About '99

Class of 1999

It was not long ago when we first set foot in the hallowed halls of the premier medical school in the country... 160 fresh-out-of-premed, soon-to-be toxic students, destined to be classmates for the next 5 years. Getting there was the product of a decision, determination and perseverance, and finishing, we knew, would demand even more.

Nobody ever did doubt the nobility of the profession. But for us, it always seemed the hardest part was reconciling the means and the end.

Friends told us we were missing the best years of our lives. You always have to give up something to get what you want - no time for your friends, your family and yourself. And so, we believed them. And we devoured our books, skipped our lunches, and deprived ourselves of sleep. We cherished our obscene mnemonics and pre-exam panics. We were cheek-to-cheek with our cadavers. Our eyes were glued to our microscopes and our tongues were twisted constantly, struggling to learn this new language called medicine.

We must have been so focused that we could barely see more than a few feet in front of us, and we were convinced that was all there was. Our anatomy teacher reminded us there was life outside med school. So we looked, and we realized there was life in med school. We gave up something, but we gained other things. We lost track of old friends, but we made new ones. We poured out ourselves till there was nothing left, but we became one step closer to our goals - we realized that without each other, we would never reach them. Each staggered step, each belabored breath, each tortured test, we endured together.

As many as we were, so were our reasons for being here. Though we each entered alone, we finished the years together: each clinging to his own dream and aspiration... but every one of us an integral part of that which is CLASS '99.

Class Officers 1997-1998

President: Erick G. Ducut

Vice-President: Carlo Emmanuel J. Sumpaico

Secretary: Margaret B. Gutierrez

Treasurer: Melissa Ann S. Cespedes

Class Achievements

First Year (AY 1994-1995)

• Third Place, 21st Tao Rin Pala Choral Competition
• Champion, Women's Volleyball, Med Intramurals
• Second Place, Women's Basketball, Med Intramurals
• Second Place, Men's Volleyball, Med Intramurals

 Second Year (AY 1995-1996)

• Second Place, 22nd Tao Rin Pala Choral Competition

 Third Year (AY 1996-1997)

• Third Place, 23rd Tao Rin Pala Choral Competition
• Champion, Women's Volleyball, Med Intramurals
• Second Place, Men's Volleyball, Med Intramurals