ASMPH officially opens Academic Year 2024-2025: A journey of transformation begins

The Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH) recently marked the beginning of the Academic Year 2024-2025 with the symbolic and inspiring Opening Ceremonies. This annual tradition not only welcomes new students but also sets the tone for their transformative journey toward becoming Ignatian physician-leaders.

The ceremony began with the Mass of the Holy Spirit, presided over by Father Robbie Sian SJ. This sacred tradition seeks the guidance and blessings of the Holy Spirit as students embark on their rigorous academic and spiritual journey. The Mass serves as a reminder that their path to becoming doctors is not just an intellectual pursuit but also a spiritual and moral one, deeply rooted in the Jesuit values of service, compassion, and social justice.

Following the Mass, the heart of the ceremony unfolded with the Ritual of the Bell, a time-honored tradition at ASMPH that symbolizes the beginning of the students’ journey. In keeping with tradition, the youngest student of Batch 2029, Mikko Anton Santos, was given the honor of ringing the bell, while the oldest student, Ryan Timothy Yu, spoke on behalf of the entire batch. As Mikko rang the bell, its sound resonated with the hopes and dreams of every aspiring doctor in the room, marking the official start of their journey at ASMPH.

Dean Cenon “Dodie” Alfonso, with a solemn yet encouraging tone, initiated the ritual by asking, “Who rings the bell by the door of learning?” The batch representative responded with a powerful declaration: "I, Ryan Timothy Yu, from the class of 2029, speaking on behalf of all of us who desire to be the doctor of the future." The ritual continued with Dean Dodie’s question, “What do you seek?” to which the students fervently replied, “To awaken our spirits through hard work and dedicate our lives to becoming health professionals for others, ensuring the health and well-being of persons, communities, and country.”

This powerful exchange set the stage for the official opening of the academic year. Dean Dodie then proclaimed, “You are welcome! All those who desire to become the doctor of the future can enter here! I now declare the Academic Year 2024-2025 of the ASMPH open!” With this declaration, each student was called by name to enter the hall, symbolizing their formal entry into the ASMPH community. As they walked in, they shook hands with Dean Dodie and AGSB Associate Dean Luisito Montalbo, who stood in for Dean Jowett Magsaysay, marking the beginning of their journey.

In his inspirational message, Dean Dodie welcomed the new batch of students with words of wisdom and encouragement. He emphasized that the journey they were about to embark on would shape not only their futures but also the lives of countless individuals they would encounter. “Today marks the beginning of a transformative adventure, one that will test your limits, challenge your beliefs, and ultimately forge you into compassionate, skilled, and dedicated Ignatian physician-leaders,” he stated.

Dean Dodie reminded the students of the importance of community and solidarity, underscoring the ASMPH mantra, “No Atenean Left Behind.” He stressed that while they had been chosen for their intellect and perseverance, the path to becoming a physician-leader is not one to be walked alone. “The path to becoming an Atenean physician-leader is not a solitary one. It is a path that must be walked together, hand in hand with your peers, guided by the principles of empathy, solidarity, and mutual support,” he said.

The ceremony also saw the introduction of the newly elected Student Council and various group officers, who took their oaths of office under the guidance of Dean Dodie. This was followed by the nameplate pinning ceremony, where Class Beadle Joan Angelica Lim had the honor of having her official name plate pinned by the Student Council President, Jezrel Bugtas. The students then recited the ASMPH vision and mission statements, affirming their commitment to the ideals of the institution. The event concluded with the students taking their oath, pledging to uphold the values and responsibilities of an ASMPH student.

The significance of the Ritual of the Bell lingered in the minds of all present. This bell, which marked the beginning of their journey, will once again play a pivotal role at their graduation ceremony five years from now. It will symbolize the full circle they will have undergone, from aspiring students to accomplished graduates, ready to step into the world not just as exceptional physicians but as compassionate leaders, advocates for justice, and agents of positive change.

The Opening Ceremonies of ASMPH is more than just a formal event. It is a profound initiation into a journey that will test, transform, and ultimately define the students as Ignatian physician-leaders. As they move forward, the ringing of the bell will serve as a constant reminder of the commitments they have made and the noble profession they are preparing to enter.