CIM 2014 Sportsfest Batch Shirt Designs

     This month, we have decided to feature the designs of the three batches from this year's Sportsfest. The gym was filled with red, green, and blue colors as each batch proudly presented their shirts. Following the theme; "From Pad to Playground: Promoting Health Through Technology and Sports", the students came up with a concept that best incorporated the theme into their batch shirt.

     Asterion was inspired by the concept of Jarvis, an artificial intelligence made popular as Iron Man's assistant in the movies. The batch describes the symbol of asterion, the point of meeting of the lambdoidal, mastooccipital, and mastoparietal sutures of the skull, as the union of individual uniqueness as one batch and one family. Its incorporation reflects their roots as a mark that lies in the heart of a circuit board as a central processing unit connecting various ports and systems from board to breakthroughs, from pad to playground, from cubicle to clinics, from study to sports. The icons on display as the batch pointed out is but few of the many wonders and possibilities Asterion as a whole can create which all sum up to a simple but profound design.

     Potential... Passion... Perseverance- elements that signify our batch color, vermilion red. Our bloodshed from sleepless nights, exhausting lab works, and overwhelming reading assignments. A seeker of prestige, a catalyst for change, a devotee of brilliance- these are the attributes of a one true partisan of human's highest point of order: Batch Vertex. We proudly wear our banner, steadfast to bring only honor to our assemble; "Per angusta ad augusta", through difficulties to glory! But as we show our depths, we exemplify that Asterion, Spectra, and Vertex are all one and the same: an epitome of service, an emblem of honor, paragon of competence. Ladies and gentlemen, with our crowns held high and resilient- Batch Vertex, always on top!

     The shirt of Spectra is Tron-inspired which was perfect for the Sportsfest theme of "pad to playground". The design is composed of lines and circles. It is simple as compared to other batch shirts. It is because Spectrans believe that being simple is complex. The shirt's modest forms of geometry is in fact a microchip. To quote from Richard Norton; "simplicity is complex. It is never simple to keep things simple for simple solutions require the most advanced way of thinking." The design also reflects the track and field which represents an athlete's hard work and dedication. The shirt's not only technology infused but is mixed with the spirit of sportsmanship as well.

Description of the respective batch shirts were made by each batch

Compiled and introduction written by Alexis Eireen Suarez

No More

I've got no more tears left to cry

I poured it all in that last try

I would rather go run and hide

And keep all the pain locked inside

There are no more words I can say

That could make everything okay

I have to let you go your way

Though I really want you to stay

I have no more room in my heart

Another piece is torn apart

You turned your back on what we had

I'm angry but I can't stay mad

The shattered pieces on the floor

Look a lot like they were before

I think it's time to close that door

I can't take broken hearts no more

Written by Disguised Angel

Passion and The Possibility of Wonder

     Wonder! The substance of otherwise passe lives. The life of life itself. Where has it gone?

     It goes without saying that cultivating a sense of wonder is an essential part of learning, and learning well. However, wonder isn't exactly easy to be had. And in an atmosphere as dreary as studying in a dark room lit only by the dusty study desk lamp in the wee hours of the night for exams that are a constant demoralizing reminder of how little one actually remembers and how much less one understands, wonder is, if any of it is left at all, hardly there.

     Which begs the question, "Does the medical student have time for wonder? Or is wonder a luxury for those with more time on their hands?" Think about it. When was the last time you actually looked into a textbook and actively pursued your curiosity, as opposed to reading just what was required of you? Or for the sheer joy of learning instead of necessity?

     One can very well argue that if and when students are left to faculties of their own interest, save for the few exemplary, less is achieved than when learning becomes a requirement. And when contextualized into the setting of a medical education, it becomes even clearer that necessity plays a much larger role than wonder in getting students to study. (Medical students do, after all, need to learn ALL the necessary skills to treat a patient in a very limited amount of time.) It is no wonder that wonder is forgone. To say it comes close to consideration is overstating it. 

     It appears, then, that in the case of the medical student, wonder, once thought indispensable, is quite actually the opposite. Wonder become the necessary compromise to succeeding.

     And that strikes the learner as particularly unsettling. I mean, that the be-all and end-all of learning is disposable raises the question of whether or not he is learning at all. Furthermore, considering that people do normally forget that loving our goals and loving the means are exclusive of one another, he begins to equate daily frustration with disillusionment. Indeed, inspiring the heart with ambition is easy, but the every day that leads up to it can be so, so difficult.

     So where does that leave the medical student? Is he forced to take to a form of learning that leaves no room for wonder?

