I am a proud member of UP College of Medicine Class 1975, which lived, studied, graduated, and for many, underwent specialty training in the Philippines through the early martial law years, thus born of turbulent times.

Others went abroad, mainly to the USA, for their residency and subspecialty training (I did too, after my Pathology training in UP-PGH). Many chose to remain there. I went back home after the EDSA People Power Revolution.

UPCM Class 1975 has seven OB-GYNs, four ophthalmologists, four ENTs, six Family Medicine specialists, 13 pediatricians, six orthopedic surgeons, seven psychiatrists, six anesthesiologists, four neurologists, a thoracovascular surgeon, five internists, two emergency medicine specialists, four surgeons, one rehabilitation specialist, three radiologists, two public health experts, three dermatologists, one nuclear medicine, one pharmacologist, one general medicine and four pathologists. Many became department chairs of their specialization. Majority had subspecialty training as well and many are multi-awarded in their chosen fields.

Of the 93 graduates, 77 are surviving. Majority elected to serve in the country, providing much needed services for our people and training for new medical graduates who chose to specialize. Those of us who stayed home practiced our professions in all regions of the Philippines. Six became deans of colleges of medicine, including our alma mater. More had become chairpersons of their departments.

Those who remained in the USA have not forgotten the homeland. Some go on medical free clinics annually in underserved areas where our fellow Filipinos have not consulted a doctor until they met our foreign-based classmates who came all the way from the USA bringing medicine, supplies and conducting surgeries free of charge.

They are members of the UP Medical Alumni Society of America (UPMASA). I have written about, Francisco Sy (My classmate, my idol, April 14, 2025), a prime mover of UPMASA. This year, Francis served as the co-chair of the 40th UPMASA Annual Grand Convention July 3, 2025 at the Venetian Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Our US-based alumni, are generous contributors to the alma mater thru the UPMASA, funding construction of buildings and donating modern medical equipment to the UPCM and the Philippine General Hospital, which greatly benefits the millions of patients who flock to the premier medical center in the Philippines for indigent patients. A glimpse of the College of Medicine recently saw ongoing construction of new buildings and modernized interiors of the iconic College of Medicine building (Fernando Calderon Hall) dating back to the early 1900s. As the US-based graduates have donated millions of dollars’ worth to the modernization of the UPCM, they have more than given back to their country and alma mater and continue to do so despite having left years ago.

Their dedication and generosity were highlighted during the Las Vegas event. Along with 10 other Philippine-based classmates, I traveled to Las Vegas to attend my first-ever UPMASA convention despite the long trip and the trepidations of going through immigration at this time of uncertainty. But it was such a joy to meet and reconnect with the 21 US-based classmates, a few of them I have not seen since we graduated.

We had three days to practice our gala night number and everyone was a trooper during the long hours of rehearsals. Nothing really brings out the class spirit than being together in an endeavor, and our time together created more opportunities for bonding. We even had time for a short Las Vegas tour and a class party which made for more camaraderie.

Come the gala night and we were bestowed UPMASA Golden medallions. Though we were nervous about our number, there was an air of resoluteness shored up by glasses of wine and shots of whisky. We changed into our costumes after dinner and sallied forth into our presentation.

The first part was a parade of ethnic tribes: T’boli and Tausug from Mindanao, followed by the Cordillera region (Luzon) and ending with Ati-atihan dancers from the Visayas, thus representing the three major parts of the Philippines.

This was followed by the parade of the class banner featuring the orchid I named after the class, Vanda UPCM1975 Golden Jubilee.

Next came the fiesta dancers swaying to the tune of our very own Class 75 choir (formed during the Covid pandemic through Zoom meetings) singing Ole’ ole’ and the Hot Hot Hot! song. The finale was another Class 75 choir number, Tayong Lahat Magkakapatid. The energy was unbelievable, and we gave it our all (so much so that it left my right second toenail with a hematoma that will resolve only after three weeks). The audience loved it and gave us a standing ovation with lots of cheering during our performance. So proud of my class, UPCM 1975!

On to the December UPMAS Grand Homecoming in Manila! Mabuhay ang UPCM Class 1975!