Christmas Day

Christmas Day in The Philippines is primarily a family affair. Prior to the stroke of 12 midnight on the morning of December 25, the Misa de Aguinaldo is being celebrated. It is usually attended by the whole family. Misa de Aguinaldo is the Holy Mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Roman Catholic Church and Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayan) in the Philippines' main means of celebrating Jesus Christ's birth.

Misa de Aguinaldo is also celebrated at dawn or in the morning between immediately after sunrise and 10 a.m.; this schedule is preferred by Filipinos who choose to celebrate Christmas Eve with a night-long celebration of the Noche Buena.

Preferably in the morning, Filipino families visit members of the extended family, notably the elders in order to pay their respects. This custom of giving respect has been an age-old tradition in the Philippines called "Pagmamano"; this is done by touching one's forehead to the elder's hand saying Mano Po. The elder then blesses the person who has paid respect. "Aguinaldo", or money in the form of crisp, fresh-from-the-bank bills is given after the Pagmamano, mostly to younger children.

A Christmas Lunch usually follows after the "Pagmamano". The lunch is heavily dependent upon the finances of the family. Rich families tend to prepare grand and glorious feasts that consist of Jamon de Bola, Queso de Bola, Lechon and other Filipino delicacies. Some poor families choose to cook simple meals, nevertheless still special. When the family is settled after the lunch, the exchange of gifts is usually done. Godparents are expected to give gifts or Aguinaldo to their godchildren.
When nighttime falls, members of the family usually take part in family talks while listening to favorite Christmas carols. Some may opt to have a glorious Christmas feast for dinner.

Pilipino Christmas Tradition: Part II

The Pilipino Christmas would not be complete without the traditional Philippine Christmas symbols and decorations. Christmas lights are strung about in festoons, as the tail of the Star of Bethlehem in Belens, in shapes like stars, Christmas trees, angels, and in a large variety of other ways, even going as far as draping the whole outside of the house in lights. Aside from Western decorations like Santa Claus, Christmas trees, tinsel, etc, the Philippines has its own ways of showing that it is the holidays

The Parol: Though not strictly a custom, every Christmas season, Filipino homes and buildings are adorned with beautiful star lanterns, called parol (Span. farol, meaning lantern or lamp-Merriam Webster - English English- Spanish Dictionary). The earliest parols were traditionally made from simple materials like bamboo sticks, Japanese rice paper (known as "papel de Hapon") or crepe paper, and a candle or coconut oil-lamp for illumination; although the present day parol can take many different shapes and forms. The most base form of the lantern is a 5-pointed star with two "tails" at the lower two tips. Other variations are 4, 8, 10 pointed stars with the rarer 6, 16 and so on pointed stars. The parol is also traditionally made of lacquered paper and bamboo, but others are made of cellophane, plastic, rope, capiz shell and a wide variety of materials. Making parols is a folk craft, and most Filipino kids have tried their hand at making a parol at one time or another, maybe as a school project or otherwise. The most basic parol can be easily constructed with just ten bamboo sticks, paper, and glue. These lanterns represent the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men or Three Kings (Tatlong Hari in Tagalog). Parols are to Filipinos as Christmas trees are to Westerners- an iconic and beloved symbol of the holiday. There is also a Parol competition in different localities, leading the pack is San Fernando, Pampanga. Where a big parol takes a new meaning of 16 to 18 feet tall and some where even taller. San Fernando is known as the Parol capital of the Philippines.

The Belen: Another traditional Filipino Christmas symbol is the belen -- a creche or tableau representing the Nativity scene. It depicts the infant Jesus Christ in the manger, surrounded by the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, the shepherds, their flock, the Magi and some stable animals and angels. Belens can be seen in homes, churches, schools and even office buildings. The ones on office buildings can be extravagant, using different materials for the figures and using Christmas lights, parols, and painted background scenery. A notable outdoor belen in Metro Manila is the one that used to be at the COD building in Cubao, Quezon City. In 2003, the belen was transferred to the Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan when the COD building closed down. This belen is a lights and sounds presentation, the story being narrated over speakers set up and most probably using automatons to make the figures move up and down, or turn, etc. Each year, the company owning it changes the theme, with variations such as a fairground story, and Santa Claus' journey. Construction for this year's show started around September 1. On the other hand, Tarlac, known as the "Belen Capital of the Philippines" holds the annual "Belenismo sa Tarlac". It is a belen making contest which is participated by establishments and residents in Tarlac. Giant belens with different themes are displayed in front of the establishments and roads of Tarlac for the rest of the Christmas season.

The Caroling: In the Philippines, children also celebrate Christmas with the traditional Christmas caroling - going from house to house singing Christmas carols. Makeshift instruments include tambourines made with tansans (aluminum bottle caps) strung on a piece of wire. With the traditional chant of "Namamasko po!", these carolers wait expectantly for the homeowners to reward them with coins. After being rewarded, the carolers thank the owner by singing "Thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo (you are so kind), thank you!"

My Christmas Wish to all ...

To everyone,

Wishing you joy

Throughout the holiday season

May you have all the things

You desire for whatever reason

Don't let worries and troubles

Come to your door

May each and everyday

Be filled with happiness and more

May your Christmas be happy

And right from the start

May the New Year bring all

That is dear to your heart!

My Best Wishes for the

Christmas Season!

Mila Isidro Libiran

Laverne Stop Over

Cesar called me and said that Laverne dropped by on his way to Chicago. I was reading email from Laverne and he is going to Chicago with a stopped over in Los Angeles. His family persuade him to spend the holidays with them in Los Angeles since his job would not start until 3rd week of January. It would be very cold in Chicago with no relative in site on Christmas and New Year's day.

Laverne decides to spend the Holidays in Los Angeles and the following day Cesar pick him up from his uncles house and call some Brod's. So that sunday (December 14) I picked up Elvis and went to Cesars house. Cesar ordered lunch at Salo Salo, together we pick it up and ate lunch. We then spend the whole afternoon talking about the good old times, with the seniors giving advice to our Brod.

In the picture (above), all of us were wearing the MEDICUS cap that I just got that friday (december 12) from the manufacturer. It look good and serve as a badge for us. To my brods and sis I will be mailing it (the cap) to you just wait. I do not want to be with the Holiday rush at the post office so I am waiting till January to start mailing it.

agpineda 107

Pilipino Christmas Traditions Part 1

Christmas in the Philippines, is one of the biggest holidays on the calendar. The country has earned the distinction of celebrating the world's longest Christmas season, with Christmas carols are heard as early as September and the season lasting up until Epiphany.

Christmas Activities

Christmas parties: In urban areas, especially in Metro Manila, many schools and offices organize Christmas parties, which usually held during the second week of December. Common activities include Kris Kringle, song and dance numbers, a skit or play, and parlor games as well as food being served.

Traditionally, Christmas Day in the Philippines is ushered in by the nine-day dawn masses that start on December 16. Known as the Misa de Gallo in the traditional Spanish and in Filipino as Simbang Gabi, this novena of Masses is the most important Filipino Christmas tradition.

These nine dawn Masses are also considered as a Novena by the Catholic and Aglipayan faithfuls. This refers to the Roman Catholic and Aglipayan practice of performing nine days of private or public devotion to obtain special graces.

In some parishes, the Simbang Gabi begins as early as four o'clock in the morning. Going to mass this early for nine consecutive days is meant to show the churchgoer's devotion and faith as well as to heighten anticipation for the Nativity of Jesus. In traditional Filipino belief, however, completing the novena is also supposed to mean that God would grant the devotee's special wish or favour.

