January 2003 Vol. 3 Issue 1
An Internet Newsletter publication of the American Society of CIM Alumni, Inc.
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January 2003 Vol. 3 Issue 1 |
An Internet Newsletter publication of the American Society of CIM Alumni, Inc. | |
THE ASOCIMAI OFFICERS: : Dominador Ong, M.D. Board Members: Horace Cabasares, M.D. CME Coordinator: Ways and Means Committee BRAIN WAVES STAFF: Editorial Board: Maida Antigua, M.D. Editor: Staff Correspondents: Guest Correspondents: Send news, articles, pictures, announcement, obituary, etc., to:clems3ra@adelphia.net
| Editor's Column"Some people grow under responsibility, others merely swell." -- HubbellASOCIMAI Nuts and Bolts That's why in one of our officers' meetings, we had decided to require our scholars to write to us their idea or meaning of scholarship, their progress in school and their gratitude. Since all too often we promote compassion and charity in our association, it's only fitting to sort of teach our scholars the virtue of gratefulness. A person can never really become compassionate and charitable until he or she learns to be grateful. A person who is ungrateful has a heart occupied with arrogance, indignation, or bitterness. Compassion and charity cannot develop, let alone grow in such a stressed and distressed heart. Of course, there are those who are just oblivious to what's provided for them because it's the way they grew up or were brought up, but they should be shown or taught about being grateful in every opportunity. Just imagine how pleasant the world would be if only people are grateful for each other. Imagine too what a peaceful relationship would be between nations if only those countries that are receiving economic aids from the U.S. are grateful for them. But no, there is bitterness in the hearts of many people, for they haven't learned to be grateful for what's given to them, because to them, what they receive is not enough. And nothing is ever enough until one learns to develop the virtue of gratefulness. As officers, board and committee members, in short, as leaders of our association, we are accountable for keeping every one of our alumni informed of everything about our association or Foundation particularly about the programs we are sponsoring because they're where the funds are being utilized. Being open and keeping the alumni properly informed are the best and perhaps the only way to encourage our alumni colleagues to join with our association and participate with its activities. Personally I believe that every member, paying or non-paying, is entitled not just to know about the jigs and jugs of our association, but also to voice their comment, concern or counsel. To me, if we, in the lead, are unable to produce evidence like the letter of Dianne Ledesma and of Gretel Cadumada before that, of the authenticity and veracity of our scholarship program, it would be difficult for us to inspire trust and confidence among the members of our association. Names of our scholars alone are not enough to eliminate doubt and suspicion, let alone encourage our alumni colleagues to join with our association and participate with its activities. We need to have some kind of on-going programs backed by principles, not just plans backed by promises but without progress, that give meaning, prestige and professionalism to the association and its members. The Constant Struggle for the Membership Fee So if you are one of the CIM alumni here in the U.S. and Canada and you want to attend our reunion even if only the Grand Ball, then you have to pay the membership fee, not just the Grand Ball. Otherwise if you insist on refusing the membership payment, we'll announce your name in the Grand Ball for all members to approve or disapprove of your indignant behavior. The majority of them will make the decision. If you want to leave instead, we'll refund you of your Grand Ball payment and we can also call a taxi for you. So think before you challenge us with nonsense. We are not trying to be tough. We simply want to impose what is fair for every one. Make no mistake that the membership fee is the money being used to fund our scholarship and charitable programs. That's why it's tax deductible. But we do empathize with many of our alumni surgeons and anesthesiologists in particular these days, because they are getting hammered by the malpractice insurance premium that has skyrocketed like a spaceship on a mission to the moon that has no prospect of coming back. Many of them have to work twice as much than they used to, just to make the same and survive, while some of them only make perhaps a little more than half as much with twice the works. They are constantly being threatened by malpractice suits, frivolous or ridiculous they are, but are capable of producing the same emotional agony. Win or lose, only the lawyers are getting the money. So either way, our alumni colleagues are being fucked over. And many of these alumni still have children in college whose tuition and board alone cost them an arm and a leg. Thus we need more than just few lousy or shitty information to encourage our colleagues to join with our association and pay their membership fee regularly. But we cannot afford to look weak, vulnerable and indecisive. We've got to be strong, structured and stubborn with the imposition of rules, and yet fair, honest and understanding, if we want to inspire respect, trust and confidence. |
