What ??????? Yes, PUA will be organizing a PUA Gun Club. Under the guidance of Dr Zerrudo and Dr Patron, three series of familiarization firing sessions were conducted recently. Drs. Rey Dela Cruz, Mars Morales, Jun Gerial, Steve Lim, Raffy Agudera accompanied by Medical Center colleagues attended the activities. Dr Zerrudo and Dr Patron realized the importance of the formation of a gun club. The main objective is to develop camaraderie among its members and install good sportsmanship, self-discipline and self-reliance. It aims to provide better knowledge on the responsible use, safe handling and proper care offirearms. Furthermore, it is a prerequisite to facilitate more expeditious and legal processing of pertinent documents prior to possession of personal firearms.
It all started when the urologists from the AFP Medical Center organized a shootfest at the Fort Bonifacio Shooting Range through the leadership of Dr. Bernardo Cabatingan. This was held twice this year, the initial event was mostly participated by the consultants and residents of the AFPMC. Everyone enjoyed the activity, firing .45 caliber pistols and M-16 armalite rifles. This was supervised by a range officer and participants were supposed to follow a course of fire under time factor. We all went home satisfied with the hope that this can be repeated.
The 24th PUA Midyear Convention was successfully held last April 10-12 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City. Sanctuary to the Philippine Monkey Eating Eagle and home to the famous Durian, Davao played host to urologists who flocked to this City with families and significant others (friends, golf sets, etc.) in tow.
The theme for this April meeting was, “The Battle Ground Against GU Cancer: Are we ready for Stem Cell?”. And it was once
The urologist in Cebu and Eastern Visayas area formed a chapter named as PUA-Central and Eastern Visayas Chapter (PUA-CEVC) and was officially recognized as a bonafide member of the Philippine Urological Association during the third quarter of 2009 by the present PUA-president, Dennis P. Serrano. Its territorial jurisdiction includesCebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Leyte and Samar Islands.
What is ACLU? It stands for the Association of Central Luzon Urologists. It’s a name we have coined for the group of urologists whose main practice is within the 3rd Region of this beloved country. This includes those from Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.
If my figures are right, Central Luzon comes second to the NCR with regards to the number of urologists practicing in the Philippines. And the number is growing steadily. In Pampanga alone, the number of our colleagues has risen from 10 in 2006 to 13. Aside from this, several graduates fresh from their training in Manila have chosen to come back to their roots in the nearby provinces such as Bulacan, Tarlac and Bataan.
For this year alone, under the stewardships of Dr Nelson Patron and Dr Ariel Zerrudo – our PUA Gun Club has conducted seven (7) shooting-spree events counting on the forthcoming tournament on 22nd of this month for the Annual PUA Gun Club tournament. The former six (6) events were conducted through continuous assistance and coordination of Dr Jun Cabatingan and the AFPMC Uro-Staff through the able support of our pharmaceutical friends.
Christmas Season in the Philippines starts on the first of September, the beginning of the “BER” months. Suddenly, there is a palpable mood shift from negative to positive in great anticipation of the festive glow of the coming months. It continues to be a colorful Yuletide season this year as the public is bombarded daily with shades of yellow, orange, blue, green (so far) and brown (for the usual mudslinging). I am, of course, referring to the different political parties vying for the public’s support in next year’s Presidential Election. This multi-colored scenario, however, reeks of divisiveness and a profound lack of humility and love of nation among the candidates. Most are deluded with the thought that he or she is the solution to our many problems. And why not? Amid widespread corruption and loss of credibility in the present leadership, the prospect of someone, anyone for that matter against the status quo is welcome.
Spearheaded by photo-guru, Dr. Lester Garcia, the official camera club of the PUA was formed and named, fittingly, SILIP for mgaSiruhanosaIhiLagingInteresadosaPhotografia or SILIP Photography Club, Inc. with SEC Registration # CN 200907067.
Born of the need to satisfy the photographic urges of the PUA members and friends, SILIP was the answer to a call to expand and broaden the non-academic horizons of the PUA members. An answer to educate and improve the photographic techniques of the camera bugs and an opportunity to bridge the ever widening relationships among the rapidly growing number of PUA members.
The water was good, the sun was summer but the water sports activity was the best. It was the best because it was well attended by the different institutions. Residents and consultants teamed up for the fun, competition, camaraderie, and for the prize and glory. It was also a time for knowing other urologist and a time to renew old friendship.