Feeling overwhelmed with career choices is a common experience for many public health students. Amidst laboratory reports, quizzes, and class presentations, they also have to contend with the certainty that a world of possibilities and daunting life-long choices is just around the corner.

To provide guidance and inspiration to its students, the College of Public Health (CPH) through the Student and Alumni Relations and Monitoring Cluster, partnered with its alumni to hold the CPH Alumni Forum series as part of its 97th Founding Anniversary. This year’s anniversary theme is “Banyuhay: Dangal at Husay sa Pampublikong Kalusugan, Tugon sa mga Hamon ng Panahon” (“Metamorphosis: Honor and Excellence in Public Health, Response to the Challenges of the Times”). The inaugural session was entitled “Kwentong Alumni’’ and took place on 20 February 2024, at the Emilio T. Yap Auditorium of the UP Manila College of Pharmacy.

“Do what is fulfilling, no matter how challenging,” Dr. Luceli Cuasay advised the students in the audience as she shared her journey in the field of public health. The BS Hygiene 1968 alumna is the Biostatistician and Epidemiologist for her Texas-based, sole proprietorship consultation company, “Research for Health.”

Director Frances Rose Elgo-Mamaril then candidly shared how she faced a similar crossroads when deciding on her career path. A BS Public Health and Master of Public Health (MPH) alumna, she is now the Director of the Universal Health Care Health Services Cluster – Technical Office of the Department of Health (DOH).

Inspired by the two alumni, Mr. Pio Justin Asuncion shared the straightforward advice of “Searching for a good mentor.” The MPH alumnus is the current Chief Health Program Officer of the Health Research Division of the DOH – Health Policy Development and. Planning Bureau (HPDPB). Mr. Asuncion explained how the public health programs at CPH were responsive to the needs of DOH and the country.

To provide the student perspective in the discussion, Ms. Kristine Fei Pataueg, Chairperson of the CPH Student Council, also shared her reflections on the messages given by the alumni speakers and expressed appreciation for the unique opportunity provided by the forum.

The event aimed to encourage BS Public Health students by inviting distinguished CPH alumni to share their career journeys in public health. It also broadened students’ perspectives on the significance and importance of serving the public through public health and gave them a sense of being heard—especially at an important turning point in their lives when they stand on the doorstep of their future.