PUP-PCC First Global Alumni Reunion USA 2016

2016 Outstanding PUP Alumni
Loi Ms. Herrera Loi Herrera
Many of us hear a little voice inside us wanting to help. But
few take actions. That’s what makes Ms. Loi Herrera
exceptional. She turns her vision into reality.
In 1996, Loi felt that God was directing her to give something
back to her country. However, she had no idea what it was she
needed to do. For several years the feeling stayed with her –
growing fervently everyday – until in 2002 it suddenly
dawned on her what she can do to make a difference.
Living in the United States made her aware that most children
here are pampered with toys, and they take their privileged
childhood for granted while oceans away, there are thousands
of kids who never held a toy. In the Philippines, there are
hundreds of bedridden children in the charity wards, who
undergo painful medical tests, whose underprivileged lives
need only a simple toy to cheer them up, inspire and give them
hope. Thus, from this observation sprang an idea, to give
these children toys to make a difference in their lives.
Loi then immediately set her vision into action. She started
collecting toys – both used and new – from friends, relatives,
co-workers and acquaintances. She contacted and partnered
with Forex Cargo for them to sponsor shipment of the boxes
of toys to the Philippines. Thus, in 2002, Loi’s Toy Drive
Project was born. Philippine General Hospital (PGH) was her
first beneficiary, which received three boxes of toys for
distribution to sick children. In due time, her project earned
the support of many in the Filipino-American community. Ten
years later, Loi successfully shipped 100 balikbayan boxes
containing 10,000 pieces of toys that benefitted 10,000
children in 10 government hospitals in the Philippines that
include: PGH, Ospital ng Maynila, Jose Reyes Memorial
Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, Philippine Orthopedic
Hospital, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National
Children’s Hospital, Tondo Hospital, East Avenue Medical
Center, and Quezon City General Hospital. Whenever there’s
any toys extra, they were taken to other beneficiaries in
depressed areas, where kids are always hoping to receive toys.
But even as toys donated by supporters poured in, Loi realized
that toy giving was not enough. She wanted to do more for the
children. Therefore, she founded the Guardian Angels of
America Foundation (GAAF) in 2006, a non-profit charitable
organization with a 501C3 status and launched the following
projects: 1) Toy Drive 2) Feeding Program 3) Free Medicine
Project and 4) $1 Souvenir Money (to inspire the kids to study
and multiply the dollar).
In 2012, she also started the Hydrocephalus Project to take
care of children suffering from hydrocephalus, a medical
condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of
cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Without proper medication,
kids suffering from this condition die. It cost $500 per kid to
purchase the shunt needed to surgically treat this condition.
Loi is a graduate of Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Class of 1974, with a BSC-Accounting degree. She is an
MBA candidate at Pepperdine University. A single mother,
Ms. Loi Herrera has two daughters; Dr. Marisse Herrera
married to Dr. Kevin Oei and Sheryl Nguyen, an entrepreneur,
married to Vance Nguyen with two beautiful children Alexis
and Angelo. For years she worked as an accountant for a
Japanese-owned firm responsible for million-dollar wire
remittances to Japan and wire transfer funding to numerous
branches in the US and worldwide. A few years ago, she
retired from her lucrative job to concentrate for a more
fulfilling work with GAAF.
Currently she serves as the 1st President of PUPAA-USA and
VP-Budget & Finance at Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce-
SLAA. She’s the past President of PHILSELA and past Asst.
Treasurer for Project Vietnam. She is an Event Coordinator, a
Wedding Planner, a Fundraising Specialist, a Concert Producer
and works part-time as a Pre-planning Advisor at Rose Hills
Memorial Park. A devout Catholic, she serves as a Eucharistic
Minister at St. Linus Catholic Church and joined the
Handmaid of the Lord in 2012 and Mahal na Poong Nazareno
group in 2015.
She does her community and philanthropic works with passion
and dedication and expects nothing in return, shunning awards
as much as possible. The community, however, recognized
her many contributions for which she received the 2011
Community Service Award from the Fil-Am Chamber of
Commerce-OC; Humanitarian Award of the Year 2007 from
Reflections LA; Phil-Am Expo Leadership Award in 2006;
1994 & 1996 Ballroom Dancing Competitor-American Dance
Competition; 1987 Service Excellence Award from Citicorp
Phils.; and 1984 180 Club Bowling Champion from Citicorp
Philippines.
PUP/PCC ALUMNI USA 1ST GLOBAL REUNION 21