     I'd venture to say, "Not really." For while the medical student does have a marked predisposition for disenchantment, wonder does, in fact, remain a matter of perspective. Yes, it's one that is hard-won, but not totally impossible. 

     There is this beautifully simple phrase in the Filipino language that goes, "Para kanino ka gumigising tuwing umaga?" Who is it you wake up for each morning? And whatever the answer to that question is for you, that, for me, is reason enough to warrant the possibility of wonder int he hectic workaday.

     If and when the medical student sets his gaze on the needs of others instead of himself, he is thrown into a place of potential wonder. Each time he opens a book filled with thousands of details unknown to him and unknowing of the hours he's spent reading them, each time he takes an exam he knows so little of, yes, he risks losing his sense of wonder. But at the same time, he is also introduced to the opportunity of learning more, and of finding greater wonder. And so he risks disenchantment anyway, because at the end of the day, it isn't about him. He risks it all for the other. 

     What it comes down to, in the end, I guess, isn't if we're happy with what we're doing because, let's face it, most days won't find us happy. Au contraire, most days will find us tired, depressed or totally stressed out. What it comes down to, I guess, is if we're passionate enough to risk falling out of love with our chosen path time and time again; if our passion to serve others means more to us than a few failures on the way to that goal.

     To end, here is an excerpt from a poem that has easily become a personal favorite, Eduardo Calasanz' Awit Kay Ana.

Sa mga bigo sa pag-ibig

Labis ang hinihiling

Umibig, umibig, umibig pa rin

Nang may magawa ang mga bituin

Written by Clarence Aaron Sy of Batch Spectra

Awesome Takes Time (Some Freshie Feels)

     There are many times when life surprises you by throwing unexpected things, people and events your way. And then there are instances when you surprise life by making choices and decisions you normally wouldn't go for under different circumstances, i.e. if you weren't fighting off sheer mental exhaustion. These brief moments of insanity are exceedingly common, like reading that new pocketbook instead of memorizing Netter's, or playing that Kardashian game instead of studying for the bimonthly, or watching the latest episodes of your favorite anime/TV show/cartoon and you swear to yourself you'll only see one measly episode and TADA! It's 3 A.M. and you haven't finished a single chapter in Mama Gray's. Let the panic attack begin.

     Case in point: my decision to apply for medicine was, in a word, crazy. I was not in my most sane frame of mind, in fact many would argue that I'm never in a sane frame of mind, but that's beside the point. For some unknown, mystical, and magical reason, the universe decided to work on my side for once and miracle of miracles, I landed a spot in CIM, the best, most awesome and most kick-ass med school in the whole universe! (Dramatic music playing) So there I was, young and naive, thinking med was no biggie, enjoying the orientation week, laughing it up, making new friends. And then the first long exam slaps me in the face with a gigantic failing mark.

     Being the typical gullible, optimistic, rainbows and sunshine youth, I brushed it off (with the help of multiple cups of ice cream and a playlist of my most happy high-inducing songs on shuffle) and I somehow managed to brainwash myself with the usual make-yourself-fell-better excuses: that it was fine, it's only the first exam, I can do better on the next one, etc. And then the first unit came and the second unit, and now the third, and my deficits only grew larger. By that time my self-esteem was near non-existent, and I had a lot of soul-searching to do, starting with the most pressing existential question of all time: where do I want to eat?

     After drowning my sorrows in ice cream in typical me-fashion (diabetes, here I come), I went digging in the deepest recesses of my soul in search of the elusive mythical creature that is my reason-for-being-in-med. I wish I could say this story ends on a happy note, that I find my reason and am more psyched than ever to throw myself to the guillotine of brain-melting, migraine-inducing, insanity-causing whirlwind of med life, but in all honesty I'm still digging. Let me be the first to admit it's embarrassing and childish that I haven't found a valid reason for being here, unlike other smarter, wiser, more awesome and responsible people I know, but a word from the not-so-wise: you can't rush awesomeness. 

     So a quick shout-out to all my fellow wanderers meandering through life without clear purpose and meaning, you are not alone! And to all those amazing people who already figured out who exactly you want to be and where you want to go, please share the awesomeness with others less enlightened. In the end though, we're all just vagabonds on this journey through the vast expanse of life. Let's not get discouraged this early in the game, uncover your inner awesome and prove the universe right for putting you here in this exact place and time. Maybe not now, maybe not tomorrow, but like they say, life is about the journey, not the destination. So go crazy, make mistakes, eat ice cream! Let life surprise you, and don't hesitate to surprise life too. Because good or bad, this is your journey, you gotta live it.

