A Touch of Giftedness By Erlina Tribunal

A Touch of Giftedness

By Erlina Tribunal

The world is blessed with a visionary and a missionary in the person of  Mrs. Maria Christine Sacay Gabuya Brown.

Inspired by her commitment to serve her fellowmen, she showed a pro-active stance by being the founder and executive director of Filipino-American Magtinabangay Foundation, Inc. Such brain child is a non-profit public benefit corporation whose main purpose is to bring help, healing and hope to Philippine’s neglected children and families.

It was a blissful day for her parents when she was born on December 26, 1966.  Her proud parents Mr. Alfeo Ralph Gabuya and Mrs. Milagros Sacay Gabuya reared Christine well.  Though the Gabuyas are one of the prominent old rich tale Pardohanons, Christine was of low-profile.  She grew up in the Philippines, attended Colegio de San Jose-Recoletos from first grade to second year high school, graduated high school from the Holy Rosary School in Pardo, Cebu City.  She studied BS in Commerce major in Computer Science for three years in the University of San Jose-Recoletos.  In the US, she attended the National Business Academy in Van Nuys, CA and graduated with honors in Business Management and Computerized Accounting.  In Napa, she attended Napa Valley College and got an AS Degree in Business major in Accounting.  She was one of the pioneers in the Catholic Charismatic Youth Ministry Service and an active summer catechist.  She has had devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes and Infant Child, Sto. Niño.  She had her share of fame in beauty contests from our home grown Ms. Pardo and up to being crowned Ms. Ormoc.

As a product of a good family, she has a strong foundation of spirituality.  She is motivated to give something back to society because she is fortunate being surrounded by people she loves and by people who love her.

She is happily married to Cory Scott Brown who is an accountant.  They have wonderful children namely: the 14-year old Scott Thomas who is in 8th grade and the 12-year old Sarah Milann who is 7th grade.  Both study in St. John’s Catholic School.  A great mom, she has stayed home with her two children for seven years.  And she had no regrets because she spent quality time with them when they were young.  Undoubtedly, they have grown up full of love and happiness.

An optimist who sees every moment an opportunity, she started Brown’s Family Daycare in her home.  Then in 2004, she incorporated the business to include pre-school.  In addition to her daycare, she started Melrose Home Health Care Services, Inc.  (Melrose from Milagros which is her mother’s name).  The businesses involve the whole family who participates in day-to-day activities.  To improve herself more, she attends extra credit classes and meetings and joins workshops.

A woman of versatility, Christine has varied hobbies like photography, baking and cake decorations, cross-stitching, gardening, collecting Precious Moments, Dreamcicles, Partylite candles and accessories and many more.

As a sports enthusiast, she sponsored, supported and cheered sports league.  As a socio-leader, she became the former President of Filipino-American Association of Napa Valley from 2002-2004.

She leads a fruitful Christian life not only by church services but also by charity works.  These charity works include adopting families for Christmas, serving the homeless and being active in fund raising activities.

Knowing all of these, we can say that the life of Christine is a joy-filled life because she has made a lot of people happy through the gift of her person.  May she be the passion that inspires us to reach out for the glory of God.