That Old Road

That old, dark winding road,

Adventures to unfold.

Walking on ancient soil,

A dark path without toil. 

A path known by many,

So made known to many.

Walking with no hesitation, 

Thoughts beyond imagination.

Journeying with much ecstasy,

Fantasy into reality.

Riches known by many,

So made known to many.

Seeing meadows to my side,

The journey I must abide.

Breathtaking sights, joyous plains,

The journey I put in chains.

The turn known by many,

So made known to many.

Wasted days and wasted nights, 

Slowly dimming down my lights.

A fool am I wasting time,

Yond the meadow so sublime.

The truth known by many,

So made known to many.

Going back I saw the road,

That same old, dark winding road.

The adventure continued, 

With much things to be pursued.

The path known by many,

So made known to many.

Written by The Epic Poetic Tenor

Denial

You're so used to lying
And making others believe what isn't true
I don't think you'll even recognize the truth
Even when it's right in front of you

You think you've fooled everybody
But I can see through your lies
Your facade is fading
The truth, clear in your eyes

You're so adept at hiding
You see yourself a master of disguise
All I see is an idiot
Smothering your own strangled cries

You won't let people help you
Telling them you don't really care
You think you're so convincing
At making them see what isn't there

But not even the brightest smile
Can hide a tormented soul
Not even the loudest laugh
Can mask a broken heart

There's no use pretending
You don't feel any pain
There's no use denying it
You can't fool me again

I know that you're hurting
Even if you don't admit it to yourself
I can see your heart breaking
Like a glass figure fallen from a shelf

There are so many pieces
You're not sure you can pick them all up
Even if you put them together
You don't know the next time it might drop

So instead you let it be
And sweep them under the rug
Ignorance is bliss, you say
It's your addiction, your drug

Written by A. Ellis

Balloon

I've let go of our forever
The last string that tied us together
Time may have flown with the wind
But the mem'ries stay alive within

A last glimpse of gleam in his eye
Disappears into a distant sky
My feet buried in piles of sand
Down this shore where he'd once held my hand

I remember in every way
How he used to take my breath away
But the distance had only grown
And I have never felt more alone

I believed in our everything
Our wish tied at the end of its string
The magic died out when it burst
But the pain it brought was not the worst

Written by Disguised Angel

Syncytia: Beating as One in Triumph

It is a moment of pride for the students, faculty, and alumni of the Cebu Institute of Medicine as once again, it has achieved a 100% rating in the Physician Licensure Examination held last August 2014. A wondrous feat, considering no other medical school has achieved the same status.

Early on, the Cebu Institute of Medicine embeds in the minds of her students the vision of the school - physicians with a heart. In part, that is the secret to her success. In the academic year 2001-2002, the school has adapted the Problem Based Learning (PBL) curriculum. Since then, the school has been consistently performing well in the PLEs, with the distinction of being the "top performing medical school in the country."

On top of all the outstanding accomplishments of the school, they have added Raymund Martin Sia Li and Debbie Rose Uy Tanengsy to their roster of topnotchers (first and fifth, respectively).

With that, we had the chance to ask our very own Raymund Li on his most notable accomplishment.

The Caduceus (TC): How did you feel when you received the news?

Raymund Li (R): I was very surprised to find out that I topped the PLE. It was totally unexpected. I was confident that I would pass it but being on the list of topnotchers wasn't really on my mind while waiting for the results. After that initial feeling of surprise, I was elated, thankful, and incredibly humbled.

TC: You are an inspiration to all of us aspiring physicians. What advice can you give to the students and future PLE takers of CIM?

R: I'd say that the four years of medical school is essential in preparing one for the board exam. Learn as much as you can. The 3-4 months leading to the examination itself is more like a review of all of the knowledge and information you have acquired over 4 years. When studying for PLE, you have to study smart. Make a day-to-day schedule of the topics you have to cover early on and stick to it. It is understandable to occasionally fall behind but never let your backlogs pile up. Read all of your review materials at least twice. Whether or not you enroll in a review center is entirely up to you. But in my opinion, it is good study habits, diligence, and self-discipline that will make you pass and excel in the board exam and not review centers. It is also imperative that you acquire and answer sample examinations because preparing for the PLE also requires honing your test-taking strategies. 

TC: How has your Alma Mater molded you to achieving your goals?

R: CIM has definitely helped me achieve my goals. The four years I spent in CIM helped me develop my study habits and gave me the confidence to pursue excellence in the medical field. I specifically applaud the PBL system, which I found to be extremely conducive to learning and was a very good fit for my learning styles.

TC: What is your message to Batch Syncytia, who truly beat as one in this amazing feat?

