Filipino Medical Glossary, Graduate Programs, and ASEAN Health Rating Highlight University Initiatives

October 22, 2026

Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas

*Officials and staff gather for a group photo during the university’s flag-raising ceremony on Oct 19, 2026, led by Sentro ng Wikang Filipino and the National Graduate Office for the Health Sciences.*

The University of the Philippines Manila highlighted ongoing efforts to develop Filipino medical terminology, announced open applications for selected graduate programs, and recognized the university’s achievement of a five-star rating in the ASEAN University Network–Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN) Healthy University Rating System during its flag-raising ceremony on Oct. 19, 2026.

The ceremony was led by the Sentro ng Wikang Filipino (SWF), in partnership with the National Graduate Office for the Health Sciences (NGOHS), and also included the oath-taking of University Student Council (USC) members.

*Oath-taking of University Student Council (USC) members*

Progress on Glosaryong Medikal

SWF Director Prof. Carol S. Pulumbarit said the Glosaryong Medikal project had recorded approximately 970-word entries, which are undergoing review and organization as part of the development of the medical glossary. The initiative supports the wider use of Filipino in medical education, research, and healthcare services.

The project aims to collect, organize, and refine Filipino terms used in medicine and healthcare, helping expand the language’s capacity to communicate scientific and medical knowledge.

Working together on the initiatives are university research associates Patricia Marquez and Mae Ann Cansino under the leadership of Prof. Pulumbarit. The team will focus on reviewing, organizing, and validating terms, alongside other translators and editors working to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of the glossary’s terms and definitions.

*The flag ceremony was led by the Sentro ng Wikang Filipino (SWF), in partnership with the National Graduate Office for the Health Sciences (NGOHS).*

Open Applications for Graduate Programs

Meanwhile, applications remain open for selected graduate programs, with the application period ending on the last working day of October 2026, NGOHS Director Carl Abelardo Antonio reported.

The programs accepting applications include the Master in Nursing Education and Master of Science in Dentistry, major in Orthodontics, for the midyear term. Also included are the PhD in Health Sciences, offered through two tracks: PhD in Health Science by Research and PhD in Health Science by Publication. These programs are for the second semester of Academic Year 2026–2027.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to observe the applicable deadlines and confirm the requirements for their intended programs with the NGOHS.

UP Manila Earns Five-Star ASEAN Healthy University Rating

UP Manila received a five-star rating in the 2026 AUN-HPN Healthy University Rating System (HURS), the highest distinction under the framework, recognizing the university’s health promotion and wellness initiatives.

The HURS evaluates universities against the Healthy University Framework, which covers 22 areas, including systems and infrastructure, zero-tolerance policies, and health promotion activities.

The five-star rating marks an improvement from the university’s four-star rating in its initial assessment in 2024. The achievement reflects UP Manila’s continuing efforts to promote a healthy university environment and strengthen initiatives that support the well-being of its community.