Health Care Volunteering in Manila, Philippines

I joined the CFHI Program, Global Health in the Philippines for 4 weeks, during the month of July, 2026 and I received the Friends of the Philippines scholarship. To be able to join a program such as this was an honor for me. It was a wonderful journey, with a great group of people to be with. CFHI has provided plenty for us during the course of the program and made sure that we were able to soak in the Philippines' beauty, culture, and healthcare. As a Filipino, I appreciate how we got to share our first-hand experiences to our companions from abroad. One of the students with us was also studying medicine, and we appreciated how we were using almost the same materials for our respective degrees. It did not matter whether she was studying in the US, or we were studying in the Philippines, although some information might be tweaked, for example, for diseases endemic to our countries. The girls we were with for the program were just the loveliest of people to be with, along with the local communities that we went to for the program. Our group went to the municipality of Torrijos in Marinduque. During our stay at the municipality, we were not only exposed to the RHU (Rural Health Unit), but because they had an ongoing Barangay Caravan, we also were able to explore different places in the municipality. As an aspiring physician here in the Philippines, it was a great experience to be able to shadow local doctors in the area, knowing that I would be doing the same thing in the future. We got tips on how to talk to patients, how to interact with the locals, and most importantly, how to handle medicine in areas far from the capital. It was a sad realization to hear that the municipality lacked equipment for crucial diagnosis, but we knew that the doctors there are doing their best of their capabilities to provide care for the people despite the disadvantage. Dr. Gellie Ocampo, our local preceptor made sure that we were well taken care of while we were staying there at the island. Ma'am Joan Azares, and her daughter Marnie Azares took us in as guests at their house, and they could not have been more hospitable. To them, we are most grateful for ensuring that we have a roof above our heads and meals to eat that they so lovingly prepared. Before we even got to the island, Ma'am Anabelle Rioflorido made sure that we were safe on the journey from Manila to the homestay in Marinduque. Finally, I would also like to share my gratitude to Dr. Paulo Medina, and Ms. Mae for making sure that the whole program would be smooth and there would not be any mishaps. I am just so immensely happy to be able to participate in such a program, and I hope CFHI is able to continue giving scholarships for deserving students to get in the program. All the best for Child Family Health International!

My experience in the Philippines has been nothing short of transformative. From the very beginning in Manila to my time in the rural community of Alabat, this rotation provided an গভ গভ (fix) → (remove glitch) incredibly rich and well-rounded understanding of Filipino healthcare, culture, and community. The program thoughtfully combined historical and clinical learning, giving us the foundation to truly understand the structure of healthcare in the Philippines. From exploring national history and visiting major institutions like the Philippine General Hospital and St. Luke’s, to observing care in rural health units and barangay health stations, every experience built on the last in a meaningful way. What made this experience especially impactful was the opportunity to actively engage with patients and healthcare workers. The RHU teams were incredibly welcoming, supportive, and eager to teach. They created an environment where we could both learn and contribute, whether through patient interaction, observing public health programs, or participating in community outreach. One of the most rewarding aspects of my time was building connections within the community. As I developed my Tagalog skills, even simple phrases helped foster more meaningful interactions with patients. I’ll never forget a moment when I was able to help connect a community member to cervical cancer screening services after an organic conversation outside the clinic—an experience that truly highlighted the power of communication, trust, and community-based care. Beyond the clinical setting, the warmth and generosity of the Filipino people made this experience unforgettable. I was welcomed not just as a student, but as a guest and a member of the community. Whether it was sharing meals, singing karaoke, or simply spending time together, there was a deep sense of connection and joy in everyday moments. The spirit of “Mabuhay”—a genuine culture of welcome and hospitality—was something I felt throughout my entire stay. This rotation deepened my understanding of global health, strengthened my cultural humility, and reinforced the importance of community-centered care. It is an experience that has left a lasting impact on both my personal and professional growth. I am incredibly grateful for the relationships I built, the lessons I learned, and the perspective I gained. I would highly recommend this program to any student seeking a meaningful, immersive, and impactful global health experience.

I participated in a two-week Global Health program in the Philippines through the Child Family Health International and found both the on-the-ground experience and the administrative support to be exceptional. The program was thoughtfully structured and provided a meaningful introduction to the culture, history, and healthcare system of the Philippines. Through a mix of educational sessions and site visits, we gained insight into how historical, cultural, and social factors shape health beliefs and medical practice across different healthcare settings. A particularly impactful part of the experience was spending time in a rural community where we observed local health clinics and community health initiatives. The healthcare professionals were incredibly welcoming and eager to share their experiences, helping us understand how care is delivered in resource-limited settings and how strong relationships with the community support better health outcomes. From an administrative perspective, the program staff were consistently responsive and supportive both before and during the program, ensuring everything ran smoothly for participants. Overall, learning about the Philippine healthcare system from its historical foundations to its real-world practice was a rewarding and eye-opening experience. I would highly recommend this program to medical students interested in global health and in learning how healthcare is practiced in different parts of the world.

