Conquering Mountains, Achieving Heights: The 8th Philippine Pharmacy Summit

by Melrose E. Abad

“Ain’t no mountain high that we can’t climb!”

The Centro Escolar University Manila - School of Pharmacy continued to be at its peak at the 8th Philippine Pharmacy Summit which was held in a hybrid set-up with its physical venue at the Quezon Hall, Quezon City Sports Club last March 4, 2023. With the theme of “Merging with the future: Breaking into the trends of the pharmaceutical industry,” the school has shown its maximum potential in doing research proven by the bagged awards.

Mr. Reysan S. Cosas, the Assistant to the Dean of the School of Pharmacy, got the Best Poster Presentation Award for his research entitled “Cytotoxicity on MDAMB-231 cells and antioxidant activity of Tibig (Ficus nota Blanco Merr.)” while the Best Oral Presentation Award was given to the research, “Selected community pharmacist’s extent of knowledge, actions, and confidence in medication, education to people with hearing disabilities” presented by Mr. Dominic C. Moreno, a 4th year BS Pharmacy student. Mr. Moreno is the principal investigator and his co-researchers were Chetkeilah E. Adoptante, Gerard Tristan B. Carillo, Unice Jeane L. Daria, Alondra Lei C. Diaz, Paul Jasper J.

Espiritu, Neslei Ann T. Libunai, Francine Kyla Marquez, Jalene B. Ocfemia, and Maria Patricia Beatrice M. Santo. According to one of the researchers, Ms. Marquez, the research they did was like a mountain they needed to hike to reach the top. With tight deadlines, overlapping personal schedules, and accommodating their target number of respondents, the team found a way to work efficiently. Their leader divided and designated certain tasks for each of their members.

In the end, the School of Pharmacy did it again showing excellence despite the crying times. It was a dreadful but fulfilling experience getting the best awards for the respective categories. The awards that Mr. Cosas and Mr. Moreno’s team proved that the obstacles leading to where they are now could be the plan all along. There is no shortcut to achieving great heights and the only way is up.

CEU Pharmacy and MedTech Alumni Chosen as 2022 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World

Centro Escolar University’s graduates are truly world-class and are making a difference in their respective fields of expertise. Two alumnae, Ms. Annaflor Feliprada-Patrizio and Ms. Catalina Manarin Bagsic, were recognized as 2022 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World during the 18th Filipina Leadership Global Summit by The Foundation for Filipina Women’s Network (FWN). It was held on November 3, 2022 at the Dom Pedro Lisboa in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ms. Patrizio, CEU School of Pharmacy alumna, is a recipient of the award for the Founders and Pioneers Award Category. This award category is for the trailblazers mainly Filipino women who serve as the chief executive, president, executive director, or founder of a company, community organization, non-profit or business venture that they helped start, build or significantly grow; Filipinas who have marshaled resources and applied innovative practices, processes, and/or technologies in a new and groundbreaking way to address a significant business or organizational opportunity.

In 2001, Ms. Patrizio obtained the degree, Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in CEU. She now owns Schomberg Village Pharmacy in Canada.

This is not the first time a CEU Pharmacy graduate was given the prestigious award. Ms. Maria Santos-Greaves, who nominated Ms. Patrizio was an awardee of the same distinction in 2015.

Another CEU pride, Ms. Catalina Manarin Bagsic, a CEU School of Medical Technology alumna, is also a recipient of the 2022 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World award for the Builders category. She is one of the women who have demonstrated exceptional organizational impact in a large workplace environment, displaying a deep passion for a cause through collaborative initiatives or alliances with institutions, corporations, or non-profit organizations on behalf of her own company.

Presently, Ms. Bagsic is the President of First Integrity Bank, Inc. and MTHIRAYA Corporation in the Philippines. Aside from running her businesses, she is an active volunteer and supporter of disaster relief operations of typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other natural calamities in partnership with several non-government organizations. She graduated in 1979 with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology in CEU.

As awardees, Ms. Patrizio and Ms. Bagsic have their Global Pitch Projects which serve as pay forward initiatives that will benefit the Filipino women community in their geographic locations.

Pharmacy Escolarian shines at 10th AYLTLC: A beacon of inspiration to youth leaders

by Gian Miguel B. Lagman

“Whatever you may accomplish in life, no matter how successful or great you are, what matters most is character and how you treat others.” — Jermaine Ghel T. Salazar

On February 2-6 of 2023, the 10th Asian Youth Leaders Travel and Learning Camp (AYLTLC) was held at National University of Singapore (NUS).

Among the participants was a 4th year student leader from Centro Escolar University (CEU) - Manila, being the Pharmacy Student Council (PSC) President for the A.Y. 2022-2023, Jermaine Ghel T. Salazar. She was not only able to represent CEU at the international event, but also brought home two awards with her. During the event, student leaders across Asia were brought together to interact and learn with the aim of further developing their skills in crosscultural interactions in preparation to become proficient leaders of today.

The event hosted learning sessions revolving around the history of Singapore, the innovative transport policies, the neverending improvement of the country, a talk on anthropology, and most importantly, topics revolving around leadership. A talk that really caught the attention of several attendees,

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