Historical Perspective from the Souvenir Program of the Silver Anniversary & 20th Grand Reunion of USTMAAA (Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, NV)

The formation of the UST Alumni Association in America is credited to the visionary and dedicated leader, Dr. Jose L. Evangelista.  When he assumed the Presidency of USTMAA Midwest chapter in 1986, his vision was to unify all Thomasians, unite all chapters and alumni into one national organization, with one national convention and one center of communication.  Through his persuasive and compelling influence, he gathered the leaders of the two active chapters, the USTMAA Midwest and the USTMAA Tristate chapters, as well as Thomasian leaders from other states, to attend the historic unification meeting at the Westin Hotel in Detroit on May 26, 1987.  In attendance were the following:  Drs. Jim Aragones, Basilio Bautista, Nap Bartolazo, Carlos Borromeo (President, lUSTMAA Tristate), Lupo Carlota, Bernardo Danan, D. Devenezia, Lori Floro, the late Nacianceno Largoza, Sarie Laserna, Manny Madayag, the late Rena Magno Nora, Carlos Romero, Orly Sison, Rey Sulit, Jose Vijungco, Zita Yorro, Noli Zosa, and Dr.Tito Torralba, Dean of USTFMS.  The late Dr. Rodrigo Floro was the first President of USTMAAA.

After a period of transition, the two regional chapters, the Midwest and Tristate chapters, finally merged their annual conventions and united to celebrate the first Annual Grand Reunion and Convention at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Dearborn, Michigan, Memorial weekend of 1993, under the Presidency of Dr. Jose Evangelista, 3rd President of USTMAAA and Foundation.  Rev. Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, Rector, Fr. Fausto Gomez, Regent, and Dr. Ramon Sin, Dean, were in attendance.

In 1990, the USTMAAA Foundation was established with a goal of raising $1 million dollars in the Endowment Fund.  The Foundation idea originated from Dr. Jose Vijungco, who initiated the solicitation of funds, and together with Dr. Nacianceno  Largoza, Dr. Greg Tolentino (1st  President) and Dr. Jose Evangelista, the pioneering four put to action the formation of the USTMAAA Foundation.  The goal was to create a permanent endowment fund to be managed in the US, with only the interest income or investment earnings to be used to fund the charitable and educational projects of USTMAAA for the support of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, the UST Hospital and its indigent patients.

The USTMAAA Foundation has since grown from its humble beginning to its current status, with an endowment fund of over $3.7 million dollars and over $2 million in grants / distributions since its inception.  The continued loyalty and generosity of many Thomasians were once again evident in the form of an unprecedented donation of $1.5 million dollars towards the construction of The Thomasian Alumni Center, USTMAAA's Quadricentennial legacy to the University.  This was in response to the challenge presented by Rev. Fr. Rolando de la Rosa during the USTMAAA Annual convention in 2008.  The first to respond to the challenge was the Tau Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity, with a pledge of $100,000.  Under the leadership of Drs. Dante Gapultos and Primo Andres, the Tau Mu essentially jump-started the campaign to raise the monies for the construction of the TAC.  Many alumni classes and individuals have since followed its lead and continue to respond to the initial challenge.  The largest donation to date, in the amount of $268,000 came from the Golden Jubilarian Class of 1962, under the leadership of Drs. Anselmo Unite and Aurora de Jesus.

The history of USTMAAA cannot be written with any degree of accuracy without the invaluable contribution of many generous alumni, state chapters, organizations and individual classes occupying brilliant pieces of the history.  The USTMAAA has quarter century history of important milestones and accomplishments as well. It is with this in mind that we plan to publish a 25th anniversary edition of the US Thomasian so that all these individual and collective achievements and important pieces of history can once again be recorded for all to reminisce and be proud of .