Since 1991, the Philippine American Group of Educators and Surgeons (PAGES) have operated on over 9,500 Filipinos to repair cleft lips and palates, which affects a person's physical function of the mouth and interferes with verbal communication.

PAGES have operated throughout various parts of the Philippines; this year, Quezon City is their focus after Mayor Herbert Bautista sponsored their program, with Quezon City General Hospital Medical Center as the host hospital.

The team brings their own medical devices and instruments to operate on these children. In addition to the medical team, support from United States, United Kingdom, and Australia are also involved.

According to Asian Journal, Ricardo Fulgencio IV, the coordinator of Operation Hope, says that those who become a part of this mission are doing this out of the goodness of their hearts.

"These people take a leave from their jobs and travel here at their own expense," said Fulgencio. He added that there are times when they consider canceling a mission because of lack of funds but their volunteers will insist on pushing through because they believe that they can help a lot of children through Operation Hope.

Read more: Fil-Am doctors cure cleft lips and palates in PH

In the future, Fulgencio hopes to gain help and support from the government so that their services can expand to other locations in the country.

For more info: www.pageshope.org