Written by Ryan John Pascual
UP Los Banos/UP Diliman, Pioneer 
MANILA - Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health-Philippines NCR-South Luzon Cluster joined the Bayside Council in Obstetrics and Gynecology (BAYCOG) in celebrating the 11th National Day for Pregnant Women (Araw ng mga Buntis or Buntis Day) last March 10, 2014 at the San Andres Sports Complex, Manila. Lectures on maternal health and nutrition, free pre-natal check-up, ultrasound and hemoglobin tests were provided by the organizers to the almost 200 participants of the event. VYLH-Philippines volunteers had the opportunity to give some freebies and informational materials on the importance of folic acid supplementation and newborn screening to the participants. The event concluded with the "Search for Mrs. Buntis 2014" and a raffle.
As mandated by Presidential Proclamation 569, the National Day for Pregnant Women aims to promote the needs of pregnant women in order to have a healthier pregnancies. This objective is also reflected to this year's theme, "Buntis ay kapit-bisig na alagaan, para kumplikasyon ay maiwasan". The annual event also aims to recognize all pregnant women who are considered heroes in their own rights as they bring another life into the world.
This year marks the third year of VYLH-Philippines' participation to the Buntis Day. The network first participated in this annual celebration in 2012 which coincided with the successful attempt of the Philippines, led by the Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecological Society (POGS), to obtain the Guinness World Record on the Largest Pre-natal Class held in multiple locations.
BAYCOG is a non-profit consortium of obstetricians and gynecologists from 11 member hospitals along the Manila Bay area. The group is also a member of POGS- the convenor of the National Buntis Day. VYLH-Philippines NCR-South Luzon would like to thank Dr. Amelita Jover of San Jose de Dios Hospital for the invitation and the opportunity to introduce the network to the incoming President of POGS, Dr. Ditas Decena.
Aside from NCR, VYLH-Philippines CARAGA also reported their participation in a Buntis Day event in Butuan City.
Photo Credit Ms. Marian Teresa Cuenca, RN (Birth Defects Surveillance Nurse for Luzon and University Research Associate at the Institute of Human Genetics-NIH, UP Manila) Particpating VYLs Ramonito Nuquie, Ryan Pascual, Marian Teresa Cuenca
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Ryan John Pascual (ryanjohnpascual@gmail.com) is an alumnus, former Folic Acid Campaign Committee Head (now VYLH-Philippines Committee) and Education Committee Head of The UPLB Genetics Society. He graduated with a BS Biology (major in Plant Biology) degree in UP Los Baños. Ryan is currently a graduate student and DOST-ASTHRD scholar at the Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines-Diliman. He is also the first National President of VYLH-Philippines (2011-2012.).
