The Philippine Consulate in San Francisco joined the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California (PMSNC) in celebrating its 50th founding anniversary celebration through a Grand Gala and Inaugural Ball held at the Hilton Oakland Airport Hotel on 30 April 2022. Deputy Consul General (DCG) Raquel R. Solano and Consul Vanessa Bago- Llona of the Consulate attended the event, which was keynoted by California Attorney General (AG) Rob Bonta.
AG Bonta, in his remarks, commended the PMSNC for its continued support to Filipino American students in their pursuit of the medical profession through scholarship and financial assistance programs. He also noted that the organization has made a substantial impact on communities across the U.S. and the world through its medical and surgical missions.
DCG Solano, in her message to PMSNC, on behalf of Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer, lauded the PMSNC for its efforts in elevating the profile of Filipino and Filipino American medical professionals in the U.S., in going beyond the duties of their chosen profession to uplift the lives of many, and in serving communities in the Philippines and in the U.S. through its community outreach programs, financial assistance, and scholarship programs. She thanked its members for their excellent and dedicated service during the pandemic and for making it possible for people to gradually return to normalcy. She also highlighted the Consulate’s partnership with the PMSNC in bringing free medical services to Filipino-Americans in the Bay Area through the “Health Day sa Konsulado” project held in October 2021.
PMSNC president Dr. Thad Padua related how PMSNC took the opportunity, despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, to find ways to evaluate its work, improve the organization, and advance its goals of community service, youth and professional development, and fellowship. He also underlined the need for the organization to continue its outreach to underserved Filipino-Americans in California, who according to a study, were the most impacted by COVID-19 among Asian-Americans.
The gala event also saw the awarding of scholarships to three (3) Filipino-American medical students of UCSF, reporting on the 2020 medical mission in Bacoor, Cavite in the Philippines, and cultural performances by Kariktan Dance Company. – END
