Projects

Legacy and UPMASA Scholars

LEGACY Committee Meeting, Sept 2021 

Background:  In the early part of 2021, the Adhoc Committee to handle the ROA (Necita Roa MD Charitable Foundation) endowment was created and its duty was to execute the rewarding of its initial drawdown scholarship that will be in keeping with the instructions of the Trust.

The complexity of handling huge Legacy endowments specially to make sure that disbursement of funds are to be consistent with the specific instructions of the specific Trust was presented and the UPMASA Board of Governors formally created the LEGACY Committee during its July 2021 meeting at the AGC in Cleveland Ohio.  It was agreed that the Adhoc Committee will function as the LEGACY Committee, naming Dr. Henry Echiverri and Dr. Mariano Yogore III as the Co-Chairmen.    Its task will be the oversight of both Salanga and Roa legacy and any future legacy

Members of the committee:

1. Henry Gan Co
2. Greg Tiu
3. Herbert Gaisano
4. Vic Malabonga
5. Geraldine Gomez-Pinder
6. Susan Concepcion-Echiverri

Pearl Ontalan UPMASA Executive Director arranged and attended the meeting.

SUMMARY:

1. Salanga Trust Review

The salient points of the Salanga Trust were presented by co-Chair Dr. Mariano Yogore III and the following consensus by the members were arrived at:

The balance of the Trust Property to the COLLEGE OF MEDICINE of the UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES located in Manila, the Philippine Islands to be held in a separate fund in perpetuity, the income from which to be used for scholarships or financial assistance to needy Filipino medical students, the criteria for which is to be based solely on a demonstrated history of academic success.”

1. The Scholarship will only be awarded to the UP College of Medicine Medical Students in Manila.Although the UPMASA Policies and Procedures allow for uniform enforcement of all endowment, the committee decided that because the wording of the Trust is stated so, it will exclude students from any other UPCM branches NOT in Manila.
2. The Medical Students recipient will also include those who are in the MD-PhD tract, and excludes those who already graduated and in possession of an MD degree who pursue PhD studies.
3. The wording “Scholarship or Financial Assistance” allows UPMASA to award the money for other uses to further the students’ education. In this situations, computers, books, food and lodging, transportation, etc (within reasonable parameters) and health care are all considered to qualify for Financial Assistance.
4. The vetting by the UP College of Medicine Scholarship Committee, to identify those qualified for Scholarship on the basis of financial NEED and Academic Performance shall be UPMASA’s guideline for awarding.
5. Any surplus amount each year that is not awarded shall be pooled into a Fund for FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE to be disbursed by UPMASA to specific students with extraordinary needs as recommended by the UP College of Medicine.

2.  Financial History.

Last year, 5% drawdown of the Salanga Fund amounted to approximately $93,000.   The traditional General PEF Scholarship is $1200/year.  After awarding the money to additional Salanga Scholars, the extra money was used to “top off” the General PEF Scholars so that every UPMASA Scholars received $1500/year.  In addition, through the Salanga drawdown, every scholar (Except Pass through) received an allowance of $600 to purchase necessary Laptaps for their online courses.

This year, the drawdown is now 6% which is roughly $138,000.   There are 19 new Scholars for this academic year and they will receive $1500/year plus $700 for Laptap purchase.  (in the last BOG Meeting AGC July 2021, the percentage drawdown can be increased based on the financial performance of our investments, hence this year it will be 6% drawdown).

1. The list of Scholars this year are as follows:

There are 6 vacant ESS (Salanga Scholars).  The reason this happens is that some of the deserving students opted for the higher DOH (Dept of Health) Scholarship.  DOH scholars are prohibited from receiving other scholarships.

Dr. Henry Gan Co supplied us with this information on the DOH scholarship breakdown.

