Official Publication of the Dr Nicanor Reyes Jr School of Medicine Alumni Foundation ECTOPIC MURMURS

Volume 22 Number 9 September 2011 Opinions and articles published herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect that of the FEUDNSM Alumni Foundation

GOODBYE REMEMBERING DR FE DEL MUNDO 62 DR FE DEL MUNDO CELSO DEL MUNDO MD The world has lost an icon, who LINDA G BARRANDA MD had cared thousand of sick children,

She was called by Dr Fe Del Mundo was our Message from the the Almighty consultant at Lungsod ng BOARD CHAIRMAN Lord to live with Kabataan and in her hospital angels and Have you ever noticed how named after saints. things in life her in The long lasting turn out legacy of virtues, CELSO DEL and knowledge, right, no MUNDO MD City when I matter how she left behind, was a Will always be with us, her you think medical clerk students, to continue her noble they should in 1983- task. LINDA have been? BARRANDA MD 84 and later My life is a Nobody can replace a woman with as a medical such wit and intelligence, prime Intern in 1996-1997. She had inspired all her students, to PEPITO C example. As I did not take pediatrics RIVERA MD follow her footsteps, When I was a To care for ailing babies and at FEU because I transferred surgical resident at the old FEU children and gave them the to Bicol Christian College of Hospital in Morayta , I precious life, Medicine (BCCM) in Legazpi And enjoy the life of good health, was the only single resident in City, I did not become her through her caring and love. my department and I felt I was student at FEU. However, I very handsome, fun to be with, The world has lost her, but she left recall as soon as she heard and quite date worthy. About an imprint to all those she had about me as a medical clerk touched, that time, I met a beautiful from BCCM rotating To the children whom she cared student named Minerva and at Lungsod ng Kabataan in for and her students she left thought that it would be great to behind, she called me to date her. I assumed that since She had left the legacy of love and her office and shared with me she was such a fine catch, it. caring, moral virtues and her latest book and some intellect, would be easy to visit her and experiences at Harvard. We, who she had mentored would eventually ask her for a date. I Engineer Honesto R Gacusan, forever be grateful would ask her out, she, of throughout our lives. my brother -in-law, who was course would say yes (because driving me with his Mercedez Goodbye, to beloved teacher who had of the fine catch I was) and we Benz videoed the two of us. The inspired and molded our young would go out. video camera was loaned to me minds, Not so fast. The student We’ll follow her footsteps of caring by a couple, Dr Francsico Tan quickly informed me that I was with unconditional love, and Dr Nena Eng Tan. Dr Eng not her type, that she would She now lives in peace with Almighty Tan was then the president of Lord, angels and saints, never date me and that she did the Philippine Federation of But her legacy and teachings will continue to page 15 continue to page 15 forever stay on earth. OBITUARY After Harvard, Dr Del Chicago and the FEUDNRSM Mundo had a residency at the Alumni Foundation reunion in FE DEL MUNDO MD University of Chicago and Las Vegas where she remem- A national treasure, Dr Fe research fellowship at the bered many alumni to the Del Mundo was born on Harvard Medical School surprise of everyone. November 27, 1911, and joined Children's Hospital, and also Dr Del Mundo was also noted our Lord on August 6, 2011. earned a bacteriology master for her pioneering work on degree at Boston University infectious diseases in Philippine School of Medicine. communities. She wrote over a Dr Del Mundo returned to hundred articles, reviews and reports in medical journals on such the in 1941, worked diseases as dengue, polio and with the International Red measles. Cross, volunteered to care for She also authored Textbook of children-internees then detained Pediatrics , a fundamental medical at the University of Santo text used in Philippine medical Tomas internment camp, and schools. later directed the North General Her legacy and her teachings Hospital (Jose R. Reyes have been immortalized in a coffee Memorial Medical Center). table book published in time for Dr Del Mundo joined the her 99th birthday last year, Dr Fe faculty of the University of Del Mundo: A Beautiful Life , that chronicled her accomplishments FE DEL MUNDO MD Santo Tomas, and later the Far and teachings. Her pioneering work in Eastern University in 1954. She died from cardiac arrest pediatrics spanned eight In 1957, she established the and buried at the Libingan ng mga decades and won her Children's Medical Center, a Bayani . international recognitions, 100-bed hospital located in Dr Del Mundo will be missed. including the Elizabeth Quezon City, the first pediatric Sources: Goggle, Wikipedia Blackwell Award for hospital in the Philippines, outstanding service to mankind renamed the Fe del Mundo An icon passes away in 1966, outstanding Children's Medical Center PHILIP S CHUA MD FACS FPCS pediatrician and humanitarian Foundation in 2007. by the International Pediatric Association, the Award for Public Service in 1977, the title of National Scientist of the Philippines in 1980, the Order of Lakandula in 2010, and many others. From left, Drs Farida Chua, Fe Del Graduating valedictorian in Mundo and P Chua. her UP Class 33 , she received a The Dr Fe Del Mundo Medical An international giant in medicine, full scholarship to any school in Center (Children's Medical petite Fe del Mundo, MD, who had the United States by President Center of the Philippines) touched countless lives in the Manuel Quezon. She chose She remained active, rising Philippines and around the world, died Harvard where in 1936 she daily at five in the morning and in her sleep August 6, 2011. She was became the first woman continuing to make her daily more than 99 years old, actually less admitted as a student at that rounds even though then than 3 months shy of 100. She had always aimed for the pinnacle and revered institution, the first wheelchair-bound at 99 years of age. excelled in every turn, even among her woman to be enrolled in medical peers, in her career and life, Dr Del Mundo likewise pediatrics, the first Asian, and and now, even in longevity and death. the first one coming from far attended and lectured at the Read it in Global ANG BALITA , way Philippines. APPA convention once in Wednesday, August 10 2011. voice in a debate, an act or FAITH CORNER decision made based on your REVEREND MELVIN ANTONIO MD 65 conscience, an act based on Have you ever heard of the or at its worst, genocide. In the your God-given skills. So what Butterfly days of Pharoah, it was the do you think you will do this Effect? It Hebrews. In pre-WWII week? is that Germany, it was the Jews. Like the Nike commercial theory Today, it could be illegal says, whatever it is, JUST DO proposed immigrants, welfare moms, IT! by gays, the undeserving poor, Edward furriners . Lorenz Back to Shiphrah and Puah. COMMENTS REV MELVIN that an act Pharoah, in his obsession to Editorials ANTONIO MD as suppress the prolific Hebrews, news releases insignifica first enslaves them, then resorts letters to the editor nt as the flapping of a to telling Hebrew midwives to column proposal and butterfly’s wings could cause kill all the Hebrew boys