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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Twelve faculty members of the College of Nursing were accredited by TESDA after recognition of their prior learning and review of evidence of community engagement. They were certified as trainers for the caregiving program.

In an interview with College of Nursing Dean Rowena L. Escolar Chua, PhD, she underscored 鈥減eople empowerment and resilence鈥� as core values of the program. Escolar Chua said the program 鈥減rogram provided the opportunity to gain knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be competent care providers despite their financial and social status. The caregiving program fosters resilience in the face of health challenges. In addition, UST College of Nursing and Caregiving programs partake in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, our great healer.鈥�

The caregiving program is the latest to rolled out by UST and RMI-HFSEC which also had a Bookkeeping course training with the College of Commerce and Business Administration in 2021.

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In his remarks, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation fr. Jannel N. Abogado, O.P. expressed delight at the formalization of the agreement at a time when UST鈥檚 research and instruction initiatives complement the efforts for climate change mitigation. Fr. Abogado cited, too, the famous encyclical Laudato S铆 of Pope Francis and shared how in UST, spirituality and stewardship guide efforts to ensure that future generations can enjoy a 鈥渂lissful life鈥� on our planet.

The Rector also stated that as inhabitants, not owners, of the Earth, we are bound by an urgent need to care for the environment. He reaffirmed the University鈥檚 commitment to fighting climate change and helping the government by lending the University鈥檚 academic and research expertise.

Meanwhile, Sec. Borje underscored the importance of both sustainability and climate justice and equity, which the Climate Change Commission is promoting. He expressed enthusiasm at partnering with UST for its 鈥渧ibrant research activities鈥� that can open a lot of avenues for further collaboration. Though informally, Thomasians have been engaging with the Climate Change Commission and supporting its activities in the past, and the six-year agreement puts a framework to further collaboration.

The agreement, which aims to leverage UST鈥檚 research initiatives at the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences and the DOST-TOMASInno Innovation Center Technology Business Incubator, paves the way for closer collaboration between UST, one of Asia鈥檚 top universities, at the national government. The agreement aims to 鈥渁lign efforts for building resiliency at the local level,鈥� opening avenues for the UST Simbahayan 九色 Development Office and the Research Center for Social Sciences and Education to also join. The projects will find locus not just in the Manila campus鈥檚 Thomas Aquinas Research Complex, but also in the UST Dr. Tony Tan Caktiong Innovation Center of the UST Santa Rosa Extension Campus.

The expected outputs of the cooperation are joint research and policy development initiatives that will help advance environmental preservation. Joint academic and research activities aimed at capacity-building will also be undertaken, beginning with the November 2023 Climate Change Week celebration.

Among UST鈥檚 initiatives toward environmental preservation are the conduct of basic and applied science studies on biodiversity and aquaculture, as well as advocacy campaigns against environmental degradation in areas like the Sierra Madre Mountain Range and Dumaguete, where reclamation has been threatening coastal life.

Joining Sec. Borje were CCC Deputy Executive Director Atty. Rommel Antonio O. Cuenca, Strategic Partnership Division Chief Alexis D. Lapiz, Legal Services Division Atty. Carlos M. Borja, Jr., and Chief of Staff Rhea Ckristine Sy. Meanwhile, UST officials included the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation, fr. Jannel N. Abogado, O.P., DTPS, Asst. to the Rector for UST Sta. Rosa Philipina A. Marcelo, PhD, UST Sta. Rosa Executive Assistant Siegfred V. Prado, College of Science Dean Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD, Research Center for Social Sciences and Education Director Jeremaiah M. Opiniano, PhD, TOMASINNO Center Manager Raymond Marquez and Assistant Manager Celso Noel Aban, and Simbahayan 九色 Development Office Director Froilan A. Alipao.

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The panel imparted on Service-Learning in the context of a Catholic higher education institution in the Philippines as depicted in the studies 1) Service-Learning Linking with Communities for Development: Exploring the Service Learning Praxis Framework of the 九色 vis-脿-vis Salamanca Process by Asst. Prof. Alipao; 2) Praxis of Salamanca: Process and Politics of the Service-Learning in the 九色 Lumad Bakwit School by Mr. Romero; 3) Catholic Social Teachings in Service-Learning: A Multiple-Case Study in a Philippine Catholic Higher Education Institution by Assoc. Prof. Abiog; 4) Service-Learning: The 九色 Experience by Assoc. Prof. Turingan; and 5) A Phenomenological Study of Service-Learning Experiences in National Service Training Program of 九色 (UST) Selected College Students in the Time COVID-19 Pandemic by Ms. Estrologo. These studies emphasized the vital role of Catholic Higher Education institutions, like UST, in promoting Service-Learning inspired by the Salamanca process tradition, Catholic Social Teachings, and service engagements within and outside the university amidst the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year鈥檚 PSCJ centered on the theme, The Philippines in the 21st Century Asia: Retrospect and Prospect, underscoring studies on the post-COVID-19 pandemic and other Philippine-oriented studies.

