Being an achiever doesn’t necessarily need one to be somewhat unapproachably recondite and stops being a woman.
On the 16th day of June, 1944, a future humanitarian leader who could potentially uphold the values of Florence Nightingale was born to Ceasar Aquino Cajucom, a NARIC (National Rice Corporation) employee and Mercedes Buenaventura Martinez, an elementary school teacher, and christened Corazon…and her colorful journey took off from there.
Coming from a big but closely-knit family (they were 3 girls and 7 boys) gave Cora a huge advantage in being instilled with responsibility, fortified with moral standards, and reared with gratifying social influences.
Having had the nursing course turned down twice by her elder sisters, Cora heeded her father’s prodding to have a nurse in the family and voluntarily disregarded her dream to be a stewardess. She received her Associate in Arts diploma from the Philippine Statesman College in Cabanatuan and graduated with honors from the Central Luzon School of Nursing (now Manuel V. Gallego Foundation Colleges) in 1964 at the age of 18.
Cora landed her first job (just a week after receiving her Nursing diploma) as a staff nurse at the Singian Clinic in Manila and passed the Nursing Board Examination that same summer as a 10th placer. Indeed, big surprises come from small packages.
Raring for a change of a workplace conducive to career advancement, she decided to transfer to Jade Vine, Inc. as an industrial nurse that just lasted for a year since she was irresistibly “bitten” by the “massive-job-migration bug” and to the US she flew…not necessarily for the proverbial greener pasture but for the potentially challenging opportunity waiting in the offing.
From May 1967 to March 1969, Cora’s adventurous leap landed her as an exchange staff nurse at the University of Texas Medical Branch Hospital (Galveston, Texas) then moved to the east coast after her contract expired. It was an easy decision to relocate since one of her sisters was working at the United Nations in New York.
Taking advantage of all prospects that came her way, Cora worked double jobs: at the Jewish Memorial Hospital during day time and at St. Elizabeth Hospital at night shift. But her fragile frame and frail health failed to meet the demands and rigors of her twin jobs that “knocked” her down in just eight months.
Her mortal state might be weak but not her spirit. She went back to work once she recovered… this time as an Asstistant Head Nurse at St. Elizabeth’s Division of St. Clare’s Hospital’s Surgical Unit and was later transferred to the Intensive Care/ Coronary Care Unit. As if the negative streak followed her, the hospital ceased operations in 1981 that left her idle for a year. She tried venturing into business but that wasn’t meant for her.
By February 1982, she was hired as a Staff Nurse at the Chase Manhattan Bank Medical Department after responding to a newspaper advertisement. Dedicated to the job as a corporate nurse, Cora had stayed with the company since then. After ten years she became the bank’s Nursing Manager and Human Resources Office, travelling to Connecticut serving the employee population during the Flu season, and to Delaware and Arizona to set-up new medical clinics. Over 32 years later and going through seven mergers, she is still with the prestigious company that is widely known as JPMorgan Chase & Company.
The exigent occurrence brought about by the tragic 9/11 tragedy left her with haunting memories but with fulfilling experience. She and her staff remained sleepless and vigilant during the entire emergency situation. Hours seemed too long and the morning rays crept just in time when all they needed was a little break. But Cora found solace and fulfillment from the devastatingly horrendous event … serving a great number of people and delivering the best she could do at the time that she was most needed.
Initially, because of her innate compassion and dedication to the career she so dearly loved, Cora thought she was merely “married” to her profession… throwing the key to her heart out of nowhere and left her romantic life abandoned. Engrossed with what she loved doing, life went on casually and the missing “spice” was never an option but a matter of choice.
While still in Manila, in one of her hospital visits to her sister who was then confined, Cora met her brother’s attending physician. They would often times be simultaneously by her brother’s bedside but the emotional or cordial connection between them, especially on her part, was by far remote. There wasn’t the ostensible “spark” that ignited their early meetings. Every encounter was basically on a professional level or if there were bits of friendly instances, they were but rare.
Cora’s cold treatment and antagonizing ways only challenged the cool-headed medical practitioner. There was that sincere intention of winning her heart… and he consistently showed it not only in his amiable ways but even through his innately, barely discernible nuances and gently caring attitude. His patience and insistence grew fonder each day as Cora’s stone-heart slowly melted and her snobbish attitude gradually mellowed.
