Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas
Photos by Sarah Hazel Moces S. Pulumbarit
Two initiatives of Ugnayan ng Pahinungód Manila were showcased during the UP System’s “Alab ng Puso” program on June 18, 2026, held in celebration of the University’s 118th Foundation Anniversary and Public Service Day.
The first initiative of the Ugnayan ng Pahinungód Manila featured during the event was the Summer Immersion Service Program (SISP), a flagship volunteer initiative that promotes community engagement and service among students. Established in 1995, the program sends student volunteers to underserved communities across the country, including Palawan, Mindoro, Bukidnon, Samar, Quirino, and the Cordillera region. Through the program, volunteers spend several weeks living in partner communities, allowing them to better understand local realities and contribute to community development and health initiatives.
The second initiative is the Emergency Room Volunteers Program, which enables UP Manila students to serve at the PGH Emergency Room during school breaks. To illustrate the impact of volunteer service on students, Juan Gabriel Rodriguez, a second-year BS Biology student from the College of Arts and Sciences shared his experience as an active Emergency Room Volunteer who has already rendered more than 200 hours of service at PGH. Asked what motivated him to volunteer, Gab shared that his aspiration to become a physician inspired him to seek opportunities to serve early in life.
“It’s because I wanted to pursue medicine. Naisip ko na gusto kong maging doktor, at dapat kilalanin ko rin ang mga taong paglilingkuran ko,” he said. Gab explained that he had already been involved in volunteer work since senior high school and wanted to continue that commitment in college. Upon discovering Ugnayan ng Pahinungód Manila, he saw the Emergency Room Volunteers Program as an opportunity to serve while preparing for a future in medicine.
“Hindi ko na kailangang maghintay pang makagraduate para makatulong sa kapwa,” he said. Through his volunteer work at PGH, Gab gained firsthand exposure to healthcare service and developed practical skills not typically encountered in his undergraduate program. He shared that volunteering allowed him to learn basic clinical skills such as assisting with vital signs, medical assessments, and other routine procedures, and that helped him become more confident in interacting with patients. Beyond technical and communication skills, Gab said the experience deepened his understanding of the challenges faced by many Filipinos seeking medical care.
Speaking on behalf of the University, Information, Publications, and Public Affairs Office (IPPAO) Director, Dr. Cesar Perez emphasized that service is an integral part of the UP Manila education, asserting that, “Ang serbisyo ay nakapaloob sa curriculum ng lahat ng kolehiyo dito sa UP Manila.”
Dr. Perez also stressed the impact of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), UP Manila’s teaching hospital, which serves hundreds of thousands of patients each year. He noted that UP Manila’s theme of the Foundation Week celebration, “Alay ng UPM sa Kalusugan ng Bayan: Sa Dangal at Husay, Serbisyo ang Gabay,” aptly reflects the University’s role as a public institution dedicated to serving the Filipino people.
For Dr. Perez, stories such as Gab’s exemplify how Ugnayan ng Pahinungód Manila not only benefits communities and patients but also helps shape compassionate and socially conscious future health professionals. He expressed hope that more students would follow the example set by volunteers like Gab.
Through programs such as the Summer Immersion Service Program and the Emergency Room Volunteers Program, UP Manila continues to cultivate a culture of service among its students while advancing its mission of honor, excellence, and service for the nation’s health.
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