By Ishia Eleanor F. Marquez
Far Eastern University (FEU) urged fourth-year Medical Technology (MedTech) students to champion compassion and patient-centered care as they wear their white coats and pins, officially recognizing them as MedTech interns during the White Coat Ceremony (WCC) 2026 held at the Main Auditorium earlier today, October 29.
With the theme ‘Beyond the Skies,’ the ceremony coated and pinned approximately 340 seniors according to MedTech Society, celebrating the journey that brought them closer toward their dream of becoming medical laboratory professionals.
Recalling his own FEU MedTech journey, Zafire Distributors, Inc. Head of Primary Care Cristopher Regala Dimapilis emphasized that aspiring healthcare practitioners must exemplify their core values in difficulties they may encounter.
“Darating ‘yung struggles, darating ‘yung challenges pero ‘yung grit, ‘yung compassion, at saka ‘yung integrity — ayun ‘yung mga bagay na kailangan i-uphold natin all throughout ng magiging career path niyo (The struggles and challenges will arrive but grit, compassion, and integrity — those are things that you will need to uphold throughout your chosen career paths),” he stated during his keynote speech.
Dimapilis further highlighted the crucial role MedTech interns have inside the laboratory for patient care.
“The patient may never know your name... but definitely, your work can still change their day... Behind every sample is a person, dapat i-treat mo siya as a person talaga because solely, nakadepende sa’yo ‘yung magandang pag-deliver ng results [nila] (Behind every sample is a person, you must treat it as if they are really a person, because solely, the proper delivery of their results depends on you),” he noted.
During her speech on the significance of the white coats and pins, Clinical Internship Coordinator and Associate Department Chair Ariane Laranang underlined the different challenges interns may face amid their duties, urging the seniors to remain grounded in their role for humanity.
“The healthcare setting can be challenging. You will meet patients who are afraid, families who are worried, and healthcare professionals who are working under pressure... In those moments, remember that behind every specimen is a person, a family, and a story,” she said.
Moreover, Laranang reminded the MedTech students of the perseverance that led them to this defining chapter of their college years.
“As your clinical instructor don your white coat, I hope you see more than just a piece of clothing... Let it remind you of the knowledge you have gained, the sacrifices you have made, and the dreams that brought you this far,” she expressed.
The associate chair also advised the coated and pinned interns to acknowledge the people who supported them throughout their journey, especially during days of hardship.
In an interview with FEU Advocate, fourth-year MedTech student Rhadia Ann Perez emphasized how the accessories bear the responsibilities of being an intern and the sacrifices her parents made throughout her journey.
“Hindi siya add lang sa aesthetic namin as a MedTech intern. Kumbaga kanina nabanggit na responsibility talaga siya ‘yung naka-wear ng white coat, especially with the pin pa. ‘Yung pin is parents kasi ‘yung nagpi-pin so, for me, parang ito ‘yung sacrifice nila and support throughout the journey namin (It is not just an aesthetic as MedTech interns. As mentioned earlier, it is a responsibility to wear this white coat especially with the pin. The pin was put on by our parents, so for me, this represents their sacrifice and support throughout our journey),” she said.
Despite the challenges she expects to encounter, Perez remains guided by her mentors’ advice to be rooted in empathy and remember the person behind every sample she tests.
“Nakaka-meet ako ng people na nagiging mentor ko na nagpapaalala sa akin na may empathy ka talaga dapat lagi at humanity. Lagi mo tatandaan na ‘yung specimen na pina-process mo is galing sa ibang tao na nagwo-worry about sa someone na loved ones nila (I have met people turned mentors, who remind me that you should always have empathy and humanity. You should always remember that the specimen you process is from someone that worries about their loved ones),” she expressed.
Looking back on the sacrifices she made throughout the years, MedTech senior Karlhene Lucina encouraged her juniors to persevere through the hardships of their academic journey, as it would eventually lead to fulfillment.
“Pagpatuloy niyo lang ‘yung journey niyo. It’s hard right now, palagi siyang hard, but ‘pag nandito na kayo sa year na ‘to, when you look back, mapapasabi kayo na: ‘Buti I stayed, buti I persevered’ (Continue your journey. It’s hard right now and it will always be hard, but once you reach this year, once you look back, you will get to say that: ‘I’m glad I stayed, I’m glad I perservered’),” she stated in a separate interview.
Following the recognition, MedTech seniors took their oath to formally affirm their commitment to their clinical duties.
The WCC is an annual event that officially recognizes fourth-year MedTech students as they embark on their internship — a crucial chapter toward becoming laboratory professionals.
Last August, FEU produced 113 newly registered Tamaraw medical technologists in the Medical Technologists Licensure Exam, yielding a 90.40-percent overall passing rate.
(Photo by Joshua Ramos/FEU Advocate)