FEATURED FIL-AM NOTABLES
MISS PHILIPPINES UNIVERSE 2008 JENNIFER BARRIENTOS VYING FOR THE MISS UNIVERSE 2008 TITLE ALONGWITH 79 OTHER CONTESTANTS ON JULY 14, 2008 TO BE HELD IN VIETNAM |  |
Miss Universe contestant Jennifer Barrientos of Philippines takes part in the swimwear show in Nha Trang July 2, 2008. The 57th annual Miss Universe pageant will be held in Vietman's central Nha Trang resort city on July 14, 2008. Picture taken July 2, 2008. REUTERS/Miss Universe L.P., LLLP/Handout (VIETNAM). FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR | Miss Philippines Jennifer Barrientos poses for a photo on a boat in Halong Bay in northern Vietnam June 28, 2008. The 57th annual Miss Universe pageant will be held in Vietnam's central Nha Trang resort city on July 14, 2008. REUTERS/Miss Universe L.P., LLLP/Handout (VIETNAM). FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. |
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| REFILE - CORRECTING DATELINE Miss Cayman Islands 2008 Rebecca Parchment, Miss Mexico 2008 Elisa Najera, Miss Philippines 2008 Jennifer Barrientos (in blue blouse), Miss Switzerland 2008 Amanda Ammann and Miss Indonesia 2008 Putri Raemawasti visit the Temple of Literature during their tour of Hanoi, Vietnamin this publicity photo shot and released to Reuters on June 26, 2008. The 57th annual Miss Universe pageant will be held in Vietnam's central Nha Trang resort city on July 14, 2008. REUTERS/Armando Flores/ Miss Universe L.P., LLLP/Handout (VIETNAM) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. | Domenica Saporitti, Miss Ecuador 2007, and Jennifer Barrientos, Miss Philippines 2008 pose for a photo at the Saigon Outlet Mall in Binh Duong north of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on Sunday, June 22, 2008. They will compete in the 57th annual Miss Universe competition which will take place in Nha Trang, Vietnam at the Crown Convention Center on July 14, 2008 at 8 a.m., and in the United States on July 13, 2008 at 9 p.m. (AP Photo/Miss Universe L.P., LLLP, Patrick Prather) |
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| Miss Philippines 2008 Jennifer Barrientos (L) gives a teddy bear to an Operation Smile Charity patient with a cleft lip during her tour of the USNS hospital ship Mercy, anchored off Nha Trang beach, June 21, 2008. The 57th annual Miss Universe pageant will be held in Vietnam's central Nha Trang resort city on July 14, 2008. REUTERS/Joshua Valcarcel/ US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class/Handout (VIETNAM). FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. | In this image released by Miss Universe L.P., LLLP, Miss Australia 2008 Laura Dundovic, left, Miss Germany 2008 Madina Taher, Miss Philippines 2008 Jennifer Barrientos, right, pose poolside at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday, June 20, 2008. They will compete in the 57th annual Miss Universe competition which will take place in Nha Trang, Vietnam at the Crown Convention Center on July 14, at 8 a.m. UCT and in the United States on July 13, 2008 at 9 p.m. EDT. (AP Photo/Miss Universe) |
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ANGEL OF MERCY DENTAL MISSION
(A Dream Come True For a Fil-Am Dentist)
Rod Mijares, April 2008
It was almost 35 or 36 years ago when a young girl graduated in 1972 from Araullo High School, a public school in Manila, Philippines where students are predominantly poor. Little was known that this young girl, accustomed to the plight of the less fortunate, had already a dream of pursuing a career in dentistry. Not just to succeed in life but share whatever blessings God would be bestowing to her.
With grit determination and tenacity to pursue her dream, she enrolled first at the prestigious University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry where she toiled and study hard to excel. Before her junior year, she transferred to the University of the East, College of Dentistry and, eventually, graduated there in 1980 with flying colors. After practicing her profession as a trusted and successful dentist in the Philippines, she migrated to America in 1990 to seek greener pasture. Over there, she tried to further her career and be a registered dentist, as well.
However, being a single mother of 3 girls, she was so preoccupied in providing first for her children who have priority over her dream. Suffice it to say, she was not able to finish the rest of four parts of her dental board exam and, as such, can not practice her profession in the states as a registered dentist. Nonetheless, her love for the profession and devotion to service propels her to work as assistants to a number of dental specialists in California and keep her knowledge of modern dentistry abreast.
After long years of working in America, she still feels that gaping hole in her heart reverberating through all corners of her senses. There is still something missing in her life. With soul searching, she knows there is still a sacred dream not yet realize and deeper happiness still to be found. Fortunately, a former classmate and best friend from Canada, Tony Santos, came to visit California and Dr. Cecille Taylor had found in him the best person to reveal her innermost secret.
