UPAA announces this year’s Distinguished Alumni Awardees

Twenty-four exceptional graduates and three alumni chapters of the University of the Philippines will receive recognition awards from the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) for the year 2010. The award ceremonies will be held during the U.P. General Alumni-Faculty Homecoming & Reunion on June 26, 2010, 4:00 P.M. at the Ang Bahay ng Alumni, U.P. Diliman Campus, Quezon City.

The UPAA Distinguished Alumni Awards are conferred on alumni who have demonstrated in their chosen field of endeavor, extraordinary achievements and excellent contributions that bring about substantial benefits to society and distinct honor to the University. Recognition is given to achievements and contributions that impact the community in which the alumni are or have been active, whether this is at the local, national or international level.

This year’s 23 UPAA Distinguished Alumni Awardees are led by four alumni who are being recognized for Lifetime Achievement: Dr. Jose B. Cruz, Jr., BSEE ’53 scl; Dr. Ernesto O. Domingo, AA ’56 and MD ‘61; Dr. Dionisia A. Rola, AA ’41 with high honors and BSE ’47 mcl; and Prof. Isabel Juliana C. Sevilla-Soriano, AB ’53 cl.

“The UPAA made a special effort this time to identify unsung alumni achievers — those whose accomplishments in little-known corners of the country are remarkable but have remained unheralded and unrecognized,” said Alfredo Pascual, UPAA President.

The other alumni awardees for outstanding achievements in various fields are: Dr. Cleofas P. Rodriguez-Cervancia, BSA ’68, MS ’72, PhD ’82 (Community Development through Research and Extension Services); Dr. Julie C. Fuentes, DDM ’85 (Community Service Overseas-Dental Health); Mr. Nicolas A. Deocampo, AB ’81 cl (Culture and the Arts – Filmmaking); Mr. Angel C. Cacnio, BFA ’54 (Culture and the Arts – Painting); Ms. Annie G. Dee, BSIE ’77 (Employment Creation through Entrepreneurship); Ms. Ma. Teresa J. Danguilan-Vitug, AB ’75 (Good Governance Promotion through Investigative Journalism); Ms. Adelina A. Royeca-Philipsen, AB ’77 (Human Development-Poor Handicapped Children); Dr. Lily M. Rosqueta-Rosales, BSE ’51, MA ’57 (Human Resources Development-Guidance and Counseling); Atty. Ramon Antonio P. Paterno, LLB ’70 (International Development); Dr. Carolyn Anne L. Canda-Benigno, DVM ’85 (International Public Service-Animal Health); Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, BS ’81, MD ’85 (Medical Research and Education-Infectious Diseases); Dr. Francisco S. Sy, BS ’70, MD ’75 (Medical Research and Education Overseas-Infectious Diseases); Dr. Juan Ma. Pablo R. Nañagas, MD ’74, MPH ’00 (Public Health Research and Management); Mr. Lucio N. Tabing, BSA ’70 (Rural Community Empowerment through Broadcast Communication); Dr. Agustin B. Molina, Jr., BSA ’73, MS ’79 (Science and Technology-Banana Research); Dr. Rey A. Elizondo, BSAE ’68 (Science and Technology-Food Engineering); Dr. Miflora Miñoza-Gatchalian, BSFT ’59, MA ’68 (Science and Technology-Food Safety and Quality); Dr. Cynthia T. Hedreyda, BS ’76, MS ’83 (Science and Technology-Molecular Biology); and Ms. Marian M. Santos-Nash, BSHE ’76 (Women Empowerment).

“The UPAA also gives special awards to individuals or groups who have rendered excellent service in the pursuit of the goals of the University and the Association,” added Pascual.

This year’s UPAA Distinguished Service Award for an Alumnus goes to Dr. Ramon Maria G. Acoymo, BS ’79 cl, BM ’88 mcl, PhD ’05. The UPAA Distinguished Service Awardees for Alumni Chapters are the UP Dental Alumni Association, UPAA Davao Chapter and UP Los Baños Alumni Association-America.

For inquiries on the U.P. Grand Faculty and Alumni Homecoming and Reunion, please contact the UPAA Secretariat at landline numbers 9206871, 9206868, 9206875, e-mail upalum@yahoo.com.ph This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it , or cellular phone number 09178372098.

