POA Northern Mindanao Chapter

History (2009)

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The POA North Mindanao Chapter was officially recognized during the 2003 POA Annual Convention Opening Ceremonies when it was called to march into the plenary session hall as an independent chapter. The idea of dividing the POA Mindanao Chapter into two separate organizations was formally introduced in a Mindanao Chapter meeting held in Davao City on March 8, 2003. With the groundwork laid, the concept gradually solidified into a formal request for recognition signed by 17 fellows from North Mindanao on July 30, 2003. Around this time, the POA fellows from South Mindanao also submitted their own request for recognition. On October 17, 2003, an organizational meeting was held in Camiguin Island to plan for the chapter’s formal operations in 2004.

The following provinces fall under the jurisdiction of the North Mindanao Chapter: Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur. Orthopedic surgeons practicing in the Zamboanga peninsula may elect to join either the North or the South Mindanao Chapter, depending on geographical and other practical considerations.

The first induction of officers of the POA North Mindanao Chapter took place in Cagayan de Oro City on March 20, 2004, where POA President Rodolfo Nitollama was the inducting officer. The Chapter’s first officers were all from Cagayan de Oro City: President - Dr. Manuel Sison; Vice-President - Dr. Ramon Te, Jr.; Secretary - Dr. Ma. Geneva Khu; Treasurer - Dr. Renan Abellera; PRO - Dr. Jovito Lao.

 

The rest of the founding members of POA North Mindanao Chapter and the areas where they practice include: Dr. Leonard Khu - Cagayan de Oro; Dr. JAC Pimentel - Cagayan de Oro; Dr. Jose Chan - Cagayan de Oro; Dr. Peter Quiaoit - Cagayan de Oro; Dr. Farouk Marohombsar - Cagayan de Oro/Medina, Misamis Oriental; Dr. Antonio Linog - Cagayan de Oro; Dr. Nelson Sese - Valencia , Bukidnon; Dr. Manuel Roxas - Valencia , Bukidnon; Dr. Ferdinand Amante - Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; Dr. Emmanuel Coleto - Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; Dr. Crisjun Abrea - Surigao City, Surigao del Norte; Dr. Thaddeus Abad - Iligan City, Lanao del Norte; Dr. Julian Sanson - Iligan City, Lanao del Norte; Dr. Dante Quirapas - Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental; Dr. Eduardo Luy - Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur; Dr. Serafin Uy - Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte; Dr. Romelo Vergara - Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.

 

The Chapter’s Constitution and By-Laws were ratified in the second quarterly meeting on July 10, 2004.

“It was in 2004, I think, that we molded ourselves into one cohesive, self-confident, and exemplary Chapter of the Association” - Dr. Manuel Sison (President, 2003- 2004) Dr. Sison or “Wewel” to friends, is the Founding President of the POA North Mindanao Chapter. With 21 founding fellows of the Chapter, he led in establishing the Chapter’s identity by ratifying the Constitution and By-laws and approving the Chapter logo and banner. Immediately after the Chapter was organized, and even before official recognition, the members planned the bid for the 2005 Midyear Convention. It was the first and only time in the history of the POA that two chapters competed for the honor of hosting the Midyear. Although this honor was eventually given to brother Mindanaoans in the South, the North Mindanao Chapter activities continued throughout 2004 with Dr. Sison as holdover president. “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is a success (Henry Ford)” - Dr. Jovito Lao (President, 2005)

During Dr Lao’s term, POA-NM acted as one of the coordinators for the Philippine General Hospital’s (PGH) Centennial Celebration. Another significant activity during his term was the ACL Workshop, which was co-organized by the PGH Department of Orthopedics Alumni Association and held at San Riva Resto in Cagayan de Oro City (April 2005). “Bobot,” being an avid golfer, is the go-to person for organizing sports activities for the organization.

“To those much has been given, much is also expected. The more you receive, the more you should also give.” - Dr. Ferdinand Amante (President, 2006 Quarterly meetings always give the members a chance to unwind in a relaxing setting, at the same time tackle the business at hand. The Quarterly Meeting in Duka Bay with a live party band did just that. Another was during a retreat-cum-group Team-building exercise in Camiguin Island.

Dr. Amante is a gentle giant from Butuan City who is very generous with his time and is able to expertly combine Agusan politics and his Orthopedic practice. “Make sure that what you plan to do is right, then push onward. Strive to prepare for the Midyear 2008, make it even better than Midyear 2000!” - Dr. Manuel Sison (President, 2007)

With that rallying cry, Dr. Wewel Sison began his 2nd term as President. Clearly, here was a leader already comfortable in his shoes, having been in this position before. He made sure that all regular activities such as Quarterly meetings pushed through as planned while maintaining the momentum and energy needed to plan for the following year’s Midyear Convention in Cagayan de Oro City.

As proof of his persuasive powers and talents as a singer, he even convinced the members to sing and dance to boy band F4’s song in re-worded Mandarin/Filipino – some while playing unfamiliar band instruments – as a come-on jingle for the Midyear Convention, in front of all the Annual Convention delegates.

“I hope we will not only be able to pursue more profound activities in the future but also maintain the friendship and camaraderie in our group. As Gandhi said, „We must be the change we want to see in the world. “ Dr. JAC Pimentel IV (President, 2008)

The most significant event during Dr. JAC Pimentel’s term was the very successful Midyear convention in Cagayan de Oro City. It was an example of good teamwork and cohesion in the group that made sure all the events, including the white water rafting activity, were very well planned and executed.

School supplies and bags were distributed to schoolchildren in Mambuaya, Misamis Oriental to kick off the Chapter’s community outreach program. A Leadership and Team-building seminar showed the members that there are many facets in their lives and personalities that could be enhanced or improved if only these were better understood. It also established the group’s belief that this Chapter can achieve a lot of things if all its members played on their strengths as a group. A devoted family man, JAC made sure that many activities included the members’ families, giving another source of strength and support to the Chapter, and bringing in an element of fun in the process. “Work hard, play harder” - Dr. Leonard T. Khu (President, 2009)

The year 2009 marks the 6th year of POA – North Mindanao. So far, the highlight event for this year was the highly successful 2nd Mindanao Summit, aptly titled mindanaosummit2@cdo. The first Mindanao summit was in 2007 and was hosted by POA South Mindanao. This year, relevant topics like motorcycle accidents, the science of gunshot wounds, and the new field of Medical Informatics were discussed. It was attended by almost 50 delegates from all over Mindanao.

A free clinic was conducted jointly with the local Bombo Radyo station, which was held last July at the City Central School in Cagayan de Oro City. In addition, POA-NM was able to feed 1000 children and adults during the free clinic and provide deworming medications for 1000 children. Another worthwhile project to be implemented in the latter part of the year would be a partnership with Gawad Kalinga to build a house for a beneficiary family. Hopefully, the Chapter will be able to build a new house every other year as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects.