The Journey to Founding WE Foundation

UERM 2022 Convention in San Francisco

In 2022, during the UERM Alumni Convention in San Francisco, my husband, William, and I, learned about an inspiring story. A priest had enlisted the help of the UERM Alumni Foundation through Dr. Ric Flores and Dr. Myrna Ortega, both of whom are dedicated alumni, to help an indigent adolescent patient in Palawan. This young boy had an enormous tumor on his jaw and desperately needed surgical care. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Flores and Dr. Ortega, and the support of the UERM Alumni Foundation, the patient received the complicated and costly surgical and medical care he needed.

This touching story stayed with us, reminding us of the immense impact that dedicated individuals can have on others' lives. In 2023, we had the opportunity to meet Dr. Flores and Dr. Ortega again during a medical mission in Pangasinan. During our conversations, they encouraged us to reach out to Fr. John Vien Nguyen, the priest from Palawan who had been pivotal in the young boy's care.

Our curiosity was piqued, and in late 2023, we arranged a video call with Fr. John. His passion and commitment to helping his community were evident, and we were deeply moved by his work. This led us to plan a visit to meet him in person.

In January 2024, we traveled to Culion, Palawan, and met Fr. John in person. This meeting was a significant turning point for us. Seeing the community's needs firsthand and witnessing Fr. John's unwavering dedication inspired us to partner with him and form a nonprofit organization. This encounter marked the beginning of a meaningful collaboration.

WE Foundation was incorporated on March 21, 2024 and was approved for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status by the IRS. We proud to partner with Fr. John to support his projects in Culion, providing the resources and backing needed to turn his vision into reality.