A founder of the UP Medical Alumni Society in America (UPMASA) pledged a professorial chair for the coming UP Mindanao medical education program in the UPMASA team’s first visit to UP Mindanao on February 4, 2025. Dr. Cosme Cagas, a pediatrician and endocrinologist based in Illinois, stated this offer in a meeting with UP Mindanao Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao and UP Mindanao Foundation (UPMFI) trustees.
Dr. Cagas was accompanied by his daughter, Elcee Cagas Conner, and some friends and relatives.
The above photo shows the visiting and welcoming parties composed of (left-right) Christopher Conner, Maria Rivera, Linda Cagas, Ma. Priscilla Eckert, Elcee Cagas Conner, Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao, Dr. Cosme Cagas, Prof. Larry Digal, Dr. Celia Castillo, Zony Reyes, Carmela San Diego, Dr. Espiridion Reyes, and Vice Chancellor for Administration Leo Manuel Estaña.
The parties held a sit-down meeting at the Office of the Chancellor with the active participation of (left-right, in above photo) UPMFI president Zony Reyes, UPMASA founder Dr. Cosme Cagas, Ms. Maria Priscilla Eckert, Chancellor Lyre Murao, Ms. Elcee Cagas Conner, UPMFI vice-president Dr. Celia Castillo, and student affairs director Assoc. Prof. Ma. Stella Salazar.
“Here in UP Mindanao, we are going to expand our programs to make it a comprehensive university,” said Chancellor Murao. “That includes opening new programs for medicine and engineering. These are some of the big projects we are envisioning for the university, and any help that the alumni can render to us for our students will be much appreciated,” she said.
Ms. Elcee Conner, founder of the UPMASA Auxiliary, said “I am honored to be here at the historic first visit of UPMASA to the UP Mindanao campus.” She thanked Dr. Celia Castillo for creating the link between UPMFI and UPMASA. “Dr. Celia is a good friend of Dr. Henry Echiverri, current head of UPMASA, and his wife Susan,” she said.
“As UP alumni, we were the fire behind the establishment of UP Mindanao here in Davao City,” said Dr. Castillo. “We established the UPMFI to attract professors from the different UP constituent universities and help indigent students. Now, because of the coming UP Mindanao medicine program, we are urged to approach UPMASA. We now have six scholarships from my UPCM class of ’79 classmates and Susan and Henry Echiverri,” she said.
In response, Ms. Conner said, “That is very admirable. I would now like to add three scholarships from myself,” she said. “And you, too, Ms. Priscilla,” she said.
Ms. Priscilla Eckert, for her part, offered accommodations for students, faculty, and guests in her guest house in a nearby subdivision. “It is not a business decision. It is my mission to help our students,” she said. She disclosed being born in Kidapawan, Cotabato Province but has worked abroad. “I’m one of the sponsors of scholars of the University of Illinois, so why not in the University of the Philippines?” she said. She pledged to return in June to further her offer.
Finally, Ms. Conner said, “Allow me to introduce the man who had a vision some 40 years ago to unite the medical graduates of the University of the Philippines in the US to do something for the motherland, Dr. Cosme Cagas.”
“Madame chancellor, ladies, it is very heartening that my daughter has brought an effort to sponsor scholarships,” said Dr. Cagas. “For myself, when you open the College of Medicine, I would like to create a professorial chair in pediatric endocrinology and metabolism,” he said.
“We are so excited for that,” said Chancellor Murao.
“This is an answered prayer,” said UPMFI president Zony Reyes. “Because, even college admission test passers face the dilemma of how they can come to study here when they are from faraway places. Our scholarships serve to bring them here, and your scholarships will add to the number,” she said.
Student affairs director Salazar assured the donors of the proper management of their scholarship and housing offers. “We shall do our part in administering the scholarship and support offerings,” she said.
The meeting ended with assurances of communication and an exchange of contact information.
The above photo shows (left-right) Dr. Reyes, Assoc. Prof. Salazar, Ms. Reyes, Dr. Cagas, Chancellor Murao, Elcee Cagas Conner, Dr. Celia Castillo, Ma. Priscilla Eckert, Linda Cagas, Carmela San Diego, and VC Estaña.
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