“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)
This is the Word from God that I kept in my heart when five years ago, I was offered the opportunity to study Medicine and pursue becoming a doctor. I was already working as a nurse then, and have started on my post-graduate studies, contented with my calling but with the desire to be the best nurse I can be. In my heart, I have always desired to do more in the healing profession; but to be a doctor, at that stage in my life, seemed like a big, burdensome, almost impossible dream that I never even considered it. The opportunity came as a surprising gift. I had no doubt it was good, but I had to test if it was perfect.
Five years of God’s faithfulness later, I have no doubt that the calling, this gift, is from God, and it is indeed good and perfect. I can only look back in awe at how He provided for me, guided me, sustained me, and enabled me to achieve great things beyond my imagination – from getting a good score in the NMAT, leading me to FEU-NRMF, giving me a scholarship that allowed me to study Medicine for free, to enabling me to do my best and excel not just to maintain the scholarship but also to train me to become the best doctor I can be. I can still remember that night, when I was crying in frustration while reviewing for our first Gross Anatomy prelim exam because I felt that I could not remember things even after reading them multiple times. I took a moment to pray and cried my heart out to God in surrender, then kept on reading anyway. That exam was my turning point, as I found myself knowing the answer to most of the questions, to my surprise. I knew it was God’s favor, and from then on, I just pressed on and did my best. I never thought it would get me here. All glory and praise to God alone!
He has also blessed me with a wonderful family, and I would like to take this opportunity to honor my parents - Mama Susie and Mama Josie for the values you’ve taught us when we were young, I know you’re watching over us from heaven. Papa, thank you for supporting my decision even if it meant delaying your retirement. The journey could have been difficult and lonely, but I’ve always felt you, Ate Angel and Micah walking with me, making sure that I can focus on my studies 100%.
Beyond my family, it took a village to send this medical student to school, and our whole family is grateful to you Maam, for being my benefactor in secret, for believing in me and asking for nothing in return except that I do my best. Thank you Tito Jorge for your constant support, which, to me, has become a symbol of our Mamas’ support of my dream. I also thank my relatives both in the Paglicawan and Aguilar clan, for all your prayers, encouragement, and support in all forms. I give my utmost gratitude to FEU-NRMF School of Medicine for the generous academic scholarship, and to the FEU-DNRSM Alumni Foundation thru Dr. Hernani Tansuche, particularly Class 1960, for accepting yours truly as a scholar and for believing in my dream. The foundation not only sustained my medical education but even generously allowed me to gain global elective experience. I treasure all these in my heart, and I hope to pay it forward one day when I am able.
I also share this achievement with our mentors at the FEU-NRMF School of Medicine, including the consultants and residents, who have made training young aspiring doctors their calling, patiently sharing their knowledge to us and helping us not only to understand, but also to develop the discipline and desire for continuous learning. You did not make it easy for us, but we know that the constant challenge was meant to instill in us a greater appreciation of what it means and takes to become a physician.
We can look back and focus on what this journey took from us – time, energy, resources, at times our own health; but perhaps, everyone would agree that we have gained so much more and high above in the list are our friends, classmates and batchmates who shared not only notes, ‘transes’, and ‘samplexes’, but also bonded with us in our worries, tears, struggles and victories, both big and small. Let me take this opportunity to thank my classmates in 1D, 2F, 3F and Prime I, especially my inner and consistent circle then and now, Kirs foremost, then Ags. I may not be able to name each one but I am very grateful to you all for accepting me and showing me kindness. I cannot imagine getting this achievement without all the help you have extended to me, Ate Kat. To the transmakers of the batch, thank you for your generosity and hard work that have allowed most, if not all of us, to prepare for every exam more efficiently.
I also would like to recognize those who have made my past four years more colorful and fruitful: my quiz bee and CPC teammates under the guidance of Dr. Vila and Dr Tagayuna respectively – doctors and educators at heart who have taught us lessons beyond the four walls of the classroom; and my LUKEMD family led by our advisers, Dr. Viterbo and Dr. Ravelo, who helped us appreciate the greater purpose of who we are and what we do in God’s bigger plan.
I still hold on to that greater purpose, that while we, RCCO Class 2020, will forever go down in history as the batch who missed their graduation ceremony because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and who is now faced with a greater uncertainty of what lies ahead, we have victoriously finished the first step, and our journey, as aspiring doctors, continues. The current situation revealed to the world that the path we have chosen is dangerous and difficult, yet the need and the call is urgent and immensely significant. Years from now, we may find each other in different fields, but I pray that we may find each other serving nonetheless, always doing our best, for God, our patients, ourselves, our family, and our country.
Congratulations Class 2020 and may our good Lord bless us all!
