Valencia Family
The Valencia Family is a small but deeply grounded household known for its quiet dedication to service, education, and creative work. Unlike the historic dynasties that often dominate Manila’s elite social circles, the Valencias built their life through professional discipline and strong family loyalty rather than inherited wealth.
The family is led by Atty. Alfie Valencia, a pro bono lawyer who dedicates much of his legal work to representing individuals who cannot afford proper legal defense. Rather than pursuing a high-profile career within corporate law or political circles, Alfie chose a quieter path that reflects his belief that justice should remain accessible to everyone.
His wife, Dr. Harriet Valencia, is a licensed dentist who runs a modest dental clinic while also maintaining a life as a visual artist. Her clinic is located across the street from one of the hospitals operated by the Olazabal Medical Group, an accidental proximity that would later lead to the families becoming acquainted.
Together, Alfie and Harriet created a household environment defined by curiosity, discipline, and warmth. Their home life is often centered around shared meals, long conversations, books, and creative work. Science and art coexist naturally in the Valencia household, shaping the worldview of their daughter, Stella Marienne Valencia.
Stella grew up surrounded by both her father’s deep sense of justice and her mother’s artistic sensitivity. This upbringing helped cultivate her quiet intelligence, empathy, and habit of observing the world carefully rather than competing loudly within it.
The Valencia family’s connection to the Olazabals began through Dr. Valencia’s dental clinic. One of the earliest encounters occurred when Diana Olazabal visited the clinic as a child for treatment. Stella, then seven years old, spent much of her time drawing quietly by the window while her mother worked.
Years later, Stella and Diana would meet again under very different circumstances during a rural health mission organized by the Olazabal Foundation in Tabogon, Cebu following a devastating storm.
Dr. Valencia had volunteered as part of the dental outreach team, and Stella accompanied her during the mission. Inside temporary treatment stations set up in a coastal public school, Stella helped organize supplies, guide patients, and assist volunteers working to restore healthcare access for the community.
During those days of humanitarian work, Stella and Diana developed a genuine friendship that continued long after the mission ended.
Over time, the relationship between the Valencia and Olazabal families grew through shared meals, informal gatherings, and occasional family trips. Despite their different social backgrounds, the connection between the two households remained warm and natural.
The Olazabals eventually recognized Stella’s academic promise and character. Through the Olazabal Foundation, she was awarded a scholarship grant that allowed her to enroll at Saint Claire International School.
While Stella’s life at Saint Claire would later become complicated by friendships with some of the school’s most influential students, the Valencia household itself remains unchanged.
Within their modest home, the same principles continue to guide the family: quiet work, intellectual curiosity, compassion for others, and loyalty to the people who matter most.