| Sally Talabis Mejia, M.D. Baltimore, Maryland Dedicated Community Leader |
Many Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in Baltimore and its
neighboring counties and cities, including the District of
Columbia, have been wondering that whenever they attend a Holy
Mass or social functions at the oldest basilica in the United
States, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of
the Blessed Virgin Mary, there is a close similarity to the
traditions practiced in the Philippines. Often times, the legions of
Filipinos participating in various functions at the Basilica are
noticeable. The Filipino positive and traditional treats are visible.
However, the individual or group of individuals responsible in
duplicating the activities, including the “alay ng bulaklak sa
Virgin” every month of May, are anonymous.
But such low profile approach and the refusal to admit that the
good deeds need to be extolled came into light when Dr. Ben
Oteyza of Bel Air, Maryland, a 1993 TOFA awardee, strongly
nominated Sally Talabis Mejia to be one of the 1999-2000
awardees of the Twenty Outstanding Filipino-Americans in the
United States and Canada.
We’re quoting almost verbatim Dr. Ben Oteyza’s nomination
letter: “ Sally Talabis Mejia is a graduate of the University of Santo
neighboring counties and cities, including the District of
Columbia, have been wondering that whenever they attend a Holy
Mass or social functions at the oldest basilica in the United
States, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of
the Blessed Virgin Mary, there is a close similarity to the
traditions practiced in the Philippines. Often times, the legions of
Filipinos participating in various functions at the Basilica are
noticeable. The Filipino positive and traditional treats are visible.
However, the individual or group of individuals responsible in
duplicating the activities, including the “alay ng bulaklak sa
Virgin” every month of May, are anonymous.
But such low profile approach and the refusal to admit that the
good deeds need to be extolled came into light when Dr. Ben
Oteyza of Bel Air, Maryland, a 1993 TOFA awardee, strongly
nominated Sally Talabis Mejia to be one of the 1999-2000
awardees of the Twenty Outstanding Filipino-Americans in the
United States and Canada.
We’re quoting almost verbatim Dr. Ben Oteyza’s nomination
letter: “ Sally Talabis Mejia is a graduate of the University of Santo
Tomas (UST) College of Medicine who practices pediatrics. She is a widow of another physician, and she
raised her children through hard and trying times. Despite these challenges, she managed to be in the
forefront in civic and humanitarian activities for Filipinos, and also brother and sister Americans, both here
and in the Philippines. She is what I would call, a diamond in the rough, with a big heart of gold. She has
also dedicated limitless time and energy for her faith. She is Third Order Carmelite, regular retreatant and
devotee to Mother Seton, Emmitsburg. She has adopted the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin Mary as her own parish and works hand-in-hand with its rector and pastor. She sings
with the Basilica choir and has been pushing hard for the weekly (every Saturday afternoon) Novena to Our
Mother of Perpetual Help at the Basilica . Santo Nino Council, K of C (Knights of Columbus) started one
Saturday, and now it is every Saturday, through Sally’s efforts, which since last year, now includes the month
of May floral offering (paalay, in Tagalog) by the young children of our community of faithfuls.” (End of Dr.
Oteyza’s letter.)
From friends and numerous reliable sources in Baltimore, we later found out that Sally Mejia is one of the
spearheader, if not the innovator, herself, of so many worthwhile projects that definitely highlight positive
Filipino image in Baltimore, as well as in other areas.
Thus, it is not surprising whenever the Baltimore Basilica calls on Sally for assistance on any of its
endeavors, Sally always deliver the goods as one of the Basilica parishioners confided during a recent
interview. She belongs, and some claim it was Sally who initiated in organizing the group, to a closely-
knit association she calls “Blue Ladies.” It is composed of Sally’s most dedicated volunteers who
unselfishly render “pro bono” services to the Archdiocese of Baltimore under Cardinal Keller, archbishop of
Baltimore. In addition to the “Blue Ladies,” Sally can count on members of the Mejia-Sanchez-Bravo family
clan,, residing mostly in Maryland, New York, Louisiana, and California. All of them lovingly and highly
speak-well of “ Manang Sally’s” generosity, indefatigable work-habits, first-rate organizational and
management skills, and other positive superlatives in describing their “Manang.”
Sally was one of the first member of the large clan to come to the United States in 1964. She came o take up
residency training in pediatrics and graduate studies in modern medicines and medical techniques. She
was initially affiliated with Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, then joined Harriet Lane Clinic of John
Hopkins Hospital where she was assistant pediatric resident, and later a Fellowship in Pediatrics from the
same world renowned John Hopkins. From 1969 to 1973, Sally was the Assistant Director of the Greater
Baltimore Medical Center. After her hospitals’ stints, in 1973 up to the present, she started a successful and
thriving private practice.
