THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF SWU-MHAM COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
EDITORIAL
NEWS
3
Reviving the Pulse of MHAM
4
5
Acquaintance Party ‘08
6
MHAM WEBSITE QUALIFIES AS SEMI-FINALIST FOR
11TH PHILIPPINE WEB AWARDS
Foreign students
SWU-MHAMCM Alumnus a “Top Doctor
in the State of New Jersey for 2007”
7
MHAMCM Yields An Inventor Of
A World Class Epidural Needle
8
Pinoy M.D. Medical Scholarship
Academic Achievement Award
10
11
12
13
FEATURES
14
15
16
17
18
20
21
SWU Links with International Hospital
2008 Medical Board Passers
Medicine Shines in Siglakas 2008
MHAM Students caught on cam
Up Close and Personal with the Governor
Hearts in the Age of Med School
Pursuit of Medicine
Finding God in Medicine
As They See Us
Stressed?
That’s so humerus
Editorial Board and Staff
The Pulse, the official student publication
of the College of Medicine has been
revived after many years of silence. This
edition promises to give a voice to the
medical students and at the same time
reconnect the ties of the alumni from all
over the globe. May this issue become an
instrument to show the world what SWUMHAM College of Medicine is made of!
Heart; a hollow muscular organ that receives the blood from the veins and propels it into
the arteries. As the heart contracts, blood is ejected into the aorta and goes to the systemic
circulation. The pulse is the throbbing of the arteries as an effect of the heart beat. It can be
felt in any place that allows for an artery to be compressed against a bone such as at the neck,
wrist, behind the knee, on the inside of the elbow and near the ankle joint. As long as the
heart continues to pump sufficient blood, the pulse can be felt.
The Pulse, the official student publication of MHAM, College of Medicine, Southwestern
University, once had a very rich tradition. It was an instrument wherein the voices of the
medical students were heard, the issues of the college were addressed and the social
responsibilities of the students were exercised. It was a powerful tool that created an impact
not only to the college but to the society as well.
This year, a group of medical students were willing to resuscitate, revive and bring back to
life the said publication and the glory that was, the PULSE. The once asystolic publication is
now having a sinus rhythm and with the cooperation and unselfish efforts of my team, we bring
to you the Pulse with its theme: Reviving the Pulse of MHAM.
As a metaphor, we would like to make the Pulse felt by every student, the whole college and
to the world in general.
MHAM College of Medicine, under the leadership of its dynamic dean Dr. Peter Aznar, is
gearing towards a much better medical institution. With quality education as the College’s
main priority, accompanied with the current improvements in the facilities, the ever dedicated
and enthusiastic faculty and lastly, the students who are willing to put a mark in the field of
medicine, we are assured that success is just an arm’s reach away!
With the launching of this publication, we would like to repossess the glory that MHAMCollege of Medicine once had. It is our utmost desire to strengthen the ties of our beloved
alumni who will always be a part of this institution wherever they may be around the globe.
With the joint effort of everyone, and with God’s blessings, our hearts will all beat the same
aspiration and that is, to show the world that MHAM-College of Medicine was, is and will
continue to be a strong pillar and source of doctors who practice medicine with compassion,
integrity and excellence. May you feel the Pulse in you!
by Fiona Therese Beldua
The Matias H. Aznar Memorial College of Medicine marked the beginning of a wonderful
school year with the celebration of the annual acquaintance party hosted by the Governor and the
council. This was held at Cebu Grand Convention last July 5, 2008.The highlights of this event
were the welcoming of the very enthusiastic freshmen, the awarding of the honor students, the
recognition of the scholars and the induction of the year level officers.
Everyone arrived at the venue for registration in their elegant dresses and very excited
faces, very eager to make conversations, taking pictures of everybody in every pose they can
imagine, and it was during this time that the new students were introduced to most of the
students in the College of Medicine, and also their teachers.
After the short informal introductions, the students retired to their assigned seats and
tables and they had dinner. Every table has assigned students from first year to fourth year evenly
distributed for a purpose which is of course for the first years to get acquainted with the older
years and for the older years to guide the freshmen about what to expect for their entire year in
their different subjects.
The program followed shortly after dinner. The masters of ceremony were Edgar
Gerodias and Shiril Jalad, they vigorously acknowledged all the students, both foreign and local,
and also in their native dialects, the teachers and the dean.
Then the dean gave a very warm welcome speech, and then followed the recognition of
the scholars from their various scholarship sponsors. The sponsors are as follows Islamic Bank
Development Scholarship for the Muslim students, the Pinoy MD Scholarship, Association of
Philippine Physicians in Ohio Scholarship and the Matias H. Aznar Memorial Scholarship.
After the recognition, the dean gave out awards to the top ranking students in the major
subjects of school year 2007 – 2008. They were given cash and spa treatments. Then the oath
taking followed shortly after, where the representatives of each year level took oath to uphold the
rules and regulations of the school and help their schoolmates and classmates in their academic
endeavors.
Then the fun and games commenced, with the first years leading the amusement with
their song and dance numbers, they entertained everyone in their elegant clothes, smooth moves
and nice songs. Then the second years serenaded the crowd with their sweet songs, the third years
awed everyone with their band performances and a very intriguing yet amusing production
number. In between each number a raffle was drawn and the prices were really enticing, it
included studying paraphernalia and the very luxurious spa services sponsored by one of the
faculties. There were also additional awards handed out towards the end of the program which
were given to the most eye catching people who attended the party namely the Patch Adams
Award, The Teacher’s Choice Award and the Stars of the Night Award.
As the program ended everybody had the look of contentment and delight in their faces.
Pictures were taken together with the teachers, friends and classmates. The party ended but new
friendships were made. Everyone went home with hope in their faces and looking forward to a
very exciting yet challenging year.
Masters of ceremony:
Edgar Gerodias and Shiril Jalad
by Mary Rose Sugar S. Zamora
O
ne has to imagine the dilemma that would be in everyone’s
shoulder when trying to break the barriers that separate
individuals from each other through language, tradition, culture
and religious beliefs. The world has become a place of its own
and in this era we are in, it is undeniably difficult to immerse
oneself in a certain culture or tradition. This has proven to be
the basis for the common disputes happening in different nations.
Many aspects contributed to such difficulty and it is LANGUAGE that tops it all.
Our country’s second language is English and we Filipinos are fortunate enough to be taught with one of the most spoken languages in the
world. Indeed, we are lucky because our ability to speak English with a degree of fluency helps us in many ways. Economically, foreigners
are attracted to visit the country not only because it boasts with wonderful tourist spots but because many of these tourists (especially Asians)
wanted to be taught with English. In the beginning of the 21st century, a lot of Asians flocked to the country - thanks to the media influence
(remember Meteor Garden or Lovers in Paris?) – to learn how to speak English. Now, many Filipinos are having extra income, or some even
rely on it solely, by having private tutoring of the English language. Well, of course as mentioned earlier, our beaches, mountains or food are
definitely the reasons why foreigners want to bask in reflected glory. Tourism is at its best these days. Another advantage of our country, and
yet still a challenge, for being able to speak English is EDUCATION given to foreigners academically. Long
before, many schools in the country were already accepting foreign students through foreign student exchange
programs. Others opted to stay in the country to finish the entire course. Now, the country has countless
schools that offer international education system, and that shows that our system is indeed competent to
teach foreign students. Our very own Southwestern University is one of the universities with a diverse
foreign population. Many Asians, especially Koreans, and even English-speaking foreigners have made
a choice to study at SWU.
