With MHAM CM Honors Society President, Athena Mae Loquillano Ibon…
“Being selfless is the most important value that I have learned. We are not just here to enjoy the privileges for free but as scholars we have this kind of responsibility to help other students become doctors as well”.
These are the noteworthy and heartfelt words from a 26-year old junior student, who will lead the MHAM CM Honors Society for the academic year 2017-2018.
Recently, the MHAM CM Committee on Scholarship has presented its scholarship grants to deserving students who were thoroughly evaluated by the committee. This school year, Athena Mae Loquellano Ibon, was elected as the President among the recipients of Don Matias H. Aznar Scholarship (DMAS), MHAM College of Medicine Scholarship (MHAMS), Return of Service Scholarship (RSS) and MHAM Alumni Scholarship (MAS) grants.
WEAREMHAM: The MHAM CM Honors Society 2017-2018 with the Associate Dean for Basic Sciences, Dr. Allan Librando; College Dean, Dr. Ma. Socorro Manaloto; Vice-President for Academics, Dr. Arlene Diaz; and School Registrar & Chairperson of the Committee on Scholarship, Dr. Luditha Pe
Having been produced board topnotchers during the Physician Licensure Examinations for three consecutive years, MHAM takes pride as 1st placer, Dr. Venil Lovely E. Bolambao (2015); 1st placer, Dr. Al Patrick C. Alajas (2016); 9th placer, Dr. Francine N. Diloy (2016); and 4th placer, Dr. Maude S. Tabigue (2017) were formerly DMAS scholars. Globally competent by heart, today, they embodied the real meaning of being MHAM mavens of the field.
In an interview with the current President of the Honors Society, Athena Mae Ibon is trying to bring forth her goal to facilitate and help other students by allotting hours with them as study-buddies and fostering unselfishness towards others with sacrifice.
“Basically I really aim and envision that this organization will fully be structured in time with the hope that we, as scholars will serve as inspiration to the rest of the individuals. Even if medicine is very intricate and tedious field, we want to serve as an example to other students that even if we are in the verge of challenges and pressures we still do not forget our values and morals and we could still be able to produce morally-grounded and globally competent individuals”, said the goal-bounded Ibon.
Interview with junior student-scholar, Athena Mae L. Ibon…
A graduate of BS in Nursing in 2010 as her preparatory medical degree, this academic scholar is also a Master of Science in Nursing graduate in 2012.
Fostered as a fruit of nurturing from being cradled by the institution who gave her the privilege to enjoy the DMAS grant since she was still in first year, Ibon rooted her inspiration by the exemplary wisdom and example of a MHAM obstetrics faculty in the person of Dr. Llewellyn Entienza. Having been blessed to have a benefactor in her medical studies aside from being a scholar, she is forever grateful for the opportunities she had obtained.
Born to be a champion: Athena Mae Ibon during the National Rizal Youth Leadership Institute (NRYLI) Extemporaneous Speaking Contest in Baguio City
A journey by heart with the globally competent doctor-to-be
A champion in oration and extemporaneous inter-schools competition, Ibon brought home the bacon as she emerged as grand winner in the national level during the National Rizal Youth Leadership Institute (NRYLI) Extemporaneous Speaking Contest in Baguio City, back when she was still in first year at MHAM.
Being a consistent honor student from elementary up to the present, this scholar was also a recipient of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Leadership Award in 2006.
As part of her leadership, Ibon always believe that being selfless in every endeavor makes life more meaningful. “Being a doctor, we should forget about ourselves and should always think of what you can do for others. It is the relationship that you build with your peers and to others that is going to uplift you”, she added.
Having been presented late last month as DMAS scholars, seventeen freshmen students with latin honors are currently enjoying a full tuition fee coverage excluding miscellaneous and other fees. This year’s DMAS grantees are, namely; Aisah Abdullatip, Andrea Albelar, Paean Banday, Menchu Mel Cawile, John Laurence Duco, Krystle Gayle Gutierrez, Ranae Anisert Guiao, Jennilyn Muñoz, Faye Eloise Mendoza, May Angelie Paracale, Karlyle Pilones, Carla Marie Retirado, Inah Rebecca Rubillos, Alissah Sigaya, Katrina Soco, Claudette Somorostro and Jenny Soriano.
Meanwhile, freshman student-scholar Paean Banday, is looking forward to maintain the grade requirement as a DMAS scholar to be granted with the Matias H. Aznar Memorial Scholarship (MHAMS) in the succeeding academic year. With a 90% National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) percentile score, this BS in Medical Technology graduate at Mountain View College is a cum laude awardee.
