skopeoskopeoThe Official Publication of Medical Technology

and Medical Laboratory Science Program

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NEWS What’s the Scoop...................3 MLS Program on Outreach ..................................4 MT/MLS Faculty attends Mindanao Regional Confab ......................................5 MT/MLS joined Leadership Training ............6 UIC bleeds once again ........7 Opinion Editorial ....................................8 ParFocality................................9 A reason for reason ............10 What’s with being a Medical Laboratory Science student? ...............11 Attitude vs Aptitude .........12 What is Intelligence? .........13 Feature Kuya Josh: There’s more to him that meets the eye .. .14 The new mentors ..............16 A man of faith ......................18

Literary ..........................................19

Queen Jane M. Bacon, RMTModerator

Rvin John ServillonEditor-in-Chief

Miralyn Madel AbapoAssociate Editor

Sheila Mae DauzNews Editor

Mary Claire DingalFeature Editor

Keziah Amor SalcedoLiterary Editor

Rigil Kent Joseph BatistilCirculation Manager / Managing Editor

Juliedette SapilanTechnical Editor

Siv Milliscent BalbasLayout Editor / Cartoonist

Richard CatulongLayout Artist

Writers:Agnes Anne Fay UayanHannah Janine Daday

Vill Patrick de LeonJayson Pasaol

Iris Insoy

The Official Medical Technology and Medical Laboratory Science Program Publication

Editorial Board

What’s Inside?

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Medical laboratory Science/Medical T e c h n o l o g y

department together with the Pharmacy and engineering is set to have the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PaaScU) visit on January 13-14, 2011.

The Philippines Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) is a private, voluntary, non-profit and non-stock corporation. It is a service organization which accredits academic programs who are expected to meet commonly accepted standards of quality education.

Before the said visitation, the program should have to present some documents and written output in every field like faculty, instruction, laboratories, and library areas. These areas should have written and documented output that would be presented during the day of visitation.

each area has an assigned faculty which will act as a chairperson and chosen

student as representatives. For Faculty, the chairperson is Ms. Avee Joy Dayaganon and the students’ assistants are Keziah amor Salcedo and Rvin John Servillon. In Instruction the chairperson will be Ms. Cynthia Dayoan and the students’ assistants are Siv Milliscent Balbas, Kimberly Marie Develos, and Krystalaine Leguip. For laboratories the chairperson is Mr. Ace Ronald Sarabia and students’ assistants are Jimmi Jade Cupo, Sheila Dauz, and Rabbi Niño Francisco. For the community extension the chairperson is Ms. Cynthia dayoan and the students’ assistant is Miralyn Madel Abapo. And, for the Library, the member is Ms. Queen Jane Bacon and the students’ representatives are Nellyn Mae Cadotdot, Abegail Weil, and Agnes Uayan.

The three programs prepared for these said event for more than 6 months and experienced a lot of stress during the making. IT program was successfully accredited the other year and was granted 3 years accreditation for a quality education.

MT/MLS meets PAASCU

What’s the Scoop?

news

Rigil Kent Joseph F. Batistil

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Medical laboratory Science Program of the University of the

immaculate conception conducted a community outreach activity last September 5, 2010. The said outreach was held at the gymnasium of Purok 2, New carmen, Tugbok district, davao city.

it was a half day event comprising various activities planned by the MlS 3 students together with their adviser Mrs. cynthia dayoan, RMT. The main activity was the Stool examination for Parasite Identification. Grade 1-4 students and some adults submitted their own stool sample for fecalysis. MT/MlS faculty members were the one who did the stool examination while the some MlS students were the one who prepared the fecal smears. ascaris lumbricoides eggs were the most frequently seen together with Trichuiris trichuira eggs. Other parasites seen were Heterophyid egg, Giardia lamblia cyst, and entamoeba coli.

Simultaneous to the stool

examination was the lecture and demonstration of proper hand washing. Rvin John Servillon headed the lecture and other MlS 3 did the demonstration. The pupils were enjoyed during the lecture and they were attentive when the demonstration of how to wash hands properly was done. after the lecture, the feeding followed. Together with the citizen of the community, MlS students cooked arroz caldo and prepared juices good for 200 person.

MT/MlS faculty members who joined the activity were Mr. Marx catalan, RMT, Mr. ace Ronald Sarabia, RMT, Mrs. cynthia dayoan, RMT and Ms. Queen Jane Bacon, RMT together with MT/MlS dean Ms. avee Joy B. dayaganon,RMT, MSMT. it was a tiresome activity but very fulfilling and enjoyable. The event won’t be successful without the help of the Brgy. cptn. anthony Tabar, the teachers, the Pupils and the local residents.

