<><><><><><><><><><><><> REMINISCENCES ON FRANCISCO T.

GESLANI, MD

ULYSSES M. CARBAJAL, MD Before World War II. My first impressions on Manong Francisco Geslani were formed when I was a freshman in 1938, at the Northern Luzon Academy in Artacho, Sison, Pangasinan. He was then a member of the senior class, the first batch to graduate from this school. He had become a role model to me. He deeply impressed me as a wellgroomed gentleman with a silver tongue. I still recall vividly the great words of warning he said, when he participated in an oratorical contest in the Northern Luzon Academy. A few hundred kilometers north of the Philippines lies the Japanese Empire, capable of blowing up its enemies into smithereens! (His intonation reminded me of the lilting style of the Pangasinan dialect, which was used also in our home). Those words of warning were confirmed when Japan invaded the Philippines in December, 1941. Post War. When he came to brush up in surgery training at Behrens Memorial Hospital in Glendale, May 28 1955, he wrote in my autograph: His Favorites Bible Text. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee. Color. White Song. What a Friend We Have in Jesus Recipe. Mongo beans with ampalaya (bitter melon) leaves Hobby. Photography His Message. It was nice to meet you here in the United States. We will always remember the wonderful time we have had together. Keep up the good work and hope to see you back in the

Philippines. Visitations with the Filipino Adventist Group. While observing surgeries in the Los Angeles area, Dr. Geslani took time to attend our Filipino Adventist Branch Sabbath School afternoon meetings, which were held in the youth Chapel of the Caucasian Adventist Church at 54th Street, #195556 He participated in the discussion of the Sabbath School lessons and even preached one afternoon. Jovita and I were then leading out in organization of the first Filipino Adventist Church in the United States. During the Filipino night cultural program in Long Beach, he attended the party in formal attire. The other guests in attendance were Miss Nellie Feree and Miss Ligaya Reyes (from the Manila Sanitarium and Hospital School of Nursing), Dr. and Mrs.Filemon Cabansag and Dr. Wilma Jamandre with her sister Rachel. We were all dressed in formal Philippine attire: Barong Tagalog for men and colorful Filipina dresses for women. Philippine food, folk songs, folk dancesall of these enlivened the program. Medical Education. He completed the premedicine at Philippine Union College (PUC) in 1940. He enrolled at the Afable College of Medicine, but was interrupted by the World War II. Determined to become a doctor, he braved the risks of war to continue his studies at Afable. Much later, I also continued Pre-Med at Afable. When Gen. Mac Arthur landed in Leyte, October 1944, the school closed, eventually to re-open the following year. Soon after, Manong Francisco graduated as a full-pledged physician, ready to serve his people in Malasiqui,

Pangasinan. Attracted by the Same Talented Lady. Back at PUC, I resumed my studies while waiting for the premedicine to be offered. It was during this time that I met Esther Same, who was enrolled in the BSN Program. Attracted by her intelligence and beauty, I started writing her letters of adoration. Meanwhile, Dr Geslani joined the delegates from Northern Luzon Mission to attend the North Philippine Union Mission Workers Conference in 1947. Then much to my surprise, I found out that my model hero had met Esther and was likewise attracted. This seemingly casual acquaintance progressed to a firmer friendship when Dr Geslani was hired to work with Dr William Richli, medical director of the newly re-opened Manila Sanitarium and Hospital (MSH). He was also assigned to hold clinics at the college clinic twice a week. I suddenly felt that he was more prepared to settle down in marriage than I. Moreover, I kind of felt awkward and embarrassed that I would be competing with my model hero. Providentially, the dilemma was mercifully solved when Esther wrote in the summer of 1948 in my autograph: We cannot all play the same instrument, but we can all be in the right key!!! This sentence ended with three apostrophes! Accordingly, they were married, November 14, 1948, at the Pasay Adventist English Church, officiated by Marvin E Lowen, president of the North Philippine Union Mission. Opening a Hospital in Mindanao. Dr Geslani was happy with his successful medical and surgical practice at MSH, while Esther enjoyed her work in the