R: I would like to congratulate Batch Syncytia for achieving a 100% passing rate. 100% was what I truly wanted and being a topnotcher is just an added bonus. I am incredibly honored to be a part of this amazing batch. I'm sure this batch will have many more crowning achievements in the future and the PLE was just the start of great things to come. Yay to us!

What makes Batch Syncytia unique? As their batch name would suggest, they are a fusion of individual but interconnected units performing a specific goal in a synchronized and unified fashion. They are a batch of physicians with one heart. They are Syncytia - beating as one in triumph. 

Written by Glenn Marlon Tiu of Batch Spectra

When Dream Meets Reality

Medicine is not as simple as studying for long hours with the mere intention of earning another feather in one's cap. It is both a calling and a profession that requires incandescent passion, unwavering determination, and myriad sacrifices. It is a rare case, maybe almost impossible, to hear someone say that medicine is an easy endeavor because it is most definitely not, to which even a two-time topnotcher strongly concord. 

Dr. Debbie Rose U. Tanengsy, who placed 5th among the 2,218 board passers in the recent Physician Licensure Examination (PLE), has dreamed of becoming a doctor ever since she was little, and with the incessant support of her parents, she had chosen to take the long road to turn that dream into a reality.

As she would aptly put it, "There's no other way around it, but through hard work," when asked what the secret ingredient to her success is. How effective that is has been concretely proven through her consistent performance in her chosen fields. Her pre-medical course allowed her early exposure to the hospital setting and would later prove to be of immense help during her clerkship. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing in 2009, and emerged as top 5 in the Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam (PNLE) that same year. For someone who is an intellectual as her, it must have come out as expected, but she humbly admitted that her only goal in both those times was to pass, and the second time was just as surreal as the first. Each time was unforeseen, and she revealed that her motivation then was the possibility of not making it, but the distinction she earned is something she gratefully gives back to both her alma mater and to God Almighty.

Her journey in medical school was not the most pleasant as we might think it was. She cleverly compared her medical school experience with a scalpel (or a needle, lancet, and the like) which a physician uses to make an incision, draw blood, and inflict pain to save a life or a limb. As what all medical students put up with, she also went through tough times, but for her, all the trials, pain, blood, sweat, and tears have not been, and will never be for naught because the suffering may be unwelcomed, but they were sufferings most necessary for growth and improvement, much like what a scalpel is for.

The challenges she faced did not become any easier as the PLE drew near, and though it was grueling in almost all aspects, her parents had her back and took every step with her which was the reasons she still had the strength to keep moving forward despite all the hardships. They had been her rock since day one, and like any child who look up to her parents' ways and success, she found her inspiration in them.

While medical school would seem an intimidating path to endure, it actually has more of its reputable side than we let on. With the difficult exams and sleepless nights put together, how friends made it an adventure is just one of the unforgettable moments that will live on forever. For this reason, Dr. Debbie considers her first year as a medical student the highlight of her years in CIM. Apart from the academics, she became acquainted more with how she studies best, how she works in groups, how to best manage her time, and how she deals with immediate and long-term stressors, and these lessons have gone a long way for her, as how it would be for the rest of us if we only let them.

"To aspiring physicians, our passion and dedication to our chosen lifelong vocation are fundamental to the successful careers we all aspire to have. I believe from these two values sprout forth others just as vital to becoming physicians with a heart: sacrifice and compromise, diligence, and integrity." -Dr. Debbie Rose U. Tanengsy

Written by Janellie Blithe Tam of Batch Vertex

Getting to Know Your CIM SSC (Part 3 of 3)

This is a continuation of the previous articles posted.

Members of the student council includes the presidents from each year level. They were asked about the unique traits of their batch and their contribution to the integrity of CIM. 

Albeth Mae A. Cajucom (Vertex): Batch Vertex is composed of individuals who are game for anything. We can be pretty spontaneous. In fact, we even surprise each other with what we can do. A lot of times, we can't really articulate or enumerate what we can do for you, but when something needs to be done, we will be there to offer you all that we can. We strive to be constantly at the top of our game (at our own "Vertex", if you will) and we always strive to give our best in all that we do and in all the things that we become a part of. We always ask ourselves, "What more can we do to make this better, to be better?" In this way, we resonate with CIM's goal of excellence. But while doing that, we also like to keep things less predictable, more lively, and thus, more passionate.

