Text by Martin R. Racza
Photos by Joseph A. Bautista
The panelists from the College of Nursing receiving their certificates of appreciation from the S&T Week facilitators.
The third day of the 2024 Science and Technology (S&T) Week showcased research presentations and panel discussions given by faculty and researchers from the School of Health Sciences (SHS), the Community Health Development Program (CHDP), the College of Nursing (CN), and the College of Dentistry (CD).
In his opening remarks, SHS Dean Charlie Labarda underscored the importance of the event, stating “Ngayon ay ating ipinagdiriwang hindi naman ang tagumpay ng ating mga mananaliksik, mga faculty at mga estudyante, at ibang katuwang na institusyon natin, kundi pati ang lakas ng pagkakaisa at inobasyon sa paglaban sa mga hamong pangkalusugan na humahadlag sa ating mithiin para sa universal healthcare o pangkalahatang pangkalusugan.”
The first part, hosted by Asst. Prof. Mary Cris Rombaoa, featured oral presentations from SHS faculty and students led by Dr. Meredith del Pilar-Labarda, Asst. Prof. Charlie Falguera, Asst. Prof. Ruvi Ann Tan-Linugao, Ms. Shielo Ofong, and Mr. TJ Ian Marie Lawas. Providing the reaction was Dr. Portia Fernandez-Marcelo of CHDP, who lauded the presenters as well as the work of the SHS, stating that “the School of Health Sciences was actually created to make a difference, and it is in fact one of the schools that is a global leader in terms of health equity, because their graduates actually impact actually the communities that they are in.”
CHDP Director Anthony Geronimo Cordero hosted the second round of presentations, which were delivered by Dr. Louricha Opina-Tan, Asst. Prof. Frances Lois Ngo, Dr. Mikhaela Marco, Dr. Paolo Victor Medina, Dr. Dena Mae Amor Desabille-Deblois, Dr. Kenneth Domasian, Ms. Alyssa Arnoco, and Dr. Anthony Rabang. Dean Labarda, reacting to their presentations, said that “health professions education is socially accountable, and our community-based academic partnership exemplified by the work of CHDP is very important and critical in advancing our dreams for universal healthcare.”
The afternoon session began with the presentation of College of Nursing faculty Assoc. Prof. Jenniffer Paguio, Assoc. Prof. Julienne Ivan Soberano, and Assoc. Prof. Floreliz Ngaya-an, followed by an open forum with the face-to-face and online attendees and participants. In answering the question, “How were the results of your studies used by the hospitals involved, and were policies developed [because of these]?,” Assoc. Prof. Paguio underscored the duty of a responsible researcher, saying, “When you collect data, the findings of your research are echoed to the stakeholders.”
Dr. Aaron Tuazon of CD facilitated the last slew of presentations delivered by Dr. Maritess Villarico, Dr. Marie Rossini Carmela Lachica, Dr. Anna Nikole delos Santos, and Dr. Nathaniel Kyle Adrian Delfin, as well as the open forum that followed.
In closing the event, CD Dean Michelle Segarra congratulated the speakers, students, and facilitators, saying, “The presentations showcased what our nurses and dentists are doing to ensure that health services are made available to all Filipinos, and how we, as UP Manila, make use of science, technology, and innovation, to embrace the Universal Healthcare Act. Kalusugan para sa lahat ng Pilipino.” #
