MCUMAFAA HISTORY

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Seal of MCU MAF, Inc. (Credit R. Roncal MD)

1984

We begin with the memoir of Dr Rogelio Roncal as he reflects...

In the spring of 1984, while I was still directing the treatment at the Middletown Alcoholism Treatment Center, my secretary, Dorothy Hauxhurst, knocked on my door and said, “I have a phone call for you. The lady said that she was a voice from your past.” I was excited to find out that she was my former classmate, Concepcion Abesamis, the companion of Fely while doing their internship back in the sixties in Pittsfield Massachusetts. She was now practicing in Manhattan. Concepcion invited me to a meeting with the Dean of our Medical School and the Owner of the University. She said that she also invited all the alumni residing in the Northeast. The first meeting, held on May 20, 1984, was at her house in Ridgewood, Queens, NY. There was an election of Officers and the Northeastern Chapter of the MCU Medical Alumni Foundation in America was born.

Here were the Officers:

Luningning Estanislao, founding chairperson.

Lutgarda Quito, founding co-chairperson.

Connie Abesamis-Roy, President

Rogelio Roncal, Vice President.

Felicitas Miraflor, Secretary.

Norma Garcia, Treasurer.

Paulino Albano, PRO.

Board of Directors: Melinda del Castillo, Rubena Chan, Romeo Dagdayan, Antonio Dulalas, Jose G. Garcia, Elpidio Marcelo, Carmen Mercado, Luz Morabe-Naval, Fe Agtarap-Navarette and Neil Nepola.

Here were the Aims of the Foundation:

1.To raise funds to support the College of Medicine and Charity Hospital

2.To assist impoverished but academically deserving medical students

3. To support continuing education of faculty members in the College of Medicine

4. To foster personal/social relations among medical alumni

The group hoped to be a tax-exempt charitable institution and applied to be one.

An attorney whose son graduated from a medical school in the Philippines, FEU, volunteered his services. His name was Atty. Feiring.

1984 MCU MAF is formed. First President of the MCUMAFA is Concepcion Abesamis Roy, Class of 1962.

1985

Original Constitution Filed by Atty Feiring on May 5th 1985 - stamp paged (Credit: Perlman & Perlman)

All contributions were to be recorded and receipts will be given when the tax-deductible status of the organization is secured. Several meetings were held over the months and a newsletter was sent to the alumni. As the Vice-President, Dr Roncal was asked to be the overall chair to host the first Convention and Reunion.

This was held at the

PHILIPPPINE CONSULATE FOR THE CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM AND at the WALDORF ASTORIA HOTEL

In New York City for the gala ball and dinner. Raffle tickets for $100.00 each were sold. The prize was a 1985 190 E Mercedes Benz car. We also solicited for ads in the Souvenir Program. Among the two hundred guests were my colleagues at the hospital and Fr Tracy O. Carm who delivered the invocation. It was quite a happy reunion of long-lost classmates and friends. Felicitas, a long-lost friend, and the secretary of the organization was not able to attend. She returned to the Philippines to attend to the funeral of her mother who died suddenly. Ralph Hunter, my American classmate, whom I had not seen in 23 years was all smiles and grateful for the medical education he received from our school. He was serving as a Psychiatrist at the Northport Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Long Island, NY.

We were able to raise enough funds to cover the wish list of our new Dean and the Administration of our Alma Mater. Our medical school and hospital have changed from profit to a non-profit foundation in celebration of the founder of the University. The name of our MCU College of Medicine was changed to Filemon D. Tanchoco, Sr. Medical Foundation. In short,

MCU FDT MF.

Here were the donated items:

$1,160.00 – Resusci-Anne

$140.00 Slide projector

$300.00 for a Mini library of books for the Dept. of Biochemistry

$200.00 for surgical equipment

$500.00 for the Christmas gifts to more than 100 charity patients

$200.00 to fund Overseas Seminars for Faculty members:

a.) Visiting Professor Dr. Mariano Miclat lectured to Philippines Staff on “emergency treatment of burns by a plastic surgeon.”

b.) Dr. Neva Arribas lectured on the “Diseases of the Retina” (also in the Philippines).

THE CREDITS FOR THIS MOST SUCCESSFUL PROJECT WENT TO THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF THE CONVENTION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

Rogelio Roncal, Overall Chair,

Jose G. Garcia, Co-Chairman, Program, and Invitation

Members: Connie Abesamis-Roy-President

Norma Mendiola-Garcia – Reservation and Finance Felicitas Miraflor-Secretary

Carmen Mercado – Chairperson of the Continuing Medical Education committee

Paulino Albano, Jr. – Publicity Greg Ongcapin—Entertainment

Luz Morabe-Naval – Reception

We received the following MESSAGES:

NYS GOVERNOR’S OFFICE…

I am pleased to send greetings to all in attendance at the First Annual Gala Dinner and Ball sponsored by the Manila Central University Alumni Foundation.