Kaira Monique G. Osmena (Spectra): I don't know if this sets our batch apart but in just a little bit over a year, I've come to realize how true and apt our batch name is for the people who are a part of it. Batch Spectra is one composed of different people, with different talents, and different skills. These are people set to become physicians with a heart and so much more. Here you find full-time med students, part time event organizers, choreographers, dancers, singers, actors, writers - the list could go on infinitely. In Spectra, we are all so different yet we come together in a beautifully harmonious entity. I guess that all of us in Spectra chose to go to the right school when we chose to go to CIM, because in our diversity, I believe, you can see how future medical practitioners, physicians with a heart, ought to be. The doctor of the future is someone who does not only seek to give cure but also one who tries to do what he can and leave an impact in society in his own way.

Florge Francis Sy (Asterion): Like the brightest star among a constellation of many, Asterion stands out bright, brilliant, beautiful and bold. One incredible quality that our batch possesses is the competence to deliver 110%. Through the three-year journey packed with uphill battles and undying challenges, Asterion has been resilient and more ardent than ever before. We continue to strive for excellence day by day by learning and experiencing medicine, by byilding and bridging bonds with one another and by rendering service where service is deserved. Every Asterionite is unique. Everyone stands out through his or her personality, wit, and talent. Despite each one's individualities, our hearts continue to beat as one. Asterion is a family unified by the love for one another, the passion for medicine and the mutual dream to become what we are all ought to be: physicians with a heart. Truly, the brightest stars are those who shine for the benefit of others.

Indeed, CIM is not just a home for future physicians but for people who dare to make a change.

Written by Dorothy Joy Bacomo of Batch Spectra

CIM Wins First Prize in Oratorical Competition

Dr. Melfer Montoya (second from left) and Christopher Co (third from left) with members of the Cebu Medical Society.

CIM was awarded the First Prize in the Oratorical Competition of the 57th Annual Medicine Week with the theme "Kapit Bisig para sa Pagbabago... sa PMA at sa Bayan" and with Cebu Medical Society's sub-them "Harmony and Unity in Diversity." The event was held earlier today at the CMS Building in Banilad.

CIM's Representative was Mr. Christopher Co of Batch Spectra. The contestants were tasked to talk about the topic: "The Effectiveness of Either Traditional Teaching Method of Instruction in Medical School Versus Problem-based Learning from a Student's Point of View."

Other winners were medical student representatives from University of the Visayas (2nd prize), Southwestern University (3rd prize), and Cebu Doctors University (4th prize).

Watch the video of his oration here.

Written by Dena Mae Amor Desabille of Batch Spectra

Photo and video courtesy of Abby Niles Cuenco of Batch Spectra

Merienda Cena en Cebu: The Public Health Heart

CEBU CITY - In celebration of its 4th founding anniversary, CIM's school choir Cimphony organized the first-ever Merienda cena en Cebu in cooperation with the Alliance for Improving Health Outcomes. The event was held on September 8, 2014 from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the conference room of Mcdonald's Jones. There were 35 medical students in attendance, from CIM and from SWU-MHAMCM.

Public health issues and opportunities were the main topics of the merienda cena, with Dr. Lester Sam A. Geroy of the WHO Cebu City Field Office and Dr. Grace Fe Buquiran, Executive Assistant of the DOH Undersecretary of Health Gako. The said speakers presented to the participants the Philippine current health statistics and situation such as:

• The Philippines is now classified by the ASEAN as a low middle income country, in lieu of being called as a developing country. However, efforts are now focused on making the country a high income country by 2025.
• The top diseases in our country are the non-communicable diseases (such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer), HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.
• The health care sector is focused on enhancing the health facilities of the country.
• A trend of brain gain is now observed in the country, instead of brain drain that started in 1986 (Martial Law era). 
• There are also plans to improve the quality of health care in the country, such as: ASEAN integration, more local and national investment in health, more funds from tobacco taxes, PhilHealth covering more people and benefits, an interconnected health information system, further regulation of medicine prices, and Philippine foreign policy and institution on international health aid, among others.

It was emphasized in the talks that the public health heart of idealism, adventure, and community service are needed by our country. Public health doctors look beyond the patient's disease, integrating the roles of the family, community, and different health systems in the prevention and the cure of disease. The essence of public health lies in the provision of the best possible service, with meager resources. Contrary to popular belief, there are numerous opportunities in public health such as research, mental health, public health law, health informatics, and health systems.

Photo ops with the speakers- SSC President, Stacey Militante (leftmost) with some officers of Cimphony: Cyrus Tejam, Bede Ilano, Alfred Angulo, and Mark Magallon

Student Leaders from CIM and SWU-MHAMCM with the speakers

Dr. Buquiran asked a resonating question; "Instead of asking, why don't you make a stand?"

