Our ever-changing world had been enormously manipulated and dominated by not only laudable men known for their commendable deeds that benefited mankind but also by their equally dominant female counterparts who have arguably defied the customary “men-power-rule” with their identifiably influential visions.
If only for this, the month of March was specifically earmarked to celebrate the paramount success of womanhood and their valuable contribution to society.
Adhering to its annual tradition of honoring worth-emulating female personalities greatly lauded in the eastern seaboard that have, aside from being successful in their chosen fields of endeavor, selflessly served the community, significantly influenced people, while simultaneously committed in the uninterrupted pursuit of honing their scholarly standing, the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL) makes it known publicly the four most distinguished and potent women to be conferred the coveted 2016 Most Influential Women title in connection with the celebration of International Women’s History Month.
Comprising the elite group of awardees are:
• Myrna Monares Bais
After teaching for 27 years in the Philippines, Myrna came to the US in 1992 and found herself occupied in organizing a group of Household Employees who were without families and officially registered it in 1997 bearing the name Filipino Women’s Club of Connecticut. Now on its 19th year, the organization continues to carry on with its paramount advocacy…that of extending medical assistance to members and immediate family component since majority don’t have health insurance. FWCC also support Bantay Bata, Adopt A Classroom Project of Con. Gen. Cecile Rebong, Filipino-American Legal Defense Council, Medical Missions of Hearts and Hopes Society, Inc., and Friends Indeed. Innately compassionate with a pair of helping hands, Myrna’s influential ways remain exceptionally unmatched.
• Dr. Felicisima David Quines
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. 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. A born leader equipped with a defining knowledge, empowering status and dynamic foresight, Dr. Fely is dedicated with a powerful command and the ability to lead. Aside from being the President 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. Currently, the affable doctor is an attending physician at the Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry SUNY Downstate-Kings Hospital.
• Dr. Zoraida Olaya De Leon
From her grandfather’s persuasion to become an agriculturist, Zorayda Olaya ended up with an MD attached to her name. Armed with a Medical Degree from St. Louis University in Baguio City, Dr. Zorayda O. De Leon took her residency training at the Metropolitan Hospital Medical Center in New York and had her private practice in Jersey City with affiliation at Christ Hospital, Hoboken Hospital, and Jersey City Medical Center. A diplomate of American Board of Internal Medicine, a former president of the Hudson County Medical Society and member of Medical Society of Jersey City, Dr. De Leon was last year’s PAFCOM Grand Marshal. When free from the confines of her clinic and hospital duties the fashionable medical practitioner tirelessly involves herself “cutting the rag” on the dance floor (with her husband Pol) fittingly donned in eye-catching ballroom wardrobes she designed and executed herself.
• Dr. Constancia Somera Uy
A professor of Pediatrics at the Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School and Vice-Chair for Clinical Affairs in the Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Connie Uy has been a recipient of 11 Golden Apple Awards for her excellence in teaching, has received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Foundation, and the ultimate recognition of being a UMDNJ Master Educator in 2011 that catapulted her to be inducted into the Stuart Cooke Master Educators Guild. She was the first Filipina to receive the New Jersey Woman of Achievement from the NJ Federation of Women’s Club and Douglass College. A dynamic administrator, brilliant medical educator, outstanding physician and a dedicated community leader, Dr. Uy is currently the Chairperson of the PAFCOM Board of Directors and was a major innovator in changing its organizational structure thru constitutional amendments.
To celebrate their revered status and recognize their unparalleled contributions to the community, a dinner-dance bash cum awarding ceremony is slated on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 1:00 PM at the Crystal Ballroom of the Ramada Plaza Hotel along 160 Frontage Road, Newark, New Jersey.
Gracing PACCAL’s spring event is the Honorable Con. Gen. Mario Lopez De Leon, Jr. and this year’s Honorary Chairpersons: PIDCI woman on the totem pole Fe Martinez and pharmacist-philanthropist Joanne Sy Bhatia.
Simultaneously highlighting the affair is the formal induction and oath-taking ceremony of PACCAL’s newly elected officers for the Fiscal Year 2016-17. To be inducted to office are:
President – Ramona S. Gapasin
Executive VP – Joey M. Mayo
VP for Operations – Rolly Javier
VP for Development – Marieta Lamar
Recording Secretary – Mae Legaspi
Corresponding Secretary – Marilou Songco
Treasurer – Rebecca Samanyaphon
Asst. Treas. – Jujo Conol
Auditor – Clara Hayes
Board of Directors:
Anthony Bautista
Luz Burke
Armand David
Hermie Garcia
Helen Santillan
Ria Serrano
Advisers:
Linda M. Mayo
Betty Buenviaje
Rose P. Javier
Lumen G. Castañeda
Community Adviser – Dennis Hayes
Senior Program Advisers – Bing Antonio, Jose G. Red, Jose Santillan
Cultural & Arts Consultants – Virgie Alvarez & Florentino Capili
PACCAL Staff:
Linda M. Mayo – CEO / Founder
Bobby T. Yalong – Executive Director
Anita Tan – Fiscal Officer
Eugene P. Respicio – Graphic Artist
Visitacion Medinaceli – Outreach Coordinator / CHW
Susan Liguori – CHW
PACCAL is profoundly privileged to have equally prominent women Joanne Sy Bhatia and Fe Martinez as its Honorary Chairpersons.
Generosity and compassion plus a huge amount of affability are the sturdy foundations that cohesively hold the bricks of the world together…worth-emulating traits that Joanne Sy Bhatia and Fe Martinez both possess. Despite being in the flourishing Pharmacy Business for years, Joanne consistently remains low-key and simple but behind her uncomplicated lifestyle lies a munificent heart within…ready to help and extend aid to those in need.
Incidentally, the existence of hardworking women in society undoubtedly gives inspiration to the increasing number of the female populace holding prominent position in the community. The moniker, Fe Martinez, has constantly been synonymous to being an achiever while simultaneously influential. Her rise to prominence in the Filipino-American society is, without any cloud of doubt, a significant symbol of woman empowerment and dedicated service.
“A successful woman is one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at her.” Such an inspirational quote that could motivate the so-called men’s “weaker counterparts” … although the term no longer applies to our current social set-up since these women are already enthusiastically empowered and greatly driven by their innately prolific instincts… making them as influential and powerful as men.
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