Monday, March 30, 2015

Health Sci life in Ateneo


Ngayong graduate na ako sa Ateneo, gusto kong ishare ang feelings at karanasan ko nung nag-aaral pa ako dito. haha. ito una, Health Sci life ko sa Ateneo... isusunod ko yung AteneoBlueSymphony life, ASLA life, at (last but not the least), living in Ateneo as an LDS (Mormon) :D

i-edit ko na lang pag may nalimutan ako. hehe
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         Upon entering college, I only have one goal in mind, and this covers the other goals that I have before: to go to Ateneo, finish my course and become a doctor FOR my parents and family. This was my ultimate goal; this was my dream, this was the mindset that I have. I only have this goal for myself, and I felt that it was selfish. After realizing and understanding so many things now because of the education that I’ve got here in Ateneo, a lot has changed about me, about how I see things and how I respond to them. Before I have this goal for my own benefit, for my own future career, now I have this goal in for other people to benefit, and to help them to their own future. The Ateneo has helped me change my perspectives in life, and Health Sciences has enhanced that — it will forever be in me because of them.
         My goals haven’t changed during my stay in Ateneo, but rather, it became many. Before, I was only thinking of myself, but now, I have formed goals that I want to accomplish to help other people. Starting with my freshman year, I became familiar with the Ateneo culture like magis and being a man and woman for others. I was new to the culture, along with my blockmates who came from different places. Through OrSem, we got to know each other and start new friendships. It was really challenging since we are all from different hometowns, from different culture and different standards. At the back of my mind, I said to myself that I wanted to show them that I am a Mormon, that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And so, that’s what I am doing until now. Fortunately, they (my blockmates and other friends), were able to respect my standards and are also valuing it as much as I do. I am so grateful to them for that kind of respect and regard.
         I began my journey in Ateneo with people who are really understanding and caring; I had support and love from my family, especially when I get homesick because this was the first time that I have experienced to live away from them. It was tough, but I am glad I had my roommates and my God to rely upon, to seek comfort and strength from. Temptation and procrastination was also part of the challenge since I only have a few units, and I have more time than usual, than what I thought I would have compared to high school, it was so tempting to do other stuff. I was balancing out my academics and leisure activities. I joined a few organizations, but then decided not to become so active so that I may not lose focus on the academics and at least maintain a 2.75 or higher QPI for Health Sciences. Honestly, I felt overwhelmed with what I did in high school so much that I decided to have a low profile in college, so I was not able to do everything that I have wanted to do, especially to join Sanggunian (because back in high school, I was part of the student council from first year to fourth year). I said to myself that I would try different orgs, orgs that are not so familiar to me but still somehow related to my course, to help me keep myself inspired and motivated to study and pursue medicine in the future. I joined PMSA, and SPeed for my first year, until second year for SPeed, and third year for PMSA. Retention requirements for the org are difficult for me that time because I usually go home on weekends and their events happen on those weekends when I go home. At the same time, in our church, I was called to be the President of the Institute of Religion Student Council in Las Piñas Stake, so I have to consistently go home and meet with the members or update them.
         Just when I thought things are getting smooth and fine, they were not — tough decisions have to be made, for most of the time, they don’t happen the way I wanted or planned it to be. However, even though it goes like this, I will always depend and ask for the Lord’s guidance and love for me to keep going and to love myself, and what I do.
            Second year in college, I fell in love with my PE — Dancesports — and so I decided to try and be part of the club. That year, I was really into dancing, even in church; I was the payongera in our singkil dance every time we have to present a cultural show to a General Authority who would visit the country and the region. Dancing has helped me stay fit, and in the right posture and poise. I was also able to manage my time due to the stress and physical activity that I am doing. Because I focused on this, I neglected my other orgs and was able to join only a few activities and programs. I couldn’t help it, I was exploring myself, my wants, my desires, my interests and my priorities. And I think, for this year, it was dancing. I enjoyed it for I was taught a lot and it helped my body and mind to focus. But then I think, I was not destined to last here until senior year. Come third year, I joined Ateneo Blue Symphony and fell in love once more.
