On July 17, 2025, the UP Resilience Institute (UPRI), in collaboration with the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the UP Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health (DRRM-H) Office, and ZOLL Medical Corporation, successfully conducted “Bayani ng Puso: Mass CPR for the University of the Philippines” with an estimated total of 837 participants.
This university-wide initiative was held in observance of Presidential Proclamation No. 511, declaring July 17 of every year as “National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Day.” The proclamation underscores the importance of equipping Filipinos with lifesaving CPR knowledge and skills through public education and awareness campaigns.
UP Constituent Universities (CUs) actively participated in the Mass CPR training, with the support of private entities, local government offices, civil societies, and NGOs. These partnerships provided crucial logistical assistance and expert guidance to ensure that participants learned proper CPR techniques, including the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) when available.
Each CU was joined by representatives from UPRI and PGH, with the latter demonstrating and emphasizing the importance of correct CPR procedures. The University Health Services, along with other supporting agencies, played a vital role in assisting participants during hands-on demonstrations. Following the initial guided instruction, all participants performed a return demonstration of CPR, synchronized with a video tutorial that featured rhythmic music to reinforce the correct pace of chest compressions.
This event not only strengthened the life-saving capacity of the UP community but also demonstrated the power of collaboration between academic institutions, healthcare professionals, and government and private partners in promoting public health and emergency preparedness.