After hearing Mass, Filipino families partake of traditional Philippine Christmastime delicacies, either during breakfast at home or immediately outside the church, where they are sold. Vendors offer a wealth of native delicacies, including bibingka, puto bumbong, salabat and tsokolate. In some Aglipayan churches, after the mass everybody is invited to partake the "painit" at the house of the sponsor of the mass.

For Filipinos, Christmas Eve ("Bisperas ng Pasko") on December 24th has the much-anticipated Noche Buena. Family members dine together around 12 midnight on traditional Noche Buena fare, which includes: queso de bola, "Tsokolate" and jamon, and some would open presents at this time.

In different provinces and schools throughout the Philippines, Catholic devotees also reenact the journey of Joseph and the pregnant Blessed Virgin Mary in search of lodging for the soon-to-be born Jesus Christ. This is the traditional "Panunuluyan'", also called "Pananawagan" and "Pananapatan".

This street pageant is performed after dark on Christmas Eve, with the actors portraying Joseph and Mary going to pre-designated houses. They chant wika wika bang bang, a traditional folksong that is meant to wake up the owner of the house as the actors ask for lodging. But the couple (actors) are turned away by the owners, also through a song. Finally, Joseph and Mary make their way to the parish church where a simulated manger has been set up. The birth of Jesus is celebrated at midnight with the Misa de Gallo, together with hallelujahs and Christmas carols. Everybody celebrates this tradition happily yet solemnly.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a traditional North American holiday, which is a form of harvest festival. In the United States, Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, at the end of the harvest season, is an annual American Federa holiday to express thanks for one's material and spiritual possessions. The period from Thanksgiving Day to New Year's Day often is called the holiday season. Most people celebrate by gathering at home with family or friends for a holiday feast.

Thanksgiving generally is considered secular, or at least nonsectarian, and is not based on any specific religious canon or dogma. Though the holiday's origins can be traced to harvest festivals that have been celebrated in many cultures since ancient times, the American holiday has religious undertones related to the deliverance of the English settlers after the brutal winter at Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The first recorded Thanksgiving ceremony took place on September 8, 1565, when 600 Spanish settlers, under the leadership of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, landed at what is now St. Augustine, Florida, and immediately held a Mass of Thanksgiving for their safe delivery to the New World; there followed a feast and celebration. As the La Florida colony did become part of the United States, this can be classified as the first Thanksgiving.

El Paso, Texas, has also been said to be the site of the first Thanksgiving to be held in what is now known as the United States, though that was not a harvest festival. Spaniard Don Juan de Oñate ordered his expedition party to rest and conducted a mass in celebration of thanksgiving on April 30, 1598.

1621 Thanksgiving, The Puritans at Plymouth Plantation: Squanto, a Patuxet Native American who resided with the Wampanoag tribe, taught the Puritans how to catch eel and grow corn and served as an interpreter for them (Squanto had learned English as a slave in Europe and travels in England). Without Squanto's help the Puritans might not have survived in the New World. Although, there is still controversy about what kind of relationship Native Americans and Europeans might truly have had, if not for the smallpox plague which killed 90-96% of the local Native American population just prior to the actual arrival of the Puritans in 1620. The settlers who later came to be called the "Puritans" set apart a day to celebrate at Plymouth immediately after their first harvest, in 1621. At the time, this was not regarded as a Thanksgiving observance; harvest festivals were existing parts of English and Wampanoag tradition alike. The Puritans did not hold a true Thanksgiving until 1623, when it followed a drought, prayers for rain, and a subsequent rain shower. Irregular Thanksgivings continued after favorable events and days of fasting after unfavorable ones. In the Plymouth tradition, a thanksgiving day was a church observance, rather than a feast day.

Gradually, an annual Thanksgiving after the harvest developed in the mid-17th century. This did not occur on any set day or necessarily on the same day in different colonies in America.

The Massachusetts Bay Colony (consisting mainly of Puritan Christians) celebrated Thanksgiving for the first time in 1630, and frequently thereafter until about 1680, when it became an annual festival in that colony; and Connecticut as early as 1639 and annually after 1647, except in 1675. The Dutch in New Netherland appointed a day for giving thanks in 1644 and occasionally thereafter. Charlestown, Massachusetts held the first recorded Thanksgiving observance June 29, 1671 by proclamation of the town's governing council.

During the 18th century individual colonies commonly observed days of thanksgiving throughout each year. We might not recognize a traditional Thanksgiving Day from that period, as it was not a day marked by plentiful food and drink as is today's custom, but rather a day set aside for prayer and fasting. Later in the 1700s individual colonies would periodically designate a day of thanksgiving in honor of a military victory, an adoption of a state constitution or an exceptionally bountiful crop. Such a Thanksgiving Day celebration was held in December 1777 by the colonies nationwide, commemorating the surrender of British General Burgoyne at Saratoga.

The history of Thanksgiving in Canada goes back to an explorer, Martin Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Orient. In the year 1578, he held a formal ceremony, in what is now the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, to give thanks for surviving the long journey. The feast was one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in North America, although celebrating the harvest and giving thanks for a successful bounty of crops had been a long-standing tradition throughout North America by various First Nations and Native American groups. First Nations and Native Americans throughout the Americas, including the Pueblo, Cherokee, Cree and many others organized harvest festivals, ceremonial dances, and other celebrations of thanks for centuries before the arrival of Europeans in North America. Frobisher was later knighted and had an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean in northern Canada named after him — Frobisher Bay.

At the same time, French settlers, having crossed the ocean and arrived in Canada with explorer Samuel de Champlain, also held huge feasts of thanks. They even formed 'The Order of Good Cheer' and gladly shared their food with their First Nations neighbours.

After the Seven Years' War ended in 1763 handing over New France to the British, the citizens of Halifax held a special day of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving days were observed beginning in 1799 but did not occur every year. After the American Revolution, American refugees who remained loyal to Great Britain moved from the United States and came to Canada. They brought the customs and practices of the American Thanksgiving to Canada. The first Thanksgiving Day after Canadian Confederation was observed as a civic holiday on April 5, 1872 to celebrate the recovery of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) from a serious illness.
Starting in 1879 Thanksgiving Day was observed every year but the date was proclaimed annually and changed year to year. The theme of the Thanksgiving holiday also changed year to year to reflect an important event to be thankful for. In the early years it was for an abundant harvest and occasionally for a special anniversary.

After World War I, both Armistice Day and Thanksgiving were celebrated on the Monday of the week in which November 11 occurred. Ten years later, in 1931, the two days became separate holidays, and Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day.

The year is a challenged to all of us, some did good and some not so good. But despite all of the challenges that was thrown in our path, we still can think of something to be thankful for.

Happy thanksgiving to everyone, there is a nice card if you click the active link: PUMPKIN PIE


agp 107

2nd Foundation Anniversary

MESSAGE

On this day of celebration, we, the Founders, join all our brothers and sisters in commemorating our Second Foundation Anniversary, with overwhelming pride in our hearts.

In a short span of two years, our dreams have grown tenfold in membership and most of all in accomplishments. Our young fraternity, in no time, has charted unprecedented success, beyond limits of expectation. Now, more and more students are beginning to realize the impending need today for responsive Men of Medicine bonded by "a commitment to Dedication, Service and Brotherhood".

Today, above all festivities, we again gather to recollect and reassess the past, and draw strength from each other to brave another year of hard work and sacrifice. With the guidance of Our Almighty God and the unwavering support of all our brothers and sisters, no task is too big to overcome.

The Founders' small flickering dream is in you all. Keep the spirit burning forever.
To all the incumbent officers, members, advisers and sponsors, we extend to you our warmest gratitude for making this affair, one that we shall treasure for all time.

Fraternally yours,

THE FOUNDERS

This message was written at the back of the first page (cover page) of the souvenir program for the 2ND Foundation Anniversary held at Manila Garden Hotel on September 1, 1984. It was the Final Acceptance of Dum Spiro Spero and Vincula Concordia.

2008 California Reunion

In 2007 there was a MEDICUS gathering held at Cesar's house at Riverside, Ca. In that gathering a BLOG was started. This BLOG was seen by MEDICUS members and noticed that there were several members in the US mostly in California and in the adjoining states like Nevada and Arizona. Several suggested to have a long overdue reunion (monette, peewee, jopye). It has been years since we saw each other, face to face. The most members in one place was during James birthday in 2002 and all of these were from California. I mentioned this to Cesar and agreed to organized and held one. The suggestion was Las Vegas, for there were several members there that includes Monette, Thany & Mel, and James and there was a lot more activities to begin with. This was considered and pondered but then, we have to take into consideration that most of our brods and sis were in California. A lot of members do not have enough time for the whole weekend to spare. Some were even on duty the night before the set date for the reunion plus the commute between the states and finally the cost becomes a deciding factor. In the end it was decided that it would be held at Cesar's house at Riverside. It has a bigger space and can hold a lot of people, it has a pool and the view at sunset is stunning (i have seen this the previous year 2007). We call everyone we know to be informed of the plan 3 months before so that they can settled their schedules ahead of time.

The day starts with a call from Annie to what time I'm going to pick her up (just woke up at the call 0945) and told her after I got the "kakanin" that I ordered at 10:00 AM. Soon Art was calling me, he was already there at Riverside and no one was there except Cesar. I picked up Annie after I found my way to her apartment (sorry but i got lost in West LA, with a GPS) and then we where on our way.


At Riverside Art was the first to arrived at 10:00 AM. I arrived with Annie at 12:20 PM followed by Robin and his wife, Peewee Muriel and Terry. We were hungry and ate lunch after arrival. We started talking about how we end up being a MEDICUS and our old times at MCU.

One by one the members came Monette and family, James, Edwin and family, Mel and Thany, Vic, Cepo, Jopye, Elvis and family, Sam and Mae, Joli, and Aileen and family. We've talk of old times and how boring our medicine school days would be without MEDICUS, our activities, practical jokes and the camaraderie. We also have some guest from other batches that were MCU graduates (88 & 84). They talk of how they find MEDICUS and its members then (we all came from one school regardless of our organizational affiliation when we were students). Everyone enjoyed meeting each other and talking about old times.

The younger generation listens to the activities of the older ones, they also have their own story to tell. We reconnect and plan on networking to help each other out. We also plan of future activities. Until it was time for Robin to leave (he have another reunion to go to). We ate, drink, be merry and chat for hours. We have a lot pictures taken during sunset and through out the reunion. Then Terry and Jopye left followed by Joli. At 12:00 midnight, one by one the members said their goodbyes. A few were left to stay overnight at Cesar's house (alex, sam, mae, james) and some at Bel's house (art, me-an, vic, and monette). (Bel is our guest, a batch 88 she lives a few blocks from Cesar without knowing it.) We've agreed to meet again for breakfast at 08:00 AM the following morning at Cesar's house.

At 08:00 AM, breakfast was prepared and again we started talking about the old days and our life as it is, over breakfast. After breakfast we said our goodbyes at the breakfast table and walk outside. Outside, we started talking again and said another set of goodbyes and started walking to the gate to leave. We ended talking again at the gate. At 10:00 AM it was really time to leave as some were still on duty that night. Some had to travel back to Nevada. It seems that we have not enough time to talk and tell our stories.

We miss some of the members like Rodel, Chi, Joan, Jon, Del, Willy, Rey Daclison, Aida, Vince, Burt, Sam Bangug (New York), Manny Sunga(Chicago), Manette Bunyi (Florida), Gemma, Odette (Washington), Reyshelle, Jewelie, and Ellen. I hope that we will see them next time. Some of them wanted to come but due to unforeseeable circumstances they were not able to make it.


This is a picture of every member that was in the reunion. There were several videos made and posted to YouTube (you can watch it at the bottom of the BLOG). I hope that by now everyone saw it.

agp107

BLOG Anniversary

I do not know how many can remember when the MEDICUS BLOG showed up. It may be that no one could, but it is the same date today in 2007. The BLOG was made after a gathering of members in 2007 held at Riverside, CA.

It was like an after thought that this BLOG was made. We were already preparing to leave when discussion turned to our website which is about to disappear. It was suggested to look for a possible new MEDICUS website, because members decides not to renew with the current provider. I said why not a BLOG, it is free and we can tailor made it to our need. Cesar said that since it is my suggestion why not I made one. We have our own MEDICUS website based in the Philippines at that time. But some members think that it was too rigid and static. It is only serving us like a bulletin board not interactive. You can put your picture on your message and that's all, no streams, no videos, etc. It does not even save our messages but would be deleted after a while (i think based on a certain limit). The plan was to make this site our temporary one until we have our own website again.

I do not know how to do a blog then, but I surfed the Internet and inquired how. I got home before 12:00 midnight after dropping off Edwin to his house at that time. Fired up my laptop and by 12:40 am I have made the first BLOG. Due to the dizziness caused by wine and beer from the gathering at that time, that apparently was delayed by my metabolism. I totally forgot the sign in name and password, up to this time. The first BLOG that I made is still up and the first post was timed at 12:44 AM and the 2nd one was at 1:07 AM posted on November 5, 2007 (you can see it here). Right after the time that I cannot open the first BLOG that I did. I made a second one, this BLOG. One year later this temporary site is still ticking and is now a year old. The BLOG has evolve and is evolving, as parts were added to satisy our need and to see if it works for us. It now has a video part powered by youTube, a stream from Flickr, Gallery from smugmug, chatbox, shoutouts, logbook, link list, flash feeds and URL feeds. Each one contribute to what we perceived as our need. It serves as a publication and a hangout for members to reminisced old times and join others in celebrating the new. It introduced old members to new ones and to each others family and updated in our current situations and whereabouts.

With this site we found some of our brods and sis that have lost communication with the group for years (i was really surprised when vince wrote on our BLOG logbook). I personally become aware of some members through the existence of the BLOG. I've known and met some Brods and Sis that I could not possibly know. I also made connections with some brods and sis that I have lost communication with. Every time we found one member or made connection with one, I thought that the effort that was put into the site is worth every minute of it. Every time someone appreciate the existence of the BLOG in one way or another, I got the feeling that it is worth continuing. Our MEDICUS BLOG contribute to why there were more members that met each other this past reunion at Riverside, some were even out of state. I enjoyed making the site and maintaining it, though I need help. I need materials to post and information about the members, old news and current situations. For the reason that ideas do run out. I hope someone will provide that info like Mabel did.

All in all, it is a productive year for the BLOG. I hope it will continue, for it serves its purpose well. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEDICUS BLOG.

For the members who appreciate the BLOG,

THANK YOU.

agp

All Saint's Day

All Saints' Day (also called All Hallows or Hallowmas), often shortened to All Saints, is a feast celebrated on November 1 in Western Christianity, and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in Eastern Christianity in honour of all the saints, known and unknown.

In terms of Western Christian theology, the feast commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in heaven. Specifically, in the Roman Catholic Church, the next day, All Souls' Day, commemorates the departed faithful who have not yet been purified and reached heaven

Among Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholics, All Saints Sunday (Greek: Αγίων Πάντων, Agiōn Pantōn), follows the ancient tradition of commemorating all saints collectively on the first Sunday after Pentecost.

The feast of All Saints achieved great prominence in the ninth century, in the reign of the Byzantine Emperor, Leo VI "the Wise" (886–911). His wife, Empress Theophano—commemorated on December 16—lived a devout life. After her death, her husband built a church, intending to dedicate it to her. When he was forbidden to do so, he decided to dedicate it to "All Saints," so that if his wife were in fact one of the righteous, she would also be honored whenever the feast was celebrated. According to tradition, it was Leo who expanded the feast from a commemoration of All Martyrs to a general commemoration of All Saints, whether martyrs or not.

The Western Christian holiday of All Saints Day falls on November 1, followed by All Souls' Day on November 2, and is a Holy Day of Obligation in the Latin Rite Roman Catholic Church.
The origin of the festival of All Saints as celebrated in the West dates to May 13, 609 or 610, when Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to the Blessed Virgin and all the martyrs; the feast of the dedicatio Sanctae Mariae ad Martyres has been celebrated at Rome ever since. The chosen day, May 13, was a pagan observation of great antiquity, the culmination of three days of the Feast of the Lemures, in which the malevolent and restless spirits of the dead were propitiated. Medieval liturgiologists based the idea that this Lemuria festival was the origin of that of All Saints on their identical dates and on the similar theme of "all the dead".

The feast of All Saints, on its current date, is traced to the foundation by Pope Gregory III (731–741) of an oratory in St. Peter's for the relics "of the holy apostles and of all saints, martyrs and confessors, of all the just made perfect who are at rest throughout the world", with the day moved to November 1.

This usually fell within a few weeks of the Celtic holiday of Samhain, which had a theme similar to that of Lemuria, but which was also a harvest festival. The Irish, whose holiday Samhain had been, did not celebrate All Hallows Day on this November 1 date, as extant historical documents attest that the celebration in Ireland took place in the spring: "...the Felire of Oengus and the 'Martyrology of Tallaght' prove that the early medieval churches [in Ireland] celebrated the feast of All Saints on April 20."

A November festival of all the saints was already widely celebrated on November 1 in the days of Charlemagne. It was made a day of obligation throughout the Frankish empire in 835, by a decree of Louis the Pious, issued "at the instance of Pope Gregory IV and with the assent of all the bishops", which confirmed its celebration on November 1. The octave was added by Pope Sixtus IV (1471—1484).

Pope Gregory IV standardized the date of All Saints' Day, or All Hallows' Day, on November 1 in the name of the entire Western Church in 837. As the Church day began at sunset, the holiday coincided exactly with Samhain. It is claimed that the choice of date was consistent with the common practice of leaving pagan festivals and buildings intact (e.g., the Pantheon) while overlaying a Christian meaning; however, no reliable documentation indicates such a motivation in this case. While the Celts might have been content to move All Saints' Day from their own previous date of April 20, the rest of the world celebrating it on May 13, it is speculated without evidence that they were unwilling to give up their pre-existing autumn festival of the dead and continued to celebrate Samhain.

The festival was retained after the Reformation in the calendar of the Anglican Church and in many Lutheran churches. In the Lutheran churches, such as the Church of Sweden, it assumes a role of general commemoration of the dead. In the Swedish calendar, the observance takes place on the Saturday between October 31 and November 6. In many Lutheran Churches, it is moved to the first Sunday of November. It is also celebrated by other Protestants of the English tradition, such as the United Church of Canada and the Wesleyan Church.

In the United Methodist Church, All Saint's Day is on the first Sunday in November. It is held to remember all those that have passed away from the local church congregation. A candle is lit by the Acolyte as each person's name is called out. Then, a liturgical prayer is offered for each soul in Heaven.

Brods and Sis sa Pilipinas ang All Saint's Day ay araw ng mga buhay. Lahat ay nag uuwian sa kanilang mga katutubong lugar at nag tutulos ng kandila sa kanilang mga yumaong mga mahal sa buhay. Nag kikita kita ang mga mag ka-kamaganak sabay handa ng pagkain at inuman sa sementeryo. Sa mga uuwi ingat kayo, at mag enjoy sa holiday na ito.

MCU - FDTMF Seal

On the day of its founding until the early nineties, the MCU-FDT MEDICAL FOUNDATION did not have its own college seal. It used the university seal for its official functions.

Upon its conversion to a foundation on June 28, 1971, and its full accreditation by the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges, the administrative officials thought of designing its own college seal.

Vice-President for Administration Mrs. Luningning T. Estanislao, Dean Lutgarda C. Quito, and Medical Director Esperanza F. Rivera joined together to conceptualize the college seal. Finally, in the late eighties a college seal came into being.

The seal contains a triangle within which a caduceus. The triangle is further enclosed by a circle with MCU-Filemon D. Tanchoco College of Medicine 1947 clearly printed in the ring encircling it.
The three sides of the triangle have a two-fold significance. First, the three sides represent the three components of the Mission-Vision of MCU-FDTMF: 1) Education, 2) Patient Care and Community Service and 3) Research. Second, the three sides also stand for the three equally important sectors of the College: 1) the Administration, 2) the Faculty and other personnel and 3) the Alumni and Students. Together they work to make the Mission-Vision of the College a reality.

(source: MCU-FDTMF website)

POETRY ATTEMPTS

MEDICUS members were a talented lot. MEDICUS members were born leaders and innovators in a situation they were in. When I was at MCU we were always called by the Dean of the College to tell us, that some things were done and they know that MEDICUS is the only one who can do it and blamed for it. In this post were written attempts in POETRY by MEDICUS members. Expressing their different ideas in a poetic way. Conveying messages to their brods, sis, and love ones.

Dear Brods and Sis,

It takes time to become somebody.

It takes pain and sorrow.

It takes mistakes to learn.

It takes degradations and expectations ...

But most of all, we must all know

-IT TAKES LOVE TO MAKE IT ALL WORK OUT. ...

because with this,

we learn,

become somebody

and maybe

achieve utmost happiness.

- THE CONS

Beneath the mask of a man's smiling face,

is the weeping heart of a dying race. . . or

though man has learned to fly like a dove,

Not all has learned the true meaning of LOVE.

SPIKE

FOR MY SWEETHEART. . . A GIRL I MET

A year ago I met a girl,

A Very special kind of girl,

Though easily get irritated,

A smile from her makes me crazy,

Thinking of her makes me dizzy.

She is always in my dream .

Like a lily in the stream.

If you think you are beaten,

you are;

If you think you dare not,

you don't;

If you like to win,

but think you can't,

It's almost a cinch you won't!

GEORGE

taken from our MEDICUS NEWSLETTER of 1986

Iba't ibang mensahe

There was a part of our NEWSLETTER wherein members wrote anything they want pertaining to anything they want. And here are some of it, taken from our NEWSLETTER of August 1986.

PRINCE KERMIT, Look what you have done to a bleeding heart.Be Good Prince. Make her heart bleed no more. . .PINK CLOWN

Pakuisap lang po sa mga babaeng katulad kong maganda. . . mag-ingat kay Cris Gonzales! malignant tumor yan! Highly anaplastic, pleomorphic at lahat lahat na. . .!! nngghhh P.S. My heart bleed no more, I'm fine now 4-SNY

To All bros and sis! CLERKS - Congrats!, III years - strive more, II years - work harder, I year - don't sleep, study, avoid dates, throw your bad habits!, Have self discipline and WELCOME, McDo

Leo Paul B., Hindi ko akalaing wild mo palang mag sayaw! Nagkasugat-sugat tuloy paa ko!

GING-GING, Ano ba yung undying quality na kinlang pinagkakaguluhan? Boys seems to fall in love with you. Have Fun!!!

ERIC C., Hangang ligaw tingin ka na lang ba ? ? ? Sge. . . baka maunahan ka pa! Sabagay, talaga yatang hangang No. 2 na lang Concerned SIS I-I

Life's battles don't always go o the stronger or faster, But sooner pr later, the man who wins, Is the man who thinks he can Manny De Lara

TO BABETTE, Bakit mo naman kami binuking . .. anyway, at least bida naman! That was really cute . . . esp the ...BA-A-BA-E-TA-TA-E Fr. SCOOP

TO OUR DOMINI, Thank you for your patience bearing with us. May this relationship be strengthened that no one can ruin up to the end. "Hope this brotherhood and friendship are meant for keeps. DODGE

TO A BROD WHO's SPECIAL, If I could only say the words, I would have told you that I have a heart to love. . . FOXY LADY

JEFF, Huwag mo silang pansinin. Mag sasawa din sa kakabiro sa iyo. HANG ON!

Dearest RUBY, Thanks for being a good listener! You're such a nice friend. No, a true sister, I mean ! ! ! Love, Carmen

NORMAN, pakiusap lang, wag ka nang mag tuck in! JI-JI A.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Oktoberfest is a sixteen-day festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany during late September (and running to early October). It is one of the most famous events in the city and the world's largest fair, with some six million people attending every year, and is an enjoyable event with an important part of Bavarian culture. Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations, modeled after the Munich event.

Oktoberfestbiers are the beers that have been served at the event in Munich since 1818, and are supplied by 6 breweries known as the Big Six: Spaten, Löwenbräu, Augustiner, Hofbräu, Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr. Traditionally Oktoberfestbiers were the lagers of around 5.5 to 6% abv called Märzen - brewed in March and allowed to ferment slowly during the summer months. Originally these would have been dark lagers, but from 1872 a strong March brewed version of an amber-red Vienna lager made by Josef Sedlmayr became the favourite Oktoberfestbier.

Since the 1970s the type of beer served at the festival has been a pale lager between 5 and 6% abv, and the terms Oktoberfest and Märzen are used by non-Oktoberfest brewers in Germany and the USA to market pale lagers of this strength. The color of these lagers may range from pale gold to deep amber, with the darker colours more common in the USA. Hop levels tend not to be distinctive, though some American examples may be firmly hopped. Modern beers sold as Oktoberfest and Märzen in Europe tend not to be too differentiated from other pale lagers of this strength, while older German and American influenced examples will be fairly malty in flavour and inclined to use a range of malts, especially dark malts such as Vienna or Munich.
The Munich Oktoberfest, traditionally, takes place during the sixteen days up to and including the first Sunday in October. In 1990, the schedule was modified in response to German reunification so that if the first Sunday in October falls on the 1st or 2nd, then the festival will go on until October 3 (German Unity Day). Thus, the festival is now 17 days when the 1st Sunday is October 2 and 18 days when it is October 1. The festival is held on an area named the Theresienwiese (field, or meadow, of Therese), often called d’ Wiesn for short.

Visitors also eat huge amounts of food, most of it traditional hearty fare such as Hendl (chicken), Schweinsbraten (roast pork), Haxn (knuckle of pork), Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick), Würstel (sausages) along with Brezel (Pretzel)), Knödeln (potato or bread dumplings), Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes), Sauerkraut or Blaukraut (red cabbage) along with such Bavarian delicacies as Obatzda (a fatty, spiced cheese-butter concoction) and Weisswurst (a white sausage).

The original "Oktoberfest" occurred in Munich, on October 12, 1810: For the commemoration of their marriage, Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen (namesake of the Theresienwiese festival grounds) organized a great horse race (the marriage took place on October 12; the horse race on October 17 — therefore, there are different dates named as being the first Oktoberfest).

In the year 1812, the Oktoberfest was cancelled since Bavaria was involved with the Napoleonic war. In 1816, carnival booths appeared. The main prizes were silver, porcelain, and jewelry. In 1819, The founding citizens of Munich assumed responsibility over festival management. It was agreed that the Oktoberfest would be celebrated each and every year without exception. Later, it was lengthened and the date pushed forward, the reason being that the end of September in Bavaria often has very good weather. The high temperature in the first week of Oktoberfest nears 30°C which stimulates the thirst of the visitors. However, today the last week of Oktoberfest is still in October.

To honor the marriage of King Ludwig I and Therese of Bavaria, a parade took place for the first time in 1835. Since 1850, this has become a yearly event and an important component of the Oktoberfest. 8,000 people — mostly from Bavaria — in traditional costumes walk from Maximilian Street, through the center of Munich, to the Oktoberfest. The march is led by the Münchner Kindl.

Toward A Closer Commitment

An organization is just like a tree that needs a strong root to hold it still to the ground and to resist any storm that will come along. And in MEDICUS, the roots are its members sharing the same objectives and ideals so as to make the organization strong and progressive.

If you cut a branch in a tree, it will loose its usual splendor but sooner new branch will grow to replace the fallen one. If you cut a tree on its trunk, new buds will sprout which will probably take a long time to branch and bloom but it is still alive. But if you cut out its roots definitely this tree will die and wither. Just the same with our beloved organization, though it was planted in fertile soil with solid trunk and some branches, it will not last long if the roots are weak and there is no adequate attention to it. The organization leaves the option to us. It is either you want to be a leaf that will fall when times comes or a root that exist as long as the tree exist. This is not a matter of enforcement but a matter of commitment.

We have gone quite a long way, and along the way we met different faces (in our brods and sis) and different characters. Though we share the same experiences yet still we have some differences to contend with among ourselves. One purpose of this NEWSLETTER is to is to make for those differences and to serve as a medium to settle those problems. Indeed these problems and differences, are but a storm testing how strong the roots of MEDICUS are. We have expect much of this storms in the future for we know the larger in number, the greater the problem will be. But at the moment, commitment will still have to be implanted on our minds to make those roots of MEDICUS hold firmly to the ground and closer together that no matter how powerful the storm or oven a cyclone is, MEDICUS will not be uprooted.

Notes from the Editor:
On our next issue, we are planning to have a special feature, like interviews from a prominent Medicus personality, letters of suggestions or comments, a birthday corner, a comic strip, a better paper and printout --- to sum up a better MEDICUS NEWSLETTER

In behalf of the MEDICUS FAMILY, we would like to congratulate our brods and sis' who hurdled the Board Exam successfully. And those who are on the top five each year, our warm CONGRATULATIONS.

This is a copy of the EDITORIAL on our MEDICUS NEWSLETTER Vol. 1 No. 1 published at MCU FDTMF Caloocan City on August of 1988.
Editor: Dodge Limjoco
Associate Editors: Rhuena Cablayan and Glenda Ogsimer
Layout: Marrie Ruffy, Mylene Calalang and Jeff Lee
Circulation: Alon Angtuaco and Cindy Santos
Offset: Doree Villamar

On the notes of the Editor you might have noticed that the editors plan and this BLOG seems to coincide in content, the only missing part is the comic strip. In those days that strip was supposed to be made by Gilbert (Q) and Ronald (dollar) for if you can see their drawings on our quarters then, it was really nice and funny. I just wished that I have the wherewithal to see what the possible future would be in terms of publishing and have taken some pictures of those drawings before they were painted over by the administration. I will post the other articles in the NEWSLETTER one at a time.