True to its academic excellence, not only the Southwestern University’s Matias H. Aznar College of
Medicine continuously nurturing the Filipino youths to be world class doctors but also youths from
different corners of the world. Many foreign students are alumni of the college. To date, there are 30
foreign students enrolled in the college. 7 interns, 5 in the 3rd year, 7 in the 2nd year and 12 in the
1st year. There are 17 Thais, 8 Napalese, 2 Japanese, 2 Americans, 1 Taiwanese and 1 Canadian.
An interview done in one of the foreign students revealed that most of them initially
have difficulty coping considering that the Philippines is a new place for them. Then
they have to deal with the people, food, culture and other factors. Then as if it’s not
enough, they have to take the pain of dealing with the language itself. Most of the
medical foreign students are articulate but there are instances that some
pronunciation or intonation vary. Another concern that has to be dealt by them is
the weather. Philippines is a tropical country, it should not be a problem for
those foreigners who live in our neighboring country but it took a longer time
for Western foreigners to adjust with the climate. Those are the things that
they have to face upon coming here for the first time to study. They have
eventually adapted along the way and as far as academics is concerned, the
teachers said they are doing good although there are minor problems with
some subjects due to some language difficulty but it shouldn’t be a problem
since all of them know and understand English. All of them were advised to
at least learn the Filipino language because that will eventually help them
interact with actual patients.
This school year has the highest enrolled foreign students at MHAM,
majority of whom are Thai. This growing number of foreign students
enrolled in the college of medicine only shows that our Filipino doctors
are world class competent doctors for they are able to teach foreign students
despite of language differences. Being in medical school is, in fact, not
easy and coming here means leaving other unimportant things behind.
With all the challenges and difficulty that may come their way, the
foreigners have put their fate in the hands of our Filipino doctors in
MHAM. That must have really meant something.
by Rita Grace Marcon
T
he 2008 SWU-MHAM College of Medicine Alumni
homecoming celebrated the 25th year reunion of the Class
of 1982. Out of the many illustrious alumni coming from
that batch, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Rowen G. Diano
who is currently practicing in my home state of New Jersey.
Dr. Diano left the Philippines and went to the United States
in 1992. However, by then he was already a Board Certified
Surgeon and Fellow of the Philippine College of Surgeons. He
did his Internal Medicine training at the Mount Sinai Medical
School program and was able to become Chief Resident by
his 3rd year. This was then followed by a Fellowship at the
prestigious New York University Medical Center in Geriatrics
and Palliative Medicine. Dr. Diano is Board Certified in Internal
Medicine as well as Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine
specialties. He is currently in private practice at a teaching
hospital of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New
Jersey (UMDNJ) and he also serves as the Medical Director of
the Hospice of New Jersey and Senior Care of Montclair.
informal phone interview this past December, Dr. Diano was
very gracious enough to spare time and answer some of my
many questions regarding the transition from medical school in
the Philippines to doing residency training in the United States.
Although he could not confirm whether or not he would attend
the Alumni Homecoming at that time, I was very pleasantly
surprised to meet him personally when I emceed the Alumni
Homecoming this past January. Not only was Dr. Diano able
to enjoy catching up with his batch mates, but he was also able
to serenade the newly crowned homecoming queen with a song
at the end of the evening.
From our conversation, it was apparent that Dr. Diano really
enjoys his profession and he was able to share many stories
from his own experiences during his internship here in the
Philippines.
Geriatric and Palliative Medicine has not only been a
lucrative field for Dr. Diano, but it has given him a flexible
schedule so that he can spend time with his children and his
I was first tasked to contact Dr. Diano by our Dean, Dr. Peter family. Dr. Diano is an inspiration to many who, not only want
Aznar, after reading about his feature in New Jersey Monthly to practice in the U.S., but also to those who want to pave their
magazine as being one of New Jersey’s “Top Doctors of 2007” own path after graduation.
(the top 1.7% of 34,000 physicians in the state). During our
by Edgar M. Gerodias
S o u t h w e s t e r n U n i ve r s i t y ’s M H A M C o l l e g e o f M e d i c i n e w e b s i t e ( h t t p : /
/www.mhamedu.org/) has been chosen as a semi-finalist for the prestigious
11th Philippine Web Awards under the Schools category. This was announced
a t h e P h i l i p p i n e s We b Awa r d s w e b s i t e o n O c t o b e r 3 0 , 2 0 0 8 .
The websites are being submitted by the owner to the organization
f o r s c r e e n i n g b y j u d g e s w h o a r e w e b d e ve l o p e r s , d e s i g n e r s , a n d a r t i s t s f o r
e l i m i n a t i o n , b r i n g i n g t h e n u m b e r o f e n t r i e s t o 1 0 w e b s i t e s p e r c a t e g o r y.
There are a total of 18 categories. When semifinalists are announced to
t h e p u b l i c , p e o p l e c a n s e n d i n t h e i r vo t e s t h r o u g h t e x t m e s s a g e o r e m a i l t o
a l l o w t h e i r w e b s i t e t o v i e w f o r t h e Pe o p l e ’s C h o i c e Awa r d . J u d g e s a r e a l s o
going to continue their judging for further elimination. The criteria includes:
C o n t e n t , D e s i g n , U s a b i l i t y, a n d F u n c t i o n a l i ty / Te c h n i c a l i ty. O n l y 5 w e b s i t e s
p e r c a t e g o r y w i l l m o ve t o t h e f i n a l s . A s e p a ra t e t e a m o f j u d g e s , w h i c h
i n c l u d e s m e d i a p ra c t i t i o n e r s , We b d e ve l o p e r s , a n d a r t i s t s , w o u l d c r i t i q u e
on the finalists’ work. Back-to-zero ratings would be implemented, and they
w o u l d j u d g e t h e w e b s i t e s a c c o r d i n g t o t h e P h i l i p p i n e We b Awa r d s c r i t e r i a .
Vo t i n g f o r yo u r f avo r i t e w e b s i t e s t a r t e d o n N o ve m b e r 1 0 . Vo t e s w i l l
b e a c c e p t e d u n t i l Fe b r u a r y 2 6 f o r t h e Pe o p l e ’s C h o i c e Awa r d s . T h e w i n n e r s
o f t h e P h i l i p p i n e We b Aw a r d s w i l l b e a n n o u n c e d d u r i n g t h e a w a r d s
c e r e m o n i e e s o n Fe b r u a r y 2 7 . Fo r f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n , yo u c a n v i s i t t h e
P h i l i p p i n e We b Awa r d s w e b s i t e a t h t t p : / / w w w. p h i l i p p i n e w e b a wa r d s . c o m . /
by Edgar M. Gerodias
The alumni homecoming of batch 1972 led to a suprising
discovery of a well known personality in Germany named
Dr. Florentino Mancao, Jr. Dr. Mancao is a product of
MHAM-CM and is currently practicing medicine for 32
years now in Germany. He invented an epidural needle
Image 1
which is now widely used all over the world.
