Alicia B. Dumlao
Alicia B. Dumlao was born to devout Methodist parents who had a zest for community work and had an early exposure to selfless service and Christian ministry. Growing up in Nueva Vizcaya, she witnessed how her parents served the marginalized in the community and often helped send poor but deserving individuals to school.
Alicia’s story in Silliman happened by chance. Her parents had graduated from the University of the Philippines, so she too planned to graduate from the premier state university. Eventually she found her way to Silliman when her parents, who happened to be good friends with the university president at the time, decided for her to get a Christian education of the highest quality. She finished her Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Medicine in 1969. She later earned her Doctor of Medicine from Southwestern University.
After she passed the board examination for physicians, she joined the Armed Forces Medical Corps – Philippine Air Force at Nichols Air General Hospital. Fresh from finishing her residency in Pediatrics and earning the rank of First Lieutenant, she was assigned as officer-in-charge of the Outpatient Department. Despite her busy schedule, she initiated various health projects for military dependents. She had a long successful career in the Philippines juggling many administrative, medical, and humanitarian roles.
In 1994, Alice moved to Sydney, Australia with her daughters. Continuing her ministry in the Land Down Under, she started as a Residential Care Medical Staff, tasked to treat and provide follow-up care to young people with physical disabilities in four Residential Care Homes. Alice is a long-time volunteer of Wesley Mission in its many community projects, e.g. the homeless adults and street kids.
Faithful to her calling, Alice has been actively involved in the healing ministry in the Philippines despite being in Australia. She organized and participated in the Aloha Medical Mission, and surgical missions in Bohol and Silay City. She is involved with a non-government organization covering mostly Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Cagayan. She participates in medical missions in the United Methodist Church, and supports pastors in Nueva Vizcaya and, a church in Leyte.
Alice is an active member of the Silliman University Alumni Association Sydney Australia Chapter, Inc. She personally visits the Talay Rehabilitation and Psychiatric Center and Silliman University Marina Mission Clinic and ensures regular support from the Sydney Alumni chapter.
Aside from her community work, Alicia is devoted to her family. As a working mother, she raised two daughters: Dianne, who is a community mental health nurse; and Donna, who works for the Heart Research Institute in Australia. Alicia also dotes on two grandsons.