that manuscripts are invited. changes in the atmosphere that they deliver. The two midwives, Email submission, including may ultimately alter the path of Shiphrah and Puah refuse. figures or pictures, is a tornado. A similar illustration They do not kill the boys. It preferred. might be how a little pebble is a courageous act of dis- rolling down a hill picks up obedience that changes history, snow and starts an avalanche. for one of the boys they spared ECTOPIC Or the familiar Domino Effect. would be called Moses and he Based on these, what if I would lead the Hebrews out of MURMURS were to say that what you do Egyptian captivity. He will this week could change the deliver God’s law to humanity. world? What if I told you that It all starts with two women Deadline for the two women once made a who dared to say no to an act of October 2011 issue: decision, took a chance and injustice. I doubt very much that October 1, 2011 changed the world? What they they thought they were chang- did was a small gesture, but at ing the world. They were just Please address submissions to the same time, an act of being faithful and following the [email protected] heroism. They disobeyed. And dictates of their hearts and because of their disobedience, heeding the call of their God was able to rescue Israel conscience. from slavery. Their names are The things we do each week, Shiphrah and Puah. Not many our decisions, our choices, will Interested to establish a people remember their names in fact, cause a ripple effect that but their story is found in the we may never see. Some of Professorial Chair Fund Book of Exodus Chapter 1. To these actions may be big, bold in your name or of someone refresh your memories, the king and courageous. Others may be you wish to honor? of Egypt was trying to suppress small and hardly noticeable, yet the prolific Israelites whose they all have the potential to Please inquire with 68 numbers were increasing so fast ripple out and make a difference CESAR V REYES MD that they were seen as a threat in someone’s life, in someone’s 6530 Dunham Road, to the stability of the kingdom. home, in someone’s neighbor- Downers Grove, IL 60516 Sounds like a familiar political hood, in someone’s country, Phone 815-942-2932 x7565 scenario when a struggling maybe even the world. or [email protected] minority becomes the scapegoat An act of kindness, a smile, and justify oppression, neglect, a word of encouragement, a DECEMBER 7, 1951 or sewer pipes 4-6 inch were needed a spark and a closed PIO M SIAN MD 65 FAAFP used. More fun than the metal container for it to give a loud big gun was the bamboo report. Philippines’ Christmas cannon . A six foot length of timber On that night, December 7, season and vacation are the bamboo was preferred. A half-inch 1951, exactly 10 th year anniversary longest celebrations in the hole on the topside near the breech of a day of infamy . My friends and world. By end. The internode webs were I were lighting firecrackers, mostly the end of knocked off except the last one at triangulos because they were November, the breech. About half coke bottle louder and cheaper, and we were long sleeved of kerosene was then poured into having a ball. Soon we were out of the rear end. The gun is slightly ammo . Ben, one of the boys shirts and tilted upwards so the fuel won’t collected several duds, opened sweaters spill out. A lighted candle heated them and piled the powder on appear when PIO SIAN MD the bottom of the breech. This concrete pavement, then he placed the tempera- heated the kerosene to vapors, then a fist sized rock on top, gave the tures plunges down to cold 70s. a lighted stick was brought near rock a blow by another rock. I was Stalls by the roadside start the touch hole the vapors ignite closest, I did not think it will selling bibinkas and puto with a loud boom. To prepare for explode but it did! With a blinding bumbong and many other the next round, the spent gas and flash and a real loud bang! I had a holiday delicacies, lights, trees, smoke had to be blown off, usually white-out for a few seconds, then I and a general feeling of joy all by mouth. Sometimes we had a felt thick warm liquid in my face. I over, of course simbang hang-fire when there was still a was hit by a piece of rock like it small fire inside that later becomes was a shrapnel. Dazed, I walked gab i. Smokes emanating from a backfire . There were a few home, hand on my bloody face. many kitchens cooking festive singed eyebrows but fortunately My sister met me and almost fares, even in less affluent none were serious. The metal guns fainted, screaming Pio is blinded . households. Then we have were usually handled by older Mama never lost her cool, fireworks, mostly illegal except at boys. immediately boiled some water New Year’s eve, when the whole Firecrackers came in many and gave me a warm bath. After country convulses with massive different forms and sizes. At that the blood was cleaned, she saw the pyro-displays. Because everybody time before Chinese imports, most damage, a 1¾ laceration just above lights a firecracker, laws are fireworks used in the Philippines the left eyebrow, the eyeball was difficult to enforce. Many times in were made, some are still made in spared. Uncle Budd, loaded me in many places, noise making is a Bucawe, Bulacan. In ascending his jeep and took me to North tradition influenced by the range of power, from rolled pencil- General Hospital, Espana Annex, Chinese. They believe that loud sized 2 pipsqueaks, to triangulos , at corner of Dos Castillas. I had noises made at the entry of the nothing but a simple strip of heavy eight stitches, no anesthesia (not New Year will scare demons and paper, folded like a flag, available then), not needed my evil spirits and drive them away. sandwiching a measured amount of face was still numb anyway, and Their calendar is usually 3 weeks gunpowder and a fuse. Next we scar still visible to this day. late than the Gregorian one. had the bawang , looked more like Lesson I learned, not all The noise makers can be as an onion than its namesake, at the fireworks makers compound their simple as clappers, paper tooting top was the atomic bomb , much own gunpowder. Some horns, banging pots, pans and like a quarterstick (of dynamite) in unscrupulous ones utilized TNT batya and of course bamboo US. from unexploded Japanese and cannons, firecrackers, and A relative of mine worked at the American bombs! They also sell sometimes irresponsible firearms fireworks plant and showed me their wares to lazy fishermen for were discharged. These will be how gunpowder was made; two dynamite fishing. I also learned described in detail. Luces and parts salitre (potassium nitrate), that TNT will detonate on kwitis (rockets) will be skipped one part pulverized charcoal and concussion even without a spark or because they cost too much. one part sulfur. The same formula a blasting cap. Cannons were of two kinds, the invented in China 700 years ago. For that year I was part of the kerosene fired bamboo and the He ground it added starch and statistics. The rest of the holiday acetylene fired steel ones. The assured it will not detonate even season was indeed very happy steel pipes were fueled by calcium when struck by a hammer. He since I still have my both eyes. carbide and water that liberates stated it is a weak explosive and acetylene thus explosive. Drainage Three decades ago, after my medical