By Dr. Jason Letran
How it Begun:
During a fateful trip last February 2019, while on a bus ride back to the hotel from the Nikko Botanical Garden in Japan, a group of University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery alumni, all urologists but trained in different institutions, mulled over what they could contribute as their share for the 150th activities. Drs. Jason Letran, Juliano Panganiban, Gerry Albano, Apol Lasala, Carlo Bisnar, Roderick Arcinas, Johnson Sy and Adviser Dr. Samuel Ang immediately agreed on a fundraising "Commemorative Watch Project."
Our horologist-in-residence, Jason Letran, ran through a list of watches to pick from, contacted Dean Dr. Ma. Lourdes D. Maglinao, for approval, got her resounding "OK" for the watch project, and by the time we got to our lodgings, we had the mechanics of the plan all done and set.
The only thing that was missing was the timepiece,
The Search is On:
So, the search is on for the ideal timepiece, befitting the Thomasian physician's qualities: excellent and unassuming, innovative yet respecting of tradition, with an unending drive to continue, challenge, and conquer.
In the end, we have identified one of the best-kept horological secrets. But first, we needed to get approval to use the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery's seal and the USTMED150 logo, to which Dean Odette Maglinao and Father Angel Aparicio were most helpful. Then, we had to convince a high-end watchmaker to produce just one hundred fifty units of exclusively hand-crafted individually numbered timepieces, all with the USTMED150 logo distinctively engraved at the case back.
We had to present our story, our rich heritage, tradition, and of course, our purpose to the watchmaker. Lastly, we had to find one hundred fifty alumni willing to own one of these one hundred fifty timepieces at a premium price. In retrospect, it seems so coincidental that the entire project was conceptualized in Japan, the birthplace of our Chosen One.
The Chosen Timepiece:
The chosen timepiece, symbolic of the 150 years in the pursuit of excellence in medical education, must carry the qualities of precision, timelessness, versatility, and elegance, which would embody the virtues of a Thomasian physician.
Grand Seiko combines luxurious mechanical watchmaking craftsmanship with modern electronically generated movement unmatched by any other brand with its unique spring drive technology.
The result is truly Thomasian—an exclusive timepiece bearing the four colors of the University seal. The gold stands for royal patronage and pontifical roots, the black and white represent the color of the Dominican order, and the Marian blue symbolizes the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The one hundred fifty years of excellence in medical education is distinctively marked with the unique serial number represented by each of the 150 generous Thomasian physicians.
The USTMED150 sesquicentennial commemorative timepiece, truly ...... a piece of history .... and ...... tradition.
The Purpose:
This project raised a total of Fifteen million pesos (PHP 15,000,000.00) which was earmarked for the Simulation and Research Building Project in raising the next generation of Thomasian physicians.
The Turnover Ceremony:
A group of dedicated Thomasian Medical alumni headed by the Dean, Ma Lourdes Maglinao, Catherine Teh, Johnson Sy, Juliano Panganiban, Larry King, John Solamo, John Domingo, Karl Morales, Mayette Valencia, and Jason Letran braved the modified extended community quarantine to claim the 150 watches and took responsibility in distributing the watches to the rightful owners.
The chosen date for the turnover ceremony was 26 September 2020. The feast day of Saints Cosmas and Damian, the patron saints of Medicine. Initially, it was planned to be a grand gala night attended by the 150 proud owners of the timepiece with their respective spouses/partners or significant half. The Father Regent, Fr. Angel Aparicio, and the Dean will complete the invitees.
As it turned out, the world came to a standstill with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, not even a pandemic could stop the spirit of the group. Like the resilient Thomasian physicians that UST FMS is known to produce, the plan shall go on.
In an unprecedented move, the very first online gala celebration was held to commemorative the turnover ceremony of the fifteen million pesos (PHP 15,000,000.00) donation for the cause of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. It was a night of fun, glamour, loyalty, and nostalgia as we unveiled the timepiece that everyone has been patiently waiting for.
The 150 Owners of the Sesquicentennial Watch
Dr. Jason Letran
Dr. Karl Morales
Dr. Pedro Lantin III
Dr. Richard Olalia
Dr. Harry Longno
Dr. Ronnie Cacas
Dr. Juliano Z.K. Panganiban
Dr. Johnson Sy
Dr. Edwin Yu
Dr. German Jose Albano
Dr. Charles C. Cuaso
Dr. Buenaventura Jose Reyes
Dr. Reynaldo Sebastian
Dr. Romeo Nelson Lee
Dr. Randy Pablo Talamayan
Dr. Dennis Agapito
Dr. Jaime Songco
Dr. Carlo Bisnar
Dr. Teddy Opulencia
Dr. Steve Lim
Dr. John Arnel Solamo
Dr. Marcelino Morales, Jr.
