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.

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.