And before he knew it, his persistence paid off. Dr. Francisco “Kits” Reyes became the luckiest man and soon-to-be Cora’s lifetime partner. It was one of those life’s romantic episodes hard to ignore.
But Dr. Reyes’ courtship was far from being over… for Cora, after her brother’s recovery, went to Texas. She didn’t expect Dr. Reyes to follow her like a lingering shadow… incessantly courted her and soon enough his resolute intention was met with positivity. As his patient was completely healed… his patience was duly rewarded!
They eventually tied the knot at the St. Michael’s Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. Cora not only surrendered herself to Kits as his wife but also swallowed her “foolish” pride and acted as his assistant— personally and professionally!
They say that when you love someone, you’re willing to sacrifice everything in favor of a smooth-sailing relationship…and Cora did just that. Since then, their burgeoning conjugal affection ultimately reached the level of unadulterated emotional rapture. Cora exactly felt her husband’s full commitment to what he solemnly vowed and dedicated all his life in building a solidly ideal family.
Now blissfully married for 42 years, having had celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on December 1, 2012, Cora couldn’t ask for more but good health to prolong her life and accomplish what she has left unattended.
The Reyeses have Carlo Virgilio David as the eldest, a graphics designer and photographer married to lawyer Catherina Fernandez; Michael Dane a twenty-five-year UN employee, married to Gina Landas and have 2 children – Vince and Vivien ; daughter Pier Claudine recently graduated from the College of Oriental Medicine with a Master’s Degree in Acupuncture, is with the Deepak Chopra Center; and Robin Francis the Director of Information Technology at Geotext, the youngest son who is married to celebrity stylist Kris Javier.
Cora Reyes is unquestionably one of the most indefatigable community leaders around who never fails to impress her colleagues with her voluminous worthy projects and fundraising events. Despite being occupied with her job, this amazing lady with enormous amount of zest and spirited passion lives up far beyond her peers’ expectations. Armed with an innately strong persuasive power and keen foresight in project planning, Cora’s every fundraising event was magnanimously supported and gained tremendous success.
A quintessential exponent of an indisputable Gemini woman, Cora is physically and mentally adaptable, effortlessly versatile, infectiously enthusiastic, eloquently skilled, spontaneously witty, and intellectually smart.
With impressively marked personality that vitally influences the youth and the next generation, Cora is one woman who knows how to negotiate, communicate, and persuade others to the things worthy of hard work with veritable accomplishments.
One time awardee among the elite roster of the 2014 Influential Women of the Tri-state Area from the PACCAL (Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc.), this impressive lady could be aptly tagged “Iron Butterfly in silk cocoon” simply because of her seemingly masculine-driven determination cushioned with silky-soft stature.
Her profession is consistently equipped with unparalleled dedication to the service of her fellowmen. Indefatigable Cora Reyes sees to it that she’s personally involved in various service-oriented community activities and medical missions. An influential and benevolently endowed female leader born gifted with her innate humanitarian concern, she is well-driven ably armed with a keen sense of responsibility and compassion… coupled with dazzling knowledgeability about utilizing her ardent vision for change and advancement.
By nature, Cora is selfless…cognizant that teamwork effectuates results that benefit the majority. Despite being occupied with her job, she’s still equipped with enormous amount of zest and spirited energy powered by her strong sense of persuasion and keen foresight. She credits the success of her every fundraising event to proper designation and right collegiality. Her inspiring and empowering drive to uplift the status of womanhood in our current socio-economic setting is manifested in her commendable advocacies
A fashion plate herself, Cora’s impeccable fashion taste and stylish demeanor consistently command a second look. She possesses that restraint simplicity but with fervent adherence to class and sophistication. Full of limitless dexterity sans fallaciousness, the low-key humanitarian advocate constantly maintains a balanced interpersonal relationship with her peers and colleagues. A born leader and organizer, Cora can afford to step a few levels down to adjust and give way to deserving potential heads.
There seems no stopping Cora from reaping awards and recognitions for another feather is bound to be added to her already feathery cap to fully recognize her outstanding accomplishments and noble deeds with “Natatanging Anak Ng Cabanatuan” award on February 3, 2015 in her hometown Cabanatuan City.
For comments and suggestions, please email to: [email protected] or [email protected]
