Just before the week-long Founding Anniversary celebration at Pines City Colleges, a notable service-oriented event brought the entire school community together: The In-Campus Medical Fair, held on October 10, 2024. Organized through the collaboration of various faculty departments and led by Ms. Rowena T. Acacio under Project ANGELS of the Community Engagement Services (CES), the fair provided free health services to over 200 children from Lucban Elementary School. This event highlighted the institution’s dedication to community service and care.
Each department provided medical services, making everything run smoothly. The School of Medicine (SOM) was the first to evaluate the children’s health and then referred them to other departments. This helped patients move easily to where they could get the right care. The Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) department checked the children’s teeth including their parents and promoted good oral health. The Nursing department measured the children’s pulse, blood pressure, and temperature. The MLS department checked the children’s eyesight and suggested further treatments if needed.
The Respiratory Therapy department performed heart tests for some children. The Pharmacy department gave out free medicines, including multivitamins and other prescriptions from SOM to help with health issues. Students from the NSTP and staff assisted parents and children, guiding them through the different stations. Faculty members from the Senior High School, General Education department and non-teaching employees managed registration and organized participant information.
The SSC event featured colorful costumes and activities like a game station, gift-giving, and a food booth. From September 25 to 28, donation booths collected new clothes, toys, and school supplies, ensuring hygiene by not accepting second-hand items or food. Over 200 children in grades 1-6 were engaged with fun activities and essential services. The fair included three booths: a game station with mini-games, a gift station with backpacks and school supplies, and a food station serving goto, juice, and candies. SSC volunteers ensured every child received attention. While the fair focused on health, it aimed to create a caring environment. Donation boxes collected contributions from students and faculty, enhancing the event’s spirit beyond medical services.
As a legacy of compassion, the final day of the Founding Anniversary celebration embodied the very best of Pines City Colleges. It was a day of unity in service and heartfelt care by everybody all joined together with a shared goal to change things for the better in the lives of the children of the community. The event, in fact, manifested the college’s commitment to service, education, and community welfare, which was communicated to both the children and volunteers. #Jam Barredo (SSC)