It is often difficult for a high school student to choose what course to take for college. Often, you choose the same course as that of your circle of friends. This happened to me 21 years ago. I ended up getting into Accountancy because it was the course taken up by my friends. However, I soon realized that I would not want to spend the entire day sitting in front of a computer or ledger. I wanted to help others in another way. That was when I started looking for a course that I really wanted, something I could be passionate about. I thought about my aunts who finished radiologic technology and decided to look for a university that offered the program. To my dismay, many of the universities I found were in Metro Manila. Fortunately, I stumbled upon the Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas. At the back of the university’s brochure was a list of board topnotchers which included those under radiologic technology. This convinced me that this university would be a good place to build a strong foundation for my career as a future radiologic technologist.
During my first two years in the university, I was able to meet and socialize with other students since freshmen and sophomore years from different programs. There were classes spent with students taking up nursing, medical technology, dentistry, and physical therapy. Classes were efficient and conducive for learning because the laboratories in the College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP) have adequate equipment. Our Internship was also a great learning opportunity because the university is affiliated with several hospitals. The college helped me decide which hospitals to have my internship so I completed this in Mary Mediatrix Medical Center at Lipa City, Batangas Medical Center (formerly Batangas Regional Hospital) at Batangas City, and Philippine Orthopedic Center at Quezon City. In these hospitals, I was able to put into practice the knowledge I gained through the help of my professors in CAMP. LPU Batangas helped me build a solid foundation to be able to be at par with radiologic technology interns from other universities.
I took and passed the board exam immediately after finishing my internship and graduating. I applied for work in various hospitals in Batangas and Metro Manila. Because of the values and strong academic background from CAMP, I was able to get a position at Makati Medical Center, one of the biggest hospitals in the country. I worked as a radiation therapist, CT scan technologist, and MRI technologist at various points of my career in the hospital. These gave me opportunities to apply the things I’ve learned, to associate and socialize with coworkers and patients and perform my tasks to the best of my abilities. After a few years, I was promoted as team leader of the MRI section of the Radiology Department. I was also trusted with the task of handling the training program of radiologic technology students from Dela Salle Health Science Institute – Dasmariñas Cavite, Medical Colleges of Northern Philippines – Tuguegarao City, Manila Adventist College – Pasay City, Family Clinic Colleges – Manila, St. Jude College – Manila and Perpetual Help College University – Las Pinas City. This was an opportunity for me to help students as my university has helped me.
In 2015, I decided to move back to Batangas to work at the Batangas Medical Center. It was there that I continued to improve myself to further my career in radiologic technology. During my first year in the hospital, I was assigned as Intern Coordinator for the radiologic technology students. I was able to handle students from LPU- St. Cabrini, Calayan Medical Education Foundation Inc., and LPU Batangas. It was another opportunity to share the knowledge I gained from my years in LPU Batangas and my experiences as a professional radiologic technologist. I was also assigned as MRI Section Head at the newly established MRI center of the Batangas Medical Center. In the last quarter of 2020, I was awarded as Best Employee of the Ancillary Division of the Batangas Medical Center – the first time a radiologic technologist received this award. It was the lessons and values inculcated in me by the professors at LPU Batangas that helped me continue to pursue growth in my career. This September 2021, I was promoted to Radiologic Technologist V, the highest position for radiologic technology in government hospitals in the country. This achievement would not have been possible without everything I’ve learned from LPU. If not for the strong foundation from my years in the university, I would not have been able to be at par with my colleagues be it in Metro Manila or Batangas. This is especially true as I begin a new chapter in my career as a member of the Radiation Oncology Department of the Batangas Medical Center.
I am eternally grateful to my Alma Mater, for instilling in me lessons and values that helped me build a strong foundation and continually improve. More than the academic knowledge I’ve gained, it is the life lessons I’ve learned that helped mold me as a person who is ready to face the challenges of life that I am truly thankful for. #ButiNalangNagLyceumAko
Paul Jefferson J. Manalo, RRT, MPA
Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology/ Batch 2005
Master in Public Administration
Department Manager, Radiation Oncology Department
Radiologic Technologist V
Batangas Medical Center
Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City
Best Employee 2020, Ancillary Division, BatMC
