Boholano medical board topnotcher: Never give up on your dreams

By Leo Udtohan

For 31-year-old Mark Johnuel Matabilas Duavis who placed 10th in the October 2022 physician licensure examination, he wants to stay in the country to serve his fellowmen.

"I would probably stay in the country," said Duavis, a native of Buenavista town in Bohol province. 

He said for the longest time, he wanted to become a physician but his family is just not able to support him financially. 

"Without the help of Department of Health, University of Cebu- School of Medicine and the taxpayers, I could have not realized this dream. Without the scholarship I could never make it to become a doctor. I owe this success to everyone. So paying it forward, I would like to serve the people who have made this dream a big reality," said Duavis, who is also a registered nurse. 

God’s will

Duavis had an average of 87. He shared the same spot with other four passers. He said it was God's will he made it to the top 10. 

"It feels surreal. After the second and third subjects, I already told myself that this is probably not for me, that being part of that list would be too lofty of an aspiration. Answering through the 4th to the 12th subject, I just surrendered everything to Him and allowed him to work His miracles for me. When the results came out, it was a total shock. It really made me cry. It was something beyond my hands. It was His will and His intercession that really made a spot for me in the top 10," Duavis shared. 

Like other examinees, he prepared for the exam.  He began allocating a particular number of hours per day for review especially on subjects that he was not very good at. After clerkship, he went to post-graduate internship where a bigger chunk of his time was dedicated to reviewing for the boards. 

He said it was a monotonous cycle of sleeping, waking up, eating, studying and studying repeated for the entire four months.

Duavis shared that he had no secret in topping the exam.

"I think it was not really much of a secret but I did make sure I follow my schedule. Medicine is such a vast field and there are just so many subjects, specialties and concepts that you need to digest. Sticking to a good schedule and game plan really made a huge difference. Also, I spare an hour in between study periods for meal and nap breaks. I also give time to play with my dog, play the Nintendo Switch and watch something that is not medically related. Somehow it managed to make me sane until the four-month review season finally reached an end. I also made sure to have at least six hours of sleep everyday. You really cannot afford to be sick because it derails your schedule. Nevertheless, the abovementioned, I think, were not really secrets since a lot of medical students that I know have the same gameplan. I also think it probably boiled down to diligence and determination," he shared. 

Pride of Bohol

For the people of Buenavista, Duavis brought pride and honor to his hometown and the province of Bohol.

"Mark is making history as the first topnotcher in physician licensure examination in Buenavista. He is an inspiration to the young people that constant efforts, patience and perseverance, clubbed with strong determination can bring you success," said Buenavista Mayor Dave Duallo. 

The mayor said a cash incentive and plaque of recognition will be given to Duavis based on municipal ordinance in 2014.

He will also have his new car as the University of Cebu, Banilad campus continues to reward its board exam topnotchers with brand new cars. 

"The tradition continues. This Toyota Wigo Car, a  gift from our Chairman, Atty. Augusto Go is waiting for our  OCTOBER Physician Licensure Examination board placer Dr. Mark Johnuel Duavis. Congratulations," read the Facebook post of the University of Cebu College of Medicine. 

Valedictorian

Duavis' father Noel, 53, is a school district supervisor in Inabanga, while his mother Marilu, 53, is a public school nurse in  Inabanga and Buenavista towns. 

He has two siblings: Jay Mark, 30, and Myra Lou, 23. 

Duavis finished his elementary at Cangawa Elem. School in his hometown as class valedictorian. At Cangawa National High School, he also graduated valedictorian. 

He studied Bachelor of Science in Nursing at University of Bohol (UB) while being involved in extra-curricular activities in school and Samahang Kabataan Volunteers Club. He was crowned Mister UB Personality 2009 and first runner-up in Mister and Miss Teen Bohol 2009. 

Duavis passed the nursing licensure examination in 2011. He took up Master of Science in Nursing major in Medical Surgical Nursing in 2018 at Cebu Normal University. 

He graduated cum laude and class valedictorian at University of Cebu- School of Medicine. 

