UST, ONE OF THE TOP 100 UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD!

A QUADRICENTENNIAL GIFT TO OUR ALMA MATER

An amazing event is coming upon us very soon. How fortunate we are, UST Medical Alumni to be a part of this momentous, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the Quadricentennial celebration of the founding of our beloved University of Santo Tomas in 2011. The 400 years' existence of the University has nurtured a reputation of excellence, of which we are all fortunate beneficiaries of.

The next year, 2012, will find our Class 72 Interns celebrating its Ruby Jubilee. Much planning has gone into making these years of celebration truly worthy of your attention. Mark these dates on your calendar:
January 20-27, 2011 in Manila. Highlites: Jan 22 Sat Gala Night for 2010 Jubilarians. Jan 23 Sun Gala Night for 2011 Jubilarians, both will be held at Shangrila, Makati. Jan 25 Tue Dinner Reunion with Class 72 Interns- time and venue to be annouced. Jan 26 Wed All Alums Parade from Luneta to UST Campus.
Remember our Ruby Jubilee is coming.May 24-28, 2012 (Memorial Weekend) at Ceasar's Palace, Las Vegas. An anniversary is the time to look back at the good times and times to look ahead to living our dreams. Make a date to join your classmates for a time of true jubilation.

TAC groundbreaking ceremony held Dec 2009.
L to R: Ramon Legarda, Auring Gonzalez, Zita Yorro, Charlie Capati, Tony Gonzalez, Joe & Stella Evangelista, and Fr. Rector Rolando de la Rosa. USTMAAA & FOUNDATION representatives giving our initial donation of $250,000 for the building fund.

It is no secret that the University of Santo Tomas has been deemed by the International Education Commission one of the top 100 universities in the world. The UST, Faculty of Medicine & Surgery is in the top ten among the foreign medical institutions by the US Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. As alumni, we know first hand the quality education we received. An anonymous author has stated that an educational system isn’t worth a great deal if it teaches young people how to make a living but doesn’t teach them how to make a life. Our Alma Mater has given us the skills to make comfortable and gracious lives, lives that have been enriched by families and successful careers.

It is now time for us to join together and give back to the university. Education has been described as the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another. In order for us to pass the opportunity from our generation to future Alumni we must act on the chance to help build a world class Alumni Center. It is the goal of our Father Rector Rolando de la Rosa to have the funding in place for this much needed facility.

We are reaching out to you once again. Let us team up together with class 72 Clerks to raise the $50,000 minimum goal, $25,000 for each class. Your tax deductible donations to the Thomasian Alumni Center will not only entitle your name to be preserved for future generations to see, but also help our Alma Mater take its rightful place among world class universities with world class alumni centers. A limited number of rooms are still available for name giving opportunities. We need to join our efforts and meet this challenge with high degree of success.

An initial monetary outlay of $5,000,000 has been proposed for the 5 story building. USTMAA in America & Foundation has pledged $1,000,000 for the project which will be built at the site of the old Gymnasium at the P Noval entrance to the campus. Please make your contribution with haste so that the Thomasian Alumni Center (TAC) can become a reality. The building will have several hostel-like rooms, a few mini-auditoria, a ballroom, alumni offices, meeting rooms available for wedding banquets, baptismal parties, etc. Based on the level of giving all these rooms are available for "naming rights". Once operational, the Center will be self sustaining.

The top fundraisers for the TAC to date:
Class 72 Interns:
Dr. Beth Garcia-McCoy - $ 1,500
Individual Alumnus:
Drs. Jose & Stella Evangelista Class ’68 - $100,000
Class Organization or Chapter:
Class ’62 Association - $154,000 and counting.

If a class of retired Alumni can make a significant contribution, there is no doubt we can meet or surpass the contribution ourselves.

HOW TO DONATE / PLEDGE:
Fill up the Donor Information and Pledge Information form sent to you. You may plan to make the contribution in the form of a check or credit card.

Make your check payable to: USTMAAA FOUNDATION- Alumni Center. Please notate on the memo, write TAC and name of class or organization to which donation will be credited to, e.g., Class 72 Interns, Flores Family, Tau Mu Sigma Phi.

