PSU SOM Pulsate

11/10/2025

𝐌𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐫𝐚𝐩 𝐔𝐩 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧
by Rianne Victoria Plete

Second-year students from the Palawan State University School of Medicine concluded their midterms week by joining a tree planting activity early Saturday morning, October 11, 2025, at Sitio Tagaud, Barangay Irawan, Puerto Princesa City.

The event was organized in partnership with ACE Medical Center Palawan, the Palawan Medical Society, the Philippine Medical Association, and the Philippine Air Force. It formed part of the continuing effort to rehabilitate and protect the Irawan Watershed, one of the city’s vital water sources.

The planting site, covering 5,000 square meters, was awarded by the Puerto Princesa City Water District (PPCWD) to the Palawan Medical Society under its Adopt-a-Planting Site Program. According to the PPCWD, the area is designated for the continuous rehabilitation and protection of the watershed.

Nine second-year students from the SOMibol Club and the Medicine Student Council (MSC) participated in the activity to promote environmental awareness and community involvement among future medical professionals. Despite coming straight from a demanding week of midterm examinations, the students showed enthusiasm as they planted native tree species alongside doctors, medical staff from ACE Medical Center, volunteers, representatives from partner institutions, and members of the Philippine Air Force.

The activity highlighted the vital link between environmental stewardship and public health, and emphasized the medical community’s role in promoting sustainability beyond the classroom and clinical practice.

Photos: Grace Ann Toledo, Rianne Victoria Plete, and ACE Medical Center Palawan

27/09/2025

26/09/2025

: Feel mo pa rin ang hangover sa katatapos na Medicine Week? News flash: Kami rin eh!

Bago tayo tuluyang bumalik sa reyalidad ng mga papalapit na exams at harapin ang ating mga backlogs, share the fun, and relive the stories muna thru this Med Week Bingo Card!

Feel free to share your progress by checking off this card and let’s see how much of Med Week you survived!

What to do:
1. Save the bingo card.
2. Mark your squares with lines, cross, or your favorite emoji or sticker. (ex. 💙🧡)
3. Upload it on your IG/FB stories.

Kahit tapos na ang Medicine Week, the memories and energy live on. Share your version of the bingo card and let’s celebrate once more the camaraderie and fun that made this year’s event unforgettable!



📌 Disclaimer: This activity is meant for fun and engagement only. It does not serve as an official record of participation or attendance during Medicine Week events.

26/09/2025

26/09/2025

𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐎𝐌 𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
by Xyra Alessandra Mae Balay

Showcasing their talents and skills, medical students, faculty, and administrative staff of Palawan State University School of Medicine (PalSU SOM) took the stage and competed at the SOM Got Talent 2025, held yesterday, Sept. 25, at PalSU Amphitheater.

With their performance of Sponge Cola's "Jeepney", SOM group "Chop Suey"—composed of medical students Jaymark Palustre (third year, vocals), David Lupingay (first year, drums), and sophomores Makar Cayaon (keyboard) and Lea Aquino (rhythm guitar) joined by faculty member Dr. May Joy Tambal (bass)—won the first place in the event.

Apart from the band, Cayaon also played the guitar in another song number with his fellow sophomore, Carlo Parcon. The duo performed Parokya ni Edgar’s “Gitara” and earned the fourth place.

Meanwhile, freshie Erick John Robles bagged the second place, with his piano and vocal renditions of Taylor Swift’s “Safe and Sound”, Ruri Matsumura’s “Kaze No Koe 風の声 (The Wind’s Voice)”, and the OPM classic “Kung Wala Ka” by Hale. Robles also impressed the audience as he played the keyboard while blindfolded.

When asked about his experience on performing for SOM Got Talent, Robles said that the event did not only give him a time to enjoy and share his hidden potential in music, but it also gave him the opportunity to express his emotions.

"It's really a tough challenge to play a song while being blindfolded but that's my way to show that I learned the piano without proper or formal training, for I learned it only by hearing," Robles said.

For the third place, singer-songwriter and second year SOM student CJ Gacot won the award as she performed her own song. Gacot was the former and first ever SOM Got Talent winner during last year's Med Week 2024.

"It is meant to serve as a reminder of the importance of our language," Gacot explained, when asked about the story behind her untitled composition. The songwriter expressed that she wanted to emphasize how the Filipino language is a guide and vehicle for learning, dreams, and peace.

Lastly, Ms. Precious Palma, SOM's administrative staff also graced the stage with her version of Shenna Easton's hit song, "Almost Over You", winning her fifth place.

The SOM Got Talent is an annual friendly competition and festival of talents for the PalSU SOM community, celebrated as a part of the Medicine Week and the institution's founding anniversary.

