From this year’s Golden Jubilarians to the most elder alumnus honored, and to this year’s awardees, members of the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity were very much present at the University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society’s “Ugnayan at Pagkakaisa Homecoming Benefit Ball and UPMAS Alumni Awards Night 2013” held on December 20 at the Manila Hotel.
To start the night, the crowd of doctors and guests were welcomed by speeches of University of the Philippines Manila Chancellor Manuel Bautista Agulto Φ1969A, Philippine General Hospital Director Jose Castillo Gonzales Φ 1969A and UP Medical Alumni Society in America President Silverio Buenafe Cabellon, Jr. Φ1967. Also gracing the occasion are Department of Health Secretary Enrique Tangonan Ona, Jr. Φ1957 and Undersecretary Teodoro Javier Herbosa Φ1979.
Brods Jose Jonas Diño Del Rosario Φ1986 and Jose Anthony Querubin Jocson Φ1986 once again livened up the event as hosts, a feat they have been invited to do since the time when they were still medical students. Their colorful and witty commentary accompanied the welcoming parade of this year’s Golden Jubilarians UPCM Class of 1963 led by Class President and UPMAS Executive Director Florencio Morente Pineda Φ1959.
A roll call of alumni and jubilarians were made. The most senior of the graduates of the College of Medicine is one of the pioneers in the field of Otorhinolaryngology in the Philippines, Brod Tierry F. Garcia Φ 1937 of UPCM Class of 1942. Dr. Garcia received the prestigious UPMAS Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award in the Society’s Homecoming Ball in 2011.
Brod Florencio “Tos” Pineda Φ 1959 was then called up the stage to deliver a heartwarming speech of gratitude and salutation in behalf of his class, which was soon followed by a song presentation from the Golden Jubilarians. Brod Tos is a gastroenterologist who is recognized as the Founding President of Philippine GI Endoscopy. Other noted members present are Brods Clemente Morando Amante Φ 1958, Claro Limjap Pio Roda Φ 1958, and Calixto Ang Zaldivar, Jr. Φ 1958.
Then came the awarding ceremonies, where four of the awards were taken by PHIs. They are:
Ramon Fabella Abarquez, Jr. Φ 1948
Dr. Gloria T. Aragon Most Illustrious Faculty Awardee
This award is given to a senior faculty member who has shown exemplary leadership in upholding academic freedom, excellence and integrity and who has significantly contributed to the attainment of the mission, vision and goals of the UP College of Medicine.
Brod Monching graduated from the College of Medicine in 1953 and has since been one of the mosted decorated and renowned cardiologists in the country, especially attributed to his many pioneering and award-winning papers on Cardiovascular Medicine and Hypertension that have been locally and internationally acclaimed. He remains an active consultant and Professor Emeritus of the Department of Medicine of the Philippine General Hospital, well-loved and respected by his students and colleagues, and is a recognized Academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology.
Silverio M. Santiago, Jr. Φ 1964 SE 1967-1968
UPMAS Outstanding Researcher 2013
This award is given to an alumnus/alumna who has devoted himself/herself largely to outstanding biomedical research and health social sciences.
Brod Berio graduated from the UP College of Medicine in 1968 as cum laude. He then started with his career at the Los Angeles VA Medical Center and the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, where he is a Full Professor – a title given only to those with an outstanding background. He has served as Chief of the Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at the VAMC and is also Medical Director of the Sleep Disorders Center and The Respiratory Department. His 67 publications have been published in a very critical and selective acceptance rate such as the Annals of Internal Medicine and American Journal of Respiratory and Clinical Care Medicine, many of which he has contributed as either the first or senior author. He is also one of the pioneers in the use of the PET scan in the work up of lung cancer and most recently is a Co-Principal Investigator of a grant on Salivary Biomarker Development for Early Detection of Lung Cancer.
Jose Castillo Gonzales Φ 1969A
UPMAS Outstanding in Service Awardee
This award is given to an alumnus/alumna who has devoted himself/herself to community service with selfless dedication inside and outside the Philippines
Brod JoGon finished medicine at the University of the Philippines in 1972 and has established himself as one of the most sought-after Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons in the country. Attributing to his unquestioned administrative skills, he held positions in government hospitals Philippine Children’s Medical Center and the Philippine General Hospital and now serves as the Director of the latter since 2010. His passion for service to the Filipinos may best be represented by the contributions he continuously makes through UPCM and PGH. He is one of the leaders of the committee on Return Service Obligation and the Regionalization Program which both aim to ensure the availability of competent and compassionate doctors to our countrymen everywhere in the Philippines. Determined to provide the best medical care to our countrymen, he has and continues to find ways to establish financial stability, upgrade hospital facilities and services, and pave novel healthcare models into the present healthcare delivery system of the hospital, such as the multidisciplinary approach to outpatient consults and Philhealth coverage.
Eric Sta. Maria Talens Φ 1981
UPMAS Outstanding in Community Service Awardee
This award is given to an alunus/alumna who has devoted himself/herself to community service with selfless dedication.
Brod Eric graduated from the College of Medicine in 1985, specialized in Trauma surgery, and became a faculty member of the PGH Department of Surgery since 1994. Internationally acclaimed and recognized, he is also well recognized in UP Manila as its face of service since embracing the responsibilty as Director of Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, the university’s extension service program, since 2010. Dr. Eric Talens leads the university’s delegation to select areas for medical and surgical missions and various outreach programs. In these he promotes holistic and comprehensive approach to healthcare and community development, promoting sustainable projects and a multi-faceted approach to extending service to underserved communities or victims of the many calamities afflicting our country yearly.
After individually being awarded and presented their trophies, the brods gathered just in front of the stage, knowing that they have the Fraternity in common. Warm greetings of congratulations from the brods present welcomed them, led by Phi Kappa Mu Alumni Association President Gil Martinez Vicente Φ1976.
As the program geared toward the end, all members recited their oaths as members of the society, preceded by the introduction of the UPMAS hymn “Awit ng UPMAS” which was composed by Renato Trota Jose Φ 1980.
Congratulations are in order to former UPMAS President Gerardo Dizon Legaspi Φ 1983, who is one of the co-chairpersons of the UPMAS Homecoming 2013 Committee along with UPMAS Immediate Past President Dr. Lilibeth S. Genuino and Present UPMAS President Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-De La Paz for the success of this year’s ball!
