From MHAM to Bacolod: The biggest out-of-Cebu delegation in this year’s APMC-SN Visayas Regional Convention
Another record-breaking event for this year as MHAM sent the most number of out-of-Cebu participants in the recently held Association of Philippine Medical Colleges-Student Network (APMC-SN) Visayas Regional Convention at the University of Saint La Salle, Bacolod City last November 17 to 18, 2017.
We Are MHAM for a stronger APMC
Dubbed as TUKOD 2017, fifty-one MHAM delegates have exemplified the true spirit of competence and excellence as they actively participated the 2-day convention among other medical institutions in the region with its theme, “Establishing Identity and Integrity In The face Of A Transforming World”.
TUKOD 2017: Establishing Identity and Integrity In The face Of A Transforming World
This year’s delegation has the biggest number of participants MHAM has ever had and was considered as one of the surpassing achievements spearheaded by the Student Council. All the expenses were carried by the school through the support of the current college dean, Dr. Ma. Socorro Manaloto.
We Are MHAM
Led by MHAM Department of Physiology Chairman, Dr. Rainelda Veloso, the Research Department Director, Dr. Jose Oclarit; Department of Pediatrics Chairman, Dr. Ma. Luisita Caturza; and Department of Internal Medicine faculty, Dr. Arvisminda Luz Ladiao also accompanied the MHAM student-competitors who showed competence during the 2-day convention with fun-filled experiences.
(L-R) Photo-op with MHAM faculty-representative to the APMC-SN Visayas, Dr. Rainelda Veloso (center, top photo) together with other College Deans in the region and Student Council Governors including MHAM SC Governor, Louie Angelo Lopez (ninth)
Well-organized by the Student Council Vice President-External and MHAM Representative to the APMC-SN, William C. Tiu Jr., the MHAM students were divided into groups based from the categories they represented.
The MHAM delegates
According to the Chairman of the Department of Physiology, Dr. Rainelda U. Veloso, the APMC-SN regional convention is basically intended for students to join the 3-category contests which include Quiz Bee, Clinicopathological Conference (CPC) and Research.
With the Chairman of the Department of Physiology, Dr. Rainelda U. Veloso
Interview with Dr. Rainelda U. Veloso
Having been designated as the Physiology Department Chairman since 2008, Dr. Veloso could not contain her pride and joy with how the MHAM students showed excellence during the competition.
“The APMC-SN convention was indeed compelling with pride as our students admirably showed how competent they were during the event. I was the proudest during the CPC where they were given a case and diagnosed it with brainstorming. I didn’t expect our students to present a superb presentation with goose bumps effect as they were at par with other competing medical schools”, said Dr. Veloso in an interview.
MHAM faculty-representative to the APMC-SN, Rainelda U. Veloso, MD
Aside from being a dedicated faculty and chairperson, Dr. Veloso is also serving as the adviser of the MHAM Student Council at present. “It was indeed a fulfilling and signifying event where students were given the opportunity to associate with other medical students in the region and were encouraged to join the competition with the sense of leadership competencies and skills, she added.
We Are MHAM and We Are Establishing Identity and Integrity In The face Of A Transforming World
Twin siblings Julynnie Lomocso, Julienne Lomocso, Alexander Helarde and Pat Hamilton Abella, Athena MaeIbon, Lianna Desiree Villa, Datu Nur-Jhun Salik and Eugane Marie Ungab competed for the CPC tilt while Carol Tobes, Mark Joseph Villo, Amy Therese Cabataña, Marla Tecia Acapulco, Dhaval Makwana and Jonavel Yrogirog vied for the quiz bee competition. The group of Tobes, Villo and Cabataña was one of the competing teams in the final round.
L-R CPC 1 finalists Pat Hamilton Abella, Julynnie Lomocso, Julienne Lomocso & Alexander Helarde with CPC 2 finalists Athena Mae Ibon, Datu Nur-Jhun Salik, Lianna Desiree Villa & Eugane Marie Ungab
In the research competition MHAM submitted six entries which were included in the semi-finals. Among the research presenters include Norlaila Sultan Bongcarawan, Diane Jane Gonzaga, Florence Mikhaela Caturza, Razzel Mae Abragan, Iris Robles and Daniel John Bokingo. One of the six entries presented by Abragan was chosen among the finalists.