Dean V. Medina’s 100-day Report

The Dean’s 100-day Report

Here is my 100-day report, give or take a few weeks. I assumed office on the first working day of the year, January 4, 2010. The past 3 months have been an eye opener on what the job of being the Dean requires. I was ready for the things that have to be done in school with regard to governance and academic matters. What came as a big surprise were the number of meetings I had to attend and the volume of paper work I had to read, process and comply with. Not to mention the correspondence that you only have time to do at home, after office hours. Most stressful time was finding out that the College has not been submitting documents required by other UP Manila offices. We had to scramble and come up with the documents that should have been submitted months ago. Nevertheless, we lost no time in putting things in order and complying with the entire backlog.

I volunteered to serve as Dean because I want the College to re-focus its attention on academics. This administration will be judged primarily on how it is able to improve the graduation rate. I’ve been an optimist all my life and I will categorize the first 100 days as generally productive, notwithstanding what happened to Class 2010. I will expound on this, shortly. Firstly, let me say that I owe what we have accomplished so far to everybody in school, especially the Dean’s Advisory Committee, the Section Heads and the faculty. The DAC consists of Dr. Tristan Ramos, College Secretary, Dr. Heherson Tumang, Chair of the Dept. of Clinical Dental Health Sciences, Dr. Arlissa Aguiluz, Chair of the Dept. of Basic Dental Health Sciences and Dr. Elsie de Castro, Chair of the Dept. of Community Dentistry. The following are the Section Heads: Dr. Melanie Karganilla-Frange, Oral Medicine Section, Dr. Angelina Atienza, Restorative Dentistry Section and Dr. Charleton Atienza, Prosthodontics Section. When we came in, we immediately focused our attention on academics. Dr. Tumang and the Clinical Committee immediately reviewed and made recommendations for modifications on the clinical policies of the ten disciplines. For my part, I made sure that all the logistical support (i.e. repair of the defective dental units and ensuring the supply of materials) was provided. The donations received greatly helped the clinicians in accomplishing their Oral Surgery and Restorative Dentistry requirements. In mid February, the College was also able to resume the advising program wherein clinicians are assigned faculty members of their choice. We also looked into the performance of our clinicians and identified the three who had a fighting chance. They were advised on what to do with the time available and we made representations with the sections to exempt them from certain policies. However, it is unfortunate that despite our best efforts, all three were not able to graduate on time, just as the rest of Class 2010. So for the first time in the history of the College, nobody graduated on time, and it is so ironic that this has to happen during my watch. Ironic because ever since I came back from Japan in 2002, I have been trying to bring this issue to the attention of the head of the College. Indeed, life is full of irony. It has been said that it is not important how many times you fall, it’s how many times you get back up. And back up from this, the College will. I am not going to issue excuses. Instead, I will tell you what we have learned so far and what we plan to do.
1. There are 6 (out of ten) disciplines that students are finding hard to finish. We will look closely at these disciplines and help the faculty and students with whatever issues they are encountering.

2. The two continuous weeks taken from the clinics so students can do their Community Dentistry activities are just too long. This policy was started only last year, AY 2009-2010. Previously, students only spent 1 week in Comm Dent. I have talked with the Chair of the Dept. of Community Dentistry and we have agreed that only 1 week will be given to them starting this academic year.

3. The attendance of the faculty in the annual PDA convention last year and the disruption of classes due to typhoon Ondoy wreaked havoc on the clinicians’ schedule. From now on, the clinics will be adequately manned even if there is a convention like the PDA convention. As I have told the faculty during my first meeting with them, clinical duty is the first priority and all else are secondary. Committee meetings, whether University or College level, lectures outside of school or other forms of extension service and attendance in the convention are all second priority. A system will be developed wherein lost time due to typhoons or for any reason (coup?) will be paid back immediately. This matter will be referred to the Clinical Committee.

4. The system to “bring down the walls” in the clinics was positively received by the students and most faculty members. This system will allow all faculty members, regardless of section or discipline, to check and credit to the student non-core procedures. For example, polishing of amalgam restorations or cementation of crowns and bridges may be done anywhere (aside from the Resto clinics) and any faculty may check (aside from the FPD faculty). The ultimate goal is to put into place a Comprehensive Training and Patient Management Approach system. More on this when we have ironed out all the details.

The college has reached rock bottom. As a response, we will look into ourselves and everything will be scrutinized. The prevailing culture will have to change but this will take time. Everybody including the students will be reminded that this is a 6 year course. This is the best time to call on all concerned, especially the alumni, that we need your help. Some have always been helping the college and the latest addition being class 85. We hope that more will help. They may do so in any form they think is appropriate. Some have volunteered to give motivational talks and that is welcome. We will conduct such talks soon.
Another way that the alumni can help is by volunteering to be Clinical Faculty Without Compensation, or WOCs. The College Academic Personnel Committee has come up with the criteria for hiring WOCs and I am posting it here so those interested will be guided accordingly.