            Second year college was tough for this was the year where I have the most number of units and subjects compared to other year. Aside from that my mind is starting to be bothered if I really wanted to pursue to medical school or not. Factors and goals for and such as my church and family are already clashing in my head. It was really difficult. But then, I still relied on the Lord. I was really grateful that I not only learn about Him in our church, but also in Ateneo, through the Theology classes. Sir Badion has taught us a lot, and it was memorable and worth it. Health Sciences 1-unit courses have also guided me in getting to know the course that I have been into. We were taught how health professional should be Also, NSTP has made me see and reflect on the community and the children as we taught them basic nutrition lessons. They were really enthusiastic and excited to learn. This kind of exposure has helped get more inspired and motivated. There were times when I’d like to give up because of the stress and pressures around me, but then, thinking about the kids to whom I teach every weekend from 8am to 12nn, I always get the feeling that I have to keep on moving and never give up because someday, in time, I will be able to help them – that takes years of hard work and discipline, but I know I can do it, especially for them. Second year has given me a lot to reflect on, and I was bothered by it.
            My third year in college has defined me a lot. We were already building up on thesis; I explored more organizations; Philosophy and Theology courses were already taught; the subjects are getting harder and seemingly random; and I have had more exposure than usual. First, thesis: we were given time to plan as early as junior year to choose group mates and come up with a thesis proposal. Although the units were fewer than in sophomore year, we had 6-day classes this year for Epidemiology and Scholarly work classes. At first, we all thought that this was too much for us to handle, but then come the senior year, we were really thankful to have taken these subjects. Next, the Philosophy and Theology courses are starting to fill up my mind, my perceptions, my understanding and my heart. I was able to discover myself and get to know who I really am in the philosophical perspective. Family, other people, and the environment were also highlighted, especially in theology. The importance of family and love were highly emphasized. I am really thankful to my professors: Manny Dy and Fr. Pojol, for being able to teach me things and words of wisdom that I have been applying until now. These lessons have shaped my character, how I look at life (my own and others’) and how I should respond to it.
            I was also exposed to other subjects, which seemed very random for this course: LS and Accounting – although we were taught of the basic things compared to others, I haven’t seen the point of having to learn this until I took a business management course for my minor in Japanese studies. Because of this I have realized how this course (Health Sciences) has been shaping to be competitive in different kinds of fields, even those not directly related to medicine. These business management courses have helped me understand what and how it is like in the corporate world and how the field of medicine is connected to it, especially to the hospitals and the professional doctors.
            Furthermore, I was exposed to more people and more experience about Public Health in my junior year. Because of JEEP (Junior Engagement Program), I was able to experience how it was like to work for a health center in Marikina and assist the health workers and the residents in the area. In our time of duty, the schedule was for vaccination and other processes done to a baby. So every time we go there, the patients were the babies and their parents. Again, I have seen and realized how I can help others because of this experience.
            The last highlight of my junior year was the organizations: Ateneo Blue Symphony and ASLA. I eventually left Dancesports and decided to join the Ateneo Blue Symphony. Aside from the fact that I was invited once again by Argyll, I missed playing the piano and I felt that I needed to keep music in my college life since in Dancesports, I have started to have doubts because of the standards that I have especially in clothing – I don’t think that I will be able to wear such dancing clothes which exposes a lot of skin, and so I left. I entered a new org, not knowing if I can handle this, not knowing if I’ll get through this, but I still did. The first few rehearsals were fine, but as it we get closer to the target date of the concert, things were getting tough and stressful – everyday rehearsals, meetings and practices. It consumes most of my time, which is both good and bad – good, because I learned how to balance my time, now that I have more to do than usual, I need to organize myself and manage my time to be able to accomplish everything. However, the bad side is, it’s stressful for me – going home late, eating dinner late at night and then practicing when I got home, I felt like it was too much to handle. Nevertheless, I still continued and did my best, and I’m still here! Despite all the rants, all the physical stress, I have come to love the org and the members. I think this was the org that made me most welcome, and feel loved, which is why I stayed and I endured. I have learned a lot, and I have grown as an individual and as a social being. I’ve come to know more people and understand them also. I realized how different we were and how we should accept and help one another despite those differences. Now, I was able to perform in 3 concerts, and will also perform the last concert for me as a senior, on March 6. This org has helped me through a lot of things – in this org, I discovered myself, what I really wanted to have and what I didn’t want to lose; in this org, I fell in love, got hurt, but stood up and walked again; in this org, I felt pain and stress, but it only made me stronger; in this org, I was able to exercise my leadership and spread my love to others.