The MHAM Outstanding Researchers
Other student-leaders who participated the convention were as follows; Amer Hussain Domado, Karlyle Pilones, Nicholi Canoy, Patrick Daniel Lagarnia, Nikki Nina Barcinas, Maria Katrina Orazaga, Khairine Jane Cuyos, Mary Chris Shivanii Gargar, Mel Karl Sabal, Jushmita Ann Oja, Angelo Paolo Arnaez, Hisham Guinar, Maria Clarinda Surpia, Therese Margarette Oquendo, Mary Claire Ruyeras, Mark Vision Capunong, William Tiu Jr., Ozair Ambag, Alex William Bascug, Nohah Radiamoda, Sittie Joenaimah Iggo, Julius Presto, Val Acosta and Louie Angelo Lopez.
MHAMoments at the Ruins…
Stirred with dauntless desire and full determination and who fully believe that research must have a significance not by text but of a tangible impact, MHAM research presenter Daniel John Bokingo with his research on “Lidocaine like Anaesthetic Activity of an Alkaloid Extracted from Datura stramonium (Katchubong) on Bufo marinus (CaneToad): A Peripheral Nerve Blocking Mechanism” was chosen among the qualified entries in the regional research category.
Daniel John ‘DJ’ Bokingo in his research on “Lidocaine like Anaesthetic Activity of an Alkaloid Extracted from Datura stramonium (Katchubong) on Bufo marinus (CaneToad): A Peripheral Nerve Blocking Mechanism”
MHAM Alumni Scholarship grant, Daniel John Bokingo…
“My Bacolod experience was exciting, memorable and full of learnings on my part. Our group research Lidocaine like Activity of an alkaloid obtained from Katchubong was one of the fifteen researches as a regional entry for the Basic Science Research Category through blind screening in the entire region. It was my first time to join a competition being a bonafide medical student although I have done researches before way back in my pre-med years. APMC renders a venue for a different spectrum of beginners to adept ones to share their discoveries in field of medicine. This would amplify the confidence and significance of every hardwork of intellect in a form of new discoveries and researches”, 26-year old Bokingo said.
Geared and motivated in pursuing his goal to become a dedicated medical doctor in the future, DJ, as he is fondly called, is one of the members of the MHAM Honor Society for the academic year 2017 to 2018 under the MHAM Alumni Scholarship (MAS) grant. A native of Agusan del Sur, this active Saline Option member dedicates his resolute dream in becoming a physician to God whom he is forever be grateful, to the people of Agusan del Sur and to his beloved family and loveones.
“The gospels always remind us that we should excel in all things we are doing with thanksgiving and humility within our hearts. Coming from one of the top poor provinces in the Philippines, it motivated my heart with compassion to help my own tribe, the Agusanons especially in seeking and maintaining health care with sufficient food production and supply. My family always teaches me to be more persevering to life’s trials, focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses and improving ways rooted from failures with a grateful heart for every blessing”, he concluded.
(L-R) The APMC-SN Visayas Regional Executive Board, Technical and AdHoc Officers including MHAM SC Internal Vice-President and Regional Chairman for the Blood Donation Campaign for the APMC-SN, Andrea Tortugo (5th); Vice President-External and MHAM Representative to the APMC-SN, William Tiu Jr. (7th); and APMC-SN Visayas Secretary General, Mel Karl Sabal (10th)
To complete their Bacolod trip, the MHAM team also enjoyed during the Social Night which was held at the Ruins- a picture perfect backdrop and a magnificent sight to see together with their gratifying memories to behold.
MHAMemories at the Ruins
In its unyielding support to bring a stronger APMC throughout the years, the MHAM team will be participating for the APMC-SN National Convention to be held in Manila next year. Apparently empowering, the APMC-SN is indeed a venue to foster rapport to other medical students in the country and to exercise the ability to work together as a team. (Ana Liza Abao)