training in anesthesia, I A WHISPERING TREE moved my family from Chicago MANUEL M SANCHEZ MD 68 to a small community 70 miles I watched as the young weekend, I went to borrow a south of the big city. I bought a couple who built that next door garden equipment from my next 5-bedroom 106-year old house had their first born door neighbor. I noticed he was Victorian child, a son. Their smiling faces not as jovial as he usually is in house brightened their home and soon exchanging pleasantries as we surrounded came another sibling, their both manicured our respective by 100-year daughter, and a little later yards. I can not help but also old oak another son. Joy filled that notice the now odd-looking trees, maple house as their children played once wonderfully-shaped tree in trees and and shouted with glee even as his yard. I tried to carry on a MANUEL mulberry SANCHEZ MD the seasons changed. Then I conversation and then hesitantly trees in the think to myself, that is lovely as he blurted with teary eyes that historical district of the a tree. his wife left his family the community. My three little Each morning before I go to weekend he and his children daughters loved it and my only work I stared intently at that were out on a visit with his son was born four months later. tree and thought with parents in another state. They We had fun times in that house amazement that that tree was came home into an empty for more than 12 years until my telling a story. It was whisper- house. As sudden as the tree family allergy physician ing even as I gazed and was blown down, sadly and advised us to move to a newer entranced by the beauty that unexpectedly a big storm house because of my wife’s and nature brings to me. I fell in brought half of the home down. children’s worsening allergy to love with that tree and I learned His home is in shambles, the molds inherent in that old to love that family. broken and in disarray. I turned house . My wife always hinted For years I watched in awe and looked at the tree. Then I that we needed a new house. I how that family blossomed as think to myself --- the tree was suspect collusion with that beautiful as that tree grew until whispering to me a year ahead allergist but I conceded. one stormy night my sleep was of time but I was not listening We built a new house in the disturbed by gusty winds and then. newer section of the mushroom- heavy falling rain. At daybreak A few more years passed and ing community. The landsca- the following morning, as I new branches have spread and pers profited from me because prepared to go to work, I looked continue inching towards the of my love for trees. For the through the kitchen window as I empty side of the tree. The ensuing years I watched through routinely do and saw that tree fallen part of the tree is filling our kitchen window and my down. Half of it was on the up ever so slowly but surely and attention was captured by my ground, and I felt sick. Even I am thinking to myself and neighbor’s tree. As it grew to be more unbelievable or inconcei- listening more intently to the the most perfectly formed tree vable was that it was the only tree whispering to me. Now I in my neighbor-hood, blooming tree destroyed in our neighbor- understand. My neighbor’s with pure white flowers in the hood. The man of the house home will be alright. It is a Spring, spreading its leafy arms planned to chop the rest of the matter of time. I said to myself, in the Summer with birds tree down but the younger son I can not compose a poem as chirping, changing colors in convinced the Dad to leave it be lovely as a tree. Only God can Autumn and turning into a for it looked perfect from the make a tree! sculptured Winter wonderland street although it was half a tree Thank you Lord for the ice-covered tree, I recite and viewing it from my kitchen Trees that surround me and then sing the poem by Joyce side. thank you Lord for blessing me Kilmer, TREE , and agreed. I A year passed and as I was with a Tree of my own, a loving think that I shall never see a doing yard work one summer family! poem lovely as a tree. The emergency response I was also requested team had done its part on the HAITI MEMOIR by local physicians that medical mission. LEILA RAYMUNDO OLIVERA MD 73 * work for RI to talk about management of It has now been three On Monday I started my task months since that big hypertension and diabetes. I only and was assigned to join a team wished I could tell them how we earthquake of January 12, 2010 of local doctors and nurses who manage these cases in United and the Relief International worked in mobile clinics. The States where we enjoyed the vast (RI), a non sites where we set up our clinics and extensive resources available government were previously scouted by to our members. All things were of organization, local workers employed by the limited resources on hand. I talked requested RI. These were the villages about simple ways that they could support for its primary care LEILA program and RAYMUNDO OLIVEA MD asked for volunteers. I decided to help out, and on April 17, 2010, I left for Haiti. It was a long trip. I slept at the Miami International Airport waiting the next morning for my connection to Port -au- Prince. Although, I have been in medical missions to the Philippines on almost annual basis, I did not know what to expect. I knew that my destination is considered one of the poorest countries in the Dr Olivera attends to a patient. world that had just endured where the displaced people provide their patients and still another tragedy, a natural settled after the earthquake and would make a difference managing disaster believed to be one of were living in tents and shacks. their chronic conditions. The the worst of its kind. But when The many patients I saw discussion was made with the help one felt the need to do were mostly with skin diseases, of my Creole interpreter. My mission days in Haiti were something good for mankind, malnutrition, parasitosis, upper memorable in so many ways. Sure one does not really think about respiratory tract , it. One simply does what is enough, they were hard work but tuberculosis, diabetes, hyperten- at the same time very rewarding needed to do the best can be. sion, depression, and urinary tract I arrived in Port-au-Prince and most gratifying moments of infections. One special patient that my professional career. after 9:30 am. On our way to I managed and treated was a RI Volunteering in Haiti reminded the RI headquarters in La employee who had acute malaria me why I became a doctor in the Plaine, outside Port-au-Prince, but promptly recovered. first place. I saw the magnitude and I also went to a SOS village For Haiti and its people, they incomparable devastation that I orphanage where children were know there will be a new and have never seen before. assigned to caretakers. I had better tomorrow. There is after all, observed and still wondered if the Countless collapsed houses and hope for Haiti. caregivers were educated to buildings, pile of garbage handle children with regards to *The author is diplomate of the lining up on the streets, shacks their mental, social, or simple task American Board of Internal Medicine and tents, some on the middle of feeding them, or communicating and an internist with the Kaiser of the road was overwhelming. with them. Permanente Southern California. MEDICAL NURSING MISSION: A SPECIALTY ELISEO B