‘Honora Medicum’ launched

The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery launched the commemorative book Honora Medicum that pays tribute to the 150 years of service to the nation of over 40,000 graduates from the Philippines’ oldest medical school.

Honora Medicum, whose title comes from the Bible verse Sirach 38: 1-4, discusses, among many others, the evolution of the UST Medical Curriculum, provides excerpts from Thomasian alumni and FMS Deans, presents UST Medical missions and community engagement, and highlights breakthroughs during Covid-19, as well as medical research through the years.

The book chapters — conceptualized and titled according to key phrases in the Latin motto memorialized on the façade of the St. Martin de Porres building — are: I. Honor the Physician, II. His works are necessary, III. But God is the One, IV. Who has power over Life and Death.

“This commemorative book is a fitting tribute to all Thomasian medical alumni, luminaries, innovators, and future leaders in the field that this institution has religiously nurtured and sustained through the years,” UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D., said.

“This is our history — very important! We are part of it, having produced about 40,000 Filipino doctors, which gives us a feeling of collective accomplishment and a reason to believe that we have not been wasting our lives,” chief editor of Honora Medicum Rev. Fr. Angel A. Aparicio, O.P., said.

First copies of the book were given to UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D.; director of the Instituto Cervantes Javier Galván; National Library of the Philippines Chief Librarian V. Melody M. Madrid; National Historical Commission of the Philippines Librarian Diana Galang; former Department of Health Secretary Dr. Francisco Duque III; UST Hospital CEO Rev. Fr. Julius Paul C. Factora, O.P.; UST Medical Alumni Association president Dr. Edwin Rodriguez; and Dr. Tito P. Torralba, former UST FMS Dean and former Medical Director of UST Hospital.

For inquiries and orders, visit form.jotform.com/dcpe/ ust-fms-honora-medicum.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF UST THE book pays tribute to the 150 years of service to the nation of over 40,000 graduates from the Philippines’ oldest medical school.