My name is Brother Dan Daniel Emmanuel Perez. I am currently a postgraduate intern at Western Visayas Medical Center. Growing up as a pastor’s kid, I decided at a young age to follow in my parents’ footsteps. However, at that time, I was still unsure of which ministry path I should take. Nevertheless, 1 dedicated myself to serving God in His Church during every church service and gathering.
After graduating high school, I was unsure of which course to take in college, still undecided on a path to follow. Then, the church announced the building of Shiloah and called for pledges. Since I was just a fresh high school graduate, I didn’t have the capacity to help financially.
However, during the Shiloah Dedication Sunday, God opened my vision. I realized that if I couldn’t help financially, I could still contribute by giving myself. That’s when I decided to pursue a medical-related course and become a healthcare worker for Shiloah, now referred to as the PMCC Main Headquarters.
Through continuous prayer, fasting, and seeking guidance from religious leaders, I decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology. However, the path was not an easy road. I prayed for a scholarship to ease the financial burden of college. Thankfully, by God’s grace, the college offered a full scholarship, including free tuition, miscellaneous fees, and a monthly allowance, provided that I reach the academic performance requirement. I can vividly recall the relentless struggle of juggling with my church duties and academic obligations. Serving the Lord has always been the priority. Every task, every responsibility, was an opportunity to honor Him.
However, financing my education wasn’t always easy. At times, I took on extra projects for classmates, exchanging my efforts for much-needed funds. Other times, I resorted to borrowing books in my eagerness to learn despite being short on resources. I always pray to God to give me heavenly knowledge and wisdom because I can’t do it on my own. I am neither smart nor talented; I am weak on my own. But I always believed that God grants the desires of those who dedicate themselves to Him and ask sincerely.
God sustained me, providing me with scholarships and leadership opportunities. I became the batch president, student council officer, and Electoral Board Chairperson. He sustained me during my clerkship, and successfully graduated from medical school. Through His grace, I even graduated Cum Laude.
After graduation, the next hurdle in my journey toward medical school was the NMAT exam. Achieving a specific percentage on this test is crucial for admission. Unfortunately, my initial attempt fell short of the required score for the medical school I had applied to. Facing rejection, I grappled with feelings of confusion and defeat. Doubts crept in, making me question if this path was truly meant for me. However, it is during our darkest moments that we experience God’s grace and power. I remembered the Word of God from 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I stopped relying on my own knowledge and understanding. Instead, I surrendered and entrusted everything to God. I prayed, fasted, and asked for prayers from the Apostle and Church Bishops.
On my second attempt at NMAT, there was a portion of the test that I did not finish because I ran out of time. After the test, I felt defeated because I may not be able to reach the required score. While waiting for the result, 1 continued to pray. And at the end of my prayer, I always repeated the Apostle’s words, “Ikaw na ang bahala Panginoon.” I was afraid of the result, but when I prayed and repeated the phrase of the Apostle, the burden became lighter. My anxiety and fear started to vanish and I started to feel peace in my heart that everything would be alright. The result came, and to my surprise, I got a score higher than the requirement for admission! God made a miracle! Even the part I didn’t finish had a higher score than the parts I finished. At that moment, I knew that this success was not of my own making but a testament to God’s grace and power.
Being a child of a pastor comes with its unique set of challenges. I often faced scrutiny due to my parents’ dedication to the ministry, working not for personal gain but for the service of the Church. Yet, through it all, the unwavering grace of the Lord sustained me. In the moments of weakness and despair, His promises shine brightest. He never abandoned us. Throughout this journey, the Apostle’s words became my anchor of faith:
“Kapag may gusto kang makuha sa Panginoon, ‘wag mong bibitawan.”
Indeed, we are all God’s masterpieces. I believe God created and molded us to be better in our masterpieces-to glorify His name and fulfill His will in us. Nothing will make us a failure when we trust in the promise and strength of God.