Clerkship Ceremony

ASMPH is really so extruh, and I lavett! <3 Every year, and I think it’s more for the parents’ sake than anything else just so we feel included hehe, the admin holds a Coating Ceremony for the 4th year med students entering Clerkship.

If I was already in tears when Ate came home in her coat the weeks prior, I was full-on bawling when we finally coated her on stage. Suddenly, it makes everything seem so “official”!

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Joker that her Dad is, he coated our soon to be doktora with his jacket, kalurkey! Of course, everyone laughed. Ate said wala na daw kami binigay sa kanya kundi puro kahihiyan! ;)) I beg too.. AGREE? 😛 Sorry Mana, you’re stuck with us. Laughter, after all, is the best medicine.

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And O.A. that I am, of course because this is a milestone, I ordered a huge bouquet for my Sweetness. Unfortunately, my new favorite flower shop was unable to accept my order because their arranger is in Hong Kong pa daw (IKR – ang sosyal lang!), I was forced to order elsewhere.

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Lemme tell you, looking for Ate’s favorite flower (peonies), which is NO LONGER IN SEASON, is a bitch. I contacted every flower shop & only one in DANGWA had stock. Maliliit pa daw, hayz. So I ordered a mix of Blue Ecuadorian Roses (because the theme of the coating ceremony is BLUE LIGHTS) & White Peonies. Pinahanap ko talaga si Atey ng white, kasi ang sangsang yatang tignan ng halong pink & blue.

My next problem was how to give it to her na masusurprise sya. We were going to the event together, alangan namang sa kotse palang hawak na nya hehe.

So kinutchaba ko the 2 lower batch reps assigned to her. Talagang kinaibigan ko to the max ang mga MDs to be! ;))

S/O to my new buddies: JEFF & BENNY.

Thank you so much guys for helping me with the flowers & making sure my Jana felt so cherished & loved by her #1 fan -> ME!

Hiyang-hiya si Ate, lookit..—

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Ate’s batch has 160 med students (180 initially, kaso bumagsak ang 20) & she belonged to the Lec 28 group (from 1 which is the starting number) kaya matagal-tagal din akong binalisawsaw kakahintay.

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The white coat isn’t just a piece of clothing, it’s a symbol of these med students coming full circle. For 4+3 years, they’ve held on to the promise of “sana”, and what seemed like a distant idea before is now within reach for Batch 2021. It is finally time to show the world just how much higher you can #21se!

Manawari (n.) – matupad; mangyari; to reach your dreams.

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Finally, her turn came! <3 Can you see just how proud a mommah I am???

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Congratulations to all the devoted peeps of ASMPH Blue Lights for a highly successful & emotion-filled event! <3

Dahil may mga churva effect at kantahan pa (see video above), the ceremony ended late so we didn’t make it to my reservation at Man Ho in Marriott. Buti nalang Japanese resto Nihonbashitei is open until 2 AM daily, so that is where we brought our growling tummies at almost 11 PM.

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We were asked to write a Palanca letter. Here’s mine, and then there’s Kap. Hay, buti nalang talaga sa akin nagmana tong mga anak ko. MATITINO!!!! ;))

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My dearest Jana, I can’t believe it’s been 7 years already since you started the road to MD. You’re on your 4th year of med proper now, and the hard work is just about to get harder. Persevere. God is with you. Ever since you were little, I knew you would go far. You’ve always been a smart cookie, with your ability to solve puzzles even at 8 months old, and your very inquisitive nature. I saw in you a light that shined & sparkled at every turn. I knew then in my heart that you were destined for something good. For as long as I can remember, all I wanted to be was a mommy. Your mommy. I didn’t have the smarts, goal, or ambition that you have now, so I’m glad my parents’ legacy as medical doctors will continue in you. My failures as their child, my lack of drive, and my less than stellar career – you have already made up for. 😉 Since day 1, I have always been so proud & in awe of you. You are everything that I’m not. Add to the fact that you totes got the best parts of Dad & me, so I know that whatever life throws your way, you’ll be okay. It makes me a little bit braver to let you go out into the big bad world, knowing we have equipped you well. Having said all that, always remember that whatever your life choices may be in the future, we, your family, will always be behind you 101%. Since you were little, I always told you that you have a CHOICE. So never feel backed into a wall. You can be whoever, and whatever, you want to be and we will always, ALWAYS, be proud of you. Never ever feel pressured into thinking that you are not enough. You’ve always set a high benchmark for yourself, so please go a little easy. In the end, your happiness & inner peace is what counts. I’m so excited for what the coming years will bring. Yes, I’m anxious because I’m finally setting you free. As a mother, I will always worry. But so so excited because I know you will also realize your full potential in the process. Go my Jangi, bloom! <3 Whenever you encounter a road block, know that you have a secret weapon. You are SO loved -by me, by Dad, by your siblings, and most of all, by God. Beyond measure. And that, my daughter, will give you a second wind. Enough to knock down any barrier. GO, Fly! :-* From your #1 Fan, Mommy