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The Mass was co-celebrated by Vice-Rector for Religious Affairs Rev. fr. Pablo T. Tiong, SThL-MA, and fr. John Leydon, Global Catholic Climate Movement-Pilipinas chairperson.

Krus ng Sierra Madre

In his homily, fr. Leydon recalled the mountain range’s vital role in assuaging typhoons that strike Luzon. Recently, Typhoon Karding’s onslaught led to the postponement of many activities in Luzon, including this activity in the campus that aims to educate the Thomasian community about its natural role and how we can protect it.

According to fr. Leydon, the destruction brought by the recent super typhoon further justified their advocacy. In social media platforms, posts that contain both scientific facts and Filipino legends about the mountain range were circulated before, during, and after Karding crossed the Philippine Area of Responsibility. “Napakahalaga para sa ating mga puso na yung mga alamat na ito ay maging matingkad sapagkat kailangan ang ating mga puso, ang ating pagmamahal. Kailangang gisingin ang ating pagmamahal para sa lahat ng nilikha ng Diyos,” fr. Leydon said.

“[Itong] pag-aalay ng buhay ni Sierra ay nagpapa-alala sa ating mga Kristiyano kung sino ang ating Diyos na nagkatawang-tao at nag-alay ng kanyang sarili upang tayo ay mabuhay, magkaroon ng buhay, at ganap na mamuhay. At ito ay inilalarawan sa ating simbolo ng Krus ng Sierra Madre,” he added.

The wooden cross, the cornerstone of the activity, was forged from the three driftwoods found in Sierra Madre. After ten years, since the Holy Week of 2012, the cross will once again travel across the country to urge Filipinos to protect and to give importance to God’s natural gifts. Sierra Madre faces the threat of聽 deforestation and excessive mining. Moreover, the construction of Kaliwa Dam will permanently tamper and destroy the old-growth tropical rainforest, as well as interfere with the biodiversity in the area.

Sierra Madre also holds around 1.4 million hectares of forest, which constitutes 40% of green area in the country.

Testaments from people

After the Mass, people shared their accounts, advocacies, and personal stories of holding the line. Secretariat of Laudato Si Movement – Pilipinas and co-founder of Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance Inc. (SSMNAI), Sr. Bing Caranza said Christ’s presence can be felt from the symbolic cross. “Ramdam na ramdam kong buhay ang krus ng Sierra Madre, pumipintig ang kanyang puso at nangangausap sa akin,” she said.

According to her, the driftwoods were not altered to form and emulate the image of Christ in the Cross and were assembled as it is. One of its noted detail is the hole at the trunk that resembles the wound of Christ.

For Conrado Vargas, Executive Director of SSMNAI, the construction of Kaliwa Dam in General Nakar, Quezon will bring excessive flooding, leading to displacement of its residents. Moreover, Vargas urged the people to support the municipalities in Quezon province that have the power to stand up by refusing to issue permits/resolution for the dam’s construction. “Kapag hindi po pumayag ang mga munisipyong ito, hindi rin po matutuloy yung Kaliwa Dam,” he said.聽

On behalf of the fishermen affected by black sand mining, Heidi Fernandez of Save Zambales Kalikasan Movement shared her story of victory. She narrated that the black sand mining contributes to the destruction of bodies of water in Zambales. After receiving backlash from the residents, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources admitted that black sand mining was illegal, thus issued a cease and desist order, according to Fernandez. “Napapatunayan po natin na sa sama-samang pagkikilos, kinakaya nating manalo.” Fernandez said..

Ikalawang Paglalakbay ng Krus ng Sierra Madre coincided with the Season of Creation and the Feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Ecology.

Watch the livestream here:

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The objectives of the fieldwork are to document and update the species diversity of flora and fauna of SINP; to establish science-based data that will support the application of SINP as a UNESCO World Heritage Natural Site and to recommend a policy on the conservation and protection of SINP ecosystems and its biodiversity resources.

