Vital Signs Publication

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Vital Signs Publication

The Official Student Publication of the West Visayas State University College of Medicine. Est 1989

Vital Signs is the official publication of the West Visayas State University - College of Medicine. It is located on the 1st floor of Roxas Hall, the WVSU - College of Medicine building. The publication was founded in 1989, around 14 years after the College of Medicine was established. Over the decades, Vital Signs has continuously evolved; exploring various channels and media as well as writing articles in many languages including English, Filipino, Hiligaynon, and Kinaray-a.

09/06/2026

Only 𝟑 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐋𝐄𝐅𝐓 before summer applications close!

Still deciding whether to join? Looking for signs to be part of the publication? This reminder is your sign to be one of us, the SCRIBES AT WORK! 🖊️

Not only we are looking for writers but photogs and creatives as well.

Let your passion and hidden interest in writing, layouting, photographing, cartooning, and/or illustrating rekindle or be discovered. 🔥

Like cells, collaboration is an ingredient and if you love teamwork as much as you find art and journalism interesting, this is the path.

The publication is waiting for you.

https://forms.gle/MBwmaMTfFuN6EkNL7
https://forms.gle/MBwmaMTfFuN6EkNL7
https://forms.gle/MBwmaMTfFuN6EkNL7

Caption by Yun Matillano Bayotas
Layout by Justin Mark Gamba

08/06/2026

𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | Incoming sophomore medical student Jeremy Errol Saquian ranked first in the June 2026 Physical Therapist Licensure Examination (PTLE).

Saquian, who is from Batch VEVICI, secured a board rating of 92.80 percent.

Prior to entering medical school in 2025, Saquian completed his bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from Saint Paul University - Iloilo in the same year.

Out of 728 examinees, 526 successfully passed the examination, resulting in a national passing rate of 72.25 percent, according to the Professional Regulation Commission.

The recent PTLE was administered in testing centers in the National Capital Region, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, and Rosales on June 2 and 3.

Photo courtesy of the PRC Board News page

07/06/2026

𝟓 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐋𝐄𝐅𝐓!

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠.�𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠?
𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮?

Every cell has a purpose. Some carry signals, some defend the system, and some keep the body moving forward.

At Vital Signs, we're looking for students ready to do the same.

Whether you're a writer chasing stories, a photographer capturing moments, a layout artist bringing pages to life, or a creative mind working behind the scenes, there's a place for you in our sysTEAM.

The frontlines are active, and recruitment season is well underway. Don't let this signal pass you by.

Only 5 days left before applications close.

Join the sysTEAM. Be part of Amplifying the Truth.

https://forms.gle/MBwmaMTfFuN6EkNL7
https://forms.gle/MBwmaMTfFuN6EkNL7
https://forms.gle/MBwmaMTfFuN6EkNL7

Caption by Ildefonso Buenavista Jr.
Layout by Justin Mark Gamba

05/06/2026

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲—𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 🩺🧬

Vital Signs officially opens its doors to 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐖𝐕𝐒𝐔-𝐂𝐎𝐌 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 ready to step into the frontline where medicine meets journalism.

We invite you to step into the frontline where stories pulse with life and every voice has the power to make an impact. Inspired by this year’s theme, “Scribes at Work!: Reporting from the Frontlines of the Body,” we continue the mission of telling stories that inform, move, and connect the medical community beyond the four walls of the classroom.

Whether through writing, photography, layouts, or creativity behind the scenes, Vital Signs is looking for passionate individuals ready to become part of something bigger than themselves. The frontline is waiting—will you answer the call?

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟓, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟏 𝐚𝐭 𝟏𝟐:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌.

https://forms.gle/MBwmaMTfFuN6EkNL7
https://forms.gle/MBwmaMTfFuN6EkNL7
https://forms.gle/MBwmaMTfFuN6EkNL7

Caption by Nicole Razzan Sarabia Galilea
Layout by Chloe Reynaldo

04/06/2026

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝐖𝐕𝐒𝐔 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐎𝐌 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 ‘𝟐𝟔 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟑

College of Medicine’s (COM) Kathleen Mae V. Donoso, Jenny Mae S. Macabenta, and Kathryne Louise E. Catoto were recognized as the graduating class’ top academic achievers during the 2026 University Recognition Program, held on June 3 at the WVSU Cultural Center.

During the ceremony, Donoso was named class valedictorian, followed by Macabenta as salutatorian, and Catoto as first honorable mention.

The complete list of top 10 graduates from the Class of 2026 will be announced during the COM Graduation Ball on June 23, and will be awarded during the college’s commencement exercises on June 25.

03/06/2026

Look closely.

What seems like a blur under the microscope can reveal an entire story. The body has a rhythm but it takes a sharp eye and the right words to give it a voice.

This summer, Vital Signs is initiating a massive system reset with the theme "SCRIBES AT WORK: Reporting from the Frontlines of the Body."

You may be the next correspondent we need to man the frontlines. Scribes ✍️, visionaries 📷, and creatives 🎨, it’s time to scrub in!

