The UP Manila Health and Life Magazine i The UP Manila Health Ripples magazine is published bi-annually by the UP Manila Information, Publication, and Public Affairs Office (IPPAO), 8th floor, Philippine General Hospital Central Block, Tel. nos. 554-8400 local 3842. Contributions are welcome. Please email to
[email protected] or send to the IPPAO. EDITOR: Cynthia M. Villamor; EDITORIAL CONSULTANT: Dr. Erlyn A. Sana, PhD; WRITERS: Cynthia M. Villamor, Fedelynn M. Jemena, January R. Kanindot, Charmaine A. Lingdas; Anne Marie D. Alto LAYOUT ARTIST: Anne Marie D. Alto; PHOTOGRAPHER: Joseph Bautista; CIRCULATION: Sigrid G. Cabiling; Contributing Writer: Ernesto O. Domingo, MD ; Josephine D. Agapito Cover Artwork: Anne Marie D. Alto Table of Contents 1 Editor’s Notes 2 Empowering the Filipino Scientist Ernesto O. Domingo, MD 7 Making Significant, Lasting Impact on Public Health Cynthia M. Villamor 13 First Dengue Diagnostic Kit by UP Manila Scientists - Faster, Cheaper, and Proudly Pinoy Anne Marie D. Alto 18 No Cold Feet: A Filipino Scientist’s Journey January R. Kanindot 23 Herbal Medicine: Finding its Niche in Philippine Health Charmaine L. Abing 29 The Philippine Health Information System-Mental Health: Raising Mental Health Awareness in the Country Fedelynn M. Jemena 36 Balik Scientists Tungo sa Kalusugan at Kaunlaran Josephine D. Agapito Editor’s Notes Innovations for Better Health This issue highlights the role of research in health. The six articles delve into the most important aspects of the environment that feeds research: a conducive and supportive setting or milieu that empowers the scientist, the organizational and physical infrastructure, and the scientist/researcher’s passion and commitment that lead to the high quality and relevance of the researches being undertaken.