VS 02 A Grand Start but an Untimely Finish .pdf

JULY 7, 2015

VOLUME 1 ISSUE NO.02

Article by Jayrick Aguirre

S

hortly after the morning session
consisting of the usual speeches,
awarding of the college
brainiacs and presentation of
administrative and council officers, the
afternoon program kickstarted the
introduction of the college’s various
extracurricular organizations and groups
along with a couple of guests from outside
the University to create the complete
Freshman Orientation experience.
A working lunch was in order as the
freshmen were divided into groups of 12
in Room 202—a la SGD-style with their
upper year facilitators, holding the getting
-to-know drill as well as answering the
freshman FAQs concerning books, study
strategies, activities and other med school
must-knows. The CCC (Campus Crusaders
for Christ) helped facilitate the small group
orientation.
It was past one at noon when the
jocular emcees, Walter Davilla and Cielo
Bercero lightened the mood with their
lively hosting, with MSC chairperson, Elly
Eluna opening the afternoon program with
his inspirational PQRST speech.
Part one of the afternoon program
included the orientation to the library and
APMC-SN or the Association of Philippine
Medical Colleges – Student Network.
College librarians Ma. Reden Montano
and Helen Canizares spoke for the library
basics and policies while MSC Vice

Chairperson for External Affairs Lourdes
Galacan conducted the orientation for
the Association of Philippine Medical
Colleges – Student Network. The
Medsymphony chorale later entertained
the room with their original mashup of
pop songs.
The second part was opened by the
Orientation to PhilHealth, with Philhealth
representatives Gilbert Parcon and Kate
Abolucion discussing the facts and
benefits of the health insurance program
to the freshies. Later on in the program,
albeit late, Officer-in-Charge of the
Iloilo Boarding House Commission, Ben
Palma also informed the crowd with the
legal and safety policies imposed on
boarding
house
establishments,
especially for the non-local students.
Crooners Anjo Belasoto and Kim Jasper
Torreliza from Batch Excelsior later
performed a soulful number, ending the
second part of the program.
Ellaine Fiel from Batch Medicus
Devoveo gave POV of what to expect
on being a freshman, along with insights
and words of wisdom, having just
experienced being one the previous
year. Also from batch MD, Ezekiel
Documento gave a roundup of the books
needed to survive the first year. The
University Student Council Chairperson
Christine Salao also visited the college
for the mother council’s orientation.

The intro to college organizations all
tried to pique the interest of the college’s
newest members, with seven organizations,
including the Vital Signs, pitching their
activities thru videos and a short talk. The
AMSA (Asian Medical Students Association)
was pitched its head, Meghan Angela
Nicolette Lamprea, while the Bisayang
Doktor or Bisdoks was presented by Lester
Bustamante. Katharine Phoebe Marquez of
the CCC, Mignonette Delgado of the
Medsymphony, Marielle Karina Barredo of
the Order of Asclepius, Jayrick Aguirre of
the Vital Signs and Milrose Macero of the
STAT Health also pitched their respective
organizations.
Culminating the program was the
presentation of the batch videos. However,
almost halfway through Batch MD’s video,
an unexpected power outage shut the
entire University’s electric supply, forcing
the orientation to finish early. Iloilo city’s
power fluctuations are said to have caused
the early dismissal, due to the incoming
storms in the country.
Although ending in a sour note, the
Freshmen Orientation did present almost
everything that the first years must know,
just like what the MSC has done for several
years now. With just a weekend before
the college’s classes officially starts, the
freshmen are at least geared up and
ready for the awesome journey that is
medical school. #