Mail To:
USTMAAAF EXECUTIVE OFFICE
7071 Orchard Lake Rd. Suite 333
West Bloomfield, MI 48322

For Inquiries:
F.C. Dante Gapultos, M.D.
President, USTMAA in America Foundation, 2010-12
Cell: (256) 810.1360 Home: (256) 332.9754

CLASS 72 INTERNS DONORS/PLEDGES FOR THE THOMASIAN ALUMNI CENTER (TAC)
(For an individual donation of $1,000, your name will be inscribed in perpetuity at the Thomasian Honor Gallery of the TAC)

List of Classmates who gave their donations:
Glorietta Ang-Fonte
$1,000
Raffy Diokno
$1,000
Dante Gapultos
$1,000
Beth Garcia-McCoy
$1,500
Tessie Silverio-Lansang
$1,000
Cora Veza-Aguilar
$1,000

List of Classmates who each made $1,000 pledge for the TAC:
Jun Agbunag, Cecille Bayes-Vallejo, Rey Cordero,
Boy de Guzman, Ping Labayo, Mar Loveranes,
Greg Tolentino, Edgar Vallejo.

I look forward to hearing from you soon. THANK YOU.

Click here for the UPDATE of our growing Class 72 Interns Legacy Fund.

THE CLASS 72 TATALON PROJECT

A kick-off of our Class 72 Social Project spearheaded by Ching San Luis happened on the day of the Epiphany. The class of the Precious and Elite and their spouses, Jerry and Bebay Rivera-Arcangel, Cyn Flores-Fernandez, Rey and Virgie Mariano, Ging Najera-Ison, Jopie Merino, Marivic San Luis, with classmates from USA and Germany, Raffy Diokno, Nancy Padla, Rosel and Mike de Perio graced the special occasion. The Class 72 donation of Php 75,000 was handed over to GK to build a house for Mr and Mrs Ramos and their 9 children. At present time the family of eleven lives in a small shack in a depressed area in Quezon City. Click
here to view more photos of the Class 72 Tatalon Project. Pictures compliments of Bebay and Jerry Rivera-Arcangel.
Our most generous classmates: Raffy Diokno has pledged Php 50,000, and Ides Santos pledged to build 6 houses for the village! The Class 72 ladies conducted a Rummage sale, most of the stuff provided by our generous classmate, Lepit Tan. It made Php 1,400 out of the sale. Our ever gracious, Nancy Padla, matched the amount. When all is said and done, the Village will be named UST Medicine Class 1972 GK Community.
Click here to read the full text of Ching SL Homily.
It is just befitting homage to THE CLASS 72: The Precious, The Elite, and I may add, The Magnanimous!

Jan 6, 2008.

THE FIRST RESPONDER

On Northwest Flight 0071 from Detroit to Manila, Dec 7, 2007, a distress call was made by the flight attendant for a passenger having a coronary syndrome. Quess who was the first responder? Susan Borromeo-Yuson was first. She evaluated the gentleman and reassured him and the flight attendant that he will be okey.

We did not know we were on the same flight until we deplaned in Narita, Japan. She asked me why I did not respond to the call. "Definitely, if it was an unscheduled delivery, I would be there first with my shoe string." I replied.

Susan, you are the best, you know you don't need me there! -Dante.

THE 3 SAINTS TOUR DE FRANCE

The 3 Saints of Class 72 Tour de France. Oct 2007.
The three Santoses, Left to Right: Ed Santiago, Mones Santos, and Ides Santos concluded their Tour de France which included the Holy places of St. Therese of Liseux, St. Catherine Labour of Rue du Bac, St. Bernadetee of Lourdes. The background of the photo is the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Click her to view more pictures of the 3 Saints Tour de France

HALL OF FAMERS

Greg and Melinda Tolentino & Family were inducted the Model Family, at the 14th Annual Chicago Filipino-American Hall of Fame on November 3, 2007. Greg Tolentino is practicing Radiation Oncologist in Blue Island, Illinois. Greg and Melinda's three daughters pursued medical careers. Click here to see the full Tolentino's family picture. Angie is Chief Resident in Medicine at Lutheran Medical Center. She will undergo Fellowship in Hematology-Oncology after her residency. Meg is a Resident of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine at Rush Univ Med Ctr. Stephani is a 4th year medical student. Congratulations to Greg and Melinda Tolentino. Your family is a great boon to your community and to society at large.

A CLASS ACTION

Cecille Bayes-Vallejo was inducted President of the Royal Pontifical University of Santo Tomas Medical Alumni Association of New York October 20, 2007, in their 16th Anniversary Festivities, Manang Biday at Sheraton Hotel, Newark, NJ. The Past President of the esteemed organization was Ramon Legarda, and the Immediate Past President, Mel Agbayani-Bravo, all from Class 72. A Class Action indeed. Congratulations!

JUBILARIANS HONORED, Oct 2007

The Class 72 Coral Jubilarians were honored at the 16th Anniversary of the Royal Pontifical University of Santo Tomas Medical Alumni Association of New York at Sheraton, Newark, N.J.
Click here to view more photos of the Pontifical Sheraton Activities of Class 72.

