A sweeping statement describing physicians who decided to stay in this country as "undesirable," by Mr. Fidel Abalos, was obviously written with no research or insight. He insults a large percentage of nationalistic, excellent physicians who decided to train and stay in this country. Many trained in UP, UST, and other Manila and Cebu programs. A number of individuals, in addition, went abroad, and came back to bring their skills to this country, and to Cebu .
There was an Exchange Visitor Program between the United States and the Philippines in the early 60's to enable Filipinos to train there for 2-5 years, after passing competency examinations (the ECFMG, later the USMLE) before being granted visas. They were committed to return and take their skills back home and to improve medical care here. Many of these doctors obtained waivers from the Philippine government to stay there permanently. They did well there and brought honor to their country. Some of these doctors did return. And they brought their skills and knowledge back, establishing Programs and Specialty Boards to document advanced knowledge and skills.
It is not possible to enumerate these individuals, but notable among our generation, who came back early in the 70's, are Dr. Gerardo M. Ypil Jr., Drs. Mariano and Milagrosa Tolentino. Dr. Licerio Cerna, Dr. Edilberto Gozo, Jr., Dr. Rogelio del Prado, Dean Josefina Poblete, Dr, Cesar Chan, Dr. Ophelia Buot, Dr. Ibarra Panopio, Dr. Manuel Lim, Dr. Rodolfo Abalos, Dr. Potenciano Larrazabal Jr., Dr.Jovito Lee, Dr. Abdias Villamor, Dr. Generosa Solano, Dr. Teresa Fran, Dr. Suga Sotto Yuvienco, Dr. Felicissima Alsay, Dr. Jose Yu, the late Drs. Linda Cinco, Narciso and Calimeria Patalinghug, Mercedes Planas, Rodolfo Poblete, Merito Yuvienco,Grace Holaysan, Jesus M. Fran, Ramon Solano, Dr. Purificacion Espinosa, Lamberto Garcia Sr., Cesar Estalilla, and so on. We could have practiced there but felt that we could make a difference in medical care in our country, and we did. It does not mean that those who decided to stay there are any less patriotic, for they did honor to our country by the quality of their work. More recent returnees are Drs.John and Gemma, Viola, Alberto, and Dr. C. Rafanan, Francisco Chio Jr., Edgar Tan, Alex Tan, Gerry Tan. I can't name them all.
Medical practice and training in the Philippines have grown by leaps and bounds. It is unfortunate that Mr. Abalos does not do his research before making such unfounded generalizations.
Prof. Milagros Chan, MD
Fellow, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Fellow, American College of Surgeons
Fellow, Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society