the university and the PuBlic health system

The pandemic revealed the serious handicap of the country’s health sector as it brought in its wake a lot of consequences that need concerted actions by all sectors of society in order for them to be solved, with the crucial policy direction to be provided by the government. Among the sectors with a glaring need for a huge policy shift is the health sector.

In this, the educational sector will contribute invaluable efforts towards training and capacitating the future health professionals of the nation. Even with Central Luzon’s relatively short proximity to the National Capital Region (NCR), it can be observed that there is a scarcity of public institutions offering allied health programs.

In fact, there are only a handful of such courses among SUCs (xcept of BS Nursing). Equally noteworthy is the absence so far of an SUC offering a Doctor of Medicine program in the region, which is indicative of how challenging it might be to offer such a course.

BulSU-San Rafael Campus (SRC) was inaugurated in December 2022, and it represents huge strides towards meeting the challenges besetting health sector.

The Campus is envisioned as a flagship campus, a campus with consolidated Pre-Medicine programs, one among the few SUCs in the country with such distinct character. Among its program offerings are BS Nursing, BS Biology, BS Medical Technology and BS Psychology.

Because of health situation worldwide and of the country in particular, the government realized the urgency of strengthening the health sector, especially the public health system of the country. Enter BulSU leadership headed by University President Dr Cecilia Gascon, with its determined initiative and commitment to be proactive in this regard.

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This agile disposition, coupled with the timely passage of law sponsored by Honorable Congresswoman Lorna Silverio of the Third District of Bulacan (RA 11329), enable the setting up of BulSU-SRC.

Corollary, such statute enables the provision of healthy government support in the form of capital outlay and MOOE.

BulSU-SRC complements the pre-medical course offerings of the university in different academic units like College of Science (BS Medical Technology, BS Biology), College of Nursing (BS Nursing) and College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (BS in Psychology).

The campus is envisioned to house about 3,500 enrolled students taking up allied health courses when all year levels are completed.

PhiliPPine health SituationeR

Data from DOH reveals that there are more than 20,000 medical doctors that are needed by the country’s health sector.

Much larger is the gap that exists in the different health professionals such as nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory professionals and technicians, and even health associates.

Nationally, it is revealed that there is a sizeable number of Filipinos who have not seen medical professionals in their lives.

PRoPoSed BulSu - College of MediCine

As BulSU is poised to make its presence greatly felt and demonstrated in the field of allied health programs, it even is in the cusp of offering its own medical course, which is a cherished dream by the entire BulSU community for several years now.

The future College of Medicine which shall offer a Doctor of Medicine program is envisioned to produce future health professional who are truly responsive to the basic and specialized health needs of the Filipinos.

Seen in this light, RA 11509 or more popularly known as “Doktor Para Sa Bayan Act” is one such desired government support which will make it possible for the country to consistently increase the number of Filipinos who seeks to become future health professionals thereby becoming active part of the government’s response to the highly challenging public health situation of the nation.

Paths tO success: the uneasy rOads Of let Passers

Jemimah Faith Fajardo and Jose Ivan

Domingo

For four years, we’ve poured tears, blood, and sweat for the battle day we will sit in front of a gateway that holds either success or failure.

We faced different kinds of struggles and managed to stand again and again. In the moments of sleepless nights and breakdowns, together with the guidance of the Almighty, we can hope for a better result of this paper and pen battle with our strong minds and hearts as our weapons.

one VeRSuS two

Fighting a battle alone is already hard, and what more if you’re facing two?

After the sleepless nights, never-ending triumphs and failures, and the burning of the midnight oil, aspiring teachers would now face the final boss: the Board Licensure Examination for Teachers.

But for Ms. Arnel Jane B. Osing, the final boss had only become two. Treading her way to college with the threat of cancer made each step a lot tougher, yet perseverance and a tight hold on her aim made everything almost possible for her when she graduated Cum Laude.

