The Philippine Dermatological Society has successfully partnered for many years with different prestigious dermatological societies from many continents and this has paved the way for us to accomplish one of our objectives, which is to promote international recognition; hence, our global acceptance.

Years of sacrifice and selfless dedication by committed members of our society has contributed to where the PDS is now. Allow me to cite a number of our society’s recent achievements in the international world.

In the February, 2011 issue of the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) Newsletter, the PDS Skinweek activity was featured highlighting its national scope, the number of patients that has been served since its inception in November 2000 and the participation of the various PDS members in the different localities of our country.

We were involved as a Supporting Society and collaborated with the Bangalore Dermatological Society in the 1st Comprehensive Global Conference on Vitiligo (VITILICON 2011) held in India last April 22-24, 2011. The conference objectives are “to boost vitiligo research worldwide, and to form a global organization to fight vitiligo.“ As a Supporting Society, the PDS joins ranks with the International Society of Dermatology and many other national dermatologic societies in combating this stigmatizing disease which afflicts so many.

Just this May, PDS signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology in an effort to promote access to global education and research in Dermatology for its members. We are now acknowledged as partner and member of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology International Alliance. Soon, all PDS members will receive free on line subscriptions to the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology as a result of this partnership.

Our recently concluded 35th PDS Annual Convention was truly an enormous undertaking since this was a joint venture between PDS and the Women’s Dermatological Society. We had 80 international delegates who flew in from India and registered for this convention . This type of linkage is actually not the first. The PDS has collaborated with the American Academy of Dermatology and the International Society of Dermatology in previous annual conventions, but this was the first time the WDS partnered with us. Considering that majority of our members are women and that all our members are involved in women and child dermatologic health care, this collaboration between the WDS and PDS during our convention and in future activities is absolutely significant.

The World Congress of Dermatology was hosted by Korea last May 24-29, 2011. It was within the convention proper that the ILDS Assembly of Delegates Meeting took place. The Philippines was represented by Dr. Georgina Pastofide, Dr. Arnelfa Paliza, Dr. Rosalina Nadela and myself. Votation for the next host of the WCD was done and this was awarded to Canada. Our country was highlighted by the L’Oreal Social Responsibility Award for Asia-Pacific Region, which was given to the “Community Dermatology” Project of St. Luke’s Medical Center, a PDS accredited training institution with Chairperson Dr. Lonnabel Encarnacion. The award was given last May 25, 2011 during the congress (WCD). The project was chosen out of seventeen entries from the Asia-Pacific Region.

Time is running so fast that before we realize it, it’s already February 2012. The Philippines, being a member of the League of Asian Dermatological Societies (LADS) will be hosting the Regional Congress of Dermatology (RCD) on February 20-23, 2012, with Overall Chair Dr. Lorna Frez and Secretary General Arnelfa Paliza. With the theme“ Emerging Concepts and Paradigm Shifts in Dermatology” and a full-packed programme, I’m certain we are looking at a victorious outcome. Our active involvement in organizing the RCD is a beautiful testament of regional harmonization and cooperation among our Asia-Pacific neighbors. PDS members, as individuals have likewise gained international recognition.

Dr. Vermen Verallo-Rowell was recently nominated as a Member of the American Dermatological Association by four of its members: two members from the National Institute of Health, and two others who are connected with universities in the United States. Membership to this prestigious society is offered to investigators, teachers, writers and leaders of North American Dermatology. Nomination is done by peers and this serves as an acknowledgement of the recipient’s contribution to the advancement in dermatology.

Dr. Evangeline Handog , presently the International Society of Dermatology Secretary-General and Honorary Board Member of the American Academy of Dermatology was given the ILDS Award – Certificate of Appreciation. She was highly recommended by the AAD for this award . Based on International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) guidelines, this award is granted to very special people who have given life-long dedication to particular aspects of dermatology, far beyond what one would expect of a dermatologist in her normal practising life.

The PDS, its individual members, its institutions, and as a society, is continuously making a name in the Dermatology world stage. The challenge remains. As the only specialty society in Dermatology in the Philippines recognized by the Philippine Medical Association and Philippine College of Physicians, we need to pool our resources and efforts together to relentlessly uphold the mission and vision of our society. Godbless!

The skin is a master author of mystery. As dermatologists, we try to interpret its clues. Sometimes we succeed in answering its riddles. Sometimes, our quest for truth brings us more questions.

On the first day of June 2011, the PGH Section of Dermatology presented three case reports in their CME called, Mystery Case Files: Cutaneous Conundrums, held in the Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club.

Moderated by PGH consultant Dr. Ma. Lorna F. Frez, the CME began with the first case called Circles of Confusion. This was a case of Erythema Multiforme in a neonate and was presented by Dr. Lily Lyralin DL. Laconico. The second case, Familiar with a Twist, was presented by Dr. Vanessa M. Carpio and was a case of TB Pannicultis in an adult Filipino female with Dermatomyositis. Red, Round, and Rare, a case of Merkel Cell Carcinoma in an adult Filipino male, was the third and final case and was presented by Dr. Hanna E. Lucero.

