multiple Drug Therapy)

- WHO Study Group 1982, describes the characteristics of MDT which was recommended in 1981 as
the most potent anti-leprotic regimen.
- The present MDT regimen is regarded as the most successful, simple treatment regimen for leprosy
with limited side effects and very few relapses.
- The WHO Leprosy TAG 2003 states that MDT;
? is proven to be robust in terms of treatment efficacy and safety.
? relapse rates are very low, less than one percent.
? resistance to MDT has been virtually non-existent.
- The need for a new regimen that are more effective and operationally less demanding since from the
operational point of view the recommended regimen duration for MB leprosy is still too long and
unsupervised intake of daily doses of dapsone and clofazimine is not resistance proof should the
patients fail to comply.
- The WHO Technical Advisory Group (TAG) recommended that all leprosy patients, both MB and PB
be treated by the MDT regimen for MB leprosy for a period of 6 months. ILA Technical Forum 2002
reacted that PB and MB leprosy differ in terms of bacterial load and underlying immunological
response, the chemotherapy requirements in terms of the number of drugs and duration of treatment
are to be different.
- That the recommendation of a common regimen for both PB and MB would mean an over treatment
for PB and under treatment for MB, that a regimen that is safe and effective is not sufficient to justify
shortening of treatment duration.

To guarantee that all newly detected leprosy patients receive treatment with MDT, the MDT services should be
available and accessible to the patients, to accomplish this goal; a flexible, patient-friendly system for delivery of
MDT must be implemented. In areas where the infrastructure is weak, the patients find it difficult to secure the
monthly drug supply and or have the capacity to visit the health center to replenish the drug stocks affecting
compliance to MDT and WHO introduced the concept of “Accompanied MDT” a term applied to a program in
which a family or a community member supervises the monthly administration of drugs to the patient. MDT
blister packs for full course or duration of treatment is provided at the time of diagnosis, that is 6 PB blister packs
for PB and 12 MB blister packs for MB.

C. Leprosy Elimination Campaign (LEC)

The introduction of MDT in the 1980’s brought about a marked reduction in registered prevalence of leprosy. To
accelerate the attainment of the WHO resolution of eliminating leprosy as a public health problem by the year
2000, Leprosy Elimination Campaign (LEC) was introduced in 1995 as a strategy utilizing MDT regimen with the
main objectives of detecting cases and treating them with MDT. The LEC aim to involve the genera health services
and are indicated to areas perceived to have a large number of ‘hidden’ cases, seeking MB patients in the
community who have the high potential of transmitting the infection and be debilitated because of long standing
disease and neglect. It has the following major elements of LEC to attain the objectives:
? training of general health staff
? community education
? case- finding through passive methods (voluntary or self-reporting)
? prompt treatment with MDT.

219 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 219

 Operational factors such as fulfilling annual targets for case detection. Over-diagnosis and re-
?
registration of old cured cases.
Continued high transmission and high prevalence rates.
?

The continuing LEC as a focused activity in all national leprosy services/ program is based on the findings and
experiences that LEC helped in a) in promoting integration b) changing the negative image of leprosy c) training /
motivating health staff d) enlisting political commitment e) promote community and local NGOs participation in
elimination activities. It is believed that with LEC, effective information, education and communication (IEC) will
assist in promoting voluntary case reporting (passive case finding), thus active case finding which are outdated,
costly and unreliable and will just perpetuate further the negative image of leprosy in the community has no role
in future leprosy control strategies and activities.

LEC has been noted also to increase or improve service coverage as shown in increasing number of health facilities
involved in leprosy services, a vital step in the integration process for sustainability of the program. Another
important contribution of LEC to be maintained as a focused activity is its capacity to close the gender gap as seen
in the significant increase in proportion of female cases among the newly detected cases during LEC. Another
important consideration for LEC is the quality of diagnosis and registration practices during the campaign
increasing the risk for over diagnosis. All these should be considered and corrected if LEC should be maintained as
a central focus of future leprosy activities particularly in the endemic areas. Previously endemic Countries that
have achieved elimination at the national level should utilized the strengths of LEC in targeting pockets of high
prevalence to detect “hidden” cases at the provincial district, zones or village level to attained sub-national
elimination and sustain national elimination.
.
E. Updated Registry, Recording and Reporting

This have been a drawback in attaining the elimination goal, WHO Leprosy Elimination Status Report 2002 noted
that some countries that have already reached elimination level or are very close to reaching it find that poor
registration practices and the failure to update registers resulted in an inflated prevalence rate. The importance
for every national leprosy program to be uniform in terms of case definition, registrations, treatment duration and
adhere to uniform guidelines (WHO) in criteria for cure and release from registry is essential to make correct
situational analysis and strategic planning to attain elimination goal and in sustaining leprosy services.

