Cebuana in Manila lands 6th in NLE Nursing topnotcher wants to be ‘barrio doc’

CEBU, Philippines - Not only nine, but ten Cebuanos made it to the top ten of the recent 2013 Nursing Licensure Examination.

Dena Mae Amor Desabille was born and raised in Mandaue  City but studied at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Manila for her nursing degree. She landed in the top six with a rating of 85.60.

She is now taking up medicine in Cebu and wants to serve the community.

“Gusto ko mamahimong doctor sa barrio. Mao na akong gusto, gi-pray na nako. (I want to be a barrio doctor. I am praying for that.) I want to achieve the doctors without borders scenario. That doctors should be there for those who really needed our help,” Desabille said.

The 20-year old Cebuana told The Freeman that landing in the top ten was unexpected because she only wished and asked God that she will pass the exams. Landing in the top is just a bonus, according to Desabille.

“I am thankful and blessed. Unexpected gyud siya kay akong gi-pray ni God nga gusto makapasar lang pero kung iyang itugot nga maaapil ko sa top, pabunos na to Niya. Akong gi-think pod nga sa among batch naa pa gyuy mas better, (It was unexpected because all I prayed was for God to let me pass the exams but topping it was His bonus. I kept thinking there are some in our batch who are even better),” Desabille told The Freeman yesterday.

Desabille’s father is from Bantayan Island but they are living in Mandaue City now. She graduated high school salutatorian at the Mandaue City Science High School and graduated elementary with honors at the Colegio dela Inmaculada Concepcion (CIC)-Mandaue.

She was also a scholar in UP under the Ten Outstanding Public Schools Students of the Philippines in 2009. She was the only one from the Visayas included in the top ten. She was also the president of Young Empowered Advocates towards Responsive Nursing in UP-Manila and a College of Nursing representative to the University Student Council.

“Being a part of this year’s NLE topnotchers is a big step for the purpose I was made for. Thank you for rejoicing with me in this period of overwhelming grace. I’d like to thank you in advance for the support as I continue to struggle to make an indelible mark in the world. There is joy in my heart as I work towards that goal. Thank you for being a reason for such joy,” Desabille stated in her Facebook account on the day the results was released.

Desabille attended a review center along with her batch and a week before the examinations, had a vacation in Cebu with her friends.

“Nagbakasyon pa gani mi sa Cebu a week before the exam. We are enjoying the days before the examination, we believe that foundation of education in the four years in college is more than enough and the review serves as a refresher,” Desabille said.

To recall, Beverly Anne Balagon of Velez College ranked first in the recent NLE with a score of 87 percent along with other Velez College topnotchers including Romelyn Icot (sixth with 85.60 percent), Nikki Nathasia Javier (seventh with 85.40 percent), and Shiela Heruela and Kyzia Ann Kintanar (tenth with 84.80 percent).

Completing the Cebuano topnotchers were Sherry Mae Manzanares Ampil of CNU and Rejenne Gulfan Sotes of CDU who shared eighth place with 85.20 percent and Guada Fe Marie Jore Mercado and Mariann Stephanie Brillantes Rosales, both from CNU, who were at ninth spot with 85 percent.

Barrio doctor

Desabille is currently taking up medicine at the Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) and is planning to specialize in cardiology or community medicine.

 â€œI want to become a doctor because I wanted to be of service to the people, not only to treat them but also to bring hope to them, to take care of them and to let them feel nga wala sila gipabayaan,” she said.

“Ang akong na-learn from nursing to taking up medicine and which also serve as my advocacy is that patients are humans worthy to be taken care of and not only to be cured,”  she added.

Instead of studying in Manila, she studied at CIM because she believes that it is one of the best medicine schools in the Philippines.

“I studied medicine here because aside from having a great school, I can also bond with my family. So it’s the best of both worlds for me,” she said.

She is planning to practice her profession here in the Philippines. She was inspired to take up community medicine when they were exposed to the community in Batangas during her senior years.

Pro-RH

Desabille is an active member of UP-Manila’s Student Council as a College of Nursing representative. She is one of those who submitted a position paper in support of the RH Bill, now RH Law.

 â€œPro-RH mi kay based sa among nabasa, mo-focus siya sa pag educate sa women on reproduction and the women’s contribution and taught on how to do family planning. Mo-benefit siya sa women as well as to the children and family,” said Desabille.

She has a counter-argument on the point that RH Law promotes abortion. “Dili siya mo-promote og abortion, it gives women options, it is more on contraception. It promotes education to women, to take responsibility of their body,” said Desabille.

“If anti-RH are pro-life advocates then for me, ang pro-RH are pro-quality of life advocates. Since planned ang pagbuhat sa children, so the parents can give quality of life to these children being raised,” Desabille said.

On government spending money for something else and not just contraceptives, Desabille said the impact of the law is not only for the present but also for the future.

“In terms of that, ang money sa atong government naka-allocate na na, the problem is not on the allocation, either. Ang iyang (RH Law) impact is not only at present but also for the future. It’s about time nga tagaan ni og focus sa government nato. Ang katong mga dili ka-afford, dapat tutokan sila sa government to have access to these (contraceptions),” said Desabille. —(FREEMAN)