The Varsitarian

“Life is both sad and solemn. We are let into this wonderful world. We meet each other, greet each other and wander together; and then we lose each other as suddenly and unreasonably as we have arrived.” – Jostein Gaardier

EVERYTHING that happens in this world can be unraveled by scientific formulae, which enables man to comprehend the true nature of its existence. However, I believe that the genesis of science formed in the core of man’s reason also needs to be guided by his own wisdom and faith.

A month before formally attaining my bachelor’s degree in medical technology, I came across a situation wherein my reason and ingenuity for choosing a profession as such, has been tested.

During the last leg of my six-month internship at the World Citi Medical Center, my co-interns and I were approached by an old woman, perhaps in her late 60s, while we were having lunch break at a nearby cafeteria. She was dressed in semi-tattered clothes and worn-out sandals; her skin was dry, wrinkled, and sagging; and her face was full of weariness and anxiety.

She came to literally beg for blood.

In her story, her grandson was admitted at East Avenue Medical Center due to a degenerative illness, which if not immediately transfused by blood would cost his life.

Since our hospital has not been equipped with a blood bank, we advised her to ask for help at the Philippine National Red Cross. She told us that she had already been there but Red Cross said they will not issue blood units to her unless she buys them or she would present voluntary and acceptable donors in exchange for the blood.

Her next words seemed to strike our hearts: “Hindi po ako namamalimos ng pera. Kailangang-kailangan lang po ng dugo ng apo ko. Handa po akong magpa-alila sa sinumang makatutulong po sa amin. Parang awa niyo na po mga anak!”

Our first instinct is to accompany her and voluntarily donate blood but we could not do so since we have yet to finish our shift. Eventually, we had decided to pitch in money instead. But as we turned back to her, she was gone. She may not have had enough time to wait.

Meanwhile, in the afternoon, an infant two to three years of age, suspected of meningococcemia, was rushed to the emergency room. A fellow intern and I were present during the admission to extract blood for laboratory testing. After three days, the child died.

These incidents universally happen but still, I had a hard time processing them. At the back of my mind, a voice was constantly asking what I have done to help.

We have been studying blood and related topics for a couple of years and yet, it has been so difficult to use that knowledge to help out. An uncle of mine once told me to always read and learn from it; learn and apply; apply then uplift.

But it is only when you are tested that you discover who you are and who you can be; that every human being has an innate desire for a quantum leap for the better.

Presently, as I am about to take up Medicine, my reason and faith instruct me to seize every opportunity to learn and be able to have the ability to save lives. I may not be the most talented or the brightest but I will constantly practice and someday, be one of the best.

***

It never came to my mind that I would be able to cross the Varsitarian’s path and be in line with many of the country’s biggest names, not only in the fields of literature and journalism but also in the different disciplines of arts and the sciences.

Entering the Varsitarian wasn’t easy for me especially that I am not a journalism major. I failed the qualifying examinations at first. I never expected it to be so tiresome and breathtaking. But I never lost hope. I reapplied and luckily, I passed. I thought it was all but specialized exams and interviews followed.

Being a V staffer for me entailed a lot of responsibility and struggles, more so when I held an editorial position. It was as if I am taking two completely unrelated courses at the same time.

Oftentimes, I even felt more of a V staffer than of a med-tech student. True as they say, you can have anything in life if you are willing to sacrifice everything else for it. Nothing comes without a price.

With the V, I had the rare opportunity to speak with people I never even knew I would personally meet — cabinet secretaries, senators and government leaders, university administrators, internationally acclaimed doctors, television personalities, and even Nobel prize-winning scientists. It also drove me to different places and events and gave me once-in-a-lifetime experiences that an ordinary college student would not simply achieve at a mere age of 18.

I am thankful to the V that even though I have not reached my academic expectations, I learned to live a life outside my own shell. I had the chance to explore beyond my limits and I was able to make myself believe in what I can do.

First, I want to thank my siblings in the V, Alena and Ian. You made your big brother so proud. We truly are V’s top staffers. Thank you for helping me produce not only well-written articles but stories with substance and concern.

To my V comrades Athan, Jet, Levine, Roman, and Emil, thank you for the fraternity.

To the original A-MT ‘09, UST-OPD’s Jenina and Bryan, and to TWSNBN particularly Clarisse, Jickson, John, Cheska, Karla, Margaret, Bernadette, Ochie, Mabet, Shayne and Meilin, I am grateful for the support and encouragement to stay in the V despite the heavy academic load. Thank you for being faithful confidants.

To all those that I have interviewed, thank you for giving me the chance to be a channel of reliable information.

To Sir Lito, Sir Ipe, and the past editors I have worked with especially Kris, Nic, Celina, Ketch and Tonying, thank you for honing me not only into a better writer, but to be a man who can stand, own up and learn from his mistakes, and not settle for the second best because to do so is to settle for mediocrity.

To my fellow amihans, thank you for the memories; and to the rest of the V staff, always remember that in your stay, people are going to tag you; what matters is that you know who you really are and you know how you want the world to see you. C’est la vie!

To all Thomasians, mainly batch 2009, congratulations and good luck in all our endeavors. Let us continue to bring pride to our alma mater wherever we are.

To my parents and kins, I am forever indebted for the love and sacrifice. Thank you for providing the best upbringing you can give to a son.

And finally, to the Almighty Father, for giving me the wisdom and the permission to make it through the days and those that will come.

Merci beaucoup Varsitarian! Once a V staffer, always a V staffer!