September 13, 2021 — Held virtually for the second time due to the continuing pandemic, the National Teacher Training Center for the Health Professions (NTTCHP) commemorated a pivotal milestone for its 2021 graduates in a virtual recognition ceremony on September 10.

Members of Class 2021 consisted of 22 graduates; 12 were conferred the degree of the Diploma in Health Professions Education and 10 for the Master of Health Professions Education. 

Messages from the speakers and graduates resonated with the theme “Health Professions Educators at the Frontline of Transformative Learning,” reflecting how dramatically COVID-19 reshaped the teaching-learning setting but that they remained undaunted, making use of multiple modalities to adapt to the changes.

Greater responsibilities

Addressing the college, Dean Melflor Atienza, MD, MHPEd who is in her second term, presented in her opening remarks the regular events and activities of the college that moved online since the beginning of the pandemic. These include the annual NTTCHP Expo, national conference, monthly seminars, and peer-support or fellowship meetings. Dean Atienza also announced that a proposal for new classrooms, offices, and a bigger audio-video recording room is in the works to complement the growing number of enrollees in the college.

She again congratulated the graduates, leaving them with their motto: Habang may guro, may pag-asa. “Sabi ni Jose Rizal, ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. Hindi man ganoon kabata ang aming mga estudyante, sila ang pag-asa ng pag-asa ng bayan,” she remarked.

For her message, UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla congratulated the new health professions educators “for brilliantly overcoming the challenges of COVID-19”. Further, the Chancellor acknowledged the increasing significance of NTTCHP’s role not only in UP but in other institutions in the country.

“Blended learning and teaching are here to stay… I am so happy to see that the seeds you have planted across the country and even beyond the Philippines are now bearing fruit,” she said.

Chancellor Padilla also appealed to the alumni to support the college in fulfilling its dream of building a new and better home.

Dean of the National Teacher Training Center for the Health Professions Melflor Atienza presenting the graduates to UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla.

Heart-centered excellence

Transformation was the hallmark of the speech of this year’s guest speaker, Vice Chancellor for Research Armand Crisostomo. He asked the graduates to strive not to be the “strict, stereotyped educators” but instead be empathic, communicative, flexible, and keeping a positive attitude towards their students and colleagues.

 “Lalawak ang inyong pananaw hindi lamang sa edukasyon kung hindi pati na rin sa buhay. Hindi lang kadunugan at kagalingan ang importante, [ngunit pati] ang puso,” he said.

Guest speaker Dr. Armand Crisostomo

VC Crisostomo recalled many of his memorable experiences in his time with NTTCHP as well as his share of challenges in the fields of teaching and research. Encouraging the graduates to always give their best and pursue excellence in everything they do, he said, “Kahit hindi maganda ang unang resulta at kung minsan nadadapa… be resilient and bounce back.”

Dr. Alberto T. Santos was named the 2021 NTTCHP class valedictorian. In his response, he recounted how his time in NTTCHP made him emotionally able to change. “Transforming our professional values, Dr. Sana instilled in us not just to seek professional credentials but to achieve core competencies for effective teamwork.”

He quoted Fabienne Fredrickson to describe the way their batch were nurtured and what he learned most as an educator: “The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit. Be patient and stay the course.” 

He lauded the staff, administrators, and faculty for their unselfish dedication and commitment to their work, and marked the day as the beginning of their quest to become better teachers. “Let us start planting seeds; and although we may not see the fruits of our labor, time will tell that indeed the toil was worthwhile after all.”

Dr. Alberto Santos giving his valedictory speech.

The formal induction of the graduating class as alumni was led by NTTCHP Alumni Association President Dr. Bhabita V. Murjani. 

To end the program, Dr. Emely D. Dicolen congratulated once again the graduating class and reminded them that “the family spirit that was shared between and among the faculty, staff, and students family does not end today.”

Anne Marie D. Alto

Featured in UP Manila Healthscape Special COVID-19 Issue No. 31 (Sept. 2021)