THE COSMETIC SURGEON WITH A HEART FOR OTHERS

“In this life, I don’t just want to be measured and remembered as someone who has great possessions. I want to make sure that I am part of a great legacy and that is why I fell in love with Rotary from day one – because it is changing and will continue to change humanity for the better.”

Dr. Alonzo did not stop his career as a full time cosmetic surgeon. Instead, he decided to share his expertise by reaching out to the needy people in the community.

When he saw the rising need of many people in his area, he decided to make his move and contribute his part by being an active member of the Rotary Club. He said joining Rotary is also his other way of bringing back his blessings in the medical profession. "I have been an active Rotarian for 25 years,” he relates proudly.

Dr. Alonzo reveals that public service is a family tradition. “It is something I have learned from my parents and something that I want to pass on to my children.”

Dr. Alonzo’s induction as Rotary Club Timog’s Millennium President in 1999 brought a significant milestone achievement in their organization. His rod of steely determination enabled him to revive his club from a weekly attendance of 8-10 members to a number of more than 24 active bodies weekly.

His presidency not only touched the lives of his co-members, but has touched his as well. He confessed that it taught him great leadership lessons learned the hard way. He admitted that his patience was tested a lot of times. Instead of being deterred by circumstances, he pushed through with his overwhelming desire to respond to the needs of his community. Even if it means shouldering a large percent of the expenses, Dr. Alonzo would give generously what he can in order to extend healthcare services to the depressed and deprived communities the Rotary Club is helping in.

Dr. Alonzo actively participated in many dental and medical mission opportunities that came across his way. Having a big heart for the elderly and the handicapped, he spearheaded the donation of wheelchairs, medicines, food and adult diapers to the paraplegic patients of St. Camillus Home of Charity. He also extended the same service to the cancer patients of Philippine Children’s Medical Center and the handicapped children of Elsie Gaches Village. This endeavor was recognized and awarded by Rotary District 3780. “I don’t consider that recognition as an achievement, it is just a bonus to our own achievement which is seeing the happy faces of those we have helped,” Dr. Alonzo cleared out.

After serving as Rotary President, he was entrusted with other different key positions in the district such as: District Chairman of the Human Development Committee from 2003 to 2004, District Rotaract Chairman and Service to New Generations Chairman in R.Y. 2004-2005. After that, he was chosen to be the District New Generations Chairman for R.Y. 2005-2006. Now in 2013 he was the Vice Chairman in Youth Service and Governors Aid Team.

If asked what his motivation is for investing himself in such a worthwhile endeavour, he bares, “I have so much to thank the Lord for. This profession has been very good to me and to my family. I believe there is much more than being a cosmetic surgeon. I realized that a lot of our less fortunate countrymen needs more than superficial beauty. And yes, beauty comes from within. When you see a child who once had a harelip and can now smile after a free surgery, it makes you feel good. Or if there is a beggar who can't chew because he needs a set of denture and now has been provided with one; it lightens your heart. Or if a poor woman with glaucoma has been given a free eye check-up and reading eyeglass, it gives you fulfilment too.”

The country needs more surgeons like Dr. Alonzo who knows how to give back his blessings by being a blessing to others through what he does best--- his science and his craft. It is not everyday that a cosmetic surgeon with a big heart for other people is born. With that, Dr. Alonzo can be considered as a rare gem with a rare beauty that stands out brightest in his field. “This is what I call real beauty because you have helped transform the lives of the seemingly helpless," he added.

water project at Aita’s community	packing goods for typhoon victims

• District Chairman – Youth Service – 2010 to 2013
• District Chairman – International Service - 2009
• District Assistant Governor, RY 2007 - 2008
• Club Chairman – Community Service & Membership Dev. 2006-20007
• District NOMCOM Member – 2006
• District RYLA Chair - 2006
• District New Generation Chairman – 2005-2006
• District Officer of Rotary Int'l - Community Service, QC, 2005-2006
• Chairman - Medical Mission of Rotary Club of Timog, QC, 2005-2006
• Member – District Community Service, 2004-2005
• District Rotaract Chairman – 2004-2005
• Vice Chairman – New Generation – 2004-2005
• Co-Chairman – Rotaract Discon – 2004-2005
• Club Chairman- Rotaract – 2004-2005
• District Chairman - Human Development Committee- 2003-2004
• Club Chairman, Membership Development - 2000-2005
• Member – District Health Committee & Task Force Dengue Region. 2, District Selection Committee (out bound) – 2000 - 2001
• President – Rotary Club of Timog, 1999-2000
• Others

• President of Elite Radio Group, 1990-1992
• Member Pugad Lawin, 1989-1991
• Member Philippine Media Practitioner Association, 1989
• Officer of Quanzho Tan Chinese Association, 1975-1999
• Member of Pag-ibig sa Diyos Catholic Community, 1981-1990

• Medical & Dental Mission – Project 4 Q.C. – yearly project
• Sagip Pandinig Project – Tomas Morato Elem. School, QC – yearly
• Christmas with Cancer and Indigent Patient – Philippine Childrens Medical Center,Quezon City – yearly project
• Medical & Dental Mission – Bry. San Isidro Labrador, La Loma, QC -11/18/07
• Sagip Pandinig Project – Servant of Charity, Philand, Tandang Sora, QC-11/12/06
• Lecture Series - Trinity College, Quezon City – November 12, 2005
• Medical & Dental Mission – Bgy. Damayan Lagi E. Rod Ave. QC -10/22/05
• Araw ng Kabataan, Alay ng Rotary – QC Hall, September 25, 2006
• Interact Leadership Training – Rotary Center - September 10, 2005
• Medical & Dental Mission – Minalin Pampanga – August 17, 2005
• Sagip Pandinig Project – San Bartolome Elem School – July 29, 2005
• Medical & Dental Mission - Marinduque- June 13, 2005
• Medical & Dental Mission – Sual Pangasinan – May 15, 2005
• Outreach St. Camillus Home of Charity – Marikina City – May 8, 2005
• Medical & Dental Mission – Coron, Palawan – April 15, 2005
• Sagip Pandinig Project – San Bartolome Elem. School, QC – March 1, 2005
• Bayanihan Project for Winnie & Yoyong Typhoon victims - Dec 3. 2004
• Medical Dental Mission – Brgy. Salvacion, La Loma Q.C. – Oct. 16, 2004
• Medical Dental Mission – Project 4 Q.C. – September 6, 2004