SERINA MD 65 * In my 46 years in practice, one so precious, came out dangling at Angiolillo from Boston and one of the most outstanding achieve- the birth canal. It was enveloped California doc married to a UP ment I have that is also more by a mixture of dripping maternal nurse. Dea and I gave presenta- endearing is marrying a nurse. blood and amniotic fluid, but tions to tribal chiefs and elders, Let me rephrase that: Norma refusing to go any further out. It, towns folks in town halls, on the Roa 61 made a commitment and too, was gingerly and lovingly roadsides and divisorias about empowered herself to let her light covered with silken colorful cloths. diabetes and hypertension, mostly shine upon me. Oh what a light, The woman and child were for their understanding and smoking hot! She married me! covered against the elements for prevention because definitive I would like you to come with the long journey to get help at a treatment is almost nowhere to be me for a moment, to a place way faraway desolate hospital in the found. up yonder where we could see the poor Ilam in one of the poorest We escaped that war-torn, tribal peaks of mountains covered strife place in the same Land with snow and ice that glisten Rover ambulance, disguised in the early morning sunlight. as injured patients, more Like cathedral steeples that than three hours of ride through were partially obscured by a barricades and overturned burning passing fog, frost all around, vehicles along the way. I then and an occasional mist on our decided to climb some mountain. I faces, it was so refreshing, at had meeting with the minds going 20 0 below zero, 7 to 10- up with those crazy solo Mount thousand feet in the Everest climbers, like myself, the Himalayas. All these were importance, necessity even, to rudely interrupted by the Drs Shah Bahadur Gurung, Nepal expatriate from acclimatize slow, going up to hush-hush of people. More Bhutan (India), EB Serina and Dea Angiolillo (L-R). prevent pulmonary and/ or people gathering, more and cerebral edema, and eventual more sturdy branches of trees, countries of the world, Nepal, demise. We made it. layers of burlap piled up to make a bordering India. It was hard but exciting; the makeshift gurney, or stretcher It took them more than 12 hours intensity was more meaningful as wide enough to accommodate a to reach where we were, the it went deeper into your heart person, yet small and thin enough emergency room. We received a (here) as nurses. You had already for the men folks to navigate it lame of a body as pale as Navajo amassed a wealth of knowledge through narrow passes, slippery white. Her abdomen unmistakably and experience, you did not even icy streams and rivers, and was enlarged, also profoundly have to know more. You had paid precarious edges of the mountain ecchymotic. Her birth canal was your dues. sides. Women folks were busying horrendously edematous and Now in relative comfort, it is themselves getting more and more bluish. The little fetal leg was pay back time! To reach out and colorful with tribal cloths to wrap sticking out still, once pinkish, had let your light shine, to take risk, to this woman who appeared too become flaccid and ashen gray, to be intuitive and innovative and to young to know any better, who a mix of dried-up maternal blood share just a tiny part of your was limped and with just weak and amniotic fluid, glued on a blessings and comfort to others waning agonal sighs and sobs. Her burlap. We hurriedly scrubbed and and to that badly battered woman black and blue abdomen had no sooner than the racing soapsuds with a necrotizing fetus sticking become so sensitive to the cloth reached our elbows, the word was out of her birth canal who touching it and caused her to have out, It is okay docs, you do not succumbed to the frigid cold and a profound grimace of painful have to . This was followed by, we unforgiving environment and surrender. The pain incurred for can not win them all . circumstances that could have more than 48 hours prior to We also visited her kind been preventable, if you, were of village, a three-hour drive in a manipulations by midwives, there. townspeople, and local medicine Land Rover made in India, and one *The author is Emergency folks trying to expel from this 17- hour walk. We had seen from 500- Department director of the Himalayan year old primigravida, a 800 patients from dawn to nightfall Healthcare System, Medicins sans living fetus in breech presentation. for two consecutive days with two Frontieres and collaborated with Lt Up to that point, only a leg so pink, local docs, and two of us: Dr Dea Col Vincent de Paul USAF (Ret). lone rangers). reunion especially for 2013 will Chapter 4 Special mention to Dr Lydia be best attended (if we are still R=E+M+F Aquino Mapua 61 who came all vertical). 63 the way from the Philippines In the meantime, each and Class in Las Vegas and Dr Remy Sonson 61 from every one of Class 63 should EUGENE A S SIRUNO MD 63 Hawaii (internship and residen- start sounding off for the golden This 32 nd annual cy training ) as well as Dr Ofie time coming soon. I know that FEUDNRSM Alumni Santos Ong 67 and her hubby Dr Art, Gerry Guzman, Do Foundation Cenon, a Thomasian who are Angeles, Roly Solis and Isabel meeting and my compadre / comadre . Cordoba Rellosa are looking reunion Class63 always attend in forward and will be working features the these reunions in big numbers hard to let the Class 63 know and Golden year in and year out. This to be convinced. We will spread anniversary makes me proud. The roll call the word! 61 of Class of those who made it to Las The reception at Café Moda, EUGENE S 63 SIRUNO MD and the Vegas is, as follows: courtesy of Art Basa , Danny Silver Jubilee Jose Marco Antonio, Fabito 64 and Regie Tobias 64 of Class 86 . Arturo Basa, was wonderful. Plenty of foods Monte Carlo Resort and Gerry Brual, and it was almost perfect except Casino, Las Vegas NV was the Tony Cabreira, for the lechon skin that was not sizzling venue for this get Ching de Castro that crispy. Thanks Art, Danny Willie de Castro, together. It was well attended and Reggie. The crowds were Rey Daco, and the programs were fun and Carlos de Lara, old friends who enjoyed good enjoyable. Roly del Rosario, food and libation with just few The CME is always good. Ernie Eusebio, gossips. The speakers are excellent and Armand Jaojoco, It is true that it takes a long quite inspiring. Pete Lagrosa, time to grow old friends; We saw a dead man walking Grace Rabadam, however, old friends are better (the CPC presenter indicated Renato Ramos, because you share some history . that the patient being discussed Bernardo Rodrigo, So the formula: R=E+M+F expired) and got resurrected, Celia Sagullo will remain for Class 63 in Lost and he discussed the clinical Nestor Sagullo, Wages and continue as we look Gene Siruno, and diagnosis himself at great forward to Los Angeles, Lutgarda Tolentino . length. We surely missed lots of California next year, God This reunion gave me the Class 63 Vegans (locals/ natives), willing. chance to see and visit lots of but we understand they Reunion equals Experience friends and most especially plus Memory and Friendships 63 had major conflicts of their classmates Class and their schedules. Hopefully, the future (R=E+M+F). better halves (some came as the

Class’63 alumni in Las Vegas during the 32 nd annual FEUDNRSM Alumni Foundation renion.

