"I remember feeling unprepared for my first remote mission in Laguna, knowing it would be my first time doing history taking and VS on a real patient. Although my main goal was to hone these skills in practice, that mission also made me see the "human" side of medicine from the stories that these patients would occasionally share with me; there's something endearing about getting to assist a mother seeking help for her toddler, or a construction worker who relies on free consultation programs for his routine check-up. As a student na madalas nag-ddoubt sa sarili sa classroom, nakaka-touch yung feeling kapag yung patients na mismo ang nag-eexpress ng appreciation sayo, even when I'd sometimes feel na maliit lang naman yung naging role ko during the mission :’)"

"One of my most memorable experiences as a student was being a part of UST Medical Missions, Inc. I had been fortunate enough to participate in three missions this year alone: Kadaupan (Mabitac, Laguna) 2025, Tulong Tomasino 2025, and Cabalantian 2025. Each mission impacted me in a difficult way to express in words."

"This was my first ever full blown medical mission and at first I was so nervous. I was half overthinking if I'm ready to serve the community and half excited to actually be out there. But when we got there, seeing the people lined up early in the morning, smiling when we passed by, and waiting for the mission to start, it was a different kind of feeling altogether. I never felt more proud that I chose to be in this field. Everyone was moving, we each had our part, and even though it was raining, it didn't matter. I saw that we were driven by the same need and want, to provide the people the medical help that they need. It wasn't smooth sailing, but my time with the patients will always stay with me. Their nonchalant stories about their concerning diseases, their grateful smiles, their warm reception of us despite the fast paced mission and just their presence itself. Some had to travel quite a distance, but instead of being tired, they were smiling when I talked to them. Who wouldn't smile back in that situation? The whole mission shifted my perspective, it was never about if I was ready or about me at all. Serving will always be, first and foremost, centered on the patients. I'm grateful for MMI for giving me the chance to experience that and for my seniors who guided me all throughout. "

"My experience with MMI truly keeps on becoming core memories. 

As an aspiring first-generation doctor, my journey toward that goal has often been filled with waves of exhaustion and doubt. However, partaking in the medical missions of MMI has always grounded me in remembering my "WHY?"

These medical missions have given me many firsts—my first scrub in a minor surgery, my first time in triage and history taking, and the chance to practice skills I had only read about in our textbooks. Yet beyond the procedures and newly acquired knowledge, nothing beats the experience of interacting with patients because it reminded my of WHO I am doing this for. Conversing with them and listening to their stories reminded me that Medicine is not only about the science, but also about the people who need our compassion, respect, and genuine care.

Hence, there truly are a lot of things one can learn beyond the four walls of the classroom. Missions like these reinforce the lessons taught in classes, but they also teach values that cannot be measured by exams—humility, patience, openness, and empathy. Above all, it reminded me the true essence of Medicine, and I'm so glad to experience it with MMI."

"I learned the flow of medical missions and most importantly, I learned just how important it is to reach people in far communities and offer them medical assistance. I really enjoyed being able to help the doctors that I assisted, and from them, I learned many things that I wish to put into action in any future medical endeavors. Through this mission, I realized that the wish to serve has always been deeply embedded in me, and from then on out, I wanted to help and reach more people through the future missions to come. "

"My first mission was a consultation mission in a quite secluded place. I saw so many people waiting for hours just to receive medical attention, that was when I realized that public healthcare probably doesn't reach them at all. Medical missions must also be a rare occurrence for them which is why they endured long lines just to get checked out and receive medications. I also assisted a pedia doctor and learned how to use z-score charts and an otoscope.

My second mission was a tuli mission and that was when I faced my deep fear of blood and pain. At first I almost passed out from hearing the screams of young patients in pain, but with guidance and support from senior MMI members, I got to learn how to perform circumcision, and at the same time, I got to conquer my fear of surgery for the first time."