Students get hands-on experience at the training operating room of the school.

MANILA, Philippines – As schools in Metro Manila suspend classes in the face of the Influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, educational institutions outside the capital are gearing up to prevent the spread of the virus in their locality.

In Zamboanga del Norte, one school has taken the lead in preparing for the onset of the disease before it reaches the province.

“Before the opening of classes and as a result of an informal survey conducted by the Extension department, the Dipolog Medical Center College tied up with the Department of Health to educate incoming students from both public and private schools within the city about the A(H1N1) virus. DMC faculty members and senior med-tech and nursing students fanned out all over the city during the first week of classes to give informative lectures on how to deal with the virus,” shares Albert Concha Jr., assistant vice president for Academic Affairs.

“On campus, preventive lectures and actual demonstrations on how to deal with the virus has been conducted in all levels and instructions have been given on the steps to be taken if a student is taken ill with the virus,” he adds.

Such initiative has been the hallmark of the educational institution since its founding back in the 1970s.

The Dipolog Medical Center (DMC) was founded in 1974. Three years later, the 15-bedroom hospital founded by 15 medical practitioners and a former archbishop started a two-year Midwifery course and renamed itself the Dipolog Medical Center College Foundation Inc.

“The incorporators decided to venture into the challenging trade of being an education provider because they felt the need to respond to the increasing demand for medical professionals locally,” says Concha. “Aside from giving an option for the people of the locality to acquire a medical degree and eventually good employment, our first paramedical course – the 2-year Midwifery course – provided the people of Zamboanga del Norte with amply trained health care personnel capable of serving them competently.”

In 1991, it offered a BS Nursing degree course. In this sense, the school is a pioneer in the city, the first Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-accredited paramedical institution in Dipolog. Today, the school offers courses in many fields, including nursing, hotel and restaurant management, criminology, among others.

Concha says that DMC College “gives utmost priority to our students. We live by our philosophy as a foundation and we try to validate every cent that the students spend for their education by giving it back in terms of providing them with the best facilities for optimal learning, hiring the most qualified instructors, and investing in state-of-the-art technology to keep our students in line with what universities in our country’s major cities might have. Basically, we try to be competitive so that our students will also learn to be competitive.”

DMC College ranks among the best schools in Region 9. CHED recognizes that the school has the best facilities and laboratories in the field of nursing, information technology and hotel and restaurant management. The school also offers training for budding broadcasters via a tie-up with 100.5 HotFM Dipolog that allows students to work for the station as part of the training in mass communications.

“Most students, especially those in health care courses, are busy with their academics, but surprisingly, some find time to contribute their ideas and thoughts to HotFM’s programs, especially those that stimulate their minds and emotions. They listen to the station to keep abreast of what has been going on in the campus, and to express their opinions,” he says.

The school also nurtures its students to be pro-active and productive members of society, encouraging them to actively participate in the nation’s development such as through elections.

Concha says that many of the students have been active in past elections as volunteers in watchdog groups. “We have also made our computer facilities available to different organizations for use in quick count activities. This election will be no different. Our Student Affairs Department will be organizing symposiums which would invite candidates, mostly local but also national, so our students can interact with our local candidates and leaders,” he explains.

But it’s not all school and work that DMC College offers its students. The school’s Founding Anniversary held every August and the College Days are special occasions for faculty and students alike.

“This is the time when the students are treated with a live concert. Last year, we had Parokya ni Edgar, and the previous year we had Kamikazee. Also, during the Founding Anniversary, our students have friendly competitions among themselves in athletics and the arts, such as our literary-musical show, cheer-dance competition and Ms. DMC contest,” Concha says.

College Day, on the other hand, is celebrated during the second semester. “Students are given the chance to plan and organize the activities themselves; usually, the highlights of this celebration are the Torch Parade, with students in costumes according to their theme, and various sports competitions.”

The school recently hosted the Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators (PSITE) National Convention, together with PSITE Region 9.

“Our willingness and capability to spearhead, organize and facilitate these kinds of activities are our way of promoting Zamboanga del Norte as a great tourist spot despite the misconceptions about Mindanao,” Concha relates. “We also actively participated in the recent province-wide Hudyaka ZaNorte, which was successful in drawing tourists to our region. We are confident that as the years go by, we can slowly eliminate the stigma associated with our place.”

As the school continues to expand and provide quality education, Concha says that they will nurture their students and fulfill their goal to attain university status in ten years.

