Compassion and resilience are just two of the many outstanding traits that distinctly embody a true-blooded physical therapist. Connately endowed with these enviable qualities plus being well-credentialed and ably experienced while being confidently competent, Elizabeth Bulosan Divinagracia has been on top of her career as a physical therapist for eighteen years doing nothing but honing her most-loved occupation to perfection.
Born to Rufina, a teacher, and David Bulosan, a mechanical engineer, of Baliuag, Bulacan, Elizabeth or Beth, (as she prefers to be fondly addressed), hailed from Manila and the third among a brood of seven (6 girls and a boy).
Sans definite plans of which path to tread during her formative years, although she initially considered taking up Law, an aunt convinced her to take up Physical Therapy since it was in demand overseas. Heeding the advice, Beth finished her Physical Therapy course from Emilio Aguinaldo College in 1996 and had her own practice a year later for three years with two other friends in Cavite.
Responding to the irresistible beacon of overseas opportunity, Beth went to America in 2000 and immediate got employed as a PT in an out-patient clinic for four years working in sub-acute and long term care facilities. It was all work and extensive acquisition of experiences for Beth that she conscientiously considered taking a master’s degree.
Currently enrolled in the University of Montana for her Doctorate Degree, Beth hopes to graduate on December of this year. Squeezing her on-line study into her already packed schedule of working fulltime during MWF, including Sunday, and co-managing the new business during TThS from 8:30 AM to 9:30 PM and beyond, Beth could only wish for some extra hours to rest and re-energize.
What broke the monotonous daily grind for Beth was when Cupid inevitably intervened and exchanged “I Dos” with Macky Divinagracia in 2003. The union was deprived of an offspring but had no harsh effect on their marital relationship.
A quintessential Cancerean and typical clannishly-raised independent-minded person, Beth is highly energetic and somewhat equipped with psychic bent no wonder she was able to achieve what her heart desires while being career-dedicated and hard-working. With her tremendous compassionate personality, undoubtedly, Beth could make an extraordinary parent but just too bad that she’s not given the chance to prove her worth.
To say that being childless is a pitiful struggle while childrearing has been a rewarding situation is a very conventionally unfounded wisdom. There are always adequate substitute to fill the void and challenge the disappointment of not having been granted of what one had wished for.
“I’ve always wanted to have children…and that supposedly is one objective of getting married but sadly after a series of laboratory tests, my fate remains hopeless.”
Though jilted and has openly accepted she’s doomed to be childless Beth manages to dodge her ill-fated plight by concentrating on more productive endeavors that are not only self-rewarding but beneficial to the majority in her circle. This munificent-hearted physical therapist has so much of her to give and bounteous acquisitions to share.
“If it was His will who am I to disagree?” She muttered lamentably. “Surely, there are much better things stored ahead for me and my husband that are tantamount to being parents.”
With continuous material blessings and fruitful endeavors the couple was able to invest in real estate properties back home and live a comfortable life. “I’m practical and don’t splurge on irrelevant stuffs but I could be an impulsive buyer sometimes especially jewelries.”
A typical homebody and an active member of Couples for Christ, Beth is a self-proclaimed chef with recipes from her mom’s kitchen (Kare-kare and inangit, sweet rice cooked in coconut milk), plays the piano for personal entertainment, and loves to sing (love songs) and read (novels and fiction). She digs suspense-action movies and TV shows.
Beth maybe sentimental in nature and exceptionally traditional in her views and idealism but she’s progressive and open-minded in her dealings and associations that makes her thrive in a partnership or business joint venture.
Together with cousin Michael “Mike” Florendo, a tested and veritable advertising and promotional professional, Beth, after being finally convinced, eventually decided to hang out her shingle as physical therapist following the former’s long business persuasion and her stern analysis…and felt that she made the right decision at the right time.