Allowance paid directly to scholars, composed of:

• Living subsidy- PhP 4,500 per month
• Lodging allowance- PhP 3,000 per month
• Transportation allowance- PhP 800 per month
• Book allowance- PhP 12,100 per semester
• Uniform allowance- PhP 3,025 per semester
• Miscellaneous allowance- PhP 5,500 per semester

Annual Medical Insurance- PhP2,400 per year, to be paid directly to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

This roughly translates to approximately $2500 per year.  The scholars are required to do 2 years of work in Public Health for every 1 year of scholarship received.

The committee meeting concluded with discussions of feasibility of raising the scholarship to $2000/year.   UPMASA has a total of 84 scholars and 34 of them are ESS or Salanga Scholars.

FINANCIAL Assistance FUND, Dr Henry Gan Co will talk to Dr Chette Gonzales and report back to the Committee to enlighten us on how the PANTAWID funds were awarded so that the committee can come out with our own guidelines.

ROA LEGACY 2021 DISTRIBUTION:   Total amount drawdown this year was approximately $68,000.00.   The first beneficiaries are the Nursing Students of the School of Health Sciences in Palo, Leyte.  All of these 40 students had no third-party scholarships at all!

SHS – LIST OF 40 NURSING STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS_19 JUNE 2021-2

SHS Main CAMPUS, PALO

Koronadal

The next Committee Meeting will be on the first week of October 2021.

Submitted by Henry Echiverri MD, President-Elect, UPMASA 2021-2023, Co-Chair of the Legacy Committee

Medical Sciences Building (formerly called BSLR Fundraising)

Presented during September 19, 2020 UPMASA Zoom Session by Dr. Rody Sy and Dr. Agnes Mejia, along with Dean Charlotte Chiong and Chancellor Menchit Padilla in attendance plus the Board of Trustees of UPMAF.

The Medical Science Building Update:  SEPTEMBER 2020

Conceived and presented to the UPMASA in 2015, the project was originally intended to replace the dilapidated and aging BSLR (Basic Science Lecture Rooms).   Riding the momentum of fervent UP alumni contributing funding the auditorium, construction began Jul 2016 only to get set back when the Sheet piles collapsed in December 2016.  It took almost 2 ½ years of arbitrations and hearings for the case to settle.

In the meantime, in 2018, discussion of design and re-location of the Medical Science Building to the former Tennis Court site began and a detailed architectural design was submitted in January 2019.  The building permit was released by Manila City Hall in April 2019.  Foundation work for bored piles started in July 2019.  Uplifted by a 300M pesos pledge from Henry Sy Sr. Foundation, the building will be named “Henry Sy Sr. Medical Sciences Building”.

Here are the updates and timelines as presented by Dr. Rody Sy and Dr. Agnes Mejia during a special session with UPMASA recently.

• Foundation work for bored piles (33) – Jul to Dec 2019
  • Delayed by > 1month due to relocation of Meralco high tension cables
  • Further delay of 1 month due to problems with PGH generator needed to transfer power to new cable lines
• Sheet piles installation and excavation work –Jan2020
  • Interrupted for ~ 3 months due to pandemic lockdown
  • Work resumed in mid-June 2020
  • Removal of 80% of sheet piles expected by end Sept 2020
• Underground work for sewage and water cisterns started in Jul 2020

HSS MSB projected timelines

• Ground-level concreting to be reached by the end of Sept 2020
• Left-wing second floor concreting started – Sept 2020
• Third floor concreting by the end Oct 2020
• Concrete topping-off by Mar 2021
• Removal of tower crane by May 2021
• Substantial completion by Dec 2021
• Occupancy permit by Feb 2022
• Final turnover by Mar 2022

Attached are images of the future Medical Science Building:

Originally planned as a 7-story building, with the initiative of UP President Danilo Concepcion, additional floors will be added to make it a total of 11 Floors

The 8^th to 11^th Floors as mentioned was added by President Danilo Concepcion and will house different programs of the UP College of Medicine including the Graduate School of Medicine and the new Biotechnology development program (SIBOL).    Fund raising will continue and the UP President will fund whatever is remaining to complete the project.

