PAMS HISTORY

The Philippine Academy of Medical Specialists was initially organized for all the holders of Medical Specialist Diploma given by the Ministry of Health since 1979. It was formally incorporated in 1994.

The initial concept of forming a multi-specialty society for the holders of the Medical Specialist Qualifying Examination, given by the Ministry of Health in 1979 until 1989, was originally conceived by Dr. Nestor P. Pasamba, a general surgeon and former consultant of Dr. Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC). He requested Dr. Mario R. Adraneda, a Gastroenterologist and Dr. Hernando S. Amisola, a General Surgeon to bring along at least 20 to 30 Medical Specialists for the initial organizational meeting.

On November 14, 1994, Dr. Pasamba called for a dinner-meeting at his residence in No. 18 Patok Street, Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City, which happened to be its first organizational meeting. In attendance with Dr. Nestor P. Pasamba, a General Surgeon, were the following: Dr. Hernando S. Amisola, General Surgeon, Dr. Mario R. Adraneda, Internist-Gastroenterologist, Dr. Danilo S. Mariano, a Urologist, Dr. Gilda Corazon M. David-Rebaldo, with Dr. Rhodora I. Cruz, both Obstetrician – Gynecologist, Dr. Armando N. Lorenzo, an Anesthesiologist from Cavite, and Dr. Cecilio G. Viola, an EENT Specialist and consultant also from JRRMMC.

After a few hours of waiting for others to arrive, Dr. Pasamba laid out his plans and one of those is to have an election of officers from among the group of attendees. However, both Dr. Adraneda and Dr. Amisola were quite apprehensive due to problems that may arise in the future. Instead they suggested that the meeting would be just a caucus and schedule another meeting solely for the election of officers. Dr. Pasamba did not agree but assured everyone that problems can be solved and pledged to do everything so that the organization can be properly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Dr. Lorenzo possessing a very positive attitude offered his two thousand pesos “to-start-the ball-rolling,” but Dr. Pasamba declared to make it just one thousand pesos; and everybody paid one thousand pesos each right away.

As they were discussing the elected positions, Dr. Amisola declined the honor of becoming the founding President and settled for the position as Secretary, instead. Dr. Pasamba also declined the presidency because he believed that the founding president should be someone who is still actively practicing in Metro Manila and connected with the JRRMMC, he opted for the position as Vice President. Dr. Danilo Mariano was also offered the presidency but declined; so, the honor of becoming the founding president was offered to Dr. Adraneda, who was reluctant at first but eventually accepted the position to the cheers of the group. Elected unanimously were Dr. Rhodora I. Cruz and Dr. Armando Lorenzo, as Treasurer and Auditor, respectively.

After the election, there was a moderate rain shower, believed to be a sign of “good luck.” The group was triumphant over that night’s accomplishments and after a sumptuous dinner had a picture-taking for posterity.

The next meeting was scheduled on November 25, 1994 at the residence of doctors Emmanuel and Rosita Pamintuan in Damar Village, Quezon City. During this meeting more Alumni of JRRMH filed their application to become members. Dr. Josefina R. Tumulak, an Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Dr. Emmanuel Pamintuan, an Anesthesiologist and Dr. Bonifacio S. Ronsaryo, an Orthopedic Surgeon from Cavite were included as additional members of the Board of Trustees.

The task of formally registering the organization in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was accomplished by Mrs. Evangeline Q. Pasamba on December 8, 1994.

On December 10, 1994, PAMS’ first general meeting after its SEC registration was held again at the residence of Drs. Emmanuel and Rosita Pamintuan. Photocopies of the SEC Registration Certificate were distributed and given to all members who were present. It was decided during this meeting that membership be liberalized to include not only Medical Specialists Diploma holders but also graduates of residency training in government and private institutions, who are in good standing, recommended and endorsed by PAMS officers and /or members themselves.

Another board meeting was held at the residence of Dr. Pasamba on December 27, 1994. A number of things were decided, one of which is the organization’s logo as conceptualized by Dr. Materno Chavez, an Anesthesiologist also from JRRMH. He suggested that the organization’s logo is that of a glowing torch with eight rays representing the eight founders; namely, doctors Nestor P. Pasamba, Hernando S. Amisola, Mario R. Andraneda, Armando N. Lorenzo, Gilda Corazon M. David-Rebaldo, Rhodora I. Cruz, Danilo S. Mariano and Cecilo G. Viola. After its discussion, the logo was approved and adopted as the official logo of PAMS. This shall be evident in all its letterhead, official documents, and correspondences accordingly.

On January 7, 1995, the second general meeting was held at 796 Banawe Street, Quezon City at the residence of Dr. Rhodora I. Cruz and many new members filed their application and paid their membership fees.

Twenty days after, on January 27, 1995, was the third general meeting, which was held at the residence of Dr. Pasamba, wherein more than 150 members attended. After the meeting, the Board of Trustees stayed behind for a brainstorming session and threshed-out some organizational matters including the date of PAMS’ inauguration on March 14, 1995. Others who were not members of the board but were part of this brainstorming session were doctors Ricardo Fulgencio II, Antonio Gomez, both General Surgeons, doctors Eusebio Paglinawan, Brillo Vargas, and Wilfredo Tagle, Urologists, Dr. Flordeliza H. Adraneda, an Ob-Gyne, Dr. Carolina Mariano, a Pediatrician and Dr. Apolinario del Carmen, a Pathologist, all from JRRMH. Important lesson learned was, “there is power in numbers!”
At a special meeting of the Board of Trustees held in its principal office on February 18, 1995, it was decided upon and approved to increase the number of the Board of Trustees (BOT) from eleven (11) to fifteen (15); and the Medical Specialists unanimously elected were as follows: Ricardo D. Fulgencio II, M.D., Eusebio C. Paglinawan Jr., M.D., Alsaneo F. Lagos, M.D. and Wilfredo S. Tagle, M.D.