Writing Editorials
Many men and women, great and small, went to war solely for principles. Many more have argued, fought and died for a lot less than principles. And still many more have argued, fought and died, or are still arguing, fighting and dying for absolutely nothing. Although I haven't taken any course in writing in any school or college, I believe that writing editorials is a little different from writing other articles, stories or experiences. Writing editorials involves writing ideas, principles and philosophy that one believes in. Thus I believe that if an editor wants to pursue an idea he believes is good for the association, then he must have the courage and the willingness to move, shake and make waves to promote that idea even if he thinks that only very few if any would read what he would write. He has got to have hope that the few minds would understand, and that if these few minds are convinced of such idea, they could spread the words around and could be enough to make a ripple of difference in the association. If instead he sacrifices principles and writes something just to please every one for fear of disapproval and disappointing members of the association, or writes something simply to attract members to read what he would write, then he has no business writing editorials. He is as spineless as the association he is serving or writing for. If I ever become one, by force or by choice, you can bet I'll quit.
No alumni association can evolve out of the status quo if ideas are not pursued with courage and determination. No alumni association can move beyond the ordinary if principles that ought to be respected or considered are simply ignored. An association that is mainly interested in prestige even at the expense of principle, will have nothing behind its name and in fact, will ultimately lose its name and its members. For it won't be able to develop backbone to impose fairness; only a cartilage to be bent and frayed by fear and threat.
Speaking for myself, it doesn't concern me at all if any of the members of our association doesn't like my approach. If an idea is worth pursuing, I will, the best I know how. It's because I have absolutely no desire for prestige, let alone make a name for myself. After a brush of death more than three years ago from a blowout tire in the Interstate highway, I began looking into my own life. And down the road, I saw my own mortality, clear enough to make the hairs of my body stood up. Then looking back at my life, I saw that I haven't really done something that has made a sort of impact on anything in this world. Except perhaps for my family, nothing have I done that has made a difference. That's why I have been eager to join with others who, like me, want to make a difference. And that's all I'm interested in, for it makes me grow, not swell.
I don't know if you all have seen the movie About Schmidt with Jack Nicholson as Mr. Schmidt. If you haven't seen it yet, I would recommend it. It's a really good movie at least to me, although we all have different taste. What is good about it is that it makes you examine or think about your own life, like it's asking you what have you done so far that has made a difference. It's a sad funny movie about Mr. Schmidt, a president of an insurance company who has just retired. After several days or weeks with nothing to do in the house, he decided to take a trip alone in his Winnebago when his wife died suddenly. He decided to look into his own life and what better way to do it than to drive through the highways and byways without scheduled destinations. His main intention however, was to prevent or at least postpone his daughter's wedding with her boyfriend whom Mr. Schmidt thought was irresponsible and not worth his daughter's high-tech brains. He was hoping that if given time, he might be able to persuade his daughter that she was about to marry a wrong man, and cancel the wedding. It's like it was his last chance in life to perhaps make a difference or make a sort of impact in his daughter's life. Although sad, yet funny, the movie managed to have a happy ending and the daughter got married with her boyfriend.
A Source of Disappointment
For the officers, board members, and committee members, one of our greatest sources of disappointment is the inability of the Silver Jubilarians to join with us in our yearly alumni reunion. It's because the alumni reunion in Cebu that is geared toward honoring these jubilarians is in the month of July - the same month we have our reunion here in the U.S. Certainly, it's too much, if not too hard, for the jubilarians to attend two reunions in one month in two different countries. Those who plan to attend the reunion in Cebu, would very unlikely attend the reunion in the U.S. and vice versa. And as had been happening already, many jubilarians prefer to attend the reunion in Cebu so that the past 3-4 years, only at most two jubilarians had attended our U.S. reunion. As a matter of fact, it is our understanding that the jubilarians this year will have their reunion in Cebu.
