Beyond the White Coat: Atom Araullo's Call to Action for the Next Generation of Filipino Doctors

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a powerful and poignant address at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine's 116th Recognition Rites, multi-awarded broadcast journalist Atom Araullo challenged the graduating Class of 2025 to re-examine the very definition of a "good doctor." Araullo's message transcended the traditional boundaries of a commencement speech, urging the future medical leaders to confront the systemic issues plaguing the Philippine healthcare system and society at large.

The core of Araullo's message was a dramatic and compelling call to look beyond the confines of the hospital walls. He began by acknowledging the immense contribution doctors already make, stating, "By becoming a doctor, you already make a direct contribution to our nation's health." However, he quickly posed a challenging question: "But is being a good doctor good enough?"

Araullo’s words painted a vivid picture of the harsh realities facing Filipino patients. He directly tackled the issue of inequality, a problem that is particularly stark in the Philippines. "In the Philippines," he declared, "access to the best medical care is largely determined by one thing: money." He didn't shy away from the gravity of this statement, adding, "That should disturb us." He implored the medical graduates to not only be disturbed but to act, positioning them as "future leaders in the medical profession" with the "power, and responsibility, to ask why that is so. And more importantly, what can be done about it."

This call to action was not merely an abstract ideal but a deeply personal and human one. Araullo reminded the graduates that they would be meeting their patients "on the worst day of their lives." In these moments of profound vulnerability, he emphasized the power of compassion. "Even a small act of compassion, a few extra minutes to explain a diagnosis, a look of reassurance, a hand on the shoulder, can mean the world." He underscored this point with a powerful thought: "To your patients, you are the system. What they feel from you, they will feel from the world."

The journalist’s address culminated in a stirring challenge to become a force for transformation. He praised the extraordinary nature of being a good doctor, but challenged them to aim higher. "If you also choose to confront the larger realities that shape your patient’s lives: poverty, inequality, injustice, then you become something even more powerful." That something, he passionately concluded, is "a force for transformation."

Araullo's speech was a reminder that the world doesn't need more "experts who look away." It needs "professionals who show up, speak out, and stay when things get hard." He highlighted that the journey ahead would demand courage, not just brilliance. It would require "heart" in addition to "skill."

As the Class of 2025 steps boldly into the next chapter of their lives, Araullo's words will undoubtedly resonate. His challenge serves as a powerful reminder that the country needs a new kind of doctor—one who is not just a healer of the body, but a champion for a healthier, more just society. He left them with a final, unequivocal message: "That is the kind of Filipino the country deserves."

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