by Monchi Goce, PHI '09

A free concert was held at the Philippine General Hospital’s flagpole area on the late afternoon of March 19 2010.  This show was spearheaded by Laban UP-PGH with the All UP Worker’s Union in support of the due process in the BOR selection of the PGH director.

Amidst the air of nationalism and justice profuse in the atmosphere that evening, Dr. Jonas del Rosario and Dr. Iggy Agbayani, Jr., both Phi ’86, kicked off the event as very entertaining emcees.  Brod Jim-jim Lopez, Phi ’06, delivered the invocation to pay respects to the Divine Providence.

The string of performances for the night started with a group of UP Medicine students sharing heart-warming renditions of ‘Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi, Isang Musika’ and ‘When You Believe’.  Koko Marbella, a member of the band Labuyo, serenaded the audience with OPM classics such as ‘Tuloy Pa Rin Ako’ and hits of James Taylor such as ‘You’ve Got a Friend’.  Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, Phi ’83 and neurosurgeon par excellence, offered his own version of ‘Himig Natin’ in support of the true director of PGH.

Noel Cabangon, an acclaimed acoustic musician and social critic, delivered songs exposing political injustice that reiterated the need for the recognition of the true process of PGH directorship.  The tunes ‘Tatsulok’ and ‘Kanlungan’ were played by him to perfection.  Datu’s Tribe, a full-blooded UP Maroon band rounded up the night with songs filled with metaphors to the flaws of society.

Over 100 people attended the event, and these include Dr. Mario Geronilla Φ69B, Dr. Venancio Gloria Φ70, Dr. Loreto Felizar Φ71, SE 75-75, Jesus Cabrera Φ71, Dr. Generoso Torres Φ72, Dr. Abudio Balgos Φ 76, Dr. Pablo Lazatin III Φ 76, Dr. Randy Abdulla Φ77A, Dr. Bernabe Marinduque Φ77A, Dr. Felix Lukban Φ85, Dr. Winston Villa Φ 86, Dr. Adrian Desquitado Φ 89B SE 93-94, Dr. Andro Hipolito Φ91, Dr. Eduard Alfanta Φ98, Dr. Richmond Chang Φ00, Dr. Red Gonzales Φ03, Dr. Eric Yasay Φ03, Dr. Clarence Yacapin Φ04A, Dr. JP Mariñas Φ04B, and Dr. Ted Ureta Φ04B. This is a testament to the support and trust the PGH community has for Dr. Jose Gonzales, Phi 69A, and his battle towards justice and respect for due process in the BOR PGH Director appointment.