REVISED CRITERIA FOR HIRING NON REGULAR (Senior Lecturer) AND FACULTY WITHOUT COMPENSATION* (WOC)
*as defined in the Faculty Handbook including duties and responsibilities

A. He/ she must preferably be a graduate of the UPCD
B. He/she must preferably be a Filipino citizen. A person of another nationality may be accepted if the applicant approximates the needed high professional and scholastic competence.
If foreigner, he/she must submit the following credentials:
Diploma and Transcript;
Licensure paper in country of origin;
Special permit to work in the Philippines, obtained from the PRC (see RA 9484);
Letter of intent;
Two letters of recommendation from a UPCD alumni;
Specialty documents from the Accredited Professional Organization or academic institution where specialty was obtained.
C. He/she must have passed the Dental Licensure Examination in the Philippines.
D. He/she must have acquired post-graduate dental training or related fields of clinical, education and research, local or foreign.
E. He/she must be a general practitioner with at least two (2) years clinical experience.
F. He/she must show high potential and abilities in the undergraduate education and teaching as shown by his/her grades.
G. He/she must possess moral integrity.
H. He/she must declare pecuniary interests especially those that are related to the dental profession.
I. He/she must preferably have graduated not more than one (1) year after 4th year Dentistry proper.
J. He/she must be acceptable to the majority of the faculty in the section.
K. Other contingent criteria that the CAPC considers relevant.

For those who would like to help their alma mater, please write a letter of intent addressed to me and attach your CV. Also, it would help us if you will tell us what courses/clinical discipline you would like to be involved in and the day/s you will be spending with us. I hope many will share their time and talent because you are needed.
There are many challenges to address and everybody is excited to begin the new academic year. The faculty will meet to discuss the clinical policies and prepare for the opening of classes soon after the end of their faculty leave on May 23. These meetings are aimed at formulating clinical policies that are clear and in line with the mission of the College to come up with safe dental practitioners. The orientation session for the clinicians will be on June 7 so that by June 8, the first day of the academic year, clinics will open and clinicians can immediately work on their requirements.
The College was able to offer to the first batch for this year the Dental Boards Review classes. This endeavor, managed by Dr.Susan Sotelo, will surely add a substantial amount of funds to the school coffers. The same with the first offering of the Comprehensive Restorative and Esthetic Dentistry under Dr. Armin Segarra. Because of the favorable response to this CE course, another offering is planned in July.

There are offers by dental materials companies to donate and I will report on them once their pledges become reality.
There are signs that things will be better academically and administratively.
It is with high hopes that I look forward to the next 100 days.
In closing let me share this from Dr. Heherson Tumang.

“The only way to cope is to embrace change and to realign our priorities. If we are to solve our problems, posing questions are GOOD. Offering ideas are BETTER. Acting on the ideas is BEST!”

UPCD Continuing Education Course on Comprehensive Restorative and Esthetic Dentistry

The University of the Philippines Manila College of Dentistry announces its Continuing Education Course on Comprehensive Restorative and Esthetic Dentistry which will be held on Wednesdays and Sundays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM of the following dates: March 17 and 24, April 7, 11, 21 and 25, May 5 and 9 , 2010.  The venue will be at the College of Dentistry University of the Philippines Manila, Pedro Gil cor Taft Ave.

About the course:
This University-based 8-day intensive, limited attendance course is carefully designed to prepare participants to select and use appropriate materials and techniques based on sound clinical judgement using scientific evidence. Participants will be exposed to various and diverse treatment philosophies, modalities, contemporary materials and innovative and most up to date as well as accepted clinical techniques and thus develop their skills in the use of these materials and tech-niques common to esthetic dentistry.

UPCD Esthetic Course (click here to enlarge)

Message to the Alumni from the Dean, Vic Medina

Greetings to all alumni on the occasion of our beloved alma mater’s 95th Foundation Day!

