Olivia V. Yanson (2nd from left) cuts the ribbon at the inauguration of the College of Allied Medical Health Sciences building at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletes in Bacolod City with her children Ginnette Dumancas and Leo Rey Yanson, and Fr. Bernard Amparado (l-r) Tuesday.*Ronnie Baldonado photo
The Yanson Group of Bus Companies matriarch Olivia Villaflores Yanson led the turnover of a three-storey building she donated to the College of Allied Medical Health Sciences of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletes (UNO-R) in Bacolod City on Tuesday morning, March 4.
The matriarch of the largest bus company in the country was accompanied by her children, Ginnette Dumancas and Leo Rey Yanson, at the inauguration and blessing of the Dr. Olivia Villaflores Yanson College of Allied Medical Health Sciences Building at the UNO-R campus.
“This three-storey building will provide another venue for the medical and health sciences students in pursuing their dreams to become lifesavers of our country – the unsung heroes of modern times,” Yanson said in her speech at the turnover rites.
“My heart is filled of joy seeing this building come to its fruition, but, honestly, I am not comfortable seeing that statue staring back at me and that acrylic signage with my name hanging on the building,” said Yanson in reference to a bronze statue of her in front of the building.
“I do not like any fanfare and publicity. I am just a simple person from Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, with aspirations to help the needy,” she said.
Yanson said she is simply driven by the saying “Lord, let me do now what I can do to help those you send to me today, because I may not be here tomorrow’.
She told the medical and health sciences students present that she was once like them.
“I am a registered nurse by profession but God gave me a bigger purpose. I realized that my mission in life is to help the sick and comfort the weak. These humanitarian works are closest to my heart because it gives me peace and solace knowing that I touched the lives of many people who cannot afford efficient medical care,” she said.
She told UNO-R President Fr. Joel Alve that she was entrusting the building to his care.
“Make this building a second home for the future medical practitioners and instill in their hearts and minds the love and service to their fellowmen. So that, one day, when they go out to see the real world they will impart humanitarian service to our less fortunate brothers and sisters”, Yanson said.
Alve thanked Yanson, whom he called a dedicated advocate for healthcare education, and her family for the donation.
Olivia V. Yanson with UNO-R officials and her family at the turnover rites.*Ronnie Baldonado photos
The state-of-the-art facility donated by Yanson will provide their students with modern classrooms, unconventional laboratories, and clinical simulation centers, Alve said.
It will also house research centers where faculty and students can conduct innovative research that will push the boundaries of allied health sciences, Alve said.
“May God bless Dr. Olivia Villaflores Yanson and her family for their generosity and may God bless all of us with the best opportunities as we formally open the doors of this building to everyone. May this building be a place of inspiration and learning for all who enter its doors,” he added.
Fr. Bernard Amparado, Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, lauded Yanson for her legacy of kindness and mission towards creating a better world.
The College of Allied Medical Health Sciences student council and faculty also thanked Yanson for her donation.
The marker at the foot of Yanson’s statue states that the building will stand as a beacon of hope in nurturing aspiring nurses, medical technologists, pharmacists, and other health care professionals.*