Front, from left to right: Paulyn Jean Roselle-Ubial, MD, MPH, Head, Molecular Laboratory; Ma. Liza Antoinette M. Gonzales, MD, MSc, Associate Dean for Faculty and Students, UPCM; Charlotte M. Chiong, MD, PhD, Dean, UPCM; Carmencita D. Padilla, MD, MAHPS, Chancellor, UP Manila; Richard J. Gordon, Chairman and CEO, PRC; Elizabeth S. Zavalla, Secretary General, PRC, Dr. Gwendolyn T. Pang, Member, PRC Board of Governors; and Governor Jorge G. Lim, Member, PRC Board of Governors (Dr Herbosa is behind)

With the COVID-19 pandemic revealing how important human resources in health are, the University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine (UPCM) strengthened its student support for medical students through cash grants to help solve the scarcity of graduating doctors. Twelve medical students from UPCM were recognized as recipients of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) scholarship grants through a signing ceremony held on August 26, 2022 at the Ramon S. Ang Auditorium, UPCM Henry Sy Sr Hall, Pedro Gil, Taft Avenue, Manila.

“I can tell you that, down the line, they are the ones who will provide the solutions to our country,” said UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla, expressing full confidence in the scholars as she commended the power of community. “Kung magtutulungan lang po tayong lahat ay malayo pa ang mararating natin. Itong araw na ito ay para sa ating mga bagong estudyante at sa kanilang mga magulang.” (If we all continue to help one another, then we will go the distance. This day is for our new students and their parents.) Chancellor Padilla added that with this aid, the students will be able to concentrate on studying because they will have one less significant concern to worry about. Additional scholarships are available not only to medical students and nurses but also for all other courses in the campus.

According to UPCM Dean Charlotte M. Chiong, almost 30% of their 200 students asked for help due to the economic downturn and the people getting sick during the pandemic. The UPCM gave P30,000 per month for the past two and a half years for the students’ mobile loads. Dean Chiong estimates that more than P10 million worth of assistance from the UPCM’s alumni were given directly to the students who were affected by the storms. 

“We promise to uphold the virtue of giving back to the masses and service to the people, and stay true to the mandate of the UP College of Medicine which is leadership and excellence towards community-oriented service. Makakaasa po kayo na mag-aaral po kami nang mabuti at magseserbisyo po kami nang tapat sa bayan at sa bansa.”

When the pandemic caused the non-provision of some support, UPCM shared the problem with former Senator Richard J. Gordon, PRC’s Chairman and CEO. To Dean Chiong’s surprise, timely help through the Philippine Red Cross was granted. According to Gordon, the PRC allotted resources in the best possible manner “by creating great doctors in our country”. He expressed happiness in seeing faceless people, noting that giving is done in the essence of “true development of layman folks” in the Philippines.

The latest initiative is UP Manila’s first scholarship tie-up with the PRC. Scholars were given a flexible arrangement (1:1 term), i.e., for every year of scholarship, they need to give one year of return service in more than 102 PRC stations all over the country. They can volunteer at any time, even as students, and are encouraged to be a little more creative in fulfilling the return service side. It should not prevent them from pursuing specialty training or research. In addition, Chancellor Padilla shared that medical students volunteer on their own; it is part of the culture and in their blood. Even during COVID-19, they were doing volunteer work.

Sherwin Neil G. Noor, responding on behalf of the scholars, gave their commitment for the underserved. “We promise to uphold the virtue of giving back to the masses and service to the people, and stay true to the mandate of the UP College of Medicine which is leadership and excellence towards community-oriented service. Makakaasa po kayo na mag-aaral po kami nang mabuti at magseserbisyo po kami nang tapat sa bayan at sa bansa.” (Rest assured that we will study well and serve our nation wholeheartedly.)

The twelve scholars (in alphabetical order) are as follows: from Class 2027 – Alba, Charmaine Khaye D.O.; Canilao, Denice Millen C.; Feliciano, Jeremiah F.; Grindulo, Rona Angela D.L.; Loor, Sherwin Neil G.; Mamaril, Adrian Carlo C.; Sabaot, Effie Mae S.; Pequeña, Armil R.; and Rosales, Wade Montgomery; and from Class 2025 – Bartolo, Charles Jerome R.; Bornilla, Adrian Jeremiah C.; and Salazar, Bernabe Angel D.

Haziel May C. Natorilla