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Photos: Xyra Alessandra Mae Balay, Glea Alyssa Garganza

25/09/2025

25/09/2025

ICYMI: Photos from tonight's Mr. & Ms. SOM 2025, held at PSU Amphitheater, September 25, 2025.

25/09/2025

𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬, 𝐆𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐫. & 𝐌𝐬. 𝐒𝐎𝐌
by Xyra Alessandra Mae Balay

Freshman Vladimir Angeles from cluster Hygieia and third-year student Mia Joyce Gabayan from the Machaon team emerged as the first ever Mr. and Ms. SOM, respectively, during tonight's pageant, Sept. 25, 2025, held at the PalSU Amphitheater.

Three pairs from each cluster: Machaon, Panacea, and Hygieia, competed for the title and showcased the confidence and talents of Palawan State University School of Medicine (PalSU SOM) students, even in pageantry.

Gabayan represented the Machaon cluster with first year student, Zim Abon. Sophomores Arianne Ballega and Josiah Manderi represented Cluster Panacea, and freshmen Ashley Javier and Vladimir Angeles held the banner for Cluster Hygieia.

Apart from highlighting their pageantry skills in their student uniforms, creative wear, and formal attire, the candidates also conveyed their passion and wisdom through their talents, the Question and Answer (Q&A) portion, and an advocacy video category.

Concluding the event, Ballega was crowned second runner-up, and Javier first runner-up for Ms. SOM 2025. For Mr. SOM 2025, Manderi and Abon garnered the first and second runner-up titles, respectively.

For the minor awards, Manderi and Ballega, both from cluster Panacea, won the People's Choice Awards.

Meanwhile, Angeles and Ballega both won the award for Best in Production Number; Angeles and Gabayan bagged the Best Creative Attire and Best in [student] Uniform; while Manderi and Gabayan were announced as the Best in Q&A portion.

On the other hand, Abon and Gabayan, both from cluster Machaon, earned the awards for Best in Formal Attire, Advocacy Video, Talent, and Most Photogenic candidates. They were also chosen as the program sponsor awardees for Mr. & Ms. Backride Pinas.

The special awards from sponsor KGN Enterprises, namely Mr. and Ms. Takeout Delivery, were awarded to Abon and Javier.

The Board of Judges for the pageant were SOM Associate Dean, Dr. Emery Demegillo; Palawan Medical Society (PMS) representative, Dra. Karen Acosta; Palaweña doctor and beauty queen, Dr. Gila Marie Jardinico; CEO of KGN Enterprises, Mr. Kenneth Navarro; and Ms. Barbie Macalagay of Backride Pinas.

Sophomore med students and Medicine Student Council (MSC) officers Grace Ann Toledo and Aila Nepomuceno hosted the event.

The Mr. & Ms. SOM 2025 pageant marked the end of the Ascleipeion, the Medicine Week celebration of the PalSU SOM.

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Photos & Layout: Xyra Alessandra Mae Balay, Glea Alyssa Garganza

24/09/2025

𝐌𝐒𝐂 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐎𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐞𝐥-𝐉𝐚𝐠𝐦𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐕𝐏 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬
By: Rianne Victoria C. Plete

The Commission on Elections (COMSELEC) of the Palawan State University School of Medicine announced the official results of the Medicine Student Council (MSC) Elections for A.Y. 2025-2026, held on September 24, 2025, at the PSU Gym.

A total of 62 out of 86 students voted, marking a 72.41 percent turnout. The elections were conducted through printed ballots while the Aclepieion games were ongoing. Voting ran from 10:50 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with canvassing immediately following and concluding at 3:20 p.m.

The newly elected officers are as follows:
President: Ces Jennica C. Quillope
Vice President for Internal: Mary Vinessa L. Villaruel-Jagmis
Vice President for External: Monica H. Osia
Secretary for Internal: Vincent Harold D. Cabanigan
Treasurer: Edrome Kian N. Manila
Auditor: Danica B. Palay
Business Manager: Kyrl Christian Domenique J. Boni
Project Manager: Vladimir M. Angeles
Public Relations Officer: Angela B. Palay
2nd Year Representative (Block 2): Jelyn A. Cait
2nd Year Representative (Block 3): Rosa Nica A. Macasero
3rd Year Representative (Block 1): Julliette Nicole Lim
3rd Year Representative (Block 2): Jaymark Y. Palustre

COMSELEC also noted that several posts remain vacant, including 1st Year Representative, 2nd Year Representative (Block 1), and Secretary for External, which may be filled by appointment or special election.

The elections concluded with a strong turnout, marking the start of a new MSC leadership for A.Y. 2025–2026. Candidate profiles and platforms will be featured in an upcoming release by PULSATE.

Photos: Pearl Aura Fenis, Mira Althea Dolor