            The next org that have changed me also is ASLA – Ateneo Student Leaders Assembly. I was one of the 50 participants back in my junior year, and I came back as a facilitator now. This was a humbling experience for me. This is not like any typical leadership training that is usually done, rather the activities done here are according to the individual’s or the group’s needs as leaders of their own organizations. The activities are altered and modified in order for the participants to relate to the experience better. This is a wonderful program, especially to the student leaders. For me, I was able to discover more of myself, and my relationship with the Lord and other people. It always gives me a feeling of responding to the needs of the country and helping others to do the same. ASLA taught me to be myself and use my skills and knowledge to serve others and the country. Those notebooks, pens and reflections that I’ve had are always treasured in me and I use them most of the time to counsel with my friends. In ASLA, I’ve learned how to ask the right questions and have the right answer eventually. Bonding with the people whom I have come to know and trust, I was able to be more of myself and to exercise more of my leadership in so many ways.
            Last but not the least: my senior life in college. This is a kind of roller coaster ride for me. For my 4th year summer semester, I studied FLC 1 in Japanese, and this made me pursue a minor in Japanese studies. After that semester, my thesis group mates and I went to Zambales to conduct a 10-day house-to-house interview for our thesis data. Living together for 10 days, immersing us not only with the community but also with each other and knowing that we have different backgrounds, different ways of living, manners, mannerisms, likes, dislikes. There were times when one is not in good terms with all of us. We called it “tantrums.” Every time someone changes mood, because of external factors, of not-so-personal reasons, there will be a bit of a conflict. Although we are already used to living away from the family, and living with roommates/dorm mates, it was a different feeling then, because we are in a different area — almost 4 hours away from home — and we don’t know anyone there, except each other and the people who helped us. Having to live within what we have in terms of money, materials; it felt like we were on our own. It was fun, but at the same time, it was really challenging and difficult. The experience made me feel how lucky I am that I am not living alone, that someone is taking care of me, that someone provides for me what I need. It was surprising for us that the people there were so accommodating, kind and helpful, even if we were strangers to them, even going house to house, to find the people in the list, they would do that much to help us. In this experience, my faith was really tested, challenged and used. I was not able to go to church for 2 Sundays, and I thought I felt weak. I read the scriptures and prayed more. But despite that feeling, I was touched and strengthened with the stories of the people I have interacted with. Aside from hearing the struggles directly from them, I also had a strong feeling of their sense of hope and faith in the Lord. Despite what they have experienced, they never forgot the Lord, unlike me, who is living a more comfortable life than them. The experience I’ve had had proven both my strengths and weaknesses. Here I saw how patient I was, but how vulnerable I was at the same time. Being humble not only to the people we were interviewing but also among the group: to control and resolve the tension experienced. Also, I became more concerned with the people there. A part of me was left with them because I became more aware of their situation. Knowing that I have the capability to help them, especially in the future, I realized that I really have to work hard. The people in Olongapo became my inspiration and source of happy memories. I am really thankful to have experienced interacting with them.
            I think what sums up my fourth year life are: Thesis, Ateneo Blue Symphony, ASLA, Japanese Studies minor, Philosophy and Theology and Health Sciences subjects, especially Physiology. Take one away, and I think my experience in fourth year life will not be as fruitful as I have wanted it to be. I have grown so much in every aspect of my life, compared to how I was back in first year – now, I’ve become stronger, wiser and more faithful. I have realized so much, I have loved so much and have been hurt so many times, but I also learned that giving up is not one of my options. I have learned that with everything that has happened to me, I must always think what else could I do in order to use them in a good way, and to have opportunities to serve others and the Lord.
            My 4 years in Ateneo de Manila University was really a great ride! There were ups and downs, there were romances and heartaches, there were so many chances and opportunities grabbed and neglected – they were all part of my experiences and treasured moments. I am glad to have spent it with the Health Sciences Society – this made me be the bigger person for others and be better in understanding them and myself also.