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Jesus B. Nolasco, M.D., fondly called "JB" by his
friends and former students, died at 4:50 P.M., today, August
25, 2004. The sad news was conveyed within minutes of his
passing by telephone to Farida I. Chua in Munster, Indiana,
by Tessie Nolasco, wife of JB's son, Vic Nolasco.
The details of the funeral services and internment are yet
being finalized by the family at this time, which is about
15 minutes (ago) from JB's demise.
Dr. Nolasco was Secretary of the Institute of Medicine, hand-picked
by its first Dean, Lauro H. Panganiban, M.D. He was one of
the founders and original faculty members (all from the University
of the Philippines) of the
FEU medical school. He was also head of the Physiology Department
at the FEU-IM.
Dr. Nolasco was greatly instrumental in organizing the FEU-DNR
School of Medicine Alumni Foundation in the United States,
and the first editor of the Foundation's Ectopic Murmur newsletter.
"JB's departure will diminish all of us, his family,
friends and us, his students, who were beneficiaries of his
intellect, talent, wisdom, compassion, patience and great
humor. His passing creates a void in all of us. JB, we will
miss you terribly. We all bid you farewell, and may you walk
with God," Philip S. Chua, immediate past Chairman of
the FEU-DNR School of Medicine Alumni Foundation, said upon
receiving the news.
Dr. Nolasco was born on October 5, 1917. He was survived by
his wife, Ester Villanueva, and his four children, Vic, Cesar,
Imelda and Edwin.
Dr. Habacon is a 1972 graduate of the Far Eastern University
Institute of Medicine. She is a Full Professor (since 1996)
and Chairman (since 1994) of the Department of Pharmacology
of the FEU-DNRMF. She finished her residency training in Pediatrics
at the Children's Medical Center in Banawe, Quezon City, in
1976, and MS degree in Clinical Pharmacology at the University
of the Philippines in 1993. In 1979, Dr. Habacon was a Fellowship
Grantee in Clinical Pharmacology at the Strong Memorial Hospital/University
of Rochester in New York. She is a Fellow of the Philippine
Society of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology.
We welcome the appointment of Dr. Habacon and wish her good
tidings and good luck. The Alumni Foundation looks forward
to joining her in our mutual goal and common endeavor to make
the FEU-DNRMF Institute of Medicine the
best medical school in the country.
Dean
Flordeliza M. Baltazar is retiring effective August 31, 2004.
The FEU-NRMF Board of Trustees is tendering a testimonial
dinner honoring her on August 26, 2004 at Anabels Restaurant
on Morato Street, Quezon City. Dean Baltzar graduated from
the UP College of Medicine in 1951 and placed 10th on the
medical board examination in August of that year. She had
her residency training in OB-Gyne at UP-PGH in 1956, and was
a Colombo Plan Scholar to the United Kingdom in Obstetrical
and Gynecological Pathology.
She was appointed Dean of the FEU Institute of Medicine in
1993, serving the FEU-IM for eleven years. She has been a
Professor of OB-Gyne at FEU-NRMF since 1980, and has been
a Trustee of the Medical Foundation from August 2003 to the
present. Dean Baltazar has been conferred the title Professor
Emertius in 2003. She was President of the Association of
Philippine Medical colleges Foundation from June 1, 2003 to
May 31,2004.
For her exemplary services and dedication to FEU, we salute
her and wish her all
the best.
Two Thumbs Up For Troy Reunion
The FEU-DNR School of Medicine Alumni Foundation 25th Annual
Convention and Reunion just got one level higher and broke
the record of our yearly meetings with the July 14-18, 2004
gathering at the Detroit Marriott in Troy, Michigan.
Alumni have been raving about it. Thanks to Hernani and Myrna
Tansuche, Renato and Daisy Ramos, and Deo and Clarina Pascual,
the co-chairpersons of the local convention host.
The Silver Jubilarians (Class ’79) was the main honoree,
followed by following celebrant jubilarians: the Sapphire
(’59), Ruby (’64), Coral (’69), Pearl (’74),
Class ’84 (20th year), Class ’89 (15th year) and
Class ’94 (10th year).
The reception buffet dinner on Wednesday provided a wonderful
opening for the reunion. Also commendable was the scientific
sessions which tackled updates on various medical and surgical
topics. The traditional Filipiniana Night provided not only
fantastic native food but talent presentations from alumni
pool of performers.
Capping the entire reunion was the Grand Ball on Saturday
evening, where the ambiance was accented by a four giant white
chiffon lace drapes that radiated from the center of the ballroom
in a fan-like fashion to the sides of the ceiling, reminiscent
of a wedding ball. Two 12-foot towering flower stands also
draped in chiffon, one on each side of the wall behind the
presidential table, with the FEU Logo up at the center of
the wall.
