It’s not every day that a medical doctor with a humble heart steps onstage not to heal, but to inspire.
At La Consolacion College Bacolod’s 96th Junior High School Moving-Up Exercises, the air was already heavy with nostalgia, pride, and dreams. But the atmosphere turned electric the moment Ms. Cecile Permosil, a long-time teacher and beloved mentor, introduced her former kindergarten student—now turned pulmonary specialist, public health advocate, and multi-awarded physician—Dr. Ronel Gerale Sario.
There was no grand display. No dramatic entrance. Just a doctor, once the “other kid in class,” now standing in front of hundreds of students, parents, and educators, with a simple yet powerful mission: to remind the next generation that success isn’t reserved for the top 1%—but for anyone with humility, grit, and faith.
“I was never the class valedictorian…”
That line alone set the tone. In a world that often equates excellence with medals and ranks, Dr. Sario’s honesty cut through like sunlight on a cloudy morning. He wasn’t the overachiever or the most popular. He was the “other resident physician,” the one people often overlook. Yet here he was, not just surviving—but shining. And he made sure the students heard this loud and clear: You don’t need to be in the spotlight now to have a bright future.
He didn’t sugarcoat his beginnings. In fact, he joked about it. He shared childhood memories of living near Susan’s Eatery in Brgy. 12, selling food after school at “JunJun’s Snack House,” and eating only the cone of the ice cream (because that’s all he could afford). His audience chuckled, but behind the laughter was a deeper reflection—of a boy raised in simplicity, anchored in responsibility from a very young age.
Four Hashtags, Four Values
Dr. Sario’s story unfolded like a mosaic—bittersweet, humorous, yet deeply moving. He spoke of sailing to Iloilo for his medical degree, struggling to enter a competitive medical school, and wrestling with exhaustion and uncertainty through years of residency and fellowship.
But instead of a laundry list of achievements, he offered four guiding values—each one a former high school section name that, only now, he realized shaped his character:
#Humility – for staying grounded even as titles accumulated.
#Obedience – not blind compliance, but courage to follow a calling.
#Prudence – the quiet wisdom in every clinical and life decision.
#StJohn – not just a name, but a spiritual anchor during storms.
The “Pit Stop” We All Needed
His reflections on the pandemic hit home. For the students who began junior high during lockdowns, he offered a pit-stop metaphor that landed with perfect resonance: We’re like racecars—built for speed, but in desperate need of pause and repair.
“Let’s be grateful,” he told the students. “We survived. This milestone is worth a chapter in your book.” And then came the unexpected yet heartfelt request: a standing ovation for their parents. A collective moment of gratitude that drew both applause and tears.
More Than a Speech
Dr. Sario didn’t give a typical inspirational talk. He shared. His was not a monologue but a mirror—reflecting the struggles, doubts, and silent hopes of many young learners. He broke down the invisible walls between “the achiever” and “the rest,” telling every student in that hall: Your story matters.
In the end, his message was as simple as it was profound: Keep dreaming para Sumakses. Three words that sounded playful, but resonated with every heart at school quadrangle.
Dr. Ronel Gerale Sario’s return to his alma mater wasn’t just a homecoming—it was a full-circle moment, a testament to the kind of impact one life can have when rooted in compassion, humility, and purpose. And to think it all started with a kid who never had a birthday party… just a new set of notebooks.
From Ms. Permosil’s kindergarten classroom to the hearts of the LCC community—his journey is, indeed, a story worth retelling.