Text and Photos by: Martin R. Racza

“There is no one here happier than I am, to see a dream finally come true.”

These were the words uttered by the Honorable Susan A. Yap, Governor of the Province of Tarlac, as she began her message during the celebration of the 3rd founding anniversary of the UP Manila (UPM) School of Health Sciences (SHS) Tarlac on February 26, 2024, which featured a candle-lighting ceremony symbolizing the combined commitment of UPM, the SHS Tarlac students, and the Provincial Government of Tarlac to work together to improve the quality of healthcare and education in the province.

The “dream,” as Gov. Yap stressed, is twofold: First, the realization of the dream she shared with Dr. Ricardo “Ric” Ramos, Tarlac Integrated Provincial Health Office Consultant, which is the establishment of a medical school in the province. “With that challenge, UP Manila engaged us, ‘Sige, kaya, puwede,’ we are now here, three years after.”

The second realization of the “dream” involves the Diploma in Midwifery First Batch students of SHS Tarlac. “Seeing the students in their uniforms, and being transformed from the Day One [when] they started, nag-enrol, at nag-aral dito sa ating campus…seeing them now, I am so, so happy, na puwede palang mangarap at magbunga.”

Gov. Yap reiterated to the assembly, in particular to the students, a challenge on the significance of their education through SHS Tarlac. “Malaki po ang itinaya ng probinsiya; malaking pondo ang inilaan namin para sa inyong edukasyon. Keep in mind, dahil tumaya ang probinsiya, tumaya ang bawat Tarlaqueño [kahit] konti ang pondo sa inyong edukasyon, may purpose bakit namin kayo pinag-aaral ng medisina. It is to take care of our elderly [in Tarlac], ang mga kababayan natin.” She expressed hope that once the UPM SHS students return to their respective communities, they will be able to erase the stigma of their citizens who are afraid or apprehensive to go to their community and regional health units.

The Province’s leader then posed a rhetorical question: “What is your purpose in life?,” to which she answered that they, the Tarlac government, already gave them one: “To take care, or assure, na yaong mga nasa barangay natin, the far-flung areas, even here in the city itself, na ang services ng Tarlac ay magaling at mapag-alaga.”

“Loving and caring for your kababayan–’yan po ang itatak natin sa puso natin,” Gov. Yap stressed.

Addressing the UPM delegation and SHS Tarlac faculty and student body, she said, “You have a purpose. There is nothing more fulfilling than being able to give back to your community, to your country. Put that in mind, na kung makatulong ka, you’ve saved a life, you’ve changed the life of one person, nabuhay mo, with your hands. That’s such a great reward para sa inyo. And you have that opportunity to do so.”

In his message, Chancellor Tee expressed gratitude to Tarlac, stating “Nais kong magpasalamat sa ating panlalawigang pamahalaan, sa ating gobernador, dahil pinili niya ang UP Manila upang tumulong sa pangangailangan natin sa ‘human resources for health,” acknowledging UPM’s provincial partners in ensuring the continuity of various programs, determining the needs of Tarlac with regard to human resources, and the selection of the right candidates to study at the SHS. He also thanked the parents of the students for trusting UPM and the Provincial Government to fulfill their responsibilities to mold the graduates to become the best ‘health human resources’ they can be.

The Chancellor sees such ceremonies as the “beginning of hope,” quoting SHS founder Dr. Florentino Herrera, who said “Health is a means and an end in itself.” “Ito po ay paraan upang mapabuti ang ating sarili; ngunit ang [kalusugan] din ang [dulo], dahil nais nating maging malusog.”

Lauding the vision of Gov. Yap, he underscored the importance of planning early, saying, “Hindi na po panahon ng hula-hula, kailangan na ng datos, gumagawa tayo ng paraan upang tugunan ang mga suliranin, upang maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng mga ganito pang mga problema. Ang araw na ito ay simbolo ng lakas ng pakikipag-ugnayan ng UP Manila sa komunidad, sa ating mga pamayanan, at kung paano natin matutugunan ang ating mga pangangailangan bilang bansa.”

The anniversary program also featured the lighting of the candle of commitment between UPM, SHS Tarlac, and the Tarlac Provincial Government. Thereafter, the Diploma in Midwifery First Batch students then proceeded to light their own candles with the flame from the ceremonial candle itself. Then, they recited the “Midwives’ Pledge,” followed by the singing of “We Will Get There,” the song of the First Batch. A heart-touching moment followed, wherein they approached their parents and families, offering them flowers, hugging, and kissing them, as a show of gratitude for their love and sacrifices.

UPM Vice Chancellors Johanna Patricia D. Adevoso-Cañal, Bernadette Heizel M. Reyes, and Jose V. Tecson III, SHS Dean Filedito D. Tandinco, SHS Koronadal Director Charlie Falguera, and SHS Tarlac Acting Director Mary Cris T. Rombaoa, as well as officers of the University Student Council, joined in the ceremony.