Aurora Cudal

Aurora Soriano Cudal was awarded a Plaque of Recognition by the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple for being " A Lady of Distinction" during the Philippine Republic Centennial Celebration in 1998. She was the Co-chair of the Philippine Centennial Celebration in San Diego.

Biography
Born on July 12, 1933 in San Carlos City, Pangasinan to illustrious parents, Justice of the Peace Lauro P. Soriano and Andrea Tizon Guzman, one of the pioneers of Rural Health Nursing in the Philippines. married on June 12, 1955 to Winlove Abello Cudal from Malaybalay, Bukidnon. Blessed with seven bundles of joy, namely, Mary Ann Cudal de Ocera (married to Rev. Horace Wilson de Ocera) Aurora Cudal Soriano (married to Jonathan Soriano) Winlove Cudal II, Arwin Gideon Cudal (married to Theresalynn Soriano), Maj. BenHur Cudal (married to Dr. Lilibeth Celera) Charles Gordon Cudal (married to Rhoda Tayag), Sharon Rose Cudal (married to Gerard Pangilinan)Blessed with 19 grandchildren and 2 greatgrandchildren.

Education
* BSE Major in Health and Physical Education, University of the Philippines (UP) Class 1952., CPH Class 58, Dr. P.H , UP Institute of Public Health (completed academic requirements).

Career path
* Teacher of health and physical education at the Pangasinan School of Arts & Trades (1952-1953);
* Public Health Educator, Oslob Cebu, Provincial Health Educator, Province of Cebu, Regional Health Educator (for Training) Regional Health Educator (Administration);
Health Education Adviser, Bureau of Disease Control; Sr. Health Education Adviser, Bureau of Disease Control;(1953-1971)
* Chief, Division of Preventive Education & Community Information, Dangerous Drugs Board; (1972-1978);
* Executive Director, Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Disabled,
* Action Officer: National Commission Concerning Disabled Persons, (1979-1980)
* Chairperson, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Manila Central University;(1981-1988) College Secretary, College of Medicine, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM),
* Director, Center for University Extension Service, PLM;
* Executive Director, PLM Concern Foundation.(1988-1992)

Fellowships and Consultancies
* UNESCO Fellow on Drug Education (Denmark, Netherlands, France & Switzerland),
Short Term Consultant WHO (Geneva, Switzerland) Colombo Plan Bureau Drug Education Adviser (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Hongkong);
* UN Fund On Drug Abuse Control Advisory Committee (Vienna, Austria);
* Director, UNESCO Traveling Seminar On Problems Related to the Use of Drugs (Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia)

United Methodist Church Involvement
* Conference Lay Leader, Philippine Annual Conference; Chairperson, Board of Christian Education and Communications;
* President, Board of Women’s Work, Philippine Central Conference;
* Alternate Delegate, General Conference, National Coordinator, Services and Projects, Women’s Society of Christian Service;
* World Secretary, World Federation of Methodist Women (1991-1996)

Landmark Accomplishments in the Philippines
* One of the first 10 Public Health Educators in the Philippines, one of the pioneers in modern public health education and the first public health educator in the Province of Cebu (1953-1955);
* first health educator to work among the Hansenites, spearheaded the celebration of Leprosy Control Week with the theme: “Give Hansenites A Break In Society”;
* authored and organized the first celebration of National Drug Abuse Prevention Week;
* organized the First National workshop on Drug Abuse Prevention Education and the first Interagency Committee On Drug Abuse Prevention Education.
* Awarded the first fellowship in drug education to study drug abuse prevention and control in Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland and France;
the first travel grant to the United States under the US State Department and the Council of International Programs
* Awarded the Most Distinguished Alumna for Education In Public Health by the UP Institute of Public Health Alumni Association. Elected President of the Organization of Public Health Educators in the Philippines.
* The first non-medical Chair of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine.
* Wrote the concept papers on the establishment of the Center for University Extension Service and the PLM Concern Foundation and became the first Director of this two units, in concurrent capacity. Obtained a one million pesos grant from the McGovern Foundation for the PLM College of Medicine and another million pesos grant from the President’s Social Fund to support health and social amelioration projects for the poorest of the poor in the City of Manila.
* Migrated to the United States and settled in San Diego, California in December 1992
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA ==
* Authored the project proposal to established the first Filipino Help Center (TULUNGAN CENTER) which was subsequently approved by the Commission On Religion and Race of the United Methodist Church. Became the Executive Director of the project. (1993-1995)
Volunteered as Executive Director of Council of Philippine American Organizations of San Diego County, Inc. (1995)
* Appointed as Community Outreach Coordinator of Operation Samahan Health Clinic. (1995-1999)
* Elected as Member of the Board of Directors, COPAO. (1996)
* Elected as Chairperson of COPAO in 1997-1998.
* Co-Chair, Philippine Centennial Celebration in San Diego County (1998).
* Designated as Chair, NaFFAA, Region 10
* Appointed as Member, City Mayor’s Asian & Pacific Islanders Advisory Board
* Elected as President, Council of Philippine American Organizations of San Diego County, Inc. (2003-2004)
* Appointed as Member, Parks and Recreation Board, City of San Diego. (2004)
* President, San Diego Scripps Lions Club.(2004-2005)
* Founding member, California Women's Empowerment Network (2005)
* Founding member, Filipino American Community Empowerment Network (2005)
* Co-Founder, Filipino American Development Initiatives, Inc.
* Commissioner, Housing Advisory Commission, City of Chula Vista

Church-related Activities
* Lay Member, California Pacific Annual Conference (1994-1998)
* Church Lay Leader, (1998-2001)
* Chair, Staff Parish Relations (2002-2004)
* Chair, Church and Society Committee (2005-2006)
* Co-Chair, Administrative Council, First United Methodist Church of National City, CA

Awards

* Outstanding Community Leader by Congressman Bob Filner.
* Citizen of the Month (August, 1997) Congressman Bob Filner.
* Lady of Distinction, Scottish Rite Temple Celebration of the Philippine Centennial.
* Woman of the Year (March, 1999), California Assemblywoman Denise Moreno Ducheny
* Emilio Aguinaldo Leadership Award - (One of the first awardee) Cavite Association
* Proclamation of Aurora Cudal Day in the City of San Diego on July 12, 2003.by Mayor Dick Murphy
* Church Lay Leadership “Eagle” Award - First United Methodist Church of National City.
* Outstanding UP Alumni for Community Service, UP Alumni Association of America Convention and Grand Reunion, October 2004, Houston, Texas.(Numerous plaques of recognition from the San Diego Executive Lions Club and San Diego Scripps Lion Clubs)
* Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila/University of the City of Manila
* Fellow on Health Journalism, University of Southern California, School of Communication. (Oct. 2006)

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu