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.