He earned his Diploma in Strategic Human Resource Management and Development at Ateneo de Manila University, Center for Organization, Research and Development and diploma in Transformation Leadership in Health Communication, Communication for Communicators School managed by Johns Hopkins University Center for Communications Program and Asian Institute of Management- Zuellig Center of Development Management. 

Never give up

He is not new to community health service since he worked as a community health nurse at Department of Health (DOH), he then worked as project associate at Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis and became a training officer at DOH Region VII. 

Duavis plans to get a residency in Internal Medicine.

His advised to students: “Never give up on your dreams no matter how siguro impossible it may seem because once you strive to aspire and do whatever it takes to reach that it will happen.  I do hope everyone will be able to take on the challenge whatever your heart’s desire. Grab it. Life is just once. You don't want to spend the entirety of life regretful for things you have not done or you always wanted to do or not given the chance.” 

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.

 

Getafe residents receive free wheelchairs, medicines from PH Cares

By Leo Udtohan

More than 300 residents here benefited from the medical mission conducted by Pamayanang Handa (PH) Cares and Rotary Club of Pasay Cyber City on Thursday.

Reynaldo Arsenio Sr at least travelled 30 minutes from Alumar Island to bring his son to the town's gymnasium where the medical mission was held. 

Arsenio, 63, a fisherman, said he never thought that a medical mission would be conducted after the COVID-19 pandemic halted outreach programs and medical missions. 

His son, Reynaldo Jr, 29, received a new wheelchair, vitamins and hygiene kits. As the youngest of three siblings, Jr was not able to walk nor talk all his entire life after struck with a disease while still an infant. 

"My income is not enough. That's why I'm happy that the medical mission helped a lot.  And they served us for free,” he said in the vernacular.

“We are thankful to municipal government of Getafe for welcoming us to conduct our medical mission. There will be more medical missions scheduled in other towns," said Elmer Francis "Jun" Pasion, chairman of PH Cares. 

Pasion said he was happy that the activity was successful through the assistance of the provincial government led by Governor Aris Aumentado, 2nd district Rep. Vanessa Aumentado, Getafe Mayor Cary Camacho and former Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) administrator Benjie Oliva. Also present during the event was board member Jamie Villamor.

Vanessa Aumentado expressed gratitude to PH Cares and Rotary Club of Pasay Cyber City for delivering the much-needed services to the residents in her district who are not capable of supporting their medical needs

 

Antequera’s twin sisters win in Finis National Long Course Swim Series 2022

By Leo Udtohan

Antequera's twin sisters Raziel Pearl Villas and Perpetiel Sue Villas of the Bohol Splashers Swimming Team won in Finis National Long Course Swim Competition Series 2022 at Iloilo City Sports Complex on Nov. 5-6, 2022. 

Chief organizer and Finis managing director Vince Garcia said there were over 200 swimmers from 25 teams and clubs of Finis this year.

The Villas twins were favorites of the event as they won medals in the 9-10 years old girl category.

Pearl got six gold medals for 100-meter butterfly, freestyle and backstroke and 50m backstroke, freestyle and butterfly. She also won two silver medals for 100m breaststroke and 5mbreaststroke. Meanwhile, Sue won silver medal for 50m butterfly and three bronze medals for 100m butterfly, and100m and 50m breaststroke. 

Pearl awarded as the Most Outstanding Swimmer (MOS) for the age group 9-10 for having the highest points garnered in the said event. 

The Villas twins are daughters of Russel and Pinky Villas. They are studying at Special Science Elementary School (SSES) in Tagbilaran City. 

The Bohol Splashers Swimming Team is mentored by swimming coach Pantaleon Jimenez Jr.

KEIKO AGENA, MONICA BARBARO, LODRIC D. COLLINS AND DORIAN MISSICK TO APPEAR INACADEMY NICHOLL FELLOWSHIPS LIVE

Hosted and directed by Barbara Stepansky

 

LOS ANGELES, CA – Actors Keiko Agena, Monica Barbaro, Lodric D. Collins and Dorian Missick will appear in a live reading of selected scenes from this year’s five winning scripts at the 2022 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Awards and Live Read on November 9 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.  The program will be hosted and directed by 2013 Nicholl fellow Barbara Stepansky.

Agena is best known for her series regular roles on the shows “Prodigal Son,” as Dr. Edrisa Tanaka, and “Gilmore Girls,” playing Lane Kim for seven years and reprising the role in Netflix’s “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.”

Barbaro can currently be seen starring opposite Tom Cruise in “Top Gun: Maverick.”  She will next star opposite Diego Boneta in “At Midnight” for Paramount+ and opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Netflix’s spy series “Fubar.”

Collins stars as U.S. Chief of Staff Donald Wintrop in the BET drama series “The Oval.”  He recently portrayed Smokey Robinson in MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect,” as well as Captain Elliot on SYFY’s “Z Nation” and Lieutenant Marshall in NBC’s “Grimm.”

Missick will appear in Netflix's “Shirley,” Amazon Studios’ “The Burial” and the independent feature “We Real Cool,” all due for release in 2023.  His recent television work includes series regular roles on ABC’s “For Life,” CBS All Access' “Tell Me a Story” and Netflix’s “Luke Cage.” 

Stepansky is an independent film director, writer and producer who won a Nicholl Fellowship in 2013 for her screenplay “Sugar in My Veins.”  Her writing credits include Lifetime’s “Flint,” about the Flint water crisis, which starred Queen Latifah.  Stepansky is a head writer on the Netflix series “Totenfrau” and a co-producer on the Starz series “Outlander.”

Last month, four screenwriters and one writing team were selected from 5,526 entries as winners of the 2022 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting.  The winners are (listed alphabetically by author):

Jennifer Archer (Springwater, Ontario, Canada), “Into the Deep Blue”
Nick Bennet is rebuilding his life after the death of his mom, a DUI, and mandatory grief counseling.  Together with Fiona, his fiery best friend from therapy, they navigate the waters of grief and their growing feelings.

Callie Bloem and Christopher Ewing (Los Angeles, CA), “Tape 22”
A music journalist reeling from the death of his wife discovers a mixtape that brings her back to life for four minutes and 23 seconds a day, exactly the length of her favorite song.  Now he’s determined to bring her back for good even if he might accidentally open a black hole in the middle of L.A.

Sam Boyer (Pasadena, CA), “Ojek”
In Jakarta, a loyal motorcycle taxi driver struggles to build a better life through a deadly new business that tests his transporting talents – and inner humanity.  Think “Drive” in Indonesia.

J.M. Levine (La Crescenta, CA), “Operation Gemini”
After being separated from her newborn twins during the invasion of Kyiv, a mother recruits two civilians to drive her back into war-torn Ukraine to rescue her children before medical supplies run out and the Russian army takes over.  Inspired by a true story.

Timothy Ware-Hill (Orange, NJ), “Tyrone and the Looking Glass”
In Birmingham, AL, 1963, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, a Negro boy goes on a quest to find the four magical treasures he needs to wield the Looking Glass – the only weapon powerful enough to defeat a three-headed dragon that seeks to destroy him and his loved ones.

The 2022 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Awards and Live Read at the Academy Museum on November 9 is free and open to the public, but advance tickets are required.  Tickets may be obtained online here.  The Academy Museum is located at 6067 Wilshire Boulevard.

Each individual and writing team will receive a $35,000 prize and mentorship from an Academy member.  The five fellowships are awarded with the understanding that recipients will complete feature-length screenplays during their fellowship year.

The global competition, which aims to identify and encourage talented new screenwriters, has awarded 176 fellowships since it began in 1986.  For more information about the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, visit oscars.org/nicholl.

PH's 1st post-disaster accountability journalism held in Bohol.

Vera Files and International Media Support (IMS) in partnership with the Center for Community Journalism and Development (CCJD) gathered some members of the Bohol media and civil society organizations (CSOs) for the country's first post-disaster accountability journalism held in Tagbilaran City on Oct. 25-26. 

