The Philippines gained recognition anew in Cuba after two Filipinos graduated as new medical doctors from the Ciego de Avila in Cuba.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) identified the new doctors as Herbert Baguiza of Antipolo City and Robert Corpuz of Cabanatuan City.
"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 Guantanamera, a song of Cuban origin," the DFA said on its website (
www.dfa.gov.ph).It added 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 Corsino took a 500-kilometer, seven-hour trip by bus from Havana to Ciego to attend the graduation ceremony.
Corsino was one of the guests of honor, who also 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.
Corsino also noted there are 30,000 foreign students from developing countries enrolled in various branches of knowledge all over Cuba.
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.
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.
The DFA said Corpuz even assisted Corsino 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. - GMANews.TV
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