MLS Program on OutreachSheila Mae C. Dauz

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Keziah Amor D. Salcedo

4TH Mindanao Regional conference for MedTech professionals with the theme,

“clinical laboratory Professionals: Reaching New Heights in Blending Technology and Medical care” was held last September 4, 2010 at Vista del Mar, Zamboanga city. The faculty members who joined the said event were Ms. Queen Jane Bacon, RMT, Ms. cynthia dayoan, RMT, MaTRe, Mr. Marx catalan, RMT, Mr. ace Ronald Sarabia with Ms. avee Joy dayaganon, RMT, MS,the dean of the program.

Prior to the conference was a Pre-convention workshop on diamed ID-MTS: Gel Technology for Blood Banking and Phelobotomy last

September 3, 2010 at Pilar college, Mini Hotel, Zamboanga city which was also attended by the same faculty members.

The conference covered the activities that deal with the improvement of the qualities of Medical Technology professionals and to make them more competitive globally. The participants attended the preconvention, convention proper and also had some time in roaming around the place.

The said activity was held by the Philippine association of Medical Technology in cooperation with MRl cybertec corporation, Bd Philippines and Zafire Distributors, Inc.

MT/MLS Faculty attends Mindanao

Regional Confab

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WiTH the theme “achieving common Visions and Selecting least for Better leadership

and Excellence”, the Office of the Student affairs headed by Mrs. expedita cortez, MBa gave a leadership Training for the new student leaders of academic year 2010-2011.

On this event, seven (7) MT/MlS student leaders joined. They are Vill Patrick M. de leon -Program legislative officer, Monique Montante- Program PiO, Maxwill esparago -Program asst. Secretary Treasurer, iris insoy -aMTS asst. Secretary Treasurer, other participants from our department are Rizza Plaza, Gharen Baño, Christine Baquiran and Rhegine Basoc who are all religious club officers.

The said training was held of Holy cross of davao college Training center, Camudmud, Island Garden City of Samal last July 24-25, 2010.

The whole two day activity has been a great experience for the abovementioned student leaders for they were given lessons from three inspiring speakers who excelled on their different fields and they were all student leaders back then. They also created camaraderie with other student leaders who represent the different programs and clubs of our school. The training was not just pure training but also a time of enjoyment since they had a solidarity night and the other side of the leaders were shown through dancing, singing and acting.

MT/MLS joined Leadership TrainingVill Patrick M. De leon

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The associa-tion of M e d i c a l

T e c h n o l o g y Students (aMTS) club of the Medical T e c h n o l o g y /Medical laboratory Science (MT/MlS) Program, initiated a blood donation activity last September 22, 2010 at Uic Main campus lobby. There are about 200 willing donors who were screened and 107 were able to donate blood.

The very main purpose of this selfless activity was to promote voluntary blood donation and to help in the provision of adequate and safe blood supply in davao city.

The blood donation activity was co-manned by the Philippine Red cross (PRc) davao chapter who supplied the blood bags and reagents needed to make the activity successful. The

school nurse and school physician also assisted in the said activity.

all the program and club officers together with all the other students of the program helped in facilitating the blood donation activity. The faculty

gave full support in this endeavor and helped in finding physicians and other phlebotomists together with the other members of the PRc.

Volunteerism and selfless giving of blood was reflected in this activity allowing the students and other members of the community to play their role in helping increase the supply of safe blood in the city. it allowed the students to realize the importance of having safe blood supply in the city and increase their awareness in their potentials in being blood donors.

once againUIC bleedsUIC bleeds

Miralyn Madel I. Abapo

“We Love the Way You Bleed”

8 SKOPEO• opInIon

Social Networking Sites—“the modern era’s irresistible seduction” as “seasoned” folks would say. More and more people subscribe to the latest hits of today’s time—Facebook, Friendster, Twitter, Blogspot and all others; as most individual strive to be “in” like all the other circles of friend will be.

Globally, these Networking sites are such useful tool for communication, entertainment, gaming, advertisement, commerce, blogging and all others around the globe. They keep the ties between distant relatives. For students, they creates unity between classes and creates an identity in between. Study groups are even formed and not to mention love affairs! They definitely creates another sophisticated world where every subscriber is tuned in. Social Networking sites floods the internet as they connect the whereabouts of every modern man doing regardless of his or her age—“seasoned” or old and even young children as early as four.

Most if not all are engaged to these sites. With easy access and affordability, even the youth can easily subscribe as they leave no doubt and

boundaries for a student to be “seduced” with; “Seduced” as they tantalize subscribers to launder their time and money to these sites; therefore, A call for responsible Social Networking arises.

Responsible social networking—a call for each and every one; Social Networking sites warrant inexhaustible use as they pose a great help to every individual nowadays. But amidst their greatness, these sites confront us with social dilemmas and even psychological problems.

