Tayo ang
APMC-SN
Back to the Grassroots Level by Eriel G. Nocon
For this fiscal year, the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges – Student Network (APMC-SN) moved to realign its vision back to its constituents – the medical student community. With the challenges brought on by the pandemic, the organization saw how important it is more than ever to bring back the focus to its grassroots level. Continued on page 2.
Miss Information: The Bane in the Screen
We Are Not Alone: The Sem;colon Project 2021
It has been exactly 654 days since March 16, 2020, when the State of Calamity due to the novel coronavirus had been proclaimed. What people thought to be a one- or two-week type of outbreak turned into months and now it is approaching its second year. The virus spread like a wildfire. It was then unforeseen, uncontrollable, rapid, and aggressive. Continued on page 4.
Last October 2021, the APMC-SN Socio-Civic Committee hosted The Sem;colon Project, a series of plenary sessions and panel discussions, all covering various topics in the field of mental health, its issues, and the many viewpoints of the guests and speakers of the events. Continued on page 6.
by Kathleen Jhoanne Martinez
by Marlo Abadilla
B A L I N T A T A W
Tayo ang APMC-SN Back to the Grassroots Level
by Eriel G. Nocon
For this fiscal year, the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges – Student Network (APMC-SN) moved to realign its vision back to its constituents – the medical student community. With the challenges brought on by the pandemic, the organization saw how important it is more than ever to bring back the focus to its grassroots level. “Thus, our theme Sama-sama tayo, #TayoAngAPMCSN is a product forged from years of attempting and reassessing what more can be done to achieve how we envision this network to be - a hub whose pulse is propelled by sincere collaboration and whose heart beats for causes which benefit the grassroots.” –Mr. Genquen Philip Carado, National Vice President, APMC-SN Over the past few months, the projects of APMC-SN placed a stronger emphasis on various pressing issues such as mental health awareness (APMC-SN Students’ Rights and Welfare), suicide prevention training and psychological first aid (The Sem;colon Project), human rights violations (Fight for Your Rights), and vaccine awareness (Bakuna Muna), among others.
DECEMBER 2021
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Sama-sama tayo, #TayoAngAPMCSN VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1
is a product forged from years of attempting and reassessing what more can be done to achieve how we envision this network to be - a hub whose pulse is propelled by sincere collaboration and whose heart beats for causes which benefit the grassroots.
Other programs also included promotion of medical education (Yellow Pages and iLearn) and awareness on prominent health-related Mr. Genquen Philip Carado issues (Ugnayan, PinaSiglaTV, etc.). These programs centered on the health and welfare National Vice President, APMC-SN of not only medical students, but of the general Beyond the four walls of the classroom, whether community to which we aim to provide quality virtual or physical, it is important that we make health service to in the future. an effort to affect change in health education, The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a huge promotion, awareness, and delivery. As challenge to us all, affecting millions of people medical students and future physicians, it is and various sectors around the world. Despite our responsibility to take the next steps in these challenges, the APMC-SN made full efforts creating an environment for discussion and towards implementing these projects, because initiating these discussions regarding relevant above all, it is an organization for its constituents and crucial topics of today. and its community. #TayoAngAPMCSN is a grassroots movement With the theme Sama-sama tayo, towards our purpose as individuals in #TayoAngAPMCSN, the APMC-SN initiated medicine and our purpose as a community its grassroots movement back to the medical as stakeholders in the health care system student community. At the same time, the of the country. APMC-SN firmly believes in organization encouraged its network of and encourages this movement as part of its medical students to go back to their grassroots service as a hub for medical students with a as well, by bringing back the driving question common purpose. And this year’s theme, Samato ourselves – why do we want to become sama tayo, #TayoAngAPMCSN, embodied that future physicians? purpose. ** PA G E 3
B A L I N T A T A W
It has been exactly 654 days since March 16, 2020, when the State of Calamity due to the novel coronavirus had been proclaimed. What people thought to be a one- or two-week type of outbreak turned into months and now it is approaching its second year. The virus spread like a wildfire. It was then unforeseen, uncontrollable, rapid, and aggressive. The pandemic truly shifted our way of living. The impact it has on the economy, environment, sectors of the society, and the medical field has been evident globally. The percentage of unemployment has increased, numbers of death and infected individuals have soared, all the while the count of healthcare workers has diminished. On top of this medical crisis, there seems to be an outbreak going on as well in our screens that has played a part in the decision-making and behavior of the people towards this pandemic. In this modern age, we have been immersed in online platforms as it gives us a virtual space for interactions. Through technology, we have adapted to online learning, online working, and even online transactions of all sorts of businesses with various currencies like traditional money and cryptocurrencies. Medical services including laboratory testing and online consultations have been made more accessible through online and newly developed applications. Medical information, particularly COVID-19 vaccination rollout, now have systematic organization. In
DECEMBER 2021
just a few clicks, you can now access your vaccination data, medical records, and even emergency medical contacts and hospitals near you. However, modernity comes with modern problems as well. Prior to the pandemic, misinformation has already been acknowledged as a problem in our society. Not only does it pose a threat to the quality of our education and the sociopolitical realm, but it also has a great impact in the medical field. With the ease of access we have, conspiracies regarding COVID-19 virus, misconceptions on vaccination, misinformation on clinically rejected drugs against the virus, and a lot more have been rampant. This misleads communities and puts individuals into a greater risk.
by Kathleen Jhoanne Martinez
VOLUME 2
Miss Information: The Bane in the Screen
ISSUE 1
There have been debates and heated discussions regarding matters such as use of Ivermectin, efficacy and efficiency of the covid vaccines, and the actuality of pandemic to name a few. However, the problem lies at the usage of sources that are not credible and factual which many tend to believe and follow. Undeniably, misinformation is a bane in the screen.
