Gullas College of Medicine’s pioneer batch to celebrate silver jubilee

When the Gullas College of Medicine (GCM) was established in 1977 as the medical education component of the University of the Visayas (UV), Cebu’s first university, the Gullas family envisioned the college to give students in the Visayas and Mindanao access to more and better opportunities for service-oriented relevant and quality medical curriculum.

After 29 years and since its first batch of graduates in 1981, the GCM has churned out board topnotchers and medical professionals not just from various regions of the Philippines but also from Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iran and the United States, among others.

GCM’s success story is largely due to its progenitors who have spared no effort or expense to pursue a tradition of excellence.

Dr. Jose Gullas, UV executive vice president, said, "The school administration has taken bold steps to expand its educational horizons to make it more responsive to the needs of the country."

The former Cebu congressman cited the multimillion-peso funds poured into more infrastructure and facilities’ acquisition at the sprawling Gullas Medical Center in Banilad, Mandaue City, that was inaugurated last January by no less than President Arroyo.

"By the fruits, you shall know the tree" happens to be not just a biblical quote but a reality torch for the corporate wheels behind the GCM.

Its first batch of 1981 medical graduates got the sixth and 13th places in the physicians’ board of June 1982, courtesy of Dr. Edwina Santos and Dr. Aileen Ong, respectively.

GCM graduate Dr. Hope Manuel topped the physicians’ licensure of December 1984, while Dr. Robert Tan landed eighth.

Dr. Lino Balonan placed third in the February 1989 doctors’ board exams, and Dr. Loida Guasa-Faelnar was second place in the February 1990 licensure test. Dr. Rico Delgado placed 18th that year.

In the succeeding exams of February 1991, Dr. Paulo Pantojan landed 20th, while Dr. Fedindo Cobarde placed 14th in the board exams of February 1992.

In August 1992, Dr. Margaret Sia was 19th, while Dr. Marichel Marcolino ranked 12th in the medical board exams of August 1995.

These achievements are among the reasons for the silver jubilee celebration of pioneer Batch ’81 and a grand alumni homecoming of the Gullas College of Medicine spearheaded by the GCM Alumni Association Inc. on July 14-16.

Gullas and the entire Gullas family have committed their all-out support to make the celebration relevant and successful.

Among the highlights are free medical-dental services for neighboring barangays and environs of Banilad, Mandaue City, symposium, fellowship and the election of the new board of directors presently headed by Dr. Eduardo Yu as president.

Interested alumni may contact Dr. Leopold Gullas Lucero at (032) 346-4224 or 0918-9117732.