MCU Timeline (Part II)

1970: Dr. Filemon G. Tanchoco Jr., MCU Executive Vice President and Comptroller, organized the Project Lingap sa Nayon (LINA) of the World University Service, Philippines. This MCU project became the model for the government’s Youth Civil Action Program (YCAP).

1971: The MCU Hospital and the College of Medicine were converted into the Filemon Dionisio Tanchoco Medical Foundation (FDTMF).

1974: The Out-patient Department and Emergency as well as the medical auditorium and an audiovisual room were added to the hospital. MCU’s Freddie Cabanilla (College of Medicine, 1974) landed among the Medical Board Exam topnotchers.

1975: MCU College of Medicine Class 1975 graduates Lemuel Medina, Henry Go and Joaquin Guzon made it among the topnotchers of the Medical Board Exams. MCU Awarded the degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa to Finance Secretary Cesar Virata.

1976: Eduardo Castor and Roy Amador of the MCU College of Medicine Class 1976 joined the ranks of Medical Board Exam topnotchers.

1977: Dr. Filemon G. Tanchoco, Jr. initiated the contest on the Interdepartmental Case Report and Scientific Paper presentations. During a visit to a LINA project area in Batangas, he met a tragic road accident. Lualhati Tanchoco Gonzales assumed the post of MCU Executive Vice President. Renato G. Tanchoco was tapped to take on the role of MCU Vice President and Treasurer. Rosario Dela Torre (MCU College of Medicine, 1977) made it among the Medical Board Exams topnotchers.

1982: Medici Omnes Duciens was founded and its constitution approved by the school administration. At this time the only student organization existing in the College of Medicine.

1984: The MCU Medical Alumni Association in America, Inc was organized to strengthen bonds among US-based alumni and to raise funds for educational resources, research and patient care/ community services in the Philippines. MCU awarded Atty. Amado Dizon, prolific educator and former MCU Acting President, the title of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, MEDICUS: Vincula Concordia and Dum Spero Spera was born.

1985: The MCU Bagong Silang Health Center “under the tree” started as a community extension program. MCU would acquire a lot and build a permanent health center two years later. MEDICUS: Bel Esprit and Vitem Empendere Vero was born.

1986: The formal Committee on Research was created to coordinate all scientific researches of the College of Medicine and to publish the College’s Philippine Scientific Journal. Cesar Magsino of the MCU College of Medicine Class 1986 placed second in the Medical Board Exams, and classmate Rogelio George Magnaje joined him among the ranks of topnotchers. MEDICUS: Ne Plus Ultra and Esprit De Corps was born

1988: MCU’s Viannely Berwyn Flores (MCU College of Medicine, 1986) made it among the Medical Board Exam topnotchers. MEDICUS: Unos Sanguinis and Uno Vox was born.

1989: Emmanuel Linchangco of the MCU College of Medicine Class 1989 topped the Medical Board Exam, and classmate Lourdes Quinto (Medicus) joined him among the topnotchers.

1990: Evangeline Franco-Fabian (MCU College of Medicine, Class 1988) was among the topnotchers in the August Medical Board Exam.

1991: MCU launched the University Integrated Community Extension Programs and Services (UNICEPS) in Barangay Portrero, Malabon. Involving seven colleges and later expanding to other areas. UNICEPS adopted a holistic approach to community development that blended medical, dental, optometry, and laboratory services with literacy, sports, livelihood, health education, environmental sanitation, mothercraft and feeding programs.

1992: The College of Medicine adopted a competency –based curriculum. MCU College of Medicine Class 1990 valedictorian Glen Manalo ranked among the Medical Board Exam topnotchers. Renato G. Tanchoco passed away.

1993: A Research Unit was organized in the College of Medicine.1994: Mrs. Purificacion Gallego-Tanchoco died and was succeeded by Dr. Lualhati Tanchoco-Gonzalez as MCU President. The College of Physical Therapy was approved.

1995: The MCU College of Medicine adopted an innovative curriculum, anchored on “problem-based learning” (PBL) as teaching strategy.

1996: All the colleges were consolidated in one campus. All the programs in the Manila campuses in Zurbaran and Mayhaligue were transferred to Caloocan City.

1998: The Tanchoco Family Council was organized, creating a regular venue for the second and third generation clan members to participate formally in setting policy directions and in making major management decisions for MCU, consistent with deeply-held values and standards.

2001: MCU-FDTMF engaged The Denver Group, a management consultancy organization, to take the key officers through a process of setting strategic directions for the University in the 21st century. Intensive workshops yielded the Leading Education through Alignment and Responsible Navigation (LEARN) in Creating the Unique and Revolutionary Endeavor (CURE) change management interventions for MCU and FDTMF, respectively. Noted economist and former Finance Secretary Jesus P. Estanislao was conferred the title of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa.

2003: The Commission on Higher Education selected MCU among the universities and colleges deserving of the grant of autonomy and deregulated status due to academic excellence, outstanding overall performances of their graduates in licensure exams, and their long tradition of integrity. Autonomy entitles MCU to financial incentives and the privilege to prescribe curricular programs to achieve global competence.

2004: MCU celebrated “100 years of Commitment to the Filipino through Excellence in Education.” The University conferred upon Dr. Josette Talamero Biyo, internationally award educator and scientist, the degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa.

2007: Medici Omnes Duciens celebrated its 25th year of existence at MCU. Argentum Durus was born.

MEDICUS HYMN

medici omnes duciens

this is our fraternity/sorority

ever loyal to each other

in thought in words and deeds

medici omnes duciens

we will raise you up on high

beneath your standard we'll rally

one for all and all for one

medici omnes duciens

let us build an endless chain

carry on with the mantle of leadership

dedicated to serve mankind

medici omnes duciens

men whose royal blood runs red

for God and Country and for you

forever we shall live

lyrics by:

Alex (butch) J. Castillo Jr. MD

Why MEDICUS exist

Manila Central University had a very humble beginning. In 1903, on the request of several students from the University of Sto. Tomas and other individuals, Dr. Alejandro Albert organized a private review class.

This review class developed into the Escuela de Farmacia del Liceo de Manila in 1904, with Dr. Alejandro Albert, Alfredo L. Guerrero, Antonio C. Llamas, Feliciano Paterno and Filemon Tanchoco, and all faculty members of the institution, as incorporators. This was the first educational institution of its kind established and managed by Filipinos. Its success demonstrated the capacity and ability of the Filipinos to manage their own affairs in the educational field, especially at that time of its initial organization it was barely 4 years after the establishment of the Philippine Educational System.

The Manila College of Pharmacy (MCP) became one of the leading institutions of higher learning of its kind. It produced many prominent pharmacists. Stable and secure in its position, the college expanded in number in 1929. Its Board of Trustees, answering a long felt need for the training of the youth for dental services, opened the College of Dentistry. Manila College of Pharmacy became then the Manila College of Pharmacy and Dentistry (MCPD) of pre-war time. Opened and dedicated to gave the best education for our youth, the College maintained its leading position in the educational field. Unfortunately, the war closed its portals in 1941.

During the Japanese occupation, the enemy systematically looted its extensive facilities, laboratory, equipment, museum, etc. and during the liberation period, it was further looted of everything but the shell of its two buildings. After the liberation of the Philippines, the Board of Trustees reorganized the College into Manila Central College (MCC).