The event was held last February 5, 2010 at the UPCD auditorium. This year’s celebrating jubilarians were class 50, class 60 (Diamond), class 70 (Golden), class 75 (Pearl) and the host class, Class 85 (Silver). It was an SRO affair, and I am happy to report that the following came: Dr. Alegria Zita Class 1950), Dr. Sofronio San Juan (Class 1952), Dr. Jose Francisco (Class 1958), Dr Natividad Gervasio (Class 1964), Dr. Aurelio Ramos (Class 1949), Dr. Leticia Guerrero (Class 1961), Dr. Eleuteria Marquez (Class 1961), among others. The event started with a mass graced by the Chancellor of UP Manila, Dr. Ramon Arcadio, and the members of the Chancellors’ Management team. Dr. Arcadio gave his message, which was then followed by the lectures of 3 members of Class 85 namely, Dr. Cristina Conanan, Dr. Malloy Sembrano and Dr. Joy Lua. In the afternoon, the UPDAA election for Board of Directors and President-elect was held. Dr Arnon Rivera (Class 1989) is the President for 2010-2012. In the evening, we had the student-organized “Dent Cirque”, a variety show featuring students and faculty alike. It was indeed a very memorable day for everyone.

My appointment as the Dean of the UPCD started January 1, 2010. This being a new administration, I would like to briefly share with you my flagship projects for the College for the next three years. You, our beloved alumni, would then know exactly how you can help our alma mater.

The first of these is to refocus everyone to academics in order to improve the graduation rate. The administration, the faculty, the students and the nonacademic personnel will concentrate their time and energy on the graduation problem. There are many reasons why our students do not graduate on time, and contributory factors include shortage of materials and lack of equipment due to an insufficient budget. The alumni can help by donating in cash or in kind. Many of you have donated in the past and we thank you for your donations. I have a list of the equipment we need, including their cost, and I will gladly share this with anyone who would like to help. I know there are a lot of you out there. We are appealing for your continuous support.

On our part, we have instituted the following measures to increase our financial resources:

1.We have proposed increases in lab fees and clinical fees, with the necessary justification.

2.We will improve collection of clinical fees by having our own special collecting officer or cashier so that collection of fees will be more efficient.

3.We will soon offer more continuing education courses. Currently, Dr. Armin and Dr. Michelle Segarra (Class 1986 and 1991, respectively) are planning an 8-day course on restorative and esthetic dentistry.

4.We will actively promote our board orientation center. We will take advantage of the very good results of the latest dental board exam where 6 graduates landed in the top ten. Dr. Susan Sotelo (Class 1985) is currently working on a really flashy but professional looking flyer that we will send to the deans of the different dental schools, personally if possible. Dr. Joyce Angeles (Class 1985) has donated reviewers, and I hope others will follow suit.

Another factor is the shortage of faculty members in the clinics and preclinical laboratory courses, like Resto and FPD. We cannot hire additional faculty members as there are no more faculty items available to the College. Dr. Heherson Tumang (Class 1980), Chair of the Dept. of Clinical Dentistry, is currently working on a scheme to address this problem, but you, dear alumni, can help by making yourselves available as WOCs or working without compensation. I have heard that many of you have a day to spare from your private practice and are willing to spend that day with us in the clinics or in the lab. In my Resto class, there were three of us checking the students’ lab work. However, for the past 3 years, I have been the only teacher in the lab. Luckily, I have two WOCs helping me, Dr. Pia Antonio (Class 1999) every Tuesday afternoon, and Dr. Tin Avenida (Class 2004) every Friday morning. The FPD lab class also needs additional teachers, and WOCs are welcome. Before the opening of classes in June, we will come out with new guidelines on WOC selection and recruitment.

Suggestions on how we can solve the graduation rate issue are most welcome. I am confident that the collective wisdom of our alumni can solve this problem.

The second flagship project is the improvement of our research output. Since most of the faculty are inclined to do laboratory research, it will definitely help if we have our own research lab. The alumni can assist by helping us solicit funds for equipment that can jumpstart research in the college. I am particularly interested in a Universal Testing Machine, a very valuable tool when doing research on adhesive dentistry and dental materials. It costs around USD 25,000. The Orthopedic Dept. of PGH is also looking for one, as well as students from other dental schools. We are confident that having this machine will improve not only our research capability, but also that of other dental schools. In addition, it will be another source of income for the College, since we will of course charge for its use.

Aside from the research lab, the alumni can also help by increasing the number of our journal subscriptions. Dr. Joy Lua has started the ball rolling by giving not one but two journal subscriptions to the college. Dr George Leung and Class 75, and Dr James Young (Class 1973) have also expressed willingness to give us more journal subscriptions. Doing research and writing manuscripts is not difficult if you have a well-stocked library. Currently, the library only has ten current journal subscriptions for seven disciplines. It is therefore not surprising that students cite abstracts or worse, websites, because they do not have access to full text articles. Even old journals are welcome, especially those that are ISI listed. You won’t be able to do a thorough review of literature if you don’t have access to old journal articles or pioneering articles. The bottom line is, if you don’t need it anymore, whatever it is, past journal subscrptions, used but still functioning amalgamators, light cure units, cast trimmers, grinders, even power tools, please give them to us. We will find use for them.

