By: Martin Carmelo T. Sumulong Jr., M.D.
Intern's Response Speech Given on 6/29/17 at Rizal Medical Center
Dr. Saquilayan, Dr. Valenzuela, administrators, staff, my fellow interns, and all else present here, I extend my warmest greetings to all.
Looking back on the 365 days spent in each other's company, I can honestly say that I never expected to make it this far. It's not that I didn't expect us to finish, it is rather in the manner in which we finished that astonishes me. We came together as one at a speed that I didn't think possible, in a manner that would make all of our respective alma maters proud. Each of us brought something unique to the table and showcased it for all to see. Proficiency and brilliance were shown by so many of us that if I take the time to describe each one, I will never finish. There is no perfect doctor even if we strive to be as perfect as we can be in our own right. We all have our shortcomings, and to deny their existence is foolish in itself. We all came here with a common goal to elevate our performance, and there is no doubt in my mind that we will all leave RMC as doctors who will be much better versions of ourselves when we first came in. Take the lessons learned here in this institution and maximize them. Even weaponize them if you have to; let’s just not ever lose our edge and I promise you that we will execute our duties, practice our profession and elevate our careers. Do these things with the integrity, self-sacrifice, honor and excellence that I have been so blessed to have in fact been a witness to operating in so many of us, and all of our paths will be limited only by the restraints of our common fear. The kind of fear that can only be broken by the strength of our will and resolve.
This past year, I have been lucky to have seen humanity in its most raw forms. From despair, helplessness and vulnerability to elation, strength and vindication. The duality of these situations is so strong that one contrasting group of emotional states cannot exist without the other. We as humans will never know true joy without experiencing gut wrenching anguish as a basis for comparison.
We always seem to hold ourselves as doctors to higher standards of ethics when compared to the average man. This has become the norm of our profession and with good reason. We are meant to be beacons of poise, strategy and grace under pressure. Does this then give us the right to deny our emotions? No, it does not. We have no right to cease being human as we must never deprive ourselves of the human experience. We must, therefore, consider ourselves blessed to be part of the human experience of every person around us, whether colleague or patient. However, after being witnesses to this human experience of us feeling most human when being at our most vulnerable so many times, we unfortunately seem to take it for granted.
Take pride in your ability to assist others, but never boast. We are all sworn to protect life. Life in all its forms. The life of an adult or a child, of the rich or the poor, the guilty or the innocent. A life is a life is a life. We, who are sons and daughters of the Republic as well as of the Earth, are its guardians. Bound to serve with virtue and compassion, without prejudice or reservation, all those who may ever need us. When we see injustice, when we see pain, when we see hurting, we give to the best of our ability. It was never, and will never be OK to look the other way.
A little over two months from now, we will undertake the most important exam of our relatively young lives in the medical field. I know there are those among us here who are terrified and have doubts about the probability of their success. These fears are human and understandable, but have courage. The mere fact that we have graduated and have finished internship means that someone somewhere thinks that you have a chance of passing. If this someone believes in you, why don't you believe in yourself? So, brace up and get down. When you find yourself lying in bed in the morning, staring at the ceiling, wondering whether or not you have what it takes. Get up. I beg you, get up. Get up, dress up, show up and never, not even for a second, give up. In the movie Pearl Harbor, Col. James Doolittle said, “Victory belongs to those who believe in it the most, and believe in it the longest.” I agree with him, but he forgot to add that they must also be willing to give everything they have to get it. Never find yourself lacking in motivation. Do it for those who love you, so their care for you is not misplaced. Do it for those who believe in you, so their faith is not misguided. Do it for those who need you, so their worries are not met with inaction. Do it for those who doubt you, so their disbelief is illogical. Do it for those who hate you, so their disdain is baseless. Do it for those who betrayed you, so their treachery is foolish. Do it for the doctors who will come after you, so their dreams may be realized. Do it for your sake, so your crucible won’t be in vain. And most of all, do it for your own personal welfare because no one else will. The only constant in your career is you. Whatever drives you, do it.
I think I can speak on behalf of the entire Officer's Corps when I say that it has truly been an honor and a pleasure to have served you all this past year. These thoughts of friends and experiences I’ve had here, I will carry with me for as long as I have a functioning memory. Every lesson, every noisy laugh and every critical save will always be as precious to me as the day every one of them happened. Even the mistakes, bloopers and poorly handled situations will be lessons learned and will then serve as a guide over the course of our long careers. Kindness, patience and love for teaching were exhibited by so many, that I cannot name them all. But please, accept our most heartfelt thanks and deepest gratitude for all you have done for us.