Over the past five years, IMS has developed the concept of accountability journalism (AJ) to address reporting gaps especially in the recovery and reconstruction phases following natural disasters. The objective is to promote accountability by enabling local media to act as a watchdog during the reconstruction phase.

The post-typhoon Odette situation in the Philippines provides a relevant context for the AJ project to gain acceptance and take root given the country's vulnerability to natural hazards, especially typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.

While national and local media covered the disaster and its immediate aftermath, they have not reported much from the affected areas in recent months, the organizer said.

It was clear that countless accountability stories are waiting to be told: the failure to rebuild schools and communities, relocation to areas and buildings that affected people cannot afford, "no budget to rebuild," etc.

Organizers said that as experienced elsewhere, good AJ could help to inform people, manage their expectations, giving affected communities a voice, and hold authorities and relevant agencies to account. There are also bigger dimensions that warrant coverage, including other disasters and climate risks, national disaster preparedness, and psychosocial support structures and mechanisms, among others.

The two-day seminar was attended by Rey Anthony Chiu, Ric Obedencio, Anthony Aniscal and Allen Doydora of dyRD/Bohol Chronicle, Weng Vallecer and Cesar Capangpangan of dyYR, Cooper Resabal of Vera Files and Leo Udtohan. 

On the first day, Andreas Sugar of IMS and Jesper Nymark of Danwatch, an independent media and research center specialized in investigative journalism on global issues, talked about AJ and how it works.

Qaris Tajudin of Tempo Institute via Zoom shared his Indonesia experience covering disaster. He shared techniques and models that can be shared to help journalists everywhere make reporting on government and civic affairs more effective.

Warren Ubongen, former United Nations (UN) Habitat Project Manager of Rebuilding Marawi shared about a UN perspective on early recovery.

The gains and challenges of typhoon Odette early recovery, rehabilitation in Bohol was explained by Anthony Damalerio, the provincial disaster risk and reduction management officer.

Francis Bernard Batoy of Bohol Alliance of Non-Government Organizations (Bangon) also tackled about community response to typhoon Odette which devasted the province.

Jun Sepe of ABS-CBN and Che delos Reyes of IMS also shared their insights on disaster preparedness reporting. 

Lawyer Jun Amora, chief of staff of Gov. Aris Aumentado also gave his inspirational message. He said the media and the provincial government are serving the same community. 

The working sessions on the second day were facilitated by Red Batario and G Sevilla Alvarez of CCDJ and were designed to unearth what the participants needed to champion accountability journalism.

The AJ project in the Philippines will be implemented initially as a pilot which could subsequently be scaled up and converted into a longer-term effort through the IMS country program. Its main implementing partner is Vera Files that will be working closely with local and national media organizations such as the CCJD, civil society groups and networks as well as relevant UN and other international agencies.

The project aims to promote and build capacity of community journalists and news organizations for post-disaster AJ, strengthen links between local and national media, civil society, relevant UN agencies, and other monitoring groups using an eco-system approach, produce Accountability Journalism content for various news media platforms, and pave the way for longer-term AJ engagement through IMS country program.

The consultation and interfacing workshop on building Media-CSO coalition for AJ in Bohol is the first phase of the Philippine project.

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.

The greatness of CPG

By Leo Udtohan 

Ang lalawigang Bol-anon

May anak nga bantugan

Matarung ug maligdong

Sulundon ug buotan.

Ang iyang mga mithi

Gugma ug kaangayan

Pag- alagad nga hingpit

Sa yuta tang natawhan.

Ug halad ka sa langit

Alang Bol-anon katawhan

Ang mga buhat mong matarung

Kanunay namong gikamingawan

Ang dila mong balaknon

Garbo ning yutang tabunon

Carlos P. Garcia buhi ka sa tanang panahon.

Ikaw mao ang kadasig,

Ikaw mao ang kalagsik,

Ikaw mao ang kahayag,

Sa dalan namong mangitngit.

