Text by Andrei Bargas, Angeline Hernandez, Ralph Benedict Ma-alat, John Michael Deblois, and Ryan Olos
With an introduction by Anna Robles
Multitude of forces from SLCM have prepared long and hard for this day, which we all know as the Freshman Orientation Program, or FOP. This year the SLCM community has welcomed yet again a new generation of aspiring doctors into the fold, 119 strong, who not only learned what’s in store for them for the coming zombie apocalypse that is med school, but also what it’s like to embody the Lukan spirit. Now that their training is over and the real work has begun, let’s look at what the freshmen have to say as they start their journey along with the rest of us.
____________________________________________________________________________________
“The FOP served as a very warm welcome for all of us. It definitely showed me how much of a family everyone in SLCM is.”
The Freshman Orientation Program (FOP) felt - to me - like I was a first year undergraduate student again partly because of the undeniably high energies of the Student Council and volunteers who were accommodating us. There was also the fact that it felt like I was in a totally different world again: going from high school to college is somewhat parallel to transitioning from an undergraduate course, or even work and bum time for some of us, to medical school, where I find myself fitting in an unfamiliar crowd.
The FOP served as a very welcome for all of us. There was a lot of positivity amidst the warnings of what we are getting into. Nonetheless, we were assured that hard work would pay off, along with the support we would get from one another. We also had the opportunity to get feedback and more advice from the upperclassmen through the tours. It definitely showed me how much of a family everyone in SLCM is.
There were certainly a lot of things that went on during the FOP. The first day dwelt more on the fun side – the bond of students with one another as well as the extra-curricular organizations. The second day, on the other hand, was more on the serious side: the faculty and admin of the school and even the Board of Trustees of the medical center were introduced to us. We got to see what makes the school extra special, which reassured us that we made the right choice of going into SLCM.
Overall, I thought the FOP was very organized and comprehensive for us newcomers. After the two days of various events, we have been prepped for the start our classes the following day. We are truly grateful for the care and wisdom that were given to us. We can only aspire to do the same when we are the ones welcoming the future batch!
-Andrei Bargas
____________________________________________________________________________________
“The FOP made me realize that being a med student is a lot more special than being in any other program. It felt like I am being given a lot of privileges for being in St. Luke’s College of Medicine and I have no reason to waste it.”
It is a 'Zombie Apocalypse' and I am a fresh meat.
This is how med school life was described during the Freshmen Orientation Program. With all the subjects eating your brain, it is not surprising that almost all med students look like zombies themselves (just have a glimpse on their faces and actions)! Sometimes you'll wonder, are these post-grad people attending med school or BED school?! Kidding aside, the FOP made me realize that being a med student is a lot more special than being in any other program. It felt like I am being given a lot of privileges for being in St. Luke's College of Medicine and I have no reason to waste it. The FOP opened my eyes to the path that I'll be walking on. With all the introduction about the subjects, strategies and survival, as well as the policies, I felt scared and was already questioning myself as to why did I even pursue this field? It was strange since from the very start, I already dreamed of becoming a medical doctor. But then and there, in the few moments of fun and activities, I came to realize how welcoming the Lukans are, so I'm really glad and thankful for being part of the 'Lukan' community.
I am expecting a more critical life than I used to have in my undergraduate program. I have to get lots of books to read, I need to attend our classes diligently (or else I’m going to miss tons of information!), and I'm definitely pressured to inhale caffeine. (I'm really not into coffee. I hope I can think of an alternative).
This kind of life is quite tough. No, IT IS really tough. It requires real hard work and determination: the much-needed push to get you throughout the entire program.
Aside from the tough life that lies ahead, the FOP reminded me that being a medical student is a lot of fun! Just imagine studying one of the greatest gifts of God to us, the human body. Understanding all the mechanisms that are happening within our system, in well designed and very much synchronized function amazes me how it was evenly and greatly designed by our Creator. Unlocking the answers to my curiosities about the mechanisms of the human body is really something I look forward to. Despite the challenges and demands of med school, I still feel blessed to be here.
This is just the start and I'm ready with my pen to write a new chapter in my life. I rather feel challenged than scared. The Lukan community is so supportive and of course I have God who will lead and guide me. With prayers and tons of hard work, everything is possible.
God bless you all!
-Angeline Hernandez
____________________________________________________________________________________
“It occurred to me that a single word could actually summarize the entire event (FOP): AWESOME.”
"A hundred and fifty words wouldn’t be enough to describe anyone’s experience during the FOP,” is what I would have liked to tell our class president RJ when he told me he’s been asked by Iatros to make an essay of such length. But then, it occurred to me that a single word could actually summarize the entire event: AWESOME. If you would ask me how good the Freshman Primers and paraphernalia were, I would tell you that they were awesome. If you would ask me if the tour of the facilities was helpful at all, I would tell you that it was both helpful AND awesome. If you would ask me how good the students in SLCM are, I would tell you that you couldn’t even begin to comprehend their awesomeness! The FOP made me realize that if there ever would be a zombie apocalypse in the future, SLCM should be prepared. Because the zombies would definitely go here, where the most awesome brains are.
