TIDBITS: THE MANILA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY MEDICAL ALUMNI FOUNDATION, INC.
By Edith Echiverri, M.D. and Emma Arella, M.D.
THE SEEDING WITHIN A DREAM: The birth of the Foundation started as a seed within a dream.
The dream was to provide an anchor to the roots of the College of Medicine and Hospital, their
students, faculties, staffs, and infrastructures. The conceived germinating seed was to actively
involve the alumni of the College of Medicine---including those who choose to practice
medicine outside the Philippines---in the affairs of the College and Hospital. The seed sprouted
on the East and West Coasts of the U.S.A. In 1984, while in New York City, Mrs. Luningning T.
Estanislao, then Executive Vice-President of MCU-FDTMF, and Lutgarda C. Quito, then the
incoming College of Medicine Dean, visited with MCU-Alumna Dr. Concepcion M. Abesamis.
They talked about the feasibility of starting an MCU medical alumni association in America.
Shortly thereafter, Dr. Abesamis spearheaded the creation of the MCU Medical Alumni
Foundation. During the election of its first set of officers and board members (Dr. Abesamis was
elected its first President), Mrs. Estanislao and Dr. Quito were named Founding Chair and Co-
Chair, respectively. The Foundation members agreed to the following association goals: (1)
Raise funds to support the College and Hospital; (2) Assist impoverished but academically
deserving medical students; (3) Support continuing education of the College of Medicine faculty
members; and (4) Foster personal/social relations among alumni. After their New York visit,
Mrs. Estanislao and Dr. Quito proceeded to Los Angeles, California. They spoke with Drs. Edith
Echiverri and Benito Malit about expanding Foundation membership in California. Thereupon,
Drs. Echiverri and Malit started the Foundation’s California Chapter. Meanwhile, in New York
City, upon the initiation of the Foundation officers and board, the Foundation obtained an IRS
determination confirming its classification as an exempt non-profit organization. This was done
with the legal help of Counsel Philip Ferring of Garden City, New Jersey. The Foundation’s
second president, Dr. Jose Garcia, served this position for 11 years. The sprout grew on other
U.S States. In the following years, Mrs. Estanislao and Dr Quito travelled the different parts of
the U. S. A. This resulted in the creation of twelve chapters spread throughout several states:
California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South
Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. (During one of these visits, while on the West Coast, Mrs.
Estanislao and Dr. Quito came to know about the MCU Medical Alumni Association in
America, founded in the 1970s by Dr. Ulysses Carbajal. The existence of this association was not known to MCU administrative officials.) The sprout became a plant. The key contact
resources responsible for expanding Foundation membership were: Drs. Edith Echiverri and
Benito Malit---California; Dr. Dalisay Sulit—Chicago; Dr. Neva Arribas—Missouri; Drs. Demetrio
Timban, Ernie Bedia, and Clotilde Sitchon—Michigan; and Drs. Elmer and Filipinas Guerrero,
and Tristan Briones—Kentucky.
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FORTIFYING THE ROOTS: Fundraising is the lifeline of any charitable institution. It raises
capital, promotes the charity’s message and goals, and encourages participation and
involvement. The Foundation’s main fundraising event is its annual CME/Dinner-Dance, where
members from all over the country meet to strategize, learn, and socialize. In addition, the
Foundation’s different chapters hold various fundraising events. For example, the Foundation’s
Southern California Chapter held successful fundraising events: (1) A mini-concert featuring
pianist Dexter Gray and singer Dr. Delicia Calbes-Asimont (1987); (2) A grand reunion with 600
attendees (1995); (3) The Beverly Hills Hilton event extolling the theme “Coming Together Is
Beginning; Staying Together Is Progress; Working Together Is Success.” (2004)
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BEARING FRUITS: A. Accomplishments: (1) Improvement of the library and donations of books,
journals, VCR/Betamax; (2) Exterior repair and painting of the Anatomy and Hospital buildings;
(3) Renovation of ER and donation of beds, curtains, and ECG machine; (4) Renovation of 2 OR
suites and donation of surgical lights and tables, anesthesia machine, and floorings (matching
participation of the administration and Southern California Chapter); (5) Redesign of the Lobby
and Surgical ICU and Central Supply; (6) Redesign and painting of the Radiology hallway and
Subspecialty Medicine; (7) Donation of shipping equipment and other donations with 50/50
match by the administration. B. Individual Donations: (1) Donation of 20 brand-new HILLROM
electrical beds and 20 brand-new manual hospital beds from the Echiverri family; (2) Donation
of 10 gurneys for ER from Dr. Norma Garcia, Dr. Neva Arribas, and from the Foundation. (1996-
1999) C. Major Money Donors: Drs. Ralph Cadano, Mely Bostre-Teeter, Salvador and Emma
Arella, Renato Judalena, Reynaldo Landero, Roger Roncal, Carmen Mercado, Neva Arribas,
Benito Malit. D. Bequest: Dr. Ralph Hunter, a 1962 graduate, in his last will and testament,
bequeathed to the College some designated amount, which was used to build a seminar hall
(the Hunter Conference Hall) for continuing medical education. E. Scholarship Grants:
Foundation President Dr. Cadano raised $68,000.00 for the scholarship program (1989). An
endowment fund was started with an initial deposit of $116,000.00 with an average rate of
$11,000.00 per year (1990). (1) Full scholarship to 90 deserving 1 st year medical students
graduating with honors from MCU and other universities ($1,200/per semester/student); (2)
Education grants to 60 graduates for review courses offered by the MCU College of Medicine
from February to August ($2,000/review course); (3) Research Award for Best Faculty/Medical
Student/Resident papers ($100-$200/award).F. Projects (1) Funding of the Bagong Silang
Community Health Program to help improve the health conditions of the community (1987); (2)
Funding of the Outreach Program for Residents, Interns, and Clerks in Public Health supervised
by 2 Health Community Physicians every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (1987).G. Awards:
Dr. Roger Roncal (Light Keeper’s Award); Dr. Carmen Mercado (Scholarship Award), and Dr.
Neva Arribas (Faculty and Alumni Award).
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HARVESTING TIME: (1) A total of 766 MCU medical board takers passed the exams, with three
in the top 20: Emmanuel Limchanco (1 st place); Reynaldo Rubie (15 th place); Annabelle Gonzalez
(18 th place). (1989) (2) There was a 100% passing rate for first-time medical board takers with
two in the top 10: Elmer Sanoay (6 th place); Rener Canilang (10 th place). (2004) A Ripe Harvest
for MCU in the U.S.A.: Kudos to Dr. Rodolfo Punzalan, Dr. Renato Judalena and Dr Leonor
Pagtakhan-So for serving as President of the APPA, and to Dr. Ruben Guinto, Dr. Rey Landero,
Dr Rodolfo Punzalan and Dr. Salvador Arella, as President of Philippine Medical Association of
Southern California, MCU graduates all!
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WHAT’S NEXT: We hope and will strive for bountiful harvests from year to year!