Text by Martin R. Racza

Photos by Joseph A. Bautista

Graduating residents and fellows of the PGH Department of Medicine pose for a photo during LAYAG: The Commencement Exercises for the Graduating Fellows and Residents of the PGH Department of Medicine. 

A sentiment of gratitude permeated the atmosphere as the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) Department of Medicine celebrated the completion of programs of its 22 internal medicine residents and 63 fellows in a ceremony on May 2, 2024, at the Sheraton Hotel in Manila.

Honor and Excellence 

Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Dr. Marc Lharen M. Barsabal, underscored the commitment of PGH doctors to maintain the highest standards of honor and excellence. “As doctors of PGH, we aim to meet the highest expectations of honor and excellence, expectations sometimes bordering on unrealistic in the face of limited resources and overwhelming circumstances.”

Former Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary Beverly Lorraine C. Ho, expressed gratitude to the graduating class for dedicating their prime years to training as agents of hope and healers of health.

“To our dear graduates, thank you for choosing to spend your most productive years in training to become bearers of hope, restorers of health, and when your peers who have chosen to enter the workforce earlier have already begun reaping the rewards of their college education, you are here in the hospital, training for your patients,” Dr. Ho said.

She also highlighted the role of understanding one’s success scorecard or Key Result Areas (KRA) in defining one’s goals. “When the goal is clear, when your KRA is clear, every job, every opportunity, then becomes a platform, a door opener, to where you want to go, and you will not get lost in the flurry of everyday processes,” Dr. Ho said. “Draft your own KRA, the clarity and specificity of your own vision for success should propel you not only to work harder but smarter.”

Dr. John C. Añonuevo, Chair of the Department of Medicine, delivers his opening remarks.

It Takes A Village to Raise a Child

Dr. John C. Añonuevo, Chair of the Department of Medicine, emphasized the significance of gratitude in his message to the graduating class, reflecting on an article he authored about the residency program at PGH titled “It Takes A Village To Raise A Child,” which draws inspiration from an African proverb.

“The reality is everyone here who is graduating has been shaped by many individuals. You are products of many minds,” Dr. Añonuevo said.

The end of the training period heralds a new chapter. Dr. Añonuevo urged the graduates to approach patient care with the same level of dedication and excellence as distinguished alumni of the UP College of Medicine (UPCM). 

“Soar high and fly–this is what Layag represents. Sail far and beyond the borders of your imagination, and chase your dreams. We need good doctors to provide unselfish care to our countrymen,” he said. 

Dr. Añonuevo also gave his farewell message as Chair of the Department of Medicine and thanked the people who helped him during his six-year stint. “So as you can see, I also had an entire village that helped me throughout the last six years and shaped me for who I am now. Salamat sa inyong lahat,” he said. 

Dr. Beverly Lorraine C. Ho, guest speaker during the event, shares nuggets of wisdom to the graduates

Sailors Sail Together

“When I graduated, it was a time of uncertainty. Nahasa kami, pero hindi tulad niyo ngayon. You became residents and fellows in the most difficult times, is something that will really prepare you. Dahil sa tulong ninyo, nalampasan natin ang pinakamahirap na period sa ating bansa, sa ating mundo. And you were there to serve, not just to train.”

This was the exaltation given by Chancellor Michael L. Tee to the graduates as he recalled the years of the COVID-19 pandemic, giving special mention to PGH Director Gerardo D. Legaspi, Dr. Añonuevo, and UPCM Dean Charlotte Chiong, who gave extreme efforts during that time.

“That is what makes you different. You are able to serve, but more than the service you gave, this Department helped shape the way we responded to that pandemic. You created the evidence. Ang mga guidance para sa ating evidence-based practices which you did in the wards, and published, so that the whole nation can benefit from your knowledge,” Chancellor Tee said.

He also expressed optimism that the Department and the community have expanded the graduates’ perspectives, equipping them with the essential knowledge and skills to steer toward their chosen life paths.

Moral Compass

Navigating these ports entails traversing “oceans,” and the graduates may not possess the same level of expertise as seasoned sailors. “So when you sail, do not forget that the more experienced ‘sailors’ in this Department would be there to guide you,” Chancellor Tee advised. “Yes, some of the maps are available, but as young sailors as you are, you can always chart your own map, and the Department has given you enough skills to do that.”