F. Uniform MDT (U-MDT)

The concept of using the MB –MDT regimen for 6 months as a uniform regimen for all categories of leprosy
patients (MB and PB) has been a subject of much discussion and debates in the leprosy circle for quite some time.
This was recommended by the WHO-Technical Advisory Group, the goal of which to demonstrate the usefulness
of a single short treatment regimen for all patients of leprosy. This is presently under clinical trial in different
parts of the world under WHO with due consideration of following issues like;

Risk of developing rifampicin-resistant in reducing MDT duration.

?
The risk of possible inadequate treatment for MB leprosy.
?
Increasing the risk for relapse, the approach considers an acceptable level of 5% over a period of five
?
years.
Acceptability of clofazimines for PB leprosy.
?

225 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 225

 Culion

244 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 244

 246
19
85
19
9
19 0
9
19 1
9

CCUU LL II OONN
19 2
9
19 3
9
19 4
9
19 5
9
19 6
97
19
9
19 8
9
20 9
0
20 0
0
20 1
02
20
0
20 3
0
20 4
0
20 5
Global Leprosy Prevalence and Case Detection 1985 -2009

06
20
0
20 7
0
20 8
09

C U L I O N
246
8. Education
States should promote equal access to education for persons affected by leprosy and their family members.

9. Discriminatory language
States should remove discriminatory language, including the derogatory use of the term “leper” or its equivalent
in any language or dialect, from governmental publications and should revise expeditiously, where possible,
existing publications containing such language.

10. Participation in public, cultural and recreational activities

10.1 States should promote the equal enjoyment of the rights and freedoms of persons affected by leprosy
and their family members, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the
international human rights instruments to which they are party, including, the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
10.2 States should promote access on an equal basis with others to public places, including hotels,
restaurants and buses, trains and other forms of public transport for persons affected by leprosy and
their family members.
10.3 States should promote access on an equal basis with others to cultural and recreational facilities for
persons affected by leprosy and their family members.
10.4 States should promote access on an equal basis with others to places of worship for persons affected
by leprosy and their family members.

11. Health care

11.1 States should provide persons affected by leprosy at least with the same range, quality and standard
of free or affordable health care as that provided for persons with other diseases. In addition, States
should provide for early detection programmes and ensure prompt treatment of leprosy, including
treatment for any reactions and nerve damage that may occur, in order to prevent the development
of stigmatic consequences.
11.2 States should include psychological and social counseling as standard care offered to persons affected
by leprosy who are undergoing diagnosis and treatment, and as needed after the completion of
treatment.
11.3 States should ensure that persons affected by leprosy have access to free medication for leprosy, as
well as appropriate health care.

12. Standard of living

12.1 States should recognize the right of persons affected by leprosy and their family members to an
adequate standard of living, and should take appropriate steps to safeguard and promote that right,
without discrimination on the grounds of leprosy, with regard to food, clothing, housing, drinking
water, sewage systems and other living conditions. States should:
(a) Promote collaborative programmes involving the Government, civil society and private
institutions to raise funds and develop programmes to improve the standard of living;
(b) Provide or ensure the provision of education to children whose families are living in poverty by
means of scholarships and other programmes sponsored by the Government and/or civil society;
(c) Ensure that persons living in poverty have access to vocational training programmes, microcredit
and other means to improve their standard of living.
12.2 States should promote the realization of this right through financial measures, such as the following:
(a) Persons affected by leprosy and their family members who are not able to work because of their
age, illness or disability should be provided with a government pension;
(b) Persons affected by leprosy and their family members who are living in poverty should be
provided with financial assistance for housing and health care.