“A DMC College Foundation student is an ideal member of society who is academically competent, thoroughly skilled in the practical setting, God-fearing, wholesome, dedicated and sufficiently prepared to make his journey to success. He is one who stands up for change.”

By Tyrone Jay V. Samson

Reinforcing its reputation as one of the leading learning institutions in Information Technology (I.T.) in the whole of Region IX, the DMC College Foundation recently held the first ever electronic election conducted by a student organization here in Dipolog City.

The Philippine Society of Information Technology Students (PSITS), an organization under the Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators (PSITE), held its election last July 8 at the Computer Laboratory II of the DMC school campus in Sta. Filomena, Dipolog City.

“This just shows you the kind of training we have for our College of Computer Studies (CCS) students here in DMC. We are proud to say that we have prepared our students well enough to the point that they are this capable in developing such a complicated system on their own,” DMC assistant dean for CCS Harvey Dalmacio said.

This election marked the first time ever in the city that a student organization election was made through a computer program. Such program was created and developed by DMC Associate in Computer Technology student John D. Woo under the direction of the DMC I.T. department.

“I am very proud of our CCS students, it was their own initiative. We were delighted when they presented this during one of our departmental meetings, explaining to us that the election was to automated this year. This is just one of the reasons why parents in the rest of the community prefer to send their kids to DMC. We assure that students will learn so much from this institution,” DMC assistant vice president for Marketing, Planning and Extension, Dr. Gerry Concha said.

The new set of PSITS officers are Kim Therese Vale (president); John D. Woo (internal vice president); Ivan Rey Duhaylungsod (external vice president); Rofelyn Yap (secretary); Ruth Hannah Escuadro (assistant secretary); Dessieann Ronill Lee (treasurer); Jingo Sumasao (auditor); James Arthur Yano and Charmaine Capinig (business and social managers); Joseph Froaih Sale (public information officer); Jason Perino and Joseph Aristotle Orial (1^st year representatives); Raffy Acas (2^nd year rep); Jecs Cagas (3^rd year rep); and Ivan Rey Moay (4^th year rep).

“With the electronic system, the election was done with less time. Our work was made faster and more efficient, and most especially, we no longer need lots of manpower to facilitate the activity,” former PSITS president and current consultant Cris Olasiman said.

The PSITE is a professional organization consisted of I.T. education practitioners in the country. Its members are primarily academics; teachers of computer science, information technology, information and communication technology, engineering, mathematics and other allied fields. Industrial practitioners such as programmers, systems analysts, web developers and the like also commit their allegiance to the group.

By Tyrone Jay V. Samson

“The owner of the review center promised a significant increase in passing rate for DMC students in the NCLEX!”

This is yet another reason for DMC nursing students to be ecstatic about as DMC president, Atty. Alberto P. Concha Sr., made such proclamation in an interview recently.

The DMC head honcho said that in order to bring about “close-to-guaranteed” assurance of readiness for the annual National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for its Nursing students, the DMC College Foundation tapped the globally-recognized Marlon Ray G. Labagnoy Review Center (MRLRC) to help prepare its students for the said local board examinations.

DMC College of Nursing dean, Dr. Ma. Grace Gurdiel revealed that the MRLRC is a multi-awarded Nursing Review Center in the Philippines based in Baguio City. She added that MRLRC president and owner, Marlon Ray Labagnoy, visited DMC recently to meet with the DMC board.

“MRLRC is currently considered by many in the nursing world as one of the best review centers in the Philippines. And with this partnership, we are hoping for further improvement in our performance and rating in the national board exams, which would lead us into PAASCU accreditation,” Gurdiel said. It must be noted that one criteria for accreditation with the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) is “excellence in educational quality” and with its partnership with MRLRC, DMC is hoping to attain and maintain such status.

The DMC board, seeing such dedication and respect from the MRLRC owner for him to visit Dipolog not to mention the outstanding reputation and tradition of excellence the review center has, approved the “in-house review” last June 25.

“Labagnoy is very popular in the nursing world. In fact, most graduates from the Visayas and Mindanao go to Baguio City just to review. So, we here in DMC, we care for our students. That is the reason why I invited him to conduct a review for our nursing students here in Dipolog City as opposed as in Baguio to lower the cost of expenses for our graduates,” DMC President Concha revealed.

Moreover, during the orientation held last July 1 at the DMC Auditorium, MRLRC President Labagnoy gave a pre-test with 125 items to nursing students. The top 10 finishers of such pre-test were given cash prizes and medals.