Instead of complaining about the quality of health care in our country as an outsider, why don't we help improve the system from the inside out as a physician with a heart?

Written by Dena Mae Amor N. Desabille of Batch Spectra
Photos courtesy of Cyrus Tejam of Batch Asterion

Getting to Know Your CIM SSC (Part 2 of 3)

Read Part 1 of this article if you haven't yet.

(c) Tiu

Kathleen Joyce C. Del Carmen, Secretary, indicated that having balance between responsibilities and studies, is the greatest challenge as a council officer. With so many projects proposed for this year demanding time and focus, she believes the way to handle it is proper time management.

Being a first year student is not a hindrance for Withunan Sriamporn, Treasurer, to lead his future associates. HBe is in fact honored to join the Supreme Student Council and states that time management and multitasking are his best weapons. Kathleen Charisse P. Raynes, being the Council Auditor, entails her to coordinate with her colleagues with regard to activities and financial concerns and properly assess them. Being an officer helps her character formation as a physician handling patients and making sure they get the best quality of health care.

"They say we can't serve two masters at the same time, but I think this case is an exception." said John Mar D. Dangane, Public Information Officer, when asked about his assurance of good performance to the student body despite the academic demans of medical school. "I know my priorities as well as my responsibilities, and I am taking the challenge of proving not only to the student body but also to myself that I am indeed qualified an d ready for the job."

Written by Dorothy Joy Bacomo of Batch Spectra

CIM Tops the PLE 2014

CEBU CITY - Cebu Institute of Medicine's Batch Syncytia is the top performing school with a 100% passing rate in the recently concluded Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) 2014. This marks the eighth consecutive year for CIM's 100% passing rate in the PLE.

Batch Syncytia also produced two topnotchers: Raymund Martin Li (Top 1) and Debbie Rose Tanengsy (Top 5). Li garnered a board rating of 89.58, while Debbie Rose Tanengsy garnered a board rating of 89.17. 

The complete list of PLE 2014 topnotchers

The long hours of studying and reviewing for the exam were paid for in full by the examinees, with the guidance of esteemed doctors who took time in their busy schedules to hold small group discussions for the final courses and cases. Batch Syncytia proved that they not only gave more for their success, they also earned it in every possible way.

Written by Vergil Dominic Sanchez

Editor's Note: Watch out for the upcoming Mezzanine Matters featuring Batch Syncytia and this year's CIM PLE board topnotchers. 

The Substance of Saline

I could still remember that moment about a year ago when a groupmate of mine invited me to a weekly noontime gathering at the Main Social Hall. I wanted to make sure it was worth the while, so I opted to give it a try for one session. There, I found myself with a group of students discussing relevant matters of life which eventually led me to join its weekly gathering for about a year now. This group is what is known as "The Saline Option", and in substance it is...

Not an Organization but a Movement

The Saline Option (TSO) was first envisioned by Dr. Stephen Sixto Siguan to be a gathering of health care professionals and students that provides an avenue for enriching one's faith in God and for cultivating quality relationships with Christians in the health care community. It was first launched in 2011, spearheaded by Luke Ouano, and was officially approved and recognized by CIM. Currently, TSO is at two schools in Cebu City, CIM and MHAM, where students are equipped with activities that can help them succeed in the medical field.

TSO does not have a structural hierarchy of officers with certain mandated tasks characteristic of an organization. Rather, it is appropriately called a movement since it comprises of a group of people who are working together to advance their common vision.

What keeps TSO moving is its vision "to see a movement of Christ-tied medical and allied medical students and professional influencing the workplace and transforming lives for God's purposes." Its task is "to share God's Word to students, faculty, support staff, and patients, and to develop Christian character in pursuing endeavors of the teaching institution and the hospital."

Its Name Stands for Its Aim

Just as a Normal Saline Solution is used to hydrate and provide electrolyte balance on a sick patient, it is called "saline" because the group aims to help achieve balance in life, in the aspects of mental, physical, social, and spiritual. It is all about encouraging and helping each other whenever trials or difficult life transitions (forms of imbalance) strike a person. Moreover, it was also inspired by Matthew 5:13-14 when Jesus called his followers as the "salt of the earth and the light of the world."

"Option" carries with it the personal decision to live consistently with the teachings of Jesus and of the Bible. Perfection is never a requirement; only persistence in applying practical Christianity.

What's In It For You

TSO conducts activities such as gatherings, conferences, and courses that benefit the students. Specifically, they are:

1.   Weekly Bible Studies. Tailored for medical students in CIM in order to learn more about God and build friendships with each other.