Your organization has earned a richly deserved admiration for its accomplishments, which are appropriately highlighted at this time, and your members are to be congratulated for their efforts.

Best wishes for a pleasant evening and continued success in your endeavors.

Signed: MARIO M. CUOMO

NYS Governor

NEW YORK CITY MAYOR’S OFFICE…

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the City of New York, I am pleased to extend greetings to the members and guests of the MCU Medical Alumni Foundation on the happy occasion of your First Anniversary Dinner and Ball.

Your outstanding contributions to the health care system in New York City have helped to strengthen OUR REPUTATION AS AN INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF MEDICINE AND RESEARCH.

My best wishes to one and all for a most successful and enjoyable evening.

Signed: EDWARD I. KOCH

NYC MAYOR.

OFFICE OF THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINES

556 Fifth Avenue

New York, N.Y. 10036

I am pleased to extend my cordial greetings to the officers and members of the Manila Central University Medical Alumni Foundation on this significant and memorable occasion.

It is heartening to note that the Foundation has been largely successful in achieving the goals on which it has set its sight. Nevertheless, I would like to remind the membership that there is no shortcut to success- only the devotion and the financial involvement of the members can guarantee that the MCU College of Medicine and the MCU Hospital will be able to upgrade the education and training of needy but academically deserving medical students. Furthermore, indigent patients will receive the best possible medical care and attention available.

The foundation has distinguished itself for fostering unity and cooperation as well as keeping alive the ties with other MCU alumni. These are praiseworthy objectives which I hope will continue to be achieved without sacrificing your vows under the Hippocratic Oath.

In closing, I wish to congratulate Mrs. Luningning T. Estanislao and Dr. Lutgarda C. Quito for their outstanding and committed leadership. I must also mention Dr Norma Garcia whose energy and wisdom are worthy of emulation by all.

Signed: ERNESTO C. PINEDA

CONSUL GENERAL

The all-important and the first Continuing Medical Education offer by this Foundation was chaired by our former graduate and later Professor of Pediatrics at our Alma Mater – Dr. CARMEN MERCADO. All the lecturers were specialists in their field of study and all graduates of our medical school.

CME PROGRAM:

Updates in Clinical Medicine,

Held at the Philippine Consulate Bldg. – 556 5th Ave., Manhattan.

Topics:

Advances in Drug Therapy for the Newborn and Young Infant by Jacob Aranda

Current Concepts of AIDS by Michael Grieco

Detoxification and Rehabilitation of Alcoholism by Rogelio B. Roncal

Lasers in Ophthalmology Diabetic Retinopathy by Neva Arribas

Electrophysiology in the Diagnosis and Management of Cardiac Arrhythmias by Andres Ticzon.

DINNER DANCE PROGRAM:

EMPIRE ROOM, WALDORF – ASTORIA HOTEL, NEW YORK CITY

Welcome Address: Roger Roncal, Over-all Chairman

National Anthems of the USA and Philippines

Message from the Dean of our College of Medicine, Lutgarda C. Quito

Induction of Officers and Board of Directors

All the alumni who worked hard to achieve the goals of the foundation were recognized with tokens of appreciation from our Alma Mater. Here was what I gratefully received:

5/26/1985: PLAQUE OF APPRECIATION

TO

ROGELIO B. RONCAL, MD

AS ANNIVERSAY CHAIRMAN

ON THE

FIRST ANNIVERSARY BALL

Held at WALDORF ASTORIA HOTEL

ON MAY 26th, 1985

Signed: FELICITAS R. MIRAFLOR, M.D. SECRETARY

Signed: CONCEPCION ABESAMIS-ROY, M.D., PRESIDENT

Our Dean and Administrator of our Medical College were very grateful for the results of our dedicated services during 1985. We were able to relax for a while until the next event. I turned my energy back to my work...

1985 First Convention held in New York. Congratulatory letters received from the New York State Governor, Assemblyman, and a new Mercedes Benz is raffled at the event.

1986

Our Medical School Alumni Foundation in the Northeast held the second annual Reunion and Fundraising in 1986 at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan. The Roncals were not able to attend because they could not take the time off from their heavy schedules.

Nevertheless, an amusing anecdote survives from this event, as told by Dr. Winston Magno and Dr Ed McDermott.

During the awards ceremony, one of the dignitaries collapsed on stage and needed immediate medical attention.