-Ralph ‘Hei’ Benedict Ma-alat
____________________________________________________________________________________
“I wasn’t ready for a family who will embrace me with open arms. Yet, there they were, ready to gang up on you to become members of the “family”, with dean as the Godfather and the SC as his consiglieres and caporegime.”
Going back to class has never been this overwhelming.
Oh, I didn’t expect much, but it was the welcoming ride that gave me the chills. The FOP was, in one word, stimulating… exciting. Okay, that’s two, but in this atmosphere of sincere hospitality, I feel like I could break any rule and get away with it. The theme was about zombies, and yet the people are far from the grumbling, growling, and grunting half-dead upperclassmen that I expected to see.
Two years have passed since I graduated from college, and with my experiences in the “real world”, I felt like I was ready for anything. I was wrong. I wasn’t ready for this. I wasn’t ready for a family who will embrace me with open arms. Yet, there they were, ready to gang up on you to become members of the “family”, with dean as the Godfather and the SC as his consiglieres and caporegime.
All I can say is… boy, what a welcoming act that was!
-John Michael Deblois
____________________________________________________________________________________
“The apocalyptic approach of the FOP, for me, shows not the end, but rather the beginning. After all, being bitten by a zombie doesn't count as dying, but it means living differently.”
Zombie Attack!!! Are we supposed to panic?
In a world that deals with risks (being bitten by zombies for instance) when do we qualify something as “lethal?” The apocalyptic approach of the FOP, for me, shows not the end, but rather the beginning. After all, being bitten by a zombie doesn't count as dying, but it means living differently. We are talking about a whole new level of lifestyle, a new set- up, a disturbing place for people with hard stomachs. We call it MED SCHOOL. When we were infected, we had the option to continue or simply give up. The choice of moving in a dorm or living alone in a Condo, and even having a disturbingly different eating habit and lifestyle were all introduced during this one day seminar. Ultimately, everything boiled down to us choosing the “fun” part of being a Med Student. However, as Dean Carandang quoted it the next day, “they make you believe that being in med school is all fun.” Choosing St. Luke’s education doesn't ultimately mean it’s going to be fun as what the President stipulated; rather, choosing St. Luke’s is the first step. Making a difference, establishing a rapport, building a community of professionals, reaching your goals and having fun depends on US, our very decision. We are not supposed to panic, but we need to prepare, engage, and become interactive. It’s really challenging but life itself is a challenge, and zombie mode is the next level of the game…
-Ryan Olos [x]
With an introduction by Anna Robles
Multitude of forces from SLCM have prepared long and hard for this day, which we all know as the Freshman Orientation Program, or FOP. This year the SLCM community has welcomed yet again a new generation of aspiring doctors into the fold, 119 strong, who not only learned what’s in store for them for the coming zombie apocalypse that is med school, but also what it’s like to embody the Lukan spirit. Now that their training is over and the real work has begun, let’s look at what the freshmen have to say as they start their journey along with the rest of us.
____________________________________________________________________________________
“The FOP served as a very warm welcome for all of us. It definitely showed me how much of a family everyone in SLCM is.”
The Freshman Orientation Program (FOP) felt - to me - like I was a first year undergraduate student again partly because of the undeniably high energies of the Student Council and volunteers who were accommodating us. There was also the fact that it felt like I was in a totally different world again: going from high school to college is somewhat parallel to transitioning from an undergraduate course, or even work and bum time for some of us, to medical school, where I find myself fitting in an unfamiliar crowd.
The FOP served as a very welcome for all of us. There was a lot of positivity amidst the warnings of what we are getting into. Nonetheless, we were assured that hard work would pay off, along with the support we would get from one another. We also had the opportunity to get feedback and more advice from the upperclassmen through the tours. It definitely showed me how much of a family everyone in SLCM is.
There were certainly a lot of things that went on during the FOP. The first day dwelt more on the fun side – the bond of students with one another as well as the extra-curricular organizations. The second day, on the other hand, was more on the serious side: the faculty and admin of the school and even the Board of Trustees of the medical center were introduced to us. We got to see what makes the school extra special, which reassured us that we made the right choice of going into SLCM.
Overall, I thought the FOP was very organized and comprehensive for us newcomers. After the two days of various events, we have been prepped for the start our classes the following day. We are truly grateful for the care and wisdom that were given to us. We can only aspire to do the same when we are the ones welcoming the future batch!
-Andrei Bargas
____________________________________________________________________________________
“The FOP made me realize that being a med student is a lot more special than being in any other program. It felt like I am being given a lot of privileges for being in St. Luke’s College of Medicine and I have no reason to waste it.”
It is a 'Zombie Apocalypse' and I am a fresh meat.
