November 1, 2021 —The virtual celebration of UP Manila’s 42nd year as Health Sciences Center and 39th year as the present-day UP Manila showcased its role and contributions to health through the achievements of its 10 Gawad Chancellor awardees, 240 service awardees, and 32 retirees, who were conferred their honors on Oct. 29.
In her message, UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla reflected briefly on the history of the university and how it had responded to previous crises.
“Sa larangan ng kalusugan, katatagan, at pagbangon ng bayan sa pamamagitan ng pinaka-una, malikhain, at makabuluhang programa at serbisyo; tayo ay lutang hindi lamang sa bansa kundi sa iba’t-iba pang malayong lugar. Sa patuloy na malawak at malaking pagsagot sa pandemya, kakaiba ang ambag ng UP Manila,” she stated.
Family and faith
Speaking on the mental health impact of the pandemic on the Filipinos. UP College of Medicine retired professor and mental and child health advocate Dr. Cornelio G. Banaag, Jr., explained the unhappiness and elevated mental health problems that are brought by uncertainty and isolation.
The Philippine Mental Health Association President cited how home learning hinders the developmental needs and milestones of gradeschoolers and young adults who should be increasing their independence, exploring their identity, and going out with peers at this time.
Dr. Banaag is convinced that family and faith help us overcome adversities during disasters and pandemics. “Faithfulness and hopefulness will keep us kind, positive, peaceful, and determined to achieve our dreams,” he said.
Among the creative and resourceful ways to survive and thrive during the pandemic are creating healthier habits, being more aware of the importance of caring for one’s body, finding a new way to bond with family, acquiring practical money-saving skills, and finding new avenues in encountering God.
He ended with the image of kintsugi, a traditional Japanese art where broken pottery is mended into a stronger piece using silver and gold. “If we allow ourselves to follow the principle of kintsugi, to recover and survive the trauma, and develop post-traumatic growth, we will be more beautiful and stronger when we mend the fragments or the pieces that break in our lives. We mend these with a lot of kindness and self-compassion that we give ourselves and share with others.”
Awarding ceremonies
Responding on behalf of the retirees and service awardees, retiree Dr. Reynaldo H. Imperial stated that we must never forget to do acts of service that will make some dents in the present conditions. “Ang totoong gawain ng pagpapabuti sa sarili at pagtulong sa kapwa ay walang retirement date. Ito po ang ating magiging tugon sa hamon ng panahon.”
Dr. Maria Julieta V. Germar, who spoke on behalf of the Gawad Chancellor Awardees recalled an inspiring message from her mentor: “Kung sa tinagaltagal ng iyong pagdadalubhasa ay natutunan mong tumangis sa kahirapan at kalungkutan ng iyong mga kababayan, kung natagpuan mo sa iyong puso na maglingkod sa kanila ng walang iniisip na katumbas na kabayaran; ikaw na marahil ang isa sa mga maitatanghal na tunay na bayani ng ating pangkasalukuyang lipunan.”
During the program, Gawad Chancellor for Outstanding Artist, Yosef Eduardo L. Escoto IV sang an original composition entitled “Rainy Days” while the UP Manila Chorale led the doxology, singing of the national anthem, and an uplifting cover of “Go the Distance”.
Dr. Tammy Dela Rosa, chair of the 2021 Committee on the UP Manila Foundation Celebration closed the event and thanked co-chair Dr. Melfred Hernandez and the committee members who organized the activities that marked the twin occasions.
ANNE MARIE ALTO
Published in UP Manila Healthscape (Special COVID-19 Issue No. 33, November 2021)
