The University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) marked a historic academic milestone with the graduation of 17 pioneering Doctor of Medicine students during the inaugural commencement exercises of its School of Medicine on July 30, 2025, at the Herminigildo C. Baloyo, M.D. Hall in Tagum City.
Held in conjunction with the University’s 46th commencement exercises, the momentous event was a powerful culmination of years of hard work, faith, and institutional vision—particularly for a region that continues to face critical gaps in access to healthcare.
The White Coat is a Symbol of Duty
USeP President Dr. Bonifacio G. Gabales Jr. opened the ceremony with a message underscoring the significance of the event—not just for the graduates but for the institution and the region.
“This is the realization of a vision that was born out of a desire to serve, a need to respond to regional disparities in health access, and a commitment to produce not only competent doctors, but professionals who are grounded in the lived realities of our communities,” Gabales said.
He emphasized the unique identity of USeP’s School of Medicine, which was built to provide socially accountable, community-based medical education aligned with the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act (RA 11509).
Dr. Gabales also reminded the graduates of their important mission. “As new doctors, your task is to prove every day that all lives matter equally, that whether your patient is in a tertiary hospital or a bamboo hut, whatever language they speak, whether they are rich or poor, they are worth your best.”
Tagum LGU commends milestone achievement
Representing Tagum City Mayor Hon. Rey T. Uy, City Councilor Ciara Uy-Salazar extended the city’s congratulations to the pioneering class. Speaking as Chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s Committee on Health, Uy-Salazar recognized the milestone not just as a university achievement but a collective victory for Tagum City.
She emphasized how the presence of a Doctor of Medicine program in a state-funded university within the city brings life-changing opportunities closer to home. She thanked USeP’s faculty and leadership for their tireless efforts in building a program that gives a realistic path toward becoming doctors, without having to leave the region.
Dir. Sonido lauds graduates as Leaders of Change
In her keynote address, Hon. Priscilla R. Sonido, CESO III, Regional Director of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Region XI and member of the USeP Board of Regents, addressed the worsening regional disparities in doctor-to-population ratios and called on the graduates to take on the challenge of nation-building through equitable healthcare.
In her pivotal message, she addressed the graduates directly. “Let us all remember, a healthy population is not just a marker of societal progress, but also the true engine of sustainable growth. As the new generation of physicians, you are key to realizing this vision and transforming the health landscape of our country. By addressing the roots of ill-health, you carry the potential to strengthen not only the well-being of individuals, but also the collective future and prosperity of the whole region and the country as a whole,” Hon. Sonido said.
She further challenged the graduates. “Unfortunately or fortunately, you inherit both the weight of the challenges and the hope for their resolution. Your role extends beyond individual patient care. You are the leaders of change, champions of health equity, and healers who bring hope to every corner of our nation.”
Top Graduates and Clinical Awardees Honored
During the ceremony, academic and clinical excellence awards were presented to outstanding graduates of the Class of 2025.
Ms. Jan Akkira Cheyenne M. Millan was named Top 1 graduate and awarded Most Outstanding Clinical Clerk—an honor given to the student who exemplified consistent excellence across all clerkship rotations, marked by sound clinical judgment, professionalism, compassion, and teamwork. She also received the Most Outstanding in Internal Medicine award.
Mr. Richard Jan Jr. M. Millan ranked as Top 2, while Ms. Kate Licca T. Ortiz was recognized as Top 3.
Other clinical awards included: Krystal Gaile E. Anuncio as the Most Outstanding in Obstetrics and Gynecology and in Community Medicine; Joseph Renzo L. De Ocampo as the Most Outstanding in Pediatrics, and Cedric T. Lumactod – Most Outstanding in Surgery
Not Just Our Skills, But Also Our Hearts
In response, class representative Jan Akkira Cheyenne M. Millan, who also topped the graduating class and earned multiple distinctions, delivered a heartfelt and candid message that resonated with every member of the audience:
“In medical school, it’s tempting to measure [the journey] by the number of exams we’ve survived, the duty hours we somehow endured, or the rotations that left us questioning both our sanity and our caffeine tolerance. But truly, this journey shaped us in ways that no logbook or transcript could ever fully capture.”
She spoke with raw honesty about their shared hardships: from grueling exam nights to sleepless hospital duties, and underscored what truly grew throughout the years: “our hearts, our character, and our capacity to care.”
She expressed gratitude to God, her family, the faculty, and her fellow graduates, whom she called “co-survivors”. She honored her late father, a pediatrician, whose influence inspired her pursuit of medicine.
Rites of Loyalty, Legacy, and Celebration
The ceremony featured deeply symbolic rites, including the donning of academic hoods, capping, and distribution of diplomas. Parents and families were honored through a heartfelt performance of “MaPa” by Himig Medisina, followed by a special number by the graduates.
Class President Krystal Gaile E. Anuncio led the Pledge of Loyalty to the Alma Mater, reaffirming the graduates’ enduring ties to the University.
Moreover, Hon. Julius P. Borbon, President of the Federation of USeP Alumni Associations, Inc., Alumni Regent, and member of the USeP Governing Board, inducted the new graduates into the alumni federation, officially welcoming them into the broader USeP alumni community.
The ceremonies concluded with the singing of the University Hymn, weaving the graduates, faculty, and guests in a shared moment of pride.