Psychological infiltration as they pull minds towards addiction. It is an undeniable fact that even students stay up late to update statuses and excitedly waits for the newly uploaded photos to be tagged. And not to mention, these are sometimes a tool for vengeance as one may freely express his or her darkest thoughts to provoke another.

Social networking sites are venues for “Cyber Bullying” as they act as a freedom wall

which provide boundless expression of thoughts and emotion against a person. They may be a root cause of simple cat fights. Remember that as they create relationships, If not properly used, relationships may be brought down and wasted.

Therefore, a call for everyone’s participation—be a responsible subscriber! With this we should stand, Their Benefits are countless and shouldn’t be bombarded by their ill effects of “seduction”. Great potential indeed if properly used for they may carry us through advancement in terms technology and create closer spaces as they increases intimacy.

As advocates called for pro-active social networking, let us stand together and be stewards of our modern time, let us exercise our fair judgement under the light of our conscience, Let us exhibit the true character of a UICian as we bring the key for the future’s advancement.

editorial

Modern FreedomWalls

Social Networking Sites

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“Hah? Assignment na pud? Unsa man ni uy!”. “Bay, quiz napud daw ta ugma. Wala naman ni kahumanan”. “Naa napud tay buhaton karon? Kapuya naman ani uy! Kanus-a pa man magbakasyon?”

Are those lines familiar to you? Are you one of us who are able to say such words? Have you complained because of quizzes on several consecutive days? Have you get tired of doing handwritten and reading assignments? What are you feeling now? How are you now?

Being a college student is far different from being a high school individual. Before, we used to go to malls almost every after class. When we’re in high school, assignments and quizzes were just nothing. We’re only bothered by our exams. Recitations, class standing – oh! It’s nothing. But now that we have reached our tertiary level, everything’s very unlikely from how we used to feel.

College is difficult. Yes it is; and anyone can attest to that. Life in college is tough. It requires much of your time and effort. It needs not be taken for granted.

and everything becomes more laborious most especially if you are a Medical Laboratory Scientist!

That is why, our microscope – our best friend in the laboratory; our bread and butter – is teaching us one thing – PARFOCALITY.

According to an online dictionary, parfocal pertains to different eyepieces (of

PaRFOCALITY

Miralyn Madel I. Abapo

telescopes or microscopes) that all focus their images in the same plane, so that they can be interchanged without readjusting the instrument. And Wikipedia describes parfocal lens as one that stays in focus when magnification or focal length is changed.

You may be wondering why I am talking here about parfocal microscope lenses when in fact this is not your laboratory period and we are not dealing with microscopes right at this very moment. More so, you may be thinking what it has to do with us, being MLS students.

Aside from the fact that parfocality is a property of microscope, we must be able to realize that parfocality is what we need these days. That is, to stay focused even if the magnification of life changes.

If parfocality is what allows us to continue to go to school, to wake up early in the morning, sit inside the classroom for long hours, go home late, study and sleep late at night and wake up again early the next day, then it must be inherent in us.

If parfocaltiy is that which inspires us to see a little happiness despite the difficult times in school, then it must be part of our nature.

If parfocality is that which allows us to pursue for our dreams and to discover our hidden abilities, then it must be a heaven-sent present.

During tough times that life offers, we should learn to bend down and go with the wind of change. That is why flexibility and parfocality should and must go together. That way, things become a lot simpler and easier to handle.

There is no easy task when you are an MLS student. Everything is difficult; everything seems like a suffering. You may think that since the juniors and seniors have made their way almost to their success may also mean the same way for you. I tell you, right at this very moment, without your effort and hardwork, there’s no way for you to reach what our ates and Kuyas have achieved.

There’s a long way for all of us. And there’s a lot of difficult challenges that are posed ahead of us.

Just always remember this : “R para maka-F... RELAX para maka-FOCUS”.

Stay parfocal intelligent students. A bright future awaits for you.

opinion

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HOW much of yourself would you give in exchange for a desire? How much of everything you have would

you surrender? How much of the path you’ve already taken would you be willing to go back for a goal?

Life is of exchanges and uncertainties. One can get what he wants for something in return. One gets success he dreamed of with something in the past that is being sacrificed. One gets the honor with the exact equivalent of his efforts. One travels this far yet returns to where he has started. A lot of things in this world and almost all of it, unexplainable or unpredictable, revolve around with a reason.

Something is given for something in return. You get this because you’ve given this and it’s because of one reason---the willingness to give and get what you deserve. Nothing comes in and out without a reason, nothing without a purpose.

i’ve traveled in my past and i have realized and seen how much i have given to obtain what I want and yet for a long time already, I’m still struggling to get it. And that’s for sure connected to something called reason. It is like sometimes, we think we did our best and yet it is still not enough. Sometimes, we think we are one step closer to our dreams and yet it is still so far away. And there’s always a reason.