Among paninguhaun ang pagsunod sa imong mga lakang

Ug ang imong pagtulun-an

Dili namo hikalimtan.

 — Carlos P. Garcia: Bantugang Bol-anon

While singing and humming that song (composed and written by Onecimo “Onie” Oclarit from his Ubilandia album), you and I can further reflect on the greatness of the late Carlos P. Garcia as Bohol celebrated his 126th birth anniversary last Friday, Nov. 4.

As we remember CPG, may we be inspired by his example of prioritizing the interests of the Filipino people.

Meanwhile, the greatness of CPG was remembered after three former governors of Bohol were honored during the commemoration of the 126th birth anniversary of CPG, Bohol’s most illustrious son. 

The posthumous awards were given to Victor De la Serna, Constancio Torralba and David Tirol for their exemplary deeds and contributions to the province. The awards were received by their respective familes.

Dela Serna was appointed officer-in-charge (OIC) governor from March to October in 1987 following the 1986 People Power Revolution. He was the first Boholano bar topnotcher in 1965 and he served as a delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention. 

Torralba, former undersecretary of DPWH under Pres. Corazon C. Aquino, was appointed OIC governor from October to December in 1987.  He was elected governor from 1988 –1992. 

Tirol was elected governor from 1992-1995.

Nov. 4 is a special non-working holiday in the province of Bohol. 

The commemorative program in honor of CPG was attended by CPG scholars and provincial officials led by Gov. Aris Aumentado. He led the flag- raising and wreath laying ceremonies along with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Gov. Victor Balite, heads of offices, national agencies and civil society organizations at the CPG Park before the program that was held at the provincial Capitol lobby. 

In his message, Aumentado said CPG is a

shining example for the youth. He recalled his own inaugural address to pay tribute to CPG, who he said along with his late father and former Gov. Erico Aumentado whose public service life birthed his own passion and commitment. 

He said his "Abante Bohol, Boholano First," was inspired by the former president’s widely known Filipino First Policy. 

"The History of Bohol" written by Lumin Tirol-Pamaran was also launched during the event. The book provides rich historical account of the province from  pre-Spanish era to the early 1970s.

The event was also attended by Marilou Valmoria-Fudalan, a descendant of CPG. 

CPG, who was born in a small village in Talibon town, became the 4th president of the Republic of the Philippines and the first president of the 1971 Constitutional Convention. He was known for his "First Filipino Policy." 

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Tagbilaran residents watch total lunar eclipse with awe

By Leo Udtohan

Instead of fearing the total lunar ecplise on Tuesday night,  Jessa Mae Jala was excited to watch the celestial event.

Jala, 9, a Grade 3 student of Booy South Elem. School in Tagbilaran City, was with her cousins and neighbors while watching the eclipse. 

Most of them tried to capture the moon but their phone registered great photos.

It seemed the ecplise appeared like a red dot. 

Instead they contended themselves  watching the phases of the eclipse. 

"It looks amazing because I see it actual which is taught by our teacher in school," said Jala while watching the total lunar eclipse or bloodmoon. 

Some residents went to the Old Tagbilaran Airport to have a nice view of the ecplise. 

Vera Villocido, who teaches Earth and Space at Holy Name University, said that an awe-inspiring event like the total lunar ecplise gives students a great opportunity to engage in practical sky watching.

Total lunar eclipses occur when the moon traverses Earth's shadow and the entire moon is covered. Partial lunar eclipses occur when the moon does not pass completely into Earth's shadow.

State weather bureau Pagasa said aside from the Philippines, the total lunar eclipse was also visible in other countries in Asia, Australia, North America, parts of Northern and Eastern Europe, and most of South America. 

For Bohol-based Wiccan Starhawk, who requested to be identified this way, eclipse symbolically means things being hidden in sight. He said the air during eclipse are filled with intense spiritual impurities.

"It's great to stay indoors. Just medidate and pray," he said.

He said eclipses not really a good time for charging, and for planning business and travel.

The next total lunar eclipse won't happen until September 8, 2025.