Concha Sr. said that the presence of the owner was a very welcome development. “I appreciate it very much because the owner himself, Marlon Labagnoy, came to Dipolog, he did not sent a representative, he himself came to Dipolog and promised 100% passing for DMC College Foundation nursing graduates in the next NCLEX,” Concha Sr. added.

The MRLRC, considered as one of the finest Review Centers in the whole South East Asia, was founded on July 28, 1989 at Poblacion East, Rosario in La Union. The review center started off as a caterer to the needs of nurses in review and training towards their dream of getting into the United States. The first batch of reviewees for the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) exam for US employment consisted of 20 nurses. Considering their small number, they were accommodated in the living room of Mr. Labagnoy’s house. With such homely atmosphere and personalized coaching, the passing rate of the said first batch was 100%.

The hype about such success grew and spread out that nurses from different parts of the country, and even as far as the Middle East started to flock in Baguio City. Year in, year out, the performance of the first batch would be replicated and the quality of the review center would be proven by the thousands of nurses who are deployed at various states of America.

The MRLRC pool of lecturers consist of the who’s who in the nursing review world including, Mr. Labagnoy (integrated/all around); Dr. Thianlyn Chu (medical/surgical nursing); Dr. Rolando Sarno (medical/surgical nursing); Atty. Dante Taverner (nursing jurisprudence); Atty. Lilinita Del Rosario (research and jurisprudence); Atty. Yasha Paredes (nursing jurisprudence); Atty. Deirdree Gallman (nursing jurisprudence); Ma. Agnes Ortega (community health nursing); Dr. Henry Galuba Sr. (nursing research); John Teodoro (medical/surgical nursing); Marie Curie de Pona (obstetric nursing); Antonio Eslao (community disease nursing); Ma. Elena Ramirez (obstetric nursing); Crispin Tabogader III (foundation/psych nursing); Gilbert Marzan (mental health/psych nursing); Rhea Mario (community health nursing); Janelyne Tuyan (foundations of nursing); Melanie Tapnio (pediatric nursing); Joan Bucud (community health nursing); Aurisita delos Reyes (pediatric nursing); and Alex Arucan (obstetric/pediatric nursing).

With such knowledgeable trainers and lecturers, the MRLRC assures DMC of quality education for nursing graduates. “We look forward to a strong partnership with this prestigious Review Center as part of our plan to ensure an even better academic performance for our students in the Nursing Licensure Exams,” DMC assistant vice president for Academic Affairs, Atty. Albert “Flint” Concha Jr. said.

By Tyrone Jay V. Samson

News of worldwide concern of a deadly virus that causes Influenza A (H1N1)have recently flooded the world wide web with the World Health Organization reporting that nearly 30,000 confirmed cases have been reported in over 74 countries.

Taking into account such fact, the Dipolog Medical Center (DMC) College Foundation, through its Office of Community Extension Services (CES), initiated a month-long information dissemination campaign on Influenza A (H1N1) in Dipolog City and nearby municipalities, specifically targeting public elementary schools and high schools.

With the slogan “Spread the News, Not the Virus,” DMC is hoping to give back to the community it serves by sharing information to the public about the disease. The campaign focuses on sharing preventive measures, and the signs and symptoms to watch for.

The DMC team under the direction of DMC assistant vice president for Planning, Extension and Marketing, Dr. Gerald T. Concha, is composed of CES Coordinator Pilar Cruz, DMC Nurse Julienne Tulang, and medical technologists Rose Turno and Kareen Ocupe. The team has already visited a number of schools including Estaka Central School last June 11, Miputak East Elementary School (June 16), Dipolog City High School (June 17), Galas Elementary School (June 18), Zamboanga del Norte National High School Main Campus (June 19), Sta. Filomena Elementary School (June 23), Miputak West Elementary School (June 26), and ZNNHS Annex Campus (June 26). Upcoming schedules include a visit to the Dipolog Pilot Demonstration School and Special Education campuses on June 29 and a still to be scheduled visit to Galas National High School.

We are not just helping the Department of Health in this mission to protect the public and prevent A(H1N1) from spreading but this is also in fulfillment of DMC’s mission to serve the outside community in time of need,” CES Coordinator Cruz said.

What is A (H1N1)?

Influenza A(H1N1) is a disease first detected in people in April 2009 in the United States and is caused by a new novel virus that resulted from the re-assortment of four viruses from pigs, humans and birds.