What am I to learn? I need to learn the value of waiting. There is always a right time for everything. As a Medical Technology student, I can say I’ve been tested through time, but not ripe enough to face the reality of life, to face the real world. There were times that I thought I have given all and the best that i have yet at the end, it is still not enough. I strived hard yet I didn’t get anything in return. I’ve claimed all that I can, but nothing has landed on my palms.

What’s the lesson after all? It is that

even if we thought we have given all and everything and yet we have received nothing in return, there is always a reason and a purpose behind. Yes, we are tortured but it is a bittersweet experience to prove our strength as a person and as a future Medical Technologist. It is to test that whether we give all and we have nothing or we give everything and gain it again, we are humbled. We are humbled by our experiences along the way. At the bottom line, God is the source of every success and He holds our tomorrow. When we give our best and all, He has seen them all. In Him, our labor is not in vain. Even if how much we have sacrificed, it will all be useless if we don’t pick the stones of lessons along the way. For every desires and goals that we have, remember that God has a greater reason and a purpose for that. In the journey that we are taking in now, look how far you’ve come not how far you have to go. When you see the end of the line, it will be more difficult to watch your steps but if you will appreciate every step you take, you’ll see how the turns and bumps become worthwhile.

a reason for reasonKeziah Amor D. Salcedo

opinion

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Lecture. Laboratory. Lecture. Laboratory. This is our everyday routine in school. We wake up in the morning, take our bath, wear our uniforms, eat a bit of breakfast, and go to school. At school, during lectures, we immediately look for our classmates and ask them if we will be having a quiz or if we have any assignment/s for the day. During laboratory, we immediately check if we are the requesting group and we then wait for the delivery of the requested microscopes so that we can first grab all the easy-to-manipulate ones. After that, we clean all our apparatuses and we set out home. At home, we scan our books and read some pages that can help us for whatever that might happen the next day.

Then one day, I asked myself, ‘why am I here? Why am I doing these things repeatedly? Can I really do this? These are the questions that popped out of my mind out of nowhere. Honestly, I don’t really know why I do these things everyday. I don’t understand the real purpose of all our laboratory requirements. I don’t get the point and importance of assignments, quizzes, and reportings. Are these just grounds for the evaluation of students if they are intelligent or not? Are these just ways in making us feel that we are college students and that we don’t have the right to goof off anymore? Are these just our instructors’ ways in making us suffer like or more than they did when they were still students like us? Are these just ways in harnessing our skills so that we can perform well during our ‘real’ laboratory exposure? What are these things? Why do they exist? Can’t we do and learn stuffs the easiest way possible? I really don’t have the answers to any of these questions and I really don’t know whom to ask too either.

When my mind was still at that state of confusion, my eyes looked around and I saw my classmates. They were laughing at anything that seemed to be funny (although nothing was really funny). They seem to enjoy our everyday fight against the grade of below 80. They look as if there’s nothing to worry about. Seeing them laughing made me paint a smile on my face. Seeing their happy faces made all my confusions and doubts go away. I don’t know why but they seem to have a magic spark that

can make me feel light and fresh and happy. They still laugh at anything. They still find time to greet one another and to talk about stuffs that are totally not related to any of our subjects. They are all amazing in their own unique ways.

Then, I realized that it’s not really the number of books you’ve read or the highest grade you got that matters. It’s what you learn not just in each of your subjects but in life as well. It is about taking and treating things in the most positive way. School is about meeting different people, gaining friends, and helping each other in fulfilling whatever that we desire the most. Each day is not about climbing to the top but pulling each other up so that we can all be on the top, together. Assignments are given not to make us busy at home but to give us the opportunity to read other books aside from our own references and to make us discover things. Quizzes are given not to make us scratch our heads and make us look miserable but to test our honesty and to help us accept whatever the result may be. Reportings are given not to make us look like fools when the teacher fry us by means of interrogation but to help us build confidence and trust in our selves. Groups are made not to sort out who the leaders and the members are but to help us become helpful and responsible as we perform things as one. Laboratory experiments are performed not just to make us jump in amazement but also to help us measure our skills in terms of precision, speed, and accuracy so that we can improve gradually. Exams are given not to make us discover that we have this talent to cheat but to measure our dedication, our perseverance, and our self-discipline.

I finally realized that being a Medical laboratory Science student is not just about performing laboratory experiments that will aid us in finding the root cause of a patient’s sickness or learning many amazing things that others don’t know. It is seeing true things about people and life with science as a road to a journey full of facts. With these realizations I was able to finally understand what’s with being a Medical Laboratory Science student. It is about touching the lives of people in a way that makes us become a big part of it.