Unfortunately, we, in the lead, seem to have no convincing reason, let alone an effective persuasion for the jubilarians to have their reunion with us here in the U.S. We haven't got the charm that works in this situation. We are planning to invite David Copperfield to work his magic on these Jubilarians. But even Mr. Copperfield doesn't think his magic would work. He can make the Jubilarians disappear, but not reappear in our reunion. Might as well let them disappear. Just kidding!
If only CIM would change their reunion date in Cebu back to the month of December to coincide with their Founder's Day celebration, perhaps our charm has a better chance of working and we don't need to consult a magician. In fact, December would be more advantageous for everyone. It would be a win-win situation because many of the alumni in the U.S. would be encouraged to attend. After all, many of them are coming home in the month of December anyway to spend the holidays with their folks or families. Also, it's the time of the year when the weather in the Philippines is not that hot, a contrast to the sweltering heat in July when the U.S. alumni would feel like they need to remove their skin for comfort. And the alumni in Cebu would be encouraged to attend the reunion in the U.S. since July in the U.S. has about the same weather as that in the Philippines. Of course, there are other factors, not just the weather. But wouldn't it be nice if our association and CIM can have a dialogue and perhaps negotiate to make both reunions a win-win situation? There should be no losers, only winners.
A desire for unity
Unity is definitely a pleasant word when it comes to an organization because it would mean cooperation, teamwork, having fun, winning, achieving, or a dream about to come true. Unfortunately in humans, unity is something that leaders can only dream of, and such dream often never comes true in an association. Different folks have different strokes. That's the hallmark of humans. Thus being realistic, we, in the lead, who are not exempt from the hazard of worry and disappointment will simply continue to do our best and hope that our association will not one day break into different class organizations having their own separate alumni reunions. We certainly don't want our alumni association to become a reminiscence of the APPA in which different Philippine Medical Alumni Associations separated or divorced themselves from the APPA and their corresponding members stopped attending its convention or reunion as they have their own. This divorce has turned the APPA into like dry bread. To eat, but not to dine.
Whatever happens to an association, it mainly reflects on its leadership - its officers, board members and committee members. Thus we, in the lead, are trying hard not just to improve the status of our association, but also to provide class, style and rhythm so that its members become proud and eager to join with us and participate with our association's activities. Not too many of us CIM alumni are here in the U.S. and Canada. Every member is very important to us. To us, a member is the most important person in the association, just as a patient is the most important person in the hospital. Like a cell that is the structural unit of the body, a member is the structural unit of the association. Certainly, no matter how good you take care of your body, there are few cells that may mutate into a tumor, just as no matter how good the leadership is in an association, there are members that may turn into trouble makers. There are also cells that may undergo atrophy because of the lack of circulation, just as there are members who may develop apathy because of the lack of participation. But they are the exceptions, not the rules.
The name is bond....friendship and fellowship bond.
Suffice it to say, if the bond between members and the association may have died before, we, in the lead, want to resurrect it. If it is just dying, we want to resuscitate it. If it's alive but neglected, we'll nourish and develop it. If it's already developed, then we'll strengthen it. If it's already strong, then we'll keep it that way. We are always open to suggestions and we always welcome comments and even criticisms because we want everyone not to hesitate to express their opinion on our association or on its leadership. We want to reach out to everyone, connect with the wit of everyone's mind and consider the wisdom of everyone's heart. That's why we built our own web site, established and developed an alumni e-mail community and started our newsletter. We believe that if we do a good job and convince many of the alumni to join, participate and have fun with us, then it will be easier for us to accomplish the part that makes us all the physicians with a heart.
New Members
There are many CIM alumni with cyberspace address particularly in the Philippines and other countries that are hesitating to join with our e-mail community all because they think it's only for the ones in the U.S. and Canada. If you happen to know some of them, please reassure them that it's for everyone. All they need is to get into our ASOCIMAI web site and register, or they can leave a message with their e-mail address in its Sign In section. If they don't want to do that, then they can send their e-mail address to clems3ra@adelphia.net.
