History in the making: first graduates of the College of Medicine of Mindanao State University General Santos

Here’s my weekly newsletter, the second for July. I forget how fast time flies, like an airplane hovering above ground, undetected—that is, until an internal alarm tells me a blog entry is due. This is probably what it feels like to write a column for a newspaper, my wild dream since childhood but which never materialized. I became a doctor. To be an opinion columnist is to have a good-enough supply of intelligent opinions, which I don't have a lot of. (I don’t know about you, but I miss reading Inquirer columns printed on paper. My father bought them for me as a treat. Conrado de Quiros was my favorite. His turn of phrases thrilled me, even if I didn’t understand half of what he wrote.)

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I attended two graduation ceremonies this week, arguably one of the best ones I’ve ever been part of, largely because my 12 students at the College of Medicine of the Mindanao State University – General Santos were at the center of attention. My heart swelled with joy and pride at seeing them in their elegant graduation regalia. I could hear sniffles from my side of the auditorium. Dr. Dar Guiomala, one of the kindest and most generous teachers, even showed me a detached portion of her faux eyelashes after a deluge of happy, grateful tears. I may have teared up a bit.

The ceremony was extremely formal and liturgical, which surprised me, having known rowdy, warmhearted UP graduations for most of my life where interruptions by protesters and activists were so common they hardly ever surprised anyone. But MSU graduations are apparently cultural celebrations, too: there were elegant cultural dances with vibrant colors that celebrate traditions. Simply a thing of beauty. 

I remembered my own graduation and how fast time flies. When I marched to get my diploma, Tatay was still alive. My parents were as proud as any parents could be. I felt, on that front-row VIP seat reserved for Medicine faculty, a sense of longing and emptiness, but also of sheer gratefulness at seeing these young doctors make history as the first graduates of the College. 

Teaching is an arduous, often thankless job that involves quiet study and concentrated dedication. But since 2021, we’ve been doing the hard work, the time-consuming labor of designing the curriculum, crafting and grading exams, and innovating teaching-learning activities to teach good, compassionate doctors who will soon serve their communities. One reward of teaching is being in the presence of excellent, gracious, and kind faculty members who, like me, are juggling clinical work with teaching. We find that both vocations complement each other. Being with the young also make us feel young. 

But the pre-commencement exercises last Monday was truly a gift. It was the first time for many things: the first time we had Doctor of Medicine graduates, the first time we would use the smashing College of Medicine auditorium built by taxpayers’ money, the first time we would don the yellow academic regalia. 

Congratulations to our students, faculty, and staff!

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Here are highlights of the ceremony, shared in the College of Medicine's Facebook page. 

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Here are some pictures I took. The photos may not be displayed correctly. I'm not sure why. If that's the case, please click on the links that should take you to the Flickr page. 

Faculty members assembled for the processional. We were instructed to walk slowly.

But we couldn't waste the moment. On ordinary days, we wouldn't normally bump into each other. The ceremony was a reunion of sorts.

My first time to see the auditorium, which just got its occupancy permit. 

Walking behind Dr. Jean Alcover-Banal, who used to be the fellow coordinator for cardiology when I was a second year student at UP College of Medicine. 

The costumes of the ushers and dancers were dazzling. 

An elegant, cultural moment. 

I had a front-row seat!

Sir Noel Sug-ang, who helped supervise the ceremony.

The proud parents and family. 

Photographers and videographers on stand-by. 

Ushers danced, while the crowd stood, waiting for the processional to conclude. 

University officials standing on stage, with Sir Charlie Mina making sure everything was running smoothly. The MSU chorale sang a beautiful rendition of The Lord's Prayer. 

Now: the graduates.

Dr. Joey Maravillas, class valedictorian, cum laude. 

Dr. Ikha Estrella, cum laude. 

Dr. Charleskin Daig, cum laude.

Dr. Kathleen Demegillo



Dr. Julieen Ca-at



Dr. Psyryst Allado



Dr. Alberto Evangelista, Jr



Dr. Jay-R Malayag



Dr. Eleonor Olaybal



Dr. Rose Ann Paalisbo



Dr. Florence Jay "FJ" Salcedo



Dr. Earl Uy



So much pageantry was on display.

University officials and their academic regalia. 

Medicine faculty members were moved and inspired. 

Joey's valedictory speech on behalf of the graduates was impressive. He said something about being "doktor para sa bayan," and his class returning to their communities to serve their people. 

Ikha, on behalf of the class, honored their families for supporting them through their medical journey. 

It was, I believe, Dean Ed Alconcel's idea to have a slideshow, which turned on the waterworks. 

The graduates performed a beautiful song they composed!

The lyrics pasted on manila paper, in true 90's fashion. 

I got a rose!


Everyone did!

 

Our amazing College of Medicine support and office staff! Such great blessing to have them!

Some of our students watched, too. Soon, it will be their turn. 

On the way to the lunch banquet!

Faculty members, waiting for the lunch to begin. 

Our support staff, looking like senators!

But first: another photo op. At the Medicine atrium this time. 

Our Dean, Dr. Ed Alconcel, and the stellar and shining Junjun Yabon, coordinator of Physical Diagnosis. 

Getting ready for the group shot. 

Here it is. 

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And the second graduation? I almost forgot all about the university graduation last Wednesday, if not for Dr. Jo Frial who reminded me an hour before the start of the processional.  What I wore was not acceptable for such a formal event: a shirt that should probably transition to the pambahay category and a pair of Levi's jeans, faded from repeated use. So I headed straight to the mall, bought an undershirt, white long-sleeves, trousers, and black socks. I borrowed a colleague's regalia. I braved through Calumpang traffic, which wasn't so bad at 2 pm, and found a nice parking spot at the Y Building. I marched as if I'd been preparing for the occasion, sweltering in the magnificent, dehydrating General Santos heat.