The Silliman University Medical School's 2017 Mr Hibalag candidate, Michael Budgell was born and raised in Canada, but moved to the Philippines in second year high school and graduated high school at St. Paul University Dumaguete, he also graduated college in Silliman University earning a BSMT degree. Michael Budgell is a kind of man whose entrance into a room may go unnoticed due to his conservative personality, but who quickly stands out when given the opportunity to speak because of his intelligence and the solemnity of his voice which I believe could put even a Tiger to sleep! But not the Judges! They sat up in their chairs listening intently to what he had to say both in the Pre Pageant and the actual Pageant night.

On August 14th  on a mere stage turned magical by a crowd gathered to see the next Mr Hibalag 2017, Michael shared with us his advocacy of Mental Health Awareness – removing the stigma of mental health through spreading awareness. In his speech entitled “The Diseases we cannot see: Removing the Stigma of Mental Health”, he talked about how many people will experience mental health problems such as depression and anxiety at some point in their lives. Michael explained the different actions we can take in spreading this awareness such as info drives and the Mr. Hibalag pageant itself, also mentioning how one of the best actions we can take against this stigma is simply talking about it. Talking about it can trigger a series of events that will lead to all of us being aware that the stigma exists and placing it behind us recognizing the importance of mental health. As for the display of talent, Michael recreated the Titanic scenes with just a Clarinet while a couple waltzes on stage and just like the historic ship sinking into oblivion, I felt the audience drown in amazement.  

The night of the pageant occurred on the 26th of August at the Hibalag booth area and after the opening prayer and anthem, the candidates showed up stage in a wild display of self confidence, exceptional public speaking and fashion. Our Hibalag candidate dazzled the Judges wearing a costume centered around Antonio Luna. He wore a general’s uniform which consisted of a knee length coat with patches, cargo pants, combat boots, and a cap. He also brought a wooden rifle borrowed from the ROTC, all designed by the pageant committee. Just like the other candidates, he was shown a picture about people covering up windows showing pollution with pictures of nature and his response was that there are people who want to cover up the damage of pollution for business purposes. Amidst the excited screams of the medical students, Michael Budgell made the top 5 after appearing on stage in a formal wear consisting of a gray tuxedo, black vest, white shirt with a black bowtie. Also wearing gray slacks with black leather shoes.  

Michael's response to the question, 'what is the trait that a millennial man should have?' Was breath taking for most of us, he responded that technology has immense power and a millennial man must be able to harness this to inspire and change lives and although Our 2017 Hibalag candidate may not have won the Pageant that night, the smile on every medical student's face present there as Michael walked so elegantly on stage made me realize that in some astonishing way, 'We won'.

 -Jokotoye Oluremi

Tameera Angelette McQueen, 24, born and raised in Puerto Princesa Palawan, is a third year medical student who exemplifies a driven and service-oriented personality. Her optimism and strong sense of identity sustained her as she enters the limelight of this year’s 71st Miss Silliman Pageant.

Here’s how she catwalks towards the world of glamour, wit and beauty in spite of the busy life as Medical student.

Take a risk. Step outside the line.

It takes guts to enter the realm of pageantry. “Honestly, I feel honored and at the same time pressured to take this role because last year’s Ms Medicine was really sensational. However, despite our differences in personality I have learned to embrace my uniqueness as well as find strength in it. And that makes me good in what I’m doing,” she reveals.

Each day brings unexpected surprises.

“At first, I just want to take the opportunity to represent the Medical school but along the way, I have realized that joining Ms Silliman becomes an avenue for me to voice my advocacy. Promoting it gives me a sense fulfillment,” she enthuses saying that it must be a calling.

Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they have the heart.

At a young age Tameera has witnessed a lot of miserable health scenarios which has ignited her interest in Public Health.  “I want to inspire students to serve the underprivileged communities and to inculcate compassion towards the delivery of Primary Health Care in the far-flung regions of the country,” Tameera underscores.   “To raise awareness to future health professionals through ancillary workshops and various field exposures is the goal of my advocacy,” she added. Tameera has impressed the judges as she delivers her advocacy with conviction. She was awarded as one of the Top Three Best speaker during the Pre-pageant night held last August 17, 2017 at Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium.

Fast forward to the pageant night held at Lamberto Macias Sports Complex last August 26, 2017, Ms. Tameera McQueen once again aced the competition as she received the coveted title of Miss Professionalism for her remarkable sense of character and integrity. She was also awarded as Miss Congeniality for her exemplary amiability towards the other contestants.

For this year’s themed-wear about embodying the epitome of a Silliman woman, Ms Medicine flawlessly portrays the Epitome of Healing where she looks like a heroine always ready to save lives. She also stunned the spectators in her ostentatious and extravagant evening gown exhibiting elegance and style.

