In a meaningful effort to address the pressing concerns of adolescent maternal health, graduate students in Nursing from Ateneo de Naga University led a community-based service-learning initiative, “Strong Mom, Strong Baby: Nutrition, Breastfeeding, and Emotional Health,” delivering holistic maternal care, health education, and free medical services to the community of Barangay Iraya, Buhi, Camarines Sur on April 26, 2026.
The half-day event, held from 8:00 in the morning until noon, brought together teenage mothers and pregnant adolescents from Barangay Iraya. The initiative was organized by Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN) and Master in Nursing (MN) students of NSG 704 (Psychiatric Concepts in Nursing) and NSG 705 (Seminar in Nursing: Principles and Methods of Community Health Nursing), under the guidance of their course professor, Mr. Francisco Rico U. Raquitico, RN, MAN, with Emmanuel Peña, RN, serving as activity head.
Also present during the activity was the invited physician, Dr. Jonas Lavadia, the Rural Health Physician of the Rural Health Unit of Buhi, Camarines Sur, who conducted medical consultations for the participants. The event was further supported by Barangay Captain Hon. Romel Aquino, whose presence underscored the local government’s commitment to maternal and child health initiatives in the community.
To reach the community, the graduate nursing students, together with Prof. Raquitico and Dr. Lavadia, crossed Lake Buhi before undertaking a 20 to 30-minute walk from the shoreline to Barangay Iraya Hall. The journey, which required both coordination and physical effort, underscored the team’s commitment to delivering essential maternal health services to a geographically isolated community, ensuring that distance and accessibility would not hinder the provision of care and education to the participating teenage mothers.
Anchored on Ignatian values, the outreach aimed to provide holistic and accessible maternal health services while promoting mental well-being among young mothers. The activity highlighted the importance of integrating both physical and psychosocial care in community health nursing, particularly for vulnerable populations such as adolescent mothers.
Teenage pregnancy remains a significant public health issue in the Philippines, with young mothers facing increased risks such as anemia, preterm birth, and low birth weight infants. These challenges are often compounded by limited access to healthcare, inadequate knowledge of proper nutrition and breastfeeding, and emotional stress brought about by stigma and lack of support systems.
Recognizing these concerns, the program delivered structured health education sessions tailored to the needs of its participants. The first session, titled “Kahalagahan ng Nutrisyon Habang Buntis, at Mga Benepisyo ng Pagpapasuso ng Ina sa Kanyang Sanggol,” was led by Kristine Joy Encinares-Agao, RN. It focused on the importance of proper nutrition during pregnancy and highlighted the benefits of breastfeeding in promoting optimal infant health and development.
The second session, “Pagbabago ng Emosyon sa Pagbubuntis at Pagiging Ina,” facilitated by Felix Bernales, RN, centered on the emotional and psychological changes experienced during pregnancy and early motherhood. The discussion emphasized mental health awareness, stress management, and the importance of emotional support in fostering positive maternal and infant outcomes.
Beyond lectures, the activity also provided free medical consultations and essential medications to participants. Under the supervision of Dr. Lavadia, this component ensured immediate health assessment and intervention for common maternal concerns such as anemia and minor infections, effectively bridging the gap between health education and access to care.
A question-and-answer segment allowed participants to clarify concerns and engage more deeply with the topics discussed. The event concluded with the awarding of certificates and tokens, recognizing the participation and involvement of the young mothers.
The program aimed not only to educate but also to empower. Its objectives included improving maternal health, promoting proper breastfeeding practices, enhancing emotional resilience, and strengthening connections between participants and local health services for sustained care.
By combining health education, psychosocial support, and direct medical services, the initiative underscored the role of community-based interventions in addressing preventable maternal and infant health complications. More importantly, it highlighted the impact of service-learning in equipping future nurses with the skills and compassion needed to serve communities effectively.
Through efforts like “Strong Mom, Strong Baby,” the MAN and MN students of the Ateneo de Naga University Graduate School hope to contribute to building healthier families and more resilient communities – one empowered mother at a time.
Prepared by:
John Walter V. Ragragio
Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN) Student
