Ramon Sison

Born and raised in a small town in the Philippines Ramon showed dancing and musical talents at an early age His parents Florentina and Salustiano Sison conservative landowners with substantial landholdings encouraged him to become a doctor but discouraged him from the uncertainties of pursuing a musical or showbiz career He followed his parents advice However he could not refuse when offered a role in a movie and later opportunities to play the piano and act in radio and television programs while attending the University of the Philippines premed and medical school in Manila After obtaining his medical degree in 1955 he went to Georgetown University for postdoctoral specialization He practiced medicine in the midWest for nine years where he played piano in a jazz band with medical colleagues in Springfield Illinois During those years he also played double bass with the conservatory symphony of MacMurray College in Jacksonville Illinois Shortly after moving west to Beverly Hills California with no intention of pursuing an acting career in Hollywood he found himself one day in 1976 playing the role of medical officer opposite Gregory Peck in a hospital scene of MacArthur Since 1976 he has appeared in a number of movie TV and equitywaiver stage productions in Hollywood He has been active as president or member in many community civic and professional organizations in Southern California He has been president of the Philippine Medical Association of Southern California and the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Southern California He was 1st vicepresident of the Association of Asian Pacific American Artists which annually presented the Jimmy Awards He served the State of California for six years as member of the California Medical Board by appointment by then Governor Jerry Brown For sixteen years he served the federal government as a reserve army medical officer and served to rank of full Colonel In 1991 he was knighted Chevalier De Grace into the Ordre Supreme Militaire Imperial Orthodoxe Constantinien De SaintGeorges in Tarragona Spain He is a lifetime member of Mensa