PICTURES of ongoing Construction:

Presented by Dr Rody Sy and former Dean, Dr Agnes Mejia to the UPMASA body (via Zoom) meeting, on September 19, 2020.

This is our Alma Mater. We appeal to your generosity. UPMASA will acknowledge your donation to the 3rd Floor Auditorium with your names enshrined with the following named plaques.

• Platinum – $10,000 or more
• Gold – $5000 to $9999
• Silver- $1000 to $4999
• Bronze – $500 to $999

Provisos:

1. The above scheme is for a single individual donating the entire respective amount.
2. Classes, Chapters, and other Groups shall have only the name of their group listed if their donation is made up of donations from individual members.
3. Plaques will only be located inside the 3rd Floor Auditorium

We know how proud we all are as Alumni of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. Let us show we care and carry on this project to fruition!

Please send Checks to:

UPMASA c/o Dr. Edwin Palileo

2304 Kossuth St, Lafayette, IN 47904

Memo: For MSB 3rd floor UPMASA Auditorium.

When you send your deed of donation and write on it your credit card info, send it to Dr. Edwin Palileo by postal mail.

Donate by credit card at DONATE NOW on our home page or click the picture link on top of this page.  (Indicate purpose of donation during Checkout at rectangular box – “Order Instructions/Comments”) or

For more information on the MSB UPMASA Auditorium Project, please contact Dr. Ishwar Gopichand 910-340-4442, current Adhoc Committee Chair or former Chair, Silverio Cabellon Jr240-505-6665

Deed of Donation:  DOD for BSLR/MSB Project

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Dr. Mars Custodio had passionately advocated for HIV/AIDS patients and his goal was to help as many patients at the Philippine General Hospital. Sadly, our beloved colleague passed away on November 2, 2017 at the age of 75. This Memorial Fund was established to honor his legacy.

Whereas the incidence and mortality of HIV/AIDS have plummeted worldwide, they continue to increase at an alarming rate in the Philippines. Click here. There is a high number of resistant cases that compounds the problem of managing and containing this epidemic. HIV has become the fastest mutating organism and now poses the threat of a second drug-resistant epidemic. Click here.

Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana is faculty member of the Infectious Disease Division of the Department of Medicine at the Philippine General Hospital and Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the National Institutes of Health. 

    He recommended the funding of drug-resistant kits to test for resistance, both at baseline and after failure of patients to respond to conventional therapy. In addition, HIV viral load at baseline and periodically during the treatment will also be tested.

It is estimated that $25,000 a year will be able to fund around 250 kits. The more money we are able to raise, the more patients we will be able to help. Our goal is to make this an ongoing project to achieve, as often stated by Mars, zero new case, zero death, and zero stigma!

This is a link to the TED talk of Dr. Salvana on “The Dangerous Evolution of HIV”.

Click here to donate.

The UPMASA Medical MISSION

Why Wait?  Help the Medical Mission and DONATE NOW

UPMASA MEDICAL MISSIONS:  22 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS VOLUNTEER ACTION

by Roberto U Velasco, MD’70 (Fellow: American Acad Ortho Surgeons & Phil Orthopedic Assoc.)

Inception:

1992 – 93: initiated by UPMASA New York-New Jersey-Connecticut chapter. Among the prominent advocates and supporters: Dr. Paulino Cruz and Dr. Miriam Cosca-Cruz, Dr. Emmanuel Lat and Dr. Zenda Garcia-Lat, Dr. Bienvenido Jongco and Dr. Anita Ortega-Jongco, Dr. Geraldine Gomez-Pinder, Dr. Lulu Ramirez-Plurad and Dr. Arthur V. Plurad, Dr. Marilyn Aldeguer-Resurreccion and others.

