The Philippine General Hospital celebrated its 115th founding anniversary with a series of activities to commemorate the hospital’s history and reflect on its trials and victories.
Anchored on the theme Sulong PGH: Pag-usad. Pag-unlad. Pagpupunyagi, week-long festivities from August 15-19, 2022 were prepared by the organizing committee for the UPM-PGH community to participate in.
The event kicked-off with a program where UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla was keynote speaker. “Nitong nakaraang dalawang taon, nakita ko kung gaano ka-creative ang PGH,” Chancellor Padilla said. “Kaya tayo kinikilala sa buong mundo [dahil sa] kung paano tayo nagpatakbo sa kalagitnaan ng pandemya.“
“Taon-taon ang ating anibersaryo ay joint effort ng napakaraming kawani at donors para ma-organize ito,” PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi said. “At taon-taon patalbugan ng kakayahan.”
The UP Symphony Orchestra (UPSO) serenaded the UPM-PGH community after two years of remote performances. Maestro Josefino Chino Toledo led the “Orkestra ng Bayan” as they took the audience on an international musical ride. Watch their full performance here.
Throughout the week, patients, students, staff, and donors participated in the free medical services held for three consecutive days, a healing wall, photo exhibit, blood drive, 3-day lay forum, and kids’ gift giving.
On the last day of the celebration, the PGH Service Awards was held to recognize the loyalty of the retirees and service awardees who served PGH over the years and fearlessly faced the fight against the pandemic. During the same event, Director Legaspi delivered his 7th State of PGH Address which underscored the technological and infrastructure advancements of the hospital and more importantly, the trainings granted to advance the skills and learnings of the staff.
A variety show culminated this year’s festivities with performances from the talented doctors, residents, and staff of PGH where Dr. Raymond Racela and Dr. Ysabella Veniece Ponce also won as Mr. & Ms. PGH 2022.
This year’s celebration would not be possible without the 45-member organizing committee chaired by Dr. Efren Domingo, co-chaired by Dr. Marisa de Guzman with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Women’s Desk.
Anne Marie Alto
