14/03/2025
Taguyod, Buhay na Pag-Asa: The official opening of Grade 10’s Monthly Medical Consultation Program
On February 1st, 2025, the official opening of Grade 10’s Monthly Medical Consultation Program, Taguyod, was held at the CSS Garden in Assumption Antipolo (serving as a temporary venue while the Saint Marie Eugenie or SME Kiosk undergoes renovation). Taguyod: Monthly Medical Consultation, or Taguyod: MMC for short, is a program typically held on the last Saturday of each month, giving nearby Sitio communities the opportunity to receive free and accessible health and dental care. However, this year’s opening session was moved to February 1st instead of January 25th because the school fair was scheduled on the same day. For this school year, Batch 2027 is leading the medical mission, giving the students an opportunity to learn and grow as individuals as they handle the preparations and ex*****ons of the program.
The soft opening of the MMC was originally set for October 26, 2024, but had to be postponed to November 25, 2024, due to Typhoon Kristine. Despite the delay, this trial run gave Grade 10 students the chance to experience the program firsthand and identify areas for improvement before the official launch of Taguyod. This was especially helpful for committees handling logistics and program flow on the day itself. Two months prior , on September 28, 2024, the students also had an observation period where they learned from the previous batch in charge of the MMC, Batch 2025, gaining valuable insights into how the program operates and what could be refined.
The Batch 2027’s Grade 10 students were separated into 5 committees for each section. Section 1 is in charge of the Records and Registration, they manage things from patient information to pharmacy supplies. Section 2’s committee is Sponsorship and Finance, they handle all financial aspects, including securing donations and sponsorships. Meanwhile Section 3 handles the Promotions and Marketing, they are responsible for social media content before and after the event, raising awareness and engagement for Taguyod. Section 4 oversees the Human Resources, they coordinate the recruitment and scheduling of volunteer doctors, nurses, and students.
Additionally, they also manage the daycare service, where student volunteers care for children of the Sitio patients while their parents attend consultations. Lastly, Section 5 is in charge of Logistics and Program, they oversee venue preparation and manage the event’s program flow, ensuring everything runs smoothly and all resources are in place.
The MMC held on February 1 was made possible by generous sponsors and donors. Notable sponsors included Krispy Kreme and the Grade 10's Entrepreneurship Day event, Timeless Tastes. Several student families also contributed as donors, further supporting the mission's success. It was not just monetary donations: some families and students also donated office materials, toys for the daycare, food, and other miscellaneous items. The medical team consisted of three skilled medical practitioners and two registered nurses, who were essential in delivering quality care to the patients throughout the event.
The Taguyod: Monthly Medical Consultation program also served as the Quarterly Assessment for Grade 10 students in their AKK subject, so everyone was expected to be actively involved in both the planning and ex*****on. For many Grade 10 students, it was a first-time experience that proved to be both challenging and rewarding. The students and student volunteers shared that the MMC not only taught them how to handle stress but also how to engage with individuals outside of their usual community, giving them a deeper understanding of the real-world impact of their efforts. Students shared that being able to help so many people, even in small ways, made all the hard work worth it. They mentioned how the experience taught them invaluable lessons in patience, organization, and time management. The medical mission also helped the students learn the hard work it takes to do all things that medical practitioners do on a daily basis.
In the end, Taguyod is more than just a school event. It is a transformative experience that brings Grade 10 students closer to their community and gives them the opportunity to serve others in meaningful ways. The hard work, dedication, and teamwork required to make the event a success not only helps students develop crucial skills such as patience, time management, and organization, but it also deepens their sense of purpose and desire to make a positive impact.
The mission not only benefited the patients who received much-needed healthcare, but it also inspired the students to continue giving back to the community. Many walked away from the experience with a renewed sense of gratitude and the conviction that small acts of service can have a lasting, profound impact. Taguyod isn’t just about providing care and support—it was about fostering a spirit of compassion, unity, and service that will continue to drive the students to make a difference long after the event ends.
Article by Maya Dumayas
Photos by Akari Moridaira, Caitlin Bernardino and Janna Lacerna