A group picture of the Las Vegas alumni who attended the memorial mass for Dr Josephine Cojuanco Reyes MEMORIAL MASS ECTOPIC Alumni who receive the e- newsletter are requested to FOR DR JOSEPHINE MURMURS in circulate it to all other alumni and COJUANGCO REYES Website friends. Alumni are advised to Medical alumni of the Las send their email address to Dr The monthly issue of the e- Reyes at [email protected] and to Vegas Chapter recently held a ECTOPIC MURMURS prepared Dr Philip S Chua, Website memorial mass for Dr Josephine and edited by Dr CV Reyes is director, [email protected] , C Reyes at the Fabito residence. posted simultaneously on the for inclusion in the alumni email Father Fernando Benliro FEUDNRSM Alumni Foundation roster on the alumni website. officiated the mass, attended by Website, www.FEU-alumni.com Dr and Mrs Cesar Candari, Dr Past issues of this electronic and Mrs Jim Sendaydiego, Dr newsletter are also available on the Linda Gaston, Drs Senon and alumni website, in the special Ofelia Ong, Drs Gil and archive designed for the ECTOPIC XlibrisPublisher Rhodora Palacio, Drs Bernie MURMURS. The newsletter was started and is proud to announce that a book and Tarcila Rodrigo, Dr Ester edited (as hard copy since the mid- by Dr. Philip S. Chua, entitled Perona, Dr Choy Fernando, and 70s) by the late Dr Jesus B Let's Stop Killing Our the hosts, Drs Daniel and Nolasco, former secretary of the Children , a 794-page survival Melinda Fabito. FEU-NRMF Institute of Medicine. health guide and medical The assembly reminisced the After Dr JB passed away at age 86 reference for parents and society kindness and compassionate on August 25, 2004, in to save our children (and dedication of Dr Reyes as an Jacksonville, Florida, Dr. Reyes adults) from most of the educator and mother of the was designated by the alumni preventable diseases known to FEU-NRMF Institute of board trustees to take over. man, including cancer, is now Medicine. She stayed at the It was Dr. Reyes who opted to available. This book may be ordered Fabito residence in the last few publish the medical alumni newsletter online in its current directly from Xlibris. Click on year of her relaxation after electronic edition, which circulates this link below: attending the yearly alumni and transmits it most http://www2.xlibris.com/books/ reunion. She was truly a sincere expeditiously, within split seconds, webimages/wd/95816/index.htm friend, down-to-earth without to all those on the alumni email For amazon, log in to pretensions. It was very easy to roster, anywhere around the world. amazon.com and on the search have her as a guest because she This has also saved the Alumni box on top, type the title Let's confortably blend as part of the Foundation thousands of dollars Stop Killing Our Children and family. from the printing expenses and then click GO . We will miss her. mailing cost for hard copies in the past. PUSO Remember the EDSA headlines as the revolution that REVOLUTION of 1986? surprised the world . CORAZON Ten thousand miles away By transcendent reality, HEART from the EDSA, we did our PUSO was born coming from rally here in San Diego, the President’s name, Corazon CESAR D CANDARI MD 61 delivered our speeches on that (Spanish word for heart or in The upcoming 25 th very day of February 22, 1986 tagalog PUSO). A literal, very anniversary of PUSO and finally Marcos was ousted symbolic overtone, in an idiom, Philippines in eventually. The dictator fled the in (one's) heart of h earts – is in San Diego, country on the supposed day of the seat of one's truest feelings . California, on his inauguration on February What made Pilipino October 15, 25, 1986. Americans in San Diego created 2011 is another On that date, Pilipinos in the this organization? It is memorable whole world were triumphant. because of this history that we event. We celebrated in San Diego. A know about; the desires of man This thanksgiving mass was held at to be free - the earning for CESAR occasion is to CANDARI MD St Mary’s Church in National liberty, freedom and inspire and City. Thereafter with all democracy. sanctify us to the service of God sincerity, passion, and We celebrated the and our fellow countrymen. I compassion in our hearts, independence of the Philippines am invited as a guest speaker on immediately after that mass from the Americans on July 4, this occasion. PUSO Philippines of San Diego 1946. During the two decades What is PUSO Philippines? was designed, blueprinted and that followed as a democratic How it came about and why? built by a group of indefatigable country, six presidents were How many Filipino American founders - a revolution of sort elected and served one after the humanitarian organizations in for the continued help of our other in peaceful transition North America were founded at poor countrymen. It was a albeit the specter of poverty in the peak of a triumphant day of historic occasion for our country remained the same the people power revolution in CHARITY. A popular word of as far as we can remember. We the Philippines? wisdom says: Every good act is are faced with an array It was only PUSO charity. A man's true wealth of problems. We are burdened Philippines in San Diego that I hereafter is the good that he with vast economic, social and know of. I was there and an does in this world to his fellows . political conflicts, and so we are active participant. All these events appear to not completely free. The The omnipresence of me to be a part of our Divine population is represented Pilipino American organizations affiliation. The people power virtually by 70% of our in every nook and granny in this movement in 1986 was a countrymen trapped in the country we have adopted are popular uprising of priest, nuns, vicious cycle of poverty and overwhelming. The ordinary citizens, children, and exploitation. Where so few are establishment of USO supported by military units. It wealthy and too many are Philippines came at its’ virtuous brought Corazon Aquino impoverished is what our time. In the darkened days of to power in an almost-bloodless beloved country is all about. gloom, as the story goes, we revolution. People Power was Filipinos continue to wallow in lost our freedom during the our shining glory! sordid living conditions and Marcos dictatorship. It lasted The whole world applauded unimaginable poverty for almost 20 years. The our saintly courage, our complicated by insurgencies, dictator did quite a job of dignified defiance, and our unresolved civil strife and most wrecking the economy. bloodless solution to expel a blatantly