Mdme. Fe Lagrosa Hermosa

by Ting Joven-Giovanelli

Timeless!

A woman of style and achievement. Elegant with a lot of class. Madame Fe has graced the covers of our local magazines quite a few times but every time she does, she brings something new to it. I have featured her a number of times in a few outlets, yet, she continues to amaze readers with her grace and elegance. Going over her well organized and journalized mementos in her home always reminds me of the need to have our own Philippine museum here in Chicago. Her compilation of early pictures and stories of their life – from their humble beginnings to the present – arranged in chronological order is priceless.

When I asked her what’s new in her life, she seriously answered: “I am now in the medical business. I own CVS and Walgreens pharmacy and I also have several doctors and specialists on my payroll.” I had a big laugh. She hasn’t lost her sense of humor. She still goes to her Chair Aerobics twice a week and Yoga once a week. That is what keeps her looking young and strong.

Born Fe Esperanza Caridad Lagrosa in the beautiful island of Cuyo, province of Palawan, this eldest of six, showed the potentials of success and entrepreneurship early on in life. Graduating Salutatorian in Elementary and Valedictorian in High School, she pursued and obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from the University of Santo Thomas.

Before embarking on a new life in the United States, she was the Chief Pharmacist at the Philippine Chemical Laboratories. In the U.S., she worked as a Medical Technologist at the Presbyterian St. Lukes Medical Center. She then moved on to become the Laboratory Manager at the Ravenswood Hospital Medical Center.

After an early retirement from her profession, she co-founded the Hermosa Travel with her husband, Mariano Hermosa. Years before that, Fe and Mariano ventured into buying real estate – one building at a time, and self-managed up to 13 buildings at one time. Their growing real estate portfolio did not hamper them to become a leader in the travel industry. She made sure she was always one step ahead of her competition. She pursued excellence by completing all the necessary requirements for Cruise Lines International Association’s Cruise Counselor Certification Program and has attained the title Master Cruise Counselor. With her extensive training and experience in the travel industry, her clients are always assured the best service. Booking your travels with Fe means “being in good hands”.

Fe and Mariano sold Hermosa Travel a few years back, and had also liquidated all their real estate holdings, but being, that Travel business is in their blood, they created Cruise & Tours, The Experts and continued to travel all over the world over and over. In the past, she maintained a regular personal advice column and Travel Guide in the Philippine Time News Magazine.

Success and fame, did not change their outlook in life. In spite of having achieved the American dream, they have not forgotten to share their blessings. They have helped facilitate the immigration process of not only relatives but friends and other people. She and her husband co-founded with Drs. Henry and Nela Cordero, the Palawan Medical Mission Group. To this date, even after the passing of her husband, Don Mariano Hermosa in 2009, she continues to play a major role in the fund-raising events of the Mission. For years, she was an active volunteer member of the Des Plaines Ladies of the Elk and became its President in 1995. She is one of the strong supporters of her church, not only as a volunteer but also financially.

She has been recognized and honored for her achievements not only in her profession and the travel industry, but also as a philanthropist and her taste in fashion. She was one of the first Filipino Women honored by Philippine Time , USA as one of the Prism Awardees for Women of Style and Achievement. She received in 1991 the Business Woman of the Year Award from the Registry of Who’s Who of American Business Leaders. In 2002, she was honored as one of the Fashionable Filipino Women of Chicago & the Midwest by the late famous fashion designer Hermie Sanchez. She has modeled in Fashion shows by Hermie Sanchez and acclaimed Philippine designer, Toni Galang. In 2003, she received the Premier Marketing Award in Travel Sales from the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Chicago. In 2011, she received the Golden Life Achievement Award from the Chicago Philippine Lions Club. She was honored as a High Profile Woman in 2011 by FashionNFashion.