UST tallied an 86.67% passing rate, above the 66.03% national passing rate.

The licensure exams were administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

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Chasid Quiambao Bautista led this year’s batch at the #7 rank after scoring 81.80%.

Meanwhile, the national passing rate was 42.26%.

The Professional Regulation Board administered the licensure exams.

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Beginning with the crisis response

With the mobility restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, community-based rehabilitation (CBR) services also had to shift modality. The paper 鈥溇派�-based rehabilitation in the time of pandemic: Experiences of parents of children with disability鈥� (co-authored by BS Occupational Therapy students Balangue, Chua, Ilagan, Juan, Labaco, and Noh, and academic staff Asst. Prof. Karen S. Sagun) conducted focus groups with parents whose children received CBR and found that they saw the potential of telecoaching to continue availing services, provided that the digital divide and initial doubt on technology can be overcome.

Building on the previous year鈥檚 focus groups, a second study was conducted a year later, focused this time on access of low-income households to community-based telerehabilitation. The paper 鈥淓xploring the accessibility of community-based telerehabilitation for children with disabilities from low-income households鈥� was co-authored by BSOT students Ryanne Nicole H. Alava, Kristine Therese S. Cablay, Katelyn A. Dagdag, Francis Rowelle P. Lagman, Kvaern Edgar S. Nocos, Jamela Y. Quidilla, Nina Mari M. Tan, along with Sagun. It was recently published in the International Journal of Telerehabilitation (Volume 16, Issue 2).

The second study found the need to provide a comprehensive approach to helping low-income households overcome access issues. In particular, affordable technology, family support, and policy advocacy must be provided by a combination of stakeholders: healthcare professionals, policy makers, and family beneficiaries. If the needed support is provided, technological competency and service delivery flexibility as well as telerehabiltation sustainability may be attained.

Transitioning to the blended modality

It was not only classes that transitioned to the blended delivery, as CBR for indigent children with disabilities (CWD) also eventually adopted the blended mode. Dubbed Flexicoaching, the QC Kabahagi Center鈥檚 CBR program was tested for its effectiveness using a quasi-experimental research design that delved into retrospective records review. This the third study conducted by Thomasian researchers, this time by Sagun, along with students Balloon, Defi帽o, Guerrero, Managuelod, Oliva, and Ri帽oza in 2024. The paper, entitled 鈥淓xamining the caregiver鈥檚 perception of occupational performance and satisfaction in community-based rehabilitation using blended online and onsite therapy,鈥� found primary caregivers鈥� perceived occupation performance and CWDs鈥� satisfaction were positive in a blended modality. The program enhanced 鈥渟ocial and educational participation, validating its potential as a sustainable service delivery model for children with disabilities in urban poor communities.鈥�

Scaling the efforts

The fourth paper, entitled 鈥淓ffectiveness of community-based flexicoaching from low socioeconomic background using goal attainment scaling, used pre-test and post-design for the quasi-experimental study alongside the Goal Attainment Scale to measure intervention success for CWDs. The Flexicoaching program was found potentially valuable not just for occupational therapists, but also for physical therapists, and speech therapists, after validating remarkable effectiveness among 88.67% of the participants, who were part of the 406 cases reviewed.

According to QC Kabahagi Center Director and Department of Occupational Therapy academic staff Asst. Prof. Karen S. Sagun, MSOT, MRS, 鈥渢he partnership between UST and QC Government through the Kabahagi Center exemplifies how academe-government collaboration can advance multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health, education, and reducing inequalities.鈥� The findings of the four studies provided informed evidence-based rehabilitation services that have been made accessible to urban poor communities and thus addressed social disparities.

Sagun added that while the collaboration began as a crisis response by BS Occupational Therapy students to see the effectiveness of Flexicoaching, the partnership has now shown 鈥渃ontinuous development of community-tailored rehabilitation approaches.鈥�

The GCARSIH award, which looked into Filipino-developed programs that targeted an identified priority health need of a community, fetes transformative partnerships that help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through integrated local governance, health innovation, and academic excellence. Among the selection criteria used were degree of innovativeness, significance, potential for further research and scale, inclusiveness, effectiveness, affordability, and participatory and co-owned nature.

