The game released its first production run of more than 1,500 copies in late 2025.
For many Filipinos, medicines are part of everyday life, from taking paracetamol for fever to using antihistamines for allergies.
But knowing what these medicines do, when to use them, and how to take them properly is not always as familiar.
A Filipino pharmacist hopes to make those conversations easier through LUNAS: Dispense, Defend, Destroy!, a card game designed to introduce players to commonly used medicines through strategy and play.
Created by John Vincent Peñarubia Cacho with pharmacy classmates Peter Azucena, Hermione Molina, and Leyri Castromayor, LUNAS turns medicine education into a game where players match common symptoms with over-the-counter medicines while competing with friends and family.
In an interview with radar, Cacho said LUNAS has drawn interest even among non-pharmacists because it was designed to make medicine education more accessible.
“Many become interested not just because it’s fun, but because they understand the advocacy behind it,” Cacho said.
The idea for LUNAS grew from Cacho’s experience as a licensed pharmacist, where he saw how patient education can be limited by time and access. Instead of creating another textbook or reviewer, he explored how game-based learning could make healthcare concepts more approachable.
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Developed under local educational lifestyle brand KNOVELTI, LUNAS is designed for two to eight players aged nine and above, with an average playtime of 15 to 30 minutes.
After more than 100 rounds of playtesting, the game released its first production run of more than 1,500 copies in late 2025.
Cacho said the team also worked to make the game approachable even for people without a medical background.
“We intentionally designed LUNAS to be simple, visual, and easy to learn even for people without a medical background,” he said.
The game has since been introduced through school events, pharmacy conventions, educational fairs, and hobby communities. Now available in select hobby stores, cafes, and online platforms, it has reached more than 500 Filipino households, according to KNOVELTI.
Beyond healthcare professionals and students, Cacho hopes LUNAS reaches Filipino families.
“Parents are often a child’s first teachers, so we wanted to create something that encourages families to learn and talk about responsible medicine use together,” he said.
Cacho said they’re looking forward to working with the Department of Education, Department of Health, Food and Drug Administration, and local government units to explore how LUNAS can complement existing health education initiatives.
He emphasized that the game is not meant to replace professional medical advice, but to encourage curiosity and conversations about responsible medicine use.
“At the end of the day, that’s the vision we’ve always had,” he added. “Not just to make games, but to make learning part of everyday life.”
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