Not only Tameera has showcased her beauty and the goodness of her heart, she also proved that medical students are capable of doing more than what is expected of them. Truly, she is a well-rounded beauty queen. Keep slaying Ms. Medicine!

“It is better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times” Asian Proverb. Perhaps that was on the minds of the excited people who graced the open house of the Silliman University Medical School on August 25. The stories that laid behind the delightful building, which the sagacious taste and astute benevolence of the administration of the University had raised for the glory of God and Dumaguete city needed to be discovered. What lies behind the door of glass that contributed to the training of great physicians who are making it in the country and abroad?

The journey to find out about the medical school started in the early hours of the morning. At 8:04 am, the first group of people were present. It was time to see for themselves. Lots of anticipation was seen among them. No hindrance or whatsoever was put between them and what their eyes craved to behold. This was clearly seen among the welcome committee members who with smiles welcomed the people at the lobby of the medical school and were willing to conduct the tour. Other tourists who arrived not long after were all treated to clips of the just ended variety show by the Medical school while they registered and waited for teams of ten to be formed. The welcome committee then moved the units in succession starting from the first floor. The first group of stops for any group were on this floor. These stops were to see some of the wonderful displays that were beautifully set up by the medical students.

First to catch the eye of tourists was the Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBG) station which had a rather unusual decoration to the door that led into the room. It was a carefully designed room with lots of things to show, ranging from pictures, clips, models, equipment, chats which all bothered on the theme of showing the world of OBG to tourists. Not for the faint hearted, was a clip of a caesarian section been performed which was showing and been explained by medical students present. It was the last piece of knowledge to be impacted to participants. But hold on. All was not about learning without a bit of fun. A person among each group which passed through this section was made to pick a question and answer for a sticker which had an equivalent gift to be collected later. Easy questions, very simple answers, great gifts. Those were all part of the fun.  A quick interview with Ayasa from Foundation Preparatory Academy after touring this section said she liked the OBGY and supposes she would want to be a doctor.

Delighted by what had been seen by far, tourists were conducted to the next room which was the Anatomy laboratory. It was really an atmosphere which showed either awe on the faces of the tourists or fear. These reactions were on the premise of the two cadavers which were on display to teach participants. This was really an open house and all doors and activities were opened to all. Apart from the cadavers on display were bones, models, X-ray images, dissecting equipment and others. For the use of participants was a backdrop and models to pose with. Before they could finally exit, there were two games that were open to playing to win prices; arrangement of bones, and arrangement of organs in the torso. Winners were given stickers with which they could claim their prices at the appropriate point during the tour. ‘The part that I like the most is the human anatomy because it’s my first time to see a dead body’, Fritz Antonio from Negros Oriental State University said in an interview.

Leaving the anatomy lab with lots of talking points especially concerning the cadaver, the tour took every group to the second floor of the magnificent and well-structured medical school. What was there to be seen were the histology, Microbiology/Parasitology lab as well as the Physiology lab. There were more to grasp. Present at the physiology were apparatus and models used to study about normal and abnormal heart and lung sounds, CPR, grip strength, electrical stimulus using the power lab setup; pictures and permanent slides of cells, tissues, and some parasites at the Histology/parasitology and microbiology lab. Games frolicked by tourists in those labs were the grip strength using the hand dynamometer and identification of tissues, parasite building puzzle by the physiology and histology, Microbiology/Parasitology laboratories respectively.

Bernard Osei Darfour

bernardnanaosei@gmail.com

SUMS- Level 1 

Since the plan to establish what would later be the Silliman University Medical School on October 20, 1997, with the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee attended by Dr. Jonathan C. Amante, Prof. Reynaldo Y. Rivera, Dr. Brenda V. Diputado, Dr. Lynn L. Olegario, and Dr. Erlinda Lim-Juan to the Board of Trustees’ approval of the medical school program on March 20, 2004 and the Commission on Higher Education’s approval of the program for School Year 2005-2006, until today, the Silliman University Medical school takes pride in its achievement and years of legacy, producing successful graduates and physicians in their respective fields,  through its comprehensive system of education and medical training program that hones medical students and practice them to become wise stewards of health resources, equip them with the necessary knowledge, as well as arm them with people skills and smarts.

This year, Silliman University Medical School (SUMS) geared up again as it held its annual event, Kita-ay, with this year’s theme, “Kita-ay 2017: Fiesta sa SUMS” –one of the various activities we, students, the alumni, faculty, and staff look forward to as we saved the date- August 23, 2017. The gathering is part of the medical school’s highlight festivities in lieu with Silliman University’s 116^th Founder’s Day Celebration. It is a thanksgiving for all the graces and countless blessings bestowed to the medical school and also a coming together to meet new friends and greet classmates and acquaintances, maintain connection, have a wonderful time, and make good memories. It is also a way of getting in touch, continuing the process of learning, and keeping ourselves updated with the changes and improvements in the medical school.

