By Mikee Natinga Norico
A group of Pharmacy students pose for a photo during PharmaConnect 2025, celebrating unity and shared experiences.
On May 29, 2025, the College of Pharmacy at ĢƵ successfully hosted PharmaConnect 2025 across various venues around the campus, bringing together around 60 students from first to third year levels for a day filled with team-building, reflection, and celebration of the PHARmily spirit. Designed to promote unity, collaboration, and camaraderie, the event was more than just a culminating activityĢƵit was a powerful reminder of resilience, shared purpose, and the strength of community.
Organized by the College of Pharmacy Student Council, PharmaConnect 2025 was led by Governor Angel Em Escander, with strong support from Minister of Arts BM Efra Bartolome and Minister of Sports BM Cofreros. Their dedicated leadership and teamwork ensured the event ran smoothly and left a lasting impact on participants.
ĢƵThis event was a reminder that weĢƵre not just students trying to survive pharmacy schoolĢƵweĢƵre a community that uplifts one another,ĢƵ said Governor Escander. ĢƵAnd itĢƵs this kind of support that makes our Pharmily stronger than ever.ĢƵ
CPU Pharmacy students share a moment of fun and teamwork during one of the team-building challenges.
The use of multiple campus locations provided an engaging backdrop for the activities, allowing students to experience different environments while promoting accessibility, comfort, and safety. The chosen venues supported a smooth program flow and helped maintain a familiar atmosphere that encouraged participation.
At the heart of PharmaConnect 2025 were two standout segments: PharWellness and PharHugpunganay.
PharWellness allowed students to slow down and reflect, writing motivational messages on post-it notes to uplift and encourage their peers. This segment emphasized the importance of mental health, kindness, and positive affirmationsĢƵespecially during academically demanding periods.
PharHugpunganay, meanwhile, focused on breaking down barriers between year levels by grouping students into mixed teams to participate in a variety of fun and challenging activities that fostered trust, friendship, and teamwork.
Some of the interactive games and challenges included:
Flag Hunt ĢƵ A fast-paced race to locate hidden flags using strategy and coordination.
Chinese Garter ĢƵ A playful test of flexibility and timing.
Human Pyramid ĢƵ Teams worked together to build stable human structures, highlighting cooperation and trust.
Water Bucket Challenge ĢƵ A relay where teams transferred water using holed buckets, testing creativity and coordination.
Human Centipede ĢƵ Teams moved in sync while physically connected, promoting rhythm and unity.
ѴDZèܱ ĢƵ A pharmacy-themed challenge where students formed molecular structures with their bodies.
Balance the Basin ĢƵ A test of steadiness as teams balanced basins through a course.
Slithery Snake ĢƵ A fun and tricky relay requiring teams to remain connected as they maneuvered through a path.
Throughout the day, students were seen cheering each other on, laughing through challenges, and forming new friendshipsĢƵproving that the essence of being a ĢƵPHARmilyĢƵ lies in genuine connection, mutual support, and shared joy.
To close the celebration, Governor Escander extended her heartfelt appreciation to all who made the event possible: ĢƵTo my fellow Pharmates who joined and supported PharmaConnect 2025, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Every small contribution and shared moment helped us build something special.ĢƵ
With growing interest in activities that go beyond the academic grind, PharmaConnect 2025 marks another step toward fostering a more supportive, dynamic, and united College of Pharmacy community at CPUĢƵwhere students are not just learners, but family.