Third flagship project is to place the College in the forefront of Philippine Dentistry. We are doing our very best to lead the profession in educating the public in how to prevent the two most common chronic diseases: dental caries and periodontal disease. We plan to come out with short but effective educational materials in the form of animations that we can use in our adopted communities and later on in the mass media. The College will focus on educating and empowering the people in preventing these diseases. The Department of Community Dentistry is tasked to lead us in this endeavor. We are amenable to conducting dental missions as I have discussed with Dr. Cristy Conanan who is involved with a group from the States who regularly conducts charity missions in the Philippines. Suggestions on how we can make an impact on the oral health of the country are welcome. We need to get involved. As the only government subsidized dental school, we owe it to our countrymen.

The fourth flagship project is to prepare the school for the PACUCOA accreditation. We need to supply tons of documents but I am sure we can do it this year. The ultimate goal is not just to get a level 2 accreditation, but a CHED Center of Development/Excellence award. Also, I have made myself available and accepted the nomination of the UPCD College Council to the Commission in Higher Education (CHED) for the Technical Panel on the Master of Science in Dentistry program.

The fifth and sixth flagship projects are revitalizing the Orthodontics Graduate School and professionalizing the operations of the review center, respectively.

There are a lot of things that have to be done but with the cooperation of every member of Team Dentistry, the administration, faculty, students, non-academic personnel and alumni, I am very confident we will succeed.

VICENTE O. MEDINA III, DDM, Ph,D

February 17, 2010

Congratulations to the Newly Elected Officers of the UPDAA

The new UPDAA President, Dr. Arnon Rivera, assumed his post during the UPCD 95th Foundation Day Celebration last February 5, 2010.

Updates from Dr. Jun Clemente

Dear Fellow UPCD Alumni,

 

  * The UP College of Dentistry will celebrate its 95th Foundation Day of February 5, 2010 at the UPCD Auditorium, Pedro Gil St. cor. Taft Ave. Manila.That day will also be the Alumni Day.It will be a whole day affair with Holy Mass,Lectures,Entertainment in the morning; Dental Trade Exhibits and Tiangge whole day; Alumni activities in the afternoon and a variety show organized by the UPCD Student Council.

 

  * Celebrating Jubiarians are: Diamond (‘ 50), Golden (‘ 60), Ruby (‘ 70), Coral (‘ 75) and

Silver (‘ 85)

 

  * There will be an election of the new set of UPDAA officers and board members for 2010- 2012. The President -elect is Dr. Arnon Rivera.

 

  * UPDAA Active Membership  dues – at  500php

Payment of Life Membership  for UP Manila Alumni Association will be accepted on Feb. 5, 2010

 

   * The Inauguration Ceremonies and Turn-over rites for the new UPCD Dean will be held on January 26, 2010.  The ceremony will start with a Eucharistic Celebration at the UP-PGH Chapel at 1:30 PM.  The Program proper will continue on at 2:30 PM at the UPCD Auditorium. 

For further inquiries, you may contact Dr. Tristan Ramos of the College Secretary’s Office at 302-6360. Again Congratulations to Dr. Vicente O. Medina, III !

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the UPCD Community, UPCD Alumni, UPAA, UPMAA, UPManila OAR, Friends and Sponsors for helping UPDAA 2008-2010 accomplish its objectives.

 

See you in the coming events!

Please visit the UPDAA website at  www.updaa.org    or  www.updaa.wordpress.com

and forward this message to fellow UPCD Alumni. Thank you.

 

 

Dr. Olegario G. Clemente, Jr

UPDAA President 2008-2010

 

Inaugural and Turn-over Rites

Congratulations to the New Dean of the UP College of Dentistry: Dr. Vicente O. Medina III

The Inauguration Ceremonies and Turn-over rites for the new UPCD Dean will be held on January 26, 2010.  The ceremony will start with a Eucharistic Celebration at the UP-PGH Chapel at 1:30 PM.  The Program proper will continue on at 2:30 PM at the UPCD Auditorium.

For further inquiries, you may contact Dr. Tristan Ramos at the College Secretary’s Office: 302-6360.  Click here for details