Dr. Eric Chua (蔡炳輝) of CKS high school batch 1994 is affiliated with the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (崇仁醫院) since 2012, the National Kidney and Transplant Institute since 2012, and the Philippine Heart Center since 2017. He is currently working as an Internist/Nephrologist and also Training Officer of the Nephrology section under the Department of Internal Medicine at the Chinese General Hospital.

During this COVID crisis, his work includes taking care of his maintenance hemodialysis patients who needs to be dialyzed twice or thrice a week, and receiving referrals to be part of the medical team managing critically ill COVID patients in CGHMC and NKTI for both private and charity patients. As a training officer, he prepares the plan to ensure that the Nephrology fellows-in-training are properly protected from virus exposure and that they remain healthy, have enough rest, while continuing to teach them thru online lectures regarding Nephrology. As the assistant head of hemodialysis unit in Philippine Heart Center, he has to boost the morale of their hemodialysis nurses and clerical staff doing daily Hemodialysis treatment, and ensure their safety as well.

He pointed out to some challenges encountered during this COVID crisis, foremost of which is the closure of outpatient clinics. Due to this, he resorted to online consultation and prescription to his OPD patients. He also strictly advised his vulnerable patients, especially those who had kidney transplants, not to go out of their house to prevent them from getting infected.

Having studied at CKS College for 12 years from 1982 to 1994, he always follows the principles of 禮義廉恥 in his practice of medical profession. Applying it to his profession, it means

禮 - Respecting all people regardless of race (Filipino, Chinese, Muslim, Rich or poor).

義 - Doing what is right and what he has sworn for when he became a physician.

廉 - Maintaining his integrity without compromising other people’s health.

恥 - Being ashamed of himself If he committed some mental mistake.

Doc Eric mentioned that he maintains his being a "堂堂的中正人" in every thing he does as a physician and as a mentor to younger doctors in training. He also puts in practice the importance of leadership during these trying times, stepping up to motivate the young doctors in training and protect the other healthcare workers from harm in his own little way. Doc Eric also applies the value of unity (團結心) during these times because he believes it is the key to humanity's survival in this pandemic.

Like other medical practitioners, Eric and his wife, also a doctor, decided to live separately from his 90 year old dad and 80 year old mom and his 2 adorable kids for fear of bringing home the virus from the hospitals. He misses holding his kids, which he avoids doing until such time the curve is flatten and the virus is controlled. His morale also gets down everytime he hears young doctors, fellows, and colleagues die or get infected with COVID-19. Add to that, he admits getting frustrated hearing supoosedly educated people not being able to follow simple ECQ rules, because he knows one simple violation can have detrimental results to other people. He is also worried about the possibility of a second wave and how such will result in wasted effort for the past two months, eventually overwhelming the whole healthcare system.

We gave Doc Eric the opportunity to deliver a short message, to which he said: "We only have one life. If we lose it, we can't get it back. Money and economy can be recovered. It's time for us to be selfless, we, CKS College graduates, should do our best to help the poor and unfortunate people. I am so proud of our alumni‘s effort in helping the city of Manila feed the poor. I consider all healthcare workers as our last line of defense, not as first line, because the best way to beat this invisible enemy is to stop its spread by staying at home. If we can't follow this simple rule, the healthcare system will be overwhelmed. We, doctors, can't take care of everybody. Lastly, I would also like to thank my batchmates and my colleague, Dr. Abbie Sim, for providing us some PPE and masks, your help is highly appreciated. May God bless us all!"

Dr. Eric Chua, you are truly a pride and honor of our alma mater, Chiang Kai Shek College!

Kevin Aldrich Rillon Melchor, M.D. (陳啟民) of CKS high school batch 2009 is a first year General Surgery Resident at the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, where he also had his internship since 2018.

As a resident doctor, his regular day would normally be doing hospital rounds on more than a hundred patients and scheduling a number of surgical procedures. However since the COVID 19 pandemic began, admissions and operations were restricted only to emergency cases due to lack of bed capacity, hospital personnel, medical supplies and proper PPEs. During surgical procedures, all members of the medical team must observe strict safety precaution to avoid self-harm and contamination. Knowing all the risks, he and his fellows still need to continue saving lives of those who needed medical and surgical treatment.

Doc Kevin reiterates the adage that prevention is better than cure. As such, he believes that wearing masks and proper handwashing are the simplest, yet most effective means of preventing disease transmission. Beyond that, he takes several multi-vitamins to boost his immune system, wears scrub suit instead of the usual medical coat or blazer to prevent further contamination and spread, and wears full PPE before attending to any patient considered as PUI or PUM.

