Posted on November 21, 2022
“What is being turned over is hope for a better future especially in the midst of friends and benefactors who share in our belief that providing a conducive environment for learning will ensure that the best medical education in the country happens here,” said Dean Charlotte Chiong at the ceremonial turnover of the Henry Sy Sr. Medical Sciences Building (HSS MSB) by the UP Medical Alumni Foundation Inc. (UPMAFI) to the UP College of Medicine held last November 8.
As a culmination of the years dedicated to the rise of the Henry Sy Sr. Medical Sciences Building, the turnover ceremony looked back on the project’s beginnings, challenges, and revival. Overcoming numerous challenges including typhoon interruptions and lockdowns imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the HSS MSB is not only an edifice but it has also become a symbol of the alliances fostered and valuable work produced when committed individuals come together to advance for a common goal.
The event was attended by the friends and members of the UPCM community as well as HSS MSB’s sponsors and benefactors. The Henry Sy Foundation - which provided substantial support to the UP Medical Alumni Foundation Inc. (UPMAFI) - was also present, represented by Dr. Lydia Echauz, its Executive Director, and members of the Sy family, including Mr. Herbert Sy, Mr. Hans Sy, and Mr. Harley Sy. With the solicitation of Dean Chiong through her former classmate, Dr. Princess Sy, the Henry Sy Foundation committed to provide Php 300 million worth of support for the construction of MSB. Henceforth, the project was called the Henry Sy Sr. Medical Sciences Building
Other donations used to establish the HSS MSB came from friends and supporters of UP Manila, as well as numerous UP alumni and their families. The UPMAFI - through Dr. Rody Sy’s leadership - has been raising funds for the Medical Sciences Building for the past few years.
At the ceremonial turnover’s unveiling of the marker, Dean Chiong is joined by Dr. Rody G. Sy, Chairman and President of UPMAFI, Dr. Agnes D. Mejia, Former UPCM Dean, Dr. Arlene A. Samaniego, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, as well as Dr. Edward HM Wang, Vice Chancellor for Research. The event has been graced with an outstanding musical performance from the National Artist of the Philippines for Music, Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and multi-awarded actor John Arcilla. It also featured performances from Dr. Shelley de la Vega and Dr. Andee Sera.
The Henry Sy Sr. Medical Science Building houses world-class facilities including 42 classrooms, 2 multi-purpose rooms, 2 auditoriums, the flagship clinical simulation center, and the UP Surgical Innovations and Biotechnology Laboratory. It will support the College’s goal of providing world-class education, promoting collaborative research, and nurturing an innovation ecosystem that accelerates discovery. The edifice will also see a new generation of physicians trained with the latest technology but no less committed to leadership in community-oriented medical education directed to the underserved.