Mary Claire C. Dingal

What’s with being a Medical Laboratory Science student?

opinion

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HaVe you ever thought why are we made so unique? That no one is perfect and one can’t

have every good thing like the others? That some are gifted with great minds and some are not? if you do, read on.

They say not all good things are meant for you and you alone. it must be widely distributed to create balance. You may be a good dancer but not a good singer. You may be a good singer but not a good actor. You may be a good actor and singer but you are not a good dancer. But amidst all the greatness of one from the other, have you not ever thought of the war—attitude against aptitude?

So what does one’s attitude and aptitude has to do with these? Though some people may be the best one can ever be, or the least that one can think of, there is a continuous check and balance between personalities. it is also known as the battle between heart and mind or the battle between the conscience and instinct. Thus, most people try to live with good attitude rather than having high aptitude. Still vague? let me enlighten you.

let’s come and get to know what attitude and aptitude really means.

AttitudeAptitude

according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, attitude is a mental position with regard to a fact or state; while aptitude is defined as the natural ability, and tendency of a person. in other words, attitude is a product of one’s decision while aptitude is a product of one’s inner talent.

So why do they continually battle? actually, they don’t; one’s attitude continually supports a person’s aptitude. One actually needs a good attitude to give bearing and to show it, one must pose his/her aptitude (talent). it is here where Spiderman’s quote applies “Great power comes with great responsibility”. For a person to help others, one must use his or her ability. Thus, one must use it for good.

One’s aptitude is innate but can be improved but what to be considered more must be one’s attitude. attitude varies and may change. it is only a product of a person’s state of mind where he or she decides what to do (whether good or bad). Meaning, it needs more control and awareness. it needs to be harnessed and founded on a good principle in life; founded in a strong conscience centered in goodness.

Now, when other people ask which is greater than the other, it is simply— synergistic.

So whenever we think why are we unique, better or more talented than the others we can easily say: “it doesn’t matter”…What matters most is how you manage to be good with everything you have!

Rvin John T. Servillon

opinion

AptitudeAttitudevs

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WHaT is intelligence per say? is this something to be proud of? is this something that is

earned, or something that has been with us since we were born? can this so called intelligence be measured, if so, how?

What is intelligence? This is a word which typically describes a person’s knowledge on things that are of this world. When a person is known to be “bright” or “smart,” that individual is directly described again as intelligent. True, intelligence is something to be proud of, but how did we acquire this so called intelligence? do we get this hereditarily from the genes of our parents or family? Or do we earn this so called intelligence through studying and learning? The truth is intelligence can be both inherited and learned.

Yet some people tend to use mentality as a sort of basis in ranking an individual’s intelligence; mostly based on academic quality. is this sort of basis applicable for all? let’s look at it in a school setting, particularly; is it safe to say that student one (1) is much more intelligent compared to that of student two (2), just because student 1 has higher scores in written tests than student 2; or is student 2 much more intelligent than student one because student 2 speaks smart, fluently, and clearly than student 1. How is intelligence measured, really? is it done through the scores we get from written exams? is it the ratings we get from verbal performances? don’t we usually say that this person is smart because he/she speaks so well, or because he/she gets high grades in

Siv Milliscent E. Balbas

his/her academic performances; may be yes, or possibly no?

intelligence is not only based from an individual’s mentality, it can also be based from a person’s ability. Not all people excel in academics, yet they excel in other things. Such people can excel in sciences, mathematics, literature, in dance, theater, music, visual arts, and also in sports. How is this so? This is possible because of one thing called multiple intelligence- different types of human intelligence. a person may not be able to excel in mathematics, but can excel in literature; an individual may excel in science, but can excel better in visual arts.

Not all individuals have the same level of intelligence; some clearly excel amongst others. in a group, they can be called as a group of intelligent individuals, maybe because these people in the group are all intelligent; yet, even though they are all intelligent, one can still be more intelligent compared to the other, and one very intelligent person can stand out in a crowd of intelligent people.

What isIntelligence?

opinion

14 SKOPEO•

WHeN I first saw Kuya Josh, I told my self, “what a weird guy.” He looked so silent, sitting on

one corner, drawing something on his notebook. I saw his glasses and I thought, “ay, bright ni siya ba, for sure.” This theory was supported by talks of my classmates and friends on how intelligent Kuya Josh is. Every time I met him I’m always put in a situation of choosing whether to greet him or not. There are times that I managed to say hi and smile, but there are also times when I couldn’t help but avoid him. I felt like I don’t have the right to talk to someone as intelligent as him. I felt so inferior around him even though he didn’t make me feel like one.

