PPS NORLU and Bantay Bata 163

BAGUIO CITY. It was a red letter day on September 10, 2006 for PPS NorLu and the people of Baguio. For PPS members, it was a chance to serve some of the less fortunate families in the locality. For the needy, it was a chance to avail of free consultation and treatment sponsored by Bantay Bata 163 in cooperation with the Ventures Club of Baguio. The event took place at the Baguio Convention Center on a bright Sunday morning. We were able to serve 668 families with an average of 4 to 5 children per family. Let’s do our math and that’s about 3000 children assessed and treated that day.

Wow!

It’s a big feat but the work was done, thanks to the overwhelming support by our PPS NorLu members. We acknowledge those who generously shared their time and energy, namely, Dr. Esperanza Bolislis, Dr. Pinky Lopez, Dr. Joy Ramolete, Dr. Connie Padilla, Dr. Rainelda Runez, Dr. Toots Bay-an, Dr. Benrod de Leon, Dr. Gina Co, Dr. Genny Recolizado, Dr. Joyce Frias from Baguio City; Dr. Gerry Acosta, Dr. Marianne Manangan, Dr. Ma. Nida Mortero , from La Union, Dr. Marvin Callanta (our incumbent president no less), Dr. Cleo Malicse, Dr. Lalaine Bravo, Jr. Ildefonso Manzano, Jr. Dr. Susie Castano (past president) from Pangasinan; Dr. Melissa Ragasa, Dr. Irwina Lazo, Dr. Blandina Suarez from Ilocos. Also at hand were the pediatric residents from Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center and SLU Hospital of the Sacred Heart.

Some other services rendered were the distribution of grocery packages from, free eye checkup and prescription glasses, and free medicines from the Medical Outreach Missions Foundation Inc. (MOMFI). It was a successful event made memorable by the presence of the amiable Ms. Tina Monson – Palma who thanked our society for supporting their project. joyce marie frias,md

Asian Pacific Pediatric Association Recommendation

The Philippine Pediatric Society, Inc. Officers and Members of the Board of Trustees on its meeting last August 17, 2006 has recommended for your information:

that rotavirus immunization as included in the routine schedule of immunization be deferred until adequate date on its efficiency/effectiveness has been gathered. This was based on the recommendation of the Rotavirus Workshops during the Asia Pacific Pediatric Association (APPA) Meeting held last July 20-21, 2006 at the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel, Chonburi, Pattaya, Thailand.

that universal vaccines be separated from the use of vaccine for the specific condition in the schedule of immunization

Please be guided accordingly

Very Truly Yours

Jocelyn Yambao-Franco, MD President

Streaking SLU Captures CPC Pennant

Five kilometers away from the idyllic city of Vigan, Heritage Resort of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur was the venue of the 4th Annual Clinico-Pathologic Conference of the PPS Northern Luzon Chapter. Participants from the 5 PPS accredited training hospitals joined to show off their prowess in coming up with a diagnosis of the case given.

Residents tried to out do each other in their presentation but in the end, only one winner was declared. The judges unanimously voted the participants from the Hospital of the Sacred Heart (SLU) as the champion.

Members of the Board of Judges were: Drs. Divina Tolentino from Candon, Ilocos Sur; Imelda C. Dallo from Bacarra, Ilocos Norte; and Kathyrine Pascual- a pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist was the guest judge invited all the way from Tarlac City. The contest ended with a presentation of the histopathological result from a noted pathologist, Dr. Sheldon Aquino from the Region 1 Medical Center.

The 4th Annual CPC was made possible through a CME grant from PHAREX, represented by their product manager, Miss Tboop Macazo.All the participants did not leave empty handed as cash prizes were awarded to all of them. The first prize winner was given P5,000 ; second prize was P 3,000; third place was P 2,000 and a consolation prize of P 1,000 was given to both 4th and 5th place awardee.