THE DANCING STARS

Walter & Lilia Lucas garnered the championship medals in ChaCha, Rumba, and Bolero at their age group at the 2007 National Dance Sport Championship held at Louisville, Kentucky. Walter & Lilia are world class ballroom champs.
Congratulations Lilia and Sky Walter!

CELEBRATION

Angela Veza, youngest daughter of Cora Aguilar-Veza and late husband,Greg, had her debut at Marriott Hotel in Louisville, KY, August 2007. We watched her grow from a pretty girl to a fully blossomed beautiful lady. Happy Birthday Angel! Click here to view the full family picture of Cora Aguilar-Veza's family.

CONGRATULATIONS

Melanie Agbayani-Bravo was elected President of The Pontifical University of Santo Tomas Medical Alumni Association of New York for the year 2007-08. They will hold their 16th Anniversary Celebration to honor their Alumni and 2007 Jubilarians, October 20, 2007 at Sheraton Newark Airport Hotel, Newark, New Jersey. Melanie is a practicing Pediatrician in New York. She is married to Joaquin Bravo, brother of Genevieve Bravo.
Congratulations Melanie!

SI KAPITAN AT ANG KANYANG TENYENTE

Nancy Castro, the spouse of Raffy Castro, is Kapitan Del Bario of Hickory Hills, Illinois. The 32nd "Samahan Sa Baryo" Anniversary Ball took place on September 29, 2007. Saludo kami kay Kapitan Nancy at ang kanyang guapong Tenyente, Raffy sa kanyang tabi.

HOT TV HOST

Our very own Mandy Saguin is the host of a popular Philippine public service TV programs, Kaagapay and Kami Naman. You can see him everyday Mon-Fri at www.untvweb.com. Kaagapay is aired Monday thru Friday, 7-8 PM (RP time), and Kami Naman is on Sat and Sun,5-7 AM (RP time). More power to you Mandy.

A PLEA & A PRAYER. by Alexis Munoz-Dasig

This is a plea and a prayer written by Alexis Munoz-Dasig for our classmates in need.
Please click here for the full text of the letter.

Ernie Tan, The Big Brother.

Our classmate, Ernie Tan is featured in the July 1, 2008 issue of the OB-GYN News, of all newspapers being a urologist. You need to read the inspiring article of Ernie. His magnanimous spirit shines to everyone for us to emulate. Ernie and Connie are also benefactors of The Class 72 Legacy. We are so proud of you. More power to you and your family. Please click here for the entire article.

Mano-a-Mano Medical Mission in Palawan

Mano-a-Mano Medical and Surgical Salvage Inc. of New Jersey, USA held a medical mission at El Nido and Taytay, Palawan. 1800 indigent patiens were served. The noble medical mission was headed by our classmates, Lorna Bayes, Susan Borromeo-Yuson, and Dolly Belmonte-Sy.
To the big hearted trio, MORE POWER TO YOU!

THE TOTAL AWARDEE, 2008

Dr. Rimando “Mandy” Saguin was the recipient of The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni (TOTAL) Award for Community Service, for the year 2008. The TOTAL Award is the highest recognition and honor bestowed by the University and USTAAI (UST Alumni Association Inc.)

Congratulations to our very own Mandy and his lovely wife, Peachie.

From left to right: Dr. Placido “Jun” Calimag,Past Pres. of USTMAA Phil. Fr. Rector Magnificus, Rolando de la Rosa, Dr. Mandy Saguin, Lady Pres of USTAAI, and Fr Regent FMS Winston Cabading.

NEW HEAD OF UST FMS MEDICINE DEPT.

Bernardo "Doy" Briones, M.D. is the newly appointed Chairman of the Department of Medicine, University of Santo Tomas, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. Congratulations to our very own classmate, Doy Briones to this well deserved position.

A BIG MOVE FOR MANDYS KAAGAPAY

Our Celebrity Public Service-Caster, Mandy Saguin moved to a larger Station at 907 Philam Homes, Edsa, QC. The Public service program, KAAGAPAY which he hosts is aired at regular channel in North America and Canada IPQUBE or www.untvweb.com. It is on at 4:30 - 5:30 PM Monday to Friday. See our classmate celebrity!

The 3 LOCOS!

The Three Locos. June 2009
L to R: Mar Loveranes, Walter Lucas, Vir Lopez.

Go Go Go GOK

Introducing the Incredible Go Koc Tin (left of picture),
Walter Lucas, (Center), Vir Lopez, (right).

MR PRESIDENT, RUSTY

Rustico Jimenez. President of the Private Hospital Association of the Philippines at a Ballroom Event, Hyatt Hotel & Casino, November 2009. The event was graced by Secretary Gibo Teodoro and USEC Alex Padilla of DOH. More power to you Rusty!
Click here to see more pictures of Pres. Rusty.