There was this time when I was in a classroom with Gnar (Mr. Intramurals 2009). We were supposed to practice answering questions commonly asked in events such as the Mr. and Ms. Intramurals. I was a bit shocked when he entered the classroom bringing two pieces of short bond paper with questions written on them. There were so many! And I was nervous because Kuya Josh will be asking those questions. I was afraid that I might say something out of the blue, or i might not construct my answer in a brilliant way (considering how brilliant Kuya Josh is for me.) Fortunately, I was able to survive that day, and I had fun with him. He taught us how to answer questions such as those he gave and he told us to just speak what our hearts tell us.

When I learned that Kuya Josh was doing well during their review for the board exam I was really amazed and proud. Then, when a friend shared the news that Kuya Josh ranked second nationally in the

Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology board examination I envied and idolized him. I was really proud of him because he brought so much glory and honor to our program and to our school as well. I was determined to find out Kuya Josh’s secret in terms of academics that’s why I was so excited when i was tasked to write this article about him. Finally, I was given the opportunity to know a lot about the person I look up the most.

One of the ways of gathering information about a person is by interviewing people who interacted with them. So, I decided to interview one of Kuya Josh’s educators and I was able to interview one: Mr. Ace Ronald Sarabia, RMT.

My first question to Sir Ace was about Kuya Josh’s behavior inside the classroom. He told me that Kuya Josh is a very quiet student (this is his personal impression on Kuya Josh) and this is might be because of his intelligence. He’s not the one who carries the class during class discussions. He even told me that Kuya Josh tends to sleep during his class but he still gets high scores during quizzes. Sir Ace said that Kuya Josh reads the topics discussed and will be discussed and this is the reason why he still manages to excel in class. They tried to talk him out of it and he was very open about this issue.

My second question went like this: “What is his (Kuya Josh) behavior outside

‘Kuya Josh’There’s more to him that meets the eyeMary Claire C. Dingal

FeatUre

15SKOPEO •

the classroom?” Sir Ace answered the same. He said that Kuya Josh’s personality is that of an introvert. He likes to draw most of the times. He actually has a notebook for all of his drawings. He also possesses a sense of humor but, somehow, it is self-limited. But this did not hinder him from socializing with others, especially his classmates.

My third question focused on how is Kuya Josh as a student. Sir Ace said that, in general, Kuya Josh is an intelligent student. Not only that, he is also very diligent. He always reads and reviews his books and notes. During reports he stays the same. He has this not-so-loud voice while delivering his report to the class. He is also very curios, he asks questions about the lessons. He’s not only academically active he’s also very helpful and dynamic during school activities. He sees to it that he lends his hands to those needing it. He always looks for something to do. He has this initiative of doing things that need to be done.

The last thing that i ask Sir ace is to describe Kuya Josh in one word. And, this is his proud answer: UNIQUE.

After talking to Sir Ace I felt really curious as to who Kuya Josh really is. I felt like I really need to find out more about him. So, i decided to gather all the courage i have and talk to Kuya Josh. And, fortunately, I was given the chance to do so. The following are the questions I asked to Kuya Josh and his corresponding answers.

I: How are you po Kuya?Kuya Josh: I’m fine. I’m doing well.I: Kuya, how was your college life? Kuya Josh: Good. It was actually very good

and productive. I had the chance to meet and gain a lot of friends.

I: Kuya, you shifted from Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering to Bachelor in Medical laboratory Science, do you have even a bit of regret?

Kuya Josh: Hmm, wala naman. MedTech is a good profession and is important.

I: Kuya, do you have any hobbies? Or, things that you do aside from reading your textbooks and notes?

Kuya Josh: Yeah. Actually, I like jogging.

i also play computer games and the guitar.

I: Let’s talk about the board exam. Congratulations Kuya for ranking second.

Kuya Josh: Thank You JI: Kuya, will you please share to us your

preparations for the board exam.Kuya Josh: Well, we had the Intensive

Review during summer. Then, there’s also the big help of the review center where we were enrolled. We also reviewed our textbooks and notes. And, we practiced by questioning each other.

I: How about on the last week before the board exam? What did you do?

Kuya Josh: Hmm most of the time I just stayed at home. I read everything. Then, I sort of just relax.

I: Kuya, will you please share to us what it’s like to be a topnotcher?

Kuya Josh: It feels good. It’s okay. There’s a good chance in Applications.

I: Kuya, now that you are already a registered Medical Technologist, what are your plans?

Kuya Josh: Well there are invitations to work but I’m planning to go for an admission in a Medical School.

I: Kuya, how would you describe “Joshua Uyboco”?

Kuya Josh: I guess he is a Christian student who wants to be a doctor.

I: Kuya, what is your message to all BMLS students, specially the 4th year students?

