VIA Times Filipino American Lifestyle and Culture in the Greater Chicago Area
Carmencita C. Floro is an outstanding community leader whose strengths and perseverance she traces on her life’s humble beginning. She was born and raised from a small town in the northern part of Luzon called Narvacan, Province of Ilocos Sur. At her very young age, she always dreamt of becoming a nurse, not only to help people but nurture the sick. She had a vision of herself wearing white nurse’s uniform. Carmencita followed her dream of becoming a nurse, with the unwavering support of her family, most especially her brother, Conrad. After taking her initial pre-nursing requisites at the University of Sto. Thomas in Manila, she went to Sta. Teresita School of Nursing in Quezon City to complete her nursing course. She eventually completer a BS in Nursing degree from the Philippine Women’s University. Carmencita’s graduation from nursing school opened her to a window of greater opportunities. She was blessed with the chance to come to America as a nurse. She got a nursing employment offer at a healthcare facility in a little town of Refugio in Texas. She had major adjustments made and experienced a lot of culture shock as she settled in her newfound land – America. Strong-willed as she is, and driven by her desire to chase her American dream, Carmencita was able to adapt and assimilate in American way of life.
After a few years of living in Texas, she found her way to Rock Island, Illinois. She found and got married to the love of her life – Jaime and started a family that brought them a son, who is Jeff. Jeff and his wife Rowena currently lives in Hongkong. Carmencita said that she was blessed with plenty of opportunities in Illinois. She has stayed in her current employer since October 1974. She is currently the Administrative Patient Care Supervisor at the Unity Point Health Trinity, which is formerly the Franciscan Medical Center in Moline, IL. Carmencita has a heart of a passionate leader. She said “our motherland still remains in my heart, I always thought of preserving, fostering, sharing and promoting our Filipino culture and heritage for the generations to come.” She became a member of the Filipino-American Association of Illinois-Iowa since 1974. She has served the organization as secretary for a number of years, and became the President for 4 years from 2009-2012. Her leadership and involvement in community intercultural events had paved the way for Fil-Ams in Iowa to get positive recognition. As a strong and respectable leader, Carmencita is well-supported in the community. She is currently an active member to the Executive Board of the Fil-American Association of the Illinois/Iowa QCA. She is the chairperson, mentor and performer of one of the most vibrant cultural performers in the Quad City Area, the Filipino American Performing Artists of the Quad City Area. Since the group was organized way back in 1976, they have been invited in numerous cultural events and community festivals around QCA and out of state. Carmencita is an active member of the Kalipunan Organization, a Pilipino association which provides humanitarian and civic services to the community, such as the Habitat for Humanity and Medical Missions to the Philippines. Carmencita shares her Chicago Hall of Fame Award for Outstanding Community Leadership National Award with her family, who has been her inspiration and source of support, to her extended family here in Iowa – Filipino American Performing Arts QCA, Filipino American Association of QCA, Kalipunan, Unity Point Health Trinity, VIA Times columnist-writer, Ryan Tejero and Via Times Publisher, Veronica Leighton for this prestigious award of a lifetime! I also extend my heartfelt congratulations to my other co-recipients of the 2013 Chicago Filipino American Hall of Fame Award! Mabuhay Tayong Lahat! Ms. Floro was nominated by Mr. Ryan Tejero.
