Claire Frando-Mania: The Singing Dentist

Lucy Oblena and Claire Frando

DALLAS, May 21, 2009 / — Soft voiced and mild mannered, it is hard to imagine that Claire Frando-Mania can project her voice from one end of the Guadalupe Shrine Cathedral to the other. But, she does that without effort with her soprano singing voice.

A member of the Cathedral Chorale of the Cathedral Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe here in Dallas, Claire Frando-Mania made her debut on stage last Sunday, May 17th, during the Fr. Gilbert J. Graham Memorial Concert.

On a combined performance of Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de Confessore, K. 339, with orchestra and soloists Lucy Tamez Creech, soprano, Natalie Arduino, mezzo-soprano, Del Howard, tenor and Jason Awbrey, bass, Claire Frando-Mania together with the Diocesan Choir and Cathedral Chorale were background singers.

A Filipino diaspora who moved here in Texas a little less than two years ago, Claire Frando-Mania was a dentist in Manila who worked at Manila Public Health Department while also having her own practice. A widow, she sent her two children to college, her elder daughter earning a degree in Nursing and her younger son chose to become a dentist like his mother.

Claire Frando-Mania

Her children grown and successful in their fields of endeavor, Claire’s decision to immigrate to the United States was unexpected. Her father who was a member of the U.S. Army during World War II brought his whole family here in Texas during the 1970s. Claire, who was already married during that time decided to stay in Manila.

Two years ago, a “long ago” petition for her was finally approved. She almost did not go, but Claire’s mother who is now 92 years old whom Claire had not seen for over 20 years became the deciding factor. Packing her bags, Claire boarded the plane bound for Dallas, Texas to be with her mother.

Claire continues to be a medical practitioner here in Dallas. When not at work or spending time with her mother, Claire is at the Cathedral Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe practicing with the choir or doing other church activities.