BMAP BioAlumni Forum
Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it. - Greg Anderson
As a Biology major, I would often wonder what comes after? I mean, I went to Bio to become a doctor and I guess it's not only me. Majority of all Bio majors out there have that in mind because they do not know what other opportunities their Biology diploma could offer. But this event took place and I was indeed enlightened!
The greatest show on earth is back and better than ever. Attend Biology Majors Alliance of the Philippines' 2nd annual Alumni Forum on Saturday, February 23, 2013 8:00am - 12:00nn at the University of the East Conference Hall, have fun, and be aware of the possible career opportunities that await you after graduation. The talk features four successful biology majors in different careers: Jan Denton A. Chua, MD, MBA CEO/President HB Calleja National Heart Institutes Jun Ryan Orbina, M.S. Communication Officer and Science Research Specialist Research Institute for Tropical Medicine Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro, Ph.D. Professor University of Santo Tomas
#1: BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
Have you watched the movie The Outbreak? Before this seminar I haven't but right after settling home, I downloaded it and got way too inspired just like Mr. Orbina to get into biomedical research. Watch it will you??? ☺ So what exactly does he do?
After having his Molecular Biology and Biotechnology degree from the University of the Philippines - Diliman, he got a job offering at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) where he was exposed to all sorts of pathogens with rabies as his specialty. He was one of the frontliners when the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) hit the globe back in 2003 and was part yet again in the AH1N1 and Swine Flu outbreaks. They deal with the epidemiology of the disease and develop a system on managing and containing the spread. They also develop or import drugs that are needed. Having an additional masters degree in Public Health from the University of the Philippines - Manila, he continues to exert tremendous efforts in managing the rabies laboratory, perfecting his research skills and methods, increasing his networking and crisis communication prowess, and surviving emotional breakdowns brought by frustrations within his field (contaminated plates☺).
He certainly learned a lot of things! - what an inspiring talk indeed!
With Mr. Jun Orbina
#2: RESEARCH IN MOLECULAR SYSTEMATICS
For the next speaker, BMAP invited a systematist in the form of the one and only Dr. Gracebio Alejandro! It was quite an overwhelming talk considering all that he has attained at the age of 30!
He has this 5-year goal rule where he visions something and he makes that real in a span of 5 years! And now he is a well-traveled and well-funded researcher in the field of molecular phylogenetics. He is an Alexander von Humboldt Society member and has traveled across Europe for his biodiversity researches. He also leads a group of students in the University of Santo Tomas that facilitates Plant DNA Barcoding. What he emphasized in his talk was that biologists must not think that research in NOT BANKABLE and being a researcher equates to low income because it is not true! A lot of institutions are more than willing to fund novel and ingenious researches that help the Filipinos and the environment. So what are his secrets? PERSEVERANCE, DETERMINATION and FLEXIBILITY!
#3: BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
The last speaker was kind of in a different field this time. Instead of dealing with 'science' per se he instead focused on 'technology'. After realizing that he wasn't meant to be a doctor, Mr. Jan Denton Chua found his niche as an entrepreneur of things close to the heart. He focused on cardiovascular care and introduced the 'Health Cube' to he market. He opened the HB Calleja Center for Cardiovascular Technology and still sort of practiced what he learned from medical school because his business is not too far from what he studied! The lesson I got here was to not push yourself too hard into loving something that isn't really working out for you. We have our own callings and what suits your classmate doesn't necessarily applies to you! Know your interests and start from there. And as what Mr. Chua had said, "Connect the dots backward, not forward."
My primary question before and after still stands - how do I really really really know that this is the path that I should be taking? What if I choose the left road where the right one was actually THE ONE? What if there is no turning back? What if I get stuck in the middle and I can see no light by the end of the tunnel? (Okaaaay, so I may be a little over dramatic in here but I am serious!) The speakers would say that we WILL COMMIT MISTAKES and it is INEVITABLE, we just need to NOT freeze and continue on the journey because maybe, just maybe... there is that little hope that everything will turn out to be just alright - sometimes even sweeter - and all those worries were not needed after all.
The master of ceremonies, BMAP heads and the speakers.
But of course, my friend Mau and I wouldn't let the day pass without throwing some outfit shots in University of the East being it the first time we went there.
Now, I just have to take that little step and a leap of faith to get where I should be. Join my journey, will you?
