Without a doubt, we are a basketball loving
country. Every street corner is filled with makeshift courts bursting with
males both young and old basking in what is tagged as “the Filipino sport of
choice”. It has been a bonding ritual for fathers and sons everywhere and at
one point or another, every single Filipino boy has dreamed of becoming a
professional athlete one day.
However, it is also a fact that Filipino parents
also have other dreams for their children. They work day and night to provide
the best education for their children, hoping they'd become lawyers or
distinguished doctors one day.
These two passions have resulted in a country
peppered with basketball star-wannabes and the most brilliant doctors. However,
it is quite rare to find people who have an interest in both fields. One
of those people who have fused the two interests rather successfully is former
Ateneo Blue Eagle, Johan Uichico. Johan, who passed the medical boards just
this year, was part of Ateneo basketball’s glory days from 2003 to 2006.
Johan looks back on these days fondly, “I played
with the Blue Eagles starting when I was a college freshman in 2003. We played
in the finals during my rookie season, finishing second to Far Eastern
University (FEU); and also in 2006 when we lost, unfortunately, to University
of Sto. Tomas (UST). I was very honored to have been a part of Ateneo’s rich
basketball tradition and lucky to have played with some of the best players
like Larry Fonacier and BJ Manalo. I have been blessed to be able to play under
great coaches like Sandy Arespacochaga, Jamike Jarin, Joel Banal, and Norman
Black.”
Despite his love for the sport, basketball took
a backseat when he decided to pursue medicine, “As a result of my focus on
basketball, my grades suffered and were not as high as I wanted them to be. I
skipped the next season to concentrate on my studies and get my grades up for
medical school. I could have come back for the season after that, but my father
and I talked about what was best for my future; and in the end, we agreed that
pursuing a medical career was what was best for me.”
Entering the medical profession just fell
through for Johan, who dreamed of becoming a marine biologist when he was
younger. “When I entered Ateneo, my original course was BS Communications
Technology Management. When I got the chance, I shifted to BS Biology, hoping to pursue my childhood dream. But then
I realized, pre med course na din pala
ito, so that sparked my interest in the medical profession. I took the
National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) and applied with the Ateneo School of
Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH). Through God’s grace, I got accepted.”
And while the medical school journey wasn’t free
from challenges, Johan doesn’t regret his decision of leaving the basketball
court permanently, “There were many times I second guessed my decision to enter
medical school instead of continuing to play basketball. However, I have no
regrets. I enjoy the field of medicine immensely; the way it touches other
people’s lives is just incredible.”
Medical school, he says, was taxing — mentally,
physically and emotionally. He was also quick to say that another difficult
aspect of being doctor, aside from the
rigorous hours during his years of internship and clerkship, were seeing the
emotional reaction of people when their loved ones died. “Seeing relatives cry
or dying patients took a toll on me. Also, the far-from-ideal health system of
the country meant not everyone received adequate treatment, and that is sad.
Everyone, regardless of socio-economic standing, should be treated equally and
receive appropriate treatment.”
But what got him through were the smiles on
people’s faces when their relatives were saved and the simple thank yous his
patients gave him. “These things kept me going and inspired me to go above and
beyond the call of duty.”
These experiences have encouraged Johan to one day be an instrument for change in the health care system of the country.
An aspiring orthopedic surgeon, Johan now plays
in an entirely different court, hoping to contribute to the health care system
of the country, “Being a physican is a really noble profession. The country has
the potential to be great again, and I hope to be one of the reasons behind its
success in the future.”
And more than the number of games he has played, Johan
deserves greater applause today as he champions the greater cause of saving
lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment