A bright Friday morning of September 25, 2009 served as the prelude to the ceremony. Right in front of the newly opened DDC Food Court were three small balete trees. The gathering's purpose was to witness the first ever Commemorative Tree Planting by the past and present presidents of the Davao Doctors College.

Just as the presidents were about to plant their trees, a drizzle disturbed the waiting crowd of faculty, staff and students. But the drizzle construed to be blessings for the day did not hamper the ceremony. Wearing wide-brimmed buri hats, the presidents took each a shovel to put in soil to cover the base of the tree being planted.

Dr. Jose Gantioque, Jr. was the first president of the College from 1975 until 1994. Dr. Gantioque's tree was planted on his behalf by Dr. Gerino Pañgan. Dr. Heminio A. Villano, Sr. planted his tree in remembrance of his 12 successful years as president of the college beginning Nov. 1995 till Nov. 2006. Dr. Rizalina Mitra-Pañgan who assumed presidency in Nov. 2006 - to date gladly planted her tree as the members of the Executive Council gathered around the area.

After the presidents have covered the trees with soil, each one in the assembly also carried a packet of soil, made a silent wish “ for good health and fruitful years for DDC” and added the soil around the tree.

The Tree-membrance Planting Activity, another first in the history of DDC, was conceived by Dr. Pañgan. Trees, the president said, are symbols of life and growth which are similarly symbolic of the significant contributions of the presidents to the life and growth of the college as a whole. She further said that these trees will not only make us remember the presidents of the college but also enhance the greening and beautification of the campus.

With these trees we celebrate the good that the presidents have done in this institution. We are confident that the trees will grow such as the knowledge of the thousands of students who for many years have passed through DDC's portals and grew.