A complication while doing an epidural anesthesia was very instrumental for the invention of the said
needle. While Dr. Mancao was administering the usual anesthesia, he accidentally punctured the dura mater
of the patient. This led to a sudden respiratory distress and falling of blood pressure. He immediately
intubated the patient to avoid asphyxia and did everything he could to save the patient from the complication
of the accident that transpired. Thankfully, the patient recovered after 30 minutes.
This incident made Dr. Mancao think of a better way of administering an epidural anesthesia. Since this is
a blind procedure which requires a vivid sense of touch just to feel if you have already reached the epidural
space, he thought upon himself that having a needle with a sharp tip will always be a threat in this procedure.
He then decided to make a different needle and this time, having a blunt tip. He made a sketch of this
needle and looked for a producer for the said product. He then tested this needle on the vertebral column of
a pig.
After testing it on animals, he took it the next level and experimented on real patients from different
departments of the hospital. After testing it on 400 patients for four years, a German news publication
published his invention and after that, got the license. The product was then patented in Japan and is now
distributed worldwide. The Mancao Needle bears the name Mancao and is now used in different hospitals in
the world.
Dr. Mancao started his residency in Anesthesiology at Davao
Doctor's Hospital. He then went to Germany and continued his
residency there for four years. After that, he was offered a good
position and decided to stay there. He and his family is currently
residing in Germany. He has two kids; the older son is a scientist
and is working on genetics and a daughter who is into Fine Arts.
He said, that it is very fulfilling to see his kids succeed in their
fields of endeavor. He added that he is also very happy and
contented with his current state.
Dr. Mancao is just one of the very many successful alumni that
MHAM-CM has produced. As we continue to hold homecomings,
it is expected that more and more alumni who are proud of
being a part of SWU-MHAM College of Medicine will be
Image 2
discovered.
Image1. Initial puncture to the ligamentum flavum by short bevel outer cutting needle with matching Inner
stylet. Image2. Mancao safety cannula - with safe, rounded end - is pushed through the ligamentum
flavum without risk of dura puncture. 360’ needle rotation is achievable.
by Edgar M. Gerodias
This year, the Philippine Government, through the Philippine Charity
Sweepstakes (PCSO) and Department of Health (DOH) executed a
scholarship grant for a five-year medical education program.
(L-R) Dr. Luditha Lumapat-Pe, Dr.
Peter Aznar, Dr. Yvonne M.
Lanuza, Dr. Rainelda Uy-Veloso
with the Pinoy M.D. and MHAM
Scholars
The grant includes benefits such as allowances for books, uniform,
transportation, lodging and living subsidy.
The terms and conditions are as follows:
1. Meet all the academic requirements of the school and finish the
course within the period of 5 years.
2. Pass the board examination within two (2) years after internship;
3. Serve the Department of Health for two (2) years for every year
of scholarship including internship, upon passing the board
examination;
4. Refund to the Department of Health the amount equivalent to the
current average tuition fees of medical schools, and reimburse
all the other expenses incurred with 10% mark-up per year, should
he/she fail to comply with the foregoing conditions through his/
her fault, willful neglect, or other causes within his/her control;
5. Bind himself/herself to behave and conduct himself/herself in
such a manner so as not to bring embarassment/humiliation/shame
to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of
Health, the University, its administrator, faculty and students, and
shall further bind himself/herself no to engage in reprehensive,
illegal or subversive activities as defined by existing laws.
For further information about this scholarship, please visit our
website or see the dean.
Dr. Pura K. Bandolon
Past President,
SWU MHAM Medical Alumni
Jan Michael T. Lao-Med III
by Mary Rose Sugar S. Zamora
You reap what you saw. Indeed that is exactly what we can expect
from the decisions we make or the acts we do in our lives. A famous
author once said that when we want - badly want - to achieve certain
things in our lives, all we have to do is to believe we can achieve them
then the whole universe will conspire to help us make our dreams a
reality. Fascinating isn’t it? But of course it isn’t as easy as 1,2,3. What’s
the point of struggling on a daily basis to prove that we deserve
whatever it is that we want to achieve if we can get it by just a snap of
a finger? Living through a day is admittedly a battle and the battlefield
is of our very own choosing, whether it is in the office of in school or
even in our homes although most at the time, all those mentioned are
simply conjoint forces of painful headaches that can’t be avoided on a
daily basis. Talk about unsolicited problems! And all for what? It is of
course to achieve what we desire to have, to be satisfied, to be a
person with substance or simply to be happy. We can always believe
that despite all unmet expectations and all inconspisuous efforts, there
is still such a thing as a tap-on-the-back-for-a-job-well-done moment
at the end of the day. There’s no greater feeling or profound gesture
than people acknowledging all the hard works we’ve put through to
anything that we do.
Bisaya Medical Alumni of USA Scholar
$500
Minne Sheryl T. Lumapas-Med III
SWU Medical Alumni Association Scholar of USA
$500
The awarding took
Dr. Ludithat Lumapat-Pe
place during the
MHAM College Registrar
Acquaintance Party of
Medical Alumni Treasurer
the college at Cebu
Grand Convention Center. All the aforementioned students were
called up on stage and received a monetary award of a hundred
dollars each. The reason behind this award was to obviously motivate
all medical students to strive hard with their studies. This definitely
lifted the spirit of all the students knowing that at least their efforts
have not gone to waste and that there are really big people out
there who care about the big dreams of little people. For that, the
MHAM College of Medicine has nothing but good words to all the
generous alumni who continually support the endeavors of the College.
On the night of July 25, 2008, 6 people were given such
acknowledgement. Some of our generous MHAM College of Medicine
alumni had been very kind to award some of our students for topping
subjects in their respective year levels from the last school year.
Here are the list of those students and the corresponding awardgiving alumni:
The Melquiadito M. Allego Award in Anatomy:
Michelle Jay G. Francisco
Jerpon P. Viagedor
The Urias A. Almagro Award in Biochemistry:
Michelle Jay G. Francisco
Jerpon P. Viagedor
The Leonardo C. Malalis Award in Physiology:
Michelle Jay G. Francisco
The Procopio U. Yanong Award in Physiology:
Jerpon P. Viagedor
The Urias A. Almagro Award in Pathology:
Minnie Sheryl F. Lumapas
The Juvenal I. Jabel Award in Internal Medicine:
Rylene A. Baquilod
Vijay Kiran Dahal
The Procopio U. Yanong Award in Pediatrics:
Rylene A. Baquilod
The Leonardo C. Malalis Award in Pediatrics:
Eunice L. Estella
It is very overwhelming to know that every ounce of
blood and sweat we shed, is rewarded and it makes us
think that it is really worth the fight. There is no better
way to justify all our acts or decisions in life than to believe
that what we do and how we decide to do it will put us to
the pedestal, and eventually lead to the achievement of
our dreams.
