Written by Aileen Amor
With contributions from Fawn Maday-a
Baguio City, March 15, 2025 — A free educational event was successfully conducted today from 8:00 AM to 12:00 NN at the East Quirino Hill Barangay Hall, Baguio City, aimed at equipping children with essential life skills in basic life support (BLS), first aid, and proper hygiene practices. The lecture was facilitated by the University of Baguio’s School of Nursing under the S.A.L.U.N.- A.T. initiative, with faculty and students guiding participants through a hands-on and informative session.
Approximately 40 children attended the event, where they were introduced to life-saving techniques and practical skills that could prove invaluable in emergency situations. The session covered fundamental topics such as how to perform CPR, bandaging, and the importance of good hygiene practices like handwashing and keeping oneself clean at all times.
The lecturers for the event included:
- Ms. Aileen Amor, who led the session on proper hygiene, stressing the importance of proper hygiene or maintaining personal cleanliness and demonstrating steps of proper and effective handwashing.
- Mr. Remo Nonan Sab-it, who demonstrated first aid bandaging, teaching the children how to properly dress wounds and emphasizing the need to protect the wounds from possible infection, prevent further injury, and stop bleeding through proper bandaging.
- Mr. Froilan Pelico, who guided the attendees in basic life support (BLS), including performing CPR and helping children understand how to respond to emergency situations.
In addition to the lecturers, faculty members and students from the University of Baguio’s School of Nursing assisted in the demonstrations and the hands-on practice of applying these critical skills. Their support ensured that the children could practice and refine their techniques in a safe, supervised environment, making the learning experience more engaging and effective.
At the end of the session, the children were asked to demonstrate what they had learned during the lectures. This hands-on activity allowed the attendees to showcase their new skills in front of their peers, reinforcing their understanding of the topics covered. To further support the children’s learning, all participants were given hygiene kits as takeaways, which included essential items to encourage the continued practice of proper hygiene at home. These hygiene kits were generously provided by the second-year nursing students of Section NBA. After winning a prize in a Quiz Bee during their Enhancement Program, the team, led by Miss Eunice Mangaoang, chose to donate their winnings to support the outreach activities of SON ECOS. They collectively decided to use the funds to assemble hygiene kits, which they handed over to Ms. Fawn Maday-a, the SON ECOS Coordinator. These thoughtful donations brought smiles to the children’s faces.
Overall, the event was warmly received by both the children and the adults, who appreciated the practical, hands-on approach to learning. Attendees actively participated in demonstrations and application drills, reinforcing the importance of being prepared and responsive in urgent situations.
The event marks another step in the University of Baguio’s ongoing commitment to community outreach and public health education. By engaging with local communities, the university’s nursing program continues to make a positive impact, spreading vital health knowledge and promoting safety among the younger generation.
As the session concluded, children were encouraged to share what they learned with their families, reinforcing the message that safety and hygiene are shared responsibilities.
