Professional Development

Dubbed as "Unveiling Mystique: Venturing Educational Fundamentals" the UNIFFIED North Texas has collaborated with the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila a virtual webinar this May 26, 2023, to May 27, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Zoom, to be live streamed on the official Facebook page of the PLM Teacher Education Society. The countdown is on. 

The undertaking is a renewed commitment of two friends who have worked as colleagues in Notre Dame of Greater Manila. Dr. Edgardo Dacpano, the elected president of UNIFFIED, Inc. and the former president of UNIFFIED North Texas, and Ms. Gloria Saplala, the adviser of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Teacher Education Society (TES). It was the PLM TES who took the initiative in tapping UNIFFIED, Inc.’s wealth of expertise being a budding global organization of teachers with the zealous slogan to SERVE, LEAD, and INNOVATE. Foreseeing the urgency of the initiative, Dr. Dacpano channeled the undertaking to the UNIFFIED North Texas Chapter which is ably led by Miguel Guimbatan, the concurrent president. The latter approved the partnership and inked the collaborative virtual webinar undertaking. The virtual webinar is set to achieve these objectives:

• To equip aspiring teachers with the qualities and strategies they will need to be effective educators in the 21st century;

• To present a wide array of discussions concerning the implications of the challenges posed by the issues in the Philippines to education; and

• To epitomize what these pre-service teachers must foresee and prepare for as soon as they immerse themselves in the field.

The high caliber line up of speakers with their corresponding topics, include:

Genomics, the universal code of humanity is a topic that is still Latin to some individuals. Since I am writingabout it, allow me to share some things related to it. The term genomics is defined as the study of all thegenes of a person, and we call this genome. It includes the genes’ interactions with one another as wellas the environment of the person. Genomes are very important that the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health did the Human Genome Project and was concluded in April 2023. The said project produced an excellent quality human genome sequence version. It was made accessible to public databases. This made use of sequences from several people making it a representative or generic sequence. The studies on genes are relevant because human diseases have some basis in man’s genes. Birth defects, and sickle cell anemia, were the first things studied in relation to genes. The data from the Human Genome Project through the years helped improve diagnostics, allowed better therapeutic approaches and evidence-based ways to show clinical efficacy. It also enhanced decision making of patients together with health-care providers. This was used for cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disorders, ailments that have high prevalence in the United States (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2022).

With how genomics was presented, one can’t help but realize its importance to human race. It helps not only to understand congenital anomalies, but it also improves on the understanding of varied sicknesses. With better cognizance of the pathophysiology of diseases comes more superior comprehension of how health practitioners can treat the studied condition/s. Looking into my personal experience when I was diagnosed of breast cancer, Trastuzumab was the chemotherapy of choice prescribed of me. According to Dean and Kane, 2021, Trastuzumab which is the generic name with the popular brand name Herceptin, is a monoclonal antibody. It is really used to treat breast cancer, the one that caught me. It may also cure gastric/gastroesophageal cancer. A simple explanation of its mechanism of action is that it acts on an epidermal growth factor receptor that is encoded by a gene. The gene is called ERBB2 or HER2. That is why I have been referred to as HER2 positive. Trastuzumab arrests tumor growth. I should say that the target is more focused because the results from genetic studies were put into place. I am a breast cancer survivor for seven years now and counting (putting my ultimate faith in Him)! Genomics then, without a doubt, aid in improving public health. UNIFFIED Manila Plus Chapter believes that topics as interesting and as relevant as this must be made freely available to the profession that molds the youth into more intelligent, and responsible individuals- the educators. It is significant to health care professionals too since we wish to improve the nation, health-wise. The public and other professionals must not be left out in being informed about genomics for after all, health is for everyone. So last January 21 of this year, the chapter collaborated with the Association of Higher Education Multidisciplinary Researchers Inc in crafting a webinar titled Genomics, the Universal Code of Humanity. Madame Maria Reila Molina, Senior Advance Practice Provider for Heart Failure and Heart Transplant, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania served as the expert Resource Person for the event. There was an exciting scholarly exchange that transpired after the talk. I am certain that the participants closed the virtual platform enriched with the then Latin word genomics now translated into mother tongue.

Genomics came from us, humans. It was studied and cycled back to us to create something better, and healthier. From humans, back to humans.