Gear up, incoming 2nd-year and 3rd-year WVSU-COM students. The mission begins soon. 🥼🥽🧪

Caption by Mariane Gabrielle Cagalawan
Layout by Chloe Reynaldo

03/06/2026

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒 | Honoring their exemplary performance beyond academics, West Visayas State University (WVSU) recognized student achievers from the College of Medicine (COM) during the 2026 University Recognition Program for Non-Academic Awards, held today, June 3, at the university’s cultural center.

The following distinctions and awards were recognized:

𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗢 𝗠𝗜𝗚𝗨𝗘𝗟 𝗠. 𝗡𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗗𝗢
Top 3, Natatanging Mag-aaral ng Medisina National Awards
Outstanding Youth Leader of the Philippines 2025
Best Speaker, 1st Philippine Student Thesis and Capstone Competition 2025 (PSTCC 2025)

𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗢𝗦 𝗝𝗢𝗦𝗘 𝗘. 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗔, 𝗝𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗛 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗟 𝗠. 𝗣𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗔, 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗟 𝗙𝗔𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗖. 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗢, 𝗗𝗢𝗩𝗬 𝗚. 𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗢𝗡
1st Place, 52nd Interscholastic Clinicopathologic Conference (ICPC)

𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗢𝗦 𝗝𝗢𝗦𝗘 𝗘. 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗔, 𝗝𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗛 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗟 𝗠. 𝗣𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗔, 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗟 𝗙𝗔𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗖. 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗢, 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗔. 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗠𝗢𝗡, 𝗝𝗥.
2nd Place, APMC National Clinicopathological Case Competition
Best Presentation, APMC National Clinicopathological Case Competition

𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗢𝗦 𝗝𝗢𝗦𝗘 𝗘. 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗔
Best Presenter, APMC National Clinicopathological Case Competition

𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗟 (𝗠𝗦𝗖)
GOLD, Seal of Good Governance

The program also honored two COM alumni who demonstrated excellence as topnotchers during the Physician Licensure Examination (PLE): Judah Elijah M. Cagas, who ranked 7th during the October 2025 PLE, and Marie Francene R. Aquinas, who placed 8th in the March 2026 PLE. Their recognition was received by COM Dean Celina P. Cordero-Gellada and Mikayla Valencia, MSC Chairperson for Academic Year 2025-2026.

Photos by Carlo Anthony Ang

03/06/2026

[𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒]
𝐎𝐀, 𝐀𝐌𝐒𝐀-𝐖𝐕𝐒𝐔 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐬

College of Medicine’s Order of Asclepius (OA) and Asian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA-WVSU) emerged as the top college-based student organizations in the 2026 Search for the Most Outstanding College Councils, Student Organizations, and Publications (SMOCCSOP).

OA retained its title as the Most Outstanding Student Organization for the second consecutive year, while additionally garnering two special awards: Best in Community and Health, and Best in Social Awareness and Reform.

“The Order has achieved everything that it has today due to the joint effort of its members—the officers, project heads, residents, and seniors,” said Ron Eliezer G. Duhina, OA Grand Master Asclepian.

In line with OA’s golden anniversary this year, Duhina said they intend to “continue serving the underserved and address health gaps within our communities.”

Meanwhile, AMSA-WVSU climbed to second place in this year’s search after placing third in the previous academic year.

Among its notable initiatives are Wounded Healers, a mental health and psychosocial support program for Persons Deprived of Liberty and Children in Conflict with the Law, and Talk o̶f̶to the Town, a school- and community-based HIV and AIDS health education series.

These projects were previously recognized at the 2026 GAWAD AMSA, an annual activities fair and projects competition hosted by AMSA-Philippines.

“We aim to strengthen and sustain our existing programs and initiatives while creating more opportunities for member development, leadership, and meaningful community engagement,” said AMSA-WVSU President Ma. Lesbeth Therese P. Sulit.

The victories of OA and AMSA-WVSU come after WVSU-COM’s historic sweep of the top three spots in the 2026 Dr. Fernando Sanchez Jr. Ten Outstanding Medical Student Organizations (TOMSO), where OA and AMSA-WVSU similarly secured first and second place, respectively.

Joining these organizations is the Vital Signs Publication, which secured a top-three placement.

SMOCCSOP is an annual initiative of the University Student Council that honors the exemplary performance, advocacies, and contributions of student councils, organizations, and publications across the University.

The recognized organizations formally received their awards during the University Recognition Program held at the WVSU Cultural Center, June 3.

Article by Eunice Nolasco

03/06/2026

[𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒]
𝐕𝐒 𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐕𝐒𝐔’𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐰

Vital Signs (VS) of the College of Medicine secured its third consecutive win as West Visayas State University’s Most Outstanding Publication in the 2026 Search for the Most Outstanding College Councils, Student Organizations, and Publications (SMOCCSOP).

The award was conferred during the University Recognition Program held at the Cultural Center, June 3.

Held annually, SMOCCSOP “encourages student-led bodies to pursue excellence in leadership, service, advocacy, and sustainability,” according to the University Student Council.

