2024 UPCM HOMECOMING LAUNCH

By Dr. Jennifer Yang

“What do you mean by ‘we are wearing a neckpiece’?” I asked University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society (UPMAS)president, homecoming head and classmate Dr. Ryan Capitulo the night before our homecoming launch. “It’s like a lei,” said our classmate Dr. Angel Rodriguez-Bandola, who had these commissioned for the event.

Sure enough, I came up to the registration table at the Grand Alumni Homecoming Launch 2024 and was presented with a silver-ish enable cloth woven ribbon, reminiscent of the ribbons given to guests of honor during government functions and the like. With that, we silver jubilarians kicked off our homecoming year on January 10, 2024 at the 7^thfloor Plenary Hall of the Henry Sy, Sr. Medical Science Building on the UP College of Medicine (UPCM) campus.

The program hosted by Dr. Louella Gonzalez-Santos featured congratulatory messages from university and college officials, and a roll call of jubilarian classes – those who graduated in year sending in “4” and “9”. The oldest representative present was from the emerald jubilarian class (1969), Dr. Orlino Talens and Dr. Ramon Arcadio, and the youngest attendees were from the tin jubilarian class of 2014. This was followed by special messages from former deans Dr. Amelia Fernandez and  Dr. Ramon Arcadio, and the induction of some members of the UPMAS Board of Trustees. Dr. Jimmy Galvez-Tan from class 1974 then introduced his golden jubilarian classmates who were present, stating that 65percent of their class remained in the Philippines instead of heading to greener pastures abroad. Their distinguished class has members who have carved out their well-respected and storied careers in public service, research, education and clinical practice.

Led by Dr. Madelynn Cabalona-Banal, our class also taught the audience the arm gestures symbolizing our theme Pagpupugay at Paggunita (to honor and to remember), which emphasize the warm and inclusive atmosphere we would like for our homecoming. We viewed special videos showcasing our class, after which a few classmates from our overall organizing committees gave short spiels about each homecoming event in 2024.The launch ended with group photographs and a buffet lunch which was enjoyed by all. Much like an afterparty, some members of class 1999 toured the Clinical Simulation Laboratory in the same building. Our homecoming class project contributed funds towards the advanced technology aimed at facilitating the clinical education of future UPCM physicians.

In the end, we got to take home the neckpieces that day – a shining souvenir of a successful homecoming launch, and a symbol of all the exciting homecoming events we anticipate in 2024. Come join us as we honor and remember UPCM and its alumni during our silver jubilee year!

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