And to prevent possible disease transmission, he has also opted to stay at a separate apartment, far from his loved ones, even if it would mean missing their companies. This, to him, is the hardest side of his job nowadays - not to be able to come home, eat, and enjoy moments with his parents, brothers, and relatives. But the passion and desire to help and treat is what keeps him going each and everyday.

Once a scout, always a scout. Doc Kevin bravely faces all challenges and takes pride in being of service to all patients who needed their medical attention.

Thanking the entire CKS College family for doing their share in the fight against COVID-19, Doc Kevin has a very short, but straight forward message to all his fellow CKSians, and he said: "God bless us all."

Likewise, we wish you the same, Dr. Kevin Aldrich R. Melchor. God bless you always!

We've been thanking our alumni in the medical front from here and abroad, as well as military personnel and socio-civic minded volunteers who are in the forefront of this war against the COVID-19 pandemic. Our story today looks into another industry - the food chain industry, where our featured alumni has been working over the past two decades.

Weldon C. Valenzuela (莊峻龍) of CKS high school batch 1995 and college batch 1999 is the assistant store manager of Landmark Supermarket at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City, where he has been working right after graduating from college, spanning 21 years of dedicated and loyal service with the popular supermarket.

Work is complicated for a supermarket administrator like Weldon nowadays. For one, there is lack of manpower as only 40% of their employees are able to report for work due to lack of transportation and others, for fear of personal health and safety. Also, maintaining the supermarket's ideal stock level is nearly impossible, because most manufacturers and food suppliers are also challenged in their production and logistics, again due to limited manpower.

Though not a medical frontliner, he strictly observes the new normal safety protocols such as wearing of face mask and thorough washing of hands every now and then. On a personal note, he takes vitamins to boost his immune system. Every morning, he takes time to have his private moment with God, praying for the Almighty One to cover him with His protection before he goes to work.

A caring manager, he reminds his counter personnel, baggers, and other supermarket personnel to always wear face mask and face shield, to disinfect supermarket areas per designated time schedule, and to stay home when they feel sick. He also leads them in prayer before they start their operation.

A true-blue CKSian who studied at our alma mater from preschool to college, Weldon learned from the school how to be organized and the right attitude of giving his 101% commitment in whatever he does. These two traits has helped him become a better workplace leader, especially in these times of crisis. Nowadays with the high volume of people going to Landmark Supermarket to buy essentials and other commodities, Weldon has been constantly thinking of ways on how to keep things organized, helping customers get what they need while observing the ECQ guidelines set by the government. He also needs to put double effort in sustaining the stocks by constantly making sure inventory is enough and supplies are delivered.

Weldon's exemplary feat as a food chain industry executive, with or without the COVID-19 pandemic, is a source of pride and honor for all CKSians. And he has only inspirational words for his fellow alumni, when he said: "In this time of crisis, there is nobody who is not affected by this pandemic; not even the rich, the intelligent, the powerful, and the influential people. It actually affects all walks of life. We have nowhere to go but to seek and call upon the name of God because He cares for us and He is in control of everything. I hope after this pandemic, we are all better persons because God molded our character and we got closer to Him."

"Let us show support to our frontliners by sharing words of encouragement to them and thanking them for their hard work and let us not forget to pray for them as well.", he added.

You make us proud, Weldon Valenzuela. Keep up the good work!

A helpful student even during her high school days, Cely Sy (蔡琳琳) of high school batch 2010 donated instant meals, rice, and noodles to frontliners in Cavite, Parañaque and other areas of Metro Manila. Cely is co-owner of Patagonia Foods Corporation, the maker of Kenkobei products which sells ready-to-eat, instant heating rice meals and instant Chaofan in the market.

Thank you for showing the Bayanihan spirit, Cely!

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”Mahatma Gandhi

After graduating from CKS high school in 2011, Nathaniel L. Hui migrated to the United States of America the following year, where he completed his Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and eventually passed his nursing licensure examination. He worked at the Aviara Healthcare in San Diego, California for years before moving to the Los Angeles Community Hospital last February 2020, where he is currently assigned to its COVID-19 unit.

The hospital where he is currently employed takes great measure in protecting its frontliners by providing adequate PPEs. And because Nathaniel works with patients who are either COVID-19 positive or possibly infected, he makes sure to wear a surgical mask on top of the N95 mask and face shield, practice hand hygiene and properly don his PPE after each shift. Outside of work, he eats a healthy diet, takes vitamins, gets enough rest, and takes walks during days off. While knowing that these extra steps are somehow tedious, Nathaniel still does them diligently to protect himself from contracting the virus.

In his many formative years at CKS College, Nathaniel learned to uphold such values as selflessness, resilience, and integrity. Although physically and mentally taxing, he considers being a nurse as a fulfilling, noble profession, with or without COVID virus.

Mabuhay, Nathaniel! Continue doing your share in this battle against the COVID-19 virus.