Awesome Alumnus: With MHAMaven Dr. John Paul de la Cruz
Because life is grand, precious and sweet for a comeback, a MHAM alumnus pays back his Alma Mater by bringing its name in the national scene as his scientific paper has been chosen to be delivered in the upcoming 2nd Philippine Herbal Medicine Summit to be held at the AG World Manila Bay Hotel, Pedro Gil St., Ermita Manila on October 4 to 5, 2018.
MHAMoments: (L-R) With Research Director, Dr. Jose M. Oclarit; Research Awardee, Dr. John Paul de la Cruz; College Registrar, Dr. Luditha Lumapat-Pe & College Dean, Dr. Ma. Socorro Manaloto
Beaming with pride and honor for being a MHAM graduate, Dr. John Paul “JP” de la Cruz of batch Solarium visited his Alma Mater since he marked another medical milestone in the September 2017 Physician Licensure Examination together with other successful examinees.
This time, he will be vying as a licensed physician in an open category research competition as his scientific paper entitled, “Nephroprotective Activity of Virgin Coconut Oil on a Murine Model of Cisplatin-induced Intrinsic Acute Kidney Injury: A Dose- and Time-dependent Trial”, was accepted for Poster Presentation which will be part of the 2-day convention.
Matias doctors of 2016: September to remember with Batch Solarium
Organized by the Institute of Herbal Medicine-National Institutes of Health of the University of the Philippines Manila, Dr. ‘JP’, as he is popularly known, delightedly brought up the remarkable news to his former mentors and advisers who supported his medical journey especially in the field of research.
Mentor-Mentee moment with Dr. Jose M. Oclarit & Dr. John Paul L. de la Cruz
Research Department Director and Medical Physiology and Biochemistry professor, Dr. Jose Micabalo Oclarit; College Registrar, Dr. Luditha Lumapat-Pe; College Dean, Dr. Ma. Socorro Manaloto; AVP for Administration, Mr. Francisco Bacalla; HR Director, Mr. Pedro Pañares; and CESO Director, Mr. Jarvis Prochina also showed support to the researcher-alumnus who always cultivate the habit of being grateful to the people who played a great role in his life’s achievements.
With the Administrative Personnel: AVP for Administration, Mr. Francisco Bacalla; Community Extension Services Office Director, Mr. Jarvis Prochina & HR Director, Mr. Pedro Pañares…
With the BEST POSTER Research awardee in both Animal and Laboratory & Clinical and Public Health categories…
A recipient of meritorious scientific awards during his med days, the 29-year old MHAM maven was the Philippines’ representative in the International Research Conference held in Singapore during the 7th AFLAS Congress in 2015.
On that same year, his research on “Nephroprotective Activity of Virgin Coconut Oil on a Murine Model of Cisplatin-induced Intrinsic Acute Kidney Injury: A Dose- and Time-dependent Trial was chosen as the Best in Oral Research Competition during the 28th Annual Scientific Conference sponsored by the Philippine Association of Laboratory Animal Science.
His research was also awarded as the Best in Poster Research in an APMC-led 1st National Medical Student Research Competition.
In 2014, he bagged the 1st place in the Oral Research Competition with his research title, “Peripheral Nerve-blocking Effect from Toothache Plant Flower: A Prospect Local Anesthetic Agent” during the 1st Regional Student Research Competition.
2015 Distinct Spotlight: MHAM delegates during the APMC-SN 2015 with Quiz Bee & Research winners
In an interview with the MHAM alumnus during his first paid visit, he expressed his extreme delight surmounted with pride to what MHAM has become at present. A consistent achiever aside from being a competent and committed student-leader during his med days, Dr. JP also recalled his glorious MHAM moments that brought out his best with beyond compare experiences alongside with the challenges that confronted the school brought about by the stormy split. Able to lead and build a new name, Dr. JP was among the student-leaders who were resolute and defended SWU-MHAM from shattering back then, who stood still and fought for what was right where resiliency, leadership and excellence made the chronicles more eventful, colorful and ever vivid.
With Dr. John Paul L. de la Cruz in an interview…
“It’s my first time to visit after I graduated from PGIship and passing the board and it is always good to see the same teachers and mentors, the same faces but the bond is still there. Looking back, it was indeed a happy memory to recall with our little steps from a humble beginning where we started from a scratch and I have seen MHAM in its darkest time. Today, it is so exciting to see the new, permanent home and I am one of those who keep on asking as to when will the school transfers to the new building”, Dr. JP said.
With John Paul L. de la Cruz, RN, MD
In the academic year 2015-2016, he was lauded for leading in reviving the official school publication known as THE PULSE, being the editor-in-chief and was able to publish two volumes together with other pool of writers and student-leaders in the editorial board.
Words from an international research delegate…
Amazed to how life begins with the first cry, the first breath and the sacredness of life, to date, Dr. JP is in pursuit of his residency training for Obstetrics Gynecology at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) aside from his moonlighting stints. In due time, he could go on to Oncology to serve and save the lives of cancer patients in the advent of reproductive cancers. “I will represent the College there on a different person because I am no longer a student and I am aiming for the representation of the school in a UP-led convention. It is always good to pay back to the institution where your heart belongs”, he added.
“Looking back, it was indeed a happy memory to recall with our little steps from a humble beginning where we started from a scratch and I have seen MHAM in its darkest time”…- Dr. John Paul L. de la Cruz on SWU-MHAM split
Recollecting from a well-lived, learned, attained and reflected past, Dr. JP looks forward to become part of the MHAM mavens in the teaching field to help mold aspiring physicians in pursuit of excellence after his residency training.
Starting each day with a memory where gratitude is stored in the heart, this Matias doctor of 2016 will once again rock the forthcoming gathering among research-presenters in the pharmaceutical field. Filled with a sense of belongingness that runs not just in the blood among SOLARIUM graduates, Dr. JP, who is always adept to give glory to his Alma Mater will create another limelight where gratefulness, aside from winning, becomes a habit. (Ana Liza Abao)