Let's welcome the new alumni members:
Viring Mesola, M.D. Class 1962 | Maximo Gabucan, Jr., M.D. Class 1972 |
A Letter from our ASOCIMAI CIM Scholar
10 December 2002 The American Society of CIM Alumni Dear Doctors: Greetings! I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you for having sponsored my medical education for the past four years at the CIM. My parents are both public school teachers, with my father having retired 6 years ago, leaving only my mother to support me in my pursuit of a good medical education. Hence, I would like to thank you sincerely for having accepted me as a scholar under your Foundation, without which, I would have been financially unable to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. As a student, I maintained the scholastic average needed to maintain my scholarship for four years. I participated in a number of medical missions and outreach programs in a number of barrios in Cebu. I learned a lot of good values during my schooling, including perseverance, good study habits, presence of mind, and establishing good rapport with people in general, all of which have helped me not just in the medical aspect, but also in my personal development. I am currently pursuing my Medical Internship, and will be taking the Philippine Board Exams next year to become a full-fledged doctor. I hope that the CIM Alumni Foundation will continue to sponsor students like me, who want to pursue their dream but are financially unable to do so. And with your help, we were able to realize these dreams, and owe you never-ending gratitude for giving us this chance. God bless your kind hearts, and may more students benefit from your generosity. Thank you, and Merry Christmas! Sincerely yours, (Sgd.) |
A Salute to the Class 1970
What the CIM Class 1970 has done lately is something that deserves a salute and an admiration. One of their classmates in the Philippines, Goyo Canceko, is going to have an open heart surgery in the Philippines. As we may know, health insurance in the Philippines, if there is any, probably covers only the dextrose and the needle but not the tubing; the generic medications made in the Philippines, not the brand names; and if there are no generics for the particular medications, then you may have to use garlic and onions. Don't laugh at garlic because if you have seen the movie Blade, then you know how powerful it is. Imagine the most powerful vampire is reduced into ashes in a matter of seconds. How much more the clogs in your arteries? Just kidding. Anyway, I really don't know about health insurance coverage in the Philippines, but if any of our alumni needs major surgery there, then he can kiss his lifetime savings goodbye. They may not even be enough for the hospital and medical expenses. He or she may then spend the rest of his or her life penniless. And if one has to use his hairs to pay for his hospitalization, he will come out of the hospital not only completely bald with no more eyebrows and eyelashes, but all his hairs will be gone including his pubic hairs, and they will not grow anymore. Poor balls. Now totally exposed. Suffice it to say, it will almost be like committing suicide to have a serious illness there, let alone one that needs major surgery, unless of course you have the money, or a collection of designer shoes like those of Imelda Marcos you can auction on eBay. If you happen to be concerned, just hope I'm exaggerating.
Moved by compassion of their own classmate, the class 1970 has coordinated their efforts to raise funds to help Goyo to at least minimize the devastating impact of the expenses of Goyo's surgery. Their fast move, concern and cooperation are amazing. They are relentless. They have raised funds faster than the Girls' Scouts could sell even a third of their cookies. To belong to this class, you can count yourself lucky. Lydia Llanto Quioco Class 1971, the one and only wife of Heathcliff Quioco Class 1970 (Nono, you don't have any other wife that we don't know of, do you?) is on her way to Cebu and will deliver the money they raised for Goyo. The Stag fraternity brothers also have raised funds for Goyo. There are also some alumni from different class organizations who are making contribution. A little help from here, there and everywhere should help provide some kind of cushion from the impact of the expenses. The cost of medications alone is enough to make a grown man cry. Anyway, the members of the class 1970 are not about to stop their fund raising efforts. They are still trying to locate and contact their classmates particularly the ones who don't have cyberspace address, those who are probably afraid of the mouse. So for those alumni who want to contribute, please do so. Goyo is scheduled to have the surgery around the third week of January. I have already sent you the information of who to contact. Again, don't be ashamed to contribute even a little. It's your personal choice and so, you are not expected, let alone compelled to do so. If anything, consider each day a privilege because you are healthier than others and you have a terrific health insurance coverage. Now let's say a prayer for Goyo.
