CAMP ARS 2026 Buklod: Collaborative Research for Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact
The UP College of Allied Medical Professions successfully held its Annual Research Symposium (ARS) 2026 on May 15, 2026, at the College of Nursing Auditorium for the plenary sessions, with parallel sessions conducted across Rooms 301–303, 402–403, and 504–505 of the CAMP Building. Guided by the theme, “Buklod: Collaborative Research for Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact,” the symposium gathered faculty members, students, researchers, and guests in a celebration of collaborative scholarship and meaningful research across the professions.
Asst. Prof. John Patrick R. Lentejas, MSc, PTRP, Chairperson of ARS 2026, warmly welcomed the guests, attendees, and presenters as he opened the symposium. Afterwards, CAMP Dean Prof. Esmerita R. Rotor, PhD, PTRP, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the journey of research from sparking curiosity in the classroom to bringing ideas into the real world. She underscored how the symposium serves as a platform that nurtures budding researchers while emphasizing CAMP’s commitment to its research agenda of advancing transformative allied health education and Filipino-centered service toward responsive professionals and healthier, more resilient communities.
Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Dr. Leslie Michelle M. Dalmacio, PhD, shared an inspirational message centered on the symposium theme, Buklod. She emphasized that the most profound breakthroughs rarely happen in silos and that collaboration among professions is essential in addressing complex challenges in healthcare and society. She encouraged participants to share data, insights, and challenges in order to find solutions together, framing research as a scientific way of caring, or aruga – a word that also encapsulates the research agenda of the university, meaning Health through Research Utilization and Global Alliance. She further described Buklod as a strength and Aruga as a mission that guides researchers toward compassionate and impactful work.
The keynote address was delivered by Professor Maria Eliza R. Aguila, PhD, PTRP, from the Department of Physical Therapy, who reflected on Buklod as a deliberate coming together for a specific purpose in order to create meaningful impact. Meaningful research, as she shared, is that which begins in real-life problems from practice and service settings, unfolds with those who live these realities, and kickstarts changes that improve participation and build a ladder of opportunities for development and inclusion. Her message emphasized the role of collaboration in driving meaningful change through research and innovation.
As the Faculty Spotlight for this year, Asst. Prof. Carlos Dominic D. Olegario, MPT, PTRP, presented his study entitled “Development and Evaluation of the HOP-In and Let’s Get Moving in a Philippine Government Financial Institution.” Reactors for the session shared valuable insights and recommendations that enriched the discussion and highlighted the practical implications of the study.
The symposium also featured Parallel Sessions A, B, and C, which showcased 19 research presentations from undergraduate students of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Pathology, as well as graduate students of Clinical Audiology. The sessions reflected the symposium’s central themes of innovation, inclusion, and impact through collaborative research efforts. Session A, “Designing the Future: Collaborative Pathways to Innovation,” focused on research initiatives that explored emerging ideas, technologies, and practices that shape the future of allied health professions. Session B, “Nothing About Us Without Us: Inclusive Research in Action,” highlighted studies that centered on participation, representation, and community engagement in the research process. Session C, “From Evidence to Action: Driving Impact Through Collaboration,” featured research that translated evidence into practical interventions and collaborative actions aimed at improving health outcomes and services.
The successful organization of ARS 2026 was spearheaded by ARS Chairperson Asst. Prof. John Patrick R. Lentejas, MSc, PTRP, together with his team, whose collective efforts made the symposium a meaningful venue for learning and the continued pursuit of impactful research.
