OLIVIA V. Yanson (OVY), the 91-year-old matriarch of the prominent Yanson family — owners of the largest bus fleet in Southeast Asia — on Tuesday, March 4, unveiled her “signature project” aimed at enhancing healthcare services across the entire Negros Island Region.
The centerpiece of this initiative is a three-story building (cost undisclosed), equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities and technology. It houses the College of Allied Medical Health Sciences (CAMHS) at the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos (UNO-R) in Libertad, Bacolod, which has been named in her honor.
At first glance, the structure might seem like just another building, but there is something more beneath its modern exterior. It embodies strength, purpose, and the unmistakable essence of “Tatak OVY”.
Construction of this facility began in January 2024, and now it stands as a hub for cutting-edge classrooms, clinical simulation centers, and specialized laboratories. These facilities will allow both professors and students to engage in intensive scientific research, pushing the boundaries of allied medical and healthcare services.
The primary beneficiaries of this visionary project are the 2,206 students currently enrolled in the CAMHS program at UNO-R. Of these, 61% are nursing students, 27% are pursuing medical technology, and 12% are studying pharmacy.
However, this building is not only for those already enrolled. It is designed to cater to future medical and health sciences students, including those from outside the Negros Island Region, who are eager to pursue their dreams of becoming life-savers in the country.
TOUCHING LIVES
OVY, affectionately known as “Mommy Love” by many, is a nurse by profession. Despite being at the center of an ongoing intra-family feud involving her six children, she candidly shared that she has come to realize her true mission in life: to help the sick and comfort the weak, especially those who cannot afford quality medical care.
For her, touching lives through humanitarian efforts — such as donating a state-of-the-art school building for medical and health sciences students in Bacolod and Negros Occidental — brings her peace and solace. This work, she says, is closest to her heart. She emphasizes that any medical practitioner-turned-lifesaver is an unsung hero.
It’s a message that resonates deeply, a stunning reminder of the selflessness behind the profession — a message truly pleasant to hear. And she means every word she says.
Reflecting on the many challenges facing healthcare in the country, one of the most pressing issues is the inadequacy of training facilities. The lack of capacity in medical schools means we will continue to fall short of producing enough qualified healthcare providers to meet the ever-growing demand. As a result, many patients remain underserved.
To address this issue, we must invest in better medical and health sciences schools to help alleviate the significant shortage of skilled medical professionals in the country. We need the “best schools”, ones that are in tune with the current global trends, especially as digitalization continues to transform education and healthcare.
OVY’s signature project could be a potent solution to this problem. So, “Hail, the Queen!”
NURTURING ENVIRONMENT
Grateful for this one-of-a-kind donation, UNO-R President Reverend Father Joey Alve extended his thanks to the Yanson matriarch and, of course, to the entire Yanson Group of Bus Companies (YGBC), the largest bus fleet operator in Southeast Asia, for their generosity.
Alve noted that the completion of the OVY building marks a significant milestone in the history of UNO-R, particularly in their ongoing mission to provide students with the best possible education and resources to excel in the field of allied health sciences.
“This is a beam of hope,” said Carmela Gamlanga, the governor of the student council at CAMHS, referring to OVY’s donation.
Gamlanga continued, “This will also serve as a nurturing environment for us to learn, collaborate, and innovate as we pursue excellence in the field of medical and health sciences.”
I couldn’t agree more with the term “beam of hope”. It carries so much meaning. From Gamlanga’s message, it’s clear that with OVY’s building, students like her now have the opportunity to thrive beyond expectations in their studies and careers.
For her part, Sheila Plomines-Arnibal, the dean of CAMHS, shared that the Yanson-donated building will ultimately serve as a powerful platform for training future healthcare professionals—those who will embody the essential virtues of caring for people, families, and communities.
And truly, it will.
MONUMENT OF GOOD DEEDS
Reverend Father Bernard Amparado of the Order of Augustinian Recollects of St. Ezekiel Moreno also described OVY’s building as a monument to her good deeds, calling it a lasting legacy of her kindness.
“This structure is greater than herself,” the priest added.
CAMHS faculty representative Czarina Mae Ferrer remarked, “This is a gift of opportunity that will undoubtedly impact the future of healthcare.”
OVY, however, requested that her donated building be regarded as a second home for future medical practitioners, where they can nurture a love for service and care for their fellowmen.
“As they step into the real world one day, I hope they will carry with them the spirit of humanitarian service and extend a helping hand to their less fortunate brothers and sisters,” the nonagenarian Yanson matriarch shared.
NO FANFARE, NO PUBLICITY
On a more serious note, OVY made a remark that amused the crowd during the blessing and unveiling of her remarkable donation.
She shared that while her heart was filled with joy seeing the completion of her building, she felt uncomfortable with the idea of a statue of her and a signage bearing her name hanging on the building.
“I don’t like any fanfare or publicity,” she simply stated.
Oh, wow! It reminded me of the famous quote by the great Leonardo da Vinci: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” And indeed, OVY embodied this sentiment perfectly.
But while she may shy away from the spotlight, she cannot deny that her generous donation has compelled almost everyone at UNO-R to celebrate it.
Hence, mabuhay ang tanging alay ni OVY!/PN
