The Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) celebrated its 52nd founding anniversary last December 2-8, 2009. Thanks be to the concerted efforts of Dr. Lydia Chang (President of CIM Class 1984 - this year's Silver Jubilarians - and Over-all Chair of the 4th CIM Medical World Congress), Dr. Pek Eng Lim (President of the CIM Alumni Association, Inc. and founder of the CIM Medical World Congress), Dr. Thelma L. Fernandez (Dean of CIM), Dr. Josefina L. Poblete (President and Chair of the Board of Trustees of CVGH-CIM) and the rest of the members of the different organizing committees, etc. It's another one for the record, something that we can always look back to in the years to come with nostalgic undertones, when we shall be older and grayer and weaker. Let me just share with you the highlights of that weeklong celebration:


* December 2, 2009 (Wednesday)

= It was Day 1 of the CIM 4th MEDICAL WORLD CONGRESS (MWC) held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel (WCCH) with the theme "Judgment Call". It was such great feeling to meet again some colleagues and friends whom we haven't seen for quite sometime: bonding, updates, chika and more. Dr. Dodong Donaldo (the chair of the scientific committee) presented to us the course outline of the medical congress. The plenary session started with the topic about "The Burden of Proof of Off-label Drug Use", followed by "Dreading Insulin Therapy: A Diabetic's Plea for a Temporary Restraining Order". There were three simultaneous lunch symposia to choose from. While waiting for the luncheon, we visited the booths for some give-aways from the drug companies/exhibitors. The scientific sessions continued after the luncheon symposia with "The Diagnostic and Therapeutic Aggravating Circumstances of Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy", "Incidentalomas: Are They Circumstantial Evidence?" (hilariously presented in a different manner by a group of well known doctors-specialists acting as newscasters/interviewees ala Bombo Radyo), "Nutriceuticals, Opioids and Surgery's Proof of Claim in Osteoarthritis". A raffle of beautiful prizes capped the day. Individual class reunions were held that night.


* December 3, 2009 (Thursday)

= It was Day 2 of the MWC. The CIM medical students joined us that day. It started with a lecture on "Cytokines Indictment in Rheumatology" followed by "Summary Judgmenton prophylactic Antibiotics", "The Statute of Limitations on Anticoagulant Therapy in Patients with Class IA, Indication and Concomitant Absolute &/or Relative Contraindications", "Extended Indications for Surfactant Replacement: Is It a Nolo Contendere?" As usual, there was the booth visit prior to the three simultaneous luncheon symposia. The Research Contest was held at the Arctic Hall while the scientific sessions continued at the Mediterranean Hall ("Termination of Pregnancy: A jury's Deliberation", "The Grand Jury trial of ACE1 and ARB in Chronic Kidney Disease", "A Dermatologist's Closing Argument on Diamond Peels, Botox and Thermage"). A raffle of another set of beautiful prizes capped the 4th MWC. See you all next year for the 2010 CIM Medical World Congress, Season 5, with the theme "Decision Making".


* December 4, 2009 (Friday)

= The Bioethics Conference on "Does Anyone Have the Right to End Human Life?" was held at the CIM Main Social Hall (MSH) the whole morning. The students-participants were really so good at it - role playing to the max - as well as the panel of reactors which consisted of a doctor, a lawyer and a priest. Utokay 2009 (the students' annual quiz bowl) was held in the afternoon at the CIM MSH. The Students' Night with the theme: "No Doctors Allowed" took place at the City Sports Club in Ayala. Everybody came in their non-medical costumes/attires (flight steward, prisoner, McDo crew, bishop, security guard, waiter, chef, military, police, etc.) It was fantastically organized by the third year med studes. Whattafunfare we all had!


* December 5, 2009 (Saturday)

= It was CIM Alumni Day Homecoming and it started with a Eucharistic Celebration by Fr. Alfonso Suico (our CIM medical intern-priest) held at Amphitheater 3. This was followed by the 20th Annual Dr. Jacinto Velez, Sr. Memorial Lecture by Dr. Eduardo Banzon (a Senior Health Specialist of World Bank) on "The Health Sector: Responding to Current Challenges, Preparing for the Future".

= Awarding Ceremonies started after the Memorial Lecture with the awarding of certificates to the Silver Jubilarians headed by Dr. Lydia Chang as president of Class 1984. Then the recognition of awardees: Dr. Dominador Ong (Class 1972) as a special awardee (special citation for what he has done to CIM through the years). His speech was really so touching that it made us teary-eyed.

= Dr. Leonard Raymund Cimafranca, a graduate of the Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) Class 1978, is this year's Most Outstanding CIM Alumnus (MOCA). He was introduced by Dr. Ellen Alegrado-Chavez (Class 1978). The speech of Lenny was likewise sentimentally touching so as to make some of us shed some tears.

