I have been blessed so much by my friends, family and my community. I cannot hoard these blessings. Blessings are like water. If you let the water stay still, it becomes stagnant, stale, stinky, and rotten. But if the water is allowed to flow, it becomes a stream that is refreshing, abundant, and life-giving. Providing free dental services in the Philippines and volunteering through Lions are my ways to share my blessings with others in pain.
I actually get blessed more than the folks I serve especially when I see a person who has been suffering for a long time and finally get relief. One time, there was this truck driver who came to me and he had been suffering for 6 months from a toothache. I asked him why he did not get it taken out. It only costs 100 Philippine Pesos (or $2 US dollars) at the municipal (community) dentist. He told me that with 100 Pesos, he could buy 3 kilos of rice and feed his family for 3 days. He would rather suffer with the toothache than let his family starve. It really opened my eyes to how impoverished a lot of people in the Philippines are. To think that this person has to decide whether to suffer from a toothache or let his family starve. It really broke my heart. After providing dental treatment to this truck driver, he was very appreciative and I could see the relief on his face. Moments like these always reaffirm why I became a dentist, and it just shows the immense need in 3rd World countries like the Philippines.
- Dr. Lazaga has volunteered to help in the community through Lions Club International.
- She is a charter member of San Diego Premier Lions Club.
- She has been a Lion for more than 15 years since 2007.
- She has organized, fundraised and provided more than 10 Free Medical & Dental Missions in the Philippines.
- Raised money and organized Multi-club Lions Diabetes Awareness Walk in San Diego.
- Past President of San Diego Premier Lions Club 2014-16.
- Past Chairperson of San Diego Lions Scholarship Foundation 2018-19 (A 501(c)3 organization that provides scholarships to students heading to college).
- Past Lions Valley Zone Chairperson 2016-17.
- Taught Sunday School at the Children Ministry of her local church.
- Current club project: Creates Prayer caps for those with Cancer. She calls them prayer caps instead of chemo caps because at the same time she prays for the recipients.