1994: Dr. Miriam Cosca-Cruz: volunteered to be the FIRST chairperson of the NY-NJ-CT Medical Mission (later became: UPMASA Medical Mission)

1995: Under the leadership of Dr. Emmanuel Lat UPMASA president elect and Dr. Al Manahan UPMASA National president, the UPMASA Medical mission committee was formed (nucleus = NY-NJ-CT medical mission) and was led by Dr. Miriam Cosca-Cruz

Exponential Growth and Expansion (1995 – 2001)

1995 -Dr. Miriam Cosca-Cruz (chair, 1995 – 2001): Established Guidelines, procedures, protocols

1995 -Partnership and collaboration with the Ugnayan Ng Pahinungod-Manila.

Single Target Mission Action areas: 1995, 1997.

Double (back to back) Target Mission Action Areas: 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001.

Continued Steady Growth and Expansion (2002 – 2005)

Dr. Lulu V. Ramirez-Plurad (chair, 2001 – 2003) and Dr. Marilyn S. Aldeguer Resurreccion (chair, 2004- 2005).

2002: Start of UPMASA funding support. Increasing number of volunteers and increasing number of patients treated in target areas. Partnership established with Catholic Medical Missions Board.

Pototan, Iloilo (2005) – the only exception target Area – Solo UPMASA only; no volunteers from Ugnayan Ng Pahinungod.

Growth with Special Collaborations (2006 – present)

Dr Frances Tolete-Velcek (Chair 2006-2009), was assisted by energetic movers. Iman and Zenda Lat, coordinated the following target areas: 2006 (Gingoog), 2008 (Baroy), and 2009 (Hilongos).   2007 (Tuguegarao) was actively coordinated by Elsie Antonio.

Dr. Valentin N. Dolorico (chair, 2009 -2017): Increasing Medical, Nursing, Dental Volunteers and Non-Medical Volunteers.

2013: Calapan Medical Action – Partnership with Oriental Mindoro Association of California (OMASC)

2014: Dipolog Medical Action- Partnership with Univ of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical School Alumni.

2015:  Candon, Ilocos Sur (& Vigan – 2nd phase) coordinated by Dr Candonino Gazmen

2016: Maasin Leyte – Partnership with Diocese and local Health Government

2017: Vigan, Ilocos Sur – Provincial Governor and Auxiliary, coordinated by Dr Frances Tolete-Velcek and ran under Acting Chair Dr Glen Batiller and who was subsequently named new CHAIR of Medical Mission 2017 onwards

Medical Mission Funding

1995 – 2001: NY-NJ-CT chapter funding support + individual fund raising.

2002 – Present: UPMASA funding support for medication, supplies, some equipment and Pahinungod expenses.

90% of expenses covered by individual and chapter fund raising (exceptional fund raiser: Dr. & Mrs. Valentin D. Dolorico 2010 – 2017).

Note: UPMASA volunteers pay their own way to and from mission target area and their own lodging (plus Pahinungod travel and lodging) expenses

Medical Mission Partners:

1. Ugnayan Ng Pahinungod/Oblation Corps: started in 1994 by UP President Emil Javier to

“Institutionalize the spirit of social commitment and service that has marked U.P. since

It was founded in 1908.”

Pahinungod: Cebuano term closest to Oblation = offering or sacrifice. Volunteers are known as Pahinungods.

University wide program with Pahinungods in Social Service, Education (Gurong Pahinungod), Agriculture, Health Care, Urban Area and other programs

Currently most active: Pahinungod Manila (for Health care, Street Kids and 8 other active programs) and Pahinungod Los Banos (for Agriculture).

Pahinungod Manila annually does 15 – 40 medical missions within the Philippines. UPMASA coordinates/joins one medical mission with them. Provides surgical volunteers and liaison to dental and SUKOB (eye) volunteers. Do some on site pre Mission patient screening and some Post mission surgical follow up. Very active participation in surgical procedures during UPMASA medical missions. Assists in Philippine licensure fulfillment (temporary or permanent) for USA UPMASA volunteers.

