Hello Las Pinas

It was nice to be back home where I grew up, visiting the parish where I spent most of my childhood

Changing of the AHPSD Chief

 It was a Tuesday afternoon, fresh from the long weekend of Undas when I endorsed my roles and responsibilities as OIC Chief of the Allied Health Professional Services Division to the newly appointed EXECOM members.

Weekend Holiday in Davao

 

A Well-Deserved Davao Escape: Science, Friendship, and Feasting

Few things match the sense of relief and quiet triumph that follows the conclusion of a high-stakes academic competition. After the intensity of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) Southern Mindanao Interesting Case Report Contest, transitioning directly into a weekend staycation in Davao City felt less like a mere holiday and more like a necessary reset for the mind and spirit. Davao, with its blend of urban ease, rich agricultural abundance, and warm coastal hospitality, proved to be the ideal backdrop to unwind, celebrate, and reconnect.

The heart of any memorable staycation lies in the people with whom it is shared. Spending these three unhurried days alongside my seniors offered a wonderful shift in dynamic—away from the structured hierarchy of hospital corridors and academic deliberations into an atmosphere of genuine camaraderie and shared stories. Equally grounding was the time spent catching up with my best friend and my godson. Watching my godson’s bright curiosity and listening to his laughter provided a refreshing reminder of life’s simple joys outside the demands of medicine, while catching up with a lifelong friend felt like returning to a familiar, comforting anchor.

Of course, no journey to Davao is complete without indulging in its legendary culinary identity. Our days were marked by unforgettable feasts, starting with plates of sweet, succulent crabs cooked to perfection—a messily delicious tradition that encouraged long, casual conversations over shared tables. Between meals, we feasted on Davao’s famous bounties of fresh fruits: creamy durian, sweet mangosteens, marang, and pomelos, each bite offering a taste of the region’s rich soil and tropical sun.

Looking back, those three days were a perfect harmony of accomplishment and respite. Balancing academic pursuit with the warmth of mentorship, deep friendship, and family bonds—all set against the backdrop of Davao’s vibrant food culture—made for an extraordinarily delightful retreat. It was a gentle reminder that while clinical scholarly work sharpens the mind, it is the shared meals, quiet laughter, and cherished relationships that truly nourish the soul.

Central Vusayas Consortium on Health Research and Development

 Just like a class reunion, meetings with members of working committees of the CVCHRD are pleasant at the very least and genuinely enjoyable at best.

DOH-certified HIV Counselors

Good morning, team, and welcome to this vital training on HIV Counseling and Testing.

​Today, you are acquiring more than just a new skill set—you are stepping into a profound responsibility. As representatives carrying the name of the Department of Health, your work directly reflects our collective commitment to public health, human dignity, and compassionate service.

​As a return on this investment in your training, our expectation is clear: we need you to serve actively and help drive HIV case finding so we can finally END the HIV epidemic.

​Through this training, you will master the core pillars of HIV counseling and testing:

​Correct Results: Delivering accurate, reliable testing with precision and professional rigor.

​Confidentiality: Maintaining strict privacy to build an unbreakable foundation of trust with every patient.

​Consent: Respecting autonomy and ensuring every patient is fully informed and willing.

​Counseling: Offering non-judgmental, compassionate guidance before and after every test.

​Connection to Care: Ensuring no patient who tests reactive walks away alone, but is immediately linked to lifesaving treatment and support.

​You will leave here with the tools. You will leave here with the skills. But tools and skills alone are not enough—you must bring the HEART for Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV). Empathy is your most powerful asset when standing beside someone receiving a reactive result.

​Arthur Ashe famously said, "Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can."

​Look at where we are right now. Among all HIV testing modalities, inpatient HIV screening is second only to index testing in yield and impact. Every single day, we have direct access to patients across our hospital wards. We have the exact opportunity Arthur Ashe spoke of right in front of us.

​Help us implement opt-out HIV screening for inpatients. By making HIV testing a routine, standard part of inpatient care, we break down barriers, normalize testing, and actively dismantling the stigma and discrimination that still surround PLHIV.

​HIV does not discriminate—and neither should we.

​Let us lead with skill, serve with integrity, and care with heart. Together, let’s make an AIDS-free generation a reality. Thank you, and let’s make this training count!

This is not like other trainings

 Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the HIV Counseling and Testing Training.

Before we begin, I want to establish one crucial truth: this is not like other trainings. You are not here to simply sit, take notes, and leave with a certificate of attendance. You have to EARN that certificate by passing a rigorous evaluation process. The reason is simple: once you complete this course, you will carry the name and authority of the Department of Health as a certified HIV counselor. That title carries immense weight, responsibility, and trust.

My dad always had a saying: "If you don’t use it, you lose it!" Let me be clear—this training is not free. You may not have paid a registration fee out of your own pockets, but we fully intend to receive a return on our investment. Our expectations of you do not end when this week is over. We expect you to go out into the field and actively test patients—wherever you are stationed, with whoever needs it.

You are going to be our frontliners for HIV case finding. As we roll out differentiated testing modalities across our healthcare system, you will be on the ground executing opt-out HIV screening for inpatients, outpatients, and hospital employees. You will lead index testing, social and sexual network testing, mobile outreach, and even self-testing initiatives.

Our mission goes beyond just administering tests. Our goal is to normalize HIV testing and actively dismantle the stigma and discrimination that continue to harm people living with HIV. I need you to memorize the fundamental HIV 101 knowledge, but more importantly, learn how to deliver it in a way that resonates with your specific audience. Communicate effectively so that people truly accept the messaging behind the ABCDEF of STI and HIV prevention.

Right now, the Philippines has one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in the world. To fight back, we must be as opportunistic as the virus itself. HIV does not discriminate—and neither should we.

So for the next few days, I ask you to set aside all your other commitments and be fully present in this moment. Internalize the training, empathize deeply with the people you will serve, and adopt a mindset where nothing shocks you.

This is your golden opportunity to make a tangible contribution to nation-building—to help make Cebu, and the entire Philippines, a safe, compassionate, and humane place for everyone to live in.

Let’s get to work. Welcome, and good luck!

Generics Awareness Month and World Pharmacists Day

Good morning, esteemed colleagues, healthcare professionals, valued partners, and honored guests.

It is a privilege to welcome you all as we gather for this meaningful, dual celebration: Generics Awareness Month and World Pharmacists Day.

September is a month dedicated to reinforcing our commitment to accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare for every patient. 

Generics Awareness Month "Kalusugan ng Bawat Pilipino  Generics ang Katuwang Mo" reminds us that health equity begins with choices that break down financial barriers. Safe, effective, and quality-tested generic medicines ensure that necessary treatments remain within reach for the communities we serve, without compromising clinical outcomes.

Today, we also take immense pride in honoring our pharmacists on World Pharmacists Day "Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures". Pharmacists are the cornerstone of safe medication management, patient safety, and clinical stewardship. From carefully evaluating prescriptions and guiding patients on proper medication adherence to driving pharmacovigilance and bridging gaps in public health, your expertise ensures that medicine is not merely delivered, but delivered wisely and compassionately.

This joint celebration highlights a shared goal: placing patient-centered care at the heart of our health systems. When we couple accessible options with expert pharmaceutical guidance, we build a healthcare environment grounded in safety, trust, and resilience.

Thank you to our organizing team, guest speakers, and dedicated pharmacists for your steadfast service and commitment. May this gathering serve as an inspiring platform to share insights, strengthen partnerships, and reinforce our commitment to quality care for all.

Welcome, and happy Generics Awareness Month and World Pharmacists Day!  Because in VSMMC, Quality Generics and Pharmacy Services is our PRIDE!