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A Generous Heart426535823693 Dr. Geraldine Gomez-Pinder By Pearl Gomez-Ontalan Growing up with my older sister, Manang Ge (as I fondly call her), was filled with fun, excitement and admiration. Being 7 years my senior, she became my doting baby-sitter. I have 3 older sisters and 1 brother (youngest): Marilyn Ruth (deceased), Eleanor Rose, Geraldine Victoria and the youngest, Alfredo Gomez, Jr. We were raised by loving parents, Alfredo R. Gomez, Sr. and Ruth Quebral in a Christian environment.I often tagged along her during her high school days in UP Prep at Padre Faura and college days at UP Diliman. I got to know all of her bosom friends as well as her suitors. They were all very friendly, sweet, talented and dynamic people. I enjoyed hearing them blend their voices to sing those old favorite ballads of Joan Baez and folk songs of the 60’s. I also admired her dramatic skills evident since her grade school and high school years and through college as she acted on the stage at UP Baguio City, one summer, when she took summer classes there. I was mesmerized as she played the role of a newlywed bride in the one-act play entitled “Here We Are!” Manang Ge also has a wonderful singing voice as she played the role of a Princess in the musical “Once Upon A Mattress” at UP Abelardo Hall. She also sang in our church choir. She inherited my mom’s vocal talent. Mom was once the vocal soloist of the Manila Symphony Orchestra. It was during those years that I started to develop my love for the arts and culture.The early part of the 60’s were daunting years of the growing Filipino nationalist movement. My Dad became Councilor of the 4th District of Manila and then ran for Vice-Mayor of the City of Manila. In the midst of the evolving progressive political scenario, we, his children, saw ourselves actively getting involved in advocating for change. We joined the political protest rallies marching towards Malacanang and the US Embassy. Then a devastating interruption occurred in our family life. Suddenly, on April 6, 1968, Dad suffered a massive fatal heart attack. We were all grief-stricken as Dad passed on to glory at the young age of 54. Manang Ge had just finished her 2nd year at the UP College of Medicine. She thought of quitting her medical schooling due to financial hardship but fortunately, my Lolo Quebral, (maternal grandfather) came forward to financially support her medical studies. She also became the recipient of the Winthrop-Stearns scholarship grant after winning an award on a research paper that she submitted on her 4th year in medical school. So her dream of becoming a medical doctor became a reality in the Spring of 1971. I know that Dad would never have let her quit, recalling that in her high school years, she thought of pursuing a nursing career to become a missionary nurse. But it was Dad who saw her great potential and encouraged her to become a doctor instead. It was a proud moment for my Mom, my grandparents and all of us.When my sister left for the United States of America to pursue her medical career, I missed her so much. I would often write to her about my own personal struggles juggling my job and school work. She was always very supportive and even introduced her American nurse friend, Sharon Hannold to me as my pen pal. As I entered my 3rd and 4th year college years in the Institute of Mass Communications at UP Diliman in the mid-70’s, she would often send me packages of Avon products, new bed sheets for my dorm room at the Sampaguita Dormitory, chocolates and monetary support. She once wrote to me “never give up and always be proud of your work because there is dignity in labor”. As the years went by, she had always thought of returning to the Philippines after her residency. But the Lord had greater plans for her. Fate had her meet her future husband, Godfrey Pinder, who was then a Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Surgery Fellow at Temple University Hospital Center in Philadelphia where she was also pursuing her anesthesiology residency. It was not until the Christmas season of 1980 when my sister came home to the Philippines to visit, together with her husband and first daughter, Caroline, that we were reunited. By that time, I was also married with one son, the same age as Caroline.It was in the fall of 1984 that my husband and I decided to come to the USA. My sister welcomed us wholeheartedly to live with her family. We enjoyed blending our extended families together in peace and harmony by the grace of God. Our children bonded closer to each other as they grew up to be responsible adults. It is such a tremendous asset to have in-house doctors. There was a time that my oldest son got into an accident while playing basketball in grade school. He was immediately attended to by my brother-in-law, the surgeon and assisted by my sister, the anesthesiologist. What a relief that was!I can boast about my sister’s kindness and generosity. She has opened her home to us in a way that my family will remain forever indebted to