Sagun acknowledged the invaluable support of Quezon City Mayor Hon. Ma. Josefina Belmonte, the QC Kabahagi center staff, UST College of Rehabilitation Sciences Dean Anne Marie C. Asron and Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Dean Ma. Lourdes D. Maglinao, along with the units鈥� officials, academic staff, researchers, and students. Sagun added: 鈥淭his recognition honors the power of collective innovation in healthcare delivery. From dedicated frontline workers of the government to academic partners and the participatory leadership of the city, each stakeholder has contributed to building a sustainable model of inclusive, community-based rehabilitation services. The partnership has become a launchpad for healthcare innovations while nurturing generations of professionals deeply committed to serving vulnerable communities.鈥�

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Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Assistant Dean Prof. Remedios D. Chan, MD, MHPEd, said in her message that the collaboration of the three academic units aimed to produce groundbreaking research works that push the boundaries of knowledge in hopes of paving the way to real-life solutions to society in the field of health sciences.

“When we combine our diverse perspectives and expertise, we are unlocking new possibilities and accelerating discovery,” Dr. Chan said.

RCHS is the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery’s research arm that envisioned itself as a hub for interdisciplinary, collaborative, and socially relevant research in medical education.

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The authors indicated that occupational therapy in the Philippine has usually revolved around the four previously mentioned areas. Using cases personally witnessed by the authors, the authors pointed out the 鈥渄rivers that have influenced (and that continue to influence) the current state and future direction of occupational therapy practice in these practice areas.鈥� The authors concluded with mitigation measures to address the threats.

Uy and Guerrero are among the early faculty members of the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy program in UST, which first offered it in the late 1990s. Her research interests include occupational therapy education and older adult patients. Meanwhile, Espino is among the early graduates of UST鈥檚 BS OT program in 2003. She is also among the first graduates of the new research-focused Doctor of Philosophy in Health Research program of the UST Graduate School. Her area of expertise is on child well-being, screen time, and play.

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The chapter elucidates the obligations of professionals to clients, as well as to the profession, education, research, and society. With reflection questions and case studies, the chapter 鈥渙ffers a valuable guide for OT professionals to effectively navigate and resolve ethical dilemmas in Philippine contexts.鈥�

The book chapter is part of the new book 鈥淥ccupational Therapy in the Philippines: Theory, Practice, and Stories鈥� by Routledge. It was edited by Michael Sy, Roi Charles Pineda, and Caroline Fischl.

Medallon has published studies on 鈥淚nclusive classrooms: Making it work for peers of children with disability鈥� (with Asst. Prof. Karen S. Sagun and Asst. Prof. Allan James Tan) and 鈥淎ttitude development from the perspectives of occupational therapy interns and clinical educators.鈥� Formerly the Internship Supervisor for the BS Occupational Therapy program of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, he is the Assistant to the Director of the Center for Innovative Teaching and Educational Delivery.

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Using these as bases, the authors discussed the implications for using such in 鈥渁dvancing knowledge and practice of occupational therapy鈥� in the country. The authors also presented strategies that may be adopted to strengthen research efforts and establish a 鈥渃ontemporary, relevant, and critical research agenda.鈥�

A researcher of the Center for Health Research and Movement Science, Gomez specializes in occupational therapy, psychophysiology, and evidence-based practice. Among his recent publications are 鈥淥ccupational Balance and Quality of Life among Hospital-based Occupational Therapists during the COVID-19 Pandemic鈥� (with Christopher Jeffrey B. Streegan) and 鈥淩eflections on the role of occupational therapy programmes on mental health of stakeholders鈥� transition to e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.鈥� Gomez is also the editor-in-chief of the Philippine Journal of Allied Health Sciences (PJAHS).

