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PLM honors the sacrifices of its fallen alumni
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COVID-19 Special Issue Volume 40, Issue 4
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PLM honors the sacrifices of its fallen alumni
Marella Iris PALCES
PLM mourns the passing of members of its community, primarily those in the medical field, by holding memorials as well as publishing press releases since the start of the nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last April 2, 2020, the university administration along with Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso held a tribute for the passing of two alumni doctors, Dr. Israel Bactol and Dr. Cenover Nicandro “Nicko” Bautista, to honor them for their service to the Filipino people while in the front lines against the pandemic.
Dr. Bactol, who took chemistry in PLM as his undergraduate study until he became a graduate of PLM College of Medicine (PLM-CM) Class of 2011, was the first doctor who lost his life against COVID-19, dying on March 21.
On the other hand, Dr. Bautista, who first entered PLM as a psychology undergraduate and then graduated as part of PLM-CM Class of 2014, was one of the medical crew who died onboard the Lion Air Medical Evacuation flight that caught fire just before take-off in NAIA last March 29.
In a press release published last April 17, 2020, the university announced the death of another member of its medical community, Dr. Maria Teresa Ballat Dajao, who died in a vehicular accident last April 15, 2020. Dr. Dajao earned her psychology degree in PLM, who then proceeded to become a community doctor and continued her service to her fellow Manileños until her passing.
Similarly, the university mourned the death of College of Nursing alumna Maria Grace Esteves Laureta, announcing her passing in a post dated April 21, 2020 in its official Facebook page. She finished her nursing degree at PLM in 1980 and last served as part of the COVID-19 frontline as an ICU Nurse in St. Barnabas Medical Center, a non-profit hospital in Bronx, New York, USA.
PLM also mourned the passing of Dr. Jose Gerardo Oliva Los Baños, announcing his death in a press release dated April 27, 2020. Though not one of the many bright minds that graduated from PLM-CM, he was one of the faculty that nurtured them, serving as the chairperson for the Department of Psychiatry of the college for 13 years since 2007.
PLM reported another one of its alumni losing his life against the battle with COVID-19, namely Dr. Danilo Bolima, last May 8, 2020. He graduated in 1986 from the PLM College of Nursing and went on to further his studies in the field of patient care in other countries.
NON-MEDICAL NOTABLE PERSONS REMEMBERED AS WELL
PLM also mourned the loss of other significant members of its community who succumbed to the COVID-19 pandemic, offering tributes and announcing their passing with press releases as well.
Included in the online memorial that the university officials held attended by Mayor Domagoso, PLM honored one of its former consultants, veteran actor Mr. Domingo “Menggie” Cobarrubias, who died last March 26. As part of his duty as both a PLM official and an artist, he was one of the contributors in the development of programs established by PLM Tourism students. During special events, he shared his talents in the performing arts for the enjoyment of the PLM community.
In another press release published last May 15, 2020, PLM announced the death of Senator Teresa “Tessie” Aquino-Oreta, who served as a member of its Board of Regents from 2014 to 2019. Known as a legislator, Sen. Aquino-Oreta authored and co-authored the Philippine Science High School System Act and Early Childhood Care and Development Act, among others. She also served as the chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture during her term as senator from 1998 to 2004.
Another notable alumnus who died amidst the pandemic is revered screenwriter Manuel “Manny” Buising, who was the editor-in-chief of “Ang Hasik”, PLM’s student publication during the Martial Law era. A press release dated May 19, 2020 detailed Mr. Buising’s achievements: from graduating Bachelor of Science in Education majoring in Filipino in 1972, to writing screenplay for movies that starred the late Fernando Poe Jr. such as the original “Ang Probinsyano” as well as penning plays like “Kung Bakit May Nuno sa Punso” and “Patay-Bata.” His talent in writing granted him awards in the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award in Literature and eventually earned him a spot in the Hall of Fame in 2005. He then later served as a member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.
FIRST PLM EMPLOYEE DEATH FROM COVID-19
Last July 22, PLM confirmed through a press release that one of its employees passed away that same day due to COVID-19-related issues.
The 57-year-old female last reported being on campus last July 9 and exhibited flu-like symptoms on July 11. She then took a swab test the following week in a Manila hospital as her symptoms worsened, which led to her confinement and eventually her death.
Along with offering condolences to the bereaved family, President Leyco assures the PLM community that there is no transmission of the virus within campus grounds, and that disinfection protocols have already taken place to protect the rest of the university’s employees from COVID-19.
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