The reactors for the cases consisted of three of the PGH Section of Dermatology consultants—Dr. Marie Eleanore O. Nicolas, Dr. Francisca DC. Roa and Dr. Adolfo B. Bormate, Jr. and a guest reactor, Dr. Mark Richard Kho, a Surgical Oncologist.
The CME was opened with welcoming remarks by the PGH Dermatology Chief of Section, Dr. Francisca DC. Roa, and ended with the closing reamarks of our PDS President, Dr. Teresita G. Gabriel, MD.

At the end of the CME, the presented mysteries were brought to certainty. And surely, the next time we encounter a patient with similar lesions, we will be more confident in our assessment and management.

By: Carmela Dayrit, MD and Winlove Mojica, MD
Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Section of Dermatology

The Skin And Cancer Foundation Inc. (SCFI) in cooperation with the/Philippine Dermatological Society and the Dermatopathology
Interest Group hosted the CME entitled “Looking Deep Into The Skin:” Interactive Dermoscopy and Interesting CPC Cases on June 29, 2011 at the Banquet Hall of the Wack-wack Golf and Country Club.

The afternoon started with a dermoscopy quiz for the residents, with special prizes given to the top scorers. Dr. Edeleen Chua-Ramirez, SCFI consultant was the moderator for the said activity. Dr. Ma. Jasmin Jamora, SCFI training officer started the scientific program with an Interactive dermoscopy quiz, where attendees were able to participate by keying in their answers using Leo Pharma’s iLearn interactive remote control tool.
Dermatopathologists from various training institutions in Metro Manila shared stimulating clinico-pathologic cases. Dr. Johannes Dayrit from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine presented three interesting CPC cases including exogenous ochronosis, acral lentiginous melanoma and extra-mammary Paget’s disease. Dr. Vermen Verallo-Rowell, Chairperson of the Skin And Cancer

Foundation Inc. shared cases of mycosis fungoides and unusual presentations of melasma. Dr. Daisy King-Ismael, Chairperson of the Department of Dermatology at UST, also presented three interesting acantholytic CPC cases- pemphigus vegetans, Hailey-Hailey disease and Darier’s disease.

The CME was concluded with awarding of certificates and tokens to the speakers, followed by closing remarks by PDS president Dr. Teresita Gabriel.

By: Dr. Enerizza Odiaman

The Skin and Cancer Foundation, Inc. (SCFI), together with the Philippine Academy of Cutaneous Surgery (PACS) held its 3rd Postgraduate Course on May 16, 2011, with the theme entitled “Practical Procedural Dermatology: An Interactive Case-Based Approach”, at The Medical City Augusto Barcelon Auditorium, Ortigas Ave, Pasig City.
This year’s convention highlighted the following topics: atrophic scars, acne and traumatic scars, cutting edge body contouring, challenging dermatologic surgical cases, cutting edge hair enhancement, injectables such as botulinum toxin, soft tissue fillers, autologous fat, currents in varicose vein management, and challenges in facial skin rejuvenation.
A panel of foreign and local guest speakers shared and discussed the basic cosmeceuticals, nonsurgical and surgical procedures, laser surgery and applicability, preferred treatment methods, highlights on documented results, patients experiences and testimonials, which helped attendees understand the cosmetic treatment options applicable for a given case. Noted speakers and panelists were Drs. Christine Poblete-Lopez from the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, Vermen Verallo-Rowell, Julieta Arambulo from Asian Hair, Sylvia Jacinto, Krisinda Dim-Jamora, Arlene Sauna-Abella, Neil Oropesa, Mercedes Cancio-Cruz, Claudine Roura, Joseph Ortiz, Manuel Fernandez, Stephen Lacson, Therese Cacas, Christine Bunagan, Francisco Peralta Jr., Paul Montemayor, Rhesa Manaloto-Martinez, and Mia Leuenberger.
The SCFI chairman emeritus and PACS president Dr. Sylvia Jacinto, welcomed everyone with her inspirational opening remarks. The morning session kicked off with a panel discussion on atrophic and acne scars. Panelists were Drs. Christine Poblete-Lopez, Julieta Arambulo, Neil Oropesa, Mercedes Cancio-Cruz, and Joseph Ortiz. This was followed by a discussion on Cutting Edge Body Contouring moderated by Dr. Claudine Roura, with panelists including Drs. Manuel Fernandez and Neil Oropesa. Dr. Krisinda Dim-Jamora discussed challenging dermatologic surgical cases, with panelists Drs. Christine Poblete-Lopez, Stephen Lacson, and Manuel Fernandez. Dr. Julieta Arambulo from Asian Hair moderated and gave a lecture on cutting edge hair enhancement. Panelists were Drs. Therese Cacas and Christine Bunagan. Dr. Sylvia Jacinto moderated the intriguing topic of injectables, and panelists were Drs. Christine Poblete-Lopez, Claudine Roura, and Manuel Fernandez, Jr. Current trends in vein disease was then moderated by Dr. Claudine Roura, with panelists Drs. Francisco Peralta, Jr and Paul Montemayor. Lastly, challenging cases in facial skin rejuvenation was discussed by panelists Drs. Vermen Verallo-Rowell, Rhesa Manaloto-Martinez, Mia Leuenberger, and Christine Poblete-Lopez, and moderated by Dr. Arlene Sauna-Abella. It was indeed a very informative, up to date and memorable postgraduate course.

By: Olivia Flordeliza, MD