Page 8 - 2017 JAN-JUN - KAAKBAY

8 January to June
2017

Innovative Filipino-Run Medical Facility Mr. Florendo likewise announced that as part of its
Opens in Jersey City commitment to the local community, they are providing a
special consultation suite for members of the local police
force who oftentimes require quick medical screening on a
day-to-day basis due to the rigors of their job.

Other local officials present at the launch included
Jersey City Council President Rolando Lavarro and Hudson
County Freeholder William O’Dea. Members of the Filipino-
American Community, particularly those in the medical and
healthcare professions were on hand to support the launch.
Consulate General Ramps Up Autism Awareness
Campaign Among Filcoms in Connecticut, New
York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, & Massachusetts

Consul Felipe Carino III led a delegation from the
Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega (center) cuts the Consulate General to join 170 Filipinos from community
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opening ribbon with Freeholder William O’Dea (2 from right), organizations in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Rhode
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Mr. Mike Florendo (3 from left), and Bergenfield Council Island, and Massachusetts during the first gala night of Kids
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President Arvin Amatorio (2 from left) for the Hudson Plaza Philippines Inc.– a community-based project based in
Medical Center (Photo by NYPCG)
Connecticut that provides financial aid, and school supplies
and scholarship assistance to deserving but underprivileged
A new innovation in accessible healthcare run by Filipino children in the Philippines – held at Great Neck
Filipinos and Filipino-Americans was launched this month at Country Club, Connecticut on 28 January 2017.
the Hudson Plaza Mall in Jersey City, New Jersey on 10
March 2017. In his remarks, Consul Carino congratulated Ms.
Cherry Smyth, a FilAm who is the founder and Chair of Kids
The Hudson Medical Plaza, located in the Hudson Philippines Inc., for organizing initiatives and humanitarian aid
Plaza Mall, is the first multi-service medical consultation missions that benefit impoverished children in the Philippines
center located inside a mall facility in Jersey City. The and for supporting the Consulate General’s initiative to raise
brainchild of the entrepreneurial team of Filipino-Americans awareness for children with autism or who fall in the autism
Mike Florendo and Atty. Arvin Amatorio who is currently spectrum on the occasion of Autism Consciousness Week in
serving as Bergenfield Council President, the Medical Plaza February.
aims to present a new approach to medical care in New
Jersey. Last December, the Consul General Ma. Theresa
Dizon-De Vega launched Fashion Arts for Autism Benefit, in
The concept of a multi-service medical facility in a cooperation with Autism Hearts Foundation, which seeks to
commercial venue was adapted by Messrs. Florendo and raise awareness of autism in the Philippines through a series
Amatorio from a popular trend in the Philippines of having of activities in New York that includes a Fashion Show at the
medical consultation centers and facilities in mall Consulate General and an art exhibit at the United Nations
complexes. The idea makes access to medical care more later this year featuring pinya shawls decorated by children
convenient for members of the public. with autism.

Speaking at the opening of the Medical Plaza,
Consul General Theresa Dizon De Vega noted that this is an
idea whose time has come for residents of New Jersey and
shows the creative and resourceful entrepreneurial spirit of
Filipino-Americans. It is also a positive way for the Filipino-
American community to invest in their communities and by
doing so further elevating the Filipino-American presence in
the US.

In thanking the friends, supporters, clients, and
staff, Mr. Florendo and Atty. Amatorio emphasized the need th rd
for Filipino-Americans to make their presence felt in the (L-R) Consul Felipe Carino III (6 from left) joins Ms. Cherry Smyth (3 from
right), founder and Chair of Kids Philippines, during the Gala event where
economic life of their respective communities and to be sponsors and supporters of Kids Philippines Inc. were recognized for their
involved in commercial ventures with a positive impact on contribution that directly benefits impoverished school children in the
the community. Philippines.