her. But her generosity also extends to others. Since 1986 until the present time, she continues to serve UPMASA passionately and unselfishly dedicates her time, money and energy to everything she does. And she does the work with such tenacity, competence and perseverance. She has served as Chair of the Membership and Biographical Data committee, National Auditor, National Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair and President of the NJ/NY/CT Chapter. Along with her husband, Dr. Godfrey Pinder, she joined the medical missions for 5 years and once coordinated the mission held in Silay, Negros Occidental in 1998. She was Assistant Editor of the UPMASA 25th Year Commemorative Book, edited and published 2 UPMASA National Directories. She was President of the Mu Sigma Phi Foundation from 2006-2008 and has been a Board Member of UPMASA from 1995 to the present. In 2013, at the AGC in Hawaii, she was honored with the Meritorious Service Award to UPMASA.However, adversity struck her in 2008 when she was first diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy and her renal function started deteriorating slowly since then. She could no longer actively volunteer for the medical missions. But her love and dedication to UPMASA has never wavered. In fact, it gave her increased desire and motivation to use her talents and skill to serve as National Treasurer from 2009-2013. She single-handedly modernized the accounting system of UPMASA with her advocacy for employing computerization and accounting software to streamline the finances of UPMASA. With the introduction of the QuickBooks accounting software, she implemented a uniform system of data and bookkeeping collection across the board. Currently, she continues to serve as the Finance Committee Chair on her 4th term as such, with her characteristic zeal and fervor. The Lord continues to bless her with renewed strength as she recovers from her recent kidney transplant last August 9, 2017. God had blessed her with a living donor - our beautiful, generous niece, Pearlie Palma (daughter of Eleanor) who turned out to be the perfect match. I admire my sister’s indomitable spirit and abiding faith in Jesus Christ.With a grateful heart, I humbly dedicate this poem to my loving sister:G - a Generous Heart. God has abundantly blessed you spiritually and financially. In return, you have always wholeheartedly shared your blessings with others.E - Exquisite. You are delicately beautiful inside and out in God’s eye. As well as esteemed to distinction by your family, friends and colleagues in the medical profession.R - Radiant. You are filled with happiness, joy and love. God’s character radiates in you.R - Reborn. Your life journey is marked by a new creation in Jesus Christ as you have become such a good and faithful servant, glorifying our Father in heaven.Y - Yielded. You have surrendered your life to God. Even in your golden years you continue to produce good results as you give selflessly to charitable and noble causes. Dr. Geraldine Gomez-Pinder, 1971 is a very well-known dedicated UPCM alumna and UPMASA officer. Her presidency in the Chapter was from 1997-99. She is in the process of updating activities of her term. She is a retired anesthesiologist. She had been very active in all aspects of UPMASA governance. She went up the ranks. Her name is mentioned in many pages of our chapter website, especially in activities in the National level. Soon after her Chapter term, she was Nat’l auditor 1999-2001, Chair of Membership and Biodata Committee 1994-1999, then 2001-03, Vice Chair of the BOG 2005-07, Chair of the Finance Com 2005-09, and Treasurer, 2009-2012. She has been the Finance Committee Chair again for many years now. Our sound financial health is due to her hard work that sharpens through the years. She trains and consults with chapter treasurers in Quick Books Accounting App. She was recognized, and received the Meritorious Service to UPMASA Award in 2013. Her husband Godfrey, daughter Caroline, sister Pearl Ontalan and others, are also very dedicated to do UPMASA functions. They were awarded the “Presidential Above and Beyond Family of the Year” recognition in 2018 by Nat’l Pres. Jun David. Gerry’s husband, Dr. Godfrey Pinder is a TCVS Surgeon, a reliable life partner and staunch dependable auxiliary to UPMASA activities. He is an art lover from an early age. He is a member of the SPAA- Society of Philippine American Artists. This is his artist page on the SPAA Gallery's website for the photographs he submitted for last October 18, 2020 opening exhibit: ?’s Page- File description, detailed in link00Artist’s Page- File description, detailed in linkcentertopAt right front, seated, Daughter Caroline, Board Trustee0At right front, seated, Daughter Caroline, Board Trustee999517229044500977900121920Photography: “Just Born”0Photography: “Just Born”10414004197985001129030189230Photography: “Cloud Write”0Photography: “Cloud Write”1055259610596600Search shared to GGP, edit by F.S. 1/15/21 ................
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