(c) Alex Ding (www.medicalschoolsuccess.com)

Written by Elizabeth Wagas of Batch Vertex

Mystery

I wallowed myself in tears

And sought comfort in the dark

I ran away from my fears

'Til I lost that tiny spark

The darkness now pitch black

There's nothing I could see

The day you turned your back

You took my heart from me

The questions unanswered

Crowd my bewildered mind

My heart's left stunned and stirred

By answers I can't find

I'd rather see it remain

An untold secret story

Like bright sunshine in the rain

Love's always a mystery

Written by Disguised Angel

Examination

Seated on this old wooden chair

With confidence and doubt mixing

All else seems out of my care

The growing tension foreboding

I look down on these gray papers

Their words seem to go on and on

With just little time to savor

I have to answer them alone

The pages do intimidate

With questions familiar and not

Some of them just have to wait

'Til I pass the rest of the lot

Doubt slowly creeps like vines on trees

Growing, tightening each second

Nourished by my own anxiety

Fueled by my plain ignorance

The future looks ever farther

For me who treads along this path

But walk I must and travel faster

For that dream that I long to catch

These gray papers will only reflect

What I am now and not will be

The results will have an effect

But I won't let it define me

There will be countless more of these

Papers of different colors

Trials of different degrees

To prove your own worth to others

But for now, I'll fight this battle

With the best that I could muster

Taking steps that I can handle

To gradually become better

My pencil feels a bit lighter

My mind thinking, my heart beating

The test's time is almost over

But mine is only beginning

Written by Joseph Clefil Suerte

CIM Organizations: A Closer Look

It is a common stereotype among medical students to have no life outside medicine, but for us in CIM, it will remain just that, a simple generalization that does not hold any truth. In the Cebu Institute of Medicine, every student is regarded as a valued entity whose intelligence goes forth beyond the four walls of the classroom and outside the vicinity of the school building. Just because we are studying medicine, it does not mean that being smart is only limited to the concepts of medical knowledge, and CIM has delivered that well through the different organizations it has allowed its students to handle and be part of. 

The CIM student organizations include Alpha Mu Sigma Phi (AMSP), Total Outreach for Community Health (T.O.R.C.H.), Cimphony, and The Caduceus. To start with, AMSP and T.O.R.C.H. are both organizations of brotherhood and sisterhood with the vision of service and altruism. Cimphony, on the other hand, is the renowned choir of the school, while The Caduceus is the official school publication.

What better way to acquire a closer look on each one than through the eyes of those who are not just part of the said organizations, but of the leaders themselves. AMSP is represented by its Most Illustrious Brother, Mitchell Arabia; T.O.R.C.H. by its Brotherhood President, Glenn Tiu; Cimphony by its President, Bede Ilano; and The Caduceus by its Editor-in-Chief, Dena Desabille. I asked them a few questions which they willingly answered despite their busy schedules, and I have been endowed with the honor of sharing their words for the awareness of the whole student body of their existence and vision.

1. How does your organization help in molding CIM students to become true physicians with a heart?

• Mitchell (AMSP): Alpha Mu Sigma Phi helps mold the CIM students to become true physicians with a heart by acting as a role model and guide for the students. Moreover, it provides the students a second family where the spirit of brotherhood emanates as the influence of selfless service expected of a true physician with a heart.

• Glenn (T.O.R.C.H.): T.O.R.C.H. has always stood for community involvement and professional development. These are done through outreach, special projects that can serve those in need, and teach our members various skills (e.g. circumcision, other minor surgeries, tutorials) for each individual’s journey on becoming a “Physician With A Heart!”

• Bede (Cimphony): Cimphony teaches one how to work together with a diverse group of individuals toward a common and enjoyable goal. In our case, it is to bring beautiful music to people and patients alike.

• Dena (The Caduceus): In its role as the official student publication of CIM, The Caduceus essentially creates and strengthens connections among students. First, it serves as their avenue of information dissemination of important news for and by fellow medical students. Second, it is a great way for self-expression to get in touch with our inner musings and pensive thoughts.

2. What programs or projects does your organization have in store for the CIM community?

• Mitchell: Our programs are not only limited to enhancing the students’ mental capacities (e.g. reviews, tutorials, etc.), but also include developing one’s physical capabilities (e.g. jogs, zumba, other projects) and teaching students how to deal with different types of people and provide them service through outreach programs. 

• Glenn: This year marks our silver anniversary, and with that, we have a lot on our plates. We have expressed our desire to involve more students (even non-members of the organization) in our outreach programs. Also, we’re excited about our party for Dr. Narciso Tapia’s kidney fund – we are, after all, one CIM community.