2.   INSPIRE Courses. It includes "Operation Tuli" which happens at the start of summer break. It is led by a team of surgeons who guide students in learning the basics of surgery through circumcision. It also offers Breast Cancer Community Outreach Program (BCACOP) which offers free breat consultation and operation services.

3.   Heartbeat for Christ Annual Christian Medical Student Conference. This is an event where Christian medical students from all over the country meet each other to learn more about God. This provides great opportunities for spiritual growth and new friendships.

Equipping CIM Students towards becoming a "Physician with a Heart"

TSO aids in developing one's character using the Bible as a guide and Jesus as the model. The Bible helps the student to trust God in challenges, show humility in successes and give lessons and hope in failures. Since Jesus is "The Great Physician" who demonstrated compassion in healing the sick, following his manner of patient care can take the student a big step forward towards being a "physician with a heart".

What Sets TSO Apart

TSO is all about life transformation. It rests its vision upon the life-changing power and promise of Jesus Christ: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

It's Your Best Option

No one has to feel all alone and left out in CIM. If you are a person who has struggles, questions or problems in life, you can find encouragement here with us. Or if you feel like you need to break a while from studying about medicine designed for the body because you want to know more about medicine that heals the soul and spirit, this group is for you. If you simply want to build friendships and expand your social circle, you can find great friends here. TSO invites everyone and welcomes everyone. The Saline Option does not conduct any initiation or require certain qualifications. Simply come just as you are and meet the One who transforms lives. It's the best option you're yet to make.

Planning to Join TSO?

We meet weekly (usually Tuesday or Wednesday) 12:30-1:30 P.M. at the Main Social Hall. For further information, you may contact this number: 09322887961.

Written by Brice Serquina of Batch Spectra

Getting to Know Your CIM-SSC (Part 1 of 3)

Medicine is a challenge. It gives you time to have fun but keeps you home before midnight. It strengthens relationships with future colleagues without taking your independence. It feeds your curiosity, extracts your brilliance, and at the same time, it exhausts you. They say medicine is an art, but for students of CIM, it is PASSION. It is a chance to make a difference. It bridges the gap between science and men.

CIM trains one to be a physician - with a heart of a leader. It does not only prepare students for the health care profession but it opens an opportunity to decide for oneself and eventually, make a change. This can be seen during the CIM Supreme Student Council (SSC) ELECTIONS (Read more here).

The newly-elected officers took oath on August 5, 2014 with the promise to support the institution in molding students to become physicians with a heart. With new responsibilities held in their hands, the CIM-SSC 2014 have their own perception about their Alma Mater and hopes for their future colleagues.

CIM SSC A.Y. 2014-2015
(c) Del Carmen

Stacey Kaye N. Militante, SSC President, envisions CIM to be a family that reaches out to the world - with projects geared towards the benefit of the student body, faculty, and staff (school-wide blood typing and immunization campaign). She aims to conduct outreach programs in partnership with the Share-A-Child Movement and Kythe and establish a CIM Disaster Management Team. She believes that these goals can be achieved with utmost cooperation of the CIM family.

The officers encourage full participation from the students for the activities planned for the academic year 2014-2015. Vice-president for Internal Affairs, Kiara Natalie B. Roble, stated that certain projects will be headed by the students in partnership with the council officers. This will develop their leadership skills and build camaraderie among them.

Elizabeth E. Hernani, Vice-president for External Affairs, considers CIM in the same way she would assess any community for the first time: as a structure with a framework defined by four cardinal features- identity, integration, group norms, and external linkages. Having been in the institution for three academic years, she was asked about the improvements necessary for CIM and how she can be a part of such improvements. She stated that CIM has a strong identity and group norms, and fair integration and external linkages which is compatible with a parochial type of community. She sees it generally as a community on the offensive, with the abilities to identify and acknowledge existing problems, identify and access resources, and implement interventions through collective internal action.

"I've seen many times how this nature has been manifested: when organizing for Sportsfests, Medlympics, Students' Night, outreach programs, etc. In so saying, I think the CIM community can do more to improve integration and external linkages, to upgrade to an arguably better type of community, an integral rather than a parochial one. I think so, too, that my position as VP for External Affairs is a crucial one in enhancing our external linkages. This year, we will strengthen our networks to gain more opportunities for our students, to have timely and adequate access to more resources to supplement our own, to increase, too, our awareness of our society, the world outside," she quoted. It's a lot of work to achieve one goal but from what the VP External emphasized - in time, the generations to follow will see the changes that will have been affected and will always pursue excellence in every aspect.

Written by Dorothy Joy Bacomo of Batch Spectra

You might also enjoy reading: CIM Organizations: A Closer Look