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"The seven steps to stagnation: We've never done it that way; we're not ready for that; we are doing alright without trying that; we tried it once before; we don't have money for that; it's not our job; and, something like that can't work." - Unknown
"Let him that would move the world, first move himself." Socrates
"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self." Aristotle
"The first rule of success, and the one that supercedes all others, is to have energy. It is important to know how to concentrate it, how to husband it, how to focus it on important things instead of frittering it away on trivia." Michael Korda
"There is no such thing as a great talent without great willpower." Balzac
"If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention, than to any other talent." Isaac Newton
"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." Jim Rohn
"Then sing, young hearts that are full of cheer, with never a thought of sorrow; the old goes out, but the glad young year comes merrily in tomorrow." -- Emily Miller
"Discipline is the basic set of tools we require to solve life's problems. Without discipline we can solve nothing. With only some discipline we can solve only some problems. With total discipline we can solve all problems." M. Scott Peck
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Four men - a Californian, a Texan, a Bostonian and a New Yorker - were being interviewed for a prestigious job with a multi-national company. There was nothing to choose between them so the company president told them over dinner at luxurious hotel that he would be conducting the decisive test the following morning. Each candidate would be asked the same question and the one who came up with the best answer would get the job. The Los Angeles Police Department, the FBI and the CIA were each determined to prove that they were the best at apprehending criminals. So the President decided to set them a test. He released a rabbit into the forest and each organization had to catch it. A woman famous for her charitable work was granted three wishes by a fairy godmother. "My," she said, "I have everything I could possibly want in life. What more can I wish for?" Then she thought for a moment and said, "Well, I suppose a new living-room chair would be nice. I've had that one for 33 years." It seems to come so quickly… the Christmas season and the end of another year. Each year brings us its own blessings and challenges. The challenges of our personal lives and our world can, at times, become overwhelming… we find strength in faith on the One Above who helps us face even the most difficult of challenges. We are moving once again to the end of another year, and await the coming of the new. Many of us see the new year as a time for new beginnings – a time to turn from old ways and habits, a time to begin new ones. When my siblings and I were little, I remember my mother telling us to make a list of habits and behaviors that we would like to change for the following year. We had to read that list in front of each other on New Year’s Eve. For reasons unknown to me at the time, I always had a problem doing it but I did it anyway, because I couldn’t say no to our mother. Most of the time, I came up with a list of all the things that I liked doing with no changes made. I felt moronic during those times as my three other siblings always came up with their list of grandiose resolutions for the coming year, and I didn’t have any. I am ambivalent about making a New Year’s resolution, especially making it on the first day of the new year. Why does it have to be January 1, why not January 10 or February 14 or September 13? There must be something good about New Years resolution because people everywhere do it most of the time. It is never too late to get started with one, even at age 57. As the saying goes… there is always a first time. The big question for me is how can I get started with making one. Maybe I can start by looking back at the 57 years behind me, and look into my desert-of-the-soul moments. These were the several Decembers of my life - when it felt like a long, lingering trial of testing, a time of being lost in the desert. These were the times when the barrenness, the harshness, the lifelessness, the searing heat alternating with the freezing cold, and the mirages of the desert landscapes of life left me bruised. “Simplify your life”…. That’s what I told myself… and that’s where I decided to start. As I began to list the inanities that complicate my existence, and putting them in such order to enable me to focus on my priorities, I realized that it’s not easy to simplify … not easy to break away from the compulsion to pursue excellence and perfection… not easy to break old habits. I literally started by crossing out petty obsessions line by line. Funny, but I decided that it’s okay if my Christmas tree were not flocked and the outdoor lights of my house were not ready by the weekend after Thanskgiving. It’s okay if my Christmas cards were not the first to arrive at my friends’ homes. It’s okay