UERMMMC COM Golden Jubilarian Class ’71
A Leader Among Us
By Laurence Tabanao Gayao, MD
“Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader. They set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role- always about the goal.” How many times have you observed this to be true? Often good leaders may not be eager to step into the plate but once placed in the position of leadership they selflessly give they themselves to serve without reservation.
As students in medical school we were classmates for four years and during our time a year of rotating internship was added. Being together that long we were able to get acquainted with pretty well with our batchmates to a large extent. As a member of UERMMMC COM class ’71 the 2021 Golden Jubilarians I would like to introduce one member of our class who exemplifies what it means to be a true leader.
Our class ’71 classmate Dr. Jaime Macantangay Manila from Batangas City was one of those with a quiet, always a bearing a pleasant and unassuming disposition. He was not one strutting around as though the world revolves around him. By just observing him you would not have known he was president of one of our sophomore class sections, and of our senior class president and held leadership positions in other school and in national medical student organizations.
Jaime after our rotating internship at UERMMMC Medical Center continued his residency training in OB-GYN UERMMMC 1971-75 then took the position as instructor in UERM 1975-76.
West Visayas State University College of Medicine (WVSU COM), the 2nd state owned medical school in the country after the University of the Philippines, opened its doors on 1975. Dr. Manila moved to La Paz, Iloilo and joined the pioneer faculty as an assistant professor WVSU COM in 1976. He was appointed Chair WVSU COM Department of OBGYN 1980-88 then Chief of Clinics WVSU Hospital 1984-88. He was appointed Dean WVSUCOM 1988-94 and was also concurrent Medical Director WVSU Hosp 1988-91. Positions held in Prof Org: President, Iloilo Medical Society 1988-89 awarded most outstanding President of a component Medical Society by Philippine Medical Association. President Philippine Ob-Gyn Society (POGS) Western Visayas chapter 1985-87. Regional Director POGS Region 6 1990-2001. Member Philippine Board of Ob-Gyn 2005-2007. Civic Clubs-Pres Rotary Club of Iloilo 1988-89. Other awards: Most outstanding Physician of Iloilo 1996. Most outstanding alumnus in Medical Education in 2000 UERM Alumni Association as one of the outstanding alumni during the UERM Golden Jubilee 2007. Certificate of recognition in Academic Medicine by the Beta Sigma Fraternity (Brotherhood of Scholars) during its golden anniversary.
WVSU COM first affiliated with a private Hosp as it’s base Hosp. Jaime met his wife Jane in this Hospital and they were married in 1980. They have 3 daughters, 2 are now practicing physicians 1 radiologist and 1 OB-Gynecologist. The 3rd is a nurse working in a hospital in Iloilo. All are married and Jaime and Jane have 1 granddaughter. He retired from full time teaching at 62 years of age in 2007. He was able to invest some money in a corporation involved in outpatient diagnostic centers, there now more than 25 branches all over the country. His group also constructed a 150 bed Hosp where he is the Chairman of the Board. He is still doing some limited practice serving some loyal patients. One of his daughters has taken over most of his practice.
Yes, Jaime may not have the loudest voice, the most magnetic personality, and claim to have all the answers when working with the group but he has the patience and understanding on what it entails to be a good leader. He does not ask to be a leader but was placed in leadership position because he was the right person for it. “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” -Henry David Thoreau
