What's News



Dr. J.B. Nolasco dies at 87


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.



Board Appoints Dr. Remedios
Habacon Acting Dean of IM




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 Baltazar Retires



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.



Medical Board Exam Results Bared


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.







PAST EVENTS

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.


Next Year's Annual Reunion and Convention


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.


2003 Election Results Bared


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.


Passage of Absentee Voting Rights and Dual Citizenship


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.

Alumni Foundation Elects Officers at Frisco Confab


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).


FEU-DNR Medical Foundation Medical Alumni Society, Inc. (Philippines)


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


OFFICERS (2002-2004)


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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Far Eastern University-NRMF Medical Complex
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