THE MEDICAL CITY CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Premier health institution The Medical City (TMC) celebrated its golden anniversary with a series of activities focusing on the theme “Reflections. Identity. Audacity. Celebrating 50 Years of The Medical City Journey.”
Fifty years ago, TMC began with a vision of service, enlivened by the patients to whom it was committed, the health professional community from which it sprang, and the nation through which it found purpose amid the twists and turns of the ensuing five decades, that vision has remained TMC’s True North.
‘‘Let our rich history, our stories, our relationships – animated by our music and our Faith be the bonds that bind us together; the soul that make us one,” said TMC President and CEO Dr. Alfredo R.A. Bengzon in his message to the TMC community.
‘‘My dear Medical City family of co-dreamers, the journey ahead for our beloved organization lies before all of us. As in the past 50 years, this journey will surely be full of blessings, triumphs and gifts. Certainly, there will also be a fair share of challenges and adversities – for after all, anything of worth, like our beloved Medical City, is always purchased at the price of self-sacrifice,’’ added Dr. Bengzon.
A series of activities were held starting January this year leading up to two grand events to celebrate this important milestone for the TMC community. Early this year, TMC staged a talent search, unveiling of the TMC Golden Perspective, ARAB Cup, and Golden Moment with the Chairman and other guests.
All these activities have been guided by the three words that served as celebra- tory themes of TMC's golden anniversary – Reflections, Identity and Audacity.
The first part of the celebration was held on October 14 at the Grand Ballroom of Marriott Hotel. The program started with the invocation led by Jay Bengzon, TMC Vice President for Marketing. TMC Chairman of the Board Dr. Augusto P. Sarmiento gave the opening remarks and introduction to the In Memoriam, in honor of TMC's dearly departed friends, colleagues, and partners.
The highlight of the event was a special homegrown musical titled ‘‘TMC Golden Journey’’ which featured TMC's talented doctors and staff. The musical was divided into decades starting with the 60s until 2010s.
These included the opening of the ABM Sison Hospital in 1967; change in leadership in 1969; renaming of the hospital to The Medical City in 1975; its steady growth in the 80s; opening of first outpatient clinic in Antipolo City in 1996; transfer to its new and current location in Ortigas, Pasig City in 2004 and establishment of its flagship programs; creation of the Center for Patient Partnership to promote TMC's unique value proposition of patient partnership in 2007, and from 2011 to the present, the establishment of the TMC network that extends the reach and broadens the brand of The Medical City both here and abroad.
Hits from the 60s to the present were performed by TMC singers and dancers eliciting cheers and applause from the crowd.
The second part of the golden celebration for the TMC community was a street party held at the Metrotent in Metrowalk Commercial Complex, Pasig City on October 20, 2017 which was also Dr. Bengzon's birthday. The party also featured a musical by TMC talents and live performances by upcoming band Fat Session and OPM Rock Band icon The Dawn led by Jett Pangan.
Fat Session brought the house down with their lineup of popular tunes from the 70s to the current hits mixed with a good dose of humor.
The TMCcrowd sang along with The Dawn as they played their signature songs Enveloped Ideas, Iisang Bangka and Salamat.
A thanksgiving mass was also held in the morning of October 20 at the TMC Augusto Barcelon auditorium officiated by Bishop Mylo Hubert C. Vergara from the Diocese of Pasig City and concelebrated by TMC Chaplain Fr. Joven P. Antique and Fr. Lucilo Taburada.
Drawing strength from its 50-year journey, Dr. Bengzon said that ‘‘The Medical City will continue to stand proud and will prevail as a leader in bringing together everyone in this health ecosystem moving synergistically towards ensuring a healthy citizenry of this beloved country, always struggling but forever hopeful.’’