if I don’t do laundry every Friday. It’s okay if I don’t clean house and vacuum every week. It’s okay if I don’t go to all the weddings, the birthdays and social events that I’m expected to attend. It’s okay to skip work once in a while and declare a mental health day for myself. When I was done, I cried out “alleluia” as I looked at two quarters of my list all lined out. What’s even funnier is the thought, that life will go on, and maybe better, with the 232 or so items crossed out from that list. It gave me a reason to go slower during a stretch of time that can be crammed with unreasonable demands, or an unreasonable number of reasonable demands. The dawn of a new year is a time to look back and a time to look ahead. As I look back on my life and catch glimpses of God’s graces working there, then I can face tomorrow with renewed trust. There is always hope, there are always new beginnings! Hope is a virtue that can help us face life anew and afresh. As we wait in joyful hope, this year will bring all of us some glimpses of our blessings, and help us with our new beginnings. The focus of concern regarding the threats of nuclear weapons these days is on Iraq and North Korea. Thus it may seem like if there is any World War III that involves nuclear weapons, it would start from one of these countries. But the real threats of nuclear war would likely start between India and Pakistan. Since 1947, both countries had three big wars against each other, and both are too emotional and crazy enough to do it again that would likely draw the Western countries into it. The mainstream press hasn't reported anything about this fact - according to Richard Maybury in his newsletter,Early Warning Report, January 2003 issue: India has at least 45 nukes, Pakistan at least 30 nukes. And you know what? Both these countries are itching to use their nuclear arsenals waiting for the slightest justification. London's Financial Times December 2, 2002 issue reported that on December 1, India's deputy prime minister, L.K. Advani, dared Pakistan to attack and said: "Let us fight it out face to face. We have fought thrice, let there be a fourth war." See how crazy that is? He makes a challenge for potential nuclear war sound like that of boxing. To Visit the American Society of CIM, Inc., click on any of the ASOCIMAI below:
First in the following morning was the Californian. "Here is your question," said the president. "What is the fastest thing in the world?"
Scarcely hesitating, the Californian replied: "A thought, because it takes no time at all. It is in your mind in an instant, then gone again."
"That's a very good answer," said the president.
Next in was the Texan. "What is the fastest thing in the world?" asked the president.
"A blink," replied the Texan instantaneously, "because you don't even think about a blink. It's a reflex."
"That's a fine answer," said the president.
Next in was the Bostonian. "What is the fastest thing in the world?" asked the president.
The Bostonian thought for a second. "I'd say electricity, because you can flip a switch and immediately ten miles away a light will go on."
"That's an excellent answer," said the president. Finally it was the turn of the New Yorker. "What is the fastest thing in the world?" asked the president.
The New Yorker scratched his head and replied: "Diarrhea, because last night after dinner I was lying on bed when I got this terrible stomach cramps and before I could think, blink or turn on the light….." **************
The CIA went in first. They placed animal informants throughout the forest and questioned all plants and mineral witnesses. After three months of extensive investigation, they concluded that rabbits don't exist.
Next it was the FBI's turn. After two weeks with no leads, they set fire to the forest killing everything in it, including the rabbit. They remained unrepentant for their actions, maintaining that the rabbit had provoked them.
Finally the LAPD went in. They came out an hour and a half with a badly beaten bear. The bear was yelling: "OK. OK. I'm a rabbit! I'm a rabbit!" *************
Within seconds, the fairy godmother had delivered a new chair, "Now what about your second wish?"
"Well, if you insist, I suppose a new car would be nice to get me to church."
No sooner were the words spoken than a brand new car appeared on the drive.
"And for your third wish?" asked the fairy godmother.
Well, I suppose there is no point in having a new car without somebody to share it with. Could you possibly turn my loyal and loving cat into a handsome young man?"
Almost immediately, the cat was turned into a handsome hunk. The young man strolled over to the woman and said: "I bet you're sorry now that you had me neutered."*******************
….in joyful hope….
by:
Marie Belen C. Flores-Rosales, MD MPH
CIM’ 70
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!
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Real Nuclear Threats
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The backyard of Ernie and Verna Yu, Buffalo, NY November 2002
Big Cock from Alex Rodriguez, Miami, FloridaTop
The Scholarship Program