Beautiful heart, inspires doctor to care for others

The Hinigaranon of America, Inc. (http://www.hinigaranon.com/) presented the Heritage Award to Dr. Anacleto B. Millendez for his humanitarian and philanthropic endeavors last June 23, 2007 at the New Otani Hotel in Los Angeles, California, USA.

By Emman Cena (Philippine Daily Inquirer, April 15, 2007)

SHE'S A SMALL WOMAN, JUST a bit over five feet tall had she been able to stand. But the years and illnesses had left their marks on her body. She is frail with skin taking the complexion common to the elderly. Her eyes are watery but her lips are always ready to part in a smile at the smallest hint of pleasure.

Teary-eyed, this was how Anacleto Millendez described his 81-year-old ailing mother to whom he dedicated the Beautiful Heart Foundation Inc., an institution he had put up in 2005 in California.

"Doc" too many people, the 47-year old medical doctor said that his mother was his inspiration in the 2-year-old charitable group that helps communities in his home town Davao.

"This is dedicated to the most important woman in my life. To my mother, Corazon Belleza, who taught me what it means to care for others," Anacleto told the INQUIRER in an interview.

For some years now, his mother has been undergoing medical treatment for hypertension and other ailments that come with old age, he said.

Gone are the days when his mother would gleefully and tirelessly engage in small talk with her family. She'd now rather sit in a corner staring at every one around. "But she can still recognize us and her grandchildren," Anacleto added.

"I know she would be happy if she only knew how far the group has gone," said Anacleto, the youngest child of Corazon Belleza and Francisco Millendez of Hinigaran, Negros Occidental.

He said that growing up in a brood of seven wasn't at all a big deal since they were raised equally.

"She has shown throughout her life the kindness and care for others, and her deep sense of faith in God as an inspiration for the seven major thrusts of this foundation," he said.

"We were raised with the right amount of discipline, taught how to care for others. It is only right to give back to people what care my mother had given us" he added.

The foundation has extended its help even to the far-flung villages and towns in Davao.

Since its inception, the BHFI has conducted medical missions, mostly in the Mindanao region.

Not only did the foundation conduct medical missions. It has also helped in developing students in Davao by giving them free training programs and seminars workshops in fields like singing and dancing.

The foundation has staged shows in Davao showcasing the skills and talent of students in the workshops. A program, "The Beautiful Heart Show" has also been produced and aired over Davao's Sky Cable Channel 28 featuring the foundation's talents and models. Corazon Belleza, Anacleto said, is Spanish for "beautiful heart." Thus, was the name of the foundation.

The group has seven thrusts, dubbed C.O.U.R.A.G. E. The acronym, he said, represent him and his six siblings-Care for the sick, elderly and dying; Offer free education and training; Uplift people from poverty; Restore the dignity of death; Accept donation and raise funds; Gather people to unite for a common cause; and Empower people towards good governance.

The foundation has benefited a lot of people down South. But the success, he said, did not come easy.

"There was a time when I ran out of personal funds and had difficulties soliciting support from other people," he said.

But through the help of the Filipino community in Sunnyvale , California , and some friends he was able to put up with the difficulties and was able to solicit support from Filipinos worldwide.

The decision of migrating was "all for my family," said Doc Anacleto, referring to wife Eleanor Campo, a registered nurse at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Redwood City, and two children, both now in their elementary grades in California. His eldest, Cyril is 12 years old while daughter Kathleen is 8. The two are at the top of their class in Catholic elementary school in Sunnyvale .

Anacleto graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree major in Humanities at UP in 1982 and earned his medicine degree at the Manila Central University in 1986.

Doc Anacleto is finishing a book about his mother, titled "A Beautiful Heart," targeted to be launched in time for Mothers' Day. He has decided to stay in Davao while going on regular visits to family in California .

These days, Doc said he's busy campaigning in the first district of Davao as congressman. He, however, allays speculations that the foundation was put up in order to gain support and to secure a good number of votes in the coming midterm elections.

"I guess I did a Vilma Santos here. I was only egged on by the people and running was not really on my to-do list, but I finally gave in," he said.

Dr. Anacleto B. Millendez, President

The Beautiful Heart Foundation, Inc. www.beautifulheart.net