Considering this, as members of the allied health community, the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges – Student Network partnered with Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) and Project HOPE in the launching of a communication campaign to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the Philippines. Through this initiative,
the organizations aim to support the country’s vaccination rollout program to promote the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine by providing factual information and testimonials from various sectors. In this project, we debu-nk several misconceptions and conspiracies regarding vaccination while also providing reliable sources and verified data. Through vaccination, we are not only protecting ourselves, but we are also helping our frontliners who have been relentlessly providing their service since day one to save lives of the many. May it be a reminder to everyone that misinformation is as harmful and viral as the COVID-19 virus.** PA G E 5
B A L I N T A T A W
We Are Not Alone:
The Sem;Colon Project 2021
Last October 2021, the APMC-SN Socio-Civic Committee hosted The Sem;colon Project, a series of plenary sessions and panel discussions, all covering various topics in the field of mental health, its issues, and the many viewpoints of the guests and speakers of the events. Namely, some of the guest speakers at the event included: Dr. Gia Sison, National Adviser of Youth for Mental Health Coalition, Robert Dominic Gonzales, RPh, Natatanging Mag-aaral ng Medisina ng Pilipinas 2021, and Dr. Sabrina Tan, a Child Psychologist.
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Sometimes we have to just see things the way it is and remember
ACCEPTANCE IS NOT THE SAME AS FAILURE. It means respecting the process and your current place, and also acknowledging that this is just going to be temporary. And there are really things that are beyond our control and so
WE START TO FOCUS ON THE THINGS THAT WE CAN. DECEMBER 2021
Dr. Gia B. Sison
National Adviser of the Youth for Mental Health Coalition
After the inaugural event, regional sessions are being planned to be held, including a psychological first aid and coaching session regionally. Other guest speakers included: Ms. Ave Rose Carillo, Mental Health Advocate and Student of Languages, Ms. Belle Mapa and Mr. AJ Sunglao, both of Silakbo PH, Writer and Psychologist respectively, Dr. mark Anthony S. Pascual, Medical Specialist III in the National Center for Mental Health, and Mr. Lakan D. Umali, Filipino Writer.
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It’s very useful to tap these very powerful institution[s], just like the educational system, LGUs or even things like the church or the media when it comes to propagating and normalizing these concepts because these are the institutions which have the rich[es] and the power to show that these experiences, illnesses, and issues, are not just experienced by one person, they are experienced by many people. It’s not just a personal issue, but something which lies in the structure of our society.
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Mr. Lakan D. Umali Mental Health Advocate and Filipino Writer
Truly, we are not alone, when it comes to these issues and problems; always remember that someone can be there for you, and you can also be there for someone having trouble themselves. ** PA G E 7
B A L I N T A T A W
Lecturio 14-Day Trial The Editorial Team Lecturio is an all-in-one study resource for medical students that combines learning science and medical education into one easyto-use platform. You can access a variety of high-yield medical video lectures, take a closer look at the human body with scientifically accurate 3D anatomy models, test your knowledge and assess your learning progress by answering interactive quiz questions, and prepare for exams using the most advanced question bank available. Even better, all of Lecturio’s exam-style clinical case questions include text and video answer explanations.
Eunice Mikaela Macapinlac Editor-in-Chief
One of the benefits of APMC-SN’s two-year partnership with Lecturio is having a 14-day free trial, which may be utilized by all medical students. You may access this trial by clicking on this exclusive link. This is completely risk-free and doesn’t require any payment details.
Emil Louise Santos Layout Editor
Kathleen Martinez Content Writer
Elixandra Mae Madrid
Eriel Nocon
Content Writer
Layout Editor
Marlo Abadilla Content Writer
Do the Life Buoy
Lastly, if you enjoyed using the premium features of Lecturio, you may also get a 50% discount on all Lecturio plans using the code “apmcsn”. Thank you and we hope you’ll have fun learning from Lecturio!
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DECEMBER 2021
As we transition back into the normal, institutions and universities have already started implementing in-person learning. Several establishments and businesses have also gradually opened. As future doctors, we were taught how good personal hygiene protects us and keeps us clean and healthy. Let us all take part in this 4-point hygiene agenda by Lifebuoy, in partnership with Philippine Red Cross and Association of Philippine Medical Colleges - Student Network (APMC-SN)!
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Wear a mask Keep social distancing Get vaccinated Wash hands regularly
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