Otsuka (Philippines) Pharmaceutical Inc. launched another impactful CAMP (Connect, Advocate, Motivate, Progress) Series event with the theme “Together for Mental Health & TB Awareness.” The program was held in partnership with Otsuka-Solar Philippines (Pocari Sweat), the Quezon City Health Department, and the Tropical Disease Foundation (TDF) – Philippines.

A Message of Unity and Purpose

The event marked a milestone for Mr. Koji Ueda, newly appointed President & General Manager of Otsuka (Philippines) Pharmaceutical Inc., as he delivered his first welcome message for this event. Addressing more than 300 attendees, Mr. Ueda underscored Otsuka’s commitment to advancing awareness and support for both mental health and tuberculosis (TB) — two health issues that are often interconnected through shared challenges of stigma and recovery.

Community Support and Collaboration for Health

Following the welcome remarks, Dr. Julius Lecciones, Executive Director of TDF, shared words of encouragement and highlighted their ongoing initiatives for TB prevention and treatment. TDF also partnered with the event to provide free chest X-rays and sputum tests for residents of Barangay Culiat, Quezon City—a vital step in early detection and community health empowerment.

To kick off the day’s activities, participants joined a Zumba session led by Pocari Sweat, promoting the importance of physical activity and hydration for holistic wellness.

Expert Insights on Mental Health and TB Stigma

The highlight of the event was a talk show-style discussion moderated by Jonathan Yu (also known as #SukingHost). The engaging panel featured three distinguished experts:

• Carolina Uno-Rayco, National Executive Director, Philippine Mental Health Association
• Ron Angelo Reyes, RN, TB Nurse Coordinator, District VI, Quezon City
• Joelyn Torreda, TDF speaker and advocate for holistic TB awareness

Together, they explored how mental and physical wellness combined with community support can accelerate recovery and reduce stigma surrounding TB. Dra. Torreda and Nurse Reyes discussed the mental health services and TB treatment programs available in Quezon City, emphasizing that District VI even provides an on-call counselor to support residents’ emotional well-being.

Dr. Carol Rayco shared that positivity and mindset play a vital role in overcoming illness. “If we believe we can recover, we’ll be more committed to completing the six-month TB treatment,” she noted, emphasizing the need for patience, discipline, and optimism in the healing journey.

Engagement and Empowerment

After the discussion, participants took part in a lively Q&A session, followed by an exciting Pocari Sweat game, where winners received refreshing product giveaways.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Ken Saito, President & General Manager of Pocari Sweat,  thanked the participants and partners for their active involvement, making the event meaningful and impactful.

A Step Toward Better Health

The event concluded with an opportunity for attendees to avail of the free chest X-rays provided onsite. In total, 140 residents from Barangay Culiat took advantage of this vital health service, marking another success for the ongoing CAMP Series and its mission to promote mental health and tuberculosis awareness