(L-R) Dean, Dr. Peter Aznar; Awardees Rylene A. Baquilod, Vijay
Kiran Dahal, Michelle Jay G. Francisco, Jerpon P. Viagedor, Eunice
L. Estella; College Registrar, Dr. Luditha Lumapat-Pe.
For what is worth, our names spell sweeter than ever when
an appreciation tags along. It sure pays off big time.
Excerpts from Sun Star Cebu newspaper article
SOUTHWESTERN University (SWU) Matias H. Aznar
Memorial College of Medicine (MHAMCM) forged a
partnership with Yanhee International Hospital, one of the
largest hospitals in Asia located in Bangkok, Thailand.
The agreement is for MHAMCM medical interns to be
accomodate in Yanhee International Hospital during their
elective rotation.
This is seen to enhance the practical experience of the
medical students and allow them to benefit from current
and future advances implemented in the international
standard level hospital which has biggest plastic surgery
department in Asia.
Yanhee International Hospital, established in 1984, has
a modern 10-storey building with 400 bed capacity and
equipped with modern facilities to serve in patients and
at least 2,000 out-patients daily for both medical and
beauty services.
Dr. Peter Aznar, dean of MHAMCM, welcomed the
partnership.
He said that this formal linkage with an international
hospital is a very important step as they geared to improve
the quality of education they offer and with their aim to
be the number one College of Medicine in the country.
“We will not stop here. We plan to also establish linkage
with a US-based hospital in the near future,” he added.
The partnership with Yanhee International Hospital is the
first international hospital linkage of SWU MHAMCM.
(L-R) Dr. Ismael Naypa, International Manager Yanhee International Hospital;
Dr. Peter S. Aznar, Dean, MHAM-CM; Dr. Luditha Lumapat-Pe, Registrar;
Dr. Ma. Socorro Manaloto Chief of Clinics; Dr. Eldigario Gonzales,
President Southwestern University
“We are happy and proud with this development. I have
always believed that the strenght of SWU is in the medical
and paramedical courses though we are also passionate about
other courses and lately about maritime also,” SWU President
Dr. Eldigario Gonzales.
Gonzales added that the SWU has preceded Commission
on Higher Education memorandum order on transnational
education with its formal linkages with universities in Taiwan,
Korea and Japan for other courses.
This is also for their objective of making SWU as a hub
for international education.
Foreign students
Aznar also announced that they have the most number of
foreign students this school year.
They have admitted 36 foreign students in MHAMCM
and there are now more than 200 foreigners enrolled in
SWU. They have students from Thailand, Nepal, United
States, Canada, Korea and Africa.
Aznar attributes the increase of foreign students to their
new website (www.mhamedu.org) which accpets online
application.
MHAMCM also admitted some 12 honor graduates from
different schools in the country.
ABBAS-ABDULLAH, JEHAN M.
ACOS, BETSY C.
AGUILAR, FRETZIE G.
ALCARAZ, CYNTHIA T.
ALIX, BENJAMIN CESAR JR. P.
ALQUIZAR, PHILIP MARCH R.
ANDALES, DEXTER GIOVANNI A.
ANGA-ANGAN, HARVEY G.
APAO, GRACE S.
BALDOS, APRIL GERVIE M.
BATALON, RICHARD M.
BATUAMPAR, DELALIA P.
BIGNO, INOCENTES JR. S.
CABERTE, CRISPINA A.
CABRAL, MARRIE VYNE A.
CAMAY, REVIEMELYN N.
CENIZA, FLEURDELIZ B.
CLAUOR, JOSEPHUS CEASAR S.
COE, VLADEMIR GERARD L.
COPINO, RITCHEL B.
CUALTEROS, CRISBERT I.
CUARTO, GLENDA D.
DAEL, MAE SHYALLA THERESA L.
DAGO-OC, FRANCES JANE L.
DARAPA, MAHAYLA M.
DE LEON, JANET B.
DE LOS REYES, LLENETT S.
DOROJA, KAREN C.
DUARTE, NICANOR JR. T.
ELLONG, MOHD ZHAIN E.
ESPRA, EARL RYAN L.
GARCES, MELANIE ROSE H.
GARCESA, SHERYLYN I.
GAYATAO, AURORA G.
ICAMINA, NOEL JR. A.
ISMAEL, AL ZAYED D.
LABUS, HENRY A.
LAMBERTE, DONNA LOREN U.
MACAPODI, POTRI C.
MACASARTE, JEN SAIZAN B.
MACIAS, KARYL ANNE D.
MAGASPI, RUMAR H.
MARIPOSQUE, LIZA D.
MATUTINO, HAYZEL C.
PEPE,RHEJE E.
PILPA, POMPE M.
PUNAY, SONDE CRIS A.
RANCES, RONALD E.
ROSALES, LAURITZEN N.
ROSALES, MARIA TERESA U.
SANAANI, RINELLE H.
SANTOS, LYN B.
SEVILLA, ESMERALDO A.
SIENES, JOHNALYN Y.
SITOY, PETER III A.
TAALIM, MUSHAR M.
TACALDO, RICKY JOY B.
TAGO, KHARLOU C.
TAMBURANI, AL-NIZAR M.
TAN, RINA C.
TEYU, SANDY LEE Y.
TIU, JOSEPH M.
TOCAO, JANICE O.
UY, ARMIE JANE L.
VILLANUEVA, FRANCIS D.
VILLANUEVA, JOHN MARK D.
YPIL, JANISSE D.
YUMOL, DANIEL MARK D.
ZAFICO, ZENIA M.
by Zichri Perocho
Southwestern University’s 101st Founder’s day and Siglakas kicked off with a marvelous start last
August 13, 2008 at Aznar Memorial Coliseum. This year’s celebration revolved on the theme SWU:
Being, Budding, Becoming.
The celebration started with a Eucharistic mass initiated by Rev. Fr. Zachary B. Zacharias and homilist
Rev. Fr. Kipling Agravante then followed by a floral offering on the life-size portrait of the founder by
the members of the Aznar family and the University council. The highlight of the morning’s activities
was the 14th memorial lecture of the distinguished alumna Jennifer Tiu Franco, the Managing Director
of Travelvision, Inc., and the chairperson of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies
(NAITAS-Cebu Chapter).
During the five-day Siglakas celebration, College of Medicine proved to be one of the leading
colleges. MHAM won a total of 3 gold medals, 1 silver and 1 bronze in the Literary Academic Contest
held on August 15, 2008 at the MHAM- AVR M2. First year students Semjon Tsyrlin and Edilberto
Santos got first place in Computer Quiz Bowl, followed by the College of Arts and Sciences pride Ace
Dionaldo and Jan Carlo Castillo. Julie Rose Tagonon and Kathlein Alcala of the College of Nursing got
the third place. Lyndee Efrea Pangan topped the Spelling Bee contest. Jan Michael S. Pascualdo of
the School of Business and Ma. Noelle A. Maico of the College of Nursing came 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Jose Viel, MHAM Senior student grabbed first place in Oratorical Speaking Contest followed by
Luigine Christi C. Chan of the College of Nursing and Monnahlie G. Olandria of the College of Arts
and Sciences. Lachhemi Rana of the third year got silver in Extemporaneous Speaking of which the
Graduate School pride Odilon A. Maglasang as the gold awardee. Fedwilyn Villarba of the College
of Arts and Sciences got the bronze. Freshmen Fiona Beldua, Hoang Tran, and Mary Rose Sugar
Zamora landed third place in Math and Science Quiz Bowl, of which the College of Medical Technology
bagged the first spot.
