“We can all make a difference in the lives of others in need… because it is the most simple of gestures that make the most of difference…” – Miya Yamanouchi
If volunteerism is to be based on theology, easily, it could mean the theory that God is to be conceived as some form of will and the ultimate nature of reality that involves the principle or system of doing something on voluntary action to carry out a policy, an advocacy, or a socially relevant service sans any expectation of reward or material benefits.
Cabanatuan City couple Alejandro and Angela provided life to Felicisima (eldest among five siblings) with an almost premeditated education and foretold vision…that their first-born would be destined to a certain level of prominence with her assertive ways packed with never diminishing self-confidence and unrelenting fortitude.
True enough, the smart and determined Felicisima (a name of Spanish origin which means fortunate and happy) treaded the right track that led her to where she was predestined: to be a doctor which wasn’t actually her maiden intention. In reality she was leaning towards chemistry but fate had its way that she took the wrong queue that fortunately directed her to the right path where she could be best.
Maturing, Felicisima’s inherent compassionate nature became much more correlated with what she was training for. There was already a consistent overflow of concern for the underprivileged and the needy that gradually built from within. The deprived and the aid-seekers predominantly occupied a soft spot in her heart.
Her humanitarian attribute was eventually supplemented by the same compassionate trait when she married Emilio P. Quines, a graduate from the same medical school who was just ahead of her by two years. Together, they joined hands not only in raising a good-natured family but in sharing to the needy a part of what they were bountifully blessed with.
Dr. Fely Quines, in her instinctively benevolent nature and compassionate ways, could selflessly consider going out of her way if only to extend whatever relief or assistance to those in need. With her equally empathetic spouse they have jointly provided initial capital to Credit Corporation to assist indigents in starting small business for family sustenance, committed to the provision of livelihood support for safe drinking water, supplied school bikes for students that live in far-flung areas, and initially instrumental in the construction of artesian well projects in various communities deprived of immediate water supply.
Believing that the truest efficacy of humanitarian service is delivering the best one could offer without the benefit of promotion and media hype, the unassuming lady doctor with a munificent heart merely embarks upon what she considers her human obligation sans fanfare. Not everybody knows, even her colleagues in the profession, that the couple had been instrumental in the construction of two fully equipped school medical and dental clinics and a Learning Center for the Disabled.
Their unprecedented benevolence was extended beyond medical services: they had generously provided emergency transportation to geographically handicapped patients from Ifugao and the mountain regions of the Aetas; aided the CDC Foundation Program for the eradication of malaria; and supported various charitable programs like Physician Homes, Inc., Good Samaritan Medical Center Foundation, The Boystown, Salvation Army, the Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island Foundation, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and diverse religious institutions.
A graduate of Doctor of Medicine from UERM (University of the East Ramon Magsaysay) in 1968, Dr. Fely Quines and her husband were former presidents of PMAA that made both of them distinctly stalwart spirits and reputable figures in the Filipino-American medical arena.
And as if all these various outreach services she had altruistically delivered aren’t enough to keep her satisfied and fulfilled, Dr. Fely Quines still avails herself for emotional, sympathetic, and comforting guidance and counseling to friends who seek out for her inspiring words of wisdom. Her being a Leo-born (August 12), a hands-on mother, a committed wife, a dedicated medical practitioner, a pious believer, a loyal ally, and a motivated well-rounded individual all summed up to the entirety of her being an iconic personality… caring, eloquent, sincere, and influential.
Since life isn’t all about living and giving… it isn’t everything regarding survival that concerned sharing. It is all about being able to face and tackle every challenge that crosses our path.The munificent doctor is completely submissive to and controlled by her powerful willingness to serve humanity and share her expertise in any given situation…regardless of the magnitude.
One significant event that endeared her even more to her profession was the horrendous 7.3 magnitude earthquake of August 2, 1968 that rocked Metro Manila and toppled-to-the-ground the posh Ruby Tower like a deck of cards. Just a fresh OB-GYN graduate conscientiously attending to more than 25 babies at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) when the destructive natural calamity occurred, made her realize the need for more doctors not only in the facility but all throughout the country. In such a disastrous situation where she was physically and emotionally impacted, her instant grip for mental alertness and unobstructed vigilance were put to acid test.
By the end of the same year, the audaciously focused Nueva Ecijana migrated to the USA, primarily to expand her medical knowlegeability and professional proficiency and, admittedly, to seek for the proverbial greener pasture. Fiercely armed with her innately ambitious ways that don’t dread anything in the pursuit of higher goals, the new immigrant found it unproblematic to adjust to her new-fangled surroundings and instantly fiddled with her newfound home.
Her new venture openly gave her the opportunity to be affiliated with the Jersey City Medical Center, Christ Hospital (now CarePoint Hospital) and Westchester Medical Center following her US training in Medicine at NJ College of Medicine and residency and fellowship for Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry at Downstate SUNY Brooklyn and Kings County Hospital.
Currently, the affable doctor is an attending physician at the Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry SUNY Downstate-Kings Hospital.
Leadership comes after having been fully equipped with a defining knowledge, empowering status and dynamic foresight, dedicated with powerful command, and the ability to lead… every single asset and much more that the low-keyed doctor possesses. Aside from being the Lady-on-the-Totem Pole of the PMAA from 2004 to 2005, Dr. Fely Quines was UERMMMC NEC President (2005-2006), PIDCI Grand Marshal (2014), Ladies for Rizal (OKOR LI Chapter) President, former Director of Medicine and Chief Medical Officer of NYS OMH, aside from being the former Editor-in-Chief of The Granary and The Aesculapian.
After all what she had earnestly delivered and meritoriously accomplished with indefatigable energy incredibly channeled into laudable projects, the worth-emulating doctor deserves nothing but only the paramount recognitions and honors due her.
Among her awards and citations brought about by her vast community and philanthropic services included: recipient of Ruby Alumni Outstanding Jubilarian NEHS (2006), NEHS Golden Harvest Award, UERMMMC Foundation Award, Outstanding Fil-Am in Humanitarian Services, Physician of the Year, PMAA 2006 Leadership Award, Commendation from Friends Indeed USA, Woman of Worth Award, and a long roster more from different Philippine Medical Missions and related civic and social organizations.
The connubial bond of the Quineses was blessed with three children: Emilio III – JD, MBA from Fordham University, VP at JP Morgan Fleming’s Investment Division, and married to Dr. Christine Aquino with a son, James; Alan who has a Masters in Computer Science and Information Technology, Program Manager and Consultant at Allscripts Company; and Lisa, a Management Information Systems (MIS) degree holder and married to Timothy Hulse, an MBA, with 2 kids, Brandon and Ryan.
Incidentally, Dr. Fely David Quines will be duly recognized for her remarkable achievements and influential status in the community and her almost five decades of dedicated service in the medical field (48, to be exact) during PACCAL’s (Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc.) Women’s History Month Gala on Saturday, April 2, 2016 from 1 PM to 5 PM at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in connection with the celebration of the International Women’s History Month.
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