In a remarkable display of skill, knowledge, and teamwork, Pines City Colleges – College of Pharmacy emerged as one of the Top 10 finalists at the prestigious National Patient Counselling event held at the De La Salle Animo Center, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, Dasmariñas, Cavite, on March 14, 2025. Against 28 top pharmacy schools in the country, the school shone through, standing out amidst the crème de la crème, beating other reputable institutions from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao— all under the rigorous training of only six hours prior to the competition.
The competition was held in Dr. Mariano Que College of Pharmacy Building, and challenged the contestants to apply themselves in actual real-life patient cases, focusing on a patient-oriented approach to pharmacy practice. Synergizing the team’s clinical knowledge, communication skills, and expertise was their key to winning.
With the theme “Strategize and Synergize: Utilizing Patient-Centered Approach Towards Quality Pharmaceutical Care,” the competition emphasized utilizing effective patient counseling to assure patients’ maximum achievement of their healthcare goals were the event planned to promote participants’ proficiency to convey detailed information about intricate medicinal concepts empathetically and exhaustively, an all-important quality to possess in current pharmacy practice.
Representing Pines City Colleges were counselor Jhahina Aphrodite Million B. Barredo, assistant counselor Xia A. Gonzales, and understudy Shrinovva D. Chawag. Their performance was guided by the unwavering support of their dedicated coaches, Ms. Mabel Joy M. Tagud, RPh, CPh, and former faculty member Ms. Giana Grace P. Manuel, RPh. The team demonstrated an exceptional grasp of pharmaceutical principles and patient engagement strategies that are critical to understand and able to relay to the patients better, thus, allowing them to outshine many esteemed competitors.
The journey to the Top 10 was challenging, as the team spent only six hours in training before competing against some of the nation’s top pharmacy schools. Despite the uncertainties, PCC College of Pharmacy students showcased their passion for academic excellence and holistic pharmaceutical education, demonstrating the institution’s dedication to patient-centered care. The achievement, met with pride and celebration, solidifies Pines City Colleges’ reputation in pharmacy education and serves as an inspiration for aspiring pharmacists to embrace empathy, communication, and excellence in their practice. #Curt Dan Lacaden, BSP
