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The U.S.T. Medicine Class of 1967 held its first reunion in 1973 in Hackensack, New Jersey, a common affair from an uncommon class. What followed was a tradition unheard of from any class that preceded and followed us - our class held a reunion every 2 years- Boston -Philadelphia - Chicago - New York City - Los Angeles - Dayton - Manila - St.Louis - Atlantic City - Manila - New York City - Las Vegas - San Francisco.Our reunions became more than a celebration of belonging. They were a renewal and growth of friendship, sharing and giving. The Foundation was first conceived during the preparation for our 20th (1987) reunion. The 20th reunion was very exciting since it was the first time the "Great Class of '67" gathered in the Philippines for a reunion. In 1991, in preparation for our Silver Jubilee Celebration in December 1992, the Foundation was established as a vehicle for the purpose of helping in the development of a better UST College of Medicine and the |
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care of the needy and the destitute by our tax deductible contributions to our legacy. Sandy Valdez and Chit Bobila jointly prepared the by-laws and Articles of incorporation and arranged for legal help in the incorporation of the Foundation. Approval was obtained from the IRS for a 501C3 status which made all our donations to the Foundation tax deductible. We elected our first set of officers at our meeting at the Hilton Hotel in Short Hills N.J. in September 1991. With the creation of the Foundation, fundraising came about with more ease. Dr. Cora Gemil initiated the first fundraising by calling on Drs. Peter and Linda Fang, Dr. Erwin Gonzalez, Drs. Chit and Nick Granados, Dr. Peter Figueroa and Drs. Nieva and Jimmy Salva. All these individuals promptly made pledges for a total amount of $30,000. We were eventually able to raise over $120.000 of which $80,000 was donated during our Silver jubilee to the UST College of Medicine to furnish the Audio-Visual Equipment and the Standby electrical generator for the CME auditorium. It also supported our medical mission to Mount Pinatubo in December 1992. We also donated $5,000 to UST Medical Alumni Association in America under the leadership of Jose Evangelista in December 1993. The foundation also helped finance our reunions which were traditionally shouldered financially by our host classmates in whatever state we held our reunions. These are the individuals who have nurtured our Foundation from its inception in 1992 to the present - all who have assumed the Presidency and who have donated time, talent, effort and their financial resources to help make the Foundation what it is today - strong, vibrant, resourceful, loyal, magnaninous and in tune with the times:
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1991 to 1995 - Chit Bobila (Founding President)
1995 to 1997 - Tony Penilla
1997 to 1999 - Nila Zamora-Sayat
1999 to 2001 - Chito Edrosa
2001 to 2005 - Marina Guerrero-Feliciano
2005 to Present - Cora Gemil |
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Summary of Foundation Donations to U.S.T. and other Charitable activities:
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$5,000 donation to the USTMAAA in 1993.
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$500 donation to the Social Action Center of Pampanga for the victims of Mount Pinatubo eruption in December, 1992.
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$5000 donation to the UST Medicine Class '67 Alumni Foundation Scholarship Award to Philippine Science High School (patterned after the Bronx Science High School in NYC) students established through the Foundation of the Philippine American Medical Society of N.J. in September 1993.
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$80,000 donation towards the audio-visual equipment and stand-by electrical generator of the CME auditorium as part of our Silver Jubilee Legacy.
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The Foundation funded the freight charges and transportation of the neurological testing equipment (Caldwell 5200) donated by Sandy Valdez in April, 1993 to the USTH Department of Neurology for use in the care of indigent patients.
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Chit Granados facilitated the donation of O.R. equipment from a hospital in Reading that was closing with the Foundation financing the freight and transport of said equipment.
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$15,000 donation by Erwin Gonzalez was channeled through the Foundation from 1993 to 1995 to establish the USTH Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residents' Fund.
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$25000 is being set aside as our golden jubilee legacy, 10 years from now. During the general meeting in Las Vegas on July 4, 2007, the Foundation approved the transfer of this amount to the USTMAAAF to secure Class 67’s permanent membership in the USTMAAA Foundation with the stipulation that this amount plus accumulated interest will be directed as Class ‘67’s golden anniversary legacy in 2017. Dr. Stella S. Evangelista, Executive Director of the USTMAAA Foundation, acknowledged this in the communication below.
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Dear Cora,
We are delighted with your decision to become a permanent member of the USTMAAA Foundation Board! Time will prove to you that this was the right decision and the right direction for your Class. 15 to 20 years from now, we would have passed on to the next life! Your association with USTMAAA Foundation will ensure your Class that your legacies will be perpetuated for eternity!
Retaining your identity as a Class will never be a problem. Your Class is outstanding and exceptional, thus you will never lose your identity; in fact, you will even boost your “identity” as more people will know about your Class’ significant contributions!
With regards to your 25K donation, this will remain in the Foundation in perpetuity! You may designate the earnings to certain projects or for the maintenance of your Class Legacies but you can never take out the principal. This goes for all the monies donated to the Foundation as it is meant to be an Endowment Fund!
Again thank you for participating and celebrating your Ruby Jubilee with USTMAAA. It was a FUN and MEMORABLE evening and judging from the comments I received, everyone enjoyed the evening! Every- one especially enjoyed the Class presentation! The convention was another success as we broke our record attendance of over 1200 and registered a high degree of satisfaction from members!
Thanks again and I look forward to your active participation in the Foundation Board and USTMAAA.
Stella S. Evangelista M.D. email dated 8/5/07
Executive Director
USTMAAA Foundation |
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