graft and corruption in But because of our inherent dictator. We were the toast of our government officials. There love for freedom and liberty, we all freedom-loving countries, is a sense of hopelessness in the rediscovered democracy once the envy of all oppressed business community, with so again through Ninoy Aquino. people. These made news much greed, dishonesty, opportunism and frustration in EDSA revolution, the Filipino that just about every Filipino is the government. There are that resolve did not happen. People aware of what is brightly wrong filth and squalor of poverty in Power I would say was ningas with their country is that of the slums of Manila; the shards cogon power. Four Philippine being beset by an economic and of destitution litter our cities. presidents ruled our country political system that at the very Hunger, disease, pollution, and after the EDSA revolution. least condones corruption, congestion in the city are Cory Aquino was virtuous, full instability, and poverty. It is a appalling. Those were in the of probity, sincere with good historical event absorbed by lives of our people in the intentions for the country, every Filipino as a matter of country years before and even however, power struggles; fact sequence. up to this day. Today, its political squabbles harassed the While Filipinos now enjoy economy is smaller than immature Cory presidency. She democracy, life is still difficult. Pakistan’s and a quarter of its tried to restore some semblance Unemployment is endemic; the 102 million people live on less of efficiency, transparency and price of food and other than $1.25 a day. PUSO accountability in a revived commodities is continually Philippines remained to its’ goal democracy. Nothing much was rising. The devastation brought of helping the poor people, done. The gap between the rich by the recent typhoons has fulfilling its affirmed mission, and the poor remained the same. compounded the miseries of the to pursue charitable projects in The poor were poorer than ever. people. There is an expression the Philippines to help our Whatever former president of despair in their eyes: what countrymen from the ravages of Fidel Ramos gained during his can we do? We ask if there will poverty. presidency fade away into thin be deliverance from these Since then, this charitable air. What's wrong with us? We crippling maladies. Simeon organization has been sending don't have a great leader. About Benigno Noynoy Aquino, III, donations and funding charities good governance? Nada! We won the election last year and in the home country. It’s a have many shortcomings. We became the 15th president travesty of life in the garbage are immature in our politics. of the Republic of the dump called the PAYATAS Given a choice on whom to Philippines. What, then, does where scavengers of poor elect: a handsome movie star or the future hold for Pilipinos? families live with their an honest and brilliant political The Filipinos in America malnourished children. scientist, we will vote for the must also be prepared to fully Scholarship programs for these movie star. What a stupidity. support and assume leadership children were supported Then the Jueteng bomb roles in achieving the inevitable by PUSO Philippines existing exploded under Erap Estrada. destiny of the Philippines. This in these layers of stoicism, the when came Gloria Macapagal is responsibility that every garbage site. The orphanage Arroyo. We thought effulgent, Filipino must take. We, in Hospicio de San Jose in Manila, eternal splendor finally arrived PUSO Philippines have for the destitute and abandoned and we felt Malacanang the messianic zeal, with passion children is helped by PUSO regained its honor and dignity. and total devotion. The current Philippines. And there are more But more total failure happened President of the Philippines, in name of CHARITY. instead. Graft and corruption, Noynoy Aquino must be PUSO Philippines is still plunder, scam, thievery ruled supported by every Filipino in very active with the aim of the country. his dream when he stated, Kung helping the poor of the country Politicians and business walang Corrupt walang and rebuilding the nation in our people hoard most of the gains. mahirap ! Quo vadis , Filipinos? own small way. The country ranks 134 th out of I put this question to our new Situations like this one in the 178 countries in Transparency president. An American Philippines today . . . the civic, International’s corruption columnist stated; Aquino must social, political and economic perceptions index, tied with not pull any punches in his pictures- the poor of the poorest Nigeria and Bangladesh. No corruption battle. That has . . . convey a sad story. Sad to surprise, if there is one thing happened too many times in the say, after the indomitable Philippines. Its people deserve a thorough and public rated as #3 in the United States accounting of why their living FROM FEUMASSC and #1 in California. More standards haven’t improved. WEBSITE information is available at our There needs to be a serious www.feumassc.org website. reconsideration of a political Welcome to two new members: Thank you for your time. culture that serves itself, not the FE LUDOVICO-ARAGON MD tens of millions toiling in President, Premier Career College poverty. [email protected] Lastly, I would say, end the poverty. The enormity of problems facing the Pilipinos TAIWAN TRIVIA particularly from economic FRANK TANG MD injustice demands heroic I t was indeed very sacrifices from everyone. MA TECSON SONIA BENEDICTO MD VERAN MD unfortunate that I was not able Democracy restored is not all to join the likes of Peter Go, that they need; they must also Oscar Tuazon, Alex Aplasca, be free from hunger and want. Willie Only then can Filipinos declare Morales, free at last. Butch Meanwhile we must Potian, continue to resolutely support Edwin PUSO Philippines to help our Etcubanez, poor people in our beloved ECTOPIC MURMURS etc. in the country, the Philippines. August 2011 FRANK TANG MD states (sorry if have missed out others - YOU ARE INVITED! mental deterioration setting in) Hello! I hope you are all after our internship at the USAF doing Hospital Clark and have landed blessedly me, instead, here in Taiwan as well! a fellow in the IVF program of The Show Chwan Memorial