Two other giant flower stands, similar in décor, framed
the presidential table, one at each end. The beautiful floral
centerpiece were also on a 3-foot pedestal of glass. whose
theme for the ambiance made everyone felt they were attending
a wedding reception. It was indeed a site to behold. To top
it all, The dinner plate was likewise “decorated”
very well with Filet Mignon and a large lobster as main entres.
Indeed, this reunion has set the tone for future conventions,
if not the standard to beat.
President Amante Legaspi and Chairman of the Board Philip
S. Chua lavishly lauded and thanked the local host for a fabulous
convention-reunion.
The Nicanor Reyes Jr. Memorial Lecturer for this year was
Daniel Fabito, a past chairman of the Alumni Foundation. The
roster of past NRJ Memorial Lecturers includes Renato G. Ramos,
M.D., 1996; William Roberts, M.D., 1997; Denton A. Cooley,
M.D., 1998; Emelie Ongcapin, M.D., 1999; Emmanuel Balcos,
M.D., 2000; Philip S. Chua, M.D., 2001; and, Jesus B. Nolasco,
M.D., 2003.
The Most Outstanding Alumnus for 2004 was Edmundo Relucio,
a past chairman of the Foundation. The past Most Outstanding
Alumni are: Alice Yao, M.D., and Daniel Fabito, M.D., 1980;
Philip S. Chua, M.D., and Renato G. Ramos, M.D., 1981; Rolando
Solis, M.D., 1988; Emelie Ongcapin, M.D., 1989; Rolando Casis,
1990; M.D., Amante Legaspi, M.D., 1991; Arsenio Martin, M.D.,
and Nunilo Rubio, M.D., 1992; Cesar V. Reyes, M.D., 1993;
Alberto Cruz, M.D.,1994; Robinson Baron, M.D. 1995; Cezar
Lastimosa, M.D., 1997; Wilson Morales, M.D., 1998; Guat Sy,
Jr., M.D., 1999; Liberator dela Rosa, M.D., 2000; Francisco
Briones, M.D., 2001; Luzviminda Santangelo, M.D., 2002; and,
Generosa Calderon Lazor, M.D., 2003.
2004
Election Results
The newly elected officers during this
convention include Rolando Casis of Chicago, Chairman; Arsenio
Martin, President; Arturo Basa, Executive Vice President;
Pepito Rivera, Hernani Tansuche, and Oscar Tuason, Regional
Vice-Presidents; Grace Rabadam, Secretary; A.C.B. Lastimosa,
Treasurer; and Cesar Jimenez, Auditor. For 2004-2007, the
following Trustees-At-Large (TAL) were elected: Cesar Candari,
Rogelio Cave, A.C.B. Lastimosa, Hernani Tansuche, Avila Arcala,
Manuel Sanchez, Edgar Borda, and Roger Bautista.
The incumbent TAL are: (2003-2006) Philip S. Chua, Rolando
Casis, Edmundo Relucio, Pepito Rivera, Arturo Basa, Abraham
Perez, Renato Estrella, and Fred Jimenez; and (2002-2005)
Rolando Buan, Arsenio Martin, Amante Legaspi, Emelie Ongcapin,
Grace Rabadam,Cora Carr, Oscar Tuason, and Manuel Malicay.
The incumbent chapter presidents are: Peter K. H. Go (AR),
Rick de Leon (North CA),Pete Florescio (South CA), Pio Sian
(FL), H. Nicodemus (DC), Manuel Sanchez (North IL), Viv Zata
(Central IL), J.R.M. Mendoza (IN), Nita Labayen (KS), Regulo
Tobias (KY), N. Guinigundo (LA), Alex Enrique (MD), H. Tansuche
(MI), Gene Siruno (MN(, Proceso Arenos (MO), Rey Sandoval
(NV), Elma Castillo (NJ), Grace Rabadam (NY), Y. Ganchorre
(OH), Oscar Enriquez (TX), Sonie Aznar (VA), R. Estrella (WI)
and Andres Rago (WV).
Jane P. Legaspi of Chesapeake, Virginia, has been appointed
Executive Director of the Foundation, and Renato Ramos, Editor
of the Ectopic Murmur.
The Foundation has bestowed the permanent title of Chairmen
Emeritus to the following past Chairmen of the Board: Renato
Ramos, Daniel Fabito, Edmundo Relucio and Philip S. Chua.
