| Venus Tumaneng Virginia Beach, Virginia Responsibility is a Philosophy that Enriches Life. |
One of my philosophies in life is “Responsibility.” To me,
responsibility means to balance all of our obligations and enrich
your life. It can be with your profession, community, and your
family. Responsibilities challenge you and in return open a lot of
opportunities. I am always driven by challenges and the
opportunity to excel, to learn, to gain experience, and to aim for
success and accomplishment. Growing up in San Narcisco,
Zambales, life was never rosy. Life was hard as I grew up in a
town where amenities were hard to come by. But I knew as a
child that I wanted to be a nurse. My friend’s sister who was a
nurse said to me, “you could never be a nurse.” With
determination, I challenged myself and my friend’s sister to prove
her wrong. To this time, challenges always motivated me, and I
believe that brought me to where I am today.
I am a graduate of the Far Eastern University School if Nursing in
1963. I arrived in the United States in 1964 through the Exchange
Program. After two years in New Jersey as an exchange nurse, I
married my husband, a navy man, and then moved to Norfolk,
Virginia. We had our only daughter in 1968. With a daughter and
a husband in the service, I had to contribute to the household
finances. I became a staff nurse for Lake Taylor Hospital and
responsibility means to balance all of our obligations and enrich
your life. It can be with your profession, community, and your
family. Responsibilities challenge you and in return open a lot of
opportunities. I am always driven by challenges and the
opportunity to excel, to learn, to gain experience, and to aim for
success and accomplishment. Growing up in San Narcisco,
Zambales, life was never rosy. Life was hard as I grew up in a
town where amenities were hard to come by. But I knew as a
child that I wanted to be a nurse. My friend’s sister who was a
nurse said to me, “you could never be a nurse.” With
determination, I challenged myself and my friend’s sister to prove
her wrong. To this time, challenges always motivated me, and I
believe that brought me to where I am today.
I am a graduate of the Far Eastern University School if Nursing in
1963. I arrived in the United States in 1964 through the Exchange
Program. After two years in New Jersey as an exchange nurse, I
married my husband, a navy man, and then moved to Norfolk,
Virginia. We had our only daughter in 1968. With a daughter and
a husband in the service, I had to contribute to the household
finances. I became a staff nurse for Lake Taylor Hospital and
Hospital and continued to work there for thirty years until the age of retirement. With the experience, I learned
the value of responsibility.
Filipinos are known to be hard workers, and with that trait and character, I used it to my advantage to get
ahead. Once given the responsibility and the willingness to work hard, your road to a successful career is
within reach. As a nurse, I navigated my success and overcame whatever stereotype I have encountered
earning my way to became a successful administrator of nursing. And, within these thirty years, with a
growing child in the family, I was also able to complete my Bachelor of Nursing from the Old Dominion
University. But, my biggest accomplishment is to get involved with the community. I did this because I felt
there was a need for Filipino-Americans to group and unite for a common cause. I feel that our presence in
the community must be felt by others. The responsibility is there and I must contribute to the cause. Since
197, I exercised my responsibility as a Filipino living in America by uplifting the image of the Filipino-American
in the community.
I was the President of the United Ilocano Association for two consecutive years, one of the biggest
organizations in Hampton Roads. During my term, I formalized and raised funding for youth performing arts
with a goal to introduce the culture and art of the Filipino folk dancing as a vehicle to be recognized in the
community. I served as a President of Philippine Nurses Association for two years. The position gave me the
opportunity to bring to Hampton Roads the Philippine Nurses Association of America Convention. I was
President of the Filipino Women’s Club, the oldest organization formed in Hampton Roads and had been in
existence for 40 years. The Filipino Women’s Club sponsors the Miss Philippines of Virginia.
The crowing accomplishment is my involvement and responsibility with the realization of the Philippine
Cultural Center in Virginia. The endeavor was a long struggle. The leadership met all kinds of odds.
