Drs. Emilio and Fely Quines are 2014 PIDCI grand marshals
The Quines couple known for their ‘strong leadership and giving nature.’ Photo by Rolan Gutierrez
Drs. Emilio and Felicisima Quines were selected grand marshals after a month-long nomination process overseen by the Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. (PIDCI), which organizes the annual parade. Both had been presidents of the Philippine Medical Association of America (PMAA) and are active medical mission volunteers.
In accepting their selection, Emilio – also known as Boy to family and close friends — and his wife, Fely, said they are accepting the “challenge.”
“We belong to the medical profession. We’re trained as physicians and that’s what we do best. So we offer and volunteer our best to do the most good, to serve our community in particular, and serve humanity in general,” the couple said in a statement.
Emilio was born in Baguio City and grew up in the town of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur. He finished his Doctor of Medicine at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay (UERM) in 1966. He migrated to the United States in 1967, where he finished his U.S. trainings in rotating internship, medical residency and fellowship at various medical institutions. He worked for the Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center and Martin Luther King Jr. Community Health Center. He also served as attending physician and associate clinical professor at NYCOM. He is now retired and devoting most of his time to community service and his family.
Fely David-Quines was born in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. She too finished her Doctor of Medicine at the UERM in 1968. She migrated to the United States in 1968, where she finished her U.S. training in medicine at NJ College of Medicine, and additional residency and fellowship for adult and geriatric psychiatry at Downstate SUNY Brooklyn and Kings County Hospital. Currently, she is an attending physician at the Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry SUNY Downstate-Kings Hospital.
The Quineses are blessed with two sons and a daughter: Emilio III, Alan and Lisa.
“I first thought that the search process would be pretty daunting, but it turned out to be pretty easy, especially when the nomination papers of Drs. Quines reached my desk,” said Olivia David, chairperson of the PIDCI Search Committee. “The Quineses stood out during the public nomination process.”
PIDCI officers, led by President Fe Martinez, former Overall Chair Nelia Ferrette, and Consul General to New York Mario de Leon, Jr., welcomed the new grand marshals to a December 13th dinner reception held at the consul general’s residence.
“I’ve known the Quineses for 25 years,” said Ferrette. “They were then presidents of PMAA. I remember they both showed strong leadership during the medical and dental mission in Cabanatuan City. Both have warm personalities and giving nature.”
The parade grand marshal is one of the highest honors bestowed by PIDCI annually to an individual (or a couple), recognizing their leadership qualities, outstanding personal achievements, and contributions to the Filipino American community.
The Quines couple joins the ranks of 23 accomplished individuals/couples who have served as PIDCI grand marshals: They are Dr. Rebecca “Dolly” Rivera (2013), Dr. Prospero Lim (2012), Dr. Edita and Nick Libramonte (2011), Dr. Zenaida and Benjamin Santos, Sr. (2010), Dr. Teofila Malanum Santos (2009), Monsignor Oscar A. Aquino, JCD (2008), Dr. Emmanuel M. Pangan (2007), Dan de Guzman (2006); Dr. Linda R. Pelayo (2005), Engr. Rudy Quiambao (2004), Fe Martinez (2003), Jean Lobell, Ph.D. (2002), Dr. Vivina Malantic (2001), Dr. Raul Sala (2000), Joanne D. Benitez (1999), Loida Nicolas-Lewis (1998 Philippine Centennial), Libertito Pelayo (1997), Manuel Aldana (1996), Deacon Gary Villanueva, MD (1995), Dr. Estela Gonzales (+) (1994), Dr. Alice Francisco (1993), Ric Crudo (+) (1992) and Lilia Clemente (1991).
[…] Dr. Emilio Quines and his wife Fely, also a doctor, are a private couple not used to the limelight. They are quite uncomfortable being called a ‘power couple’ being this year’s Grand Marshals who will lead a large Philippine Independence Day Parade on Madison Avenue on June 1. […]