Metodio A. Palaypay, MD was a true hero and visionary leader who devoted his life to promoting community health, early childhood care and education, zero-waste, and environmental sustainability. As one of the founders of Lingap Pangkabataan he tirelessly guided the organization in its administration as the first Chairperson of the Lingap Board of Trustees and helped established its various programs and ministries especially our Situation-Oriented Approach to Early Childhood Education or SOAECE. The SOAECE, which was introduced to Lingap by its partner Kindernothilfe of then West Germany, was Lingap’s flagship education program which focused on identifying the unique needs of each child and providing them with personalized care, education, and support. His unwavering commitment has made a lasting impact on the lives of countless underprivileged fosterchildren and families in the Philippines.
Dr. Palaypay or Doc P as we at Lingap call him, was also instrumental in establishing the Lingap Pangkabataan Health Assistance Program for all Lingap partner children, families, and communities even before the government established the Philippine Health Insurance System or PhilHealth. This was Lingap’s “in-house health insurance system” pooling contributions into a health assistance fund made available to fosterchildren and their families in times of health emergencies. His commitment to promoting accessible healthcare ensured that thousands of underprivileged families and children had access to essential healthcare services.
Until late 2014, he was a member of the Board of Lingap. After that, even though he is no longer a formal board member, he still shows concern for the staff and volunteers of Lingap, regularly calling to inquire about how the staff are doing and would offer help to Lingap’s ministry. He would even extend invitations to Lingap for his community health-related workshops and activities, even offering discounts if there are participation fees.
In addition to his work with Lingap Pangkabataan, we know of his involvement in various civil society organizations like the Earth Day Network, Zero Waste Recycling Movement of the Philippines, and the Philippine Leprosy Mission, among others. He worked at UP Health Services in Diliman, Quezon City, and was known among his friends as the “Father of Greenology and Garbology.” His passion for promoting recycling, upcycling, and zero-waste inspired many, and he worked as a consultant for various government and non-government organizations to promote these advocacies.
He is a true champion of the marginalized. His love for them shone through in every aspect of his work, especially in the small gestures that showed his immense compassion. He couldn’t bear to see people standing in long lines just to avail themselves of basic health services.
“I’ve already told you not to make people wait in line,” he would always remind Lingap staff members.
To him, every individual deserved to be treated with respect and dignity, and that meant finding ways to serve them without making them endure unnecessary inconvenience or suffering. His unwavering commitment to the marginalized will continue to inspire and guide us at Lingap in our own efforts to serve those in need.
In one of our visits to him, he was the usual jolly Doc P that we know. Though confined to his bed because of health complications, he was still sharp and would tell stories of his community work with Lingap and its partner communities including his work during this pandemic.
Despite the dangers and risks that the current COVID-19 pandemic brought, Doc P refused to stay idle. He knew that his community needed him more than ever, and he was determined to help in any way he could. Even in his advanced age, he worked alongside the City Government of Manila to address health challenges in the districts of Binondo, Tondo, and Port Area in BASECO. Despite the fear of contracting COVID-19, he went around these areas educating communities about the pandemic and helping in disinfection drives and fumigation against pests like mosquitoes and roaches.
But the COVID-19 virus began to spread rapidly, and the government restrictions became more stringent. Doc P had no choice but to follow the rules, which he did without hesitation. However, this marked the beginning of his health problems. He started to experience numbness and other issues with his hands and other body organs.
“That was the beginning [of my health problems]. When I stopped doing [community health] work, nagkapundi-pundi na ang mga kamay ko at iba pang body organs. But I will never stop serving my community. I will always find a way to help.”
Despite his condition, Doc P continued to work as a director or trustee in different organizations, such as the Philippine Leprosy Mission and a group headed by Ms. Cecile Guidote-Alvarez.
As Doc P lay in his bed, his mind wandered to the children he had spent his life serving. He remembered the five dreams he had set out when he first embarked on his community development journey. He knew that there was still so much work to be done, and he couldn’t bear the thought of leaving it unfinished. One of his unfulfilled dreams was to establish a Philippine General Hospital in the north of Metro Manila. This would have meant that Filipinos wouldn’t have to travel far and queue up at the current PGH facility in the south. Dr. Palaypay couldn’t help but feel saddened that he may not see his dream come to fruition, but he took comfort in knowing that there were others who would continue his work and make his dreams a reality.
Doc P’s unwavering dedication and service to the underprivileged and the environment serve as a shining example especially to us at Lingap. His tireless efforts and passion for making the world a better place have inspired countless individuals like our volunteer Dr. Gelo Apostol to follow in his footsteps. Dr. Palaypay’s legacy will continue to live on through the thousands of lives he has touched and the countless individuals he has inspired to work toward a better future. We will remember him as a true servant- leader, a family man after God’s heart whose impact on society will be felt for generations.