From 1964 when she arrived in the States, she started fulfilling her lifelong desire to pave the way for her
eleven brothers and sisters as well as other relatives, mostly from San Nicolas, Pangasinan, to migrate to
the United States. During a typical annual gathering of the Sons and Daughters of San Nicolas
(Pangasinan) Association in America, one can be overwhelmed with Sally’s large clan in attendance. One
of Sally’s brothers, Dr. Augusto “Tito” Mejia-Abad of Greenwell Spring, Louisiana, was a 1995 TOFA
awardee.
Sally is the daughter of Dr. Mariano F. Mejia and Mrs. Remedios Sanchez. Gifted with academic success
since the beginning of her education, Sally graduated with high honors in elementary at age 10, and
from high school at age 13 from Red Arrow High School in San Nicolas, a school founded by her father.
Relocating to Manila for college education, she finished Pre Med in two years, and acquired her degree in
Medicine Doctor (MD) at a very young age of 20. She had to wait for a year to meet the 21-year old requirement
by the Philippine government before she was allowed to take the government’s examinations prior to
issuance of medical license. The next four years involved several transitions: pediatric residency under the
instruction of the famous Dr. Fe del Mundo; and marriage in 1962 to her college sweetheart, also a
physician. Sally is blessed with four adult children: Raymond, Mary, Joann and Reynaldo. (NM)
raised her children through hard and trying times. Despite these challenges, she managed to be in the
forefront in civic and humanitarian activities for Filipinos, and also brother and sister Americans, both here
and in the Philippines. She is what I would call, a diamond in the rough, with a big heart of gold. She has
also dedicated limitless time and energy for her faith. She is Third Order Carmelite, regular retreatant and
devotee to Mother Seton, Emmitsburg. She has adopted the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin Mary as her own parish and works hand-in-hand with its rector and pastor. She sings
with the Basilica choir and has been pushing hard for the weekly (every Saturday afternoon) Novena to Our
Mother of Perpetual Help at the Basilica . Santo Nino Council, K of C (Knights of Columbus) started one
Saturday, and now it is every Saturday, through Sally’s efforts, which since last year, now includes the month
of May floral offering (paalay, in Tagalog) by the young children of our community of faithfuls.” (End of Dr.
Oteyza’s letter.)
From friends and numerous reliable sources in Baltimore, we later found out that Sally Mejia is one of the
spearheader, if not the innovator, herself, of so many worthwhile projects that definitely highlight positive
Filipino image in Baltimore, as well as in other areas.
Thus, it is not surprising whenever the Baltimore Basilica calls on Sally for assistance on any of its
endeavors, Sally always deliver the goods as one of the Basilica parishioners confided during a recent
interview. She belongs, and some claim it was Sally who initiated in organizing the group, to a closely-
knit association she calls “Blue Ladies.” It is composed of Sally’s most dedicated volunteers who
unselfishly render “pro bono” services to the Archdiocese of Baltimore under Cardinal Keller, archbishop of
Baltimore. In addition to the “Blue Ladies,” Sally can count on members of the Mejia-Sanchez-Bravo family
clan,, residing mostly in Maryland, New York, Louisiana, and California. All of them lovingly and highly
speak-well of “ Manang Sally’s” generosity, indefatigable work-habits, first-rate organizational and
management skills, and other positive superlatives in describing their “Manang.”
Sally was one of the first member of the large clan to come to the United States in 1964. She came o take up
residency training in pediatrics and graduate studies in modern medicines and medical techniques. She
was initially affiliated with Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, then joined Harriet Lane Clinic of John
Hopkins Hospital where she was assistant pediatric resident, and later a Fellowship in Pediatrics from the
same world renowned John Hopkins. From 1969 to 1973, Sally was the Assistant Director of the Greater
Baltimore Medical Center. After her hospitals’ stints, in 1973 up to the present, she started a successful and
thriving private practice.
From 1964 when she arrived in the States, she started fulfilling her lifelong desire to pave the way for her
eleven brothers and sisters as well as other relatives, mostly from San Nicolas, Pangasinan, to migrate to
the United States. During a typical annual gathering of the Sons and Daughters of San Nicolas
(Pangasinan) Association in America, one can be overwhelmed with Sally’s large clan in attendance. One
of Sally’s brothers, Dr. Augusto “Tito” Mejia-Abad of Greenwell Spring, Louisiana, was a 1995 TOFA
awardee.
Sally is the daughter of Dr. Mariano F. Mejia and Mrs. Remedios Sanchez. Gifted with academic success
since the beginning of her education, Sally graduated with high honors in elementary at age 10, and
from high school at age 13 from Red Arrow High School in San Nicolas, a school founded by her father.
Relocating to Manila for college education, she finished Pre Med in two years, and acquired her degree in
Medicine Doctor (MD) at a very young age of 20. She had to wait for a year to meet the 21-year old requirement
by the Philippine government before she was allowed to take the government’s examinations prior to
issuance of medical license. The next four years involved several transitions: pediatric residency under the
instruction of the famous Dr. Fe del Mundo; and marriage in 1962 to her college sweetheart, also a
physician. Sally is blessed with four adult children: Raymond, Mary, Joann and Reynaldo. (NM)
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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