UP Alumnus Leads Digital Health Initiative for PH Marginalized Communities

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The ATIPAN Project aims to bring digital health to marginalized communities. 

Remote communities in the Philippines face challenges that hinder their access to quality healthcare services. In response, Dr. Romulo De Castro and his team implemented the ATIPAN Project, which aims to bring digital health to marginalized communities.

Drawing inspiration from the Hiligaynon word atipan—which means “to take care of”—and from the Ati communities Dr. De Castro’s team serves, the project was launched in 2021 to offer free teleconsultations, provide technology and training for health workers in partner indigenous people and rural low income communities in Western Visayas, as well as supply basic medication and health essentials.

The ATIPAN Project has received positive feedback from communities, who highlighted the benefits of telehealth in their area. While the long-term impacts of the project have yet to be fully assessed, there is already evidence of its potential to transform health care delivery in remote and under-resourced communities, primarily by improving local access to health services.

Currently funded by foreign agencies, the ongoing project looks forward to seeing its expansion plans and innovations come to fruition.

Dr. De Castro is an alumnus of the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS), graduating with a degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. He is now the Director of the Center for Informatics of the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City.

Dr. De Castro was the resource speaker of the recent “Innovation Impact Stories: A Webinar Series on the Societal Impacts of Science Innovation” of UPD-CS’ Innovation Program held last October 15, 2025.

Innovation Impact Stories is a webinar series that explores how science, technology, and innovation drive real-world impact. This initiative highlights the journeys, challenges, and successes behind research-driven innovations that have made meaningful contributions across various fields. It aims to inform and inspire students, researchers, and faculty to foster a culture of purposeful and collaborative innovation that bridges academic theory with practical application.

Gen V Launch Ignites Youth-Led Movement for Prevention and Everyday Wellness

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Filipino youth leaders, creators, and advocates came together for the launch of Gen V: Your Vibe, Your Move, a youth-driven movement that aims to make preventive health a natural and empowering part of everyday life. Grounded in visibility, authenticity, and informed choices, Gen V encourages Gen Zs and Millennials to take charge of their well-being by understanding the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the diseases it can cause.

 

Caption: Influential creators came together at  the Gen V: Your Vibe, Your Move launch, joining energizing dance and wellness activities that underscored the movement’s call for early protection, open conversations, and a culture of prevention.  

At the heart of Gen V is a clear message: prevention is power. HPV is one of the most common viral infections worldwide, affecting people of all genders. While many infections clear on their own, certain high-risk strains can lead to cervical cancer, penile cancer, anal cancer, and oropharyngeal cancers. In the Philippines, cervical cancer remains a major health burden, 12 Filipinas die from the disease every day, even though it is highly preventable through vaccination, screening, and early care.

A Movement That Connects Science With Youth Culture

More than a campaign, Gen V is an ethos that balances science with culture. It brings together evidence-based health information and the everyday realities, values, and creative energy of today’s youth. The launch gathered influential creators such as Karina Bautista, Fonzi, Killa Kushla, and Kylie Celebre, along with other digital advocates who used their platforms to ask questions, join discussions, and help break long-standing misconceptions about HPV.

 

Caption: A dynamic mix of content creators and health advocates come together at the GenV launch, captured here as they champion conversations on preventive health and HPV vaccination – where science and culture meet to empower today’s youth.

The conversations sparked through Gen V underscored essential truths: HPV vaccination works best before exposure, making it ideal for preteens, teens, and young adults. Protection benefits everyone, regardless of gender. By grounding scientific facts in relatable dialogue, Gen V empowers young Filipinos to view prevention as a form of self-care, one that protects their health, their goals, and their future.

Prevention, Power, and the Role of the Youth

As a key supporter of the movement, MSD in the Philippines emphasized the importance of making preventive care accessible, inclusive, and aligned with how the youth consume information and influence one another. Prevention extends beyond vaccination, it involves routine screening for women, safer day-to-day practices, and lifestyle habits that support long-term health.

 

Caption: During the launch, participants engaged in fun but powerful conversations that clarified the myths and truths surrounding preventive health and HPV-related diseases. 

Young Filipinos were encouraged to seek credible information, consult healthcare providers, and access HPV vaccines through accredited clinics, local health centers, and select pharmacies offering immunization programs. They were also urged to foster open, judgment-free conversations about health within their circles, creating spaces where accurate information, responsible decisions, and preventive habits can be discussed without stigma.

“You are the generation that uses your platform to spark change. When prevention goes viral, it saves lives,” said Dr. Maan Galang-Escalona, Country Medical Lead of MSD in the Philippines, highlighting the influence young people wield in shaping public understanding.

She added, “Your voices, your stories, and even the simplest posts you share can shift mindsets and correct misconceptions that have persisted for years. Prevention isn’t just a medical choice—it’s an act of empowerment, one that protects your future and the people you care about. By talking openly about HPV, learning the facts, and encouraging others to do the same, you become catalysts for a healthier, more informed generation.”