Dr. Taylor timidly confided what was on her heart kept for a very long time waiting to come out at the right moment and time. Tony said he was aghast with happiness but not surprise. He was excited and words couldn't express what Dr. Taylor just confided in him. That's a very noble undertaking and a show of love to the less fortunate. That's a dream project when translated into reality will evoke nothing but beautiful smiles to its recipients. Truly, this classmate of him looks more beautiful as ever, not just physically, but also by heart and spirit.
"I want to reach out to our less fortunate classmates and teachers in the Philippines by conducting an Angel of Mercy Dental Mission," she said. "I will call it Operation Bunot." "So that we could reach out to a greater number of our classmates who will benefit from this project, I will seek the help of other Fil-Am dentists from Southern California and I am sure that most of them will be excited and honored to participate. Most of them will be in Manila on April 29 to May 4, 2008 to attend the Philippine Dental Convention. My plan is to hold our dental charity event on May 1st to coincide with the convention," Dr. Taylor kept on confiding to her friend.
Dr. Taylor requested Tony Santos to contact their classmates and ask their assistance to make her dream of helping their batch mates, teachers and their families through the Angel of Mercy Dental project, a reality. Also, she also asked Atty. Samson Dajao who is currently a fiscal in Iligan City to handle the legalities for the event. Tony utilized the miracle of the internet and the alumni's internet groups to assimilate the good news and found nothing but positive commitments from his classmates.
The alumni who are from all over the world, especially so, from the Philippines collectively expressed their assistance in more ways than one. Leading the American dream are the beautiful triumvirate of Agnes Maufit, Malou Sheets and Linda Mapes from Southern California. AHS72 International Alumni Foundation president, Ed Celeste from Northern California and board member Jun Velasco from the East Coast affirmed their assistance. AHS72 Alumni Foundation president, Bobby Cua, from Southern California and his group also expressed their commitment to help. Alumni from Canada, Australia, the Middle East and other parts of the world also expressed their help.
Rey Bautista, the AHS72 Alumni President (Philippines), thanked Dr. Taylor in his e-mail to her for all her efforts in bringing the Angel of Mercy Dental Mission in the Philippines. "I would like you to know that we are working for the success of this project, especially, because of the request of our very good friend, Tony Santos. We designated volunteers to different task to be done before, during and after the event. I have designated our business genius, Ric Pinca as overall Project Coordinator, Tins Cruz-Salas as Finance Officer, Femy Cosme-Lonzaga and Frank Candaza as Logistics Coodinators, Tessie Calisay and Lumen Montano as Field Coordinators for AHS72 Philippine group," he said.
"I am happy to share this blessing along with a number of Fil-Am dentists from Southern California and our local dentists from the Manila Dental Society (MDS) who are also participating. This was confirmed to me by no other than the president of the Southern California Filipino Dental Society, Dr. Mary C.P. Satuito, and other board members to whom I am so indebted for this honorable gesture," Dr. Taylor said when asked how many dentists will be coming from America.
"I may have the professional skills but without my classmates' support and help, this charity event will not be materialized. I am so indebted to Ric Pinca who even flew to California from Manila to discuss our dental project in detail. So, I am much obliged and hope to acknowledge and see each one of them in Manila and together make this event successful and memorable one. Also, in token of Lumen Montano's assistance in securing a place for the event, I am extending our dental project to non-Araullo alumni, to include her constituents from her barangay or some of the people living around Sases basketball court in San Andres, Manila where the event will be held," Dr. Taylor said.
Meanwhile, Tony Santos is appealing for donations to cover medical supplies and other items that will be needed for the charity event. Monetary donations from America could be sent to Cecille Taylor, c/o Ubangi Music & Film Production, 1307 18th St., Suite 6, Santa Monica City, CA 90404. Donations from the Philippines maybe sent to our Philippine alumni president, Rey Bautista or our treasurer, Christina "tins" Cruz-Salas.
Also, Tony and Tess Calisay are encouraging 1972 graduates of Araullo High School to call or text, soonest possible, the alumni officers and coordinators in Manila, namely, Rey Bautista (Tel. 0918-9299239), Tess Calisay (Tel. 0927-7948772/0920-9168939), Lumen Montano (Tel. 0921-2263484), Tez Minon (Tel. 947-7748), Remy Tan (563-4418), Frank Candaza (Tel. 563-3833), Sam Cabagnot (Tel. 443- 4409) if they want to take advantage of this opportunity of free dental consultations and tooth extractions.
"Hopefully, this will not be the first and the last of our Angel of Mercy Dental Mission and I am looking forward to a successful event come May 1, 2008," Dr. Cecille Taylor concluded.
To Tony Santos, her batch mates and to the recipients of her project, Dr. Taylor is not just a kind-hearted and professional dentist, but the Angel of Mercy, herself.
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