The national percentage of passing for the February 2004 medical
board examinations was 51.94% and FEU-NRMF had 64.46%; in
August 2003, it was 55.69% and FEU-NRMF was 61.28% with one
FEU student garnering the 7th place; in February 2003, 57.23%,
and FEU-NRMF was 71.97%, this time capturing the 8th and 9th
place; in August 2002, the national passing average was 59.11,
and FEU- NRMF had 60.15%; and, in February 2002, 66.03, and
FEU-NRMF was 92.77%, and an FEU graduate placed 6th on this
medical board examination.
The percentage of passing for the FEU-NRMF graduates have
consistently been higher than the national average. However,
the general performance on the medical board examinations
of the graduates from the 32 medical schools in the Philippines
is fair, at best, compared to the past several decades when
there were only five medical schools in the country and the
percentages of passing were up in the 80s and 90s and the
scores, likewise much higher.
Indeed, this alarming trend spells a crisis in medical education
in the Philippines. Why the appropriate governmental educational
and medical school licensing agencies have allowed the dismal
proliferation of medical schools in the country is disconcerting
and puzzling. In a country the size of the Philippines, with
its 86 million population, we really need no more than 8-10
medical schools, tops. However, it is apparent that the great
economic incentive is there for enterpreneurs to get into
the medical school business.
Unfortunately, the ultimate victims here are the future medical
work force, the quality of healthcare, the people as a whole,
and, very importantly, our national reputation. To the international
observers, the Philippines might well look like a mecca of
medical diploma mills, because the few good legitimate, high
quality schools are negatively impacted by the substandard
ones.
The 24th Annual Reunion and Scientific
Convention of the FEU-DNR School of Medicine Alumni Foundation
July 16-20, 2003 in Norfolk, Virginia, was a huge success,
breaking the record of the 2001 reunion in Las Vegas, which
was the highest, reported Philip S. Chua, M.D., Chairman of
the Board and Amante G. Legaspi, Sr., M.D., President, and
Jane P. Legaspi, M.D., over-all convention Chairperson.
The venue of this year convention, whose theme
was Update in Medicine and Surgery, was the Waterside Marriott,
and because of the significant number of registrants, nearby
Sheraton was contracted by the Foundation for the overflow.
The scientific seminar was jointly sponsored with the Philippine
Medical Association in Chicago for CME credits.
The welcome reception/seafood dinner, which
was held at the Waterside Convention Center, was packed with
alumni and their family. The Filipiniana Night was a sold
out affair, and due to late registrants and extreme demand,
the Chairman of the Board and the President, and their wives,
Farida and Jane, had to voluntarily give up their seats for
the late comers. Other officers were likewise prepared to
volunteer their seats and dinner. The four had to order hamburgers
and eat outside, by the door of the ballroom, after the rest
had their formal dinner.

Foursome eating "Lipitor-treated" hamburger and
fries
The 3-day scientific convention covered topics
from Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Andropause, to Cardiology
and Hypertension issues, Epilepsy, Smallpox Bioterrorism,
Infectious Diseases, to CO2 Laser Transmyocardial Revascularization
for End-Stage Coronary Artery Disease. The attendees hailed
this seminar as the best in the history of the alumni foundation,
for the quality of the papers and the presentation.
This year's reunion-convention saw the largest,
a record-breaking, attendance at all functions, from the welcome
reception, the Scientific Meetings, to the Filipiniana Night,
the Membership Luncheon, and most especially the Grand Ball
Dinner Dance. All these affairs were graced by the presence
of Dr. Josephine C. Reyes, Chairman, FEU-DNR Medical Foundation
in the Philippines, Dean Flordeliza Baltazar, Dean, Institute
of Medicine, both of whom traveled at their own expenses to
join these festivities, and Dr. and Mrs. Jesus B. Nolasco,
of Jacksonville, Florida, UP Class 40 and former Secretary,
FEU Institute of Medicine, and one of the founders and pillars
of the alumni foundation.

Dr. Nolasco delivered this year’s
Dr. Nicanor Reyes Memorial Lecture. The Roster of DNR Memorial
Lecturers include Renato Ramos, M.D., 1996; Ronald Baker,M.D.,
1997; Emelie H. Ongcapin, M.D., 1998; Denton A. Cooley, M.D.,
1999; Philip S. Chua, M.D., 2000; Emmanuel Balcos, M.D., 2001;
none in 2002; and, Jesus B. Nolasco, M.D., 2003.
Because of the function room
occupancy law and the fire code, there were more than a dozen,
who at the last minute wanted to buy tickets for the Grand
Reunion Dinner Dance on Saturday, July 20th, who had to be
turned down. Convention Chairperson, Jane Legaspi, predicted
a good net proceeds for the Foundation from this year’s
reunion. The host was the Virginia FEU Chapter, who did an
excellent job.