Your Move Starts Now

Gen V calls on Filipino youth to lead the shift toward a culture of prevention, ask questions, learn the facts, talk openly, and take proactive steps to protect yourself and your community.

To learn more about HPV, cervical cancer prevention, and where to access vaccination, visit www.GuardAgainstHPV.ph and explore credible resources that can help you make informed choices.

By transforming awareness into action, Gen V aims to build a generation that not only protects itself but also helps others thrive, proving that when young people lead with knowledge, the whole community becomes stronger. 

The Soul of Baguio Under Siege: Citizens Fight Back Against the 'Mallification' of the Public Market

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

AN URGENT CALL FROM THE PEOPLE OF BAGUIO: LET THE BAGUIO PUBLIC MARKET BE FOR THE BAGUIO PEOPLE!

The cool, pine-scented air of Baguio City, long a sanctuary for culture, nature, and community commerce, is now thick with the tension of a looming battle. At stake is not just a building, but the very heart and soul of the Summer Capital: the Baguio Public Market. A collective roar from residents, vendors, and allied organizations is rising against the specter of "mallification"—a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) proposal by the Local Government Unit (LGU) and retail giant SM Prime Holdings that threatens to displace the essence of local livelihood in the name of modernization.

This is a unified statement and petition, a desperate appeal to the City Council to protect the city's heritage and its Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from being swallowed whole by corporate ambition.

What is "Mallification," and Why Does it Terrify Baguio?

"Mallification" is the process where a public, traditional marketplace is demolished and replaced by a multi-story, concrete commercial structure, often built and operated by a massive corporation under a long-term lease of public land. It is the ultimate expression of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, where public need is traded for private profit.

In the case of the Baguio Public Market, the signs are clear and alarming:

The Unsolicited Deal: SM Prime Holdings offered an unsolicited proposal to finance the market's design and development, allegedly because the LGU lacks the necessary funds (an estimated P4.5 billion).

The Corporate Price: The quid pro quo is a colossal trade-off. SM will gain extensive, highly lucrative mall space within the new complex. This space could host its own grocery chain, like SaveMore, and lease areas to businesses that will directly compete with the local vendors it is meant to support. Furthermore, SM will control and operate the paid parking facilities—a guaranteed, high-revenue stream.

The Threat to the Market: Despite some reported revisions to the plan, which suggest a larger, city-operated market portion, the fear persists: a significant section of a public, historically-owned space will be leased for decades (up to 50 years) to a single corporation for commercial gain.

The Critical Questions: A Looming Economic and Cultural Crisis

The people are demanding answers, and the silence from the LGU is deafening. The proposed redevelopment carries catastrophic potential for Baguio's vibrant economy and unique culture:

Stakeholder The Threat The Unanswered Question

Local Vendors & MSMEs Direct competition from a massive SM-owned grocery (like SaveMore) and corporate-leased stalls, potentially siphoning off their customer base and forcing closures. Will the rent in the new, expensive structure remain affordable for local vendors, guaranteeing their survival? The LGU has offered no clear assurance.

Consumers & Residents Higher operating costs for vendors—driven by potentially steeper rents—will inevitably be passed on to the public in the form of higher prices for goods. Will the cost of basic necessities rise, making the market inaccessible to ordinary Baguio folk?

Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Suppliers Any disruption or closure during the prolonged construction phase will sever the supply chain, crippling the livelihoods of those who feed the city. Is there a concrete, sustainable plan to ensure uninterrupted business for suppliers and vendors during the years of redevelopment?

The City’s Identity The construction of a second major mall by the same developer—notorious for the controversy surrounding its first Baguio City location—will irrevocably alter the city's character, exacerbating traffic and overcrowding. Will the new structure truly be pro-environment, pro-people, safe against natural disasters, and preserve the unique Baguio character, or will it be another concrete monument to corporate power?

A Race Against the Clock: The People’s Ultimatum

The Baguio City Council is facing a critical deadline—they have less than 80 days (from the date of this statement) to decide on the PPP proposal.

The unified sentiment is clear: while modernization is necessary—the current market needs repair, fire safety, and improved sanitation—the path forward cannot be through the wholesale sacrifice of public domain and local enterprise. We do not need another SM mall in Baguio. One is enough, and its impact on local business, traffic, and quality of life is already significant.

This is not a debate about progress; it is a battle for the soul of the city, pitting communal ownership against corporate takeover. The citizens of Baguio are calling on their elected officials to prioritize the people over profit.

The call to action is immediate: Question. Demand. Resist!

SHOULD WE STOP THE MALLIFICATION OF THE BAGUIO PUBLIC MARKET? SHOULD WE END THE MALLIFICATION OF BAGUIO CITY?