The program kicked off with an opening prayer, followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem by the SUMSerenade. The program proper begun as hosts Danielle Myr Bernaldez and Nitzschia Cassiopiea Beroe Lozarita welcomed Dr. Walden R. Ursos, dean of the Silliman University Medical School for his opening remarks. One of the highlight events of that memorable evening included the raffle drawing [which was done in-between the program] wherein everyone, students, staff and faculty, alike, get a chance to win a prize. Then, it was ensued by the presentation of the history of SUMSA (Silliman University Medical School Association) by Dr. Juan Paulo A. Tabaloc, along with it was a short video presentation which walked us through how the organization started and how SUMSA came to be. There was also the launching of the official SUMSAA (Silliman University Medical School Alumni Association) logo. Shortly, thereafter, dinner was served and everyone was enjoying the sumptuous meal as friends, teachers, classmates, and alumni chat and bring back memories of being in the SUMS campus. To further brighten the atmosphere, SUMSA has prepared a surprise game with a twist, called the KTV Showdown, which was not only participated by the students alone, but also with medical school’s very enthusiastic staff and faculty. The contenders sang their hearts out and gained cheers from the active and blissful crowd showing support to the different groups they’re betting to win. This did not only exemplified how talented doctors and future doctors can be, but also showed the spirit of good fellowship and sportsmanship in SUMS, both in and out of class. Just as the program’s momentum started to heighten and with a few more songs which the groups sang, we hardly noticed time flew so fast and winners were finally announced. The program ended with the raffle drawing for the grand prize winners, followed by the closing remarks by Dr. Ma. Lourdes E. Ursos, the SUMSA adviser.

Indeed, Kita-ay 2017 was a night of thanksgiving for everything that the Silliman University Medical School has accomplished throughout the years and for SUMSA, SUMSAA and the whole SUMS family who worked hand-in hand to make the event a successful and superb one. It was also a great opportunity of reuniting and reliving memories, and creating something that will then become a portion and parcel of the SUMS history. This celebration constantly reminds us that whatever we become in the future and wherever we go, we will always be a part of one big community and will keep returning back to a place close and dear to our hearts, our second home, the Silliman University Medical School.

Long live Silliman University Medical School!

God bless everyone and I hope you all enjoy the rest of Silliman University’s 116^th Founder’s Day Celebration!

Yag-Yag Festival

How does one immortalize a memory? Coat it with art and sprinkle it with love.

Truly, a memory can fade through time. An act of goodness can be buried deep in one’s long-forgotten past if he does not find a way to contain it. Write about it. Take pictures of it. Paint how it looks like. Make a song for it. Dance about it. These are just among the variety of things one can do to immortalize a memory.

A memory that the next generation can learn from is one of the greatest legacies our ancestors have left for us. It is indeed fascinating how they pay tribute and how they give utmost importance to gratitude. Last August 18, 2017, the Silliman University Medical School had her annual Variety Show to showcase a few of the most celebrated Philippine Festivals in history.

Each festival has a wondrous story to tell and indeed, they center on love and gratitude. They are just two things among the essentials of life. However, without them, life can be dull. One loves and one gives thanks. It is only when we realize how to do it right can we only master the art of expression.

There were four Philippine festivals presented live on stage. Among the two, the Zamboanga La Hermosa Festival and the Inagta Festival are devoted for Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragosa and San Nicholas de Bari, respectively. The other two, the Panagbenga Festival and the Yag-yag Festival (which is also to pay tribute to St. Anthony of Padua), separately celebrate the flowers and the crabs, which are among the gifts of nature.

Known to be the “City of Flowers”, Zamboanga City holds dear to her heart the Marian devotion for Nuestra Señora Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza. With the La Hermosa Festival which runs from October 1 to 12, the Zamboangueños’ legendary devotion to the Lady comes to life. The city was an integral part of Spanish colonization. A fort named Real Fuerza de San Jose was built in Zamboanga in 1635 to secure the Spaniards against the attacks of the moro warriors. In 1734, the Lady’s statue was brought to the fort to be the front-piece of the main entrance. In 1860, the fort’s western side was converted into a shrine for The Lady and was then renamed Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza. Lives wealthy of miracles have been brought to the people and they have firmly believed that it is made possible through the intercessions of the Virgin Mary.

