31/05/2026
๐ผ ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐๐ง๐ค๐ข ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐๐ง๐ฅ๐๐ง๐จ๐ค๐ฃ
Are all those sacrifices really worth it?
Doubts filled me before I even decided to run for this position. Do I really have what it takes to lead the student body or even organize successful initiatives? After all, there was no blueprint to consult nor a specific protocol on how to lead medical students effectively. This is my first time serving as a head of an organization. After a month of asking myself if I was ready, I accepted the nomination still without a clear answer. What I did know was that I work hard for the things that matter and for the community I love. I was ambitious and I knew it would require radical acceptance for the sacrifices that would inevitably be needed to do this job well.
Less than two weeks ahead of the first day of classes, only four seats: mine, Gio's, Beige's, and Chai's, were occupied out of the original 13, which understandably made me more anxious about the councilโs future. We even divided the remaining positions among ourselves without fully grasping their gravity. I even remember telling them from our very first council meeting that I don't want to hear any narratives of self-victimization because we know what we signed up for. Despite our numbers, I clung to the wise words of FVP Robredo: โKapag tumindig ka, tiyak na may titindig din kasama mo.โ True enough, God had blessed the council with incredible people I admire and respect, who answered my call to serve the Lukan community. The Lucky 13 became complete.
If you remember our tagline, "padaluyin ang pag-asa," I envisioned that the vibrant student life and culture before the pandemic would be revived. That we'll feel that there is a Lukan story worth sharing, not just narratives of survival but also testaments of hope. I believe that the practice of love provides hope. When there is hope, it allows one to envision their future and create ambitions. To dream enables us to empower ourselves. Nearing the end of my term, I've realized that, like democracy, student advocacies should be sustained and nurtured. With this wisdom, I have accepted that, in some aspects of my term, the day you plant the seed is certainly not the day you'll reap the fruit.
I prayed and planned that my term would become a productive one. We had so many proposals for the students, but only about 70% came to fruition. We could have achieved them all with more support and recognition from the Admin. Itโs frustrating to witness how simple decisions evolve to complicated issues.
I certainly believe that SLMCCM is no longer a small school. In our one building, I've seen limitless potential in the student body to shine and represent us in local and international engagements on par with prominent PH medical schools. All it takes is supporting them with funding, coaching, and encouragement. Limiting our students due to lack of funding is a severe collapse in the pursuit of excellence, professional growth, and trust in our capabilities.
For the student leaders in private institutions, I know the pain of diluting your blazing passion for your advocacies in the name of "professionalism." But this doesnโt mean staying silent because โthe greatest menace to freedom is an inert people.โ They won't give us the things that we need, we should demand it from them. Our power relies in our sacred community.
Going back to those lingering questions; was I ready? Actually, my answer to this year long question is no, but I surely was able to grow as a leader and a student doctor along the way. Did the council succeed? Absolutely, but only because I was surrounded by the people who made it all bearable. People always ask me how I balance all these things, and I always say that it's because I work with the best team. If you told the 2025 Tim about our achievements today, he would have first wondered who I am with. So Lukans, let me express my deepest gratitude to each one of the SC members by displaying their achievements.
To my councilmates and the OSA staff: if I were given the chance to reselect the people for this team, I would still choose you because you made all the sacrifices worth it. I am beyond fulfilled and joyful in service because of your presence in the council. With all my heart, thank you.
Always with love,
Tim