Participating student publications are evaluated in terms of organizational leadership, editorial content, and advocacy efforts.

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝗧𝗢𝗠𝗦𝗢

Isabelle Viaje, one of the Publication’s chief editors for the Academic Year 2025–2026, described the achievement as “rewarding,” following VS’s top-three placement in the 2026 Dr. Fernando Sanchez Jr. Ten Outstanding Medical School Organizations (TOMSO) early this year.

“We have been very busy since TOMSO. During the remaining week before the [SMOCCSOP] submission, we barely slept due to the amount of work we had to do. That’s why it felt fulfilling after we had finally submitted everything,” she explained.

The Gawad TOMSO “aims to provide recognition for outstanding medical organizations in the country that emphasized their roles as nation builders and social catalysts,” according to the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges - Student Network (APMC-SN).

𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

Co-chief editor Kathleen Frugalidad revealed the mounting pressure behind the three-peat bid for SMOCCSOP, emphasizing that one of their major goals for the year was to sustain the Publication’s previous wins.

“It was in our initial plans to work on the [TOMSO and SMOCCSOP] documents at least every month,” Viaje added. “But the amount of new media coverage posed a challenge to this plan.”

Despite this, Viaje highlighted the editorial board’s teamwork and camaraderie as key to securing the achievement.

𝗢𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀

VS launched Med Milestone Monday and Tip-of-the-Tongue Tuesday during the Academic Year 2025–2026 as weekly online campaigns aimed at raising awareness of medical breakthroughs and terminologies, respectively.

These were implemented alongside the publication’s flagship projects, such as Facts First Friday, Project MEDucate, and Reading is Vital.

The Publication also forged new partnerships with various organizations, enabling the implementation of several extension projects in Aklan, Antique, and Negros Occidental.

‘𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆’

Now clinical clerks, Viaje and Frugalidad expressed their gratitude to the previous editorial boards that extended their support during their tenure, citing them as “pilgrims of their journey.”

“We owe this win to the people who went before us,” Viaje said. “They planted the seeds, and we just continued fostering what they had started.”

Article by Carlo Ang, Chloe Faciolan, and Richard Olano Jr.

03/06/2026

𝙇𝙚𝙨𝙗𝙞𝙖𝙣, 𝙂𝙖𝙮, 𝘽𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙭𝙪𝙖𝙡, 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧.

𝘓𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘎𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘛𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘺𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘢?

A racing heart isn’t always a sign of excitement. Physiologically speaking, it arises from increased sympathetic nervous system activity: the body’s instinctive response to stress, pain, or danger. Pair it with shortness of breath, vertigo, and a VAS of 6/10, and the picture becomes clear.

Beneath these symptoms lies a deeply human instinct: the enduring struggle for survival.

For many members of the LGBTQIA+ community, this struggle is deeply familiar. It is often a bedfellow to 𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘢–fear born from identity-based discrimination, violence, and social rejection. Yet it is precisely this feeling of 𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘢 that calls for a deeper kind of understanding.

𝙋𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙠𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙙𝙖𝙢, the unspoken poetry of the Filipino soul, is a radical sensitivity that invites the Filipino people into 𝘬𝘢𝘱𝘸𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘯—being one with the “other.” This core value answers the call of the soul, imploring us to listen intently with our hearts rather than just our ears. It may be a gaze across a crowded room that whispers “I see you,” or a gentle thread of an “I feel you” moment that connects strangers in a busy street.

When we lean into the spirit of 𝘱𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘬𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘥𝘢𝘮, the walls of judgment begin to collapse. In the movement of Pride, empathy is one of the most revolutionary acts, creating space for 𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘢 to transform into 𝘬𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘺. It is a movement that recognizes the backbreaking efforts of a persecuted community, one that constantly fights to create spaces for dignity, belonging, and care for its members. This very empathy becomes the starting point of action that inspires Filipino qu**rs to courage and action. To celebrate and fight. To turn fear into pride.

The Filipino LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines has come a long way since the first Pride March in 1994. In the decades since, social attitudes have shifted considerably, with greater visibility and recognition of gender-nonconforming individuals and diverse sexual orientations in the public consciousness. Yet progressive milestones are hard-won and the pace of progress is slow. Healthcare is one of the arenas in which this kaba continues.

This Pride Month, Vital Signs launches “𝙍𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙢 𝙆𝙤 𝘼𝙣𝙜 𝙆𝙖𝙗𝙖,” a four-part series exploring the challenges and triumphs of LGBTQIA+ individuals as they navigate the healthcare system. To be released weekly throughout June, this series looks into the q***r experiences across medicine, history, advocacy, and everyday life—unpacking the struggles, resilience, and victories in the pursuit of care and belonging.

We celebrate the pulse that unites us, the fear we conquer, and the pride we share.

𝙍𝙖𝙢𝙙𝙖𝙢 𝙠𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙠𝙖𝙗𝙖. 𝙍𝙖𝙢𝙙𝙖𝙢 𝙠𝙞𝙩𝙖.

Written by Gaby Cagalawan and Miya Ocayo
Layout by Justin Mark Gamba

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