Such virus, which as of the moment has no vaccine available yet to protect humans, is deadly due to severe respiratory distress (pneumonia).

Symptoms of having this A(H1N1) include fever, headache, fatigue, muscle or joint pains, lack of appetite, runny nose, sore throat, cough, and in some cases, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.

The virus can only be transmitted when you are exposed to droplets from the cough and sneeze of an infected person, or by touching things with the virus on it and then touching your own mouth or nose.

To prevent getting the said virus, everyone is advised to cover their nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, to wash hands with soap and water constantly, to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and to avoid close contact (1 meter) with sick and infected persons.

Moreover, people are also encouraged to increase their body resistance by having at least eight hours of sleep everyday, be physically active, to tone down and manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

Another ‘first’ for DMC

In line with DMC’s vision to protect people from A (H1N1), school officials recently unveil the first ever “Infrared Thermal Scanner” in Dipolog City.

The said new technology for scanning a person’s temperature will be used exclusively inside the DMC campus.

The device, which is designed like those “product price readers” in shopping malls, is used to read the temperature of incoming students in the campus without touching. The designated nurse, Julienne Tulang, would just point the device to the student to get his or her temperature.

This is just one of the measures DMC is currently doing to monitor and protect the students. This would ensure identification of students with abnormal temperature for the school to give them proper physical examination and medication.

“A DMC nurse uses the high-tech ‘infrared thermal scanner’ on a faculty upon entry in the campus. DMC is the first campus in Dipolog City to utilize such gadget to monitor its students amid the fears of the Influenza A (H1N1) disease.”

“Students of the Zamboanga del Norte National High School main campus were among those benefited in the Dipolog Medical Center (DMC) College Foundation’s information campaign with regard the dreaded Influenza (A(H1N1) disease.”

by Tyrone Jay V. Samson

As part of the Rotary Club of Dipolog’s campaign to promote literacy and bring about humanitarian service to the community, the organization visited Olingan South Elementary School to distribute learning kits to grade school pupils last July 6.

The Rotarians, headed by Dipolog Chapter President Edna “Beng” Capili-Chan, distributed math and english books, and school bags with basic school supplies such as pencils, pencil cases, erasers, and crayons to grade one pupils in the said school.

And nobody could be happier than six-year-old grade one student Deanne Magallanes Dimasuhid.

Described by her adviser, Isabelita Bebiro, as “an outstanding student who is extraordinarily friendly to her classmates,” Deanne was one of the pupils who benefited from the Rotary Club’s “Service above Self” motto.

The short but momentous occasion started with a brief introduction of the Rotarians present during the visit to the pupils and teachers. Those who graced the occasion together with Rotary President Chan include RC Dipolog service director and DMC College Foundation College of Nursing Dean Ma. Grace Gurdiel, RC members Harvey Dalmacio (DMC College of Computer Studies assistant dean), Raymond Cuttil, Bryan Lim and Joland Val Concha.

After the introduction, the Rotarians proceeded to ask simple questions to the pupils and the first question was “where do you live?”

A number of pupils raised their hands and after two “no-answers”, Deanne had her turn.

“I live in Olingan, Dipolog City.” Speaking in a clear albeit hush tone, Deanne made such a simple and direct response.

“Mao na siya ako pambato dri sa classroom. She is very advance for her age, especially compared to her peers here in Olingan South. Her classmates can barely identify shapes, but Deanne can already read and write,” her adviser Bebiro said. “Other than that, I have never seen her quarrel with any of her classmates. And she can actually lead her classmates.”

Deanne’s advance education may be mostly due to the guidance and early education under her “advisers since birth,” her parents Raul and Delse. Both proud parents are actually teachers by profession. Deanne, who is the youngest of four children, was clearly a fast learner. In fact, in her pre-school days, she was already adjudged as “Best in Reading.”

Even her school principal, Susana Perong, took notice of Deanne’s potential. “Deanne is one of the most promising pupils in the school. She is very eager to learn and has shown active participation in the class,” Mrs. Perong related.

For pupils like Deanne, the Rotary Club’s modest gifts in the form of learning kits is a huge inspiration for them to study harder and become the best they can be in the future. With the books and pencils they got, this simple act of kindness can go a long way in striking a nerve in these children’s hearts and awaken their joy of reading and passion for studying. With a book, we can actually hope for more nurses, doctors, lawyers, writers, mass communicators, etc. in the future from schools such as Olingan South.

