The discussion, moderated by Professor Linfa Wang of Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School and Dr. Lee Fok Kay of Temasek Foundation, Singapore, delved into what it takes to be ready for the next pandemic. Bergantin and her co-panelists stressed the importance of convincing governments and leaders of the ASEAN groups that the knowledge base gained during the COVID-19 pandemic is a vital resource worth sharing to the general public. Bergantin recalled the collaboration between the government and professional associations during the pandemic. A case in point was the preparation of COVID-19 guidelines prepared by the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, whose inputs helped craft policies during the onslaught of the dreaded virus.

The panel included Indonesia’s Dr. Darmawali Handoko, Medical Services Deputy Director Prof. Derrick Heng, Thailand’s Mahidol University Prof. Prassert Auewarakul, and Malaysia’s Tropical Diseases Research and Education Center Executive Director Prof. Dr. Sazaly bin Abu Bakar.

Bergantin also added that a sound pandemic preparedness policy requires the participation of not just scientists and government leaders, but also economists, vulnerable groups, and community members. In an interview with the Communications Bureau, Bergantin said that: “I am just thankful that aside from teaching, I have been included in various clinical practice guideline creation and health technology assessment thus I have first hand experience in policy-making (recommendation), which I have just realized when I was asked to join the panel. I may not hold a degree in public health but working for the Filipinos in my capacity from the academe, together with other specialists from UST who are regularly consulted by the government based on their expertise, the Thomasian spirit of competence, compassion and commitment truly burns bright.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bergantin joined fellow doctors and healthcare professionals in the UST Hospital to save lives amidst the strictest of mobility restrictions. Look at her COVID-19-focused interview with the Communications Bureau here: 

The congress drew over 300 onsite participants and was supported by Temasek Foundation, Singapore.

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Leading the new batch of Thomasian licensed physicians are:

#2 – Dr. Rolter Lorenz M. Lee – 89.25%

#5 – Dr. Kiel Christian D. Alday – 88.83%

#10 – Dr. Chelseah Denise H. Torres – 87.67%

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Peñamante, who is currently at the final stages of her Master of Science in Global Health Delivery at the Harvard Medical School, teaches psychology and clinical epidemiology courses in the College of Science and Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. For her second masteral degree, she is a Global Health Research Scholar at Harvard Medical School’s Program in Global Primary Care and Social Change and a Graduate Student Researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry. Her research, according to the BCPH website, “spans mental health, climate change, and healthcare workforce development.” Among her advocacies are reducing stigma and ultimately saving lives through mental health interventions. Peñamante previously earned her B.Sc. Psychology, M.A. Clinical Psychology and Doctor of Medicine degrees at the University of Santo Tomas.

The Boston Congress of Public Health Inc., which bestows the award, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to democratize public health through the lens of social justice and envisions itself to transcending the traditional boundaries of academia and medicine by supporting emerging and established thought leaders, researchers and advocates committed to social justice and health equity and democratizes access to evidence-based public health thought. It was established in August 2021 by Drs. Candice Carpenter and Circe Gray Le Compte and conducts educational and policy trainings, television series and a Fellowship program. It also publishes the HPHR Journal, which promotes evidence-based discourse on health equity ().

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A space for seeking, learning, and teaching

Through its various simulation rooms, learning spaces, and support facilities, the seven-storey Henry Sy Sr. Hall was built to bolster the formation of future Thomasian doctors’ clinical and research skills.   Adhering to the best ethical standards, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Dean Ma. Lourdes Domingo-Maglinao, MD stated that the simulation laboratories will bring students close to actual practice without compromising patient safety.

Maglinao noted that the edifice heralded an adaptive transformation that added a milestone to the Faculty’s 153-year legacy. “This edifice stands as a testament to the vision, perseverance, and the boundless possibilities that arise when knowledge is fused with empathy and when technology serves the purpose of healing,” Dean Maglinao said.

The edifice is home to Saints Cosmas and Damian Center for Simulation and Research. FMS Regent Rev. fr. Angel A. Aparicio O.P. highlighted that the Center will serve as a library of vital knowledge to help batches of Thomasian Doctors. “The Center dedicated to […] the Holy Martyrs Sts. Cosmas and Damian, otherwise called Anargyroi or penniless, is consecrated for the sacred profession of the physician, as we hope it will become a sanctuary of knowledge for future doctors,” fr. Aparicio said. He also shared that it took nine years from its conception to its “birth of baptism.”