WEAREMHAM: Paean Banday (standing, left) and Karlyle Pilones (standing, right) with other DMAS freshmen student-scholars during the Honors Society gathering
From USA to MHAM: Karlyle C. Pilones during her college graduation
Karlyle C. Pilones on the other hand, is a cum laude graduate and is currently enjoying the privilege of being a DMAS scholar. In 2013, she earned the BS in Exercise Science with a pre-Doctor of Physical Therapy designation degree at the University of New England, Maine, USA.
“Being a DMAS scholar is an opportunity for me to reach my goal of becoming a medical doctor. For me, being a doctor is not just for a purpose of having a career but also for a purpose of giving meaning to life, not just for my own, but for those who are in need. Because I am very motivated thinker and a caring individual, I believe that I can be an exceptional medical doctor. I want to help the underprivileged population in the Philippines and in the United States using my skills, knowledge and compassion”, said Pilones.
Committed to learning and a dynamic communicator with interpersonal skills, this 27-year old DMAS scholar is also a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology and Public Health graduate at Northeastern University in Boston, USA in 2015. With an ultimate goal to pass the board examination years from now, Karlyle, as she is fondly called, is aiming to become an ER cardiologist in the future. It has always been her goal to help others to the best of her ability and is ready to share her enthusiasm with others with the help of the experiences as a MHAM student.
Future MHAM maven of the field: DMAS scholar, Karlyle C. Pilones
“I thought I would be able to achieve my ambition in helping people upon earning these degrees however, I realized that these aren’t enough for me to help the underprivileged people in the country due to limitations thus, it prompted me to pursue into a higher profession. As MHAM has one of the best programs in the city of Cebu, I chose to be here because of the hands-on teaching style that attracted me most. In addition, the diversed programs being offered will help me grow as a person and as a clinician and will help me understand better to the needs of a diversed population despite the fact that I am so interested in the geriatric population. The variety of clinical rotations that MHAM catered to has made me choose this institution because my faith tells me that I will have the chance to experience different settings to help me prepare in the working field, in the near future”, she added.
At present, Banday and Pilones are part of this year’s seventeen DMAS scholars who are challenged to exemplify the true spirit of being MHAM mavens-to-be in the medical field.
In addition, the Committee on Scholarship offered special grants to topnotchers in the licensure examinations but with no latin honors or whose GPA is 1.5 or better. This year, Jana B. Cabato is the sole recipient of this grant as she topped during the 2016 Nursing Licensure Examination being the 10th placer.
Furthermore, Carol Tobes, Kimberly Naranjo, Jose Marie Lavesares, Kristine Joyce Tan, Maria Teela Acapulco, Maryan Zaki and Maria Katrina Ozaraga were among the current second year dean’s listers and were enjoying the 25% tuition fee discount. Jha Jean Cenabre, Hannah Mae Radjac, Mark Joseph Villo, Dhuval Makwana, Faidha Macalabo, Venalyn Clemen, Jo Arabelle Stribbles, Pat Hamilton Abella, Mona Jane Cabanig and Athena Mae Ibon are also granted with a 25% tuition fee discount for being the dean’s listers among junior students.
WEAREMHAM: The MHAM CM Honors Society for the academic year 2017-2018
In its unyielding endeavor to support the deserving students in achieving their dreams, the MHAM Alumni Scholarship through the Alumni Relations and Services and the MHAM Alumni Foundation also caters tuition fee discount to students upon the recommendation and thorough evaluation from the committee. Irish Lontoc, Daniel John Bokingo and Mark Joseph Villo were the three grateful grantees this year. During the school visit of the class of 1983 last month, they contributed a sum of Php 210,000 as a pledge for the three MHAM Alumni scholars.
The Return of Service Scholarship is also open to students who are financially challenged with full tuition fee including miscellaneous and other fees. After passing the Physician Licensure Examination, in return, the grantee must render services to the institution immediately.
With the future being promising, the MHAM CM scholarship programs will continue to cater sufficient assistance to deserving students in keeping the founders’ legacy to establish a school of medicine that is within the reach of the common people. Needless to say, MHAM has produced board topnotchers and physicians who are experts in their different field of specialty and who had gained distinction in the field of medicine both here and abroad.
Scholar-leader goals with Athena Mae Ibon
“It’s not at all times that we are being measured by numbers. In this field and in this world, emotional quotient is what counts the most and I want to encourage other students that even if we fail, what counts the most is how we become and how much determination and spirit we put in, until we finish the journey”, Ibon concluded.
To date, as these deserving student-scholars embark the most challenging milestone in reaching their dreams, somehow, they too are challenged to encourage one another, not just to excel in their studies but most of all, to become more competent doctors with a heart. (Ana Liza Abao)