Michael Tan
{{Distinguish|Keith Micah Tan}} {{short description|Filipino medical anthropologist, veterinarian, writer, and professor}}
{{for multi|the Filipino actor|Mike Tan|the Filipino politician|Reynolds Michael Tan}}
{{Philippine name|Lim|Tan}}
{{use mdy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Michael Tan
| image = Dr Michael L Tan.jpg
| imagesize = 200px
| caption = Michael L. Tan
| office1 = 10th Chancellor of the
University of the Philippines Diliman
| president1 = {{ublist | Alfredo E. Pascual | Danilo Concepcion}}
| term_start1 = March 1, 2014
| term_end1 = March 1, 2020
| predecessor1 = Caesar Saloma
| successor1 = Fidel Nemenzo
| order2 = Dean of the
University of the Philippines
College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
| office2 =
| term_end2 = February 2014
| predecessor2 =
| successor2 =
| order3 = Chair of the
Department of Anthropology,
University of the Philippines
College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
| office3 =
| term_start3 = 2001
| term_end3 = 2010
| predecessor3 =
| successor3 =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1952|09|12}}[http://albumacademicum.uva.nl/id/id055366 M.L. Tan, 1952]. University of Amsterdam
| birth_place = Caloocan, Rizal, Philippines
| death_date =
| death_place =
| education = Ateneo de Manila University
University of San Francisco
University of the Philippines Diliman (DVM, 1977)
Texas A&M University (M.A., 1982)
University of Amsterdam (PhD, 1996)
| residence =
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Medical anthropologist
- professor
- author
- newspaper columnist
- veterinarian
}}
| nationality = Filipino
| spouse = Angela Choi
| children =
| website =
| module = {{Infobox scientist | embed = yes
| workplaces = University of the Philippines Diliman
National Academy of Science and Technology
| field = Medical anthropology
| thesis_title = Magaling na gamot: pharmaceuticals and the construction of power and knowledge in the Philippines
| thesis_url =
| thesis_year = 1996
| doctoral_advisor = Sjaak Van Der Geest
| academic_advisors =
| doctoral_students =
| notable_students =
| known_for =
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| influenced =
}}
}}
Michael Lim Tan (born 1952) is a Filipino medical anthropologist, veterinarian, and writer who is currently a professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UP Diliman) College of Social Sciences and Philosophy.{{cite news |last1=Magsino |first1=Dona |title=Public health campaign vs. spitting must be intensified amid COVID-19, says UP prof |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/738365/public-health-campaign-vs-spitting-must-be-intensified-amid-covid-19-says-up-prof/story/ |accessdate=May 17, 2020 |agency=GMA News |date=May 15, 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517214106/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/738365/public-health-campaign-vs-spitting-must-be-intensified-amid-covid-19-says-up-prof/story/ |archivedate=May 17, 2020}} Tan served as the chancellor of UP Diliman from 2014 to 2020.
Prior to his appointment as UPD chancellor, Tan was already well known for his work among non-governmental organizations in the Philippines, and for his column Pinoy Kasi, which appears twice a week in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
On February 27, 2014, the University of the Philippines Board of Regents appointed Tan to serve as the chancellor of the University of the Philippines Diliman,[http://www.up.edu.ph/new-up-diliman-chancellor-appointed/ New UP Diliman Chancellor appointed] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110110642/http://www.up.edu.ph/new-up-diliman-chancellor-appointed/ |date=2015-01-10 }}. University of the Philippines where he was serving as Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP). Tan initially served as Chancellor from March 1, 2014, to February 28, 2017, then a second term that lasted until March 1, 2020 when the Board of Regents reappointed him. {{Cite web|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/tan-retained-diliman-chancellor/309559/|title=Tan retained as UP Diliman chancellor|author=Dempsey Reyes|website=manilatimes.net|date=29 January 2017|accessdate=21 March 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/159581-michael-tan-reappointed-up-diliman-chancellor|title=Michael Tan reappointed as UP Diliman chancellor|website=rappler.com|date=26 January 2017|accessdate=21 March 2017}}
Tan has authored numerous books and articles, often focusing on: indigenous medical beliefs, sex and sexuality, reproductive and sexual health (particularly HIV/AIDS), pharmaceuticals, and health policy issues.{{Citation
| last1 = Brummelhuis
| first1 = Han ten
| author-link1 =
| last2 = Herdt
| first2 = Gilbert H.
