“I am proud and totally blessed to be at this age”

CITY of BALANGA, Bataan – In celebration of this year’s Medicine Week last September 20-26 with the theme “One PMA, One Health, One Nation”, the Bataan Medical Society held a Fellowship Night last September 25 at the Lou-Is Restaurant, this City. The highlight of the Fellowship Night is the awarding of Doctor Emeritus Awards to the BMS/PMA members.

Emeritus members are those who, for at least 15 consecutive years, have been regular members and who, having reached the age of 65, are judged to have been worthy and meritorious members of the Association, are recommended by the component society to which they belong, and so confirmed by resolution of the Board. Emeritus members shall not be required to pay the usual membership and other fees of the Association, but shall continue to enjoy all the rights and privileges of regular members.

One of the Doctor Emeritus Awardees for 2015 is Cynthia P. Tuason-Guevarra, MD of Cupang Proper, this City.

Graduating on top of her class at the Ramon Magsaysay Elementary School, Quezon City in 1964, she took her Premed (Bachelor of Science in General Science) at the University of Santo Tomas in 1970 after finishing high school at E. Rodriguez High School in Quezon City in 1967.

In 1975, she acquired her Doctor of Medicine degree from the UERMMMC and her Post Graduate Medical Internship at the Ospital ng Maynila (1975-1976). In 1976, she passed the Physician Board of Licensure and started serving as Resident Physician at the Bataan Provincial Hospital the next year until 1979.

After graduating in her Residency Training in Internal Medicine at the JRRMH (1979-1983), she passed the DOH, Board of Medical Specialists, 1983. On the same year, she became the Bataan Provincial Hospital Chief of Clinics, a position she held till 2015.

In 1977, she became a happy June bride to Engr. Jessie E. Guevarra. Their union was blessed with three wonderful children, making her a joyful and beautiful mother to Jessica (and Vhal), Gabby and Jeremy.

Balancing her medical career and family life, Dr. Guevarra also became involved in various professional, religious and civic organizations like the Bataan Medical Society where she served as its President in 1987; Bataan Medical Women’s Association, President in 1988; PREX Bataan Organizer; President, Provincial Council for Mendicancy and Welfare of Children; President Provincial Blood Coordinating Council; Board Secretary, MuntingTahanan Apostolate Foundation; Board Treasurer, Philippine National Red Cross Bataan Chapter; Member, Girl Scout Council Bataan; and President, Soroptimist International of Bataan in 2002 where she was adjudged Outstanding President and Bataan as Outstanding Chapter.

The lady doctor is also a recipient of the following distinctions: Most Outstanding Physician of Bataan 1990; Papal Cross Awardee; Pro Eclesia Et Pontifice, 1997; Perpetually Professed Third order of Preacher (TOP); Bayaning Pilipino Awardee for Region 3 1995, by ABS-CBN, Ugat Foundation Ateneo; Human Rights Awardee for Region 3 by DILG 1999; Recipient, Gawad Karangalan “NatatangingBabae”, Region 3 by DILG, in Medical Field, 2003; and Ulirang Ina Awardee, 2003 by the National Ulirang Ina Foundation, Inc.

The multi-awarded doctor and mother is a Graduate, Masters in Hospital Administration, Ateneo de Manila Professional School and a Deans Lister, 2000. She is also a Fellow, Philippine Academy of Medical Specialist 1995; Fellow, Philippine Society of Medical Specialist, Inc. in the Government Service, 2013 and passed the Career Service Executive Eligibility, CESe 2000.

This lucky and doting grandma to Aspen and Stella Valerio has always lived by these tenets: “Education is my parents’ gift, my inheritance…to begin and sustain life”, “I am proud and totally blessed to be at this age”, The legacy inculcated by being an Emeritus, is the Wisdom of Faith, Love and Charity to the causes of the God Healer and Physician”, Service to other fellowmen, patients, respect for colleagues and preservation of the profession, are the foremost duties and breaths of life of a physician…All for the Glory of God.”

Dr. Cynthia Tuason-Guevarra, you are God’s gift to mankind. We at 1Bataan, wish you and your loved ones good health and continued happiness. Thank you very much for allowing us to get a glimpse of your exemplary life and learn from you as well. God bless you!.