Last January 16, the silver jubilarian class of 1994 spearheaded the launch of the UP Medical Alumni Society 2019 Homecoming. It was held at the Museum of a History of Ideas. The homecoming theme is “Puso at Galing, Dito Galing, MaDe in UP” - an emphasis on two qualities of a good physician which should always come together and that it was U.P. College of Medicine which honed us to have these two. It is a time for giving back to our dear Alma Mater. The silver jubilarians came up with this theme recognizing its timelessness and universality.

 

The occasion was graced by U.P. Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla ’81, U.P. College of Medicine Dean Charlotte Chiong ’85, and Philippine General Hospital Director Gerardo Legaspi ’87 who all delivered their messages for the alumni – thanking the alumni for the key roles they have played and will continue to play in UP Manila, the College, and the Hospital. The three discussed their respective  plans and targets all  aimed at making the institution continue to be the country’s center of excellence in the health sciences. UPMAS President Jean Anne Toral assured the support of the alumni society to its members, the Alma Mater, and the Filipino community. The event was also the venue to launch the seal of the UPMAS following what is written in its By-Laws Article XIV - its establishment in 1946 and the all maroon background.

 

Present also were representatives from the various classes who are this year’s jubilarians – from classes ending in 4 and 9. Former U.P. Manila Chancellor and UPCM Dean Marita Tolentino-Reyes ’64 and National Institutes of Health Executive Director Eva Cutiongco-dela Paz ’89 represented their classes. The most senior alumna present was Dr. Leonor Barcelona-Empedrad of Class 1959. The golden jubilarians of Class 1969 were spearheaded by their president Dr. Federico Cruz who shared some reminiscing of their years in the UP College of Medicine. Representative members of Classes 1974, 1979, 1984, 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014 were also there. The youngest class of 2019 was led by their president Kyle Eugenio. They received 162 homecoming lanyards from the silver jubilarians as a good luck send-off as they graduate at the latter part of this year. Members of the 2019 UPMAS Board were also present four of whom had their oath taking – Chancellor Marita Reyes, Federico Cruz, past UPMAS president Jacinto Blas Mantaring III ‘84, and Ryan Capitulo ’99.

 

The event was hosted by silver jubilarians Dr.  Jose Antonio San Juan, class president, and  Dr. Heizel Manapat-Reyes, assistant to the Associate Dean for Academic Development of UP College of Medicine. Dr. Toral navigated the audience to the various activities for the year starting with the launch; the Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities in Cebu (March 6), Dumaguete (April 27), Koronadal (August), and Manila (December 16); the UP Medical Alumni Society in America (UPMASA) Annual Grand Convention in Dallas, Texas from July 2 to 6;  and the homecoming week starting of with the UPMAS Golf Open (December 13, Ayala Greenfield Estates Calamba, Laguna), the homecoming parade and Pabidahan (December 18, UPCM and PGH grounds), and the homecoming ball (December 19, Marriott Grand Ballroom). Dr. Cecilia Jimeno, chair of the UPCM Department of Pharmacology, heads the 2019 UP MED Webinars. She presented the new platform of this regular online seminars on relevant medical topics now using the UP Manila Livestream which can also be viewed at Facebook Live through the UP MED Webinars page. Dr. Alexander Tan, Class 1994 treasurer and UPMAS Board member, launched the UPMAS Photo Contest using the homecoming theme. The contest is open to U.P. College of Medicine alumni life members. Finalists and the winner will be presented during the homecoming ball.

 

Dr. Tammy dela Rosa, UPMAS Vice President and head of the Awards Committee, presented the various award categories recognizing alumni achievers including the distinguished alumnus, outstanding educator, outstanding researcher, outstanding In medical service, outstanding in community service and public health and the two group awards – the most distinguished class and the family of the year.

 

As the program ended, the audience was serenaded by upcoming classical singer and stage actress Criselda Go and by silver jubilarian Dr. Melfred Hernandez, UP Manila Director of the Office of Alumni Relations.