This year’s silver jubilarian
celebrant was the Class of ’78, and the other celebrating
classes included Class ’58 (Sapphire), Class 63 (Ruby),
Class ’68 (Coral), Class ’73 (Pearl), Class ’83
(20th), Class ’88 (15th), and Class ’93 (10th
Anniversary). These class celebrants will likewise be honored
at the January 14-17, 2004 Grand Alumni Reunion at the Westin
Philippine Plaza in Manila, jointly sponsored by this Alumni
Foundation in the USA and the FEU-DNR Alumni Medical Society
in the Philippines. Dr. Generosa Lazur was chosen the 2003
Most Outstanding Alumna of the Jubilarian Class of '78. There
were 33 Silver Jubilarians in attendance at the traditional
and very touching Candlelight Ceremonies, where the "torch
was passed on to the Class of 79." Class '78 donated
$32,000 to the Foundation, officially presented to Drs. Josephine
C. Reyes, Philip S. Chua and Amante G. Legaspi, Sr., during
the grand ball.
The gala event in Virginia witnessed
all the four (Norfolk 3 thru 6) large connecting function
rooms at the Waterside Marriott opened to accommodate the
ticketed alumni, their spouses and guests, a total of 470.
The ambiance of the ballroom was a sight to behold. The only
thing that surpassed this was the sumptuous dinner and the
lively and fun-filled dancing that followed which lasted past
midnight. The alumni truly enjoyed this fabulous reunion and
scientific convention, and each went his or her own way home
to the various states, some to the Philippines, with nostalgic
and happy memories that they will cherish to provide added
warmth in the winter of their life.

Dr. and Mrs. Jesus B. Nolasco with some of his former students,
including Farida Isip-Chua '61, wife of our Chairman of the
Board.
Both the Chairman and President
stated that "overattendance is a good and positive problem
to have, but regretfully this has caused seating dilemma,
and the last minute requests for tickets had to be sadly turned
down." They suggested early registration for next year
to have assured accommodation in all functions.
The 25th Annual Reunion and Scientific Convention will be
held on July 14-18, 2004 in Troy, Michigan. Please mark this
down on your calendar.
Please pre-register early, enjoy the discounted
fees, and be assured of social function tickets and dinner
seats.
The Alumni Foundation is not happy rejecting
any of our alumni, but when the absolute top limit (which
includes the allowed percentage of last minute add-ons for
seats and dinner) has agreed upon and closed by the hotel,
we have no choice but to abide by the contract, the city fire
code and seating occupancy law.
The results of the Norfolk 2003 elections for the Alumni Foundation
Board of Trustees to replace those eight trustees whose 3-year
term expired July 2003, were reported by Election Chairperson
Melinda Fabito, and Secretary Grace Rabadam. The winners (in
their order) are: Philip S. Chua, Edmundo Relucio, Rolando
Casis, Pepito Rivera, Arturo Basa, Abraham Perez, Renato Estrella,
and Frederico Jimenez. Their term expires July 2006.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is
flanked on the left by FEU-DNR School of Medicine Alumni Foundation
Chairman Philip S. Chua, M.D., and on the right by Philippine
News Editor and Founding Chairman of the National Federation
of Filipino American Associations, Alex Esclamado who led
the US delegation to lobby for the passage of the Absentee
Voting Rights for the 7 million Filipinos all over the world.
The NAFFAA group met with the President in Malacañang
Palace January 15, 2003 to lobby for the passage of the bill,
and again of February 13th at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall, when
they witness the approval and signing of the bill, which was
a historical and landmark event in the Philippines, a legislative
feat attempted by the various congresses the past fifty years
without success. The signing was witnessed by key leaders
and members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives,
and numerous leaders from various organizations around the
world. Other members of the delegation who had left for the
States earlier were: NAFFAA Chair Loida Nicolas Lewis, Vice-Chair
Greg Macabenta and Rodil Rodis, a NAFFAA pillar.
The Philippine House of Representatives and
the Senate have each passed its own version of the Dual Citizenship
Bill, which now guarantees enactment of this into law very
soon. The same community leaders from the United States who
lobbied for, and witnessed, the signing of the Absentee Voting
Rights bill, lobbied for the passage of the Dual Citizenship
Bill. The two Houses are holding a bicameral session sometime
the last week of July 2003 to consolidate the two versions
into one, which President Arroyo promised to sign immediately
when the final bill reaches her desk.
