SPSA 35th Jubilee in
Norfolk a Success;
Embraces Gawad Kalingna
The Society of Philippine Surgeons in America held its 35th Gala Jubilee at the Marriott Hotel in Norfolk, Virginia, on July 26-28, 2007.
At the 3-day annual seminar and festivities, the SPSA Fellows and their spouse renewed acquaintances and fostered even closer ties among them at this crossroad in the life of the Society.
The convention was graced by the presence of Gawad Kalinga staff, led by Tony Meloto, its founder, his son-in-law Dylan Wilk of the Great Britain, Boy Abay, M.D., head of Gawad Kalusugan, and Bobby Rodrigo. Taguig City Mayor Sigfrido R. Tinga, an impressive young rising star in Philippine Politics who transformed Taguig from its rural past to its Metropolis stature of today, was also among the luminaries from the Philippines who attended the Jubilee. The Mayor is also a staunch support of GK.
For his brilliant concept and noble GK project, which is playing a great role in national rebuilding of the Philippines, Mr. Meloto, the self-effacing and low-keyed GK Executive Director, was awarded the 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Award in Community Leadership. Today, there are more than 900 Gawad Kalinga villages in the Philippines.
SPSA outgoing president Oscar M. Laserna, M.D., FACS, his wife, Sarie Laserna, M.D., and Fe Cacdac, M.D., are among the SPSA leaders supporting Gawad Kalinga, through the Philippine Surgeons Charity, SPSA’s 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation.
A special leadership conference was held in the final afternoon of the convention, co-chaired by Hernan M. Reyes, M.D., FACS, SPSA Founding President, and Philip S. Chua, M.D., FACS, FPCS, SPSA Past President, Editor Emeritus and Website Director. Attended by Mr. Meloto and his staff, the well-attended caucus was held to initiate a move to galvanize the Fil-AM medical leadership in the United States in support of Gawad Kalinga, a civic project being copied by other nations.
The SPSA gala event concluded with a Grand Ball, where the SPSA honored all its 30 past presidents and their spouses, "the ladies and dynamo behind their distinguished men." In a brief ceremony that evening, Dr. Laserna transferred the Chain of Command to incoming president, Rey Castillo, M.D.
Preparation for next year’s SPSA Annual Seminar in Surgery is underway. The Great Wolf Lodge, a great family adventure site, with a 52,000 square foot of indoor entertainment area, featuring a gigantic waterpark and other amenities, located at 3575 North U. S. 31 South, Traverse City, Michigan 49684, is being considered as the venue. Its website address is www.greatwolflodge.com
SPSA Gears for 2007 Jubilee Gala in Virginia
The Society of Philippine Surgeons in America is preparing for its 35th Foundation Jubilee Gala, to be held at the Marriott Hotel in Norfolk, Virginia, on July 26-28, 2007. The SPSA was founded by a group of Fil-Am surgeons in 1972 in Chicago, a brainchild of Hernan M. Reyes, founding president (1972-75).
SPSA President Oscar M. Laserna, M. D., announced that this grand event will honor all the 30 SPSA past presidents and their spouses, "the ladies and dynamo behind their distinguished men."
The anniversary celebration/convention will feature the traditional Continuing Medical Education Seminar, Category 1, and Golf and Tennis Tournaments, besides the social events. Proceeds from the affair will benefit SPSA's Surgical Missions, Traveling Fellowship, and Gawad Kalinga home construction for the homeless in the Philippines.
For further information, please contact Oscar M. Laserna, M.D., FACS, at (540) 898-0295 or Manuel Cacdac, M.D., at (812) 234-0787.
