Cosmetic surgeon to receive ‘Ulirang Ina’ award

The National Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Foundation has chosen cosmetic surgeon and businesswoman Dr. Pacita Gonzalez as its "Ulirang Ina" awardee for 2005.

Gonzalez, 64, is scheduled to receive the award on May 8. She is married to Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez. They have five children.

The eldest, Raul Jr., is a 43-year-old lawyer and former congressman of Iloilo City.

Jose Mari, 42, is connected with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s National Council for the Welfare of the Disabled Children.

Dennis, 41, earned a doctorate in theology, summa cum laude, at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. He chairs the National Book Development Board and is a professor of theology, public sector ethics and business ethics.

Marigold, 40, is a cosmetic surgeon while 36-year-old Mary Charmaine Gonzalez-Castillo graduated magna cum laude with a degree in medicine from the University of Sto. Tomas and topped the medical licensure examinations in 1994.

Gonzalez has three grandchildren — Carl Vincent, Mary Kathleen and Sophie Grace.

Gonzalez studied in Iba Elementary School and Zambales National High School, then went on to earn a degree in medicine at the University of Sto. Tomas and specialize in cosmetic surgery.

Her father, the late Dr. Nestorio Trinidad, was a three-term mayor of Iba, Zambales. Her husband is a three-term congressman for Iloilo City and held the post of Deputy Speaker for the Visayas from 2001 to 2004.

Gonzalez herself ran and won as congresswoman in the 2nd district of Zambales, serving from 1987 to 1992. During her term, she was vice chairman of the House committees on health and education.

She was also cited by the Unified Movement of Filipino News Correspondents as one of the top 10 lawmakers.