96. 18 NOTABLE KAPAMPANGAN DOCTORS BORN BEFORE 1900, part II

DR. LIBORIO P. GOMEZ, Sto. Tomas

(b. 23 Jul. 1887/ d.1958 )

Born to Magdaleno and Catalina Pineda, the future pathologist, medical educator, and scientist has an impressive background. As a pensionado in 1903, he was sent to the U.S. to study at Pomona College, University of Missouri,  From there, he earned a doctorate degree of Philosophy in  Pathology and Physiology at the University of Chicago, and a medical degree from the Rush Medical College. At the Bureau of Science, he studied Bacteriology for 7 years, and his expertise enabled him to become the Head of the Department of Pathology and Bacteriology of the said bureau. In 1953,  he was coaced from retirement to help establish the Dept. of Pathology and Microbiology of the newly-organized medical school,  FEU-Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation.  Dr. Gomez headed this department as its chairman and professor until his death.

DR. JULIAN D. DYCAICO, Angeles

(b. 17 Oct. 1888/ d. 11 Mar. 1965 )

The noted physician-surgeon of Angeles was the son of Jose and Rufina Dayrit. He studied at the Philippine Normal School (1906-09), and at the UP College of Liberal Arts ( 1909-11). He went on to earn his Doctor of Medicine degree at the U.P. College of Medicine and Surgery in 1914. After his internship at the Philippine general Hospital, he went into private practice in 1915. Dr. Dycaico was elected councilor of Angeles, and was  connected with the beginnings of Holy Angel Academy in 1933,as its first school physician and comptroller.

DR. RUFINO ABRIOL, Arayat

(b. 7 Apr. 1890/ d. 19? )

Dr. Abriol holds the distinction of being elected President of the Philippine Islands Medical Association (1935-36) and Chairman of the Board of Examiners, in his time. The U.P.-educated doctor also became a Fellow of the American Medical Society, as well as a member of both Manila and Pampanga Medical Association. Dr. Abriol garnered the highest rating for the Medical Board Examination in 19 13. He went to Johns Hopkins University for further studies in Public Health. Dr. Abriol, married to Rosa Reyes, was also a member of the faculty of Medicine, University of the Philippines.

DR. BASILIO J.VALDES, Floridablanca

(b. 10 July 1892/d. 26 Jan. 1970)

Though he resided mostly in Manila, Basilio José Segundo Pica Valdés was born in the Floridablanca hacienda of his father, Dr. Benito Salvador Valdes, who was married to Filomena Pica. Influenced by his father, he took up Medicine at the University of Santo Tomas and graduated with honors in 1916. Immediately, he plunged headlong into medical service, treating all his patients with respect and fairness, and adapting a personal motto—“Audaces Fortuna Juvat”—Fortune helps the brave. He joined the French Army as a medical volunteer, followed by a stint at the U.S. Army as a surgeon from 1917-1919. When he returned to the Philippines, he became a medical inspector for the Philippine Constabulary for 8 years (1926-1934). Pres. Manuel L. Quezon appointed him as Chief of Staff of the Philippine Constabulary and Philippine Army in 1939, elevating his rank to a general (he would rise to become a Brigadier General). Two years later, Basilio was appointed as Secretary of National Defense. During the Japanese period, he served under Pres. Jose P. Laurel as Secretary of Public Works. In the 1950s, he headed the family’s Hacienda del Carmen in Floridablanca, Pampanga, which is now known as barrio Valdes.

DR. WENCESLAO B. VITUG, Lubao

(b. 28 Sep. 1892/d. 7 Jan. 1986)

The son of Esteban and Juana Beltran, thefutur doctor went to local schools in Lubao and San Fernando, and finished at Pampanga High School. He earned his medical degree from the University of the Philippines in 1918, where he also taught after. He became a visiting physician of the Philippine General Hospital, where his expertise and skill became very much known. This was how the doctor met his future wife, Juanita Arrastia, Miss Pampanga of 1926, who accompanied her mother to PGH for her check-up, and who happened to be Dr. Vitug’s patient. The couple settled in Lubao, had 5 children, and became hacenderos. The Vitugs eventually moved to Manila.

DR. DALMACIO SONGCO, Guagua

(B.24 Sep. 1895/ d.19 ?)

Dr. Songco spent 4 years at the Escuela de Bellas Artes, then moved to the University of Santo Tomas for his medical degree which he finished in 1926. His education was paid for by Bulaqueño philanthropist, Dr. Felix de Leon. The artist-doctor made news when his exhibits at the Pampanga pavilion during the 1920 Manila Carnival were seized by the police. His framed artworks—which showed paintings of Philippine paper currency from one pesos to 500 pesos—were deemed as counterfeit.  Through the intercession of Gov. Honorio Ventura and Don Pablo Angeles David, all charges were dropped against Dr. Songco. During the great Philippine cholera epidemic of 1926, he volunteered to help at the San Lazaro Hospital. He also had a stint at the San Juan de Dios Hospital., eventually serving as president of the Sanitary Divisions of Cebu and Bataan. Dr. Songco married Julia Sanchez of Porac in 1917.

DR. RAFAEL L.  TEOPACO, San Fernando

(b. 24 Oct. 1896/d. ?)

The son of Jose and Albina Limjuco, the distinguished doctor began his early studies at the San Fernando Elementary School, then enrolled at the National University and the University of the Philippines. He took his internship at the Loyola University, training at the St. Mar Hospital, Chicago. From there, he visited the leading clinics of Europe. He placed 3^rd at the medical board exams ( 86% ) in 1928, and also placed 3^rd in the exams for Senior Surgeons (83%). Dr. Teopaco served at the Bontoc Provincial Hospital (1928), Baguio Hospital (1929), and as Director of the Pampanga Provincial Hospital in 1931. He is married to Demetria Genuino.

DR. CASTOR T. SURLA, Angeles

(b. 26 Mar. 1897/ d. ?)

Betis-born Surla, whose parents were Castor Sr. and Paula Tizon, relocated to Angeles for his schooling and stayed there permanently. He finished medicine at the University of Sto. Tomas in 1918, and took his residency at the San Juan de Dios Hospital. He likewise taught at the Escuela de Enfermeras in 1919 and headed the Ntra. Sra. Del Pilar Hospital in Zamboanga until 1920. In 1921, he became a longtime instructor at his alma mater, UST, teaching abdominal surgery and genito-urinary diseases.

DR. EMIGDIO C. CRUZ, Arayat

(b. 5 Aug. 1898-d. 1978)

Emigdio was born from the union of Jacinto Cruz, a Malabon rice trader and Andrea Castor, a Portuguese-Filipina from Candaba. His father, an ‘herbolario’ in Arayat, encouraged his children to take up science courses.  Indeed, 3 sons (Emigdio, Vicente and Cecilio) would become doctors. Emigdio himself, went to U.P., finishing Medicine only in 1929, at a rather late age of 31. After becoming one of the board topnotchers, he practiced in Arayat where he would meet his wife, Restituta Roque. Dr. Cruz is credited as the founder of Arayat General Hospital which he would serve as its medical director from 1935-38. He joined the Army and became a Captain of the Medical Corps in 1939.  As a result, he became Pres. Quezon's personal physician, whom he joined in exile in the U.S., until the president’s death. In 1946, he returned to the country with the Quezon family. Dr. Cruz is the recipient of the Philippine Congressional Medal of Valor and Distinguished Service Cross for his valiant WWII underground work.