University of the Philippines College of Medicine Medical Alumni Society
Vision
We are the graduates of the UP College of Medicine united in purpose, committed to the ideals of the College and responsive to the needs of our alma mater, fellow alumni and the Filipino community.
We nurture our members, recognizing and valuing the worth and contribution of each individual.
Mission
We commit to:
- Live the vision, mission & goals of our College;
- Develop a culture of alumni support;
- Promote the welfare of our members;
- Be role models for the students, the profession and the community
- Build partnerships in the pursuit of our goals.
History
The history of UPMAS is closely intertwined with that of the College of Medicine and of course with the Philippine General Hospital as well.
Early History. During the first decade, the graduates of the College averaged just ten students a year. It was only during the 1930’s that the student population reached 225. The devastation brought about by the war to the College and the Hospital was enough reason for the alumni to be formally organized. Thus, in 1946, The UP Medical Alumni Society (UPMAS) was born with Dr. Juan Salcedo, Jr. (class ’29) as the first president. During the ensuing year the UPMAS dug deep into their meager resources and helped in the academic and physical rehabilitation of the postwar College of Medicine and PGH. And when they had completely exhausted themselves, they started looking for foreign sources for funding. Changes in the landscape of the UP College of Medicine became evident. In 1953, the statue of Medicine triumphing over death was donated by Class ’33 and was installed in front of the College. Concurrently the UP Medical History Museum organized under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Geminiano de Ocampo (Class ’32) started collecting memorabilia such as oil portraits of founders, pioneers, educators and other outstanding men and women of the college.
In the sixties and seventies, The UPCM alumni had assumed significant roles in almost every aspect of the medical profession. They held numerous top positions in the government, were elected leaders of medical associations, had been recipients of national and international awards, and distinguished themselves as private practitioners, medical scientist and top-rate professors in UP and other medical schools. But the concern of the alumni for the College was not lost in their effort to excel. The alumni did not hesitate to share their material success though philanthropic assistance to the Alma Mater, as exemplified by the Eusebio S. Garcia – UP Medicine Class ’36 Foundation. This foundation has from 1976, provided student scholarships, student loans, awards to graduating students and professorial chairs. Since plans for improvements in the College were hampered by financial constraints, a fund-raising mechanism was initiated by the UPMAS in 1979. The alumni from both the government and private sectors organized the UP Medical Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit organization which helps provide research grants, purchase equipment and supplies for basic science departments as well as improve and maintain the audiovisual capabilities of the College. In 1985, Dean Alberto G. Romualdez (class ’65) approved the establishment of the Section of Alumni Affairs “to develop a well-organized coordination mechanism to deal with the expected expansion of involvement of U.P. Medical Alumni in the affairs of the College.”
Recent History. Eventually in 1986, the Board was restructured wherein six directors are being elected for a term of two years and another six directors for a term of only one year. The reorganization likewise assured the participation of the incoming celebrating classes and assured the continuity of ongoing projects despite changes in the officers of the board. The changes also involved the creation of constitutional and permanent committees working under a board not necessarily controlled by the incumbent president of the UPMAS. Permanent committees created were the following: constitutional amendments and by-laws, planning, finance, alumni welfare and college assistance.
Life Membership and Benefits. To promote community service among the UPCM alumni and to support those who are already doing community work, the UPMAS Fellowship Program was established in 1988 during the presidency of Dr. Florencio Pineda (Class ’63). The program provided fellowship grant for further training of alumni from the rural area. In 1989, the “Alay sa Guro” fund was initiated by Dr. Hawthorne Bañez (Class ’64) and was soon adopted by the UPMAS Board. Its goal is to provide financial aid to deserving UPCM faculty members during times of illness or disability arising from catastrophic disease, and to extend assistance to the family at the time of death. By unanimous decision of the 1996 Board, the “Alay sa Guro” fund was merged with another special project – the Fellowship Fund – to become the Alumni Benefit Fund (ABF). This common fund offers similar benefits to alumni and faculty for (1) death, (2) sickness (3) fellowship grants and (4) scholarships for dependents of disabled and deceased alumni.
Activities. Through the years, there were numerous class projects that transformed the college to what it is today. A few of these class projects were the construction and furbishing of classrooms, installation of covered walks, acquisition of teaching aids, establishment of an alumni hall and office, and giving out professorial chairs, research grants and awards to achievers.
To this day, the U.P. Medical Alumni Society (UPMAS) continues to be guided by its vision of unity of purpose, committed to the ideals of the College, and responsive to the needs of our Alma Mater, fellow alumni, and the Filipino community. UPMAS nurtures its members and recognizes the value of the contribution of each individual. Through the various activities UPMAS engages in at present, it tries to reach this vision.
THE UPMAS CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION SERIES
The UPMAS Continuing Medical Education series comes in the form of postgraduate courses conducted in various provinces and in Manila. An average of 4 postgraduate courses are conducted per year with target audience being mainly general practitioners and community medicine physicians but may include allied medical professionals and the lay. Since its inception in 2012 with Class 1987 piloting the project, the UPMAS has reached out to audiences in more than 30 communities including the campuses of U.P. Diliman, U.P. Los Baños and U.P. Iloilo. General medicine topics make the bulk of the scientific program. Updates and controversial medical issues are also discussed. Continuing professional development (CPD) units are granted. This endeavor also allows UPMAS to reach out and interact with our alumni in areas outside the metropolis.
THE UPMED WEBINARS
The UPMed Webinars, established in 2015 by Class 1990, is a series of regular online seminars on current health problems. It aims to bridge knowledge gaps in medicine and health care, as this is one of the missions of the U.P. College of Medicine. It endeavors to reach as many health professionals, overcoming distance barriers using information and communications technology. It celebrates the expertise of the UPCM silver jubilarians' as primary speakers in this web-based lecture series. UPCM – PGH alumni and faculty are also tapped.
The UPMed Webinars target primary care physicians: general practitioners, family medicine practitioners, community medicine physicians, industrial and occupational medicine practitioners, and other health workers, especially those serving underserved communities and populations in the Philippines or globally. The DOH Doctors to the Barrios are specifically targeted to attend, especially because up to a third of them are UPCM alumni. Registration is free, subsidized through efforts of collaborating units of UP Manila. This online learning resource is available to the University of the Philippines Manila School of Health Sciences in Palo, Leyte, in Baler, in Aurora and in Koronadal, South Cotabato. The number of participants for each session ranges from 200 to 400 nationwide averaging 60 webinars per year.
THE RESEARCH DISSEMINATION GRANT (RDG)
UPMAS is not only an alumni society but is also an academic community as exemplified by the Webinar and CME series. It also encourages research among its members. Though it may not be able to conduct a research on its own, it tries to promote research among its members through the Research Dissemination Grant. Since 2017, UPMAS offers a grant intended to help the recipient with some of his or her expenses as he or she presents the research paper abroad.
With the RDG, UPCM alumni are encouraged to conduct and publish high quality research that would make the UP College of Medicine and its alumni more visible in the international research community. Participation in international conferences would also expose our UPCM alumni and faculty to cutting-edge research and could also provide opportunities to forge collaborations with leading researchers in the world. The RDG is given two times a year after careful evaluation by the committee of submitted research papers.
THE HOMECOMING.
The annual alumni homecoming of the U.P. College of Medicine is hosted by the silver jubilarian class. It is a week-long celebration featuring a sports activity, a postgraduate CME course, the homecoming parade with a showcase of talents of alumni, and the homecoming ball. It has become a tradition that the silver jubilarian class prepares for this homecoming with the aim of creating the feeling of giving back and saying thanks to the institution that nurtured the alumni. Donations are traditionally given to the College by the silver jubilarians. Special honors are given to the golden jubilarians and older. Outstanding alumni are also given recognition through various award categories as distinguished alumni, educators, researchers, leaders in community service and in medical service. A family of the year and a class of the year are also given out. A call for nomination is made by the Awards Committee after which careful deliberation follows. Strict criteria govern these prestigious UPMAS Alumni Awards. The awards are given out during the homecoming ball.
The current big project of the College is the construction of the Medical Sciences Buiding which will serve as the main academic venue of learning for the students of the UP College of Medicine. The alumni through the various classes have made significant contribution to this project including the Simulation Laboratory to be located on the sixth floor of the building – a way of giving back to our Alma Mater. All these are reflections of the love and affection the alumni, past and present, have towards the Alma Mater. For without her, we would not be what we are today.
UPMAS Board 2021
| PRESIDENT | Lara C. Alentajan-Aleta M.D. Class 1996 |
| VICE-PRESIDENT | Eric Jason B. Amante, M.D. Class 1996 |
| TREASURER | Juan Antonio M.R. Escaño Class 1997 |
| SECRETARY | Cristina G. Pelaez-Crisologo M.D. Class 1997 |
| PRO | Gladdy Maura G. Facun M.D. Class 2011 |
| BOARD MEMBERS: |
Melendre V. Araos M.D. Class 1969 |
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
| DEAN | Charlotte M. Chiong M.D. Class 1985 |
| ASSISTANT TO THE DEAN FOR ALUMNI AFFAIRS | Jericho Thaddeus P. Luna M.D. Class 1993 |
| EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | Lilibeth S. Genuino M.D. Class 1987 |
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
| HOMECOMING | Johanna Patricia D. Adevoso-Cañal, M.D. Class 1995 |
| AWARDS | Nemencio A. Nicodemus Jr. M.D. Class 1995 |
| MEMBERSHIP | Lara C. Alentajan-Aleta M.D. Class 1996 |
| FINANCE | Eric Jason B. Amante M.D. Class 1996 |
| PUBLICATIONS | Cristina G. Pelaez-Crisologo M.D. '97 |
| NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS | Melendre V. Araos M.D. Class 1969 |
| AMENDMENTS | Elizabeth Y. Arcellana-Nuqui M.D. Class 1970 |
| ALUMNI WELFARE/MUTUAL ASSISTANCE | Lilibeth S. Genuino M.D. Class 1987 |
| CME | Deborah A. David-Ona M.D. Class 1998 |
| COMMUNITY SERVICE | Gladdy Maura G. Facun M.D. Class 2011 |
UPMAS Awards
Ramon M. Arcadio, M.D. Class 1969OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD
Pauline M. Camacho, M.D. Class 1994
OUTSTANDING RESEARCHER AWARD
Antonio M. Montalban, M.D. Class 1969
OUTSTANDING MEDICAL SERVICE AWARD
Rose Marie O. Rosete-Liquete, M.D. Class 1973
OUTSTANDING MEDICAL SERVICE AWARD
Reynaldo O. Joson, M.D. Class 1974
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD
Filomena Santiago-San Juan, M.D. Class 1978
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD
Lynn B. Redoble, M.D. Class 1994
OUTSTANDING IN COMMUNITY SERVICE AND PUBLIC HEALTH AWARD
CABRERA FAMILY of Dr. Dominador O. Cabrera Class 1958
ALUMNI FAMILY OF THE YEAR AWARD
UPCM Class 1969
MOST DISTINGUISHED CLASS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Contact Us
UPMAS Secretariatupmedalumsoc@gmail.com
Mailing Address
Ground Floor, Paz Mendoza Guazon Bldg.
UP College of Medicine
547 Pedro Gil St.,
Malate, Manila
Philippines