As the health sciences center of the Philippines, UP Manila must ensure that our leaders will MAKE HEALTH COUNT: The UP Manila Presidential Series. Featuring our first guest presidential candidate Gilbert Teodoro. Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 9-11 am, UPMASA-PGH Science Hall. Pre-enlistment required. See you!


A prosperous and peaceful 2010 to you!

The 2010 national elections is fast approaching, and as the health sciences center of the country, the University of the Philippines Manila must play a crucial role in shaping the future of our country’s health and in influencing the health agenda of our leaders.

Thus, the University Student Council, the highest student governing body of the University of the Philippines Manila, in partnership with the Medicine Student Council, the Institute of Health Policy and Development Studies of the National Institutes of Health and the UP Manila Information, Publication, and Public Affairs Office (IPPAO), present the
MAKE HEALTH COUNT: The UP Manila Presidential Series.

This series of forums, featuring the presidential aspirants for the 2010 elections, will provide a venue for UP Manila students, faculty, and staff, as well as for other members of the Philippine health sector including non-government organizations and even the media, to engage in dialogue with presidential candidates on issues concerning Philippine health. Through the MHC series, the UP Manila health sciences community also hopes to inform the presidential candidates about key health issues that needs to be promptly addressed as well as learn about the candidates’ opinions and plans of action in solving these problems.

Therefore, we cordially invite you to the first forum of the series which will be held this Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 9 – 11 am, at the UPMASA-PGH Science Hall. Our first guest presidential candidate is former Secretary of Defense
Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro of the Lakas-NUCD-KAMPI.

We hope that through this dialogue, the UP Manila health sciences community and the entire health sector would be able to raise the essential questions and even provide recommendations on improving the health of the Filipino people. Let us work harmoniously in ensuring that the next president of our country will truly make our health count.

Seats are very limited. Please confirm your attendance to Gerald Soliman by sending your complete name to 09178107235 or gerald_sol88@yahoo.com. You may also contact him should you have any questions or concerns. We also want to remind you that food and drinks are not allowed inside the hall.

We look forward to your positive response. Thank you very much.

Very truly yours,
RAMON LORENZO LUIS R. GUINTO
Chairperson
University Student Council
University of the Philippines Manila

Watch out for the succeeding fora in the series this February-March 2010!

Senator Noynoy Aquino (Liberal Party)
Hosted by College of Public Health Student Council

Senator Manny Villar (Nacionalista Party)
Hosted by College of Allied Medical Professions Student Council

Senator Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan Party)
Hosted by Upsilon Sigma Phi


Make Health Count
Every time there is a national election, we hear presidential aspirants talk about their plans for improving economy or share opinions about political issues. Sadly, little has been said by politicians about their vision and program of action for improving the health of the Filipino people.

With failing marks in almost all health indicators and a rapidly widening gap in access to health between the rich and the poor, the Philippines is in dire need of a new leader who will place the health of the Filipino people as a major priority, if not the topmost in the list. We need a president who not just has a deep understanding of the Philippine health situation and the various social determinants that influence it, but more so has a concrete plan in facing the myriad health challenges that we Filipinos face today.

As the health sciences center of the country, the University of the Philippines Manila plays a crucial role in shaping the health system and improving the health status of the Philippines . Moreover, it is imperative that the university exhaust all means to influence the health agenda of our leaders. It is indisputable that UP Manila has the knowledge and expertise to help steer the health of the nation to the right direction – its first century is a shining testament. Now, the fast-approaching 2010 elections is one big opportunity for UP Manila to initiate the national discourse towards progress and equity in health.

This school year, the University Student Council of UP Manila started a university-wide initiative called MAKE IT COUNT 2010. Joined in by various college councils, socio-civic organizations and student political parties in UP Manila , MIC 2010 aims to help the Iskolar ng Bayan realize his vital role in the upcoming 2010 elections. Moreover, this initiative hopes to create avenues for heightened dialogue among students and even politicians regarding different issues concerning the elections and the country at large.

Aside from forums on first time voting, satellite COMELEC registrations, and university-wide mock elections at the end of the school year, the highlight of Make It Count is MAKE HEALTH COUNT, a series of forums featuring presidential aspirants. Led by the USC, the member-organizations of MIC 2010, the Institute of Health Policy and Development Studies of the National Institutes of Health, and the UP Manila Information, Publication, and Public Affairs Office (IPPAO), this series aims to provide a venue for UP Manila students, faculty, and staff to engage in dialogue with presidential candidates on issues concerning Philippine health. Through the MHC series, the UP Manila health sciences community hopes to inform the presidential candidates about key health issues that needs to be promptly addressed as well as learn about the candidates’ opinions and plans of action in solving these problems.

This 2010 elections, UP Manila hopes to elect a president who is healthy, not just physically, but more importantly in terms of his programs and policies in the next six years. Now more than ever, we need a “healthy president” who can ensure the health and well-being of the Filipino nation. We need to MAKE HEALTH COUNT!