This is how med school life was described during the Freshmen Orientation Program. With all the subjects eating your brain, it is not surprising that almost all med students look like zombies themselves (just have a glimpse on their faces and actions)! Sometimes you'll wonder, are these post-grad people attending med school or BED school?! Kidding aside, the FOP made me realize that being a med student is a lot more special than being in any other program. It felt like I am being given a lot of privileges for being in St. Luke's College of Medicine and I have no reason to waste it. The FOP opened my eyes to the path that I'll be walking on. With all the introduction about the subjects, strategies and survival, as well as the policies, I felt scared and was already questioning myself as to why did I even pursue this field? It was strange since from the very start, I already dreamed of becoming a medical doctor. But then and there, in the few moments of fun and activities, I came to realize how welcoming the Lukans are, so I'm really glad and thankful for being part of the 'Lukan' community.
I am expecting a more critical life than I used to have in my undergraduate program. I have to get lots of books to read, I need to attend our classes diligently (or else I’m going to miss tons of information!), and I'm definitely pressured to inhale caffeine. (I'm really not into coffee. I hope I can think of an alternative).
This kind of life is quite tough. No, IT IS really tough. It requires real hard work and determination: the much-needed push to get you throughout the entire program.
Aside from the tough life that lies ahead, the FOP reminded me that being a medical student is a lot of fun! Just imagine studying one of the greatest gifts of God to us, the human body. Understanding all the mechanisms that are happening within our system, in well designed and very much synchronized function amazes me how it was evenly and greatly designed by our Creator. Unlocking the answers to my curiosities about the mechanisms of the human body is really something I look forward to. Despite the challenges and demands of med school, I still feel blessed to be here.
This is just the start and I'm ready with my pen to write a new chapter in my life. I rather feel challenged than scared. The Lukan community is so supportive and of course I have God who will lead and guide me. With prayers and tons of hard work, everything is possible.
God bless you all!
-Angeline Hernandez
____________________________________________________________________________________
“It occurred to me that a single word could actually summarize the entire event (FOP): AWESOME.”
"A hundred and fifty words wouldn’t be enough to describe anyone’s experience during the FOP,” is what I would have liked to tell our class president RJ when he told me he’s been asked by Iatros to make an essay of such length. But then, it occurred to me that a single word could actually summarize the entire event: AWESOME. If you would ask me how good the Freshman Primers and paraphernalia were, I would tell you that they were awesome. If you would ask me if the tour of the facilities was helpful at all, I would tell you that it was both helpful AND awesome. If you would ask me how good the students in SLCM are, I would tell you that you couldn’t even begin to comprehend their awesomeness! The FOP made me realize that if there ever would be a zombie apocalypse in the future, SLCM should be prepared. Because the zombies would definitely go here, where the most awesome brains are.
-Ralph ‘Hei’ Benedict Ma-alat
____________________________________________________________________________________
“I wasn’t ready for a family who will embrace me with open arms. Yet, there they were, ready to gang up on you to become members of the “family”, with dean as the Godfather and the SC as his consiglieres and caporegime.”
Going back to class has never been this overwhelming.
Oh, I didn’t expect much, but it was the welcoming ride that gave me the chills. The FOP was, in one word, stimulating… exciting. Okay, that’s two, but in this atmosphere of sincere hospitality, I feel like I could break any rule and get away with it. The theme was about zombies, and yet the people are far from the grumbling, growling, and grunting half-dead upperclassmen that I expected to see.
Two years have passed since I graduated from college, and with my experiences in the “real world”, I felt like I was ready for anything. I was wrong. I wasn’t ready for this. I wasn’t ready for a family who will embrace me with open arms. Yet, there they were, ready to gang up on you to become members of the “family”, with dean as the Godfather and the SC as his consiglieres and caporegime.
All I can say is… boy, what a welcoming act that was!
-John Michael Deblois
____________________________________________________________________________________
“The apocalyptic approach of the FOP, for me, shows not the end, but rather the beginning. After all, being bitten by a zombie doesn't count as dying, but it means living differently.”
Zombie Attack!!! Are we supposed to panic?
In a world that deals with risks (being bitten by zombies for instance) when do we qualify something as “lethal?” The apocalyptic approach of the FOP, for me, shows not the end, but rather the beginning. After all, being bitten by a zombie doesn't count as dying, but it means living differently. We are talking about a whole new level of lifestyle, a new set- up, a disturbing place for people with hard stomachs. We call it MED SCHOOL. When we were infected, we had the option to continue or simply give up. The choice of moving in a dorm or living alone in a Condo, and even having a disturbingly different eating habit and lifestyle were all introduced during this one day seminar. Ultimately, everything boiled down to us choosing the “fun” part of being a Med Student. However, as Dean Carandang quoted it the next day, “they make you believe that being in med school is all fun.” Choosing St. Luke’s education doesn't ultimately mean it’s going to be fun as what the President stipulated; rather, choosing St. Luke’s is the first step. Making a difference, establishing a rapport, building a community of professionals, reaching your goals and having fun depends on US, our very decision. We are not supposed to panic, but we need to prepare, engage, and become interactive. It’s really challenging but life itself is a challenge, and zombie mode is the next level of the game…
-Ryan Olos [x]