I am Maria Luisa Cedro-Cruz. My family calls me Babes but my friends know me as Maria or Marilou. I was born in Manila, and grew up in Butuan City, southern part of Mindanao, Philippines. My father,a retired City Judge, is Santos Rodriguez Cedro of Surigao City, Mindanao. My mother is Milagros Nofies Cedro. She is from Laong, Samar in Visayas. I am the second of 11 siblings. I attended elementary school at Butuan Elementary, high school at Agusan National High School, and college at San Carlos University and Southwestern University, Cebu City. I have a Bachelors Degree in Commerce, major in Management.

I have been married for 18 years to Jose Gilberto Cruz, Amang to his family and peers. He is from Angat, Bulacan Philippines. We are raising four children namely: Ian, a working college student, Jan Nicole, and Sherri, both high school students and play violins in orchestra. The youngest is Joseph Cruz, a 7th grader, football player and he plays cello in orchestra.

I migrated to the US in 1982. I finished pre-nursing course in Texarkana Community College (TX) and also Medical Assisting in Dallas Texas. Both trainings provided me with the necessary skills to be into the medical workforce. I am currently a fulltime employee as a Lead Support Wellness Secretary of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation. My job entails providing assistance to card holders in order to promote awareness of the health care wellness programs. I am also a Certified Cardiac Monitor Technician/Unit clerk, in ICU unit at Richardson Regional Medical Center. I have been in this institution for 13 years.

I was convinced by a closed family friend, Enrico Frando, to join PCCI in its major fund raising project, Mrs. Philippines of North Texas (MPNTX) 2009-2011. Ricos encouragement and the realization on my part made me decide that now is the opportunity to show my support to the community organization in its noble mission in helping the less fortunate people here and in the Philippines. My beneficiary for this fundraising drive is my high school Alma Mater, Agusan National High School. My visit to my former school was pivotal in making my choice. I noticed the lack of essential educational resources such as, modern books, computers, electrical gadgets and others necessary materials that can help provide better education to the students. I hope I get all the support I need in raising funds for my beneficiary.

Abraham Lincoln once said,  whatever you are, be a good one. I will strive hard to be good, if not the best, in carrying out my role as a Lead Fund-raiser.

A million thanks from the bottom of my heart!