Text by: Charmaine A. Lingdas
Photos by: Jericho Paolo L. Mabansag
The University of the Philippines College of Dentistry (UPCD) celebrated its 111th founding anniversary with “Alay Pasasalamat: Looking Back with Gratitude, Moving Forward with Purpose,” a thanksgiving event honoring the college’s enduring legacy of service, excellence, and commitment to the Filipino people. The celebration recognized the invaluable contributions of members of the college executive committee, retired faculty, donors, partners, supporters, and UPCD Board of Dentistry members.
“Gratitude, pasasalamat, thanksgiving, thank you—these are among the most important words we should all learn to say,” said Dean Michelle Segarra during the anniversary program. She likened the college’s 111-year journey to a ship’s sails, navigating both calm and challenging waters, propelled by the collective efforts of faculty, staff, students, alumni, partners, and the UP Manila administration.
Under Dean Segarra’s leadership, UPCD has achieved several major milestones. The college now maintains 18 active MOUs with foreign universities, facilitating faculty training, student exchanges, and international programs. She oversaw a record graduation of 52 students in a single ceremony, strengthened the college’s accreditation standing, and promoted faculty development through merit promotions and publications. She also spearheaded the establishment of a digital laboratory, upgraded equipment, and coordinated the arrival of new dental chairs, with plans for laser dentistry underway. These accomplishments were made possible through the dedication of UPCD’s faculty, administrative and support staff, and the support of Chancellor Michael Tee.
Chancellor Tee highlighted the college’s continued growth, noting the rising number of graduates, the adoption of patient care-based dentistry, and the re-accreditation of the Master of Science in Dentistry Orthodontics program, which allows the issuance of certificates of proficiency approved by the Board of Regents. He also commended the college’s active collaborations with six state universities and 18 international institutions, which enhance both its programs and faculty development. He recognized the crucial support of alumni, recent campus improvements, and the college’s consistent top performance in licensure examinations.
He also announced that dentistry students would no longer need to purchase their own instruments, just as medical students do not bring their own instruments when they assist in surgery. Chancellor Tee shared that 26 new dental chairs have already arrived, with many more to be added, underscoring the administration’s commitment to the college.
He emphasized, “We believe that you are more than capable of addressing the country’s need for dental health. We do not expect you to simply graduate dentists; we expect you to graduate leaders of the dental profession.”
Dr. Arnon Rivera, chairperson of the UPCD Thanksgiving Celebration, said they commit “to making our beloved UPCD the best institution to produce, guide, and mold—not just the brightest, not just the best, but the most competent, confident, and compassionate dental healthcare professionals this country can ever produce.”
The following were formally recognized for their invaluable contributions to the institution’s growth and continued excellence:
Donors
• Dr. Regina Santos-Morales
• Dr. Maria Angeles Racelis
• Dr. Fred Feld – DR. ARMIN
• Class of 1974
• Class of 1975
• Class of 1986
• Class of 1995
• Class of 1996
• Class of 1998
• Class of 1999
• Class of 2000
• Class of 2001
• Class of 2002
• UPCD Dental Board Orientation and Refresher Course
• UPCD Comprehensive Restorative and Esthetic Dentistry Course and Enhancement Course in Oral Surgery
• AVM Ortho, Inc.
• JChenny Enterprises, Inc.
• Rabstream, Inc.
• Value RX, Inc.
• New Citizens’ Dental Supply
• Dr. Kathleen Rigonan Saturay
• Dr. Arnon Rivera
• Dr. Kyle Delfin
• Dr. Faustino Mercado
• Sandy Syliangco Adriano
• Marilou Sembrano
• Charlotte Carreon
• Tina Morales
• Agnes Hernandez
• Rafa Silva
• Carol Eustaquio
• Vivian Virata
• Vera Legaspi
• Carla Sison
• Winnie Totaan
• Rosalie Cantos
• Raddy Mabasa
• Arlissa Aguiluz
• Josephine Esquivel Upshaw
• Shantelle Hazel Amat
• Grazielle Millo Paderes
• Lari Anela Adao-Precia
• Daisy Cas Maaba
• Mary Abigail Vibar-Hormillada
• Ma. Fatima Dolor-Ong
• Aisha Hernandez-Diquit
• Jessy Joie Domagsang
• Louise Isabelle Vergara
• Dan Frederick Dones
• Maria Patricia Francisco
• Faith Chua
• Kathleen Cinco-Cueto
• Iola Grace Baun-Patubo
• Trisha Melanie Estaniel
• Kamille Joana Bautista
• Drexy Pearl Torres-Ancog
• Caireen Gail Jao-New
• Norman Onyx Dagang
• Theresa Go-Svede
Partners
• UPM-PGH Department of Hospital Dentistry
• Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation, Inc.
• Armed Forces of the Philippines Dental Services
Newly Appointed Board Members
• Dr. Jocelyn Genevieve L. Tan
• Dr. Irene Grace Achacoso-Porter
Executive Committee
• Dr. Josievitz U. Tan-Zafra
• Dr. John Erick B. Quiniquini
• Dr. Jessica K. Rebueno-Santos
• Dr. Joy R. Memorando-Wilson
• Dr. Michael Antonio F. Mendoza
• Dr. Bhabita V. Murjani
• Dr. Ma. Celina U. Garcia
• Dr. Maria Jacinta Rosario H. Romero
• Dr. Arlene Cecilia A. Alfaro
• Dr. Elmer Jesus T. Escoto
• Dr. Melanie Ruth M. Karganilla-Frange
• Dr. Regina Carmela P. Pengson
• Dr. Cristina M. Laureta
• Dr. Marie Rossini Carmela T. Lachica
• Dr. Monica Salud M. Yniguez-Gonzalez
• Dr. Maritess O. Villarico
• Dr. Rose Anne Q. Rosanes
• Dr. Christian Noel E. Paghubasan
Faculty Members
• Dr. Danilo L. Magtanong
• Dr. Ma. Concepcion B. Medina
• Dr. Vicente O. Medina III
• Dr. Antolin P. Serraon
• Dr. Heherson M. Tumang
• Dr. Susana Y. Sotelo
• Dr. Angelina A. Atienza
• Dr. Jessica K. Rebueno-Santos
• Dr. Arlissa D. Aguiluz
• Dr. Aurora G. Dellosa
• Dr. Alfredo P. San Andres
• Dr. Raoul B. Buizon
• Dr. Maria Teresita C. Lara
Retired Non-Academic Personnel
• Crisologo Caraqueo
• Eduardo Tiotangco
• Federico Cardenas
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