IN HIS OWN WORDS [NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2004 - Vol. I No.I]
I want to introduce myself and my wife to those who do not know us. I graduated in 1950 with a B.S. Pharmacy and was teaching at UST until 1966. My tenure was interrupted from 1958 to 1961. I studied at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA where I graduated with a M.S. in Hospital Pharmacy. I returned to UST and resumed teaching as Assistant Professor. In 1966, I married Purificacion L. Santos (1956 B.S. Pharmacy). Purie was also a faculty member for several years. We migrated to the USA in 1966.
In March 2003 several Alumni asked me why we do not have an association in the USA. Many wanted to meet their batch mates in the USA and Canada. Not everyone can go to Manila for the Reunions. This prompted me to organize the USTPMTBBAA. Since there was no leadership to do the 'nitty-gritty' I appointed myself as President. My term of office will end after the San Francisco reunion. Our association will then be working under definite By-Laws (pages 1 & 2).
The First Annual Grand Reunion of our Association is now history. We were able to have a good attendance - 299 which included alumni & guests. We are now in the process of preparing the groundwork for the June 24 to June 25 reunion in San Francisco (the venue was later changed to Santa Clara). We still do this on our own time. Purie and I understand that our past sacrifices have been recognized by many Alumni. We will persevere in continuing the work that we started last year. We are praying that we will have a successful and memorable reunion in San Francisco.
The USTPMTBBAA Web Site (created by BUDZ, B.S. Med Tech) is a reality. It is constantly updated and provides a good source of information on activities and happenings of our Association. It can only be accessed by Registered Members who have e-mail facilities. To BUDZ, our Web Creator goes our limitless thanks and appreciation for what she has done and still doing to make the Web a "LIVE" venue of communication.
It was a year later after the first USTPMTBBAA reunion in June of 2003 in Rio Las Vegas that Professor Joe met with me again - the "Wizard of UST." He was quite impressed with my computer expertise, calling me the wizard, for creating the new USTPMTBBAA website and had given me plaques of appreciation and certificates. He e-mailed me that he and Mrs. G were driving to Chicago from Iowa City for the weekend to do some grocery shopping and also to meet with Mila Sollosa, his favorite alumna, and Luz Ramos. I did not know at the time Professor Joe and his family were Chicagoans before. My car was being maintained so I asked Luz if she could drive us around and show them around. We went to Baha'i Temple in Wilmette, had pictures at the beautiful garden and had lunch at China Chef in Morton Grove. While having lunch I asked Professor Joe what the initials "P.B." stand for. He said jokingly, "Poor Boy." Until now I did not know his real complete name.
Video Song To Sir With Love - Requested by Mila Sollosa - Professor Joe's Favorite Student