• Bede: After the success of the inaugural concert, this December, we are planning to hold our second concert with a beneficiary in mind. Aside from that, we will have our traditional hospital ward carolling.

• Dena: The Caduceus will be utilizing two online social platforms, namely Facebook and Blogspot to improve its role as a student publication. On October 2014, we plan to conduct a writing workshop that is open and free for interested CIM students. We also aim to release a hard copy of The Caduceus come January 2015.

3. What is the impact of the organization in your journey as a medical student of CIM?

• Mitchell: Being the Most Illustrious Brother of Alpha Mu Sigma Phi has taught me how to deal with the pressures of being a medical student, as well as life in general. It has also taught me how to value of time, responsibility, and most importantly, the people around me.

• Glenn: T.O.R.C.H. is a family, more than an organization, and with that, no one gets left behind. As students, it is important for us, to have a ROCK to hold on to, a SHOULDER to cry on, a FRIEND to party with, a SISTER to tell secrets to, a BROTHER to tell you when you’re wrong, and most importantly, a FAMILY that is with you every step of the way. That’s what T.O.R.C.H. is to me.

• Bede: Cimphony has given me an outlet to express the hardships of studying medicine by turning them into beautiful music. It has also given me a loving and caring family to support me through life in medical school.

• Dena: I am hoping that being the editor-in-chief of The Caduceus will leave a positive impact in my life as a student of CIM. May it serve as an outlet of creativity, a relief from the rigors of medical school, and a means to communicate with other medical students.

Written by Janellie Blithe Tam of Batch Vertex

Blackout Blacklight

     What do you get when you put together a group of nearly 200 med students, a no-strings-attached weekend, and a black light?

     Definitely one hell of an acquaintance party.

     Coming straight out of the gates of District 13, Tartarus, and Azkaban combined (that's Hell Week, for you non-readers), THE party to be in took place right next door to Narnia. At least, that's how it felt like getting there. And that night was definitely as close as it could get to being magical. Hosted by our very own talented bunch of fellow Freshmen, the show proved itself to be in excellent hands.

     The audience laughed! The audience cried! The audience even ended up singing to Backstreet Boys. Go, Group 12! Surprises abounded in every corner of the acquaintance party, with everyone ready to cut loos and have an awesome night to reward themselves after an exhausting week of studying, studying, and let's not forget studying.

     You could see everyone was aiming to make the best of that night, as everyone had prepped up for the evening. I'm sure every boy, man, and romantic alike swooned at the sight of the ladies, beautiful and all dressed up to the nines. A few of the guys probably still have stiff necks from that night, as I'm sure. Kudos to you, ladies!

     Never short of talent, the Freshmen proved to be a truly creative bunch, be it in playing the piano, or holding balloons between their chins. These party animals were no slouches on the dance floor as well, as the after party would tell you. But that's another story for another time. (Now, THAT WAS FUN).

     All in all, that acquaintance party was the perfect way to get rid of the built-up stress over the week. There's no better way to cool off than to heat it up, all the way to the top, with BATCH VERTEX. Great job, guys.

     P.S. Thanks to everyone who helped prepare and clean up the party. You guys just showed what it is to really work together as a Batch that's headed for the top.

     Venue: The Garden Pavilion, Canduman, Mandaue City

     Date: August 16, 2014

Written by Vergil Dominic Sanchez of Batch Vertex

CIM Wins Third Place in 8th PNHRS Student Research Category-Oral Presentation

     The 8th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week Celebration was held in Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu City from August 12 to 14, 2014. This year's theme was "Research and Innovation in Health for Disaster and Emergency Management". The 8th PNHRS Research Contest Oral Presentation for the Undergraduate Category was held on August 12, 2014 as part of the 8 parallel sessions of the day.

The Winners of the 8th PNHRS Research Contest Oral Presentation
(c) Dr. Narciso Tapia

     Two out of six contenders in the said event were from CIM. The research presented by Geraldine Cercado from the Cebu Institute of Medicine entitled "Antidevelopmental Effects of Callistemon viminalis (Weeping Bottlebrush) Leaf Extract on the Early Development of Tripneustes gratilla L. (Sea Urchin) Embryos" took home the third place award. Another research presented by Elizabeth Grace Alcazar entitled "Mangosteen Extract, A Comparable Anti-angiogenic Substance to Bevacizumab on Duck Chorioallantoic Membrane" made it to the list of finalists.