������Ƶ officials expressed their gratitude to the Sy family, represented by Ms. Deborah Pe-Sy, because the edifice embodied their shared vision to educate batches of future Thomasian Doctors who will also give back and aid the nation for generations to come.

Rector Rev fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD, said that the edifice was borne out of the power of collaboration. “It reminded me of the power of shared vision, collaboration, and commitment. I look forward to seeing the many ways this building will enrich UST, and not just UST, but our Filipino community,” he said.

UST Vice-Grand Chancellor and Prior Provincial of Dominican Province of the Philippines Very Rev. fr. Filemon I. Dela Cruz, Jr., O.P. said the edifice was one of the blessings that came from God’s unending grace. The Provincial mentioned that this latest feat also opened an opportunity for the 413-year-old University to revamp its commitment to the mission of providing quality education in the field of science. “Development and technology [may have] brought new challenges, but [it came with] opportunities too. This is a big upgrade for the university. ������Ƶ hopes to accomplish more and carry on Her mission better. Indeed, God’s grace is unending,” fr. Dela Cruz said.

On behalf of the six Sy-blings, Dr. Lydia Balatbat-Echauz, Executive Director of Henry Sy  Foundation, Inc., recalled the dutiful life of the late businessman who valued the importance of learning despite not having enough education. “His dream was for everyone to get educated. And that is the reason he gave a grant and formed this foundation, where he donated his shares in the company to support all his projects in education,” Echauz said.

The Henry Sy Foundation, Inc., the Anargyroi FMS Foundation, Inc., the Research and Endowment Foundation, Inc., and the Thomasian alumni made the construction and fit-out of the various rooms of this latest edifice possible.

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Edison Ong claimed the 2nd rank with his 89.08% rating. Vergel Enriquez registered an 87.67% score to earn the 6th place. Lastly, in the 8th spot, Eryll Alea tallied an 87.08% rating.

UST was likewise named the second top-performing school after notching an 84.45% passing rate, producing 56 new Thomasian doctors. The national passing rate was 55.50%.

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Borne out of a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) research grant, the said laboratory is built to ramp up research with state-of-the-art modern equipment and field rooms, as well as to assess the condition of the athletes, aid them in recovery after injury, and keep track of their performance.

RCHS Supervisor Prof. Consuelo G. Suarez, MD, PhD, FPARM proudly shared that the laboratory is the first of its kind in the country. Moreover, Suarez envisioned the laboratory to be a niche of research innovations where they can forge ties with researchers from various walks of life to gain a multitude of inputs, and then serve as a venue for seminars and workshops to empower medical and paramedical personnel, athletes, coaches, and educators alike.

Meanwhile, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation Rev. fr. Jannel N. Abogado, O.P., DThPatSc emphasized that the UST research centers are guided by the anecdote that “science must be felt by people”, with the aim to give light to others. “We want research projects and our research programs to have an effect in the lives of people and the community […] we do so because this is our job, this is our role, this is our mission,” fr. Abogado said. “We constructed this laboratory because we know that the works and the technologies that will come out to this will be beneficial to people,” he added.

For Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Dean Assoc. Prof. Ma. Lourdes D. Maglinao, MD, the new facility aims to be the niche of groundbreaking research works that are envisioned to change people’s lives. “This center represents a symphony of expertise, a collaboration between the healers who mend and the coaches who push us to soar,” Dean Maglinao said.

The academic units that are primarily involved in running the laboratory are the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Engineering, and the College of Rehabilitation Sciences.

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Faculty of Pharmacy Dean Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, PhD, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery academic researcher Maria Minerva P. Calimag, MD, PhD, and alumni Antonio Leachon, MD, Alfredo So, and Vicente U. Briones met with lawmakers to share their position on the bill filed by Rep. Ferjenel G. Biron.

In an interview with the Communications Bureau, Dean Dacanay mentioned that the group agreed to the bill, provided that provisions will be included for the protection of consumers against scrupulous e-prescriptions. Thus, safeguards on signatures, surrender of used prescriptions, and partial filling should be in place. Furthermore, the bill should clearly define legitimate online pharmacies given the proliferation of online sellers. Finally, the group advocated for an education campaign should the bill be approved.

