08/02/2026
Featuring the Alaga at Tulong Tomasino 4.0 held last January 22-24 within the UST grounds. 👇👇👇
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗: The “Alaga at Tulong Tomasino 4.0” was highly successful, featuring a free medical, surgical, and dental mission held from January 22 to 24, 2026, at the Practice Gym of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) along España Boulevard, Manila.
The mission was spearheaded by the UST Medical Alumni Association in America & Foundation and UST Medicine Class 1973, Bukod Tangi, and was attended by thousands of beneficiaries from Metro Manila and the neighboring provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and other areas.
Also joining the initiative were UST Hospital, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, UST Medical Alumni Association, Inc. (Philippines), UST Medical Mission, Inc., CFC ANCOP, ANARGYROI Foundation, Catholic Physicians Guild of the Philippines, Santisimo Rosario Parish, Pax Romana Alumni Association, Aruga at Kalinga ng Tomasino (AKTO), Dr. George Co, Sr. Foundation, Inc., Mercury Drug Foundation, Dr. Ferdie and Evelyn Ramos, Dr. Johnny Cu (Titans USA), and DZRH radio station.
The collaboration among various organizations, volunteer health professionals, and students particularly from the UST College of Nursing helped deliver quality and compassionate healthcare services to the community.
Over the three-day mission, volunteer doctors, dentists, nurses, and medical staff provided free medical consultations for adults and children, minor and selected surgical procedures, dental services, eye consultations, distribution of free medicines and reading glasses for patients in need, and other healthcare interventions.
According to the organizers, the program aims to reach sectors with limited access to medical services, especially senior citizens, children, and families from underserved communities.
Dr. Robery Sy, a humanitarian surgeon and a member of UST Medicine Class 1973, explained that the initiative is usually referred to as an “internal house medical mission.” Unlike other missions that go directly to communities, beneficiaries are instead brought to UST, where essential medical equipment, often difficult and risky to transport to remote areas, is readily available. Moreover, in case of emergencies, UST Hospital is nearby and easily accessible.
The concept for the medical mission was developed after the COVID-19 pandemic, when both active and retired doctors and other medical practitioners personally witnessed the difficulties faced by many Filipinos in accessing healthcare services.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) also provided on-site services, with dedicated staff addressing members’ concerns, particularly regarding enrollment in the “Yaman ng Kalusugan Program” (YAKAP).
Many beneficiaries also registered for UST’s YAKAP, which offers benefits from PHILHEALTH, and in addition, a 5 percent clinical patient discount for hospital procedures and a 25 percent discount on room admissions.
Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to UST particularly the UST Medical Alumni Association in America & Foundation and UST Medicine Class 1973, as well as to all the volunteers who dedicated their time and expertise to make the program possible. For them, the free medical services provided significant relief amid the rising cost of healthcare.
The “Alaga at Tulong Tomasino 4.0” marks the fourth edition of the initiative and stands as a testament to UST’s continuing commitment to Thomasian compassion, service, and social responsibility in service of the Filipino people.
*The Tagalog version can be read in the comment section.