I am extremely grateful for my experience in the CFHI Global Health in the Philippines program. From the people, the culture, and the history, I am undoubtedly impacted by the things I’ve learned and seen from my time in the program. We started with our first week in Manila where we got to learn about the different parts of the Philippine health system as well as how it fit into the context of Philippines history. The local coordinators, Dr.Katrina and Dr.Lopao were incredibly passionate about the information and history they were sharing with us which made our discussions super engaging and insightful! Not only that but I appreciated how they constantly checked in on us and made sure that we were okay throughout our time in Manila. The local team on the island were also incredibly welcoming. Our group rotated around the different Barangay Health Clinics and had the opportunity to learn about their unique health system on the island. In our free time we were able to explore the island, try different foods, and talk with the locals and BHW’s (Barangay Health Workers). In our 3 weeks here, something that I’ll never forget is the empathy and compassion of the entire health team. From each health clinic we visited and the conversations we had with the staff, it was clear to see how dedicated everyone was in providing the best care even with the obstacles that might come from being on an island. Furthermore, the context and insight provided by our local preceptor is something I know will continue to impact and shape how I think about medicine in the future and in my studies. Something I also really appreciated about CFHI as a whole, was their emphasis on ethical engagement. From their thorough onboarding and the support from the US team, Local team, and alumni, I felt assured that I wasn’t expected to do anything beyond observation. Especially as a second year undergrad, I felt that there wasn’t really anything medical that I would have been qualified to do. Something that really resonated with me was their rule of thumb “If you wouldn’t be allowed to do it here, don’t do it there”. This aspect is something that I feel is extremely unique to CFHI and what made me look into this program in the first place! Overall, my CFHI Global Health Program in the Philippines was extremely informative and worthwhile! I fully recommend it to anyone who is going into medicine or global health or is even just curious about it to apply for a program. Wherever you are in your journey, you are sure to gain valuable information and insight that will continue to impact you long after your program.

Before entering the Child Family Health International (CFHI) program, I viewed health systems through a narrow lens, one shaped by textbooks, urban hospitals, and structured medical training. But thanks to the Friends of the Philippines Scholarship, I was given the opportunity to step outside of that frame and experience the kind of education that no classroom can offer: an immersion into the reality of Philippine healthcare with all its complexities and contradictions. Our first week in Manila laid the foundation for what would become a life-changing experience. Our visit to Dr. Jose Rizal’s monument reminded us that healing and patriotism are intertwined: doctors have long played a role not just in curing diseases, but also in caring for the nation itself. From there, we explored the Carlos Francisco’s four-panel mural, “The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines.” This artwork painted the story of our country’s journey through time, how our roots in faith-based and spiritual healing evolved toward modern medicine, and how colonial history, cultural belief systems, and science continue to coexist, sometimes in harmony, but also sometimes in tension. I learned about the Philippines’ top ranking in the World Risk Index which is a reminder of how geography, poverty, and politics shape our people’s health. We discussed how some rural areas still resist Western medicine and how paradoxes fill our healthcare system: burdened by limited resources and poor implementation of written laws. In Manila, I began to understand that everything is connected, that health is deeply intertwined with structural building blocks, financing, and local governance. I learned that decentralization led to fragmented care resulting to disparities in funding and outcomes. The Philippine General Hospital, although 2–3 hours away from provinces like Cavite, remains the hospital of choice for many. This tells us not only about the centralization of trust, but also about the underdevelopment of rural health systems. I also learned about the determinants of health and saw how health is not just about the delivered services, but also about systems upheld or neglected. Throughout our week-long stay in Manila, we were confronted by difficult truths yet despite all this, we were reminded to remain hopeful because sincerity, equity, and community-centered care are still possible, and still worth fighting for. We then proceeded to travel to San Jose, Romblon, or more commonly known as Carabao Island. The island’s natural beauty was truly breathtaking with its crystal-clear waters, lush landscapes, and kind-hearted people who welcomed us warmly and shared stories with us. In the seminar hosted by the Department of Health entitled, “PuroKalusugan,” I learned that Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) are the lifeblood of the community as they are the first point of contact for healthcare and manage everything from maternal care to public health initiatives. Their unwavering passion and resilience left a lasting mark on me. I also saw the dedication of the Municipal Health Officer and Rural Health Unit (RHU) staff. Some of them wear multiple hats of responsibilities which made me realize that healthcare is not just clinical, it is political, emotional, and deeply human. I then began to