By Rusieljs G. Lunasco
Dr. Raul Quillamor was the speaker for this year’s Graduation Ceremony. He is the current president of the Academy of Medicine of the Philippines.
The CPU College of Medicine aired its first virtual Commencement on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. The virtual ceremony marked the official conferment of the degree Doctor of Medicine to 87 students.
In his welcome remarks, College of Medicine Dean, Dr. Henry Gonzalez congratulated the graduates and reminded them to always put God first in their lives for guidance and motivation. “Remember where you are right now, the people around you, your parents, your teachers, friends, and the CPU community. Commit to the Lord everything you do and your plans will succeed. You will be a magaling na doktor, mabuting doktor.”
This year’s commencement speaker is the Academy of Medicine of the Philippines President Dr. Raul Quillamor (CPUDHS ’72). In his speech he talked about Science, Faith, and the value of Commitment.
“As Christian physicians and persons of science, we are the best examples of the complementary relationship of science and faith, and of the reality that science and faith can indeed exist in harmony.”
Class Valedictorian Honey Grace Veto gave the response in behalf of the Class of 2020.
“Explaining to our patients the pathophysiology of their illness is science, telling them that there is hope for a recovery is both science faith. Treating them based on knowledge and evidence is science, praying that our patients will respond to treatment is faith.”
Dr. Quillamor also emphasized the importance of commitment to one’s pursuit of excellence in his/her profession.
“Your commitment to your profession is paramount. You need to commit yourself to doing assigned tasks that may not be pleasurable for the moment. You need to commit yourself to focusing your energy and to performing and completing tasks that may give you embarrassment, anguish, and disappointment. You need to commit yourself to spending less time with your family and more time with your patients in the hospital or in your chosen field. If you don’t give up doing these things, success will be yours eventually.”
Class Valedictorian Honey Grace Veto gave the response in behalf of the Class of 2020. She reflected on the challenges of a med student and the values that were instilled in her four-year journey.
“Our stay at the CPU College of Medicine instilled in us that we should always go where we believe we can do our best work. It has made us realize that what is the best work is not pursuing fortune or fame but service to a calling with a sense of mission to do what is best,” she said.
The College of Medicine is the last to hold its Commencement Ceremony for School Year 2019-2020.