For many families who gathered at the Tanza Convention Center in Cavite, the day was more than a routine government outreach—it was a rare moment when healthcare, legal aid, and social services gathered 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 public service efforts.
Led by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, the “Lab for All” program—short for Laboratoryo, Konsulta, at Gamot para sa Lahat—is a flagship outreach initiative of the Office 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 Cavite leg of the initiative. Through AMA University and the AMA School of Medicine, the institution anchored its involvement on a long-standing principle: that education must extend beyond the classroom and translate into meaningful service for the Filipino people.
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. Janice Paras, 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 delivering healthcare within a real community setting.
For these future physicians, the outreach went beyond academic exposure. It became a practical lesson in compassionate, patient-centered care, reinforcing the importance of empathy, collaboration, and social responsibility in medical practice. Their participation reflected AMAES’s commitment to competency-based education grounded in real-world engagement.
The event also brought together a broad network of government agencies, including the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, PhilHealth, TESDA, PCSO, Pag-IBIG Fund, the Commission on Higher Education, and other partner institutions. This multi-agency collaboration underscored how coordinated 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 program continues to reach communities nationwide, the AMA Education System has expressed its commitment to supporting future “Lab for All” engagements, reinforcing its mission to educate professionals who serve with compassion, integrity, and purpose.
