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One big smile

honey jarque loop
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Donald Lim, president of Operation Smile Philippines.
Donald Lim, president of Operation Smile Philippines.PHOTOGRAPHS BY HONEY JARQUE LOOP FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE
Benjie and Connie  Cimafranca.
Benjie and Connie Cimafranca.
Emiliano Romano, Executive Director of Operation Smile Philippines with Bea Zobel de Ayala Jr.
Emiliano Romano, Executive Director of Operation Smile Philippines with Bea Zobel de Ayala Jr.
Chie Blas of Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.
Chie Blas of Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.
Honorary Consul of Portugal Sam Chioson with his wife Emily,  Honorary Consul of Israel.
Honorary Consul of Portugal Sam Chioson with his wife Emily, Honorary Consul of Israel.

This event was definitely the grandest in Cebu.

Operation Smile began in the Philippines in 1982 when Dr. William Magee and his wife Kathleen traveled there with a medical team to perform cleft lip and palate surgeries. They encountered overwhelming demand with 300 families seeking help, but were only able to treat 40 children. This experience led them to establish Operation Smile, aiming to return and assist more children in need.

Philanthropist couple Carlos and Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung.
Philanthropist couple Carlos and Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung.
Esperanza Garcia, Kate Garcia, Cebu Mayor Raymond Garcia, daughter Lexie and  Perl Arienza.
Esperanza Garcia, Kate Garcia, Cebu Mayor Raymond Garcia, daughter Lexie and Perl Arienza.
Mariquita Yeung with guests from Manila, Cathy Saldaña Siegel, Margie Sy, Mayenne Carmona and Tess Schoffer.
Mariquita Yeung with guests from Manila, Cathy Saldaña Siegel, Margie Sy, Mayenne Carmona and Tess Schoffer.
Mariquita Yeung {2nd from left} with Michael Acebedo Lopez, Dr. Bianca Salimbangon and her husband Justin Salimbangon.
Mariquita Yeung {2nd from left} with Michael Acebedo Lopez, Dr. Bianca Salimbangon and her husband Justin Salimbangon.

Fast forward to 1991. Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung, inspired by her father’s legacy of generosity, founded the Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung Charitable Foundation Inc. (MSYCFI). This vision expanded into a partnership with Operation Smile, enabling free reconstructive surgeries for children with cleft lip and palate in Cebu.

To give thanks to the countless benefactors and volunteers, Operation Smile Philippines recently held a Thanksgiving dinner at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel to express gratitude to its numerous benefactors and volunteers. The event also celebrated the inauguration of the state-of-the-art facility, the Cebu Comprehensive Cleft Care Center of Excellence, which aims to provide thorough care for children with cleft conditions.

The celebration featured speeches from key figures, including Emiliano Romano, who emphasized the center’s mission to transform lives through compassionate care and support. The center will serve over 100 patients from various local government units, offering services like surgery, speech therapy and nutritional guidance.

This milestone reflects Operation Smile’s commitment to improving children’s lives in the Philippines, ensuring every child has access to essential medical care and the chance to smile confidently.

Mariquita Yeung’s involvement highlights the commitment of volunteers and medical professionals to transform lives through surgical care and ongoing support for patients and their families.

Yeung’s unconditional philanthropic efforts have significantly improved lives, making her a beacon of hope in Cebu and its neighboring islands.

Jun and Nora Muntuerto.
Jun and Nora Muntuerto.
Benjie Diola, Chat Alo and Dr. James Joaquino.
Benjie Diola, Chat Alo and Dr. James Joaquino.
Karla Henry Ammann, host.
Karla Henry Ammann, host.
Michelle Palaubsanon, Cary Santiago, Councilor Joy Pesquera and Maybelle Padillo.
Michelle Palaubsanon, Cary Santiago, Councilor Joy Pesquera and Maybelle Padillo.
Mitzi Lim, Mariquita Yeung, Beverly Dayanan and Loida Montesclaros.
Mitzi Lim, Mariquita Yeung, Beverly Dayanan and Loida Montesclaros.
Joel and Carla del Prado.
Joel and Carla del Prado.

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