Chancellor Tee also emphasized the importance of working well with peers to achieve success. 

“You cannot sail alone. Find a good company,” he said. “Sailors can sail together; find people who share the same enthusiasm and interest that you have, and sail with them. Collaborate. I was never successful alone; the many publications that I may have produced were never done as a single author, it was always with people who share the same interests, the same sentiments. And in sharing, we become better. If you’re not sure, refer.”

Seven Lessons In Leading During A Crisis

PGH Director Gerardo T. Legaspi shared seven lessons in leadership during a crisis: “First, identify your own crisis or problems. Settle them before you settle the problems of others. Second, Don’t be an outcast. We do better if we do it with other people, especially when we share our dreams with them. Third, dig deep into the root cause of a problem. Fourth, get ready for the long haul. Your years in PGH have prepared you for that. Fifth, when you lead, you will be in the spotlight. You will be invincible when no one can question your moral integrity. No one will doubt what you say. Sixth, take the boat and steer it where you want to go. Seventh, never let a good crisis go to waste.”

Dr. Legaspi also told the graduates to continue aspiring for more. “The biggest dream we make for ourselves is the dream we make for others,” he said. 

UPCM Dean Charlotte Chiong praised the Department of Medicine for its numerous achievements, referring to it as “The best and most excellent department in the entire College of Medicine.”

UPCM Dean Charlotte M. Chiong exalts the feats of the graduates during Layag: The Commencement Exercises for the UP-PGH Department of Medicine Residents and Fellows.

“I have always admired this Department. The majority of the research publications came from it, with 1,100 published papers in the last 5 years, with 3.5 million pesos gathered in funding. Ang pinakamalaking porsyento ng research funds ay napupunta sa Department of Medicine,” she said in her praises.

She told the graduates, “What you bring with you, graduates, is the unquestionable realization that you were able to reach this point in your life because of the sacrifices and contributions of many people, firstly, your parents, who allowed you to be part of the Department even if there is a great risk that you will lose your lives.”

“I have high hopes that you will be our champions in making sure that medicine is not a business, but it is the art of making sure that ‘patients come first,’” Dean Chiong concluded. 

Special Awards

Special awards were presented to the following graduates during the ceremony: Dr. Hanna Jillian Ho – Dr. Ernesto Domingo Award for Most Outstanding First Year Resident; Dr. Henzor Vincent G. Dauigoy – Dr. Antonio Gonzaga Award for Most Outstanding Second Year Resident; Dr. Chelsea Colleen G. Paris – Dr. Clemente Amante Award for Most Outstanding Third Year Resident, Dr. Mediadora Saniel Award for Most Outstanding Resident Teacher, and Assistant Chief Resident for Research 2023; Dr. John Christopher A. Pilapil – Dr. Ramon F. Abarquez Award for Most Outstanding Fellow-In Training, Dr. Clemente Gatmaitan Award for Most Outstanding Fellow in Research; Dr. Bryan F. Elvambuena – Chief Resident 2023, Department of Medicine

Dr. Maria Katrina M. Mata – Head for Special Projects (SAGIP Buhay Medical Foundation Inc.) 2023; Dr. John Thaddeus N. Ocampo – Assistant Chief Resident for Postgraduate Training; Dr. Joanna Pauline E. Cu – Assistant Chief Resident for Services 2023; Dr. Regiel Christian Q. Mag-usara – Assistant Chief Resident for Undergraduate Training 2023; Dr. Rosa Silvana T. Bascuña – Assistant Chief Resident for Conferences and Special Projects 2023; Dr. John Christopher A. Pilapil – Chief of Chief Fellows, June 1, 2023 -December 31, 2023; Dr. Patricia Maria Gregoria M. Cuaño – Chief of Fellows, January 1, 2024 – May 31, 2024; Dr. Deonne Thaddeus V. Gauiran – Most Distinguished Junior Consultant, and Dr. John C. Añonuevo – Most Distinguished Senior Consultant.