The Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) broke ground on January 31, 2025, for the new 102-bed AUP Medical Center in Barangay Puting Kahoy, Silang, Cavite. This Level III university-based teaching hospital will integrate regional healthcare, community outreach, and clinical training for the AUP College of Medicine, marking a significant milestone for both the institution and the province's healthcare landscape.
A Vision Decades in the Making
The groundbreaking ceremony, held in celebration of AUP's 108th founding anniversary under the theme "God is Limitless," gathered approximately 200 attendees including university administrators, faculty, College of Medicine students, and invited dignitaries . The event marked the culmination of a long-held vision shared by previous presidents of the university .
The hospital is designed to be the first Adventist university-based teaching hospital in the Asia-Pacific region, fulfilling the Commission on Higher Education's (CHED) requirements for medical schools . Dr. Doris Mendoza, dean of the AUP College of Medicine, reflected on the institution's long-standing vision, tracing its roots back to the 1950s and noting that the College of Medicine was established in 2015 as the sixth Adventist medical school worldwide .
A Sanctuary of Healing and Hope
The medical center will feature 102 beds, a 12-station hemodialysis clinic, an ambulatory surgical center, and advanced diagnostic facilities including CT Scan and MRI units . It is designed to provide comprehensive medical care while serving as a clinical training site for students of the AUP College of Medicine .
Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, Secretary of the Department of Health and former faculty at AUP-COM, highlighted the need for more healthcare facilities in the country, emphasizing the "need to triple our hospital beds." He recognized the initiative as "a foundation of hope and mission" and assured his support, promising to help fulfill the hospital's mission. He further stressed that "this is not only constructing a building but a sanctuary of mission".
Construction Progress and Future Impact
Following the Department of Health's release of the Permit to Construct, AUP formally commenced construction activities on November 16, 2025, with site preparation, fencing, grid layout, and excavation for the emergency and hemodialysis wing already underway . A formal foundation-laying ceremony was held on May 14, 2026, with construction partners TRASS Construction Company, Inc. committing to uphold excellence, integrity, and safety throughout the building process .
AUP President Dr. Arceli Rosario emphasized the university's dependence on prayer and God's providence as the project moves forward, sharing a testimony of answered prayer after a donor pledged ₱1 million toward the first phase of construction .
With an estimated 4.5-year construction timeline, the AUP Medical Center is expected to serve communities across Cavite, CALABARZON, and beyond, bridging gaps in medical care and providing expanded opportunities for medical education and training. The facility aims to become a beacon of hope, particularly for underserved populations, while training the next generation of physician-missionaries equipped with essential hands-on clinical experience.