= The annual fellowship luncheon was held at the MSH with the usual paella (Yo! Everybody's favorite), lechon, bam-i, among others, followed by the raffles. This year, the winner of the grand prize (a four-year CIM free tuition fee) was Dr. Hipolita Libre (Class 1975). So she has just officially joined the roster of previous lucky grand prize winners, to wit:

2002 = Vicente Cabahug, M.D. (Class 1977)
2003 = Henry Yu, M.D.. (Class 1978)
2004 = Ramon Najarro, M.D. (Class 1979)
2005 = Robert Denopol, M.D. (Class 1980)
2006 = Pedaliza Arriola-Vasquez, M.D. (Class 1981)
2007 = Roland Uy, M.D. (Class 1983)
2008 = Jose Laddy Go, M.D. (Class 1979)
2009 = Hipolita Libre, M.D. (Class 1975)


* December 6, 2009 (Sunday)

= A Holy Eucharistic celebration was held 8:00 a.m. at the Epifania M. Velez Memorial Chapel (or CVGH Chapel) in honor of the birth anniversary of Dr. Jacinto Velez, Sr. as well as for Dr. Jacinto Velez, Jr. (Tito Velez who passed away last February, 2009). The 52nd founding anniversary of CIM is quite memorably touching as it is the first time that we didn't have with us two important personalities: Ma'am Lumbab and Tito Velez.

= Visitation of the tombs of Drs. Velez Senior and Junior followed at Cempark.

= The Annual Well Baby Contest was held at the CVGH OPD from 9:00-12:00 noon.


* December 8, 2009 (Tuesday)

= Another Eucharistic Celebration (coinciding with the feast of Mary Immaculate Conception) was held at CIM MSH 8:30 a.m. followed by the Recognition Ceremonies. The event gave honor by recognizing the scholars and awardees, as follows:


ENTRANCE SCHOLARS, SY 2009-2010

MAGNA CUM LAUDE = Nikko Lugin B. Dela Cruz; Raymund Martin S. Li; Kathrina Aseanne C. Acapulco; Antonella Luisa P. Siegrist; Chriscille C. De Asis.

CUM LAUDE = Joey Rey B. Cartajenas; Johaniya M. Dimaporo; Harold James M. Estrada; Jennifer Joyce L. Gochan; Sylvernon C. Israel; Joseph Albert R. Montoya; Miriam Ruth S. Morrell; Baby Kristianne U. Ricalde; Anthony Paolo T. Siguan; Felice Marie June M. Santos; Debbie Rose U. Tangengsy; Candice May E. Tedoy; Anthony Earl C. Uy; Gladys A. Uy; Christine Joy M. Yu.

SPECIAL SCHOLARS, SY 2009-2010

FIRST YEAR = Shayne Julieane L. Morales (Faculty Development Scholarship); Chriscelle L. Chua (Canuto O. & Pilar N. Borromeo Scholarship); Kathleen D. Gialogo (CIM-AFPEBS).

SECOND YEAR = Kimberly E. Basilla (Salud Borromeo Scholarship); Lycelle R. Kirong (Catalina Keh Digamon Scholarship).

THIRD YEAR = Marienella C. Jarina (Dr. Patrick Liao Scholarship); Junnel S. Sinajon (Faculty Development Scholarship, 2007).

FOURTH YEAR = Wanda Andriene D. Aguja (Faculty Development Scholarship, 2006); Jezreel L. Taquiso (Gabiana-Ong-Aranas Scholarship).

EXCELLENCE IN THE STUDY OF BASIC BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE = Blake Warren C. Ang; Alvin Christian C. Borbon; Gizelle Mica M. Silla; Kimberly E. Basilla; Lycelle R. Kirong; Kyle Gervin Y. Ong.

EXCELLENCE IN THE STUDY OF INTEGRATED CLINICAL SCIENCE I = Hester Gail Y. Lim; Julian Franco P. Flores.

EXCELLENCE IN THE STUDY OF INTEGRATED CLINICAL SCIENCE II = Louise Elizabeth B. Baliguat; Elisa Camille C. Pono; Catherine Anne T. Zanoria; Robinson C. Lui; Emily Mae L. Yap; Jon Karl D. Velasco; Athena J. Valles; Wanda Andriene D. Aguja; Kesiah Viney L. Quijano; Pia Angela C. Sucalit.

COLLEGE SCHOLARS
First Year, end of 2nd Semester, SY 2008-2009 = Blake Warren C. Ang (1st); Gizelle Mica M. Silla (2nd).
First Year, end of 1st Semester, SY 2009-2010 = Raymund Martin S. Li (1st); Debbie Rose U. Tangengsy (2nd).
Second Year, end of 2nd Semester, SY 2008-2009 = Hester Gail Y. Lim (1st) ; Julian Franco P. Flores (2nd).
Second Year, end of 1st Semester, SY 2009-2010 = Blake Warren C.. Ang (1st); Alvin Christian C. Borbon (2nd).
Third Year, end of 1st Semester, SY 2009-2010 = Julian Franco P. Flores (1st); Katreese Kimberly M. Samsuya (2nd).