Meanwhile, Heidi A. Donaldo, the college governor grabbed first place in the Shot put, with the
College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Business as the 2nd and 3rd respectively. Heidi A.
Donaldo also topped the discus throw. The College of Criminology and College of Nursing bagged the
2nd and 3rd spot respectively. The college Table Tennis team with members: (men) Dicksie Uy, Man Le,
Adisorn Khetpraum; (women) Lisa Claire Branzuela, Ayn Marie Lao, Janice Taleon, and Bekina Pradhan
got silver in both men and women categories. College of Nursing won the gold while the bronze went
to the School of business (men category). College of Dentistry grabbed the gold award in Women
category while the college of Nursing being the bronze awardee.
The College Swimming team spearheaded by Junior student Rita Marcon, with
Jose Viel, Naphawan Khaikwan and Hoang Tran was awarded 2nd place in
the overall swimming competition and 3rd in the mixed relay. Rita
Marcon landed first in both 50 m backstroke and Freestylewomen Category.
by Edgar M. Gerodias
Nosebleed. A term used by a lot of
young people nowadays when they hear
someone talking in straight English. If this
was literally true, I could have died from
hemorrhage after my casual
conversations with the college governor
Heidi Donaldo.
Everybody in MHAM knows who Heidi
is. If you need to find her, just trace the
sound of a person talking in a loud voice
with an American accent. You'll surely end
up finding her.
Working with her in the student
government is a privilege and at the
same time, a good learning experience.
She embodies a real leader and at the
same time, maintains a good relationship
with her fellow medical students.
The interview below was conducted at
the Aznar coliseum, right before the Ms.
Southwestern University pageant. Rita
Marcon was representing the college and
her bestfriend, Heidi was there to give
her all out support.
QUICKFACTS
Name: Heidi A. Donaldo
Address: 356 Springbrook Dr.
Vallejo, CA 94591 U.S.A.
Birthdate: March 23, 1973
Cebu Maternity Hospital
College:
Barstow Community College
Graduated 1997
Barstow, CA (Ft. Irwin, Branch)
AA Vocational Technology
Solano Community College
Graduated 1999
Suisun, CA
AA Liberal Arts
AA General Science
University of Phoenix
Graduated 2003
Fairfield, CA (Sacramento Valley Campus)
BS Management
Work Experience:
1990-2003
1997-2000
2000
2000-2003
2003-2004
2003-2004
Edgar: Did you expect to be governor of MHAM?
Heidi: I had a feeling that I'd be one. The previous governor
told me so.
Edgar: How do you find your job?
Heidi: I hate it! (Laughter) Challenging in a way that you have
to balance your time (studying and preparing for a Christmas
party). In other words, I hate it. (more laughter)
Edgar: How did being a governor develop your interpersonal
skills?
Heidi: I've always been a mean person. (with a sarcastic smile)
But I've always had interpersonal skills anyway. With being a
governor, I now have an excuse why I talk a lot to people.
Edgar: Have you always wanted to be a doctor?
Heidi: Yes, my first memory was wanting to be a doctor. I guess
when I was still 4 y.o. I just took the long way to get here.
Edgar: What/who influenced you?
U.S. Army & Army Reserve
Various locations
Six Flags Marine World
Vallejo, CA
Six Flags Marine World
Vallejo, CA
Six Flags Marine World
Vallejo, CA
QTC, Medical
Oakland, CA
Unitek College
Fremont, CA
Medical Specialist 91B (Medic)
Emergency Medical Technician-D
First Aid Dept Supervisor
Safety Manager
Office Coordinator
Medical Assistant Instructor
Heidi: My mother. When I was 4, she used to teach in a medical
school. She takes me with her during her lectures. I remember
myself doodling on one side. I also remember one incident.
My cousin was born in the frontstep of our house. My mom
delivered him. That was so cool!
Edgar: What field of specialization interests you?
Heidi: Emergency Medicine. I like the pace. I’ve been in that
field since I was 18 working as a medic or assistant. It’s
something that I’m used to now.
Edgar: Why come to the Philippines to study?
Heidi: Do you know how much it costs to study in America?
$30,000 per year. Here? $2,000. It’s a lot cheaper here!
Edgar: Do you ever plan to practice here?
Heidi: No. Sorry. Maybe a charity case every now and then
but not permanently.
Edgar: What is your favorite pastime?
Heidi: Playing on the computer. I like flag football too, a lot!
And reading, too bad, it’s not textbook.
Edgar: How do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Heidi: A full fledged Emergency doctor in America. Hopefully
with a family.
by Christine Iris C. Evangelista
“Out of the 10 couples in our section in med
school,” related a lecturer in legal medicine, “only
2 eventually ended in marriage, and both are now
in the process of annulment.” M___, a med student,
listened with a bit of skepticism on the grim figures
of the fate of intimate relationships made while
attending med school. But when his own 6 year
relationship ended just before completing his
internship training program, the reality of the
statistics came crashing down on him. “I don’t know
what happened, not much quality time I guess,”
would be a typical rationalization.The basic question
is therefore this:
Can love
survive medicine?
According to one study done by Tarayn
Grizzard, an MS-III resident in Harvard
Medical School, medical students who
marry during their residency training
program often show poor
prognosis,
stating divorce rates
climbing up to 50 percent. Further
comparative data show medicine and its subspecialties have higher divorce rates as
compared with an equally stressful
profession like the armed forces, with
divorce rate for psychiatrists (50 percent),
for surgeons (33 percent), and a 22 to 24
percent rate for internists, pediatricians, and
pathologists compared to only 7.1 percent
for U.S. Air Force couples.
Stressors such as sleep deprivation
marathons and the amount of emotional
strain physicians and physician-in-training are
subjected to were pointed out as the main
culprits.
With the absence of a pioneering study in the
local incidence of failed relationships among medical
students and practitioners, one can only assume that
the above data is quite in proximity, with the hope
that the truth is so much better.
However, a true student in the medical art is not
without hope. Knowledge on the physiology or
pathogenesis of love is essential to understanding
the dynamism of relationships, and how one can
respond when unwanted situations arise.When the
Nobel Prize winning scientist Francis Crick
indicated that hormones not only control the body
but our dreams and identity as well, the world was
stunned.Today, even first year medical students are
aware that love is a product of a complex interaction
nest-defender.
A man when confronted with a problem analyzes
and looks for a solution in relative solitude. A woman
in contrast voices out her concerns as a means to
resolve a situation.
It is therefore normal to see a male medical
student poring over a case, alone, self-absorbed,
oblivious of his surroundings; while his female
counterparts are often seen in groups with open
books, engaged in spirited discussions.
