For many families who gathered at the Tanza Convention Center inCavite, the day was more than a routine government outreach—it was a rare moment when healthcare, legal aid, and social services converged in one accessible space.Among the institutions that helped make this possible was the AMA Education System(AMAES), which joined the “Lab for All” initiative for the first time, marking a milestone for private educational institutions’ participation in large-scale publicservice efforts.
Led by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, the “Lab for All” program—short forLaboratoryo, Konsulta, at Gamot para sa Lahat—is a flagship outreach initiative of theOffice of the First Lady. Designed to bring essential healthcare services directly to underserved communities, the program provides free medical consultations, diagnostic and laboratory services, medicines, and health education through a unified,community-centered platform.
AMAES stood out as the only private educational institution participating in the Caviteleg of the initiative. Through AMA University and the AMA School of Medicine, the institution anchored its involvement on a long-standing principle: that education mustextend beyond the classroom and translate into meaningful service for the Filipinopeople.
At the forefront of AMAES’s participation was the AMA School of Medicine delegation led by Dean Atty. Michael Maniwa, MD, together with Dr. John Rey Gonzales, Dr. JaniceParas, and Dr. Eric De Leon. They were joined by medical clerks Chandu Aragonda, Dhivagar Muruganantham, Bhargav Regeti, Ravi Prasad Naik, Gopal Krishnan, and Pranay Kumar Reddy—students who gained firsthand experience in deliveringhealthcare within a real community setting.
For these future physicians, the outreach went beyond academic exposure. It becamea practical lesson in compassionate, patient-centered care, reinforcing theimportance of empathy, collaboration, and social responsibility in medical practice.Their participation reflected AMAES’s commitment to competency-based educationgrounded in real-world engagement.
The event also brought together a broad network of government agencies, includingthe Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development,PhilHealth, TESDA, PCSO, Pag-IBIG Fund, the Commission on Higher Education, andother partner institutions. This multi-agency collaboration underscored howcoordinated efforts across sectors can strengthen public service delivery.
More than a single outreach activity, AMAES’s involvement in First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos’ “Lab for All” initiative highlighted the institution’s broader role in nation-building—one that bridges education, healthcare, and service. As the programcontinues to reach communities nationwide, the AMA Education System has expressedits commitment to supporting future “Lab for All” engagements, reinforcing itsmission to educate professionals who serve with compassion, integrity, and purpose.
