Author: Andro Larong

The three-day annual Association of Philippine Medical Colleges – Student Network (APMC- SN) Mindanao Regional Assembly has come to an end, last Feb. 12, 2024 at Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro City.

Pagmaya 2024, this year’s theme for the 13th APMC-SN Mindanao Regional Assembly, is a celebration centered on uniting paths and weaving the narratives of healing and hope as future healers of the land.

Participated by ten medical schools all over Mindanao, namely, Brokenshire College School of Medicine, Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc., Jose Maria College Foundation, Inc. – College of Medicine, Liceo de Cagayan University – College of Medicine, Mindanao State University General Santos – College of Medicine, Mindanao State University Iligan City, College of Medicine, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines – College of Medicine, University of Southeastern Philippines – School of Medicine, University of Southern Mindanao College of Medicine and the host school Xavier University – Dr Jose P. Rizal School of Medicine.

The said event started with loud screams and chants for the opening parade bringing pride and honor to the different participating schools. Mr. Andro S. Larong – MSC President, Ms. Sunday Joy Tachado – APMC Sr. Representative, and Mr. Gabriel B. Pamati-an were the banner bearers from JMCFI COM.

Different academic and non-academic events were started simultaneously in the afternoon. In which participants from JMCFI COM showcased their research entry for both basic and translational/clinical categories with the title “ANTI-ANGIOGENIC ACTIVITY AND IC50 OF PINEAPPLE PEEL EXTRACT USING IN OVO DUCK CHORIOALLANTOIC ASSAY” and “HEROES WITHOUT CAPES: UNVEILING THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF DOCTORS TO THE BARRIOR WORKING IN GEOGRAPHICALLY ISOLATED AND DISADVATAGED AREAS” by Mr. Vincent Arvie Ono-on, Ms. Ma. Adrianne Pama, Ms. Sunday Tachado and Ms. Geremy Fe Josol, Ms. Evgenia Kampitsis, Mr. Andro Larong, respectively.

For the physical sports, JMCFI COM basketball boys, basketball girls, and volleyball mixed headed by their team captains, Mr. Leonard Ramon Felonia, Ms. Michelle Ang, and Mr. Samsodin Gamdamra showcased their talent and sportsmanship as they conquered the battle between the different participating teams.

On the second day, the most awaited battle of the brains for this years medical quiz bee competition represented by Ms. Frechie Alzate, Ms. Yedda Arao, Ms. Yvonne Sumalinog and Mr. Ron Ampo for team 1 and Ms. Wynzi Centillas, Ms. Evgenia Kampitsis, Mr. Dave Angchangco and Mr. Andro Larong for team 2 for JMCFI COM.

Along with the Clinicopathologic Case Presentation, participated by Ms. Jorramae Barrosa, Ms. Wynzi Centillas, Ms. Deanne Marie Joyce Hasan, Ma. Camille Ara Platon, Mr. Dave Angchangco and Mr. Shandeen Victorio with a final diagnosis of the case “Acute Respiratory Failure secondary to Acute Respiratory Distress secondary to Pulmonary Tuberculosis” In the afternoon, JMCFI COM basketball girls bagged third place against the USM COM, while the participants from JMCFI COM won the second place on the Larong Pinoy (sack race, chinese garter and patintero).

Finally with pride and honor volleyball mixed rose above the net and won and held as champions against DMSFI.

On the final day, loud cheers and chant from different participating schools filled the gymnasium for the awarding ceremony.

JMCFI COM participants shows excellence by bringing pride and honor as they have won various awards for both academic and non-academic competitions, with both research teams qualified for the APMC-SN National Convention which will be held in San Beda College.

Non-Academic Competitions Volleyball mixed – Champion Volleyball MVP – Mr. Ian Borral (1st year medical student) Basketball girls – 2nd Runner Up Larong Pinoy – 1st Runner Up Physical Sports – Over all 2nd Runner Up Academic Competitions Basic Research Category – 2nd Runner Up Translational/Clinical Category – 2nd Runner up The event ended with celebration of talents and wit uniting each medical schools within Mindanao as one being the future physicians of the country.

“It was 5 years ago when we are [sic] just having discussions as to what uniform will be used in the College of Medicine, and now we are gathered here to celebrate this Medicine Week 2023,” Dr. Jed Enumerables, the Associated Dean of the College of Medicine of Jose Maria College Foundation Inc., recounted as he officially declared the opening of the Medicine Week 2023 themed “Medchanted : a magical world to remember”.

The program started with an opening prayer led by Marian O. Baligia, the Executive Auditor of the SIGMA Council. It was followed by the singing of the National Anthem and JMC Hymn.

An opening remarks by Andro S. Larong, the President of the SIGMA Council highlighted “the tough 4 months since we started this medicine school journey for A.Y. 2022 – 2023, but despite those challenges, we still manage to overcome and endure those hardships, and with that, we can finally have the chance to destress, enjoy and build camaraderie and friendship among JMC medical community”. This was then followed by the official declaration of Medicine Week 2023 by Dr. Enumerables.

Various events were prepared by the SIGMA Council, which started with a cheering competition in which each of the houses—House of Mirabel, House of Luisa and House of Isabel showcased their creativity and talents. What came after was the Amazing Race in which medical students were grouped accordingly to search and fight for each quest in order to find Bruno (Mirabel’s ostracized uncle who has the ability to see the future in the Encanto movie). There were 11 stations to search for quests and at every station, two teams will compete to complete their quest.

In the afternoon, the sports fest was officially opened with the first game for basketball (women’s category) and volleyball (mixed category) played between House of Luisa and House of Isabela, followed by succeeding games between the three Houses. Lastly, an eSports tournament played by six teams was held at the Theatre B, JMCFI building.

The event ended with fun and full of excitement for the succeeding days of this Medicine Week 2023 celebration.

“Everything was done with a heart, making the students realize that medical school is not just all about academic trainings; it’s also building a family with your fellow medical students,” Princess Yu, a junior clerk, realized after the first day of the three-day Medicine Week Celebration.