FEU ECTOPIC MURMURS Hospital (SCMH) in February July 2011 Special Issue Medical 1988 - July 1989 and later as Alumni the head of the OB-GYN FE LUDOVICO- offered to FEUMASSC to be its ARAGON MD Society of department of its sister Southern headquarters. hospital from 1989-2004. California has now a working Incidentally, Premiere is I switched to Dermatology website. News and events can celebrating its 20th anniversary through perceptorship in 2004 now be accessed through the in November 2011. To date, up to date. website. Please visit it at Premiere is the only school of The first month of my stay in www.feumassc.org . its kind in Southern California SCMH, I encountered the most The Premiere Career College that offers the hospital central frigthening and most horrifying of Irwindale CA, which is 100% service technician program that experience in my life. My OB owned and operated by FEU is recognized by the Interna- consultant, without mercy and medical alumni also has a tional Association of Healthcare consideration to life, not only website and we will be so Central Service Materiel did an abortion to a live 24- honored if you can also spend Management (headquartered in week fetus but his pediatric some time to visit it. The France). The surgical department head/ wife, allowed address is technology program which is her residents to practice www.premierecollege.edu . fully accredited by CAAHEP intubation until the fetus died. Currently, Premiere has (an arm of the American Medical Association) has been It was sickening and I almost puke out and left the delivery room and never did I assist him HEART-TO-HEART TALKS WITH NINOY 63 again in such a horrendous act. I ROLANDO M SOLIS MD told him that it is against my religious belief and to my conscience to assist, more so, to participate in such heartless killing of innocent life. Taiwanese have no regards for life and this is legal in here. We have numerous abortion clinics here; and abortions are done left and right even for the simple reason of sex selection. As long as minors have parental consent, it is legal and even authorized by our National Health Insurance and no questions asked. Taiwan has the lowest birth rate (highest abortion rate) amongst developed countries in the world. Paradoxically, the government May, 1980. Dr. Rolando Solis describing to newsmen Senator Benigno Aquino Jr's triple coronary bypass on a diagram superimposed on a caricature of a heart with its is encouraging couples to have coronary circulation printed on the Senator's T-shirt. The handwritten dedication more babies now to the point of reads, To Rolly, who gave me my second life. Ninoy, Dallas, Texas, May 25,’80. offering rewards and subsidies to the child because various governamental agencies predict that in 10-year time, Taiwan will have a zero-population growth and an increasing older population which could become a burden to the government in the near future.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Thank you for sending us your newsletters and keeping us updated on your members’ messages, activities, and upcoming events. Regarding your Balik-FEU 2012 plans, please let us know how our office may help. We have launched, and our Secretary has presented, the general plans for Pinoy RUNNING MATES Dr. Rolando Solis jogs with his patient, Ninoy Aquino, at the Homecoming 2011-2016, and Dallas Baylor University Medical Center in Texas as part of rehabilitation after we can also present what this heart surgery. Pinoy Homecoming Program Read it in PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER Sunday, August 21, 2011 can offer your group. Please do not hesitate to LETTER TO THE LETTER TO THE contact us should we be able to EDITOR EDITOR help you with any of your Remember the numbers These are sobering figures. endeavors pertaining to travel to 36/122? Figures a few years ago Thank you for including me as our beloved country. indicating the Philippines as one of the recipients of PMAC With my best wishes always, 36 th in national reserves and News VERNIE VELARDE 122 nd in per capita income. straight from MORALES The latest numbers had United Director, Philippine Department changed. The good news, we States. I of Tourism Chicago Office now ranked 32 nd but the bad enjoy reading 30 North Michigan Avenue news is per them and Suite 913, Chicago, IL 60602- capita after long 3765 income slid FRANK years of TANG MD Phone 312 782 2475 to 134. absence from Fax 312 782 2476 The US circulation, I finally found ways Email: [email protected] with to keep in touch with fellow

Website: PIO SIAN MD national classmates from near and afar. www.wowphilippines.com.ph , reserves of I have been in Taiwan for www.experiencephilippines.ph $124B and owes $14T (in the more than two decades now and negative) ranks only 17 th , below had lost all contacts from you Singapore, Germany, Thailand, guys from the States until LETTER TO THE Algeria, recently when I have slowly EDITOR France and Italy. gathered your e-mails, eg, you, I enjoy reading all the The new powerhouses are Oscar Tuazon, Anthony de articles in the newsletters. It China with +$2.54T, Japan with Perio, Butch Potian, Peter Go, makes me feel connected to all $1.01T, Russia with $458B, Edwin Etcubanez, Alex of you. Saudi with $395B, India with Aplasca, Willie Morales, Rey I also would like to receive $279B, South.Korea with Olazo, Archie Lamadrid, the ECTOPIC MURMURS. $274B. Switzerland with Armando Damian. I wish you I would appreciate if you can $262B, Hong Kong with can provide me more names of point me in the right direction to $256B, and Brazil with $255B. our classmates in the States. request subscription. The Motherland ranked better Every now and then I come I am very interested in than Sweden, Australia, across classmates in the joining the FEUMAANI- Holland, Spain, New Zealand, Philippines whenever I go home PMAC group for the January Belgium and many other small and the most memorable one 2012 medical-surgical mission countries whose populations was the get together we had in in Vigan. I read about the can be well provided not Taiwan last year. required documents. Am I hoarded by a few billionaires Come next January 2012, expected to bring tools or (five, only one Pinoy ). before our Balik -FEU on supplies? I understand I have to PIO M SIAN MD 65 January 26-28, 2012, we are pay for my travel expenses. Palm Bay FL planning to have another get How about the accommodation together this time in Bangkok, in Vigan? How is that usually Thailand, organized by Amy arranged? SEPTEMBER donation Astadillo Chitrabamrung. Many As a young person, we A perpetual amongst you in the States will travelled to Ilocos Norte for CLASS 68 join, so how about you? vacations and always passed by ARMANDO PACIS MD 68 Please keep in touch and say Vigan. I have not been there hello to all for me back in the for almost 30 years. Student Achievement Award States SUSAN NUNEZ MD in Surgery FRANKIE TANG MD is established this month. Taiwan

