MR. & Ms. MHAM 2017: [L-R] 2nd runners up Raj Merchant (Nexus) Aprille Vanessa Clerigo (Resiliere); Mr. & Ms. MHAM 2017 Nexus bets Pat Hamilton Abella & Riza Mae Batoy; 1st runners up Ann Maureen Mellijor (Illustre) & Earl Ricafort (Resiliere); and 3rd runners up Nicharee Sutthiprapa (Vitalis) and Noel Nathaniel (Vitalis)
A sweet back-to-back winning moments for batch NEXUS highlighted their victory as their bets were both crowned as this year’s Mr. & Ms. MHAM in a Sweet Escape-themed acquaintance party at the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) Convention Center, Cebu City last August 14, 2017.
Mr. & Ms. MHAM 2017
Reaping the fruit of their laudable team work with a thundering roar that “Once a champion, always a champion” in unison, the junior students took pride as their co-NEXUS batchmates, Pat Hamilton Abella and Riza Mae Batoy, bagged the most-coveted title as Ms. & Ms. MHAM 2017.
Ms. MHAM 2017 Riza Mae Batoy during the Q&A portion
23-year old Riza, as she is fondly called, defines the true epitome of the saying that when beauty and brain go together, they are the undeniable results.
Having been given the same question during the Q&A portion, “If you are given a chance to advertise MHAM through a post card or a bill board, what picture are you going to put into that post card or bill board and why?”, this junior student nailed the momentous and most-awaited part of the pageant which made her won the crown.
“If I were to advertise I will put a picture of a sunrise. Why sunrise? Because sunrise represents hope and I believe that MHAM is the hope of the community or even worldwide. I am proud to say that MHAM is not just an avenue to learn academically but also a place to unleash God-given talents in order to serve the community and become doctors for others”, answered Batoy followed with thundering cheers and applause from the audience.
Bearing a beauty queen’s elegance with grace, Batoy also brought home the Best in Uniform, Best in Long Gown and Best in Formal Attire awards.
When beauty and brain go together: MR. & MS. MHAM 2017 Pat Hamilton Abella and Riza Mae Batoy
Meanwhile, Pat Hamilton Abella proved to everyone that he is the rightful title holder as the Mr. MHAM 2017. This 24-year old junior student is not only excellent on stage but he is a consistent dean’s lister and an academic scholar. To complete the package, Pat, as people calls him, is endowed with dancing and singing skills.
Wearing the finest collections of designer, Bernardo Flores, Abella wowed the audience during the Q&A portion as he brought the Pavilion into laudable and loudest cheers with his applauded answer.
Mr. MHAM 2017 Pat Hamilton Abella during the Q&A portion
“If I’m given the chance to choose a picture that would represent MHAM, that would be an abstract picture with tinge of every color there may be. It represents nationalities, no matter what color you are, no matter how economically challenged you are, and even if you have failed from other schools, MHAM gives you another chance, a second chance to prove yourself that you are competent, compassionate and committed to serve others, the humanity”, Abella answered.
Most Creative Wear: Pat Hamilton Abella of Nexus and Aprille Vanessa Clerigo of Resiliere
Aside from bagging home the most-coveted title among MHAM male students, Abella was also awarded with the Best in Creative Wear, Best in Formal Attire and Face of MHAM Award.
VITALIS: Nicharee Sutthiprapa & Noel Nathaniel
This year, freshmen Nicharee Sutthiprapa and Noel Nathaniel represented the Vitalis team while Aprille Vanessa Clerigo and Earl Ricafort of the sophomore competed for team Resiliere. Illustre’s Ann Maureen Mellijor was paired by Raj Merchant of Nexus.
The Face of MHAM: Mr. & Ms. Photogenic Pat Hamilton Abella of Nexus and Aprille Vanessa Clerigo of Resiliere
Resiliere’s Aprille Vanessa Clerigo also bagged the Best in Creative Wear and Miss Photogenic awards while the Best in Uniform for male was awarded to Vitalis’ Noel Nathaniel.