Dr. Timothy Dy
Dr. Daniel Alonzo
Dr. Michael Louis Gimenez
Dr. Editha Fernandez
Dr. Mellmont Ocampo
Dr. Samuel Ong
Dr. Raymond Norman Casipit
Dr. Argyll Arcigal
Dr. Jose Fernando Syquia
Dr. Hayden Kho Jr.
Dr. Widmark Dy
Dr. Reynaldo Perez
Dr. Jaime Anthony Arzadon
Dr. Jose Bonifacio Rafanan, Jr.
Dr. Gary Avendano
Dr. Anna Lissa Ruste-Chan
Dr. Rufino Agudera
Dr. Jaime H. Morales
Dr. Don Edward Rosello
Dr. Michelle Luciano
Dr. Edward Yap
Dr. Mario Magcalas
Dr. Esteban V. Almeda
Dr. Luzcielo Roxas
Dr. Rodelio D. Lim
Dr. Ramon Jose Angelo A. Casipit
Dr. Rodrigo Hipol III
Dr. Allan Policarpio
Dr. Roderick Arcinas
Dr. Ernesto Gerial, Jr.
Dr. Jose Rizalito Catipay
Dr. Ferdinand Antonio Tolentino
Dr. Herman Sorongon Jr.
Dr. Nelson Co
Dr. Maria Elena Mendoza-Aoanan
Dr. Francis Roasa
Dr. Aldrin Joseph Gamboa
Dr. Norberto Martinez
Dr. Mateo Ilano
Dr. Medel A. Reyes
Dr. Dakila De Los Angeles
Dr. Raul Castillo
Dr. Kennedy Lim
Dr. Pavio Buac
Dr. Louis Francis Tanco
Dr. Glenn Angeles
Dr. Dante Eugenio
Dr. Melvin Marcial
Dr. Steven Chan
Dr. Rogelio Lagasca
Dr. Hermenegildo Jose Zialcita
Dr. Ramon Torres
Dr. Samuel Ang
Dr. Dennis Jose Delgado
Dr. Jonnel Lim
Dr. Brian Christopher Ang
Dr. Victor Lopez
Dr. Steve Lim
Dr. Rene Chan
Dr. Rosemarie Aguirre-Castro
Dr. Nelson Maglinao
Dr. Michael Mendoza
Dr. Purificacion-Hency Marquez
Dr. Rollo Milante
Dr. Edison Guerrero
Dr. Benito Tan Jr.
Dr. Ferdinand Tan
Dr. Jose Joel Eclarinal
Dr. Elna Fajardo
Dr. Edwin William Tan
Dr. Catherine Teh
Dr. Aldrin Cuasay
Dr. Narciso Atienza
Dr. Ian Paredes
Dr. Jose Ernesto Roces
Dr. Rudie Frederick Mendiola
Dr. Rudolfo De Guzman
Dr. Pio Purino
Dr. Ma. Lourdes Domingo-Maglinao
Dr. Miguel Arambulo III
Dr. Nines Bautista
Dr. Roberto Uy
Dr. Juvido Agatep Jr.
Dr. Valerie Floro-Herbosa
Dr. Aristotle Bernard Roque
Dr. George Co
Dr. John Knight Gulla
Dr. Noel Aypa
Dr. Sammy Cunanan
Dr. Joseph Michael Abcede
Dr. Romulo Buzon
Dr. Florimond Garcia
Dr. Pascualito Gutay
Dr. Jade Jamias
Dr. Jesus Querubin, Jr.
Dr. Claro Ziegfriedo Nacorda
Dr. Eduardo Tin Hay
Dr. Carlo Antonio Romero
Dr. Sigfred Ian Alpajaro
Dr. Gabriel Eala
Dr. Alex Clemente Santarina
Dr. John Kenneth Domingo
Dr. Raphaell Giancarlo B. Mordeno
Dr. Jorge Jose Antonio R. Mendoza
Dr. Louis Salinas R. Hudencial
Dr. Larry S. King
Dr. Nelson Lim
Dr. Ericson B. Reyes
Dr. Raymundo R. Dimaculangan
Dr. Peterson M. Paner
Dr. Hildegardes "Heal Doc" C. Dineros
Dr. Widmark A. Dy
Dr. George V. Aczon
Dr. Constancio C. Reyes
Dr. H. Rommel R. Seno
Dr. Rafael R. Vera Cruz
Dr. Jocelyn Cobankiat
Dr. Francisco E. Tan, Jr.
Dr. Joselito V. Casipit
Dr. Sjoberg Ang Kho
Dr. Allen A. Valencia
Dr. Rex A. Madrigal
Dr. Apolonio Q. Lasala, Jr.
Dr. Benjamin L. Ramos, Jr.
Dr. David T. Bolong
Dr. Robert M. Magsino
Dr. Rodrigo D. Segui
Dr. Freddie Yap Sy