It was a night to remember among participating institutions in the region including MHAM CM during the coveted search for 2016 Central Visayas Mr. and Ms. APMC last October 16, 2016 at SWU Phinma Coliseum.
Captured moments from the 2016 Central Visayas Mr. and Ms. APMC: MHAM CM’s pride- Mr. Jamel Alon and Ms. Kassey Dandan
In line with the Central Visayas’ Association of Philippine Medical Colleges (APMC) annual activities, the recently concluded battle of beauty and brains dubbed as Mr. and Ms. APMC has captivated the eyes and hearts of spectators with loudest cheers as each school’s representatives showed their winning moments on stage with wit and elegance.
Well represented by Ms. Kassey Dandan and Mr. Jamel Alon, these MHAM CM’s pride competed with the UV Gullas College of Medicine, Cebu Institute of Medicine, Silliman University Medical School, UC College of Medicine, SWU Phinma School of Medicine and Cebu Doctor’s University College of Medicine.
A night to remember with Ksssy Dandan and Jamel Alon…
This year’s representative for Ms. APMC is Ms. Kassey Dandan who emerged as 2nd runner up among seven participating medical schools in the region. This beauty and brain physician-to-be also brought home the Best in Uniform award, besting other female contestants.
“Being chosen to represent the school for Mr. and Ms. APMC 2016 is both an honor and a responsibility. I didn’t just carry the name of MHAM but also the core values and attitude of what is to be a medical student who values wisdom, camaraderie, compassion and a sense of well being towards becoming a physician who can compete globally”, said Dandan in a phone interview.
This 24-year old fourth year student also recalled that joining such prestigious event was not as easy as slipping on a pair of stilleto and walked on stage donned with a tight gown. For her, to be able to withstand and persevere throughout the duration of the competition, one must sustain the core strength with positivity. Despite the lack of time being a Senior Clerk, Kassey still managed to have walking exercises and speech practices with her mentor, Ms. Ena Velasco. Moreover, she imbibed herself to look at her best and feel confidently beautiful without having regrets by simply thinking her family and loveones who are proud of her achievements. That thought alone helped her maintained the character of grace under pressure.
In addition, this Senior Clerk who is currently having her internship also shared that she had her fair share of experience with pageants and have won titles too. Having this resume under her reign, Kassey considered her experiences as a blessing for having been equipped with knowledge, values and life lessons which enabled her to give all the best in her with confidence of who she is and what she wants to become.
“Being a pageant fanatic, I have always dreamed to join one. I was inspired by those women who brave the stage just to get their messages across- a message of hope, of equality and respect, of international camaraderie and the love for mother nature. They inspired me to continue dreaming to someday be part of a pageant that burns for a cause. Unexpectedly, the platform for me to turn that dream into reality was through joining Mr. and Ms. APMC 2016 and I could not ask for more than be part of a society that caters to future doctors like me, to reconnect and to forge friendship among inter-medical students, showing that there can be unity in diversity”, she added.
Proud to say WEAREMHAM in uniform…
Meanwhile, 25-year old Jamel Alon in a phone interview said that he was proud for having the opportunity to be this year’s MHAM’s representative for Mr. APMC and such rare experience was a privilege for him to go out from his comfort zone and pushed himself to his limits.
“Joining pageants like this requires intense and serious preparations. It was a need to prepare my mind by keeping abreast with current events which might come out during the question and answer portion. On the other hand, part of my preparation includes proper diet and exercise with a much-needed emotional preparation to conquer stage fright. Above all, I brought it to prayer asking God’s constant guidance in everything in order to achieve my goals”, said Alon.
This 25-year old medicine student may not have brought home the most coveted title but his wit matched with perfectly-structured abs captivated the crowd.
When beauty and brains go together, that’s Kassy and Jamel to remember…
“I only had one experience prior to joining Mr. And Ms. APMC 2016 and that was when I joined the search for Mr. MHAM this year. My greatest inspiration are my family and loveones especially my parents and the entire MHAM family. They were the ones who motivated and empowered me when I almost quit but was being lifted up by their support and presence. Nevertheless, I did my best and I know they too were proud of me”, he concluded.
To date, Alon and Dandan are pre-occupied in their internship as Senior Clerks at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and Chong Hua Hospital. Both of them are looking forward to become full-pledge physicians with the realization that they too can compete globally not just in the medical field but also in every battle where beauty and brains reign.
True enough, when beauty and brains go together, it makes the show worth to remember. (Ana Liza Abao)