List of participants:

1st place ( SLU)- Melissa Ompico MD/ Leanith Haya MD 2nd place ( ITRMC) Clarisa Chan-Lim MD/ Ma. Elena Pabrua MD 3rd place (BGH) - Renelyn Ignacio MD/ Francisco Dacuycuy 4th place ( R1MC )- Maribel Pasaoa MD/ Hazel Fragata MD 5th place ( DMMMH)- Mary Frances Mora MD Melissa Edic MD........ agnesdimaanomd

DEFINITELY, IT’S NOT THE MILK!!!!

Quipped Dr. Alexis L. Reyes as she wowed the audience with her masterful exposition of the “Science of Early Childhood Development” last July 23, 2006 at the Star Plaza Hotel, Dagupan City.

Considered by many experts to be the Dean of Philippine Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics, and an uncompromising advocate of breastfeeding, she elucidated the benefits of pure breastfeeding to infants 0 to 2 years old. She likewise debunked the myths regarding the formulations in infant formulae allegedly increasing intelligence in infants on bottle feeding.

Dr. Reyes, a well known developmental pediatrician and an Associate Professor of the Department of Pediatrics UP-PGH College of Medicine, talked about the factors that make an impact on child development, particularly the 4 domains : body, mind, person, and the brain.

Breastfeeding advocates would be very glad to know that she emphasized the importance of breastmilk in nurturing the mind of a child, and that the timing of nutritional deficiency is important as well as this could lead to delayed neuromaturation, thereby leading to behavioral factors seen in children with developmental delay.

Nature and Nurture. That was the main point of the lecture of this astute professor, a pillar in her chosen field. Multiple Intelligence is dependent on human relationships and the environment, and that there are no quick fixes in the world of early childhood intervention....agnesdimaanomd

SLU Snares Nestle Nutrition Quiz Crown

In a game decided only in the closing stretch, SLU Hospital of the Sacred Heart emerged triumphant in the Nestle-Regional Nutrition Quiz Contest held at the Oasis Resort and Hotel in San Fernando City, La Union last July 23, 2006.

The battle for supremacy proved to close to call as the aspirants breezed though the easy and medium level questions with no team having a clear and comfortable lead. After the first two rounds, ITRMC led the field with a very close margin but ran out of steam in the final round as SLU rampaged its way against the other finally snatching the title.

Led by a promising and youthful consultant Joselito Domingo, MD and his resident Melissa Ompico, MD, the duo received the Php 50,000 cash prize. Finishing as bridesmaid was ITRMC represented by Drs. Daisy C. Garcia and Mariel Tanagon-Duque. Drs. Joy De Guzman and Sean Lea Octaviano of Region 1 Medical Center finished third and Drs. Eleanor Cuarte and Marjorie Rebugio of BGH landed fourth.

Qiuz Contest Regional Finals

Its on to the City of San Fernando, La Union on the 23rd of July for the regional nutrition quiz championships brought to us by Nestle Philippines.... After a brief lull and hangover from the induction ceremonies, hostilities resume for the regional championship crown and the grand prize of PhP 50,000.00...... Good luck sa inyong lahat... And see you at the Oasis Resort.... Balato ha!!!!

induction 2006

27th Anniversary and Induction Ceremony in Bangus Capital

The Philippine Pediatric Society-Northern Luzon Chapter held its 27th Anniversary and Induction Ceremony at the Leisure Coast Resort, Dagupan City last June 25, 2006...

Invited guests were Carmelo "Mike" Alfiler, MD (Keynote Speaker); past PPS National President and currently the Medical Director of the UP-PGH Medical Center, Jocelyn Y. Franco, MD, (Inducting Officer) the present PPS National President, and Joel S. Elises, MD likewise another past PPS National President.

It was a break from tradition wherein the Past Presidents coming from Pangasinan were assigned to tasks usually reserved for younger members. Elisa F. Ramos, MD the Founding President delivered the Welcome Remarks and F. Jacinto, MD gave the Invocation. Susie R. Castano, MD presented the Officers for induction as well as the New Members for their oath. Maeva D. Lalas, MD introduced the guest speaker who incidentally was her classmate in Med School. Estrellita J. Uson, MD was supposed to give the Closing Remarks but was not able to attend due to some family emergency.