Health leaders, advocates, and parents came together to champion a future where every Filipino teen is protected, supported, and empowered. Through open dialogue and shared commitment, the event sparked actionable steps toward holistic adolescent wellness.
L-R: Alexis Tinsay, host; Dr. Vanessa Maria Torres-Ticzon, President of the Philippine Society of Adolescent Medicine Specialists and the Chair at the Section of Adolescent Medicine at the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH); Dr. Ma. Emma Alesna-Llanto, adolescent medicine specialist, consultant, Division of Adolescent Medicine, University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) and immediate past president, Philippine Society of Adolescent Medicine Specialists (PSAMS); Dr. Margaret Mae Maano, Vice-President, Society of Adolescent Medicine of the Philippines, Inc and active member of the Philippine Society of Adolescent Medicine Specialists (SAMPI); Dr. Sally Jane Aro, MD (member of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV), and current Training officer of the Section of Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Pediatrics; Dr. Leslie Mae Domagas, member of the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Ambulatory Pediatric Association, Inc. (PAPA); Ms. Nish Ching Dyosa the Momma, a mom influencer; and Dr. Allen Mallari, President – Philippine Academy of Physicians in School Health, Inc. (PAPSHI)

In celebration of Adolescent Immunization Month, the Society of Adolescent Medicine of the Philippines, Inc. (SAMPI) convened healthcare professionals, educators, and parent advocates for a timely forum titled “Uniting Voices for Adolescent Health.”
The event emphasized the urgent need to support adolescent wellness through an integrated and proactive approach, addressing physical and mental health, preventive care, and stronger cross-sector collaboration.

Adolescence is a pivotal yet underserved stage of development. While teens undergo rapid physical, emotional, and social changes, many are left behind by the healthcare system due to inconsistent checkups, lack of awareness, and limited access to services. SAMPI seeks to shift this narrative by promoting a culture of prevention, early intervention, and collective action.

“Prioritizing our teens ensures a better future, not only for themselves but also for the generations that follow,” said Dr. Michelle Anne Noblejas-Mangubat, President of SAMPI. “This is not an easy task, and we need all the help we can get.”

A call to collaboration and to action

Keynote speaker Dr. Ma. Emma Alesna-Llanto of the UP Philippine General Hospital stressed the need for stronger investment in adolescent health.

“Adolescents are often perceived as healthy and therefore ignored. But they make up a significant portion of our population, about 40%. They are not a burden; they are an asset,” she said.

She explained that adolescence represents a second window of opportunity to prevent long-term diseases. “Many adult illnesses like heart disease, stroke, and cancer can be traced back to risk behaviors developed during the teen years. This is where intervention matters.”
Dr. Llanto added that investment in adolescent health is also economically sound. “Every dollar spent yields five to ten dollars in return and that’s even higher than investments in adult care,” she said.

From “Forgotten to Forefront”: Elevating teen checkups

In her talk titled “From Forgotten to Forefront,” Dr. Vanessa-Maria Torres-Ticzon, President of the Philippine Society for Adolescent Medicine Specialists, urged providers and families to reimagine adolescent healthcare as a crucial opportunity, not an afterthought.
“There are many barriers to adolescent vaccination,” she explained. “Teens often miss childhood doses, immunity from earlier vaccines can wane, and they are more likely to engage in risky behaviors that increase their vulnerability to infections like HPV and HIV.

Dr. Ticzon also pointed to missed clinical opportunities. “Unlike younger children, teens rarely have scheduled primary care visits. Parents may not realize their teens still need vaccines, and healthcare providers may not be confident in recommending adolescent immunizations.”

She emphasized the importance of comprehensive wellness checkups, including physical exams, risk behavior screening, anticipatory guidance, and updated vaccinations. “Each visit is an opportunity. We must make teens feel safe and respected in these conversations. Preventive care doesn’t just protect them now, it lays the foundation for healthy futures.”

Vaccination as a cornerstone of prevention

Immunization remains a vital tool in preventive adolescent healthcare. Vaccines such as HPV, hepatitis B, MMR, influenza, varicella, meningococcal, and pneumococcal protect teens from a wide range of serious diseases. The forum highlighted updated national vaccination schedules and reaffirmed the importance of timely and complete protection.

To empower families, SAMPI launched the Teen Vax Record Booklet, a practical tool to help track vaccination schedules and ensure consistent protection.
Dr. Llanto added, “Vaccinated adolescents not only protect themselves, they help protect the most vulnerable in our communities. The benefits ripple across generations.”

The Teen Vax Record Booklet is now available in pediatric clinics and can be requested by parents at their child’s next check-up. Designed as both a vaccination tracker and a conversation starter, it helps families and doctors work together to ensure timely and complete protection.

Everyday advocacy: What we can do
Beyond institutional programs, speakers highlighted what parents, school physicians, and healthcare professionals can do today.

Parents can talk to fellow parents about the importance of adolescent immunization and bring their teens to pediatric checkups. School physicians are encouraged to promote vaccination within school-based programs and pediatricians are urged to welcome teens into their practices and use every consult to educate and offer immunizations.
“We must include adolescents in every pediatric practice, not just the little ones,” said Dr. Ticzon. “Let’s use the announcement method: confidently recommend the vaccines, explain their value, and open the door for questions. These conversations can save lives.”

A commitment to healthier futures

The forum concluded with a collective call to strengthen collaboration between families, schools, and the healthcare system.
“We believe every Filipino teen deserves a healthy, supported journey to adulthood. We are dedicated to ensuring that adolescents receive the care, guidance and support they need to thrive. We commit to empowering families through timely, informed and holistic care including protecting teens from vaccine-preventable illnesses, nurturing their mental well-being and promoting good nutrition. Together, we stand for a future where no teen is left behind in health and protection.”

SAMPI continues to lead efforts to ensure that adolescent health is recognized, prioritized, and supported because every teen deserves a safe and thriving path to adulthood