1. Catholic Medical Missions Board – provided medications (2005 – 2011)
2. Bausch and Lomb: lenses
3. Mercury Drug & Unilab (Philippines): medications
4. Oriental Mindoro Association of California (OMASC) (2013): liaison to local government provided surgical gowns and drapes, food for volunteers, hospital cots for post op Medical mission patients.
5. University of the East Medical Alumni Association (2014) – volunteers, liaison to provincial hospital
6. Divine Mercy Society (Texas) (2017) – medications, non-medical activity.

Elements for Success

Memorandum of Agreement between: UPMASA medical Chairperson, UP Chancellor Manila (for Pahinungod Manila) and local government (for local budget for food, local transportation, mission site [operating rooms, clinic areas, restrooms, lodging areas, security]). Consent and participation of local government is imperative. Consent and involvement of local health MDs and officials for patient selection and follow up (only indigent patients to be seen and treated by mission personnel so there is minimal impact on local practitioners’ income). USA presence of a Target Area representative [coordinator] (preferably UPMASA member).

Coordination with Pahinungod Manila for purchase and transport of supplies to target area; and post missions expeditious referral to PGH of complex cases.

UPMASA funding support, robust fund raising and expense control.

Typical Action Schedule:

Day 0: Arrival of US Volunteers in MNL. Transport of Supplies from MNL to target Area.

Day 1: Arrival of US Volunteers + Pahinungod Volunteers in Target Area. Sorting of Supplies, Final Surgical screening. Surgical procedures start in the PM.

Day 2: – 5: Medical, Surgical, Dental Mission

Day 6: Post mission conference (preferable with local medical personnel); Repack/transport of supplies back to MNL. Rest & recreation (near target area) for all volunteers.

Day 7: Return to MNL.

Ongoing Activity:

Many UPMASA and USA volunteers ship supplies and equipment for medical Mission Use: Ship to: Ugnayan Ng Pahinungod, Mezzanine Level, Philippine General Hospital, Taft Ave, Manila.

Donate to Medical Missions: www.upmasa.org Click on donate, click on medical missions. The UPMASA is a qualified 501 (3)© organization. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

To Join: contact Medical missions chair: www.upmasa.org Click on medical missions.

Future Directions:

Explore preventive measures to decrease or eliminate goiter and hernia incidence (most common general surgery cases); and cleft lip/cleft palate (common pediatric plastic cases). Establish relationship with local MDs for continued surgical education and collaboration during mission days; and continued medical education in coordination with UP-PGH. Explore ways to prevent chronic medical conditions. Stronger association with other charitable groups for treatment of complex medical and surgical cases e.g. Handog Ngiti.

73,123 cases since the Medical Mission’s inception.   5387 surgical cases.   6986 Dental & 60,749 medical consultations. The numbers are staggering.   These patients touched our lives and tagged on our Missioner’s hearts to keep going back.  

Prepared by: Roberto Velasco, MD. ‘70

Author’s Random thoughts and observations: (from personal participation since 1997)

UPMASA medical missions subscribes to the Ugnayan Ng Pahinungod mission statement: “To serve the Underserved.”

Local Practitioners resent medical mission activities especially if pay patients are seen by medical missions. UPMASA medical missions take great pains to do preliminary screening so indigent (charity patients) are the major beneficiaries.

The most productive, rewarding and successful missions usually meant several target mission area visits by the coordinator and/or the chair; and the involvement of the mayor, governor and congressman/congresswoman of the target mission area.

Active and current Philippine Medical license required especially of surgical personnel.

My preference is to perform orthopedic procedures with the local orthopedic surgeon (for better pre-OP evaluation and long term Post OP patient care).

Re: Tabulation Data: My sources:
1. In 2005 there was a trifold piece paper (color – light green) incorporating data from the medical missions (1995 – 2005). This was prepared by Marilyn Aldeguer Resurreccion (then the Med mission chair) for the 2005 AGC. (Just like now – and more so then – many of our alumni are not aware of [or don’t believe] in the medical missions).