RESILIERE: Aprille Vanessa Clerigo & Earl Ricafort
Cebu designers Bernardo Flores and Justin Medel graced the event as the judges for the Search for Mr. & Ms. MHAM with MHAM Pathology Department Chair, Dr. Anette Salillas as the chairman of the board. Bernardo Flores sponsored the evening gowns and suits for the contestants.
Based from the official result, Ann Maureen Mellijor of Illustre and Earl Ricafort of Resiliere emerged as the 1st runners up; Raj Merchant of Nexus and Aprille Vanessa Clerigo of Resiliere for 2nd runners up; while Vitalis’ Nicharee Sutthiprapa and Noel Nathaniel completed the awards being the 3rd runners up.
ILLUSTRE & NEXUS: Ann Maureen Mellijor & Raj Merchant
In a recent interview with the reigning Mr. & Ms. MHAM, they didn’t expect to win the competition and the experience of representing the NEXUS team was both an honor and privilege.
Best in Uniform: Riza Mae Batoy (Nexus) and Noel Nathaniel (Vitalis)
Joining the MHAM chorale known as the MHArMony, this year’s Mr. MHAM took the risk in participating the competition as it was his first time to join the battle of beauty and brain. Abella was also a member of the official dancing team known as the MHAM Upbeat when he was still in first year but had to give up the latter last year to be able to balance his time aside from being an academic scholar.
“Being a MHArMony and Upbeat member at the same was not that easy when it comes to time management so I had to retain the former and had to give up the other because I am also focusing my studies in the very first place. Joining the competition was like taking risk for an open door towards opportunities and a venue for me to come out from my comfort zone and explore new things with inspiration. I just kept on praying and reminding myself to prioritize my studies above all else but at the same time to give back the glory to the ‘Giver of Gifts’ by using the talents that He had given”, said Abella in an interview.
Born in Cebu but raised in Bukidnon, Abella took BS in Medical Technology as his pre-med degree and chose MHAM because his mother is also a MHAM graduate.
Interview with Mr. & Ms. MHAM 2017
Still blown away from the outcome, Ms. MHAM 2017 on the other hand, did not expect to bring home the crown because she was just being picked from the last minute since the official contestant during the screening had to back out due to time conflict. Confidently beautiful as she accepted the challenge rooted from the moral support of the NEXUS team, Batoy took to stage with elegance and wit more than a beauty titlist could ever hope for. As beauty is in the eye of the beholder, this BS in Biology graduate from Cagayan de Oro City redefines that when beauty and brain go together, the crown is just a step closer.
Dazzling in a Bernardo Flores Couture gown, Riza recalled how she felt a mixture of emotions although she had been joining beauty pageants in her high school years. Modesty aside, she too, is gifted with singing ability like the reigning Mr. MHAM.
Interview with the newly-crowned Mr. & Ms. MHAM 2017: Riza Mae Batoy & Pat Hamilton Abella
“There’s a lot of reasons to love about MHAM. As every morning brings hope to each day, budding dreams are also given a chance to bloom in its own pace. Medicine, as complex as it may seem, puts you in a circumstance where limits are being tested and you get to discover inner strength which you never knew existed. Fortunately, we have doctors who are truly passionate with teaching. They inspire us so much to become better. Their dedication is very pulsatile that you will also love the process of learning and becoming a doctor”, said Batoy with a smile.
Let thy reign begins: Mr. & Ms. MHAM 2017
The Mr. & Ms. MHAM 2017 pageant night was gracefully-attended by the Student Body led by the Student Council, faculty members and non-teaching employees. The pastel-colored acquaintance party made the whole event a night to remember among students which concluded the MHAM Days celebration.
Mr. & Mrs. MHAM 2017: Pat Hamilton Abella and Riza Mae Batoy
To date, Abella and Batoy are in preparation for the upcoming Search for Mr. & Ms. APMC Visayas 2017 on October 29, 2017. They will be vying for the most coveted title among medical students in the Visayas region and are hoping to bring home the crown and honor bearing the tagline, We Are MHAM. (Ana Liza Abao)