business office and in the school of nursing. Then out of the clear blue sky came the call for Dr Geslani to start a hospital in Iligan City. This would be the second Adventist hospital in the Philippines. It was quite difficult for him to decide to accept the call, having never left home and country. Even Elder Adams, a much-respected pioneer missionary, could not convince him. It was Esther who, ultimately, inspired her husband to accept the call. A spacious lot in Tibanga, l kilometers from Iligan City had been purchased as site for the hospital, There was no budget to build the hospital except for the initial funds generated by the Lakeside Clinic pioneered by Dr Regalado Santos in Dansalan City. Dr Geslani had to travel 4:00 am in an overcrowded bus to make money in Dansalan after Dr Santos had been assigned for Cebu. Unable to stand wasting too much time and energy, he decided to put up a clinic in downtown Iligan City, a rented hotel room in the heart of the City. Funds poured in for continuing the construction of the hospital. This was soon opened under the name of Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital. Another Hospital for the Visayas. The next project was the putting up of another hospital in Cebu City, the pride of the south and center of commerce for the Visayas and Mindanao. A two-story building was constructed by the Adventist church members in Cebu City before the arrival of the Dr and Mrs Geslani. It was named Miller Sanitarium and Hospital to honor Dr Harry W. Miller, known the world over for thyroid surgery and as Father of the Soy Milk Industry. God blest the work despite the presence of some 25

other hospitals in the area, and expanded to a hundred-bed facility and a school of nursing, the second such school run by Adventists in the Philippines. Assistance in the PMA Election 1968. During my second bid for the PMA presidency, Dr Geslani volunteered his assistance by encouraging PMA members in Cebu to attend the PMA convention in Iloilo City. He arranged also for the transportation and accommodation of a number of them. Children among My Singers. It is noteworthy that his children had been active members of my singing group in Pasay City, while taking the premedical course and nursing course, respectively. Expanding the Bacolod Sanitarium and Hospital. It was a mighty challenge for Dr Geslani to take over the directorship of Bacolod Sanitarium and Hospital in Bacolod City, succeeding Dr W G Dick and Dr R W Spalding, both American missionaries. When I joined the team of medical missioners from Southern California in l990, Dr Geslani took time to give me a tour of the place. The clinical division of the School of Nursing of Central Philippines Adventist College is there. Happily and proudly, he showed me the nursing administrative building named after his wife, two student dormitories, and a church chapel. He requested me to speak during the prayer meeting, where over a hundred students, faculty, and staff members attended. I could not help but recall how the good Lord had fulfilled his promise in Romans 8:28 in our liveshow in all things God works for the good of those who love Him. Last Visit at Central Filipino Church. Since their

retirement, Francisco and Esther have been on tour round the world and also spent time visiting their children in the US. During our last year at the Highland Park CA, 1991, together with Bevan and Ladelle, they visited our Central Filipino Church (CFC). During lunch time, we had a lot of fun, reminiscing on the past. Pictures were taken of our group, and a copy of this has been included in my autobiography All Things for Good. An Unwelcome Discovery. In May 1995, they left for the United States to visit their children and then proceed to Utrecht, Netherlands, for the general conference. They were all looking eagerly forward to their being all together as a family in Europe. Unfortunately, their daughter Ladelle and her family could not get any booking. Returning to Texas from Europe their daughter took them for a tour to Branson MO to see some familyoriented shows. They enjoyed very much the violin talent show. On their way to the hotel, Dr Geslani discovered a lymph node on his right clavicular area. They had to cut short their tour and returned to Dallas, where biopsy was done. The result disclosed cancer! They dropped by at Loma Linda Medical Center for further examination. CT scans revealed the same result. They returned to Los Angeles where a big farewell party was quickly prepared by relatives and friends from Iligan, Cebu, and Bacolod at the Filipino church in Pasadena CA. Back to the Philippine. Upon reaching home, at the Bacolod Sanitarium and Hospital compound, he lost no time looking for the biggest television set for the Mark Finley Seminar. He never missed a night

during the 5-week series; he witnessed joyfully the first baptism. Completely trusting in Gods love and guidance, he refused to undergo any medical, surgical, or chemotherapy intervention. He had seen patients suffering with Ca of the lungs, and was prepared to go through it. He started coughing on October 19, 1995, being confined in bed until his death at 3:55 pm of Sunday, December 10, 1995. He died in Esthers loving arms. Concluding Thoughts. The life of this courageous man of God has served as an inspiration to me through the years. The message he had penned in my autograph in 1955 kept reminding me to return to serve our people in the Philippines. Moreover, his complete resignation to Gods will is worthy of emulation. This brief presentation also underscores the importance of sharing life with one who possesses a solid and unshakable faith in God.