“The gift-giving done by the Rotary Club of Dipolog is a manifestation of their care and concern for the young. The school is very lucky and fortunate to be chosen as the recipient of these learning kits. In behalf of the teaching staff and the pupils of Olingan South, we are thankful for the gifts,” Mrs. Perong said.

Also on hand to witness the ceremony were teachers of Olingan South including Aida Abulencia, Maxincia Saldon, Milagros Edombingo, Jinky erin Abdon and Clammer Realiza.

“Rotarians (from the left) Lim, Cuttil, Gurdiel, Chan, Concha and Dalmacio personally hand-carried the books distributed to grade one pupils in Olingan South Elementary School last July 6.”

“Proud to show off her new books and learning kits, six-year-old Deanne here is just one of the many pupils who benefited in the recent campaign to promote literacy undertaken by the Rotary Club of Dipolog.”

By Tyrone Jay V. Samson

“Service above self.”

Acting out such selfless motto, the Rotary Club of Dipolog, in close coordination with the DMC College Foundation, successfully launched a joint project of “Bringing Information Technology (I.T.) Literacy” to Upper Dicayas Integrated School (UDIS) last July 6.

Rotary Club of Dipolog President Edna “Beng” Capili-Chan related that as part of the program, teachers of the Upper Dicayas Integrated School will be trained by I.T. professionals of DMC College Foundation “free of charge.”

DMC College Foundation assistant vice president for Marketing, Planning and Extension, Dr. Gerry Concha added that the school, through its Community Extension Services office, has been giving free I.T. training to public school teachers for two years already.

“This program is our own way of giving back to the community. Being one of the leaders in I.T. education here in the province, it is just fitting that we reach out to fellow educators and enrich them further with knowledge regarding the I.T. world,” Concha said.

Chan further disclosed that the joint project will include three phases. Phase one will include the renovation of the computer laboratory for future computer education in the school. Phase two will be the aforementioned teachers’ training in DMC to be handled by the I.T. department of the said school. And phase three will be the facilitation of an internet connectivity for the school’s computers.

The Rotary president further stated that phase one is already underway and phase two will commence within the week. Phase three, on the other hand, will hopefully be available at the soonest possible time. Assistant dean for DMC Computer Studies and I.T. department head Harvey Dalmacio related that as of now, they will just have to make do with a USB Smart Broadband connection. He said that the connection will be “fast enough” considering the fact that even mobile phones have “full-bar signal” in the barangay.

Moreover, aside from such I.T. program, the Rotary Dipolog also distributed learning kits to grade one and pre-school pupils, and teachers of the same

school on the same day.

The pupils were given school bags complete with workbooks on English and Math, and basic school supplies such as pencils, pencil cases, erasers, crayons, among others. The teachers, on the other hand, were given lesson

plans and flip charts for their use in Math and English subjects.

It can be recalled that this is not the first time for the Rotary Club of Dipolog to extend its services and donations to the school.

According to RC Dipolog President Chan, the UDIS is considered as their “adopted school.” She recalled that their support dates back even before the school became an integrated school of learning. Before, the school was just for elementary pupils. Chan said that the RC Dipolog has already made donations to the school before including a library, a science laboratory,

building a water system, and the painting of their administration building.

“No words can possibly express our gratitude to DMC College Foundation and the Rotary Club of Dipolog. In behalf of all the teachers and students of Upper Dicayas Integrated School, we are eternally thankful for your continuing and unending support to our school,” UDIS head, Dr. Vicente Jose “Enteng” Suarez II, said.

On hand to witness such unveiling of the joint project are DMC bigwigs such as assistant vice president for Academic Affairs, Atty. Albert Concha Jr., and Dr. Gerry Concha. Also present were Rotarians Dalmacio, DMC College of Nursing Dean Ma. Grace Gurdiel, Bong Tamala, Raymond Cuttil, Rene Ramos, Carlo Antonio, Janus Tumulak, Joland Val Concha and Bryan Lim.

“Members of the DMC College Foundation and the Rotary Club of Dipolog pose with Upper Dicayas Integrated School (UDIS) principal, Dr. Vicente Jose “Enteng” Suarez II. Standing from the left are Harvey Dalmacio, Ma. Grace Gurdiel, Beng Capili-Chan, UDIS Principal Enteng Suarez, Atty. Albert Concha Jr., and Dr. Gerry Concha.”

“Grade school pupils in Dicayas were called one by one on stage to claim their learning kits from representatives of the Rotary Club of Dipolog and DMC College Foundation.”