The potential for the development of
a hormone that governs childbirth,
relationship problems due to this natural differences
between conditioned behaviours rise exponentially
with the increasing demands of medical school. Man
is a social being. Two individuals who are attracted
with each other, experiencing that surge of hormones
and neuropeptides that
know no exact titers, bond
naturally as they did
thousand of years earlier to
prolong their species. But
soon, they find out that love
is not the same with attraction and comes heavy with
responsibilities each with
their own conflicts. A male
doctor, after prolonged
hours of forced wakefulness
in the ward, goes home and
wants peace and quiet.
While a female physician,
goes home and talks for
hours about her day as a
form of relief from stress.
Every man when
confronted with a problem
“Science! true daughter of Old Time thou art! Who alterest
alienate everybody else to
all things with thy peering eyes. Why preyest thou thus upon
think. Women, with her
the poet's heart, Vulture, whose wings are dull realities?”
multi-track mind, talk
Sonnet To Science --- E.A. Poe
about it while preparing
dinner. The current
Men and women respond differently to a same blurring of roles in home and family care have
set of stressors, and physicians are no exception. already compounded this problem, with medical
Modern times have placed unreasonable amounts school and med practice added into the equation, it
of demands on male and female gender roles that is not surprising the rates of failed relationships rise
nature through evolution has initially intended, with for years to come.
expectedly devastating results. In their bestselling
Can hearts in the age of medicine survive? Armed
book, Why Men Don’t Listen and Women Can’t with the knowledge of basic human physiology and
Read Maps, Allan and Barbara Pease scientifically behavior, a doctor should have had a headstart when
explored the essential differences between a male it comes to relationships. But with all the data being
and female brain and behavior and how relationship in the contrary, one can only say no one gets too much
problems can be resolved with the acceptance of love anymore, even to those who possess empirical
these fundamental variations.
and peer-reviewed wisdom about its phenomenon.
Whereas a man’s brain is naturally equipped with
Einstein once said, “Marriage is the unsuccessful
the logical, spatial, targeting precision of a hunter, attempt to make something lasting out of an accident.”
a woman’s mind is able to multitask, globally Who knows, Love is patient and kind.
intelligent and emotionally alert characteristic of a
of hormones and neurotransmitters that alter brain
activity and perception.The main chemicals released
that give one that elation characterisitic of love are:
PEA(phenyl ethylamine) which is found in
chocolate, adrenaline which modulates the
sympathetic nervous system, and finally, endorphins
which is an analgesic and is produced after strenuous
activity, responsible for giving athletes that “light”
feeling.Some experiments indicate that
oxytocin,
is also responsible for couples
staying together.
by Maria Carmen Neri
“I will apply dietetic measures for the benefit of the sick
according to my ability and judgment; I will keep them
from harm and injustice.” This is taken from the
Hippocratic Oath. The words may sound simple and
plain but let us think again. It has a deeper meaning
that involves huge responsibility. Sure it is easy to say
we want to take up medicine and become a doctor
someday. But have we really thought of the challenges
that await ahead of us? For us who are trekking the
path of medical career, life is doubly demanding.
Everyday exams, all the sleepless nights, major
cramming sessions are just few of the drawbacks in
medicine. And also the fact that we don’t get to go and
hang out with family and friends anymore because
we prefer to stay at home and read for tomorrow’s
class discussion is practically hindering us with our
social lives. Medicine is surely not an easy course. It
is a head-cracking, heart-pounding, bone-crushing
(especially during exams) course. And yes, we have
very expensive tuition fee that eats up a huge piece of
the family budget. Despite all these, why are we still
taking up medicine?
“I imagined that when I become a doctor someday, I would be financially stable”. It is commonly a
misconception of a lot of people to easily equate doctors with money. That is why some students
are taking up medicine because of this misconception. What we don’t realize is that money
comes only when great skills are achieved after years and years of ordeal.
“It was my parents’ dream for me to become a doctor someday. I didn’t like medicine but then in the
long run I learned to love it and turned to be my dream as well.” It could be our dream or someone
else’s dream. In fact some medical students say that they are forced by their parents to take up
medicine.
“I always envisioned myself wearing a white robe and talking to patients. I wanted to become someone
who can be looked up to”. Whenever we see people wearing white robes with a stethoscope around
their neck, we get this immediate intense feeling of reverence. Doctors are just highly respected in
our society.
“Helping other people especially the poor drives me to become a doctor someday.” It is a feeling of
fulfillment. It is a sense of well-being when an act of goodness is committed towards other people.
It may sound cliché but most students admit that this is the reason why they are taking up medicine.
Medicine is not just what we think, hear and learn in the four corners of our room. It goes
beyond each patient we see, each body we touch and each heartbeat we hear. We may have not realized it
yet but medicine is far more different than we imagined it to be . Whatever reasons we may
have, be it money, dream, respect or satisfaction, if we dig down deep inside of us we all have the same
reason: we want to save lives and touch souls. This profession we dream to achieve means more than giving
out medical advices. It is not just healing the physical aspect of a person but
. Keeping anyone from harm and injustice entails great responsibility. No one
said it would be easy. No one said it would be impossible either.
the total person
it is about healing
by Lachhemi Rana
N
Proverbs 3. (5.13) Trust in Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thy own understanding.
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
o one can stand on a fire and not be consumed by it, and no
one can study medicine and not be awed and mystified by the
It is one way for us to understand ourselves better while under-
wonder and the uniqueness that we find hidden in every cell of
standing others as well, to heal oneself more by the satisfaction
the human body. The deeper we dig into it, the more we learn
of healing others.
that everything has been made perfectly with a perfect plan like
every human being and their lives and fate.
Every time I opened those medical
books the more I realize how weak and feeble we
are and how great and wonderful God is. That even
a small cell is created with much care and given with such an
In my opinion, studying medicine is not only about studying the
human body, its parts , its diseases and so forth, but it is also
important role to work on. So just imagine how God has molded
us and how much He has thought about us.
about knowing oneself more, learning the wonder we have inside,
every I thought that finding God in medicine is like
detail of the medical book gives proof finding a needle in the haystack, but now I
that God has left His signature in every know that it is another field where we can appreciate His wonder
cell. Imagine, for a lay man the body consists of cells, but for a more and up close than in any other field. Had I studied medicine
which we weren’t aware of before. Every page,
medical student and for a doctor, it is made up of different types
back in my country I don’t know if I would be this much grateful or
of well-arranged cells provided with different functions. Once
awed by God’s wonder, because I think it does matter according
the arrangement is broken in some way, it becomes vulnerable to
to the place. Most of the doctors who teach or who have great
all sorts of diseases and infections. And wouldn’t you question,
roles in their own fields, never fail to pray or give thanks to Him in
how come there is a myriad of cells and not just one type? Or
every opportunity they get. This again made me realize that
rather, isn’t it wonderful that there is not only one type of cell?
studying medicine is more like a humbling
experience that leads us back to our true selves and nature. It
“Take your medicine religiously,” these words hit me the first
is more like a gravity that pulls me to God through His art and
time I heard it, for I never heard such words before in my life, it
work seen in a human being and I have come to realize that we
I thought medicine was
only all about indulging yourself with books and
treating patients. With all the knowledge we accumulate
are inseparable from Him and Him from us. See it in the cadaver’s
during our medical school days, I thought we humans are relying
synchronicity. See it in microbiology where we are made aware
on our brain and our credibility to help save lives. But once I
of our invisible friends and enemies in the form of viruses and
entered MHAM-CM, I realized that medicine is much more than
bacteria, or in histology and pathology, where we see the architect
what I had imagined it to be. Because it was not all about getting
and design of God in the cells. Every subject and every topic is
a degree, treating diseases or doing our best to save those in
drenched by His work and if someone asks me where can I find
need.