2. The July 2010 AGC souvenir program (published by the Northern Calif chapter) : has the tabulation data incorporating the above data and tabulation made current up to 2010 (Siaton) with Bani as the proposed 2011 target area.

2014  Dipolog and Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte.   SEE related POST

2016  Maasin, Leyte poster

MISSION PICTURES

Medical Mission on Media: You tube and Flickr

See related information under Committee; Medical Mission

Help the Medical Mission:  DONATE NOW

SPECIAL TOPIC:  Medical Licensure in the Philippines for Medical Missions
If you are a surgeon or anesthesiologist joining the medical mission (working in the hospital), you will need an STP (Special Temporary Permit) or you can renew your original license when you took your board exam for a permanent 3 year license. If you intend to go on missions regularly or travel to the Philippines (PHL) for an extended time, I advise you to renew your old license.
If you are joining as a medical doctor (internist, pediatrician, family practice, etc.) they have not required a PHL license unless you will be working within hospital premises. It is still advisable to get a permanent one, it is not expensive.
Log on to www.professionalr regulatory commission and click on Special Temporary Permits at the bottom of the left column.
Scroll down to:
Category E: permit for humanitarian mission for a specified time only
Category F: renewal of an old license good for 3 years
You can download the application forms.
Ms. Jovel Dacumos (email: [email protected]) coordinator for Ugnayan Ng Pahinungod in PGH will be able to assist you. You will have to send her the necessary documents and fees. This way you will avoid having to go to the PHL consulate and having them notarize your documents.

Current CHAIR:   Glenn Batiller MD Class ’80, Anesthesia.  Cell: 312-493-0292.   [email protected]

Former Chair:  Val Dolorico,MD
8308 Alexandria Court
Sarasota, Florida 34238
941-924-4524 home
941-228-0094 cell
email: [email protected]

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Support now

Thank you for your generosity. Please click here to support Operation Braveheart. 

The UPMASA Mental Health Task Force was formed under the Strategic Planning Committee to address the silent killer, especially during the pandemic, suicide. Suicide has affected several UPMASA members. So, we created the UPMASA Suicide Prevention Tool-kit which is a simple to understand and navigate, yet comprehensive tool, with resources for those practitioners who want to get more details as to how psychiatrists/ therapists can fully assess a person’s imminent risk of suicide. It is our hope that by dissemination of this vital information, we can save lives.

Please distribute this SUICIDE PREVENTION TOOL KIT to all your classmates and chapters.

You can access the UPMASA website Members Directory to get a list of UPMASA members who are psychiatrists.

Thank you.

Best regards,

Cecile Pasion- Bregman, MD, ‘78

Mental Health Task Force, Lead

Dear Fellow UPMASAN,

Dr. Armand Crisostomo, Vice Chancellor for Research of UP Manila submitted a proposal to the Project Coordination Committee for the publication on an E-Book on Colorectal Disease. Dr. Crisostomo is also former President of the Philippine Society for Colorectal Surgery.

The Project Coordination Committee has approved the Project.

The funding target to get the Project under way is $ 25000.

An academic institution like our UP College of Medicine differentiates itself by being able to document knowledge and disseminate it.

The project will require three research MD’s  dedicated to culling the Philippine Experience and the Philippine Literature to define exclusive information presently available in the Philippines. This project is focused on Colorectal Disease as it affects Filipinos.

The renumeration of  these dedicated researchers is the purpose of this request.

I am writing for your support.

Any amount is appreciated.  You may donate online by clicking below.

Checks can also be sent to Dr. Glenn Batiller, National Treasurer,

at  UPMASA Treasurer, 2304 Kossuth St., Lafayette IN 47904.

Yours truly,

Silverio Cabellon, Jr., MD

Chair, Research Committee

UPMASA 2021-23