This year’s 45th Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) Annual Convention was held on May 10-13, 2015 at the new Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom, Newport Complex, Pasay City with a theme “Leading with Integrity, Healing with Compassion”.

On May 14, 2015, the Philippine Rheumatology Association (PRA), represented by Dr. Josephine E. Abao-Lim and Dr. Cristina C. Abella, conducted its second visit for the accreditation of the Fellowship Training Program of the Section of Pediatric Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Hospital.

This year, the 17th APLAR Congress took place in the colorful and vibrant city of Chennai, India, on September 6-9, 2015. Spearheaded by APLAR President Prof. Kevin Pile and Chairman of the Organizing Committee APLAR 2015 Dr. Venkataraman Krishnamurthy, the meeting carried the theme “Integrating the Science & Art of Rheumatology.”

Several interesting topics were discussed in the convention. While most of them pertain to current trends and updates in the field of internal medicine, there were also topics that tackled on legal issues and climate change.

The People Empowerment for ARthritis and Lupus (PEARL) once again assembled with enthusiasm at St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) last March 8 and 15, 2015 for its quarterly gathering. SLMC and University of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH) rheumatology fellows and staff initiated the activity under the supervision of Dr. Sandra V. Navarra.

This year’s well-attended pre-convention offered a Basic Rheumatology Course for non-rheumatologists and a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Course for rheumatologists.

LUPUS and ARTHRITIS CLINICS* – FEBRUARY 2015 University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines by Cheryl Anne D. Tan, MD The monthly Lupus and Arthritis Clinics were conducted last February […]

The postgraduate course about Arthritis and Lupus was held in Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City, attended by 201 participants, a diverse group of participants and moderators with wide ranges of topics discussed.

It was a truly an exceptional learning experience and having Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki, the Japanese Pediatrician who first described the disease in the late 1960s, with us in the meeting made it more special.

Hope and eager anticipation. Inspired by the theme “Mercy and compassion”, and propelled by the lyrics of “We are all God’s children” penned and sang by Jamie Rivera, the PEARL (People Empowerment for Arthritis and Lupus) movement through the Section of Rheumatology, joined the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and entire Filipino community in the eager preparations for Pope Francis’ coming.