In addition to Pharmacy and Dentistry, the reorganized institution offered courses in Liberal Arts, Education, Commerce and Business Administration and Post Graduate courses in Pharmacy. And finally in 1947, the College of Medicine was added. In 1948, it became the Manila Central University after having opened the College of Nursing and Graduate School and more than sufficiently meeting the requirements for a university.

In 1949, MCU inaugurated its 10-hectare campus in Caloocan City. Since then, additional school buildings and service facilities have been constructed yearly in the 1960s. The College of Optometry, Midwifery, High School and Kindergarten classes were also opened. Expansion projects and development program for the whole university and individual colleges were continuously drawn to meet the educational demands and the objectives of the University.

The students of Manila Central University excel in all endeavours, that includes academically and other curricular activities. The Caloocan Campus gives the necessary space and field to practice. In time the facilities become dilapidated and poorly maintained. You can see the track and field at the Caloocan Campus full of grass as tall as 4 feet in 1984 (when I was there), the Olympic size pool is boarded up and the grandstand is falling apart. The buildings at Caloocan was slowly decaying and you do not see any maintenance going on. What use to be one of the best school and the 1st Filipino founded school appears to be falling behind.

The MCU College of Medicine (Filemon D. Tanchoco Medical Foundation) is located in the Caloocan Campus. In 1982, the medical students go on their own ways. If the students have any concerns, there was no avenue to vent that concern. AS a student, you are on your own if you see a problem you do what you must. No semblance of any organization represent the students at all. The Medical Student Council do not exist.

In August of that year, as the rest of the Medical schools were getting busy preparing for the Medicine Week celebrations, you will not find the same at MCU. No preparation was being done in Caloocan. The students go on their own routine, unmindful that there should be a Medicine Week the following month. Some 3rd year students tired of the monotonous routine in the campus, have aired their concerns and wanted to be a part of the celebrations. But there is no one to organized or officiate the celebrations. It is then that 15 3rd year students during one of their drinking sessions, decides to do something. During their brainstorming cum drinking session an idea came up. The concept of a Fraternity in the campus to represent the medical students to the faculty, management and board (remember there is no Medical Student Council at this time) was born. Of the 15 students 13 started and founded Medici Omnes Duciens (medicine channels for all) and the other 2 came in as the 1st special batch. On that year there is a Medicine Week celebrated at MCU a first after so many years and the MEDICUS founders were the one who organized and officiate the celebrations. During the basketball game students were wondering who are and where the officiating persons came from, all of them MEDICUS.

When I walk into MCU Caloocan campus in 1984 as a 1st year medical student, what I saw was not a promising site to see. For an outsider, what I saw were dilapidated buildings and rafters that were falling. But the provincial atmosphere is actually very conducive for learning. Campus and facility wise compared to UST, FEU, UP and UE, MCU is at the bottom, far different from what it used to be in the old days passed.

As I came out of the classrooms on our 1st day after our orientation, I saw a welcome banner of an organization called MEDICUS (Medici Omnes Duciens). Then I noticed MEDICUS members welcoming the new students to the campus. As I gave myself a tour of the campus, I saw medici omnes duciens labels on things that appears to be new along the background of old. These I learned later to be small projects by MEDICUS members.

From its founding, MEDICUS is the organization that mediate or channels what the students needs and wants to almost everyone, always the leader. It makes the life of a medical student less boring and made improvements in the campus atmosphere and its facilities to the best that they can do. After the founding of MEDICUS the College and Board established the Medical Student Council, and several other student organization came up (some from students who tried to be a MEDICUS but did not made it for one reason or another, there is also an organization where another MEDICUS is a founder). From this humble beginnings MEDICUS is still here trying to do what it was made for. MEDICUS members even though a lot have graduated from MCU, were still leading in their respective communities and trying to be a focal point of change for a better tomorrow.

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MCU Timeline: The Beginning

1904: A private review class for pharmacy students was institutionalized as the Escuela de Farmacia del Liceo de Manila, the first school of Pharmacy run by Filipinos, in 1904 with Dr. Alexander Albert as Founder and Director. Classes are conducted in the building later occupied by Avenue Theater in Rizal Avenue, Manila. Dr. Albert held the school directorship until 1908.

1908: The Escuela produced its first batch of graduates – among them Filomena Francisco Guerrero and Matilde Arquiza Arroyo, the first Filipina Pharmacists.

1913: Filemon D. Tanchoco (B.S. Pharmacy, 1910) placed second in the Pharmacy Board Exams.

1915: With a steady increase in enrollment, the Escuela was transformed into Manila College of Pharmacy(MCP) with Alfredo Guerrero, Antonio C. Llamas, Feliciano Paterno, and Atty. Filemon D. Tanchoco, as incorporators. The school was authorized to confer post graduate and doctoral degrees in Pharmacy. The College was housed in a new building at the corner of Oroquieta and Zurbaran in Manila. With Dr. Leon Ma. Guerrero appointed as the country’s representative to the Panama Pacific Exposition, Dr. Albert became school director.

1918: The Pharmacy profession reached new heights around 1000 registered drugstores, boticas, and farmacias,in the country, 229 of them in Manila and suburbs. Many prominent pharmacies were graduates of the MCP.

1920: In a landmark case that put the integrity of the nascent pharmacy industry on the line, Atty. Filemon D. Tanchoco took the cudgels for the Filipino Pharmacist. He defended a group of pharmacists accused by the American government of selling adulterated preparations-based on the U.S. Pharmacopea and the National Formulary and of violating the Drug Law. Shortly thereafter, the Philippine Pharmaceutical Association was established.

1926: Construction began on a new building at the corner of Mayhaligue and Felix Huertas in Manila.

1929: The College of Dentistry was founded in response to a long felt need for the training of the youth for dental services. The institution became the Manila College of Pharmacy and Dentistry. Dr. Genaro Felizardo, who organized the college, served as acting head of college until appointment of Dr. Jose Francisco as the first dean. The opening of the College of Dentistry was the first step in the founders’ program of expansion and in affording the youth as institution devoted solely to the teaching and development of science courses.

1936: The college started developing competencies in mineral analysis with the creation of the mineral assaying department.

1938: The College began offering secondary education through Albert High School. The College started making laundry soap and later produces medicated soap.

1941: The College closed its doors as the Second World War breakes out. Japanese forces occupied its buildings and systematically looted its extensive facilities, laboratory, equipment, museum, among others, leaving only the shell of its two buildings.

1945 : The demise of two founders and the incapacitation of two others leave Atty. Tanchoco with the awesome task of reviving the College. Mustering their savings and energy, he and his wife Purificacion Gallego-Tanchoco, reopened the school with a new wing- the College of Liberal Arts. Classes started with tables and chairs made of bamboo and pinewood from crates. With Dr. Alfredo Guerrero as Dean, the school was renamed the Manila College of Pharmacy and Liberal Arts.

1946: Further expansion followed with the setting up of the College of Education, the Normal Department and the Elementary Department. The Board of Trustees reorganized the College into the Manila Central Colleges (MCC) with Atty. Filemon Tanchoco as Chairman and Dr. Alfredo L. Guerrero as the Dean of the College of Pharmacy. The Liberal Arts and Education colleges and the Normal Department were grouped under the Allied Colleges. Acting Dean Magdaleno Arellano was succeeded by Dr. Eugenia Reus-Beucler, an alumna, a year later.