understand that being a doctor is not just about treating disease: it is about listening, empowering, and standing in solidarity with the people. I saw how trust in the healthcare system begins with community-centered care and how the presence of sincere and compassionate physicians like Dr. Joel Buenaventura, Dr. Paolo Medina, and Dr. Ian Buluag, can inspire renewed hope and belief in a system that too often overlooks the realities faced by those it aims to serve. This scholarship did not just support my travel and learning, it shifted my perspective entirely. It challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone and confront the complexities of our healthcare system not as an outsider, but as someone who belongs to the very fabric of it. Professionally, it helped me develop a deeper sense of cultural humility, systems thinking, and social accountability. I have come to see that global health is not about sweeping interventions or short-term fixes. It is about building relationships, understanding context, and remaining grounded in empathy. It is about asking the hard questions: Why are things this way? What can we do to change it? How can we help? I have come to see that the foundation of meaningful healthcare lies in recognizing the humanity in every patient. Every Filipino is born into a system shaped by debt, politics, and deep contradictions, yet each person still deserves dignity and quality care. Hope and hopelessness often coexist and it is our duty as future healthcare workers to help tip the balance toward hope through meaningful action, unwavering advocacy, and compassionate service. I am deeply grateful to Child Family Health International and the Friends of the Philippines Scholarship for opening my eyes to these truths. This was more than an immersion: it was a personal reckoning, a reframing of my purpose, and a reminder of why I chose this path in the first place. Because in the end, when life gives you tangerines, sweet, sour, and complex they may be, you do not just eat them. You learn to taste them fully, share them with others, and let their flavor shape the journey ahead. Throughout this program, I found parts of myself I did not know I had lost. In the stories of patients and health workers, I heard echoes of my own family, community, and dreams that first led me to the path of medicine. Standing in places where care is offered with little more than heart and hope, I began to see my identity not just as a student or future doctor, but as someone deeply rooted in the struggles and strength of the Filipino people. These experiences did not just educate me, they moved me in ways I could not even begin to imagine. There were moments of awe and then moments of heartbreak: standing in under-resourced areas, hearing the stories of overworked health workers, and seeing both the brilliance and the brokenness of our systems. Yet I also found hope, in the laughter of the children we met, in the passion of the doctors who choose to stay, in the hospitality of everyone who welcomed us with open arms, and in the small victories that happen quietly with each passing day. This journey peeled back the layers of privilege and perspective, and what was left was something raw, real, and resolute: a clearer sense of who I am, who I want to be, and who I am called to serve. This was my kilometer zero: the point where everything shifted and began. I now carry with me a deeper understanding, a renewed purpose, and a heart forever changed. This experience opened the world to me and allowed the world to transform me in return.

I recently completed the Global Health in the Philippines program offered by Child Family Health International (CFHI), and it was an incredible experience. Our first week was spent in Manila, where we explored the historical and cultural factors that continue to shape the country’s healthcare system. Dr. Katrina Narcida, our local coordinator, was an engaging and supportive guide who not only answered our questions but also immersed us in Filipino culture. We visited both publicly and privately funded health centers, as well as local markets offering traditional remedies—giving us insight into the wide range of healthcare practices in the Philippines. In the second week, we traveled to Tingloy, a remote island in the Batangas province. Life on the island is quiet and community-centered, with no major roads or cars and only one physician serving the entire population. We worked closely with the Rural Health Unit and observed how healthcare is delivered in this unique setting. One standout experience was witnessing the monthly immunization program, where nurses travel by motorcycle to different Barangays (villages) to administer vaccines to children. Community health workers in each Barangay played an essential role in assisting the nurses, highlighting how healthcare in the Philippines is truly a community-based effort. After each round of vaccinations, the grateful communities welcomed us with delicious home-cooked meals—a touching display of hospitality that reflects the warmth and generosity so deeply rooted in Filipino culture. Whether you're a medical student like me or simply someone interested in global health, I highly recommend this program. It offers not only knowledge, but also the confidence and cultural insight needed to navigate and appreciate healthcare systems around the world. Immersing myself in Filipino culture—where community, compassion, and resilience are deeply woven into everyday life—was an experience that will stay with me both personally and professionally. This unforgettable opportunity was made possible through the support of the Friends of the Philippines Scholarship, for which I am incredibly grateful. Their generosity allowed me to learn firsthand from the communities and healthcare professionals in the Philippines, and I will carry these lessons with me throughout my global health journey.

