ANGELES CITY — Expanded treatment facilities, multidisciplinary expertise, and a patient-centered approach redefine comprehensive oncology care in Central Luzon with Sacred Heart Medical Center (SHMC) stepping forward in its mission to provide world-class cancer care with the unveiling of its Tan Song Bok Cancer Institute (TSBCI) on July 28.
Anchored on the campaign “Cancer Care, Made More Complete,” the TSBCI combines expanded treatment capacity, specialized medical expertise, and comprehensive support services under one coordinated system of care. From diagnosis and treatment to recovery, survivorship, palliative care, and long-term support, the Institute aims to ensure that every patient receives seamless and compassionate care.
“We have transformed from a pioneer cancer institute into an integrated, multispecialty oncology center—yet we bring forward the exact same heart, the exact same commitment, and the exact same unwavering quality of care and compassion that have defined us since day one,” said SHMC medical director Dr. Maria Josefina Tan.
At the heart of this transformation is the expanded Chemotherapy Unit, thoughtfully designed to accommodate more patients in an environment that prioritizes clinical excellence, safety, comfort, and privacy.
Complementing the facility are the new Multispecialty Clinics, where oncologists, surgeons, internists, and allied healthcare professionals collaborate closely to deliver coordinated, whole-person cancer care.
Honoring a Visionary Legacy
The Institute proudly bears the name of Mr. Tan Song Bok, affectionately known as Tatang Ric, the founding father of SHMC. His vision was simple yet profound—to make specialized cancer treatment accessible to families in Pampanga and neighboring provinces, sparing them the burden of traveling to Metro Manila for advanced care.
That vision became the cornerstone of the hospital’s pioneering cancer program, which integrated chemotherapy and radiation therapy services under one roof. Over the years, the program steadily evolved, expanding its specialties, expertise, and clinical capabilities to meet the growing needs of patients across Central Luzon.
“The Cancer Institute began with Tatang Ric’s sincere desire to bring specialized healing closer to the people of Pampanga and neighboring communities,” shared TSBCI director Dr. Misael Cruz. “What started as a commitment to access has evolved into a more comprehensive center where different specialties work together for every patient. More than our facilities, equipment, or growth, his enduring legacy is the culture he inspired—to render care and healing with and from the heart.”
Today, the TSBCI stands as a living tribute to that enduring legacy—one that champions accessible, compassionate, and comprehensive cancer care for every patient who walks through its doors.
One Institute. One Team. One Patient Journey.
The renewed cancer institute is built upon three guiding commitments that define its philosophy of care.
Expanded Care reflects the hospital’s continued investment in increasing access to timely, high-quality cancer services delivered closer to patients’ homes.
Integrated Expertise brings together oncologists, surgeons, nurses, supportive care specialists, rehabilitation professionals, and allied healthcare teams into one collaborative network focused on the needs of the whole patient.
One Patient Journey ensures that care is organized around each individual’s experience rather than departmental boundaries—providing continuity from diagnosis and treatment through recovery, survivorship, symptom management, palliative care, and beyond.
This holistic model reinforces SHMC’s position as one of Central Luzon’s leading institutions for comprehensive oncology care, where clinical excellence is matched by compassion at every step.
The institute’s new identity also reflects this evolution. While preserving the familiar heart symbol synonymous with SHMC, the refreshed branding represents broader capabilities, deeper collaboration among specialists, and an unwavering commitment to patient-centered healing.
“Our new identity is not simply a change in how the Institute looks,” Dr. Tan emphasized. “It represents how our services, specialists, and teams are coming together more closely around every patient. We are expanding our capacity, integrating our expertise, and remaining faithful to the compassionate care that has always been at the heart of SHMC.”
As the TSBCI celebrates 16 years of dedicated service, its newest chapter reflects both remarkable growth and enduring purpose. Guided by a legacy of compassion and strengthened by expanded expertise, the Institute continues to fulfill its promise of making advanced, comprehensive cancer care more accessible to patients and families throughout Pampanga and the entire Central Luzon region—proving that while medicine continues to evolve, the heart behind healing remains constant
