The first ever Aesculapius' Challenge was held last September 15, 1999 at the UERM College Auditorium at 4 p.m. Participants came from the Ateneo de Manila University which sent two teams, De La Salle University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila with two teams, University of the East - Ramon Magsaysay College of Physical Therapy, University of the East Recto, University of the Philippines BS Psychology, University of Santo Tomas College of Pharmacy represented by three teams, the UST College of Physical Therapy, and the UST College of Science.

With quizmaster brod Anacleto Baizas Diaz, the contest went on smoothly with questions flashed on the wall via an LCD projector. The elimination round was composed of easy and difficult categories and after 25 questions in this round, the top five teams emerged: Ateneo de Manila Team A with 115 points, UST CS with 115 points, PLM Team A with 110 points, UST Pharma Team A with 140 points, and UST PT with 125 pts.

These five teams went on to the Final round, made more challenging with incorrect answers given 5 point deductions from the score. After 15 questions, UST PT emerged as the Aesculapius' Challenge champion with 75 points, UST CS was first runner up with 70 points, and Ateneo Team A came in third with 65 points. The contestants representing UST PT were given a plaque, medals, gift products from sponsors plus P5,000. UST CS and Ateneo also received plaques, medals, gift products plus P2000 and P1000, respectively. The other two finalists were given certificates of recognition.

Able judges for the event included brods Dr. Robert Buhain from the Dept. of Anatomy, Dr. Jason Penaranda, and Dr. Minerva Galang from the Dept. of Pharmacology. In special attendance were our brods Dr. Romeo Encanto of the Dept. of Surgery and Dr. Benjamin Policarpio, Head of the Dept. of Medicine.

(see pictures from the event)