Dacanay represented the Philippine Pharmacists Association, while Calimag spoke for the Philippine Medical Association. So is currently the President of the Consumer Healthcare Industry Association of the Philippines, while Briones heads the Drugstores Association of the Philippines. Leachon attended as a private individual in the hearing.

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On the morning of January 18, 2024, the University of Santo Tomas opened its doors to the general public for the three-day Alaga at Tulong Tomasino medical-surgical mission spearheaded by the UST Hospital in collaboration with alumni, corporate partners, the media, the Santísimo Rosario Parish, and the academic units of UST.

Offering consultation services and medicine for neurology, dermatology, internal medicine, pediatrics, ophthalmology, orthopedics, cataract surgery, general surgery, and ENT, the mission brings together the expertise of hospital and academic staff and alumni, as well as the vigor of student clerks and interns to cater to patients from Luzon.

According to UST Hospital CEO fr. Julius Paul C. Factora, O.P., JCD, the mission, now on its second year, is the latest initiative to help those in need, in keeping with the Church’s mission. “Time and again since the Hospital was established, we have been serving poor and indigent patients. [But since last year] meron tayong malakihang medical-surgical mission para hindi lang ma-service ‘yung [nakatira] around the UST area but also those from Luzon. We have patients from Bulacan, Cavite, and Pangasinan.”

UST Hospital Medical Director Charito Malong-Consolacion, MD also shared that the medical-surgical mission would not be possible without the joint efforts of various stakeholders: “We want this to be accessible to a lot more people, [so we] struck partnerships with our students from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, and the College of Education, as well as our alumni spread all over the world.”

Fr. Factora expressed his commitment to continue the mission annually, during January, as part of the Church’s and the Hospital’s mission to help those in need.

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With the title “Enhancing Ethical Behavior: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Tan-Alora acknowledged the lasting effects of change that COVID-19 brought about. Among them was undeniable surge in the use of online technologies, which inadvertently led to the prevalence of “incomplete knowledge,” brought about by “rampant mis/disinformation and predatory journals.” Tan-Alora also lamented the capacity of the “ubiquitous social media landscape” to blur the line between truth and fiction.

In terms of patient care, the isolation of many patients during the pandemic necessitated an “adjustment of goals of care to patient’s values” and called for “personalized, dignified, humane care” especially when patients were stigmatized due to the highly virulent nature of the virus and the fear of getting infected. Tan-Alora also lamented how poor governance and communication of policies hampered much-needed copping with the pandemic. Apart from an unprepared health system, leaders were also motivated by “self-interest as the primary goal.” Emotional reactions also prevent balanced discussions on needed actions, and misconduct marred effective healthcare delivery.

With these as a backdrop, Tan-Alora said that “trustworthiness” of those serving patients must be recovered. “We must recover their [the patients] trust. Only then will they cooperate and comply with health policy,” the Metrobank Outstanding Teacher awardee said. The road to regaining trust back is the professional’s humility “to be an accountable steward society and to my God.”

Tan-Alora saw hope in the immense amount of compassion shown during the pandemic. She called on continued to support for patients and those who may not be ill, but who have been forced to isolation due to mobility restrictions that may lead to “being lonely, depressed, and in need of compassion.” The need for compassion shows the need for developing “a culture of sensitive caring” and “be present physicians.”

The pandemic, Tan-Alora averred, “magnified the hardships of health inequities” and “made visible stark realities on the ground [that exerted] discriminatory impact on class, age, occupation, and socioeconomic status.” She recognized that those who were already at a disadvantage were most vulnerable, suffering death and being victimized by unscrupulous individuals who took advantage of disinformation in order to make a profit.

Tan-Alora is an eminent educator of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, her alma mater which she also served as Department Chair and Dean. Apart from being UST’s first-ever Metrobank Outstanding Teacher Awardee, she has earned many plums and is an influential figure in the field of medical and research ethics. She is one of the pioneers of the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board.

The Doña Victoria Ty Tan Professorial Chair in Medical Education was established by the Metrobank Foundation in 2019 to support professors and clinicians in undertaking avant garde and relevant studies to upgrade the delivery of medical education. Managed by the UST Research and Endowment Foundation, Inc., the Professorial Chair will be granted to a total of ten medical educators, the first two being Prof. Sandra Navarra and Prof. Fidela Moreno.

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Meanwhile, UST landed on the 6th place of the top-performing schools after posting a 91.43% rating and producing 384 new Thomasian Doctors.

PLE 2023 was administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) – Board of Medicine.

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