Still carrying the burden of having cancer, she took the risk and used all the wisdom and competence gained from BulSU’s training ground, the College of Education, and overcame one of the final bosses with flying colors. With 93.40% accuracy on the recognized exam, she placed 6th out of the 91,468 examinees of elementary education.

Unquestionably, it’s not yet the end, for she still has one final boss left to finish. But one thing’s for sure, a BulSUan’s success is the success of the whole university, and Ms. Arnel’s story is only one of the countless victorious stories the College of Education has produced.

StRong heaRt: Sweet ViCtoRy

“Ang paniniwala mo sa kakayanan mo ang magdadala sayo papunta sa pangarap mo. At lagi ninyong tatandaan na, there is no straight path to success,” stated Ranny Allen De La Luna, a Bachelor of Elementary Education student with a passing rate of 93.20% in the past licensure exam for teachers.

In the College of Education, reporting, crafting lesson plans, and creating visual aids are what you eat for breakfast becomes your energy for battles ahead.

Just like Mr. Ranny De La Luna, who must juggle his work, review, then work, and devotion while bearing the thought that he lacks support.

It is indeed emotionally heavier to continue and pursue your ambitions when others put you down and even further when you’re making your little steps, but no one’s behind you.

However, these hindrances did not stop a BulSUan’s heart. They only fueled it more, making Mr. De La Luna rank 7 in the recent LET.

This testimony from Mr. De La Luna proves that the road to success is never easy. There will be different struggles you’ll encounter throughout the journey but having a strong heart will lead you through the sweet victory you’re aiming for.

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Seated at the unexPeCted SPot

“Sa totoo lang po I was never really sure na handa talaga ako para sa BLEPT. What I did is prepare for the exams. Tiniyaga ko po talaga ang pagre-review every weekend and after work for 5 months”, said Arjay J. Maclalag, Bachelor of Elementary Education former Bulacan State University student who ranked 7th in the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers held last October 2022.

Passing the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers is a significant event that Mr. Arjay J. Maclalag persisted in his ambition to get a new license.

His careful planning paid off, as he scored 93.00% and was spotted in the top 7 among thousands of takers of the said licensure exam.

It’s fulfilling to get an achievement, especially if it’s something we’ve worked hard for, but it’s even more worthy when something good, unexpected follows.

“Hindi po talaga ako makapaniwala na kasama ako sa Top 10. Lutang na lutang po ang pakiramdam ko. I kept praying na mapasama ako sa top pero iba pa rin po talaga nung nakita ko na po yung pangalan ko sa official list ng PRC. After that I prayed and thank God for answering my prayers,” Mr. Arjay J. Maclalag said.

MiSSion aCCoMPliShed!

Many people say that when you are working, you will miss studying, but what if you are a teacher who must teach and study at the same time? Because a teacher’s career does not end after completing a fouryear course, they can pursue other opportunities, such as obtaining different licenses.

Ms. Julie M. Ramos is one of those teachers who just needs to turn her nights into days so that she can fulfill her passion for teaching and review for the licensure exam which isn’t easy after all.

She proved that “Kapag may tiyaga, may nilaga,” when the LET result came out this year, his sacrifices made in preparing for the licensure exam were immediately repaid, and she made it to the top 10 because he got 92.60% of the correct answers.

Ms. Ramos shows one of the real stories of a teacher who continues professional development for the betterment of her students.

She is one of the living accomplishments of the College of Education as well as the Bulacan State University’s mission to produce highly competent, ethical, and service-oriented professionals that contribute to the sustainable socio-economic growth and development of the nation.

The road to success isn’t as simple as it first appears, especially when we run into challenges we weren’t expecting. But the SOAR of our cherished university will always hold a special place in BulSuan’s heart.

The four names stated, along with everyone else who took the test, represented the warriors who had been formed by adversity and had received the best mentoring. These warriors brought victory in the name of Bulacan State University.