I admit it. I never was used to studying every single day of my life – med school included. So the past 3 months was hellish for me. Having the urge to pick up a book and study was as much as a compulsion as it was a curse. I know, I can’t stand not studying knowing that time was ticking and I am inching towards the boards. But alas. It’s done. And what followed was better than expected.

Thanks to Egay.

No it wasn’t fun being stuck in the house not being able to go out because it was flooded even here in Bulacan where I have been staying for almost a week now. But since I am most comfortable inside the house than outside, add to the that the DSL-in-my-room factor, I’ve had the grandest time! I was able to do everything (well, almost) I have wanted to do since I started reviewing:

1. I LOVE movies. So my vacacion grande will not be complete without a movie marathon. And what a marathon it has been. It included: Die Hard 1-4, Pirates of the Carribean 2-3, Sin City, Battle Royale, Disturbia, Fight Club, Love Actually, Rise of the Silver Surfer and a couple of titles more. I have 5 more titles on queue, hehehe.
2. I saw the conclusion (not to my satisfaction, though) of the Harry Potter series. (Thank you, Em, for giving me my first ever Potter book.)
3. I devoured a LOT of chocolates. I do mean a LOT.
4. I slept and slept and slept some more.

To some it may not be much, but to me, it is close to perfect. In case you might be wondering, the movies I enumerated above, most of them I already saw before. I just want to watch them again. Hehe. Too bad it will all have to end. A week from now I should file an application for residency training. Goodbye movies. Goodbye non-medical books. Hello studying and 34-and-so-hour duty.

I pondered again and again on how to write about something so big. But again and again I fail. So I will just resort to plain narrating what happened.

As of around 10pm of August 15, 2007, I am a licensed physician in the Philippines.

We finished at 92% batch (class 2006) passing rate versus the 66% national passing rate. Some of my friends were not as fortunate, and it saddens me much. I cannot explain how I feel about it. I feel blessed and sad at the same time.

To the class of 2006 of the UST Medicine and Surgery, CONGRATULATIONS. We have gone farther than most, and so much farther than what was expected of us. I am so proud to be part of this batch. Mabuhay ang PBL 100! Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.

There are only 7 days before the medical boards. And I tell you, it does not get more intense than this. Thoughts racing but with no coherence. Frustration one after the other.

PAGOD NA KO.

Two days ago the UST Medicine Class of 2006 offered a mass for the upcoming boards. Father Regent said in his homily in the feast if St. James the Apostle:

“You should pray ‘Lord, help us to be the doctors you want us to be.’”

After the Eucharistic celebration, our beloved dean, Dean Angeles Alora told us something that made me struggle not to let out the tears from my eyes:

“For you to pass the boards, you need three things: You should work hard, Pray hard, and you must have the right attitude.

“I am sure all of you have worked hard and I am sure all of you have prayed hard. So all that it left is the right attitude. You should tell yourself ‘Kaya ko yan! Kaya ko yan!’

“I have no doubt in my mind that you will make it. All of you will make it. So let me congratulate you in advance for passing the board exams.”

To the Class of 2006 of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, good luck and God bless! We’ll see each other at the oath taking ceremonies.