I participated in Global Health in The Philippines Program. I traveled to Manila, Philippines, for one week and then was assigned to the remote island part of the program for three weeks. I was sent to a small island called Tingloy which had a population of 19,000 and was in the Batangas Province of Luzon. The first week when I was in Manila, the group I was traveling with and I were introduced to the rich culture of this country. We visited tourist spots like Rizal Park, the National Museum of the Philippines, and Intramuros. This helped introduce and contextualize what we would learn about the Philippine healthcare system. Then we had an authentic Philippine dinner and saw the national dance called the Tinkling. Furthermore, we were introduced to the disparities of Manila as we went to a part of the city that is very underdeveloped. This opened our eyes to the inequity within Manila. The next day we went to Chinatown, and this Chinatown is considered one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world; we got to try some pretty good frog legs, and then we were taken to an area of Manila called Quiapo and visited the local street markets in vendors. Then we were taken to a church called the minor basilica of the Black Nazarene, and this is where we learned about how Catholicism and religion play a significant role in how some policies, such as reproductive health and rights, are controlled within this country. We were also sent home later that night to watch a documentary called sicko which is about the American healthcare system, and this was going to be used to compare to what we learned about the Philippine healthcare system as we sat through six hours of lecture on the current state of the Philippine health care system. The Philippine healthcare system, in general, is run by the Department of Health, and it very much tries to veer away from an American privatized healthcare system. However, due to the existence of public and private health care, there is a vast disparity between the two, and about a little less than half of the Filipino population pays out of pocket for their medical treatment because the universal national healthcare insurance called Philhealth does not fully cover or provide basic needs. The next day we went to San Juan and Ternate Cavite; we visited the Barangay Health Station, which was pretty underfunded and had limited resources. We also got to watch a baby receive its immunizations. Then after we sat in on a lecture with medical interns who were training volunteer barangay health workers, it was exciting as many of these health workers themselves were volunteers, and two had minimal knowledge of medical-based things such as how to properly track someone's height, how to properly weigh a child, how to calculate BMI. However, they are essential for the Philippine healthcare system as many people within the town will go to these volunteers when they are sick and will only visit the primary healthcare center if there are concerns that do not alleviate or go away. These volunteers are the front-line workers of the structure of the primary health care system. We took some photos with them, which was fun, and they did get to practice all these skills with us. Then we headed to Ternate, Cavite, where we saw the Municipal Health Officer, Dr. Gina. She showed us her facility, which was more underfunded than San Juan. However, a dentist did exist but mainly only for extractions. She also talked about how the DOH does not pay her enough and that she's not provided enough money to deal with Ternate's number one program that they have in place, which is the drug rehabilitation program. The next day, we visited the Philippines General Hospital, the largest public hospital in Manila and the country. As I walked through the facility, it was very crowded, and our local preceptors told us that some people might be sitting there for two to three days to see a doctor. However, they did have a wide range of specialties, and we got to see the ER. It was interesting to see that people were sprawled out in the lobby in beds and that medical interns, so medical students that had just graduated, were doing the job of doctors as there was not enough staff to be spread. They were allowed full diagnosing abilities also. Then we visited BCG, one of the wealthiest parts of Manila, and we got to see St. Luke's Hospital, a private hospital. It was a night and day change as St. Luke's looked like an upscale mall that had restaurants and cafes in very fancy accommodations to come with it. Many upper-class business people and foreigners in general visit St. Luke's. This showed the difference between what money could get you in Manila and the disparities between public and private healthcare. Some experience I had in Manila was I went to Robinsons Mall, which is this massive mall within Eremite. I could get everything there, and I tried Jollibee, the national fast-food chain of the Philippines. I liked it because it was chicken and rice. I also got to ride in a Jeepney, an old war machine/tank turned into a bus-looking thing, you pay for seven kilometers, and they're very hard to navigate, but they were still fun. We also visited a souvenir shop, and there were these cute fish wallets. Also, the night we stayed at BCG, our local preceptors got dinner with us, and we went to a fun karaoke room. I wish they would have them in the US. On the last day of Manila, we just had a lecture about a video that explained how a small child died. We had to analyze the video and develop a web chain to explain what happened. The point of the lecture was to see that public health plays a huge role in someone's well-being and that a lot of outside environmental factors affected the death of this child, and it wasn't just the disease that took her. They wanted us to use this perspective when we were sent to the remote islands as necessary, as many outside factors affect the type of healthcare these populations receive. We got in