1987

In 1987, the Roncals joined the group because Pilar was stable and felt enthusiastic to be a part of the celebration. She chose her most stylish gown for the ball. It was a three-hour drive from our house to the boardwalk. The venue was HARRAH’S MARINA HOTEL AND CASINO IN ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY. The fund-raising was to support our Alma Mater’s community program called: The “BAGONG SILANG COMMUNITY HEALTH EXTENSION PROJECT”. Bagong Silang was a resettlement area for displaced families from the slum areas of Metro Manila, under the management of the National Housing Authority. It was a 45-minute drive from Manila Central University.

For the past year, the College of Medicine and the MCU Hospital had been sending resident physicians, medical interns, and medical clerks to provide back-up medical care in cooperation with the local health center, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. With the appointment of two physicians with training and experience in Family and Community Health, a more intensive and organized program would be implemented starting April 1, 1987.

The objectives of the Project were:

1. To develop and establish a community health program within the framework of the Primary Health Care Approach.

2. To provide training ground for the acquisition of appropriate learning experience in Community Medicine for Resident Physicians, Medical Interns, Clinical Clerks, and Medical Students.

Here were the Messages from both sides of the Pacific to wish the alumni success in our endeavor:

Dean of the College of Medicine: Lutgarda C. Quito

Greetings and congratulations to all the officers and members of the Medical Alumni Foundation, Northeastern Region, on your Third Anniversary!

You have been a source of inspiration to the management, faculty and students of our Alma Mater, the MCU Filemon D. Tanchoco Medical Foundation.

Through your active participation, involvement, dedication, and commitment, we have accomplished much in so short a time.

More power to you all and MABUHAY!

Governor of New Jersey, Thomas H. Kean

To: The Manila Central University Medical Alumni Foundation

Dear Friends:

On behalf of the State of New Jersey, I am pleased to welcome you to Atlantic City for your convention.

Providing adequate health care is vitally important to the welfare of any society. I commend the Manila Central University Medical Alumni Foundation for working to help others and for increasing awareness about the health care needs of the Philippines.

Please accept my best wishes for success in raising money to help indigent patients of the Manila Central University Hospital Charity Ward.

1988

In addition to Dr Roncal's private psychiatric practice and full-time work at Mid-Hudson forensic Psychiatric Center he rejoined his medical alumni group activities. This fund-raising arm for our Medical School in the Philippines has received tax-exempt status from the State of New York last year. It was officially called the MCU Medical Alumni Foundation in America. Dr Roncal was elected to the Board of Directors as the Foundation’s Newsletter Editor.

The new slate of officers for the next 3 years (1989-1991) was:

President – Jose Garcia Jr

Vice-President - Elpidio Marcelo

Secretary – Felicitas Miraflor

Assistant Secretary – Anita Laude

Treasurer – Norma M. Garcia

Assistant Treasurer – Rubena P. Chan

Public Relations Officer – Alex Castillo

Board of Directors:

Chairman – Carmen Mercado

Solomon Alcantara

Nestor Bautista

Romeo Dagdayan

Melinda Del Castillo

Maria Cristina Laredo

Godofredo Marfori

Luz Morabe Naval

Fe Navarette

Andresito Pacis

Fernando Pezarras

Telesforo Reyes and

Rogelio B. Roncal

The following requests from our Hospital Pediatric Department under the chairmanship of Lucita Pascual-Aguilar (another of Dr Roncal's classmates) were the following: Ventilator, Cardiac Monitor, Pulse Oximeter, and IV Infusion Pump.

These items will be donated by the MCU MAF organization.

Meanwhile, the Dean of our Medical School reported that our financial support to our Medical School has helped tremendously. Here was her report:

Our medical graduate, Emmanuel C. Limchanco placed first in the Philippine Board Examination given in February 1989. Out of the 776 passers, MCU Alumni Reynaldo Rubie placed 18th and Annabelle Gonzalez placed 20th. The national passing rate for our Medical School was 94% vs the national average of 73%. The concerted efforts of the Faculty and Alumni helped obtain these results.

Our last alumni meeting for the year was a Christmas party and a Continuing Medical Education lecture held in a restaurant in Manhattan. It was nice to see long-lost classmates and friends and catch up with stories of our lives since Medical School.

All the preparations by the leadership of our Medical Alumni Foundation culminated in the celebration of the Convention and Continuing Medical Education Program held on June 23, 1990, at the Bally’s Park Place Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey. As the editor of the Newsletter and member of the Constitution and By-Laws Committee, I published the following important events for the Alumni in America to know:

The Northeast Chapter of the Medical Alumni Foundation in America has officially become the fund-raising arm of the National Alumni Association as quoted in the Alumni Association Constitution and By-Laws:

Article V: The MCU Medical Alumni Foundation will be designated as the fund-raising arm of the MCUMAAA, Inc. The Foundation will have its own set of officers and by-laws to conform with the tax-exempt status of the Internal Revenue Code, Section 501 (c) 3.

