The Interview

It's been three years.

Back when Roxas Hall was yellow.

Three years, since four strangers from different places and walks of life met at the huge, dimly lit Room 201. They had sets of intelligent yet probing eyes positioned at them, waiting for them at the very end of that hall.

Enter Ed, Lou, Anj, and Dan. They were among three other people who just entered that same room. All seven of them were directed to sit in the chairs in front of those waiting for them at the end of the room, which was the only part illuminated.

It felt like an interrogation, kind of like those you see in the movies.

Then, it began.

Room 201.

A slew of questions began to cut through the air, thick with tension. The questions were not all similar. Many of them actually strange for the occasion, but all seven interviewees managed to utter responses for any sent their way.

"What church do you go to?" 

"Who is your favorite composer, and why?"  

"What do you do on your free time?"

"Why travel all the way here?"

"What if we don't accept you? What will you do?" 

For that last question, one of them realized that she really wanted this. It's funny how a certain question awakens one's desires in life. Some people may say that her answer was too cheesy, even obsequious, but it was obvious that she meant it.

"If I don't get accepted this year... I will come back next year, and I will apply again."

Then, came another tough question.

"What if a less fortunate person, with the same dreams and aspirations as you, loses the spot to you. Will you give it up for that person?"

She didn't even think twice.

"If I get the spot, doesn't that mean that I deserve it more than the other person?"

It was a rhetorical question. Anj wondered if she should've answered differently. Maybe she came on a bit strong. Maybe a bit too strong. Maybe. Her answer seemed a bit heartless, but she answered it off the top of her head.

No it wasn't heartless, it was honest.

It's been almost three years since that day, and on this very day, Ed, Lou, Anj, and Dan saw each other wearing their senior year/internship uniforms for the first time. (They've been assigned to different places lately.)

All four of them answered the questions with the best of their abilities, three years ago. They were part of the second batch of interviewees for 2011. A smaller percentage of the 110 accepted annually, usually comes from the second batch, and nobody gets wait-listed.

You can imagine the emotions felt the day they knew they were accepted.

They now just finished three years of adjusting, learning the ropes, studying (A LOT), crying, and taking it one day at a time. Now they're on to their last and final year. They've been interview-mates, to classmates, to belonging to the same rotations in internship. All four will get to treat the same patients, walk the same floors, and continue to learn from each other. (They're all very different people, so this should be interesting. Haha)

Anj in particular, does not consider herself the smartest, but you know what they say... Nothing is held back from a person who really wants something, and does what he or she can about it.

As you've all figured out, that Anj, is myself. Hello!

People will criticize you, dislike you, and even hurt you. It doesn't matter. Just do you what you have to do. You may fail here and there, but pull yourself up! Don't get carried away, and don't give up. It's bound to get more difficult, but we shouldn't care. I'm anxious about entering the wards, but I can't give up now. I consider this as my personal act of worship to God.

It's been fun and amazing. We're blessed to be here.


Go reach for your dreams!
-Ella :)


PS. By any chance that you're interviewing for West Visayas State University (WVSU) College of Medicine this year, make sure that this is what you really want, and show it! There are way too many things you'd have to give up for this, so think twice before proceeding. Fight for your purpose in life. God bless you!