Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas
Photos by Sarah Hazel Moces S. Pulumbarit
“Project Promise,” a health education book developed by UP Manila faculty and students of the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority of the UP College of Medicine, received a special citation at the 7th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) on Nov. 19, 2025.
PROMISE stands for “PROactive Moms Inspired to be Stewards Effectively.” The book provides Filipino mothers with practical, evidence-based guidance on raising healthy children and empowers them to become proactive stewards against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It also provides practical guidance on managing fever, recognizing symptoms of dengue, tuberculosis, and common rashes, as well as advice on nutrition and other topics related to raising children the healthy way.
Chancellor Michael Tee highlighted the project’s significance during his lecture at the 3rd Dr. Stephen Zuellig Memorial Public Health Lecture on Nov. 24, 2025. “This won the Catholic Mass Media Award last Wednesday, because it communicates what is difficult to communicate to the correct audience. It talks about how to prevent antimicrobial resistance—not by just telling the science, but by showing what should be done. And it is not just to government agencies, but to the mothers—the mothers who are supposedly the best teachers,” he said.
The project traces its early inspiration to the Filipina Women’s Network, a global organization of Filipino women professionals. Dr. Regina Berba, Deputy Director for Health Operations of the Philippine General Hospital and the project leader of Project Promise, explained that the initiative began with the goal of addressing AMR, noting that misuse of antibiotics often starts in the community long before patients reach the hospital.
“We thought that if we could teach mothers how to use antimicrobials properly, then over time we could significantly reduce AMR,” Dr. Berba said. “From there, the project grew—we expanded the content to cover many aspects of raising children in a healthy way.”
Initially funded by partners from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN), and the Philippine One Health University Network (PHILOHUN), the project distributed its first set of copies to mothers at the Philippine General Hospital and participants of the sorority’s medical missions. When funding ended, Dr. Berba and her sorority used their own resources to print additional copies. These are currently available directly through the group as they work to secure more grants.
The long-term goal is to establish a sustainable fund to continuously print and distribute Project Promise to families nationwide, Dr. Berba noted. The team also aims to share the material with communities involved in poultry and livestock, where antibiotic use is common and AMR awareness is highly needed.
Dr. Berba expressed gratitude for the recognition: “We’re very happy about this award because it affirms that we were able to communicate the importance, gravity and urgency of the AMR message we wanted to send to Filipino mothers. It’s a book by women for women. We specially dedicate this award to the Filipino mothers..”
The team members of ‘Project Promise’ are alumni and undergraduate sisses of the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority. The overall project leader, lead editor and author is Infectious Disease (ID) specialist Dr. Regina P. Berba. The Managing Editor and author is Ophthalmologist Dr. Katrina Loise L. Aguirre. Other authors include: Pediatrician Dr. Stella G. Manalo, ID specialist Dr. Jemelyn Garcia; Pediatrician Lorna Abad; ID Ma. Sonia Salamat; Damica V. Rodriguez, RMT; Sofia Marie F. Balarbar; ID-Obstetrician Dr. Sybil Lizanne Bravo; ID specialist Dr. Monica Pia R. Montecillo; Otolaryngologist Cecilia Cristina Acuin; Rheumatologist Evelyn Salido; and medical students Damica Rodriguez, Sofia Marie Balarbar, and Justine Halley. Uy. Lead artist was Michelle Cristine B. Miranda, MD (Lead Illustrator), Marianne Frances C. Cacacho (Layout Editor & Illustrator), and Alyssa Jose S. De Ocampo (Layout Editor). Visual and layout contributions were provided by Editorial support came from Liberty B. Fajutrao, MD, MSCE; Kaye Angelique T. Felipe; Lilibeth S. Genuino, MD, FPOGS; Damica V. Rodriguez, RMT; Jasmine Martha S. Santos, MD; and Sofia Marie F. Balarbar. Feedback was contributed by Chrise Rodriguez, Abegail Elca Balarbar, and Edmarline Rodriguez.
Watch the awarding ceremony here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/tN8V1bteWJQ?si=86svZAU2Q5axTqet&t=6059
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