The trophy and certificate of recognition awarded to the winner.
(c) Geraldine Cercado

     The research presented by Sheriah Laine M. de Paz, from the University of the Philippines-Manila (UPM), entitled "Not All Taua-Tauas Are Alike: A Morphological, Molecular, Genetic, Phytochemical, and Anti-thrombocytopenic Profiling of Different Euphorbia hirta Linn. Plants from the Philippines," won 1st place while Jonnel Poblete, also from UPM, with the research entitled "Nephroprotective Effects of Cogon (Imperata cylindrica) Root Aqueous Extract on Sprague-Dawley Rats with Gentamicin-induced Acute Kidney Injury" garnered second place. Cash prizes and plaques were awarded to the winners in the fellowship dinner later that evening. CIMphony graced the said fellowship dinner attended by esteemed guests of honor from different institutions of the country (DOH, DOST, and PGH, to name a few) by singing the invocation song "Light of a Million Mornings" and the Lupang Hinirang.

(c) PNHRS 2014

Written by Elizabeth Grace Alcazar of Batch Asterion

CIM-SSC Holds First General Elections

(c) CIM-ComElec

CEBU CITY – With the ratification of its new constitution, the Cebu Institute Medicine - Supreme Student Council (CIM-SCC), along with the CIM – SCC COMELEC,  held its first ever student body general elections on July 24, 2014.

(c) CIM-ComElec

(c) CIM-ComElec

The general elections saw new student council officers chosen by the whole student body for the first time in CIM’s history. Before the passing of the its new constitution, the CIM – SCC has traditionally selected new student council officers by way of closed representative elections among the student officers of each batch and students interested to run for a position. With the new constitution, the CIM – SCC has changed the election process to that of general elections wherein all students are given the opportunity to vote for their new leaders.

“This gives the students a chance to be more involved in school affairs” says Vincent Rodriguez, a 3^rd year student. “I believe that this is a good way of giving the students a say in their education.”

(c) CIM-ComElec

The elections were overseen by the CIM – SCC COMELEC and were held at the Main Social Hall. Designated times were given for each the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd years to vote. Voters were asked to bring their library card or school I.D. for proper identification. Numbered ballots were then given to each voter and they were given allocated seats for them to fill-up the ballots. The completed ballots were then given to the COMELEC officers for tallying.

The CIM Commission on Elections A.Y 2014-2015
(c) CIM-ComElec

Of the 501 students enrolled for the academic year 2014-2015, there was a total ballot count of 297, with 29 invalid ballots.

Stacey Kaye Militante, a 3^rd year student who ran for a position of President, says: “It gives the students the chance to know who they are selecting as their Student Council officers, since in the past, the students didn’t really know who their Student Council officers were due to the way the elections were held.  This also gives them the means to elect those who they think can best serve them as their new student leaders.”

This is indeed a historic event in the Cebu Institute of Medicine, and hopefully the newly elected student leaders will be able to serve their fellow students to the best of their abilities.   

Official Number of Votes of the SSC A.Y. 2014-2015:

President: Stacey Kaye N. Militante (257 votes)

VP Internal: Kiara Natalie B. Roble (252 votes)

VP External: Elizabeth E. Hernani (249 votes)

Secretary: Kathleen Joyce C. Del Carmen (253 votes)

Treasurer: Withunan Sriamporn (254 votes)

Auditor: Kathleen Charisse P. Raynes (252 votes)

PIO: John Mar D. Dangane (246 votes)

Written by Hans Matthew Lua of Batch Asterion

CIM Sportsfest 2014: Pad to Playground

The students of Cebu Institute of Medicine closed their books and opened the playing fields to practice sportsmanship and camaraderie during the CIM Sportsfest 2014, with the theme; "Pad to Playground: Promoting Health Through Technology and Sports" last August 23, 2014. The said event was hosted by Batch Spectra.

The games ranged from parlor games like Catch the Dragon's Tail and Minute-to-win-it mini games to ball games such as volleyball and basketball. There was also the most-awaited search for Mr. and Ms. CIM whose winners will represent the school in this year's Medlympics.

The overall champion for this year's Sportsfest is the third year Batch Asterion. The new Mr. CIM is Albert Ian Villegas of Batch Spectra and the new Ms. CIM is Clarice Elaine Radoc of Batch Vertex. The dance contest champion is Spectra Flow.

This year's Sportsfest's Over-all Champion: Batch Asterion

Mr. and Ms. CIM 2014

Dance Contest Champions: Spectra Flow

This is yet another evidence that CIM students not only excel in academics but also in sports; that in celebration of camaraderie and school spirit, medical students will not hesitate to leave their highlighters behind and play some ball!

Written by Zuriele Arambulo of Batch Spectra