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15th Wing humanitarian brings touch of magic to Philippines

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Terri Paden
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  One 15th Wing humanitarian recently spent time in the Philippines using magic to help heal the spirits of impoverished communities while on a medical aide mission in the country.

Glen Bailey, 15th Wing Plans, Programs and Inspection office, said he jumped at the opportunity to join the Aloha Medical Mission in the Philippines when he was invited by the head of the organization.

The Aloha Medical Mission, a 30-year old non-profit corporation comprised of members of the Hawaiian medical community, prides itself on providing free medical care to low income areas; however, Dr. Brad Wong, AMM president, thought bringing along free entertainment would be an extra added bonus for the patients.

"Bringing Glen along was a no brainer," he said. "When I heard he wanted to come with us I jumped at the opportunity. I've always thought having a magician to entertain the patients and their parents before and after their surgeries in order to take their minds off being operated on would be really great and it really added to the mission."

As the volunteer entertainment, a magician, it was Bailey's job to keep the patients and their families engaged while they waited to receive care. He did this by "magically" producing things for the kids to play with such as crayons and coloring sheets, matchbox cars, bracelets and hair clips.

"The reaction from the patients was tremendous," said Bailey. "They are sitting there for hours in sometimes extreme heat waiting to be seen, so we came and brought joy to their day by taking their mind off sitting there for so long with a little bit of magic."

In addition to the hospital waiting areas, Bailey and his team, which consisted of his wife Lauren and fellow magician Bob Festa, brought the spirit of magic to more than 2, 500 other members of the local communities by performing three 50-minute shows at area elementary schools.

Bailey said the experience, of bringing magic to towns so impoverished they didn't have running water or electricity, was humbling.

"We really had so much fun," he said. "These shows were in towns where no other magicians had performed before, and you know, one thing I'll say is kids don't know they're poor until you tell them they're poor. Even in poor situations, kids will be kids no matter what and we got the same reaction from them as we always get when we perform for children ... it was really something special for them."

However, the recent trip to the Philippines wasn't Bailey's first time using his unique skill to give back. The veteran magician said he's been donating his time to charity, in one way or the other, since the 1980s when he learned how to do magic while on active duty.

"I'm a firm believer that when you have a talent you should use it to give back," he said. "I have been doing charitable magic shows for years all over the world at homeless shelters, hospitals and Air Force bases."

In addition to the magical performances, the Aloha Medical Mission provided more than 250 surgeries and 700 dental procedures over six days.

"We go over there with the idea that we're going to change lives, but at the same time it changes your life," said Bailey. "It makes you very much more appreciative of the things we have here in the U.S. that we take for granted that they just don't have in other places. It's very humbling and satisfying to know we may have made a difference and you walk away ready to contribute again."