However, the leadership was resilient and persevered. We were faced with the hardship of raising the
necessary funding. I capitalized in the Filipino value system, the value of recognition and handing down to our
family and grandchildren. With the notion of giving something in return, I came up with the Millennium
donation tree. The tree is made up of brass and is displayed in the lobby of the Philippine Cultural Center.
Each donor has their name engraved either on a leaf, a rock or a mango fruit. Each donor is being recognized
for giving to the Philippine Cultural Center. Since its inception, the tree has generated over $250,000 in
contributions and still the most popular means to our fund-raising to benefit our Cultural Center. I served as
the Executive President of the Council of United Filipino Organization for two years, and was in that office when
the Philippine Cultural Center opens its door in 2000. The cultural center now serves as a hub for various
programs to make a difference in the community.
As a nurse by profession and to meet the growing needs of our senior citizens, I also developed the Health
and Preventive Program coordinated through the alliance of the various health oriented members of the
Council of United Filipino Organizations of Tidewater. I have been a very busy person, but thoroughly loved the
responsibilities and the challenges that it brought. It is how you balance your obligations and responsibilities
that will ultimately measure your success in life. Hopefully, my two beautiful grandchildren, Lauren and
Madeline will be proud of their Grandmother’s accomplishments. #
the value of responsibility.
Filipinos are known to be hard workers, and with that trait and character, I used it to my advantage to get
ahead. Once given the responsibility and the willingness to work hard, your road to a successful career is
within reach. As a nurse, I navigated my success and overcame whatever stereotype I have encountered
earning my way to became a successful administrator of nursing. And, within these thirty years, with a
growing child in the family, I was also able to complete my Bachelor of Nursing from the Old Dominion
University. But, my biggest accomplishment is to get involved with the community. I did this because I felt
there was a need for Filipino-Americans to group and unite for a common cause. I feel that our presence in
the community must be felt by others. The responsibility is there and I must contribute to the cause. Since
197, I exercised my responsibility as a Filipino living in America by uplifting the image of the Filipino-American
in the community.
I was the President of the United Ilocano Association for two consecutive years, one of the biggest
organizations in Hampton Roads. During my term, I formalized and raised funding for youth performing arts
with a goal to introduce the culture and art of the Filipino folk dancing as a vehicle to be recognized in the
community. I served as a President of Philippine Nurses Association for two years. The position gave me the
opportunity to bring to Hampton Roads the Philippine Nurses Association of America Convention. I was
President of the Filipino Women’s Club, the oldest organization formed in Hampton Roads and had been in
existence for 40 years. The Filipino Women’s Club sponsors the Miss Philippines of Virginia.
The crowing accomplishment is my involvement and responsibility with the realization of the Philippine
Cultural Center in Virginia. The endeavor was a long struggle. The leadership met all kinds of odds.
However, the leadership was resilient and persevered. We were faced with the hardship of raising the
necessary funding. I capitalized in the Filipino value system, the value of recognition and handing down to our
family and grandchildren. With the notion of giving something in return, I came up with the Millennium
donation tree. The tree is made up of brass and is displayed in the lobby of the Philippine Cultural Center.
Each donor has their name engraved either on a leaf, a rock or a mango fruit. Each donor is being recognized
for giving to the Philippine Cultural Center. Since its inception, the tree has generated over $250,000 in
contributions and still the most popular means to our fund-raising to benefit our Cultural Center. I served as
the Executive President of the Council of United Filipino Organization for two years, and was in that office when
the Philippine Cultural Center opens its door in 2000. The cultural center now serves as a hub for various
programs to make a difference in the community.
As a nurse by profession and to meet the growing needs of our senior citizens, I also developed the Health
and Preventive Program coordinated through the alliance of the various health oriented members of the
Council of United Filipino Organizations of Tidewater. I have been a very busy person, but thoroughly loved the
responsibilities and the challenges that it brought. It is how you balance your obligations and responsibilities
that will ultimately measure your success in life. Hopefully, my two beautiful grandchildren, Lauren and
Madeline will be proud of their Grandmother’s accomplishments. #
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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