RP Hugs Limelight as Two Pinoy MDs Graduate in Cuba
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The Philippines hugged the limelight as two Filipinos graduated as new medical doctors in Ciego de Avila,
Cuba. The new Filipino doctors are Herbert M. Baguiza of Antipolo City and Robert M. Corpuz of Cabanatuan
City.
The two were among 75 new doctors representing some 40 foreign countries who graduated from the Institute
of Medicine in Ciego de Avila after six years of study.
Philippine Ambassador to Cuba Dr. MacArthur F. Corsino went on the 500-kilometer, seven-hour trip by bus
from Havana to Ciego to attend the graduation ceremony. The Ambassador was one of the guests of honor
which included Ciego de Avila government and party officials and top school officials.
In his remarks, Ambassador Corsino expressed appreciation for the Cuban program of providing free but
high-quality medical education to needy students from less-developed countries. He said it was an effective
instrument for building friendship on the people-to-people level in international relations. He noted that there
are 30,000 foreign students from developing countries enrolled in various branches of knowledge all over
Cuba.
Dr. Baguiza and Dr. Corpuz also received citations for academic excellence and awards for their contribution to
the cultural life of Ciego de Avila. They capped their years of participation in Ciego festivities with a stirring
rendition of Guantamera, a song of Cuban origin.
Under the Cuban system, medical students must pass intensive exams equivalent to board exams after
completing all required courses and thus become doctors of medicine upon graduation.
The foreign students usually arrive in Cuba with no knowledge of Spanish but soon master the language after
six months of study as initial part of their program. Dr. Corpuz assisted the Philippine Ambassador in
translating portions of his message into Spanish. In his speech, Corsino added he hoped more Filipinos
would avail of the scholarships offered to them by the Cuban government. END
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