The FEU-DNR School of Medicine Alumni Foundation (U.S.A.)
elected its new set of officers during its 23rd Annual Reunion
and Convention at the Grand Hyatt-Union Square in San Francisco,
California, July 3-7, 2002.
Philip S. Chua, M.D., Class '61, a cardiac
surgeon emeritus in Munster, Indiana, and who was president
of the Foundation two years ago, was elected Chairman of the
Board. Amante Legaspi, M.D., Class 68, an anesthesiologist
from Norfolk, Virginia, and previously executive vice-president,
was voted president.
Dr. Chua is currently Chairman of the Cardiovascular
Surgery of the Cebu Cardiovascular Center at the Cebu Doctors'
Hospital, Cebu, Philippines. He is past president of the Association
of Philippine Physicians in America (APPA), the Society of
Philippine Surgeons in America (SPSA), the PMA of Chicago,
and the American Heart Association NWI chapter. Dr. Chua is
married to his classmate, Farida Isip-Chua, and they have
five children, all of whom are physicians, four of them married
to physicians also.
Dr. Legaspi was president of the PMA of Eastern
Virginia, the Virginia Association of Philippine Physicians,
and the Chesapeake Medical Society. Dr. Legaspi is also past
president of the APPA, which is the umbrella organization
of all Philippine medical associations in the United States.
Dr. Legaspi is married to Jane Peralta-Legaspi (Class '69)
and they have two children, a son who is a lawyer in New York
and a daughter, a global marketing manager of Unilever.
The other elected officers include: Cesar
R. Candari, M.D., executive vice-president; Arsenio Martin,
M.D., Rolando Buan, M.D., and Manuel Malicay, M.D., vice-presidents;
Grace Rabadam, M.D., secretary; A.C.B. Lastimosa, M.D., treasurer;
Cesar Jimenez, M.D., auditor. Cesar V. Reyes, M.D., is the
executive director and editor of the foundation.
The eight newly elected Trustees-at-Large
are Doctors Rolando Buan, Arsenio Martin, Amante Legaspi,
Emelie Ongcapin, Grace Rabadam, Cora Carr, Oscar Tuason, and
Manuel Malicay. The other incumbent trustees are Doctors Avila
Arcala, Roger Bautista, Roger Cave, Rolando Casis, Melinda
Fabito, Sam Lardizabal, Virgilio Jonson, R. Limosnero, Abraham
Perez, Edmundo Relucio, Pepito Rivera, and Pascual Sales.
The chapter presidents who are on the board
representing their respective state are Peter K. H. Go (Arkansas),
Ric de Leon (North California), Fe L. Aragon (South California),
Honorato Nicodemus (District of Columbia), Rey Daco (Florida),
Edgar R. Borda (North Illinois), Vic Zata (South Illinois),
J.R.M.Mendoza (Indiana), Nita Labayen (Kansas), Regulo Tobias
(Kentucky), N. Guinigundo (Louisiana), Alex Enrique (Maryland),
H. Tansuche (Michigan), Gene Siruno (Minnesota), Daniel Fabito
(Missouri), Ray Sandoval (Nevada), Miguel Hugo (New Jersey),
Emy Magpantay (New York), Y. Ganchorre (Ohio), Manny Rivero
(Texas), Jane Legaspi (Virginia) R. Estrella (Wisconsin) and
Andres Rago (West Virgina).
Secretariat: Room 316, Institute of Medicine, FEU-NRMF Medical
Complex, Regalado Avenue, West Fairview, Quezon City.Cely
T. Ocampo, Office Manager Email: celyfeualumni@yahoo.comTelephone:
935-0025 Telefax: 930917-478-16406-7175 Cell: 0917-478-1640
President - Fernando G. Ayuyao, M.D.
Vice President - Sonny Matias E. Habacon,
M.D.
Secretary - Linda D. Tamesis, M.D.
Assistant Secretary - Anna Belen C. Ignacio-Alensuela,
M.D.
Treasurer - Ramon Edgardo C. Rono, M.D.
Assistant Treasurer - Lucila V. Micu, M.D.
Auditor - Wilfredo Y. Tayag, M.D.
Public Relations Officer - Maximo B. Axibal,
M.D.
Immediate Past President - Liberato C. dela
Rosa, M.D.
Liaison Officer - Joey U. Uranza, M.D.
Board Directors - Vic Fileto T. Chua, M.D.
Ernesto F. dela Cerna, M.D.
Reynaldo B. de Vega, M.D.
Edgardo D. Mendoza, M.D.
Noe P. San Jose, M.D.
Efren R. Vicaldo, M.D.
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