God in medicine, then I will have to say tell me
was only when I came to SWU.
body which we dissect so we can learn about its different parts,
how the organs are well arranged and work with uncanny
I not find God in medicine?
where can
by Christine Iris C. Evangelista
Curiosity. One of the basic qualities a physician must possess, and arbitrarily the most important in his diagnostic arsenal,
is his or her infinite capacity to wonder; that inquisitive nature
that cannot help but explain the rationality or irrationality of a
given phenomenon.The endless whys and hows and the patience
to go through the logical steps of the Scientific Method— that
agonizing process of elimination just so the crystal cut difference
between differentials and final diagnosis be clear. Of course there
is objectivity, and there is time management, but I digress.
The phenomenon of perception has always fascinated me. In
this decade when medical students are dwindling by the minute,
and nursing is being hailed as the new exodus, I often wonder if
public perception about us students of the art of healing have been
reduced to a diminutive, somewhat microscopic, or worse, totally
irrelevant state.
Magnursing ka na lang seems to be the new motto of our
generation, certainly with a little help from well-wishing but otherwise pernicious relatives. Previously, in an age when polio vaccine was the craze and Diabetology was unheard of, the family
physician was perceived as the go-to-guy in unimaginable areas of
expectations regarding expertise as varied as what we have now as
structured, compartmentalized subspecialization. So you can expect an average licensed doctor to treat diseases like
tonsillopharyngitis, do circumsicion, and be baffled at illnesses as
puzzling as lupus. Those were the days of the rural physician.
Never learn to underestimate this unusual aspect in the practice
of medicine. In many pharmacologic studies conducted here and
abroad, in medical journals, and in all scientific studies dealing with
introduction of new therapeutic techniques, a placebo group is always initiated apart from the experimental group to gauge the actual
effectivity of a given procedure or treatment. Somehow so that
even during ward rounds and mock physical examinations,
facilitators always advocate ad nauseum that when you come in
close contact with the patient, when you begin that initial attempt
at tactile examination, you must make the patient feel as if the healing
process has already started. It all starts with perception.
Interestingly, those achievements we have a lot to be grateful
Fortunately, almost 90% of the undergraduates I’ve
for. It has placed doctors at the very top of the elite vocations,
which arguably includes priesthood and law. People perceive us interviewed for this endeavor responded quite favorably,
doctors as their only hope even in the most dire of predicaments relatively speaking of course, although admittedly the
imposed by a disease afflicting a family member.
method I’ve used does not rule out false-positives or falseWe are the miracle workers: the gentle negatives or anything approaching falsehood for this
hand of God that soothes the suffering of mankind. That is, or matter. They said they see us medical students
quite possibly was, their perception.Thousands of Filipino students as snobbish, booklovers who lock-up themselves
who were able flocked to medical schools, all eager, all hopeful, in libraries during weekends rather than spend time smelland most probably suffering from some degrees of either parental
ing the fresh morning air, which ultimately, in a ridiculous
pressure or messianic complex. Medical students were then
equated to words like hope, pride and cure. As we all know, cure kind of way, makes us sexy. They see us as rich kids, or
can sometimes come from many, unexpected, unexplained places. at least well-to-do, which could translate that we are
Placebo effect. The placebo effect stems from a patient’s per- spoiled brats but know better. Some see us as
ception, or lack of it, that is to say, a belief, however erroneous or
improbable, that a therapeutic regimen can cure his or her illness.
workaholics, or studyholics, and caffeine
addicts.
It is actually a consolation, considering that we live in what I would
like to call a post-Grey’s Anatomy/House/Scrubs age that
younger people exposed to toxic levels of cable are becoming more
and more aware of the kind of internal torment we go through.
These results just shows the inherent dynamism or, to put it more
bluntly, fickleness of perceived notions. Fortunately, as was expected,
the stereotype is still there; this an advantage or a disadvantage
depends entirely to us practitioners of modern healing. An
expectation come from perception; and when expectations are met,
then comes respect; and respect, as we all know, is earned with a
lot of courage.
In retrospect, as an undergraduate once, I saw medical students and doctors as
distant, unreachable stars of characteristic brilliance: that unique light that
draws out inspiration and challenge you to do better in things just for the sake of
doing better. There is an air of purity and simplicity of thought in such academic
pursuits. So I took up medicine.
Empirically speaking, that is to say: now that I am here, exposed to the rigors of self-discipline, thick books thick eyebags, caffeine
intoxication, and basically living the life of a 16th century monk, an average undergraduate would never in a
million years be able to know how much an average medical student has to go through to
become a physician. There are just not enough words for it. We bury ourselves in books and cram our heads with facts in
the shortest possible time; facts that may someday save somebody’s life. We burn money like paper, constantly poor and would
probably be poor for the next decade of our lives unless we hit an oil-well or something. We torture ourselves if we make mistakes,
because mistakes mean somebody suffered more than he/she has to, or worse died, and it’s our fault, and see ourselves inept and
incomplete. I’m a 2nd year student by the way, a long way to go, I know.
The scientific method is an efficient process of opening up our eyes, but sometimes step no. 4 can be so overwhelming you can only
counter it with chewing more than you can bite, instead of the other way around.
Fortunately, there is always beauty, however misconstrued or malpresented, pathologic even: The beauty of hard work and esoteric
knowledge and pursuit of something nearing the excellence of something indefinably Supernatural. Seeing someone eat an ordinary
meal on an ordinary day, and draw from that totally ordinary act the physiology of mastication, the enzymes of digestion, and biochemichal
processes as arcane as the Kreb’s cycle, and the almost imperceptible, totally benign movements of apparently disjointed anatomic
machines converting the foodstuffs into nutrients down towards a perfection the size of a mitochondria. The human body is a
beautiful thing. And at least, we medical students have a glimpse of what our forefathers have died for trying to perceive that beauty.
Brachial plexus, morphology of parasites, not to mention
their names, essays in physiology, the 5-8pm schedule
of neuroanatomy… endless quizzes, days from now - unit
exam, then bimonthly tests…The life of a medical student. Tell me, what is not stressful
about medicine?
Stress is referred to as the consequences of the failure of a human or animal body to respond appropriately to emotional or physical
threats. The stressor may be something actual, like taking the test or while studying for it; or the stressor may also be imagined like
thinking of failing the test or the subject.