MOST OUTSTANDING CIM ALUMNUS (MOCA) AWARDEE 2009 = Dr. Leonard Raymund C. Cimafranca (Class 1978).

TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS OF SERVICE AWARDEE (1984) = Dr. Joseph L. Alesna; Dr. Jose Z. Flordeliz (Class 1978); Dr. Ma. Teresa R. Fortunato (Class 1977); Dr. Corazon T. Meneses (Class 1975); and Dr. Ma. Delfa T. Zanoria (Class 1977).

The Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM), in its thrust to extend and operate effective arrangement geared towards supporting the most able students o n programs that develop their competences and needs to support the Filipino economy and enable the country to compete in the global markets, has come up with several types of scholarship grants.

CIM students benefit from the different scholarships that the school partnered with private individuals, foundations, alumni associations and from the school itself.


There are four (4) types of scholarships, namely:

(1) Entrance scholarship = for 1st year students who graduated with honors in college – summa, magna or cum laude.

(2) College scholarship = for anyone who garners 1st and 2nd honor per year level during his/her stay as a medical student in CIM.

(3) Special scholarship = for financially-challenged students.

(4) Special raffle scholarship = as a raffle prize during the founder’s day celebration of CIM.


We already know about the first three scholarships mentioned. The fourth o ne (Special Raffle Scholarship) is something relatively new which started in 2002. This is a special grand raffle prize during the annual CIM Homecoming and Lunch Fellowship in celebration of the school’s founder’s day (December 6). This is a four-year free tuition fee special scholarship awarded to a CIM alumnus for his/her child.


Here are the rules of the said Special Raffle Scholarship:

1. This scholarship covers the cost of tuition fee o nly for four (4) years (excluding miscellaneous fee).

2. The scholarship is non-transferable.

3. The scholarship cannot be converted to cash.

4. The scholarship is given to legitimate children of the alumnus.

5. The scholarship must be availed of within ten (10) years after its awarding.

6. The scholar must not be older than 30 years old.

7. The prospective scholar must apply and qualify for enrolment to CIM.

8. The scholar must qualify for continued enrolment to CIM.

9. The scholarship will be forfeited if the recipient gets a failing grade in any subject during the period covered by the grant. The grant may be regained o nly after the recipient has passed such subject at his own expense and satisfied all other requirements of the school.

10. Several children may avail of the scholarship with a total of four (4) years free tuition.


Here’s the list of lucky CIM alumni who were awarded the said Special Raffle Scholarship:

2002 = Dr. Vicente Cabahug (Class 1977)

2003 = Dr. Henry Yu (Class 1978)

2004 = Dr. Ramon Najarro (Class 1979)

2005 = Dr. Robert Denopol (Class 1980)

2006 = Dr. Pedaliza Arriola-Vasquez (Class 1981)

2007 = Dr. Roland Uy (Class 1983)

2008 = Dr. Jose Laddy Go (Class 1979)

Once more the 51st Founder’s Day Celebration was observed by various activities.The third CIM Medical World Congress was chaired by Dr. Pek Eng Lim, President of CIM Alumni Association of Cebu.The congress was a resounding success with more than eight hundred registrants, national and international participants.

The 19th Jacinto Velez, Sr. Memorial Lecture was o n “Healthcare Profession – A Vocation / Profession”.Dr. Angeles Tan-Alora, Professor of Medicine and Bioethics of the University of Santo Tomas graduate school, was the Memorial Lecturer.

The Alumni Day Homecoming was capped by the recognition of the alumni present and the awarding of Certificates of Merits to the Silver Jubilarians, class ’83, led by Dr. Celine T. Aquino.A large CIM Mace was donated by the Jubilarians and accepted by CIM President Dr. Jacinto M. Velez, Jr.

The annual Fellowship Luncheon was followed by the usual raffles.What keeps the alumni excited during the fellowship is the grand raffle prize of the CIM Scholarship.Lucky alumnus this time is Dr. Jose Laddy Go, class ’79 whose child will avail of the prize for this coming school year.Several children of our alumni are currently enjoying the scholarship won by their parents.

Our Founder’s Day Celebration does not end without recognizing achievements by the students, by the faculty and employees.Students were recognized for their academic excellence.Dr. Sheila Jane T. Zanoria who was a Topnotcher in the 2008 August Medical Board Exam was recognized and presented to the whole CIM family.Faculty awarded for 25 years of service was Dr. Susana Deborah Limchiu, for 50 years of service were Dr. Paz Lim and Dr. Virginia Paradela.The grand finale of the recognition ceremony was the presentation of the Most Outstanding CIM Alumni award.The choice of the committee for 2008 is Dr. Corazon Tan-Meneses.Her response was the fitting culmination of the Founder’s Day Celebration, 2008.

With anticipation for the Founder’s Day Celebration, 2009 –

Hoping to see more of you, our Alumni then –

Your Alma Mater believes in your ability to be Achiever in your chosen field.

Please communicate with your school for any special involvements which will be added to be Achiever List of the CIM memorabilia.

Best Wishes to you. God bless you all.