ECTOPIC MURMURS September 2011 Volume 22 Number 9 page 15

Message from the changed. In my early years, I director of Lungsod Ng had grand visions of how Kabataan and other consultants, I BOARD CHAIRMAN likeable I was, a ladies man, but later became a charter member and continued from page 1 I became a better person and am lifetime member of the Maternal not care to talk to me again. one lady’s man.It was no longer and Child Health Association of Needless to say, I was shocked. the Philippines. about me, it was about us and I I wondered how this occurred. May God continue to shine told her, from now on, whatever I was eligible, many girls liked upon Dr Fe del Mundo and to us you want will be and my wants me and I looked quite dashing also- all children of a loving are secondary . Or in the in my surgical attire. I decided Heavenly Father. famous tagalog words; Lahat ng that she was having a bad day She too like Dean Josephine C gusto mo ay masusunod at ang Reyes of FEU will be greatly and I would approach her later. gusto ko ay optional . These missed. Three times over the words when followed promote a [email protected] intervening months, I asked this close family relationship and [email protected] beautiful lady out, but each [email protected] avoid family disputes. time, she turned me down quite Columbus, Ohio briskly. My ego was hurt so I decided that she was not for me. Remembering STUDENT

I continued on with my FE DEL MUNDO ACHIEVEMENT AWARD training and gave up on the idea MD Do you want to know a little bit more of dating this woman. Two continued from page 1 about the Student Achievement years went by and my ideas of Private Practitioners and later Awards? The cost for each Student how my life would be changed. was also a former Philippine Achievement Award is $50. If you I continued my residency and Medical Association want your award in perpetuity, it is then the strangest thing president who asked me in $1050. You can label your award in happened. I think of it as a some occasions to your name, or in the name of the miracle, maybe a little divine be her speech writer. The Tans person you wish to honor. So let me intervention. This lovely lady are the founder and owners of challenge you to channel the extra that I had tried to date required the Novaliches General dollars of your donation/ charity a small assistance from me. It Hospital in Quezon City. budget to recognize an honor-roll was my chance to redeem It was a blessing to have needy student or two at the medical myself. I assured her that I met Dr Fe del Mundo. I recall her school. Your donation(s) are tax- would be glad to assist her and saying she is appreciative of my deductible. Please make your check was careful not to ask for having obtained a graduate payable to anything for myself. I was degree at Harvard (master of FEUDNRSM Alumni Foundation . totally selfless in this endeavor. science in behavioral sciences Your donation this year will be After that, she told me she and maternal and child awarded during the Student would give me a chance. She health) where she did Recognition of the 2012 Balik-FEU in postgraduate training and my would give me one year to mid-January 2012 at the FEU-NRMF many years of teaching human prove my intentions. She would growth and development and Institute of Medicine, be watching and if I slipped up, child psychology in US colleges in West Fairview, Quezon City. we would be done. Suddenly, and universities. If you want you can also distribute my focus shifted. It was no I indeed assured her I have your award(s) in person during the longer about what a good catch been a children's advocate ceremonies! Let me hear from you I was, but rather how to be the myself. about your award(s). Before returning back to person she would want. 68 It was a long year, but as many resume my teaching and public CESAR V REYES MD of you know, I finally passed service state job in Ohio, upon 6530 Dunham Road, her tests and Minerva finally invitation of Dr Lilian Villaluz- Downers Grove, IL 60516 Phone 815-942-2932 x7565 said YES. By then, I had Lee, a close friend who was a neurologist and also former or [email protected] figured out how my life had PHILIPPINE MEDICAL PHILIPPINE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION in CHICAGO 51st Anniversary , Fall 2011 in CHICAGO st SCIENTIFIC SEMINAR, Clinical PMAC 51 anniversary Practice Update , Induction Dinner PMAC Auxiliary 45 th anniversary Dance, Saturday, September 24, PMAC - PMAC Auxiliary Foundation 2011, Hyatt O’Hare Hotel The evening Inaugural Dinner & Ball festivities will be Saturday, September 24, 2011 preceded in the Hyatt Regency O’Hare morning by a free 9300 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Rosemont IL, 847-696-1234 5-hour accredited ERIC Cocktail 6:00 pm RSVP by September 10, 2011 ACCME Category Dinner 7:30 pm Edward Hernaez MD 847-833-1658 I CME program, featuring: Donation $85 pp Flor Tembrina RN MPH PhD 630-290-1728 ERIC J MARSH MD , associate Attire Formal Make checks payable to PMAC professor at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science,

North Chicago, Skin Cancer 2011, to be SHILPA introduced by Zosimo R Balik -FEU 2012 Herrera MD; SHILPA TIWALLI MD , neurologist at Saints Mary & January 26-28, 2012 Elizabeth Medical Center, on Multiple Sclerosis Venue Crowne Plaza Galleria Update 2011 , to at Ortigas & EDSA be introduced by Anita Avila MD; NESTOR CELEBRANTS RAMIREZ MD , 57 NESTOR Class Emerald Jubilee pediatric chairman 62 at Norwegian American Hospital, Class Golden Jubilee on What You See Is Not Always 86 Class Silver Jubilee What You Get , to be introduced by 66 Nida Blankas Hernaez MD; Class Sapphire Jubilee PAULINE CAMACHO MD , 71 Class Ruby Jubilee professor of medicine at 76 Loyola Unniversity Class Coral Jubilee Stritch School of Class 81 Pearl Jubilee Medicine, on 91 Osteoporosis Update Class 20th Anniversary 96 2010 , PAULINE Class 15th Anniversary to be 01 introduced by Class 10th Anniversary Cynthia Yongo- Eugenio MD; and EDGAR V EDGAR LERMA MD , associate SEPTEMBER QUOTE professor of medicine at the Command those who are rich in this present University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, on Chronic world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in Renal Failure 2011 , to be wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in introduced by Zita B Yorro MD. God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17