Melanie Marquez: "It's time to give back"

CEBU, Philippines - The former Miss International loves to do charity works, oftentimes in private. July 16, 2009 proved to be another memorable day for Melanie Marquez. 

Again, instead of spending her birthday in luxurious venues, she chose to celebrate it with about 200 inmates of the Correctional Institution for Women. Apart from the “salo-salo,” she gave some morale-boosting pointers as well as an inspirational message to the inmates.

Melanie said, “There’s nothing more encouraging, inspiring, and hope-giving than letting these people know that they are cared for and they are not alone.”

Earlier, she shared this occasion with her media friends through an intimate lunch at The Green One Events Venue in Mandaluyong City, hosted for her by her Psalmstre New Placenta family, headed by her close friend President and CEO Jim Acosta.

In one of her interviews, Melanie said, “Now, I realize that I’m here to accomplish a God-given mission. And it takes a dedicated effort to become a better person every single day.”

As birthday wish, Melanie wants to be happy all the days of her life. For her, striving to death to become wealthy is nonsense because “wealth is never a material thing; peace of mind is the greatest treasure.” (Rich M. Salibay)