A historic chapter unfolded at Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) as it held the inaugural graduation ceremony of its College of Medicine at the Dr. Juanito A. Bruno Gymnasium on July 24, 2025. The university celebrated the accomplishments of its pioneering batch of medical graduates, who are now poised to serve as physicians for the people.
Gracing the occasion was Hon. Ethel Agnes P. Valenzuela, Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education and Chair-designate of the WMSU Board of Regents. In a heartfelt and forward-looking keynote address, she honored not only the graduates but also the university’s bold efforts in establishing the first College of Medicine in a state university serving the Zamboanga Peninsula and its surrounding areas.
“Today is not just a ceremony. It is a celebration of strength, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to serve,” Valenzuela said. “You are not only the future of medicine. You are the future of compassion in action.”
She spoke directly to the unique struggles of the graduating class, most of whom began their medical education during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She reflected on how the Philippines experienced the longest school closures during the lockdown and how she herself, while stationed in Thailand, worried about the state of education back home. Despite the setbacks, she said, this first batch proved the resilience and determination of Filipino students.
Valenzuela emphasized that becoming a doctor is no ordinary feat. She reminded the graduates that their mission does not end with the conferral of a degree. Instead, they are stepping into a lifelong journey that requires humility, continuous learning, and an unwavering sense of service to communities. Valenzuela described the profession as a privilege that comes with a singular purpose, which is to serve people with both skill and compassion.
The Commissioner also called on the graduates to be ready for the future of medicine, which is increasingly shaped by technology and innovation. She spoke about the national workforce development plan that includes digital transformation in the healthcare sector, and encouraged graduates to embrace tools such as telemedicine and artificial intelligence.
“Digital medicine is no longer a concept. It is a reality. And we need Filipino doctors who are prepared for that,” she said. “You must be present not only in hospitals, but also on digital platforms, in communities, and wherever healing is needed.”
Drawing from her research with UNESCO on the employability of Filipino graduates, Valenzuela shared that communication skills, compassion, and sound judgment continue to rank high among traits employers look for. She urged the future doctors to write, to collaborate, and to reflect empathy in their work.
“Be the kindhearted doctors people can run to. Be resilient and be kind. Serve with integrity. And when you are faced with difficult choices, always choose to do what is right,” she said.
Valenzuela ended her speech by recognizing the institutional efforts that made the event possible. She praised WMSU President Dr. Ma. Carla A. Ochotorena for her decisive leadership in fully implementing the College of Medicine, and acknowledged the vision of former president Dr. Milabel E. Ho, who first planted the idea during her administration.
“This is not the end. It is only the beginning,” Valenzuela told the graduates. “Now you step into real hospitals, real communities, and real lives. What you learned here will matter most when paired with kindness, humility, and the will to keep learning.”
The first graduation of the WMSU College of Medicine marks a major step forward in the university’s mission to deliver accessible and community-oriented healthcare education. As its first graduates prepare to enter the medical profession, they carry the trust of a region that believes in their potential to heal, to lead, and to serve with compassion where it’s needed most. (LMP, PAO)