Aptly named Hudson Rehab Spa, the new business had its grand opening last Saturday, June 7, inside Hudson Mall at 701 Street, Route 440 in Jersey City, New Jersey. The commodious health facility is fundamentally equipped with the latest tools and state-of-the-art physical therapy equipments.
Mike and Beth’s partnership is basically based on trust and business compatibility that is unreserved, unambiguous, and unequivocal. Their corporate affiliation is a transparent operation devoid of uncouth and uncommon interest. They amenably agreed not to create conflicts and unwinnable arguments. Although governed with reliance and well-suited comfort, Mike and Beth’s joint venture promises to raise the bar of the industry where they both belong.
“It’s but timely that we, physical therapy practitioners, go where we’ll be easily accessible and offer our services that are affordable. Busy daily routine and fast-paced lifestyle prevented people from seeking the help they badly needed…and in this way we’ll be meeting halfway.” Mike readily opined sharing a piece of his mind and continued after releasing a deep breath: “It’s never been easy to establish a rehab facility inside a mall but we dared the challenge…believing in the capability and potential of our intention.”
Basically aimed to develop, maintain, and restore the human body’s ability to move and function normally while extending various forms of massages and treatment interventions to improve the patient’s quality of life, Mike and Beth’s new business venture also considers on doing community service while simultaneously perpetuating the operational standards.
“We’ll donate an hour a day for charity treatment…and that’s our humble way of giving back to the community.” Beth, who had been emotionally stricken during the formal launching, proudly stated. “I hope even through this measure we’ll be able to help those without health insurance and could not afford the high cost of the treatment and therapeutic service they badly need.”
Beth, having realized the significance of her presence in Hudson Rehab Spa, plans to retire after her studies to be in the loop of her company…putting her own nose to the grindstone.
With everything slowly taking shape and her preferences getting to seriate formation, Beth sees a dazzling horizon filled with starry dreams and promising years ahead. Amid all these blessings she could only mutter with conviction: “True enough, patience is a priceless virtue…when you work diligently with obdurate patience, everything will be achieved in due time…you’ll reap what you’ve toiled for!”
Postscript to Dad’s Grand Day
A heart-melting scenario caught my attention while having lunch with my family at a popular Secaucus buffet restaurant in celebration of Father’s Day when a towering military guy in complete camouflage uniform casually opened the door for his little son who was identically donned in the same outfit.
Actually there’s nothing unusual about the whole thing except for the impacting essence of fatherhood that pervaded the air and injected that distinct difference.
Intrigued by the effortless display of emotional father-and-son bonding and after having mustered enough courage, I approached their table for an in-depth inquiry.
The father, Daniel Beachum, 27, from Newark, NJ, has just come home after his tour of duty overseas and decided to take out his son, DJay, 5, for lunch.
“I simply want to devote quality time with my son and celebrate this significant occasion exclusively with him!” The cordial man-in-uniform said as he checked on his boy’s plate and gently pushed his glass of juice closer. “Sooner, I will be deployed in Saudi Arabia and I’ll be missing him a lot again.”
Equally touched and emotionally affected, Helen Latoja, an ER nurse from New York and a Society Hill, Jersey City resident had discretely shouldered the bill and generously endorsed the receipt to Daniel as she greeted him “Happy Father’s Day!”The stunned dad was all the more flabbergasted by Helen’s act of kindness and could only mutter an almost muted “Thank You!”
Watching the father and son as they went on with their meal had vividly painted a portrait of a loving dad that even a thousand words would fall short to describe. The scene was so moving. The tender way he fed his son, the concerning manner he wiped the morsels off his boy’s mouth, the dramatic moment he assisted his son cut his meat, and how adoringly he watched him slowly consumed his food while nearly forgetting to finish his share…every Daniel’s detailed action was something so emotionally moving.
I left them while incessantly pondering as to what would this world be like when all fathers are like Daniel? What kind of youths would there be if raised by a dad like Daniel? I could only wish every dad happiness on that special day…and Daniel, thank you for that defaceable image you notably left on my mind.
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