Kuya Josh: Nothing worth having can’t be achieved with hard work, dedication, and discipline. For the 4th year students they should not worry that much because they are already in the 4th year, they’ve already put effort into it, and they can do it.

After talking to Sir Ace about Kuya Josh and to Kuya Josh himself I realized that Kuya Josh is not just what we see of him. He’s not just an intelligent student. He is a good model to all of us. He really is someone you can look up to. Totally, there’s more to him that meets the eye.

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THe Medical Technology/ Medical laboratory Science Program of the University of the Immaculate Conception have been producing a number of outstanding

graduates before and up to the present. Graduates from this institution have been acknowledged and are successful in their career. But may I ask, how did these fine individuals turn out to be professionals and experts in their finished career? Who were the people behind their success? Who taught them the ways and gave them the knowledge they needed to know? They are no other than the Mentors; yes, the mentors, our mentors, our teachers, our guide towards our success of our chosen profession.

With much blessing, the Medical Technology/ Medical laboratory Science Program have been provided with a number of amazing clinical instructors and faculty members to train us, the young aspirants, who will also, someday, become Registered Medical Technologists like them. When the doors of the MT/MLS program opened once again for a new academic year (2009-2010), there were sets of new faces who entered its halls, and they weren’t only students, oh no, but the doors of the MT/MLS program also welcomed its new set of faculty and staff for the new school year; and surprisingly, they are our alumni, our former “ates” and “kuyas!” Wow,isn’t it amazing?

The new set of faculty and staff included: Mr. Marx Catalan, RMT, Ms Queen Jane Bacon, RMT, Mr. Gabriel Ponce De leon, RMT, Mr. Ace Ronald Sarabia, RMT, Mr. Randy Gran, Mr. John Mark De Real, and Ms Ritze Burgos.

With them being members of the faculty and staff, unsurprisingly they already had their busy schedules, and I was lucky enough to interview one of our faculty members, to ask him of how he feels now as a faculty member of the MT/MLS Program.

Siv: Good afternoon Sir Marx. Sir Marx: Good afternoon Siv.Siv: Sir, what inspired you to apply in this institution, your

Siv Milliscent E. Balbasmentorsthe new

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alma mater?Sir Marx: Uic has been an integral part as to

where I am now. I’m talking about being a professional medical technologist. I always look UIC as an institution which molded me with character and outlook in life and in return I wanted to do the same to the aspiring young ones. With these as an inspiration, and as a sign of gratitude, I accepted the job offered by our Dean as a full time clinical instructor (at first) to the interns, and as a faculty.

Siv: Is teaching a passion of yours? Why or why not?

Sir Marx: First of all, I am not an education graduate, so what do I know about teaching? It’s difficult to shift to a career from which in the first place not my line of expertise. But since I accepted this noble profession, I learned to love it, and now it has become a part of my system. I love my job, simply because I love to learn more. And the joy of being able to impart to students what i learn is very much incomparable. It’s the reason why i have the zeal to wake up early morning so that i won’t be late in my 7:30 am class; it’s the reason why I feel delighted every time I read my books for me to have something valuable to share with, and finally it’s my motivation why despite the pressures, and rough times that I encountered along the way, I never surrendered.

Siv: Sir, how did you feel during your first day of teaching?

Sir Marx: My first day of teaching was not as easy as others may think of. Aside from the fact that my first group of students were my previous schoolmates, most of them were just one year younger than me. Some of them hesitated to call me “sir,” because they were used to calling me “kuya Marx” back when I was in college. Moreover, I had this first fear that the students might ask questions regarding my lesson, and that I might not be able to answer it according to their expectations. I also experienced a lot of challenges during my first days, but those things did not stop me from my desire to teach, but rather ignited the fire inside me to strive hard to become a better one. I must admit, I made some mistakes, but I learned from them.

Siv: Where you able to meet your own

expectations as a teacher?Sir Marx: it’s been a year since i worked here

in UIC as a teacher. The first time I stepped in this University as a professional, there have been lots of expectations that kept on pondering my mind. But in the course of my stay, I should say that some of them were already attained (too many to mention!). With regards to my expectation to become an effective teacher, I believe that the students will be my judge.

Siv: Have you ever stopped and thought about your past life as a Med Tech student?

Sir Marx: Yes of course! Every time I see my students sweating during defense, written, practical and oral exams; every time I observed them rushing to complete their requirements in the laboratory, I always imagine myself in their shoes, and then I tell myself, “it’s okay. My students can do all of these. i’ve been to that stage and i was able to make it.”

Siv: Sir, can you give us a little message or saying, a simple thing to inspire us, the students.