1947: Responding to an appeal from students and community to continue operating the Afable College of Medicine and Surgery after the death of its founder, MCC acquired its facilities. Thus, MCC’s College of Medicine was born, with Dr. Alfredo Guerrero as the first Dean. The College of Nursing was opened after the Bureau of Private Schools granted MCC the permit to operate the first year of a four- year course. Permit to operate subsequent years of the course were secured thereafter. The Graduate School in Business Administration was also established, the only one of its kind focusing on scientific management, to offer the degrees of Master in Business Administration and later, Master in Public Administration. Dr. Leon Ma. Gonzales is the first Dean.

1948: Now with a diversity of approved courses, the MCC was granted the authority to become a bona fide university. Henceforth the institution was known as the Manila Central University. Atty. Tanchoco is the first MCU President.

1949: MCU acquired the Novitiate of San Jose in Caloocan with the end in view of eventually relocating the entire university there. The former novitiate building was renovated to house the College of Medicine. The 10-hectare campus was inaugurated in the same year. Not long afterwards, the MCU Hospital, Nurses’ Home, gymnasium and auditorium were constructed there as well. MCU conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Pedagogy on Dr. Luther B. Bewley, Adviser on Education Matters of the Office of the President.

1951: The College of Nursing was authorized to offer full four- year nursing course

1953: The Graduate Pharmacy building was erected. It housed the Industrial Pharmacy and Research Laboratory, the only one of its kind in the Far East. MCU conferred the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy honoris causa to Primo Arambulo.

1954: MCU’s Industrial Pharmacy and Research Laboratory was featured on the cover and editorial of the July 1954 issue of the American Journal of Pharmacy as well as in the August 1954 issue of the Pharmacy International. President Ramon Magsaysay received the degree of Doctor of Sciences in Public Health, honoris causa.

1955: The School of Midwifery was established.

1959: The College of Optometry was established, opening a new avenue of excellence in health science-based education.

1962: The MCU Medical Alumni Association was formed to foster fellowship and to promote the school spirit and camaraderie among the University’s medical graduates. Dr. Manuel S. Dijamco served as first MCUMAA president.

1963: Far and wide, the entire MCU family mourned the passing of the patriarch, Atty. Filemon D. Tanchoco.

1964: Purificacion Gallego-Tanchoco became MCU’s second president. In line with the trends of the time, MCU started offering BS Medical Technology as a subsidiary to the College of Pharmacy

1966: The Graduate Education Division offered masteral studies in Education. Luningning Tanchoco-Estanislao assumed post as Administrator of MCU Hospital.

Sem break of 85

Finals was over, and I found myself at Joel Mendoza's house together with 5 of my brods (vincula concordia), nursing another case of San Miguel beer. We were just kidding around and end up of talking about, where to go next. We do not have a definite plan to go anywhere this time, unlike the previous semestral break (we went to Anilao, Batangas at that time. we were supposed to be a part of a medical mission and after the mission, enjoy ourselves by swimming, drinking and whatever that someone can think of). This time we were just sitting around and insulting each other as best as we could. After emptying a case of beer, It was suggested that perhaps we can go to Olongapo City (known then as sin city, this was several yrs before the Philippine Govt decide to get rid of the US Naval Facility based in the city) and go to the beach on day time and bar hoping at night time.

I went home ahead to Olongapo the following morning and told my parents that I will have some of my fraternal brothers visit us during the weekend. There will be probably 4 to 5 persons that will show up. My parents agreed to be the host and there was no problem where to stay, we were staying in our house. (The initial plan was to get a cottage by the beach and stay there for several days, probably with some other "friends". Always a good boy as I was, my dad totally disagreed, he wanted to see us all the time).

At around 8:00 PM someone knocks on the door and dogs started barkin. We went to see who it was. There were like 9 burly looking men standing at our door. Each one carrying a bag, my dad went back inside the house to get his gun, only to be told that they were my brods that we were waiting for.

We went out partying at Magsaysay Drive that night, we went bar hopping from Cal Jam to Zeppelin, Playboy Room to Airport Disco, Florida Rock House to Strawberry Fields and by the time we hit Sierra Rock House we were drunk. We retire at 3 to 4 am only to be waken up by a booming music of Money for Nothing by Direstraits.

We went to the beach that day. Loaded with lots of beer and food, we board our dilapidated International Harvester Scout I (the 1st SUV) and went on our way. On the way to the beach we almost careened off the cliff due to a slight brake malfunction, (we do not have one, I remember that I put break fluid in it, I just forgot to flush it), needless to say the hand break is not working either. Joel told me after, that his balls went up to his neck and Chris was getting ready to jump out of the window (Joel and Chris was sitting beside me and I'm driving). Due to my defensive driving and goodluck :) (driving at the edge of the cliff and playing tag with a bus, missing it by inches), we made it alive, and they swore never to let me drive again (they were usually forgetful after a couple of beers anyway).

At the beach, we ate, swim, and be on our merry ways. By 5 pm we have our last pitcher of beer and food was long gone. Joel saw the last pitcher of beer and drank the whole pitcher by himself, only to find out that there's a fly at the bottom of the pitcher (that's why no one touched it). He got drunk (due to the fly), and started doing tribal dance around Manny (apparently he thought Manny was about to be sacrificed to our anito). So we dump Joel into the water to cool him off, and put sand all over him to take the evil spirits out. Everyone was partially drunk (were not on all fours yet) and it was at this time that we have one of our most memorable picture (see below). We went home after sunset and prepared for the night. That night, we hit Magsaysay Drive again, and started bar hoping again till 2 am, by 3 am we were drunk and on our way home. Everyone was tired after 2 days of partying and decides to go home the following day.

Good things never last, but I will always remember it for the rest of my life.

a slide show was made with the pictures taken during that time. just click the active link you will also see it at our youtube player at the bottom of the blog.

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5th Foundation Anniversary

In August 29 1987 the 5th Foundation Anniversary was held at the Fadango Hall of the Manila Hotel. The main speaker, as I remember at that time was Dr Walfrido Sumpaico, Department Head of MCU Obstetrics, he also held a high position with POGS.

The Fifth Foundation Anniversary was also the Final Acceptance celebration for Batch UNITAS INTRA FRATERNITAS for the Fraternity and Batch UNITAS INTRA SORORITAS for the Sorority.

UNITAS INTRA FRATERNITAS 174. Julius N. BALUTAY 175. Herminio Cirilo R. BOGNOT 176. Richard G. CASIPIT(+) 177. Romeo B. FRANCISCO 178. Elmo D. ISIP 179. Jeffrey C. LEE 180. Delmimar S. MENDEZ JR. 181. Arsenio B. REYES 182. Nazareno S. SALAZAR 183. Samuel C. SALES 184. Norlito D. SAGUITAN 185. Ernesto R. TAGORDA JR. 186. Jesus G. VENERACION JR. 187. Ronald T. VICTORIO

UNITAS INTRA SORORITAS 188. Mylene G. CALALANG 189. Melody A. CASTRO 190. Josennie F. DIGA 191. Maria Lourdes R. LUMIBAO 192. Vasana MALITHONG 193. Sharon R. MOPERA 194. Maripie G. MUNOZ 195. Glenda T. OGSIMER 196. Maria Gemma L. RANCES 197. Mary Chiles V. TALAMAYAN 198. Holly A. UY

Vasana Malithong was the first sorority member from a foreign country (other than Philippines). She came from Thailand.

There was a video taken during this anniversary but I do not know who hold that video or if it was destroyed. I remember Grace Salamanca telling me that the video was great, wish we can find it and upload it to our youtube. That would be nice if not asking too much. The rest of the pictures would be seen on our FLICKR account (here is the link to a slide presentation, you can also see it at the youtube player at the bottom of the BLOG).

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