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
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