| author2-link = Gilbert Herdt
| title = Culture and Sexual Risk: Anthropological Perspectives on AIDS
| place =
| publisher = Routledge
| year = 1995
| volume =
| edition =
| url =
| doi =
| id =
| isbn = 2-88449-131-7}}{{Citation
| last =
| first =
| authorlink =
| title = Background
| work = Summer Institute on Sexuality, Society and Culture Website
| publisher = Summer Institute on Sexuality, Society and Culture
| date =
| url=http://www.ishss.uva.nl/SummerInstitute/background.htm
| doi =
Education and early career
The son of Julio Tan and Apolonia Nieves Lim,{{Cite thesis |last=Tan |first= Michael Lim |title= Social Structure and the Traditional Medical System |type=Master of Arts Thesis |url=http://anthropology.tamu.edu/papers/Tan-MA1982.pdf |year= 1982 |publisher= Texas A&M University |accessdate= 2014-02-27}} Tan grew up in the City of San Juan, Metro Manila, where he had his early education at the Xavier School, a private Catholic college preparatory school for boys run by the Society of Jesus' Philippine Province, graduating in 1969.
He majored in biology at the Ateneo de Manila University, then transferred to the University of San Francisco, taking up the same degree. He eventually got a degree in veterinary medicine from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1977, and from there he pursued a career as a veterinarian, which included a brief teaching stint at the veterinary school of Araneta University (now De La Salle Araneta University), before moving on "to human public health and pharmacology...and eventually, medical anthropology."{{Citation |last = Tan |first = Michael |author-link = Michael Tan |title = Pinoy Kasi: Vet Med at 100 |newspaper = Philippine Daily Inquirer |date = June 18, 2008 |url = http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20080618-143273/Vet-Med-at-100 |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131203234220/http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20080618-143273/Vet-Med-at-100 |archivedate = December 3, 2013 }}
Tan also works with the Ateneo de Manila University, "teaching doctors to be more sensitive to the social and cultural aspects of healthcare."
He earned a Master of Arts in Anthropology from the Texas A&M University in 1982, and then obtained his PhD in social and political science from the Medical Anthropology Unit of the University of Amsterdam in 1996.Millan, Wendell (2013, July 1). [https://prezi.com/4v6ybrdvm_ai/michael-tan/ Michael Tan].[Online Prezi Presentation] http://prezi.com/4v6ybrdvm_ai/michael-tan/
Academic career
= Election to the National Academy of Science and Technology =
In 2012, Tan was elected member of the Philippines' National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), the country's highest advisory body in matters of science and technology.Salazar, Tessa R. (2012). [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/316287/inquirer-columnist-elected-to-academy-of-science Inquirer columnist elected to academy of science]. Philippine Daily Inquirer
The citation that came with his election lauded him for his “sustained outstanding scientific research, teaching, advocacy and development work,” particularly in his “consistent efforts to revitalize scientific research on and in the use of traditional medicine, develop rational drug policies, and [understand] the social and behavioral dimensions of HIV/AIDS prevention and of reproductive health promotion.”
= Appointment to the University of the Philippines Diliman Chancellorship =
On February 27, 2014, the University of the Philippines Board of Regents appointed Tan to serve as the next chancellor of the University of the Philippines Diliman,Cuevas-Miel, Likha (2014, February 27). [http://www.interaksyon.com/article/81646/social-science-dean-pdi-columnist-michael-tan-voted-as-new-up-diliman-chancellor Social science dean, PDI columnist Michael Tan appointed as new UP Diliman chancellor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303000232/http://www.interaksyon.com/article/81646/social-science-dean-pdi-columnist-michael-tan-voted-as-new-up-diliman-chancellor |date=March 3, 2014 }}. InterAksyon where he currently serves as Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP). The announcement stated that Tan will serve as Chancellor from March 1, 2014, to February 28, 2017.
When Tan presented his vision at the public fora for nominees to the UP Diliman chancellorship on Jan. 23, 2014, he noted that it was important for UP to “go beyond resting on laurels,” and instead live up to its mandate as a national university.