The Inagta Festival of Siaton has been considered to be the oldest festival of Negros Oriental, making it a celebration of authentic Negrense culture. The dance consists of a follow-the-leader sequence characterized by imitation of the movements of animals, such as the monkey, frog, crow, snake, and rail. It is performed every 6^th of December to pay homage to the town’s patron saint, St. Nicholas of Bari.  As they dance, the performers sing songs which depict their lives, recite verses which need confirmation of the group, and chant from time-to-time, “Viva Señor San Nicholas!” The Agtas were converted to the Christian faith due to the Spanish conquest in the country. Moslems from Jolo had attacked the established Christian villages, had kidnapped women and children, and had looted their homes, paving the way for one of the fiercest battles between the locals and the invaders. During the battle, a dark shadow, who later on the natives found to be that of San Nicholas de Bari, miraculously appeared and covered the Agtas, which led to the Moslems’ defeat after being unable to see the Agtas in the midst of the fight.

The Panagbenga Festival of Baguio, which was formerly known as the Baguio Flower Festival, was formed and organized last 1995 by Atty. Damaso Bangaoet, Jr. and Victor A. Lim. It was set in February, given the month’s perfect weather and for the visitors to have the reason to visit the city between Christmas and Holy Week. Pangbenga came from a Malayo-Polynesian origin, which means “season of blooming.”  It was celebrated to pay tribute to the city’s flowers and a way to rise up from the devastation brought by the 1990 Luzon earthquake.

Celebrated on the streets of Sibulan on the last week of April, the Yag-yag Festival is held in honor of St. Anthony of Padua, who is believed to bless the municipality with marine resources. A play of comedy, action, and dancing comes alive as this festival revolves on the importance of crabs and a family’s story who found the wonders of such tiny yet useful creatures. From October to December in the Sapa, which is one of the two springs in Brgy. Cangmating of Sibulan, the crab and other marine animals gather on shore. These crabs lay and float their eggs during high tides to mature in the swamps. In the next few days, the locals would harvest their food and craft materials.

The seniors, having admirably performed the Inagta Festival, came in the third runner-up while the freshmen was awarded second runner-up for their marvelous interpretation of the La Hermosa festival and was also given the award for the Most Anticipated Performance. The juniors came in to be the first runner-up for the spectacular portrayal of the Panagbenga Festival. They also won the Best Festival Photo. The ones who were awarded to be the champions of the annual variety show were the sophomores for magnificently presenting the Yag-yag Festival to the crowd. Coming from the sophomore class, Jolou Abella and Reyna Grace Viña Maata were crowned to be the Festival King and Queen, respectively.

Panagbenga Festival's Best Festival Photo

Having gone through the various stories behind the magnificence of the aforementioned Philippine festivals, to say thank you to the people who have gone before us would be an understatement, for no words can ever suffice the culture they have enriched for us to live. They have shown to us one of the ultimate expressions of love and that is, art.

The modernization would have probably buried pieces of our history but with these festivals being brought to life and celebrated at present, it is like taking a free trip to memory lane. The memory lane of how life was like ages ago. We may have thought the flowers and crabs are just so trivial. We may not have believed in miracles all our lives. Maybe the trivial things don’t matter for us and miracles are too impossible to happen.

Do you know the difference between now and back then? Now, we have a lot of things to focus on that we choose to live in fast pace. We look back to the past, prepare for the future and fail to live in the present. We tend to overlook the little things because the big things are already enough to overwhelm us. Every day, we fail to pay attention. Back then, people have been attentive—attentive to everything that makes up their lives. Yes, attention. That’s what we lack. We walk blindly feeding the pessimism in ourselves, entertaining that cloud of plague as we live. Oftentimes, we forget to feel grateful for the things we have because we choose to dwell on the things we do not have.

It still amazed me how the flowers, the crabs, and the miracles have been remembered through the festivals. Who says we need to have that time machine to travel back in time when we have all these memoirs immortalized for us?

So, how do you immortalize a memory?

Sources:

www.triptheislands.com

www.gobaguio.com

www.etravelpilipinas.com

www.dumaguete.com

www.lovelyphilippines.com

Cavite—Silliman University Medical Students’ Association (SUMSA) delegates attended this school year’s Planning and Evaluation Seminar with the theme ‘Hiraya: Forging a stronger network for the Philippine medical student’ held at the Adventist University of the Philippines campus in Silang, Cavite.

Rimel Von Patula, SUMSA President; Felice Marie Enopia, External Vice-President; Sylvie Lazalita, Internal Vice-President; and Keith Roland Pacarro, SUMSA APMC Committee Chair, were in attendance representing Silliman University Medical School (SUMS). The seminar was attended by medical students from the forty-seven medical schools in the country divided into four regions namely Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and NCR-South Luzon.

This caucus is one of the many events of the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges—Student Network (APMC-SN), and serves as the jump-off point for all other projects and events held within this academic year 2017-2018 such as the Tambayayong, Medlympics, Medgroove and Medrhythmia, the Regional Convention and the National Convention.

Felice Enopia