CALAMBA, Laguna – The Calamba Medical Center (CMC) reaffirmed its commitment to combating tuberculosis (TB) after successfully holding the Dayang Masalanta Awards 2025 at Seda Nuvali, honoring outstanding healthcare workers, institutions, and partners in the ongoing fight against the disease.
The event, themed in a vibrant spectrum of red symbolizing urgency, passion, and solidarity in public health, underscored the country’s continued efforts to address one of the Philippines’ most persistent infectious diseases.
Launched in 2022, the awards program initially recognized top physicians referring patients to CMC’s TB-DOTS program.
Over the years, it has evolved into a broader platform that honors healthcare workers, institutions, local government units, and civil society organizations engaged in TB prevention, treatment, and advocacy.
In 2024, the initiative further expanded to strengthen collaboration across sectors, reflecting a more community-driven approach to tuberculosis care.
This year’s ceremony marked another milestone, welcoming key figures in Philippine healthcare, including former Department of Health Undersecretary Enrique Tayag.
Award Categories and Honorees
The 2025 Dayang Masalanta Awards recognized excellence through three major categories:
Gawad Tanglaw, awarded to individuals with exceptional contributions to TB control, was given to Dr. Krystle Bliss Fetalvero of the Department of Family and Community Medicine.
Gawad Kaagapay, which honors institutions with impactful TB programs and services, was conferred on Calamba Doctors Hospital.
Gawad Husay at Puso, presented to the CMC physician with the highest TB-DOTS referrals, was awarded to Dr. Mylen M. Briones (IM–Pulmonology).
CMC emphasized that the awards go beyond recognition, describing the program as a reflection of its continued commitment to public health and strong community partnerships.
TB Remains a Major Public Health Concern
During a program discussion, Dr. Rhodora Ocampo highlighted the ongoing burden of tuberculosis in the Philippines and the need for sustained, coordinated action.
“Tuberculosis remains one of the most pressing public health concerns in the Philippines, and in areas like Calamba, we continue to see a high number of cases that demand sustained action from all sectors,” Ocampo said.
She explained that TB is influenced by multiple interconnected factors beyond infection alone.
“This is not only a medical disease caused by a bacterium—it is also affected by nutrition, living conditions, and family and community dynamics, which all play a role in transmission and recovery,” she added.
Ocampo also emphasized the importance of early consultation and completing treatment, urging patients to seek care immediately and adhere to the full course of medication.
Call for Stronger Collaboration
Health experts and stakeholders at the event stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships among hospitals, government agencies, and communities to reduce TB incidence in the country.
CMC reiterated its commitment to expanding its TB-DOTS and community-based programs, noting that the fight against tuberculosis requires shared responsibility grounded in compassion, collaboration, and sustained public health action.
The Dayang Masalanta Awards continues to symbolize the institution’s mission of delivering “Kalingang may Husay at Puso”—care marked by excellence and compassion—for every Filipino community it serves.
The gathering also highlighted a shared advocacy of providing compassionate care to underserved and underprivileged sectors.
According to CMC President and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Pilar Nenuca Almira, the name “Calamba” is believed to have originated from the words kalan (clay stove) and banga (clay pot), symbolizing the “fire in the heart” that fuels the institution’s mission and advocacy.