My Personal Connection to the Philippines

The Philippines has been my adopted home since 1981—a country of turquoise waters, fragrant sampaguita blossoms, resilient communities, and extraordinary warmth. It was here that I, an Italian American public-health psychologist, EMT and businesswoman, first discovered the work that would shape my life.

Long before Boracay became an internationally known tourist location, I traveled throughout the islands, sailing from north to south and learning from the island communities I moored into and visited. Along the way, I became closely connected to four young women—Emilita, Emalda, Nora, and Mylen—supporting their education and helping their small island school obtain much-needed curriculum materials and supplies. Through these experiences, I fell in love not only with the Philippines, but also with the deeply meaningful work of helping communities grow, thrive, and create new possibilities.

That early commitment led to a lifelong international career with UNICEF, socially conscious healthcare organizations Accenture, nonprofit institutions Benetech and Marie Stopes International (MSI), and mission-driven businesses InfoMedAsia and Life Line Rescue, located in the developing world. Later in my career, I became General Manager of the Malo Clinic Spa at The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel. There, I oversaw the development of one of the largest dental spas of its time—a comprehensive 85,000 sq ft wellness spa that included a dental implant division and a general dental clinic.

It was during those years that I came to understand how profoundly dental health affects a person's overall well-being. I saw that millions of people in Western countries, including my own, could no longer afford essential dental treatment. Many were living not only with discomfort and deteriorating health, but also with the quiet loss of confidence that comes when they no longer feel comfortable smiling.

Kekala grew from this realization and from my enduring connection to the Philippines. Like the single white sampaguita flower at the heart of our identity, Kekala represents purity, simplicity, trust, and renewal. We connect people with excellent, accessible dental care in the Philippines while supporting them through every stage of their journey. Our purpose is simple but deeply personal: to renew smiles, restore confidence, and help every client move forward with a renewed sense of possibility.