Manila, Philippines — October 15, 2025.
The University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) celebrated another milestone in advancing evidence-based healthcare through its 30th Research Week and 31st Nursing Research Forum, held at the Dietary Function Hall on October 15, 2025.

This year’s event carried the theme “Perspectives and Gains in Health Research VII: Promoting Research-Driven Action.”

Jointly hosted by the Division of Nursing Research and Development (DNRD) under the Nursing Services, in collaboration with the Expanded Hospital Research Office (EHRO) and the Integrated Research and Training Unit (ITRU), the activity underscored the hospital’s strong commitment to nurturing a research culture among healthcare professionals and to promoting evidence-informed decision-making in clinical practice.

The program commenced with the opening prayer led by Rellita M. Palcone, RN, followed by welcome remarks from Maria Cecilia E. Punzalan, MA, RN, Deputy Director for Nursing, who lauded the continued enthusiasm of PGH nurses in pursuing scholarly inquiry to enhance patient care and safety.

In her Inspirational Message, Dr. Belen L. Dofitas, PGH Coordinator for Research, underscored the vital role of nurses as frontliners in advancing clinical practice through research. She emphasized that nurses, being at the heart of patient care, are in a unique position to identify gaps, generate evidence, and develop innovative solutions that can transform healthcare delivery. Dr. Dofitas encouraged participants to pursue studies that not only expand knowledge but also translate into tangible improvements in hospital services and patient outcomes.

Delivering the Keynote Address was Dr. Marie Dione Parreño-Sacdalan, Head of the Integrated Research and Training Unit (ITRU), who discussed the pivotal role of fostering research-driven action within the healthcare system. She emphasized that research should not only serve as a means of generating knowledge but should also inspire practical interventions and policy directions that enhance clinical outcomes and health system efficiency. Dr. Sacdalan also presented the research accomplishments of the Nursing Services over the past five years, commending the department’s growing contributions to institutional scholarship. She encouraged nurses to further increase publication output and to pursue more experimental
studies that can provide stronger evidence for practice improvement.

Following the keynote session, Maricel Grace T. Tuanquin, RN, Nurse IV of DNRD, introduced the distinguished Panel of Reactors, composed of:

• Dr. Queenie R. Ridulme, PhD, RN, Associate Professor, UP Open University and Former Director of UPOU Ugnayan ng Pahinungod;
• Dr. Laurence Lloyd B. Parial, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, UP College of Nursing, PNA Zone 1 Board of Directors; and
• Dr. Ryner Jose D. Carrillo, MD, MSc, FPSOHNS, Professor, UP College of Medicine and Panel Chair of the UP Manila Research Ethics Board.

Maria Keziah G. Legion, MAN, RN, Nurse IV of DNRD, presented the mechanics of the presentation, paving the way for the forum’s research and proposal presentations.

The event was also graced by Dr. Gerardo D. Legaspi, Director of the Philippine General Hospital, who commended the dedication and initiative of nurses in producing research and scholarly publications. He recognized the long-standing tradition of the Nursing Research Forum, noting with appreciation that it actually predates the establishment of the PGH Research Week. Dr. Legaspi also highlighted that nurses demonstrate one of the highest utilization rates of research funds within the institution—a testament to their active engagement, intellectual curiosity, and unwavering commitment to advancing evidence-based nursing practice.

Research and Proposal Presentations

The forum featured both completed and ongoing research proposals by PGH nurses, representing the institution’s continuous pursuit of quality and innovation in nursing practice:

• Andrew B. Sumpay, MHA, RM, RN (Nurse IV, DNRD)
  Relationship between Knowledge and Attitude in Pressure Injury Assessment and Identification Accuracy among Nurses
• Mary Grace B. Villanueva, RN (Nurse II, Ward 3)
  Factors Associated with Role Strain among Informal Caregivers in Medical Wards of a Tertiary University Hospital
• Kathlyn Sharmaine Valdez, RN (Nurse III, Patient Experience Unit)
  Psychometric Testing of the Tagalog Translation of Perceptions on Safety Culture in a Hospital Setting (PPSC-H)
• Catherine D. Remeticado, RN (Nurse II, DPPS-4RCB2)
  Knowledge and Practices of Nurses in the Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) in Medical-Surgical Wards of a Tertiary University Hospital
• Maria Victoria T. Ramos, MAN, RN (Nurse III, Ward 9)
  Perceptions of Adult Patients on Professional Caring Behaviors among Adult Surgical Ward Nurses in a National University Hospital

Each presentation was followed by an engaging exchange of insights and constructive feedback from the panel of reactors, highlighting the rigor and relevance of nursing research conducted within PGH.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Mildred B. Campo, RN, Nurse VI and Officer-in-Charge of DNRD, who commended the presenters and organizers for their dedication to fostering a strong research culture within the nursing community. She emphasized that the forum not only showcases academic excellence but also demonstrates the PGH nurses’ commitment to translating research into practice.

The 31st Nursing Research Forum, as part of the UP-PGH Research Week, reaffirmed the hospital’s vision of integrating research, training, and clinical service in pursuit of improved patient outcomes and healthcare innovation. Through the collaboration of the Nursing Services – DNRD, EHRO, and ITRU, the event served as a platform for promoting research-driven action that empowers nurses as leaders and innovators in health care.

Posted to the PGH website by Bona Rae Villarta, PGH Information Technology Office