The Tinig ng Plaridel, the official student publication of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication, reported that Tan said he "would focus on creating a safe, interconnected and nurturing environment that will enable students to shape the world around them."Guerra, A. C. & Samson, C. I. (2014, January 29). [http://www.tinigngplaridel.net/news/2014/six-chancellor-nominees-present-vision/ Six chancellor nominees present vision for UPD]. Tinig ng Plaridel
The Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted him as saying:Sabillo, K. A. (2014, February 27). [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/581046/michael-tan-new-up-diliman-chancellor Michael Tan new UP Diliman chancellor]. Philippine Daily Inquirer
:“My vision is of a UP that takes its place as a national university, a place to nurture not just brightness but diversity. UP Diliman must show the way in transdisciplinary initiatives in teaching, our graduates grounded in the liberal arts, able to see and appreciate the poetry in mathematics, as well as the mathematics in poetry.... I envision a UP in terms of a shared culture of academic citizenship built on collegiality, a sense of justice and fairness, and ethics.”
The Philippine Collegian, UP Diliman's official student newspaper, reported that Tan had won the appointment by seven votes. Other nominees who got votes from the three remaining regents were incumbent UP Diliman Chancellor Dr. Caesar Saloma, and UP Center for Women's Studies Director Dr. Sylvia Claudio.Geronimo, Jee Y. (2014, February 27). [http://www.rappler.com/nation/51702-michael-tan-up-diliman-chancellor Michael Tan is next UP Diliman chancellor]. Rappler
Tan's term ended on March 1, 2020, and was succeeded by former Vice Chancellor for Research and Development Fidel Nemenzo.{{cite news |title=Nemenzo is the new UP Diliman Chancellor |url=https://upd.edu.ph/nemenzo-is-the-new-up-diliman-chancellor/ |accessdate=March 2, 2020 |agency=University of the Philippines Diliman |publisher=UPDate Diliman |date=March 1, 2020}}
Writing
Although he is now best known for his work as a columnist, Tan was already a well recognized writer among academics and NGO workers when he began his Pinoy Kasi columns for the Philippine Daily Inquirer in May 1997.{{Citation
| last = Tan
| first = Michael
| authorlink = Michael Tan
| title = Revisiting Usog, Pasma, Kulam
| publisher = University of the Philippines Press
| year = 2008
| location = Quezon City
| pages = 178
| doi =
| id =
| isbn = 978-971-542-570-4}}
Profiling him as an awardee Dr. Jose P. Rizal Awards of Excellence in 2005, the Manila Times and the Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran Foundation noted that:
:Through his writings, Tan encourages readers to think out of the box and critically on social issues. Topics on family relationships, gender and generation issues, care for the environment and even for family pets trigger readers’ responses and often become topics in many dinner discussions... His writings (both academic and popular ones) disseminate crucial information that affects lives.
= "Pinoy Kasi" =
In the maiden article of his Philippine Daily Inquirer column, he proposed "A middle way of looking at Filipino culture, avoiding one extreme of protracted Lenten self-flagellation that could see nothing good in the Filipino, but also being mature enough to talk about our faults."{{Citation
|last = Tan
|first = Michael
|author-link = Michael Tan
|title = Pinoy Kasi: Columns published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer
|url = http://pinoykasi.homestead.com/}}
Regarding the choice of name, he explained further:
:At that time, I thought that "Pinoy Kasi" would reflect the middle way, sometimes uttered in despair, exasperation, even shame but also... I hoped it would be more often said in awe, wonder, and pride.
= "Sense and Science" =
In February 2013, Tan also began a blog for GMA News Online, titled "Sense and Science".Tan, M. L. (2013, February 7). [http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/293943/scitech/science/sense-and-science-a-scientist-s-thoughts-on-life-and-blogging Sense and Science: A scientist's thoughts on life and blogging.] GMA News Online
References
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Category:Filipino anthropologists
Category:Texas A&M University alumni
Category:Ateneo de Manila University alumni
Category:University of Amsterdam alumni
Category:University of the Philippines Diliman alumni
Category:Academic staff of the University of the Philippines
Category:People from San Juan, Metro Manila