Daily Archives: September 22, 2026

For the UP Association of Biology Majors (UP ABM), knowledge in biology finds greater meaning when it is put into action in service of others. This commitment came to life through Project Pananauli, a community medical mission implemented in Barangay Escopa III and supported through the NSRC Reservist Grant. Bringing together students, doctors, volunteers, partners, and community members, the initiative provided an avenue not only for delivering health-related services but also for strengthening collaboration and learning among those involved. Medical missions have been a longstanding initiative of UP ABM since the organization’s establishment. Guided by its three core tenets of academic, social, and moral development, the organization views its medical missions as an opportunity for members to apply their knowledge and skills in biology for the greater good of others. Project Pananauli continued this tradition of service while providing both volunteers and beneficiaries with opportunities for meaningful engagement. The work behind Project Pananauli began even before the medical mission itself. In partnership with the St. Luke’s Medicine Student Council, a suturing and triage workshop was conducted to equip UP ABM members with basic clinical triage and suturing skills for the circumcision procedures included in the project. The project also introduced the distribution of Women’s Health Kits containing sanitary pads, feminine wash, and tissue to promote menstrual hygiene in commemoration of Women’s Month. The initiative was undertaken with CWTS B 2026, and all of the kits prepared for the community were distributed. Following the positive reception of the initiative, UP ABM is considering making the women’s health kits a permanent component of its future medical missions. More than 100 volunteers worked together to provide free services to beneficiaries during the project. Sponsorships from food companies also helped cover a substantial portion of food expenses while allowing free goods to be provided to community members. Responding to Challenges through Teamwork Implementing a medical mission on a large scale also meant responding to unexpected circumstances. Upon arriving at the venue, the Project Pananauli team encountered miscommunication with the local government unit, resulting in delays in setting up the different stations. Instead of allowing […]