a car and traveled to Talaga port; we would take a 35-to-40-minute ferry to Tingloy. There we got on a trike, the only mode of transportation on the island except for walking or taking an ATV. Then we went to the rural health unit and met Doc Patt, which was funny because everybody on the island knew who doc pat was, so we just had to say that name, and they knew where to send us. We were the second batch of students on Tingloy, so many of the locals were not used to having foreigners. The homestay we stayed at was excellent, and our host mom Ate Czen was lovely and kind; she introduced us to her kids and cousins, and the word about us on the island spread very quickly. The rural health unit in Tingloy is nice and set up like a hospital due to the last mayor wanting to make this RHU a hospital. However, when the new mayor came in, plans changed, and the local doctor taught us the importance of relationships and how maintaining these good relationships will get you the resources you need when it is not provided initially. We learned that the two main programs on Tingloy are TB and immunizations. We also got to learn the ins and outs of how the Tingloy RHU has explicitly set up its staff. We also visited Masasa Beach, which is a beautiful beach. We also visited the blue lagoon, walked around town, and got invited to a couple of enjoyable celebrations, such as a fiesta hosted by the mayor. Many children on the island like to play Latto which is a game with these two balls that clink next to each other, and sometimes it gets a bit aggravating. However, it was still a wonderful toy and an experience to learn about. They serenaded us when we walked down the streets, which was pretty funny. Every month they go out into the branches or have specific days for certain barangays to come and get their children vaccinated. The parents are handed a vaccination book indicating which vaccine their child is supposed to get at what age and always bring them in their blue. The local doctor said he doesn't see an issue with many against vaccinations, as many people want their children to be vaccinated. We watched many of these vaccination days, and I did notice that they explained this in Manila. Also, families always come in with a companion; if one family member has to leave, another family member comes to replace so that the patient's not alone. I also noticed that HIPAA itself is very wonky, as many patients sit beside each other; the intake form is a desk with two chairs, so patients sit across from each other and hear the nurses talking about their intake information. Lastly, the nurses always work in pairs of two, so one fills out the forms because they are handwritten and filed while the other nurse takes the vitals. I participated in a blood drive and got to shadow and see many other things, this is a once in a lifetime trip, and I would recommend it as I have learned so much in the past month, and it was worth the 30 hours of travel back home, lol. If you are considering it, this is a great program, and CFHI does a great job with cultural competency and integration with local preceptors. I made good friends with them, and they said we should catch up and meet when we visit them.

In February 2023, I attended a month-long CFHI program in the Philippines. My time in the Philippines was everything I had hoped for and more. I have been a part of global health trips in the past, but nothing to this extent. Using what I had learned from my previous trips, as well as thinking about my future career, I developed four goals for this program: to understand the Philippines health system (including both the pros and cons), gain some knowledge within maternal and reproductive health, become more comfortable immersing into a culture different than my own, and get a better idea of what I want in my future career of global health. I am excited to say that with the help of so many incredible people, I successfully accomplished all of these. My time in the Philippines was split into two parts: Manila (week 1) and the Remote Island Medicine (weeks 2-4). In Manila, we spent time familiarizing ourselves with the Filipino culture as well as the Philippines Health System. We got to tour local hospitals (both public and private), as well as attend lectures about their healthcare. The first week was crucial to having a successful experience because it laid the necessary groundwork that allowed us to truly learn from our time on the remote island. For majority of our time, we were on the remote island, specifically Tablas Island. We stayed and worked in the municipality of Alcantara with the local doctor, Dr. Jobin Maestro. Dr. Maestro was such a blessing to our experience; he made sure that we not only understood the health system and surrounding issues, but he also ensured we really learned about and immersed into the Filipino culture. Some of the medical aspects of this trip that we observed included prenatal checks, postpartum home visits, immunization clinics, animal bite clinics, and dental visits. I specifically chose this program because it offered some learning experiences in Maternal and Reproductive Health, so it was a blessing to learn about pregnancy care in this area of the world. In addition to so many educational opportunities, we also got to have a lot of fun in the process. We traveled to nearby islands (Romblon and Boracay), explored Tablas Island, and attended some events around town. Overall, the program was very well run. The other leadership involved in this program, including Dr. Joel Buenaventura, Dr. Paolo Medina, and Dr. Angelo Aquino, were all fantastic and worked very hard to make this experience a meaningful one. Between all the doctors, the patients, and everyone else I met along the way, my Philippines program changed the way I think about medicine as well as my future career as an Ob/Gyn. I am very thankful for my time in the Philippines, and I am very thankful for CFHI allowing me to participate in this experience.