So, there you have it, RMC-PGIs. Our time together is practically at an end. Now let's go for the next prize: THE BOARDS AND BEYOND. Always march forward and feel no fear.
May God Bless you all. May God Bless the Republic. And may God Bless the Human Race. A pleasant morning and a beautiful life to everyone.
By: Amy A. Arguelles
Alay sa Mahal na Birhen Procession has always been an annual religious event for the people at Rizal Medical Center. This year was quite different though as it was no less than our Hospital Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Edgar M. Dolina, who chaired the 2017 Alay sa Mahal na Birhen Committee with the Finance Division as well as the Hospital Operations and Patients Support Division (HOPSD) spearheading as Hermanos and Hermanas for the month-long activities. During the first organizational meeting of the committee, the budget and the date for the Patapos –Alay sa Mahal na Birhen were discussed. The committee concurred that the procession was to transpire on the 26th of May 2017. It was also agreed that a total of twenty-four (24) Queens were to grace this year’s big event. Eight (8) Queens to be selected from the Medical Division, seven (7) Queens coming from the Nursing Division and the last nine (9) Queens in the order of procession to be chosen from the Finance Division and HOPSD. Huh, 24 Queens! That’s a lot of Queens for a procession! As HR Head, I knew in my heart that in my turf, the HRD, I had a handful of beautiful millennials, albeit shy, whom I could have easily included in the list of nine (9) Queens; however, I opted to involve only one of them.
Then, it was that time to pick the name for the Reyna Elena, the last one in the order of procession, the Queen of all Queens. Oh my! The Committee members who were present in the meeting mentioned my name. Suddenly, I felt like all the blood had rushed to my face making it quite red to show my favorite color. I argued though, “I am too old for that. Since the time I assumed this position as head of HRD in May 2014, I have been turning down the offer.” Fr. Dolina brushed my argument aside and explained that a Reyna Elena should be a mother… and recited what seemed to me at the time a sermon that I could no longer recall because I was so jittery about that Reyna Elena thing! My “No” was eventually out-voted by the committee members present in that meeting. Like any other event, the planning for this year’s procession was met with challenges. One example of these challenges was when we were only informed that our budget was slashed after a series of meetings for planning the event had already taken place. Another challenge was when the date of the procession switched over a couple of times. Initially, it was planned for the 26th of May as mentioned earlier but It was then rescheduled on the 30th of May due to schedule conflicts. The procession was finally set to happen on the 31st of May due to the wisdom of Fr Dolina who declared that the procession should be held on the last day of May. It actually made sense because the Patapos – Alay sa Mahal na Birhen was the culmination of the month-long activities of religious devotion to Mama Mary, the Mother of Jesus. It was not after all a mere fashion show as emphasized by Fr Dolina.
I had intended to file a Special Privilege Leave on the 31st of May 2017 but things did not turn out as I had previously planned. I had to honor my commitment to report for work and attend to a special event at RMC in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary who has always been my succor throughout my adult life. I have always believed in her powerful intercession in my life. Oh, just an interesting bit of trivia, my two daughters have Maria as their first names. On the day of the procession, I had no issues whatsoever as everything went smoothly starting with the rosary recitation at 2:00 pm at the RMC chapel which was participated by a group of highly enthusiastic RMC Queens. These handful of Queens, while at the chapel, were all in full bloom just like flowers in their beautiful gowns. As I looked at them, I was suddenly transported back in time to a point not long ago when they were being interviewed by the RMC-Personnel Selection Board. I just smiled because they had morphed into beautiful ladies before my very eyes in their stately attires. Queenly, indeed. The Holy Mass was then celebrated at 2:30 pm and it was during Fr Dolina’s homily that I had learned of his intention to use this year’s religious devotion to Mama Mary as a petition to prevent the scary “Big One” from coming to our beloved Philippines. At 3:30 pm, the procession commenced and throughout the parade, I felt appreciated as I took note of the approving looks of the people who saw me as RMC’s Reyna Elena for the year 2017. The procession was finally brought to an end at around 4:30 pm with a flower offering to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
It was tiring to parade in gown as I was not getting any younger, I guess; however, it was all worth it. It was worth foregoing my Special Privilege Leave on the 31st of May 2017 to celebrate my 14th Wedding Anniversary because Fr Dolina was able to bless and pray for me and my husband, including our two daughters, who were at the procession taking turns to shield me from the heat of the sun.
