EJAP, Unilab bring back Health and Wellness Day for media members

EIGHTY economic and business journalists, along with their loved ones, gathered on Saturday, June 21, 2025, for the EJAP-Unilab Health and Wellness Day, marking the organization's first wellness event since 2021.

Held at the Bayanihan Center in Mandaluyong, the activity was organized by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP), the country's premiere organization of business and economic journalists, in partnership with Unilab, the country's leading pharmaceutical company.

This is also the first time Unilab hosted EJAP for a medical-focused event, a meaningful follow-up to its hosting of the EJAP Sportsfest in 2012.

The program allowed EJAP members and their loved ones to experience a full executive check-up, from lab tests and doctor consultations to specialized services like bone screening, sleep analysis and massages.

Upon arrival, participants first went through patient registration and vital signs monitoring. Afterwards, blood samples were collected for tests including hemoglobin, uric acid, total cholesterol, random blood sugar and anemia screening.

These were followed by doctor consultations. The on-site pharmacy also provided free paracetamol, ImmunPro, Neozep, and Metformin.

Members then explored a wide array of wellness booths, including EyeSite (eye checkup), Nature's Glowing Massage Wellness and Sleep Scienzzz (sleep analyticsand solutions). A limited number of members also received individual psychological consultations as part of Unilab's holistic approach to health.

Claire Papa, AVP and Head of External Affairs and Social Partnerships of Unilab, emphasized the importance of caring for the media community:

"This is very important to us because we consider the media one of our key partners in health education and awareness. You're the ones giving right and timely information, so you're also public carers, and we believe in giving care to the carers. That's why we call it Alagang Unilab," she said.

"We were very open when EJAP approached us about this partnership. After all, you can't be a fulfilled messenger if you haven't personally experienced the message you're delivering," she added.

In the afternoon, attendees participated in informative health talks focused on everyday wellness concerns such as sleep disorders and mental health. The talks aimed to empower participants with practical knowledge and encourage proactive approaches to personal health, rounding out the day's holistic wellness experience.

The sessions were led by Dr. Eden Castro, who discussed the importance of sleep on overall well-being as well as common sleep disorders, and Sheila Marie Hocson, RPsy, who shared insights on recognizing and managing mental health challenges.

A key highlight of the Wellness Day was the on-site flu immunization drive, where 62 members and their guests rolled up their sleeves for free shots of Vaxigrip Tetra, a guadrivalent vaccine that protects against four circulating influenza strainsand is widely accepted by health authorities worldwide.

The vaccines were procured from Medstation Biologicals Inc., who also ensured a smooth and professional rollout of the vaccination process on-site. The vaccinations underscored EJAP's commitment to preventive care and ensured that journalists head into the mid-year stretch with an extra layer of protection.

"As journalists, we often find ourselves prioritizing the stories we cover over our own well-being. This Wellness Day is our way of reminding everyone in EJAP that your health matters, too," EJAP President Myla Iglesias-Acuna said.

"We're grateful to Unilab for making this possible. It's not every day that we get to pause, take care of ourselves, and feel the kind of support we usually report about. Today, we felt that care firsthand."

The event was part of EJAP's efforts to support the overall well-being of its members beyond the newsroom, ensuring that economic journalists also have access to quality healthcare, rest, and community care as it celebrates its 40th year. The event also happened as Unilab celebrates its 80th year.