Filipinos today look to doctors for treatment, for reassurance, explanation, and a sense of calm. In many households, a physician becomes the steady voice that helps families understand what illness means and how hope can still take shape. The work of a physician is deeply human, yet it thrives within the precision of modern science. Today’s physicians rely on patient-centered care, advanced tools, evidence-driven decisions, and an understanding that compassion must remain at the center of every diagnosis.

The institution that shapes a future doctor’s mind, values, and discipline becomes part of every patient they will eventually meet. Centro Escolar University’s (CEU) Doctor of Medicine graduates from the Class of 2022 carry this truth closely.

Here’s what they say to aspiring physicians about their journey and the lessons that shaped them.

Today, Dr. Ernest Lucila, Dr. Allyssa Mae Cruz, and Dr. Yasmin Ali serve in different medical settings, from hospital-based practice to community-focused care, each carrying forward the training they received at CEU.

Dr. Lucila entered medicine seeking a career rooted in meaningful service. He shared how fulfilling it is “giving patients their most desired gift, which is healing.” After finishing his degree, he continued on a path built on clinical exposure and patient care.

Dr. Cruz chose medicine for a more personal reason. She said she wanted “to heal people and help them regain their health,” a calling that grew stronger with every patient interaction. She later pursued further training that deepened her understanding of community health and clinical practice.

For Dr. Ali, the journey began with curiosity about how medicine can serve communities with limited access to healthcare. She recalls how her internship allowed her to apply the knowledge she learned in class to actual patients and made her feel she was exactly where she needed to be.

Three different narratives, yet all anchored in the same foundation shaped within CEU.

Each of them admits that taking up medicine comes with challenges that test not just intellect but spirit.

Dr. Lucila shared how he powered through difficulties by holding on to purpose. No matter how exhausting it became, “knowing that my work has a direct impact on someone’s life pushes me to give more,” he said. Meanwhile, Dr. Ali found her strength in the communities she served. Listening to patients tell their stories reaffirmed her belief that being a doctor meant being present, patient, and open. She said her experiences taught her “to be more compassionate and understanding” toward those seeking care. Dr. Cruz credits her rigorous training for sharpening her sense of purpose. "To have a heart that listens, one that has the compassion to see the needs of your patient, and to put yourself in their shoes," Dr. Cruz reflects.

All three graduates point to CEU as the institution that strengthened their foundation. Its reputation for quality medical education gave them confidence that they were entering a place where excellence mattered and where they would be trained not only to think critically but also to care deeply.

Dr. Lucila recalls how CEU’s clinical training prepared him for real-world demands. Classroom concepts became clearer during rotations, where he said he “learned to holistically care for patients” through hands-on practice. For Dr. Cruz, the most transformative subjects were those that connected theory to lived human experiences. She emphasized that CEU gave her exposure to the practical skills and clinical requirements that shaped her confidence in diagnosing and managing conditions effectively.

Dr. Ali valued how CEU blended rigorous academics with practical training. During duties, she realized “how important it is to communicate well with patients,” a skill strengthened by CEU’s emphasis on empathy and training in patient care. Today, she practices as a physician on duty at Capitol Medical Center’s Hemodialysis Unit and conducts outpatient consultations at Futurecare Medical and Laboratory Center. She also serves as a Junior Lecturer at Trinity University of Asia, continuing the cycle of learning and mentorship.

Across different paths and practice settings, CEU’s training remains the common ground that prepared them to meet the demands of real-world medicine with competence, compassion, and confidence.

Their time at CEU opened doors that went beyond mastering clinical knowledge, shaping them into well-rounded professionals. For Dr. Lucila, leadership experiences became a training ground for discipline and responsibility. His involvement in student activities not only honed his ability to manage stress but also taught him how to serve others effectively.

Similarly, Dr. Cruz found that CEU-led outreach programs offered lessons that classrooms alone could not provide. Working with underserved communities, she discovered the value of humility and teamwork, realizing how crucial it is for doctors to “understand the realities of people outside the hospital.” Dr. Ali shared this sentiment, noting that these community engagements inspired her to pursue a career focused on empowering patients from all walks of life.

Beyond experiences and skills, one lesson unites their stories: values matter as much as ability. All three of them emphasize anchoring oneself in humility, reminding aspiring doctors to, “Never stop learning and never forget that every patient deserves your best,” Dr. Lucila said.

They encourage students to face challenges head-on, pointing out that “success comes from consistency and dedication,” even when the path feels daunting.

Dr. Ali highlights the power of compassion, offering simple yet profound advice: “Learn to listen. Patients open up when they feel seen and heard.” Together, their journeys illustrate that knowledge, character, and empathy walk hand in hand in the making of a true medical professional.

With CEU’s training, each graduate stepped confidently into their chosen paths. Whether it was hospital practice, community health, or further specialization, their skills and perspectives were shaped by the mentors who guided them and the curriculum that fostered excellence.

Though their paths diverge into different directions, their stories are connected by a shared foundation of discipline, empathy, and integrity formed in CEU’s Doctor of Medicine program. Their journeys show that when passion meets the right training, future physicians are developed not only to succeed but to serve with purpose.