The book chapter is part of the new Routledge book entitled “.” It was edited by Michael Sy, Roi Charles Pineda, and Caroline Fischl.

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Authored by Occupational Therapy academic staff Karen S. Sagun, MSOT, MRS with co-authors Teresita C. Mendoza and Abelardo Apollo I. David, the article hinged on the Filipino concepts of pamayanan and bayanihan to 鈥渇oreground the interconnectedness between individuals within communities.鈥� The authors showed how the Filipino concepts can manifest in 鈥渟elfless practice of [occupational therapy] as modern-day bayani.鈥�

With an aim of widening access to occupational therapy services in adherence to the Philippine Universal Health Care Act, the authors discussed 鈥渢he practical aspects of developing community programs, leveraging the authors鈥� leadership involvement in three different community programs.鈥�

Sagun, apart from teaching at the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, is involved with the Quezon City Kabahagi Center for Children with Disabilities as its Director.

The book chapter is part of the new Routledge book entitled “” The book was edited by Michael Sy, Roi Charles Pineda, and Caroline Fischl.

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Meanwhile, Isabella Duran claimed the #4 rank and scored 85%. Queenee Apa-Ap scored 84.80% to occupy #5. Monique Esmile and Zharylle Gayeta shared the #7 place with their 84.40% score. Marion Lucero and Ross Ramos also shared the #8 place with their 84.20% score. Ray Torres secured the #9 place with his 84% score.

In this season, the University’s College of Rehabilitation Sciences alumni logged a 98.28% passing rate, posted by 57 new registered Thomasian Occupational Therapists, and was named #2 top-performing school.

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Within various technical panels are Thomasian academics and researchers, namely:

ACCOUNTANCY

1. Prof. Patricia M. Empleo, PhD

BIOLOGY, Molecular Biology, and Microbiology

1. Prof. Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz, Dr. rer. Nat.
2. Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD
3. Prof. John Donnie A. Ramos, PhD

CHEMISTRY

1. Academician Professor Emeritus Maribel G. Nonato, PhD
2. Assoc. Prof. Oliver B. Villaflores, PhD

FINE ARTS

1. Assoc. Prof. Eric B. Zerrudo, PhD

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

1. Prof. Marilu R. Madrunio, PhD (Chair)
2. Prof. Camilla D.J. Vizconde, PhD

GRADUATE TEACHER EDUCATION

1. Prof. Camilla D.J. Vizconde, PhD

LITERATURE

1. Prof. John Jack G. Wigley, PhD

MARINE SCIENCE

1. Prof. Mary Beth B. Maningas, PhD

MATHEMATICS

1. Prof. Ma. Carlota B. Decena, PhD

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

1. Prof. Ma. Freida Z. Hapan, PhD

MEDICINE

1. Prof. Ma. Minerva P. Calimag, MD, PhD

MUSIC

1. Assoc. Prof. Dolores T. Andres, PhD

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

1. Asst. Prof. Kathlene Anne V. Hernandez, MHPEd

OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING

1. Assoc. Prof. Ma. Ninia I. Calaca, MA, MAPhl
2. Prof. Belen L. Tangco, PhD

PHARMACY

1. Prof. Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, PhD (Chair)

PHILOSOPHY

1. Prof. Robert A. Monta帽a, PhD

PHYSICAL THERAPY

1. Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH

PHYSICS

1. Assoc. Prof. Angelita Silverio, MS (ret.)

REAL ESTATE

1. Prof. Eduardo G. Ong, PhD

SOCIOLOGY

1. Prof. Clarence M. Batan, PhD
2. Asst. Prof. Louie Benedict R. Ignacio, PhD

SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

1. Inst. Elinor Bautista
2. Asst. Prof. Judith S. Damian, MS (ret.)

The newly reconstituted technical panels will have a four-year term beginning on January 1, 2025 and ending on December 31, 2028.

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