The Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) College of Medicine (COM) celebrated its 10th White Coat Ceremony at the Philippine International Church on August 2, 2026. Under the theme “Clothed in Purpose, Called to Heal,” inspired by Colossians 3:12, the event marked the spiritual and professional consecration of Batch 2030 with 89 students.

A Sacred Calling Beyond 

Dr. Arceli Rosario, University president, opened the ceremony by defining the white coat not merely as a uniform, but as a symbol of a “sacred calling”. She emphasized that the white fabric represents the “purity of intentions” required to heal, urging students to move beyond being just smart and competent to becoming “five-star plus” physicians. This “plus” factor, a cornerstone of the AUP medical curriculum, refers to the identity of a physician missionary, one who serves as an assistant to the Master Physician, Jesus Christ, to provide healing for the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of patients.

Symbols of Faith and Humility

Dr. Doris Mendoza, keynote speaker and founding dean, highlighted the extraordinary uniqueness of the AUP ceremony. Unlike typical medical rites, each freshman was presented with two foundational tools for their “academic armamentarium”: the Holy Bible and Ellen G. White’s The Ministry of Healing. These books are intended to be daily companions, serving as a “lamp for their feet” and providing inspired instructions on God’s methods of healing.

Dr. Mendoza further analogized the white coat to Christ’s robe of righteousness, symbolizing divine approval and a life set apart for holy service. She noted that the short hem of the students’ coats is a deliberate design, serving as a constant reminder of humility and the fact that they are still learners in the vast art of medicine.

A Legacy of Mission-Driven Education

Dr. Ruth Palomero, COM dean, reflected on the COM’s decade-long journey since its inauguration in August 2015 as the first and only Adventist medical school in the Asia-Pacific region. She reminded Batch 2030 that they are entering a story written by God, following the footsteps of pioneers who envisioned an institution that prepares young people for lives of Christian service rather than just careers.

The Solemn Commitment: 

The ceremony culminated in the recitation of the Christian Physician’s Oath, led by Dr. Percida Cocos, where students pledged to dedicate their lives to the “furtherance of Jesus Christ’s healing and teaching ministry”. The students committed to treating the wholeness of the patient as their first consideration and practicing their art with purity and honor.

The event concluded with a dedicatory prayer by Pastor Jerry Karundeng, COM chaplain, who asked for the students to be equipped with the ability to discern and be strengthened against the challenges of their medical journey. As these 89 future doctors begin their training, they carry the college motto as their guiding principle: “Through Christ, Healing and Wholeness”.