What year did you graduate from the UPCM and how would you describe your batch?

UPCM Class 1998.  My class has developed into a cohesive group of generous alumni who use what we learned from UPCM to the service of our countrymen.

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As the newly elected Chancellor of UP Manila what is first on your agenda?

We offer an IDEA:

Innovations for Life-long Learning Dedicated to Service

Discovery and Research

Environment that Nurtures our Mind and Body

Accessible UP Leadership

The first step would be to gather support for planning, organizing and implementing action items to make these ideas into reality.

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What is your dream travel destination or the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken?

The most memorable was in Florida when I presented the first UPM paper at the American College of Rheumatology.  It inspired me to explore ideas that are important to local and international stakeholders.

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Who or what inspired you to become a doctor?

Watching "Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko" with my mother, and my father's near-constant reminder of "so you can help the people."

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During challenging times (like the recent pandemic) how did you keep motivated?

Working with people who are similarly inspired to meet the challenges we all trained to respond to kept me motivated.  

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As a child, what did you enjoy doing during your summer vacations?

Selling pan de sal and being allowed to own the side business of selling "palaman".

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What was the last book you read or what is your favorite book?

Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Luo Guanzhong)

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How did UPCM prepare you for the rigors of practicing medicine in the real world?

Our faculty, classmates/schoolmates, admin staff, and patients provided daily opportunities to learn and relearn. We all have been exposed to the possibility of being a 5-star physician.  It is really up to us to pursue which "tip of the star" we want to really pursue.  In my case, the opportunity to stay in the college as a faculty member allowed me to try each -- Teacher, Clinician, Counselor, Social Advocate, Researcher

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What do you think is the biggest challenge ahead of you in your new position as UP Manila Chancellor?

Balance.  Every decision made has to be made with all complementing and competing interests in mind.  The context and decisions made should stand the test of internal consistency.  Decisions will be precedents and the community must be assured we act with wisdom and consistency.

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What piece of advice can you give the new students who enter the UPCM?

UP education will open doors of opportunities. But the way we handle relationships will be crucial to maximizing the benefits these opportunities will bring.

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*Dr. Michael L. Tee, this year’s UPMAS President, has recently been selected as UP Manila’s 10th Chancellor.

He is a Rheumatologist who has authored 60+ journal articles and book chapters.

Prior to his appointment he served

as Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development of UP Manila, Assistant to the Director for Public Affairs and PGH Spokesperson, and as Professor 6 in the UP College of Medicine.

Dr. Tee is married to his classmate Cherica, a Pediatric Rheumatologist.

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-by Dr. Cecile Clemente-Ocampo

UPMAS PRO 2023