by Jose Carlo Marcellana Artiaga Φ2010
Dr. Mark Anthony Gingco Mariñas Φ1998, now a renowned surgeon in Dipolog City, entered the Venerable Fold in 1998 and graduated from the College of Medicine in 2003.
He was a renaissance man of sorts – a man of vastly diverse interests and talents. He was an ardent sportsman since his high school years and practiced taekwondo and wushu as a clinical clerk. He is also a painter, a graphic artist, a sculptor and avid photographer with many award-winning masterpieces in his portfolio. Also a musician, he plays the guitar, harmonica and the glockenspiel.
Brod Mark in one of his art exhibits (left) and with a Phi-inspired masterpiece (right).
On Phi Kappa Mu
Mark entered the Fraternity as a first-year medical student in 1998 with six others coming from different classes. Asked how he learned about and why he joined PHI, Mark told no sob story. As a direct entrant to the INTARMED program, he was already able to witness how PHI was active and visible in the College and meet members of the Fraternity, many of whom he admired. There was no question in his mind that he was going to be one of them. Mark knew who he wanted and did not want to be. “It was obvious,” he said.
Of the four pillars though, what he associates with the most is service. For Mark, being PHI means having an extraordinary life, a life lived not just for oneself but also for others. In committing yourself to service and to sharing your talents, you pass on a legacy.”
How has the Fraternity helped him in pursuing all his many interests? “The Fraternity was very supportive and encouraging with all my endeavors,” he answered. “It offered a natural avenue for me to practice and develop my talents.”
On student politics
With Brod Jose Ritzi Manigque Tiongco Φ1966, who himself was a student trailblazer during his time.
During his years in the College of Medicine, Mark was able to play an instrumental role in the shaping of the student political landscape through the founding of Katipunan.
In 1996, Mark decided to join the League of Filipino Students in UP Manila. Seeking to change the student government scenario back then to one which will best represent the UP Manila studentry, he along with other friends from student government formed the Katipunan Student Party. The response was overwhelming. The new political party upset the existing ruling group. “Early in the campaign we knew we would win,” Mark recalls.
“Everyone was an ally since we know that if you want to implement change, you can’t isolate anybody. You have to take sides and present your stand when you’re running in a political party, but once you’re elected to be part of the Council, your priority is the students. Once you’re elected, everything changes.”
Aside from playing a big part in its foundation, Mark continued to give significant contributions to the party and to the Council. He was the University Student Council first Councilor (for National and Local issues) in his second year medical school and the University Student Council Vice Chairperson when he was in third-year medical school. The original logo he designed for Katipunan is still the one being used by the ASAP-Katipunan Party Alliance of UP Manila up until now.
Asked what was the role the Fraternity played in his interests in student politics, Mark answers: “Phi was political, but unaffiliated. It supports whatever we believe was right.” He narrates how the brods were there to support him without him asking to. “It was a sign of maturity. People will follow you not blindly, but because of your stands.”
Even during Surgery Residency, he served as the President of the UP-PGH Physicians Association during his third year of residency and revived the organization with numerous projects (including the P.A. night and the P.A. office) that unified the many residents of the different departments under one strong and united block.
On the new Philippine General Hospital logo
Brod Mark’s entries to the PGH Logo Design Contest. The latter won and is currently used as the official logo of the Philippine General Hospital.
Almost all students who enter the hallowed halls of the Philippine General Hospital aspire of leaving behind a legacy. For Mark, he left PGH with an identity – its current logo.
Back in 2007, the administration of the Philippine General Hospital decided to re-design the hospital’s logo in celebration of its centennial year. A nationwide contest was made open to all who wanted to give face to the country’s premier health institution. There were hundreds of entries submitted by numerous artists, some of which were established professionals and veterans in logo making and design. To judge the many entries were experts in the arts themselves.
Initially, Mark came up with two designs. The two designs were very different – one had a classic feel to it while the other was futuristic. His wife suggested that he submit a third (and simpler) one. This version was eventually the logo that advanced into the final selection process. “The one that was selected was the least I liked,”he recalls. After many suggestions and proposed revisions to both finalists, the organizers were finally ready to confer the honor to one. The Philippine General Hospital had its new identity.
With this, Brod Mark joins Brod Nestor Silayan Bautista Φ1950 (artist of the present UP College of Medicine logo) in volunteering lasting contributions to their alma mater.
