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."

The "I-KMJS na ‘yan!" Vibe: Jessica Soho's Masterclass for Campus Journalists

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

When a broadcast legend like Jessica Soho takes the stage, you don’t just get a talk; you get a masterclass. At the National Schools Press Conference (#NSPC2025) in Ilocos Sur, campus journalists weren't just lectured—they were ignited. What happened when a veteran journalist met the next generation of storytellers? A dramatic convergence of "truth bombs, purpose checks, and all the vibes." It was a moment so powerful, it could only be described as, "I-KMJS na ‘yan!"

The AICFRBG of Journalism: A Seven-Point Manifesto

Jessica Soho didn't just share tips; she laid out the foundational pillars of her career, a seven-point manifesto for ethical and impactful journalism, which she encapsulated in the acronym AICFRBG:

Accuracy

Impact

Content

Fairness

Reading

Balance

Doing Good

Let's dive into these "truth bombs" that form the bedrock of a journalist's moral compass.

Accuracy: The Bedrock of the Profession

Soho didn't mince words. Accuracy is the "bedrock or foundation" of journalism. She stressed that a journalist must report what is genuinely true and verifiable. It's about facts, not fiction; data, not rumors. She warned against blindly trusting second-hand information or social media gossip, emphasizing the two-source rule and the necessity of confirmation from reputable sources. "First-hand information is gold," she declared, a resounding call for journalists to do the legwork and witness events themselves.

Impact: Telling Stories That Matter

Journalism isn't just about reporting; it's about making an impact. But this impact must be achieved with integrity. Soho cautioned against falling into the trap of sensationalism or tabloid journalism, which can manipulate facts for clicks and views. The goal is to tell a story "clearly and with impact," without resorting to exaggeration. The power of a story lies in its ability to move, inform, and inspire, not in its ability to shock.

Content: The Unquestionable Monarch

"Content will always be king or queen," Soho said, a timeless truth in an age of information overload. She reinforced a crucial principle she’s carried throughout her career: the story is the star, not the journalist. "Hindi tayo ang istorya. Ang istorya ang bida, hindi tayo." (We are not the story. The story is the protagonist, not us.) It’s a humbling reminder that journalists are merely conduits for stories that need to be told.

Fairness: Giving Every Story a Voice

In journalism, fairness isn't a suggestion; it's "gospel truth." A journalist’s sacred duty is to "always get the other side of the story, to give the other person a fair shake." When someone is accused, you must get their side of the story. You must listen to their perspective and their tale, because "each one of us has a story to tell." This commitment to fairness ensures a balanced and complete narrative.

Reading: The Journalist’s Lifeline

A journalist must be a curious and interested individual, and the only way to achieve this is through extensive reading. "You need to write, so you need to read. It's as basic and simple as that," Soho stated. Reading provides depth, knowledge, and a broader understanding of the world and its people. It is the fuel that powers a journalist's curiosity and the well from which they draw their insights.

Be Good and Do Good: The Ultimate Moral Compass

Finally, Soho left the young journalists with a powerful message that transcends the profession itself: Be Good and Do Good. This isn't just about professional ethics; it's a call to moral ascendancy. She implored them to criticize "on issues, not so much on personalities." This means no bullying, no name-calling, no below-the-belt attacks, and absolutely no spreading of fake news. "Being in media gives us some sense of moral ascendancy," she explained, emphasizing that journalists hold the "moral compass of the nation." It is a profound responsibility that demands a commitment to goodness.

Jessica Soho's masterclass was more than just a speech; it was a rallying cry. She didn't just teach the young journalists how to be better reporters; she showed them how to be better human beings. The message was clear: if you want to be a journalist, you must be a storyteller of truth, purpose, and passion. And with that, the next generation of storytellers was sent forth, equipped with a renewed sense of purpose and the unwavering spirit of "I-KMJS na ‘yan!"

Beneath the Asphalt: The Buried Truth Behind Metro Manila's Floods

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Let's delve deeper into this critical issue. The question of why our streets flood so easily goes beyond the simple answer of heavy rain. It's a dramatic story of human development clashing with the natural world, a narrative that affects millions of people and billions of pesos.

The Real Culprit: A River's Memory

The prevailing assumption is that floods are caused by clogged drains and relentless downpours. While these factors contribute to the problem, they are not the root cause. According to Dr. Mahar Lagmay, Executive Director of UP NOAH, the real reason is a matter of geography and urban planning. The most flood-prone streets are not random—they are located in areas that were historically natural waterways. "It was really a waterway, but we paved a street over it," he explains.

This means that every time it rains heavily, water naturally seeks out its original path. These paths, however, have been sealed by layers of asphalt and concrete, forcing the water to rise and overflow. Metro Manila, in particular, is an isthmus situated between Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay and lies on one of the Philippines' widest floodplains. It is home to a major river basin, the Marikina River Basin, and eight smaller sub-basins. The region's geography makes it naturally prone to flooding, a vulnerability that has been amplified by uncontrolled and rapid urbanization since the 1970s. This "urban sprawl" has covered natural ground that used to absorb rainwater, leaving the water with nowhere to go.

The Heavy Price of Urbanization

The consequences of this geographical oversight are staggering. The "urban flashfloods" that paralyze cities have a devastating economic impact. According to a 2017 study co-authored by Dr. Lagmay, the estimated daily economic loss due to traffic congestion from flooding in Metro Manila is up to Php 2.4 billion per day. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has long partnered with the Philippines to address this issue, recognizing that such frequent disasters are a major impediment to sustainable economic growth. Their projects, like the Manggahan Floodway, have been instrumental in mitigating damage, with one analysis showing an 80% reduction in damage during a major typhoon.

But the issue isn't just about economics; it's also about a century-old drainage system that is overwhelmed by modern development and is often clogged by garbage. The combination of these factors makes flooding inevitable, even with relatively short but intense rain events.

The Path Forward: Science, Technology, and Community

Despite the grim picture, there are actionable solutions. A study on "Street floods in Metro Manila" published in the Journal of Environmental Sciences outlines several key interventions:

Elevate Roads: Raise the elevation of streets that are in topographic low areas, especially where they intersect with creeks.

Improve Drainage: Design and build more effective drainage systems that can handle large volumes of water and direct them to the nearest stream channel.

Utilize Technology: Employ tools like Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and flood simulation to create accurate maps and models for more precise urban planning. This kind of technology helps engineers determine which roads are lower than the creeks and how to best manage water flow.

Complementing these structural changes are community-based initiatives. The Lyfsaver app, developed by the UP Resilience Institute and other partners, is a community-powered platform that allows people to report real-time hazards like floods and landslides. This crowdsourced data provides a more accurate picture of what's happening on the ground, enabling faster response times and better-informed decisions. It is a powerful example of how the public can be part of the solution, transforming a problem of geography into a problem of collective action.

In the end, the flooding on our streets isn't an act of nature, but a consequence of our choices. The solution lies not just in better engineering, but in a fundamental shift in perspective—recognizing and respecting the natural pathways of water that our concrete jungles have tried to erase.

Photo from the Market Monitor