“A woman is like a tea bag…you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water!” Eleanor Roosevelt
DURING the recently concluded PACCAL (Pan American Concerned Citizens’ Action League, Inc.) event last Saturday, March 28, 2015 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel to commemorate the international celebration of Women’s History Month, Fe Labilles Sales was one of the four exceedingly recognized Influential Women of the tri-state area.
After the Award’s Committee’s meticulous deliberation, Fe’s name came up worthy of the honor together with three other equally meritoriously commendable awardees. The paucity of extraordinary stature of women who have indefatigably proven their worth and distinct accomplishments while being valuably recognized for their headship and reputable social standing made it hard for PACCAL to name its appropriate choices in the Influential Awards category, the Premier Honor bestowed by the organization. These are the community leaders who, aside from their professional accomplishments, are with marked personalities that could vitally influence and serve as motivational inspirations for the youth and the next generation while persuading others to the things worthy of veritable deeds that could influence the community.
The wife of the late Dr. Benigno R. Sales, Fe had been a very active supporter of the Philippine Medical Association in America where her husband had conscientiously served as its president. The fashionable Bicolana (born in Nabua, Camarines Sur) was initially a Home Economics teacher that’s why it isn’t surprising if she moves and talks like an exclusively schooled girl fresh from the etiquette pages of Miss Manners. Her savvy ways and salubrious behavior in either interacting or socializing stances easily give away her impressive adeptness and ability to handle and stand any given situation. Breeding is what it is!
An unparalleled philanthropist and compassionate community volunteer, Fe, despite her voluminous personal affairs to attend to, still finds time to be involved in neighborhood livelihood missions and generously donates her time and knowlegeability to charitable causes.
Her innate love for humanity, sense of compassion, and enhancing ways for the benefit of those who are in need have undoubtedly impacted and touched many lives. There were even times when she would go out of her way just to ensure that every single donation and relief was properly administered and delivered.
A well-heeled woman with a munificent heart, Fe Sales has lived her life to the fullest and by way of propagating human welfare to make life better for other people, she feels fulfilled. An unprecedented feeling of contentment supremely reigns within her after accomplishing her mission and productively living up to what was expected of her.
Her openhanded acts and benevolent ways didn’t escape award-giving civic groups and whatever Fe voluntary gave was duly recognized.
Among her numerous community-related accomplishments, the following are but a few worth-mentioning: She was the President of the Auxiliary of the Philippine Medical Association in America for 3 terms (1991-1992; 2010-2011; and 2013-2014); she was honored as Mrs. Sweetheart of the Auxiliary Philippine Medical Association of America; she was honored as the Grand Ball Chair of the Philippine Independence Day Ball in New York City during Dr. Lobell and Dr. Emmanuel Pangan’s term; she was crowned Mrs. APPA Foundation; she’s the founder of the Santo Niño Group of Rosedale, New York; and has consistently been a religious leader of the Santo Niño Group in Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island.
With dedicated and compassionate service, awards and recognition followed: in 1992 she was awarded for her Outstanding Community Service by APPNY (American Philippine Physicians of New York); America’s Most Glamorous Fil-Am Woman awarded by Philippine Hearts and Hopes in 2008; Outstanding & Fascinating Mother award from NAFFA (the National Federation of the Filipino-American Association); and Power Couple of the Year (2013) from Connecticut Association of Filipino-American Families.
The latest addition to her already feathery cap is from PACCAL as one of the Most Influential Women of 2015 from PACCAL. Fe’s charitable and philanthropic acts, particularly during the unprecedented economic meltdown, have significantly made a big difference especially for those that thought the rays of hope would no longer shine on them and that “generosity” seemed a non-existent word anymore.
“I live my life as if guided or patterned after what the multi-faceted American author-poet-director Maya Angelou had consistently quoted: ‘You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeat so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it’… just like when I was left in a dismally vulnerable situation after my husband’s untimely demise,” the amiable lady uttered with clarity…trying to emphasize every single word she tried to say.
“And the most audacious decision I’ve ever done was to face reality with utmost courageousness and tried to rediscover my truest identity, accept my weaknesses and dig deeper into the source of my strength. From there I mapped out a scheme of what I really wanted to do in life now that I am alone,” she continued with succinctness of explanation but with such accurate broadness in implication.
There was a brief silence. Surely she had already in mind of what to say…but couldn’t speak. There appears a lump in her throat or maybe a sudden feeling of painful loss instantly held back what she could have said. Fe easily regained composure…and after drawing a deep sigh, she gamely resumed:
“The final phase of my life could have been more fulfilled had not my husband gone ahead. Isn’t it great to savor the scent of anything sweet with someone you love by your side and mutually enjoy whatever there is to share? But who am I to question His will? If it was for the good of both of us…then so be it,” she candidly uttered sans a tone of remorse.
“After having had achieved what I needed in life, all I wanted is to selflessly serve my community … continue to share my rich Filipino heritage with my fellowmen…and, in my humble way, influence others that they may live their lives the best they deserve. I just hope I would live longer to see the outcome of what I’ve toiled for,” Fe softly uttered in a noticeably low tone while trying not to sound sentimental.
Currently, Fe is keeping herself busy with what she does best: organizing fundraising events and making sure whatever her husband left unfinished is being carried out the very way he would have preferred it. Having left a sizable amount of responsibility, Fe is determined to pick up from where her husband left off and continue his uncompleted advocacy. It was just good that she knows where and how to go about with everything since they worked together hand in hand since the forming of the framework of the voluntary services they annually deliver back home. It was a self-evident reality during the early phase that Fe thought she couldn’t handle it but her instinctive dedication and focus made things uncomplicated.
“Nothing should stop one from doing what he thinks is best…life has to go on despite some inevitable sullenness or even when death strikes along. Pain is expected but that doesn’t mean one has to suffer from it unendingly. True, we mourn and miss what we lost…but relief is within reach and healing comes naturally,” Fe shares what she has gone through.
“There’s no denying we love our lost loved one…especially a husband. It seemed that he took with him a part of you. But let the painful loss be a driving force to ignite a stagnating spirit. Pick up all bits and pieces and go on with life’s journey…after all, gathering one’s scattered focus and busted hopes could miraculously weave healing. This isn’t the end of the world. Give ourselves a chance to go on living life anew and benefit from what God has stored for us in the offing,” she said.
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