Becoming A Doctor: Moratorium Stage

When I was 4 years old, my ambition was to become a singer. 

When I was 12 years old, my ambition was to become a nurse or a pharmacist.

When I was 15 years old, my ambition was to become a lawyer and everything starts from there.

I entered college when I was 15 years old. I originally want to take up Legal Management as my pre-law course but my aunt, who was my guardian at that time, said that it is better for me to study Psychology so that I have better options if ever I don't want to pursue Law anymore. With a heavy heart, I accepted her suggestion and took up B.S. Psychology at Our Lady of Fatima University - Antipolo.

Being in college was one heck of a roller coaster ride! There are a lot of times that I thought I couldn't make it, especially during chemistry, zoology, and physics classes. I kept on saying to my self, "okay lang yan, di mo naman magagamit yang mga subjects na yan pag lawyer ka na eh." My only goal at that time was to pass all those subjects, so I can enter law school in no time.

In my clinical psychology subject, we were asked to interview a psychiatric patient in a small clinic in Mandaluyong. Then we were given a chance to talk to the on-duty nurse to confirm the information we have gathered. Every information matched except for one, the school where the patient studied. Px told us that she studied pharmacy in UST and about to enter med school, but it is in OLFU where she really have studied. I was pissed off, and make a very wrong and unethical remark (didn't know what comes into my mind) - "eh sinungaling naman pala yang pasyenteng yan eh." The nurse and my professor were shocked and a bit angry, and said that I am not suited to become a clinician, instead, I should be an HR personnel. At that time, I was not hurt, because my goal was clearly to become a lawyer, not a clinician/doctor/psychologist.

Then my final year in college have arrived, I have to complete 600 practicum hours different fields. The most memorable institutions I've been are the following: La Salle Green Hills - The Guidance Head there was willing to absorb me if I will pursue my Masters Degree, and PGH - Ward 7 - Under Dr. Constantine Della. Cool! Very life changing. I was not treated as a student/practicumer but as a colleague. Everybody are nice, and I get to experience ward meetings and occupational therapies. After this incident, I suddenly don't want to be a lawyer anymore. I want to be a doctor! 

After 4 years of blood, tears, and sweat, March 2012, I am finally a degree holder! I was asked by my dad if I still wants to be a lawyer, but I declined. He asked why, I told him that I think I am not assertive enough to become a lawyer. He asked me about my plans. I answered I don't know, but at the back of my mind, I want to pursue medicine but I think my father is not financially ready, and someone is holding me back.

One week after graduation, I applied in a Montessori School near our place. I originally applied for a guidance counselor post, but the Director for Student and Faculty Development there decided to hire me as a preschool teacher since according to him, I am more suited to teach. I still wanted to study, so I applied in Ateneo Grad School, but I was not accepted. So I decided to study in PUP, and took up Post Baccalaureate Degree in Teacher Education - 36 education units. Man, it was a suicide act! 6:45am-4:00pm I need to teach at Cainta and 5:30pm-9:30pm, I needed to attend my classes in Manila. But after a year, May 2013, I graduated. 

Yay! I am now a double degree holder, but I still don't know what to do with my life. I decided that I will take a break from studying, and focused in teaching children for a year. 

I attended a seminar in The Medical City, Preschool Congress, wherein the speakers are Developmental Pediatricians. *Ting!* *Light Bulb* That's it!

After 2 years of teaching, I decided to resign and apply in OLFU-CoM in Valenzuela. It is indeed quite a journey, but in the end, I realized that I wanted to become a doctor.

I love the children that I have taught! I am happy whenever they are hugging and kissing me. It is a wonderful privilege to touch their lives. But I know something greater is stored for me, and that is to become one of the finest Developmental Pediatrician in town. :)