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- Doctor Nico Ronquillo shared his thoughts and realizations upon finally reaching his dreams.
- He said that everything happened because of the support of his hardworking mother and late grandmother.
- Even though he encountered many hurdles, he still pushed through and went on with his journey.
“Hindi po ako makapaniwala nung una ko pong nalaman,” John Nico Ronquillo said when Dailypedia asked him how he felt when he saw his name on the list of Physician Licensure Examinations passers. “Kasi po yun na yung katuparan ng pangarap ko po na matagal ko ng ipinagdadasal.”
If his name seems familiar, then you have probably heard of his—and his mom’s—touching story. His 55-year-old mom raised Nico on her own as she left his father when she found out that he had another family.
Being a single mom, she had to pay for all of their expenses by earning money selling fish. Nico said that his mother would usually work at least 12 hours at the market.
But why did he decide to become a doctor in the first place? He answered that it was all because of his grandmother who had Nasopharyngeal Cancer.
“Bata pa lang po ako pangarap ko na ang maging doktor o kaya lawyer. I decided to pursue medicine nung time na nadiagnose po yung Lola ko ng Nasopharyngeal Cancer. Si Lola po kasi yung gustong gusto ako maging Doktor. Nagpromise po ako sa kanya na isasama ko po siya sa stage of grumaduate ako. Hindi na po nangyari dahil nga po nawala na siya,
“Kahit po nung maysakit na siya, sumusulat pa po siya ng prayer requests tapos Lagi po nakalagay na ‘sana maging Doktor po si John‘ kaya din po tlaga ako nagpursige.”
When asked about the struggles that he encountered when he was still a student, he redirected us to a lengthy post that he made when he graduated.
In the post, he stated that he had to work several jobs, and, at one point, even postpone his schooling because of his grandmother’s death.
The same grandmother who urged him to continue his dream of becoming a doctor. While trying to earn back the money he gave for his grandmother’s hospital bills, he used this time to take care of his grieving mother.
“Yung naipon kong pera para sa susunod na taon ko sa medisina ay ginamit muna para sa lola ko. Dahil mas uunahin ko ang taong nagalaga sa akin higit sa ano pa mang bagay. Ako na din ang nag-alaga sa kanya sa bahay habang nilalalabanan niya ang kanyang karamdaman. Makalipas ang ilang buwan, sumakabilang buhay na ang aking lola, noon ay hindi ko alam san magsisimula. Masakit ang kanyang pagkawala ngunit kailangan ko magpatuloy,” his Facebook post read.
“Muli nagdesisyon akong tumigil sa pag-aaral para makapagfocus ako sa pag-aalaga sa aking nanay para mas mabilis syang makarecover,”
From selling soap and lotion to being a data analyst at one health system company, he endured it all just to get back on track. He asked his school for some help, and luckily, they understood and gave him the chance to sell snacks to earn just a bit more money.
And now that he has conquered all and reached his dream of becoming a doctor, Nico said that they haven’t found the time to formally celebrate yet. But upon seeing his name on the list, the first thing that he did was hug his mom and cried with her while they reminisced about all the challenges went through.
“Una ko pong ginawa nun ay niyakap ko po si mama… Nagiyakan po kami habang binabalikan po namin lahat nung pinagdaanan namin. Nitong mga nagdaang araw po, bumalik po ako sa St. Jude, Quiapo, at Baclaran church para po magpasalamat. Doon po kasi ako nagpunta before the exams.”
To all the students who are going through tough situations just to finish their studies, Doc Nico has a simple message for you: “Ang pangarap ay mananatiling pangarap kung hindi mo ito susubukan,
“Gaano man katagal ang journey, mararating mo rin Ito sa tamang panahon At pagkakataon basta wag kang titigil.
“Anuman yung humadlang sa pangarap mo, malalagpasan mo sa pamamagitan ng tatlong bagay. Tiwala sa diyos. Tatag ng loob, at Pakikipagkapwa.”
Dailypedia asked him what he wants to say to his pillar of strength who kept him up when he was about to fall.
“Kay mama naman po, I’m sorry, if it took me a long time. You deserve the world and I would give it to you even if it means to move heaven and earth. I will. Trust me, Ma, One day, I will. Maraming maraming salamat po Ma, Mahal na mahal po kita.”
Congratulations, Doc Nico! You deserve this!