Stress may not necessarily be unfavorable to a person, it may even motivate others to perform better. But too much stress may be
damaging. It can cause increased irritability, inability to concentrate, muscular tension and can often lead to headaches, hypertension,
anxiety disorders, and depression.
Different people cope with stress differently. Here are some of the ways medical students manage stress.
Devouring food.
Whether it be dining out for Friday
The Reel thing. A daily dose of Betty La Fea, cinema
lunches or Saturday dinners, chocolate or candy study breaks
nights or series marathons never fail to take you out of the
or just eating greatly every lunch break, eating savory food takes
world of medicine. Unless you are watching Grey’s, House,
the stress away. Aside from replenishing the bodies with the
Scrubs or ER which only drives you to become a doctor real
much needed energy, the mere activity of eating something
soon, querying on the life of Serena and Blair or taking a break
delicious is very pleasurable.
with your Heroes takes you to their worlds and for a moment
you forget that you are a medical student.
Alcohol and Friends. Gulping at newly opened bars,
or convenient stores across the street while sharing a conver-
Tapping the Laptop.
sation with friends seems to help you forget the stress in
searching the Net, downloading songs or playing online games
medschool. Just make sure you don’t do it too often or right
seems to be the favorite stress breakers of some. With just a
before examinations because it will only stress you more when
few Peso, hours can be fun by conquering the social, cyber
you find out you have failed your exam.
and gaming world.
Trips to the Salon and Spa. That’s what they are
Good ol‘ Dreamland. With an average of only 3-6
here for, to let you unwind, de-stress and even let you look
hours of sleep, lying in bed can be the most efficient way to de-
beautiful. Either getting a new ‘do, facial or a whole body mas-
stress. Not only does your body need it, but retreating to your
sage, after an hour or two, it’s guaranteed when you step out
bed is a way of relaxing without costing you anything.
Updating your Friendster,
you’ll feel better and more relaxed.
Belting on the Karaoke.
Singing to the tunes of
Spice Girls or Chris Brown, or giving it your all to a Bon Jovi or
Whether you choose to take a trip to the salon, karaoke or to
Whitney Houston melody helps you let all the stress out. Not
your bed, always take time to unwind. Few moments away from
only can you sing out all your frustrations in medschool, you
the medical books may be more beneficial than studying when
can even fulfill your frustration to be a singer.
you are all stressed out. As the old saying goes,
Want to be a singing doctor, anyone?
“All work, no play makes Jack a dull – doctor.”
Jim and Edna were both patients in a mental
hospital. One day while they were walking past the
hospital swimming pool, Jim suddenly jumped into
the deep end. He sank to the bottom of the pool and
stayed there. Edna promptly jumped in to save him.
She swam to the bottom and pulled Jim out.
When the Director became aware of Edna's heroic
act she immediately ordered her to be discharged
from the hospital, as she now considered her to be
mentally stable. When she went to tell Edna the news
she said, "Edna, I have good news and bad news. The
good news is you're being discharged."
"Since you were able to rationally respond to a crisis
by jumping in and saving the life of another patient,
I have concluded that your act displays sound
mindedness."
"The bad news is that Jim, the patient you saved,
hung himself with his bathrobe belt in the bathroom
right after you saved him. I am so sorry, but he's
dead."
Edna replied, "He didn't hang himself; I put him there
to dry. How soon can I go home?"
A woman gets on a bus with her baby. The bus driver says:
"That's the ugliest baby that I've ever seen. Ugh! "
The woman goes to the rear of the bus and sits down,
fuming. She says to a man next to her: "The driver just
insulted me!"
The man says: "You go right up there and tell him off go ahead, I'll hold your monkey for you."
Doctor: "Did you know that there are more than 200 bones in the
human body?"
Patient: "Shhh, doctor! My dog's outside in the waiting room!"
<< continued...
by Dr. Yvonne Lanuza
Albert Schweitzer: I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one
thing I do know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are
those who have sought and found how to serve.
FIRST YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT
Early to rise
Late to bed
Alex Noble: If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the
nature and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider
horizons of thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been
a succesful day.
Marian Wright Edelman: You’re not obligated to win. You’re obligated
to keep trying to do the best you can every day.
Walter Reuther: There is no greater calling than to serve your fellowmen.
There is no greater contribution than to help the weak. There is no
greater satisfaction than to have done it well.
Herman Melville: We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are
connected by a thousand invisible threads, and along these sympathethic
fibers, our actions run as causes and return to us as results.
SECOND YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT
Late to rise
Late to school
Alvin Toffler: The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who
cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.
Pearl S. Buck: The secret of joy in work is contained in one word excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.
Albert Einstein: It is, in fact, nothing short of a miracle that the modern
methods of instruction have not entirely strangled the holy curiosity of
inquiry.
Victor Frankl: A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he
bears toward a human being who affectionately waits for him, or to an
unfinished work, will never be able to throw away his life. He knows
the “why” for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any “how.”
THIRD YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT
Oliver Wendell Holmes: A man may fulfill the object of his existence
by asking a question he cannot answer, and attempting a task he can-
One more step ahead.
not achieve.
Carl Schurz: Our ideals resemble the stars, which illuminate the night.
No one will ever be able to touch them. But the men who, like the
sailors on the ocean, take them for guides, will undoubtedly reach their
goal.
Marian Wright Edelman: It’s time for greatness - not for greed. It’s a
time for idealism - not ideology. It is a time not just for compassionate
words, but compassionate action.
FOURTH YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT
Nothing can be more
exhausting than this!
Keshavan Nair: With courage you will dare to take risks, have the
strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage
is the foundation of integrity.
Ben Sweetland: We cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without
brightening our own.
Maria Mitchell: We have a hunger of the mind which asks for knowledge
of all around us, and the more we gain, the more is our desire; the more
we see, the more we are capable of seeing.
Mary Pickford: If you have made mistakes, there is always another
chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for
this thing we call “future” is not the falling down, but the staying down.
EDGAR M. GERODIAS
Editor-in-chief
LACCHEMI RANA
Associate Editor
MARIA CARMEN NERI
Managing Editor
CHRISTINE IRIS C. EVANGELISTA
Feature Editor
KATHLEEN G. MANALOTO
FIONA THERESE P. BELDUA
News Editors
MARY ROSE SUGAR S. ZAMORA
ZICHRI KEREN O. PEROCHO
Circulating Editors
QURRATAINI I. BALOCANG
Lay-out Artist
EDWARD FRANK D. DELOS REYES
Photojournalist
FLAVIANO B. MANALO, MAED
Consultant
DR. PETER AZNAR
Adviser
Southwestern University
Matias H. Aznar Medical Alumni
REUNION 09
Greetings! SWU-MHAM will be holding its grand reunion on July 17-18, 2009. Whatever endeavor
you have been doing now; a politician, a businessman, a teacher, a specialist, MHO or just plain
housewife, SWU MHAM has always played a part in molding you to what you are now.
Please join me on July 17-18, 2009 Waterfront Hotel Arctic Room as we celebrate an Oscar
Remember, Reunion is never complete without “U”.
RAMON M. ABALLE, M.D.