By: Darwin Z. Angcahan, RRT, MHPEd
Bagac, Bataan -- With the aim of promoting camaraderie and stronger relationships among the rank-and-file employees and officials, the Rizal Medical Center (RMC) held its annual team building event in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Bagac, Bataan last May 13.
Hundreds of RMC personnel participated in the said one-day event filled with fun and excitement. Grouped into teams, the employees enjoyed sporting events and group challenges that were carefully planned and designed by the organizing committee.
Beefing up the plan
Mr. Edwin Alcazar of the Materials and Management Department, the organizing committee head for this year's team building event, led a brainstorming activity to arrive at the event's theme, games, and logistics. Several meetings were held to come up with appropriate group activities and challenges. What made this year’s team building event unique was the educational tour showcasing Philippine culture of which the most notable were the traditional Filipino houses as well as the different tournament formats that added thrills and excitement with emotion-filled games in all events that spark each team’s determination to win.
Building up the team
The event started with a prayer led by Fr. Edgar Dolina and a short message from Dr. Relito M. Saquilayan, Medical Center Chief of RMC. In his message, Dr. Saquilayan emphasized the essence of team building which is to promote camaraderie among the staff of the medical center. He encouraged the participants to meet the people whom they have not talked with to widen their social circle. “This occasion is an opportunity for an individual to not only show how he or she can perform well as a player but also to demonstrate his or her sense of teamwork, sportsmanship, discipline and maturity," he added.
Declaring the champions
Overall, the Orange team accumulated the most points to win the championship. The team bagged the P10,000 cash prize and a trophy. The Red team was hailed 1st runner up bagging a cash prize of P7, 000 while Fuchsia team came in third as the 2nd runner up taking home a cash prize in the amount of P5,000.
Team Orange (Overall Champion)
After thoughts
Team building is a buzzword and has many connotations for many organizations. Team building is meant to improve the performance of the team through various activities designed to foster communication and encourage cooperation among the staff members of an organization. As a result of the effectiveness of the activities during the Team building event, group skills, communication and bonding were enhanced within the organization of RMC. Indeed, this year's event had been tiring yet memorable for team RMC.
Awarding of Trophies
Team Red (1st Runner Up)
Team Fucshia (2nd Runner Up)
Every year, the Nursing Division of Rizal Medical Center celebrates the Christmas Season with a twist. Last year on December 16, 2016, the nurses were able to showcase Philippine traditions. The theme of the Christmas Party was “Nurses Go Regional Festivals.” Their costumes were colourful and they were moving in their dance presentations as if they had come from the different regions where these festivals are celebrated.
The celebration was started by a parade where all nurses participated. The nurses did walk around the hospitals visiting every ward. The patients and their respective significant others were all smiling as they see the nurses that care for them in another facet of their lives wearing whimsical costumes. Pretty sure they were all amazed by the fact that their very own nurses do not only give their medication but can also entertain them with traditional dance moves.
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The nursing personnel of the Emergency Room, Pay Ward and Out Patient Department which performed the cultural dance of the Ati -Atihan Festival from Kalibo, Aklan, got 4th place in the competition. |
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The cultural dance of the Panagbenga Festival from Baguio City was performed by the nursing personnel of Philhealth Ward, Medical Ward and Intermediate Care Unit. They got the 2nd place in the competition. |
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The cultural dance of the Dinagyang Festival from Ilo-ilo was performed by the nursing personnel of OB Annex, OB Main, and Delivery/Labor Room Complex. They got the 3rd place in the competition. |
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The cultural dance of the Sinulog Festival from Cebu City was performed by the nursing personnel of Surgery 2, Pedia 1and Pedia 2 Wards. They got the 4th place in the competition. |
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The Nursing Council, who also performed in the competition, showcased the cultural dance of the Maskara Festival from Bacolod City. |
Our nurses working in Rizal Medical Center are not only equipped with knowledge, skills and attitude in giving safe and quality care; but they are endowed as well with talents that can be showcased in times of celebrations! Truly, it is more fun in the RMC Nursing Division!
