Former city councilor Fe Ruiz passes away

Former city councilor Fe Mantua Ruiz -who owned a chain of dermatology clinics in Cebu City - succumbed yesterday morning to lung cancer at the Perpetual Succour Hospital.

Ruiz, a medical doctor by profession, was city councilor for nine years and headed the council's committee on health.

It was Ruiz who proposed for the creation of a Tent City for the celebration of the feast of Señor Sto. Niño every January, where container vans are set as temporary shelters for devotees from other places outside the city.

After serving the city for three terms, Ruiz went into business with her daughter, Dana Ruiz-Sesante who also served as city councilor.

Ruiz Derma, the mother-daughter business, started as a skin clinic in 1989 and later expanded with spa and beauty salon services.

Ruiz was the president and chief executive officer of Ruiz Derma and Spa, which have outlets in malls in Cebu City.

Ruiz finished her medical studies in 1962 and got married the following year to a dentist, the late Jesus Ruiz.

Upon the prodding of Mayor Tomas Osmeña and a former mayor, Alvin Garcia, Ruiz ran for councilor and won in the 1992 elections.

Fe, as her friends fondly called her, was born to Leyteño parents - Rufino Mantua and Remedios Bardos.

Her remains would be taken to the family house on Bayabas Street in barangay Mambaling where the wake would also be held. - Rene U. Borromeo