Sir Marx: To all dear student in the MlS department, especially the higher ones, your teachers are not blind of your struggles and sacrifices to achieve what you wanted to be. We’ve been in the same shoes years ago, and we experienced the same hardships as you do. But what are the important ingredients you must have for you to reach your goal? These are perseverance, determination and faith. Learn to intensify your struggles, sacrifice more, try to push yourselves beyond your limits, and you will see you are capable of doing things you didn’t imagine you could. Remember that you can’t lose what you never had. There’s nothing to lose here, rather there’s more to gain. Put in your minds that behind a successful Medical Technologist lay sands of hopes and aspirations.

Siv: Wow, very inspiring sir. Thank you so much for sharing with us your thoughts and experiences, and words of encouragement, you really gave us a thought to ponder on. Thank you again, and thank you for your time po. May God bless you and all of us in the Medical Technology/ Medical Laboratory Science Program!

18 SKOPEO•

“This is not just an achievement but a blessing from God. It had made me realize to serve Him more than before and it had also improved my confidence for I had always a doubt on what i can do”. These were the words of Vill Patrick de leon, one of the new set of PaMeT scholars, in answering the effects of the scholarship in his life.

every year, the Philippine association of Medical Technologists offer a scholarship program for second year Medical laboratory Science students. This year, 158 young hopefuls from all over the country applied to become a part of the said scholarship. Out of that 158 applicants, only 15 individuals would be selected and would received the following privileges:

*** 3 year full scholarship on tuition

and laboratory fees*** 3 year full scholarship on

miscellaneous school fees*** 3 year book allowance

We are privileged to have a Uician that had been chosen by the PaMeT heads to be one of the top 15 scholars. These scholars had their oathtaking in Makati city last year, October 28, 2010.

in my interview with Vill Patrick, he said that he was so thankful to God for giving him this blessing, He thought that it can only be possible in dreams but now, it is for real. He has been dreaming of this opportunity since his first year in college.

“What would you do to maintain the scholarship?”

“ For the previous semesters, i don’t study seriously, i just taking it for granted. But maybe for now, i will prioritize my study over fun. and of course, i will always pray and serve God”. Vill replied.

Vill Patrick may not be the smartest and the best speaker in alll the aspirants, but certainly, his strong faith in the Almighty Father gave him the confidence to stand before the PaMeT heads and convince them to select him. indeed, dreams become reality when you believe in Him.

By: Iris L. Insoy

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a MAn of faith

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Toxic(Jayson C. Pasaol)

Sleepless nights…I’m indefatigable, submerged withThoughts of you, I can’t escape;

You’re simply irresistible.

Your eyes captivate my soulThey speak of thousand words;

Your distinctly dulcet smile,Melts my whole vitality.

Those cute dimples playing on your cheeks,That chilling voice every time you speak;

Ah! Just one touch of your hand,And my bones would surely break apart.

Your face is a painted picture,Unfading, filling up my memory;I want to know every bit of you,

From day to twilight, I wish to keep you in sight.

Fix me up, feels like I’m going to collapse,I’m paralyzed, my nerves are under your control;

Toxic, as you may seem to be,You consume my mind entirely.

Together Guided by Him(Agnes Anne Fay L. Uayan)

As I wake up every morningI can’t keep myself from smiling

As I hear the songs of dovesI feel my heart’s full of love

As you fill my emptinessIn you I see gladness

We know we’re destined to each otherThings around us we don’t bother

The joy inside I feelI know for sure it’s real

‘Cause we are guided by himTogether we won’t be in dim

I staredHannah Janine C. Daday

When you thought I wasn’t staring, you smiled at me, and I wanted to wear my smile

everyday.

When you thought I wasn’t staring, you shared your knowledge to me and I realized

that it’s good to be munificent.

When you thought I wasn’t staring, you gave me a coin, and I knew that little thing is a

special thing.

When you thought I wasn’t staring, you put your hand in my shoulder, and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn’t staring I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learnt that sometimes things hurt--but that it’s all right to

cry.

When you thought I wasn’t staring, you stand for what is good and true and it made me a

brave fighter.

When you thought I wasn’t staring, you cared, and I wanted to be everything I could

be.

When you thought I wasn’t staring—I wanted to say thanks for all those things you did

when you thought I wasn’t staring--

--I stared.

An ElegyJulidette B. Sapilan

Grandmother! I miss you so much!I miss your voice, like the voice of an angel

That whispers in my ears, every time you talk.Your face is a white rose that blooms every time you

wake up.Oh! Grandmother! I wish you are here,

Why He needs to get you?Why you need to die?

During the night time when I am longing for youI look up into the sky and see the brightest

Star dancing and smiling with joy.It reminds me of you, Grandmother.

And again the questions that came to my mind.Why He needs to get you?

Why you need to die?But, I should have to accept the reality that life

Is only temporary.

-I’m missing you!-

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