Please note this quick overview and important timeline:

1974 – Beginning of the MCU Medical Alumni Association in America.

1984 – Beginning of the MCU Medical Alumni Foundation in America.

1988 - Beginning of the tax-exempt status of the Northeast Chapter of the MCU Medical Alumni Foundation. Donations from individuals to this chapter were now tax deductible according to the Internal Revenue Code, Section 501 (c). Although it is often stated that the tax-exempt status began in 1987, this means that the process began, and paperwork was filed late in 1987, with the application being approved by the Courts in early 1988.

1993 – The Medical Alumni Association in America chose the Northeast Chapter of the Medical Alumni Foundation as the fund-raising arm of the MCU Medical Alumni Association. For tax purposes, all other Alumni Association and Foundation Chapters began channeling their donations to the MCU Medical School and Hospital through the MCU Medical Alumni Foundation.

2006 – The dwindling membership nationwide in the alumni groups, witnessed by decreasing attendance at annual conventions and fundraising events led to the fusion of the alumni events into one yearly reunion instead of two events (one for the Association and one for the Foundation).

2008 – The Alumni Association as it existed since 1974 ceased to function as an independent organization. The membership approved the revision of the Constitution of the Alumni Foundation to include the Alumni Association, with one set of By-laws and Constitution. The objectives for the two groups were basically identical and it made sense to combine the two into one newly organized MCU Medical Alumni Foundation and Association in America whose sole purpose is to support the MCU College of Medicine and Hospital named MCU FDT Medical Foundation, also a tax-exempt institution in the Philippines.

2009 – Present: The MCU Medical Alumni Foundation and Association has remained basically unchanged, with the same Constitution and Bylaws and membership.

(End of timeline overview.)

1989

For the year 1989 the Treasurer of the Association and Foundation: Norma M. Garcia reported that a total of $16,095 were received as donations:

$10,245 from the dinner dance

$3000 from the 1964 Class Silver Jubilarian donation

$2000 from the St. Louis, Missouri Chapter of the Association

$850 from general donations for professorial chairs.

1990

Here is the editorial from Dr Roncal for the year of 1990:

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS GIVING

In his letter to the Alumni, Joe Garcia, our Foundation President described the newly set-up Endowment Fund for the College of Medicine. The goal is: $100,000 per year for the next 5 years in pledges.

Joe stated,

“Our Foundation supports several projects according to the priority of needs of our Medical School, including:

-acquisition of new equipment

-updating existing facilities, equipment, and library holdings

-establishment of professorial chairs, fellowships, and scholarships

-enhancement of research programs.

Surely, these needs are already included in the budget of our college, but we all know that budget shortfalls are a fact of life. Our Foundation thank you notes in the amount of $55,457 during the past five years have helped in covering some of these needs. Why is it so important to us that our Medical School continues to survive in strength? Whoever we are, whatever we choose to do, wherever we choose to live, and however we assess the success of our life up to this point, somehow, those years we spent together within the confines of our Alma Mater has figured a great deal in our past, present, and future decisions. During those 5 years, we were carefully taught, challenged, tested and approved to go forth and carve our special place in the sun. We cannot deny that we now enjoy the special advantages of our education and skills made possible by that development of our formative years. Truly, we have found a second home and a larger family in the MCU College of Medicine. My hope is we can help keep it worthy of our continuing esteem and pride by helping it stay financially strong.”

I am sure that you share these sentiments. The goal of the MCUMAF is for an Endowment Fund of $100,000 per year for the next 5 years. My hope is for 100% of our 1,000+ alumni to contribute what they can towards a gift that will keep giving to our Alma Mater long after we have given our share.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

R.B.R.

(Rogelio B. Roncal)

Notes from 1991

Notes from 1992

Notes from 1993

Notes from 1994

Notes from 1995

Notes from 1996

Notes from 1997

Notes from 1998

Notes from 1999

Notes from 2000

Notes from 2001

Notes from 2002

Notes from 2003

Notes from 2004

Notes from 2005

Notes from 2006

Notes from 2007

Notes from 2008

Notes from 2009

Notes from 2010

Notes from 2011

Notes from 2012

Notes from 2013

Notes from 2014

2016

Our Convention was held at the Monte Carlo Casino & Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Notes from 2017

Notes from 2018

Notes from 2019

Notes from 2020

Notes from 2021

Notes from 2022

Notes from 2023