253 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 253

Loyola College of Culion 99, 168 Plaza Millan 163 CNHS 101
Loyola College of Culion 97
M Policy St. Ignatius Academy 97
Macapagal, Pres. Diosdado 210, 213 Segregation 40 Scraped-incision Method 194
Macapagal, Pres. Gloria 210, 214 Proclamation Second Philippine Commission 9
Malaking Patag 14, 104, 105 60 213 Segregation Law 15
Manchuria 80 223 213 Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres 186
Mangroves 24 674 213 Society of Jesus 167
Manila 37, 111 707 213 Soldevilla, Dr. Jose 25
Manila Times 89 1578 213 Soriano, Don Jose 175
Mara-mara, Fr. Lester 171, 172 Sovereign Military Order of Malta 195
Mariano, Dr. Marcelino 16 Protestants 187 Spanish colonial period 28
Marine resources 24 Puerto Asunción 31 Special Order No. 5 12
Marriages 10 Puerto Princesa 31 Sulfone 141
Maya, Hotel 102 Sy, Fr. Florge Michael 170, 171, 172
Mauricio, Rev. Victoriano 187 Q
McNulty, Fr. Hugh J. 170, 172, 182 Quevedo, Rev. Felix 187 T
MDT (see Multiple Drug Therapy) Quezon , Manuel L. 13, 123 Tagalogs 52
Mercado, Eleodoro 10, 136 Tagbanuas 21, 66
Mercado Mixture 10, 136 R Tangat Island 128
Mey, Dr. Carlos F. de 10, 177 Radio telegraph 12 Tarrago, Fr. Jose 160, 172
Millan, Fr. Felipe 163, 172 Raymuno, Dr. Jose M. 78, 86 Tausug 8
Millan Monument 163 Raymundo Playground 45, 123 Tiong, Dr. Jose 15
Molokai 40 Recollects 9, 29, 32 Tragulus nigriens 26
Moreno, Fr. Antonio 168, 172 Rello, Fr. Francisco 163, 172
Moreta, Fr. Ignacio 166, 172, 208 Republic Act U
Moro 52 753 213 University of the Philippines 136
Multiple Drug Therapy 17, 142 3379 213
Mycobacterium leprae 90, 131 4073 213 V
6659 213 Valles, Fr. Manuel 46, 73, 159
N 7193 213 Vilallonga, Fr. Joaquin 164, 172
Naga 39 8371 21
NLCP 146, 149 9032 21, 214 W
Nueva Caceres 39 9790 214 Wade, Dorothy 189, 194
Nursery 111 Rice, Fr. Robert 165, 172 Wade, Dr. Herbert W. 12, 194
Rodriguez, Eulogio B. 33 War Damage Commission 127
O Rogers 141 Waray 8
Ocon, Fr. Marlito 171, 172 Rooker, Bishop Frederick Z. 158 Welfareville Institution 117
Olazabal, Fr. Javier 166, 167, 168, 172 Roxas, Manuel 13 Wightiana oil 139
Wood, Gov. Gen. Leonard H. 12, 192
P S Wood-Forbes Mission 12
Pabayo, Fr. Anthony 168, 172 Sandoval clan 36 Worcester, Dean C. 9
Palan-yu 33 Saniel, Fr. Dario Miguel 169, 172 World Health Organization 112, 115
Palawan 21, 23, 26, 30, 33 Sanla 8 141, 147
Pampangos 52 San Lazaro Hospital 9, 10, 132 World War II 122, 165, 180
Panay 122 San Pedro, Fray Agustin de 29 Wright, Hon Luke E. 41
Paramanis culionensis 26 San Severo, Fray Juan de 31
Parole System 10 Sanitaria, regional 14 Z
Pasion. Rev. Pedro 187 Sanitarium Band 162 Zamboangueños 52
Philippine Anti-Leprosy Society 104, 189 Schools
Philippine Commission 9 Balala Elementary School 101
Pigafetta, Antonio 33 Balala High School 15
Plancha 13, 140 Culion Catholic School 98

259 CCUU LL II OONN C U L I O N 259

Leprosy is dreaded most of all diseases, not because it kills, but because it leaves alive; not for its pain –though painful
at times, the loss of pain and tactile sensation is dreaded more. Mask face, unclosing eyes, slavering mouth, claw-
hands and limping feet: or even worse beetling brows, stuffed nose, ulcerating legs and eyes drawing on towards
blindness – such is the picture conjured up in the mind of the patient when the physician after making his examination
pronounces the word – Leprosy.

Dr. Ernest Muir (1948)

The book presents the condition of the early settlers of Culion that makes a dark imprint on this once paradise, lost in
isolation and became known by the characteristics of its new inhabitants “the living dead.” It is about life, its how they
coped with the challenges and needs of times, that despite the medical, social and economic complications of the
disease they triumphed to maintain their humanity and kept their faith to rise from the ruins of their physical attributes
to be the fore parents and ancestors of the proud generations that emanate from them, building a community of man.

The book decribes the transformation of the once “leper colony” to become a General Hospital and the Culion Island
Reservation into a vibrant political municipality, a dynamic and triumphant metamorphosis addressing the changing
needs and advancing scientific discoveries and breakthrough in control of leprosy. Deeply one will notice the inner
transformation of the descendants of the early colonist as it moves and struggles in the 105 years of its existence; a
transformation in mind and spirit that being and coming from Culion, one needs not be different after all.

Tony Gould in his book Don't Fence Me In described leprosy as a condition shrouded in mystery, legend,
religious fanaticism and centuries of vilification of its victims around the world. By the sheer accident of
mycobacterium infection its sufferers have been condemned to exile, imprisonment and even the imputation of
moral taint, as if the illness was a punishment. Such is also engraved in the minds of people thus causing
stereotype reactions to people affected with the disease and even using such description and analogy in
literature or art and media to refer to conditions needing banishment or something physically obnoxious. This
misunderstanding has created havoc to the dignity and humanity of patients thus creating social stigma to the
point of discriminations and even violations of one's basic rights as a human being; this is leprosy, a disease of
antiquity.

The authors hope that while reading and looking on those pictures one can reflect for a moment of how it was to be in
Culion those struggling years and how it was to be a “colonist,” how it was to be a child born of “leprous” parentage
and how it was to serve, to care with nothing else to offer but love. They are thankful to have that opportunity to
experience what it is like of how it used to be and later to become on the other side, of being a health giver and healer as
Mahatma Gandhi states that “leprosy work is not merely a medical relief, it is transforming frustrations of life into joy
of dedication, personal ambition into selfless service.”