A gift of smiles

For the past 19 years, the Operation Smile International, with Hope Foundation headed by Edith Villanueva, has gifted with smiles to more than 4,000 Negrense children with cleft lips and palate deformities.

The OSI team which arrived in Bacolod City on Feb. 21 and proceeded to the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay, for screening and immediate operation of patients.

They were given a welcome dinner by Gov. Joseph and Aida Marañon.

Medical field director Dr. Laurence Loh, Drs. Cherry Librojo, Shu Mao-Guo, Nikki Eilleen Valencia, Gerard John Ocampo, Paul Edwin Magalona, and Redencio Abella were awed by the beautiful architecture of the Provincial Capitol. The exotic performance of the Brgy. Alijis MassKara dancers lifted their spirit in the evening, as everyone, notably Dr. Shu Mao Guo, Seir Stangeland, Marie Edylynn Ng and Amelia Marchman, joined them on the dance floor.

A plaque of appreciation was given to the OSI and to Gov. and Aida Marañon. Gian Trebol was the OSP coordinator of the mission and two local plastic surgeons, Bong Paltriguera and Jay Estoya, are members of the team.

Also on hand to ensure the success of the undertaking were An Trebol, Girl Cuaycong, Chona Flores, Mai Paltriguera, Daday Melocoton, Cora Coscolluela, Patching Puentevella, Clothy Alcala, Ceres Magadia, Ceres Baldevia, Daisy Villarosa, and many others.

Last night, after a long day of hard work, Bacolod Rep. Monico and Josefa Puentevella honored the OSI and Hope Volunteers with a dinner and dance at the Saltimboca Resto and Bar.

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SM Bacolod officially opens today, and is surely another welcome sight in the City of Smiles. Congratulations to all local investors, including the Lourdes C Group of Companies for joining the SM family.*

Remember:

"A merry heart is good medicine with no bad side effects."