A simple, heartbreaking scene in a Cebu City pharmacy sparked a movement. A mother carefully counted coins in her palm, hesitating as the pharmacist told her the total. The cost meant she couldn't afford all the medicine her family needed. This moment, witnessed by Cebu City National Science High School (CCNSHS) student Frederick Kesner, became the catalyst for Project Alaga: Where the Pulse of Service Meets the Heart of Change.
From Observation to Action: Launching a Medical Advocacy
For Kesner, the issue wasn't just about the price of pills. "It wasn't just the lack of medicine that struck me," he recalled. "It was the lack of access." This realization mirrored a national crisis. In 2023, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed that Filipino households shouldered 44.4 percent of the nation's total health expenses out of pocket. The average individual spent P11,083, a significant increase from the previous year.
Determined to make a difference, Kesner launched the student-led Project Alaga in August 2023. The initiative delivers comprehensive healthcare services to underserved communities across Cebu, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu, and Naga. Its offerings include:
- Free medical consultations
- Essential medicines
- Dental and optical checkups
- Vital health education sessions
To date, Project Alaga has reached more than 3,000 families. It operates through a dedicated network of volunteers, scouting units, and partner organizations like the Asian Medical Students' Association – Accentuating Lives Through Service and Advocacy.
National Recognition and Expanding Service
Kesner's unwavering commitment to service earned him one of the country's highest youth honors. He was named one of the Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts of the Philippines (TOBSP) for 2025. For Kesner, the journey was less about competition and more about community. "It stopped being about winning," he explained. "It became about building a family that serves together."
This recognition opened new doors for his advocacy. As a member of the Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts of the Philippines Association, he expanded his efforts beyond medical missions. When Typhoon Tino struck Cebu, Kesner helped coordinate relief operations through the Boy Scouts of the Philippines National Office's #ScoutsBayanihan initiative, mobilizing support from the SciHi Knights and other partner groups.
Tangible Impact in the Community
The real measure of Project Alaga's success is found in the communities it serves. Beneficiary Irish Catapang shared her gratitude, stating in Cebuano that Kesner was a great help to their community and that they were truly thankful for the assistance with their needs.
Kesner's story underscores the powerful role students and young leaders can play in addressing systemic gaps. By identifying overlooked needs and responding with direct action, they create immediate change. "That day, I realized no parent should have to choose between their child's medicine and the coins in their hand," Kesner said. "I made it my mission to change that." Through Project Alaga, that mission continues to grow, bringing essential healthcare and hope to thousands of Filipinos.
