August 2, 2025, Manila, Philippines — The Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC) celebrated a major milestone as its Institute of Urology marked 15 years of pioneering service, visionary leadership, and unwavering dedication to urologic excellence. Held at the CGHMC Auditorium, the event brought together hospital executives, physicians, fellows, students, and guests in a ceremony filled with reflection, pride, and a renewed commitment to shaping the future of urologic care in the Philippines.
Grounded in Growth: Leadership’s Commitment to Excellence
Opening the event, Mr. Antonio Tan, Chairman of the Philippine Chinese Charitable Association, Inc. (PCCAI), reflected on the Institute’s beginnings. “The Institute of Urology was borne out of a dream — one rooted in the hope of delivering world-class urologic care to those who need it most,” he said. “This milestone is a testament to the countless lives touched, the barriers overcome, and the enduring community we have built.”
He urged the CGHMC community to move forward with purpose: “Let this 15-year mark remind us not just of how far we’ve come, but of how much more we can achieve when we remain true to our core values of compassion, excellence, and service.”
CGHMC President and CEO Mr. Kelly Sia echoed this sentiment, calling the Institute of Urology one of the hospital’s most transformative endeavors. “This is not just a celebration of years. This is a celebration of people — of vision, grit, and the remarkable transformation that happens when dreams, backed by belief, are turned into action,” he said.
Mr. Sia highlighted how the Institute’s culture of innovation and leadership has extended far beyond its operating rooms. “What defines this Institute are its people — individuals who think forward, work with discipline, and often carry their leadership beyond the clinic and into the broader life of the hospital. We don’t just mark a timeline — we honor a movement.”
A Legacy Rooted in Vision and Service
CGHMC Medical Director Dr. Samuel Ang offered a heartfelt reflection on the value of training in institutional growth. “We have to train young people. That’s how we move beyond being a community hospital,” he said, acknowledging urology pioneers in CGHMC such as Dr. Fernando Parreño and Dr. Michael Macalalag, and highlighting Dr. Apol Lasala as an example of a trainee surpassing his mentors.
Dr. Johnson L. Sy, Director of the CGHMC Institute of Urology, presented a commemorative video chronicling the Institute’s journey. He traced the Institute’s growth — from its founding under Dr. Fernando Parreño in 2010 to its designation as a full department in 2023. “CGHMC Urology was granted Institute status in 2010 and designated as a department on January 1, 2023,” he noted. “But to be duly a department, we need to be an independent training institution.”
He highlighted recent milestones, including the International UroCamp and the launch of the Urologic Oncology Fellowship with UST in 2022. “We shared our experience in minimally invasive surgery with our Southeast Asian counterparts,” he said, also noting academic initiatives such as strategic planning, lay fora, and the Uro-Oncolympics. This year’s event marked the second Uro-Oncolympics — an inter-institutional quiz competition held in the afternoon, where twelve participating training centers engaged in spirited and friendly academic rivalry.
“Our operations rarely go below 150 cases a month,” Dr. Sy shared, adding that charity cases have grown from five to 30 monthly. With technologies like the Koelis Trinity Fusion Biopsy System — the first in Southeast Asia — and the Da Vinci Robotic System, the Institute continues to lead in innovation.
Lessons from the Path: Wisdom for the Next Generation
In an inspiring segment titled “The Paths in Life,” Dr. Juliano Z.K. Panganiban, Urologic Surgeon and Director of Patient and Public Relations Services, reflected on how doctors arrive at their chosen specialties — either by carefully shaping a path over time or by seizing unexpected opportunities. He reminded graduates that no matter how their journey unfolds, what matters is committing to the path they choose and persevering through its challenges. Success, he noted, is forged over time — and often through difficulty — by those who embrace their calling with discipline, passion, and determination.
Dr. Panganiban candidly shared his own experience of wanting to pursue pediatric surgery, only to take a leap of faith into urology when the opportunity arose — a decision that defined his career. He said: “Once made, the die is cast for you to be the best in this choice of career path and to be the best in your consultancy years. I feel that I made that right decision 39 years ago.” In an age where the medical landscape is shifting toward convenience and balance, he challenged the next generation to embrace the discipline of the past. “The art of becoming a physician is a magnificent and noble path — forged by fire,” he said. “Take that path that is difficult now… and you will be a better physician, a more experienced clinician, and a more satisfied and successful person tomorrow.”
He closed with a tribute to Dr. Fernando Parreño, a pillar of the CGHMC Institute of Urology, whose legacy continues to guide generations. “He was the epitome of a gentleman urologist — a teacher, a mentor, a confidant, and a ninong to many. For our younger colleagues, it is our hope that you would also follow this path. Because as we, the older generation, muse — you will be taking care of us in the future, and we want you to be better than the best.”
From Milestone to Movement: A Vision for the Future
The culminating lecture, “The CGHMC Institute of Urology: A Journey of Vision, Innovation, and Healing,” was delivered by Dr. Jason Letran, Urologic Surgeon and Director of Clinical Operations and the Robocare Surgical Center. In a powerful retrospective, Dr. Letran, recognized for performing the country’s first robotic prostate cancer surgery in 2010, chronicled the Institute’s evolution from its modest beginnings in 1998 to its current stature as a national leader in subspecialty care and robotic urologic surgery.
“This progress was never driven by one individual,” he emphasized. “It was forged through a shared commitment to excellence — by physicians, administrators, and leaders who believed that long-term growth was worth investing in.” From the first laparoscopic video tower to nearly 500 robotic procedures by 2025, every milestone, he noted, reflected a relentless pursuit of innovation grounded in purpose and patient-centered values. “The Institute was never just about constructing a physical space,” Dr. Letran said. “It was about constructing an identity — one built on excellence, integrity, and a bold, collective vision.”
As part of the celebration, the Institute also unveiled its new logo: a symbol that reflects both its legacy and its future. Featuring paired genitourinary structures, the design speaks to the Institute’s dual commitment to surgical precision and compassionate care. At its center lies the CGHMC insignia, grounding the Institute firmly within the values of the hospital it calls home. More than a visual update, the new emblem encapsulates the Institute’s identity, its mission of excellence and innovation, and its enduring promise to serve patients with integrity and purpose.
Looking ahead, Dr. Letran outlined a compelling and future-oriented vision: “What lies ahead for the CGHMC Institute of Urology is not just more procedures or technologies — it is institutional legacy building. We envision a future where: Robotics is not the exception, but the standard; training is not limited to our halls, but cascades nationally through fellowships and partnerships; outcomes are not just anecdotal, but data-driven and globally benchmarked.” As he concluded, “We didn’t just follow a path. We built one. And the best is still ahead.”
The 15th anniversary celebration was more than a tribute to past achievements — it was a bold statement of purpose for the future. With visionary leadership, a deepening academic mission, and an unwavering commitment to patient-centered care, the CGHMC Institute of Urology stands ready not just to grow, but to shape the future of urologic care in the Philippines — and set new benchmarks beyond its borders.
For inquiries on urologic care, contact the CGHMC Institute of Urology at (02) 8711-4141 local 538. To learn more, visit www.cghmc.com.ph.
