Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC), one of the country’s premier healthcare institutions, marked its 50th anniversary on Aug. 15, 2024 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with a historic gathering of all three living Filipino Cardinals, and some of the country’s leading figures in government, business and entertainment industries.
The evening affair was kicked off by the concelebrated thanksgiving mass by their Eminence Jose Cardinal Advincula, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, and Archbishop Emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.
The Cardinals extolled on the continuous promotion and preservation of service with compassion as key drivers of the hospital to its greater heights, acknowledging that such unique vocation is deeply rooted in its Catholic foundation.
Thousands of hospital doctors, staff, patients, patrons, partners, and the public, together with dozens of clergies, joined in the solemnity of the religious rites as they took advantage of the rare occasion where the three princes of the Catholic Church are together in one holy mass.
After the mass, live performances from guest artists who are some of the country’s leading luminaries in music ensued. National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, the Ryan Cayabyab Singers, Baihana, the Manila Symphony Orchestra, the UP Concert Chorus, the Voice Kids runner-up Darren Espanto, Lola Amour, and the Concert King Martin Nievera brought the house down with their repertoire of crowd favorites. The riveting musical show was ably carried through by ABS-CBN resident hosts Robi Domingo and Jasmine Fitzgerald.
“We are immensely proud of what Cardinal Santos Medical Center has achieved over the last 50 years,” said Raul C. Pagdanganan, president and CEO of CSMC. “This anniversary is not just a celebration of our heritage, but a testament to our ongoing commitment to excellence in healthcare. We look forward to continuing our mission of providing outstanding medical care and making a positive impact on the lives of our patients for many more years to come.”
50 days prior to its 50 years, the hospital conducted a series of activities fulfilling its mission of selfless care and excellent service through medical missions, outreach programs, and lay fora aimed at promoting healthcare inclusivity and wellness in the community.
Originally established as St. Paul’s Hospital of Manila, the hospital was renamed Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital in 1974 in honor of Rufino J. Cardinal Santos, whose leadership through the office of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila, was credited with much of its present-day premiere healthcare institution status. From a modest five-story hospital, Cardinal Santos Medical Center has evolved into a world-class name known for its state-of-the-art facilities, innovative treatments, and patient-centered care.