The Association of Philippine Medical Colleges-Student Network (APMC-SN) Luzon, in cooperation with St. Paul University Philippines-School of Medicine, held the 8th APMC-SN Luzon Regional Convention last November 16, 17 and 18, 2018 with the theme “Pattaraday: Medical Students Going Beyond Boundaries of the 21st Century”. The said convention was participated in by 600 delegates from nine participating Medical Schools in Luzon. The Regional Convention involved a three-day activity wherein the student doctors battled with their wits, talents and athleticism while building camaraderie and friendship amongst themselves.
There were nine participating schools in the 8th Regional Convention which were: Angeles University Foundation, Cagayan State University, Lyceum Northwestern University, La Consolacion University Philippines, Mariano Marcos State University, St. Louis University Baguio, St. Paul University Philippines, University of the Northern Philippines and Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation. It was also a intercultural convergence as foreign medical students attended the convention.
Day 1 – 16 November 2018 The 8th Regional Convention started at 7:30 AM with the registration of the students from the participating schools at the Student Center. The delegates were also asked to choose an event they will be attending on the second day. The events they were asked to choose from were: Semi-Colon Project, CPC, and the City Tour, as only a select number of delegates per school can be accommodated per event. After the registration, the delegates attended a Eucharistic Celebration at the Our Lady of Chartres Chapel officiated by Rev. Fr. Carlos Evangelista (SPUP Chaplain).
After the holy mass, the delegates proceeded to the SPUP Gymnasium for the Opening Program. The first plenary session about the importance of #whistles in emergency situations facilitated by Ms. Florence Joy Maluyo.
The 2nd plenary session was about Mental Health: Mind Games by Dr. Ethel Pagaddu; while the 3rd plenary session on Doctor Shaming through online platform was discussed by Atty Cecilia Lazaro. After the plenary sessions, the Research Competition was conducted at the Mere Madeleine Hall. Likewise, the Ball Games were held at the Student Center and the BEU Court at the SPUP grounds while the running events took place at the Cagayan Sports Complex.
Day 2 – 17 November 2018 The continuation of the Sports Fest was held. The basketball game was held at the Student Center while the Volleyball Men and Women were held at the BEU Court. Moreover, the single and mixed doubles for the Table Tennis men and women and the Board Games – Chess and Scrabble – were held at the 5th floor of the Learning Resource Center (LRC). On the other hand, the single and mixed doubles for Badminton men and women were held at Play N’ Smash.
In the afternoon, the delegates gathered for a break out session of their choice. The first breakout session was on “How to Manage Your Time,” discussed by Dr. Krizza-Almond Aguilar. The second session was on “How to Choose the Best Hospital for Internship” tackled by Dr. Marco Paolo Lasam. The third break-out session was “How to Bridge the Gap between Medicine and Spirituality” by Ms. Janina T. Carag.
Moreover, the Semi Colon project, a dynamic role-playing activity about mental health was held at the Global Center. The CPC was open to most of the student delegates and was held at the Mere Madeline Hall. The Heritage Tour was organized to showcase the different tourist spots like the Callao Caves at Peñablanca, Cagayan. The delegates also went to see the Calvary Hills and the St. Claire Monastery at Iguig, Cagayan.
The Fellowship Night ensued at the SPUP Gymnasium as participants mingled with each other. MedRhythmia, a singing competition, participated in by SLU, SPUP, and UNP, captivated the audience through their angelic voices and their skills in playing musical instruments. Moreover, the participating schools got to show their dance moves which demonstrated the evolution of dance through the MedGroove competition participated in by MMSU, UNP, SPUP and VMUF.
Day 3 – 18 November 2018 The basketball and volleyball championship games were held simultaneously conducted with the Quiz Bee competition. Afterwhich, the Awarding Ceremonies were held at the Mere Madeleine Hall followed. The event was capped by a photo opportunity of the delegates at the Lady of Chartres Chapel.
Indeed, the 8th APMC-SN Luzon Regional Convention fostered the solidarity among the Medical Schools in Luzon.