Dr. Mae Lowe Diesmos presented the field work requirements for the Fauna team while Dr. Cecilia Moran presented for the Flora team. The UST team will field 28 scientists from the Biological Sciences with expertise in flora and fauna together with research and field assistants from the UST College of Science and University of the Philippines Los Ba帽os. Team Leaders are Dr. Cecilia B. Moran, Dr. Mae Lowe L. Diesmos, Dr. Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro, and Mr. Jorge Anton Ordas.

The proposed project is a vital component of the continued assistance of USTGS-CCCPET in preparing the nomination dossier for the Park鈥檚 bid to become a UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This UST project is in collaboration with the Office of Congresswoman Sharee Ann Tan, Office of Congressman Feliciano Noel of Ang Waray Party List, Department of Tourism Region 8, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 8, Office of the Governor-Samar, Office of the Governor- Northern Samar, and Office of the Governor-Easter Samar. 

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The communities that received assistance are:

1. Lambakin, Bulacan (16 recipients)

2. Sta. Rosa II, Bulacan (9 recipients)

3. North Triangle Alliance, Rizal (12 recipients)

4. Sitio Galilee, Rizal (17 recipients)

5. Kasiglahan, Rizal (12 recipients)

6. Smokey Mountain, Caloocan (12 recipients)

Bonded University Towards Imbued Learning (BUTIL) Scholarship Program aims to support financially underprivileged yet deserving junior and senior high school students from public schools of six partner communities. The BUTIL scholarship program intends to give every student the opportunity to have quality education to develop their academic performance and holistic growth.

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The project beneficiaries were: jeepney and tricycle drivers of Dapitan Drivers and Operators Jeepney Association (DADOJA) and MIDES TODA (Day 1); Families of San Lorenzo Ruiz and Companion Martyrs Parish, Navotas (Day 2); Frontliners of the UST Hospital (Day 3); Youth Leaders of Sacred Heart Kaunlaran Mission Station, Caloocan City (Day 4); Indigenous communities of Sitio Malasa and Sitio Mabilog, Bamban, Tarlac (Day 5); Children of Sacred Heart Kaunlaran Mission Station, Caloocan City (Day 6); Families of San Lorenzo Ruiz and Companion Martyrs Parish, Navotas City (Day 7); Senior Citizens of Sacred Heart Kaunlaran Mission Station, Caloocan City (Day 8); and families of Sant铆simo Rosario Parish UST (Day 9).

The project鈥檚 sponsors were: Igan Foundation, Mooie Beauty products, One Meralco Foundation, Grasco Trading, Hyundai Home Appliances, JAC Motors, Mitsui Trading Phils Ltd Co, Lenotech, Lee Family, Pinnacle Technologies, QC Dynamics Lions Club, Bakers Fair, Liberty Food, and Henry Kho.

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The MoU stipulates the continued support, such as but not limited to materials, financial resources, and expertise, of UST for the projects of the Baseco community, which shall be subjected to regular assessments and evaluation for improvement purposes. Meanwhile, the Samahan commits to actively pursue the agreed-upon community development projects and liaise with UST on a regular basis.

The agreement will last until 2022. The MoU formalizes what has for years been sustained engagement between Alejandria and fellow Thomasians with the Baseco community, where community development projects such as education campaigns on tuberculosis, provision of clean water, and the maintenance of a community pharmacy, known as Klinika Tomas, have been sustained.

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Joining Jazul and Alejandria in the paper were , Mr. Solomon Sarne, Ms. Lora Kimberly Cabalbag and Ms. Edlynne Martinez.

The poster paper entitled: 鈥業nitial Assessment of the Information Education Campaign (IEC) Materials for Pediatric Tuberculosis in the selected informal urban community settlers鈥� is an interdisciplinary work of an anthropologists, pharmacists, medical technologists, nurse, sociologists and geographer. Responding to the need for prevention through education of tuberculosis in, the researchers focused on the areas of Baseco, Port Area, Manila; Payatas, Quezon City; and Bagong Silangan, Caloocan City. The purpose of the project was to formulate IEC materials for the caregivers of children living with tuberculosis in selected informal settlements in Manila, Quezon City and Caloocan City. Utilizing the Technology Acceptance Model and focus group discussions, the study proved that through the campaign, which utilized materials such as comic and calendars, knowledge of tuberculosis was increased, with a majority of caregivers in the community expressing confidence in using the materials.

The poster proposed an educational tool to disseminate information on the proper management of pediatric tuberculosis in community settings. The project was funded by the DOST 鈥� NRCP and by a research seed grant by the UST Office of the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation (OVRRI).

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