Away from the bustling hubbub of the asphalt jungle where the “predatory struggle” for survival seem unbounded and the tiring restlessness of the daily grind exists exuberantly, a multitude of medical doctors and related practitioners in the field find Toms River, New Jersey, an idyllic township in Ocean County about 70 miles south of Manhattan and 55 miles east of Philadelphia, an ideal place to thrive, land a job, and establish their families.
Home to a number of scenic beaches and breweries, Toms River prides of its Community Medical Center, New Jersey’s largest non-teaching hospital and not-for-profit acute care medical facility, where majority of its staff and employees are Filipino-Americans.
Known for their inherent empathetic ways, aside from being professionally dedicated to delivering the highest quality healthcare service that meet the diverse needs of the community, this empowered assemblage of medical practitioners extends their concerns far beyond where their innate compassionate presence are most needed.
The massive growth of the number of doctors with an advocacy in unison jointly established an organization they suitably tagged Filipino-American Community Development Center of Ocean County (FCDC) which was incorporated to synergize its efforts with a common vision.
Aptly guided by Woodrow Wilson’s mind-instilling words of wisdom, “We grow great by dreams. All great men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter’s evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true,” FCDC firmly holds to its very own proposition of enriching and preserving the Filipino cultural heritage through its numerous community activities focusing concerns on the young generation’s awareness and involvement.
FCDC officers are composed of: Jose Ramon Suatengco, MD-President & Chairman of the Board of Directors and Rowela Antioquia, Treasurer. Members of the Board of Directors include: Marian Dela Riva-Ortiz; Mark Kasper, MD; Pastor Nestor Arellano; Fred Mariano; Joji Babuschak; Christine Matus, ESQ; Beth Campos, RN, MSM; Marley Nicolas, RN, MSN; James Castañeda; Lorna Tejada, RN; Ana May Damatac; Rene Ynaya, MD; and Carolina Dionisio.
Deservingly awarded the 2014 Genny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Filipino Winner in North America, FCDC has relentlessly provided assistance and services in varied ways to the community with the support of its equally service-oriented Fil-Am community organization, Filipino-American Medical Society of Toms River (FAMS).
Reliably armed with the prime objective to enhance the quality of life among our kababayans, FAMS aims to help charitable institutions, the poor, the needy and the under-privileged. Locally, FAMS has been providing scholarships to deserving high school and college students, implementing a pilot project for FACES (Filipino-American Cultural Enrichment School), and extending financial assistance to United Way and Caregivers Association. These charitable efforts have immensely created an impact within the Filipino community and Ocean County, as well.
A registered 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, FAMS Officers and Board of Directors include: Dr. Oscar Ortiz, President; Dr. Ramon Suatengco, Vice-President; Dr. Olyn Bautista, Secretary; and Dr. Janet Tumaliuan, Treasurer. Board Members: Dr. Elena Buenviaje, Dr. Mario Gallardo, and Dr. Tim Gabriel. Dr. Rene Alberto is Immediate Past President.
After a series of ineffable accomplishments amid their meandering daily grind, it is but only fitting and proper for these hard-working community movers and shakers to take a much needed respite and get away from it all via a Roaring 20s Gala where they could unwind and throw all cautions to the air.
Hosting the dinner-dance at the Eagle Ridge Golf Club along #2 Augusta Blvd., Lakewood Township, NJ (08701) with a significantly momentous-themed era of the 1920s, the gala simultaneously honors Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher, Stephanie L. Bloom, FACHE, Paulita Payumo, MD., Susan Castor, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CRRN, CCRN.
Incidentally, in the organizers’ intention to infuse the very essence of the theme and efficiently provide the appropriate ambience for the occasion, they thought of presenting a choreographed grandiose dance production very much reminiscent of that particular Era of Depression.
Kindled with fervor and enthusiasm by the skillfully and ingeniously schemed dance presentation, participants unwaveringly report to the rehearsal venue sans neither complaint nor grumble despite coming straight from work following a daylong taxing office and clinic hours.
Blithely learning every single step during rigorous practices amid flagitious moves and contumelious comments from their dance instructor, the non-surrendering and uncomplaining dancers of six pairs conscientiously tried to learn the dance sequence by heart. Though some are admittedly tyro with both feet uncontrollably going to sinistrodextral direction (but) their intense dedication and sincere concupiscence to contribute for the organization’s cause justifiably inspired the rest to extend rehearsal periods.
After five or so weeks of painstaking practices in the well-provided space by generous host Dr. Elena Buenviaje, through the communication efforts of the ever-reliable Rica Angela Guevarra and Joji Babuschak, not to forget the able assistance and IT skills of Gidgeon “Gidz” Tonog, the terpsichorean prowess of this distinct group of doctors is good to go and ready for the show.
Composing the elite group of the Roaring 20s dance are:
– Dr. Rose Mylaine Q. Maddatu, a practicing Pediatrician for 20 years together with her husband, has a passion for cooking, gardening, arts and crafts, and dancing.
– Rhett Yap, was a former member of FAMAR (Fil-Am Artist, Inc, a non-profit organization) and has participated in the choral group formed by the organization.
– Jocelyn “Olyn” Bautista, a pediatrician and wife to Eduardo Bautista, currently holds the position of Secretary of the Filipino American Medical Society of Toms River.
– Fred Mariano, a retired Senior Chief Petty Officer of the US Navy served on active duty for over 22 1/2 years. Worked as a Department Head for seven years in a Nursing and Rehabilitation Hospital and presently working with the State of New Jersey Department of Children and Families as Regional Personnel Coordinator.
– Gina Pineda, Pediatrician married to Jing Verde, with two kids, Enzo & Robyn
Jing Verde, a Dialysis nurse married to Gina Pineda.
– Dr. Dante B. Martinez, a Gastroenterologist married to Liza M. Martinez.
– Liza M. Martinez, RN and infectious disease nurse, epimiologist at the Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ
– Rene Ynaya, senior attending physician, cardiologist at the Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ, married to Nancy Ynaya and a 2012 Distinguished Physician Awardee of the Community Medical Center.
– Nancy Ynaya, retired OR and Recovery room nurse in Staten Island, NY, married to Dr. Rene Ynaya with 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren.
– Dr. Elena Buenviaje, a Board Certified Internist and the first female Internist to practice at the Community Medical Center. Just recently, she was honored by the CMC with the Physician of Distinction.
– Dr. Oscar T. Ortiz, Endocrinologist, with specialization in Metabolism and Diabetes, currently President of the Fil-Am Medical Society and married to former Philippine dramatic actress Marian Dela Riva.
Life’s topsy-turvy and tortuous journey becomes smooth sailing when supported with concerted efforts by innately compassionate people like the doctors and volunteers that compose FCDC and FAMS. Their concern gives credence to American poet and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson’s adage: “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well!”
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