The CTB: Unabridged
The Editorial Staff of the PAO Coffee Table Book would like to thank all the PAO members for the very positive and encouraging feedback given during its book launch on the occasion of PAO’s 75th anniversary. We are honored and grateful for the privilege given to us to be part of this historical production. This electronic copy of the book’s unabridged version has been promised to provide a venue for some institutions, sub-specialty and chapter societies to further expand on some details of their historical perspectives that were edited out in the hard copy due to page and budget limitations. We plan to feature one institution or society at a time.
Dr. Reynaldo E. Santos
Editor-in-Chief
PAO 75th Anniversary Coffee Table Book
For this particular issue, a correction on a factual error was submitted by the author of the article on FEU-Dr. Nicanor Reyes Memorial Foundation under Erratum.
Erratum: On page 152 of the CTB, it was written that: “Dr. Jesus Tamesis, Sr. was the first resident in the Department of EENT.” This statement is in error, as Dr. Tamesis, Sr. had his residency days spent at the North General Hospital, now the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center.
The author of the write-up on FEU-Dr. Nicanor Reyes Memorial Foundation, had likewise expanded on the gaps in the historical involvement of Dr. Tamesis, Sr. in the growth of the Department to wit:
Dr. Jesus V. Tamesis, Sr. was appointed chair of the EENT Department in 1964 – a position that he held for eighteen (18) years. During his chairmanship, he organized the Medical Aid to Rural Indigent Areas (MARIA). Among the goals of MARIA, was to render help to the less fortunate. At that time he was gracious enough to have allowed the junior interns of the Department to rotate at his private Clinica Tamesis, along Quezon Boulevard for additional exposure in clinical ophthalmology. During his term he was likewise elected as the President of the World Medical Association (WMA).
In 1982, Dr. Tamesis, Sr. was succeeded by Dr. Jose Ma. Velez, a former senior resident of the Department.
On June 2, 2018, Dr. Pearl Tamesis-Villalon delivered the first Dr. Jesus V. Tamesis Memorial lecture, entitled: “The Making of An Advocacy” that talked about the growing ROP concerns, to honor the memory of her father as a former chairman of the Department.
Far Eastern University – Dr. Nicanor Reyes Memorial Foundation
1953
The department traces its history back to when it was originally known as the Department of Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat (EENT) led by the first chairman, Dr. Carlos L. Sevilla alongside with doctors Ramon Ongsiako, Noe Legasto, Jose Chan, Leonida Monfero, Neva Arribas, Jose Valenzuela and Augusto Ongsiako.
Dr. Jesus Tamesis Sr. became the chairman in 1964 and has served the department for 18 years. During that time, Dr. Tamesis organized Medical Aid to Rural Indigent Areas (MARIA) to help the less fortunate. It was also during his term as chairman that he became the president of the World Medical Association (WMA). Dr. Jose Ma. Velez is the first senior resident in the Department of EENT. Dr. Velez became the chairman of the Department in 1982.
1988
To keep in step with the modern times, separation of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery specialties was implemented. Dr. Velez remained as chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology.
The following served as the chairman of the department through the years: Dr. Jose Marin (1990-1997), Dr. Constantino Santos (1997-1999; 2004-2007), Dr. Azora Capuchino (1999-2004), Dr. Pablo Rivadillo (2007- 2014), Dr. Manolito Reyes (2014 – 2018), and Dr. Corazon Villalva (2018- present).
2002
A collaborative effort by the consultant staff led to the establishment of the Far East Eye Center Inc. This important milestone paved the way to provide the utmost and quality visual care services to the patients and augment the facilities essentially needed to strengthen the Ophthalmology Residency Training program.
Currently, the Department of Ophthalmology offers a 3-year residency program and is geared towards producing highly competent and compassionate eye care specialists. In conjunction with this, post-graduate courses, free clinics and lay forums have been conducted to boost the learning experience of the residents with their consultants, as well as their patients. As a teaching institution, a holistic approach to basic ophthalmologic skills are being imparted to the medical students, junior and senior intern.
SECTION HEADS